Malta is supposed to be a modern secular state where people are free to choose and act according to their own conscience and within the laws of the land.

What we do not need is antiquated mouthpieces from the Catholic Church preaching fire and brimstone about mortal sin. That already happened once on this tiny island and its decree ripped the soul of the island out. The country’s social fabric unravelled as a result of those declarations. How could good Catholics reconcile with the religious leaders of the island after what was said and done?

Last time it was a political dispute, and this time, it is again. But it is not an issue that revolves around the political party, it revolves around the political strength of the Catholic Church itself.

Just like the UK’s alarm at going down in the global pecking order, the Maltese Catholic Church is seeing people leave in droves and it is desperately trying to flex its muscles once more. Preaching about mortal sin is not exactly going to help the cause. I know that I, for one, now feel alienated by what was said. Fundamentalism in every form is a very dangerous thing.

■ John Vella

St Paul’s Bay