Keith Bootle, London, UK
Divorce and relationship breakdown (4)
I was recently on holiday in Malta and followed with interest the reports and letters on marriage and divorce. In the letters I read, I saw no mention of prevention: prevention of divorce and breakdown in marriage. Whatever happens in Malta, there should be a strong prevention programme now – to prevent current marriages ending in breakdown and support strong marriages for the future. Research has shown that marriages are sustained by good marriage preparation, support by mentors and regular marriage enhancement.
Churches have led on this and it would be great to see this happen in all churches across Malta, though I have no idea to what extent this is happening already. All couples preparing for marriage would attend preparation courses and have a mentor and marriages could be celebrated each year with marriage support and enhancement days. Materials are produced by For Better and For Ever on http://www.marriagepreparation.com/, Nicky and Sila Lee on http://relationshipcentral.org/marriage-course/about-course and Care for the Family on http://www.careforthefamily.org.uk/marriage/ but there are many more resources.
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Ms Sabrina Borda
May 17th 2011, 16:00
Sir, it is far too late now for many. They need a divorce.
There is no marriage preparation that can stop two people hating each other when they do.
You cannot deny divorce is a solution to those who need it when there is no hope for repair.
Mr Joe Zammit
May 17th 2011, 12:06
Padre Pio, who had regular contacts with God, the devil, saints and angels, said more that once that "divorce is a passport to hell". He knew what he was saying and no one could belie him.
There are many people who can give witness to what he said. He could narrate even details of dead persons to their relatives, without even knowing those persons. Before he went to sleep, Padre Pio used to greet Buona Notte to his confratelli (other friars). These answered to him: Buon viaggio, because every night he used to go to different persons all over the world to convert them, and sometimes also to heal them physically.
Mr Joe Zammit
May 17th 2011, 12:06
In Malta church attendance to weekly Mass is 72% because there are those who do not go regularly. Parish priests know exactly also those who do not go to Mass every week.
Besides, the others who do not attend are still Catholic. They still baptize their children in the Catholic Faith. They still send their children to learn their Catholic Faith at school and Church societies. They still prepare them to receive the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Eucharist. They get married in the Catholic Church. When they die they are taken to a Catholic church and after Masses are offered for them in Catholic churches.
On Trinity Sunday 96% of Maltese and Gozitan children of their peer group have made their First Holy Communion. This augurs very well for the future of the Catholic Church in our Catholic islands until the end of time.
Ms Lina CARUANA
May 17th 2011, 11:40
Research and education through a considerable amount of time, these last thirty years, have abounded with the more than justified path of preventive measures and education.In Finland and other parts of advanced societies research is carried out by working on philosophies of peace and unity for these begin at home and are then transmitted to societies. In Malta we cannot say that we are behind in these concepts in general. Unfortunately so called progressives are falling back to what advanced societies are trying to recover. Fortunately the family in Malta is still strong. Our duty is to keep it so for future generations.There are many genuine and sensible Maltese but others could be dazzled by liberal grandiose of which they have a lot, enough to try to impress.
Mr Alfred Hili
May 17th 2011, 11:39
Before marriage, the church must make sure there is real commitment.