Divorce Law... RH Law 2.0?

Is there going to be another showdown between the Catholic Church in the Philippines and the Philippine Legislature over the proposed Divorce Law by some of our newly elected senators?

These neophyte senators have barely warmed their senate seats but they are now all over the news trying to convince people of legalizing divorce.

I remember very well when the Reproductive Health Law (RH Law) was being legislated in Congress.

It was very exciting because at that time I was assigned in the Cathedral which became the main battleground against the passage of the RH Law during that time.

The Diocese of Bacolod under the leadership of Bishop Navarra fought a good fight against the proponents of RH Law.

Although, it was sad to note that the majority of the Philippine bishops contented themselves with the issuance of Pastoral Letters.

There is the idea that if there were enough homilies and education awareness seminars against the RH Law, it might changed the course of the RH Law.

But, we know the results.

Sermons, prayer rallies, and education programs are ineffective.

If these were effective, the RH Law would not have been passed.

And Leni Robredo would have been our president now.

After all, Leni was "almost endorsed" by Catholic leaders both lay and clergy with some bishops , in their homilies, conferences, prayer rallies and pink flags flown in churches.

Catholics conveniently ignored these and persisted with their own choice in selecting President Bong Bong Marcos.

As Noel Asiones, and Orlando Cantillon wrote in an opinion piece in Rappler (April 3, 2022) "although trust and confidence in religious authorities remain high among individual believers, the results of the last three elections have put their moral suasion in governance and politics under serious doubt.

In fact, there were a lot of "Catholics" who campaigned for the passage of the RH Law.

The politicians ignored the bishops because they knew too well that the Catholic hierarchy cannot deliver votes.

Majority of politicians supported the RH Law because they do not want to offend President Noy-noy Aquino.

It is the better choice for them.

Even if they would offend the bishops, or even be threatened by excommunication, they were not afraid.

They were more afraid of losing votes during elections rather than the threat of hell.

Now comes the Divorce Law.

Will it pass?

I think it will, if there is a strong political will to push for this.

If the government will no longer have deference to the Catholic Church, nothing can stop Congress from passing any laws, even if the Church goes against it.

During the fight against the RH Law there was no obvious unity among Catholics, the same is true with the Divorce Law.

According to survey, fifty three per cent (53%) of Filipinos are in favor of legalizing divorce.

After all, politicians only understand numbers (votes).

The Catholic Church in the Philippines cannot deliver votes, as shown in both RH Law election year and the May 2022 Elections.

In both occasions, Catholic leaders unwittingly exposed it weakness.

The Catholic Church has no influence over its followers when it comes to elections and who do not care much about what the Church teaches them.

So, there is no reason why politicians will have any second thoughts of passing the Divorce Law.

Will there be a showdown between the Catholic Church in the Philippines and Congress?

I do not think so...