CBCP declares 3 churches as national shrines

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) declared three churches as national shrines on Saturday.

The churches are the Archdiocesan Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (EDSA Shrine), the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto in the Archdiocese of Manila, and the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Aranzazu in the Diocese of Antipolo.

The decision was made during the CBCP’s plenary assembly in Santa Rosa, Laguna, attended by over 70 bishops.

The designation of national shrine status recognizes churches of historical, spiritual, or cultural significance that promote faith through worship, formation, and pastoral care.

The EDSA Shrine, a symbol of peace and freedom, commemorates the 1986 People Power Revolution. Fr. Jerome Secillano, rector of the EDSA Shrine, expressed his gratitude to the bishops for granting the church national shrine status.

"I extend my deep gratitude to the Bishops of the Philippines for voting unanimously to grant NATIONAL SHRINE Status to EDSA SHRINE," he posted on Facebook Saturday.

The Loreto Church, the only parish dedicated to the Marian title of Our Lady of Loreto, houses a historic image of the Virgin Mary under this title.

The Aranzazu Shrine, dating back to 1596, is the only church in the country named after Our Lady of Aranzazu, from Spain.

According to the CBCP, a church must first be recognized as a diocesan shrine by the local bishop or archbishop before attaining national shrine status. This recognition is often tied to deep local devotion or significant events in Catholic history.

The assembly will conclude on Monday, 27 January.