Online Newsroom |
 |
General Assembly 2007: Forces
chaplaincy applications increase
In their report, the Committee for Chaplains to Her
Majesty’s Forces will ask that the General Assembly
express its gratitude for the outstanding ministry given
by all commissioned, officiating and honorary chaplains.
As the atrocities in Iraq and Afghanistan continue,
whenever and wherever service personnel are involved
in the dangers of operational duties it is imperative
to the spiritual wellbeing and morale of each individual
that the ministry of the Church is offered.
The Assembly will be assured by the committee’s
report of its confidence in the work of its chaplains
as they are faced with difficult and powerful challenges.
The Assembly will learn of the recent difficulties
in attracting applications for military chaplaincy but
will be encouraged by last years increase in applications
for the Army and Royal Navy. While opportunity exists
for ministers to serve as chaplains within all three
Services, the committee will express its concern at
the very low number of chaplains serving in the RAF
from the Scottish church.
The last year has seen the relocation of the RAF Chaplaincy
HQ from Gloucester to High Wycombe and has also been
impacted by loss of all civilian support staff.
The report concludes with notification of changes within
senior posts. The Rev Scott M. Rae who was principal
Church of Scotland and Free Churches chaplain (Naval)
and director of the Royal Navy Chaplaincy Service was
medically discharged from the Royal Navy in November
2006. The Assembly will hear of his 25 years of distinguished
service in both sea and shore appointments.
The Rev Scott J. Brown is his appointed successor.
The Rev John Whitton has retired from the post of deputy
chaplain general, after 30 years service within the
Royal Army Chaplains Department. The committee welcomes
the appointment of the Venerable Stephen Robbins as
deputy chaplain general.
Ends
nrga/10/03/07
Thursday 19 April 2007
Note to news desk
For further information please contact James Gibson, convener
of the Committee on Chaplains to Her Majesty’s Forces,
on telephone number 01698 853189. A full copy of the report
is available on our General Assembly pages online
here.
[Current news releases page]
[top of page]
|
