May
7
Australia's First Chapel of Perpetual Adoration
The Catholics of early colonial Australia were without priests during the early days of its history. In 1800 a convict priest Father James Dixon and the convict William Davis arrived in New South Wales and lay Carmelites James Dempsey and John Butler arrived as convicts in 1802. These four men were to play an important part along with Father Jeremiah O'Flynn in founding the Catholic Church in Australia on lay-led Perpetual Adoration.
From 1803-1804 Father Dixon was permitted to publicly act as a Catholic priest by the Governor and after the Irish revolt at Castle Hill he continued his priestly life in secrecy in the Colony until 1809.
From 1803-1804 Father Dixon was permitted to publicly act as a Catholic priest by the Governor and after the Irish revolt at Castle Hill he continued his priestly life in secrecy in the Colony until 1809.
