Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, who is lobbying for divorce through a Private Member's Bill, was yesterday faced with a huge billboard on the Żebbuġ church parvis with the words: "Divorce: God doesn't want it".

Dr Pullicino Orlando, who hears Mass occasionally, attended an annual Mass said by archpriest Fr Daniel Cardona at the St Joseph band club, situated opposite the Żebbuġ parish church. On the parvis, a sponsored billboard stood as a reminder to churchgoers about where they should stand in the fiery debate.

Dr Pullicino Orlando was visibly surprised by the billboard but he apparently took the message on the chin.

"I totally understand the position of the Church on this issue," he said when contacted, adding that he did not want to make any further comments on the matter.

Fr Cardona said the billboard was partly a reaction to the divisive debate sparked by Dr Pullicino Orlando but was "not only" aimed at him. In fact, the billboard was part of a larger anti-divorce campaign the parish decided to launch to target both churchgoers and non-believers. "For those who believe in God, we are asking them if they are going to consider what God thinks about this issue."

Asked whether Dr Pullicino Orlando was still welcome to attend Mass, Fr Cardona said: "I don't agree with his views or the way he went about this issue but everybody is welcome." Fr Cardona said Catholics could only accept divorce if it were proven that it would serve to benefit the common good.

He was asked to comment about the views expressed by priest philosopher Fr Peter Serracino Inglott who recently argued that, if it were scientifically proven that society would be better off with divorce, it would be a Catholic MP's duty to vote in favour.

Describing Fr Serracino Inglott's views as "very balanced", Fr Cardona said that if the country had deteriorated to such an extent that divorce would actually improve the situation then he too would agree. However, he stressed that God's views against the separation of married couples would remain and should not be dismissed.

"In principle, God was always against divorce," he said.

Dr Pullicino Orlando presented a divorce Bill at the beginning of this month on his own steam, without informing the Nationalist Party about his plans.

He said he was eyeing January as the month when the Bill could be discussed.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has expressed himself against divorce but said he was willing to allow for a social debate while Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat said he was in favour of divorce and would give a free vote to his MPs.

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