Our Diocese
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes includes the western half of the State of New South Wales, Australia. It extends from the Victorian state border along the Murray River in the south, to the Queensland state border in the north, and to the South Australian state border in the west.
Our diocese was established in 1887 as the diocese of Wilcannia, to ensure the spiritual and pastoral care of the Catholic people living in the rural and isolated areas of the colony (as it was at that time). However, the bishop has never resided permanently in Wilcannia. Instead, Bishop John Dunne, the first diocesan bishop chose to make his home and build his cathedral in Broken Hill.
In 1918, the diocesan boundaries were extended eastward and the name of the diocese was changed to Wilcannia-Forbes.
Our diocese is a rural diocese. It is presently divided into 20 parishes. The general population of the diocese lives in the rural towns and on farms and stations in the in the districts surrounding the towns. The Catholic population of the diocese is about 30000 (about 28 percent of the general population.)
There are 12 diocesan priests, 3 religious priests, and 2 resident priests in parish ministry in the diocese. As well, the pastoral care of one parish is entrusted to a religious sister. 2 diocesan priests are in full time ministry outside of the diocese.