St Anne BM is now a minor basilica

The Congregation for the Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, through Decree Protocol Number 42/19 dated September 5, 2019, has established the Church of St Anne, Bukit Mertajam, as a Minor Basilica.

Oct 13, 2019

PENANG: The Congregation for the Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, through Decree Protocol Number 42/19 dated September 5, 2019, has established the Church of St Anne, Bukit Mertajam, as a Minor Basilica. The intention of this elevation to a Minor Basilica is to intensify the bond with the Church of Rome and with the Holy Father and, at the same time, to hold up this Basilica as a model of Liturgical and Pastoral activity and as a pilgrimage shrine in the Diocese of Penang and the region

The Bishop of Penang, Rt Rev Dato’ Sebastian Francis, DD, with the help of members of the clergy and laity of the Parish of St Anne, formed a team at the end of last year to complete the submission for this elevation. A formal application was then made on 6th January, 2019.

This application was unanimously endorsed and supported by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (CBCMSB).

His Excellency, Archbishop Joseph Salvador Marino, Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia, in his letter dated September 17, congratulated Bishop Sebastian and the entire Diocese of Penang for this historic moment in the history of the Church of St Anne and in the history of the entire Church in Malaysia. He also took the opportunity to extend his sentiments of prayerful best wishes and warm personal regards.

Bishop Sebastian expressed his heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the entire people of God for their earnest and prayerful support in this journey. He explains that the elevation of St Ann’s Church to a Minor Basilica honoured the many pilgrims of different nationalities, religions and races who gather every year at the shrine of St Anne, Bukit Mertajam. This is a tangible and true expression of inter-religious harmony.

The official inauguration ceremony of the Minor Basilica of St Anne, will be announced soon.

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