Church to tell voters to put divorce decision to 'crucifix test'

MaltaToday has seen the text of a new 10-point message the Maltese Church will be broadcasting to tell Catholics what it means "to vote according to their conscience" when they vote on divorce in the 28 May referendum.

The pamphlet specifically explains that the litmus test when voting according to one's conscience is if they are able to "go in front of a crucifix and say: 'Jesus, I've seen what you have said in the Gospels on this subject, I've seen what the Church teaches, I've seen what the common good is in the country's present situation and I've asked your help in deciding. After all this I am persuaded you agree with the way I'm going to vote'."

The Church then says: "As a Christian, to vote according to your conscience means telling Christ on the crucifix your decision."

The pamphlet marks a strengthening of the position previously adopted by theologians and approved by Archbishop Paul Cremona, which said Catholics were obliged to follow their conscience even if this leads them to believe there is no reason why to vote against divorce legislation.

Gozo bishop Mario Grech has also stated in a homily that there was "no compromise on a proper, true and sincere conscience” for Christians, and that the authority that guides their conscience Church’s ministry, and the Pope’s and his bishops’ teachings.”

The new pamphlet tells voters who feel they shouldn't deny divorce to others to consider whether the damage divorce brings to society is greater than the solution it offers to the few. "As a catholic you won't seek divorce, but you must care about society in general. Apart from this, when Jesus spoke against divorce he was not speaking only for Christians but for everybody."

The Church also will say the divorce law being proposed will grant divorce to spouses who spend four years separated even if only one party files for divorce against the other spouse's will. But this same condition also exists in Church annulments: respondents in ecclesiastical annulments can refuse to cooperate with the proceedings, but the annulment still proceeds because the respondent cannot prevent the case from being heard.

The pamphlet specifies that the marital bond exists even between separated couples who leave each other because they cannot live under the same roof. "But a marriage annulment given by the Church is a declaration that the marriage never exists because of an essential defect in the ability of spouses or in their consent to the marriage.

"These people can remarry... divorce dissolves what is a valid marriage. In countries where there is divorce, civil authorities dissolve the bond of a valid marriage."

The Church will also say that divorce encourages newlyweds to break up immediately on the first signs of trouble, and sows doubt in the mind of couples engaged to be married or even breaks up irremediably separated couples that could have been working towards reconciliation.

"The NSO shows we have over 130,000 married people and just over 13,000 separated people... for the 130,000 there lifelong marriage is not just an ideal but their daily practice. 90% of these people say they are happy."

The pamphlet also says studies confirm that children "suffer serious and long-alsting consequences" and emotional problems at school and with friends, and in their marriage later on in life.