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In 1788, a handful of convicts that were on the First Fleet were actually catholic. They were mostly Irish, but they were not allowed to practice their religion.
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In 1803,Fr James Dixon became the 1st priest that was granted permission to open up a church on a piece of land that he was granted. 10 months later, because of a certain war,Fr James Dixon had those privileges taken away from him
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In 1817,Fr Jeremiah O'Flynn came to Australia to minister catholics.He also came to family homes to celebrate and practice the catholic faith.He had come here as a convict. However, he practiced the catholic faith without permission. He was deported after eighteen months, but left his blessing in the homes with catholic families
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In 1820,the first two priests that were granted permission to celebrate the catholic faith. These two men's names were Fr John Therry and Fr Phillip Conolly. Fr John scored a land grant from Governor Macquarie to build the first ever catholic church in Australia. In 1821 Fr Therry blessed a foundation stone created by Governor Macquarie. This building would soon become St Mary's Cathedral. Father Therry then organised for many churches to be built..
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John Bede Polding was the first ever catholic bishop in Australia.He arrived in Australia in 1835. When he arrived, he organised the growing colony into dioceses.
