Couples for Christ to gov’t: Don’t weaken marriage through divorce law

The Couples for Christ appeals to the government not to weaken marriage through divorce law. INQUIRER.net stock photo

MANILA, Philippines — Family-based ministry Couples for Christ (CFC) has urged the government not to “weaken” marriage through the proposed divorce law and to focus instead on strengthening families.

In a manifesto, the group suggested that working rigorously on the implementation of the Philippine Family Code is a “more viable option” that can elevate Filipinos into law-abiding and emotionally stable citizens.

READ: Hontiveros welcomes divorce bill’s progress at House: ‘Sana all!’

The CFC noted that children of divorced parents are more inclined to commit crimes and are more prone to mental health problems, suicidal tendencies, and poor performance in school.

“Rather than judge children from broken homes, our aim should be to protect them and the rest of the society from unpleasant consequences of homes broken by divorce,” the manifesto read.

The CFC laid out key points for their opposition to the proposed divorce law:

• Without divorce, people will be more careful when choosing their spouses
• A husband and wife “living together in love” can provide the best guidance and support for their children
• Children of single parents, particularly young ones, could suffer from emotional, psychological, financial, or physical consequences
• A “strong family” is the foundation of a healthy society

Moreover, the group also claimed that “God is using the Philippines as an instrument” to be the light for the world and to rediscover the beauty of solid marriage and family.

It also echoed Pope St. John Paul II’s statement: “As the family goes, so goes the nation.”

“No marriage is perfect. However, marriages formed with love and mutual understanding can be happy, enduring and fulfilling,” the CFC also said.

“The rest of the world has chosen to adopt a divorce law. However, sheer numbers are not an indication of stronger and truer beliefs but rather a reflection of human weakness. They do not reflect the fortitude that God has promised to those who follow His word,” it added.

READ: House approves divorce bill on final reading

On May 22, the House of Representatives approved House Bill No. 9349, or the Absolute Divorce Act, on its third and final reading.

Under HB No. 9349, the following are considered grounds for absolute divorce:

• Physical violence or grossly abusive conduct directed against the petitioner, a common child, or a child of the petitioner
• Physical violence or moral pressure to compel the petitioner to change religious or political affiliation
• Attempt of respondent to corrupt or induce the petitioner, a common child, or a child of the petitioner, to engage in prostitution, or connivance in such corruption or inducement
• Final judgment sentencing the respondent to imprisonment of more than six  years, even if pardoned
• Drug addiction or habitual alcoholism or chronic gambling of the respondent
• Homosexuality of the respondent
• Contracting by the respondent of a subsequent bigamous marriage, whether in the Philippines or abroad
• Marital infidelity or perversion or having a child with another person other than one’s spouse during the marriage, except when upon the mutual agreement of the spouses, a child is born to them through in vitro fertilization or a similar procedure or when the wife bears a child after being a victim of rape
• Attempt by the respondent against the life of the petitioner, a common child or a child of the petitioner
• Abandonment of petitioner by respondent without justifiable cause for more than one year.
• When the spouses are legally separated by judicial decree for more than two years, either spouse can petition the proper
• Family Court for an absolute divorce based on said judicial decree of legal separation