Archpriest meets with Victoria council

Last Friday morning St George's basilica archpriest, Mgr Dr Joseph Farrugia had an unexpected discussion about the parking problem on St George's Square with Victoria mayor Robert Tabone and councillors who were attending a council meeting at the Banca Giuratale.

Mgr Farrugia had dropped by to ask whether any consideration had been given to his verbal request concerning ordinary access into the basilica. Recently, drivers have taken to parking their vehicles in front of the basilica's main door, blocking access to the church through the main door, mornings and evenings.

Apart from being obstructive, this practice is also unsightly and very often visitors are hardly able to take pictures of the basilica façade and its artistic bronze portals.

The mayor asked the archpriest for more information and, accompanied by councillor Michel Buttigieg, invited him to talk to the other councillors, including Victor Galea Pace, Josef Schembri, Marcel Tabone, Josephine Cassar and executive secretary Miriam Attard.

Following discussions, a preliminary solution to the problem appeared to have been found and the local council committed itself to see it through.

This is being done in the context of a more comprehensive plan for the enhancement of St George's Square. This was already raised during a recent meeting between Mr Tabone, the archpriest and other basilica officials at the latter's office.

Later that afternoon, the problem of indiscriminate parking on St George's Square manifested itself during a funeral procession which could not proceed up the basilica stairs because of a car parked by the front stairs of the church.

It is understood that a report is being lodged with the mayor who has shown every interest to remedy this long-standing and deteriorating state of affairs, especially now that St George's feast is round the corner.