So taken up are we by this divorce 'discussion' that no one seems intent on pondering for a while why relationships break down in the first place. I tend to point my finger at loneliness.

Because of the make-up of our society, where we are under peer pressure to move in packs, we are becoming increasingly incapable of being on our own. Consequently, I believe people dive into relationships because they are scared of the solitude - and, at times, the loneliness - that comes with being single.

Surely, this is not a good basis for a long-lasting relationship. Here, let me bounce off some questions: do you fancy the pants off your partner? Do you enjoy each other's company? Do you make each other laugh?

These may sound like three very basic relationship requirements but daily I come across people who are willing to do away with the above just because the alternative - that of being on their own - is too daunting.

The other day, an acquaintance was telling me how some time ago he dated a girl for a week: "On the third date, she sat me down, brought out an A4 sheet of paper and started listing all our future tasks, including buying an apartment, planning holidays, buying appliances and what not. I barely knew what she was like and there she was, walking down the aisle already."

I think more than the fear of 'being left on the shelf', it's an unwillingness of facing the life of the Lone Ranger. But are we to blame? Are we schooled in dealing with solitude?

Not really. I do not seem to recall that our lifeskills/PSD lessons at school ever touched upon loneliness, except perhaps, in a negative, how-to-avoid-it-because-it-leads-to-drugs kind of manner. We are unaware of the benefits of taking at least 15 minutes of the day to stop and look at the world and at ourselves and simply do nothing.

In Malta it's a particularly bigger problem, as we rarely leave the nest before we get married. While most European students learn to survive on their own, we are mollycoddled at home till well into our 20s. And, to make matters worse, it's not as if we at least make up for it by say, travelling the world.

The most popular destination with Maltese young people is Catania.

It's even worse for the men I find. Somehow, girls in Malta are raised to be much more independent than boys. It is common to meet 30-something lads who have never washed their own clothes, cooked their own meal or ironed their own shirts - because mum is always there with the mug of tea ready the minute they open their eyes. Therefore spending days with just their thoughts for company is inconceivable.

Perhaps the Cana Movement should stop pumping time and money in pointless 'marriage preparation' courses. Perhaps it should start campaigning about the importance of independence and enjoying one's own company. Maybe its motto should be George Washington's: "It is better to be alone than in bad company."

I'm sure that would really curb doomed marriages and bring about a decrease in marriage breakdowns. And isn't that what the Church should be concerned about?

In the spiritual world, the nuances of separation and divorce shouldn't make an iota of difference - it should be all about avoiding the pain of failed relationships in the first place.

Sadly, our society is churning out people who are not capable of being on their own for even a minute. Our forefathers used to stop and con-template sunrise; the only con-templating we do is who to text next.

In fact, this constant barrage of beeping techno-updates is nothing but a distraction. Thanks to mobile phones, texts and e-mails we are becoming ill-equipped to survive feeling a little bit lonely.

Which is why people are jumping from one bed to the next, barely even giving themselves the chance to lick their wounds. They'd rather have that than live with an overwhelming sense of lack.

I have, over the past couple of years, learnt that loneliness is not something which needs to be overcome or avoided.

Funnily enough, it has made me kinder to myself, because the truth is nobody can comfort you as much as you can comfort yourself.

I have, in my solitude, come face to face with myself - which, admittedly, can be a bit of a shock - but as a bonus I learnt how to be happy with my own company.

And unless we enjoy our own company, how can we ever be ready to be part of a happy relationship?

So, uttering the Lone Ranger's "Hi-yo, Silver, away!" every now and then might not be such a bad idea after all.