BRISBANE, ARCHDIOCESE of. - The jurisdiction, established as a suffragan diocese of Sydney (Australia) on 12 Apr. 1859, was raised to metropolitan rank on 10 May 1887. In 1929 the diocese of Toowomba was separated from it, with a modification of the boundaries with that of Rockhampton.
The area of the territory, comprising part of the State of Queensland (from the borders of New South Wales to the 25th degree of south latitude, and westward to the Great Dividing Range, Main R. and Auburn R.), is 48,270 sq. km. The total population, according to the approximate estimate of 1938, was 430,000 inhabitants. According to the data of the Australasian Catholic Directory of 1948 (pp. 313-27), Catholics number 121,000, while almost all the others are Protestants. There are 191 priests, 85 brothers (Marati and Christ. Brothers), 949 sisters belonging to 17 different congregations; 85 parishes and 171 churches, with various works and several elementary and secondary schools, educating 16,920 pupils; 5 hospitals, 2 orphanages, and 7 charitable institutions. The diocesan organ is the Catholic Leader.
The Catholic community is distinguished by its educational and charitable organization, the fruit of constant sacrifices of every kind. The regional seminary, opened in 1939, ensures broader achievements in the near future.
BIRL.: R. De Martinis, Jus Pontif. de Prop. Fide, VI, 1, Roma 1894, p. 302; Leonis XIII Acta, VII (1887), pp. 96-97; AAS, 21 (1929), pp. 468-71; MC, Roma 1946, p. 56.