Matthea "Matty" Cathley was a Twi'lek female Jedi Padawan who was the apprentice of Jedi Master Leebon. She operated out of the moon Jedha alongside Oliviah Zeveron in 382 BBY. That year, she fought in the Battle of Jedha and was essential to protecting the tapbar Enlightenment, which was harboring many people from the carnage. In the aftermath, she traveled with Zeveron to the planet Dalna to investigate the Path of the Open Hand cult's involvement in the battle and investigate their leader, the Mother. They eventually met up with Jedi High Council member Ela Sutan, who had also come to investigate. Cathley then fought under Sutan after the Path attacked the Jedi in the resulting Night of Sorrow.
Cathley was sent to find Vildar Mac when he arrived on Jedha, explaining to him that they would be investigating a theft before heading to the Convocation chambers. As they made their way there, Cathley also explained to Mac that people were not very friendly to Jedi on Jedha, despite their past history there. Cathley asked Mac why he chose to come here instead of heading to the front line, but interrupted the conversation by wanting to watch a performance. As an argument broke out, Cathley tried to meditate but was turned on by everyone despite stubbornly trying to help. When Mac reacted aggressively to a Sorcerer of Tund's appearance, Cathley again tried to smooth things over and the two Jedi continued onward.
Cathley once again found herself explaining to Mac, this time about the stolen item and how they had been asked to find it. Mac was not listening much and instead realized that the droid SK-0T was present there. Cathley watched in horror as Tey Sirrek, owner of the droid, stopped Mac's heart and made him seemingly dead.
When Mac revived, having been only briefly unconscious, Cathley followed him in confusion as he beelined to find Sirrek's location. Mac used psychometry to see where Sirrek had gone, and Cathley identified the place he had seen as the Enlightenment. Cathley was hesitant to take him there, having been ordered to not return after other incidents, but ultimately gave in. Cathley was once again confronted by members of the Path of the Open Hand and defended the Jedi way. Mac came to her defense and they continued on their way, but Cathley reminded him that respect needed to be earned in Jedha. Cathley helped Mac get into the bar where he spotted Sirrek. Cathley and Mac ended up both restrained by the Twinkle Sisters after Mac tried to seize Sirrek. Cathley looked on as Mac and Sirrek confronted each other, and expressed surprise that Sirrek had actually been helping the woman they found dead. Cathley tried to get Sirrek to help them, but he left and seemed to disappear.
Cathley and Mac found Sirrek trying to sell Mac's lightsaber. They had a brief exchange and began to head to the Temple of the Kyber before being surrounded by Guardians of the Whills. Cathley tried to talk to Sirrek, but he left. Cathley was then shocked at the revelation that Sirrek had formerly been a Guardian himself. Cathley later defended Sirrek as not being the thief, given the circumstances and his demeanor, but was rebuffed by the other Guardians.
After the explosion left Mac injured, Cathley tried to convince him to rest. She told him how he'd saved the life of Archivist Feric Oranalli and explained what information there was from Sirrek's droid. Cathley was present at the Convocation's debriefing after the explosion, and was somewhat frustrated at their treatment of Sirrek. Cathley was also present as the Herald condemned the Convocation and Jedi, leading a riot to erupt against them.
Cathley tried to fend off the rioters and called to Mac that something was wrong with the Force. Cathley went to help Oliviah Zeveron with Mac, as she chased down The Mother. Cathley and Mac went to help calm the crowds when the Healing house exploded.