A proposition to split the Wilcannia-Forbes catholic diocese has been sent to Rome for approval.
A letter recommending the split was read to parishioners.
The diocese, which covers half of New South Wales, has been under investigation by the Catholic Church for more than a year after being forced to operate without a Bishop and minus three priests.
Parishioner Jenny Nankivell says under the proposal, a smaller Wilcannia diocese will be formed.
"We, Broken Hill, will go back to being the Diocese of Wilcannia, there'll be Broken Hill, Cobar, Wilcannia, Bourke, Nyngan and Brewarrina within that diocese. Then the people on Wentworth side, up around Hay and that they'll be going with Wagga, and then Forbes and Parkes and other parishes up that way will be going with Bathurst."
Ms Nankivell, says people took the news well.
"The few people that I spoke to seemed to be very pleased about the fact that some sort of decision has been made, so it should be a really good benefit. I feel really keen that we're going to be looked after and I think the fact that we're having a decision made, we know where we're going and what's happening, is going to be of great benefit to the people."