"Catholicism is a rich and diverse reality. It is a Christian tradition, a way of life, and a community. That is to say, it is comprised of faith, theologies, and doctrines and is characterised by specific liturgical, ethical, and spiritual orientations and behaviours; at the same time, it is a people, or cluster of peoples, with a particular history." (Richard McBrien, Catholicism, 1994)."

Catholic Church in Australia
In Australia, there are 32 dioceses in union with the pope. The Church defines a diocese as "a portion of the people of God, which is entrusted to a bishop" or, as "a community of Christ's faithful in communion of faith and sacraments with their bishop."

A diocese usually has a defined territory and comprises all the Catholics who live there: such is the case with 28 of the Australian dioceses. However, there are also four dioceses covering the whole country: one each for those who belong to the Ukrainian, Maronite and Melkite rites and one for those who are serving in the Australian Defence Forces.

The bishop "governs the particular Church (diocese) entrusted to him with legislative, executive and judicial power, in accordance with the law." The last phrase is important: not only are some matters regularly reserved to the pope, but in other matters the rights and responsibilities of individuals or groups within the Church are legally defined.

In addition to his governing office, the bishop is his diocese's chief teacher of doctrine and leader of public worship. A bishop's involvement in the activities and institutions in his diocese is, in some instances, no more than consent and encouragement; in others, advice and guidance; and, in others, full ownership and direction.

Dioceses are divided into parishes, each headed by a parish priest, appointed by and accountable to the bishop. A parish is "a certain community of Christ's faithful, stably established within a particular Church". Like dioceses, parishes are usually territorial, but need not be. According to Church law, a parish is a juridical person and can own and operate property and institutions. In Australia, most parish property is owned by a diocesan body recognised in state law.

For more information visit the website of the Catholic Bishops of Australia.

Interested in Catholicism?
The Catholic Church welcomes all who would like to join our communities. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process whereby individuals who wish to become members of the Catholic Church can begin a journey of spiritual conversion which will lead to initiation into a Catholic faith community, usually at Easter time. In the last two years, 85 people have participated in the RCIA process in our diocese.

If you would like to find out more about the Catholic faith visit the Catholic Enquiry Centre. The following sites will also be of help to you The Catholic Church in Australia, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, The Vatican, The Cathechism of the Catholic Church, CatholicAustralia, or Theology Library websites or phone us on (02) 4979 1150 or email us.