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Suffragan diocese Ballarat, Australia

Diocese of Ballarat

Ballaraten(sis)

Latin Church

The Diocese of Ballarat covers the western third of Victoria, Australia. It was erected as a see in 1874 and is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, with Mark Freeman ordained and installed as its ninth bishop on 19 March 2026.

On the map

Esri
The address the register holds for St Patrick's Cathedral, Ballarat, in Ballarat, Australia.

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Established
1874
Catholics
97,900
Priests
50
Territory
58,000 km²

Parishes and churches

23 listed churches in our records. Open a parish for Mass times, confession, directions and sources where recorded.

This is our recorded coverage, not an official diocesan parish count. Confirm service times with the parish before travelling.

The bishop

Bishop
Mark Freeman
Born
17 July 1949
Birthplace
Newcastle
Institute
CONGREGAZIONE DEL SANTISSIMO REDENTORE (REDENTORISTI O LIGUORINI) (C.SS.R.)

Explore the ministry of the bishop.

The cathedral

St Patrick's Cathedral, Ballarat stands in Ballarat, the church that holds the cathedra from which this see takes its name.

On what a cathedral is, see the cathedral; every see church on earth is gathered at the cathedrals.

History

Established in 1874 and based in Ballarat, Australia, this Roman Catholic diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Melbourne within that ecclesiastical province. Its territory takes in the west, Wimmera and Mallee regions of Victoria, and its cathedral is St Patrick's Cathedral, Ballarat. The diocese has been prominent in Australia for its number of cases of sexual abuse by clergy and members of religious orders.

This see in the wire

Filed by the see itself

Published on the see's own news feed. A diocese reports on the whole Church, so these are often about somewhere else.

  • Pope Leo XIV approves Vatican document on interreligious dialogue

    Sep 25, 2026 · Vatican · 10 sources

  • Pope Leo XIV to mark World Day of Migrants and Refugees

    Sep 24, 2026 · Life & Family · 2 sources

  • Pope Leo XIV to attend International Eucharistic Congress 2028

    Pope Leo XIV intends to attend the 2028 International Eucharistic Congress in Sydney, according to a statement he made in February. While the pope has not yet formally responded to an invitation from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, he told reporters that he will be there. Bishop Richard Umbers, the Secretary General for the event, announced that the 54th International Eucharistic Congress, named Eucharist28, will take place from September 24 to October 1, 2028. A theological symposium will precede the gathering from September 20 to 22. Organizers have already released resources including videos, podcasts, and reflections for parishes, schools, and communities. On March 1, 2026, Australian parishes held Eucharistic Holy Hours to start a Year of Prayer for the congress. This marks the third time Australia has hosted the event, following previous congresses in Sydney in 1928 and Melbourne in 1973.

    Sep 24, 2026 · Vatican · 2 sources

  • It’s time to get your running shoes on!

    Vinnies Victoria has opened registrations for the Ballarat Marathon 2027, a two-day running festival scheduled for late April 2027. Participants can choose to support the St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria by selecting Vinnies as their designated charity during registration. These funds help the organization assist people experiencing hardship throughout the Victorian community.

    Sep 22, 2026 · Catholic Life

  • Diocese of Ballarat celebrates St Mary’s Primary School, Clarkes Hill

    The Diocese of Ballarat will celebrate 80 years of faith, learning, and community at St Mary’s Primary School in Clarkes Hill on Sunday, November 22, 2026.

    Sep 21, 2026 · Education

26 stories in the wire either name this see or come from its own feed. Read the wire.