RAGUSA – The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has sent to the bishop of Ragusa Monsignor Giuseppe La Placa the decree with which it establishes that «St. John the Baptist is the main patron of the Diocese and of the City of Ragusa and San Giorgio Martire is the patron “aeque principalis” of the same city, excluding any other title”. For San Giovanni and San Giorgio together, the term co-patrons of the city of Ragusa must therefore be used exclusively.
The Holy See responded in this way, «in a completely exceptional way and given the particular situation that has arisen over time», to the request that had been addressed by the bishop last March 11th who requested, for «pastoral and historical”, to declare Saint George the patron saint of the City of Ragusa “aeque principalis” with Saint John the Baptist.
«It is only because of your pastoral evaluation – write the prefect Cardinal Arthur Roche and the secretary Monsignor Vittorio Francesco Viola ofm – that this Dicastery responds positively to the request». And further on they add: «As a pastor you rightly considered yourself the voice of the majority of the faithful who, with simplicity and without bias, entrust themselves with equal devotion to the patronage of Saint John the Baptist and Saint George».
Monsignor Giuseppe La Placa, having received the communication, informed the parish priest of the cathedral of San Giorgio, Don Pietro Floridia. The bishop endorses the feelings of the entire community of Ragusa and rejoices with all the faithful who have always shown sincere attitudes of faith and devotion to the patrons San Giovanni Battista and San Giorgio Martire.
