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 was erected, now P. P. At that time there were seven parishes founded by the Jesuits, who had been working there since 1852, and approximately 11,000 Catholics. However, the poor fertility of the soil and the exodus of the inhabitants did not permit an increase in the number of Catholics.
The northern boundaries are marked by the 25th parallel of south latitude, west of the 129th meridian, which also marks the boundary between the State of Western Australia and that of South Australia; to the east it marks the boundary between Queensland and New South Wales; to the south the diocese borders the archdiocese of Adelaide, which on 5 May 1950 ceded some further territories and the Eire Peninsula. On 7 June 1951 the name was changed to P. P.
The area exceeds 967,850 sq. km. The terrain is flat, with few mountains. There are no watercourses except for the lower course of the Murray. The inhabitants, of European origin, are engaged chiefly in pastoralism. There are approximately 14,316 Catholics and approximately 82,078 Protestants, not a few of whom do not practise their religion. There are 18 parishes, 3 rural deaneries, and 53 churches. The diocesan priests number 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, 6 of whom were born in Australia; the Sisters of the Good Samaritan work in 3 houses with 23 religious, 1 of whom is native-born. The seminarians study at the Seminary of Adelaide. There is an orphanage. There are 17 Catholic primary schools and 10 secondary schools. The government has 146 primary schools and 17 secondary schools, which are also attended by Catholics. The religious instruction of young people is given great attention. Pious associations are numerous. Government restrictions prevent the construction of new churches and schools.