The Catholic Church In Australia

By 48165

  • The First Fleet arrives In Sydney Cove

  • First Irish convicts transported to Botany Bay

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

  • Castle Hill Rebellion results in Fr Dixon's permit to conduct Mass being withdrawn

  • Father Conolly leaves for Hobart leaving Fr John Therry the only priest on mainland Australia

  • Fr Therry founds the first Catholic school on Hunter Street, Parramatta

  • Penal laws preventing Catholics holding Government positions ends

  • Father Power dies

  • Transportation of convicts to New South Wales is suspended

  • The NSW Government passes a bill to abolish State aid to religion

  • Mary MacKillop becomes the first Sister and Mother Superior of the Sisters of St Joseph

  • Death of Mother Mary MacKillop

  • Formation of the Catholic Teachers' Federation

  • James Scullin becomes Australia's first Catholic prime minister

  • Pope Paul VI makes the first-ever Papal visit to Australia

  • Pope John Paul II visits Australia.

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