Speaking to The Malta Independent on Sunday, Dr Bezzina said the objective of the case will be to challenge the provision giving the Ecclesiastical Tribunal precedence over the Civil Court in annulment proceedings.

This provision was introduced when the Nationalist government amended the Marriage Act in 1995 “in collusion with the Catholic Church,” Dr Bezzina said.

Moreover, the constitutional case will also call on the Maltese government to give Maltese citizens as well as residents in Malta the right to obtain a divorce in Malta.

Dr Bezzina said the Marriage Act recognises a divorce or an annulment granted by competent foreign courts that are duly registered in Malta.

“This, in effect, means that if you are rich, you can get a divorce abroad but if you are not, you will be imprisoned for the rest of your life,” Dr Bezzina explained.

“With EU membership, EU laws are now superior to domestic legislation,” Dr Bezzina warned.