The divorce movement is taking legal action agains the Broadcasting Authority for stopping it from broadcasing two messages taken from an interview which had been given by the founder of the Cana Movement in March 2010.

The movement said the authority had initially approved the spots but their broadcast was now stopped after Mgr Vella's lawyer, Robert Tufignio, who was also a member of the anti-divorce movement, requested the BA to stop Broadcasting the spots.

Mgr Vella said in a statement issued a few minutes earlier that he was informed yesterday that two spots quoting him out of context from an interview had given had been screened on PBS – before and after the news.

"I wish to affirm that I was never asked to give my written or verbal consent as I believe is stipulated by the Broadcasting Authority.

"This in my opinion is grossly unethical for it goes against my rights and is an attempt to drag me in the pro-divorce debate.

"Moreover, I did not ever give my consent to the movement proposing the introduction of divorce in Malta to make use and exploit my image and personality in its campaign in favour of the introduction of divorce in Malta."

Mgr Vella said that following his formal complaint, the BA prohibited the further airing of the spots.

He stressed that while sharing the sufferings of couples living in a difficult situation, he upheld in faith the teaching of the Church and of the bishops on the institute of marriage.

He professed his belief that marriage is an indissoluble union and that no man should put asunder what God has joined together.

"For this teaching I have dedicated the mission of my life, ever since the foundation of the Cana Movement nearly 60 years ago," he said.