'Momentous occasion' as church elevated to cathedral status

Dignitaries in Douglas to oversee inauguration

The Church of Saint Mary of the Isle in Douglas is officially a cathedral.

The Archbishop of Liverpool, alongside the Pope's representative, joined dignitaries from the Isle of Man Government and Douglas City Council for today's inauguration.

It's now a co-cathedral to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Merseyside, and is the first Catholic co-cathedral in the British Isles.

During the ceremony, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon of Liverpool was seated on the Cathedra by the Pope’s representative, His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía.

"City status, co-cathedral...what's next?!"- Mayor Byron-Teare

Mayor of Douglas Natalie Byron-Teare gave her reaction to Manx Radio after the celebration:

President of Tynwald Lawrence Skelly said he was 'proud' to have read the Lord's Prayer in Manx: