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 (LifeSiteNews Excerpts) – As the tiny Mediterranean nation of Malta prepares for a referendum on the legalization of divorce this Saturday, its bishops have called on the overwhelmingly Catholic country to uphold the permanent bond of marriage, which they say is essential to human dignity.

The teachings of Christ “leave no doubt that divorce is the wrong solution – a solution upon which a stable society cannot be built,” wrote Archbishop Paul Cremona of Malta, Bishop Mario Grech of Gozo, and Bishop Annetto Depasquale, in a May 21st pastoral letter entitled ‘Opting in Favour of Permanent Marriage.’

Malta, whose population of approximately 412,000 is 95% Catholic, is reportedly currently one of only two countries in the world that prohibit divorce, along with the Philippines.

“By his vote, the citizen will either build or destroy,” the bishops wrote.  “A choice in favour of permanent marriage is an act of faith in the family, built upon a bond of love which cannot be severed; whereas a choice in favour of divorce leads to the further destruction of marriage and the family and, as a consequence, the destruction of values and the quality of life.”

Marriage “goes hand in hand with the dignity of mankind” and “should, by its very nature, be a permanent bond,” they continue.  “Marriage and the family form the natural core which is essential for a person to live and grow within an atmosphere of genuine love, as well as for the building of a strong society.”

While those favoring legalization had been winning in the polls, supporters have fallen in numbers in recent days and the vote is now too close to call.

The bishops’ pastoral letter followed strong comments in a May 15th sermon from Bishop Mario Grech of Gozo, who warned of “wolves in sheep’s clothing” seeking to bring divorce into the country by pretending to be Catholic so as to deceive the faithful.  The bishop said any Catholic who rejects the teachings of Christ cannot receive Holy Communion.

We must pray for Malta.  :+:
The little island has 365 Catholic churches. One for each day of the year.

Now that's a beautiful thought.  ;D

I have a friend who runs a small guest house out there. I've never been but would love to see all those beautiful churches and the grand architecture.  :D

I'm moving to Malta. :)

 ;D

I feel silly but...where's Malta....and who runs it?   ???

This is the first time I'm hearing of Malta too.  ;D

I bet Martin knows a bit about it.  ;D

Don't feel dumb, I had to look it up, too. It's a country/large island in the Mediterranean Sea just south of Italy. It's a republic in it's own right.

Ooh, okay! Thank you, Brigid!

Very sad news from Malta, it seems the pro-divorce folks got the edge.

 :(

I read the news last night and It's very disappointing.
IMHO it's a lot to do with modern catechises. Many Catholics don't seem to recognise the sacramental side of marriage and believe it is merely a worldly type agreement between two people and therefore lessening the significance of its permanence.

St Joseph pray for families.   :+:

Hmm, I think that's an insightful statement Martin!   :D

Sure is.