Bishops’ strong warning to pro-divorce faithful

Mr R Calleia

May 23rd 2011, 00:40

I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery." Matthew 19 :9 The Christian must always act with reference to our Lord Jesus Christ and his teachings. Well Said Bishop Cremona, Matthew 19 : 9 is never voiced by the Church and this is his teaching !

Mr renald williams

May 22nd 2011, 18:39

Quote from article –
any person who may decide not to participate will show a lack of civil and religious maturity.

Without judging anyone -

First they told us to to enter a particular club for its Christian values

Later they realised that we had to legalise in favour of selling pornographic magazines and opening gentlemen’s clubs

Now they realised that we will have to legalise in favour of divorce in near future

Is this lack of civil and religious maturity by mickey mouse leaders?

Peace and health wishes, and may followers of Jesus read the Gospels, not follow human leaders!

Mr John Azzopoardi

May 22nd 2011, 18:31

why the warning. The majority of the people today are not going to listen. They are going to vote their conscience. As they should. It's ok for the church to speak against divorce, but it needs to be careful not to dictate what catholics should do. The faster this whole thing is over the better.

Martin Borg

May 22nd 2011, 16:13

I am so sick and tired.... Usual Catholic fear-of-God messages. Not because I am not a Catholic (well - I'm baptised but that's all there is to it), but the bishops' statement in 2011 beggars belief. This scaremongering, taking us back to the 1960s, verges on the illegal in my opinion. Clearly the Church is using its influence to ensure it retains control on people's lives. When you read that the only countries remaining without divorce are the Philippines and Malta, I invite you to compare: modern Malta, a supposedly open forward-looking society accepted into the folds of the EU, a country that supposedly respects civil rights and the rights of minorities as a given, against the Philippines, the country where people have themselves naled to crosses publicly on Good Fridays. I anyone else noticing this? Or is it me, just a cry in the desert?

The bishps scaremongering will only leave another point of contention for years to come. If the "No" camp wins, the Church should expect a backlash for years to come. And rightlky so, too.

Mr Alexander Galea

May 22nd 2011, 16:11

It is extremely disappointing that people who expect to be viewed as leaders such as the bishops keep insisting on giving the wrong message cause they fear that they will lose power over their flock. Leaders prove themselves when their flock stays with them even though it is free to leave without threats in the same way that marriage is much stronger when it lasts even though there is the option of divorce. All those couples who are in a healthy marriage should be insulted by all the statements of the church and anti-divorce lobbies. I don't expect the church to accept divorce, but it is very clear even in the bible that God gave everyone the freedom of choice - the church in Malta does not want to follow this basic concept. Please give us a clear answer why ?

EDWIN DE MARCO

May 22nd 2011, 16:09

I suppose at least half of Malta has heard today's pastoral letter. If not they can see & read the pdf online on this same newspaper. For those who mayhave been geographically disoriented: the very last line reads:" Titular Bishop of Aradi". Well, ARADI or ARADI CHADRA . It's a place in Lebanon, Beirut. Yes, they do have divorce over there but do not mix up the name (ARADI CHUBRA) with something else. My phone has been incessantly ringing all morning with people asking about the wherabouts of this place. Tut!Tut! I'll just mention two instances before my red tea gets cold - (actually it's more beneficial if cold) - when people can really go wrong on some places. One caller mixed it up with CHUPACABRA - you may think it's a weird endangered species unknown to scientists & you could be right. The other bloke was a real disaster. He thought it had something to do with CUBA LIBRE. NO! You guessed wrongly. It's not the liberation of Cuba. Actually it's a mixture of white rum, coke & a dash of lime. He probably had had more than three shots as he sounded really drunk. Anyway, I hope I have been of some help to you.....

Rio Sammut

May 22nd 2011, 14:59

It is not easy to be a Christian. Those who want the easy way out cannot follow the teaching of our lord Jesus and must not expect to be condoned by Church authorities. Divorce is directly against the teaching of Christ and does more damage to society than good.

For His sake, look at ALL the other countries where divirce has been introduced in the last 50 years and see the havoc! Fewer maraiges, more broken families, a higher proportion on couples 'living together' out of wedlock, more frustration for children and innocent part of divorced couple and new partners.

Divorce leads to increased poverty and more frustration than ever. Do not let Satan lead you by the nose.

Charles Vella

May 22nd 2011, 14:30

0Share
Print Email
Saturday, April 17, 2010, 17:35
Pope urges Malta to stand up for 'indissolubility of marriage'

The Pope this evening encouraged Malta to continue to stand up for the indissolubility of marriage as a natural institution as well as a sacramental one.

The country, he said in his speech on arrival at Malta International Airport, should also stand up for the true nature of the family and for the sacredness of human life from conception to natural death.

Ref:Times of Malta Sat April 17,2010, 17.:35

Mr emanuel brincat

May 22nd 2011, 12:52

The usual church interferance in peoples lifes , no divorce ,no use of condoms , no cohabitation . Is everyone lisening , ? I dont think so , we are living in the 21st century you know .

Mr Rudy Sollars

May 22nd 2011, 12:50

For those who are willing to reason without prejudice, in 1752, Voltaire, a French social reformer during the European Enlightenment wrote in his famous book the ‘Philosophical Dictionary’:

“The religion of Jesus is unquestionably that which most positively excludes priests from all civil authority: ‘Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s’. ‘Among you there is neither first nor last’. ‘My kingdom is not of this world’. The quarrels between empire and priesthood which have bloodied Europe for more than six centuries have therefore been no more on the part of the priests than rebellions against god and men, and a continual sin against the holy ghost.”

He then goes on to ask: “ But what should be done in countries in which the priesthood has become the empire…?”

Willie Grech

May 22nd 2011, 12:40

"The bishops are sending their clearest message to date to “Catholic citizens” on divorce in today’s pastoral letter and warned that the teachings of Jesus Christ “leave no doubt that divorce is the wrong solution”.

This is the start of the article quoting the Arch Bishop of Malta saying "that divorce is the wrong solution."

Ok, fair enough. But, dear Archbishop, Bishop of Gozo, Auxiliary Bishop Annetto Depasquale and all other bloggers against divorce please answer, before next Saturday this very simple question:

WHAT IS THE BEST SOLUTION TO TWO A COUPLE WHOSE MARRIAGE HAS BROKEN DOWN IN AN IRREPARABLE WAY BECAUSE OF ANY PROBLEM WHATSOEVER?

When and if anyone of you will give me a solid solution (please don't insult me by saying that we should pray more) to this unfortunate stalmate of these kind of marriages, I will change my mind and vote NO. Until then I am voting YES.

Mr Marius Zulgis

May 22nd 2011, 12:22

Has the archbishop ever heard of the principle of the free vote? I am a christian and I shall be voting yes. I shall sleep like a baby knowing I have done the right thing; not for myself as I am already divorced but for those who may need to use it as a last resort. No amount of emotional blackmail and threats off hellfire and brimstone could ever make me change my mind, for the simple reason that my mind is free; some of the "Le" camp ought to try it some day - it's very refreshing.

Sooner or later the church is not be able to meddle in political matters in Malta. I look forward to that day with relish. It's already guaranteed! :)

Albert Spiteri

May 22nd 2011, 12:11

Jesus, during one of the many verbal thrashings and humiliations he dealt to the Temple priests declared his acceptance to selective divorce as a solution to a dead Hebrew marriage. Jesus also thrashed physically and beat up the merchants who turned God's Temple into a market.
Today, 2000 years later, His message of love, equality and compassion are the standard within all civilized societies everywhere. These are considered everywhere basic, human, civil and constitutional rights. Women are no longer slaves and property of their husbands. Male and female today enjoy equal rights in all respects, in civilized societies.
Jesus, God of love, equality and compassion, today most certainly understands our realities, problems and solutions.
Jesus would also feel the same extreme disgust he felt 2000 years ago when he witnesses the greed, vanity, wickedness, hypocrasy and hidden agendas of those who, in His name, care for His flock and for God's Temple.

M. Mallia

May 22nd 2011, 11:15

Dear Bishops,
You can warn as much as you want...The majority of the people have opened their eyes about your tactics...At the end of the day no matter what the outcome would be unless the church changes its antiquated attitude the church will be the biggest looser....

Mr David Buttigieg

May 22nd 2011, 10:58

Your Grace,

You have convinced me with your message. Until I read it I was determined not to vote in this farce of a referendum.

After hearing your pastoral letter and after much prayer I changed my mind - I will do my duty and vote!

Vote Yes of course, because your obnoxious, sanctimonious attitude leaves me no other choice!

Gerry Cowie

May 22nd 2011, 10:56

Not a lot of dignity has been shown by the pro movement based on anti-Church feeling. Its many protagonists have resorted to anti-Church propoganda, disingenuous comment, selective statistics and sarcasm.

No wonder the pro movement has become the best weapon of the anti movement!

Victor Pulis

May 22nd 2011, 10:43

“We all know of people who are wounded because their marriages have failed. As your spiritual shepherds, we can assure you that we feel these cries within our hearts... These people, who are wounded and hurt, show us that as a nation we should continue to cherish true marriage,” the bishops said.
“As a gesture of love towards those who are suffering, and towards future generations, we must together try to improve the conditions of marriage and the family so these hurts may be diminished.”

This is tantamount to standing on the shore watching a man drowning and weeping at his predicament without doing anything to help save him. All the prayers in the world will not aleviate the sufferers hurt.
We are dealing here with civil marriages which do not fall under the church's poer and this is where the chuch is being intollerant and imposing. Not all are catholics or believers in malta. A no vote will bar these persons from a free choice. The best the church could have done was to instruct its followers not to make use of divorce and to astain from voting. Voting no is imposing a situation on those who do not follow her teachings.

Mr Patrick Zammit

May 22nd 2011, 10:24

"The Christian must always act with reference to our Lord Jesus Christ and his teachings."

Is that why the holy apostolic church sold all earthly possessions and gave the resulting proceeds to the poor?

Mr M Vella***

May 22nd 2011, 10:13

Kull bniedem ghandu d-dmir u dritt li jaghzel dak li jhoss li ghandu jaghmel skond il-kuxjenza tieghu. Hadd ma ghandu jobbligak taghmel dak li ma tixtieqx. M'ghandekx tibza' li timxi kontra l-kurrent jekk tkun taf li qieghed fis-sewwa. Importanti li nohorgu bi hgarna nivvotaw biex ma nghatux rebha lil min qieghed jghalqilna lbieb ma wiccna u jbezzghu! Ma naqtawx qalbna ,nghamlu kuragg!il-knisja ta' Malta mmexxija minn kurja arci-konservattiva li qed tigi taqa' u tqum mill-merhla biex tiddefendi l-interessi antikwati taghha
Dawn il Hnizrijiet f'isem Gesu jiridu jispiccaw

Mr Alfred Hili

May 22nd 2011, 09:46

Straightforward and very well-balanced. Pinning people down, pouring water on them and trying to baptise them..... that would be "forcing" our beliefs upon them. It does not respect the dignity of the person.

Ms Lina CARUANA

May 22nd 2011, 09:42

The problem is far greater than divorce and that is no scare but a reality! Allegiance to Catholicism or otherwise .