I risk being repetitive and, perhaps, even being branded a die-hard anti-Labour exponent, which, yes, I am but only when highly debatable and arguable legislation, not thinking “cum ecclesia”, is passed. Otherwise, politics do not interest me.

If, as has been reported, Labour MPs who were uncomfortable or have raised questions on gay adoptions were unceremoniously told to shut up, it was indeed the blackest Monday ever for Malta. If the voice of their conscience was suppressed, it was like playing with fire.

The much-flaunted apparent triumph of separation between Church and State has opened the floodgates for unethical political decisions that impact on the institution of marriage. When legislating, I prefer to have the Church beside me as a counsellor, knowing that it is “Mater et Magistra”, the most experienced human organisation of all. To legislate against its expert advice is another matter.

I don’t think a nation can hold its moral fibre unfettered without the aid of religion.

I congratulate gay couples for the attainment of equal respect, dignity, legal recognition and justice, which, however, could have been obtained in a different way.

A decision taken by the majority is not necessarily always the right and best decision.

When Argentina found itself in similar circumstances the then Cardinal Bergoglio had warned some nuns in writing of the impending danger to the family. He even took to the streets, led a demonstration against the Bill and ordered all priests in his country to remind the faithful when saying Mass that the Catholic Church is against laws breaching the “projects of God”.

How comforting it therefore is to hear the words of the day’s liturgy contained in the acclamation before the gospel: “our Lord and King, only you had mercy on us in our mistakes.”