On Gay Marriage and What Makes a Marriage in Malta

When traditionalists speak about marriage and the family, they invariably ignore many significant features of these institutions. To state the obvious, marriage is multi-dimensional: it is, amongst others, a contract, a ceremony, an event and, to some but not all Christians, a sacrament. Marriage as we know it today in Malta and many European countries has had a varied and chequered history. You would have to be historically naïve and mentally challenged to think that today’s traditional marriages have not undergone significant change. Roman men could dissolve marriage at any time. That was their privilege as men, a privilege not extended to women. Before the Justinian Code (527-565), a simple statement that you were married was the only requirement. Catholic marriage celebrated at a Catholic Church before a priest and two witnesses was enforced in 1563 by the Council of Trent. Across Europe, marriages only became a religious event during the eighteenth century. But traditionalists have a habit of overlooking what does not fit nicely into their view of the world. They are quite discriminating, taking in only those aspects of history that do not disrupt their take on tradition. Full Story from Malta Today: http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2009/10/18/joseph.html

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook - just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you'll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We're also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.