Article June 12, 1965 Issue

Activities for the Armed Services

Impelled by widespread threats of war in Southeast Asia, Australia is building up its Armed Forces and has reintroduced conscription for service in the Army. Consequently, the numbers of Christian Scientists in uniform are growing.

The Australian branch of Christian Science Activities for the Armed Services, which has been operating for nearly twelve years, is alertly preparing for this buildup. At present it has ten Christian Science Ministers for the Armed Services and one Christian Science Representative in the Aimed Services. One of the ten Ministers also serves as the supervisor of the branch. The Ministers and Representative visit Navy, Army, and Air Force installations that are within reasonable distances of the capital cities of Australia. The supervisor calls at the more distant training centers if emergencies arise. All service hospitals are visited by Ministers.

Progress has resulted from encouraging Christian Scientists to enter Christian Science rather than Protestant as their religious preference on their naval and military records. First, those who follow this course are being located more easily and served more fully by the Field workers. Secondly, since Ministers can serve only where Christian Scientists are registered, they are now being permitted to serve aboard more ships and at more naval and military installations.

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