3 Catholic Bishops Criticize Refiling of Absolute Divorce Bill in Congress

Three Catholic prelates have criticized the refiling of the “Absolute Divorce Bill” in Congress by a party-list group, representing women.

Lipa Bishop Ramon Arguelles said he believed such measure would not bring good to the people and the country.

“My plea is PLEASE DO NOT DESTROY OUR PEOPLE. Please do not let this nation be unfaithful to God and (be) self-destructive. We see that elsewhere. The nations that have distanced from the true God and adopted these inhuman ways have no real progress but they invite disaster, degeneration and strife,” he said.

“When we were opposing for years until 2012 the RH (Reproductive Health) Bill, anti-Life proponents like LAGMAN kept saying RH, if made legal, would not lead to divorce, abortion, same sex union, euthanasia and other death policies. Now, all these anti-God projects are lined up. They were all lying like their leader, the prince of liars,” he added.

Bataan Bishop Rupert Santos reiterated that Church teachings do not favor divorce, saying that “what God has put together, let no man put asunder.”

The chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines – Episcopal Commission for Pastoral Care for Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI) noted that such a law would weaken the institution of marriage.

“Divorce spawns a host of problems, especially for children. It weakens the institution of marriage. Already, we see many families being separated by work as in the case of OFWs. With divorce, there will be more loosening of commitment,” he said.

The Catholic prelate added, “We admit that marriage is not easy but with divorce, more couples will enter into it with less thought and discernment because they see an easy way out. Let us not move towards weakening marriage but instead endeavor to encourage maturity, fidelity, self sacrifice, respect and follow the right path in all our human relationships, especially in building up families, the foundation of society.”

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Papilla meanwhile said lawmakers should create laws that would strengthen the foundation of families and not those that would destroy them.

“Our laws should strengthen families rather than weaken them. We already witness the havoc that divorce is doing in many countries. I hope we learn from them,” he added.

The Gabriela Women’s Party, for the 5th time on Wednesday, refiled the bill to allow divorce in the country.

The party-list group filed House Bill (HB) Number 2380, to include provisions on divorce in the Family Code of the Philippines. (PNA) RMA/CVL/FGP/EDS