The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Dr Derek Browning, is pictured signing the Armed Forces Covenant.

This year’s General Assembly approved the signing of the Covenant, which commits the Church to supporting serving and former military personnel and their families.

The principles underlying it are that no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen; and that in some circumstances special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.

Under the agreement to support people ‘pastorally, liturgically and organisationally’, presbyteries will appoint Veterans’ Champions to support parish ministers who will signpost people to the appropriate agency to ensure they get the help they need.

However, the church has emphasised that signing the covenant does not imply an endorsement of defence policy, or any barrier to the Church challenging the UK Government.

Speaking ahead of the event, Dr Browning said: “The Church of Scotland remains committed to supporting the work of military chaplaincy.

“It is mindful that much of the work done is not at the front line but on the homefront and that forces personnel are to be found in many different communities across our nation.

“Jesus teaches us to reach out to everyone, weak and strong, young and old, friend and foe, and to remember that not everyone is at the centre of things, but often on the margins.

“Where we can, we will help.”

The Rev Gordon Craig, convener of the Church of Scotland Committee on Chaplains to HM Forces, said the Armed Forces Covenant was about “providing support for a great number of Scotland’s families”.

“While their experiences, aspirations, vulnerabilities, successes and failures are varied, veterans ultimately share only one thing in common,” he added.

“They contracted themselves to a job that required them regularly and uniquely to make considerable personal sacrifices in the service of the nation.

“The wording of the Covenant will allow the Kirk to demonstrate its support of this group of people pastorally, liturgically and organisationally.”

Pictured: Dr Browning signs the Armed Forces Covenant, with (l-r): Eric Fraser, the Scottish Veterans Commissioner, Air Vice Marshal Ross Paterson, Captain Chris Smith, Naval Commander Scotland and Northern Ireland, Major-General Mike Riddell-Webster CBE DSO, Governor of Edinburgh Castle, Colonel Martin Gibson, chairman of Veterans Scotland.