Top job for Royal Navy Chaplain

Monsignor Andrew McFadden

Monsignor Andrew McFadden, Principal Catholic Chaplain to the Royal Navy has been appointed Principal of the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre at Amport House, Andover.

Mgr Andrew is the first Catholic Forces Chaplain to be appointed to this top post. Several thousand service men and women attend courses at the Centre each year. The Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre offers a wide variety of residential courses. Besides training and supporting the Service Chaplains, the Centre offers many courses to those who are interested in developing their ability to work with people in the Service community. The courses are aimed at enhancing both personal skills and the skills required in the pastoral care of Service personnel and their families.

Mgr Andrew will have a staff of 26 including five other Chaplains from the various denominations.

“To say I was surprised to be offered this post is putting it mildly” said Mgr Andrew. “My first reaction was that I will miss going to sea. I am more used to being at sea and the naval environment but then I realised that this is where God wants me to be so I accepted the post as a further means of service to the Chaplains of the Army and Royal Air Force as well as the Royal Navy and to the members of all three armed services and their families. Service Chaplains provide pastoral support to people at important stages in their lives. I trust that my many years experience as a Naval Chaplain will serve me well in my new role. I will also endeavour to be an ambassador for the Catholic Church in a truly ecumenical environment”.

Mgr Andrew grew up in Gourock on the Clyde and was ordained a priest for the Paisley Diocese in 1989. His interests are all things maritime, classic ships, especially those built on the Clyde! He loves sailing and enjoys classical music and opera. “From my many years in Rome I hope I have developed a good sense of Romanita!, and of course spending time with my family has a very special place in my life” said Andrew.

Speaking of Mgr Andrew’s appointment, Bishop Richard Moth, Bishop of the Forces said: “On behalf of the Bishopric, I wish Andrew well in his new role. He has my best wishes and prayers as he works to support Chaplains and service personnel of all three armed services”.