PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Were All Forces Chaplains C of E?
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Old 19th Jan 2010, 22:54
  #36 (permalink)  
Union Jack
 
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.... you are quite incorrect in believing that the official religion of the realm is C of E. It is the established church in England only and as the Armed Services are British, not English, then all religions are represented in the chaplaincy

Very well put Redbarron, and in fact HM The Queen, the Head of our Armed Forces, has an interesting role with regard to both the Church of England and the Church of Scotland as defined at Queen and the Church

In practical terms, she normally worships with the C of E in England and Wales, and with the C of S in Scotland and, correspondingly, the most senior Service Chaplains of each church are normally appointed Queen's Honorary Chaplains and wear special clerical dress and badges.

Interestingly enough, Royal Navy Chaplains (and Chaplains of what used to be called the "Old Commonwealth" navies) neither hold Service ranks nor wear badges of rank, since they are deemed to have assumed the rank of the person with whom they are conversing, whether they are an AB or an Admiral. And, oh yes, Chaplains RN serving with an RM Commando must gain their "Green Beret"!

Jack

PS As the midnight hour approaches, I am a little too tired to embark on any "dits" about RN Chaplains .....
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