About Us
The Cairns Catholic Diocesan Archives is dedicated to preserving the records of the diocese’s administrative, cultural, and spiritual activities.  Our mission is to safeguard the personal, corporate, and social memory of the diocese, in accordance with Canon and Civil Law. By maintaining these records, the Archives supports the diocese’s commitment to transparency, and the celebration of its rich heritage.
Diocesan archives
What is in our collection?
The Diocesan Archives collection consist of the following:
- Limited sacramental records from 1877
- Papers generated by previous Bishops
- Inactive diocesan administrative records
- Photographs
- Religious and liturgical objects
- Textiles
- Art works
- Books
Services
In addition to the preservation and documentation of resources, the Archives team also provides:
- Research for diocesan agencies
- Research support for historians and researchers, including family history.
- Subject to the approval from the Bishop of Cairns, archives staff may also assist in the preparation of items for exhibition purposes (e.g. Historical display for anniversary of the establishment of a parish).
Frequently Asked Questions
Due to the physical and private nature of many of the resources stored in our collection, the Cairns Catholic Diocesan Archives are not open to the public. If you wish to review any of our archival resources, please complete a Research Enquiry form and email to the Archives team archives@cairns.catholic.org.au
If you wish to review any of our archival resources, please complete a Research Enquiry form and email to the Archives team archives@cairns.catholic.org.au
Due to staff availability, and ongoing archival projects, archive enquiries may take up to six weeks to complete.
Cairns Catholic Diocesan Archives records may not be reproduced without the written permission from the Bishop of Cairns. If you wish to publish copies of archival records, please complete an Application to Publish or Quote from the Cairns Catholic Diocesan Archives Form and submit to the Archives team archives@cairns.catholic.org.au
Contact us
The Cairns Catholic Diocesan Archives will be closed until March 2026. This will include a temporary suspension of research services. No external research requests will be processed, except those received from individuals requiring copies of personal sacramental records. Internal enquiries will continue to operate as usual, but due to staffing availability, and time constraints, additional time may be required to complete enquiries.
