National shrine

A National Shrine is a Catholic church or other sacred place which has met certain requirements and is given this honor by the nation's Conference of Catholic Bishops^[1] to recognize the church's special historical, cultural and religious significance.

Process

To receive the honor of National Shrine involves a number of steps and certifications. It must first be a Diocesan (or Archdiocesan) Shrine, an honor conferred by the local bishop or archbishop.^[2] To become a Diocesan Shrine the subject church must be a place "to which numerous members of the faithful make pilgrimage for a special reason of piety"^[3] and exceed other churches in terms of worship, Christian formation and social services.^[2] When these requirements are met, the parish petitions the bishop to canonically elevate the church.^[2]

When devotion has grown, the Diocesan Shrine may petition the national Conference Catholic Bishops. Evaluation by the nation’s bishops will involve considerations including canon law, liturgy, and doctrine.^[2]

Declaration of an International Shrine is conferred by the Holy See.

Number by country

• West Europe: Austria 1 National Shrine, Belgium 1 National Shrine, France 3 National Shrines, Gibraltar 1 National Shrine, Ireland 1 National Shrine, Italy 2 International Shrines, Malta 1 National Shrine, Portugal 1 International Shrine, Spain 3 National Shrines, United Kingdom 4 National Shrines

• East Europe: Albania 1 National Shrine, Belarus 1 National Shrine, Croatia 2 National Shrine, Czechia 1 National Shrine, Latvia 1 International Shrine, Poland 3 International Shrines, 3 National Shrines, Slovakia 1 National Shrine

• North America: Canada 9 National Shrines, Mexico 2 National Shrines, United States 64 National Shrines

• Central America: Costa Rica 1 National Shrine, Cuba 2 National Shrines, El Salvador 1 National Shrine, Guatemala 2 National Shrine, Nicaragua 1 National Shrine, Panama 1 National Shrine, Puerto Rico 1 National Shrine

• South America: Argentina 1 National Shrine, Brazil 1 National Shrine, Chile 1 National Shrine, Ecuador 5 National Shrines, Paraguay 1 National Shrine, Uruguay 3 National Shrines, Venezuela 3 National Shrines

• South and East Asia: China 2 National Shrines, India 1 International Shrine and 2 National Shrines, Philippines 18 National Shrines, South Korea 1 National Shrine, Sri Lanka 2 National Shrines, Taiwan 2 National Shrines, Vietnam 1 National Shrine

• Oceania: Australia 4 National Shrines

• Total: International Shrines 8, National Shrines 155

References

1. ^ Canon 1231, Code of Canon Law
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Tambuyat, O.P., Adrian, Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe declared National Shrine on May 31, Roman Catholic Diocese of Manilla
3. ^ Canon 1230, Code of Canon Law