The Catholic Church in Australia

By Hamdog

  • First Fleet Arrives

    The first fleet arrive in Australia

  • First Priest arrives in Australia

    Fr James Dixon is transported to Australia. Fr Dixon was the first priest to arrive in Australia. At the time there were about 4000 Roman Catholics so when he arrived it meant they could practise their faith with Fr Dixon.

  • First Mass

    Fr Dixon celebrates the first public mass in Sydney under strict government supervision

  • Fr Dixon permit to conduct mass withdrawn

    As a result of the Castle Hill Rebellion Fr Dixon's permit to conduct mass is withdrawn. Therefore the catholics at the time could not practise mass.

  • First Catholic School

    Fr John Therry snd Fr Conolly arrive in Sydney and open the first catholic school in Australia. This means that young Catholics can get an education at Catholic Schools.

  • Fr John Therry only priest on mainland Australia

    Father Conolly leaves for Hobart which makes Fr Therry the only priest on the entire mainland of Austrlia

  • First Church in Australia

    Fr Connolly builds the first Church in Tasmania

  • Fr Daniel Power arrives in Sydney

    Fr Therry is replace by Fr Daniel Power as official Chaplain of the growing colony

  • St Mary's Chapel completed

    Fr Therry celebrates the first mass in St Mary's Chapel

  • John Bede Polding is Consecrated

    John Bede Polding is ordained as Bishop and has jurisdiction over the whole of Australia.

  • First Bishop in Australia

    John Bede Polding is appointed first Roman Catholic Bishop in Australia.

  • Bishop Polding takes control of schools.

    Bishop Polding oversees the operation of 13 government supported catholic primary schools in Australia.

  • Sisters of St. Joseph founded

    Mary Mackillop with the help of Fr Julian Tennison Woods found the Sisters of St Joseph.

  • First Catholic Prime Minister

    James Scullin becomes the first Catholic Australian Prime Minister.

  • Mary Mackillop excommunicated

    Mary Mackillop excommunicated from the church by Laurence Sheil for allegedly inciting her sisters into disobedience.

  • World Youth Day

    Sydney hosts World Youth day in 2008 and as a result Pope Benedict XVI makes his first visit to Australia