St Mary’s Church in Secunderabad has been declared a ‘minor basilica’ by Pope Benedict XVI, making it the first church in Andhra Pradesh and the 17th in the country to be given the status.
Archbishop of Hyderabad Thumma Bala will make an official announcement about the elevation during the special prayers at the 150-year-old church on December 24 midnight. The church will now receive support from the Vatican.
Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, Thumma Bala, along with shrine rector parish priest of the church Y Balashowry Reddy and Amruthavani director Udumula Balashowry said it was a good sign that the official decree has come around the time of Christmas. The new status will bring more visitors to the heritage building, which is already a tourist attraction. Elaborate arrangements will be made for a special ceremony to be held in October next year.
A 24-hour small adoration chapel will be built at the church and a museum showcasing the basilica’s history will also come up, he said. Beautification works will be taken to the existing ‘14 stations of the Cross’ that explain the important event of Jesus trial and crucifixion.