Cross-party coalition to front ‘Moviment Iva’ for divorce

Let me explain. It may surprise some of you to learn that in Malta, a member of the Commonwealth and an EU state, divorce is still illegal. And this isn't one of those outdated laws that they somehow never got around to changing, like cab drivers not being able to pick up people infected with plague. Malta was a British colony until 1964, and though divorce has been allowed for an elite few in British law for centuries, and for all citizens since 1857, banning divorce is something the Maltese people chose to write into their constitution during the 1960s. In the deeply Catholic nations of the Mediterranean this was relatively common at the time. Divorce was still illegal in countries like Italy, Portugal and Spain, and even in the Republic of Ireland. But these places all legalised divorce in the period between 1971 and 1994. Somehow Malta has found itself one of only two countries left in the world where divorce is still illegal, along with the Philippines. The main issue here can be found in Chapter 1, Article 2 (2) of the Maltese constitution: "The authorities of the Roman Catholic apostolic church have the duty and the right to teach which principles are right and which are wrong." Whilst the constitution does allow freedom of religion, it also establishes Catholicism as the official state religion. Some 98% percent of the Maltese population still identify themselves as Catholic. The remaining 2% consists largely of small Muslim communities created by immigration from Africa and Protestant communities formed by British retirees. Defying the European trend, the population shows no sign of secularisation at all and the issue of divorce is not going to be straightforward.

My humble opinion on this whole issue is that we are all missing one very important fact: that we already have de facto divorce and that what we should be introducing is not divorce ( which sounds conveniently like a bogey term ) but legislation to regulate the phenomenaon ( which would sound less threatening) . The Church is ahead on this point because it gives its own divorces under a different name - annulment - whatever that might mean. Let's face it, de facto divorce is all raround us: people are separating and re-partnering and having children out of wedlock and no politician can stop this. The only sensible thing to do is put these people back inside the pale and give them a modicum of legal standing.

absolutley There must be No Boycot- the thing is that our politicians are all hypocrits that they are doing a referendum for a human right- that means that they are insolenting the maltese inteligence- that is an arrogant way from them- the maltese should open their eyes and stand on their feet not leave these God-like politicians makes fool of them- Sure I will always vote a yes- to where it a human individual right- Personally I hold the politicians responsable for all this- these human rights should have been introduced in parlament years ago- we are outdated- well life goes on ,in our - the maltese way ;-)

IF the matter is placed on a referendum ballot, then we must be prepared for that. I agree that basic rights should not be held back by a majority vote, but what guarantee is there that parliament would introduce divorce? As things seem to be going, there is going to be a referendum and if there is, there has to be a strong, united front to lobby for its introduction. A boycott of the referendum by those in favour would pretty much guarantee that it doesn't pass, and nobody will question the validity of a referendum that was boycotted - remember Alfred Sant's boycott of the EU referendum.

If JPO does not want a referendum he knows what he has to do BUT a 13,000 euro chairmanship has tied his hands. Or his feet. As for Briguglio, he's just wasting good oxygen....how many even care about what he says?? David, how do you know how any 80 year old would vote?? You asked them or what?? I think you should worry about the young generation who are so easily bought by the PN.... a concert here and there, stipends, reduced fares, etc etc......why, they'll sell their souls for a couple of euros. Their mothers too.

"" Alternattiva slams Labour leader’s position on divorce bill as 'spineless' " It is amazing howMichael Brigulio suddenly finds it comfortable to sit together with labour MP Evarist Bartolo after what AD had to say about PL's divorce policy. How pathetic.

It is all gonzi's fault, with his hands tied from the Vatican itself he could not be seen as going against its orders. The referendum is the only way for him to act as Pilate and wash his hands off the whole affair. His loyalties lie with the Vatican and not the Maltese nation which come second, if not third. or forth.

u giezu giez...referendum on divorce..why not one on taxes..or on hunting..or on kmamar tan-nar..let's throw one on homos l for good measure. since when are basic human rights subject to a vote..

A Referendum on Divorce is so stupid and an arrogant and an insolence to the maltese people- malta is a beautiful island- but these days the politicians are just Hypocrits- doing a referendum on divorce *LOL* wake up people they are insulting your intelligence- Dr.lawrence Gonzi the prime minister - This is all your fault- you and the church that you work hand in hand with- Only a fool doesn't know this- 100 % hypocrisy

They should be fighting against a referendum on divorce. A referendum on such matters is unethical. Let me get this straight, any 80-year-old who will probably kick the bucket in the next 5 to 10 years or any priest or nun who have no clue about married life, will have the right to decide on how I or anyone else would like to lead our conjugal life?! Typical island mentality where some think they have some holy right to shape the lives of others! I appreciate the effort, but you should be the "Moviment Le (għar-referndum)". You're simply playing their dirty game, and we all know that if the Yes doesn't win, divorce will be put back on the shelves for many years to come. I can already imagine the vans in front of Tax-Xjuħ with the do-gooders instructing, "Ġanna, 'L'-"E', Le, trid tivvota int, ta! Tinsiex sakemm tidħol, ta, sabiħa, 'L'-"E', Le!" Democracy my foot!

Wonderful idea. Finally, a group of people with sense. While the immediate goal is to work for the introduction of divorce, one looks even further ahead to a permanent coalition of people who have emerged from the medieval mind-frame of certain politicians whose minds are fossilized in the remote past. Such a permanent movement of like-minded persons with 21st century minds could try to bring the Enlightenment to Malta, albeit more than two centuries late, and work for abolition of censorship with respect to adults, separation between Church and State and other civil rights that have flourished in other European countries for ages.

Cross-party coalition to front ‘Moviment Iva’ for divorce- seems interesting- I will follow up to see how it's going to be-one from every political party- hmmmmm- so seems a referendum is inevitable- hmmm- am not quite sure how this is going to be.... We will see what will happen - ................

great news: the Maltese people hope this does not degenerate into petty party politics with everyone pushing their own personal agenda in the run up to the election... Let's all keep our fingers crossed--- cross party politics is needed and JPO might be able to save some face after that Mistra farce.