Significant periods in the Church’s history in Australia

La Perouse enters Botany Bay and his chaplain, Abbe Mones, celebrates the first Mass within Australian territory

1788

First Irish convicts transported to Botany Bay

1791

First official public Mass is held under strict Government supervision and is celebrated by prisoner priest, Fr Dixon

1801

build the settlement’s first Catholic church.

1820

Fr John Therry and Fr Philip Conolly, Australia’s first official priests, arrive in Sydney. Fr Therry opens the first Catholic school in Parramatta and lobbies Governor Macquarie for land on which to build the settlement’s first Catholic church.

An Episcopal Commission exonerates Mother Mary MacKillop. She is recommunicated into the church and the Sisters of Joseph permitted to continue their work.

1871

The Archdiocese now has 189 churches, eight hospitals and three seminaries. Of Sydney’s 175,000 Catholics, more than 25,000 children are enrolled at Archdiocese schools.

1911

Founding of the Knights of the Southern Cross. Committed to promoting a Christian way of life, the Late Mother Mary MacKillop is appointed patron of the order which is open to Catholic men over the age of 18

1919

The Archdiocese of Sydney now has 366 Catholic schools with 115,704 pupils. Cardinal Gilroy dies and is succeeded by Archbishop James Darcy Freeman

1971

St Mary’s Cathedral is the location for the celebration of the Ninth World Day of the Sick. Cardinal retires and Archbishop George Pell, formerly the Archbishop of Melbourne, becomes the eight Archbishop of the Sydney Archdiocese

2000

Death of much loved, Pope John Paul II. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is elected Pope Benedict XVI

2004

Restoration and renovation begins on the former Marist Fathers students’ home in Rome for what will become a pilgrim’s haven for Australians in the city offering accommodation and a home away from home

2008

5,075,907 Australia Catholic

2020