The Labour opposition, including those who have already voiced their opinion against divorce, must be rejoicing now that they are enjoying a majority with the backing of two Nationalist MPs for their pro-divorce motion.
Yet, what matters most in this highly controversial issue bereft of an electoral mandate is that, ultimately, it will be the people who will decide in a referendum and not an artificial numerical majority of Parliamentarians speaking for themselves.
It points to a begrudgingly political game of chess, one trying to outdo the other, healthy but nauseating at the same time! When all is said and done, it remains to be seen whether this Private Member’s Bill will lead to a pragmatic solution with regard to Malta’s present-day ever-increasing marriage breakdowns.
I can imagine the trauma that victims experience and the deep resentment they feel when their perfidious partner, male or female, is rewarded after abandoning his/her spouse and, very often innocent offspring, through the granting of a civil divorce to join his/her “Valentine” and start capriciously afresh after four years! Some are of the opinion that time is a healer but is such a statement to abide by? Or should we tell that to the marines?
Labour MPs, some of whom have paradoxically sworn to reject divorce, allied to a razor-thin minority within the fold of the PN parliamentary group, do acknowledge that Malta is not immune to what transpired in other so-called progressive countries such as the UK, US, France, Sweden and in neighbouring Italy.
The fallout is there for all who have eyes to see and ears to hear and very few are spared, but the latter do not make the rule but rather the exception!
Yes, indeed, for according to the latest world statistical data, these countries are currently facing a grave crisis in family and moral values with an alarming increase in children hailing from broken marriages or born out of wedlock. As a result of being abandoned by one of their parents, many of these poor unfortunate and sometimes even destitute sons and daughters have lost their bearing and developed a grudge against society, some even becoming delinquents, drug addicts or psychopaths! They have never tasted the flavour of family life let alone what marriage stands for!
Those naive and so-called “liberals” who are today acclaiming our Maltese pioneers of divorce legislation, in an attempt to “modernise” our conservative society (their definition) may genuinely believe that divorce could heal some of our woes and heartaches. They are mistaken, for the act of putting asunder and being fashionable may well turn marriage, be it civil or religious, into an unstable union of convenience with the new motto being “unto boredom do us part”!
Only then will Maltese contemporary society realise the scourge that divorce is and the harm it will cause to our present and future generation if approved by the referendum. Were it the case, we would have only ourselves to blame for our lethargy in failing to legislate in favour of an adequate preparation for marriage. We have taken too many things for granted and far too long!
Maltese society is fast changing and needs urgent attention in social matters by way of legislation if we want marriage to remain a cornerstone of our society and protect our children from the whims and fancies of those who take wedlock with a pinch of salt!