Book: Defend Us in Battle - Priests in the Military

Robert Finnigan, Archivist of the Diocese of Leeds, reviews a new book tracing the fascinating history of Catholic priests in the British armed forces.

'Stories that can so easily remain hidden from our history books and sit outside our collective memory are those of the contribution made by our brave and faithful military chaplains…' So writes Bishop Paul Mason, Bishop of the Forces, in his Foreword to 'this eye-opening and intriguing account of the work and ministry of Catholic chaplains to the British military'.

In this thoroughly researched, readable and well-illustrated book, James Hagerty and Barry Hudd have ensured that the ministry of Catholic military chaplains, conducted in war and in peace, will not easily be forgotten.

Starting with the Jesuit missio castrensis in the post-Reformation Wars of Religion in Europe, we are taken through the story of military chaplaincy in the English Civil War, the Jacobite period, the Napoleonic Wars, the Indian Mutiny, colonial wars of the 19th century, the two World Wars, the Korean War, post-colonial emergencies, the Cold War, the Falklands War, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan. What becomes obvious, through thirty-three succinct and informative chapters, is that while the locations, tactics and technology of war may change, the padres' ministry does not.

A feature of official - i.e., non-Catholic - attitudes was opposition to Catholic chaplains in the 18th and 19th century army and Royal Navy. Despite the relaxation of Penal Laws, Catholic soldiers, many of whom were Irish, were not allowed commissioned chaplains until 1858 while Catholic chaplains were not commissioned in the Royal Navy until 1943. Royal Air Force chaplains, however, were commissioned in 1918 with the establishment of the RAF's own Chaplaincy Service. Each of these developments is examined in detail as are the not inconsiderable ecclesiastical tensions arising from the supply (by dioceses and religious orders) and the supervision of chaplains by a Bishop of the Forces who was not a member of the national Hierarchies and therefore not allowed to join Bishops' Conferences.

Some chaplains, like the men they served, paid the ultimate sacrifice. Fr John Wheble died in the Crimean War, Fr Patrick Fairhurst died in the Indian Mutiny and Fr John Moloney died in the Boer War. In the First World War, naval chaplain Fr Stewart Phelan OMI was killed at Jutland and in the Second World War Fr Gervase Hobson-Matthews OSB was killed at Dunkirk. Within living memory Fr Gerry Weston was killed by an IRA bomb in Aldershot in 1972. Military chaplaincy is indeed a dangerous ministry - 66 unarmed Catholic padres died in both World Wars of the twentieth century. Their bravery and frequent heroism generated huge respect in the military.

Throughout the well-paced narrative, the contribution of Irish priests who served as chaplains in the British military is brought into sharp focus with the current Case for Canonisation of Fr Willie Doyle SJ, an army chaplain who died on the Western Front in 1917. Even today, Irish priests volunteer for this specialised ministry.

As Bishop Mason writes: 'The experiences of warfare can present an existential challenge, put great stress on family life and raise many questions of faith all in a context of uncertainty. It is into that space that our chaplains have brought hope through Word, Sacrament and through their very presence as they serve those who serve us. Men and women who place themselves in harm's way for the protection and security of our nation, for the preservation of peace, are owed a special care by the Church'. There are those who claim that uniformed chaplains are paid servants of the state and legitimise the violence of war. The Church, however, disagrees.

Defend Us in Battle illustrates how Catholic chaplains have, over the centuries, exercised their 'vocation within a vocation' to those serving in the British military, their dependants and the nation. Mgr Noel Mullin, former Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain, Royal Navy, comments: 'The book is…a major piece of work which contributes so much of great value to our knowledge and understanding of an amazing legacy. It is a worthy tribute to some extraordinary people who lived and died in the service of God's people.'

DEFEND US IN BATTLE: CATHOLIC CHAPLAINS IN THE BRITISH MILITARY
by James Hagerty and Barry Hudd.
Sacristy Press, Durham, pp. 403. Price £25.

www.sacristy.co.uk/book/catholic-military-chaplains