Military Archbishopric of Spain

The Military Archbishopric of Spain (Arzobispado Castrense de España) 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 Spanish Armed Forces and their families.

History
The first military bishop was appointed on 4 June 1819, but the position lapsed in abeyance in 1930. Twenty years later, a military vicariate was established on 5 August 1950, and a few months later the first military vicar was appointed on 12 December 1950. It was elevated to a military ordinariate on 21 July 1986 and is headed by an archbishop. The Episcopal seat is located at the Cathedral of the Armed Forces (Catedral de las Fuerzas Armadas) in Madrid, Spain.

Military bishops

 * Jaime Cardona y Tur (appointed 11 July 1892 – died 6 January 1923)
 * Ramón Pérez y Rodríguez (appointed 7 January 1929 – translated to the Patriarchate of the West Indies 30 June 1930)

Military vicars

 * Luigi Alonso Muñoyerro (appointed 12 December 1950 – died 23 September 1968)
 * José López Ortiz, O.S.A. (appointed 18 February 1969 – retired 28 May 1977)
 * Emilio Benavent Escuín (appointed 25 May 1977 – resigned 27 October 1982)
 * José Manuel Estepa Llaurens (appointed 30 July 1983 – became Military Ordinary 21 July 1986)

Military ordinaries

 * José Manuel Estepa Llaurens (appointed 21 July 1986 – retired 30 October 2003)
 * Francisco Pérez González (appointed 30 October 2003 – translated to the Archdiocese of Pamplona y Tudela 31 July 2007)
 * Juan del Río Martín (current incumbent, appointed 30 June 2008)

Noncombatant status

 * See: Military chaplain