wfn.org | ACNS3351 Bishops support military personnel

["Anglican Communion News Service" <acnslist@anglicancommunion.org>]

ACNS 3351     |     ENGLAND	|     18 MARCH 2003

Bishops support military personnel

[The Church of England] The Church of England Bishop of the second largest
diocese in England visited Colchester Garrison, the home of 16 Air Assault
Brigade - Britain's largest Brigade - on Monday 17 March, accompanied by his
Roman Catholic counterpart. The purpose of the visit is to give spiritual,
pastoral and moral support to servicemen and women and their families
stationed in Colchester as military action in the Gulf looms.

The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd John Perry, and the Roman Catholic
Bishop of Brentwood, the Rt Revd Thomas McMahon, are spending time with the
Garrison Commander, Colonel Tony Barton, visiting parts of the garrison,
meeting with the Army welfare service, the Garrison Chaplain, the Revd Nick
Cook, and hearing of some of the difficulties and stresses which are now
facing army personnel.

Colchester Garrison is normally home to just under 4,000 personnel and their
families, 2,500 of whom are now currently serving in Kuwait.

The Bishops have said, "Great uncertainty faces the men and women of our
armed services and their families at this difficult time. Whilst we all pray
that a war may be avoided, we want to pay tribute to the dedication and
commitment of our servicemen and women and their families. They will be much
in our prayers, and we will want to give as much practical and spiritual
support as possible to all those involved. The clergy and people in the
parishes of our dioceses are ready to offer practical and spiritual help to
all involved in this operation."

The Revd Nick Cook, Chaplain of Colchester Garrison, said, "We welcome the
visit and pastoral concern of the bishops, who are keen to express their
support and encouragement in prayer and visiting, to those caught up in
events in the Gulf, those who remain and particularly for families and loved
ones of those deployed.

"The Army has always had close links with the Church and is served by
chaplains from all the mainstream denominations. There are currently seven
chaplains deployed with 16 Air Assault Brigade in the Gulf region, three
Church of England, two Roman Catholic, two Baptist and one Church of
Scotland. Tri-service chaplains deployed in support of UK forces number over
60, including Volunteer Reserve Chaplains (with 37 drawn from the Army)."

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