An appeal for Peace was sent to the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, by the Diocese of Ragusa at the end of a prayer vigil held in recent days in Vittoria on the occasion of the feast of St. John the Baptist. “Let’s light Peace” was the theme of the prayer meeting, led by the bishop Monsignor Giuseppe La Placa and animated by the diocesan Catholic Action, which opened with the lighting of the candle of peace. «With those who want the weapons to be silenced, we invoke – said the bishop – the infinite mercy of the Father, asking the Lord to immediately stop all violence and begin a new time of peace and resurrection». And then, with reference to the Forerunner: «Cry out, Baptist, still among us, as once in the desert. Shout louder among us: we will shout if you shout.”
At the end, a heartfelt appeal was sent to the President of the Republic, sending hundreds of colored postcards to the Quirinale in which the art was recalled. 11 of the Italian Constitution in which Mattarella is exhorted to continue his burdensome commitment to peace towards every nation and international institution.
Here is the text of the appeal: “Dear President, it is with true and profound pain and a sense of impotence that we witness the unbearable violence and brutality of weapons that kill, destroy and sow discord and terror throughout the world. We appreciate and know your commitment to peace and to the defense of the fundamental principles of our Constitutional Charter, for this reason we feel the duty to tell you that you are not alone and that we support you with prayer and daily gestures of peace, always remembering art. 11 of the Italian Constitution through which the founding Mothers and Fathers wanted to repudiate war as an instrument of offense to the freedom of other peoples and as a means of resolving international disputes and to establish the sacred inviolable right to peace. We urge you to continue this burdensome commitment to peace and we trust that your example will obtain the right recognition and sharing of the entire international community. We invoke the Holy Spirit upon you and the Governments of all Nations and ask God the Father for the gift of Peace for the World. In thanking you for your attention, we send you, Mr. President, our most cordial and respectful greetings.
