Malta votes for divorce

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http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0529/breaking13.html

Malta has approved the introduction of divorce, backing the move by a small majority in a referendum.

"The referendum outcome is not the one I wished for, but the will of the majority will be respected and parliament will enact legislation for the introduction of divorce,"

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said in a statement this afternoon.

The vote was seen as a test of the influence of the Roman Catholic Church in a country where 72 per cent of people say they go to Mass on Sundays and nearly all marriages are held at the altar.

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