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Catholic Diocese of Bathurst

The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst is situated in Central Western New South Wales.

Covering an area of some 103,680 sq kms (40,000 sq miles), the Diocese stretches from Lithgow and Oberon in the East, through the parishes of Rylstone, Mudgee, Coolah, Coonabarabran and Coonamble, extending to within 20 kilometres south of Walgett in the North-West, continuing south through Gilgandra, Dubbo, Wellington, Orange, Blayney and Bathurst.

The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. John (1861) is on the corner of William and Keppel Streets in Bathurst.

Within the Diocese there are 20 parishes and 34 diocesan schools.  Some of these are in very large centres while others are situated in small, outlying areas.

Since 1983, the Diocese has been under the pastoral care of Bishop Patrick Dougherty, DD.

Bishop Dougherty is currently a member of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference's Committees for Liturgy, Membership and Finance, Secretary of the ACBC Committee for Migrants and Refugees and Bishop Promotor for the Apostleship of the Sea.

  • There is a Catholic Education Office within the Diocese to cater for the needs of the 34 Diocesan schools, from infant to secondary levels.
  • Centacare has offices in three of the larger centres in the Diocese and offers a range of services to outlying areas.
  • The Catholic Development Fund celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Based in Bathurst it has agencies throughout the Diocese. 
  • The Diocese also has its own House of Prayer ~ Shalom~
  • The Diocese produces a monthly newspaper ~ The Catholic Observer ~
    and has a website ~ www.bathurst.catholic.org.au

Contact:  observer@bathurst.catholic.org.au
Ph:  02 6331 3611      Fax: 02 6331 4869

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