The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception[1] is the name given to a temple that is affiliated with the Catholic Church and serves as the seat of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe. In addition, the June 21, 2013 by decree of Pope Francis was elevated to the status of Minor Basilica.[2]
Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception | |
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![]() The nave of St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica | |
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20°09′18″S 28°34′41″E / 20.1550°S 28.5781°E | |
Location | Bulawayo |
Country | Zimbabwe |
Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
History | |
Past bishop(s) | Archbishop Pius Alick Mvundla Ncube Archbishop Ernst Heinrich Karlen |
Clergy | |
Archbishop | Archbishop Alex Thomas Kaliyanil |
Its history dates back to the activities of the Jesuits, who in the mid-1890s had built a small chapel in Bulawayo between Main Street and 10th Avenue. Its first stone, imported from Croatia, was placed elsewhere by the apostolic prefect Bishop Sykes in 1903, it was opened on April 3, 1904, and later also served as pro-cathedral[3] from 1920 until 1955 when he won the title of Cathedral.[4] Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral in September 1988.
Interior
editThe interior resembles a typical Gothic church with a nave and two lateral aisles.[5] Its proportions are also Gothic: a long, narrow nave, an extremely high ceiling and the columns which rise up to pointed arches.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Bulawayo)
- ^ "Vatican promotes Bulawayo's St Mary's Cathedral. Religion in Zimbabwe". relzim.org. Archived from the original on 6 April 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- ^ Schimlek, Francis (1 January 1953). Mariannhill: a study in Bantu life and missionary effort. Mariannhill Mission Press.
- ^ "St Mary's Cathedral, Bulawayo: First minor Basilica in SADC region". VictoriaFalls24. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- ^ "St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe". YouTube. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- ^ "The city of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, October 2017". Independent Travellers. independent-travellers.com. Retrieved 14 April 2018.