The Catholics for Divorce Movement has called for "the immediate resignation of pro-cicar general Mgr Anton Gouder and the Archbishop's delegate for social communications Fr. Charles Tabone O.P.

Thanking all Catholics who voted 'Yes' in yesterday's referendum, the movement also called for a formal pledge that the Ecclesiastical Regional Tribunal would be reformed without delay.

Steps, it said, should be taken immediately to initiate a broad based exercise to draw up a new social-oriented pastoral plan.

"At this historic, delicate and crucial moment in time our Holy Mother Church in Malta and Gozo needs to pluck up its courage and face the future with humility and steadfastness.

"Tested facile, obsolete and spiritualistic pastoral actions are clearly no longer an alternative.

"What the Holy Spirit of God is plainly showing us is the need to no longer rely on alliances with the throne, and to uphold a Messianic ethic which announces to the poor, the outcasts and the downtrodden of these islands the liberation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"It is the duty and responsibility of all to us ― hierarchy and laity ― to heed the Spirit of God.

"We, as Catholics, are ready to help our spiritual shepherds in any way we can," the movement said.