I have been away from Malta a substantial number of years. Malta in my mind had always been a bastion of faith in Christ and His Church.

When I read the letters in The Times I am scandalised by the so-called progress made in the secularisation of the island.

The other day I read the letter from Mary Langlois from Lousiana, US regarding IVF and the freezing of embryos.

Now that letter is an eyeopener for those who compromise their Catholic faith.

Earlier I had read about couples waiting for implants of fertilised eggs under IVF procedures provided for free by state-owned hospital Mater Dei (Mother of God, if you do not mind). Here in Canada it costs thousands of dollars and there is no guarantee of success.

IVF procedure is inherently immoral and contrary to God’s procreation plan. Fertilisation in a dish necessarily requires masturbation to provide sperm.

For Catholics who do not compromise with Divine Law, masturbation is a mortal sin. Surprise?

(See the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the subject, that is if you really don’t want to compromise your faith).

IVF does not guarantee immediate results of conception whereby a considerable number of fertilised eggs are necessarily discarded and destroyed before conception takes place. Now, what if a husband cannot produce enough sperm to fertilise an ovum in his wife? Does someone other than the husband have to provide the required number of spermatozoa? That would be adultery (see Catechism of the Catholic Church — Sixth Commandment), another mortal sin (another surprise?). All this to have a child that it may not be God’s will to create in His infinite wisdom.

Besides there are many unwanted children waiting to be adopted.

Catholicism and fidelity to God’s precepts are not for the fainthearted. Faithfulness to the faith is daily spiritual combat. If you don’t believe it, ask the faithful ones.

Don’t hold your breath waiting for the Church to change the unchangeable. If you choose not to believe in the Creator then the above is all rubbish and anything goes. You only have yourself to deceive and may God help you.