DECREE CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF OUR LADY OF LEBANON AS A CO-CATHEDRAL

The parish centred on Harris Park, a parish of the Maronite Eparchy of Saint Maroun, Australia, is populous, flourishing and much resorted to. With the passing of the years, it has successfully coped with the increasing demands of the faithful, and is presently the chief centre of the aforesaid Eparchy. Mindful of this, His Excellency Doctor Antoine-Charbel Tarabay, the Eparch and Bishop of the Maronite Eparchy of Saint Maroun, Australia, has asked the Apostolic See to provide for the better care of souls, by raising to the high dignity of Co-Cathedral Church, the temple of God in this parish, named in honour of Our Lady of Lebanon.

Now the Congregation for Eastern Churches, having heard the favourable opinion of His Excellency Doctor Paul Richard Gallagher, Titular Archbishop of Hodelm, Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, by virtue of the special faculties given to it by the Supreme Pontiff, Pope Francis, and keeping before its eyes the strength and growth of the Catholic Religion, assents to Bishop Tarabay’s request.

Therefore, for those who are interested and for those who rely upon our consent, we decree that we raise to the dignity of a Co-Cathedral, with all the honours, privileges, duties and obligations which are proper to such churches, the parochial temple of God in Harris Park, named in honour of Our Lady of Lebanon, for the service of the Maronite Eparchy of Saint Maroun, Sydney.

To perfect these matters, the Congregation for Eastern Churches deputes as its agent His Excellency Doctor Paul Richard Gallagher, aforesaid, and grants him all necessary faculties, including the power of sub-delegating, and requires him to remit to the Congregation a document testifying to the completed act, as soon as the sacred duty has been discharged.

The present Decree is made fully public.
Given at Rome, from the offices of the Congregation for Eastern Churches,
30 May 2014
Leonard Cardinal Sandri
Prefect
Cyril Vasil, S.I., Archbishop Secretary, Congregation for the Eastern Churches