Malta's stance against abortion was reiterated this morning during a manifestation for the rights of the unborn child at St John's CoCathedral.

Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said that in the context of an anti-life culture, Malta would not follow the rest of the world but retain its pro-life stance.

Dr Borg said he was confident the amendment to the Maltese constitution stating that human life began at conception, thus protecting the right to life of unborn children, would go through as something which members from both parties would work on, rather than just the party in Government.

Social Affairs Committee president Edwin Vassallo said that while abortion was the final straw when it came to the violation of the right to life of unborn children, other behaviour throughout pregnancy also harmed the child and this was something which needed to be addressed to ensure that, from conception, human life was protected.

Speaking on behalf of the Labour Party, Tony Agius Decelis said the party was fully in favour of protecting the miracle of life. The party was totally against abortion under any circumstance.

The PL was recently under fire for remarks made by deputy leader Toni Abela who had said there were cases in which abortion could be considered. He has since synchronised his position to the party’s agenda as now being fully against abortion under any circumstances.

Medical doctor Josie Muscat, who is also the leader of right wing party Alleanza Nazzjonali, said that even after having participated in over 6,000 childbirths he was still in awe of the miracle of life.

Dr Muscat said abortion was a consequence of an erosion of values where unmarried couples were having children and after splitting up, children were being used as “toys” and bargaining tools. He called for Malta to set the example to the world as being in favour of the family by addressing these problems, not just by throwing money at people.

In an homily during Mass which preceded the manifestation, Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Mercieca mentioned Mother Teresa of Calcutta as a staunch defender of human life who not only spoke in favour of life, but assisted those most in need.

The activities on the occasion of Life Day 2010 were organised by the Malta Unborn Child Movement, and were attended by representatives of the government, the Labour Party, Alternattiva Demokratika, Gift of Life, Girl Guides and members of the Catholic, Islamic, Jewish, Hindu and Baha’i confessions.