Of faith and politics

Being a catholic politician and behaving like one in present-day Malta has be-come an everyday challenge. Our society has evolved into an open society more open and tolerant to unconventional behaviour, more inclined to question traditions and rules, less patient, less willing to sacrifice anything and less submissive to authority.

In this scenario, our faith presents us with a challenge. A number of challenges, to be precise.

Very often, saying what we believe in tends to be very different to the kind of music people want to hear. Today's generation, for example, does not seem to accept the notion of a lifelong commitment. That is, after all, what marriage is about. Failing to comprehend the importance of such a commitment for the common good, makes it easier for one to accept divorce as a solution to a troubled marriage. This presents us Catholic politicians with a dilemma because, on one side, we understand the difficulties a number of couples are facing, however, on the other, we also know that we would just be going against what we truly believe in if we simply go along with the popular notion that marriage cannot last forever and that divorce can be presented as a solution.

A few weeks ago we discussed irregular immigration in Parliament. All of us are aware of the pressures our society is under because of this challenge. People share their frustration and anger with us because they feel that, as their representatives, we should protect them. Yes, that is our responsibility. However, how can I, as a Catholic politician, accept to send back boatloads of irregular immigrants knowing that: 1. we would be shedding our international responsibilities and 2. we would be risking the lives of so many people? How can I as a politician not speak against any hint of racial hatred emanating from the perception that our nation is slowly but constantly being "invaded" by coloured, "AIDS-infested" immigrants?

Students at the Junior College and the University are calling for the installation of condom machines on their campuses. A medical expert advises that by doing so we would be preventing STDs and unwanted pregnancies. However, we also know that, by giving in to such a demand, we may also be sending out the message that having sex outside the commitment of marriage is now acceptable and that the state is also giving its blessing. Added to this is the fear that with or without these machines our youngsters just prefer to have unprotected sex because it "maximises" pleasure and that the condom machines are just an excuse.

In our society there is a growing acceptance of single-parenthood by design. Some teenagers even aspire to become parents without the "burden" of tying the knot with a husband or wife. Of course, no sensible person would sell this kind of behaviour. However, do not I as a politician promote this behaviour every time I insist on pushing a request by a constituent who is evidently abusing the social benefits or by failing to promote legislation aimed at curbing such and similar abuses?

As a Catholic politician I also feel duty-bound to push for national unity and the healing of past wounds and divisiveness in our population. It may be the appointment of a President of the Republic, whose allegiances do not belong to the party I belong to, or the choice of a single unifying National Day. As a Catholic MP am I not expected to support such initiatives once it is evident they are intended to promote national unity? Shouldn't I go against the grain, even if it means that I may also lose a few votes, if that means that I would be helping to start a healing process that can be of benefit to our nation?

We cannot resolve these everyday challenges alone. The understanding and cooperation of the community in which we work is essential. As Catholic politicians we should not be expected to shut up on important issues simply because speaking out could make some people uneasy. We should not just shut up out of fear of being labelled anti-liberal, conservative and not trendy. Ultimately, we and those around us should understand that selling our principles for popularity lessens our credibility and sucks out the essence we should be made of.

Mr Bonnici is a Nationalist member of Parliament.