Divorce devalues marriage
In the Maltese Episcopal Conference declaration of August 7, the bishops made it clear that the Christian community can and should give its contrib- ution in this very important ongoing debate on divorce and cohabitation. Bishops Paul Cremona, Mario Grech and Annetto Depasquale stated: "All that weakens and breaks down marriage and the family, such as cohabitation and divorce, even if these can appear to solve some difficulties for individuals, do bring with them serious consequences which will endure also on the common good of society itself. These are the experiences of other countries".
In their short but strong statement the bishops appeal to all those who believe in the value of marriage and the family to commit themselves according to their responsibility. Indeed, in today's circumstances, one has to swim against the current and the Maltese bishops hope that in this debate many will choose to give this contribution in favour of marriage and the family and not be silent for fear of criticism.
Long before the current round of the debate, in an interview by Jesmond Bonello featured in The Times on November 14, 1997, Archbishop Joseph Mercieca had spoken about valid principles that have not changed at all. At the time of the interview, Alfred Sant was prime minister and in his opinion, Parliament had to openly face the challenge of an appropriate legislation on divorce.
Bonello noted that "Mgr Mercieca was very calm throughout the interview, but got more excited when discussing the issue of divorce". Archbishop Mercieca had stressed: "Divorce is a very important matter not only for me but for everybody. We are strongly against the introduction of divorce. Whenever divorce was introduced it ruined the concept of the family."
"The Church would continue to strongly insist against the introduction of divorce, but it would not launch any crusade against the government. I have nothing against the Government; only against divorce".
Nine years have passed since then and the debate on divorce still goes on and, one is pleased to say, without any unnecessary emotion.
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Mr Victor vella
May 12th 2011, 13:24
Corruption devalues everything including marriage. If democaracy is the solution to corruption then divorce is the solution to wrecked marriages.
Jean-Pierre Sammut
Aug 25th 2008, 17:26
If marriages are breaking down by the hour it is definitely the
capitalists (and the Babylonian culture they are sowing in people's
minds) that are to blame.
What did the Curia do against the capitalists in the last 40
years? Just nothing! Of course, the capitalists are sponsors of hers!
A saying goes: you cannot bite the hands that feeds!
Franco Farrugia
Aug 24th 2008, 19:50
@ Mr John Portelli - A very simplistic comment, don't you think?
John Portelli
Aug 24th 2008, 12:41
What the modern day family needs is more time together.Both husband and wife have to work hard to make ends meet.It's the greedy economic system which undermines the family,nobody has time to talk,to love.Therefore you get break ups hence the need for divorce to give a new hope that never comes.