Military Ordinariate of Canada


The Military Ordinariate of Canada is a military ordinariate of the Roman Catholic Church.
It is exempt, i.e. immediately subject to the Holy See and its Roman Congregation for Bishops. Its headquarters are at Canadian Forces Support Unit, Uplands site - Building 469, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K2. The current episcopal Ordinary is Scott McCaig. The Roman Catholic Military Ordinary is a member of the ecumenical Interfaith Committee on Canadian Military Chaplaincy.

Statistics

Roman Catholic chaplains provide a wide range of religious and spiritual services to Canadian Armed Forces members and their families, such as the celebration of the Sacraments, counselling and religious formation. As per 2014, it provides pastoral care to Roman Catholics serving in the Canadian Forces and their families in 22 parishes with 37 priests, 7 deacons and 1 lay religious brother.

History

The military vicariate of Canada was canonically erected on 17 February 1951 by Pope Pius XII, but Catholic Army bishops have served the Canadian Army since 1939.
The need to appoint a bishop was only felt during the Second World War, while chaplains had already been represented since the Boer War.
On 1986.07.21 it was promoted as Military Ordinariate of Canada. Since the promulgation of the apostolic constitution Spirituali militum curae by Pope John Paul II, the administration of chaplaincies was made much easier.

Episcopal office holders

It twice had an Auxiliary Bishop of the Military Vicariate :