Pro-divorce camp afraid of the truth - No Movement
Photo: Jason Borg
The pro-divorce camp is silencing the voice of children and the Church because it is afraid of the truth, anti-divorce spokesman Arthur Galea Salomone said on Tuesday.
Speaking to a packed hall at the Phoenicia Hotel, Dr Galea Salomone defended the use of children during the campaign, saying that the decision would mostly affect their future. He also criticised those who said the Church should not have a say in the matter.
"They told us Christ might have been wrong. Christ knows more than we could know what is good for society," the lawyer said.
The meeting featured various comments from the floor, with people giving their reasons for voting no.
Sedqa's clinical director George Grech said that where divorce was introduced, social problems increased not decreased, and "whereas now we're picking up the pieces of society, we'd have to start picking up the crumbs".
In another intervention, a young boy, speaking to the audience, said "I'm against divorce because I believe no one can love me more than my mother and father," followed by rapturous applause.
"This is a historic decision – decisions aren't taken in this way. People had this decision thrust upon them without having information given to them," Dr Galea Salomone said.
He said that marriage was more than a contract, but even if one considered it as a contract, divorce would imply that "there are already contracts being broken, but for there to be choice, we're going to introduce a new principle, where people can honour contracts, or else choose not to honour them instead."
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Mr Aaron Vella
May 26th 2011, 20:11
"They told us Christ might have been wrong. Christ knows more than we could know what is good for society," the lawyer said.
And then they say that they have nothing to do with the church. Instead of scaremongering christians, give them a valid reason to vote NO! And the silly sheep will bow their heads, pray and do what this lawyer is telling them to do. No surprise, knowing that maltese people are the holiest, the most generous, the most tollerant etc. etc. in the world, it's like giving candy to a baby! L-aqwa li ahna kattolici pero`.
Mr Chris Mifsud
May 26th 2011, 15:34
As usual silly little Malta has to be different from everywhere else in the world.
Some children are happier with their parents new partners / spouses. Some are not. Some are devestated by their parents seperation, some are releived.
Whatever way just like anything else in life they will get over it and move on. Thats life.
Mr M Borg
May 26th 2011, 12:48
The pro-divorce group were angry that the two women in he anti-divorce movement sent a note to households in which they described the effects of divorce on women.
Iva were angry because they said that the note insults the intelligence of women.
Surprise,surprise. a note signed by Dr Schembri was sent ot households today , should women be insulted or should they thank IVA for the information?
1 ) m'huwiex minnu illi jintmess il-manteniment, la tal-mara u lanqas tal ulied,il-ligi proposta tghid illi l-kuntratti u s-sentenzi tas-separazzjonijiet jibqghu validi anki wara d-divorzju.
What she forgot to add was how a amn on minimum pay who remarries after divorce, and who because of divorce his new wife now has a right ot half his pay can keep 2 families.on half his minimum pay.
What she forgot to add was that these wives would have to spend days at court fighting for the right to live.
2 ) id-dritt ghall-pensjoni tar-romol se jkun bhad-dritt li ilum ghandu min jiehu annullament.
Why not spell it out and say that widows will not have a right to pensions. Why not say that for every 1 annullment we might get 100 - 200- 400 the sky's the limit divorces.?
Why send it out in the first place if it can be of no help ?
Mr Joseph Lungaro
May 26th 2011, 10:07
Quote ' A young boy, speaking to the audience, said "I'm against divorce because I believe no one can love me more than my mother and father," followed by rapturous applause. '
What an insult to all those kids Suffering from Family Violence in reading that!........Just cause you were Lucky doesn't mean that others less fortunate have to be remain suffering and ignored!
Let Common sense prevail Vote YES! this Saturday......if not for you (being lucky in a happy loving family) Vote YES in Favour for those Less Fortunate ones living in Family Abuse
Regarding Church and God .......the No Camp should focus its debates on Civil Rights....not Catholicism......cause its A Civil Right whats being proposed!!!
Mr M Borg
May 26th 2011, 14:11
You might say that divorce it is a Civil right
They might say that it is a civil right
You might believe IVA when they say that divorce is a civil right
However divorce is not a civil, basic. or human right.
Yoy have the human right ot marry a form a family, you do not have a human right to break that family.
Mr carmel catania
May 26th 2011, 08:59
this issue would never come up if he board for annaulmens aced humanely and aced wih ac and speed.
it can deciede an annaulment of a prominent politician son in a very short time less then 12 months.while the average person takes 60 to 84 months.
I think mons Grech of gozo was speaking in regards to this door.
Mr C Muscat
May 25th 2011, 23:54
Old fashioned is divorce because it dates to Moses time. No divorce is the update given by Jesus and I am proud to teach my children to have marriage as an indefinite indissoluble union. And it is exactly Moses type the divorce being offered. The man or the woman just give the paper to the other whether they like it or not.
Peter Xuereb
May 26th 2011, 10:30
You do know that the "divorce" that is allowed in a Jewish marriage is comparable to annulment, right?
Please, don't try to talk about cultures you have no idea about and please think twice before considering another cultures as inferior.
Christine Cefai
May 25th 2011, 21:33
As a British born woman of Maltese parentage (who have been married the past 46 years - to one another I may add!!), I find it incredulous how, in 2011, an outdated minority can still have such old fashioned values when it comes to marriage and divorce.
To use a child as propaganda is shameful, plus his comment does not actually make any sense - 'no one can love me more than my mother and father'. Would their love diminish for their child if they were no longer married? Please explain.
Yes, when you get married, you should marry with the intention of it being for life. If it gets rocky, then you work at it. But, sometimes no matter what you do, things do not work out and divorce sadly becomes the final option. The legal separations that currently exist in Malta sound like people are made to live half lives as they can not fully move on from that marriage which failed for whatever reason - how emotionally exhausting and sad is that?
Mr M Borg
May 25th 2011, 22:43
LIving as you do in England I do not blame you for thinking that we hold old fashioned values on marriage.Although it seems that you also believe in a strong marriage.
Being surrounded as you are by couples who are either divorced , separeated or cohabiting makes it difficult for you to understand why we are proud of our strong marriages.
We would not like Malta to turn into another UK, to name a country , where 1 out of 5 women choose to cohabit instead of marrying. Where couples who are free to marry after divorce still choose to cohabit. Where the number of cohabiting couples in the UK now amounts to over 2 million., where single parent families account for 17 % of all families to a staggering 2.9 million. These figures can be checked if you want , they can be found in Uk census
The number of children born out of wedlock goes up every year.
Uk a country where divorce,separated and cohabiting couples cost the National Purse over £24 billion yearly.. Uk a counrty where the Government is so at a lost that it is thinking of putting a tax on divorce. !
We can see nothing good in divorce, but ruin. Divorce makes marriage seem a waste of money and time and in all the countries where one finds divorce legislation one finds a picture which is very similar to what one finds in the UK.
" No one can love me more than my mother and father "
I find it strange that you think that this does not make sense. To us this is such a natural thing for a child to say. You asked " Would their love diminish for their child if they were no longer married. "
Maybe you can answer this yourself. How would a child feel if he sees his father at the weekends and if he is with his mother during the rest of the week. The parents might still love him in the same way, but is this boy getting both his parents love througout the week ? Is it right for him to wonder if his father will be happy to see him on Saturday ? What was said was not propaganda but a fact of life !
Mr Joseph Lungaro
May 26th 2011, 10:51
@ Mr Borg Please Try have some more respect towards someone married for 46 years......but unlike you with a wider open mind point of view!
I quote you "How would a child feel if he sees his father at the weekends and if he is with his mother during the rest of the week. The parents might still love him in the same way, but is this boy getting both his parents love througout the week ? Is it right for him to wonder if his father will be happy to see him on Saturday ? What was said was not propaganda but a fact of life ! " Do you realize that all that is already happening in Malta to children with separated parents or even worse coming from Church annulment marriages?
Just cause you were lucky in a happy family doesn't mean other less fortunate have to be ignored or even worse forgotten.......Next time you quote statistics try quote Local ones regarding consequence caused by Local separated couples, cohabitating couple, Single parents with new partners or even worse the local children born from an annulled church marriage Fiasco.
Jesmond Micallef
May 26th 2011, 14:20
Mr. M. Borg,
There is absolutely nothing strange about a boy saying:
"No one can love me more than my mother and father "
However, there is something strange when the boy says:
"I BELIEVE no one can love me more than my mother and father"
I could break the neck of anyone who tries to hurt children, let alone my children, for example !
Am I being aggresive ?
Don't worry, I don't have kids.
IS ONE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT IN SAYING THE TRUTH, or is it that some find the truth offensive, Mr. Borg ?
Are there hidden strong emotions to hide the truth at whatever cost ?
Consider the following factual evidence with regards to the collective :
In Germany, it was once politically correct to collect children, gas them and burn them to ashes, yet everybody finds that disgusting but apparently it has to happen first, then humans "LEARN". We are talking about the natural offsprings of humans and not dogs or chameleons.
Jesmond Micallef
May 26th 2011, 16:09
To conclude and round this up, it is very simply and very precisely called :
"EXPERIENCE" in English, "ESPERJENZA" in Maltese, "Erfahrung" in German.
May divorce prevail in Malta for those who are subdued somehow. It will promote responsibility in preventing the messing up of people's lives most especially in those cases where the parents are dysfunctional and/or had no father figures in thier younger formative years.
This is my WAR. No warplanes, no bombs, no concentration camps, no battleships, no armies, no artilery, but just one single individual and his own words.
May divorce prevail in Malta just like it has everywhere else.
May the Lord protect us, whoever he is.
Mr M Borg
May 26th 2011, 16:16
@ Jesmond Micallef
I repeat it there is nothing wrong in a young boy or girl saying
" I believe no one can love me better than may mother or father ."
Children say it all the time, you might not know it because you have no children.
However gas, ashes, dogs and chameleons do not suffer because of divorce, so I guess they can feel safe.
Gerry Cowie
May 25th 2011, 20:37
People of Malta. The vote is yours on Saturday. Do not be pushed around by humanists and secularists and all those with a personal agenda to wipe religion of the face of Malta let alone the earth!
Be guided by your own consciences and not by those who wish to change your country.
Remember that the "yes!" campaign has been based mainly on opposition to the Church which the majority of you are members of. As you will see below many of its protagonists have spent the last few months throwing mud at the Church, pouring on sarcasm and anti-Catholic comment rather than dealing with the subject of divorce itself.
The pro movement has made itself the best weapon the "No!" movement could ever have had.
Just look at some of the comments below, which are very cutting and desperate in their attempt to persuade you to vote the way you want them to.
Would you base your campaign on such stuff?
Whichever side of the fence you are on, ignore everybody else and just do what YOU want to do!
Mr david debattista
May 26th 2011, 13:31
Mr Cowie The divorce issue in Malta is not based on STUFF. We are the only country which does not have divorce, so as you can imagine it is not a issue which we take lightly. It is not right and misleading to think and say, that the pro divorce is on a personal agenda to wipe out the church. Very strong words Mr Cowie and totally untrue. It was the church which called us wolves in sheep skin, such words hurt Mr Cowie especially coming from the church and directed towards, in some cases the weakest of the weak not to mention other actions by the church which were even condemned by other priests. I am pro divorce and I can assure you it is not my intention to bring down the church, nor try to force anyone to vote yes, IT IS NON OF MY BUSINESS HOW HE OR SHE VOTES. IT IS UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL . THEY VOTE AS THEY SEE FIT MR COWIE . What is my business is the fact that as the situation regarding divorce stands, those of us who were not so lucky, cannot regulate their life ! It's like a prison sentence for life, just because marriage did not work out for us. This and only this, is the issue about Divorce in Malta Mr Cowie NO MORE, NO LESS.
Mr david debattista
May 25th 2011, 20:28
@ Jesmond Micallef My mistake , I was not referring to your post but to the article. In another intervention a young boy................can love me more then my father or mother. Wish it was the case for all kids Mr Micallef , you know what I mean. I just feel so disgusted with the way the church and the Anti divorce movement behaved, we even had slander, abuse, threats, people getting threatened with losing their job. A lawyer getting kicked out and now this. Not to mention people being refused absolution We should consider going to court . What filth we have posing behind a doggy collar or calling themselves lawyers.
I still believe that all the Pro divorce should leave the church, we build our own chapel and worship there, why do we have to be part of this filth. I am serious about this make no mistake. As for wards like bastards, that is exactly what I mean FILTH ! As you so well put it Mr Micallef, may divorce prevail .
Mr M Borg
May 25th 2011, 18:03
@ Paul Barrett ( 13.38 )
" Anyone that believes that their parents love them more than anyone else ever can does not actually have much hope for love from spouse or a really strong lastin marriage ."
Are you for real ? How dare you write such rubbish about Maltese families ? Do you have any children ?
How can you say that you live in Malta, that you know the Maltese way of life and write what you wrote ? We have strong families and our children feel safe surrounded by love.
Every child should think h/she has the best Mum and Dad in the world and that no one loves h/her more in the whole wide world. What is wrong in this ?
What twisted logic ! , We grow up surrounded by love that is why when we grow up we can give love back to our spouses. That is why most of us have really strong lasting marriages.
If you really think this way , no wonder you are in favour of divorce .
Mr F J Brincat
May 26th 2011, 08:27
"How can you say that you live in Malta, that you know the Maltese way of life and write what you wrote ? We have strong families and our children feel safe surrounded by love"
Well, if that is really the case, so there should be no problem with the introduction of divorce then. Strong families shall remain strong in all cases.
Mr Alex Buds
May 25th 2011, 17:28
The no camp should be ashamed of themselves for using children in this way. They got a young boy to talk at an event like this?? How low can they stoop???
Efrem Gatt
May 25th 2011, 20:58
low enough to really hear what the children really have to say..
Ms D Galea
May 26th 2011, 00:40
That is rich coming from someone who approves of the word BGHULA on an IVA poster/
Mr Matthew Grima
May 26th 2011, 09:40
Can you find us another word for children born out of wedlock Ms Galea?
Ms Rudi Mcbeal
May 26th 2011, 10:55
And why would one need any words to differ between children born in or out of wedlock, Mr Grima? I have lived in countries where hundreds and thousands of children are born out of wedlock - I have never heard anyone referring to them other than the children of so and so ( not even to couples who choose not to marry but live together, for that matter) but the ignorance in this country has no limits - it seems it would take much more than divorce to educate and civilize us, won't it?
Mr Mario P. Sciberras
May 25th 2011, 17:08
"The report had identified Sr Dorothy Mizzi and Sr Josephine Anne Sultana, as perpetrators of the abuse. Sr Mizzi is vicar general of the congregation." (Times report) Who is afraid of the truth???
So if I understand correctly, Sr Dorothy Mizzi was named in a report about child abuse and she was elected vicar general. It is all for the good of the children and probably she will be voting NO
Mr Jimmie Rowe
May 25th 2011, 17:02
Lets put it this way if we get a YES vote, i'll be the first punter to queue up to file for a divorce. OH TO BE FREE AGAIN ITS HEAVEN, best to cohabite with no ties saves alot of hasstle i say, still i live in the UK and here one in three is separated, divorced or getting divorced, and guess what they all end up with their second, third or fourth partner in Malta/Gozo or Cyprus our the way of their immediate families.
Mr M Borg
May 25th 2011, 17:45
How very true.! People think that divorce solves all, they do not believe in the consequences that follow !
We have English people who write painting divorce in a rosy picture ,unbelievable !
Matthew Bugeja
May 25th 2011, 18:38
So Mr.Borg in all your wisdom what is the solution?
Mr Owen Grixti
May 25th 2011, 16:19
In separation or in annulment (for the church something that never happened in my opinion a farce as it is actually same as divorce, but in another name “divorce” is of the state), are children being looked after? There will be no change in this, so why are you still using these comments and try to confuse people. You still don’t have a single good comment on this subject.
For how long have couples separated or took an annulment also having kids, did you ever considered in checking why they are having trouble, what’s the source, and how you helped in this? Can you please tell us how you are trying to help these couples? Where were you and all your supporters all these years? How can you state what you are trying to say and make people more confuse, if you don’t have any proof or ever tried to make some form of communications with these couples, and try to find what is the real cause? What will change if the referendum doesn’t pass? Will you start helping these people Salomone?
Or it’s just a Broadcast WAR (some politics and the church) against people rights? I never ever heard in my whole life the word vote and referendum in church. Last Sunday I heard it 2 times, than I left cause it wasn’t a mass, it was like being in a meeting.
If you really care of children, instead of putting billboards of kids, “vote for me” why you didn’t allowed those 2800 youths to vote?
Mr Paul Licari
May 25th 2011, 16:11
Mr. Laviera
Fr Hayden has been following the events of the weeping statue and the associate phenomena. He has never made any statement about the authenticity of these events. He has been very prudent about it. That judgement pertains to the Church authorities. Unfortunately, those who have not been eyewitnesses to these events simply jump to their own conclusions, many times based on incorrect information divulged by the media. I have witnessed personally several of the manifestations. How funny... Those who have not seen think they can judge those who have seen! And on what basis? Just on what they think! Perhaps this is symptomatic of someone who does not search for the truth.
Back to Fr Hayden. Fr Hayden's talk on divorce issue - as some of those present have commented - is one that can be described as love in truth. Fr Hayden has advocated love and respect for those who have a different position than that of the official Church position. At the same time he explained several issues from a Catholic point of view. It is very easy to criticize him before listening to him. Unfortunately, that is the way things are! And that already says a lot!
Mary Borg
May 25th 2011, 15:59
sal lum il gurnata, li tizzewweg ifisser li twieghed formalment lil persuna li ser tizzewweg, li ahna ser inkunu ta' xulxin, fit-tajjeb u l-hazin, ghal hajjitna kollha, sakemm il-mewt tifridna. Izda jekk jidhol id-divorzu, l-istituzzjoni taz-zwieg tradizzjonali ser tinbidel ma' wahda simili imma differenti. Jekk jidhol id-divorzju, li tizzewweg ser ikun ifisser illi twieghed formalment illi ahna ser inkunu ta' xulxin, fit-tajjeb imma mhux fil-hazin, u mhux ghal hajjitna kollha imma sakemm niddejjaq minnek jew insib xi haga ahjar. Nahseb illi il-familji tal-futur ghandhom ikunu ibbazati fuq rabta iktar soda minn rabta coff.
Sfortunatament huwa fatt maghruf illi kull fejn hemm id-divorzju, u allura it-tieni u t-tielet zwieg, ghandek rata ta' tkisser taz-zwieg li hija ikbar fit-tieni zwieg meta komparata mal-ewwel zwieg. U it-tielet zwieg huwa terga' u tghid aktar instabbli mit-tieni zwieg. Mela jekk jidhol id-divorzju ser nimtlew biz-zwigijiet li huma tat-tieni jew tielet darba li ser ikunu izjed instabbli mill-ewwel zwieg u allura dan ser ikun ifisser rata ikbar ta' zwigijiet li jfallu u allura ser ikollna rata ikbar ta' tfal li ser ibatu milli ga ghandna. Ghal kull problema li jsolvi, id-divorjzu johloqlok tnejn godda. Mela fl-ahhar mill-ahhar il-pajjiez ser jispicca b'izjed problemi milli kellek qabel.
Mr Owen Grixti
May 25th 2011, 16:22
Annulament xinu??? Separazioni xini??
Qissa misitkhom qalbkom fuq din il-haga?
Xghamiltu dawn lahhar snin biex tghinu dawn il-familji
Mary Borg
May 25th 2011, 17:50
Annulament ifisser li ghandek kuntratt taz-zwieg li qatt ma' kien validu. Wiehed jista' jahdem izjed favur il-familji, per ezempju wiehed jista' idahhal mizuri biex inaqqas il-piz finanzjarju fuq il-familji izda fl-ahhar mill-ahhar, taghmel x'taghmel qatt ma' jista' jkollok 100% taz-zwigijiet li jirnexxu. Soluzzjoni ghal problemi kollha m'ghandniex. Il-problema tad-divorzju hija li kull fejn dahal qatt ma' taffa xi problema izda minflok kompla jaggravahom. Fejn dahal id-divorzju zdiedu il-pogguti, zdiedu iz-zwigijiet li jitkissru, zdiedu it-tfal barra zwieg, zdiedu t-tfal li jbatu minhabba is-separazzjoni/divorzju tal-genituri u zdied il-faqar fost il-familji u fl-ahhar u mhux l-inqas naqset il-fiducja fil-valur taz-zwieg.
Mr Alex Buds
May 25th 2011, 15:54
The pro-divorce camp is "silencing the voice of the Church"??? Are they serious?? Is that even possible in Malta?
Mr A. Mizzi
May 25th 2011, 15:33
Tal -Misthija kif it-tfal jigu abbuzati u uzati ghal finijiet tal-agenda ta' min qieghed jghid ghandhu l-interess tal-familja! Dawn veru daqqiet taht ic-cinturin!
Dawn it-tfal li tkellmu min qabbadhom u stiedinhom? L-Informazzjoni fuqhom minn mininghatat? Giet migbura waqt it-tberik tad-djar?
Fejna il-kummissarju tat-tfal? Ghal x'hiex qedgha hemm, ghas-salarju?
Nara dawn il-mossi kollha biex jinzaamm monopolju fuq ixoljament taz-zwiegijiet aktar nivotta IVA u bil qalb DRITTIJIET u mhux pjaciri!
Ms pat muscat
May 25th 2011, 15:07
Every country on this planet is on the wrong side.......except Malta!!!!!!!
Jesmond Micallef
May 25th 2011, 15:18
Makes one wonder from where do Maltese graduates from the UOM graduate with post doctoral degrees for example. Oh this is getting so hot now !!
Alfred Falzon
May 25th 2011, 16:18
@Pat Muscat
Only champagne Socialists and self-proclaimed Liberals are right. The rest of the Maltese are wrong!
We are not copycats and refuse to be influenced by foreign lifestyles that have foundered and are now struggling to pick up the pieces!
Let the concept of the MALTESE FAMILY as the cornerstone of our society prevail next Saturday!
Mr Dave Schembri
May 25th 2011, 18:33
I guess that's why there are more Maltese living outside of Malta than inside.
Marianne Tabone
May 25th 2011, 14:29
Mr. Cassar int staqsejt 'what has Christ got to do with civil divorce?' Ha nghidlek jien! Ghal min hu nisrani Kristu ghandu x'jaqsam totalment f'din il-kwistjoni! U anke kieku ma kellux! It-tfal ibatu meta jaraw lil xi hadd jew it-tnejn mill-genituri taghhom ma' sieheb jew siehba ohra. Jien naf b'aktar minn kas wiehed fejn l-omm kienet mietet u t-tfal batew meta missierhom izzewweg mar'ohra! Ahseb u ara jekk tkun ghada hajja. Jien iltqajt ma hafna tfal matul karriera fl-edukazzjoni fejn kien hemm separazzjoni - dik ibatu hafna diga - imma fejn xi genitur isib xi hadd iehor it-tbatija tkun HAFNA AKBAR! NAF X'JIEN NGHID! U naf ukoll b'kazi fejn is-sieheb tal-omm jirrikonoxxi tfal minn mara mizzewga qabel u allura dawn it-tfal ikunu ahwa b'kunjomijet differenti! Il-haga responsabbli fejn zwieg ifalli hu li l-persuni jpoggu lit-tfal fl-ewwel post u ma jkomplux ihawdu l-borma billi jgibu tfal ohra fid-dinja. U mbaghad x'ahna nghidu? Bil-kontijiet tad-dawl u l-ilma u tant gholi iehor veru li familja ma tlahhaqx mal-ispejjez? Ghax jekk hu veru hekk kif xi hadd jista' jahseb li l-istess bniedem se jlahhaq biex imantni zewg familji? Jew il-hajja mpossibbli li wiehed jghix sewwa jew le! Jew anke d-divorzju f'Malta se jkun ghas-sinjuri biss (ghal min jaffordja li jzomm zewg familji) kif qed jinghad ghad-divorzju miksub minn barra? Ghandna bzonn nahsbu qabel nivvutaw! Jien se nivvota le! L-esperjenza hekk ghallmitni!
Mr Victor Laiviera
May 25th 2011, 15:08
Min qal li min jissepara ma jsibx sieħeb ieħor jew sieħba oħra?
Mr Joseph Galea
May 25th 2011, 15:51
X'se tivvota int hu irrelevanti u hadd ma jinteressah, dik biex nibdew. Dak kollu li semmejt diga qed jigru ta, ghaidtu int stess. Mela x'differenza se jaghmel id-divorzju hlief li jirregolarizza dan it-tahwid l'hawn. Bid-divorzju u mhux xorta t-tahwid se jibqa u xorta kulhadd igib it-tfal bl-addocc. Ghall-inqas bid-divorzju jigu rikonoxxuti mill-Ligi. Il-fatt li ghidt li ragel irid imantni 2 familji, turi kemm int veru brainwashed u ma tafx x'int tghid. Meta mara terga tizzewweg ir-ragel ta' qabel ma ghandu l-ebda obligazzjoni li jkompli jmantniha. Barra minn hekk illum fuq il-gazzetta kien hemma ratiklu li 90% tan-nisa jirrifjutaw il-manteniment basta jitilqu r-ragel taghhom u ma jibqghux jghixu fil-mizerja.
Fuq it-tfal, it-tfal ibatu hafna aktar meta jkunu qed jghixu f'familji fejn il-genituri jkunu gwerra u t-tfal jispiccaw jizfnu fin-nofs. Ghallinqas bid-divorz ikun hemm iktar stabbilita'. Haga ohra, din hi kwistjoni civili u mhux religjuza. Int emmen dak li trid u toqghodx timponi t-twemmin tieghek fuq haddiehor, ghax qallajtu l-kulhadd b'dawn it-tattici medjevali ta' biza' u nfren u dnubiet u x'naf jien. Id-dnubiet qed twettaqhom il-knisja u n-nies taghha bl-abbuzi fuq nil-minorenni, u int l-ewwel wahda taghlaq halqek, imbasta tigi tilghaba tal-qaddisa.
Mela Marianne Tabone, qabel titkellem ara naqra l-fatti.
Kenneth Grima
May 25th 2011, 16:08
@Marianne Tabone
Mhux diga min hu separat u qieghed poggutt diga imantni zewg famili? Int qeghdha tghix f'din id-dinja?Min hu separat tahseb li ma jkollux sieheb jew siehba ohra?trid tidevorzja biex ikollok wicc hadt iehor?Nerga nistaqsik qeghdin nighxu fl-istess pjaneta?
Mela int qeghdha tinkwieta ghat-tfal ta l-ewwel familja u it-tfal min tat-tieni ghax m'humiex tfal min zwieg kristjan fil-knisja ma ninkwetawx ghalijhom?Inthom li ha tivvutaw le qed toholqu diskriminazzjoni ghax minthomx tivvotaw biex it-tfal kollha jkollhom listess dritt qed toholqu klassijiet differenti tat-tfal u ovjament it-tfal ta zwieg kristjan qed tippreferuhom u tatuhom drittijiet akbar. Inthom nies egoisti
Graziella Vella
May 25th 2011, 14:24
Why is all this humdrum taking place? Ordinated priests can terminate their marriage with God and marry a woman... what's the big deal when it comes to a woman/man marrying for the second time? It's high time for the church to focus on its own deeds before nosing in the lives of others.
As for the no-movement I feel disgusted by their propaganda which is definitely not reflecting reality. Why didn't they pick a boy who have to live domestic violence everyday to talk during their seminar? A movement composed of happily-married people, who claim to be Christians but who don't care less about who's suffering injustice. Of course, dear church, maintaining your monopoly on annulments and making thousands of euros every year is cushy.
Let the Maltese people decide for themselves. Your manipulative tactics are only leading to the distancing of people who are able to make up their own minds from the church.
Mr W Cassar
May 25th 2011, 14:02
Again I ask what has Christ got to do with civil divorce?? Why are still playing this game of pin pong? Are you afraid of divorce becuase you do not have a strong marriage....are you going to blame divorce for that...why not the cana movement, the church or Gonzi PN for the high cost of living.
Divorce is a choice for some people and not for many more...what is the big deal? The break up of families, that are already broken, the hurt of children that have already gone through separation and have come to terms with it, like I did when I was 10.
The NO movement are incorrect on the facts, I do not care if someone calls Christ incorrect or wrong, this is not about him becuase he is not married and here now.
Its about real people with real problems...and if we really care about our fellow human beings ..we vote yes!
Mr Paul Barrett
May 25th 2011, 13:38
I wonder if a child with parents that either mentally, physically or sexually abuse the child would actually come out with the same view.
Apart from that, anyone that believes that their parents love them more than anyone else ever can does not actually have much hope for love from their spouse or a really strong lasting marriage.
The whole no campaign has been built up on misconceptions, twisting of facts and statistics, official and lay religious dogma on a subject which is a secular matter in an attempt to deny legislation to give a civil right to those that wish to use it.
If people are vindictive enough to believe the no movements statements and advertising they actually deserve to experience and live the unhappiness themselves that they intend to inflict on those unfortunate to have suffered a legal separation but wish to pick up the pieces and contract a civil marriage.
Mr John Agius
May 25th 2011, 13:29
"Great-Minds-Discuss-Ideas; Average-Minds-Discuss-Events; Small-Minds-Discuss People." In a similar vein “Discussion is an expression of the exchange-of-knowledge while argument is purely an exchange-of-ignorance.”
Focussing on the current debate on divorce, on Saturday I will be voting YES (IVA) because I want to allow-society to-be-free to-debate-ideas and to-decide-its-own-destiny away from any form of IMPOSITION. I trust future generations to be free to decide their destiny.
As a staunch advocate of DEMOCRACY and DEMOCRATIC FREEDOM I will be voting IVA because I strongly OPPOSE all forms of DICTATORSHIP and I don’t want to DICTATE onto others what to do and how to live their life. I feel that all forms of IMPOSITION are undemocratic, shameful and in the case of the divorce issue “a reflection of MISTRUST in future generations”.
In other words a YES vote guarantees the right to EVERYONE (including minorities) to be free to decide their future. A YES-VOTE will allow “Great-Minds” to continue to discuss and decide “Ideas” in a truly democratic and free society away from IMPOSITION, fear and sins. I vote YES because I care for those suffering from the in justice being promoted by the ‘no’ camp.
Joe Grech
May 25th 2011, 13:21
I have certainly not been convinced that Divorce is good for society - far from it. During the many meeting and debates nobody assured voters that there won't be very serious repercussions also on government (for which read taxpayer) finances if divorce is legalized - and, as in the issue of single parents - very widely abused. We all know that is happening but politicians prefer to look the other way lest they lose votes!
Divorce....then other things such as cohabiting single sex couples, euthanasia and the entire list of serious and dangerous ''modern and enlightened'' demands which different sections of society may feel should similarly be introduced.
The family - and society - stand to be very seriously affected if divorce is legalized.
Mr Joseph Galea
May 25th 2011, 15:55
"Divorce....then other things such as cohabiting single sex couples, euthanasia and the entire list of serious and dangerous ''modern and enlightened'' demands which different sections of society may feel should similarly be introduced."
Quoting your disgusting and irrelevant comment, if you are alluding to same sex marriages, I wish to enlighten you that gay people pay taxes and therefore they are entitled for their rights. People who evade taxes and buggers on the welfare system should not have any civil rights. Comment like yours unmasks the true face of Catholics like you who are full of egoism and hatred towards others.
Charles J. Buttigieg
May 25th 2011, 13:21
In another intervention, a young boy, speaking to the audience, said "I'm against divorce because I believe no one can love me more than my mother and father," followed by rapturous applause.
How childish, would a child be loved more than his biological parents if their parents separate and cohabit with different partners?
Peter Bonnici
May 25th 2011, 17:11
Charles, I'm trying to get my head around your question, i.e.: 'would a child be loved more than his biological parents if their parents separate and cohabit with different partners?' How did the nanniet come into it? :-)
Charles J. Buttigieg
May 25th 2011, 17:44
Nanniet? Who mentioned nanniet?
Ms Marika Doublet
May 25th 2011, 13:12
The Church puzzles me and I have quesions. Yes, hopefully marriage will be for life. Yes, hopefully there will be love that grows within that marriage, with or without children. Yes, protect the children. Now..I know of a couple - I'll change their name - Jane and John. John is not Maltese. He married overseas and had one child in that marriage. They came to an amicable conclusion to end the marriage. They got a divorce. He came to Malta. John met Jane after a number of years living on the island. Jane was single. They fell in love and wanted to get married. Jane would have stayed with him no matter what but out of respect for her aging parents she wanted to marry in the church. They consulted the church authorities.
John's first wife - that is- the one he divorced had already been married and divorced before. She was a divorcee. On finding this out the church authorites advised them that they were permitted to marry in church as according to the church, John's first marriage was not recognized by the church. Therefore, it was considered as though he never had got married. John and Jane happily married in a Catholic church in Malta. Everyone was happy.....BUT? What about John's first child? where does s/he stand in relation to the church? Was she born out of wedlock? Was she a b......? Do they even care about her? or maybe not, she's not Maltese.
And what about the children of those couples granted catholic annulments? So, where they born during a marriage blessed by God? or were they illegitimate b.........?
The mind boggles!
Peter Bonnici
May 25th 2011, 17:17
Its funny how the (self-annointed) 'progressive' Yes camp insist on referring to children, born of wedlock, as bastards and 'bghula', and cohabiting couples as 'pogguti'.
Mr Ian Micallef
May 25th 2011, 13:07
Non sequitur (pronounced /nɒnˈsɛkwɪtər/) is Latin for "it does not follow." It is most often used as a noun to describe illogical statements.
Non sequitur (logic), a logical fallacy where a stated conclusion is not supported by its premise.
Example:
"I'm against divorce because I believe no one can love me more than my mother and father,"
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non_sequitur
Peter Bonnici
May 25th 2011, 17:29
It was a child speaking, and not some articulate politician like, say, Joe Debono-Grech. So, to translate, the boy simply stated that a child will never feel loved by a step-dad, as much as he can feel loved by his natural dad - his point being, don't put him in that situation.
Mr Ian Micallef
May 26th 2011, 10:08
My indirect criticism was not directed at the boy but at the audience who, rather than recognise the stunt as a cheap attempt at emotional manipulation, reacted to the statement with "rapturous applause".
Charles J. Buttigieg
May 25th 2011, 13:07
Ara ftit x'"intelligenza"........
1. Hi tradizzjoni li meta jkun hemm ordinazzjoni kollettiva ta' grupp kbir, din tithabbar bil-kbir xi xahar qabel bhala "festa tad-djocesi"
2. Hi tradizzjoni li f'kazi bhal dawn l-ordinazzjoni ssir qrib il-festi ta' Corpus jew tal-Qalb ta' Gesu`... i.e. lejn nofs jew l-ahhar ta' Gunju
3. U biss f'xi ordinazzjoni ta' xi wiehed wahdu li c-cerimonja ssir f'data differenti tul is-sena....
4. Interesanti kif did-darba giet imhabbra ezatt fil-gimgha tar-referendum...
5. Hu IKTAR interessanti kif se ssir velja LEJL SHIH lejlet ic-cerimonja li KUMBINAZZJONI jahbat lejlet ir-referendum..
Kwazi kwazi qed jghidilhom... wara li taduraw morru dritt ivvutaw!!!
Nhar is-Sibt 28 ta’ Mejju 2011, fid-Djoċesi ta’ Għawdex ser issir l-ordinazzjoni tal-Presbiterat. L-ordinazzjoni tal-presbiterat ser issir minn Mons Isqof Mario Grech waqt konċelebrazzjoni solenni li għaliha huwa mistenni numru kbir ta’ saċerdoti flimkien mall-familjari ta’ l-ordinandi u l-poplu ta’ Alla fid-Djoċesi ta’ Għawdex. L-ordinazzjoni li ser issir fil-Knisja Kattidrali tibda fis-6.00 pm.
Il-kandidati li ser jersqu għal-ordinazzjoni tal-presbiterat huma:
Krystoff Buttiġieġ mill-parroċċa tal-Qala
Simon M. Cachia mill-parroċċa ta’ San Ġorġ
Samuel Grech mill-parroċċa ta’ Għajnsielem
Stephen Magro OFM
John Mejlaq mill-parroċċa tal-Kattidral
Trevor Sultana mill-parroċċa tax-Xewkija
Franklin Vella mill-parroċċa tax-Xewkija
Bi preparazzjoni għal-ordinazzjoni saċerdotali ser issir Velja ta’ Talb fis-Seminarju ta’ Għawdex nhar il-Ġimgħa 27 ta’ Mejju. Il-Velja tibda fid-
9.00 pm. Ikun preżenti Mons Isqof Mario Grech. Il-kappella tas-Seminarju tkun miftuħa matul il-lejl kollu għal-adorazzjoni. Kulħadd huwa mistieden
Mr Victor Laiviera
May 25th 2011, 15:11
This is a direct challenge to the law and the Constitution.
The Church wants to flaunt its power and show that it is above the law.
Alfred Falzon
May 25th 2011, 16:27
@Victor Laiviera
The Church has the right to teach but not to castigate!
This has nothing to do with the Constitution!
What's next...mouth-gagging to please the champagne Socialists and self-proclaimed "Liberals"?!
We will not take lessons from foreign lifestyles which have foundered and are now picking up the pieces!
We believe in the FAMILY as the cornerstone of MALTESE SOCIETY!
EDWIN DE MARCO
May 25th 2011, 12:57
According to the bible God gave King Solomon his wisdom because He knew that the king was a selfless (not selfish) man. I just wonder if his (King Solomon's) double-barelled descendant has inherited this beatitude as it is one thing to disagree with someone & it's another thing to speak about their character...
Mr john vella
May 25th 2011, 15:10
@ Lawrench Fench
So am I my friend! By the way I am no saint or GONZI PN. I am just a gran father with a broken heart because of a broken family in the family. That is why I beg you to vote NO to this King Henry type Yes vote.
Mr Lawrence Fenech
May 25th 2011, 12:38
GonziPN is afraid of the "YES" vote and so are his saintly friends.
Mr Marius Zulgis
May 25th 2011, 12:30
Usual rhetorical nonsense from the "No" windbags - I don't even read it any more as it has become too tedious. Exactly how stupid do they think the Maltese voter really is, because by their words and actions the answer would have to be "very". Hopefully we'll prove them wrong come the 28th.
A potential "No" voter said these words to me today: "I want to vote No but not a single one of the arguments fielded by the No campaigners holds any water." No changes there, then.
Those with a mind of their own - follow your conscience and vote accordingly.
Mr Hamish Dempster
May 25th 2011, 12:22
It is the Church which is afraid of the truth. It is the Church which is saying lies to the public by telling us that it is a sin and all the BLA BLA BLA Just like the 1960s. I just wonder as from where is all the money coming to pay for the extravagant campaign ( i have my doubts) .
Its all lies by bringing up the question of the children sufferring, this is not true I WAS ONE. Working on the criteria of the non divorce movement, DONT CHILDREN SUFFER FROM ANNULMENTS OR CO HABITATION.
Mr Paul Licari
May 25th 2011, 12:20
Explaining what is going on should not scare anyone. Everyone is entiltled to be informed.
If you want answers to many of the queries see and hear Fr. Hayden’s talk
“In-Nisrani quddiem id-Divorzju”
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?p=PL53CEF994615F4831
and
www.frhayden.org
Mr Victor Laiviera
May 25th 2011, 14:43
Is this the same Father Hayden who believes that statues can weep cooking oil, salt and human blood (depending on what is available)?
I think I'll pass. :) :)
Mr Michael Debono
May 25th 2011, 12:14
n another intervention, a young boy, speaking to the audience, said "I'm against divorce because I believe no one can love me more than my mother and father," followed by rapturous applause
This is written in to-day's times.
Why try to brainwash children and involve them in this debate. They can only come to the same conclusion which could be described as "the boy is forcing an open door"
Who forced this boy to do that trick.
Who does not agree that parents are those who love most their children?
Neil Lennon
May 25th 2011, 12:09
The fact that the 'NO Movement' have exploited a young boy for their own means tells me these people are extremists and their God forbid they ever get any power in this country.
EDWIN DE MARCO
May 25th 2011, 13:20
Neil, they're probably already sorry for 'exploting' the boy because they know that our country is amongst the foremost in dealing with abuse of minors, heh!heh! I can't see where they will be able to get all those grindstones to hang around their necks...
Mr Michael Debono
May 25th 2011, 12:07
Dr Galea Salomone Are you living in Malta . You say that the Yes to divorce are silencing the voice of the children and that of the Church.
Following your reasoning the No Vote are silencing the voice of the Yes vote and of the separated couples.
However sayong that the yes to divorce are silencing the Church vote is terribly misleading as every person in Malta can hear or read the voice of the Church, contrary of what you write
Chris Farrugia
May 25th 2011, 12:06
If a man commits adultery with another man's wife--with the wife of his neighbor--both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death.
Leviticus 20:10
EDWIN DE MARCO
May 25th 2011, 13:14
That would surely give us more space to breathe in tiny Malta. At least there would be less shouting on a crowded beach on Sundays, less cars around & undertakers would gain thousands of euros. Money, money, money! Another false god the Maltese are credited to have invented before the coming of...
Mr Michael Debono
May 25th 2011, 12:02
Is this Galea Salamone living in Malta when he says the Yes are silencing the voice of the children and believe or not, the voice of the Church.
Is the Church silent? Mr or Dr Galea Salamone wake up.
EDWIN DE MARCO
May 25th 2011, 13:26
Could he have been having one of Solomon's wise dreams? But you know, it's quite a tiresome job 24X7 trying to ram untruths down people's throats. I hope he gets his well-deserved rest so that we can have our usual programs on local TV, as these last few weeks it seems as if time has stood still programme-wise.
Mr Wally Vella-Zarb
May 25th 2011, 11:50
Does the little boy / actor come from a distressed family unit? Does he know what it feels like when parents are at each other's throat, day in day out? I don't think so! Never have I experienced such a vile and cynically misleading campaign as the one being waged by the 'no' movement and whoever is pulling their strings; it is even worse than what happened in the sixties. At least then the church had the guts to come out in the open and not remain in the background with sly 'advice' to the diminishing flock of 'fidili', a flock that is bound to be shown a having been severely depleted following next Saturday's vote. Shame on all of them!
Nathalie Frendo
May 25th 2011, 11:49
So its all right for the No movement to spalsh childrens' images on billboards asking us to vote No in their name, but its wrong for any one else to use the same innocent creatures. Children should not be present in such debates, whether in favour or aginst. Its a pity that they are affected because of troubles between adults. It is very obvious that a child is manipulated to say what an adult puts into his/her mouth. Shame to whoever is so poor of arguments and ideas as to resort to using the helpless, minors
Mr Kevin J Vella
May 25th 2011, 11:46
Perhaps what we really should be afraid of is Opus Dei and the cult that the Church is promoting
http://www.odan.org/testimonies_and_writings.htm
Etienne Farrugia
May 25th 2011, 12:41
Help remove the talons of the Catholic church from around the neck of our country.
So this is what it's all about, and you cannot careless of even thinking about what's best for society !!
Mr Michael Debono
May 25th 2011, 13:14
Opus Dei is the richest institution within the Catholic institutions with a huge H.Q in fshonble New York
Mr William Flynn
May 25th 2011, 11:42
The young boy's words should be true in a good marriage; and even in a broken marriage, that is often true. I know a divorced father who drove over 100km there and 100km back every night to put the kids to bed when his estranged wife went to live far away.
Many couples remain together for the children's sake and live separate lives under the one roof.
Many couples divorce in their 50's after the children grow up.
Many couples are so far gone that no children's tears will keep them together.
If only children's tears worked; but in the real world they don't and couples must separate, do the best they can under laws to protect the children and move on.
If children's tears worked, would we have three kinds of divorce already in Malta?
Be realistic on Saturday; call a spade a spade and give to the State, the Republic of Malta, the compassion, the power and the conviction to enact proper laws for people who have reached the place between a rock and a hard place and the only option for them is divorce. I don’t have to elaborate every independently thinking adult knows the situation.
The church knows this place between a rock and a hard place very well; for it has granted millions, yes, millions, of its brand of divorce, disguised under the annulment wrapper. Children cried for them too.
Be truthful. Vote “YES” on Saturday. Help remove the talons of the Catholic church from around the neck of our country. Other European countries have done it; are we lesser people?
Etienne Farrugia
May 25th 2011, 12:42
Help remove the talons of the Catholic church from around the neck of our country.
So this nis what it's about, and you don't careless about even thinking what is best for society !
Jesmond Micallef
May 25th 2011, 11:39
Pro-divorce camp afraid of the truth.
Does TRUTH need evidence ?
Mr Raymond Ambrogio
May 25th 2011, 11:38
"It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery." - MATTHEW 5:31 Does Jesus accept DIVORCE in marital unfaithfulness?
"I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery." MATTHEW 19:9 I ask again Does JESUS accept DIVORCE in marital unfaithfulness?
Mr Tommy Vella
May 25th 2011, 14:04
Mons Saydon, our greates biblical scholar, who spent his whole life working on the Bible and who translated it single-handedly from the original languages, translates Mt 5, 31 as “barra mill-każ ta’ rabta ħażina”.
In the relevant footnote he explained it thus: “Il-liġi ta’ Mosè kienet tippermetti d-divorzju, il-liġi ta’ Kristu, le. Wieħed jista’, u għandu, jinfired minn martu meta bejniethom hemm rabta mhix skont il-liġi, jiġifieri jekk mhumiex marbutin sewwa.”
Which to me seems to point more towards annulment than towards divorce.
Mr William Flynn
May 25th 2011, 14:34
Annulment IS divorce in a different wrapper. In Malta, Catholic annulment puts credence in the religious bells and whistles and the legally meaningless embellishments of liturgy of the marriage ceremony, at the expense of the legal power of what is inherently a state contract.
Thereby, the Catholic church perverts the justice of the rights of the spouses under the State contract by usurping its essentially legal and secular nature and transforms it into a religious document binding everyone regardless of religion.
If any Maltese married in a Maltese church examines their marriage certificate they will quickly verify that it is NOT a religious document.
The Maltese people would be fools to allow this unique opportunity to stop this religious nonsense and Catholic power over their private lives and relationships to slip through their fingers on Saturday.
Protest your privacy, your life and your destiny. "YES"!
Jesmond Micallef
May 25th 2011, 11:33
Quote 1) "I'm against divorce because I believe no one can love me more than my mother and father"
Quote 2) "They told us Christ might have been wrong. Christ knows more than we could know what is good for society," the lawyer said.
Please, keep children's BELIEFS out of this, they are not considered to be mature enough by ADULTS.
Mr david debattista
May 25th 2011, 11:51
What about fathers and mothers who do not love their children Do you have an idea how many are out their who wish they had your childhood. You are making all of us sick ! You have nothing to say and that is a fact your are just afraid of divorce because you see it as a threat to your own understanding and believes just because you were luck and have it so good. What about the once who are not so lucky . Take a walk.
Mr david debattista
May 25th 2011, 11:58
STOP ABUSING INNOCENT CHILDREN IN YOUR PROPAGANDA . YOU SHOULD NOT BE DOING THIS.
Jesmond Micallef
May 25th 2011, 13:08
Mr. David Debattista,
Take a deep breadth and relax, I am not against divorce and agree with you wholeheartedly. Please read once again my last sentence. Children are not considered to be mature enough by adults. Isn't that correct and truthful ? I think it is. They form the perfect excuse by adults for this very adult affair, divorce is, I'm afriad. On the other hand, I have seen words like "bastards" here too, for example.
I hope you understand better now, Mr. Debattista.
May divorce prevail in Malta for those who desperately need it, I am not against it at all.
EDWIN DE MARCO
May 25th 2011, 13:34
I can't agree with Quote 1. God loves you more than anyone but your parents are a very close second. I agree that children should be left out of the never-ending squabbles between so-called adults.
Jesmond Micallef
May 25th 2011, 15:47
Mr. Edwin De Marco, it's not a question of "believing", so once again, adults should leave children out of this. That's very important in this adult debate.
Mr Joseph Brincat
May 25th 2011, 11:27
Oh stop it because you have bored us to death!
I will be voting 'Yes' and no amount of scaremongering on your part will change my mind.
(jb)
Bud Moureaux - Flanders (BE) & Xemxija, SPB (MT)
May 25th 2011, 11:24
For over 2 years, I have been closely following the ongoing divorce debate in Malta in all possible media and through contacts with Maltese friends and relatives.
Divorce in most cases is not at all an easy way out but a realistic way to end the suffering of a marriage broken down beyond repair, both for the spouses and their children.
Therefore the only sensible and courageous choice for Malta to make is:
(1) To introduce a well balanced civil divorce legislation, respecting the rights and interests of all parties concerned, the spouses and their children.
... and in a later stage ...
(2) To separate State and Church, i.e. abolish Art.2 of the Constitution immediately.
This is already 50 years overdue. An untenable situation will then finally cease to persist. In this way, Malta will become a real secular society where Maltese effectively can decide for themselves without fearing to be bullied by Mgr. XYZ or Mr JZ and consorts. The Church in Malta should restrict its role to its teaching and advice to its own flock, i.e. Catholics, but refrain by all means from scaremongering and dictating what others should or shouldn't do.
I would like to share with all of you and with the anti-divorce movement in particular, the following quote from the renowned British philosopher, logician, essayist and social critic.
"If there were in the world today any large number of people who desired their own happiness more than they desired the unhappiness of others, we could have paradise in a few years."
And finally I would add that, if the spouses in a marriage are convinced that he or she is no more loved by the other partner, life's greatest happiness itself will have vanished. Without TLC - Tenderness, Love and Care - a marriage will gradually fade, become non-existent and die in silence.
So, Saturday 28th, the only right choice is IVA - YES, for the benefit of those who have been less fortunate in their life than others! For them AND for Malta your YES vote will make the difference. YES, you can!
Mr Paul Licari
May 25th 2011, 11:47
"If there were in the world today any large number of people who desired their own happiness more than they desired the unhappiness of others, we could have paradise in a few years."
Bertrand Russell said that.
If he is your ideal. He divorced 3 times, and his son, John, and his wife ended up in a mental hospital.
I prefer Jesus Christ as my ideal and I do not need to repeat what he said about divorce.
Everybody knows it.
"Yes" is a complete rejection of Christ's teaching. "No" is accepting Christ's teaching.
Kenneth Grima
May 25th 2011, 11:20
The Pro-Divorce is afraid yes, but of the lies and treaths by the church and the No-Movement that they put on people, and many are succumbing to all that. Shame on our corrupt church. It is better if they put their energy on all the cases of abuse on children by church clergymen ''SHAME SHAME SHAME''. THIS IS ANOTHER GAME BY THE CHURCH TO ALLIENATE PEOPLE FROM THE REALITY AROUND US. Stop abusing our children.
Mr M Vella***
May 25th 2011, 11:19
The 'Babaw Brigades',The more they talk the more I want to vote yes, yes, yes!
Ruben Hili
May 25th 2011, 11:54
Mela most of the people are believing the babaw brigade rather than the "U-TURN brigade"....with JPO some 10years ago stating the very bad consequences of divorce on several local newspapers...NO COMMENTS
Ms B Cassar
May 25th 2011, 11:13
Yes, we actually don't want to hear. Only we don't want to hear more crap coming out of the LE campaign. That's the only thing we are tired of. The moment you will present step by step solutions for couples to cope with irreversable problems such a violence, then yes we will hear. But till the day you will continue going around the bible, the church etc, then whatever you say will be shut down. A receipe dear Le Campaign, that's all we want.
Mr Jo Camm
May 25th 2011, 11:10
The Pro-Divorce movement know that they are on the wrong path and have no arguments to contradict those who are against divorce. Therefore they are trying to shut tour mouth.
They only say that we are using 'scaremongering tactics'. We are only saying the truth. If the truth scares you it is evident that you are on the wrong path. They better change their life.
Mr A Spiteri
May 25th 2011, 11:10
"He also criticised those who said the Church should not have a say in the matter"
since we're far from living in a true secular country...he is perfectly right!
and this is the reason i'm voting YES on saturday...my vote goes beyond Divorce...I want to live in a true secular country!
Ramon Casha
May 25th 2011, 11:05
How would he know? He hasn't uttered a word of truth since the start of this campaign.
Ms Gillian Snook
May 25th 2011, 11:04
Children feel guilty if they speak out against their parents and shouldn't be put in this position.
I'm very happy for this little boy who obviously has a loving and peaceful family, but what about the many children whose home environment is not safe or loving. It should be the responsibility of the PARENTS to decide what is best for their child not an outsider.
Mr Christian Cassar-Torregiani
May 25th 2011, 11:27
@ Gabi Calleja :
Venting your feelings against those who believe in Christ and His church gets you nowhere. If anything it shows how intolerant you are to people who have a different opinion to your own.
Mr Marius Zulgis
May 25th 2011, 12:34
@Christian Cassar-Torregiani
You and the church want to impose your will on the entire population, even those who are not of your faith. And then you have the cheek to speak of tolerance?
I believe in Christ enough to know that he would not turn those who vote yes away.
Ms Gabi Calleja
May 25th 2011, 10:58
what hogwash... if the church was in the business of truth then faith would not be necessary. The earth is round is truth; the evolution of the human species is truth; that matter is made of molecules and atoms is truth.. Jesus was the son of god is not truth; Mary was a virgin and conceived by the holy spirit is not truth; Jesus rose from the dead is not truth. One may chose to believe them but they cannot be proven.
of course most children will believe that no one can love them more than their mother and father. In most cases this is actually the way it turns out. But what does this have to do with divorce. Annulments, Separations and Divorce are about adults who stop loving each other not about parents who stop loving their children.
Ms B Cassar
May 25th 2011, 11:16
Gabi, you forgot to mention that even though a father is the biological one, this does not mean that the love from this person to the child is guaranteed. I know men who have a partner, and this partner has children. They love the partner's children unconditionally whereas the biological father chose the abandon them. If the biological father and the mother stick together are the only things to guarantee love then there wouldn't be so many single mothers around.
Mr Michael Buhagiar
May 25th 2011, 12:07
Gabi from a person like you such a statement is wasted. How can the blind indicate the way to other blind people? They will both fall down the hole. As long as Church bashing is the trend today, all is well FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU. But your style is not ours and we wont accept any impositions from your troops.
Mr Michael Buhagiar
May 25th 2011, 12:08
is it true that unnormal creatures always recurr to blasphemy? Why?
Mr Louis Cutajar
May 25th 2011, 12:36
hemm kotba storici li jixhduhom.
U jekk verament il-koppja meta zzewgu kienu jhobbu lil xulxin issa dawn m'ghandhomx ihobbu lil xulxin. Ghalfejn ma nammettux li illum kulhadd nesa is-sens ta' mhabba u kif wiehed ihobb, li jkun lest jaghti kollox u ma jistenna li jircievi xejn lura. Imma l-imhabba li hafna jhobbu llum il-gurnata hija mhabba eogista.
Alfred Falzon
May 25th 2011, 16:51
You are too categorical and as such fail to drive the message home!
Mr JOSEPH ZAMMIT
May 25th 2011, 10:52
I think Dr Galea Salomone is doing all kinds of gymnastics to attract a NO voter. He is so pathetic and cunningly misleading.
To the audience who hysterically clapped when the little boy said: I'm against divorce because I believe no one can love me more than my mother and father," I tell them of course no one can love you more than your parents-BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR PARENTS END UP FIGHTING, OR ABUSING THE CHILDREN?
What happen to the children in cases of separation?
What happen to children in cases of annulment?
Dr Galea Salomone, can you answer these questions? We have approx. 2 separations a day--can you with all the Church Rambo's stop these? What happen to the children? Can you address this?
Why is it that only the church has to power to annul a marriage? Why does the Church annul a marriage which was blessed by GOD? Did GOD make a mistake somewhere that the church can rectify?
Mr Paul Licari
May 25th 2011, 11:26
There is a solution to these problems.
The family that prays together, stays together.
Pray the Rosary.
Many have changed their lives for the better because they have taken this advice.
Pray the Rosary.
Ms B Cassar
May 25th 2011, 11:27
This boy has been told before what to say and this for sure. Besides, the Le campaign should be ashamed of using such minor to manipulate the society. First of all he doesn't even know what divorce is and second if ever they wanted to be fair they should have told him to say:
I'm against divorce, annulment and separation because I believe no one can love me more than my mother and father," That would be more acceptable for intelligent people.
Mr Joseph Galea
May 25th 2011, 10:50
The anti-divorce movement is so pathetic to say the least. They just brainwash people.
"In another intervention, a young boy, speaking to the audience, said "I'm against divorce because I believe no one can love me more than my mother and father," followed by rapturous applause."
How much have this kid being rehersing this line? Secondly, what about those children whose parents abuse them both physically and mentally? What about those children in broken families, whose lives are just a nightmare as their parents can't stick the sight of each other?
Also I want to ask what about those children whose parents have seperated? With or without divorce these children are in the situation.
So the anti-divorce ploy of orchestrating these stage shows is just simply sickening.
Mr Victor Laiviera
May 25th 2011, 10:50
The ones who are afraid of the truth are the ones who managed to get extracts from an interview with a certain clergyman censored even though they had already been broadcast on several occasions.
Mr Paul Licari
May 25th 2011, 10:36
"I'm against divorce because I believe no one can love me more than my mother and father,"
Need we hear more.
Well done Dr. Galea Salamone.
Godfrey Camilleri
May 25th 2011, 10:59
I agree with what Mx Xaxa Caruana said. Ask the children living with separation or living in families that are hell but stay together because they (or one of the partners) maintains that their marriage is indissoluble. Divorce is not going to introduce anything new that does not already exists with separation, sometimes followed by cohabitation. So this use of children is very unfair and hypocritical.
Ms Xaxa Caruana
May 25th 2011, 10:36
'In another intervention, a young boy, speaking to the audience, said "I'm against divorce because I believe no one can love me more than my mother and father," followed by rapturous applause.'
U ZGUR VERA HADT MA JISTA JHOBBOK IKTAR MIN MUM U DAD, IMMA JEKK MUM U DAD IKUNU GHADEJIN FI GWERRA SHIHA U INTI TISFEN FIN NOFS????
TINQDEW BIT TFAL DAK LI TAFU TAGHMLU, U NIXTIEQ INSAQSI, NIMAGINA LI DAT TIFEL GEJ MIN XI FAMILJA FELICI, GHALIEX MA GHAMILTUX L STESS QUESTION LIL XI TFAL LI GEJJIN MIN BROKEN FAMILY, U TARAW LI ANSWER KIEN IKUN DIFFERENTI GHAL AHHAR.....
U ONCE AGAIN REGA MA NSTEMA XEJN FUQ L ABBUZI TAT-TFAL, PROSIT TA VERA IPOKRITI.
A. Farrugia
May 25th 2011, 10:58
I have a lot of experience of with children and I must tell you something which might not be what you might expect: Even children whose parents "are going through a war", as you put it, still believe that no one can love them more than their mother and father. The thing they wish for most is that their parents get back together again.
It often happens that they start believing otherwise about their parents when they get brainwashed against them and they are forced to take sides.
Mr Paul Licari
May 25th 2011, 11:07
He would answer "I want my mother and father back together". This alone should make parents see their problem in this perspective and help them thrash out their differences that is leading them astray. Once separated they can still come together; many have. Once divorced this is quite difficult.
Ms B Cassar
May 25th 2011, 11:23
Mr. Licari
you are forgetting one thing as all the Le campaign are doing. Even though there is divorce, nothing stops a couple from reconciling and re-marry again. This happens all around the world. Same as in separations. A piece of paper and a signature do not stop you from doing anything. There are numerous couples around the world that remarried each other after divorce so dont try to be general as you never know.
Hopefully that would be the ideal that parents turn down their difference but unfortunately this is a fantasy in many cases. So you are suggesting that two adult persons should live emotionally unhappy forever, restrict their feelings of rejection to stay there for their children. May I remind you that children grow up and once reached a certain age they get on with their life. At the end of the day is that couple that would have remained in a monster relationship all life suppressing their feelings. It's ok to defend children's happiness but let's not forget that adults have feelings too and same they should be respected. Why would you want someone to stay with you when he doesn't love you anymore for the sake to continue to be a family infront of other people? Wouldn't you want to feel the love for your wife again? Would you be able to suppress all your life your rejection, just not to be stamped as divorced?
I'm sorry but my happiness is important too.
Ms B Cassar
May 25th 2011, 11:29
Prosit Xaxa. Minn day 1 din kienet kampanja korrotta.
Mr Paul Licari
May 25th 2011, 11:38
Ms Cassar.
You said "I'm sorry but my happiness is important too. "
This is the fault in your argument. Where is the "We".
You are only interested in your happiness and not in the happiness of the entire family.
Mr Michael Buhagiar
May 25th 2011, 12:13
meta inti tipponta subghajk lejn xi hadd u tghidlu ipokrita, tkun qed tipponta tlieta lejk bhala l-ikbar ipokrita li tezisti fid-dinja. In-nisa u t-tfal ibatu mid-Divorzju. Mur staqsi lill-ingarrbin. U halluna mil-kliem vojt u attakki bla sens fuq il-Knisja u fuq Kristu. Isthu jekk tafu.