Pope Francis declares 16th-century Church in Philippines’ Rizal province as minor basilica

Pope Francis has declared Taytay Church in the Diocese of Antipolo in the province of Rizal a minor basilica, making it one of the only 23 churches with that status in the country, according to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) News.

St. John the Baptist Parish Church, 41 years old, is the first minor basilica in Rizal, which the diocese announced as a Vatican decision on Monday, just three days after it celebrated the declaration of the International Shrine of Our Lady of Good Voyage in Antipolo City on Jan. 26.

Bishop Ruperto Santos said the elevation to a minor basilica is “grace upon grace in the diocese.”

He acknowledged their “responsibility that the minor basilica will always be a channel of God’s overflowing graces, a working instrument of charity to our people, and a welcoming home as they go on their Synodality.”

The designation minor basilica is based on the historical or cultural significance, artistic beauty, and importance in the life of the Church.

It also connotes a closer relationship with the pope. CBCP said that they reserve the title of major basilica for certain churches in Rome only.

According to the church's historical marker, Franciscan missionaries built the building close to Laguna Bay in 1579 using simple materials.

The church was relocated to its present site in 1591, which made it the first stone church outside Manila, because of frequent floodings.  In 1630, the church underwent reconstruction, expanding in size and being constructed with stone.

A strong typhoon destroyed the church’s roof in 1632.  The Secular repaired it in 1768, and the Augustinian Recollects later in 1864. During the Filipino-American War in 1899, the church experienced another setback when it burned.

During the early 1970s, the church underwent expansion to accommodate the growing population.

The church’s parish priest is Fr. Pedrito Noel Rabonza III, and his co-administrators are Fr. Francis Edward Baasis and Fr. Aladin Alisbo Jr., both parochial vicars.

On January 22, the Diocese of Cabanatuan announced the pope’s declaration of its oldest church in the diocese, the National Shrine of La Virgen Divina Pastora in Gapan City, as a minor basilica—the first in the entire province of Nueva Ecija.  (MTV)