After reading Gerald Fenech’s report on the conference on marriage break-down organised by Progettimpenn, and also Raphael Vassallo’s article on what was said by Mr Justice Sir Paul Coleridge who spoke during this conference (lauded by the Bishop of Gozo for “having courage to speak his mind”) I ask Sir Paul and all those who applauded him: how on earth – and probably in heaven too – can anyone believe that a marriage still exists, when that marriage would have completely and irremediably disintegrated years if not decades ago. And when both partners may have been living in a stable and loving relationship for ages, and perhaps have had children from their cohabiting relationship?
I suspect that the power which the local Church authorities could wield in the distant past, on what rights or civil liberties the Maltese government could give to Maltese and Gozitan citizens, still lurks in the mind of some Church authorities. They seem to believe that it is not enough for the Church to preach its teachings on the question of divorce, cohabitation, homosexuality, family planning, condoms etc… but that they also have to interfere and force the civil authorities to abide by the Church authorities’ position on these subjects, by influencing people “who were close to the decision making process”, namely the politicians!
I am amazed at the fact that the same Church authorities have not yet realised that the arguments they are making have not even convinced any members of the clergy, let alone common citizens.
I ask our Archbishop what solution he has to offer to the many thousands of Maltese and Gozitan citizens who wish to start a new and stable relationship as a “married” couple and not simply in a cohabiting relationship? Should they spend the rest of their lives bemoaning their luck, living alone without being given another chance to love and be loved, in order to be able to receive Holy Communion?
Another question: does the Church accept that couples who get married in a civil manner only have the right to receive Holy Communion? Or are they too considered that by not getting married in the Church, they too have “violated the sacrament of marriage”?
My final question: in 2005 I spent a week in hospital. One morning a monk came to my side and asked me if I wished to receive Holy Communion. I replied that I wished to but I couldn’t, as I was cohabiting with my partner. The monk replied with: “You are in hospital not at home. You can receive Holy Communion.” I gladly accepted. And that was the last time I received Holy Communion, although I, together with my partner, attend Holy Mass regularly! Thank God that we have clergymen who are not afraid to speak their mind, such as Fr George Dalli, Fr Rene Camilleri, Fr Mark Montebello, Fr Peter Seraccino Inglott, Fr Charles Vella and many others who are not as courageous but speak their mind privately.
Was the monk who told me I could receive Holy Communion since I was in hospital, right or wrong, Mgr. Cremona?
Any comments?
If you wish your comments to be published in our Letters pages please click button below. Please write a contact number and a postal address where you may be contacted.
Search:
MALTATODAY
BUSINESSTODAY
Download MaltaToday Sunday issue front page in pdf file format
