[WATCH] Clyde says Christians who voted for divorce ‘will have Christ to answer to’

The electorate that voted yes for divorce in the referendum did not follow Jesus’ teaching, Clyde Attard – the figurehead of the Kristu Iva, Divorzu Le (Christ Yes, Divorce No) movement said today in his post-mortem on the referendum.

“It is positive to see that a good part of the country has kept its faith,” Attard said, although he admitted that many voters are adopting an “à l carte Catholicism… they decided not to let Christ’s teaching enlighten them, it’s no longer important in the decisions they take, perhaps it’s important in other things.”

When asked whether religion had been out of place in a referendum on a civil right, Attard reiterated his claim that Catholic voters’ decision must be enlightened by Jesus’ teaching. “We feel that those who voted yes and abstained were not enlightened by Christ.”

Attard refuted the idea that their message was ineffective to an audience he described as ‘Catholics à la carte’.

“Christ’s words are difficult and hard… Christ teaches us how to love one’s enemies, and this is a hard message.”

Attard also said his mission to broadcast Christ’s message did not damage the anti-divorce movement’s campaign. “We believe we brought this message to the people, but they didn’t heed Christ’s words… we have no political agenda. If there is someone who doesn’t want to listen to this message, it’s not a problem.”

Attard’s billboard, prominently displayed in Sliema with the figure of Christ and his movement’s slogan, became the butt of an internet sensation on Facebook which spoofed the billboard with funny slogans.

He was asked whether he was partly responsible for the misappropriation of the image itself, and whether this gave a wrongful impression of the religious nature of the debate. “Many people blaspheme and it’s because they have no control on their emotions… if they used this image wrongfully to mock Christ, it’s their choice, we forgive them.

“When a Christian sees Christ’s face they will either put their lives in his hands and love him even more, or turn away from him.”

Attard was also asked whether Catholics with a social conscience and who took a decision in full knowledge of Christ’s teachings, had committed anything wrong. “I repeat, those Catholics who didn’t let Christ enlighten them… they have Christ to answer to.”