I was flabbergasted when I was informed by the local news media that the Ecclesiastical Tribunal had decided that Dr Deborah Schembri (Head of the Divorce Movement) could no longer practice in the tribunal. In my humble opinion, this is a clear case of victimisation, targeting Dr Schembri for her role in the yes to divorce movement.

The wrath of the local Catholic Church knows no bounds, and if it were to have its way it would have Dr Schembri burnt at the stake. But thank God, we are no longer in the Middle/Dark Ages, and the times of the inquisition are over. This is also an indication of the extent of the local church’s crusade in its frantic attempts to prevent the introduction of divorce legislation in this last bastion against divorce in the European Union.

This act of chastising Dr Schembri, thereby affecting her income, is also preventing either party of broken marriages in exercising their “sacrosanct” right to be represented by a lawyer of their choice if they happen to have chosen her as his or her representative. This goes against the principles of a fair trial as enshrined in our Republic’s Constitution and against universal human rights and the principles of natural justice.

On accessing the Ecclesiastical Tribunal’s website (www.maltachurchtribunals.org), I was also astounded to find out that most of the judges/adjudicators in such tribunals are prominent theologians who although may excel in their field of theology, have no experience of marital life, have not endured the difficulties encountered in a marital relationship, and are thus logically not competent to be in such judicial positions.

In view of the above, if our legal system persists in recognising judgments issued by such unjust tribunals, it will continue making a mockery of our judicial system. It is therefore high time that the Maltese Concordat on Marriage signed on 3 February 1993 should be abrogated/annulled, and the separation between Church and state (which does not exist in the Republic of Malta) should be implemented and respected.

Raymond Sammut

MELLIEHA