The Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in U.N. Avenue, Manila was formally declared as an important cultural property (ICP) by the National Museum of the Philippines on Saturday, Jan. 27.
According to a CBCP post, the ICP marker was unveiled by Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula, Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown and NMP director general Jeremy Barns.
The ceremony was witnessed by more than 80 bishops currently gathered for their 127th bi-annual plenary assembly at the Pope Pius XII 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,” said Cardinal Advincula.
The center was inaugurated by Cardinal Rufino Santos on Aug. 26, 1964 and has served as the venue of the bishops’ assembly in Manila.
“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,” the cardinal said.
“We would like to invite everyone to join us in our dream to make the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center a home and a hub for synodality and solidarity, for walking together and growing in faith together,’ His Eminence added.
According to the NMP, an ICP is an establishment that holds exceptional cultural, artistic, and historical significance to the Philippines. As an important cultural property, the facility may receive government funding for its protection, conservation, and restoration.