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Christianity in Colonial Australia
Christianity came to Australia with the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788.
There were three main Christian traditions:
Established Churches (Anglican/ Presbyterian)
Evangelical Protestantism (clergy and missionaries)
Catholicism (a quarter to a third of the convicts and free settlers) -
Christianity in Colonial Australia
The first recorded Catholic Mass in New South Wales was said by Father Dixon in May 1803. He was an Irish priest transported to the colonies for his alleged role in the uprising of 1978. -
Catholic Church in Australia
British authorities approved the sending of two Catholic Chaplains (Frs. J Therry and P. Conolly.
They struggled in the beginning as they faced similar challenges as the Protestants. This led to Catholic-Protestant cooperation. -
Catholic Church in Australia
The Catholic Relief Act of 1829 provided English Catholic Emancipation (being set free from legal, social or political restrictions). Allowed convict colonies to shape the new nation. -
The Established Churches
A period of Anglican growth took places in 1836 after the appointment of the first Bishop in Australia (William Grant Broughton)
He was responsible for the development of the Anglican Church in Australia -
Religious Orders in Australia
Sisters of Charity arrived in Australia. -
Religious Orders in Australia
Christian Brothers and Sisters of Mercy arrived in Perth -
The Australian Church Expands
The Victorian gold rush led to a population explosion with 84, 000 Irish immigrating to Australia.
There was a need for further dioceses.
In 1857 the number of clergy in Australia had risen to 144. -
Religious Orders in Australia
Sisters of St Joseph was founded by Fr Julian Tenison Woods and Mary MacKillop (Australia’s first Saint).
By 1871 the ‘Josephites’ were running thirty-five schools in the Adelaide diocese. -
Catholic Education in Australia
The Provincial Council of Australian Bishops opposes the introduction of secular education and insists on teaching Catholic doctrine in Catholic-run schools.
All Catholic children were expected to attend Catholic schools. -
Irish influence in Australia
Archbishop (later Cardinal) Cullen attempted to shape the Church in Australia in the Roman mould.
He was the first Irish Cardinal -
Irish influence in Australia
Bishop Patrick Francis Moran (nephew of Cardinal Cullen) was appointed Archbishop of Sydney.
Later named Cardinal Moran, realised that Australia needed native-born priests (as opposed to Irish born priests).
He also believed that every Catholic child should attend a school staffed by religious personnel. -
Religious Orders in Australia
The Christian Brothers had 115 Brothers teaching in 30 schools. -
Catholicism In the 21st Century
Australia becomes a Nation with Federation on the 1st January 1901.
Article 116 both identifies the nation of Australia as a secular state and guarantees freedom of religion. -
Catholicism In the 21st Century
James Patrick O’Collins was appointed Bishop of Gereldton. He was Australian born. During this time the numbers of Australian born priests began to outweigh those of the Irish born priests -
Catholicism In the 21st Century
Rapid population growth after World War II with large numbers of Catholics immigrating from Italy, Malta and Poland (as well as other countries). This meant new parishes were established and there was a need for more priests, teachers and schools. -
Religious Orders in Australia
Catholic schools in Goulburn NSW were forced to close as they didn’t meet building regulations. They opened one week later as the State schools were unable to support the influx of Catholic school students. -
Catholicism In the 21st Century
Bishops from all around the world attended the Second Vatican Council that was held in Rome.
A change in the hierarchical structure of the Church followed and although the role of bishops and priests is important, the role of the laity was seen as active.
The evangelising of the Church was the responsibility of all those that are baptised. -
Religious Orders in Australia
Religious orders struggle to supply schools with resources and teachers. In 1964 the Menzies Liberal Government introduced grants for secondary schools. -
Catholicism In the 21st Century
Bishops from all around the world attended the Second Vatican Council that was held in Rome.
A change in the hierarchical structure of the Church followed and although the role of bishops and priests is important, the role of the laity was seen as active.
The evangelising of the Church was the responsibility of all those that are baptised. -
The Modern Education System
Catholic Teachers Colleges that were founded in the eastern states to train sisters and brothers began to take lay students. -
Catholicism In the 21st Century
After the communist takeover of South Vietnam occurred in 1975 approximately 160,000 Vietnamese refugees arrived in Australia. 30% were Catholic and Australia became increasingly multicultural. -
The Modern Education System
Notre Dame University Fremantle accepted its first students. -
The Modern Education System
Four of the Catholic Teachers Colleges amalgamated to form the Australian Catholic University (six campuses)