Bishop Roberto Gaa of Novaliches in the Philippine capital region encouraged Filipino couples to recognize and prepare for the inherent challenges of married life.
“Part of preparation for marriage is understanding the problems that you will face in marriage, and it will involve adequate preparation for solutions to these problems,” he said.
The prelate acknowledged that no family is perfect and highlighted that facing and resolving issues together is integral to the sanctity of marriage.
“Indeed there are such problems, there is no perfect family, and everyone has shortcomings, but that doesn’t mean we just easily give up or let go of the marriage because it is a sacred union… it is something that should be well-prepared for because it is not perfect,” he said.
Gaa made the statement during the launch of the Super Coalition Against Divorce (SCAD), a coalition of some 40 lay organizations led by the Diocesan Commission on Family and Life.
The bishop stressed that recognizing and preparing for these challenges is a crucial part of the marital journey, suggesting that such foresight can strengthen the bonds of matrimony.
Since the Lower House of Congress passed the Absolute Divorce Bill on May 22, 2024, various organizations have united to oppose it, aiming to uphold the sanctity of marriage, which they believe could be compromised by the legalization of divorce.
SCAD was officially launched on June 17, 2024, at the Good Shepherd Cathedral in Novaliches. The event featured a joint signing of the Consolidated Statement Against Divorce.
Prior to the launch, representatives from multiple organizations met on May 30, 2024. This initial meeting aimed to unify and strategize their opposition, discussing the societal, moral, and ethical implications of legalizing divorce and formulating a cohesive advocacy plan to engage in dialogues with senators to prevent the bill’s enactment. – with reports from Radio Veritas Asia and Veritas 846
