Sometimes I wonder whether our dear Nationalist backbencher, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando knows what he is doing regarding the divorce issue or is it just a public relations stunt.

I couldn’t help noticing that during a debate on divorce with University of Malta students, Dr Pullicino Orlando was wearing a Knights of Malta cross badge on his lapel.

Does he know that the cross symbolises Matthew’s eight beatitudes? Maybe he should have looked up the meaning, before defending the introduction of divorce law in Malta while wearing such a dear symbol of Maltese culture.

The Knights had given secular meanings to the eight pointed cross representing the eight languages of the Order and the beatitudes as traits of a good hospitallier.

The original version will be the Beatitudes as given by the Lord Jesus Christ, in the fifth Chapter of the Gospel of Matthew are blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, those who mourn, for they shall be comforted, the meek, for they shall inherit the earth, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied, the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy, the pure in heart, for they shall see God, the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God and those who suffer persecution for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

G. Vella

Birkirkara