The University of Portsmouth Catholic Chaplaincy is open to everyone – inclusivity and hospitality are our priorities.
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The Hospital Chaplaincy is an ecumenical team working at Queen Alexandra and St Mary's Hospitals, with pastoral responsibilities for all patients, their relatives and members of staff.
The Catholic Chaplain, Fr Andrew Chandler and his assistants make regular visits to all wards.
If you are coming into hospital or know someone who is in hospital and would welcome a visit please contact the Chaplains Office at:
Q.A. Tel: 023 9228 6408
St Mary's Tel: 023 9286 6080
St James' Hospital is covered by Sister Theresa McGary, Tel: 023 9282 2444.
The Naval Chaplaincy Service (NCS) provides for the men and women of the Naval Service - the Royal Navy and Royal Marines - whose lives are often away from family and friends and all the usual support people can get ashore. Catholic Chaplains form part of the NCS, and with their Anglican and Church of Scotland & Free Church colleagues minister at sea, ashore and among the Royal Marines wherever they are deployed. About half of the Chaplaincy billets are in deployable Units, and the other half in Training Establishments, Air Stations and Naval Base
The ministry has a strong ecumenical dimension and has had so since the management of the NCS was amalgamated in 1992. Each denominational branch has a Principal Chaplain, and the 3 Principal Chaplains make up the Board of Management. The professional Head of the NCS, the Chaplain of the Fleet, can be of any denomination, and is currently Anglican. The other Principal Chaplains assume portfolios across the NCS. The Principal Church of Scotland & Free Church Chaplain is currently Director (Capability) and the Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain is Director (Operations) and Career Manager for all Chaplains.
In ships, there will only be 1 Chaplain, who is to be "the friend and adviser of all onboard". A Sunday Service is always held in ships, whether there is a Chaplain or not. If there is a Chaplain, the Sunday Service is a Liturgy of the Word. If it is that Chaplain's denominational practice to celebrate the Eucharist every Sunday, this is done at a different time. A Catholic Chaplain in an aircraft carrier, for example, might celebrate a Vigil Mass on Saturday, and the Liturgy of the Word for all-comers on Sunday.
Catholic Chaplains make up part of the Bishopric of the Forces, and the Principal Chaplain is a Vicar General. The Bishopric is a diocese without geographical boundaries: its remit is wherever there are British Armed Forces personnel. Only 9 of the 15 Catholic Chaplain billets in the Royal Navy are filled. To be a Chaplain, a priest needs to be fit for task:
Upon applying, the potential Chaplain will spend a couple of days among Naval Chaplains and personnel seeing the scope of the work to appreciate at first hand what a privilege it is to be a Chaplain among these men and women in uniform. An interview with the Board of Management will allow the potential Chaplain to talk about the gifts and skills they bring to the work, and to discover what is expected of them. Finally, the potential Chaplain sits the Admiralty Interview Board, who will make the recommendation about his suitability.
Local to Portsmouth diocese, the following Catholic Chaplains minister:
The Reverend Monsignor Paul Donovan, QHC, MBA, STL, FCMI, FRSA, VG,
Royal Navy
Director Naval Chaplaincy Service (Operations) & Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain (Naval)
MP1.2 Leach Building, Whale Island, Portsmouth, PO2 8BY
Tel. 023 9262 5193
Email paul.donovan506@mod.uk
Monsignor Donovan is a priest of Northampton Diocese.
The Reverend David Conroy, MA, MMS, IMS(Dip), Royal Navy
Trinity Centre, Rodney Block, HMS NELSON, Portsmouth, PO1 3HH
Tel. 023 9272 4233
Email. CXP-CRCConroyDFr.NAVYNET@mod.uk
Father Conroy is a priest of Galloway Diocese.
The Reverend David Yates, Royal Navy (from 17 April 2007)
Chaplain, HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, BFPO 305
Email. 305-chaplain@a.dii.mod.uk
Father Yates is a priest of Salford Diocese.
The Reverend Richard Blythen, Royal Navy (from 24 July 2007)
The Chaplaincy, HMS SULTAN, Gosport, PO12 3BY
Tel.023 9254 2327
Father Blythen is a priest of Arundel & Brighton Diocese.