Anti-divorce lobby to recieve boost as Paul Cremona is set to be appointed Cardinal

I think that divorce is one subject whilst His emminence Arch.Cremona to be appointed Cardinal is another story.

After 5 years of rot by this mediocre administration, there are more pressing needs for this little nation than divorce." Iz-zmien isajru il-bajtar", and when the people finally accept that divorce is best for the country, so be it; divorce will happen. The idea that change has to happen from above is counter -productive in this very conservative island. We don't have to see anyone's balls; the pressing need is to get rid of this non-Nationalist, non-patriotic, and decadent administration; that would already be a new beginning.

Excuse me Michael- people try thier best to write ,we may not be very good - but intelligent people will understand what other people are trying to say- and better in english as it is an english online newspaper- so Foreigners may undertsand too ;-)

Dishonest journalism at its best: presenting an interpretation of news as the real fact. How right was His Grace the Archbishop himself when some time ago he took to task journalists who manipulate news item to fit editorial agendas.

Mgr Cremona should focus on how to affect CHANGE in the Curia Administration and the Maltese Church current issues rather than focusing on how to promote his personal achievements. The Maltese Community expect that their Bishop face his tremendous challenges in the political, social, economic and technological environment. The Maltese Church need change and no more proposals or discussions!! Therefore, Our Bishop should first demonstrate that HE has the strength to affect change INTERNALLY such as the restructuring of the Curia practices and outdated administration, Family and Community issues, Village Feasts and other issues. Only by then HE should accept other commitments in the Church Administration. Being HIGH IN RANK does not mean that OUR BISHOP IS A GREAT ACHIEVER!!!

So the battle lines are being set for the final Crusade against the forces of darkness. Cremona's promotion to purple is the lastest. Expect more. Would it have any influence on the outcome ? who knows ? Those who scoff at the Church's power on the island do it at their own peril. It would therefore be very risky to call for a referendum on Divorce as the Church will enleash its soul catching PR machine on those who are still its fidili. Just imagine, the media, feasts, masses and the deadliest weapon of all: the Confessional. All this wrapped up in a not so veiled threat ala Gouder,to vote for divorce is sinful therefore fire and brimstone for the unworthy fidili! That is why the Labour Party must find grain of courage it used to have in the past, stop pussy footing and come out loud and clear in favour of Divorce. The party should have the balls to lead from the front. This giving a free vote makes no sense and its only a ploy by Joe Muscat to sit on the fence and play the role of Pontius Pilot. I was used to a Labour Party that not only always stood up to be counted but fought against all odds. Do you think Mintoff considered votes in the issue of the Sitt Punti? Anyway, I dilvuge What I mean to say is the this free vote mularky does not make sense as it goes against a fundamental principle of the party that of defending the weak. Now in Malta those who can (financially) simply go aboard and get a divorce which is then recognised in Malta. Those who cannot (financially) have to rot in an unhappy dead relation. Isn't this also a moral issue. So, come on Joe show us your balls!

So in 2009 the Church almost doubles the amount of annulments that it usually grants (see the numbers here - http://www.alisonbezzina.com/). And now it gets its very own 'Maltese Prince' to further resist what is essentially FREEDOM OF RELIGION, in a supposedly FREE and democratic country.

It is clear that the Church is doing its utmost to keep its last outpost in the wilderness free of divorce legislation. I cannot understand why an institution whose mission is to bring goodness to mankind can resort to such political macchiavellism, and in the process continue to lose more sheep from its fold. I find the way it is peddling with people's minds disgusting.

Can people please write in a way that they can be understood? Or else, don't use the English language - use Maltese. But at least, make yourselves understood! My!

@Joe Borg The Church does not have a patent on Annulments. The Civil Court can, and does, grant Annulments whic sets the married couples free to live their lives as they wish, even to re-marry (in a Civil Ceremony, of course).     If you want to give Mgr. Gouder the creeps, apply for Civil Annulment, under Section 19A of the Marriage Act. It will be much, much easier than applying for Divorce.     Section 19A -- Annulment of a valid marriage on the grounds of non-consummation -- leaves the door wide open for anyone to claim, like so many rich and famous couples do, non-consummation ... and goodbye marriage. The only requirement is that the marriage has lasted for not less than three months. That is much better than the 4 years you are hoping for.     As for Archbishop Cremona being elevated to Cardinal, he might very well be chosen as the next Pope ... heck, why not? He is already the head of the Vatican-in-the-Mediterranean. ☺ ☺ ☺

Separations are tackled by the state and are generally done and over within two months (bonaria), annulments which take at least seven years and thousands of Euro to be granted, are tackled by the church. Divorce when, God willing is introduced will be sorted by the state and will mean shorter time (4 years) to achieve and less expenses. Fr Gouder's nightmare will then become a reality NO SAY, NO NOTHING AND NO MONEY FOR THE CURIA.

so in malta the pope thinks that this will effect ? in the referendum maybe- cause many will not be informed about it -UNlike the other referendum- Unfortunately

To me a cardinal a pope or whoever does not concerns me what he says . I will still believe and do what is practical and what i think is right- I am not a puppet of anyone. why all this about the bishop changing clothes? I don't see any difference he still was and still is and still will be a man named paul cremona- who his job is a priest arcbishop cardinal or whatever- so in malta the pope thinks that this will effect ? in the refrerendum maybe- cause mnay will not be informed about it -like the other refrerendums- still the difference will eb seen in the general election- who will promise the divorce law will win - i am 100% about that- i think joseph muscat will eb the right man for human rights- i don't know him or so ... but i think if he will give his word that he will make divorce intro through parlament will win the general election- i been observing the elections since 1987- but this time - when i read how the recent prime minister talked about divorce -i was amazed- mixing politics with religion is bad very bad- when all knows that almost all wars are because of religions- what the pope (church) is thinking? that we are in the old times? people today read and knows how many of them are hypocrites with all the scandals they did . mr.prime minister give the people the right to divorce to whom it need it- not by refrerendum but throuhg parlament vote- this time I will vote to whom promise human rights- all needs their rights- let our fellow europeans ( PRIME MINISTERS OF EU STATES) knows that we in Malta dont have a simple human right as divorce- ...........

[Anti-divorce lobby to recieve boost as Paul Cremona is set to be appointed Cardinal] Karl, is this YOUR opinion? If yes, what do you base it on? If no, then why insert it in there? Are you trying to perhaops influence someone's stance on divorce??

They had him over in Malta surrounded by 5 thousand children when the Pope could not risk going to any other country without being indicted of protecting paedafile priest. Now cremona is being rewarded. Well Cremona never spoke up against the corruption of the PN party, protected child molesters and all the other things that have sent this country down the shit hole. They even think that this is what Europe is all about - a club of Christian nations - right wing sickos - hell bent on power - and sanctioned by God. They need the 'sanctioning' by God - to overcome the natural guilt any normal human would otherwise feel. Well - they can all go and stick their heads up each others butts - Gonzi included - for all I care. It time we get this country back from these sick corrupted people.

Victor Laiviera: I believe it's called clutching at straws.

Mons Cremona may be made a Cardinal, but the real boss of the Maltese Church will still remain Dun Anton Gouder

Why on earth would someone who is in favour of the introduction of divorce change his or her mind just because Mons Cremona is made a Cardinal?

So after two millennia the Vatican realizes that Malta has never had a Cardinal. How charming that they should think of it now!! I have nothing against Archbishop Cremona - if anything he is too much of a goodie goodie but this smacks of power politics at its very best. The Church is at it again!!