The Catholic Church in Australia is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and Curia in Rome. There are an estimated 5.1 million baptised Catholics in Australia, 26% of the population, a plurality, making it Australia's largest single Christian denomination. In Australia's seven archdioceses and 32 dioceses there are an estimated 3,000 priests and 9,000 men and women in Catholic orders.

A diocese is a portion of the people of God within a geographical area, entrusted to the pastoral care of a Bishop, who is assisted in his ministry by priests, deacons, and his Curia. For 28 of the Australian dioceses, this geographical allocation is maintained. 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 Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay, under the leadership of Bishop David Louis Walker, exists to serve the People of God in the northern regions of the city of Sydney, including the North Shore, Peninsula and NSW Central Coast.

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.

To find out more please contact the Parish Support Unit, Diocese of Broken Bay: (02) 9847 0484 or visit:
The Catholic Church in Australia - www.catholic.org.au , or
The Catholic Enquiry Centre - www.catholicenquiry.com