BACOLOD City – In a pastoral letter, Bishop Patricio Buzon of the Diocese of Bacolod expressed strong opposition to the House of Representatives’ approval of House Bill 9349, which allows divorce as a means for dissolving marriages.
The bill, approved on May 2, has been described by Bishop Buzon as a “tragic development” and an “outright defiance of the Law of God.”
He emphasized that marriage should be seen not just as a human contract but as a divine and indissoluble institution, citing biblical teachings that no human being should separate what God has joined together.
He also said the 1987 Constitution (Art. XV, Sec.1) recognizes that marriage is “a permanent union between a man and woman entered into in accordance with the law for the establishment of conjugal and family life. It is the foundation of the family and an inviolable social institution whose nature, consequences, and incidents are governed by law and not subject to stipulation.”
While acknowledging the valid reasons proponents have for supporting the bill, including addressing irreparably broken unions, Bishop Buzon argued that divorce is not the solution. Instead, he advocated for improvements to the Family Code to include comprehensive grounds for the declaration of nullity of marriages deemed void from the beginning.
The bishop warned that a divorce law could damage the very fabric of family and society, potentially leading to adverse effects on children, who he described as the future of society.
He called on legislators to seek alternatives that strengthen family unity and on government agencies to make annulment processes more accessible and affordable.
Bishop Buzon also urged priests and family ministers to intensify their efforts in family and life programs, especially after marriage ceremonies, to better support couples and families in living out their commitments.
The Diocese of Bacolod is preparing for its Third Diocesan Pastoral Assembly in October, where family issues will be a top priority. Bishop Buzon ended his pastoral letter by invoking divine guidance for the country and its endeavors to support family life./PN
