Minister discusses Cohabitation Bill with JPO
Photo: AFP
The Cohabitation Bill, to be placed on Parliament’s agenda when it meets again in October, was today discussed between Justice Minister Chris Said and independent MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando.
In a statement this afternoon, Dr Pullicino Orlando said that during his meeting, issues on the rights of cohabiting couples in general and gay couples in particular were discussed and approved.
“I found Minister Said to be very receptive to the issues I raised. This should help to make the bill (due to be published imminently) more relevant to the realities of Maltese society in today's world.”
Dr Pullicino Orlando said he considered an IVF bill which guaranteed the full protection of human embryos and a cohabitation bill which gave due consideration to the rights of gay couples to be priorities when it came to issues Parliament should deal as soon as it reconvened.
“I am very satisfied that both these issues are being treated with the urgency they deserve by the Nationalist government.
“I obviously reserve the right to present amendments to both bills, when government presents them in their final version, at the opportune moment if I feel that it may be necessary,” Dr Pullicino Orlando said.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Marsa murder - Police looking...
Update 2: Three arrests after flamingo...
Former Judge Ray Pace found dead
Where’s Everybody staff is given notice
Revealed...the face of a Maltese woman...
Update 4 - Eddie Fenech Adami stable...
Update 3 - Woman trapped as car crashes...
Updated - Two bodies, capsized boat,...
Franco Mercieca doing routine eye ops at...
In Discussion
Update 2: Three arrests after flamingo...
Enemalta seeking minimum five year gas...
Mario de Marco, Zammit Dimech concede,...
Chinese company to study Malta-Gozo...
Updated - PM reacts to Labour anger on...
Franco Mercieca doing routine eye ops at...
No appeals board for first part of power...
Updated - PM comments as Franco Mercieca...
BBC site highlights illegal hunting in Malta
69 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
M Smith
Aug 18th 2012, 14:34
This is really great! But what people need to remember is that if two people are gay or live together while being gay, it genuinely does not affect them in the slightest. Really, it's amazing. You'll wake up one day and realise you didn't waste your life obsessing over what other people did in the bedroom, it's really refreshing, some of the commentors should try it!
wayne scicluna
Aug 18th 2012, 10:53
I personally find that picture absolutely disgusting and am 100% against all forms of adoption by gay people. I also have close family who is gay.....that does not make it any more tolerable. And before some ''proud'' gay person calls me ignorant, I am also proud of my sexuality and have a right to my opinion.
P Bonnici
Aug 18th 2012, 14:40
This picture looks disgusting because you are not used to seeing it.
Hundred years ago you would have been disgusted seeing women is short sleeves and a swimming suit.
Lawrence Fenech
Aug 18th 2012, 10:24
It's the other way around, Jeffrey Pullicino Orland is discussing the cohabitaion bill with Chris Said.
We had enough stuttering and stumbling from Chris Said on TV when he gave his views on this subject.
Joe Scerri
Aug 18th 2012, 10:16
So cohabitation is ok but divorce was not? Two weights two measures. Personally I have no objection to either but it should be pretty clear that things are being done purely for votes.
Lawrence Fenech
Aug 18th 2012, 10:13
Issa naraw jekk GonziPN jergax jivvota kontra il-cohabitation bhal ma ghamel fid-divorzju ghax fejn irid ghandku skrupli.
j brincat
Aug 18th 2012, 09:42
Who remembers 'Puppet on a string' which was sung by barefooted Sandy Shaw?
Does it ring any bell?
(jb)
m. borg (slm)
Aug 18th 2012, 09:38
So minister Said has the go ahead and blessings of JPO to proceed and not gonzi's.
Can't be more ridiculous than it is.
B. Cachia
Aug 18th 2012, 09:19
Let's hope the law covers cohabitations between unpopular governments that want to cling to power at all costs, and their former MPs.
Mary Borg
Aug 18th 2012, 09:14
How is it that all of a sudden the same Parliament that was all out against divorce is now wholeheartedly promoting IVF and cohabiting? Mind you, I am in favour of both bills but it stinks as an open trench. Methinks PM thinks we are gullible enough to believe his pre-elections antics.
Mario Scicluna
Aug 18th 2012, 07:05
I'm wondering where is the Curia in all this? Kif ghadhom ma tkellmux l-ghorrief u l-Orakli? Werzqu tant(u ghadhom) u habbtu fuq sidirhom kontra d-dhul tad-Divorzju!! Jew ghadhom meghdijin jghaffgu fuq l-IVF? X'qed jistennew? Mela fejn trid tindahal u tizzattat f'affarijiet ta' l-Istat? taparsi se jaghtu cans aktar jizviluppaw l-affarijiet tghid ghax riesqa Elezzjoni Generali? Skuza tajba. Wisq nahseb li dan l-atteggjament ta' skiet perfett qed isir mill-Kurja apposta sabiex ma turtax lil Gvern ta' Gonzi li bhalissa qed taharqu qalbu f'salt wiehed ghal 'pogguti' u koppji 'gay' u jwiehed kollox lill kulhadd, u jittanta joghgob lil kulhadd! Ipokresija grassa galore, PM Lawrence Gonzi u shabu jivvotaw KONTRA r-rieda tal-maggoranza li f'Referendum ivvutat b'sahha favur l-Introduzzjoni tad-Divorzju, mentri issa taqbel fuq koabitazjoni!!
Vera GonziPN thawwad u tgerfex bil-kbir, 'issues' (Divorzju, IVF,koabitazzjoni, koppji ta' l-istess sess) jaharqu tassew li kienu tant kienu 'taboo' skond huma li lanqas azzardaw ilissnu kelma wahda dwarhom tul dawn is-snin issa fuq quddiem nett ta' agenda politika ta' GonziPN! Mur ifimhom eh!
Carmel Garcia
Aug 18th 2012, 03:47
The new Prime Minister is now JPO. Par idejn sodi...hahaha
Henry S Pace
Aug 17th 2012, 23:22
God forbid if any offspring of the present MPS in parliament would have to experience such behaviour of sexual orientation.
The only thing they would do is to stay put and say I was the one who gave my vote of approval to this law.
MEA CULPA
Martin Saliba
Aug 18th 2012, 12:37
God forbid if any offspring of the present MPS in parliament would have to experience such behaviour of sexual orientation.
On the contrary Mr. Pace , hopefully we will have a few MP's who have gay children so that they can understand better the rights gay people are fighting for. Just for the record , i am not gay but have allways beieved in the same rights for all irespective of the sexua orientation given to them by god.
Henry S Pace
Aug 17th 2012, 23:17
"Since this question relates to the natural moral law, the arguments that follow are addressed not
only to those who believe in Christ, but to all persons committed to promoting and defending the common
good of society." The Church teaches that its concept of natural law is an absolute truth Further, they believe
that many other moral and ethical systems which are based on the church's concept of natural law and which
are derived by other faith and secular groups, are in serious error.
"Homosexuality is a troubling moral and social phenomenon, even in those countries where it
does not present significant legal issues. It gives rise to greater concern in those countries that have granted
or intend to grant – legal recognition to homosexual unions, which may include the possibility of adopting
children."
Marriage was established by God. "No ideology can erase from the human spirit the certainty
that marriage exists solely between a man and a woman, who by mutual personal gift, proper and exclusive
to themselves, tend toward the communion of their persons. In this way, they mutually perfect each other, in
order to cooperate with God in the procreation and upbringing of new human lives." This would seem to imply
that same-sex couples cannot develop an enriching relationship, or morally build a lesbian-led family using
artificial insemination, or a male gay-led couple who adopt children.
"There are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way similar or
even remotely analogous to God's plan for marriage and family. Marriage is holy, while homosexual acts go
against the natural moral law. Homosexual acts 'close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed
from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved'."
Henry S Pace
Aug 17th 2012, 23:13
' In a statement this afternoon, Dr Pullicino Orlando said that during his meeting, issues on the rights of cohabiting couples in general and gay couples in particular were discussed and approved '.
Allowing children to be adopted by persons living in such unions would actually mean doing violence to these children."
I pray to God 'Forgive them because they do not know what they are doing.
This message goes to all MPs in Parliament.
Martin Saliba
Aug 18th 2012, 12:30
What has god to forgive them for ?? Are you being caucious or did you forget to tel them that they will be sinning ?? It is people like you who should seek forgivness for judging others. You and your church have only the right to direct its followers but you have no right to condem.
Henry S Pace
Aug 17th 2012, 23:06
Quo Vadis MPS? You are being populist and putting the Lord God asunder.
"Sacred Scripture condemns homosexual acts 'as a serious depravity'." "...homosexual acts are intrinsically
disordered."
"The homosexual inclination is ...'objectively disordered' and homosexual practices are 'sins gravely contrary
to chastity'."
P Bonnici
Aug 18th 2012, 12:14
Henry S Pace, you would fit nicely amongst the fundamentalist Christians in the USA. I suggest you emigrate there.
Martin Saliba
Aug 18th 2012, 12:21
Be sure to repeat what you wrote to your child or grand child should they come to you and say that they are gay. 10% of the world popuation is gay , so do the maths.
M. Grech
Aug 17th 2012, 21:53
None of us can dictate how others lead their private life. I hope we all agree on this. Nor will any democratic government or its legislation from time to time! Therefore, people are already living as they want, since they have a right to do so. Legislation will simply be extending normal basic rights to a wider aspect of different relationships within our society in Malta today. New legislation will not change anyone's way of life but will only clarify and define on what already exists.
Barney Camilleri
Aug 18th 2012, 07:53
M. Grech
I agree with your statement 100 PER CENT.
However the whole issue is put to shame, when we have ONE individual putting our democracy under his thumb, becoming as equal if not more as all the members of the governing party. They either agree with his whimsical dictatum or he topple the government. I grew believing the purpose why a civilized nation elect representatives is to service, not for one politician dictate his agenda and interest, when this legislation was elected on a different platform.
Kenneth Galea
Aug 17th 2012, 21:18
I don't know or I rather say we don't know the contents of the this bill. However recently it was indicated (when Franco Debono walked out of the meeting) that the bill does not include civil partnership for those who opt not to get married (heterosexual couples) and gay people. In that case this bill is half baked, gay people should not be discriminated against, they pay taxes and contribute towards the economy. I don't believe that a child should be raised by a gay couple and I also believe that gay couples should be allowed to get married via the State and NOT the church. It amounts to discrimination by the State if legal proceedings are easier for married couples and utter hell for gay couples because the State does not recognise a gay couple. I have to say that Chris Said is working very hard since he was appointed Justice Minister, it was right when Carm was outsted from his post. Chris Said is a very impressive Minister. Keep it up!
Victor Laiviera
Aug 17th 2012, 21:00
"Jump!"
"How high?"
Toni Borg
Aug 17th 2012, 20:39
It's pathetic how JPO is holding the Government at ransom and succeeding in dictating what
is discussed in Parliament and when!!
Paul Attard
Aug 17th 2012, 22:21
I think Mr Gonzi only has himself to blame for the situation.
B. Cachia
Aug 18th 2012, 09:52
It's also pathetic how the Government spent five years boasting that it does not care if it will lose votes and, now that it has actually lost them, has become desperate and is trying to delay an election for as long as possible, no matter how many humiliations are heaped on its head.
JPO (and the others) are merely a symptom: they exist only as long as the government fears an election. The real disease is a party leadership that has ridden roughshod over the public's wishes and interests and has, to boot, achieved only the most mediocre results by going its own lonely way.
B Attard
Aug 17th 2012, 20:11
Gonzi Pn & Maltese Church against Divorce
Gonzi Pn & maltese Church in favour of cohabitation
Ironic
Carmel Ellul
Aug 17th 2012, 19:11
Pandora's box for those who know!!!!!
Claudio Cilia
Aug 17th 2012, 19:02
So finally my life isn't wasted any more? oh wait .. I forgot that people here just want to blank out my future cause they are not comfortable seeing 'us' happy with our loved ones.. .We are demanding Love! Since when love was conditional and 'unapproved'?... so straights blinding dating everyone and getting pregnant is ok and gays who seek true love and their purpose of life is a big no no .... I don't want to live on this planet any more -.-
Redd Caruana
Aug 17th 2012, 20:38
It's time to stop blaming society for your misfortune with men.
Your life is wasted when "gay" is the only thing you are. Good guys will approach you when you come to terms with your sexuality and move on to being a better individual. Arguing with cowards about rights that shouldn't define your lifestyle won't help your image.
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Aug 18th 2012, 00:24
Laws are important and necessary for gay men and lesbians but gay men and lesbians should not allow discriminatory laws to affect how they live. Happiness and legislation are not one and the same thing.
Claudio Cilia
Aug 18th 2012, 02:34
I already came to terms with my sexuality ..if I didn't I would have wrote such a thing Redd.. lol ..and I don't have misfortune if it's really a concern
S. Attard
Aug 17th 2012, 18:56
this is not a question between Chris Said on behalf of the Government and JPO. Neither it is a question for the MP's to decide. This was not in the electoral programme and thus should be referred and discussed with the people. The people are not there only to vote every 5 years. Or is the Government going to repeat the story of the roofless theatre, which nobody wanted except the Prime Minister L. Gonzi? Are we living in a democratic country or what?!!
Charles Bayliss
Aug 17th 2012, 19:14
You might be a little bit wrong with your comment. This was in a PN electoral programme (1998) but deferred for 14 years. It is high time that a long awaited promise as brought to light with some minor adjustments to reflect today's realities.
Ramon Casha
Aug 17th 2012, 19:41
If we have to organise a €4 million referendum every time something crops up that was not in the electoral program we either would get nothing done, or have no money left to do anything.
m. borg (slm)
Aug 18th 2012, 09:42
Mr Bayliss an electoral programm is only good for the 5 years of that legislature.
It should have been repeated in succeeding electoral programms but since pn/gonzipn wouldn't want to look that they are unable to deliver they simply ignore it next time round, like it would have been, hadn't it been mentioned of late in parliament.
I Mercieca
Aug 17th 2012, 18:47
Mhux hekk tghid.... Immagina koppja gay jadottow tarbija...
Din tkun doppjament sfortunata. L-ewwel ghax tkun abbandunata mill-omm naturali taghha u wara tkun giet adottata min 2 persuni ta l-istess sess, mhux hekk hux !!! Ara xi trauma tghaddi minnha din il-povra tarbija.
Issa tipprtendux ukoll li l-Knisja tbaxxi rasa ghall-dan ukoll ta l-ahwa ghax issa wisq.
Mario Buhagiar
Aug 17th 2012, 21:09
Nipreferi nkun mrobbi minn koppja gay LI JHOBBUNI u li dejjem nirreferi ghalihom milli fi stitut kulhadd barrani , u wara 18 il-sena ma jkolli l-ebda idea fejn nista naghti rasi. ma nafx jien. u wara l-iskandli kollha li nqalghu mill-istituti xi 3 snin ilu... ma tantx huma
Josephine Borg
Aug 17th 2012, 21:40
Tom
I.Mercieca, lewwel nett cohabitation bill ma ghandux x'jaqsam l'addozzjoni ...
It-tnieni haga ghandek zball Kbir jekk tahseb Li sfortuna Ghax iktar Ghandi nafda zewg genituri Li lesti Li jisdakrifikaw ruhom ghal decisjoni bhal dik milli ohrajn jabbuzaw min natura u is sistema Li takkomodhom.
Jien omm u rabbejt Tfal bhal haddiehor ... Illum Ghandi Tfal gay u kburija Ghax responsabli u lesti Li jammlu kollox ghal familja. Huma nies bmohhom malluqa Li jamlu il bsaten fit-roti. Iva l-Europa hija wahda gusta ghal kulhadd u Kull ligi ghadd trid tigi implementata. Il knisja MA ghandiex taqsam mal istatt u listatistika turi bicc carr Li genituri gay huma produtivi daqs jekk mhux iktar min dawk mhux gay. Huma in nies mohhom maluqa Li ghamlu min kollox biex jibbulijaw.
Malcolm Meilak
Aug 17th 2012, 23:44
Jien minkiex huk
Mary Borg
Aug 18th 2012, 09:11
Il-knisja ghandha d-dritt u d-dmir li tghid li thoss skond it-tghalim taghha, mitt darba u elf imma l-gvern ghandu d-dritt u d-dmir li jara li kull persuna li tahdem u thallas it-taxxi ma tigix iddiskriminata. Mhux kulhadd uman? Ma nahsibx li l-gvern joqghod jghid 'ara Cikku gay mela l-flus tat-taxxi tieghu ma rridhomx'. La gvern johodhom u jqisu bhala ugwali f'dak li joholdlu ghandu jqisu ugwali f'dak li jaghtih, dritt civili u baziku. Barra minn hekk il-koabittazzjoni mhux biss fuq il-gays imma fuq koppji etero li jghixu flimkien bla ma jizzewgu, ahwa single li jibqghu jghixu d-dar wahedhom ecc.
Victor Buhagiar
Aug 17th 2012, 18:16
Has JPO now become Malta's moral and civic benchmark, or is Dr Gonzi really ready to sacrific anything to stay on? Consultation should be with relevant and learned people not only with renegates.
Polictics in Malta are really at there lowest at the moment.
Dunstan Crockford
Aug 17th 2012, 17:56
This IS really bad! were Father Joe Borg and Father Rene Camilleri consulted? Just forget the Bishops and us...the common people!
R. Gauci
Aug 17th 2012, 17:46
Sakemm ma jaghtihomx id-dritt li jadottaw tfal jien ma nara xejn hazin li persuni gay jizzewgu, affarihom.
Mario Buhagiar
Aug 17th 2012, 21:06
ghala le? nipreferi nkun addottat min kopja gay milli nigi mrobbi minn stitut bxi 30 tifel/tifla ohra mieghi, b'xi 10 patrijiet jew sorijiet jiehdu hsiebi, u wara 18 il-sena jqactuni lbarra mill-istitut u ma jkolli xejn fuq xiex nahlef. Jew inkella nkun ed mmut bil guh u ghatx fl-Indja jew xi pajjiz ta l-Afrika. Ma nafx jien imma familja gay hi hafna iktar "familja" minn stitut jew orfanu mejjet bil-guh.
Ahseb minn fejn ha jigu t-tfal li jigu addottati. Ma jkunux qieghdin f'palazz f'familja tradizjonali u jittiehdu minn kopja gay, imma jittiehdu minn post ta' tbatija.
T.F. Busuttil
Aug 17th 2012, 17:44
this is to be discussed with the people not JPO, the goverment is being blackmailed
Franco Farrugia
Aug 17th 2012, 18:33
Yes. It is. I agree with you. Completely. And this is 'democracy'.
Joe Fenech
Aug 17th 2012, 17:22
All this is a way for JPO to gain popularity. We have not forgotten your past Jeff....!
Martin Saliba
Aug 18th 2012, 12:15
Of course we havnt forgotten his past. Hopefully he will be given the medal for " Gieh ir republica ". He was guts to present a bill which gave great relief to many Maltese couples who needed divorce. Other have been awarded the medal for much Less.
Joe Fenech
Aug 18th 2012, 17:14
Yes, fine - but that's not because he's a hero but because Malta is stuck in the middle ages. He has been involved in other stuff which has never been investigated.
Charles Bayliss
Aug 17th 2012, 17:12
Can the honourable JPO make the minister publish the draft bill on Cohabitation. I as an interested party will not accept the peanuts to shut me up. I, as a gay person, deserve full citizenship of the Maltese nation, nothing more nothing less. I want my 8 year old relationship with my partner to be fully recognized in law.
Joe Fenech
Aug 17th 2012, 17:12
If by marriage we mean the right to adopt kids and to allow lesbian mothers to have babies then its a big NO!
Hubert Paul Farrugia
Aug 17th 2012, 17:21
why not? aren't they women with the natural ability to be mothers too?
Charles Bayliss
Aug 17th 2012, 17:23
Ignorance at it's best. Who are we and what right have we to say NO. I in certain aspects am against gay adoption, but one cannot cut a straight line. There are gay people who deserve adoptions.
Tommy Vella
Aug 17th 2012, 17:47
@ Charles Bayliss
You have got the wrong end of the stick Charles. PARENTS (be they gay or otherwise) never deserve adoption. They should do it as a service to the child. Adoption is for the child not the Parents. It is the maxim in adoption that when a child needs to be adopted every effort is made to give that child the best possible parents and the ones most suited to his/her needs.
Charles Bayliss
Aug 17th 2012, 18:58
@ Tommy Vella
I was referring to partners of gay dads and mums who also make sacrifices to help in the bringing up of the child/ren. Do they not deserve to be called a parent too? They accept to help bring up their partner's siblings as if their own. So why not accepting legal adoption to these people?
Ms. P.M Graham
Aug 17th 2012, 20:53
Joe Fenech, when there is not one child seeking a mother or a father then perhaps you can think about discrimination.
When there is not one child who wakens in the morning desperate to be the most important person in one persons life. Then you can start discriminating.
When there is not one child who goes to bed praying for a parent, then you can start discriminating.
Until then don't!!
Tommy Vella
Aug 18th 2012, 09:10
@ Charles Bayliss
What you say does not make sense. A married couple with kids separate and the mother with custody of the children goes to live with another woman.
Are you suggesting that the mother's partner adopts the kids? Where does that leave the father? He has already been denied his family, would you also deny him of his legal rights as a father? Would the adoption by the mother's partner not take his place as a father?
What would then be the kids legal standing with regard to hereditary rights from the father? Or would the law allow kids to have three parents? What you are suggesting is a right muddle.
Philip Hili
Aug 17th 2012, 17:09
In my opinion, his bill is not going to legalise cohabitation!! It is the media who is trying to twist the purpose of this bill!
This bill is intended to safe guard the rights of those who already live in this state!
Eddy Privitera
Aug 17th 2012, 17:19
Philip Hili: " This bill is intended to safeguard the rights of those who are already in this state " !!!
Wouldn't this not mean "legalising cohabitation " ? ? And are you dreaming that this Bill will not be legalising FUTURE couples who decide to cohabit rather then get married ???
I believe you are one of those who cannot believe that a GonziPn government will ever do something which goes against the Church's teaching. You are wrong. Now GonziPN has to do what Dr. JPO orders it to do !
Joseph Borg
Aug 17th 2012, 16:27
Now you see we have JPO the new PM of Malta
Joseph Mizzi
Aug 17th 2012, 16:48
And we'll be in the same ship if AD manages to get one seat in Parliament.
Alexander Pace Gouder.
Aug 17th 2012, 16:57
Agree.
Philip Hili
Aug 17th 2012, 17:00
@ Joseph Mizzi
I am very sorry Mr. Mizzi, I beg to defer.
We will not be in the same ship if AD manage to get one seat in Parliament. Parliament will be in the very worst situation parliament can face. Now the government has to consult with this disloyal person and so the consultation is one to one, with the AD in parliament any party in power will have to consult with the group of people (AD) and not with one person only!
J.C. Borg
Aug 17th 2012, 17:26
@ Joseph Borg - If you think that JPO is our PM (God forbids with the way he does things), it will not last long. After a few months he will live in the wilderness.
Michael Sciortino
Aug 17th 2012, 19:07
@Philip Hili. I think that it is you that got it wrong. The PL will certainly get 33 or 34 seats in the next parliament and therefore if AD gets one seat the PL will still have a working majority in Parliament. AD will never hold the balance of power with one seat.
I Bugeja
Aug 17th 2012, 16:12
I think that those who are waiting for some real change might be disappointed by this bill. Hope I am wrong.
Ronnie Callus
Aug 17th 2012, 17:04
It depends what you are expecting isn't it ???
Please choose the reason of your report below: