Pope Urged to Designate St Mary’s as Dublin’s First Catholic Cathedral in Five Centuries
Pope Leo XIV is being urged to designate St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in Dublin as the city’s first official Catholic cathedral in 500 years. This significant proposal coincides with the 200th anniversary of the Pro-Cathedral’s completion. The decision would officially end a lengthy absence of a dedicated seat for Dublin’s Catholic archbishops.
Historical Context of St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral
St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, located on Marlborough Street in Dublin, occupies a modest site. The choice of location dates back to the early 19th century when Catholics were still emerging from the restrictions imposed by the Penal Laws. Fr Kieran McDermott, the cathedral’s administrator, explained that there were intentions to build it on a more prominent site, where the General Post Office now stands on O’Connell Street. However, the Catholic community opted for a quieter area to avoid further complications.
Construction and Impact
Constructed in 1825, St Mary’s was originally intended as a temporary measure, as indicated by the “Pro” in its title, meaning “for the time being.” Yet, two centuries later, it continues to serve this role. The absence of a permanent Catholic cathedral in Dublin has its roots in the mid-1530s when both Christ Church Cathedral and St Patrick’s Cathedral transitioned to Protestant control following Henry VIII’s break with Rome.
Recent Developments
Fr McDermott noted that the Reformation marked a significant rupture in the religious landscape. Since then, Christ Church Cathedral has remained the seat of the Church of Ireland Archbishop, while St Patrick’s serves as the Collegiate Church for the Church of Ireland.
Several efforts have been made over the years to establish a permanent cathedral. In the 1930s, an architectural competition aimed to find a suitable site in Merrion Square, which the Archdiocese acquired. Interest in the cathedral’s status surged following Archbishop Dermot Farrell’s appointment in 2021, who questioned the lack of a dedicated cathedral for Dublin’s Catholics for five centuries.
Current Proposal
After extensive consultations, Archbishop Farrell proposed elevating St Mary’s to the status of the official cathedral, with St Andrew’s in Westland Row being designated as a minor basilica. This proposal is currently awaiting Pope Leo XIV’s decision, and Fr McDermott expressed hope that this designation could occur in the same year as the bicentenary celebration of St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral.
