Herman Grech
Muscat prepared to present divorce Bill
Labour leader Joseph Muscat is prepared to present a Bill in parliament proposing the introduction of divorce, but only if Nationalist MPs are given a free vote on the issue.
Last week, Alternattiva Demo-kratika urged the MLP to propose a divorce Bill in parliament, since it had the power to do so.
Dr Muscat said, however, that there was little point presenting a Bill for the time being - unless the Prime Minister commits himself to giving his MPs a free vote - because it would be defeated in parliament.
"Such a defeat would be a huge blow to the aspirations of the progressive and moderate element in our country. It goes without saying, of course, that Labour MPs would also enjoy the benefit of free-vote," Dr Muscat told The Sunday Times.
"Therefore, if the Prime Minister agrees to allow Nationalist MPs to vote according to their individual conscience, I would - after considering the individual views of all MPs who are in favour of the introduction of divorce, and seeking the opinion of moderate citizens outside of Parliament - consider moving a Private Members' Bill during this legislature."
But the likelihood of this happening, for the time being at least, seems remote - even though Social Policy Minister John Dalli said last month that there should be a discussion on the subject. A spokesman for the OPM said the government was conscious of today's social realities.
"However, any topic that is related to family issues needs to be discussed within a wider strategy targeting the strengthening of the family unit. This discussion needs to realistically address the fact that there are families that have broken down for some reason or another."
The spokesman said the debate should address the realities and difficulties faced by couples who have decided to cohabit, among others.
"There are no easy or simple answers to the many questions facing our society," the OPM said. However, it did not respond to questions over whether the government plann-ed to set up a commission on the issue, or if it was ruling out the possibility of introducing divorce legislation.
Dr Muscat is bound to have elements within his party who disagree with his stand. In a letter today (see letters section), Labour MP Adrian Vassallo describes divorce as the destruction of values handed down by ancestral cultural traditions.
But the Labour leader is determined: "For the first time, the leader of one of the two major parties is not only in favour of divorce but is also stating that he is ready to move legislation on the subject.
"On the other hand, we have a conservative Prime Minister who, back in 1998, went on record as saying that 'divorce is no solution' but is now saying that there should be a 'debate in Cabinet'.
Dr Muscat said the debate Malta needed was not on whether divorce should be introduced but rather on the type of divorce legislation that should be enacted.
"I believe that this is also the opinion of progressives and moderates in this country, inside and outside the Labour Party," he said.
Should a referendum be held?
"Calling a referendum would simply amount to passing the buck. It would be an irresponsible failure to postpone the decisions that need to be taken."
The Nationalist Party was evasive. General secretary Paul Borg Olivier said the party had not set the ball in motion to discuss the subject and could not comment.
"Although divorce does not form part of the PN's electoral programme, public debate on the issue has re-emerged and is setting a pace. In this scenario, the PN will participate in the debate keeping in context the relevant needs of the family and its children within a changing society, according to the values it upholds and beyond emotions and political partisanship, with full respect to different ideas and opinions on the matter," he said.
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Oscar Cassar
Aug 4th 2008, 22:39
I am convinced that being a President of the ‘Azzjoni Kattolika’ in the past and having Fr Joe Borg as one of his probable consultants, will not help PM Gonzi to support the Divorce Bill. But I must remind that as it was recently stated, upholding Christian Democratic principles is not equivalent in upholding the Canon Law as the law. If the present situation is such that the lack of divorce is leading to social disorder for some citizens even if in a minority, then politicians of true Nationalist principle have to seriously consider divorce as the lesser of two evils in order to help in achieving the most ideal political scenario within certain social problems and not simply ignoring the issue and its victims.
Oscar Cassar
Aug 4th 2008, 22:38
In his blog on this site, Fr Joe Borg (member of the clergy) described Dr Joseph Muscat declaration in preparing to present the Divorce Bill smacks of political opportunism more than of anything else. Most probably yes it is and such was mentioned in my opinion in a way to attract sympathy even from non MLP voters particularly youth as social problems in family units are in the increase and who knows by the time of the next general election in four / five years time. Therefore even if the PN introduce divorce within this legislature, most probably most will still remember the input of the new Labour leader in their cause and surly if not, they will receive reminders in the election campaign. But till now Dr Muscat seems still far from the charisma of a leader that inspires unity within the party and his political move was even publicly not welcomed by conservatives within the MLP like for example Dr Adrian Vassallo who in a recent article of his, he questioned for instance if such legislation would ensure that divorced people who remarry would never be inclined to seek pastures new.
Oscar Cassar
Aug 4th 2008, 22:37
A healthy discussion with no sensationalism is surly needed to prepare the nation for the introduction of divorce in Malta. I think that everybody acknowledges that divorce consequences are not the ideal situation for our society, but unfortunately for some, divorce is the only thing that can offer a few support and ideally a new beginning in life. After that in their recent past some had been living in hell with there partner under the same roof, being physically or psychologically hurt, now they are still being hurt / punished by our legal system apart from the stigma upon them by certain members in society.
Catherine Attard
Aug 4th 2008, 05:56
What worries me is not the moral aspect of the issue, indeed I had been separated myself before becoming widowed, and being able to get divorced, even if not wanting to marry again, should have been a choice. I think the crux of the problem is more economical than anything else. We must not forget that new unions bring about new offspring, and hence more financial burdens on our country, like children's allowance and innumerable other entitlements. I think both parties should discuss the impact of any such decision from an economic point of view rather than from a moral one. If in the end it results that Malta can handle it, then why not? But only after the real impact has been carefully studied.
A .Muscat
Aug 3rd 2008, 19:31
Part 2
The funniest thing about Galileo’s incident is that, although the church had apologized long ago, the bible remains with mistakes. Until today, if you read the Bible you read that: The earth is still flat.
Is the Church still insisting to teaching ignorance for coming generations?
In my opinion, it’s no longer a choice, it’s a must, the church have to edit the bible and correct god’s errors.
A .Muscat
Aug 3rd 2008, 19:16
Church should apologize
Do you remember what happened with Galileo? After he was murdered, it was found out he was 100% correct.
Long ago, the church itself has apologized for what happened to Galileo. But it was too late.
Since the Church’s history proved uncertainty about Bible texts, same logic, should apply to peoples that are today deprived from their right to divorce and start a new clean life and don’t live is sin-full cohabitation relation.
I am sure, during Galileo period, peoples were stupid enough to believe the church justification of Galileo’s murder. Peoples we also blind enough to swallow what the church says as ‘God’ words. Today, a modern rational man, however, would never accept a religious scripture text which says, in the best possible
poetic language, that the world is flat. This is because
we live in an age, where human reason, logic and science
Same logic must apply on Bible‘s marriage texts.
According to the famous physicist and Nobel Prize
winner, Albert Einstein, “Science without religion is
lame duck. Religion without science is blind faith.
We can’t not keep paying for both God and church’s errors. I am sorry
Joe Vella
Aug 3rd 2008, 18:08
The Labour Party leader today says he wants to present a bill introducing divorce.
A Labour Party MP is today writing in this same newspaper against divorce:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080803/letters/the-divorce-debate-1
Another Labour Party MP, Marlene Pullicino Orlando, has declared she's against divorce.
Other Labour MPs are known to be against divorce.
Who does Joseph Muscat think he's kidding?
Why is he criticising the Prime Minister and not his own MPs?
Chris Vellaw
Aug 3rd 2008, 17:13
Can we treat a subject as important as divorce in a mature way? Do we have to politicize every issue in this country? Can't we discuss maturely without trying to get political advantage of every single issue? This is not about Muscat or Gonzi! This is about thousands of people who are being deprived of their freedom to start afresh. At least people like Joseph Muscat and John Dalli have had the guts to come out in public about this "taboo" issue. We are a nation of swearers and tax evaders but we don't accept divorce. Hypocrits!!
Edwin Formosa,
Aug 3rd 2008, 15:36
I am 70+ and lived through 'conservative mentality' to 'progressive one' and saw the difference. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Some things are worse than being the laugh stock of the whole world.
J Micallef
Aug 3rd 2008, 15:20
Muscat has become so pretictable. His immaturity is so evident.
Within the last 3 months he has been using his deceitful 'strategy' over and over again. he will only do something if the PN does something....(and then he tries to impose his naive condition). We have heard this same line of thought on 6 - 8 different issues by now, only in the span of 3 months.
Maltese politics is becoming a joke, and Muscat is just sppeding up the downhill spiral.
Fabrizio Ellul
Aug 3rd 2008, 14:47
An answer to the sceptics of Joseph Muscat.
'Although divorce does not form part of the PN's electoral programme, public debate on the issue has re-emerged and is setting a pace...'
jeez, neither were the Partnership for Peace programme, the privatization of the Dry-docks and the liberlisation of the public transport part of the PN electoral manifesto ... so what is the problem now?
p.piscitelli
Aug 3rd 2008, 14:46
malta is full of seperated coupels ,others that just live togheter married people that go around changing partner every day,so idon't see why we can't have divorce in malta when all this is much worst .be honest with yourselfs and surely you will understand what i mean
Dr. John Zammit
Aug 3rd 2008, 12:51
Don't worry lets give it a try and see what happens, if the bill does not pass then the Maltese Parliamentarians will be to blame for the domestic violence and the tragedy that separated people are in. It is the parliamentarians who are to blame for this chaos and nobody else. If divorce is not accepted then there will be a time to try again, then one day the people will be so fed up (as already they are) that they will not vote for those who are against divorce. Another thing is that Malta will continue to be the laugh stock of the world. So come on Joseph do it! There are thousands behind you and you will get more votes in the future, remember that the old conservative people and old clergy that are against divorce are dying and the youths and young people both from MLP and PN and the other new parties are in favour. Be courageous Joseph and do it. Show those who are against divorce that we are in the 21st century and there is no place for hypocrites and bigots any more in our country. Do it Joseph!
I Abela
Aug 3rd 2008, 12:38
This is hypocricy at its best. We have introduced all kinds of laws because they told us that because we are in the EU we have to introduce them. So what about divorce? Although I am not even married, let alone seperated, I beleive that every person has the right to start afresh if something goes wrong in his/her marriage. I don't know one single person who objects to divorce, who is not happilly married. I don't beleive in a free vote. This is not an election. All parties should make their position clear and since MP's are members of a party they should vote as such.
David Wain
Aug 3rd 2008, 11:27
"any topic that is related to family issues needs to be discussed within a wider strategy targeting the strengthening of the family unit".... we have heard this phrase regurgitated time and time again. What, may I ask, is this wider strategy? What is the timeline for developing this strategy? Do we have to remain the laughing stock of the world for another 5 years? Do we realise that among all countries in the world, only Malta and the Phillppines (a country where fundamentalist Catholics nail themselves to crosses in acts of faith!!) do not allow divorce??
The Nationalist Party's obvious refusal to discuss, never mind commit on this subject is short-sighted, cowardly and a disservice to the citizens of this country.
Chris Vella
Aug 3rd 2008, 10:52
Seems that something is really moving at last on this issue. Thousands in Malta are suffering from an unjust conservative mentality that treats separated people as outcasts of society. All we ask for is for a right to have our lives back and have the possiblity to start aftresh.
Lewis Balzan
Aug 3rd 2008, 09:56
When will all the worldly saints and hypocrites give their approval for a serious debate on the subject of divorce? Everybody now expects the PN to follow Dr Muscat's lead and promise a free in Parliament when the issue is discussed.