Pope declares Preston church a cathedral

The Pope has declared a formerly closed Lancashire church a cathedral for Indian Catholics - one of only three worldwide.
Photo: David Hurst
St Ignatius Church.St Ignatius Square. PrestonPhoto: David Hurst
St Ignatius Church.St Ignatius Square. Preston
Photo: David Hurst St Ignatius Church.St Ignatius Square. Preston

St Ignatius Church in Preston closed in 2014 after its congregation dwindled, but it reopened later as a parish church for the Syro Malabar community of Indian Catholics.

Now Pope Francis has created it a cathedral, saying that it would get its own bishop to serve its special diocese.

Bishop Michael Campbell of Lancaster Diocese, which covers Preston, said he welcomed “this exciting news”.