Divorce draft law surprises Gonzi

Mr Lawrence Fenech

Jun 15th 2011, 22:53

Love is blind the referendum was not.

Henry S Pace

Jul 7th 2010, 17:16

'A bolt in the blue' JPO surprisingly he discussed the Divorce (private member) Bill with his (separated wife)

However, he did not feel his duty to inform his Party Leader at least about his intentions.
May I ask somewhat a personal question to those who are in favour of divorce.

What would be the position in their respective families if ever their sons and daughters walk into their homes and tell their parents that they would be marrying a divorcee?

Henry S Pace

Jul 7th 2010, 16:35

JPO stated that his draft law is similar to that of 'Catholic' Ireland. As if he implies that the Cathonic Church in Irland had a good share and approved the Divorce Law.

This is completely does not make sensed because the catholic church and practising catholic cannot accept divorce. The Lord Jesus said ' What man has joined together let no man separate. (Math 19:6) What the octogenerian priest , Dun Charles Vella was well contradicted by the Catholic Church.

JPO has a right to say what he wants however he is in deep conflict with the Principles of the Partit Nazzjonalista.
.
3. The Christian idea of the dignity of man is the basis of all the policies of the Partit Nazzjonalista. Human dignity is rooted in mans relationship with God and with his fellow men, within the family and other voluntary associations, which the State is obliged to assist and promote

.


Catholic principals can never be sidlined for some form of convenience.

He and all those who agree with him in this regard should immediatlely resign. Th PN may suffer defeat in the next election simply for the solid basic principals that were embraced since its foundation.

Dr. Geoffrey Schembri Adami Med. Vet.

Jul 7th 2010, 15:55

“In matters of faith&morals,Catholics have to stand firm and defend God’s Commandments&the Teachings of His Son.They cannot give way,for there is only one indisputable truth:that of Christ&of His Church which He gave His authority to teach His Word.To give way in matters of faith&morals would be a false,diabolical,deceitful charity.Those who do so must pay account to God Himself when they will appear before Him.This is not fanaticism,but simply the practice of our faith,as God’s children.We cannot compromise,modify,or play around in any way God’sCommandments,nor accept anything that infringes them.These are not our rights;they are God's rights!He has entrusted them to us so that we may exercise them appropriately,&as He expects from us!Not even the state has the right to place itself above God by going against His Law.There is no reason why the Church and the State should clash on laws concerning life,marriage&the family,when the two institutions exercise lawfully their respective authorities in fulfilment of the mission God has entrusted to them&in line with God’s Commandments.Those who affirm the contrary are great liars!They are the same people who honour a false liberty,&ask us Catholics to do them the favour of retreating back to the catacombs”.SAINT JOSEMARIA ESCRIVA.

Dr. Geoffrey Schembri Adami Med. Vet.

Jul 7th 2010, 15:49

“To dissent from the teachings of Christ or of the Catholic Church in any important matter of faith or morals,such as the sanctity and indissolubility of marriage, as God established from the very beginning of creation,is to automatically separate oneself from Christ,to lose one’s communion with Him, and to violate, nullify and loose one’s Catholic identity.Whoever is in this situation cannot be referred to as a Christian,nor consider himself so.Those who dissent from the teachings of Christ&of the Church which He founded are choosing to serve themselves,their own pride,their own selfishness,their own lust,their own comfort,instead of loving and serving God,which requires unconditional faithfulness,without any form of compromise,to all the teachings of Christ and of the Catholic Church.Their self-pride&selfishness lead these unfortunate people to think that they can do what they deem best, &do not need the Lord or His Church”. SAINT JOHN-MARY VIANNEY.

M. Gatt

Jul 7th 2010, 15:49

If the Church did not want divorce in Malta it should have opened its mouth and taken a stand in 2003 when the EU referendum was taking place. Divorce is present in all EU countries and it was inevitable that it will be introduced here in Malta too, once we become members of the EU. Too late for the Church now, you can put foward your arguments against divorce in the Churches and in the media as much as you like...divorce will be introduced in Malta just the same.

Edward Mallia

Jul 7th 2010, 15:00

@MSciberras Pretty little use talking about pacts between MPs and their constituents as far as JPO is concerned. What exactly was JPO's electoral programme: possibly persuading his constituents to take his crocodile tears seriously. In which, with help from various high-ups in the PN, he succeeded brilliantly. He had an equally brilliant success in evading indictment in the Mistra court case, generating a smoke screen to prevent anyone asking by what right he was attending those Mepa meetings with the developer. But was there not a recent Mepa ruling giving him permission to put up 'rubble' walls round his Mistra patch? Perhaps these walls will be like the ones put up around Ta' Baldu by Jean Borg--way higher than Mepa allows; no sign of Mepa action yet. So why should Dr. Gonzi be 'surprised' by the divorce proposal? Unexpected 'ingratitude' on JPO's part or the bitter realisation that he cannot do without him and is therefore being held to ransom? Anyone's guess.

Karl Consiglio

Jul 7th 2010, 13:37

It surprises Gonzi like it does the Archbishop of course, but its been a long time coming.

Sabrina Borda

Jul 7th 2010, 13:30

Why has this Divorce Bill come as a 'bolt of lightening' to the Archbishop? Has he not been listening to the demand of the vast number of good Maltese citizens beseeching the justifications of it ?
This is no surprise to anyone, so let's not pretend navitiy for any further delays. It is well overdue.

It is on the other hand the Maltese citizens who remain surprised my many actions actions of the Church and so too many shelved inactions of which Divorce must not be one of them.

Be it the Labour Party, Alternative Party or Nationalist Party divorce must be a choice for the individuals who need it. This should not merely a scoop for political vote grabbing, this is a fundamental human right, however one which each person must choose with which political Party has the capacity to see it's importance be delivered without deferment.

Dr. Geoffrey Schembri Adami Med. Vet

Jul 7th 2010, 13:16

It is extremely sad&worrying that the divorce draft law was forwared by an MP belonging to a party whose statute defines as one its purposes the promotion of Christian values among the Maltese society.Dr.Pullicino Orlando stated that he adheres to the Catholic faith.However he seems to have forgotten the words of Our Lord:“Not whoever says‘Lord.Lord!’enters the kingdom of heaven,but whoever does the will of My Father.”A Catholic is called to become another Christ,Christ Himself,in a way that whatever he does &says,even in public life,reflects Christ and His Teachings.A true Catholic who sincerely loves Jesus can never consider a very serious infringement of any of God’s Commandments,such as persisting in adultery,is a civil right.On the contrary,a Catholic loyal to his faith defends God’s commandments(including the sanctity&indissolubilty of marriage,as God Himself established from the very beginning)unconditionally&without compromise,even in public life,for these Commandments are not man’s,but God’s, who gave them to mankind Divorce is adultery legalized by the state,&therefore breaks up what God has put together,even though the state has absolutely no right to destroy what belongs to God.The introduction of divorce is certainly not God’s will,&whoever promotes such a legislation is not worthy to be considered or consider himself a Catholic.

victor vella

Jul 7th 2010, 13:02

Can we have a referendum?

P Grech

Jul 7th 2010, 12:06

With all due respect to Dr. Gonzi, he kept others in the dark on most of the things he does(and is still doing it) so he should have expected one back, no?

M. Jones

Jul 7th 2010, 11:22

If he didn't present it, no one would have taken the responsibility - that should have been the cabinets - in order to protect your citizen's civil (read: CIVIL) rights. You are living in another world of bigotry and selfishness.

MSciberras

Jul 7th 2010, 11:22

Those applauding JPO have little regard or respect for the basic tenets of parliamentary democracy. People's representatives are elected on the basis of their electoral programmes - this is the pact between them and their constitutents. Private members' bills should not be used to abuse the trust represented by this mandate that what is on it will focus the MP's mind, not the MP's own agenda. These bills serve a purpose, but that does not include introducing legislation that was not in the manifesto. JPO should have stated his views and intentions prior to an election as the Labour Leader has very correctly done, distinguishing himself from Lawrence Gonzi who would never have proposed the inroduction of divorce in an electoral programme. He didn't because he wants the limelight. It is puerile to crow about J Muscat being upstaged when all he has done was respect our parliamentary democracy. For once Alfred Sant is right -JPO is politically and morally corrupt, and has hijacked an issue of huge national importance to further his own interests. I am, by the way, in favour of divorce. And disgusted that JPO might in any way be credited for it.

H Galea

Jul 7th 2010, 10:54

Gonzi is not the first time to be surprised, no it's not one of the mirages we hear every weak, it's real. we are in a good pair of hands.It is Friday the 13th.