Military Ordinariate of the South African Defence Force

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Military Ordinariate of South Africa

Ordinariatus Militaris Africa Australis
Location
Country South Africa
Information
Denomination Roman Catholic
Rite Latin Rite
Established 17 May 1951 (73 years ago)
Current leadership
Pope Francis
Archbishop William Slattery, O.F.M
Emeritus Bishops Paul Mandla Khumalo, C.M.M.

The Military Ordinariate of the South African (National) Defence Force (or of South Africa) is a military ordinariate of the Roman Catholic Church to provides pastoral care to Roman Catholics serving in the South African National Defence Force and their families.

It is exempt, i.e. immediately subject to the Holy See, not part of any ecclesiastical province. Since its inception, it has been held by the Metropolitan Archbishops of South Africa's national capital Pretoria and has no proper episcopal see of its own. The current incumbent is the William Slattery, since 23 December 2010.

History

It was established as Military vicariate of the South African Defence Force on 17 May 1951. It originally provided chaplains to the South African Defence Force.

It was promoted as Military Ordinariate of the South African Defence Force on 21 July 1986. Following the dismantling of the apartheid system it now provides chaplains to the South African National Defence Force.

Episcopal Ordinaries

(all Roman Rite)

Military Vicars

  • John Colburn Garner (appointed 17 May 1951 – resigned 26 March 1976), while first Metropolitan Archbishop of Pretoria (South Africa) (1951.01.11 – 1975.04.28); previously Titular Bishop of Tracula (1948.04.09 – 1951.01.11) and last Apostolic Vicar of Pretoria (South Africa) (1948.04.09 – 1951.01.11)
  • George Francis Daniel (appointed last Military Vicar 26 March 1976 – 21 July 1986 see below), while Metropolitan Archbishop of Pretoria (1975.04.28 – 2008.11.24)

Military Ordinaries

Sources, References and External links