Roman Catholic Military Ordinariate of Australia

The Roman Catholic Military Ordinariate of Australia is responsible for Roman Catholic ministry to the Australian Defence Force and is attached to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney while being immediately subject to the Holy See.

About the Military Ordinariate / Military Diocese of Australia

Technically called the "Military Ordinariate of Australia", the Military Diocese of Australia is charged with the pastoral care of the uniformed members of Australia's Navy, Army and Air Force, their families and of the civilians employed by the Australian Department of Defence.

The Military Diocese is similar to other dioceses in Australia - headed by a Bishop, there are parishes, priests, etc. However, the Military Diocese do not have a designated geographical location. Instead, it extends across the entire nation and serves all Catholics in the Australian Defence Organisation whereever they serve - personnel in all parts of Australia and those deployed on overseas operations.

*Although Australian Catholic chaplaincy have been provided for Australians serving in the Armed Forces since the "Boxer Rebellion", the Military Diocese of Australia was officially established under the Apostolic Constitution Spirituali Militum Curae on 21 July 1986 and given final approval in 1988.

*The Bishop or Military Ordinary, has the rights and obligations of a diocesan bishop and a member of the Australian Defence Force's Religious Advisory Committee to the Service. Although non-uniformed, he holds the same status as a 2-star.

*The Chancery, or Headquarters, is located in Campbell (Canberra).

*There are estimated to be more than 20,000 baptised Catholic service men and women in the Australian Defence Force.

*Pastoral care is provided by both full-time and reserve chaplains in the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force.

For more information about the Military Ordinariate of Australia, visit the website: [http://www.military.catholic.org.au Australian Catholic Defence Diocese]

Prelature

Bishops of the Armed Services

*Thomas Joseph Carr (1912 - 1917)
*Daniel Mannix (1917 - 1963)
*Thomas McCabe (1964 - 1969)

Military Vicar

*John Aloysius Morgan AO DD RFD ED (1969 - 1984)

Military Ordinary

*Geoffrey Francis Mayne AM DD (1985 - 2003)
*Maxwell Leroy Davis AM DD (2003 - Present)

OPERATION TESTAMENT - World Youth Day 2008

The Military Ordinariate of Australia was heavily involved in OPERATION TESTAMENT - the Australian Defence Force's commitment to World Youth Day, Sydney 2008.

During 9 - 13 July 2008, the Military Ordinariate of Australia hosted over 200 military personnel from Australia, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States of America in Canberra for Days in the Military Diocese. This was a opportunity for military pilgrims from around the world to gather in peace, for cultural and spiritual exchange in preparation for World Youth Day 2008. Highlights of "Days in the Military Diocese" was the International Military Pilgrims' Prayer for Peace read during a commemoration ceremony at the Australian War Memorial and the International Military Pilgrims' Statement of Peace developed by the military pilgrims and handed to military commanders at Australia's Parliament House.

On 14 July 2008, the International Military Pilgrims Contingent travelled to Sydney and was accommodated in a specially constructed Pilgrims Village at Randwick Barracks. Special highlights of World Youth Day 2008 for the Military Ordinariate included the welcoming of the Holy Father upon his arrival at Richmond Air Force Base, a 21-gun salute for the Holy Father, representation on the Papal boat that sailed into Sydney Harbour, pilgrim participation at World Youth Day activities and ceremonies, the pilgrimage walk, Papal Vigil and Papal Mass at Randwick Racecourse on Sunday 20 July 2008.

Support was provided by Joint Task Force 665.

Further information about the Military Ordinariate of Australia's World Youth Day-related activities, visit [http://www.military.catholic.org.au/wyd2008/ OPERATION TESTAMENT - Military Ordinariate of Australia @ World Youth Day 2008]

External links and References

* [http://www.military.catholic.org.au/ Australian Catholic Defence Diocese]
* [http://www.military.catholic.org.au/wyd2008/ OPERATION TESTAMENT - Military Ordinariate of Australia @ World Youth Day 2008]
* [http://www.defence.gov.au/optestament Department of Defence website for OPERATION TESTAMENT (World Youth Day 2008)]
*cite web|title = Military Ordinariate of Australia, Military| work=Catholic-Hierarchy|url =http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dmlau.html|accessdate =2007-01-06