AMERICA/PERU - The Law on Rapid Divorce Settlement “in no way strengthens or upholds the family; on the contrary, it weakens it and leads to its rupture and separation.”

Lima (Agenzia Fides) - Archbishop Miguel Cabrejos Vidarte of Trujillo, President of the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference, issued a statement in light of the recent approval of the so-called “Law on Rapid Divorce Settlement” allowing Peruvians to settle a divorce in the city hall or in a notary in three months’ time, thus eliminating the over 2-year wait for judicial approval of legal separation. The controversial Law, which has provoked severe criticism from the Catholic Church, received a favorable vote in Congress in the first round of voting and will need a second approval in order to form part of the Law.
In his statement, the President of the Bishops’ Conference observes that this Law “in no way strengthens or upholds the family; on the contrary, it weakens it and leads to its rupture and separation.” Archbishop Miguel Cabrejos also mentions that the “Article 234 of the Peruvian Civil Code of Law defines marriage as the voluntarily contracted union of a man and a woman who are legally qualified, with the purpose of forming a common life and subject to the requirements of the Code of Law.” Moreover, Article 4 of the Constitution states that, “one of the basic norms of the State and society is to protect the family and foster marriage, recognizing that these two natural institutions are fundamental for society.”
According to the Archbishop, “civil marriage in Peru is a contractual act whose purpose is not only to create certain rights that can be ignored in light of the importance of starting a family.” Thus, in regards to civil marriage, “instead of dissolving it, we should strengthen it.” In this sense, “the proposed law goes against the Government Constitution because it foes not strengthen marriage and the family, but rather weakens it and the psychological and emotional harm of the children is ignored.” Thus, the President of the Bishops’ Conference concludes saying that “authorities concerned for the good of the people, economic development, and the emotional and psychological welfare of the members of their society should guarantee the stability of the family and marriage.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 1/4/2008; righe 27, parole 345)