Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santo Domingo (Agenzia Fides) – On June 10, the Revisionary Assembly vetoed a proposal aimed at acknowledging the civil effects of the marriages held in all the churches present in the Dominican Republic, in the Constitution. This implies that the faculty established by the State of the Dominican Republic and the Catholic Church in the Concordat of 1954, saying that the latter will preside marriages, will be maintained. The proposal formed part of a report carried out by a special commission of assembly members, who studied Articles, 44, 45, and 46, on the family.
A total of 108 assembly members voted in favor of and 106 against the elimination of number 4 of Article 44 in the report presented by the commission. The proposal said: “Religious marriages will have the civil effects in the terms established by the law.”
Likewise, the Assembly also approved a statement clarifying that marriage is only between a man and a woman, thus closing the door to any possibility that marriages may take place between persons of the same sex, as has occurred in several countries.
They also acknowledge the rights and duties that a man and woman in a unique and stable union have, as “free from marital impediments, they form a family, with the rights and duties of their personal and patrimonial relationships, in conformity with the law.” This means that the children and the spouses in the free union may inherit material goods.
In article 44, with its 11 points, was elaborated by a special commission presided by Cristina Lizardo and the introduction to the article and four of its points – in which it is stated that every person has the right to form a family and that men and women have equal rights and duties - was approved.
In the mean time, the country continues to debate over abortion, one of the most debated issues before, during, and after the preliminary approval of the Article that penalizes the practice. Article 30 of the Constitution defends life unconditionally from conception until natural death. The National Assembly of the Dominican Republic (DR) voted 167/32 on April 21, in favor of upholding the Article. Right now, all the Congressional legislators are meeting in a special assembly for a second revision of the Constitution.
Cardinal Nicholas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez, Archbishop of Santo Domingo, during the Mass on Corpus Christi, June 11, said that at this time “the people of the Dominican Republic and Christian groups, with the Catholic Church at the forefront, are maintaining close vigilance and attention until the Constitutional process ends,” to assure that life is respected. He also affirmed that “we do not want our legislators to take after other governments, international organizations, large capitals, and other groups that promote abortion in the world.” He also remembered that, according to studies, “the large majority of the people of this country love and respect human life and want the Constitutional text to remain dedicated to the respect and defense of life.” “We believe and profess faith in life and we are always willing to defend it,” he said. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 12/6/2009)
