Chaplain general facts for kids
A chaplain general is a very important leader for chaplains in groups that are not churches. This includes organizations like the British and Canadian armies. Their main job is to look after other chaplains who provide religious services and support. They also represent the Christian faith within their organization. They offer care and help to people in the group.
History of the Chaplain General
The role of Chaplain-General in the British Army began a long time ago in 1796. This was when the Army Chaplains' Department was first created.
During the First World War, the Chaplain-General, John Taylor Smith, had a rank similar to a major general. He worked under the Permanent Under-Secretary of State. Another important leader, Llewellyn Henry Gwynne, became the deputy chaplain-general for the army in France in 1915. He also had a rank like a major-general. Both of these leaders had been bishops in other countries before taking on these roles.
In the Second World War, the main leader for chaplains in the British Army was an Anglican Chaplain-General. This person was officially under the control of the Permanent Under-Secretary of State. There were also Assistant Chaplains-General, who were like full Colonels. Senior Chaplains were like Lieutenant Colonels.
In 1948, a special role called the Bishop to the Forces was created. This Bishop is a helper to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is a very senior leader in the Anglican Church. The Bishop to the Forces is not a military chaplain themselves. Their full title is "The Archbishop of Canterbury's Episcopal Representative to the Armed Forces." The current person in this role is Tim Thornton. Sometimes people get confused between the Anglican "Bishop to the Forces" and the Roman Catholic ""Bishop of the Forces"". To avoid confusion, the Roman Catholic title is usually said in full.
Each of the three main armed services in the UK has its own chief chaplain. For the navy, it's the Chaplain of the Fleet. For the army, it's the Chaplain-General. And for the Royal Air Force, it's the Chaplain-in-Chief. These leaders have a rank similar to an archdeacon in the church.
You can find out more about the history of the Chaplains General to the British Army at the Museum of Army Chaplaincy. They keep old records and information.
Chaplain General Outside the Anglican Church
The term Chaplain General is also used in other countries and militaries, not just within the Anglican Church. Sometimes, this role is called the Chief of Chaplains. For example, in the United States military, they use the term Chief of Chaplains.
Some countries, like South Africa, Israel, and Canada, have one Chaplain General or Chief of Chaplains for their entire military. Other countries, like the United States, have a separate Chief of Chaplains for each part of their armed forces. This means there might be one for the Army, one for the Navy, and one for the Air Force. Some nations even have a chief chaplain for each major religion or faith group among their military members.
See also
- Royal Army Chaplains' Department (RAChD) (U.K.)
- Royal Canadian Chaplain Service
- Chiefs of Chaplains of the United States
- International Military Chiefs of Chaplains Conference
- Military chaplain#Military chaplains by country
