In a significant move to reaffirm its unique identity, London's principal Roman Catholic church has officially dropped the 'Roman' from its title, reverting to its original and historic name: Westminster Cathedral.
The change, confirmed by a cathedral spokesperson, ends a long-standing source of public confusion between the Catholic Westminster Cathedral in Victoria and the Anglican Westminster Abbey. The two institutions, despite their proximity and similar names, are entirely separate entities with distinct histories and religious affiliations.
'The mother church of the Catholic community has always been Westminster Cathedral,' the spokesperson stated, emphasising that the name alteration is not a new development but a return to the building's true designation since its consecration in 1903.
The iconic Byzantine-style building, famed for its striking striped tower and lavish interior, serves as the seat of the Archbishop of Westminster and the central cathedral of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Its name has often been mistakenly shortened or conflated with the nearby Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the traditional setting for coronations and royal weddings.
This deliberate rebranding aims to cement the cathedral's own formidable reputation and heritage, ensuring it stands apart in the public consciousness. The clarification is expected to benefit tourists and pilgrims alike, providing much-needed distinction between two of the capital's most important religious sites.
The cathedral's name is now correctly reflected across its official online presence and communications, proudly asserting its place at the heart of British Catholicism.
