revealed 22 Might 2024
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The Common Meeting has been warned that army chaplains within the Church of Scotland might “kind of disappear” until extra folks might be recruited.
In a speech, Rev Scott Brown, convener of the Chaplains to HM Forces Committee, described it as “a catastrophe”.
“Our potential to nominate Church of Scotland ministers to behave as army chaplains is not simply an recognized threat, it’s now a serious downside,” he mentioned.
“Our numbers are at historic lows, with two within the common drive, two within the RAF, three within the Royal Navy and 13 within the Military, with 50% anticipated to retire within the subsequent few years.
“We even have gaps in our reserve drive.”
The previous chaplain-of-the-fleet highlighted that the shortfall got here at a time when “our armed forces are being requested to…do extra”.
He urged these enthusiastic about exploring ministry within the drive to contact him or committee members to be taught extra concerning the vital position.
Throughout the speech, Mr Brown paid tribute to the work of army chaplains:
“As we speak is as soon as once more a possibility to thank those that serve on this distinctive group, that top and low they know that they’re held within the prayers of the church and that we because the Common Meeting extremely worth. They do.
“The chaplain is totally part of the army, however someway outdoors of it, and sailors, servicemen or airmen and ladies look to a minister or a priest or a rabbi, somebody who cares, who listens and is a pal and counselor to all.”
Mr Brown additionally highlighted the work of chaplains within the Ukrainian military, who’ve lately been coaching on the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Heart as a part of the UK Protection Academy.
“Everyone seems to be impressed by their power, their resilience and really their love for the land they battle for day-after-day,” he mentioned.
Following the report, Mr Brown invited Air Vice-Marshal Tim Jones CBE to handle the gathering.
The Air Vice-Marshal echoed Mr Brown’s phrases, praising the work of army chaplains and the “beneficiant, steadfast and devoted help you give to service households”.
“Our job within the armed forces is to assist climate the storms of life. To do our half to cease conflicts from beginning, and if they begin, to assist finish them as rapidly as doable. And proper now, after all, we dwell in a really stormy world the place many The battle is ongoing.
“So maybe greater than ever, we really feel the load of our accountability. Our accountability to guard the nation. Our accountability to the protection, stability and prosperity of the locations the place we dwell, our households and our associates.
“We’re reminded of the vital position you play in an important side of teamwork — belief and religion that drives us ahead — which we all know because the ethical factor,” he mentioned.
“I need to guarantee you associates, with out the power to talk, to be assured, to replicate, to chortle, to cry or to recollect, it could not be doable to navigate the service life.
“And that is what our service chaplains assist us do.
“And so in sharing the experiences of these they work alongside, our service chaplains occupy a novel place within the material of those, our important nationwide establishments, upon whom our dependence within the storms of life appears to many now higher than ever. decade
“And so, on behalf of our chaplains, and all companies, I thanks
“Thanks for the beneficiant, steadfast and devoted means you might have supported service households and the position you might have performed in making certain that our armed companies may help navigate the storms of life by assembly the challenges which were positioned earlier than us. Thanks for our nation. For, our associates and our household.
“And to those that will serve, you may be part of us in serving to to satisfy these challenges, I hope you end up welcome.”
