Malta To Vote On Ending Divorce Ban; Church Is Strongly Opposed

Next Saturday, Malta -- which is 95% Catholic-- is holding a referendum on whether divorce should be legalized in the country. The London Telegraph reports that Malta is the only member of the European Union that does not permit divorce and only one of two nations in the world. The other is the Philippines. The ballot measure will read:

Do you agree with having the option of divorce for married couples who have been separated for four years when there is no reasonable hope for reconciliation, and when adequate maintenance is guaranteed and the children are cared for?

The electorate is very closely split on the issue, with proponents slightly in the lead.  The Catholic Church uses the pulpit on Sunday mornings to urge a "no" vote. The "yes" movement hold rallies in public squares around the country on Sundays immediately after church services. Malta's constitution declares Catholicism the official religion of the country. Meanwhile, according to CNA, some are arguing that ending Malta's ban on divorce would encourage radical Islam. Some 3000 Muslim North African refugees have recently come to Malta, fleeing unrest in their home countries. They join 6,000 Muslims already there. U.S. author Stephen Schwartz argues: "a radical would see as much confusion as possible among the non-Muslims as good for the Muslims." He fears radical Muslim clerics would see those who have divorced-- and thus left the Church-- as fair game for Muslim proselytizing.