Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lima (Agenzia Fides) – “Not only do we wish to reiterate our regret at the adoption of this law as it weakens the marital union, but we also cautiously observe that several press agencies, in presenting the news of its approval, use images of marriages taking place in Catholic churches, causing confusion over the true implications of this law,” reads a statement issued by the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference, in response to the introduction of Law number 29227 regarding the non-legal procedure for conventional separation and divorce in town halls and notaries in the Republic.
Facing this situation, the Bishops hope to make it clear to the Catholic faithful and all persons of good will who also believe in the indissolubility of marriage that according to God’s salvation plan, “marriage is a sacred bond that consists in a voluntary union between a man and a woman who decide to establish between themselves a permanent community of life and love.” Moreover, “by its own nature, this union is indissoluble and is aimed towards the good of the spouses, the procreation and education of children. Fidelity to the promises they made as spouses in the moment of the marriage contract, is intrinsically united to faithful and perpetual love of the Triune God and the dignity of every human being.”
As a result, the Bishops remind readers that “no civil law can influence the sacramental nature of religious marriage.” Thus, they reiterate the fact that marriage “is and always will be a sacrament with indissoluble character, which cannot admit divorce.”
“Attacking the perpetual nature of marriage means distancing oneself from the natural order God has established for the good of His children,” the statement says. With that said, the Bishops ask that the media make an effort to “give a clear, objective, responsible, and truthful report as to the implications of the law in question, especially at the hour of publishing photos and using video imagery.”
The Bishops conclude by asking all Catholic faithful to constantly recall the Gospel of Our Lord and apply it in their lives.
This Law that increases the rate of the divorce process and has now been approved by Congress this past May 15 in a 59-8 vote (with 11 abstentions). Back in May, the Bishops expressed their regret for this occurrence, as the law “weakens the family, leaving behind children and youth who will grow up with a marriage model that is far from the transcendental values of love, unity, and stability” (see Fides 20/5/2008). This Law allows Peruvians to be given a divorce in three months through the town hall or notary, without having to wait over two years so that the legal system can issue an approval of the separation. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 16/7/2008)
