115 Maltese granted divorce in EU

I think it is pretty much clear that a lot of people speaking 'against' divorce are after one thing: they are trying to uphold the value of Catholic marriage. The message is a simple one: if you would like to have divorce as an option, please do not marry within the Catholic church.

For those that say that divorce is a right, I would like to add that it is not a right for those who have opted for a Catholic marriage (even though they do not adhere to its rules or do not have faith in its teachings - which says a lot about their consistency).

Paul Borg - the last time I checked Malta (and all the other countries you mentioned) were sovreign nations not governed by the church.

The sole difference between Malta and literally the rest of the world (not just the EU) is that some of our politicians,(with the notable exception of Joseph Muscat) do not have the spine to introduce divorce for fear of the church effecting voter patterns.

Frutermore you are oblivious of the fact that separations are the order of the day and not a week goes by where one does not hear of the umpteenth marriage breaking up and one third of children are being born outside marriages and brought up in a makeshift family structure because of government prohibition. This is what is leading to a degeneration of Maltese society.
With the introduction of divorce all this societal degeneration would be halted. The entire world seems to have understood this except a section of the Maltese that is...

Charles Marsh:

"And to all those who are saying that we are a catholic country, what about Ireland,Italy, Spain, France and Portugal are they not catholic countries? We are the only EU country where divorce is not permitted by law."

As the little boy said when he was caught throwing stones at the window , "but all the other little boys do it too". Your argument has no merit. If the action is intrinsically wrong the fact that a lot ( if not most) people do it anyway does not make it right. Another example is speeding and general ignorance of traffic laws especially in Malta. The countries you mention are what you call CINO's, Catholic in name only. Even Ireland is well on the way to sacrificing its principles for the "30 pieces" of Euros. And yes, the State, whether catholic or not has a real interest in this issue arising from the costs involved in picking up the pieces of disintegrating families: including financial. social , psychological, medical and criminal and a whole host of other issues. Look up these issues in the countries you mention.

......and further to my explanation on why I am very pro-dvorce may i also add the that both Leaders aren't showing too much mantle in the whole thing...Gonzi wants to throw it on the peoples laps ( including those who don't give a fig about whether or not their neighbour divorces or is beaten out of her dignity day in day out!!!)...........and Muscat wants to throw it on his MP's laps (like Mr.Vasallo who is Conservative and proud and promised that if the MLP passes pro-gay regulations he would resign!!!)

.......and just before someone starts screaming about how better one is than the other and how i am a 'licker" or a "drowning crab" may I say that both of the choices suck......after all before I pay taxes to finance single mothers and lazy bummers noone comes to ask me to vote or asks whether or not I'd like to pay for these people because its considered as Welfare.....so why should our Pm and Leader of Opp. ask us or anyone in their Party about divorce before they act...........????

Divorce is there for those whose marriage has failed and for which there is no ailment that could cure the disease....divorce is there for those who are suffering in silence, in pain and anguish under constant physical and phsycological abuse, divorce is for those whose marriage was based on a lie, divorce is for those women who after marriage discovered their men to be downright liars, compulsive cheaters and in a few cases even closeted homosexuals too afraid to face society...............divorce is for those children whose lives have been a shattered dream because they spend half of their life running from one parent to another both of which are ,many a times, frustrated with their indissoluble situation.........

............................divorce is not for me because marriage is not part of my "plans" ...........its not for my family which survived years, come high or low.......it's for those suffering in silence. We owe it to them, we owe it to their children, we owe it to their sanity and it'll be an act of solidarity to those who haven't had it as good as us!!

Divorce is good cause its a right............so cut the "referendum/free vote" crap and do justice where there isn't any!!!!

I ask if some who entered their comments on this article are for example in favor of Spousal rape just because St Paul in 60AD in a letter to the Corinthians wrote:
“Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
Let as grow mentally also within our religion and love one another more then we impose on one another. If married couples stay together just because of the extra push “in which the union is inseparable” as stated by Mark Galea, then our marriages are in great trouble. Let us live the Christian faith’s meaning and respect each other more the criticizing each other. This while learning from each other instead of being fundamentalist upon others.

I know very well the difference between annulment and divorce but on the contrary the Maltese church authorities seem to have a problem with this and in their efforts ‘to protect’ the marriage act and perhaps also their social status importance in the mater (that money wise is probably fruitful for them) they are becoming too conservative also in the justification of annulments year after year.
Is the PN really conscious that this is becoming a national issue that needs urgent attention? Are the Maltese aware that the present situation is encouraging cohabitation and therefore in a way discriminating with the general taxpayer for issuing more social security funding?
I sympathize with persons like Mark Galea as I know that the church will never acknowledge divorce as a solution. The problem is the political pressure done on the civil marriage act even for those originally married in church. These days on TVM the serious ‘Kristu tal-Kerrejja’ is being aired and involving certain taboo topics with our ‘Christian’ society. Perhaps persons like Mark Galea should view such.

liam Kelly
Nobody said we want to be like the UK. But still there are lots of marriages which unfortunately for those involved come to an end. Are you saying they should not have a second chance!

And to all those who are saying that we are a catholic country, what about Ireland,Italy, Spain, France and Portugal are they not catholic countries? We are the only EU country where divorce is not permitted by law.

liam Kelly
Nobody said we want to be like the UK. But still there are lots of marriages which unfortunately for those involved come to an end. Are you saying they should not have a second chance!

Who was it that said "what God had joined together let no man (or any country in the EU) put asunder"? mmmmmmmmmmmm perhaps it was Jesus Christ not the "taliban" Catholic Church. AS some one said, if you want to argue the point you need to refer to a Higher Authority.

@M. Newman Divorce and annulment are two different concepts. However the deafest of the deaf are those who refuse to listen, let alone understand. Thallatx il hass mal qargha bali xbin !!!!

@M. Newman, Don't blame the church in Malta. You can'y get a divorce anywhere by the catholic church. I want to congratulate you on your divorce. You did a smart thing if you were not happy.Fifty years ago, yes the church had alot of influence. 2008 the government is to blame.

If we're going to speak maturely on divorce I believe that the first thing to do is stop blaming everyone but ourselves. Divorce is not in Malta, not because the Church forbids it (if anything, it forbids it to its members) but because no one in Parliament ever bothered about it.

Also, I agree with E Grima here who said that marriage should be strengthened and couples should be prepared for marriage so that ultimately, divorce barely even remains a "necessity".

Let us cut the nonsense and call a spade a spade.

First of all the REAL difference between an annulment and divorce as follows:

Annulment - a marriage that 'de facto' happened, broke down irreparably where the state allows people to remarry because someone tries to persuade us that the marriage never happened (go tell the couple's children that)

Divorce - a marriage that 'de facto' happened, broke down irreparably where the state allows people to remarry because the state is mature enough to realise that some marriages do not work.

I have first hand experience of the ‘beauty’ of a marriage enhanced with domestic violence and the effects it has on a child. From experience I can state with certainty that the swifter the children are removed from this 'family' environment the better it is.

I was among those fortunate Maltese (115) and am now happily married. As a Maltese I feel it is shameful that it had to be a foreign nation that granted me my second chance at happiness.

My heart goes out to all those Maltese who are denied this right that exists in the entire world (except the Philippines) by the catholic talbans of Malta.

What I cannot understand is that when a middle aged couple is legally separated for 13 years then their marriage is annuled by the state, both re married and yet the Church will not even consider granting them a church annulment. Why I wonder !!!!

Charles Marsh,
Looking at countries where divorce is commonplace, such as the UK, isn't it obvious that there is a direct correlation between it and the general breakup of their society?

Im no expert but surely children need proper and complete parenting and a stable family environment in which they can learn values and see role models in their parents, what they dont need is a new father/mother every 5 minutes, or being a ping pong ball between parents houses constantly.

I'm not saying that two people who are unhappy should be forced to live together, but speaking from the childs point of view, the parents should not be encouraged to be so selfish as to split up before the child even understands whats happening.

God forbid we end up like the UK...

I am happily married, with children and hope to stay so for a long time, however it is unfair to judge other people and throw stones (remember who actually taught you this). PLease enlighten me with the difference of Divorce and Separation situation, I know loads of people who are separated and living with someone else, why should they not get married again if they feel they should. Happily married Catholics should remain so and they have a right to do so, but please don't decide on how other people should live their live and what rights they have, it is actually none of your business.

Dr Cassar, sorry i`m no doctor but you said it yourself, dont let the gangrene develop. I wish someone would counter the argument that in a divorce it is the bona fide party which is the underdog. I would also like to hear something about the wreckless driving. Everybody talks of rights, forgeting their obligations. I did not put forward God`s laws,but man made laws. How can one have a legally binding contract, and have it still legally binding and dissolve it at the same time. Now this is the question. Any answers ? And presumably it is possible, knowing it is solvable, why enter into the contract in the first place?

I can't believe there are still so many hypocrites on this Island. Divorce is a right and you use it if you want too. But nobody has the right to say no to other people rights. Divorce should be introduced and those who want to use it will do so, and those who feel it is not good can have there choice to. But this is something that all the world excepts, so why is Malta the exception. Come on grow up!

p.s. Mr Dingli....unfortunately the ONLY cure for gangrene IS amputation (I'm a doctor by the way). Mind you, fortunately not all marriage problems are similar to gangrene, and can be cured without the need for divorce. Similarly you should cure your foot before gangrene develops, so hopefuly you don't need amputation. But once one reaches that stage there is only one solution, and many people are resorting to it, separation....but divorce is a better legal situation for those in that situation. One should empathise with these people, they are passing through difficult situations. We should not try to pass our moral judgment, just because we are luckier than them!!

Sandro Agius, you said it yourself...what God joins must not be seperated by man..... therefore what man joins, man can unjoin. I am a catholic and believe in the sanctity of marriage. I also believe that marriage is permanent. BUT, what I believe, and what Jesus teaches, is that we should all respect each others' religion and beliefs. Why must atheists, agnostics, muslims, and other christian denominations live by the rules of catholicism? Does it offend us to see people divorcing? I am still married to my wife because I love her and I believe in marriage and NOT because there is no divorce. If you are "married" just because the state doesn't let you divorce, then you have a problem.

What about making adultary and homosexual sex illegal Mr Agius? How about making it mandatory keeping the sabbath holy?

annulment and divorce are two separate distinct things. Anyway, the introduction of divorce laws work against the bona fide party, and i bet many countries would like to reverse the situation but now cannot. It is not just a matter of religion but also as a legal concept. Annulment is where the contract was never valid and divorce acknowledges that the contract is valid but for some reason obligations of some party are withdrawn. Its like me or any of us buying a car from Gasan or Mizzi and after driving recklessly expect them to take the vehicle back and get a full refund. Divorce creates more confusion and hardship and is no solution to difficulties. Rather than amputate, cure the gangrene.

Oh well that s very good then... And Maltese people can move on rather than suffering a stressful life..

On catholic terms divorce is allowed, it is just spelled A.N.N.U.L.M.E.N.T. Maybe that Dolly Parton song from the seventies should be reworked for this debate in Malta in this new millennium.

As one of the most astute arguments for the liberalisation of divorce goes: divorce should be made easier to obtain but the certificate of marriage should be made harder to procure.

A lot of marriages flounder because the participants weren't prepared properly for the commitment that ensues. The rosy picture painted beforehand soon blackens when unforeseen problems start to creep.

Rather than compound the problem by adhering to a life of misery for both partners by insisting on the permanence of marriage, a way out should exist. It is not the ideal solution, especially when children are involved but to insist on no alternative is cruel and false.

Maltese Church authorities are not giving the particular attention to the issue and although new hope was given with a new archbishop in office, these are now vanishing. These (not like for example in Canada) cover themselves with their bible interpretation, publishing some posters as if they are concerned and then relying on a political taboo within consecutive governments having among the clergy their main consultants. The church cannot be taken seriously if members of the clergy over 60 or 70 years old are appointed in the annulments board just because they are no longer fit to continue their duties in parishes. This while suggesting costly solutions of about Lm4000+ enduring 6 years+ without a form of guarantee in achieving the desired result. I am sure that Sandro Agius respect his wife and the promise of faithfulness done by means of the marriage act, but he surely cannot speak on behalf of all other married persons. I know that children are sometimes treated as objects or trophies by separated persons but if there is a problem within or society, it will surly not be solved by ignoring the problem or offering cosmetic solutions to couples even those without children.

Oscar Cassar, the divorce is wrong not because the church says it wrong but because says so as Jesus confirms in the gospels. Annulments are granted only were there is truly the case. The Maltese Church can never say to accept the divorce and if a referendum will happen the church will be in the front line against it...maybe she will side but this is a moral issue and the church has the right on her members to tell them whether to vote yes or no.

I disagree too with who says that they will have another chance to start again....but will the children start again? A Catholic who accepts divorce still will not be permitted to receive communion...and he/she will not be ok....the divorce even if accepted by the law of state but will never and ever be accepted by the Catholic Church. What God joins must not be separated by man, in the marriage ceremony is said.

Well a Christian of whether church is he must decide if God is first in his life or not. The gospel says it clear...every Christian know that too.

And to John Cassar....come on! How many young people do you know these days who give two hoots about family pressure? My kids (teenagers) would definitely not marry within the Church because I want them to. They would probably marry in the Church simply because they believe in marriage as a Sacrament....and by the way....they're very far from nerds.

As a committed Catholic, I chose a Catholic marriage. I know full well that this marriage is 'till death do us part'. It was my (and my wife's) choice, and, as mature persons, accept the consequences. I really can't understand why people decide to marry in the church and then try to challenge all the rules. I fully understand, also, how sad it must be for those for whom marriage doesn't work.........but just the knowledge that our union is inseparable gives us the extra 'push' we need to try and make it work. What man would I be if I run off as soon as the first problem comes up? For these kind of people, a civil marriage would be the best option.

I think everybody acknowledge that divorce in not the ideal way of life. But the problem here is another and this argument is probably a reaction of having a conservative Maltese church authorities that give the false impression of dealing with annulments when they offer only cosmetic remedies that are also expensive and members from the Christian society that likes to label in a negative way broken marriages without taking in consideration that in most of the cases (not all) some within these broken marriages are already a victim. All this is creating an unjust situation that discriminate between Maltese that are financially well off or have the useful friend to indicate ways and means and others that do not have ways how to achieve this.

So a percentage want divorce! All I'll say is this, if one had to look at the structure of families and the pressures that one must be married by a certain age, then this is the result. Who says that you must marry someone that you met at age 15 and have been seeing for six to ten years? The parents and society in general! When one is allowed to grow within and not be strangled by this psychological noose, then may be one will marry for the right reasons. And while we are at it, may be the condom should be shown in sex education classes during one's education or is this still taboo! There is nothing wrong with a catholic marriage. It always takes two to sign the certificate!

To Mr Rene Borg I would say that while the legal system in Malta recognises the legality of the Catholic rite of marriage it is actually the civil formalities following it that render the marriage 'legal'.

A state in the 21st century, while retaining certain moralistic elements has to separate itself from a distinct religious affiliation. Yes the majority of Maltese people are Catholic, does that mean that are legal system should be bound by that? No! We act as though morality and the law are one and the same, they are not! The introduction of divorce will allow those people who really need to get out of their marriage to do so with the chance to start afresh.

And before some start saying that there will be people who abuse of the introduction of divorce, yes there will be. Just like there are people who abuse of alcohol, does that mean that noone should have the right to drink?

Divorce is a reality we must face! Just think about one thing ... how is a marriage that has irretrievably broken down sacred (e.g. in the case of a beaten wife? That's not sanctity, that's sacrilege

I was married in a catholic church. I knew the rules. I was divorced through the state, but as far as the church is concerned, I am still married to my first wife. I respect the churches ruling and should not and will not challenge that rule. If King James couldn't change that rule you ain't either.If you think you are going to get divorced one day. Get married by the court and not the church. Where the some courts of law offer a divorce service. The church doesn't offer that service. There are other religious that offer a divorce service, but not the catholic church.

What everyone fails to recall in this whole argument is that all those who choose a Catholic marriage do so in full knowledge of the "consequences". Those of us Maltese who go ahead with a Catholic marriage through 'peer pressure' just to save face with their family or with their community are only being hypocritical and fooling themselves. Not only so; they are agreeing to the status quo. I know that opting for civil marriage does not give you the right to a 'Maltese' divorce. But if all these people who are for divorce just choose civil marriages, then the Church and the government will get the message and divorce will have to be introduced because a good number of people would be consistent in their value system; i.e. opting out of a Catholic lifestyle. If I want the option to have a way out of my marriage then i would go for a civil marriage. If i opt for a Catholic marriage then I am accepting "the whole package". Either that or we accept inconsistent choices.

Ah, better. That sounds more like it. Divorce should be seen... how shall I put it?... a necessary evil... for it to strengthen marriage.

Rene Borg, the indissolubility of marriage is a legal anomaly, a contract which cannot be dissolved by the parties by mutual consent. Therefore, theoretically, the legal set-up is rubbish.

On catholics letting down the Church, I would say that Catholic politicians are letting down rhe country by failing to grant a voice and remedy to a sizeable chunk of the population which does not give two hoots about the Church's medevial teachings on divorce, gays, women, contraception.... the list goes on.

On the chickening out of marriage comment, it is extremely unfair. I would say that an abused wife who chooses to separate from and divorce her abusive husband is far braver than most bigots out there!!

Mr Pullicino, yes I'm afraid for people in a miserable marriage, divorce IS something good. It enables one to start a proper, legally approved new relationship. Just like having an amputation is something good if you have gangrene in your leg. No one desires to be an amputee or a divorcee, however given one's circumstance both are the best choices in such circumstances.

Kyle - Divorce is not good, nor bad. It's a neutral word. I would leave the good and bad to the discretion of the people involved in it.

Marriage in Malta is based on the catholic marriage and so it is against the same principle of marriage to legalise divorce. This theoretical legal set-up is correct. The authorities and the majority of the maltese people has got this logic in mind and this is the reason why marriage is wrong in principle.

But we are living in a world where the maltese catholics are letting down the church and its teaching for their egoistic personal interests. Some people who chicken out of marriage make others suffer. And who is to blame? Perhaps the person moving out has its valid reason too... If not they will try to invent a valid excuse, why not eh!...The cobweb continues with man made inquisitorial type tribunals, Legal mediation efforts...What was LOVE now becames HATE....

How hard it is to explain even to your own family what a hell seperation plus annulment is, how hard to explain it to your very best friends. I advice not to try to explain it to people who found a rock in their beloved ones.

The maltese must evaluate for themselves what is most of value, a theoretical ideology or a respite for people who are suffering?

@ M Pullicino: Divorce is good for those who need it.

Kyle Pullicino, divorce is not a good thing. It is the least bad of two choices. One is to stay with a partner even though the marriage has broken down irretrievably, or one partner is abusive towards the other. The other is two breakaway and start again. With divorce, at least you can get married again if you so wish. For a lot of people this is very important because they breakaway completely from an unhappy past.

You're making divorce sound as if it's something good.

WAKE UP MALTA! WAKE UP!!!!!! Yeh right ..... Dream on mate !!!!

Yes when shall we Maltese Citizens living in Malta have the same rights like our European Counterparts and like those Maltese who can afford to pay or to go and work in an EU country. Before the EU Referendum the Goverment and the pro EU groups were all the time preaching that we Maltese will be having the same rights like other Euopean Nationals. Now 4 years after joining the EU we are still being deprived of basic rights enjoyed by Europeans. To add insult to injury the Maltese system continues to discriminate against those who do not affofrd to pay .
When shall EUROPEAN MALTA be run by the goverment elected by the people and not by the Catholic Church?

Welcome! This is the Law and Justice!

shame on the Nationalist's and their so called European credentials!

We already had the absolute hypocrisy of the church 'annulment' (for those who can afford it) automatically recognized by the state.... Now, those who wrangle their way into living or working in an EU country can get divorced just like that. Disallowing divorce should be seen as a crime against individual rights and liberties! My vote in the next election will go to WHOEVER has the guts to call a spade a spade and work towards introducing this much-ignored basic right.

I thought we moved away from being a state run by the church aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaages ago...

I am happily married but I see nothing wrong in introducing divorce in Malta. But when??

Still our very Catholic government is still managing to heap on further suffering on those who are already suffering. So mission still accomplished even if you have to work your way to a EU country and get this basic right which is allowed all over the world.

Ha ha ha haj.

Then again, we do not have divorce laws in Malta.

What a farce we are!

Pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse or what!