MPs should vote on divorce according to their conscience - Fenech Adami

Political consequences of voting against referendum are evident, but MPs cannot do away with religious conscience, says former prime minister.

Former President Eddie Fenech Adami has warned of ‘disaster’ if Malta introduces divorce, in an address he gave at the University chaplaincy for the theology students’ association on the importance of the family in the state.

He said that recent statements appearing in the media and public reaction seemed to indicate that “people were ready to compromise... thinking the country is ready to go for it [introducing divorce].”

But faced with what could be increased support for divorce, Fenech Adami said this was a wake-up call for a new culture with respect to marriage.

“I do augur that the family will continue to be the basis on which the whole structure of the State is built... not just the wellbeing of individual families, but even in the economic sense. I hope this is the year we stand up and be counted in defence of the family.”

Fenech Adami also said there would be political consequences for either MPs or parties, if they voted against the result of the divorce referendum. “But I still think MPs have to vote in line with their own consciences... should we do away with religious conscience because we live in a secular society? I think it would be disastrous if we do.”

He reiterated his long-held position that divorce should not be decided by referendum. “Morals and ethics are not to be decided by majorities. The questions should not be put to referendum. I don’t think principles are up to be defined by majorities and minorities.”

Fenech Adami raised concern over the ‘difficulty’ for people to “express themselves in religious language”, a feeling shared by a member of the audience who said she found it difficult to communicate religious arguments against divorce.

“It depends who you are talking to," Fenech Adami replied "If you are talking to a non-believer you have to understand his own milieu. But you must not discard the religious argument a priori.”

The former prime minister also said he had “nothing against” a law that protected one spouse against the other, without endangering the institution of marriage. “I believe government is thinking on the same terms with the proposal for a cohabitation law... it is time to redress the situation of injustice, especially for women spouses.”

While the anti-divorce lobby is claiming that cohabitation will increase once divorce is introduced, Fenech Adami as PN leader had pledged a cohabitation law in the Nationalist party’s 1998 electoral manifesto. The law recently resurfaced after Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando tabled a private members’ bill for the introduction of divorce.

Journalist Lourdes Pullicino, who was present in the audience, told Fenech Adami she found it hard to answer arguments by the pro-divorce lobby that divorce would help women in difficult marriages. Fenech Adami replied that whether remarriage could provide happiness, was unclear. "It is right that we are compassionate to these poor people, but it doesn't mean that we jump to the conclusion that divorce is the answer."

Fenech Adami asked the question whether the State was doing enough to uphold the value of family. “Formally, yes. The proper laws to safeguard and promote the family are there. We have detailed provisions in the civil code and the social policy law is replete with measures in favour of the family.

“Is this enough? No. Are we on the brink? We are, but it doesn’t mean we have to accept defeat. I think it is a blessing, we are in a period where we are being made to re-establish the value of marriage.”

He appealed to his audience to consider the writings of both Pope Benedict XVI and John Paul II, whom he said had done a lot to reconsider the importance and value of ‘true sexuality’ in love.

“I think Benedict XVI looks at sexuality in the proper sense in the encyclical Deus Caritas Est (God is love). He asks us to understand it as love that is giving not just receiving, ‘a foretaste of the divine’... that’s very strong language.”

He also took issue with 'relativism', calling it "the fundamental problem in society, even in Malta" - an argument he raises regularly in his critique of society - "I think it is the scourge of society, people seeing the truth as they see it."

avatar
i think its deeply disturbing to have someone say that morals and ethics should not be decided by the majority. that spells a dictatorial approach to governing people assuming that some elite number of people can decide how the rest of society should live their lives, not to mention it is a total violation of democracy! this rivals times in other parts of the world when women were not allowed to vote, or black people kept as slaves, cause after all why should the majority matter? seriously disturing breaches of democracy.
avatar
dan hu l istess bniedem li kellu l kuxjenza li jwieghed lil kaccaturi li la darba nidhlu fl eu ha nibqghu nohorgu ghal kacca fir rebbiegha? ha ha tajba din! ara x gara issa!emmintuh ja kaccaturi,GHALISSA, TARD WISQ! ARA TEMMNUX LIL TA WARAJH UKOLL? GHAL KACCATURI VERA GIET REBBIEGHA GDIDA! tajba hux? naf ghax garrabtha.
avatar
Imma kif ma jisthix dan il-bniedem jitkellem fuq il-kuxjenza? Ghandu wiccu u il-warrani xorta. Nesa kemm ma kellu ebda kuxjenza,meta gideb fuq Dr.Alfred Sant,meta qal li Dr.Sant kien responsabbli li ibnu ma dahalx l-universita.Giddieb u giddieb bil-provi anke fil-qorti. Ma niggzitux il-kuxjenza meta offra il-proklama presidenzjali lill-kriminal siehbu? Nesa kemm nies li rebhu kazi quddiem tribunali kontra l-ingustizzji baqa' jirrifjuta li ssir gustizzja maghhom? Nesa kemm tkaza dan il-bicca avukat tar-rahal,meta Dr Alfred Sant ma kienx irrikonoxxa ir-rizultat tar-referendum dwar id-dhul ta' Malta fil-UE. Il-kuxjenza ma niggzitux meta familjari tieghu gabu annullamenti ghall darba, tnejn,tlieta. Jeww ghalieh kollox sew? Anzi ghall wiehed min uliedu ma kienx bizzejjed annullament wiehed, ghax hadu darbtejn. Mur stahba ja ipokrita u tkomplix turi kemm int vili. U kif tkun fiz-zifna hu mieghek lill-ibnek Beppe ghax daqsek hu ipokrita. Ara veru familja ta' IPOKRITI.
avatar
My thinking is that we should not hinder those who seek another chance in life.This applies to Marriage just like a Priest who leaves the Priesthood. People who wish to remain Married for life, if they are happy, can do so. No one is forcing them to divorce. Freedom to choose his position in life is essential and no one should deny that.
avatar
"It is right that we are compassionate to these poor people, but it doesn't mean that we jump to the conclusion that divorce is the answer." Dear Eddie. For most people you can keep your compassion. What most people want is a regular chance to start again after a failed marriage. A lonely celibate life is not the solution to most people. It is agains nature.
avatar
We all agree that EFA should be canonised after death ! Till his demise, he should be appointed as lecturer in the Divinities. Obviously at a cost of thousand of votes to the PN from liberal supporters. Religio et religio et religio st .....
avatar
A typical Saint to be... Please forward Eddie's article to Pope Benedict, maybe we can have the second Saint in Malta. Saint Eddie Fenech Adami !! Whilst EFM is obviously free to voice his opinion, so are we !! And the statement is consistent, "DO NOT MIX UP RELIGION WITH STATE".. I am a Roman Catholic, and proudly so, and because I am a Roman Catholic I will vote in favour of divorce... because I really want to help those in need!! We only have one life to live, and because the first marriage goes wrong, it does not mean that we cannot have a second chance... After all dear Eddie, your family has already benefited from pseudo divorces available in Malta only for the rich..
avatar
Luke Camilleri
@Fellus ta Gahan Il-kuxjenza ta' Eddie tiggebbed bhal 'l-ekonomija fil-verita" li jghid....ghax jghid li ma jigdibx. . Lanqas darba ma semmgha it-3 annulamenti ta' ibnu jew membri tal-familja tieghu mizzewgin divorzjati! . Mur Emmnu!
avatar
Mr.Fenech you are an inspiration to me, i have decided to follow your kind of life like go to church, preach to the unbelievers, never apologize to the ones i lied about and for a good measure lie lie lie. i think my dear mother was not very knowledgeable because she use to say to me for God to forgive you, you must tell that person you lied about him.
avatar
Where was Fenech Adami’s famous conscience when he: - pardoned his friend and bodyguard for drug-smuggling, armed robbery and attempted murder? - pardoned another drug-trafficker with the excuse he suffered from anon-existent malady? - refused to investigate the circumstances surrounding the escape of yet another drug-trafficker? - deliberately lied about Dr Alfred Sant on the even of an election?
avatar
Krista Sullivan
HALLINA EFA OQGHOD GAWDI L PENZJONI LI GHAMILT GHALIK INIFSEK BIL KWIET MA GBAJTX THARREF U IXEWWEX INSEJT LI ULIEDEK HADU L ANNULAMENT BLA EBDA RAGUNI VALIDA L UNIKA WAHDA HIJA BISS LI INT KONT PM U GHAMILT LILEK PRESIDENT U LI KIEKU KIENET BIL PAGA KONT TIZATAT BIEX TEHODA UKOLL MIL QALB NIXTIEQEK TIBQA HAJ SA RIZULTAT TAR REFERDUM U WAHDEK RISPOSTA LI HANQA TA HMAR QATT MA TELAT IS SEMA.
avatar
Seems like EFA has turned from a politician into a theologist. He cannot accept the fact that he is a retired person like everybody who has reached retirement date. But no the Big Eddie cannot come to grips with this reality. He has to have his say. The more he blabbers the better because the more he opens his mouth the more he is hardening people to vote for divorce.
avatar
Fully agree with falzonsilvio. It is about time that EFA should by now have gone into hibernation once and for all and stop talking rubbish. His era is finished .
avatar
Luke Camilleri
Dan jaqaw ma ghandhux x'jaghmel? Ma jghidx kemm tkissru familji bil loghob u self bl-uzura, gab il-Malta qisgha Las Vegas b'hanut tal-loghob f'kull kantuniera...... imbaghad ibiegh il-Lottu Publiku lill Barranin? dan irrid jitkellem, dhal il-pajjiz f'mentalita ta' "Money no problem"...Ghalih u ghal tieghu iva "money no problem" imma ghal pajjiz u ghal familji GABNA "MONEY AND BILLS ARE THE PROBLEM AND NOT DIVORCE!'
avatar
I say it again and again : Personally I as a maltese Citizen, am disgusting about the certain MPs which I personally give a shit to what they say. I always do what is right for me,and I belive that every Maltese Citizen Have the Right to live his/her life the way he/she wants. This is all stupid. The MPs can say and do what they want, I don't GIVE a Damn SHIT to what they say or do. All people have the right to live thier lives how they want. You know what to do in the next general election. It's All in vain now speaking, cause it's the people who elected them and gave them the power in the maltese parlament . So when it comes to vote, use your weapon ,the VOTE and if you don't like them Kick them out. I will remember all what the MPs said, and when I will go to vote in the next general elction, I and my family will know who to vote . Theya er making a fool of the maltese people. and the no confession and no communion things(which to em I dont care even for my family) that is directed to the MPs who are in favour of divorce , like JPO Jesmond Mugliette, joseph muscat and others. I wonder why they did not make a statement about it, maybe they are thinking of a strategy about those jokers of the Church
avatar
Jiena u l-familja tieghi ma konniex ha nivvutaw imma issa onestament fdan ir referendum, ha NIVVUTAW IVA BIL QALB!
avatar
When the labour Party legalised Gay they said it was the end of Malta, When the LP introduced the vote for women they said it was a disaster, When LP introduced the vote for 18 year olds they said it was a disaster, When the LP introduced Free university for all and stipends they said it was a disaster when the LP introduced free obligatory education for all up to 16 they said it was a disaster so some things never change here we are again. By the way when Gonzi's cousin buried Labour supporters in trash that was gods will. When EFA son gets annulment from church that's gods will when who has money gets divorce from abroad that's gods will When to win an election we arm with guns the supporters and make the gakketta blue regime that's gods will When an opposition led by efa asks people not to go to work because it wanted an additional public holiday that was gods will when efa cabinet absent from parliament for 5 years that's gods will and is ok anything is ok for the pn as long it gets them to power and everything they do is christian when it suits them
avatar
I tought that EFA retired and gagged himself. He is a Prime Hypocrite. Why does not he shut up and hide himself. We had moree than enough pf him
avatar
Int Kattolku fejn jaqbillek? Lejliet l-elezzjoni tal-2003 int xerridt malafama dwar Alfred Sant fuq it-TV ta' l-istat. Rebahlek Lm3000. Imma int bhala Kattolku ghadek ma ppruvajtx tregga dik il-malafama lura. Ghadna ma smajnikx taghmel apologija lil Afred Sant. Fuq il-malafami il-kuxjenza ma tniggzegx?
avatar
Joseph Sant
Quando no si puo piu` si ritorna al buon Gesu`!! Insieh il-gideb li gideb dan u l-firda li gab.
avatar
victor refalo
Incredible! EFA is saying that he does not agree with a referendum as this is an ethical issue, then is urging his former MPs to vote according to conscience. This means that he wants MPs to vote on divorce without consulting the public on their own conscience and adhering to their own religious principles. What happened to liberal democracy I wonder and the will of the people? I cannot imagine what would have happened if Alfred Sant had said this....he would have been labeled undemocratic and a freak but coming from EFA this sounds like a relation by a renowned theologician! it was EFA that was in favour of a referendum on the EU and wanted Malta to join the rest of Europe. Now he wants us to remain backwards, loners in the fight against this so called relativism! I personally prefer rationalism and logic but if I had to choose between fundamentalism and relativism I would definitely go for the latter. This is Malta - part of the EU today - not a backward country in the middle ages for God's sake.
avatar
I thought that is was only former Labour Prime Ministers hung on past their sell-by date and embarrassed their parties. But EFA is doing the same thing.
avatar
@olga I like your cliche : Kuxjenza safja jew hafja.
avatar
Give us a break Eddy and retire your holier-than-thou attitude is becoming boring. Your alligiance is to the Pope as you swore when you became a member of SMOM, your alligiance to Malta comes second. So spare us your sermons from Mount Nowhere.
avatar
Dear Dr. Fenech Adami You warned of "a ‘disaster’ if Malta introduces divorce". Please mention one country in the world which has gone to the dogs because of divorce or are the maltese not mature enough. I respected you for many years for what you did for Malta after the excesses of the 80's but it seems that you are slipping. All you need to do is to looks at your record in this field. During your time marriage has declined in popularity. Civil marriages increased four fold while cohabitation increased six fold as evidenced by the increase in out of wedlock births. Your record in this field is abysmal. You cannot speak with any moral authority in this matter.
avatar
duncan abela
There is no need to insult EFA in his old ways. However the more I listen to his arguments of superior holiness the more I am convinced that all persons who believe in a secular liberal state and in basic civil rights must vote Yes for divorce and convince as many others as possible to do likewise.
avatar
This is the real Eddie; before 1987 it was all crocodile's tears!
avatar
Hallina Eddie , ha tibqa tippersisti lewwel fuq Malta l-bazi militari u issa kontra Toleranza . Xi dritt ghandu bniedem li jcahhad lil haddiehor milli jkollu l-kuntentizza f’hajtu, u dak huwa l-valur tat-tolleranza. Fir-referendum li gej i...l-poplu mhux se jintalab li jaghzel ghal kwalunkwe tip ta’ divorzju, imma ghal divorzju responsabbli. Jekk jghaddi r-referendum ikun biss wara li koppja tkun ilha separata 4 snin u minghajr ebda tama ta’ rikonciljazzjoni li l-koppja li jigu lura flimkien biex tkun tista’ tiehu d-divorzju. Kif ukoll li l-manteniment ikun garantit fid-divorzju wkoll u dan huwa diga’ garantit bis-separazzjoni.
avatar
Albert Zammit
Ifhem.... hobzu mahbuz, il-bniedem. Gab zewg annullamenti lil wiehed minn uliedu. .. tnejn wara xulxlin! Xi trid iktar?
avatar
chris caruana turner
Dr Fenech Adami should feel free to comment on the subject, however he must not try to influence MPs in this manner. What he is asking them to do is adamantly wrong. They were elected by the people and should respect the choice of the people, nothing more, nothing less. If they do not do this then they would be betraying the confidence bestowed to them by the people and would be acting illegally. So while MPs have to tag along party lines on issues such as the Delimara power station extension, the hike in water and electricity bills and other important issues, irrespective of what their conscience tells them, they are now being urged to actually not accept a yes vote from the ppl if they feel that this goes against their conscience. I think that this is a big contradiction to say the least. If the PN MPs were to really vote according to their conscience, then most probably this government would not have lasted this long. U hallina Dward!!
avatar
Joseph Pellicano
tindahalx ja skadut
avatar
Bniedem li ma taghrafx wiccu mill-warrani. Komdu hu komdu kulhadd ghalih. Meta t-tfal tieghu kienu jikkoabitaw beda jissimpatizza ma ligi li tirregola il-koabitazjoni. Issa li hadu tlet annulamenti kontra d-dvorzju. L-influwenza tieghek fuq il-poplu zvintat.
avatar
Pauline Moran
Dward, mela qed iniggzug il kappillani w l-isqfijiet? Inti wiehed min nies f'Malta li ma tistax titkellem ghax kont wiehed milli gibt il firda fost il Maltin. Int Konservattiv u qatt ma tista tifhem il mentalita Liberali tal lum. Din id darba il Kisja mhux ser jirnexxila fil krucjata taghha. Il maggoranza hija favur divorzju RESPONSABBLI. Xi haga li il knisja qatt ma tad lil poplu. Issa l-annulament tista tghmlu fi gwarnica ghax kull min jixtieq jizzewweg jkun jaqbillu jghamel hekk civilment ghax jekk naghslu ghas SI u NO ma jkunx hemm knejjes u qniepel jinterferixxu fid decizjoni taghna. Viva l-Liberta...Iva ghad Divorzju!!!
avatar
The worst disaster this country ever faced was when you were elected as Prim Minister. Leave us in peace please Amen
avatar
Dan l-istess bniedem li kien jemmen fir-rieda tal-maggoranza? Dan irid jitkellem fuq il-kuxjenza? Kuxjenza safja jew HAFJA????????
avatar
but doesn't this guy never give up ? he managed to divide the whole nation while in power, and he aims to do the same out of it. coming from someone who proudly claims that he had saved democracy in Malta, it is a tragicomedy hearing him advising MPs to vote against the people's will as expressed in a referendum. Like KMB in another context, he should be told to shut up and spend his last remaining days writing his memoirs. In the present doom and gloom, it would provide some light moments of mirth that we all need.