Two projects are in the works concerning the status of Mother of God Church. The first is to have Mother of God declared by the pope to be a basilica. Basilica status is dependent on a church being of significant historical and artistic merit. Certainly, Mother of God should be eligible in both categories.
   
There is a somewhat lengthy process. Fr. Comer must submit a request to Bishop Iffert, which will outline the reasons why Mother of God should be granted that honor. If he agrees, he then forwards that request, with the necessary data, to an office of the United States Catholic Conference in Washington, DC. At that point, if the office accepts the request, a bishop in charge of such matters will forward the request to an office at the Vatican, where it will be forwarded to Pope Francis, who will either approve or deny the request. We do not know how long that request will take.
   
There are currently three basilicas in Kentucky. The first is our cathedral here in Covington. The Chapel of the Monastery of Gethsemane is the second. And the third is what is known as the Proto-Cathedral in Bardstown.
   
The second project is to have Mother of God Church granted National Landmark Status. This would be a great honor. Presently, there are only about three or four buildings that have that status in Covington.