Crying over bills, not divorce
Labour leader Joseph Muscat this morning insisted that although finance minister Tonio Fenech had said the Virgin Mary was crying over the divorce issue ,it was actually families who are crying over their water and electricity bills.
Speaking at a GWU activity about the family and politics, Dr Muscat made reference to an article published on Wednesday in the Malta Independent where Mr Fenech said "I am sure Our Lady is very sorrowful that Malta is considering divorce."
Dr Muscat said he would leave people free to gauge the distinction the Minister was making between a secular and a confessional state.
He added that the government had wrong priorities.
Although not enough, the €14 million granted to families to subsidise water and electricity bills last year was better than nothing.
The government had however stopped these grants.
The government should financially help Maltese families, just as it had managed to financially fund the building of Parliament at City Gate, Dr Muscat said.
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Mrs Connie Deguara
Apr 30th 2011, 06:58
Dawn il polition issommu lil Maltin lura wiesq,ma nahsibx li ahna daqsek fidilli biex nmehhu dak li qall.
Ms Maria Busuttil
Apr 29th 2011, 11:45
Joseph Muscat where is the person that was elected opposition leader? Where is he gone? Is this the Joseph Muscat we should elect as prime minister, in a short time? Do you think that it is a joke that the statue of Our Lady cries tears of blood because of divorce, and that Our Lady has been coming to Malta in person, for these last five years, to insist that Malta should at all costs remain free from divorce?
Ms pat muscat
Apr 29th 2011, 16:13
Dr Joseph Muscat was answering Tonio Fenech the politican! This reminds me of similar accusations against Lord Strickland.
At that time priests took an active and direct part in partisan politics and they used to attack verbally their political opponent. Nothing wrong with that, except that when Lord Strickland did the same, these priests had the temerity to call Strickland anti-clerical and an anti-Church agitator!
So dear Ms Busuttil, you have not discovered America!
Mr Daniel Schembri
Apr 29th 2011, 16:42
Of course it is a joke.
Your lady came 'in person'?!
This is not the medieval age....
Read some history.
Mr C Camilleri
Apr 30th 2011, 13:04
yes maria, tears of blood which happen to be angelik own blood as determined by the DNA tests and the oil which happens to be kitchen oil as determined by scientific tests?
I'd rather believe science than your fantasy
Mr Michael Camileri
Apr 29th 2011, 08:56
After coming back from England for a while, I have realised everyone (majority) aer a bit crackers really. Where has the rationality and logic gone?
1) Mary is dead, she died many many years ago and possibly her spirit remains
2) I seriously doubt Mary actually cares about divorce or bills (nothing spiritual about either issue)
Spiritual I am. But why are we letting a 2000 year old dead lady interfere with our politics?
Mr edwin formosa
Apr 28th 2011, 23:33
Tonio Fenech hu Malti Kattolku, mgharuf li hu Kattolku ghax ma jibzax juri li hu Kattolku , dejjem u kullimkien.
Elett minn Maltin li jafu kif jahsibha u vvutawlu ghax jahsbuha bhalu.
Haddiehor jaqbillu jghid (hawn Malta) li hu Kattolku imma lest li jillegisla kontra t-twmmin Nisrani biex jintghogob mal-Liberali Ewropej.
Dawk ta bla sinsla morali u bla principji jippruvaw jirredikolawh. Min m'ghandux direzzjoni u jitgerbeb mal-kurrent, (Ewropa LE/Ewropa IVA), jarah ikrah.
Veru li l-kontijiet tad-dawl ibikkuna. Imma meta naraw dak li ghaddejjin minnu l-Ewropej ta pajjizi ohra nindunaw kemm haddiehor qed jibki aktar minna.
Mr M Spiteri
Apr 29th 2011, 12:46
Kattoliku fejn jaqbillu..........ara meta jberbaq il-flus li jigbor mit-taxxi u l-konkontijiet, ma nafx fejn tkun il-kuxjenza kattolika.
Mr G Mangion
Apr 28th 2011, 19:56
Antother silly comment by j.m !
Kindly tell us what religion do you have ?
Bil - Malti : jekk jidhol id - divorzju ikun Permanenti u Dizastruz !
pero it - kontijiet tal Eletreiku MA HUMIEX, u daqqa fuq u daqqa isfel heq, fuq l' ghajnuna ghall familji fil bzonn Insejt issemijohm ? Jahasra ............................ No to Divorce
Mr Joe Micallef
Apr 28th 2011, 17:50
Jester can I count on you that you will revise bills to 2008 levels?
I'll be happy to settle for rates as at today with gas generated electricity and interconnector in place!
Mrs Elizabeth Sammut
Apr 28th 2011, 17:29
Can someone please tell me whether the Church in Malta has broken away from Rome and set up its own sect with its own set of rules? I have always been and still am a practicing Catholic. Fourteen years ago I separated from my husband after a marriage of 30 years. When I approached my parish priest to discuss annulment I was advised that I should file for divorce as soon as possible because the Church will not issue an annulment if there was no legal divorce. My priest also told me that if I was divorced I will still be welcomed in the Church and that I will still be able to participate in The Holy Eucharist. Speaking from experience, more irreparable damage is done to children raised in dysfunctional and abusive two parent families than to children of divorce. Furthermore there are many devout and divorced Catholics worldwide. The Catholic Church, here in Canada, ministers to separated and divorced Catholics with compassion and love not
condemnation. I did get divorced and eventually did get an annulment. I am not and have never been evil and the only evil in my life was when I was in a marriage that had no hope of repair. The God that I always believed in did not want that life for me. Also I would like to say to Joe Zammit that according to your posts you come across as a demented fanatic maniac very comparable to the Taliban. Take a pill.
Ms Emma Xerri
Apr 29th 2011, 07:05
That is right. The Catholic Church in other countries (except Malta) will not even consider a couple eligble for a Church Annulment until they first obtain a Divorce. Joe Zammit please take note.
Moreover, before the 'arrangement' that made Church Annulments binding in Civil Law, I was personally told the same thing (i.e. that I would need to go abroad and obtain a Divorce, nothwithstanding the fact that according to the Church I was 'never married' as I had already obtianed a Church Annulment. The priest explained that a Church Annulment was only for the sacrament of marriage, but for all intents and purposes, I was still bound by the civil contract of marriage according to the law of the land (Malta) and therefore could not get married again until I first obtained a divorce).
Yes, definitely, the Curia in Malta is totally different and acts independently from the rest of the Roman Catholic Church around the world. I really do think that here in Malta we have a separate sect. The Apostolic Maltese Catholic-like Church might be an apt name for it.
Mr A Spiteri
Apr 28th 2011, 15:46
lil dawk kolla li huma taparsi kattolici najdilhom li jiena kattoliku daqsom imma jmisshom jisthu jfahhru lil dan is supost ministru li qed jerga jitfana lura ghas 60 u qed juza ir religjon biex forsi jigbor giehu ghal elezzjoni ohra, mur u hallina u mur qer qrara tajba l ewwel forsi jahfirlek int u min qed jaqbez ghalik l ewwel forsi isserrah il kuxjenza imbad wara tkellem . tinsewx li kull min joghlli idejh ghandu xi jxomm u hawn min kif joghlli idejh jifga lil malta
Mr Edgar S. Galea
Apr 28th 2011, 15:34
I don't agree with subsidies: every one pays for what every one wastes. When subsidies were the order of the day, we were burdened with taxes. Keep your foot down Mr Minister Tonio Fenech.
With the projects within and outside City Gate, the Government is creating a lot of work.
Jon Agius
Apr 28th 2011, 15:32
Tonio Fenech..... lol...... warrab min-nofs.
Mr Joe Zammit
Apr 28th 2011, 15:17
The great majority of PL supporters are against divorce.
The great majority of PN supporters are against divorce.
The great majority of Maltese and Gozitans are against divorce.
All these majorities are positive people: in favour of the indissolubility of marriage.
Join in the battle between God and the devil! Fight the good fight! The victory is ours, it's already guaranteed!
Alfred Vassallo
Apr 28th 2011, 17:08
Nahseb Sur Zammit nahejtilom il marki il Buttuni ta 'Copy & Paste' daqs kemm tajthom x'jaghmlu..... Imma, koss, nejd jien, la darba '' The victory is ours, it's already guaranteed! ghalfejn dal genn kollu..... jew forsi anki int ghandek dubji serji se jigri...mhux sewwa ta!!!! ehhh.
Marvic Psaila
Apr 28th 2011, 21:03
Sur Zammit, kompli sejjer hekk ghax qed toghgobni.....bis-sahha tieghek tal-'LE' qed jitilfu l-voti u tal-'IVA' se jiggwadanjaw hafna aktar voti. Il-qarrej iddejjaq jaqra il-kummenti ripetettivi u xejn originali tieghek! Live and Let live!
Joe Galea
Apr 29th 2011, 12:42
Kemm tiextiq li kieku vera Joe Zammit!!!!!!!!!!
Mr Joe Zammit
Apr 28th 2011, 15:15
BORG IN-NADUR: 17 ta' Novembru, 2010:
Uliedi, illejla tajtkom prova ċara. Iva wliedi, għalhekk Ibni Ġesù qed jibgħatni hawn, fuq dil-gżira. Għalhekk għażilt dil-familja kważi ħames snin ilu. Għalhekk ridt lil Angelik u lil Catherine. Iva wliedi, Ibni Ġesù ma riedx jara żwieġ imfarrak. Għalhekk ħames snin ilu bagħatni hawnhekk, nerġa’ ngħidilkom. Ġejt inħabbrilkom minn qabel x’se jseħħ fuq dil-gżira. Kien hawn min fehemni u oħrajn lanqas biss taw widen.
Ftit taż-żmien ieħor se jkollkom għażla f’idejkom intom stess. Oqogħdu attenti x’tagħżlu wliedi. Iġġibux il-gwaj fuqkom.
Fejnhom fil-familji l-imħabba, l-għaqda, il-maħfra, is-sinċerità u t-talb flimkien? Fejnhom? Għalhekk illum kulħadd qed ifarfar minn fuq spallejh mal-ewwel intopp li jinqala’.
Iva wliedi, il-qalb tiegħi u l-qalb ta’ Ibni Ġesù muġugħin minħabba fikom. Jiena muġugħa għax jiena omm li nħoss għalikom.
Akkost ta’ kollox uliedi, jiġri x’jiġri, ibqgħu għidu: “LE GHAD-DIVORZJU, LE GHAD-DIVORZJU!"
U għidu r-rużarju u ġiegħlu lil ħaddieħor jgħid ir-rużarju.
Grazzi talli smajtu s-sejħa tiegħi.
Andrew Cumbo
Apr 28th 2011, 22:23
Keep on dreaming Mr. Zammit. With the attitude of some political persons like Minister Tonio Fenech and other church institutions, many of those that were sceptic to vote for divorce now are going to vote for the divorce legislation. Thank god I am in a strong marriage relation, but I understand that I have no right to impose on others. Also I think of my children future maybe unfortunately they don’t find their luck in their marriage, and then who are you to decide for them? and don’t let them have their 2nd chance. Your anti divorce campaign and comments are persuading much more people to vote yes for divorce. And unfortunately you and others alike that are using this strategy are making people more distant from church again like it was in the 60’s.
Mr James Rizzo
Apr 28th 2011, 15:14
Jien niddikjara li jien Nazzjonalist.
Izda ninsab ferm dizappuntat bl-agir tal-ministri fosthom Tonio Fenech. Il-kumment tac "cuc Malta" kien wiehed li jimmerita rizenja...temmnu li ghandi ministru li jikkunsidra il Maltin cwiec...u imbghad il-Prim Ministru jigi jghid li l-awqa rizorsa ta Malta huwa l-Haddiem Malti ?
U dan l-istess ministru li uza l-jet tal habib, li jimpjega mingharj ma jirregistra, u li issa sar profeta!
Uzgur - hu jiflah jaghmel dawn l-affarijiet. Ara jien..irrid nahdem zewg jobs u xorta inbghati biex inzomm il-familja...u bl'onesta kollha, ma nafx x'se nhalli warrajja ghaz-zewg uliedi.
Naf li ma ghandux x'jaqsam mad-divorzu. Imma qisu dal kumment tal-Ministru hassejtu wisq...
Mr Michael Buhagiar
Apr 28th 2011, 16:05
James Rizzo fejn ma tafx titkellimx. Tonio Fenech huwa l-Ministru mhux int. Huwa responsabbli ghal dak li jinsab madwaru. Hu irid jiffaccja lill-votanti meta jasal il-waqt. Meta tkun minfloku fil-posizzjoni tieghu titkellem mod iehor, anzi tippretendi iktar minnhu. U nazzjonalist zgur mintix.
Peter Busuttil
Apr 30th 2011, 15:19
Sur Rizzo, wara dan id-diskors kollu li ghid, nispera li meta tasal l-elezzjoni, tkun taf x'ghandek taghmel!
Karl Abela
Apr 28th 2011, 14:30
More subsidies on water & electricity means more taxes on us to collect this subisidy.
I do not wish to subisidise the electricity bill or gas guzzling sports car of some careless idiot. I will do my energy saving efforts and others should do theirs.
Subsidies always encouraged wastage.
Well Done Joseph. You are an incompetent big-mouth.
Mr Jason Scerri
Apr 28th 2011, 15:56
Agree 100% Why should we susidise waste? I do my part and expect that others do theirs.
Mr Charles.C. Brown
Apr 28th 2011, 21:07
hasnt the PL leader got nothing else to talk about, all we hear is emmigration and water and lecy bills. bring back dr sant and the MLP!!
Mr Michael Buhagiar
Apr 28th 2011, 14:26
Dr Joseph Muscat, mexxej tal-Labour Party. Wasalt biex tizzuffjetta bis-sentiment kattoliku ta' bniedem iehor li ma stahax jghid dak li jhoss, li huwa kattoliku. Anke l-mexxej ta' qablek izzuffjetta bl-ex pm Fenech Adami ghax kien imur quddiesa kuljum. U l-art baqa'. Ara jigrilekx hekk inti wkoll. Ghadek immatur fil-politika. Imissek tisthi tghajjar lil haddiehor b'dawn l-affarijiet. Li bniedem jistqarr it-twemmin nisrani tieghu jghollih u mhux ibaxxieh. Ghad jonqsok biex tasal sa' fejn wasal Tonio Fenech. Ha naraw kemm ser jibku nies jekk allahares qatt tkun fil-gvern through default! Kemm jibku b'kull azzjoni li jiehu gvern immexxi minnek.
Mr David Farrugia
Apr 28th 2011, 16:04
Il kummenti tal ministru Fenech huma kummenti fundamentalisti, mhux kattolici. Jin nibza minn xi hadd bhal Fenech fil-poter. Jekk Alla jrid imma, il-bidla mhux wisq il- boghod.
Mr Oliver Cini
Apr 28th 2011, 14:24
Jospeh should batter tell us his solutions towards facing this problem, rather then staying on the balcony and looking towards what issue he could use for his marketing purpose.
If needs i have a solutions he should stress that a subsidy towards people having wells at home to buy solar power pumps so the amount of water used from home will decrease. rather then giving money to everyone even to those how opt not to be conservative.
Mr Ronald Cauchi
Apr 28th 2011, 14:23
I cant believe a Minister could say such things. Is this country run by such a pathetic bunch of christian fundamentalists. What hope can there ever be for Malta?
Mr John Micallef
Apr 28th 2011, 15:12
Yes, Mr. Cauchi...these are a bunch of do-gooders on both sides of the Cabinet, who seem to have quite a strong sentiment about holy things (I heard that a few of them actively participate in prayer meetings and the stuff - good luck to them), but I find it quite disturbing that these moral chevaliers don't give a hoot about how our hard-earned money is spent, nor do they care about the feelings of people who are in different situations than them, including trans-gender, homosexuals, the separated, or even those with different religious beliefs.
David Caruana
Apr 28th 2011, 14:11
"I am sure Our Lady is very sorrowful that Malta is considering divorce." - Minister (sic) Tonio Fenech
That's it!
I give up on my own country.
Mr john vella
Apr 28th 2011, 16:21
Dear Lawrence Fenech once I was heard in every society you find ONE with a peculiar character, luckily we know who this ONE is! I mean in his wisdom we are referred cuc Malti, another time we are advised not to strain the economy with a residence scheme for anyone who need assistance, advise of the Holy Mother emotion, yet ignoring the people's and spend a fortune on a roofless theater, or ignore the cry of the people with a 1.66 cents increase. Seeing that this man have a gift to interpret the Good Lady feeling I wonder what she said when he increased himself 500 euro and the rest 1.66 cents.
Boy wait for me I not only kiss his hands maybe some goodness of his rub onto me ):
Mr Lawrence Fenech
Apr 28th 2011, 14:04
Reverend Fenech inbus idejk ghal-cucata ohra min tieghek.
Mr Stephen Zammit
Apr 28th 2011, 15:14
Whilst I agree that Min Fenech should take good care of our bills and problems as a politician, isn't he free to say what he wants as a Catholic person? Or are we trying to stop religious freedom??
David Caruana
Apr 28th 2011, 15:53
@ Stephen Zammit:
A person occupying public office should NEVER involve his own personal Religious views in State matters as he is representing ALL Maltese citizens, including the non-Catholic ones.
After all, a 'famous' politician who was always happy to mix religion with state affairs, was no other but Mr. Führer...
"In a proclamation to the German Nation February 1, 1933 Hitler stated, "... It regards Christianity as the foundation of our national morality, and the family as the basis of national life.""
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Hitler's_religious_views
Mr David Farrugia
Apr 28th 2011, 16:01
What the Minister said is worthy of a Theocrat, not a Democrat.
Kenneth Grima
Apr 28th 2011, 19:27
@Mr.Stephen Zammit.
But he as a catholic is impossing on everybody his believes, religious freedom well and good i agree with that but why do i have to live by force the catholic way ? The way of the church should not be the state way as the maltese people are not all catholics or let say that the majority are but only on paper but not in life.
Where is tolerance and the rights of the minorities? we judge so harshly the arab countries and their sharia laws, why are the maltese catholics doing the same with all maltese citizens by imposing their religion and way of life?.