Manila Cathedral

Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Basic information
Location	14°35′29″N 120°58′25″E / 14.59147°N 120.97356°E / 14.59147; 120.97356Coordinates: 14°35′29″N 120°58′25″E / 14.59147°N 120.97356°E / 14.59147; 120.97356
Affiliation	Roman Catholic
District	Archdiocese of Manila
Ecclesiastical status	Minor Basilica
Architectural description
Architectural type	Cathedral
Architectural style	Neo-Romanesque
Groundbreaking	1954
Year completed	1958
Specifications

The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is a Roman Catholic Minor Basilica in the capital of the Philippines, Manila. The cathedral of the Archdiocese of Manila, located within the centuries-old section of Manila called Intramuros, is the seat of the Archbishop of Manila. Having been destroyed several times by natural disasters and fires during its 400-year history, the current structure standing was completed in 1958, the cathedral's sixth incarnation. It is dedicated to Saint Mary under the title "Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception", in her role as patroness of the Philippines.

History

The first cathedral, made of nipa and bamboo, was constructed in 1581. It was damaged by a typhoon in 1582 and razed by fire in 1583.

The second cathedral, which was made of stone, was built in 1592. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1600.

Construction of the third cathedral began in 1614. The new structure, consisting of three naves and seven chapels, was blessed in 1614. It was toppled by another earthquake which shook Manila in 1645.

The Manila Cathedral before the 1880 Earthquake.

The magnificent fourth cathedral was constructed from 1654 to 1671. It was severely damaged in 1863 by a very strong earthquake that also damaged the Palace of the Governor General of the Philippines. In 1880, another earthquake toppled its bell tower, rendering the cathedral towerless until 1959.

The fifth cathedral was constructed from 1870–1879. It was solemnly blessed in December of 1879. The cross atop the central dome is a reference point of astronomical longitudes of the archipelago. This incarnation of the cathedral was reduced to rubble by the bombing in 1945 during the Battle of Manila.

The present cathedral was constructed from 1954 to 1958 during the tenure of Manila Archbishop Rufino Jiao Cardinal Santos, and under the supervision of architect Fernando Ocampo. It was elevated to the rank of minor basilica in 1981 by Pope John Paul II.

Burials

The cathedral is the resting place for former prelates who have served the Archdiocese of Manila. Among those interred in the cathedral crypts (similar in style to that of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City) are:

• Michael J. O'Doherty, the last foreign Archbishop of Manila;
• Gabriel Reyes, the first Filipino Archbishop of Manila;
• Rufino Jiao Santos, the first Filipino Cardinal;
• Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, the prelate who is considered to be one of the leaders of the People Power Revolution.

It also hosted two funerals for two former Presidents of the Philippines:

• Carlos P. Garcia, 9th President of the Philippines (1957-1961);
• Corazon Aquino, 11th President of the Philippines (1986-1992).

Rectors

Among the notable rectors of the cathedral were Rev. Msgr. Domingo Cirilos (1985 to 1996), the current parish priest of San Fernando de Dilao Parish in Paco, Manila, and Rev. Msgr. Hernando Coronel (1996 to 2002), the current rector of the archdiocesan seminary, San Carlos Seminary in Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City. The present rector since 2002 is Msgr. Nestor Cerbo, a former formator and was the Vice-Rector of San Carlos.

50th Restoration anniversary

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) announced the highlights of activities for December 8, on the occasion of the Cathedral's 50th restoration anniversary - the second Manila Cathedral Pipe Organ Festival on December 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10.^[1]

Recent history

The Cathedral was recently used as a venue for the wake and requiem mass for former President of the Philippines Corazon Aquino, who died on August 1, 2009. In an unprecedented move by the Archdiocese of Manila, protocol was not observed in permitting Aquino's remains to lie in state at the Cathedral, making her the first woman to have been permitted to do lie in state, as only Archbishops of Manila are accorded this honor. Former president Carlos P. Garcia was the first layperson to lie in state and have a requiem mass at the cathedral.^[2]

Architecture

The main façade of the Manila Cathedral is graced by statues of famous saints sculpted in Roman travertine stone. In the old cathedral, they were originally made of molave wood.

The saints are St. Rose of Lima, patroness of the Philippines by Angelo Fattinanzi, St. Jacob the Great, St. Andrew the Apostle, preacher of the faith in many corners of Asia and patron of saint of Manila, by Livia Papini; St. Francis Xavier, apostle of the Indies, by Alcide Tico; St. Polycarp, old bishop of Smyrna, by Alcide Tico; and St. Anthony Abbot, founder of Oriental monasticism, by Livia Papini.

Images of the Manila Cathedral

Interior of nave

Inscription on the tympanum of the main door

Dome of the cathedral.

Facade of the Manila Cathedral

See also

• Roman Catholicism in the Philippines

References

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (January 2009)

External links

• Official Website

References

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (January 2009)