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Catholic Diocese of Ballarat

A Community of Communities

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Latest News

14 March 2026

Mass of Ordination and Installation of Bishop-Elect Mark Freeman

The Episcopal Ordination and Installation of Fr Mark Freeman as the ninth Bishop of Ballarat will be held on Thursday, ...

11 March 2026

The retirement of Bishop Paul Bird CSsR

The Catholic Diocese of Ballarat marked the conclusion of a distinguished chapter of leadership, pastoral care and dedicated service to ...

05 March 2026

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference – Statement from the President on the Middle East

A statement from Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and Archbishop of Perth

05 March 2026

International Women’s Day

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry have realeased a Pastoral Letter for International Women’s Day

24 February 2026

Rite of Election 2026

The annual Rite of Election was celebrated on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at St Patrick’s Cathedral Ballarat by Bishop Paul ...

18 February 2026

Pilgrimage of the Migrant Jubilee Cross 2025-2026

The Pilgrimage of the Migrant Jubilee Cross Australia 2025-2026 (MJC) aims to offer an opportunity for the Catholic Church in ...

17 February 2026

Citizen of the Year

Catholic Education Ballarat (CEB) staff member Jim Waight has been named the City of Ballarat’s 2026 Citizen of the Year. ...

17 February 2026

Connecting again

Towards the end of 2025, St John of God Hospital Ballarat had the privilege of connecting again with colleagues in ...

17 February 2026

Catholic Education Central Zone Special Mass for Schools

On Tuesday, January 27, staff from the Catholic Education Central Zone schools gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral for a beautiful Mass to ...

17 February 2026

Japanese teachers meet as part of the Collaborative Innovation Research Prototype (CIRP)

Honouring the existing strong historical connection between Warrnambool and Japan, the first curriculum workshop of the Warrnambool-based Japanese primary teacher ...

17 February 2026

DOBCEL Strategy 2035 Podcast Launch: Towards 2035

The Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited are pleased to launch a new DOBCEL podcast series, Towards 2035, which explores the ...

17 February 2026

Year of St Francis

POPE Leo XIV has proclaimed 2026 The Year of St Francis. The Vatican has announced plenary indulgences for the Year ...

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Diocesan Vision Statement

We are a community of communities from the Murray to the sea. Inspired by the Gospel and nourished by the Eucharist, we follow the example of Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, reaching out in joyful and humble service, caring for all of God’s creation, growing in love day by day and looking forward to life with God forever.

Acknowledgement of Country

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands in which the Diocese of Ballarat sits. We would like to pay our respects to Aboriginal Elders past, present and future. Their wisdom can help us care for the earth, our common home.