There are only two places left in the world where there is no divorce: the Vatican, and the Philippines. Sadly, the Philippines is in danger of passing a divorce bill after it has been approved by Congress. Now that it has already been transmitted to the Senate, the sanctity of marriage in the country is seriously being threatened.
While the intentions of those who intend to pass this law may include concern for those who may be gravely affected by a problematic marriage, the ill effects of divorce cannot be overemphasized.
Divorce is an evil that will only bring more evil instead of bringing the good that it promises to give. It will destroy the very foundation of society as it breaks down the family, and the home where the young ones first learn about love, faith and everything else that will shape their lives.
Sister Lucia, one of the Fatima visionaries had these prophetic words:
“… a time will come when the decisive battle between the kingdom of Christ and Satan will be over marriage and the family.”
As of the time of this writing, the Vatican has not expressed an official communication to the Philippine Church against this pending law on divorce. The CBCP, however, has issued a pastoral statement stressing the importance of the family and quoting the Philippine Constitution as saying:
“The State recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation. Accordingly, it shall strengthen its solidarity and actively promote its total development” (Art XV, Section 1)
“marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the foundation of the family and shall be protected by the State” (Art. XV, Section 2)
Based on the votes in the House of Representatives, it seems that there is a tight fight between those who are in favor of divorce and those who are against it. What will happen in the Senate will reveal further what the current outlook of Filipino leaders have regarding this matter.
Looking at social media, Filipinos seem to be just as divided on the issue. While many still want to uphold tradition and the sanctity of marriage, many have also voiced out the opinion that such no longer applies in this modern age.
Those who are in favor of divorce see it as an opportunity to escape violent or abusive marriage partners. They may also consider the economic reasons involved as well as the fate of their children.
But what many may fail to see is the deceit and underlying evil that comes with divorce.
With divorce in place, marriage no longer becomes a sacred and indissoluble bond entered into by people who vow to commit themselves for life. Marriage then becomes a formality between two people who love each other at the moment but whose minds could change anytime. The existence of divorce plants the seed of evil when those who marry will henceforth have an exit plan at the back of their minds.
Instead of doing one’s very best to make the marriage work, one would see every fault, every instance of dissatisfaction. Instead of committing for life, people would commit only while it is convenient or pleasurable to do so. Love will no longer be love but a collection of fleeting feelings and projected ideals that can dissolve in an instant.
Of course, all of these would be disregarded at the beginning, claiming divorce would only be applied in rare situations that endanger the well-being of those involved, especially the children. ( Even these should consider first other available remedies such as annulment or legal separation.)
But may those who plan to push through with this, mark the very day that this evil becomes implemented. It will be a day of catastrophe when the final battle against the family comes into full charge.
Instead of lessening abusive and unhappy marriages, divorce will encourage it all the more. Instead of saving the children, it would bring them greater harm. More hearts will be broken. More lives will be damaged. And love will be even more scarce.
The emotional, psychological and spiritual consequences will be far too great to measure. Only God’s mercy and grace could possibly help us when that time comes.
“For I hate divorce,
says the LORD, the God of Israel…
You should be on guard, then, for your life,
and you must not break faith.”
–Malachi 2:16
“Divorce is immoral also because it introduces disorder into the family and into society. This disorder brings grave harm to the deserted spouse, to children traumatized by the separation of their parents and often torn between them, and because of its contagious effect which makes it truly a plague on society.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church 2385
“Divorce, infidelity, planned un-parenthood, invalid marriages are so many travesties and heresies against love – and whatever is the enemy of love is the enemy of life and happiness.” – Venerable Fulton Sheen
“Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” – Matthew 19:4-6
Jocelyn Soriano writes about relationships and the Catholic faith at Single Catholic Writer. She is the author of 366 Days of Compassion, To Love an Invisible God and Mend My Broken Heart.
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You may also want to read “What Relationships Need In Order Not To Die”.
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