On the fourth day of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland at New College on the Mound, it was the turn of the Military Chaplains to be photographed on the steps with the Moderator, Rt Rev Gordon Kennedy, (front row third from left)
Group Captain (Ret’d) Andrew Tait addressed the Assembly saying that chaplains support military personnel across the armed forces, caring for them morally, pastorally and spiritually.
And he said that as people in the services “prepared like never before” for whatever demands the country asked of them, chaplains would stand alongside them “wherever they go and whatever they do”.
Mr Tait, convener of the Committee on Chaplains to HM Forces, said: “Moderator, neither you nor the Commissioners need me to explain to you the dangerous state of the world today.
“There is war in Europe, tension in the Persian Gulf and many other conflicts and hotspots around the world.
“Some informed commentators believe this country is closer to major conflict than it has been for many years.
“As a result, the men and women of his Majesty’s Armed Forces are preparing like never before to meet whatever demands the Government and the country ask of them.
“Chaplains stand alongside the people of the Services wherever they go and whatever they do, to support them and care for them morally, pastorally and spiritually.
“Chaplains, of any faith, working with those of all faiths and no faith, are there to listen, to advise and to support.
“To be there with the people of our Armed Forces, and their families, and to share their highs and lows, perhaps during very difficult times of their lives, but also in the rewarding times.”
In delivering his report to the General Assembly, Mr Tait said there had been an increase in the numbers of military chaplains being recruited and highlighted the appointment of Church of Scotland Naval chaplain Rev Dr Mark Davidson as the Chaplain of the Fleet – the senior chaplain to the Royal Navy.
Mr Tait said this meant that, along with Rev Davidson’s deputy, it was a “remarkable first” that the Church of Scotland held the two top spots in Naval chaplaincy.
Following the report, Mr Tait invited Brigadier Andy Muddiman Royal Marines, Naval Regional Commander for Scotland and Northern Ireland, to address the Assembly.
The Brigadier updated the Assembly on the work of the Royal Navy and praised the support provided by the Church of Scotland
He said: “The war in Ukraine has reminded us very clearly that the spiritual side of human life matters deeply, especially when people are facing, fear, loss and sustained pressure.
“UK military chaplains are now helping in the important work of spiritual resilience, something that has becoming increasingly recognised as central to how people endure, recover and keep going under extreme strain.
“I am deeply grateful to the Church of Scotland for the consistent care and attention you give to this important part of your mission, as I know the other heads of service in the Army and RAF are too.”
