Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila named 'important cultural property'

The Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila was formally declared an important cultural property by the National Museum of the Philippines on Saturday.

“Pope Pius XII Catholic Center is now an important cultural property of our country. Let us help one another in preserving and sustaining it,” Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula said as he unveiled the ICP marker with papal nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown and NMP director general Jeremy Barns.

The ceremony was also witnessed by 80 bishops currently gathered for the CBCP's 127th plenary assembly.

Pope Pius XII Catholic Center is located along United Nations Avenue in Manila. It was inaugurated by Cardinal Rufino Santos nearly 60 years ago on August 26, 1964.

“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 said 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 an establishment that holds “exceptional cultural, artistic, and historical significance to the Philippines,'' according to the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.

''All cultural properties declared important cultural property may also receive government funding for [their] protection, conservation, and restoration,'' the law stated. — VBL, GMA Integrated News