MANILA, Aug. 26 (PNA) — Catholic prelates have expressed concern regarding the latest development on the partial divorce bill approved on third and final reading at the House of Representatives.
Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said that the teaching of the church on marriage will remain even as others are pushing for change.
“The teaching of the Catholic Church on marriage does not change even if some people would advocate change,” he stressed.
Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles noted that partial divorce is prelude to total divorce.
“Those who pass this law will face the judgment of God… That’s why I fight this because they are anti-God and immoral,” he said
Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes seconded Bastes’ statement.“This is a dangerous law which can lead to a full divorce. At any rate, the second marriage of a divorced spouse cannot be accepted by the church. It is invalid,” he said.
House Bill No. 5907 seeks to allow Filipino spouses to remarry if their original partners are able to win a divorce decree from a foreign court.
The measure is authored by Reps. Rufus Rodriguez (Independent, Cagayan de Oro City); Maximo Rodriguez (Abante Mindanao Party-list); and Magtanggol Gunigundo (Lakas-CMD, Valenzuela City). (PNA)