As expected, my contribution to the local divorce debate in the Talking Point of August 27 stirred a lot of positive reaction from academics, priests and religious, MPs and others who understood well the point of the article about the freedom of conscience based on an authentic search for truth. These reactions led to positive, fruitful discussion and dialogue.

Unfortunately, much was misinterpreted by lay people, a number of whom belong to the category of “overly zealous citizens of draconian rigidity” who do much disservice to the Church they cherish, a behaviour deplored even by the pastoral note issued by the Maltese Episcopal Conference.

While not contesting the right to voice their opinion, it is pitiful for them, in a democratic country, to fall into such intolerant shallow language.

Moreover, it stands to reason that one cannot write a theological treatise in a newspaper contribution, which is only meant to give simple guidelines, in this case, on how the divorce debate could advance, bringing to limelight certain criteria and principles developed by the Catholic Church and not spoon-feed those who are in search for ready-made answers on such a complex issue. The position declared therein is neither in any way in favour of divorce and/or remarriage – rather, the argument was against any coercion on conscience – nor has it the pretension to absolve Catholic politicians and citizens from forming their own conscience according to “the will of God” as expressed in sacred scripture and through the teaching authority of the Church. Implicitly, the arguments put forward point out that Catholics believe in the “free will” of the individual who, in ethical matters, acts according to God’s will without slipping into subjectivist relativism.

As regards the quotation from the catechism of the Catholic Church, it has to be stated that article 2,383 should be understood in the light of the provisions of Canon Law (can.1151-1155) regarding the separation of the spouses resulting from grave problems, which may result in serious harm to the parties or to the children.

From the Catholic perspective, the instance when civil divorce is resorted to “as the only possible way of ensuring certain legal rights” – that is, as a last resort – “can be tolerated and does not constitute a moral offence” on the part of the spouses, obviously without prejudice to the indissolubility of the marriage bond.