I was completely astounded to hear that Gozo Bishop, Mgr Mario Grech, has described those Catholics who will be voting ‘Yes’ as “traitors“ of the Catholic faith.

Coming from the Shepherd responsible for looking after the Gozitan flock, such a statement is totally incredulous.

The way Bishop Mario Grech has been speaking lately about the question of responsible divorce legislation – which is a civil right and does not impinge on sacramental marriage in any way – has left me with the impression that the Gozitan Bishop is acting as if the Church is taking part in a general election and is doing all in its power to hold on to its temporal power.

I am wondering whether Bishop Mario Grech will now instruct Gozitan parish priests not to accept any cash donations to their churches from Catholic “traitors” who vote ‘Yes’. I am also intrigued to know if this Bishop will still accept Catholic “traitors” attending Church functions.

I am afraid that this Shepherd has done untold harm to the Church in both Gozo and Malta by his hysteric claim. Instead of going out of his way to look for lost sheep, this Shepherd is scaring many more sheep away from the flock.

The prime minister was reported saying that the choice in the referendum was between marriages that remain permanent and marriages that will last for four years. Incredible! We have a prime minister who believes that the Maltese people are all imbeciles. Is he afraid that if divorce is introduced, his own marriage will only last another four years? Of course not.

This is why what he said was intended to dupe people who have no brains. Dr Gonzi, once again, has proven that he will do and say anything to dupe voters. Alas, voters, in their great majority, have got used to Gonzi’s tactics and will give him the lesson he deserves, if not in this referendum, certainly in the general election in less than two years’ time.

■ Eddy Privitera

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