Tell the Government not to make divorce easier

The Government’s ‘no-fault’ divorce Bill poses a serious threat to marriage. It is expected to be debated by MPs soon. It is vital that Justice Secretary Robert Buckland, who is in charge of the Bill, hears Christians’ concerns.

The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill dramatically weakens the legal requirements for divorce in England and Wales. It abolishes the need to prove that there has been a period of separation, or that one party is at fault (e.g. adultery). A simple statement from one spouse that the marriage has irretrievably broken down will be all it takes.

No evidence is necessary. It effectively allows people to resign from their marriages. A spouse who is being divorced against their will cannot contest the divorce or do anything to slow things down to gain time to try to reconcile.

Alarmingly, the Bill sets a minimum time frame for divorce of just six months. It also includes a power for the Government to make this even shorter. Fast-tracking the process risks exacerbating the already high levels of family breakdown. It will speed up tens of thousands of divorces each year.

Marriage is given by God for the good of all mankind (Genesis 2:24). Divorce is not God’s design (Malachi 2:16) and Jesus himself affirmed this teaching (Matthew 19:3-9).

This is reflected in study after study showing the wonderful benefits of marriage for adults, children and society at large.

But as marriage is attacked and undermined, we see the effects on our streets, in our schools and in the lives of our friends and families. We see the heartbreak and the wreckage that is left behind.

Even the best marriages can go through rocky times. The law should help couples pull back from the brink of divorce, rather than accelerating them towards it.

Please ask Mr Buckland not to make divorce easier. More information to help you can be found below. Please pray and encourage your church to pray about this issue.