Pullicino Orlando to stay, whatever PN decides on divorce
Says he would reconsider his position in the party, but not in Parliament, if he is denied a free vote during any stage of the process leading up to the divorce referendum.
Nationalist backbencher Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando has made it clear he has no intention of resigning if his party formally adopts an anti divorce stand.
However, the divorce bill promoter said he would reconsider his position in the party, but not in Parliament, if he is denied a free vote during any stage of the process leading up to the divorce referendum.
In a surprise move last Wednesday, PN heavyweight minister Austin Gatt threatened to resign as an MP if his party backed the introduction of divorce at the end of a debate at executive level.
Dr Gatt wrote in TheTimes: “If that decision goes against what I conscientiously believe in, I would resign from Parliament since I would not be able in all conscience to back a pro-divorce party and I cannot ever expect that my view prevails over the majority view.”
His view was interpreted by some as a challenge to Dr Pullicino Orlando to quit the party if the PN takes a stand against divorce in the coming days. PN sources say there is a movement for the executive to give the thumbs down to the introduction of divorce, though the party would continue embracing people of different views.
The discussion was prompted by Dr Pullicino Orlando’s surprise Private Member’s Bill on divorce last year, which is likely to lead to a referendum on the issue close to summer.
With a final decision expected to be taken next week, Dr Pullicino Orlando told The Sunday Times he is determined to get his message across “without the need for drama”.
“My party is not monolithic. It has grown because it embraced people with different views, but I will respect the decision taken by the executive , provided it is made clear there will be a free vote. Dr Gatt should avoid making certain declarations since they are putting unnecessary pressure on the PN executive.”
Dr Pullicino Orlando applauded the way the discussion has evolved within the executive so far , saying it echoed Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi’s wish for a civil debate, embracing different opinions.
However, Dr Pullicino Orlando emphasised the importance of giving utmost care to the wording of the PN resolution.
He insisted the PN had historically never been against divorce; otherwise it would never have endorsed candidates who had favoured its introduction. Categorically coming out against divorce now, he said, would do untold harm to the party.
“Are we actually going to dictate the party’s stand for the foreseeable future? Do we realise the repercussions of doing so?” he said.
The outspoken MP urged his party to wake up to the reality that a potential majority of Nationalists were actually in favour of the introduction of divorce.
A recent survey by the current affairs TV programme Xarabank showed that 47 per cent of those who said they voted PN in the last election would be prepared to vote in favour of divorce provided it is only available to couples who have been living apart for four years, have tried everything possible to seek reconciliation and where the maintenance of children is guaranteed.
This contrasts with the 40 per cent of PN voters who are against divorce.
“We have to be really careful about the way we’re going to come out at the end of this debate. Those opposing divorce have to realise we can’t afford to hurt the many people who feel very strongly about this issue.
“We also have to start analysing the political cost of such a sensitive decision. We risk seeing people who traditionally vote PN abandon our party – irrespective of the referendum result. The political implications of taking a categorical stand could be enormous. Let’s remember it’s the voters who make up the PN – not the MPs, the administration or the executive.”
If t he party were to fully embrace Catholic value , as some are claiming, then why was it working towards a cohabitation law, Dr Pullicino Orlando asked.
He urged the more conservative wing in his party to take heed of theologian Fr René Camilleri who recently said he considered it worse if a country introduces cohabitation than if it legislates in favour of divorce.
“Why are we stopping (separated) couples from re-marrying after being separated for four years? We’ve put the divorce issue on the backburner for far too long,” he said.
See Andrew Borg Cardona's blog
http://www.timesofmalta.com/blogs/view/20110130/andrew-borg-cardona/conduct-becoming
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c.caruana
Jan 30th 2011, 17:21
So this parliamentary primadonna is worried about repercussions for the NP?. After the mistra debacle, this ex environment champion has lost all his ecological credibility, Now, trying to occupy centre stage, he is fast losing any political credibility he ever had by presenting an uncalledf for private member's bill, a move that has rightly been described as an act of political disloyalty both to his party and to his electorate. If he reconsiders his position in the party it would be the first wise thing he ever did, and delusions of grandeur aside, it would be no great loss to the PN. Some might even see it as a gain.
Dr Francis Saliba
Jan 30th 2011, 16:55
"He urged the more conservative wing in his party to take heed of theologian Fr René Camilleri who recently said he considered it worse if a country introduces cohabitation than if it legislates in favour of divorce." (JPO)
I do not know of any laws in Malta that "introduced cohabitation". I only know of laws introduced to mitigate the harm resulting from of a condemned cohabitation that was already a fait acompli. I do not know that Fr Rene Camilleri favours the promulugation of any laws that would introduce either cohabitation or divorce - but I stand to be corrected if I am wrong. Much more probable is my guess that JPO is mischievously assuming that the Rev. Fr. would not trouble himself to expose JPO's misleading quibbling. More is the pity!.
E Phillips
Jan 30th 2011, 20:55
The reason you have a problem with co-habitation is what exactly?
Dr Francis Saliba
Jan 31st 2011, 13:46
@ E Phillips.
"The reason you have a problem with co-habitation is what exactly?" (E Phillips)
No problem at all. I do not co-habit.
E Phillips
Feb 1st 2011, 18:40
In that case, I assume you have no plans to divorce.So why do you disagree with giving others the opportunity to do so, should they so wish?
Jan-Wouter Stigter
Jan 30th 2011, 16:44
Anybody can be against divorce and still support divorce legislation. I am against lots of things - but who am I to say they should not be allowed? Divorce is almost always awful - who could be in favour of that? But does being against it automatically mean that you have to be against legislation that allows it? I think, in the end even the PN will come to look at it this way.
Dr Francis Saliba
Jan 30th 2011, 17:42
"But does being against it (divorce) automatically mean that you have to be against legislation that allows it? '(Jan-Wouter Stigter)
The answer is yes if you believe that divorce is harmful to society and against your religious principles - provided of course one dos not suffer from "schizophrenia".
Joseph Calleja
Jan 30th 2011, 16:33
" If the party were to fully embrace Catholic value , as some are claiming, then why was it working towards a cohabitation law, Dr Pullicino Orlando asked". Could it be because the PN Party is double faced and reaching for the last straw? Could it be because neither the PN or the Church have any control over cohabitation so they are using cohabitation as a floating device? How come neither the PN Party or the Church are mentioning ANNULMENT even though annulment and divorce are one and the same in a very conventional way? PN stop trying to turn a blind eye on what is really going on in this country and concentrate on things like Enemalta and Air Malta and the deficit in general. Divorce should be the least of your problems. Take a look at what is happening in neighboring countries.
Andrew Farrugia
Jan 30th 2011, 15:10
"He urged the more conservative wing in his party to take heed of theologian Fr René Camilleri who recently said he considered it worse if a country introduces cohabitation than if it legislates in favour of divorce."
Once again, JPO is quoting Rev R Camilleri out of context. This is hardly surprising: to the contrary it falls within the tactics usually employed by JPO.
James De Giorgio
Jan 30th 2011, 12:43
I hope Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando leaves the party AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
He has betrayed the trust of so many Catholic voters who vote PN for his own egoistic needs, is risking bringing the government down and the ensuing economic instability during these times of international economic troubles...
First the Mistra case, (what happened to that anyway??) now this.
If a demo-christian party stands in the next election, appealing to disaffected Nationalist voters who feel betrayed by their party, they will have my vote.
If this PN legislature introduces divorce, I will certainly NOT vote for them come next election.
Why vote for a party that has betrayed its mandate?
Frans Attard
Jan 30th 2011, 12:43
Kif qal tajjeb Fenech Adami il-PN ma kellux ghalfejn jiddiskuti din il-kwistjoni. Kull ma kellu jaghmel kien li jzomm mal-principji tieghu u jghid mill-ewwell li hu kontra d-divorzju u jkecci minn hdanu lil min publikament iddikjara li hu favur. Punto e Basta.
Anthony Roberts
Jan 30th 2011, 12:28
What arrogance some people have. What right does anyone have to decide the people's future. If Mr. Gatt wants to resign then let him, because it is obvious that he is putting his own self before the people of Malta whom he is supposedly supporting. If he is happy to stand by while there are those who are subject to any form of marital abuse then may he spend his future reaping what he intends to sow. It is obvious that he has no idea what life can be like for those living in such conditions - condtions that continue because these poor people cannot be cut off completely from their antagonist - so thanks Mr. Gatt for dooming these people to a life of hell.. Let/s hope that none of his children or grandchildren should ever seek divorce - because they wll have their father or grandfather to blame if they can't get one.
MBorg
Jan 30th 2011, 12:26
Why all this haste to introduce divorce ? Do the people who back this pro-divorce mevement think that it will solve all their problems ?
Divorce creates more problems and it does not solve any. Wherever there is divorce, family life the way we know it cannot be found. Couples will go from one divorce to another . Divorce does not tie anyone down , it is so very easy to walk away and start a new " happy " life with a new partner, that is untill you get fed up and just move on.
Studies show that 65% of second marriages end in divorce and it has also been proved that subsequent, - meaning third , fourth, etc -, marriages are also on the rise. Is this what we want for Malta . What about the children who are born out of these multiple marriages ? Are they to be dropped while their parents move from one partner to another.
Divorce is a disease which wrecks family life , and like any other disease it must be fought with all our might.
m vella
Jan 30th 2011, 12:22
For some reason, we see divorce as a signal of failure, despite the fact that each of us has a right, and an obligation, to rectify any other mistake we make in life.
d vella
Jan 30th 2011, 11:42
the gov should say no to divorce, and at the same time avoiding the referendum expenses!!
if certain people want to divorce, let them get it elsewhere!!
Raymond Bezzina
Jan 30th 2011, 11:04
In the above article it is said, quote " Why are we stopping (separated) couples from re-marrying
after being separated for four years? " Unquote.
It is so clear that people would start to use the separation period of four years as cohabitation
period.
Divorce and cohabitation are the same thing in the sense that, in both there is no real
commitment, no real bond, the vows would become artificial vows.
Divorce is evil condemned by God Himself, and evil can never be regarded as a right thing to do.
A Tagliaferro
Jan 30th 2011, 11:03
I srongly recommend to Hon Pullicino Orlando and Hon Evarist Bartolo to go through " A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS"... their mentor as politicians....some quotes :
"I think that when statesmen forsake their own private conscience for the sake of their public duties, they lead their country by a short route to chaos."
"Two years ago you were a passionate churchman. Now you're a passionate Lutheran. We must just pray that when your head's finished turning, your face is to the front again."
"What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil? .............
Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned 'round on you, where would you hide, the laws all being flat? This country is planted thick with laws, from coast to coast, Man's laws, not God's! And if you cut them down, and you're just the man to do it, do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!
.....words of wisdom indeed....enough said.....
c. buhagiar
Jan 30th 2011, 10:46
We would like to know all the MPs that are in favour or against divorce. Transparency should be adopted, we are a democratic country. MPs should shoulder their responsibilities.
Frans Attard
Jan 30th 2011, 10:41
Kull min kien jahseb li l-partit nazzjonalista hu l-partit tal-qaddisin jimxu fl'art, inkluz jien, qieghed kull ma jghaddi zmien jikkonvinci ruhu li kien hafna zbaljat.
ADDIO DEMOKRAZIJA KRISTJANA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
James De Giorgio
Jan 30th 2011, 12:37
Ezatt Frans, u l-partit nazzjonalista jekk JAZZARDA jdahhal id-divorzju se jitlef eluf ta voti fl-elezzjoni li gejja minn votanti li jahsbuha bhali.
DGalea
Jan 30th 2011, 10:38
JPO would be more at home within the PL ranks with its thinly-veiled anti-clerical tradition tradition ,then in a Religio Et Patria Political Party that welcomed a Pontiff with open arms three times over these last twenty years.
alfred curmi
Jan 30th 2011, 10:11
Keep it up JPO. As regards Austin Gatt's position, if I remember correctly some months ago he said that he would not be standing for the next election. So what difference does it make if he were to resign two years before? He can start taking life in a leisurely manner the sooner!
Peter Busuttil
Jan 30th 2011, 10:41
The sooner Austiin Gatt resigns, the better for the whole country.
Tony Mizzi
Jan 30th 2011, 11:06
Mr.Curmi may I refer you and JPO to the PN principles:
\2.Il-Partit Nazzjonalista jifforma parti mill-Moviment Internazzjonali Demokratiku Kristjan. Anzi hu fost l-eqdem partiti li dan il-moviment iħaddan. Hu impenjat biex il-prinċipji demokristjani jitwettqu fir-Repubblika Maltija u jinfirxu mad-dinja kollha.
3. F'kollox il-Partit Nazzjonalista jitnebbaħ mill-ideal nisrani tad-dinjita' tal-bniedem, mibnija fuq ir-rabtiet tiegħu ma' Alla u ma' ħutu l-bnedmin l-oħra, fil-familja u f'għaqdiet volontarji oħra li l-Istat għandu jgħinhom u jseddaqhom
One can agree or disagree with this stand. Nonetheless, until the majority of the party members change the party's principles, a person who has different principles has no place in that party.
George Cremona
Jan 30th 2011, 10:01
Divorce should not and cannot be supported by the PN of which principles are based on Christian values. True and genuine Nationalists are nationalists because of such values. So JPO cannot pretend to reinvent the PN to suit his agenda, although I agree that individually one should be permitted to express his or her stand freely without being hindered. But as a Party the PN should stick to its principles. It cannot waver on such delicate issues as divorce.
Joe Busuttil
Jan 30th 2011, 11:39
Principles based on Christian values my foot. From the days of Terinu to the present days the PN has always shown disrespect and used character asassination towards it opponents,Alf Sant being the latest victim. All you Pners know what I am referring to. Don,t let middle names such as Pio fool you.
David Bonello
Jan 30th 2011, 11:48
PN principles may be based on Christian values but PN is only in government through the votes of many who view divorce as a basic right. So either you be happy to remain always in opposition but happily married to the medieval church, or else retain the basic christian principle of tolerating others not only in words, and governing the country when the people ask for it.
Christian Sciberras
Jan 30th 2011, 12:07
George - PN does not stick to Catholic values, it sticks to whatever there is the majority, which at times might happen to be the Church. Get real.
Paul Pace
Jan 30th 2011, 09:47
Id-dnub ma jorqodx! Minn jaf kemm Gonzi w sħabu jisdispjacihom li qabsu għalih meta Aftred Sant akkusah fuq tal-Mistra għax kieku llum JPO mhux qieqed fil-parlament hu maħniex f'din il-problema.
M. Fenech
Jan 30th 2011, 18:47
It's like someone taking his own medicine!!!! It's fine when you give it to someone else, but it's so sour when you take it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What goes up, MUST COME DOWN!!
P Micallef
Jan 30th 2011, 09:32
Austin Gatt may as well leave now if he has already decided not to run for the next election.
Lets move on.......
M. Fenech
Jan 30th 2011, 09:31
The cherry on the cake is always getting closer!!!!!!!!!!!!
Patrick Mallia
Jan 30th 2011, 09:30
Smoke over water and fire in the sky ( Deep Purple)
gcForte
Jan 30th 2011, 09:29
Ma nafx jekk fihmx sew lil J.P.O. Jikkunsidra il pozizzjoni tieghu fil partit, pero mhux fil parlament. Jien nifhem li bil kelma " nikkunsidra ", inkun nista nilghab kif irrid, u kif jaqbel lili, jew ahjar nitfa tgheddida, sabiex ingib lil dak li ikun " on alert ". Issa ha nara jekk fihmx sew. Tista tikkunsidra li A. Titlaq mil partit u izzomm is siggu fil parlament. B. Ituk siggu fin nofs tal kamra fil parlament. C. Mela jekk hemm 69 membru li 35 membru mil P.N. ,u 34 membru mil P.L. jekk tnaqqas wiehed mil P.N, allura jigu 34, il P.L. ghandu 34. C. Nistaqsi ,F`dan il kas min ser immexxi ? Allura J.P.O. mhux ahjar flok toghqod tghedded, tghejd xi trid mill l-ewwel, bhal ma ghamel Wistin Gatt. Ghax issa ghanke lil benjamin taghkhom Dr. E.F.A. dejjaqt.
F.Salerno
Jan 30th 2011, 09:29
We know the position in PN.
Can someone inform us who is in favour and who's not in the PL?Or may be they are so transperant that you cannot see them?
R. Camilleri
Jan 30th 2011, 10:02
Habib, hafna nies draw li meta il-PN ikun f' problema u qed jaqla f'wiccu, ibiddel id-diskors fil-Media (ilha HAFNA issir din, minn zmien Dr. EFA!). Ftit ilu, kullimkien dominat bir-raises tal-Ministri... x'hemm metodu ahjar hlief li tghatti l-izball li ghamilt billi tghatti ghajnejn il-poplu... ittih xihaga ohra fuq xiex jinkwieta minflok? Int donnok wiehed minnhom dawn in-nies, ghax milli jidher ma ndunajtx kif dawruh id-diskors biex jghattu! La L-ghaziz ghamel mossa zbaljata u ddecieda li jaghmilha referendum, ghalxej toqghod issemma lehnek biex tikkonvinci lil haddiehor. Il-PL habib ma jiblax kollox bhal dan il-poplu bahnan inkluz jien!
R. Schembri
Jan 30th 2011, 10:15
I agree with what Camilleri said right above me. Dr. Fenech Adami himself said the following:
'Dr Fenech Adami felt it was positive that people were able to talk freely and speak their mind, but he wondered whether there was the need for such a discussion in the first place.“Whether there was the need for this debate is questionable." '
Sunday, 30th January 2011
‘PN should oppose divorce’ – EFA
So I too believe that the PL is holding the cards right now. It has nothing to do with transparency as you said Salerno as this debate is a blinker to the citizens, to make us forget about something else and keep our minds busy in another labyrinthe!
F.Salerno
Jan 30th 2011, 11:31
@R camilleri & @R Schembri
Kull ma ghamilt jien kien li staqsejt x'pozizzjoni qed jiehdu l'MP's laburisti fuq id-divorzju.Jista xi hadd jirrispondi?Jew dan mhux fl-interess tal-poplu?
L-bqija ma ghandiex bzonn panigirki.
G. Mangion
Jan 30th 2011, 12:24
F.Salerno
Risposta semplici hafna, Il -pozizzjoni li jiehdu l'MP's laburisti fuq id-divorzju u Kwalukwe Xi haga li Jiehu Il - P.N Fil Gvern ijja Dejjem opposta !! Bhall Power Station, mater Dei, E.U, u issa anke L'edukazzjoni ta Uliedna, Never ending List. ..................
F.Salerno
Jan 30th 2011, 13:04
@
G Mangion
Thanks
Tony Mizzi
Jan 30th 2011, 09:25
From the way, it is being presented in this article, the implication is that if he isn't allowed a free vote he would become an indepedent MP.
I think JPO should never forget that he was elected to parliament becuase he contested the elction as a PN candidate. He is in Parliament thanks to the party. Without the party, for sure, he wouldn't have been elected.
Any honest, loyal MP should never make such treats. At least, Dr.Gatt, whom he blamed, just said that he would resign from Parliament. That is a sign of honest !!!! One can't be part of a party if he is in disagreement on such a basic principle, however at the same time, allowing the party to govern, as the people voted for that party to govern, with a new MP who would agree with the principles of the party.
However, how can one pretend integrity from an MP who present a bill behind the back of his party leader!!!!
Noel Grima
Jan 30th 2011, 11:20
You need to read the article all over again then! Just the subtitle is more than enough to understand: "Says he would reconsider his position in the party, but not in Parliament, if he is denied a free vote during any stage of the process leading up to the divorce referendum." That is, if (1) PN is against divorce, he does nothing; and (2) PN denies him a free vote, he would resign from any executive position in the PN but remain a Government MP.
Anton Zammit
Jan 30th 2011, 09:23
Very arrogant from JPO to state so, since divorce was not on the PN agenda in the last elections.
Frankly, however I think all MPs should be given a free vote in parliament.
CZarb
Jan 30th 2011, 09:18
Thank God. I wonder if the PN will be able to survive without Mr Pullicino Orlando.
Joe Zammit
Jan 30th 2011, 09:14
Jeffrey, before waiting for the PN decision, take Christ's decision on divorce: "What God has joined together, let no man put asunder!" Christ is commanding you to remain faithful to your valid marriage and not to enter into an adulterous life. This is a wise advice for you. Take it now while you have the time. Remember that you have the date of death written on your head. Don't wait until it will be too late!
david debattistadd
Jan 30th 2011, 10:49
In other words Jeffrey it is all our fault because we got married. And what is this about death. we all have to pop off sometime, are we going back to the same record of death and the fires of hell.
Give the possibility of choice to the people. Joe you are telling us not to get married by the church
The date of death is upon your head too. Married or not , divorced or not.
m vella
Jan 30th 2011, 11:32
Haaaaaaaahaaaahaaaaa good one this morning,your joking right?
Charles Micallef
Jan 30th 2011, 09:10
Sounds like a Bridge over troubled water, which ever way the PN vote goes!
A Brincat
Jan 30th 2011, 08:58
This government is going down. If JPO reconsiders his position in the GonziPN govt then majority is lost. Game over.
G.Mangion
Jan 30th 2011, 10:03
A Brincat
Nice dream ,
Not for Our Beloved Malta......
A Brincat
Jan 30th 2011, 13:40
G Mangion. Let us put some facts straight. I am and vote Labour and always will, fact. I believe in God and the sacraments and will vote against divorce, fact. PN has already lost the majority and is in very rough seas, fact. If GonziPN has got any courage that comes close to Sant then he should call an election.
G. Mangion
Jan 30th 2011, 18:29
A Brincat
You seem to Really are living in a Dream Mr Brincat.
Facts are The P.N In Gov't, is goerning Malta Thank GOD ! with a small majority sure....
So whats your Point ???