Divorce Bill is "Anti Marriage and Anti Family" CBCP Says

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Metro Manila, Philippines - Members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) expressed disappointment on the approval of the House of Representatives' to legalize divorce in the Philippines.

In his social media, Fr Jerome Secillano expressed his statement that divorce is "anti marriage and anti family"

DEAR CONGRESSMEN:

PROTECT RIGHTS BUT STRENGTHEN INSTITUTIONS LIKE MARRIAGE!

The Church is all for the protection of rights especially of the aggrieved parties in marriage. But protection of rights should go hand in hand with upholding our cherished institutions like marriage. While divorce may indeed vindicate the rights of women, as Congressmen believed, it is unfortunately to the detriment of marriage and family as sacred institutions that should otherwise be protected by the State.

Divorce is anti-marriage and anti-family! By passing this measure, Congress betrays its mandate to protect our country’s legally and morally declared social and inviolable institutions!

Divorce is anti-marriage and anti-family! By passing this measure, Congress betrays its mandate to protect our country’s legally and morally declared social and inviolable institutions!

He also added,  While divorce may indeed vindicate the rights of women, as Congressmen believed, it is unfortunately to the detriment of marriage and family as sacred institutions that should otherwise be protected by the State.

He made the remarks after the House of Representatives Committee announced the approved Bill.
The new title bill is "An Act Providing for Absolute Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage in the Philippines".

After the approval of the Bill, it is now set to be issued in the House of Plenary.

Based on the Bill stated, it seeks to allow a person separated for at least five years to file for absolute separation or called divorce marriage. Valid reasons for a separation are psychological incapacity, gender reassignment surgery and irreconcilable marital conflicts.

In case you missed, the Philippines is the only country in the world aside from Vatican where Divorce Bill is not allowed.

A 2015 Social Weather Stations survey found that three in five Filipinos favor legalizing divorce.

Based on the 1987 Philippine Constitution, on Section 2. Marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the foundation of the family and shall be protected by the State.

Fr Secillano also stressed that lawmakers should also increase protection rights and to be able to strengthen the institution of marriage in the Philippines.

The Church is all for the protection of rights especially of the aggrieved parties in marriage. But protection of rights should go hand in hand with upholding our cherished institutions like marriage. he added.

CBCP urges rally against the law by showing the strong effect of divorce that promotes destroying families, which is the basic unit of the society.

Some Bishops also gave their comments and disappointment regarding the approval of the Bill in the House Committee. From his part, Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said that the approval of the Bill is a very disappointing development.

Bastes also added that divorce affront the law ordained by God.

"Divorce is a direct affront to the law ordained by God and specifically reiterated by our Lord Jesus Christ! The destruction of families by divorce is indeed a project of Satan,"

But from Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano, one who wrote the bill, one of its priority and the purpose of the Bill is simply due to some spouses who had bad marriages.

"Having a divorce (bill) in a country does not make people rush into it," she said on Wednesday. "Let's legalize it na para maayos na, para 'di magkaroon ng problems sa properties. Mas maayos ang relationship because it ended."

Cayetano also believes the House has a possible chance to approved the Bill.

Meanwhile, If we will ask the President's opinion regarding the possible approval of the bill. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said he would clarify the President's present stand on divorce.

Duterte said during the presidential campaign in March 2016 that he was against the move.



SOURCE: CNN Philippines, Inquirer, GMA News