Any election, such as the general election currently under way in Malta, is a precious opportunity for evolution, for ditching out-of-date unworkable practices and attitudes, and embracing a new, inclusive order. Man’s capacity to adapt to change is the prime reason for our survival and, as a species, our unparallelled success. Malta is currently blessed to be in this situation of ideological introspection and cultural evolution.

How dismayed I was, therefore, to read in an English newspaper about the second favourite cardinal to succeed Pope Benedict XVI, the black Cardinal Peter Turkson from Ghana, saying that “Homosexuality is not countenanced in our (African) society”.

Homosexuality is not a fad, it’s not going away. If anything, gays are coming out proudly in ever-increasing numbers in all walks of life, from Parliaments to football and rugby pitches.

The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI has afforded the Catholic Church a seminal opportunity to decide where it stands on a myriad of vital issues, including homosexuality. My fear is that the Church has neither an inclusive, revolutionary cardinal in its ranks to elect as Pope, nor the courage to elect him. My hope is that the victorious party in our rapidly-approaching general election will be a truly evolutionary force and follow the lead of the world’s advanced countries in respect of gay dignity and equality.