PORT PIRIE, Diocese of. - On 13 May 1887 the northern territory was detached from the diocese of Adelaide (Australia) and the diocese of Port Augusta, now P. P., was erected. There were then seven parishes founded by the Jesuits, who had been working there since 1852, and about 11,000 Catholics. But the poor fertility of the soil and the exodus of the inhabitants did not permit an increase in the number of Catholics.
The boundaries to the north are marked by the 25th parallel of south latitude, to the west by the 129th meridian, which also marks the limits between the State of Western Australia and that of South Australia; to the east it marks the boundaries between Queensland and New South Wales; to the south the diocese borders on the archdiocese of Adelaide, which on 5 May 1950 ceded certain other territories and the Eyre Peninsula. On 7 June 1951 the name was changed to that of P. P.
The area exceeds 967,850 sq km. The soil is flat with few mountains. There are no watercourses except the lower course of the Murray. The inhabitants, of European origin, are engaged especially in sheep-raising. Catholics number about 14,316 and Protestants about 82,078, of whom not a few are without religious practice. The parishes are 18, rural deaneries 3, churches 53. The diocesan priests are 31, of whom 12 were born in Australia. There are no male religious congregations. The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph has 13 houses with 49 sisters, of whom 6 were born in Australia; the Sisters of the Good Samaritan work in 3 houses with 23 religious, of whom 1 is a native. The seminarians study in the Seminary of Adelaide. There is an orphanage. Catholic primary schools 17, secondary 10. The government has 146 primary schools and 17 secondary schools, which are also attended by Catholics. The religious instruction of the young is much cared for. Pious associations are numerous. Government restrictions hinder the building of new churches and schools.