Paul Vincenti, Mosta
European resolution on abortion
Gift of Life commends the Nationalist MEPs who voted against the resolution tabled recently in the European Parliament by Italian Communist MEP Giusto Catania. The resolution includes references to making abortion available in all EU member states. It is regrettable, but not surprising, that the proponents of this resolution combined many unrelated issues into this non-binding resolution.
This is a familiar manoeuvre used to make it harder for MEPs to reject a resolution on single issues such as abortion. Indeed, this may have made it more difficult for the three Labour MEPs to reject the entire resolution. It is still disappointing, however, that they did not vote against this resolution and chose instead to abstain. One would expect pro-life MEPs to categorically reject any motion from the European Parliament, whether legally binding or not, that includes any pressure on Malta and indeed any other country to accept abortion.
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Joe Zammit
Jan 22nd 2009, 19:47
The Church and state are not the same thing. But, and it is a big BUT, the majority of persons who form the Catholic Church in Malta and Gozo are the same persons who form the greater part of the state of Malta and Gozo. Catholics are dynamic persons and are taught to spread the teaching of Christ and his only one Church, the Catholic Church, by word, deed and example. The majority of Maltese and Gozitans are Catholics and want their MPs to follow the social teaching of the Catholic Church in their legislation because this teaching benefits all people. Like Christ, the Catholic Church proposes, not imposes, her teaching. I am a Catholic because I want to be a Catholic not due to any imposition.
Keith Borg-Micallef
Jan 22nd 2009, 09:05
Perfectly said, Mr. Kurt Mifsud. I simply couldn’t agree more...
Somehow, certain people deem it fit to impose their beliefs on others. Apparently, they cannot fathom the fact that there are other people around them, with other views. And, since this is a Democratic country, their sometimes-way-beyond-the-pitiable-opinions can never, or, better say, should never be imposed on others.
What truly worries me, however, is that they really believe that their beliefs ‘must’ be universal. If someone doesn’t agree with something, then that someone won’t resort to it. Those in favour should be left at least the possibility. We live in 2009, imposing on others is utterly deplorable. These people should get it that the State and the Church are not one and the same thing.
Gery Cowie
Jan 21st 2009, 19:35
I would like to think that, regardless of religion, that people have a respect for human life anyway.
This is not a wholly religious issue, and to make it so is an insult to all those who still believe that life has value.
I don't quite understand how divorce and abortion are connected as Edwin Formosa says. Perhaps he would care to enlighten us? No doubt some who get divorced might have had abortions, but otherwhise the connection appears somewhat tenuous.
Whilst Joe Zammit speaks from the heart on the Church, he won't get a good response from those who are either anti-catholic or secularist.
What cannot be denied, however, is that a vast majority of laws are based up on Christian principles, which rather rattles the cages of some.
As for divorce, if I were the injured party, regularly beaten up, and my children constantly in danger too, I would like think there was a way to deal with such a situation from a civil point of view at least, in order to offer my family and myself important legal protection.
K. Pullicino
Jan 21st 2009, 18:54
Actually, there is ample physical proof for why abortion is immoral and wrong without any of it touching any theological concepts.
Joe Zammit
Jan 21st 2009, 16:57
The subject matter of the letter is abortion. Stick to it, please! Natural Law and God's Positive Law to safeguard life from conception to natural death is above any EU law. All MPs are subject to God's Law as well. We encourage all our MPs to continue to be practising Catholics in both their private and public life. The social teaching of the Catholic Church benefits one and all and it is in the public interest.
Kurt Mifsud
Jan 21st 2009, 13:32
@Edwin Formosa
Looks like you're a catholic but I'm not. What's common between us? = We both are Maltese citizens and paying Maltese taxes. So please, if you don't want to use divorce just don't use it, but leave the option open to others who don't have enough money to go get it abroad. Or is it so much an irresistable temptation?
wally vella-zarb
Jan 21st 2009, 12:58
@ Edwin Formosa
"Both divorce and abortion are against the family although on different levels of morality and invariably follow each other."
Do you have any official statistics to back your allegation that the two "invariably follow each other" or are you merely repeating the wild assumptions of others?
Edwin Formosa
Jan 21st 2009, 11:38
Both divorce and abortion are against the family although on different levels of morality and invariably follow each other. I emailed our MEP's and urged them to vote against this resolution that will promote abortion and same-sex unions throughout the European Union. I requested COMM-REP-MT for the voting result for all resolutions presented during 14.01.2009 EP plenary session. Only Busuttil and Casa voted against. Both constantly take pro-family position in their voting as can be verified through' Roll-calls votes ' ''on.euro-fam.org/'' which moniters members voting on family issues. A look at this site shows a sharp contrast among our MEP's values.
Kenneth Cassar
Jan 21st 2009, 09:46
Isn't it the same tactic as that used by those who mix divorce with abortion?