It is believed to be the first time women have been ordained as deacons in a Catholic Church in Australia.

The closure of St Paul’s Cathedral earlier this year because of safety concerns has left the Anglican Church with nowhere to hold ordinations.

Bishop Andrew Curnow said he initially approached the Uniting Church for help before turning to the Catholic Church.

“They said they would be happy for us to use St Kilian’s,” Bishop Curnow said.

“It will be a very historic occasion.

“It’s certainly the first time there’s been an Anglican ordination at a Catholic Church in Bendigo and I believe it’s the first time this has happened anywhere in Australia.”

Three men and four women will be ordained as deacons at the ceremony on November 29.

St Kilian’s was rebuilt on its current site at the corner of McCrae and Bridge streets in 1888, after the original church was destroyed.

It is was initially built as a temporary church and is the largest timber church in Victoria.

St Paul’s was closed in January this year because of fears part of the building could collapse, injuring parishioners or passers-by.

Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Bishop Joseph Grech said he consulted with Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto after being approached by Bishop Curnow about using a Bendigo church.

Archbishop Lazzarotto is the Apostolic Nuncio, the Pope’s official representative in Australia.

Bishop Grech said no concerns had been raised regarding the involvement of women in the ordination.

“In a sense it’s not in our tradition to do that, but it’s a question of our gesture of friendship,” Bishop Grech said.

“I checked with the proper authorities and they said that could go ahead.

“It has happened before all over the world, when churches have been destroyed by fire or flood.

“In the spirit of friendship and Christianity they needed help and we helped.”

St Kilian’s parish priest Father Rom Hayes said he had no doubt parishioners would support the decision.

“We are delighted and we think our only response should be a formal welcome to the Anglican Church, particularly in their time of need,” he said.

“This is the least we can do.”