Joe Brincat was quoted in The Times (August 21) as quoting from the Electoral Polling Ordinance article 55, as follows: “It is a corrupt practice for anyone to threaten spiritual harm to induce a person to vote one way or another in an election or referendum”. This was in reference to Mgr Anton Gouder’s answer to a radio listener who asked whether it was a sin to vote in favour of divorce.

This implies that for Dr Brincat, when the pro-vicar of the Catholic Church in Malta answers a question on whether an act done by a convinced Catholic is sinful or not, he (the pro-vicar) might be threatening the questioner with spiritual harm as he is inducing that person to vote against the introduction of divorce.

For the convinced Catholics one of the most important arguments against divorce is their Church’s teaching on the subject. If Dr Brincat’s interpretation of the law were to hold water, then the official representatives of the Catholic Church would either be precluded to instruct their faithful on the moral issues involved in the matter in fear that some of these faithful might feel threatened with spiritual harm, or else they have to face the legal consequences for being faithful to their mission. This would in effect be a very effective muzzle on the Catholic Church.

Is this how we Maltese would like to see the divorce discussion being conducted in Malta? I for one think otherwise. Allow us to hear all the arguments, as long as these are factual and honest, and then let us decide.