Vallarpadam Church made national pilgrim centre

Kochi – The historic church of 'Our Lady of Ransom' at nearby Vallarpadam in the Archdiocese of Verepoly was elevated to the status of a National Pilgrim Centre at a grand function, held at Vallarpadam island.

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy inaugurated the public meeting, organised as part of the celebrations and attended by thousands of devotees from across the state. In his brief speech, Chandy said he was happy to be part of the historic function. Pilgrim centres like this would help religious amity, he said, adding steps would be taken for the development of Vallarpadam area.

Earlier, the documents relating to the church's elevation, handed over to the Archbishop of Verapoly by the President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, Cardinal Telesphore Toppo some months ago, was read out at the function by Archbishop Acharuparambil.

The Church of Our Lady Ransom, belonging to Archdiocese of Verapoly, was set up by Portugese missionaries in 1524.History has it that the old church, which was then known as Church of the Holy Spirit, was destroyed in floods in the 17th century and that a new church was built on the same spot in 1676.

It was declared a special church by Pope Leo XIII in 1888. In 1951, the Centre declared the church as a major pilgrim centre. In 2002 the Kerala Tourism Department recognised the church,which has a tradition of attracting pilgrims of various religions, castes and nationalities, as a tourist centre. As part of the celebrations, a Holy Mass was held at the church.