Catholic Church History By man_united May 19, 1802 Foundation of Christian Brothers by Edmund Ignatius Rice, Ireland Jul 24, 1820 Frs. Therry and Conolly, the first official priests arrive Feb 11, 1835 Bede Polding becomes Australia's first Catholic bishop Jun 18, 1865 St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney destroyed by fire Nov 23, 1866 Mary McKillop and Fr. Julian Tenison Woods found Sisters of St. Joseph Sep 21, 1909 Death of Mary McKillop Dec 6, 1938 Monsignor Francois-Xavier Gsell appointed as Bishop of Darwin Jan 12, 1987 1987 John Paul II establishes a Melkite diocese in Australia Jun 18, 1995 John Paul II visits Australia for Beatification of Mary McKillop May 4, 2000 St Mary’s Cathedral Sydney completed