Support Non-Christians
Last updated: 08/09/2006 - 09:32
The first Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh chaplains to the Armed Forces have been appointed.
The appointments aim to reflect the diverse nature of personnel serving in the Armed Forces (approximately 183,000 Christians, 305 Muslims, 230 Hindus, 220 Buddhists and 90 Sikhs) and represent the largest of the non-Christian faith groups.
The Chaplains will be fully integrated members of the Armed Forces chaplaincy team, providing spiritual, moral and pastoral support to service personnel and their dependents. They will also assist with promoting a greater understanding of their faith within the Armed Forces.
"The Armed Forces attach great importance to supporting the spiritual well-being and development of its personnel," explains Under Secretary of State for Defence, Don Touhig.
"I am confident that the new chaplains will contribute enormously to encouraging and promoting religious understanding and acceptance within the Armed Forces, and that they will provide comfort, support and valuable advice to service personnel".
The Chaplains have been appointed following a national recruiting campaign earlier this year. Representatives from the relevant faith communities were fully involved in the recruitment and selection process.
Under existing longstanding historical arrangements, the Armed Forces already have a Jewish Honorary Officiating Chaplain. It is expected that, in due course, a civilian chaplain of the Jewish faith will be recruited.
The new Chaplains - currently undergoing their induction and familiarisation training - are civil servants, and will be employed on Fixed Term contracts, for an initial period of three years.
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