Dublin: After centuries of anticipation, Dublin now officially has a Catholic cathedral once again. The Pro-Cathedral on Marlborough Street has been formally designated St. Mary’s Cathedral, marking the end of its 500-year status as a temporary cathedral. The renaming was decreed by Pope Leo, making this a historic moment for the Catholic community in the capital.
During Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Archbishop Dermot Farrell read the decree conferring cathedral status on the church, noting that it marks a significant milestone for the Archdiocese of Dublin. He expressed hope that the newly designated cathedral would serve as a place of peace and welcome for all.
The term “pro-cathedral” comes from the Latin pro tempore, meaning “temporary”. St. Mary’s was originally constructed in 1825 under Archbishop John Thomas Troy as a provisional replacement for the former Catholic cathedrals.
Following the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, the Church of Ireland assumed control of most church properties, including Christ Church Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, leaving Dublin without a Catholic cathedral for generations. Although St. Mary’s was built as a temporary solution, it took nearly 300 years for it to be formally recognised as the cathedral of the Archdiocese.
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