Thanks Arnie, One of the 5 petitioners was Joseph Morley (1st Fleet). The co-author of this article, (Dr) J A Morley is a descendant of Joseph Morley (2nd Fleet) and distant relative of my wife. This Dr Joseph A Morley was 90-something a couple of years ago and still breathing. He is (was?) a mine of information on the Morley family history and Catholic Church. He holds a letter sent to Joseph (2nd Fleet) written to him by his uncle when he languished on a hulk in the Thames in about 1790 - what a treasure! Regards, Russell fletch wrote: >Maybe this will help ( source " The Catholic Story " by B T Doyle and J A Morley 1953 ) > > > >Catholic Church in Australia : > >When the First Fleet sailed to Australia to set up its first penal colony, the only religion approved for the colony was the Established Church of England. An English Catholic priest, Fr Thomas Walsh had requested permission in England to be allowed to accompany the fleet to minister to the convicts, but that request was never answered. > > >... > >On November 30, 1792, five Catholic settlers at Parramatta petitioned Governor Phillip in an attempt to secure an official Catholic priest for the colony. That petition was fruitless, so there were still no facilities for Catholic life and worship - For all ceremonies such as baptisms, marriages and burials, Catholics had to turn to the Anglican chaplains or do without. > > >