| Military Ordinariate of New Zealand | |
| Latin: | Ordinariatus Militaris Nova Zelandia |
| Country: | New Zealand |
| Province: | Immediately exempt to the Holy See |
| Coordinates: | -41.2768°N 174.7763°W |
| Denomination: | Catholic Church |
| Sui Iuris Church: | Latin Church |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Established: | 28 October 1976 (years ago) |
| Bishop Title: | Bishop |
| Bishop: | Paul Gerard Martin |
| Website: | www.catholicmil.org.nz |
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]
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]