As is now known, the Decree of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, transmitted to our Bishop, Msgr. La Placa, by Cardinal Arthur Roche, establishes that «St. John the Baptist is the main patron of the Diocese and the City of Ragusa and San Giorgio Martire is the patron “aeque principalis” of the same city».
In his letter, it is worth remembering that Cardinal Roche wanted to point out that the Bishop’s pastoral evaluation influenced the decision; furthermore, the polemical tones of the petitioners were defined as «very inappropriate and therefore not worthy of consideration» with which «some have become spokespersons for this request, tones and motivations which – adds the prefect of the Dicastery – do not seem to be an expression of that faith that cannot but desire the good of communion”.
Lastly, he wanted to exalt the feelings 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”.
To give precise implementation to what is foreseen, the bishop, Monsignor Giuseppe La Placa, has in turn ordered that for «St. John the Baptist the title of main Patron of the Diocese and the City of Ragusa be used exclusively; for San Giorgio Martire the title of Patron “aeque principalis” of the City of Ragusa is used exclusively; For Saint John the Baptist and Saint George the Martyr together the title of Co-Patrons of the City of Ragusa is used exclusively”.
The aforementioned provisions, Monsignor Giuseppe La Placa specified in his decree, «must be observed in the composition of any document, writing, program, communication, poster, informational and/or advertising material, especially relating to external celebrations.
The parish priests of the parish of San Giorgio and San Giovanni Battista remember – adds the bishop – that the official and institutional communication of the parish and its initiatives, not least external celebrations, depends exclusively on their responsibility and that such communications cannot be transferred or delegated to other subjects, bodies or associations”.
The above has been further clarified in some articles of the latest issue of the Diocese’s periodical, “Together”.
Unfortunately, it should be noted that the provisions of HE the Bishop are completely disregarded by the organizers of the celebrations in honor of Saint George.
In all the press releases, signed by the ‘San Giorgio Martire Celebration Committee’ we read “San Giorgio Martire, glorious Patron Saint of Ragusa”, without further names.
It is clear that the indications of the Decree of the Holy See, through the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, and the provisions of the relevant Episcopal Decree are ignored.
It is not clear whether that of the Parish Priest of San Giorgio, expressly indicated as responsible for the “official and institutional communication of the parish and its initiatives, not least the external celebrations” is simple inattention or conscious refusal of the bishop’s provisions, as the wording
“Saint George, Patron Saint “aeque principalis” of the City”
Post Views: 13
