Both the Curia and the anti-divorce movement have declined to say whether the Church has contributed any money to the referendum campaign.
The Marriage Without Divorce movement was asked about Church funding during a recent press conference.
While not denying that the movement had received any contributions from the Church, campaign head Andre Camilleri said his organisation was open to receiving support and donations from whoever supported the cause.
He said a parish had made unused premises available which the movement was using as its office but did not give further details.
In answer to further questions, the movement said it would provide an account of its operations after the referendum.
The Curia said: “This question was asked during the press conference and we have nothing to add to what Dr Camilleri has replied.”
The anti-divorce movement has set up billboards all over the island cautioning against the introduction of divorce.
Meanwhile, the Church has recently come under fire from retired judge Philip Sciberras, who said its campaign against divorce was motivated by financial considerations, because the Church stood to lose its hegemony on marriage annulments. However, the Church makes huge losses on its tribunals, it was revealed later.
Judicial Vicar Joseph Bajada, of the Regional Tribunal of Second Instance, said in a column on The Sunday Times that the Church forked out approximately €500,000 each year to subsidise the tribunals.
Each case costs an average of €1,200, not including expert reports and lawyer fees which are settled directly with clients.
“This global amount covers the total cost of engaging two notaries, two chancellors, two defenders of the bond, a number of auditors, six judges, not to mention administration expenses, in both instances.”
Sometimes the Church waives the fees and shoulders the financial burden so that “contrary to other courts of law, the case still proceeds until the end”.
The Church confirmed that in 2010 it lost €438,200, while in 2009 it lost more than €505,000.