Palma tells faithful: Keep the vows

CEBU Archbishop Jose Palma reminded couples to hold true to their vows despite calls from various sectors to institutionalize divorce and same-sex marriage.

Palma made the reminder before the Couples for Christ (CFC) in Cebu during Sunday's celebration of the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ or Corpus Christi.

“Despite what media is telling us about the problems of marriage and that divorce is the best choice, let us all say that marriage is beautiful and worth celebrating,” Palma said.

In his homily, the 64-year-old prelate reminded couples to continue to value marriage as an institution.

“Open yourselves to God’s love and show the world that marriage is beautiful,” Palma said.

Sunday, June 7, was also CFC Cebu’s 25th anniversary.

Conscience

In an interview after the mass, Palma told Sun.Star Cebu that while he is aware that some sectors are seeking to legalize divorce and same-sex marriage in the country, he believes that marriage should be based on “what God designed it” for.

But he also advised the public to “listen to their heart and longings.”

“People don’t want to end their relationship in a matter of weeks or ending a relationship with a spouse just on a whim,” Palma added.

Survey

Last March, a survey conducted by the Social Weather Station (SWS) found that six out of 10 Filipinos favor the legalization of divorce in the country.

Taken last year, the SWS found that 60 percent of adult Filipinos are in favor of divorce, while only 29 percent disagreed.

Last month, a lawyer filed a 31-page petition before the Supreme Court to allow same-sex marriage in the country.

Lawyer Jesus Nicardo Falcis III asked the SC to nullify portions of the Family Code of the Philippines that limit marriage to men and women only.

Falcis filed the petition just days before Ireland voted to allow same-sex unions. (JKV)