On the 28 May 1986, Cardinal Edward Clancy installed Bishop Patrick Murphy as the inaugural Bishop of the newly formed Diocese of Broken Bay.
Previously part of the Archdiocese of Sydney, the new Diocese was created as a means of alleviating the difficulties of ministering to a burgeoning Catholic population throughout the Archdiocese.

The name Broken Bay was chosen for its central location in Sydney's northern region, being the mouth of the Hawkesbury River, which divides the north and south of the Diocese. 

Beaming across to Broken Bay is the lighthouse situated on the Barrenjoey Peninsula.  This lighthouse has become the key symbol in the Diocesan Crest, along with the motto, 'Lumen Christi' - the Light of Christ.  Not only does this unify both sections of the Diocese, it is also a striking image of the light of Christ.

Covering an area of 2,763 square kilometres, the 26 parishes, 36 primary schools, 6 secondary schools, 1 K-12 and 8 independent Catholic schools that comprise the Diocese of Broken Bay are usually seen as belonging to three separate geographic regions: the Peninsula, containing parishes from Avalon to Manly; the North Shore, from Chatswood north to Arcadia and Berowra parishes; and the Central Coast, from Woy Woy to Toukley, Wyong and Warnervale parishes. 

All but one Diocesan parish were established before 1986.  In fact the oldest three - Manly (founded 1876), Gosford (1888) and Pymble (1889) - covered most of the present Diocese until 1910. 

In 2003 a new parish was formed at Warnervale which incorporates a new K-12 College and extensive facilities for this rapidly expanding area.

With the creation of the Diocese in 1986, came the need to nominate a Cathedral parish where the Bishop would reside as parish priest.  Due to its size and centrality, Corpus Christi, St Ives, was established as the liturgical centre, housing the Cathedra (Bishop's Chair), which automatically elevated the beautiful Church to the status of Diocesan Cathedral.

As the needs of a growing Diocese change, so does the way resources are utilised. The Cathedral at St Ives served the Diocese of Broken Bay well for 22 years. Originally a Parish church, the capacity at Corpus Christi for large congregations and liturgies was limited. On 1 February 2008, the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, Waitara was dedicated as the new Cathedral Centre for the Diocese. Whilst plans for development are still at early stages, this area provides ready access to all areas of the Diocese through rail, Freeway and car transportation.

Bishop Murphy retired in 1996, leaving the Diocese well established.  His successor was Bishop David Walker, ordained bishop on 3 September 1996.

Bishop Walker is committed to promoting a truly Australian spirituality, fostering theological and spiritual education through an experimental understanding of the personal faith journey. 

From the beginning Bishop David recognised the way forward for the Church depended on all believers being willing to work together, responding to the opportunities and responsibilities of Christian leadership.  He has brought to the Diocese a continued commitment to faith renewal and has invited all to engage in 'grass roots' ownership, fostering greater participation and collaboration in shaping parish and diocesan life.

After a comprehensive process aimed at clarifying a sense of identity for the Diocese, a Diocesan Mission Statement was launched by Bishop David during Lent 2000.  This statement led to the development of a Diocesan Pastoral Plan, Going Forward Together which articulated the Diocese's common Mission as Church and provided a template for its development to 2005. 

The current Pastoral Plan: Going Forward Together, Pastoral Care for Evangelisation 2006-2010, builds on the strengths of its precursor, calling on all to develop the best possible pastoral care for the people of the Diocese.

Bishop David states in the document: 'My hope is that we will continue the positive initiatives that we have under way and to develop new ways to spread the message of Jesus Christ to the people of our Diocese.’

Broken Bay Diocese is a vibrant community in which participants are challenged and supported to make their faith in Jesus Christ the centre of their lives. 

A history of the Diocese, A New Light in the East – A History of the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay 1986-2001 by Br John Luttrell fms, is available from the Diocese for $25 inc. Postage and Handling. For further information please contact Annie Carrett T: +61 2 9847 0724 or news@dbb.org.au