Marriage expiration slammed by bishops

MANILA, January 12, 2010—THE CATHOLIC Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) remains steadfast on their stand against the realization of a law setting expiration dates on marriage contracts.

CBCP President and respected Canon lawyer Bishop Nereo P. Odchimar quoted “Unity and indissolubility of marriage are values rooted in the bible and Christian tradition.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Emeritus Oscar V. Cruz, another expert in Canon Law and Chairman of the CBCP’s National Appellate Matrimonial Tribunal said the proposal is “some kind of desperate approach to right a wrong by something wrong.”

“It is wrong for couples to separate and here comes a proposal for them to precisely separate,” he said.

The proposed legislation cites “a 10-year expiration on marriages would give couples the opportunity to review their relationship, and decide whether to continue or not with the union.”

Prelature of Isabela (de Basilan) Bishop Martin S. Jumoad said he’s definitely against putting an expiration date on marriages. He said commitment, fidelity and respect are vital for one to have a strong family.
If this happens, he foresees “Philippine society will become chaotic, more street children and more social problems.”

As far as Administrator Carmelita N. Ericta, who concurrently sits as Civil Registrar General, the proposal to put expiration on marriages in the Philippines is “contrary to the aspirations of the Filipino people as espoused in the 1987 Constitution, the family being the building block of society.”

She added there are about 500,000 marriages solemnized annually with less than 10% getting annulled and reported to the National Statistics Office.

Credits:
Cited from an original article by Melo M. Acuña for cbcpnews.com last 01/12/10