The Military Bishopric of Ecuador (Spanish: Obispado Castrense del Ecuador) is a modern Army bishopric with the canonical pseudo-diocesan status of military ordinariate of the Roman Catholic Church.
It is exempt, i.e. immediately subject to the Holy See (not part of any ecclesiastical province) and its Roman Congregation for Bishops. it is headquartered Apartado 17-03-758, Av. América 1830 y Mercadillo in Quito, national capital of Ecuador.
As per 2014, it provides pastoral care to Catholics serving in the Ecuadorian Armed Forces and their families in 118 missions with 60 priests (50 diocesan, 10 religious) and 10 lay religious (brothers) .
It was established as Military vicariate of Ecuador on 30 March 1983, with the first military vicar appointment on 5 August 1983.
It was elevated to Military ordinariate on 21 July 1986, the incumbent accordingly promoted.
(all Roman Rite)
Military Vicar of Ecuador
Juan Ignacio Larrea Holguín (5 August 1983 – 21 July 1986 see below), Titular Bishop of (Herceg) Novi (1983.08.05 – 1988.03.25); previously Auxiliary Bishop of Quito (Ecuador) (1969.05.17 – 1980.06.28?) and Titular Bishop of Cellæ in Proconsulari (1969.05.17 – 1980.06.28), next Bishop of Ibarra (Ecuador) (1980.06.28 – 1983.08.05)
Military Ordinaries of Ecuador
Juan Ignacio Larrea Holguín (see above 21 July 1986 – 7 December 1989), also Coadjutor Archbishop of Guayaquil (Ecuador) (1988.03.25 – 1989.12.07); next succeeded as Metropolitan Archbishop of Guayaquil (1989.12.07 – retired 2003.05.07), died 2006
Raúl Eduardo Vela Chiriboga (8 July 1989 – 21 March 2003), Titular Bishop of Pauzera (1989.07.08 – 1998.03.07); previously Titular Bishop of Ausafa (1972.04.20 – 1975.04.29) as Auxiliary Bishop of Guayaquil (1972.04.20 – 1975.04.29) and then Bishop of Azogues (Ecuador) (1975.04.29 – 1989.07.08); later Metropolitan Archbishop of Quito (2003.03.21 – 2010.09.11), created Cardinal-Priest of S. Maria in Via (2010.11.20 [2010.11.28] – ...)
Miguel Angel Aguilar Miranda (14 February 2004 – retired 18 June 2014); previously Bishop of Guaranda (Ecuador) (1991.04.11 – 2004.02.14)
Segundo René Coba Galarza (18 June 2014 – ... ), also Secretary General of Episcopal Conference of Ecuador (2014.05.08 – ...); previously Titular Bishop of Vegesela in Byzacena (2006.06.07 – 2014.06.18) as Auxiliary Bishop of above Quito (2006.06.07 – 2014.06.18)
