Official statement of the Diocese of Malolos regarding the Law that allows Absolute Divorce (House Bill 9349)
"I give you a new commandment: love each other! As I have loved you, so also, love each other. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples." - John 13:34-35
At the last Supper, Jesus revealed his eternal love for us by giving us his body and blood to share. But this love is also a responsibility. So he commanded us to love as he loved us. In a unique and vivid way, the Lord wants this love to be reflected in the love of husband and wife. Just as he gave his whole self for all, the same is expected of pure love in married couples. So as the Church, it is responsible to proclaim and live the love of Jesus.
In this regard, the Bishop, the Clergy Council, and the Laity Council of the Diocese of Malolos express their stance on the matter of Divorce. On May 22, 2024, the lower house of Congress passed the bill that will allow divorce in our country. Although it has not yet been fully enacted, it would be good for us to reflect carefully on what is it can cause us ourselves, our family and our community. In the Church's journey with children and youth, with couples and families, it bears witness to the fact that there is no perfect family.
It knows what victims of domestic violence and abuse go through. It also has extensive experience in assisting couples who cannot agree due to various reasons. That is why the concern of the Church is for the whole family and not just for one member. In the case of divorce, not only the couple is affected but also the children. In the Church's response to these matters, love for all is taken into account.
Laws for the protection of married couples and families
Love is responsibility. Couples should be aware of the responsibilities that come with their decision to live together until death when they get married. If there is a lack or violation of the sworn marriage agreement, the law also protects the human rights of each family member. In fact, many laws already exist in our country that address the perceived problems of couples and families. In the Family Code of the Philippines, Annulment and Legal Separation are allowed. It can be amended and make annulment easier and more affordable.
Republic Act No. 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 is the welfare of children and women, and holds the perpetrator of violence accountable even if it is a family member. These laws are in line with the teachings of the Church that in case of domestic violence or any serious reason, the couple can separate although the marriage covenant is not broken (CCC 1649). In addition, the Church itself has a procedure to determine whether a marriage is valid in certain situations (CCC1629). Through the "Declaration of Nullity," it is declared that the marriage is null and void, because one or both parties are incapable of entering into a meaningful covenant.
Jesus and the Church, supporting each couple and family
The Lord Jesus knows the problems of couples and families. When he met a Samaritan woman at the well with someone other than her husband and when the woman caught in adultery was presented to him, he expressed his love but encouraged them to turn away from sin and change their lives. That is why as a Church, in caring for couples and families, there is no need to compromise the proclamation of the Good News. Therefore, our understanding and stance is no different from Jesus' answer to the Pharisee who also asked about Divorce: "Because of your stubbornness he signed this order. But in the beginning, when created by God created the world: 'Male and female he created them. For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother, and they will be one.' So they are no longer two but one.
What God has joined together, let not man put asunder. (Mt. 19:4-6) And our Lord warned: "Any man who divorces his wife and marries another does evil to his wife - he commits adultery. And the woman who divorces her husband and who marries another also commits adultery." (Mt. 19: 8-9).
Bad Effects of Divorce on Society
Jesus' prohibition of divorce came from his extensive and deep knowledge, not only of Society but of the human heart. Proponents of divorce say that it only provides freedom for those who want and need it. But it's not even those who want and need who are affected by it. The children of divorce, do they have the freedom to choose? The women who did not want to separate from their husbands, but were forced to because their husbands had arranged for someone else, do they have the freedom to choose? Marriage was deliberately made a firm law by God and man because it is the foundation of the family and the Society. According to our Constitution, "Marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the foundation of the family and shall be protected by the State." (Sec. 2, Art. XV, Phil. Constitution).
Divorce is contrary to this goal because it breaks the will of the couple in their covenant. From the very beginning, everyone's oath was tinged with doubt. So in their married life, any reason for conflict is more likely to break out in divorce, because among the reasons for divorce are what are said to be "irreconcilable differences", which in actuality can start for any reason.
Congratulations to those who oppose Divorce
So we recognize the members of Congress who stood up for the will of God and the welfare of marriage and family, especially those representatives from the constituents of the Diocese of Malolos, Cong. Eric Martinez of Valenzuela and Cong. Tina Pancho of the Second District of Bulacan, who voted NO on this proposal, and Rep. Rida Robes abstained. Except for them, our other Congressmen in Bulacan voted YES, three more of them became co-sponsors of this proposal.
Role with Action
This fight is in the field of morality, but it is politicized because only our legislators can promote or prevent it. This is our humble proposal so that we can take care of the Family's well-being:
1. Express your opposition to divorce by signing our signature campaign. 2. Let's grow the programs of our Commission on Family and Life (CFL), to further meet the needs of the Family, especially those of OFW families. 3. Let's pray the rosary every day, as a family. Let's ask our Blessed Mother for protection and protection from this impending danger, because according to St. Paul, "For we wrestle not against men, but against the rulers, against the powers, and against the rulers of the darkness that exists in this world - the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the air." (Eph. 6:12)
May the holy Blood of Christ protect us all.
PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN AGAINST DIVORCE (Signature Campaign Against Divorce) Let's work together to collect signatures to convey our opposition to the "Absolute Divorce Bill" to those concerned.
Signature campaign forms can be downloaded and printed. Once it is signed, the photo or scanned copy can be sent here on the Ang Sandigan facebook page. It is also good to bring the hardcopy to the parish office or representative of the Parish Commissions on Family and Life. Here is the link for our Campaign against Divorce:
https://bit.ly/KampanyaLabanSaDivorsyo
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The Sandigan - Diocese of Malolos is the official platform of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Malolos under the Malolos Diocesan Commission on Social Communications launched as a website on February 23, 2019.
