Vatican designates Ilocos Sur church as minor basilica

MANILA, Philippines — Pope Francis has granted an 18th century church in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur the title of minor basilica.

The CBCPNews, the official news service provider of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said the pope cited the historical and cultural significance of the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption as the basis for the designation.

The parish became the second church under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia to be declared as a minor basilica by the Vatican.

The other is the Minor Basilica of St. Nicholas de Tolentino in Sinait town.

The Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption was also designated as a UNESCO heritage site in 1993.

The minor basilica designation, announced by the parish on Monday, was coursed through the Vatican’s dicastery for divine worship and the discipline of the sacraments.

The shrine was built by Augustinian friars in 1765. It was declared an independent parish under the patroness of Our Lady of the Assumption in 1769.

In 1822, the church and its convent became a mission center for the Augustinians.

There are about 24 churches, including cathedrals, in the country designated as minor basilicas. The designation signifies the bond between the church and the pope.