I would like to refer to the write up (TMID, 26 May) regarding the concern expressed in a statement under the above heading by The Malta Gay Rights Movement in response to a press release by the Archbishop of Malta.

While, as a practising member of the Catholic Church, I thank the Archbishop for carrying out his duty as the Vicar of Christ in guiding us on the doctrine and social teachings of the Church, I would like to comment on some of the statements/opinions made by the media officer of the above movement.

“The Church of Rome has every right to impose its doctrine on its faithful but it cannot be imposed on the rest of society. We are citizens of democratic Malta, not of the Vatican City.”

In my opinion, no Church imposes any doctrine on its members. Everyone is free to accept or reject the doctrine and teachings of a Church and everyone is likewise free to opt out of “membership”.

However, when decisions are made concerning society in general, every member of a democratic society has a right and a duty to insist, without disrespect, on the “majority principle” as regards the determination of the social order within the society of which he/she is a member.

Reference in the MGRM statement is made in various instances to the word “marriage” for relationships other than for heterosexual marriages.

It is appropriate to highlight the definition of marriage in the latest version of The Oxford Dictionary as “the formal union of a man and a woman by which they become husband and wife”.

In this respect, may I therefore appeal to one and all to be faithful to the correct and original definition of marriage and not to distort its true meaning. As for same sex relationships, I believe one should stick to either the word “relationships” or use the word “union”.

I would like to conclude by stating my belief that God gave man an identity when he created a woman for his partner and likewise He gave an identity to the woman by creating man.

Godfrey Leone Ganado

Madliena