Military Ordinariate of South Africa
Encyclopedia
The Military Ordinariate of South Africa 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 South African National Defence Force
and their families.
, but following the dismanteling of the apartheid system it now provides chaplains to the South African National Defence Force
. Since its inception, it has been held by the Archbishop of Pretoria. The most recent incumbent was the Most Reverend Paul Mandla Khumalo, who resigned both appointments on 15 December 2009.
Military ordinariate
A military ordinariate is an ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church, of Latin or Eastern Rite, responsible for the pastoral care of Catholics serving in the armed forces of a nation....
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. Immediately subject to the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
, it provides pastoral care
Pastoral care
Pastoral care is the ministry of care and counseling provided by pastors, chaplains and other religious leaders to members of their church or congregation, or to persons of all faiths and none within institutional settings. This can range anywhere from home visitation to formal counseling provided...
to Roman Catholics serving in the South African National Defence Force
South African National Defence Force
The South African National Defence Force is the armed forces of South Africa. The military as it exists today was created in 1994, following South Africa's first post-apartheid national elections and the adoption of a new constitution...
and their families.
History
It was established as a Military Vicariate on 17 May 1951, and promoted to a Military Ordinariate on 21 July 1986. It originally provided chaplains to the South African Defence ForceSouth African Defence Force
The South African Defence Force was the South African armed forces from 1957 until 1994. The former Union Defence Force was renamed to the South African Defence Force in the Defence Act of 1957...
, but following the dismanteling of the apartheid system it now provides chaplains to the South African National Defence Force
South African National Defence Force
The South African National Defence Force is the armed forces of South Africa. The military as it exists today was created in 1994, following South Africa's first post-apartheid national elections and the adoption of a new constitution...
. Since its inception, it has been held by the Archbishop of Pretoria. The most recent incumbent was the Most Reverend Paul Mandla Khumalo, who resigned both appointments on 15 December 2009.
Military vicars
- John Colburn Garner (appointed 17 May 1951 – resigned 26 March 1976)
- George Francis Daniel (appointed 26 March 1976 – became military ordinary 21 July 1986)
Military ordinaries
- George Francis Daniel (appointed 21 July 1986 – retired 24 November 2008)
- Paul Mandla Khumalo, C.M.M. (appointed 24 November 2008 – resigned 15 December 2009)