A Bill introducing civil unions for same-sex couples will be presented in Parliament next September and will become law if it is passed by the end of 2013.

Most probably, it will pass because both the Labour Party and the Nationalist Party promised in their electoral programmes to legalise such unions.

My question is: will this Parliamentary process materialise the desire of the majority of the Maltese people and does the expected law reflect their true will? I doubt it.

I have the feeling that the majority do not agree with this law.

Some may argue that the majority gave a mandate to the Labour government, which won the majority of seats in Parliament, to legalise civil unions for same-sex couples.

Even those who elected the Nationalist members of Parliament gave their approval for this law because it was on the electoral agenda. Thus, it will be argued, such a law does not only reflect the majority but the whole nation.

I don’t think so, because the Maltese people elected their representatives in Parliament according to a large package of policies which, really, does not give one the right of particular choices; you either take it as a whole or you leave it.

Of course, civil union was part of the package. However, it was, in fact, of minor interest for the majority of the Maltese people. In reality, the majority were interested mostly in the electricity issue rather than civil unions.

This issue is very serious. It concerns procreation and the future of the Maltese nation.

It will have a grievous impact on the Maltese traditional way of life, the natural family system and the cultural identity of the Maltese society.

It will have repercussions on our children, grandchildren and generations to come.

The legalisation of the civil union will open a Pandora’s box for Maltese society because it will invite the legalisation of more new odd, unnatural or risky sexual relations.

This issue of civil union is not just a matter of individualfreedom but it is a matter of national concern.

The individual freedom should be restricted by the national interest.

Therefore, I believe that the issue of civil union should be resolved via a national referendum, through which the Maltese people will be able to express their opinion in a direct democratic way that really reflects the opinion of the majority.

If the divorce issue, in spite of it being a social necessity and its advantages exceeding the disadvantages, was resolved through a national referendum, the civil union issue, where the disadvantages are more than the advantages, if there are any, is even more deserving of being introduced by referendum.

There are many who do not approve civil unions, among them members of the political parties and even prominent officials who cannot express their stands because they contradict the party’s official policies.

They prefer to show a united party front but, in fact, the parties should be united on what is the common good.

Therefore, I appeal to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and to Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil to consider this proposal to hold a national referendum to resolve the civil union issue.

The LGBT, in spite of its small size, is united, efficient and enjoys the support of the media, the local high authorities and EU institutions.

On the other hand, those who do not agree with civil unions, in spite of their large numbers, are inefficient, voiceless and have no material presence.

Even the different religious institutions that have a spiritual mission and clear religious teaching in this regard seem indifferent, fearful and shy.

I urge all those who do not agree with civil unions to raise their voice and bear their responsibilities before God, before society and before the future generations.

I call upon them to be united and organised through one strong social movement.

This is not a religious movement but a social one that will embrace people of different faiths, colours and political affiliation, conservatives or liberals, rightists or leftists, believers or atheists who all disagree with civil unions.

This movement in no way aims to oppose the Government or hinder the execution of its promised policies, rather it aims at showing the real position of the majority in order to help the Government and the Opposition to adopt the right popular democratic stand regarding the civil union issue.

This social movement is not only needed to counter civil unions but also to face any other negative practices in future and enhance the virtues to be found in Maltese society.

This is a moment of truth and test for all before God and present and future generations. I hope that we pass successfully this test through fairness, courage and steadfastness.

If we fail, God forbid, at least our conscience will be at rest and, on Judgment Day, God will excuse and pardon us because we tried our best to act according to His will during our life.

I would like to assure the LGBT people and their sympathisers that my thoughts spring from my respect, love and interest in their own welfare and that of the whole society.

For any comments, please visit the Facebook page Referendum for Civil Unions.

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