One cannot even begin to comprehend what line of reasoning Andre Camilleri, from the Zwieg Bla Divorzju movement, employed in coming out with his statement on victims of domestic violence.

The man said that victims of domestic violence should not be given the right to remarry, but should separate. He actually said that in allowing such a right, the abuser would be allowed to remarry and commit abuse in that family.

This really is head-in-hands stuff. The issue of divorce has not been treated with the respect it needs and there has been immaturity from all quarters –bar the Church. The Church made its statement within days of the issue coming to the fore. It might be the easiest stance out of the lot, but it has been quick, clear and consistent on the issue.

We have seen the political parties bandy the issue about as if it were some hot potato that no one wants to touch for fear of burning their fingers. The PN has stated its position against divorce, but then continues to work on its co-habitation bill – sheer hypocrisy at its best. The PN tells us that divorce will destroy our family values, but at the same time drafts a law which allows people to ‘live in sin’ and be ambiguous in terms of law and status.

Muscat, on the other hand, will not commit. He has told the voters that he is personally in favour of divorce, but will allow a free vote. This is political manoeuvring. He knows the bill will never pass, but is fishing for the pro-divorce vote.

We have seen priests put up billboards telling us that divorce is, wait for it, remember this one? “poison injected into the brains of our youth”.

Now we have the chairman of this movement saying, live on radio, that if given the right to remarry, abusers will go on to commit abuse in that family. Which country, planet even, does this person come from?

Does he not know that if people (mostly women) in abusive relationships actually manage to work up the courage to seek separation (few do), then the abuser (usually the man) either already has a bit on the side, or quickly seeks out a new victim.

They will move in, and the minute they do, the cycle starts again. It already happens, Mr Camilleri; divorce or no divorce. What we have here is a person who has shown that his mindset is not in synch with reality and has made a deeply offensive and insensitive remark about victims of domestic violence. This leading article is not going into the pros and cons of divorce, but what we are saying is that if people are ‘expert’ enough to head such organisations, they should be held to account for what they have said. Taking nothing away from his reputation in the professional field, this man’s words were shocking.