Pope Leo XIV Designates St Mary's as Dublin's Catholic Cathedral After 200 Years
The decree anchors the bicentennial church in a renewed city-centre mission with restoration plans already cleared.
Overview
- Archbishop Dermot Farrell presented the papal decree during a Mass at St Mary's on November 14.
- The church will drop the 'Pro'—meaning pro tempore—from its title under the new designation.
- Dublin City Council has approved planning permission for major restoration of the 1825 building.
- The move restores a formally designated Catholic cathedral in Dublin for the first time since the Reformation, when Christ Church and St Patrick's became Church of Ireland properties.
- Church leaders emphasized service to socially isolated and poor communities in the city centre, citing visible homelessness and addiction.