More History of the Catholic Church 1788-present

Arrival of First Fleet at Sydney Cove

1788

Christianity came along with the first fleet

First priest Fr. James Dixon, a convict arrives in Australia

1800

Fr Dixon was born in June 1758, he had been sentenced to death for alleged involvement in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, instead transported to the colony in Australia

First public Mass said by Fr. Dixon

1803

Held in Sydney

Fr Therry founds the first Catholic school

1820

Founded in Hunter Street, Parramatta. Parramatta Marist High is the oldest Catholic school in Australia with a history spanning over 190 years

Establishment of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Australia

1854

Founded in Australia by Father Gerald Ward after observing the after effects of the poor after the Victorian Gold Rush

Death of Mary MacKillop

1909

Mary Helen MacKillop was an Australian nun. She was canonised on 17 October 2010, She is also the first to be recognised by the Catholic Church as a saint.

Archbishop Gilroy becomes first Australian Cardinal

1946

Norman Thomas Gilroy who was born on 22 January 1896. He resigned as Archbishop of Sydney in July 1971. He was later succeeded by James Darcy Freeman.

John Paul II visits Australia for Beatification of Mary MacKillop

1955

Beatification is the first step of becoming a Saint

Pope Paul VI makes the first-ever Papal visit to Australia

1970

Pope Paul VI while he was in Australia, blessed the foundation stone of St Lucy's school in Sydney, he spoke to Aboriginal communities and delivered sermons

Foundation of the Australian Catholic University

1991

In modern day ACU is a publicly funded university. It delivers programs in sciences and arts, business, education, health, law sciences, and theology