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The Military Ordinariate of New Zealand is a Latin Church military ordinariate of the Catholic Church.[1] It is headquartered in Wellington. Immediately exempt to the Holy See, it provides pastoral care to Catholics serving in the New Zealand Defence Force and their families.[2][3][4]
History
It was created as a military dictate on 28 October 1976, and elevated to a military ordinariate on 21 July 1986. The first military vicar, Owen Noel Snedden, was also an auxiliary bishop of Wellington. His successor, Edward Gaines, was also the Bishop of Hamilton. Since 1995, the post of Military Ordinary has been held by the Archbishops of Wellington.[2][3][4]
Office holders
Military vicars
- Owen Noel Snedden (appointed 28 October 1976 – died 17 April 1981)
- Edward Gaines (appointed 19 June 1981 – became Military Ordinary 21 July 1986)
Military ordinaries
- Bishop Edward Gaines (appointed 21 July 1986 – died 6 September 1994)
- Cardinal Thomas Williams (appointed 1 June 1995 – retired 1 April 2005)
- Cardinal John Dew (appointed 1 April 2005 – retired 27 May 2023)
- Archbishop Paul Martin (appointed 27 May 2023 – incumbent)
References
- 1."New Zealand, Military (Military Ordinariate) [Catholic-Hierarchy]". catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
- 2.[2.2]Military Ordinariate of New Zealand Archived 24 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Official website. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
- 3.[3.2]Military Ordinariate of New Zealand. Catholic-Hierarchy website. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
- 4.[4.2]Military Ordinariate of New Zealand. GCatholic.org website. Retrieved 4 May 2010.