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La Perouse enters Botany Bay with Australia's first chaplain
La Perouse enters Botany Bay and his chaplain, Abbe Mones, celebrates the first Mass within Australian territory. -
La Perouse enters Botany Bay with Australia's first chaplain
La Perouse enters Botany Bay and his chaplain, Abbe Mones, celebrates the first Mass within Australian territory. -
The first Irish Catholics arrive in Australia.
Ireland was a Catholic nation and has been for most of history. The arrival of the first Irish Catholics in Australia was a significant milestone in the introduction of the Catholic Church in Australia. -
The first Irish Catholics arrive in Australia.
Ireland was a Catholic nation at the time and the arrival of Catholic convicts was a major milestone in the introduction of the Catholic Church in Australia. -
The first official public Mass in Australia is held
The first official public Mass is held under strict Government supervision and is celebrated by prisoner priest, Fr Dixon. -
The first official public Mass in Australia is held
The first official public Mass is held under strict Government supervision and is celebrated by prisoner priest, Fr Dixon. -
The first official priests arrive in Australia
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. Father Conolly leaves for Hobart leaving Fr John Therry the only priest on mainland Australia. -
The first official priests arrive in Australia
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. Father Conolly leaves for Hobart leaving Fr John Therry the only priest on mainland Australia. -
The foundation stone of St Mary's Chapel is laid
The foundation stone of St Mary’s Chapel is laid by Governor Macquarie and blessed by Fr Therry. The site is near a barren brickfield and Sydney’s convict barracks on land considered undesirable and without value. Father Connolly builds the first Catholic church in Tasmania. -
The foundation stone of St Mary's Chapel is laid
The foundation stone of St Mary’s Chapel is laid by Governor Macquarie and blessed by Fr Therry. The site is near a barren brickfield and Sydney’s convict barracks on land considered undesirable and without value. Father Connolly builds the first Catholic church in Tasmania. -
Australia's first official Census
Australia’s first census is held and reveals a white population of 36,598 which includes both free settlers and convicts. Among these, 25,248 are Protestants and 11,236 Catholics. -
Australia's first official Census
Australia’s first census is held and reveals a white population of 36,598 which includes both free settlers and convicts. Among these, 25,248 are Protestants and 11,236 Catholics. -
John Bede Polding is ordained as Bishop
Benedictine priest, John Bede Polding is ordained as Bishop in London and appointed Vicar Apostolic with jurisdiction over what is now the Commonwealth of Australia. -
John Bede Polding is ordained as Bishop
Benedictine priest, John Bede Polding is ordained as Bishop in London and appointed Vicar Apostolic with jurisdiction over what is now the Commonwealth of Australia. -
St Mary's Cathedral is modified
St Mary’s Cathedral is modified to the designs of renowned British architect, Augustus Pugin. The Archdiocese now has 33 parishes, 30 churches and 35 priests and 55,000 Catholics, most of whom are either Irish born or of Irish descent. In addition, according to a report sent to Rome, the Archdiocese has about 50 monks, nuns and religious students. -
St Mary's Cathedral is modified
St Mary’s Cathedral is modified to the designs of renowned British architect, Augustus Pugin. The Archdiocese now has 33 parishes, 30 churches and 35 priests and 55,000 Catholics, most of whom are either Irish born or of Irish descent. In addition, according to a report sent to Rome, the Archdiocese has about 50 monks, nuns and religious students. -
St Mary's Cathedral is dedicated at a special Mass
St Mary’s Cathedral is dedicated at a special Mass celebrated by Archbishop Vaughan. Its bells are heard for the first time but the building itself is far from complete and only the northern section is opened. It will be many more years until the nave is finished and more than a century before the spires from the original design are finally erected. -
St Mary's Cathedral is dedicated at a special Mass
St Mary’s Cathedral is dedicated at a special Mass celebrated by Archbishop Vaughan. Its bells are heard for the first time but the building itself is far from complete and only the northern section is opened. It will be many more years until the nave is finished and more than a century before the spires from the original design are finally erected. -
Cardinal Moran dies
Cardinal Moran dies and is succeeded by Archbishop Kelly. 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. -
Cardinal Moran dies
Cardinal Moran dies and is succeeded by Archbishop Kelly. 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. -
Formation of the Australian Catholic Federation in NSW
Formation of the Australian Catholic Federation in NSW. The inaugural meeting is held at St Mary’s Cathedral.The NSW branch of the Catholic Women’s Association is founded by Esther Cannon and endorsed by Archbishop Kelly. Later it will change its name to the Catholic Women’s League. -
World War 1 is declared
World War I declared. Catholics became influential in the Australian Labor Party with the rise of figures such as Ben Chiffley and James Scullin. St Patrick’s College seminary at Manly celebrates its Silver Jubilee. -
James Scullin becomes Prime Minister
James Scullin becomes Australia’s first Catholic Prime Minister. -
Upsurge in births after World War 2
Post World War II with the upsurge in births, Catholic schools are under pressure and overwhelmed by demand brought on by this surge in births throughout Australia. -
CARITAS is formed
Catholic Overseas Relief Committee, now known as Caritas, is established to respond to poverty, hunger and disasters and sponsoring long term education, development and self-reliance among people in need in the poor and dependent nations around the world. -
Pope John Paul II visits Australia for the first time
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Pope Benedict XVI makes his first visit to Australia
Pope Benedict XVI makes his first visit to Australia when the Archdiocese of Sydney hosts World Youth Day 2008. WYD08 is a huge success and as a result the social networking website, Xt3 is created for young people not only in Sydney but worldwide. It quickly became the fastest-growing Catholic website worldwide. -
Mary MacKillop is canonised
St Mary MacKillop is canonised and officially becomes Australia’s first Saint.