Quiapo Church, home to the revered Black Nazarene icon, has been officially designated as an archdiocesan shrine by Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula &mdash; recognizing the church as a significant pilgrimage site.
In a decree dated May 10, Cardinal Advincula declared that the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, also known as St. John the Baptist Parish or Quiapo Church, would now hold the title of the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Black Nazarene.
&ldquo;We hereby decree that the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene &mdash; St. John the Baptist Parish (Quiapo Church) &mdash; be conferred the title of the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Black Nazarene,&rdquo; said Advincula.
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Based on the provisions outlined in Canons 1230 to 1234 of the Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church, the newly established Archdiocesan Shrine of the Black Nazarene has been granted "all the rights and privileges" associated with its status.
According to Canon 1230, a shrine is defined as a church or sacred place where numerous faithful make pilgrimages for specific reasons of piety, with the approval of the local bishop.&nbsp;
Canon 1232 further clarifies that for a shrine to be recognized as a national or international shrine, it requires the approval of the Conference of bishops or the Holy See, respectively.
The decree comes as a response to the petition submitted by Fr. Rufino Sescon Jr., the rector of Quiapo Church, who had previously announced plans to seek the elevation of the church's status to that of a national shrine.
During a Mass presided over by the priests on Wednesday, the announcement of Quiapo Church's new status was made. Fr. Reginald Malicdem, the vicar general of the Archdiocese of Manila, expressed that the recognition of Quiapo Church as an archdiocesan shrine was long overdue.

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Quiapo Church officially designated as archdiocesan shrine