Dissolution of the marital bond...by any other name (3)

Why is the Maltese population so misguided about divorce? Some members of Parliament describe it as “evil” while others describe it as “a new start”. Public opinion is mixed, as some say it’s a right, while others say it’s a marriage wrecker; some don’t even know the difference between separation, annulment and divorce.

The Church is outright against it, but why? In reality the word divorce simply means break apart or separate. At no point does divorce mean remarry or cohabit; these are simply free choices of divorcees! Spouses revert to divorce, separation or annulment in order to get rid of an erring spouse, to be completely rid of a bad marriage and its terrible consequences. Divorce renders separation official that’s all.

Being separated is like living in a limbo. We all read recently that according to the Curia, single divorcees can receive Holy Communion and all the other sacraments! So divorce, like separation, should not be condemned by the Church. Lots of practising Catholics do revert to separation and annulment, so why not divorce? True Catholics will never remarry or cohabit, they just separate or obtain annulment, or to make it official, obtain a divorce if it’s legalised.