Whose Joy? Whose Happiness? : Debating Divorce in the Philippines

Author: Fr. Nicanor Pier Giorgio Austriaco, O.P.

We are living in a deplorable era of confusion, ambiguity, and animosity. The home as a school of holiness has become a pitiful, easy target of these trends. Pastors and their flock are hurting and confused. Parents and children treat one another as enemies, not friends. Eternity is doubted while uncertainty is normalized. Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, O.P., offers us a clear and easy-to-understand justification for the permanence of marriage. This book is for everybody because everybody belongs to a family. It is everybody’s duty to resist and refute divorce. This book is our armor to defend the family.
Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, D.D.
Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan

It is difficult for me to imagine how challenging it must have been for Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, O.P., to tackle divorce in his book in an objective and comprehensive manner, taking into account the perceived bias of Catholics against divorce. But what I admired most about his book is his presentation of the issue of divorce devoid of any legal and ethical undertones. His is an unapologetically realistic delivery of the issue with emphasis on its effect on the family as the cornerstone of society, as a fundamental social institution that plays a critical role in shaping individuals and communities alike. I have no doubt that this book will be a good read for everyone.
Hon. Jonathan M. Agnes, DCL
Presiding Judge, Regional Trial Court-Branch 6, Malolos City, Bulacan

This book stands out for its timeliness and the persuasive arguments it presents. These arguments are grounded in common sense and are accessible to all individuals of right reason, regardless of religious affiliation or non-affiliation, and are supported by empirical data from recent social science studies that investigate this phenomenon. Notably, Fr. Austriaco deliberately avoids arguments based on mere theological and moral principles to broaden his appeal and reject the notion that opposition to divorce solely stems from a church position.

As a member of both the American and Filipino communities, Fr. Austriaco is uniquely positioned to address this topic. He knows the history of divorce in the United States and its subsequent adverse social effects on the individuals involved and the broader American society. He thus has firsthand experience of the negative consequences that the legalization of divorce brings to a community, which will become a reality for Filipinos if the divorce bill is ever approved. This prompts him to defend the institutions of marriage and the family, which are the foundations on which the Filipino nation is anchored, as the original intention of the framers of the 1987 Constitution had it.