Bishops warn against divorce ‘crusades’
The bishops yesterday urged the faithful to contribute to the divorce debate but warned against the dangers of embarking on “crusades”.
“We ask everybody who contributes to this debate not to distort the love for each person ingrained in the Christian message by embarking on some kind of crusade, even in the case of clear signs of provocation,” the bishops said in a pastoral note.
In a two-and-a-half-page letter, the bishops gave the Maltese Church’s most detailed opinion and advice on divorce to date.
It has been seven weeks since Nationalist backbencher Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando presented a Private Member’s Bill in favour of the introduction of divorce, which is not available to couples in Malta.
However, in a carefully-worded statement, the bishops steered away from controversy in the wake of recent comments made by Pro-Vicar Anton Gouder who linked divorce with sin.
Archbishop Paul Cremona and Gozo Bishop Mario Grech said: “We urge committed Church members, both on a personal level, according to one’s state in life and responsibility in society, and in ecclesiastical groups, to contribute positively to this debate.”
However, they warned followers against staging a “crusade” by whatever means, since it im-plied seeking a victory over people with different beliefs and opinions.
The bishops said the Church had always spoken about the beauty and importance of marriage, and had based its teachings on the words of Christ.
The Christian heritage received through the Catholic Church has helped most families throughout the centuries to be reared in stable marriages, even in times of poverty and emigration.
Even today, in their desire to form a family, most spouses still looked towards entering into a stable marriage, though unfortunately, the bishops pointed out, there was an increasing number of marriage breakdowns.
Each marriage breakdown brought much suffering to the spouses, immediate relatives, and especially to children. This was a challenge which the Church and Maltese society at large had to confront, the bishops said.
The Church had helped couples in preparing for marriage, and sustained them throughout. It had also offered its help when marriages broke down and provided shelter for children and victims of violence in the home. It was convinced that this suffering would only decrease by investing in more stable marriages.
The Church said it promoted marriage and defended it because ultimately this would result in fewer breakdowns.
“How can one now expect that it will not be speaking out for preventive measures by promoting and defending the stability of marriage? This is the reason why it always produces statistics and studies which prove that society suffers both in human terms and financially from the introduction of divorce.”
The bishops said the Church was committed to conveying these values: for its members who sought its direction, and for many others who would like to hear alternative views so as to be able to make a better, enlightened choice.
In a pluralistic society, the bishops said, there should never be just one opinion voiced and it was a disservice to democracy to try to silence other points of view.
As there were those who promoted divorce in a pluralistic society, the Church’s mission was to promote the stability of marriage, insisting on the moment of consent as the focal point of commitment.
“Every Christian is accountable before the Lord for his every action. We as bishops have spoken on many occasions about the accountability of every person even in this matter. It should be a great privilege for every committed member of the Church to say before the Lord that he has done his part in promoting and defending these values that Jesus insisted so much upon in His teachings.”
The bishops concluded their pastoral note by quoting Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Malta last April when he said the island should continue to stand up for the indissolubility of marriage.
“May his words encourage us to carry out this mission for our Maltese society.”
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S. Azzopardi
Aug 31st 2010, 09:08
Ara x'qalulek Joe Zammit
“We ask everybody who contributes to this debate not to distort the love for each person ingrained in the Christian message by embarking on some kind of crusade, even in the case of clear signs of provocation,”
Int wiehed minn dawk li qed taghmel il-crusades ghax mintix kapaci taccetta lil haddiehor u dak li jahseb. Qed jghidulek huma stess biex talaqlu. Hlief dizgwid ma gibtx f'dawn ix-xhur bil-kummenti tieghek. Mohhok biex tajjar in-nies midinba, xitan tiela u xitan niezel. L-inqas kattoliku hawn huwa int.
Dr Joe Brincat
Aug 31st 2010, 06:42
This article is an artistically contrived cut and paste from various others. Part from the pastoral note, part from JPO, part from Joseph Muscat, etc.
If it can make a positive contribution, it should serve to discuss in a concrete way what should be done to have more stable marriages. What are the problems that drain a marriage? What assistance, in a modern context, should be made available to couples in difficulties?
Even second marriages (after a Church or civil annulment, or a foreign divorce ) can face the same problems as the first.
Legislation by itself does very little. It may regulate the effects of a union between a man and a woman. (I give an example. Legislation may punish excessive drunkenness , but does it solve the problems of the alcoholic?). Legislation is often reactive and follows people's choices which start having an effect on society . An example is having two witnesses in a marriage ceremony. Laws became necessary after certain practices.
Before legal solutions what are the human solutions ?
Sabrina Borda
Aug 30th 2010, 18:14
It sounds to me more like a polite declaration of war no matter how plebeian his call, as the bishop tries to show he has his best foot forward to have a serious debate, he starts rallying support from the flock ; and so he should, no reason why the church should not have its supporters, just like politics. Nobody should have anything against a sustainable, loving, happy marriage and one should strive for it. But yet again the bishop will kick down to hell all those who need a divorce. Then what debate does he plan on having if he makes people who need a divorce feel dejected and cursed. Any debate on this subject with the church is a delusion for their position is firm. They need not even pretend it. They do not want the Maltese to be like the rest of European divorced able to re marry and start a happy life because they really believe they can do better if they are punished. What a fabrication !
M.Farrugia
Aug 30th 2010, 08:47
jista il-PRO tal-kurja jghid ghaliex din il-pastorali la nhar is-sibt u lanqas il-hadd ma inqrat fil-knejjes bhal kull pastorali oħra. Jiena kemm is-sibt kif ukoll il-hadd attendejt il-quddies izda fiz-zewg knejjes li attendejt din ma inqratx. Se jigi introdott xi metodu gdid kif il-knijsa Maltija se tibda tikkomunika maghna il-Kattolici li ghadna nattendu il-quddies b'interess, jew inkella xi parir ta' xi bravi li jaghtu pariri lil Kurja Maltija. Ninsab certa li jekk pastorali tinqara fil-knisja zgur ma tista tigi definita bhala krucjata. Nispera li taht l-amministrazzjoni presenti tal-Kinsja Maltija mhux se naqaw fi Knisja tas-Silenzju sabiex nogbu lil xi settur tal-pubbliku jew inkella lil politikanti. Napella sabiex minghajr ebda KRUCJATA ninfurmaw ghalinqas lil-POPLU LI GHADU KATTOLIKU. Sabiex isemma lehnu l-poplu kattoliku irrid l-ewwel nies ikun jaf ezatt kif tahsiba l-Knisja Kattolika Maltija.
George Vella
Aug 30th 2010, 03:10
According to the very first Articles of the Maltese Constitution the Holy Roman Catholic Church is recognized as the official religion of the Maltese Islands.
Trough these articles the Church in Malta has not only a constitutional right, but an obligation to direct the faithful according to the Holy Scriptures and the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Anyone in Malta who is not in accord to our Constitution, first and foremost has to change the this to oblige the Maltese Catholic Church to shut up re the issue of divorce and any other future issues re spiritual matters.
So the Maltese Catholic should not be afraid but to speak up.
Mary Smith
Aug 30th 2010, 22:51
The Maltese Catholics have a moral obligation not to impose their religious beliefs, especially those pertaining to divorce, down the throats of their fellow Maltese citizens who do not adhere to that same religious zealotry, the Constitution notwithstsanding!
And speaking of the Constitiution, this was enacted by Government and Government has the moral duty to amend the Constitution to ensure that there is a definite separation between Religion and State and that it does not create inequalities between citizens due to religion or other matters. For this reason, no religion should ever be mentioned or given special favours in any Constitution. Check out the Constitutions of the other EU countries and see if they give any privileges to the Catholic Church. I think not.
Ed. Galea UK
Aug 29th 2010, 18:39
What does he know about it i he never got married, its easily said then done. I still mentain that religion is the no 1 root to all the world's problems including wars with various different religions.
john borg
Aug 29th 2010, 19:52
Our christian ten comandments are more or less found in every religion and adopted by every civilized country`s laws, no theft, no killing, respect others etc ,what you are referring to are fanatics, like the ones we find in our festas and opposing clubs.....again you rarely see them in church.
R.Borg
Aug 29th 2010, 18:16
This was a pastoral NOTE from our bishops. OK and thank you. But may I ask: why was this PASTORAL note not read out during the week-end Sunday Liturgy. People are reading less and few consult the internet. It is one thing hearing about the pastoral note and another thing knowing its contents. Can the Catholic Commmunity have an explanation about this from the Curia's PRO?
m.zammit
Aug 29th 2010, 17:51
"Many of us are not interested in what it says in your dusty old Bible. "Karl Consiglio meta titkellem dwar il-Bibja tkellem ghalik habib. Minghandu problema ghax iz-zwieg tieghu ma irnexxix mhux tort tal-knisja zgur imma tort ta dik il-kopja li ma ghamiltx xogholha sewwa qabel ħadet dan il-pass. F'Malta hawn eluf li iz-zwieg taghhom ghadu dan wara 30, 40 u anki 50 sena izda l-generazzjoni tal-lum tbeded minn Alla u qed ikollha dawn il-problemi li gabet b'idejha hija stess.
George Vella
Aug 30th 2010, 03:18
Well said m.zammit, not only that but open a door to a flock of sheep without a shephard and they all fall off the cliff.
M.farrugia
Aug 29th 2010, 17:44
Sur Isqfijiet, mod specjali Monsinjur Pawlu Cremona kunu diretti fil-twemmin tal-Knisja u xejn aktar. Il-merhla trid lir-raghaj li jmexxija u ir-raghaj ta Malta mhux Monsinjur Gouder imma Monsinjur Cremona, allura irridu nisimaw minghandek car u tond dwar id-divorzju u l-istand li se tiehu il-Knisja. Naf li dak li gara fis-sittinijiet mhux tajjeb ghal lum imma l-poplu ma ghandux ikun imhawwad b'dak li jghid it-tali qassis, jew monsinjur. Hemm bzonn ta direzzjoni car mill-Kurja ta' Malta u hekk qed nistennew ahna il-fidi lejali lejn il-Knisja. Jekk ma issirx hekk il-Knisja f'Malta se tkompli titkisser ghax id-dudu ghadu hemm. Il-Papa baqa impressjonat b'dak li ra Malta imma zgur li ma jafx l-istorja kollha, fiex tinsab il-Knisja ta' Malta
J Farrugia
Aug 30th 2010, 00:09
L-istand tal-Knisja huwa wiehed car u tond u ilu 2000 sena u mhxu kemm ser tghix int. U lill-isqfijeit indirizzahom sew jekk taf jew ghandek prudenza. LE GHAD-DIVORZJU F'PAJJIZNA. U DAWK IL-KATTOLICI LI JAQBLU MAD-DIVORZJU IMORRU JHABBTU BIEB IEHOR GHAX MHUMIEX KATTOLICI. U MA JOQGHODUX JIPPRETENDU LI HUMA KATTOLICI GHAX MHUMIEX. Jew m'Alla jew kontrih. Ghazlu. Id-divorzju ikun is-sahta ta' Malta daqs kemm huwa d-dagha. U l-knisja ser tibqa titkellem jghixu x;jghidu l-Isqfijiet. Ghandha dritt tiftah ghajnejn il-poplu Mallti bil-konsegwenzi serji u ta' hsara ghall-Malta jekk allahares qatt xi hadd idahhal id-divorzju f'pajjizna.
George Vella
Aug 30th 2010, 03:28
M.farrugia, tough times have changed I assure you that the Church in Malta is still very strong.
Yet I fully agree with you that any issue re divorce should be handled by our Bishops and not by individual priests or other clerics. They should not be afraid because according to our Constitution they have a full right to do so and apart from that as it is written " The gates of hell shall not prevail against it".
victor pulis
Aug 29th 2010, 17:14
Jesus only mentioned one instance where a husband could divorce his wife. had he lived today perhaps he would have added "and the wife can divorce her husband on the ground of physical and mental violence." Who knows?
George Vella
Aug 30th 2010, 03:43
Mr.Pulis it does not take a policeman to understand what Our Lord Jesus Christ meant, it goes vice versa. Every man in the street understand this and there was no need for the Son of God to repeat !
victor pulis
Aug 30th 2010, 10:53
George a very much doubt it. if you know anything about the status women held back then perhaps you would think differently.
Karl Consiglio
Aug 29th 2010, 15:44
Joe Zammit,
Many of us are not interested in what it says in your dusty old Bible. We just want Malta democratically aligned with the rest of the civilized world.
john borg
Aug 29th 2010, 18:11
yes ...aligned with the wrong side, how funny some people greeted the pope only weeks ago with one hand and the other one already holding the divorce knife behind their backs. the bishops call not to enbark on crusades....not directly against people promoting divorce, but it will be an epic battle for our faith, and our bishops are facing a great responsability.
George Vella
Aug 30th 2010, 03:38
Mr.John Borg I assure that our Bishops will face the challenge without fear and in good faith.
@Mr. Karl Consiglio I counsel you that my Holy Bible is not dusty but as fresh as ever. You proved to be decadent because you let dust fall on it for you had put it to a side ...if you have one of course!
Joe Zammit
Aug 29th 2010, 13:36
“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that every one who divorces his wife, except on the ground of fornication, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery” (Mt.5, 31-32).
Christ is not saying 'in case of unfaithfulness' but in case of fornication. Fornication is done between two unmarried persons. Otherwise, what sense do the words of Christ make when he told us "what God has joined together, let no man put asunder?
Otherwise, it would be so easy for all married people to divorce, just be unfaithful! As easy as that!
Christ condemned divorce for all people. There is no possibility of divorce even in the case of unfaithfulness. Divorce never!
The Catholic Church, as the one holy Apostolic Church of Christ has NEVER resorted to divorce in her 2000-year history. Only the other churches which are false have introduced in them the evil of divorce to prove they are not the Church of Christ.
sandro pace
Aug 29th 2010, 16:00
Neither shall the Church discourage seperation in cases of infidelity or physical violence. It would be putting the receiving side in a great health risk, in both cases. As far as I know, putting oneself in harms way, unnecessarily and where it can be avoided, is unChristian in itself.
In my opinion, the Church should never consider sinners or sinning those on the recieving side who seek a fault divorce, after a relationship of sufferance. In God's eyes, they are surely not.
wally vella-zarb
Aug 29th 2010, 16:06
Joe Zammit, first you quote that “But I say to you that every one who DIVORCES HIS WIFE, except ON THE GROUND OF FORNICATION, makes her an adulteress” and then you clarify that “Fornication is done between two UNMARRIED persons”.
Clearly (hopefully?), even you can appreciate that a ‘wife’ does not qualify as an ‘unmarried person’. She is either one or the other. By your own definition, a wife cannot be guilty of ‘fornication’!
Therefore, by your own ‘explanation’, whoever said those words either did not know what he was talking about or else he had a twisted sense of humour!
I am now more than ever convinced that your bishops are ‘enjoying’ your lay crusade; perhaps your next step would be to condemn them to eternal damnation, as you have done with practically everybody who does not toe your fundamentalist line?
Truly it is said that "Those whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad"! (ancient proverb, sometimes wrongly attributed to Euripides).
Paul Barrett
Aug 29th 2010, 16:35
Joe, no one is asking the Catholic Church to resort to bringing in divorce or even recognise divorce. It is however no reason to call every other branch of the Christian and the strongly held beliefs of other religions followed by many millions of people throughout the world, evil or false.
Religion is both personal and voluntary - at least in free democratic societies. The laws of the Church are therefore voluntary and in the case of divorce, they make no social or logical sense.
What makes sense is that individuals that have gone through the trauma of a legal separation and have set up a new family unit, living together as man and wife should be allowed to get a civil marriage.
Joseph Camilleri
Aug 29th 2010, 16:59
The phrase "except on the ground of fornication" is obviously confusing you and you try to explain it away in all kinds of ways. But it is there in Mark's gospel, today accepted as the earliest of the four gospels. Whatever 'fornication' may mean to you, Jesus gave it as one reason for allowing divorce. You explain the word as something that has to do with unmarried persons. How and why should Christ introduce an exception related to unmarried people when he was talking about marriage? Jesus' arguments with the Pharisees were always carefully crafted because he knew that any 'non sequitur', as you explain it, would have been quickly spotted by his legalistic opponents. If you read the whole chapter carefully, you will realise that Jesus was making a subtle distinction between the trivialisation of divorce permitted by the Mosaic tradition and His new teaching that marriage is a holy union and divorce can only be allowed for serious reasons like fornication, which obviously refers to adultery.
Joseph Micallef
Aug 29th 2010, 17:38
Quoting you Joe "Whoever divorces his wife..." - so it is a wife in question not an unmarried woman - moreover, one cannot divorce his unmarried partner no - since they are not married yet! So you are simply contradicting yourself and not realising it. Joe for the millionth time RESPECT OUR INTELLIGENCE!
Joseph Micallef
Aug 29th 2010, 17:49
Quoting you again Joe "Only the other churches which are false..." - this kind of utterance is totally out of line with the teachings of the holy Apostolic Church of Christ you so prefess to defend!
George Vella
Aug 30th 2010, 03:51
@ wally vella-zarb, you have used the proverb to your own ends, it does not go as you said but like this: "Those whom the gods wish to destroy they first make rich" (not mad).
As to Joe Zammit and myself our Bishops do not need our crusades, they know what they should TEACH.
Paul Barrett
Aug 29th 2010, 12:11
Great message and very well phrased. However it does not solve the social problem where a marriage has broken down, legal separation has taken place, a new relationship has been formed and yet a civil legal marriage is denied. This is where the stupidity of denial of divorce to those that wish to obtain a civil marriage exists and where an ever increasing breakdown of a stable society is being formed in co-habitation.
If the word divorce is so objectionable, fine, call it Separation Final or Separation Absolute, and let those that then wish to obtain a marriage by the civil authorities get on with their lives.
Turning a blind eye to the current social mess that newly formed families are being left with does more harm than good, especially to the children.
ASnton Zerafa
Aug 29th 2010, 11:58
How can the Bishops speak positively of Marriage when it does not permit her elite to get married?
Christian Sciberras
Aug 29th 2010, 13:22
That's hardly a practical question....and completely off subject.
john borg
Aug 29th 2010, 18:15
is soltu storja, allura it tabib irid ikun ghadda mill marda li ghandek biex ifejjqek..lol
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