‘Church’s silence on civil unions a mistake’ – Fr Joe Borg

The Church’s silence on civil unions was a mistake, Fr Joe Borg told Sunday newspaper Illum.

Fr Joe Borg, an expert in communications and founder of the church’s radio station and weekly newspaper, said that in a pluralistic society the church had a role to play and should have made its voice heard.

“If the church decides to remain silent on such an important issue, then it’s a shortcoming. The local church failed to make its voice heard on civil unions, which despite its name is actually gay marriage, something which our pope described as a regressive step for humanity,” Borg told Illum.

We had two opposite strategies (on divorce and civil unions) by the same episcopal conference made up of just three bishops. Fr Joe Borg

The relative silence on civil unions contrasts with the divorce referendum in 2011, when the church actively campaigned against its introduction, without success.

Fr Joe Borg said that this contrast is down to a leadership problem.

“We had two opposite strategies (on divorce and civil unions) by the same episcopal conference made up of just three bishops.”

He also remarked that while Auxiliary bishop Charles Scicluna spoke on several occasions on this issue, Archbishop Cremona and Gozo bishop Mario Grech remained silent.

“I have no doubts that both Cremona and Grech have valid reasons for their silence,” Borg concluded.

Read more in today's issue of Illum.