WILCANNIA-FORBES, diocese of. — It is situated in the western part of the State of New South Wales.
It was erected under the name of W. on 10 May 1887, with territory detached from the archdiocese of Sidney. On 28 July 1917, six parishes were detached from the diocese of Bathurst and annexed to the diocese of W., which was given the name 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, nuns 232, schools and colleges 75, orphanages 1, charitable institutions 3.
BIBL.: AAS, 9 (1917), pp. 427-28; MC, 1930, p. 459; Australasian Cath. Directory 1952, Sidney 1952, pp. 222-27. Saverio Paventi