A clear distinction between religion and politics was important for the safeguarding and promotion of religious freedom and the state’s responsibility towards the people, Gozo bishop Mario Grech said.

Mgr Grech told Opposition leader Joseph Muscat during a visit this morning that there had to be a clear recognition of the role of religion and its contribution for an ethical consensus to be reached.

He said everyone recognised and appreciated the acquisitions made when it came to freedom. But in modern European culture there existed a risk of sacrificing truth and justice for this freedom to be treasured.

The bishop noted that there were people who promoted the dissolution of reason and of natural moral principles in the name of ethical pluralism.

There were those who insisted that ethical pluralism was a necessary condition for democracy. According to this thought, the people could insist they had complete moral autonomy in their choices.

In this context, Mgr Grech said, legislators were tempted to enact laws which were not in line with the principles of natural ethics but which supported such currents.

Political freedom could not be built on the relativist concept that the thoughts expressed by man weighed the same as truth and values.

He said it was not the church’s job to give concrete and technical solutions, let alone unique answers. But it was its duty to serve man and society by taking part in the dialogue for a consensus to be established.