As some have already said, the divorce chapter is far from being closed. In fact, a new chapter has now been inaugurated. After the strong majority of the Maltese electorate opted for the introduction of divorce legislation, the ball is now in the MPs’ court. The reactions from various politicians show that politics is indeed an uncomfortable job. At times, it leads to a fundamental decision: in this case, a choice between what the people decided in a consultative referendum or the conscience of the politicians involved.
A newspaper has reported that a group of 37 MPs intend to vote in favour of divorce legislation. I am not at all surprised by this. However, as a priest, Catholic and a Maltese citizen, I am deeply edified by those brave politicians who are not compromising their Catholic beliefs. These heroes understood their appropriate and responsible involvement as Catholics in political life. They are fully abiding by what the doctrinal note, On Some Questions Regarding The Participation Of Catholics In Political Life, issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, states on the subject. “When political activity comes up against moral principles that do not admit of exception, compromise or derogation, the Catholic commitment becomes more evident and laden with responsibility. In the face of fundamental and inalienable ethical demands, Christians must recognise that what is at stake is the essence of the moral law, which concerns the integral good of the human person” (§ 4).
The same note explicitly demands from the Catholic politician that, in doing politics, s/he needs to keep in mind that “the family needs to be safeguarded and promoted, based on monogamous marriage between a man and a woman, and protected in its unity and stability in the face of modern laws on divorce: in no way can other forms of cohabitation be placed on the same level as marriage, nor can they receive legal recognition as such” (§ 4).
How come that a Catholic politician gives in to what the people want in order to respect their erroneous will?
The Catholic Church history has always been blessed with Catholic political heroes. For instance, St Thomas More, the patron of politicians, was executed in July 1535 because he parted ways with King Henry VIII over the issue of divorce and frankly opposed the monarch’s later break with the Church. At his canonisation ceremony in 1935, Pope Pius XI said of him: “What a well-rounded man! All Anglicans and Catholics have seen in him, in the first place, not only as a saint but as a hero of conscience and a martyr of the faith; and political men, no matter what their belief or unbelief, have regarded him as one of the greatest representatives of the juridical traditions of which England is so rightfully proud”.
Fortunately, St Thomas More is not the only politician who is parting his ways with what men desire. Malta is blessed with MPs who believe that God’s values consolidate the social fabric of our society. Amid the pressures they are facing, Catholic political heroes like Austin Gatt and Adrian Vassallo are standing their ground.
In his letter to The Times, Dr Gatt wrote (June 3 “So to make it abundantly clear, I am against divorce, have voted no and will vote no in Parliament because for me it’s a matter of conscience and conscience is not an elastic band that changes with vote levels. I have full respect for any other opposite and contradictory position but I cannot see how you can say that in conscience you are against divorce and then vote yes in Parliament!”
Another political hero from the other side of the House is Dr Vassallo. He said that he would vote against the Bill even though the referendum’s result shows otherwise. “I’ve always said I will be the last man standing against divorce. The only way I will deviate from my position is if Jesus Christ asks me to. But He didn’t and he won’t”.
To the many MPs who still feel undecided about the issue I say only this. A Catholic politician is Catholic both in his/her private and public life. His/her individual and political decisions should reflect his/her Catholic beliefs.
The doctrinal note says that “there cannot be two parallel lives in their existence: on the one hand, the so-called ‘spiritual life’, with its values and demands; and, on the other, the so-called ‘secular’ life, that is, life in a family, at work, in social responsibilities, in the responsibilities of public life and in culture… In fact, every area of the lay faithful’s lives, …every activity, every situation, every precise responsibility – as, for example, … service to society and public life… – are the occasions ordained by providence for a ‘continuous exercise of faith, hope and charity’.”
The divorce issue is not an exception! It is high time for Catholic MPs to become political heroes by voting against the Bill!