Above: Memorial for fallen soldier at Tarin Kot base in Afghanistan
THIS YEAR marks the 111th anniversary of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landing at Gallipoli, a defining moment in the nations' history and a first major test for its armed forces.
In the decades since, Anzac Day has become one of the most solemn dates in the Australian calendar, marked by dawn services and Masses attended by both civilians and defence personnel.
The Anzac spirit – courage, mateship, humour and endurance – continues to shape those who serve, including Catholic chaplains tasked with caring for the spiritual wellbeing of soldiers, sailors and aviators.
The Catholic Weekly spoke to navy chaplain Fr Martin Monaghan and former
army chaplain Fr Damien Ellis about their ministry in the field and on base.
Fr Monaghan, a navy chaplain since 2019, provides access to Mass, the sacraments and pastoral care for sailors often far from parish life.
“The chaplain on a ship is very critical for spiritual care,” he said, noting ships are generally not deployed without one. “We’re there as the buffer between the defence force and the people.” A shortage of Catholic chaplains remains a challenge across the Australian Defence Force and allied navies.
“The American Navy is also facing the same lack of Catholic clergy,” Fr Monaghan said. “They’ll call up asking, ‘what flavour of padre have you got on board?’”
He has ministered not only to Australian personnel but also to American, French and Filipino sailors, celebrating the sacraments and offering pastoral care at sea and abroad, including at Pearl Harbour.
Fr Ellis, who served in the Middle East in 2013–14, was at one point the only Catholic chaplain on a multinational base in Afghanistan. “If anything of faith came up, I provided support ministry,” he said.
His duties included leading memorials for fallen soldiers, conducting funerals and accompanying personnel in their faith journeys. He recalled preparing a service member for confirmation after a conversation about faith that began with doubt.
“He began by saying, ‘I don’t know whether I believe in God,’” Fr Ellis said. After reflection, the man sought confirmation in the lead-up to Lent. Fr Ellis said faith often becomes more immediate during deployment. “On operations … the faith provides them solace,” he said.
He also established a space in the base chapel where soldiers could light candles for fallen comrades, a sign of constant prayer. “There’d always be a candle or a light in the chapel … and it told me people were praying,” he said.
Despite declining numbers of Catholic chaplains, Fr Monaghan said the role remains essential. “A lot of commanding officers respect the tradition we bring,” he said. “There are a lot of Catholics in defence because of the call to service and service of country.”
Written by Tara Kennedy
Picture supplied: Fr Damien Ellis blessing a soldier
This article was originally published at The Catholic Weekly and is used with permission