Military Bishopric of Bolivia

The Military Bishopric of Bolivia (Spanish: Obispado Castrense de Bolivia, Latin: Ordinariatus Militaris Boliviensis) is a military ordinariate of the Roman Catholic Church. Immediately subject to the Holy See, it provides pastoral care to Roman Catholics serving in the Bolivian Armed Forces and their families.

History

It was created as a military vicariate on 19 March 1961, with the first military vicar appointed on 26 July 1961. It was elevated to a military ordinariate on 21 July 1986. The military ordinary's seat is located at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Luján (Catedral Nuestra Señora de Luján) in the Irpavi district of the city of La Paz.

Office holders

Military vicars

• Luis Aníbal Rodríguez Pardo (appointed 26 July 1961 – translated to the Archdiocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra 30 July 1975)
• René Fernández Apaza (appointed 30 July 1975 – became military ordinary 21 July 1986)

Military ordinaries

• René Fernández Apaza (appointed 21 July 1986– resigned 17 May 1986)
• Mario Lezana Vaca (appointed 17 May 1986 -retired 14 April 2000)
• Gonzalo de Jesús María del Castillo Crespo, O.C.D. (current incumbent, appointed 14 April 2000)

References

• Military Ordinariate of Bolivia (Catholic-Hierarchy)
• Obispado Castrense de Bolivia (Giga-Catholic)