| abstract
| - The Catholic Church in Australia is part of the worldwide Catholic Church which, inspired by the life, death and teachings of Jesus Christ and under the spiritual and administrative leadership of the Pope and Curia in Rome, is the largest Christian church in the world. Australia is a majority Christian but pluralistic society with no established religion. There are approximately 5.1 million Australian Catholics (26% of the population). Catholicism arrived in Australia with the British First Fleet in 1788. The first Australian Catholics were mainly Irish, but Australian Catholics now originate from a great variety of national backgrounds. The Church is a major provider of health, education and charitable services: Catholic Social Services Australia's 63 member organisations help more than a million Australians every year; and the Catholic education system has more than 650,000 students (21% of student population). Mary Mackillop, who founded an educative order of nuns in Australia in the 19th century is due to become the first Australian canonised saint in October 2010. The mother church of Australian Catholicism is St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney; there are 32 dioceses and 1363 parishes. The senior Australian church leader at present is the Cardinal Archbishop of Sydney, George Pell.
|