Santhome Cathedral Basilica set for global recognition

Chennai, June 22 (UNI) The century-old Santhome Cathedral Basilica, a religious heritage monument, is all set to be declared as an ''International Shrine'' by the Pope.

The Basilica, only the third in the world to be built over the tombs of the apostles of Jesus Christ, had already been recognised as a ''National Shrine'' by the Conference of Catholic Bishops held in Bangalore on February 11, 2006.

''The shrine has already become a place of great devotion with large number of pilgrims from the country and abroad visiting it and offering prayers and the International Shrine recognition was only a question of time,'' Rev A M Chinnappa, Archbishop of Madras Mylapore told newspersons here.

The Archbishop said he had visited Rome early this month and presented all relevant documents to the Pope's office, requesting him to recognise the Basilica as an International Shrine.

''We are hopeful of getting the status as the Basilica is only the third in the world to be built on the tombs of the Apostles of Christ,'' he said.

The other two Basilicas were built over the tombs of Apostles St Peter in Rome and St James in Spain, Rev Chinnappa said.

The beautiful Gothic strucutre, which was blessed on Aprilone, 1896 was a symbol of pride not only for the people of India but for the whole world, he said.

Confident of getting International Shrine status, the authorities have already installed a huge granite stone name board in front of the Basilica, declaring it as an ''International Shrine.'' UNI WS GM SHR RAI0958