Portuguese style church consecrated by Emissary of the Pope

A massive Portuguese style church, with a capacity to seat 15,000 persons was consecrated today at Vailankanni, the famous Christian pilgrim centre by Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Emissary of Pope Benedict XVI. The Cardinal consecrated the church in the presence of the Bishop of Thanjavur Devdoss Ambrose and over 160 Catholic Bishops from various parts of the country and abroad. Special prayers were held after its inauguration. Consecrating the 'Morning Star Church', Cardinal Filoni said the Pope has a special love for Vailankanni and a filial affection for the people of India. Named after a popular Marian invocation, it has been erected on the Northern side of the Holy Path at Vailankanni. It is 400 feet long, 138 feet wide and 40 feet in height, resembles a shell and is unique as there are no intermediate columns inside. Ambassador of the Pope in India Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops in Latin Rite Oswald Cardina Gracias, outgoing President of Conference of Catholic Bishops in India Cardinal Telespore Toppo, Rector of Vailankanni Shrine Michael Adigalar and other dignitaries were present at the ceremony. Vailankanni church became an independent parish in 1771. Following its growing popularity worldwide and a large number of miracles experienced by devotees, Pope John XXIII raised this Shrine to the status of 'Basilica' on Nov 3 1962. Pope John Paul II had declared this Shrine as Lourdes of the East' in 2002.