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 national Episcopal Conference[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