Pope Pius XII Center named ‘cultural property’

MANILA, Philippines — The Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila was formally declared as an important cultural property (ICP) by the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP).

The declaration made on Saturday was highlighted with the unveiling of a marker led by Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula, papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown, and NMP director general Jeremy Barns among others.

The ceremony was also witnessed by over 80 bishops currently gathered for their 127th plenary assembly in the center.

“Pope Pius XII Catholic Center is now an important cultural property of our country. Let us help one another in preserving and sustaining it,” Advincula said in a news release by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

60 years old

Located on United Nations Avenue, the center was inaugurated by then Manila Archbishop Rufino Cardinal Santos almost 60 years ago on Aug. 26, 1964.

It was designed by National Artist Jose Maria Zaragoza, who was also the architect of other religious edifices in the country, and played a key role in the reconstruction of postwar Philippines by employing modern ecclesiastical architecture.

Over the years, the facility has served many and has become a “silent witness’” to the historic meetings of the country’s bishops during their plenary assemblies.

“As Pope Pius XII Catholic Center celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, we would like to pursue its original vision and even intensify its core purpose as an evangelization center,” Advincula said.

He added that the archdiocese intends to fully utilize its facilities and programs in the service of a synodal Church on a mission and for the promotion of the new evangelization.

An ICP is defined as an establishment that holds “exceptional cultural, artistic and historical significance to the Philippines.”

Under the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, it is considered a prohibited act to destroy, demolish, mutilate, or damage any ICP.