By Marina Emmanuel

When the Covid-19 pandemic reared its ugly head three years ago and forced us into multiple lockdowns, a significant milestone was charted in Malaysia, albeit quietly.

This was when the Church of St Anne in Bukit Mertajam, Penang was raised to the ranks of a minor basilica.

A minor basilica is a Catholic church building that has been granted the title of basilica by the Holy See.

The Penang diocese – in which the Church of St Anne comes under – had received a decree from the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments in Rome, dated September 5, 2019 bearing the good news.

The global Covid-19 outbreak and the fact that the doors of all Catholic churches in the country were forced to stay shut at the time, somewhat muted the news, which now places Malaysia on the world map of minor basilicas.

There are currently four Roman Catholic major basilicas in the world and over 1,800 minor basilicas.

Prior to its elevation, the Church of St Anne has served as a pilgrim church where hundreds of thousand visitors from the world over, arrive every July for the 10-day St Anne’s Feast.

The once sleepy hollow of Bukit Mertajam has previously, reaped the economic spin-offs of the feast.

Its beneficiaries have included hotels and other accommodation offerings, the food and beverage industry, down to hawkers and petty traders from all communities who come together in offering goods and services to all pilgrims and visitors.

The sense of community has also been evident from the volunteers who work closely with the police and other district and church authorities in ensuring a smooth running of the feast and its related activities.

Even non-Catholics living close to the church have been known to open their homes to pilgrims in search of a place to rest.

The minor basilica’s rector, who is also the Bishop of Penang, Right Reverend Datuk Seri Sebastian Francis, had previously said that the honour bestowed on the church, went out to the multitudes of pilgrims of all nationalities, races and religions who have flocked to this historical site.

“They have been made to feel welcome here and this is what has made the church a symbol of inter-religious harmony,” he said.

The pilgrimage church was founded in 1846 by French missionaries from the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris.

Today, a Minangkabau-inspired building (which was consecrated in 2002) and now known as the minor basilica, sits on sprawling grounds that includes the Old Church, the Stations of the Cross, residential facility and other sites, and is collectively known as the Sanctuary of St Anne.

A solemn declaration event of the Minor Basilica of St Anne tomorrow, will see cardinals, bishops, priests and religious from all over the world making their way to Cheruk To’Kun in Bukit Mertajam.

They will be joined by religious and political leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, together with the faithful and other tourists, to commemorate the privilege bestowed on an iconic Roman Catholic church in Malaysia, by the Holy Father Pope Francis.

If properly managed and curated, this significant honour can serve as a religious and tourism draw for the state and country.

Minor Basilica of St Anne in Bukit Mertajam on mainland Penang.

The Minangkabau-inspired Minor Basilica of St Anne.

NOTE: Both photos are sourced from the Minor Basilica of St Anne, Bukit Mertajam website