Divorce: PM disagrees with Pullicino Orlando

emanuel schembri

Jul 8th 2010, 21:45

This country is back to the 50s and 60s when another Gonzi ruled Malta - his way. I thought his successor Mgr Cremona would move his Church forward in the religious sense, not that of a source of power. Why then should he not order the total removal of the Church's own divorce system otherwise known as 'annullment' - which can be easily obtained through a simple statement: I do not acknowledge the authority of the church to bind me to this woman'? If this is not enough to ensure annulment one can always say he or she was gay or lesbian and hid it from his/her partner: undoubtedly this will do it after which you gain automatic annullment from the Court and there is your divorce! By the way you don't have to wait 4 years to start procedures, you could do it the moment you are fed up with your partner! This is Malta still under the Holy Roman Inquisition in the 21st Century.

JOe VELLa

Jul 8th 2010, 18:42

@Charles Grixti
Boy! you are so right: "Who are we to judge for others what should make them happy?" it is worth remembering the saying: "to each his own".
Without hesitation my concern in this dilemma and I hope we both agree, is the children.
It is the order of the system within the community that must decide the "Happiness" of these future citizens.
I should know, I worked with children in homes and they know that they are not like the other children outside, some are because of family problems like sickness but a lot because of broken families.

E. Azzopardi

Jul 8th 2010, 16:11

lill JPO u minn jahsibha bhalu, ta din id-dinja jghaddi, imma wara tridu tigu iggudikati minn Alla innifsu, u wara tiehdu dak li haqqkhom.
LE GHAD-DIVORZJU GHAX AHNA INSARA.

JOe VELLa

Jul 8th 2010, 11:21

@Kenneth Cassar
For my writing, and I stress that I have not taken sides, where I emphasized to be careful. In fact I mentioned one important TV person married seven times, for this you considered it a silly argument, and to back yourself you mention Sir Paul McCartney who according to you lived happy ever after with his second wife.
I refuse to call someone's writing silly even instead of a "Sir" he referred to a "King' like Henry Vlll to back his reason.
I sincerely believe history is full of people who married ruining their life and those that they met, the end result of this endeavor are the children, they are either left with their grand parents or worst still with sorrow I say put away in homes. Just to hid the children. Yet most of those responsible for this situation keep living in a make believe world. If you call that silly argument, I call it a crying shame!

J Brincat

Jul 8th 2010, 09:54

How can he agree with JPO when he is still reeling from the shock!. This came to him like a bomb in the engine room.

Fenech M D

Jul 8th 2010, 09:41

However, Dr Gonzi said, this subject was so important that the electorate should have the opportunity to express itself after being informed.

Ghax m'ghamiltx hekk ukoll Dr Gonzi meta kien hemm affarijiet ohra ta' importanza nazzjonali li setghu jolqtu lil poplu?

U jekk jghaddi r-Referendum, Dr Gonzi lest idahhal id-Divorzju f'Malta? Jew isib xi skuza ohra basta ma jxellifx difru mal-knisja?

Olina Tretyak

Jul 8th 2010, 09:30

Dear Prime Minister,

I am all in favor of Catholic's values.

I have seen communities abroad where priests would teach people that if the marriage will be broken, people's only solution is to celibate. The marriages in such communities are strong. No one wants to live alone and celibate.

In Malta Church did not fulfil it's duty on this matter and every married person knows that if marriage will be broken, he will simply cohabit with someone else.

Situation came to the point that 70% of most lawyer's cases are separations. People do not try to save their marriages.Nearly every separated person is cohabiting or dating.

They request divorce NOT to break the marriages, but to form new ones.

I wish Church in Malta will start to teach its priests to promote values well enough to decrees % of broken marriages.

I wish Government will work more with couples who applied for separation. Mediator, placed by Family Court in order to see if it is possible to sign Out Of Court settlement of separation instead of a law suit, is NOT what should be done first.

Noel Scerri

Jul 8th 2010, 08:41

This is not a referendum matter no one can dicied for another person,What he or her wont or needs.Also we do not have to act like children and say if Gonzi or the NP or MP will introduce the divorse we will not vote this is blackmail.If your marrage is build on solid rock you have no problem . So what shall we do for all the people that are leagly separated and live with some one ealse and have made a family again shall we burn them ,like they used to do in the old days . I tell everyone if there is something that we need so ok yes but if it does not concern us we say no .I concider the people that need it .I SAY YES FOR DIVORCE .No matter who introducise divorce i will vote.

Charles Grixti

Jul 8th 2010, 04:51

In my opinion a referendum about Divorce only serves the Church and the Conservative PN and Catholic fundamentalists.

If Democracy means the subjugation of the minority by the majority, then our dear leaders, including PM Gonzi, need to revisit what true democracy really means. And if these “Catholics” can and are willing, in all good conscience, to deprive fellow human beings from their rights to divorce and end a bad marriage and perhaps get a second chance for happiness in a new marriage, then I have serious issues with what they perceive to be good. How can you allow others to suffer around you just to satisfy your own beliefs and dogmas? How Talibanesque!

No, Divorce should not be up for Referendum. People of Malta do not fall for this ploy, for a ploy it is. For even if only one single Maltese couple wants to avail itself of divorce, then the State is guilty of gross neglect and dereliction of duty if it does not provide the legal mechanism for it

Josephine Campbell

Jul 7th 2010, 15:55

Dear Prime Minister, please do not succumb to pressure and uphold our values. There is no room for discussion on this.

simon cutajar

Jul 7th 2010, 15:17

Ghaziez Prim ministru ! taghmel x'taghmel , tadi jew ma tadix il- ligi
, int trlift il- fiducja ta hafna nies , anke nazzjonalisti bhali , zgur li mintix ser issib appogg min hafna nies , specjalment dawk li qedin ibaghtu minnhabba li ma ghawnx il- ligi tad- divorzju . Il- ligi qeda hemm biex tuzah . ...................U by the way anke jekk il- ligi tadi minhabba il- partit laburista , jien xorta ser nibqa id- dar fl' elezjoni li jmiss .Kellkom cans oxrin sena biex tidiskutu . TOO LATE

James De Giorgio

Jul 7th 2010, 14:23

I know divorce will be introduced eventually, but I'd rather not the Nationalists opened the door to it, otherwise they can forget my vote. I'd rather Labour introduced it, so that I can safely vote nationalist without any regrets.

The Nationalist party MUST be very careful on this one. If Lawrence Gonzi were to introduce divorce (which I think he won't) during his legislature, he would severely rock the basis of Nationalist support.

The way I see it, there are two strands, unequal in strenght and numbers, in the Nationalist party. One of them is the Christian-Democratic strand, conservative in nature and outlook, and the other is the Liberal, populist strand, to which many of the commentators on the time who say they are nationalist, but agree with divorce, belong to.

The conservative voters are more numerous in the Nationalist party, and if there is one way Gonzi would surely want to lose the next election beyond anything he can remember, is by succumbing to divorce.

(Measuring the PN voters by the commentators on this site doesn't count. It's well-know that most of the readers and commentaters are centre-right leaning and liberal.)

Joseph Ellul - Sydney

Jul 7th 2010, 14:08

From where I stand I can see that divorce can be advantagious to cases of extreme animosity. This has nothing to do with religion. If the church can excommunicate a person than it can annul a marriage. Ipso facto.
To negate divorce in society is untisocial and discriminates against the weaker partner in the marriage. Most times the true character of a person only comes out when that person considers him/herself fully in charge of the situation: in this case marriage.
Legallizing divorce weakens the bully.

joe gatt

Jul 7th 2010, 13:52

And Jesus told his future disciples: drop everything at hand and follow me to eternity, and that is what they did (except d one) As I am not well versed in the subject, and I am assuming all or most had a familly. Is this instant divorce?? 2000years ago, What????
Let us execute all petty criminals lest they repeat their offence. Let us eliminate all perverts and molesters, including the one`s made so famous recently.
Letus hang by the neck all tax defaulters.
Eliminate all single mothers and their offsprings (all sinners you know).
Life can be so bearable, minus the hardship, these individual bestow upon us.
Lets hold politicians accountable for bankrupting the whole planet. Ruining people livelyhood as well as those unborn.
Let the Church sell all its Gold and help the bankrupted, the needy and the poor

Referendum my foot, no one is asking you to turn gay, or to divorce for that matter. If a couple love each other so much and are compatible, then there is nothing to fear.
Are we so naive?
One may think in a 100 years time, things will be the same? but probably not.

Sean Grima

Jul 7th 2010, 13:31

JPO is only trying to steal the limelight!

Dawn Cummings

Jul 7th 2010, 13:00

Having guts..or for personal gain...I don't really care who introduces divorce.

The bill makes sense to me. Four years after a marriage break down are a long time to be alone. I have been through it already but now I want my second chance.

Whoever says he will introduce divorce will have my vote.

Ivan Portanier

Jul 7th 2010, 12:47

How about holding a referendum on it and see if the people want divorce or not, irrespective of their political colour or religious leaning.

F Borg

Jul 7th 2010, 12:09

Well done JPO for the courage. Malta needs MP's who have the guts to do such a thing. Divorce should have been introduced a long time ago, many people wouldn't be living in horrific situations otherwise. Divorce is legal in the majority of the Countries, so are all these in the wrong? Divorce shouldn't be so easily avialable, to make sure that all other possibilities to save the marriage have been exhausted. If a marriage has failed, there is nothing else to do, it's not fair on the couple and even so their children to keep on living in a broken marriage with all the difficulties and problems it causes. Many politicians are afraid of the church, or hide behind their "catholic" beleives as they are afraid to loose votes, but on the other hand wont blink an eye to introduce heavy economic burdens on their people, which by the way are causing the majority of problems in most families. If politicians wants to show how catholic they are, they should practice their beleives all the time, even when it comes to think about implimenting taxes and price increases which they know will throw the people in big difficulties.

Eric Gahn

Jul 7th 2010, 11:58

Imma jahasra kemm hawn fidili, jew ahjar, nies jipretendu li huma fidili.

JPO personal circumstance has nothing to do with all this - maybe. Maybe yes. Who cares? What matters is that an MP is proving that he has the guts to do what it takes to give the citizens of this country what they rightfully deserve while the others play ego games and do the ostrich (sorry for repeating myself)

And some comment to all those who are thinking that with divorce being legal, marriages will start falling apart:

a) Marriages are already falling apart. Reasons: (among many): money, expectations, deceit, incompatibility.
b) No one will ever enter a marriage with a thought that they will divorce after X years
c) Not many can afford to have rich weddings multiple times in thier lives (ie: caterers are not going to be making more money)
d) Liz Taylor is the exception not the rule.

R.Gauci

Jul 7th 2010, 11:53

It seems that a lot of people commenting on this issue are in/ voluntary ignoring a very important fact in the way JPO is forwarding his bill for the introduction of divorce in Malta and
before someone can criticize this man which had the guts to discuss this subject in parlament and start to scaremonger people please read well what he is proposing that is not everybody will automatically be entitled to obtain divorce by just applying for it, but some CONDITIONS will apply one of them being that at least you have to be legally separated for a minimum number of years for example 4 years (these can be more) as it in use in other European Catholic Countries such as Ireland. So no one is correct in saying that by introducing divorce with these CONDITIONS the numbers of broken marriages will increase as the couple's relationship/family will had already been broken up by living a separate life.
You can't break what is already broken!!
If introduced with these conditions this divorce bill will only give a chance to a person to remarry again and start living another life !!

Katia Bjorn

Jul 7th 2010, 11:39

Making divorce legal does not mean that we encourage it. In fact it only gives an option to the ones who fail to save a failed marriage. It should be used as a last resort, but people should be given the possibility to seek it when all the other efforts have failed. We should give people a choice and we should trust their judgement if they would like to use it or not. This is democracy.

Evarist Saliba

Jul 7th 2010, 11:35

"His (JPO's) position did not surprise anyone."
It certainly surprised HG the Archbishop who called JPO's initiative "a bolt out of the blue."
A cynic might be justified in seeing in this initiative a shrewd political move to steal the initiative from a hesitant opposition, and a challenge to the leadership of his own party, which could be exploited by a politician with a damaged reputation, at the next general election.

E CAMILLERI

Jul 7th 2010, 11:31

Nice one. So an MP with a personal agenda can hijack parliament ..sorry, lost my faith in this MP. Definitely not the way to go about things especially serious issues like this one.

K.Borg

Jul 7th 2010, 11:27

Divorce, albeit sad, is necessary especially in cases where the husband or wife commits adultery, uses domestic violence, treats you unfairly etc. At the end of the day, it is you who has to live with a violent husband who sleeps with his secretary, it is not the government. It is unfair to force people to stay married in such situations.

Louise Vella

Jul 7th 2010, 11:23

"However, Dr Gonzi said, this subject was so important that the electorate should have the opportunity to express itself after being informed."

If there is a referendum, the Church will turn it into a crusade and there would probably be a majority against divorce. That is why Archbishop Cremona and Prime Minister Gonzi are calling on the electorate to express itself. But neither Archbishop Cremona nor Dr Gonzi have ever said that "the electorate should have the opportunity to express itself" on the important subject of illegal immigrants because they know that in a referendum the position of the Church (and of Dr Gonzi) would be heavily defeated by a majority of 90 to 10 per cent.

Anton Portelli

Jul 7th 2010, 11:22

@ S. Camilleri
Calling a referendum would be just washing his hands clean of the matter. In other words doing ike Pontius Pilate when he listened to the crowd that was calling for the crucifixion of Jesus - crucifying those who had a broken marriage and condemning them to a life in misery on earth or better still in Malta, because for those who can afford to leave this taliban island life would be different - there are Civil Rights that are not dictated by the catholic church even in countries that boast of catolicism like Italy and Ireland.

Maria Coruana

Jul 7th 2010, 11:19

I fully agree with the bill and I think it is long overdue. Divorce is certainly a terrible thing, but preventing couples from getting it does not mean that the marital problems are resolved. On the contrary, their inability to end their failed marriage dragges them both and most importantly draggs their children into permanent misery and unhappiness. The children are the worst affected as they are caught in between two unhappy parents. Forcing couples to stay together, against their will is dictatorship and no government or religious body should decide for you. Then how do we know that they will not also decide for us when/where and whom we should marry? Compatriots, it is time for us to decide for ourselves.

N.Lawrence

Jul 7th 2010, 11:14

Gonzi will never hold a referendum on this topic, because judging by the up and coming figures of the current poll, he hasn't got a chance of the referendum results going his way. That's democracy, baby!

James Gauci

Jul 7th 2010, 11:08

Dr, Gonzi, please stick with the principles you believe in...the principles of the party you lead...

JOe VELLa

Jul 7th 2010, 11:06

I hate to write again for the second time!
If all those who think this bill will solve ALL problems and we live happy ever after, let me mention the American TV presenter, Larry King. LEGALLY MARRIED SEVEN TIMES.
No, this is a very serious matter and "bolt out of the sky that illuminated Paul only happened once, let us be careful before we say in favor or against, let all the People decide. It seem all involved parties are in favor, yet the picture is not two people only, CHILDREN that are like a tongue of a bell caught in between are the least mention.

Karl Consiglio

Jul 7th 2010, 11:00

We know you disagree Mr Prime minister, otherwise divorce would have been introduced ages ago , could it be that you are afraid of the church?

Jesmond Micallef

Jul 7th 2010, 10:50

The "marriage problems" phenomenom should be tackled right from where it all starts, the famous 3 words : "Yes I do". This is the background that needs to be tackled here. Do people really know what they are putting themselves into ? Considering this generic outcry here in favour of divorce leads me to think that this is obviuosly not the case. People need to understand that even an electoral vote involves a personal decision, its either yes or no. Divorce is not a solution, far from it. Its just a alienation to what the real root causes are of the "failed or hard case" marriages are. There is already a solution to specific cases called Marriage Annulment.

alfred bugeja

Jul 7th 2010, 10:44

good on you JPO,you are one of a kind in that PARLIAMENT of ours.

F Sciberras

Jul 7th 2010, 10:36

A subject that needs to be discussed.

To L. Borg: I personally beleive that if in Iran, a woman merits more dignity and respect from society and from her hushand and should not be stoned to death, at the same time, divorce demeans a human being and removes the dignity that the human being deserves.

At the risk of being labelled as influenced by the Church's teachings, I think that the moral values upheld by the Chuch are meant to protect this dignity of the human being. At the same time problems do exist in society . So: which is the lesser of the two evils?

Eric Gahn

Jul 7th 2010, 10:26

The Gonzi ostrich strikes again. His own interests and beliefs come before those of th public who elected him.

What JPO did is present to Parliament (may I remind, made up of people elected by us citizens to represent our interests not their won) an issue that has long been outstanding and pushed aside.

Well done Jeffery.

I just hope the PL do not make a football match out of this and wreck it.

t. borg

Jul 7th 2010, 10:25

Bir-rispett kollu Dr. Gonzi kun ragel u ghid li ma taqbilx ghax marbut bir-religjon. L-istess bhal ma huwa marbut il-poplu Iranjan meta ikkundanna mara li tigi imhagra bil-gebel ghax ir-ragel taghha gab skuza biex jehles minnha li marretlu ma' ragel iehor. Din ammettiet wara li giet itterturata. Din se tigi, jekk mhux diga, imhagra b'gebel li jrid ikun zghir biex tbati u ma tmutx malajr. Dan kollu f'isem Alla! Il-liberta hija li anki jekk hemm persuna wahda li trid tiddevorzja ghandha jkollha dritt taghmel dan u Hadd m'ghandu dritt jimponu x'jaghmel haddiehor b'hafna skuzi. Din l-issue tista' taghti rebha lill-pl li fl-istorja qatt ma kien hawn bhala. JPO jista' jkun ta' gid kbir jekk jittiehed vot issa.

Peter Bonnici

Jul 7th 2010, 10:11

It was a gem of a move on JPO's (and maybe the PN's) part. Everybody thought that it would be someone from the 'modern-progressive-moderate coaltion' camp to come up with this. Instead its been hijacked by conservative, leaving the PL with no (political) balls to play with.

S. Camilleri

Jul 7th 2010, 10:08

Maybe JPO did present this because he has a personal interest in the case. However the fact still stands that some sort of divorce legislation is needed desperately. Does lack of it prevent marriage breakdown? Definitely not. And why should religious values be imposed on those who do not live by such values... after all it does not stop them living with new partners!

The best way forward for the PM is to call for a national referendum on the matter. That way he can do what he does best and wash his hands clean of the matter.

JOe VELLa

Jul 7th 2010, 10:05

Sir,
I agree with all the undersigned mail.
BUT! This Government have not been elected on this issue, after all the party manifesto is the party bible for its 5 years term. People did not vote for this "bolt out of the sky".
I say either put it put for next election or call a referendum.
LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE!
We had enough of this NON SENSE someone wake up with a new idea and it is shoved down the people's throat.

Anton Portelli

Jul 7th 2010, 10:04

@Jesmond micallef
Please stop preaching religion.
Malta is the only country in the EU that does not have a divorce law although it recognises a divorce that can be obtained by those who can afford to pay to get it in another country. Please be tolerant to those that have a different opinion and religious belief.
Nobody is going to be compelled to divorce if there is a divorce law in Malta so there is no need to call for Referendum. A referendum would be in place if the government wanted to increase the VAT or introduce some measure that everyone has to abide by it. No Referendum was called when the prices of water and electricity rocketed up.
Please do not waste any more precious time (for those who had the misfortune of a broken marriage) and let us have the same rights as other EU citizens in the other EU member states. This is after alll the reason why we voted for joining the EU.
Finally I say WELL DONE to Dr. Pullicino Orlando for having the guts to table this motion. This does not suit only his personal position but will do a big service to many.

Joseph Aquilina

Jul 7th 2010, 09:56

I totally agree with Dr.Gonzi on this one!! Personally I believe that divorce addresses the needs of individuals rather then those of the society. More time, money and talk (by both government and church) should be invested on how to educate people before marriage rather than provide tools that can be easily abused and produce unexpected results. It is true that divorce might sound as a strait forward solution to some of the problems we have, but will this in turn introduce other problems?

J.Debono

Jul 7th 2010, 09:53

This is a very serious matter and I think that such an issue calls for a Referendum.

John Borg

Jul 7th 2010, 09:52

Well said Dr. Gonzi! Any further reasons to postpone this debate????

Charles Saliba

Jul 7th 2010, 09:51

Dear Mr. Jesmond Micallef, if you are happy living with your family, we are all happy for you and God be with you BUT please do not try to understand and tell what divorce can bring if you are NOT one who is being denied of building a new family.

In my opinion, I do not agree with the annulment because if I stayed 10 years happy married, I cherish that period but unfortunately we could not continue together after.

Is there anyone possible believe that because there is NO divorce in place, there will be less separation? Why people can't understand that whoever wants a divorce to marry again is because the couple is serious and wants to commit themselves to each other.

Four years ago, I had a friend who was totally out against divorce. I used to argue with him!!. Unfortunately, today, the situation changed!! He is separated, his opinion changed!

Divorce should be there as medicine for those who has the pain. For those without pain, be happy, don't take it, but please do not try to involve yourself when you cannot understand the pain many of us are passing through.

l.farrugia

Jul 7th 2010, 09:48

Din hija problema li xi whud mill-koppji Maltin holqu huma u issa irridu li l-Gvern imur kontra it-taghlim tal-Knisja Universali dwar dan il-punt u jintroduċi d-divors biex dak li ma irnexxilhomx jew ma kienux kapaci jsolvu huma jsolvija huwa permess ta ligi infami.

Joe Mangion

Jul 7th 2010, 09:20

This is an unstable and confessional government that cannot carry its duties properly and in the interests of the Maltese people. Let's not forget that a few months ago Gonzi was grappling with a revolution within his party. Why does Gonzi launch a personal attack on Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando? What type of dialogue and democracy does Gonzi believe in when he states categorically that he does not agree with Pullicino Orlando's position and at the same time calls a parliamentary group meeting to discuss the issue? Dr Gonzi & Co should only act as a government and not as a Curia. Hope that those PN members who truly represent the maltese stand up and be counted. And let's hope that Pullicino Orlando does not let loose this time.

Manuel Micallef

Jul 7th 2010, 09:10

So, if Pullicino is defiant in front of the PN's wishes - there is only one way - but to ask for a General Election?

D. Xerri

Jul 7th 2010, 08:49

I guess Dr Gonzi would like to have DIVORCE as his election issue - Would be a wonderful issue for him. Surely GonziPN would not use Finanzi Fis-Sod now or Par Idejn Sodi or Rebbiegha Gdida - maybe Dr Gonzi would himself lead his party to IL-PARTIT TAL-LE now with NO TO DIVORCE ........ maybe Ghalina u Ghall-Uliedna !
We want to be Europeans in the EU and have all their rights - qalulna with words and where it suits us ONLY imma !

Adriano Spiteri

Jul 7th 2010, 08:46

The 'Nationalist' Prime Minister disagrees with divorce!

JPO will be silenced once again.
He had already voiced the only solution to ilelgal immigration - that of sending them back to where they came from. He got ridiculed by Minister Mifsud Bonnici who stated he was not well informed.

Malta has no Nationalist party.

Divorce is an individual right. Whether the PM agrees or disagress with it shouldn't matter.
Let's not forget that this PM is an ex-President of 'Azzjoni Kattolika'. His beliefs are thus well known.

v mercieca

Jul 7th 2010, 08:42

In our country politicians speculate on many issues, so I would like to give speculation a try myself.

It was reported in the media that Dr Gonzi did not know about JPO’s private members bill on divorce.

In my opinion, Dr Gonzi, who knows that his government’s popularity has plunged low, and knows that a great number of separated people want divorce legislation to be introduced, and knows that Dr Muscat as pledged that once Labour is elected, he would propose divorce legislation; has now played Machiavellian and perhaps asked JPO himself to present this bill in order to take the wind out of the Labour Party’s sails in the next election by having the divorce legislation passed before election date.

We have already witnessed government taking action on other issues, just before Labour Party motions were due to be discussed in parliament.

edwin delia

Jul 7th 2010, 08:41

Let's stop playing and pass this Divorce Bill dear Mr Prime Minister who does not believe in has the full right so he/she can stay married or just live with his partner but who wants
divorce should be available like every citizen in all European Union Country or are we members of this club to choose only what we like? our Church has the full right to be against but it does not run our lives - proset again Dr Pullicino Orlando we are behind you all the way

g.c.Forte

Jul 7th 2010, 08:33

Coming from the opposite side " politically " ...........Mr. Prime Minister, I truly believe that you should call an internal P.N. conference, and ask for a personal secret vote of confidence. You are doing lot of personal sacrifices, to run your government, for the benefit of our country. But you do not need to be a genius not to notice that you are running a government under threat. With the minimum of seat difference, certain P.N members in your government are taking the advantage of the situation,and try to prove that they are something or better than the others. In a simple word, "they are rowing to a different direction ". Three and a half years under this situation is a long way, so in my humble opinion you should strengthen your position and call for a personal vote of confidence. I am sure that you will win that vote. I have been following politics for a very long time, and from my experience you are the most Prime Minister that are finding difficulties to run your office. And it is not you to blame, but the circumstances.

C. Farrugia

Jul 7th 2010, 08:17

Of course Mr Pullicino Orlando would take a stand based from his personal position!! Who else would? He knows what it feels like to be discriminated against every single day, just like thousands of others who are in the same position.

Not everyone has been blessed with a happy lasting marriage, and sometimes it is no ones *intentional* fault. Those who have lived, happily every after, should thank the stars that they have been lucky, but please show some empathy for the others who have had theirs disintegrate, and subsequently have found love and peace again their lives. They should be able to regularize their position. If you are against divorce fine, but do not IMPOSE your opinion on those who need it.

And one final note... there are thousands of couples who are not married but experiencing truly HEALTHY relationships, and thousands of others in farcical and EMPTY marriages! It's not the decorations that make a good cake!

JPO........ Thank You!

Albert Borg

Jul 7th 2010, 08:14

Dear Prime Minister, I encourage you not to be recorded in history as the Prime Minister who introduced divorce in Malta, no matter what it takes. This will surely not be a feather in your cap, to say the least. Hold on to your and our nation's christian values.

Now is the time for 'par idejn sodi'.

Luciano Mule Stagno

Jul 7th 2010, 08:12

we're a small country - seems like we should be able to feel the pulse of the people on this and other matters by a simple referendum....

joseph falzon

Jul 7th 2010, 08:07

I truly beleive that one cannot rush to vote on such a serious bill.
If we are a Catholic country, then we should first listen to our spiritual directors and allow them to share their views. Other Countries who have legalised divorce are in a complete mess.Do we want stable families with good moral values?
I BELEIVE that we still have a good number of GOOD young people that are preparing themselves for marriage. We need to respect them .Others who are not so prepared should be encouraged to imitate them.
In my opinion Divorce offers NO solutions. Divorce will only lead the country to crisis.

Dr Steve Farrugia

Jul 7th 2010, 07:54

Jekk nisma "2 wrongs don't make one right" darb ohra ha nindanna... Kulhadd jghid li id "divorzju" huwa problema... u li hu haga 'hazina' ... MhuwieX!!

Immaginak mara tad dar, ilek taqla u tigi abbuzata verbalment, u mghandek xejn x juri li ed jigrilek ekk... issa mux qed nistenna li kull mara tad dar ha tghid li giet abbuzata, ax hawn malta aw il problema tan naghag ta bendu........

dil mara ghanda bzonn cans iehor.... alfej le?! .... mela halliha tizzewweg terga, mhux habba il knisja, toqod tghix hajja fil mizerja!!

Jiena nghid, bizzejjed kont iffurtunat li min dawk il miljuni ta spermi twelidt jiena..... Marrid il hadd jindahalli f kif nghix HAJTI....sakemm ma jiena qed inwegga l hadd, li MHINIX bid divorzju, might as well ndahhluh f malta!!!

3/4 min nies f malta jibzaw mid divorzju al 2 ragunijiet :

1) jitilfu l flus
2)li il konjugu tahhom jitlaqom/titlaqom minhabba li mhumiex qed jimxu up to their standards!!

u drawbacks 2 biss hemm

1) it tfal
2) in nghag ta bendu "rita hadet id divorzju, mela niehdu jiena ukoll!"

martin norge

Jul 7th 2010, 07:47

One word REFERENDUM let the people decide treat us as grown ups

m. borg (slm)

Jul 7th 2010, 07:39

"Dr Pullicino Orlando, the Prime Minister said, took a personal initiative based on his personal position which was well known, so his position did not surprise anyone.
"Such a statement by the PM requires clarification. Personnally I don't know what JPO's position is except that he is separated from his wife.
If the PM knows something more he should state it clearly so we can evaluate and asses JPO's real intentions.

Johnny Xerri

Jul 7th 2010, 07:18

I hope that the info on which the electorate will express himself will not be as usefull as the one given to the hunters....U halina Gonzi qisu l poplu andu bzonn l info tieghek biex jiforma opinjoni fuq id divorzju...ghada z zmien fejn il poplu tbelalu l opinioni tieghek...tina l azla u namlu ahna u l info halija al xi 4 li jahsbu l ix xemx tila min fejn int ma tarax dawl

Frederick Attard

Jul 7th 2010, 06:42

Dear Dr Gonzi,

I appreciate your comments that the electorate should express themselves freely and my further comments are that during your parlianebtary group debate, you should make a clear distinction between State & Religion.

Whilst you did not agree with JPO, unfortunately lately, only when your own people take a stand against you, you tend to do something. It was the case with Franco Debono who took a lead to voice his frustration against your ignoring the back benchers. I think we all agree now that having Assistant Parliamentary Secretaries is working well as it gives them exposure and a chance to put their hands to work.

It is a known fact of your stand against divorce and that due to your belief you intend to leave thousands of Maltese people living in limbo becuase once their marriage is over, all they can do is co-habit. There are thousands of them, Nationalists included, and if you fail to give the PN Group a free vote to block the JPO motion, rest assured that next election they will use their vote well towards he who already made his point clear on this issue.

D Vella

Jul 7th 2010, 06:30

If the thinking behind your headline is that a referendum of sorts should be held,then this would be akin to trying to escape from the back door by the Prime Minister.It would be immoral and unjust,for in a democracy the State must be seen to be equal to all the people,regardless of race,sex or religion. Minorities too have a right to equality along withe rest.The Government has no business in regulating and interfering in the private lives of it's Citizens provided those rights do not harm others. Divorce is a private matter and those who for one reason or another seek it should be able to seek redress in a Court of Law.Those who for private reasons do not agree with divorce need not take recourse to it. Live and let live.

mario gellel

Jul 7th 2010, 05:58

Sur Priministru,jekk int temmen u galtu lil min jemmen fl-unjoni ewropeja ghandek taccetta dak kollu li sar u qed issir fiha. bis-sewwa jew bid-dnewwa il-poplu ghazel li jidhol. Mela ghati id-dritt kollu lill poplu ta kull ma jistaw jihdu bhala cittadini fl-unjoni ewropeja.
Ma tistax tghogob lil Alla u ix-Xitan. Tidher dajjef fuq din l-issue ghax qed tibza mil voti tal-knisja??

rhuber

Jul 7th 2010, 05:48

Dr Gonzi, as you have said: ''this subject was so important that the electorate should have the opportunity to express themselves after they were well informed''.

So we are expressing our selves, get on with it or are you going to wait for another general election and waiting for the chuch to go back to the 60's?

This time there is no going back into the 60's, the country belongs to us whether the church likes it or not. We are fed up with being told what to do by the big brother.

Ramon Casha

Jul 7th 2010, 05:34

The electorate HAVE been expressing themselves for ages, wasn't Gonzi listening?

Joseph Galea

Jul 7th 2010, 04:05

Yes Honorable Prime Minister. I totally agree and you have my full support.
And if Dr Pullicino Orlando's motion is passed through Parliament, and you face a problem with passing through the bill in Parliament I will support you (even though I tend not to agree with your policies).

d.attard

Jul 7th 2010, 01:36

That is running away in hiding behind a referendum The responsibilities of Parliament is to work for an all inclusive society and the absence of divorce is a serious weakness in this regard. The NP should at least give its parliamentarians a free vote too. If the NP blocks this initiative it will confirm itself as a force for backwardness.

Marcel Dingli

Jul 7th 2010, 01:18

Gonz , min ried jipprova jiftahlek ghajnejk biex tnaddaf il partit int ridt tizolah u ppersegwitajtu. Bqajt ma tghallimtx mit tkaxkira li hadt fl elezzjoni tal parlament ewropew. Kont arroganti, supperv u ghama, u bqajt. Issa duq il kawlata morra li x xellug u l korrotti tal partit hejjewlek.

Joseph Carmel Chetcuti

Jul 7th 2010, 00:50

Someone should remind the Prime Minister that Malta is a representative democracy not a direct democracy. How nice to inform the electorate! Or should he have said 'misinform' the electorate by frightening such electorate of the imagined dangers of divorce?

Joe Fenech

Jul 7th 2010, 00:39

Give us a break, Gonz!!! Limit your Christianity to your home, but leave the Maltese people alone.

It would be better to see how one can help children of divorcees or broken couples, and the parents after this trauma. What on earth do you think? That people divorce after an argument?

GONZI, STEP DOWN !!!! I'M SURE YOUR PARTY HAS MORE MODERATE, SENSIBLE PEOPLE WHO CAN LEAD IT!

M. Farrugia

Jul 7th 2010, 00:25

Prosit Dr. Gonzi. Dwar dan il-pass kompli miexi fuq il-passi tal-Arċisqof Gonzi, u fuq it-twemmin religjuz li dejjem haddan il-P.N. sa min meta ġie imwaqqaf minn Fortunato Mizzi. Tal-Labour jghidu għal kem mhux veru li Malta l-ewwel u qabel kollox. Ahna tal-P.N nighidu Religjon u Patria u hekk ghandhom jibqaw l-affarijiet.

Martin Norge

Jul 7th 2010, 00:18

One word REFERENDUM let the people decide

martin saliba

Jul 7th 2010, 00:17

Dr. Gonzi , are you going to put it to a referendum because you are against divorce and you know that the majority of the maltese people are afraid to go to hell as i am sure that our bishops will tell them ? If so then politics really are dirty.

malcolm seychell

Jul 6th 2010, 23:52

Fair enough. So if I understood well the prime minister would like a referendum?

J. J. Borg

Jul 6th 2010, 23:44

What information do we need? Divorce is a civil right not a privilege or a luxury. Stop this crap PN and MLP!!

k Camilleri

Jul 6th 2010, 23:37

Why not call a referendum with the next local councils election? An important decision should be taken by the whole country not just by a few members of the parliament because everybody will vote for his own situation. Let the country decide!

S Vella

Jul 6th 2010, 23:19

Din hi decizjoni tal-poplu mwegga', poplu minsi min kwlunkwe gvern ghax kullhadd jibza jmiss is-suggett! Issa wasal zmien li tammettu li vera hawn bzonn id-divorzju u meta dan jidhol, ma jfissirx li ha jaghmel uzu minnu kulhadd imma min vera ghandu bzonn! Ftakru fin-nies msawta f'nies li zwieghom mbiddlu u sfaw mahqura, ghaliex hajjithom ghanda tieqaf bla tama li qatt jistghu jergghu jsibu l-imhabba ma haddiehor! Gvern li jdahhal id-divorzju jrid jkun gvern ta guts.

Guzeppi Grech

Jul 6th 2010, 23:18

OK then. Here is a member of the electorate expressing himself:

Bravo JPO!!

I believe in voting on the issues. This is an important issue to me. Therefore I pledge my vote to JPO and the party he recommends.

Jesmond Micallef

Jul 6th 2010, 23:17

Dear electorate, Honourable Prime Minister, Honourable members of the cabinet, please keep divorce out of Malta. Its not a solution to the marriage problems in society. Divorce will introduce further hardship to a situation which is already of a serious standing !!

Malta needs further consolidation in its civil but also religious vows. This should be the starting point of the discussion and not that of a Bill legalising divorce.

Please keep divorce out of Malta.

Joe Brincat

Jul 6th 2010, 23:14

read Dr Gonzi chooses to bury his head in the sand and hide behind the electorate .... is-soltu!