John Guillaumier (April 12), ever keen to find fault with the Catholic Church, criticises two of Malta’s recent presidents for allowing their personal ethics and morals to influence their decision to refuse to sign the Civil Union Bill into law.

In his criticism, the correspondent exhibits the common attitude the so-called liberal establishment adopts to dissent and difference of opinion – abusive condemnation (in this case, use of the word “sanctimonious”).

I, on the other hand, applaud their decision to have the courage of their convictions and to refuse to be railroaded into expressing approval in the most public way possible for something they profoundly disagree with. After all, the head of State should lead by example, and moral leadership, however controversial the prevailing issue may be, is crucial to any nation’s well-being.

The real point here is whether President George Abela should have resigned rather than continue in office for the admittedly brief remainder of his tenure.

But then, that is an issue for legislators to sort out.