We do not have divorce but hundreds or thousands are separated, some having got an annulment, others cohabiting, still others living as single parents. All this causes suffering and heartache. The Cana Movement is doing sterling work to teach engaged couples and prepare them for a steady marriage. Couples should love each other, have patience, forgive and do everything possible to save their marriage if a crisis were to arise.

Having said this, some people are very unlucky in marriage. They may suffer insults, beatings, abandonment or infidelity. They may wait for years hoping that things will return to normal to save their marriage, if only for their children. After suffering so much and for so long, however, they may finally say they have had enough. Now if they happen to meet someone else who really cares about them and wants to raise a family, why should these innocent, unlucky persons be deprived of their human rights and freedom?

God is love and does not want us to suffer unnecessarily. Jesus said: “Judge not so that you will not be judged” and also let the grain and ryegrain grow together. God will then decide.

True, he also said that what God has joined together let no man put asunder. However it could be said that our Church, in setting up courts that decide to whom to grant an annulment, in reality ignores these words. Do they send a note to God saying they have deleted these names from their register of married persons and he should do the same?

The Church’s courts are presided over by human beings and they can make a mistake, especially as some spouses try to hide the true facts for their own gain. And the poor victim has then to suffer for the rest of his or her life because of this. Why should those who are happily married refuse others the opportunity for a happy marriage?

Referring again to Jesus’s words, “What God has joined together let no man put asunder”, does God bless marriages where there is cheating or the absence of true love or good intentions?

So I ask people not to judge or interfere. I say that if they voted against the introduction of divorce, they would be committing a grave sin.