Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 26) – Two churches in the country have been designated as minor basilica by Pope Francis, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines announced on Tuesday.
The distinction was awarded to St. Dominic Parish in San Carlos City, Pangasinan and the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Anne in Taguig City.
The Pope elevates a church into a minor basilica for its “architectural beauty, historical significance, liturgical renown, the presence of a special relic or work of art, or for any combination of those qualities.”
The St. Dominic Parish is the first Dominican church in Pangasinan, completed in 1773.
The first site of the St. Dominic Church was built in the city in 1587 as a relatively simple chapel made of bamboo and nipa. The place of worship was moved three times in the 17th and 18th centuries due to floodings in the province.
Meanwhile, the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Anne houses a bone relic of St. Anne.
Vergara added they filed last year a 180-page petition to designate the Taguig-based shrine as a minor basilica. The petition contained the church’s history, liturgical services, social services, culture, and devotion.
With the distinction given to the two churches, the Philippines now has a total of 21 minor basilicas.
Diocese of Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara said it is the first minor basilica of the diocese since it was established in 2003.
