Pope elevates St Lawrence Church to a minor Basilica

UDUPI: Pope Francis has elevated one of the most renowned shrines of South India - St Lawrence Church of Attur in Karkal to status of ‘Minor Basilica’, through a document which has reached the Bishop of Udupi.

Among the churches of any diocese, the cathedral church holds the first place and the greatest dignity. In it is placed the cathedra, the sign of the Bishop's teaching authority and power, as pastor of the same diocese and the sign of communion with the Roman cathedra of St Peter. Next, there are the parish churches, which are the homes of the various communities of the diocese. In addition, there are shrines to which the Christian faithful of the diocese or of other local churches go on pilgrimage.

Among these churches and others of different categories are some that have particular importance for liturgical and pastoral life. These may be honored by the Supreme Pontiff with the title of Minor Basilica, thereby signifying their particular link with the Roman Church and the Supreme Pontiff.

In a Minor Basilica the liturgical instruction of the faithful is to be promoted by establishing groups concerned with liturgical activity, by special courses of instruction given in a series of conferences, and by other programs of this kind. Among the special activities of a basilica may be especially mentioned the study and popularization of documents coming from the Supreme Pontiff and the Holy See, especially those pertaining to the sacred liturgy.

The Bishop of Udupi Most Rev Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo in consultation with clergy and faithful, will choose a day on which the concession of the title of basilica to a certain church is publicly announced and observed in a festive way with appropriate prayer vigils and other celebrations.

In all, there are 21 Minor Basilicas in India, of which the most renowned are Vailankanni and Poondy in Tamilnadu, Mount Mary in Mumbai and Bom Jesus in Old Goa. St Lawrence Minor Basilica is only the second Minor Basilica in Karnataka, after the renowned St Mary’s Minor Basilica, Shivajinagar, Bengaluru.