The Catholic Military Association (abbreviated CMA) is an association of the faithful and in the Catholic Church for the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom. The organisation provides community and spiritual support to serving personnel, veterans and their immediate families, and advances the Catholic religion in the British Armed Forces by promoting prayers, events and other charitable works.[1]
The Catholic Military Association is a membership organisation managed by appointed trustees, legally constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation,[2] and having constitutional statutes aligned to the Code of Canon Law in addition to UK charities law.
It is recognised by the Ministry of Defence [3] and the Holy See.[4]
The model of lay-led Catholic spirituality in the armed forces led to the formation of sister organisations in the United States of America in February 2022[8] and Canada in April 2023.[9]
Activities
The association pursues its goals by offering a routine of structured prayer, fellowship, pilgrimages and retreats, by distributing rosaries and miraculous medals, by partnering with other organisations,[10] and arranging prayers for the dead.[11]