Christian Peregin
Curia had no say in anti-divorce billboard
The Curia was not asked for its blessing to the anti-divorce billboard set up by the parish of Żebbuġ, hometown of pro-divorce Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando.
However, when questioned, the Church’s leaders stopped short of saying they were distancing themselves from the parish’s move.
“This was a parish initiative. The Curia was not asked for its opinion so the responsibility falls totally on the parish,” a Curia spokesman told The Times when contacted.
The billboard which surprised Dr Pullicino Orlando when he attended Mass at the village band club on Sunday, reads: “Divorce: God doesn’t want it.”
It was set up by parish priest Fr Daniel Cardona after an internal discussion.
Fr Cardona said the billboard was partly a reaction to the divisive debate sparked by Dr Pullicino Orlando through his Private Member’s Bill on divorce, but was “not only” aimed at him.
The billboard was part of a larger anti-divorce campaign the parish had decided to launch to target 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,” Fr Cardona has said.
Meanwhile, the story sparked a strong online reaction yesterday as readers questioned whether this was the start of a harsh anti-divorce campaign by the Church.
“What’s next... the return of the Interdett?” one reader asked, referring to 1961 when the Church interdicted the Labour Party’s national executive. Some argued that the Church had every right to put forward its opinions on the matter while others said divorce did not apply to practising Catholics so its position was superfluous.
Meanwhile, other people who commented on timesofmalta.com pointed out that the billboard’s sponsor – an electronics company – got more advertising mileage than it had bargained for but may face a boycott by the pro-divorce lobby.
The sticklers for detail wondered whether the planning authority had given the parish the green light through a permit. However, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority did not reply to questions sent by The Times before going to print.
Dr Pullicino Orlando said he “totally understands” the position of the Church on this issue.
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...
43 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Connie Scerri
Jul 25th 2010, 22:31
Well Done! We need more Parish Priests like you!
Christian Sciberras
Jan 27th 2011, 09:37
Actually READ the article...
Ronald Zammit
Jul 21st 2010, 00:23
@Joe Zammit : Sooner or later you are going to be very disappointed cause whether you like it or not and dispite your crusade against divorce this will be legalized in the Maltese Islands. There is no other way out and the writing is clearly on the wall !!! You are fighting a lost battle my friend.So calm down and consider your position again.
Joe Zammit
Jul 20th 2010, 19:38
Christ spoke clearly about divorce. It is against the Law of God which is supreme. God's Law is above all national laws and above EU laws.
Christ told us that a man a woman enter marriage for life. What God has united let no man put asunder. This was true in the past, it is true now and will remain true for ever. Divorce is a grievous sin and entering into a second invalid marriage means living in adultery.
No MP can vote for divorce without sinning seriously against God. And, please, let no one think that God is asleep! Time will tell!
Joe Brincat
Jul 20th 2010, 23:28
No doubt the beliefs of Mr Joe Zammit are genuine. I find it difficult to reconcile them with what follows. (My source :www.rcsouthwark.co.uk/nullity.html) The Diocese of Southwark Uk advises as follows : "What should I do to start an annulment process?
First of all, speak to one of the priests or deacons in your parish, or perhaps to another priest or deacon known to you. He should be able to give you a preliminary enquiry form, in which you are asked to set out the principal facts concerning your marriage. It is the usual practice of the tribunal to require a couple to have obtained a divorce absolute decree before the annulment process begins.
This form, together with copies of your baptism and divorce certificates, is then sent to your local tribunal office.
If you live in Greater London South contact:
The Judicial Vicar
Southwark Metropolitan Tribunal
59 Westminster Bridge Road
LONDON
SE1 7JB
Tel: 020 7960 2514"
Archbishop Peter Smith, a Doctor in Canon Law, must be wrong when asking for a sinful divorce absolute decree. This means: first divorce, then annul. Or my understanding is wrong ?
Joe Brincat
Jul 20th 2010, 23:42
Lest no one think that when I said that Joe Zammit is genuine in his beliefs I was saying so with tongue in cheek, may I add this short note. I may not agree with him. But at least he argues his points and principles, without any personal attacks on those who disagree with him.
Ramon Casha
Jul 21st 2010, 06:35
I find it ironic that people who call themselves Christian (or at least, Catholics) are so unfamiliar with their scriptures.
It was Jesus himself who accepted divorce, in the gospel of Matthew, saying that divorce in the case of marital infidelity is not prohibited.
victor pulis
Jul 21st 2010, 10:45
With all due respect Dr. Brincat I see no argument in repeating the same verse from the bible ad nauseam. Mr Zammit brings no argument except that a man two thousand years ago is reported to have said that what god has unite let no man put assunder. Now he even has the gall to propose that even those couples married outside the church have no right to divorce.
No unlike you, I do not respect his fanatical opinion I'm sorry.
Raymond Bezzina
Jul 20th 2010, 17:55
Divorce is wrong even from a logical point of view, because divorce
gives one the right to take another person's spouse, and it also gives
one the right to break multiple families.
Divorce is an untisocial measure.
Mary Smith
Jul 23rd 2010, 21:42
@Joe Brincat
No you are not wrong. This is what I have been saying all along. I live in North America and in both Canada and the US, the Roman Catholic Church first requires a Divorce Absolute Decree before they can even consider taking-up a case for a Church Annulment.
Joe Zammit, are you listening????
Mikiel Sciberras
Jul 23rd 2010, 21:46
On the contrary, Divorce is a social measure instituted by the State for those whose marriages irrevocable broken-up. What is anti-social is dogmatism, imposition of your own private beliefs on others, and allowing dysfunctional families to live under the same roof in order to satisfy some criteria that is on the books of some cult or religion, ignoring real human suffering.
Please come out of your cocoon and join the rest of the human race, which by the way, is living in the 21st century and not the Middle Ages.
Ian Fenech
Jul 20th 2010, 17:09
and now thay want us to impose a ban on divorce??????????
And I haven't even mentioned that the church thought anti-sematism until the 1960's and its idiotic stand on the use of condoms in Africa for the prevention of Aids.
However, I'm sorry to say, that the most idiotic statement I have heard is that from our own Prime Minister - I am against divorce becasue I am in favour of the family. What is that supposed to mean. Speak to any children whose parents are always fighting and arguiing and ask them is they would prefer is they lived in a broken family or if there parents divporced and lived seperate lives.
To understand an argument you have to see both sides of a story. Hiding behind the religion argument make absolutely no sense. At the end of the day nobody is impsoing anyone to get a divorce. if you believe you shou;ld not get a ddivoprce all well and good, but don;t shove it down somebodys throat
Ian Fenech
Jul 20th 2010, 17:03
All these statements that divorce wil never come to Malta scare me. This doesn't make any sense as this means imposing one's beliefs on other people. Clearly what these peopel are sayng is if you don't like it get out. Does his make us any better that the muslims that we so clearly disagree with? This when Jesus wa the first to teach inclusion? Clearly state and church should be seperate from one another.
Then again how people can keep defending tha church as an institution i will never understand. The church as an organisation has done as much bad as it has done good. The argument that not all priests are not bad is not argument at all. This when church that killed millions of people in the name of religion and caused miserly for millions. To mention a few: 'The crusades, the inquisition, the persecution of Jewish people for hundreds of years, the forced conversion of indigenious poeple to christianity especially in south america, the african slave trade, the injustices to women, padeophilia, the silence during hilters final solution..... the list is endless. Only recently have they admitted that Galileo was actually right with his theories.
Joe Zammit
Jul 20th 2010, 15:59
Divorce is the declaration that a marriage has been dissolved. No State has the power to make such declaration. In marriage the State has ABSOLUTELY no say.
In every marriage it is God who is uniting two together and Christ commanded (not advised!) us that what God has united let no man, no State put asunder. Divorce is always evil.
The two characteristics of marriage are UNITY and INDISSOLUBILITY. So marriage is for ever.
DIVORCE NEVER!
leonardo vince
Jul 20th 2010, 16:22
Divorce is already with us.
John Borg
Jul 20th 2010, 17:40
Joe Zammit for Pope, Prime Minister, President and Chief Magistrate....... God help us
Ernest Vella
Jul 20th 2010, 15:34
Il-Bill Board m'ghandux bzonn permessi ghax qieghed fuq propjeta tal-Knisja...mill-banda l-ohra l-bankina llegali li hemm quddiem il-kazin tal-Labour ghada hemm!!! Imma nsomma allajbierek il-Knisja biss ghanda taghlaq halqa...min ma joghgbux ma jharrisx lejn il-bill board u daqshekk...Ha noqghodu naghmlu kaz min poster li turi opinjoni differenti...hadd ma qal xejn fuq tal-"Crash Helmet" - ara pajjiz li tisthi tghix fih
victor caruana
Jul 20th 2010, 15:27
If the church goes back to the dark ages and raise a campaign against divorce, we would set up a parallel campaign against a paedophilic church.
those in glass houses should not throw.....
Paul Smith
Jul 20th 2010, 14:37
has Fr Cardona
asked God what his views are on divorce? If he has managed to find some magical way of comunicating with him, perhaps he could patent it, i'm sure he will become very wealthy
:)
Joseph MELI
Jul 20th 2010, 14:31
Jesus Christ endorsed the original concept of marriage [see Matthew Chapter 19: verse 3 to 6]and thus marriage was originally...blessed..by God as the only chosen human relationship. Then the problem of modern society is simply because they either have neglected their religion or His..commandments or their...Christian Faith.
It seem that many are those that are forgetting not only the ten Commandments, but are neglecting these from one generation to another. Yet we must not forgotten what the Lord our God said to....Moses in [Deut..Chap 6:verses 5to9] and to all those that might come after him[Moses]..(that us too). You must love your God with all your heart, soul and strength, so commit yourself to his Commandments that He gave us, repeat them over and over again, to your children, talk about them at home, when you are out with friends, before you sleep and when you wake up. To remember them, put them on your forehead(means...learn...by...heart).
Yet even God had...emphasized the importance of parents in teaching the....Holy Bible to our children, but if we forgot these, what are we teaching our Children, how to play..games, how to be sexy, how to be a bully with others ?
Joe Brincat LL.D
Jul 20th 2010, 14:09
The Church, and any religion at that, has a right to use modern means of communication in its mission. Or do we believe only in the freedom of the press ? So, it is legitimate to put up billboards, provided MEPA gives its approval. That is the law of the land, unless MEPA at times takes a nap.
What is wrong is the advertisement underneath, which is more colourful than the message. It is cocktail of two messages, one spiritual, and I have no problem with that, and another commercial. St Gregory the Great divided simony in three parts. One of them is "munus a manu"- exchange of money or money's worth for spiritual things. That is what jars. Simony is not a question for the parish church to decide. So at least the commercial should be removed. MEPA, take my word, will not intervene. It would have been more prudent that the billboard was sponsored by the anonymous parishioners who share the belief in the principle of the spiritual message.
Anton Portelli
Jul 20th 2010, 13:11
mr Joe Zammit
"What the Zebbug parish has done against divorce is morally good."
It would have been much more morally good if the bill board read:
ALLA MA JRIDX QASSISIN PEDOFILI U LANQAS KATTOLICI INTOLLERANTI
Joe Zammit
Jul 20th 2010, 15:50
Anton, 99.9% of Catholic priests are faithful, hard-working and loyal to God and his one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Only 0.075% of her priests are ALLEGED paedophiles. We thank God for that. Four weeks ago our Archbishop ordained NINE new young Maltese priests and the Bishop of Gozo ordained SIX new young deacons to become priests next year!
S. Callus
Jul 22nd 2010, 08:08
Joe Zammit, ghalli jista jkun qed tghid li il-pedofilija tal-qassisin ma tezistix jew li hi ftit? Vera mintix tghix la f'Malta u l-anqas f'din id-dinja. Ghalli jista jkun mintix qed tghid li la huma qassisin ghamlu tajjeb hux? Vera kulur wiehed biss tara int.
Kieku ma kienux f''numru kbir kieku ma nahsibx li il-papa kien se jinhela jikteb u jitrasmetti il-messaggi mad-dinja kollha dwar dawn il-kazijiet u x'qed isir kontra dawn il-qassisin. Kieku il-vatikan ma kienx se jahdem daqshekk fuqha. Mur ghid lil dawk li gew imkissrin minn xi qassis jew xi membru iehor tal-knisja halli tkun taf kemm huma biss 99.9% u il-kumplament just "alleged". Hallina u ikber ftit ghar-realta u il-hsara li saret. Tara bis dak li jaqbillek.
Mark ZErafa
Jul 20th 2010, 12:34
What's all the fuss about? Divorce is the dissolution of a civil union by the state. The "Sacramental union", wil be unaffected. So the Church is interfering in matters beyond her jurisdiction.
G Snook
Jul 20th 2010, 12:02
For Joe Zammit :
If divorce is so evil, is Malta one of the few countries in the world whose people are " Good Catholics" because they have kept the evil out ?
I also believe that divorce does not apply to practising Catholics so its position is superfluous.
David Galea
Jul 20th 2010, 11:24
and so the truth comes out - the Church's political agenda coming to the fore without even the guts to admit it and hiding behind the actions (however misguided) of one parish priest who, in all probability will be up for a promotion pretty soon for his daring act.
Just come out and say it - the Church is (although it shouldn't) a political force in our country and will never relinquish the stronghold it has over its followers in trying to influence the country's political agenda to suit it best.
While its intentions may, and I do have a little faith left in the institution of the Catholic Church to believe this, be well intentioned, it is not the place of the church to lobby or otherwise influence a debate on a matter of pure civil law.
"God does not want this"!!! C'mon!! Are we back to the time of the crusades, when priests yell "God wills it" at the massacre of non-catholics and the flock follow orders blindly? Is JPO going to be excommunicated by the Catholic Church for bringing up this topic now?
Dr Charles F. Grech
Jul 20th 2010, 10:56
The Rev. parish priest quoted the bible as this is his duty. One needs to see what the others intend to do. As for the church itself, it ought to speak out clearly on the subject and ask its followers to take a moral stand. Naturally for those who marry under civil law the situation may be different. Marriage breakdown is always a tragedy leading to much anguish and suffering. Maybe our politicians could try to debate what is causing so much marriage breakdown and try to create a positive environment in our society to help married couples make a success of thier marriage!
victor rodenas
Jul 20th 2010, 10:43
I have never seen a....`hijja la tidghix`...(brother do not swear) sign as big as that billboard.Usually such signs are only a few centimeters large...who knows maybe if there are sponsors ,...~hijja la tidghix~ signs will get bigger .
peter spiteri
Jul 20th 2010, 10:38
Vera pajjiz ta' wara l-muntanji...
Manuel Cassar
Jul 20th 2010, 10:26
I support the parish of Zebbug Malta for the initiative in this debate. May all parishes do likewise. Off course the church will only instruct the supposed catholic faithful and those who say they dont believe in God, but dont think for a moment that the Catholic Church of which WE the people form part of, will remain silent while Malta burns. Never. And I suggest to all priests to take the cudgels and start instructing church goers and those who say they are catholics to counter all this immoral, perverse and vulgar propaganda being branded by the tiny minority in favour of divorce, with the aid of all the media, for theiir own personal selves.
The Church is part of the el;ectorate and part of our civil life and will not let a minority impose its views on the majority of the people.
Joe Zammit
Jul 20th 2010, 09:55
What the Zebbug parish has done against divorce is morally good. There is no need for permission for every spiritual and religious activity carried out in each parish.
As far as I know the curia did not order the Zebbug parish priest to take it off. In case, obedience is to reign supreme. God blesses our work done in obedience, and he blesses it abundantly. Disobedience is the means used by the devil and his followers.
I am sure that other parishes in Malta and Gozo have already started planning to enlighten their parishioners on the evil of divorce and the bad effects it will have on the whole of society.
Join in the battle between God and the devil! Fight the good fight! The victory is ours, it's already guaranteed!
Charles Sammut
Jul 20th 2010, 10:26
Thank you Joe Zammit. You have eloquently expressed the pitiful state of mind of the local Church.
victor pulis
Jul 20th 2010, 10:34
During the crusades the christians used to go into battle with the shout "God wills it" still they lost the Holy land. So don't be so sure of victory. and anyway if it is guaranteed why all the hysterics and panic?
Divorce will be introduced eventually. It is a question of when rather than if. See the signs of the times
Paul Barrett
Jul 20th 2010, 10:59
1. There are only two things guaranteed in this world - Death and Taxes.
2. Reading the comments regarding this billboard on here yesterday, I must applaud those so strongly against divorce for their arguments. By the time this has finished being debated just about every sentence regarding marriage and divorce from the good book will have ended up being published.
However it does not get over the social problem of so many couples, married but not living together, having children with another married or single partner with whom they are prevented from legally getting married to. Denying people the opportunity to legitimize their relationship in the eyes of the law and society is an injustice and totally unfair on the innocent.
This is a civil matter and in no way effects those that do not wish to, for any reason, re-marry. I find it difficult therefore to understand why there is so much deep and hurtful opposition to prevent others perhaps less fortunate than most, from trying to find happiness following a previous matrimonial disaster.
If you are worried about your own marriage ending in divorce then your really need to get to work on your own relationship.
David Galea
Jul 20th 2010, 11:33
Joe Zammit - you really wouldn't be out of place in the 1500s on crusade would you?
"Fight the good fight against the devil" - are you serious? You're as bad as Moslem fanatics calling Jihad on something - but maybe you're too blinded by your "faith" to see the parallel.
While certain moslem states have Sharia law - where at least the governments do not pretend that there is separation of "church" and State (and oh how the supposedly righteous in our deeply religious country deride them for their narrow mindedness and backward thinking) - we are now apparently developing Curia law - where the archaic teachings of an institution that has absolutely no connection with the government appear to be influencing and directing our political and legal agenda. Charming.
And a question for Mr Joe Zammit - what would you do, if divorce, as an embodiment of evil (your words not mine mind you) actually did become law? Would you stand outside the law courts with rocks in your hands, waiting for the "sinners" and screaming "Haggru!!".
Joe, Richard Lionheart called - he'd love you to join his crusade. Now where's that time machine?
tony Zerafa
Jul 20th 2010, 12:09
If the victory is already yours, Why then bother to start a war?
I should be free to negate my membership to the church I was made a member of by my blinded parents. Man needs Spirituality but he does not need a Religion and neither a Church. If the Catholic Church wants to continue to punish and subdue its members, I do not want to have any part in it. WHEN Divorce is in, this avenue of credit from Annulments will end.
If I am Maltese and I have freed myself from the Church I call myself ‘non-Catholic’, and I have any right to be and so does any Maltese Citizen why are we negated our legal right for divorce? Who is the Church to impede the right the whole World has to divorce. As any other Church she has only the right to teach its members to not divorce but not encumber me who is not a member of the church.
When divorce is legal in Malta I hope that those people who had to seek divorce in other country will sue the Church for the money that had to spend overseas because they could not divorce here.
Mark Zerafa
Jul 20th 2010, 12:19
Battle between God and the Devil.... the good fight.... Victory is guaranteed...
Give us a break Joe, will you?
Toni Bajada
Jul 20th 2010, 12:33
Yada - Yada - Yada...
Daisy Decelis
Jul 20th 2010, 13:50
It is up to each and everyone to decide if they need divorce or not but it would be very egoistic and arrogant (both of which are sins) if those "believers" think they are almighty and feel that they are in a position to decide what "non-believers" should do.
It is up to the church to enforce its doctrine amongst those who opt to follow its rules but those who opt to stay out should not have their lives seriously impaired by arrogance and intollerance!
Guido Farrugia
Jul 20th 2010, 14:04
You're being pathetic. Why do you keep insisting we should abide by your church? How dare you talk on my behalf? I don't believe in your god or the devil you mention, so where's my fight? Victory is ours!!!! Who's ours? You know what , you're inciting a battle and here goes, i'm your enemy. Is that what your religion is all about? Always was and always will be, crusades, inquisitions, Interdett. Now it's Divorce and JPO. Ok, hon Jpo, kindly allow me to be your general during the so called battle. Vera stupidu
C Fenech
Jul 20th 2010, 14:24
Is this post sarcastic? I hope it is...
Ronald Zammit
Jul 20th 2010, 14:36
JOE ZAMMIT you are totally brain washed!!! I myself am happily married with two grown up kids and Divorse is not in my line. So WHAT??? Who am I to interfere in what others believe and needs? The same goes for you, you have the right to be against divorse and nobody will force you to it but for christ's sake you have NO RIGHT to impose your believes on others who do not share your way of thinking. So show more maturity, grow up and let others decide for themselves. Don't be SO NAIVE !!! The days of darkness (Sixties) and imposing are over.We are in the EU now and what's good for the goose is also good for the gender.