MANILA, June 23, 2011― the Catholic Church is not in favor of divorce, it turns out, neither are the Catholic youth.

Even as debate on the RH Bill rages on, Filipino youth leaders slammed the controversial Divorce bill, saying it will undermine the sanctity of marriage.

According to Jonathan Luciano, 32, Regional Youth Representative of Central Luzon, the Bill, if approved, would erode Filipino culture, which is primarily family-centered.

“This bill gives way to a mentality that we can now choose anybody to wed since if it will not work out, we can easily divorce our partner. the sacredness of marriage is then disrespected,” he said.

Discussions on the Divorce Bill resumed after Malta, a majority Catholic nation, voted to legalize divorce in a referendum last May, leaving the Philippines the only Catholic country without a divorce law.

Raymond Alvarez, the 26 year-old diocesan youth coordinator of San Pablo, reacted to the provisions of the Divorce Bill, first filed by Gabriela Party representatives Luzviminda Ilagan and Emerenciana de Jesus last year.

“If the excuse to undergo divorce is ‘psychological incapacity’,” he explained, “how can the other party continue to ‘function normally’ when he/she is already incapacitated?

Alvarez stressed that divorce will not be a lasting solution but rather, communication between couples should be worked on.

The Bill proposes five grounds for divorce, which include “psychological incapacity, causing one’s failure to comply with essential marital obligations and irreconcilable differences causing the irreparable breakdown of the marriage”. the Bill allows only couples that have been separated for five years and those already legally separated for two years to file for divorce.

In another interview with Imus diocesan youth coordinator, Adenette Medina, 31, said that she remains anti-divorce.

“Once divorce is legalized, the essence of marriage will be lost,” she said.

She emphasized the finality of the marriage vows, with the presumption that the couple should have deliberated very well upon the decision to get married.

But some youth like Gregory Balondo, a 21-year old UP student, believe that the Bill will benefit couples “who are not meant to be.”

“I believe there are troubled couples who have already been to/attended counseling, marriage encounters etc, but still end up troubled because of personal differences,” he opined.

Presently, the Philippines only recognizes legal separation and annulment. (Jandel Posion)