The Philippines Catholic Church on Thursday expressed its disapproval over a congressional committee’s proposed law to allow divorce in the country.
Philippines is the last nation in the world where divorce is banned.
The committee on population and family relations of the House of Representatives on Wednesday approved the divorce bill for deliberations at the plenary level.
It was the first time in the House’s history that a divorce bill has been forwarded to the plenary level.
“It is the time that we feared the most,” Archbishop Jose Palma told reporters.
Palma said: “Even the constitution protects the sanctity of marriage.”
House Speaker, Pantaleon Alvarez, said he expects the bill, which he co-authored, to be approved by the plenary before Congress adjourns on March 23 for the Lenten break.
Alvarez noted that the divorce bill has the support of all major political blocs in Congress, except groups affiliated with the Catholic Church.
He said: “I appeal to the church to respect the obligation of the government to protect the welfare of all Filipinos, not just Catholics, and we will respect the church’s duty to take care of its flock.”
Under the proposed law, married couples may file for divorce for such reasons as abuse, infidelity and irreconcilable difference.
Spouses who have been separate for at least five years are also allowed to file for divorce.
The Philippines currently only allows legal separation and annulment, but both procedures take a long time, cost a lot of money and often become very acrimonious for couples.
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