Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns is a Latin rite suffragan diocese
of the Archdiocese of Brisbane
, erected initially as a vicariate apostolic in 1877 and elevated to a diocese
in 1941, covering the far north
region of Queensland
, Australia.
St Monica's Cathedral is the seat
of the Catholic Bishop of Cairns, currently James Foley.
in 1872 and the establishment and growth of sugar production during the 1870s, the Bishop of Brisbane, James Quinn, visited Cooktown in 1874. The first church was opened a year later. Quinn had earlier been petitioning the Roman Curia
to create a vicariate in north Queensland to minister to Catholics in the region and to evangelise the Aborigines
, with the Vicariate Apostolic of Queensland officially created in 1877. An initial attempt to install Italian priests from the Pontifical Seminary of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul of Rome was a failure; mainly due to cultural and language issues with both the indigenous and predominately Irish lay population. Quinn, from Ireland, appointed one of his fellow countryman, John Cani as the first Pro-Vicar who served up until Quinn's death in 1882 when Cani returned to Brisbane before being appointed as the first Bishop of Rockhampton
. A short term under Monsignor
Paul Fortini followed, with clashes between laity and priests before the parish of Herberton
was placed interdict
in 1883; meaning that sacraments could not be celebrated. Fortini was recalled to Rome.
A stable period followed under the pastoral care of the Augustinians
. The number of parishioners grew from approximately 2,000 (in 1884) to about 4,000 (in the 1890s); and to approximately 10,000 Catholics (by 1914) spread across eight church districts with 13 priests. The growth of pastoral industries and mining in the interwar years led to the expansion of the vicariate west across the Atherton Tablelands and the creation of an additional nine parishes; and eventual establishment as a suffragan diocese in 1941.
:
Suffragan Diocese
A suffragan diocese is a diocese in the Catholic Church that is overseen not only by its own diocesan bishop but also by a metropolitan bishop. The metropolitan is always an archbishop who governs his own archdiocese...
of the Archdiocese of Brisbane
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane is a Latin rite metropolitan archdiocese of the Catholic Church in Australia located in Brisbane and covering the South East region of Queensland, Australia....
, erected initially as a vicariate apostolic in 1877 and elevated to a diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
in 1941, covering the far north
Far North Queensland
Far North Queensland, or FNQ, is the northernmost part of the Australian state of Queensland. The region, which contains a large section of the Tropical North Queensland area, stretches from the city of Cairns north to the Torres Strait...
region of Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia.
St Monica's Cathedral is the seat
Cathedra
A cathedra or bishop's throne is the chair or throne of a bishop. It is a symbol of the bishop's teaching authority in the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, and has in some sense remained such in the Anglican Communion and in Lutheran churches...
of the Catholic Bishop of Cairns, currently James Foley.
History
Following the discovery of gold near CooktownCooktown, Queensland
Cooktown is a small town located at the mouth of the Endeavour River, on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland where James Cook beached his ship, the Endeavour, for repairs in 1770. At the 2006 census, Cooktown had a population of 1,336...
in 1872 and the establishment and growth of sugar production during the 1870s, the Bishop of Brisbane, James Quinn, visited Cooktown in 1874. The first church was opened a year later. Quinn had earlier been petitioning the Roman Curia
Roman Curia
The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church, together with the Pope...
to create a vicariate in north Queensland to minister to Catholics in the region and to evangelise the Aborigines
Australian Aborigines
Australian Aborigines , also called Aboriginal Australians, from the latin ab originem , are people who are indigenous to most of the Australian continentthat is, to mainland Australia and the island of Tasmania...
, with the Vicariate Apostolic of Queensland officially created in 1877. An initial attempt to install Italian priests from the Pontifical Seminary of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul of Rome was a failure; mainly due to cultural and language issues with both the indigenous and predominately Irish lay population. Quinn, from Ireland, appointed one of his fellow countryman, John Cani as the first Pro-Vicar who served up until Quinn's death in 1882 when Cani returned to Brisbane before being appointed as the first Bishop of Rockhampton
Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton is an suffragan Latin rite diocese of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, erected in 1882, covering Central Queensland, Australia.-Ordinaries:...
. A short term under Monsignor
Monsignor
Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord"...
Paul Fortini followed, with clashes between laity and priests before the parish of Herberton
Herberton, Queensland
Herberton is a town on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 census, Herberton had a population of 974.-History:...
was placed interdict
Interdict
The term Interdict may refer to:* Court order enforcing or prohibiting a certain action* Injunction, such as a restraining order...
in 1883; meaning that sacraments could not be celebrated. Fortini was recalled to Rome.
A stable period followed under the pastoral care of the Augustinians
Order of Saint Augustine
The Order of St. Augustine —historically Ordo Eremitarum Sancti Augustini", O.E.S.A.), generally called Augustinians is a Catholic Religious Order, which, although more ancient, was formally created in the thirteenth century and combined of several previous Augustinian eremetical Orders into one...
. The number of parishioners grew from approximately 2,000 (in 1884) to about 4,000 (in the 1890s); and to approximately 10,000 Catholics (by 1914) spread across eight church districts with 13 priests. The growth of pastoral industries and mining in the interwar years led to the expansion of the vicariate west across the Atherton Tablelands and the creation of an additional nine parishes; and eventual establishment as a suffragan diocese in 1941.
Ordinaries
The following individuals have been elected as Roman Catholic Bishop of Cairns, or any of its precursor titles:| Order | Name | Title | Date enthroned | Reign ended | Term of office | Reason for term end |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Cani † | Pro-Vicar Apostolic of Queensland | 30 January 1877 | 3 January 1882 | Elevated to Bishop of Rockhampton Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton is an suffragan Latin rite diocese of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, erected in 1882, covering Central Queensland, Australia.-Ordinaries:... |
|
| 2 | Paul Fortini † | Pro-Vicar Apostolic of Queensland | 12 February 1882 | 15 January 1884 | Recalled to Rome and appointed Vicar Apostolic Emeritus of Queensland | |
| 3 | John Hutchinson, OSA Order of Saint Augustine The Order of St. Augustine —historically Ordo Eremitarum Sancti Augustini", O.E.S.A.), generally called Augustinians is a Catholic Religious Order, which, although more ancient, was formally created in the thirteenth century and combined of several previous Augustinian eremetical Orders into one... † |
Pro-Vicar Apostolic of Queensland | 15 January 1884 | 13 May 1887 | Elevated to Vicar Apostolic of Cooktown | |
| Vicar Apostolic of Cooktown | 13 May 1887 | 28 October 1897 | Died in office | |||
| 4 | James Murray, OSA † | Vicar Apostolic of Cooktown | 28 March 1898 | 13 February 1914 | Died in office | |
| 5 | John Heavey, OSA † | Vicar Apostolic of Cooktown | 3 May 1914 | 14 July 1941 | Elevated to Bishop of Cairns | |
| Bishop of Cairns | 14 July 1941 | 12 June 1948 | Died in office | |||
| 6 | Thomas Cahill † | Bishop of Cairns | 11 November 1948 | 13 April 1967 | Elevated to Archbishop Archbishop An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop... of Canberra (and Goulburn) Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of CanberraGoulburn is a Latin rite archdiocese located in the Australian Capital Territory and the South West Slopes, Southern Tablelands, Monaro and South Coast regions of New South Wales, Australia... |
|
| 7 | John Torpie † | Bishop of Cairns | 14 September 1967 | 5 August 1985 | Retired and appointed Bishop Emeritus of Cairns | |
| 8 | John Bathersby | Bishop of Cairns | 17 January 1986 | 3 December 1991 | Elevated to Archbishop of Brisbane | |
| 9 | James Foley | Bishop of Cairns | 16 July 1992 | incumbent | n/a | |
Parishes
The diocese is divided into three separate deaneries that administer individual parishesParish (Catholic Church)
In the Roman Catholic Church, a parish is the lowest ecclesiastical geographical subdivision: from ecclesiastical province to diocese to deanery to parish.-Requirements:A parish needs two things under common law to become a parish...
:
- The Northern deanery is based on CairnsCairns, QueenslandCairns is a regional city in Far North Queensland, Australia, founded 1876. The city was named after William Wellington Cairns, then-current Governor of Queensland. It was formed to serve miners heading for the Hodgkinson River goldfield, but experienced a decline when an easier route was...
with parishes at Cathedral Parish (St Monica), Bentley ParkBentley Park, QueenslandBentley Park is a suburb of Cairns, Queensland, Australia, and is located approximately 9km south of the Cairns CBD . At the 2006 census, Bentley Park had a population of 5,378.-External links:* *...
(St Therese), Earlville (Our Lady Help of Christians), Freshwater (Sacred Heart), GordonvaleGordonvale, QueenslandGordonvale is a small sugar-growing suburb situated in the southern end of Cairns on the Mulgrave River. At the 2006 census, Gordonvale had a population of 4,420....
(St Michael), Manunda (St Francis Xavier), MossmanMossman, QueenslandFor the collection of Horsedrawn Carriages see Mossman CollectionMossman is a town in Far North Queensland, Australia, on the Mossman River...
(St Augustine), North Cairns (Mother of Good Counsel), Parramatta, Port DouglasPort Douglas, QueenslandPort Douglas is a town in Far North Queensland, Australia, approximately north of Cairns. Its permanent population was 948 residents in 2006. The town's population can often double, however, with the influx of tourists during the peak tourism season May–September. The town is named in honour of...
(St Mary), Redlynch Valley (St Andrew), and Stratford (St Augustine) - The Southern deanery is based on the Cassowary Coast with parishes at BabindaBabinda, QueenslandBabinda is a small town 60 km south of Cairns, Queensland. It is located in the Cairns Region.The town is noted for its proximity to two of Queensland's highest mountains Mount Bartle Frere and Mount Bellenden Ker....
(St Rita), InnisfailInnisfail, QueenslandInnisfail is a town located in the far north of the state of Queensland, Australia. It is the major township of the Cassowary Coast and is well renowned for its sugar and banana industries, as well as for being one of Australia's wettest towns...
(Mother of Good Counsel), MourilyanMourilyan, QueenslandMourilyan is a town in Queensland, Australia. The town is located south of Innisfail on the Bruce Highway. It was established around the Mourilyan sugar mill which provided much of the employment in the area until its destruction during Cyclone Larry on 20 March 2006...
(Christ the King), Silkwood (St John), South Johnstone (St Rita), and TullyTully, QueenslandTully is a small town in Queensland, Australia, adjacent to the Bruce Highway approximately south of Cairns by road and north of Townsville. At the 2006 census, Tully had a population of 2,457....
(St Clare) - The Western deanery extends west of the Tablelands with parishes at AthertonAtherton, QueenslandAtherton is a town on the Atherton Tablelands of Far North Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 census, Atherton had a population of 7,068.-Roads:...
(St Joseph), BamagaBamaga, Queensland-Language:The community languages of Bamaga are Kalaw Kawaw Ya, Brokan , and English, particularly for education and government business.-Industry:...
(St Stephen), CooktownCooktown, QueenslandCooktown is a small town located at the mouth of the Endeavour River, on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland where James Cook beached his ship, the Endeavour, for repairs in 1770. At the 2006 census, Cooktown had a population of 1,336...
(St Mary), DimbulahDimbulah, QueenslandDimbulah is a town located in Far North Queensland, Australia, 114 kilometres from Cairns by road, on the Atherton Tableland. The town was established in 1876 to service the Tyrconnell Gold Mine, one of the richest mines on the Hodgkinson Gold Fields...
(St Anthony), GeorgetownGeorgetown, QueenslandGeorgetown is a town on the Etheridge River in Far North Queensland, Australia. The Gulf Developmental Road passes through the town, linking Cairns - 412 km to the east - and Normanton - 301 km to the west...
(St Patrick), Gulf SavannahNormanton, Queensland-External links:****...
(Our Lady Help of Christians), Hammond Island (St Joseph), HerbertonHerberton, QueenslandHerberton is a town on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 census, Herberton had a population of 974.-History:...
(St Patrick), Horn Island (Holy Family), KurandaKuranda, QueenslandKuranda is a town on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, Australia, it is 25 kilometres from Cairns, via the Kuranda Range road. It is surrounded by rainforest. At the 2006 census, Kuranda had a population of 1,611.-History:...
(St Christopher), MalandaMalanda, QueenslandMalanda is a medium-sized town on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is located from Cairns and above sea level. Malanda first developed in the 1880s when the discovery of tin and copper at Herberton saw a steady stream of miners and engineers moving over the mountains...
(St James), MareebaMareeba, QueenslandMareeba is a town on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, Australia. The town is above sea level on the confluence of the Barron River, Granite Creek and Emerald Creek. The town's name is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning meeting of the waters...
(St Thomas of Villanova), Millaa MillaaMillaa Millaa, QueenslandMillaa Millaa is a small town on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, Australia with a population of 295. It is located approximately 60 km west of cyclone-stricken Innisfail, north of Ravenshoe, south of Malanda...
(St Rita), Mount Garnet (Holy Rosary), RavenshoeRavenshoe, QueenslandRavenshoe is a town on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is located south west of the regional centre, Cairns. At the 2006 census, Ravenshoe had a population of 910....
(St Teresa of the Child Jesus), Thursday Island (Sacred Heart), WeipaWeipa, QueenslandWeipa is the largest town on the Gulf of Carpentaria coast of the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 census, Weipa had a population of 2,830; the largest community on Cape York Peninsula. It exists because of the enormous bauxite deposits along the coast...
(St Joseph)