Archbishop Mgr Paul Cremona yesterday threw the ball squarely into the court of the authorities on the matter of the rights and obligations of those who live together, not necessarily as partners but also those who live with relatives.

Speaking during the Net TV programme Doksa last night, Mgr Cremona said that the Church has already made it clear that the state must legislate to safeguard the rights and interests of those who live together, including, for example, brothers and sisters who share the same house.

The Archbishop gave an unhesitant “yes” when asked by programme presenter Georg Sapiano whether he thought it necessary and desirable for the party in government to continue working to deliver on its electoral promise, made in 1998, to legislate on the rights and obligations of such people.

The Archbishop said these rights and obligations should be recognised with respect to all those in such a relationship.

He however insisted on the value of the family as the basis of society, making it clear that the Church could never condone divorce as it believes in the indissolubility of marriage.

The Church will continue to communicate its vision on this matter, as it has strong convictions that divorce is not beneficial to society in any way, the Archbishop said.

Mgr Mercieca added that the Church recognises the difficulties that couples face and is always ready to help.

On women, the new Archbishop said that the Church encourages women to develop both their intellectual side as well as their personal and biological one.

Women are constantly reminded of the material gains available to those who developed their intellectual side. For its part, the Church makes it a point to continue to remind women that the development of the personal and biological side is also humanly enriching.