I wish to congratulate members of the Iva pro-divorce committee which was set up recently. They represent no one but themselves (except Michael Briguglio, who represents Alternattiva); however, they had the energy and courage to set up a movement to fight for what they believe in. They all rolled up their sleeves and embarked on their campaign.

Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Evarist Bartolo come from two different political parties but they are not representing their parties on the committee. Until now, the big political parties have not taken an official position.

This cannot go on indefinitively. I hope both parties eventually take an official position on divorce. At things stand now their position is similar to that of a ‘work in progress’. Consequently, the current position of political parties has to mature into an official position for or against divorce, while leaving space for those who have a different opinion.

The vitality shown by the pro-divorce group is in sharp contrast to the lack of energy shown by the anti-divorce group. On paper, the latter should be stronger, more active and more organised, as it has the support, among others, of the Catholic Church, which is undoubtedly the largest organisation in Malta.

The institutional strength behind those against the introduction of divorce legislation has not been translated into an organised movement. We have had priests and bishops telling us we should not have divorce legislation. The thrust against the introduction of divorce legislation has largely been a clerical and episcopal affair.

Where are the laymen and women who think the introduction of divorce legislation would be harmful to marriage and the family? They have taken a backbench position. We see several letters written on the subject but hardly any concrete action.

Besides, the presence of a sizeable number of conservative and quasi-fundamentalist opinion writers among those who write against divorce is giving their side a very bad name. Unwittingly and ironically, they have become an important asset of the pro-divorce movement.

I also ask myself why laymen took the front line in the ‘battle’ for Church schools but are so low profile in the current instance. Could it be that Catholic laymen saw the schools controversy as relevant but the divorce debate as not so relevant?

Could it be they felt the future of their children was at risk then while now they do not believe the argument that divorce legislation puts marriage and the family at risk?

Could it be that the Catholic laity’s lukewarm attitude is an indication of a similar lukewarm attitude in the country? Is the apathy being shown a sign that our Church is a clerically dominated church and that laymen have not yet come of age, except as a stepney for the clergy?

I am definitively not advocating a crusade; but I am advocating a well-organised movement that can mount a professional campaign to put forward the position of those who do not agree with the introduction of divorce legislation in Malta.

Respect for our democratic and pluralistic credentials – if nothing else – demands the setting up of such a movement.

joseph.borg@um.edu.mt