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Indigenous people
The Aboriginals were the first ever Australians to have a religion, culture or beliefs; such as the dream time. -
Irish Convicts
Irish Convicts were brought to new south wales. They were the first Catholics ever in Australia. -
James Dixon
He was arrested for the suspicion of being apart of the irish rebellion. He was then brought to Australia as a convict. In 1803, he was pardoned because he was a priest, and he was then allowed to say mass in Sydney, Liverpool and Parramatta. Dixon then went back to Ireland. Mass was not legally allowed until the arrival of Fr John Therry and Fr Philip Connolly. -
Fr Jeremiah O'Flynn
Fr Jeremiah O'Flynn came to Australia to be a priest, but he was ordered out. He knew the Catholic people needed a priest, so he performed marriages and baptisms in secret. He was the first priest in Australia, but not officially. -
Phillip Connolly
Philip Connolly came with John Therry on the 'Janus'. Their arrival marked the day of the establishment of the Catholic Church in Australia. -
Father John Joseph Therry
He decided to travel to Australia to help shape and establish the Catholic Church in the colonies. Fr John Therry came on the ‘Janus’ loaded with more than 100 prisoners, with the senior priest, Father Philip Connolly. They arrived in May 1820, in Sydney. They were the first Catholic priests in Australia. -
Bishop Polding
Bishop Polding arrived in 1834 he believed the Church had to be strict and to be said in old Latin. Because of the Irish convicts, being quite laid back and chilled, often in strife by Polding. He was the first Catholic Bishop in Australia. He had an idea of what the Catholic should be like in Australia made on monastic beliefs which would ‘civilise’ the new country. The Irish priests didn’t like this, they wanted a warm church. And, this was how the Australian Church is what it is today. -
Sisters of Charity
The Sisters of Charity were the first religious women in Australia. -
Caroline Chisholm
Caroline Chisholm came to Australia and spread the word about Catholicism. She also created a charity for helping female immigrants in Australia. -
Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with the poor.
Edmund Rice, founder, -
Bishop Robert Wilson
Bishop Robert Wilson was the first Bishop of Hobart. He was also so an advocate for the Convicts. -
Sisters of Good Samaritan
The Sisters of Good Samaritan were the first religious congregation in Australia. That was helped established by Bishop Polding. -
Mary MacKillop
Mary MacKillop was Australia's first saint. -
Marist Brothers
The Marist Brothers were the first Religious Institute of the Catholic Church founded in Australia. They were founded by a French Priest, 55 years before they arrival in Australia. -
Sisters of St Joseph
The Sisters of St Joseph were a Catholic order of women. They were founded by Mary MacKillop, and they established many children's homes and catholic schools.
