Christian Peregin
Anti-divorce Facebook group joined by two Nationalist MPs
An anti-divorce Facebook group which has already garnered the support of 1,500 members has been joined by Nationalist MPs Franco Debono and Edwin Vassallo.
But when contacted, Dr Debono said he could not really remember joining the group.
“If you say I’m on the group, then yes I’m on the group. I’m taking your word for it. I’m not contesting it... In principle, I am not in favour of divorce. But there is an ongoing discussion and I intend to follow it...”
He stressed, however, that he was not one to take a “frontline” stance on this issue and there were other MPs for that. He said he was more interested in issues such as the South and the right to a lawyer when under arrest.
Mr Vassallo, on the other hand, was more convinced about his membership in the group and said he was yet to be persuaded that divorce could remedy the situation today.
“I’ve been saying this... I am convinced because I know the consequences that divorce has had abroad. As chairman of the Social Affairs Committee I’m constantly in touch with the consequences of separation. I think divorce will just make the pain worse.”
The group also attracted the much-loved sexagenarian rock ’n’ roll star Freddie Portelli, ironically famous for his break-up song Mur u Ħallini (Go and leave me alone).
The group, titled “We say no to divorce in Malta”, starts by pointing out that Malta is one of only two countries in the world which do not permit divorce.
“We aim at gathering those who understand that we should not follow where others have failed. It is our conviction, supported by statistics, that divorce should not be legalised.”
The group’s young creators, Benjamin Camilleri and Alexander Vivian Grima, appealed for anyone who does not favour divorce to join the group, regardless of their reasons.
“Many people argue that divorce is unholy and it goes against the wishes of God and the Church. At the same time there are those who do not believe in divorce, not for spiritual reasons but more in terms of social morals... This group is aimed at gathering all anti-divorce Maltese people into a single group, whatever the reason may be.
“We may not agree on why divorce should not be introduced in Malta, but we all have a common enemy, divorce itself.”
When contacted, Mr Camilleri said he had not expected such a “huge and fervent” response but always believed there was a silent majority against divorce which is afraid of making its voice heard.
In fact he said he had “no qualms” about there being a referendum on the issue.
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Joe Zammit
Jul 31st 2010, 16:23
Always remember the words spouses say when they get married:
"For better for worse, for poorer for richer, in sickness and in health till death do us part." So, all spouses are excluding divorce.
No MP can vote in favour of divorce without sinning seriously against God. If an MP votes for divorce he or she is betraying Christ. And I seriously warn each MP: Be careful, because God is not asleep! I hope all MPs will understand what I am saying!
k.pace
Jul 30th 2010, 18:40
There are bad people doing good things and good people doing bad things. But for good people to do evil things that takes religion. Now think of those women living in fear of their ever brutal husband and those children dreading the moment their 'father' comes home..........
Joseph Calleja
Jul 30th 2010, 19:48
How very well said! I also want to add.. Women waiting for their husbands to come home after a visit to their mistress. Never under estimate a woman.....She knows. I wonder if the holier than thou ever ran across these families? Only he who stirs the pot knows.
david debattista
Jul 31st 2010, 01:05
Something is terribly wrong here. Now he is telling us how to vote or else we are evil!
Their are times when some things are better left untold .
Joe Zammit
Jul 30th 2010, 16:27
A Catholic is Catholic always and everywhere. So discussing a topic from a civic point of view does in no way mean that a Catholic is on leave from his obligations towards God and his one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. No Catholic can ever accept evil, like divorce, in his civic arguments. After all, Christ condemns divorce always (with no exception!) for our own good.
So the religious argument strengthens the civic argument because the Catholic has Christ enlightening words to convince him or her that divorce is evil and as such is always to the detriment of society.
Joseph Calleja
Jul 30th 2010, 17:53
" After all, Christ condemns divorce always (with no exception!) for our own good." And yet Christ told St Peter to abandon his wife and kids and follow him so he can make him fisher of men. Isn't that worse than divorce? What are you saying here? It is Ok for St Peter to abandon his wife and kids but it's wrong for the State to grant a divorce. Religion is not a matter of convenience, we don't even know if St Peter was happily married and was told to leave his wife and kids. Check Mathew? Again, very confusing? According to you it's OK for one but not the other? Mr Zammit et al, who told you divorce is evil? Or MPs that are in favour of divorce are evil? judge and jury again? Divorce can be a good thing. Having kids out of wedlock and not knowing who the father is, now that is evil.
Joe Zammit
Jul 31st 2010, 16:19
Joseph, what is evil is not said by you or me but by Christ and his one Catholic Church. Only they have the right and authorisation to tell us what is evil or not. Divorce is evil because in marriage it is God who is uniting two together and no man must put asunder what God has joined together.
No MP can vote in favour of divorce without sinning seriously against God. If an MP votes for divorce he or she is betraying Christ. And I seriously warn each MP: Be careful, because God is not asleep! I hope all MPs will understand what I am saying!
Edric Micallef Figallo
Jul 30th 2010, 15:33
Seems like the journalist here wants to water down Hon. Debono's position against divorce. What is expected, that a person knows or remembers all the facebook groups he joins? As if that would be one of the most important things on the mind of someone.
Anyways, Hon. Debono was as clear as it gets on what counts. He is against divorce as a matter of principle. Well done for that, and well done and said by Hon. Vassallo as well.
Well done to the group's creators as well, it gives hope to see that they're actually quite young and willing to go against the current.
Joe Zammit
Jul 30th 2010, 11:17
Divorce is a great social evil. Marriage is for ever.
No MP can vote in favour of divorce. To divorce is evil and condemned by God. God unites a couple in marriage and no one, no State has the right to dissolve their marriage.
Divorce is a grave sin. Helping anyone to divorce is equally a grave sin. Voting in parliament in favour of divorce is grave sin that separates that MP from God and puts him on the way to hell. Divorce pleases only the devil and his followers.
DIVORCE NEVER!
Joseph Calleja
Jul 30th 2010, 17:06
Joe you sound like one of the old preachers in the old west, condemning everything and everybody. An Mp has every right and obligation to vote what he thinks is best for the people who elected him/her. As you are very well aware there are two kinds of marriages, one by the church and one by the State. The church has every right to do what it pleases but the State has to do what the State wants without any interference from the church. Just a reminder Mr Zammit et al that you can get married by the church and the State both but you cannot get married just by the church, well at least not in Malta. On the other hand you can get married by the State and not by the church. Does that make sense? probably not. That is why there should be the separation of church and State. So in conclusion, the State can grant a divorce even if the church does not agree. This would protect the right of non catholics or those who prefer not to abide by the catholic church rulings.
Kat Gauci
Jul 30th 2010, 10:25
I know who i will not be voting for in the next election! May we know the position of all the MPs and the prospective candidates.
Joe Zammit
Jul 30th 2010, 16:07
VOTE ONLY FOR MPs WHO ARE AGAINST THE EVIL OF DIVORCE!