Divorce Ban Shows Catholic Church Power in Philippines

[trotsky]

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/divorce-ban-shows-catholic-church-power-philippines-28264357

The courts did not grant Chatto Realuyo a divorce when it allowed her to end her marriage, 10 years after her husband moved out. They can't. They best they can do is say the marriage never happened.

The Philippines is the only country in the world — aside from the Vatican — where divorce is forbidden, a testament to the enduring power of Roman Catholicism that has flourished since Spanish colonizers imposed it nearly 500 years ago.

...

Lawyer Evalyn Ursua, a women's rights advocate, said the large annulment expenses deprive the poor of a way out of an oppressive or violent relationship. She said annulment on grounds of psychological incapacity also shows "intellectual dishonesty" in declaring there was no marriage at all, even for couples who were married for years and had children.

"If the Catholics don't want to have divorce, fine. But don't deprive the others. Don't impose the Catholic dogma," Ursua said.

[edhopper]

1. I have been told

the Pope and the RCC is only a religious organization, with no political power.