Military Ordinariate of New Zealand

The Military Ordinariate of New Zealand is a military ordinariate of the Roman Catholic Church located in Wellington.^[1] Immediately subject to the Holy See, it provides pastoral care to Roman 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 Russell 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 Russell Gaines (appointed 19 June 1981 – became Military Ordinary 21 July 1986)

Military ordinaries

• Edward Russell Gaines (appointed 21 July 1986 – died 6 September 1994)
• Cardinal Thomas Stafford Williams (appointed 1 June 1995 – retired 1 April 2005)
• John Atcherley Dew (current incumbent, appointed 1 April 2005)

References