Roman Catholic Diocese of Bathurst (Australia)

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bathurst is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church located in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Erected in 1865, it is a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Sydney.

The diocese encompasses a significant portion of inland New South Wales, including major centers such as Bathurst, Orange, and Dubbo. Its territory covers approximately 93,000 square kilometers.

The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. John, located in Bathurst, serves as the principal church of the diocese.

The Diocese of Bathurst is responsible for the pastoral care of Catholics residing within its boundaries. This includes administering the sacraments, providing Catholic education through a network of schools, and supporting various charitable and social outreach programs. The diocese is headed by a bishop who is responsible for overseeing the administration and spiritual well-being of the Catholic community within the diocese. The current bishop is Michael McKenna.

Historically, the Diocese of Bathurst has played an important role in the development of the Catholic Church in rural New South Wales. It has been involved in establishing schools, hospitals, and other institutions to serve the needs of the local community. Like many dioceses worldwide, it has also faced challenges related to declining church attendance and the handling of allegations of sexual abuse. The diocese has actively participated in the National Redress Scheme for institutional child sexual abuse.