Military Ordinariate in Italy

The Military Ordinariate in Italy (Italian: Ordinariato Militare in Italia) 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 Italian Armed Forces and their families.

History

It was established as a military vicariate on 6 March 1925, but the first military vicar was not appointed until 23 April 1929. It was elevated to a military ordinariate on 21 July 1986. The Episcopal seat is located at the Church of St. Catharine of Siena in Magnanapoli (Chiesa Principale di Santa Catarina da Siena a Magnanapoli) in Rome, Italy.

Office holders

Military vicars

• Angelo Bartolomasi (appointed 23 April 1929 – retired 1944)
• Carlo Alberto Ferrero di Cavallerleone (appointed 28 October 1944 – resigned 4 November 1953)
• Arrigo Pintonello (appointed 4 November 1953 – appointed Apostolic Administrator of Velletri 1 May 1965)
• Luigi Maffeo (appointed 16 January 1966 – died 7 May 1971)
• Mario Schierano (appointed 28 August 1971 – resigned 27 October 1981)
• Gaetano Bonicelli (appointed 28 October 1981 – became Military Ordinary 21 July 1986)

Military ordinaries

• Gaetano Bonicelli (appointed 21 July 1986 – translated to the Archdiocese of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino 14 November 1989)
• Giovanni Marra (appointed 14 November 1989 – resigned 31 January 1996)
• Giuseppe Mani (appointed 31 January 1996 – translated to the Archdiocese of Cagliari 20 June 2003)
• Angelo Bagnasco (appointed 20 June 2003 – translated to the Archdiocese of Genoa 29 August 2006)
• Vincenzo Pelvi (current incumbent, appointed 14 October 2006)

References

• Ordinariato Militare in Italia (Italian)
• Military Ordinariate of Italy (Catholic-Hierarchy)
• Ordinariato Militare in Italia (Giga-Catholic)