With reference to the article Muslims And Catholics Unite Against Gay Marriage But Disagree On Divorce (June 25), I find it extremely sad and hypocritical that two religions which have been at each other's throats for the past two millennia should come together in their mutual hate for a minority.

While understanding the fact that the Catholic Church has its own set of values, I fail to see how this policy of targeting anyone who disagrees even marginally with the Church tallies with the dictum "love thy neighbour".

First and foremost, if the Church wants to salvage its last remaining shreds of credibility, it cannot keep on discussing such issues as homosexuality, divorce and abortion as one argument. They are all separate issues which have nothing to do with each other.

The Church has also had 2,000 years to convince us that the family structure it is proposing is the ideal model. Anyone with even the slightest anthropological sensibility knows that family models change over time. Even in Malta, the traditional extended family has long since disappeared, before anyone had even started discussing such issues as divorce.

As we stand, divorce is illegal and gay rights almost non-existent, therefore the Church cannot blame either for the perceived decline in the traditional family. A great number of "broken" families have also undergone the supposedly rigorous marriage preparation courses, necessary before getting married in church. Therefore, if something is not working, it is clearly within the structure of the Church itself. If the flock is abandoning its shepherds, the Church had better start admitting its own failures now before it finds itself devoid of sheep altogether.

The Church is also not in a position to complain that the media are not giving it its due share. The Church itself has its own media organisations with which it can promulgate its message. Apart from that, there is an almost daily mention of Church-related news in the independent media. To try and force journalists to include only whatever the Church deems acceptable is a serious breach of fundamental human rights.

As far as Islam is concerned, if the Catholic Church really believes that it has so much in common, maybe they should consider a merger of sorts. Otherwise, it should refrain from using Islam for its own ends. Such behaviour is an insult to both religions.

As for the Imam's views, may I remind him that most catastrophe and violence in the world lies not within secularised Europe but within areas where thinking such as his is prevalent, particularly in the Middle East.

It is also interesting to note that the discussions were held behind closed doors and by leading theologians only. If both parties are so convinced of the validity of their argument, what are they afraid of? Why not include others whose opinion differs?

As for the "perfection" of the laws of God, I can cite several examples where the "laws of God" have been conveniently changed by the Church to suit its needs. Take celibacy, for example, which was only condemned by the Universal Church in the 12th century, 1,000 years after the emergence of Christianity as a religion. There is also a long list of laws entrenched in the Bible which are no longer observed, including laws regarding slavery, unclean food and sexual conduct between a married couple. And, yet, the Church sees it fit to use the Bible to justify its position regarding homosexuality and divorce.

I do not ask for, nor need, the Church's approval on how to conduct my life. If the Church really and truly believes that God has created us free, then it is up to the individual to decide how to live his or her life. If the Church does not want to accept homosexuals, divorcees, cohabiting couples and the greater part of our polyglot society, then so be it. But the Church has no right, divine or otherwise, to interfere with whom and when I fall in love. And, quite frankly, I refuse to take counsel on matters of the heart from men who spend their lives with other men and have never experienced the trials and tribulations of living with a partner of one's choice.