Prelates oppose moves to introduce divorce in PHL

Catholic bishops on Saturday voiced strong opposition to House Bill 1799, a proposed law that will legalize divorce in the Philippines. Lipa (Batangas) Archbishop Ramon Arguelles called on the Filipino Catholic faithful not to follow the bad examples of “de-Christianizing" countries. “Other countries should follow our example of Catholic fidelity," Arguelles said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines news site. Butuan Bishop Juan De Dios Pueblos added House Bill 1799 may lead towards immorality in a society which begins at home. Puerto Princesa (Palawan) Bishop Pedro Arigo pointed out that the scheduled hearings and deliberations will become a “waste of time and taxpayers’ money." Advocates of the bill in Congress noted that only the Philippines is left without a divorce law as Malta, also a Catholic country, has recently passed its own divorce law. “There are more important issues to address," Arigo said. — JE, GMA News