In 2009 the Archdiocese of Brisbane will mark 150 years of service in South East Queensland. The celebrations will start at the cathedral of St Stephen on the first Sunday of Advent (Sunday November 30, 2008 - click here to see the Proclamation).
The milestone relates to the decision of Rome that Brisbane would become a diocese. In that same year, 1859, the state of Queensland formally separated from New South Wales. As a consequence the 150th celebrations will simultaneously be enjoyed by the entire state, the city of Brisbane as well as the Anglican and Catholic dioceses of Brisbane.
The church was present in Brisbane prior to the declaration of the Diocese, with a first Mass celebrated by Most Rev John Bede Polding, Archbishop of Sydney, in a temporary chapel in what is now Elizabeth Street in mid-May 1843. Later in the month the Archbishop also celebrated Mass on Stradbroke Island and founded a mission there under the Passionist Fathers. Further pastoral activity ensued. In 1845 Fr James Hanly, brought out to Australia from Ireland by the Archbishop, established Brisbane’s first school in a slab hut.
The Archbishop of Brisbane, Most Rev John Bathersby, said he was delighted to be marking the anniversary concurrently with the Anglican diocese of Brisbane, with whom there had been a long history of accord and ecumenical endeavour. Born as a Queenslander in Stanthorpe, he is also delighted to celebrate with the rest of the sunshine state.
"The 150th celebrations will be a perfect time for the Archdiocese to reflect upon the church’s history of faith and service, a history that has always been powerfully linked and happily interwoven with the growth of Queensland itself," Archbishop Bathersby said.
"It's an anniversary of 150 years of faithfulness to Jesus Christ and the following of the Catholic Church's traditions."
"Today our diocese is home to almost 650,000 Catholics who, even if not practising, at least identify themselves as Catholic and help form a faith community shepherded by a committed number of priests, religious and countless lay persons and volunteers."
"Because of the people who belong to it, the Brisbane Archdiocese is one I am immensely proud to be associated with and honoured to be serving."
"It is my sincere hope that as many members as possible of the clergy, religious, lay people and the wider community will participate in the great variety of celebrations taking place in this sesquicentenary year," he said.
