Introduction
State vs. Church Divorce in the Philippines. In the Philippines’ 1987 Constitution states: “The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.” (Article II, Section 6), and that no law pertaining to the establishment of religion or restricting the practice of it may be passed. Philippines are well known to its belief and value especially in the church. In the church married are the most precious and gem. In the catholic church : A man and a woman make a lifelong commitment to one another in the Sacrament of Marriage, with the intention of promoting their children’s procreation and mutual well-being.
State vs. Church Divorce in the Philippines. The government is referred to as the state, and religion in general is referred to as the church under the separation of church and state. Religion freedom is guaranteed in the United States by the First Amendment of the Constitution. This implies that no religion may be given preferential treatment by the government at the expense of other religions.
State vs. Church Divorce in the Philippines. At this time many of the believers of the sacred of marriage are not favor in the rolling of the legislative action towards the divorce. The Catholic church are persistent to its belief ; Archbishop Cruz said that the Philippines as a holdout for divorce is a “badge of honor, a mark of distinction.” Anchored with this, there’s bunch of perceptions towards among Filipinos reading on congress the divorce law are the most topic and the cause of separation of the church to the state in this matter.
Legalizing divorce won’t make our problems as a country and as a church any less dire. It will only make them stronger. While it might provide some respite to troubled spouses, it will undoubtedly inflict immense agony on the youth, whom our Holy Father refers to as “the present and future of the Church.”
State vs. Church: Church on the Divorce Law
In the Philippines, the Catholic Church wields significant influence on societal attitudes towards divorce, largely due to its status as the dominant religion in the country. The Catholic Church opposes divorce, viewing marriage as a sacrament that is indissoluble once properly contracted. This stance is reflected in the strong opposition of Catholic leaders and organizations to efforts to legalize divorce in the Philippines.
The Church’s position is grounded in its teachings on marriage, which emphasize the permanence and sacredness of the marital bond. Divorce is seen as contrary to these teachings and potentially harmful to individuals, families, and society as a whole. Catholic teachings promote other alternatives to divorce, such as annulment, which is recognized under Philippine law but involves stringent criteria.
While the Catholic Church’s stance is influential, it’s important to note that the Philippines is a predominantly Catholic but constitutionally secular country. This means that while religious teachings inform public opinion and legislative debates, Philippine law and policymaking are not exclusively dictated by religious doctrine.
Efforts to legalize divorce in the Philippines continue to provoke debate and discussion among legislators, religious leaders, advocacy groups, and the general public, highlighting the ongoing tension between religious beliefs and calls for legal reforms to address marital issues.
Common reason while getting divorce
Selfishness on the part of one partner is a frequent cause of married couples who decide to file for divorce. Selfishness to recognize and accommodate for the fact that people evolve with time. It is self-serving to minimize the value of a partner with less education or one who feels they have outgrown and are no longer “suitable” for their intellectual or professional lives.
The fact that many couples do not make an effort to maintain a vibrant, fulfilling, and useful marriage is another factor. They start to take one other for granted after a while. They no longer make an effort to behave politely with their spouses. A lack of respect results from indifference, and eventually one or both “falls out of love.” However, marriage and
State vs. Church Divorce in the Philippines. include some malicious comments in the church: the church should let the state to pass the law it is matter of the member of the church if they value their marriage some of the Filipinos clashing and commenting in some of the content creator who are favor with this divorce, netizens are half in this issue, some aren’t aware of the situation.
State vs. Church Divorce in the Philippines. As of my last update in January 2022, divorce remains illegal in the Philippines. The Family Code of the Philippines explicitly prohibits divorce, making it the only country in the world, along with Vatican City, where divorce is not legal.
Instead of divorce, the Family Code allows for legal separation and annulment under specific circumstances:
1. Legal Separation: This allows spouses to live separately from each other, but they remain legally married. It addresses issues such as custody of children, division of property, and financial support. However, the marriage bond is not dissolved, and neither spouse can remarry.
2.Annulment: This declares a marriage void from the beginning, as if it never existed. Grounds for annulment in the Philippines include psychological incapacity, lack of parental consent, or cases where one party was already married at the time of the wedding. Annulment requires proving these grounds in court, which can be a lengthy and costly process.
It’s important to check for any updates or changes in legislation or societal attitudes, as discussions on divorce laws in the Philippines continue to evolve.
Benefit of divorce in the Philippines
State vs. Church Divorce in the Philippines. some of Filipinos also suggested before that divorce they can first solve the problem to its local farmer and some bigger issue in the Philippines. On the other hand, why the house of representative continue to pass the reading the divorce law , some Filipinos may see the benefit of divorce :
1.The family is not destroyed by divorce.
Divorce under any law will not destroy the family; only the members of the family have that power. Establishing a clear divorce law acknowledges that some marriages are more harmful than beneficial. In situations where a union is more harmful than beneficial, divorcing your spouse can be a kind and less painful way to break off your relationship.
2. Annulment is expensive not everyone can afford
The expense of establishing grounds for annulment, such as psychological incapacity, necessitates hiring experts and the legal system, which can run into the thousands of pesos.
3. Help women/men to the abusive relationship’s
According to the National Demographic and Health Survey 2022 conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, 17.5% of Filipino women between the ages of 15 and 49 reported having been the victim of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by an intimate partner.
State vs. Church Divorce in the Philippines: Legalizing divorce in the Philippines could bring several potential benefits to individuals and society:
Protection from Abusive Relationships: Divorce provides an avenue for individuals trapped in abusive marriages to legally separate and seek safety without the stringent requirements of annulment. It allows victims of domestic violence to break free from harmful situations more swiftly.
Resolution of Irreconcilable Differences: In cases where couples find themselves unable to resolve significant differences or conflicts, divorce offers a legal mechanism to end the marriage. This can promote emotional well-being and reduce prolonged stress and conflict within families.
Financial Independence: Divorce enables spouses to regain financial independence. It allows for the equitable division of marital assets and obligations, ensuring that each party can move forward with their lives without being financially dependent on the other.
Legal Clarity: Unlike legal separation, which still maintains the marital bond, divorce provides clear legal status changes for both parties. It allows them to remarry and establish new family arrangements, providing clarity and closure to the previous relationship.
Social Justice and Equality: Legalizing divorce promotes social justice by providing equal access to legal remedies for marital issues. It ensures that all individuals, regardless of socio-economic status or religious beliefs, have the right to seek dissolution of a marriage that is irreparable.
Reduced Stigma: Divorce legalization could reduce the stigma associated with marital separation in Philippine society. It may encourage open discussions about relationships, mental health, and the complexities of marriage, promoting healthier attitudes and support systems for individuals navigating marital difficulties.
State vs. Church Divorce in the Philippines. These potential benefits underscore the arguments of proponents who advocate for divorce legalization in the Philippines, emphasizing individual rights, protection from harm, and societal well-being. Church maybe afraid that somehow future couple will lead to its separation but according to our common belief if you’re hurt and you’re union aren’t good you need to let go and free your mind heart to be able to uphold the freedom as a person. Many circumstances that may state and church will not for seen but Filipino know how to fight and how to stop.
State vs. Church Divorce in the Philippines Research supports the legalization of divorce in the Philippines for a number of reasons. Marital breakup has been difficult due to the lack of divorce legislation in the nation, with the exception of certain situations .
According to recent studies, divorce is becoming more common among Filipinos . This trend is influenced by a number of factors, including education, urbanization, and shifting union structure. The legalization of divorce is one of the major domestic political issues that is influenced by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their international networks .
Furthermore, divorce has always been accepted in Philippine society, and international standards back its status as a human right . Legalization of divorce has several benefits, including the ability to safeguard families, comply with human rights commitments, rectify shortcomings in current legal systems, and possibly lower the rate of domestic abuse .
Conclusion
State vs. Church Divorce in the Philippines: The Church may vision on these three words
CLARITY, by helping them see the why’s and how’s of their failed marriage in a new light.
HEALING, by allowing them to work through their anger and guilt and come through to a better place spiritually and emotionally.
TIME, by forcing the divorced person to wait before making any more relationship decisions.
State vs. Church Divorce in the Philippines. State and church may have seen the view of each perception and also to the people of the republic of the Philippines. let the justice and honor to be rise its should win solution not battle of who aren’t suppose to be rival.
