The Naval Service is one of the three standing branches of the Irish Defence Forces. During his visit Dr. Sellar met officers, NCO’s and ratings on L.É James Joyce (P62), one of the Service’s three Offshore Patrol Vessels. It returned to the Naval Base in September after being deployed in the Mediterranean for three months.
“My visit on Saturday was an opportunity to strengthen the links that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has with all branches of the Irish Defence Forces. It was also an occasion when I could pay tribute to the Naval Service for its sterling humanitarian work in the Mediterranean, where its members have rescued 15,000 migrants in the last two years.
“As recently as the start of this month, the LÉ Samuel Beckett, sister ship of LÉ James Joyce which returned to port on Friday, assisted in an operation that rescued around 140 migrants attempting to make the dangerous journey from north Africa."
During his weekend visit to County Cork, Dr. Sellar also spent Sunday speaking and taking part in the carol services at Aghada Presbyterian and Trinity Presbyterian Church in Cork city on Sunday.
Dr. Sellar explained that he first met members of the Irish Defence Forces in 1999 in the Middle East. "I was with one of my predecessors as Moderator who was on a pastoral visit to the Irish Army in Lebanon, who were there as part of the United Nations peace keeping force. It was a privilege to meet their counterparts in the Navy this weekend,” Dr. Sellar said.
The Moderator, Rt. Rev. Dr. Frank Sellar, (second left) on board the L.É James Joyce at the Naval Base, Haulbowline, County Cork, with Sub Lieutenant Aaron Nutley, Lieutenant Commander Dave Memery and Colin Jenkins, of the Seamen's Christian Friend Society.