A gaggle of greater than 20 MSPs have signed a cross-party motion recognising the work of chaplains who provide spiritual care to offshore employees within the oil and gas industry.
The UK Oil and Gas Chaplaincy Trust is supported by a variety of offshore energy firms via a trade body, Offshore Energies UK.
The chaplaincy “provides financial, pastoral, emotional, mental and spiritual care to individuals who work or have worked within the North Sea oil and gas industry and their dependants, with everyone welcome, no matter faith or none”, the parliamentary motion states.
The chaplaincy was founded within the Eighties by Rev Andrew Wylie and provides pastoral support to employees, conducts offshore visits, and assists families suffering bereavement or other difficulties.
The organisation also plays a job in remembering the lives of those that have died in offshore work, by keeping a book of remembrance. A separate book is kept in memory of those killed within the Piper Alpha disaster.
Piper Alpha was an oil platform within the North Sea. In 1988 the platform exploded attributable to inadequate safety procedures and maintenance. 100 and sixty-five employees were killed, making it the deadliest oil rig disaster in history.
A memorial to the dead might be present in Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen. An annual memorial is organised by the chaplaincy on the Kirk of St Nicholas in the town.
Rev Michael Mair, a chaplain who was commended for his work by the Holyrood motion, said he was “deeply honoured and touched” to see the work of offshore chaplains being recognised.
“We have the true privilege to answer families, friends and colleagues on the worst of days. We can only hope that through our presence alongside those enduring grief, pain, stress and challenge that we are able to bring some comfort and peace,” he said.
“The quiet work of our hardship committee, who assist employees when life has turn out to be incredibly difficult, is a key safety net offering a lifeline to many. This motion acknowledges the team effort undertaken by the administrator, chaplain and by all our trustees.”
 speaks to an oil and gas employee. (Photo: Church of Scotland) A gaggle of greater than 20 MSPs have signed a cross-party...){kind=link}