Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton
The Diocese of Rockhampton is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in Australia. It is a suffragan in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Brisbane. Erected in 1882, it covers Central Queensland.
History
The Diocese of Rockhampton was excised from the Archdiocese of Brisbane on 29 December 1882. Prior to this, the Brisbane archdiocese had responsibility for the entire state of Queensland, but the creation of the Rockhampton diocese split the state with responsibilities for the southern part of Queensland to remain with the Brisbane archdiocese while the northern part of Queensland became the responsibility of the new Rockhampton diocese. The Diocese of Townsville was excised from the Diocese of Rockhampton in 1930, reducing Rockampton's coverage to Central Queensland, while Townsville took responsibility for the areas further to the north.Bishops
Ordinaries
The following individuals have been elected as Roman Catholic Bishops of Rockhampton:Other priests of this diocese who became bishops
- Guilford Clyde Young †, appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Canberra in 1948
- Raymond Conway Benjamin †, appointed Bishop of Townsville in 1984
Parishes
The diocese is divided into four separate deaneries that administer individual parishes:- Central deanery covering Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast with regular liturgical services held in the Cathedral of St Joseph, Emu Park, Gracemere, Mount Morgan, Berserker, Norman Gardens, Park Avenue, Westwood, Wowan, and Yeppoon
- Southern deanery covering Bundaberg, Gladstone and the Valleys Region with regular liturgical services held in Agnes Water, Baffle Creek, Baralaba, Bargara, Biloela, Bundaberg, Calliope, Gladstone, Miriam Vale, Mount Larcom, Monto, Moura, Walkervale, Tannum Sands, Theodore, Ubobo, Bundaberg West
- Northern deanery with regular liturgical services held in Alligator Creek, Bucasia, Calen, Eton, Farleigh, Finch Hatton, Mackay, Marian, Midge Point, Mirani, North Mackay, Sarina, Seaforth, South Mackay, Walkerston, and West Mackay
- Western deanery covering two regions with regular liturgical services held in:
- *Central Highlands region – Blackwater, Capella, Clermont, Dingo, Duaringa, Dysart, Emerald, Middlemount, Moranbah, Springsure, Tieri, and Woorabinda
- *Central West region – Alpha, Aramac, Barcaldine, Blackall, Ilfracombe, Isisford, Jericho, Jundah, Longreach and Tambo