Antipolo Church declared ‘international shrine’ 

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Sunday said the Vatican has approved the Diocese of Antipolo’s petition to declare the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo City as an “international shrine,” according to a report by CNN Philippines.

The news was first announced by Antipolo Bishop Francisco de Leon on Saturday during his homily at the cathedral to celebrate the diocese’s 39th anniversary.

“We received a letter from Rome saying that on June 18, our national shrine will be recognized as an international shrine,” he said, adding that the diocese has yet to receive a copy of the official declaration.

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The Antipolo church, which is also the cathedral of the diocese, becomes the eleventh international shrine and the third in Asia. It is also the first Marian international shrine in Asia and the sixth worldwide, the CBCP said.

International shrines are those endorsed by the Holy See and include historic locations, sites of approved Marian apparitions, and places associated with saints.

Other kinds of shrines of the Catholic Church include diocesan shrines approved by the local bishop, and national shrines recognized by the CBCP.