WILCANNIA-FORBES, Diocese of. — It is situated in the western zone of the State of New South Wales.
It was erected under the name of W. on 10 May 1887 with territory taken from the archdiocese of Sydney. On 28 July 1917 six parishes were detached from the diocese of Bathurst and annexed to the diocese of W., which was then given the name of W.-F.
It has an area of 257,440 sq. km. with 100,000 inhabitants of European origin. Catholics number 22,500. Parishes 21, churches 54, priests 42, brothers 17, sisters 232, schools and colleges 75, orphanages 1, charitable works 3.
BIBL.: AAS, 9 (1917), pp. 427-28; MC, 1950, p. 459; Australian Catholic Directory 1952, Sydney 1952, pp. 222-27. Saverio Paventi