No, you would be a “lamb in the skin of wolves”.

The Maltese Constitution provides a privleged status for the Roman Catholic faith. But that constitution does not require that the State enact Roman Catholic Laws.

It is possible (although for some persons inconceivable) for individuals to be faithful Roman Catholics and, at the same time, support freedom of conscience and freedom of choice regarding the opportunity for civil divorce.

It also is not unusual for faithful and devout Roman Catholics (and anyone else of other religious persuasions or non-persuasions) to experience a divorce on their way to the mercies of God. What God has not joined together, let no human persons force into permanent pseudo-marital unions.

It is not for individuals to judge the valadity of civil or religious marriages. The State has its criteria, the church marriage tribunals have Canon Law. The domains are separate.

Let’s address the social reasons why marriages may be dysfunctional, and perhaps we can caution against marriage for individuals who are not yet ready or are too immature for what successful marriage relationships require. At the same time, for those of religious or Christian persuasion, hopefully successful couples can also appreciate the theology of the marriage covenant throughout their lives.

Meanwhile, man proposes, and God disposes according to his love and mercies, if you believe in God’s genuine mercies. So, no Catholic has to renounce his faith when he or she may have to resort to divorce; in fact, even greater faith may be required.

Actually, cogito, we “knew” a long time ago. The Church has long been in a privileged position when in comes to marriage in Malta. Nothing new there.

It’s however a gross exaggeration to say that we have a confessional government.

It may end in 2013. But then the tragedy starts.

What is all this about Catholics not being allowed to divorce?

In the rest of the world, before you are allowed to apply for a Church Annulment, the Catholic Church asks you to first obtain a civil divorce.

The point is that I can decide to EAT my cake, and no one should have the right to impede me from doing it, just because he has decided NOT to eat HIS.

It says that the religion of Malta is the Roman Catholic religion. What does Malta mean in this case? Malta as a state cannot profess and practise a religion because only people can.

If only people can, no constitution can oblige anyone to profess, much less believe in, a religion.

Furthermore, religion is very different from faith. The real meaning is in the article guaranteeing freedom of religion in the entrenched chapter on human rights and, of course, the religious bigots never mention that one.

If this referendum has served any purpose, it was to expose glaringly the hypocrisy of some politicians and the fact that some politicians with whom we were so much besotted in the 80s (and their successors) were minded to install a confessional government but they never told us then what was in their mind. Now we know.

Actually I was. Then again, empty vessels make most sound, so one cannot gauge public opinion from online comments.

Don’t ask Toni Abela because he doesn’t know the difference.