Malta votes to approve divorce

Malta has voted to approve the introduction of divorce, according to the results of a weekend referendum.

Final results showed that just under 53 percent of the people voted in favour.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who had campaigned against the introduction, said parliament would respect the will of the people in the nonbinding referendum and work on legislation to legalize divorce.

The Mediterranean island of 400,000 people is the only country in Europe not to allow divorce.

“Marriage in Malta is still in the majority, it is still as strong in itself,” says Archbishop of Malta, Monsignor Paul Cremona. “Marriage is a value. That means it has to be promoted and it has to be defended.”

“And so, I think that after this result, there are reflections which the church itself has to make about its preparation in the context of marriage and the family.”

Listen to the interview with Monsignor Cremona here: