PL leader reiterates promise of bill, free vote on divorce when PM
Dr Gonzi addressing the conference this morning. Photo: Lorne Cremona, DOI
Labour leader Joseph Muscat promised this morning, that, as prime minister, he would move a bill on divorce in Parliament and provide his MPs with a free vote.
Addressing a national conference “Towards a Strong Marriage” organised by Progett Impenn, Dr Muscat hoped that the other party would do this same.
He said that a Discern study showed that while 25 years ago one of every 100 marriages failed, 10 years ago it was one in 60, five years ago one in 25 and at this rhythm it would be one in 10 in the next five years.
Dr Muscat said that Malta needed to take a clear position on the delicate matter of divorce.
Everyone deserved a second chance, especially to build a family.
Divorce could currently be obtained through the window and there was no way to control people getting it.
Dr Muscat proposed the creation of a national forum on the family made up of non-governmental organisations, with space for authority and legal representatives. The discussion within this forum should lead to the preparation of a bill on divorce.
However, divorce should not just be a platform for a second marriage but there should also be a focus on giving the first marriage the best chance and safeguarding it.
Dr Muscat said that the state should not abdicate from its role in marriage preparation since this was something which was currently done solely by the church.
While 30 years ago, civil marriages amounted to four per cent, they were now 35 per cent. People entering a civil marriage were doing so without any preparation whatsoever.
The conference, chaired by Laurence Grech, launched a series of activities in a marriage week, which culminates next Saturday with another conference on Maltese family trends.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said he had to start from the premise of strengthening the family before addressing the problem of those whose marriage had broken down.
“I can’t be in this hall today and speak about marriage, divorce and cohabitation without focusing on the values I am basing my decisions on,” he said.
When one got married, Dr Gonzi said, one committed oneself to be loyal in all instances and when one made a promise one should do his utmost to deliver.
Marriage, he said, was not a cruise but an experience that could take one through highs and lows.
“We can discuss divorce and it’s important that we do but the discussion has to focus on saving marriage,” he said.
He said there should be agreement on marriage preparation starting from when the couple were young. School and work had an important role to play and preparing for marriage just a few months before the wedding was too late. Young couples had to be given values to face tough decisions.
“To move forward it all depends on what all of us are going to do,” he said adding that social services and benefits had to be examined to see if they were good enough to help couples move forward.
Dr Gonzi said he was not saying that the issue of broken families should not be discussed. These could not be abandoned but Malta also had to understand the reality of those who opted to cohabit and if left unregulated, vulnerable people would be in a dangerous situation.
The government had the responsibility to legislate but legislation alone on its own would not strengthen marriage. This was something which had to be worked upon.
Archbishop Paul Cremona said that while there could be a discussion on divorce, the debate had to be allowed to grow. The social and cultural situation had changed.
The fundamental hurt of society, he said, stemmed from destroyed marriage. He said he was disappointed because he expected more practical proposals in the debate. He also spoke about the importance that women and men were treated equally in a marriage.
Mgr Cremona asked if sex could be alienating youngsters from building a stronger marriage.
He said that the country should look at the impact of divorce in other countries. Society, he said, still had to choose a model of how to project the reality of marriage and family. There was a need to help youngsters of all ages and protect adolescents.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
27 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
C.camilleri
Feb 8th 2010, 07:26
@ Richard Galea What is really your point? You said, The people wants a man to lead them, but according to you Joseph is a baby politician from the European Nursery while Gonzi is the female in the tango couple. Are you insinuating that our choice of political leaders is from a baby politician and an elderly women? The truth is that Joseph is leading and Lawrence is following.
Richard Galea
Feb 8th 2010, 06:15
WHAT A FARCE!!!!....So our political leaders are having a ball....At the Phoenicia ball room....organised by our local Moral Impresario.......Gonzi and Muscat are dancing to Tango....the problem is that you cannot really distinguish which of them is having the female or the male role........
Muscat MUST show that he is the male!......if he want to be the Leader of the PEOPLE.....For in tango the male is always the leader!!
The PEOPLE want a Man to lead them....... not a baby politician from the European nursery .
Richard Galea
d. borg
Feb 7th 2010, 09:39
This is not a matter of free or not free vote. There are a good number of couples whose marriage failed and they need to be able to start a new life. Since we have civil marriage, then we should also have divorce. Those who are against divorce will not make use of it obviously. Joseph Muscat needs to declare that once in power he will introduce divorce no ifs or buts. As for Gonzi, well we know that he against it and will never introduce it.
JJ Creg
Feb 7th 2010, 04:39
Morally to help enhancing the marriage relationship is righteous but is it right to tie the people’s life down from a failed marriage without granting divorce? And without giving them a second chance to start a new life?
Why asked to look at the side effects of those countries that granted divorce and not asking to look at them that have successful marriages, though’?
Do these countries look at Malta as a great example which does not allow divorce have high percentages in successful marriages whilst the separation cases are increasing?
If the authorities and the church believe that they are capable to help one to uphold their marriage, what have they got to worried if divorce law is imposed?
Raymond Bezzina
Feb 7th 2010, 02:31
The facts show that divorce will not solve the problem of broken marriages, but it
will only make the problem worse. When are all those in favour of divorce going
to admit this truth?
emmanuel zammit
Feb 6th 2010, 21:21
He like it or Not Mr Gonzi divorce will be introduced In Malta after all we dont have nothing less then Others EU Countries.
Some people they talk since they are not in pain!!!
J.Tonna
Feb 6th 2010, 20:51
I fully agree with what both Our Archbishop and the Prime Minister said, instead of talking about separations/divoce why not try to strengthen marriages. If your house has a fissure what would you do pull it down or try to strengthen it. But this should happen before marriage not after. As Dr Muscat rightly said those who go for a civil marriage are not prepared. So the Government in conjunction with the church (which is already doing it) should prepare school children, if necessary, for their future marriage.
Joseph Calleja
Feb 6th 2010, 20:09
Why is the government death set against divorce? This is 2010 and still the government does not see what's happening, or more so they opt to ignore the problem. Almost one third of men and women in Malta are living together without any bonds and they are just as happy. Another third are married and unhappy and the other third maybe happy, Maltese people today are very knowledgeable because they travel and they see and understand better how other cultures live. Don't forget the media and the internet. Marriage should not be a prison sentence or a condemnation for any married couple. Every man and woman should have a way out. To honor and obey, and for better or for worse don't even exist in the vows anymore, at least not in most civilized countries. What's good for the government might not always be good for the rest of us. Nobody knows what happens behind closed doors.
Evarist Saliba
Feb 6th 2010, 18:51
With all due respect, all contributions seem to ignore the most important aspect of the introduction of divorce. If one agrees to this step, on what grounds will divorce be granted? All speak of "a second chance", but is there a country in the world where divorce is limited to a second chance only?
Let us face the issue honestly.
A. Borg
Feb 6th 2010, 17:31
Free Vot ma jfisser xejn ghax zgur mhux ha jghaddi mill-parlament.
m camilleri
Feb 6th 2010, 17:15
Is the Archbishop in favour of divorce?!!
R Borg
Feb 6th 2010, 17:11
Im in favour of divorce but now im 100 % sure that Muscat will never introduce divorce! I only belive him if he puts it in the electoral manifesto as Evarist Bartolo rightly so insisted on Bondiplus
Sciortino M
Feb 6th 2010, 17:01
A law on cohabitation was promised by the PN in 1998. We are in 2010 and nothing has happened. In any case it would be a useless law if ever it is introduced. Those who cohabit do it either out of choice and do not want the ties of marriage or because they cannot get married and have no other choice but to cohabit.
Therefore those who choose cohabitation do not want a law because they can always get married for the protection it provides, while those who are constrained to cohabit really need a divorce law to enable them to marry. A cohabitation law is pointless.
Christopher Cutajar
Feb 6th 2010, 16:48
@Dr.Gonzi
When one got married, Dr Gonzi said, one committed oneself to be loyal in all instances and when one made a promise one should do his utmost to deliver.
Were you trying to convince yourself when saying that promises should be delivered?
The crude fact is that the PN is not recognizing our social realities. Not introducing divorce will mean that Malta will be having a disproportional number of cohabiting couples.
L. Cutajar
Feb 6th 2010, 16:45
If a free vote is taken than divorce will never come into force. About 80 per cent of PN MPs have already declared that they do not agree with divorce whilst more than 40 per cent of MLP MPs have also said that that they will vote against divorce. This means that a free vote is purely a waste of time and treating the people like fools. Both parties have to declare straight away whether they are in favour or not. Joey Muscat is not being fair to those who want divorce. Bil-Malti, qieghed jghaddihom biz-zmien.
Paul Barrett
Feb 6th 2010, 16:19
Based on the above article it would appear that the speakers are lining up to introduce an exam before a couple get married. It is not that easy although it would solve the divorce problem as youngsters would skip the course/exam and just live together outside marriage.
If a marriage is not working it is, in my opinion, wrong to apply pressure and lots of hurdles to force an unhappy couple to carry on living a sham. Get over it, people make mistakes in life and making it extremely difficult to disengage and virtually impossible to start again does not help society although it probably makes a lot of money for lawyers and others on the band wagon.
Joseph Cauchi
Feb 6th 2010, 16:13
If he means what he says and says what he means, then Joseph Muscat has no other option but to categorically state on black and white in the forthcoming electoral programme that the M.L.P. will introduce the law of DIVORCE in Malta once elected. Full Stop.
And please, no beating round the bush with this CHARADE of “free vote”, JM!
A “leader” must LEAD and not vice-versa!
JC.
Lina Caruana
Feb 6th 2010, 16:04
During this conference I dutifully complied not to intervene to listen to others. As a demo-christian I listened comfortably to the inspiring words of the Archbishop Mons. Paul Cremona .There was a general consensus of concern for the family .After all this is traditional and very strong in Malta.Some people cannot comply totally with what Christ admonished us against. Unfortunately things cannot be split by half in this sense. It is not only the Catholic Church who is concerned. Anglicans are also preoccupied with overlapping families. Experience shows that after divorce women and child poverty follows. A disservice will be done if we refrain from acting with urgency for prevention and formation especially with youngsters , victims of uninformed adults who do not recognize what they are accepting.Clearly many genuine people need information . Sadly the representation of the family as a value is seen as weak and lacking in substance by the population aspiring to solve problems without information to sort out their priorities. It is a pity that the space for genuine expertise has been allowed to be vacant for so long.We need more positive input.
J.borg
Feb 6th 2010, 15:42
@ L.Cutajar....
Your comment is out of context.....it's the PM who said that he is against divorce.....didn't you hear J.Pullicino Orlando....he said is in favour.
Yes Joseph Muscat is right for not binding the PL members and taht's what the PM should do and let everyone decide for himself....
The we can say that we have a fair vote o divorce!!!!!!!!!
Also as usual here whatever the PL does is always wrong!!!!!!!!!!!
John Azzopardi
Feb 6th 2010, 15:37
Divorce is another example of how politicians are using the electorate as a lever to benefit their personal agendas (of getting elected). This is an issue of national importance over which there should be agreement from both sides of the House. In this way divorce will no longer be the political football that it has been turned into. Politicians are denying the citizens of this country a fundamental human right. Let's agree to have legislation in place to permit divorce. It does not mean that everyone and his brother are going to use it. It is understandable that the Church would oppose divorce but politicians and legislators have no right to do that. Church rules apply to members only; they cannot be imposed on secular citizens.
G Bugeja
Feb 6th 2010, 15:37
Joseph Muscat is showing true leadership. He was addressing a Church seminar and still reiterated what he believed. Dr Muscat and his wife Michelle are young and know the reality our society is living.
What a stark contrast with the PM who was wishy-washy on divorce and skirting the issue also saying that we should first discuss strengthening of marriage before discuss divorce, as if one excludes the other.
As a young wife not interested in politicking, I opt for the leader who best represents our life.
H. Mizzi
Feb 6th 2010, 15:34
Divorce is a tool that gives broken marraiges a second chance. Those happily married need not and will not get divorce but those whose marraige has gone bad will have the opportunity to start a new life. Those happily married need not and should not decide for those whose lives are in shambles. If our politicians are unable to decide then a referendum should be held. Divorce legislation has been just delayed but in my opinion it is inevitable.
P. Schembri
Feb 6th 2010, 15:32
Malta is a Roman Catholic country, at least the majority of the population. What Joseph Muscat is doing, is recognising the fact that, although divorce is a right, it also is a taboo for the Church and the majority of the Maltese who are practicing Roman Catholics. It's dictatorship when the MP's are imposed upon to vote for divorce. Joseph Muscat is recognising the fact, that's why he will be giving free vote. He won't play with their conscience! The PN is against, or should I say Gonzi is against. But he won't allow a free vote, because for sure there are MP's on his side who would vote in favour of divorce. That is statesmanship. Muscat knows the odds and will play just the same fairly. Gonzi knows the odds, but won't play fair. He won't give a free vote. Quite a difference between the two leaders!
MG Vella
Feb 6th 2010, 15:12
The free-vote aspect did not initially sound right. But looking at it from a democratic percpective, i feel that it makes much sense.
Those who oppose the introduction of divorce can vote for an anti-divorce labour candidate and vice versa. Therefore, a free vote will respect the actual wishes of the electorate.
The NP can not, now, stand on the fence any longer. They need to express a position. The last we heard was the recognition of relationships outside of marriage.
They are the party in Government and nothing has moved on this front as far as I know.
L. Cutajar
Feb 6th 2010, 14:33
Finally the truth has come out. A free vote means nothing. The PL wants to look cool with averyone and all yet when it comes for a concrete decision to be taken, they back out. One is either in favour of divorce or not, as a Government one cannot stay in the middle, promising people things that not even the government knows the answer. At least we know that the PN is against divorce and that is what I call good leadership. Yet, this has always been the story of the PL.
Sander Depasquale
Feb 6th 2010, 14:19
It is very easy for PM Gonzi to speak of marriage as an experience when he has a perfect wive who is a rock supporting him all along! And by the way I am happy for him. That is the way I believe it should be.
But what about the persons who found a vacuum as a partner instead of a rock?
Joseph Micallef
Feb 6th 2010, 13:41
"Dr Muscat said that Malta needed to take a clear position on the delicate matter of divorce"
Why don't you lead by example!
How very convenient! Truly incredible.