Catholic Diocese of Cairns

What Catholic Diocese of Cairns does

The Catholic Diocese of Cairns is an autonomous ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church, established in 1941 and headquartered at 183 Abbott Street, Cairns City, Queensland, Australia. It serves the Catholic faithful across approximately 377,000 square kilometres of Far North Queensland through a network of 23 parishes and parish clusters spanning Atherton Tablelands, Cairns City, Cape York, the Torres Strait, Gulf Savannah, Cassowary Coast, and Port Douglas/Mossman. The Diocese is led by Bishop Joseph Caddy AM, ordained August 16, 2024, following a two-year vacancy after the 30-year tenure of Bishop James Foley.

Its core "products" are faith, education, and community services delivered through five wholly-owned operating arms: Catholic Education (27 schools and colleges), Catholic Early Learning and Care, Centacare FNQ (counselling, family support, prison chaplaincy, aged care visits), the Catholic Development Fund (financial services for parishes), and Genazzano Retreat. Faith formation is delivered via Catholic Youth Ministries, the National Evangelisation Team, Catholic Foundations Modules, and the Alpha Program. Governance is anchored by St Monica's Cathedral, a Marriage Tribunal, and a Safeguarding framework.

The Diocese is a private religious charity under Canon Law with no commercial pricing model. All sacramental, educational, and social services are provided free or on a subsidised basis. Funding flows from voluntary donations, bequests, school tuition, government education funding, social service contracts, and the Catholic Development Fund's financial activities. No revenue figures are publicly disclosed. Strategic priorities currently centre on the Diocesan Synod 2025-26, a new Diocesan Pastoral Council, post-transition episcopal renewal under Bishop Caddy, and adult faith formation through the Alpha Program and related evangelisation initiatives.

Name

Catholic Diocese of Cairns

Legal name

Catholic Diocese of Cairns

Website

https://cairns.catholic.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1941

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Catholic Diocese of Cairns is a religious organisation established in 1941 that serves Catholics across 377,000 square kilometres of Far North Queensland through 23 parishes, 27 schools, and social services including Centacare FNQ, funded by donations and bequests.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious and Community Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAJAB

Denominational & Ecclesiastical Governance Bodies (Dioceses, Synods, Conferences)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGAJAD

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

Keywords

• Parish worship services
• Catholic education
• Faith formation programs
• Community social services
• Pastoral care visits

Headquarters

HQ city

Cairns

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Bequests: The Diocese relies on charitable donations from parishioners and community members, as well as bequests (legacy giving) to support its operations, community services, and missionary work across Far North Queensland.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Catholic Diocese of Cairns provides Catholic worship, sacraments, and pastoral care through 23 parishes across Far North Queensland. It operates Catholic schools and early learning centers, delivers faith formation programs such as the Alpha Program and Catholic Foundations Modules, and runs community social services including Centacare FNQ, prison chaplaincy, and aged care visits. Operations are supported through donations and bequests, with no commercial pricing for services.

Product overview

The Catholic Diocese of Cairns is a religious organization serving 23 parishes across Far North Queensland, offering a portfolio of faith, education, and community services. The core offerings include parish-based worship services (Mass, sacraments), Catholic education through 27 schools and early learning centers, and community social services via Centacare FNQ, aged care visits, and prison chaplaincy. Faith formation is supported through Catholic Youth Ministries, NET teams, Catholic Foundations Modules, and the Alpha Program for evangelisation. The diocese also provides governance services including safeguarding policies, the Catholic Development Fund for financial operations, and a Marriage Tribunal for canonical matters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Parishes and Mass Services Parish-based Catholic worship services including Mass times, Find a Mass search functionality, and parish map across the diocese region covering Cairns, Tablelands, Cape York, and Torres Strait. Organized through 23 parishes and parish clusters.
• Catholic Education Catholic school and college education services operated by the diocese, covering 27 schools and colleges across the region for families seeking faith-based education.
• Catholic Early Learning and Care Early childhood education and care services aligned with Catholic values and teachings for families with young children.
• Centacare FNQ Community and social services providing family support, counselling, and social welfare programs across Far North Queensland for individuals and families in need.
• Home, Hospital and Aged Care Visits Pastoral care visits and spiritual support for individuals in hospitals, aged care facilities, and homebound members of the community.
• Prison Chaplaincy Spiritual support and pastoral care services for inmates in correctional facilities within the Diocese.
• Catholic Youth Ministries Youth-focused religious programs and activities supporting young Catholics in their faith journey.
• National Evangelisation Team (NET) Evangelisation team providing outreach and faith formation programs to parishes and communities.
• St Monica's Cathedral The principal cathedral church of the Diocese of Cairns, serving as the seat of the bishop and centre for diocesan liturgical celebrations.
• Catholic Foundations Modules Educational modules for deepening understanding of Catholic faith, doctrine, and spiritual practices.
• Alpha Program Interactive faith exploration course providing a safe space to explore life, faith, and meaning through connection, content, and conversation.
• Safeguarding Policies and programs ensuring the safety and protection of children and vulnerable adults within the diocese.
• Catholic Development Fund Diocesan financial services supporting the economic and development needs of parishes and church operations.
• Marriage Tribunal Tribunal services addressing matters of marriage validity, annulment, and related canonical issues within church law.
• Genazzano Retreat Retreat and spiritual development services for individuals and groups seeking spiritual renewal.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and minor.

• Stella Maris Australia (Apostleship of the Sea)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Stella Maris is the official maritime welfare agency of the Catholic Church operating in over 300 ports worldwide. The Diocese participates in Sea Sunday initiatives to support seafarers and mariners, reflecting the Church's commitment to maritime welfare and the invisible workers of the seas.
• Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Diocese is part of the national Catholic Church in Australia represented by the ACBC. The Conference coordinates social justice statements, child safety reports, and national Church initiatives including the Plenary Council.
• Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania (FCBCO)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Diocese participates in the Oceania assembly of Catholic bishops, contributing to regional Church discernment and collaboration across Australia, New Zealand, Pacific, and Papua New Guinea/Solomon Islands.
• National Centre for Pastoral ResearchminorOthersAn agency of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference that conducts pastoral research including demographic studies of Australian Catholic populations to help dioceses better understand and serve their communities.
• Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred HeartminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReligious congregation collaborating with the Diocese on Laudato Si' climate crisis resources (URGENT HOPE Conversation Packages) during the Season of Creation 2024.
• Catholic EducationcoreOthersThe Diocese operates Catholic Education services overseeing schools and early learning centers across Far North Queensland.

Scale indicators3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Anglican Diocese of Cairns: Other major Christian denomination serving the same Far North Queensland catchment. Regional peer competing for parishioners, donors and faith-based community service provision in overlapping geography.

Direct peers

• Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane: Queensland-based Catholic archdiocese operating parishes, schools and Centacare Brisbane. Same-state peer with near-identical service structure including education, social services and sacramental ministry.
• Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney: Largest Catholic diocese in Australia, operating parishes, schools and social services across Greater Sydney. Directly comparable ecclesiastical governance structure and diversified ministry portfolio to the Diocese of Cairns.
• Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba: Regional Queensland Catholic diocese with overlapping education and parish ministry operations. Comparable size and regional service delivery model.
• Catholic Diocese of Townsville: Neighbouring regional Queensland Catholic diocese with comparable regional/rural ministry footprint across North Queensland. Closest geographic peer sharing similar remote-community service delivery challenges.
• Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne: Major Australian Catholic archdiocese providing parallel parish, education and welfare services across Victoria. Comparable governance model under an archbishop with similar schools, Centacare-style agencies, and charitable arms.
• Catholic Diocese of Parramatta: Western Sydney Catholic diocese operating a comparable network of parishes, schools and social services. Comparable scale and diversified ministry model under diocesan governance.

Broad incumbents

• Uniting Church in Australia (Queensland Synod): Major Australian Protestant denomination with parallel parish networks, aged care, community services and schools. Comparable faith-based nonprofit operating model in Queensland.
• Salvation Army Australia: Large Christian nonprofit operating community services, aged care and chaplaincy programs across Australia. Overlaps with the Diocese's Centacare-style social services and prison chaplaincy in Far North Queensland.

Emerging players

• Lutheran Church of Australia (Queensland District): Smaller denomination with parish and school networks in regional Queensland. Partial overlap in faith-based education and rural ministry comparable to the Diocese of Cairns' regional footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=D-AVYdy7c9I
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/catholic-diocese-of-cairns

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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