The Cross on the Sword

This work charts the contribution made by Catholic chaplains to the life of the British armed forces during conflicts of the last 200 years. It starts with the 1794 Catholic Relief Act, which gave Catholic priests a commission for the first time since the reign of James II, then covers the struggle for a satisfactory structure and appropriate reporting lines for the Catholic chaplaincy during and after World War II, up to the Gulf War. The book covers experiences of chaplains in each of the three forces, and includes stories of their different adventures.