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Suffragan diocese Maitland–Newcastle, Australia

Diocese of Maitland–Newcastle

Maitlanden(sis)-Novocastren(sis)

Latin Church

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is a Latin Church suffragan see covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions of New South Wales. Erected in 1847 as the Diocese of Maitland and renamed in 1995, it has been led by Bishop Michael Kennedy since 2023.

On the map

Esri
The address the register holds for Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton, in Maitland–Newcastle, Australia.

Every see on one map: browse the dioceses. Churches with recorded hours: find Mass times.

Established
1847
Catholics
159,150
Priests
59
Territory
33,757 km²

Parishes and churches

36 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
Michael Kennedy
Born
13 May 1968
Birthplace
Wagga Wagga

Explore the ministry of the bishop.

The cathedral

Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton stands in Maitland–Newcastle, 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

The Hunter and Mid North Coast regions of New South Wales are served by the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, a Latin Church suffragan of the Archdiocese of Sydney. Founded in 1847 as the Diocese of Maitland, it took its present name in 1995. Michael Kennedy is its bishop. The diocese is regarded as one of the epicentres of the Catholic sexual abuse scandal in Australia: scores of priests and religious brothers were convicted of crimes against children, and two senior figures, Father Thomas Brennan and Brother William Wade, were convicted of concealing child sexual abuse.

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.

  • Diocese of Maitland–Newcastle marks World Day of Migrants and Refugees

    Sep 27, 2026 · Life & Family

  • What is the mission of the Church?

    The Diocese of Maitland–Newcastle published an article exploring the mission of the Church.

    Sep 25, 2026 · Catholic Life

  • Chasing big dreams, one finish line at a time

    Miller Austin, an 11-year-old Year 5 student at St Joseph’s Primary School in Charlestown, won gold at the School Sport Australia National Cross Country Championships in Sydney this September to become a national cross-country champion. The student has previously collected state titles, national medals, and records in cross country and middle-distance running. To help Austin attend the championships, students at St Joseph’s raised money by dressing as their favorite athletes. Fundraising activities included a lolly jar guessing competition and an event where students threw wet sponges at Austin and her teacher, Joseph Watts.

    Sep 24, 2026 · Education

  • More than miracles: How someone becomes a saint

    The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle published an article explaining the process of sainthood and how it involves more than just miracles.

    Sep 23, 2026 · Culture

  • A baby boy, a prayer card and a saint

    The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle published a story titled A Baby Boy, a Prayer Card and a Saint.

    Sep 23, 2026 · Culture

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