In her letter (TMID, 18 September) entitled “Annulment not divorce”, Valerie Borg says she’s against divorce, euthanasia, abortion and the death penalty. Ms Borg then appeals to the church authorities to grant annulment to those whose marriage has broken down.

Ms Borg’s appeal would have been more appropriate if it was addressed to the government. We are a secular state and not a theocracy. So while everyone has the right to follow any religion he may fancy, no one has the right to deny others of their rights by imposing his religious beliefs as law on society. In short, if a marriage has broken down, the concerned parties should be free to ask for divorce.

With regard to the issue of euthanasia, I strongly believe that no one has the right to interfere with your life. If a person is suffering from an incurable disease, and he wishes to end his life, the state should assist him to do it.

Ms Borg says she’s against abortion. I have my reservations about abortion, but if a woman has been raped, or if a woman’s life is endangered by her pregnancy, then abortion should be permitted.

As regards the death penalty, which Ms Borg says she’s against, I believe that for certain gruesome crimes which are committed, the death penalty is not enough. I consider it a big injustice when evil doers of such crimes are allowed to live.

Emm. Spagnol

Zejtun