History of the Catholic Church in Australia

By leedami23

  • Vanuatu - Southland of the Holy Spirit

    Spanish naval captain Pedro Fernandez de Quiros calls Vanuatu “La Australia del Spiritu Santo” – Southland of the Holy Spirit

  • Firs Mass

    Possibly first Mass was said on Australian soil during this year by Fr. Receveur

  • Christian Brother Foundation

    Foundation of Christian Brothers by Edmund Ignatius Rice, Ireland

  • First Public Mass

    First public Mass said by Fr. Dixon

  • Arrival of Fr. Jeremiah O'Flynn

    Arrival of Fr. Jeremiah O’Flynn “Prefect-Apostolic of New Holland”

  • Fr. O'Flynn Departs

    Fr. O’Flynn deported after the British Colonial Office opposes his appointment

  • First Official Priests Arrive

    Frs. Therry and Conolly, the first official priests arrive

  • First Catholic Church

    Construction of first Catholic church at Richmond, Tasmania

  • Fr. Ullathorne Arrives

    Fr. Ullathorne arrives in Sydney as Vicar-General

  • First Catholic Bishop

    Bede Polding becomes Australia’s first Catholic bishop

  • Fr. Ullathorne Publishes Book

    Fr. Ullathorne publishes book criticising harsh treatment of convicts

  • Caroline Chisholm Arrives

    Arrival of Caroline Chisholm in Australia

  • Fr. Patrick Geoghegan Arrives

    Arrival of Fr. Patrick Geoghegan in Melbourne

  • First Archbishop of Hobart

    Appointment of Robert Wilson as first Archbishop of Hobart

  • First Catholic Bishop in Melbourne

    James Alepius Goold becomes first Catholic bishop of Melbourne

  • Division of the Catholic Church

    The Catholic Church in Australia is divided into provinces and dioceses

  • Mass is Celebrated on the Goldfields

    Fr. Patrick Dunne celebrates Mass on the goldfields of Ballarat

  • Mass is said on the goldfields

    Fr. Henry Backhaus begins to say Mass in a tent on the goldfields of Bendigo

  • St. Vincent de Paul Society is Established

    Establishment of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Australia

  • Bishop of Brisbane Appointed

    James Quinn appointed as Bishop of Brisbane

  • Mercy Sisters Arrive

    Mercy Sisters arrive in Queensland

  • Sisters of St. Joseph Founded

    Mary McKillop and Fr. Julian Tenison Woods found Sisters of St. Joseph

  • Second Archbishop of Hobart

    Daniel Murphy appointed second Archbishop of Hobart

  • Christian Brothers Arrive

    Christian Brothers arrive in Melbourne

  • Bishops' Pastoral Statement

    Bishops’ Pastoral Statement complains of injustice to Aborigines

  • Diocese of Sandhurst

    Diocese of Sandhurst established and Rev. Martin Crane O.S.A. appointed as Bishop

  • Diocese of Ballarat

    Diocese of Ballarat established and Rev. Michael O’Connor appointed as Bishop

  • Archbishop of Sydney

    Roger Vaughan O.S.B becomes Archbishop of Sydney

  • The Jesuits Arrive

    Arrival of the Jesuits in Sydney