PRESS STATEMENT: Response to Women’s Charter Amendments on Divorce by Mutual Agreement

Couples don’t get married planning to divorce. Many times, it is the lack of counselling support that seals the decision of divorce. It pains me every time I hear of a marriage breaking down. It is reassuring that the Court will not grant the divorce if it believes that there is a reasonable chance for the couple to reconcile.

Marital breakdown brings devastating consequences for the couple and their children. While the Women’s Charter amendments on Divorce by Mutual Agreement on the irretrievable breakdown of marriage aims to lessen the acrimony between them, we the church must make every effort to help struggling couples work through their differences and toward restoration.

All efforts must be made to help couples save their marriage and families. Ample support systems and processes must be in place to ensure strict adherence to counselling and mediation pre-requisites. The welfare of children caught in such situations is paramount and we must ensure that the children are well supported.

Through our churches and social services, The Assemblies of God of Singapore is committed to building strong marriages and families and will continue to provide support – counselling for couples to work through their differences and guidance to be better parents based on biblical principles and values.

Rev Dominic Yeo

General Superintendent, The Assemblies of God of Singapore

Media Coverage: The Straits Times, Nov 8, 2021. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/divorce-law-changes-must-be-accompanied-by-community-support-to-resolve-disputes-faith