Although the Constitution still says that Malta's religion is Catholic, in a general way there is political consensus that the state should be run along secular principles like the rest (or almost) of Europe. This holds even if the PN still has "Religion and Fatherland" as its slogan. It is the basis on which over the years civil marriage, divorce and same sex marriage were introduced, even if assisted dying and abortion remain "pending" issues.
A clear separation in state action between religious and secular domains operates effectively in areas where reforms have been implemented. No problems have been registered because on national days, "State" pontifical masses are still organised. Where the exercise of secular principles remains in doubt is on the "pending" matters still subject to controversy within the community. Here the arguments deployed against change still remain crudely and clearly tied to religious ideas and convictions.
This is understandable for as long as it is done with reference to the personal conduct of citizens but not when it is extended to reflect on state institutions. For instance, the following argument which is still deployed and repeated must be considered illegitimate: "According to surveys, the majority of the population says it is Catholic. Therefore the laws of the state should obligatorily follow Catholic precepts."
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
The number of domestic violence cases which are being discovered and reaching the law courts is impressive. In their majority, cases are of a serious nature. One imagines it should be clear that there are so many cases not because for some reason, there has been a spike in the occurrence these days of such crimes, but because a better awareness has consistently been emerging and growing about their very existence, while corrective action is being taken. The same has been happening in other European societies where the incidence of domestic violence used to be forgotten or ignored.
Evidently, there is a need for all citizens, as of their childhood, to be taught about this kind of violence, what leads to it and how we should act to eliminate it totally from our customs and behaviour. It is satisfactory to note, from what can be seen, that we are moving in this direction.
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THE WEST
The countries of the so-called "West" are in a situation of unprecedented confusion. Nothing demonstrated this so clearly as did the "press conference" given a week ago in the White House, led by US President Trump, surrounded at table by German Chancellor Merz, French President Macron, British Prime Minister Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Meloni, Ukrainian President Zelensky, among others.
They all made it a point to congratulate Trump on his meeting in Alaska with Russian President Putin, all insisted on the need for Ukraine to be given security guarantees, but none queried whether Trump is going to force the Ukrainians to surrender territory to Russia, or why he has been changing the compass of his position haphazardly, thereby disrupting the unity of the "West". The issue is developing into a television soap opera of the highest importance and risks leading to another big war across Europe.