Military Ordinariate of Portugal explained

Military Ordinariate of Portugal
Local:	Ordinariato Castrense de Portugal
Country:	Portugal
Denomination:	Roman Catholic
Rite:	Latin Rite
Established:	29 May 1966 (years ago)
Bishop Title:	Bishop
Bishop:	Rui Manuel Sousa Valério
Website:	www.ecclesia.pt

The Military Ordinariate of Portugal (Portuguese: Ordinariato Castrense de Portugal) 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 Portuguese Armed Forces and their families.

History

It was established as a military vicariate 29 May 1966, and was elevated to a military ordinariate on 21 July 1986.

Office holders

Military vicars

• Manuel Gonçalves Cerejeira (appointed 1966 – retired 1972)
• António Ribeiro (appointed 24 January 1972 – became Military Ordinary 21 July 1986)

Military ordinaries

• António Ribeiro (appointed 21 July 1986 – died 24 March 1998)
• Januário Torgal Mendes Ferreira (2001–2013)
• Manuel da Silva Rodrigues Linda (2013–2018)
• Rui Manuel Sousa Valério (2018–2023)

References

• Ordinariato Castrense (Official website)
• Military Ordinariate of Portugal (Catholic-Hierarchy)
• Ordinariato Castrense de Portugal / Diocese das Forças Armadas e de Segurança (GCatholic.org)