English bishop criticizes prenuptial agreements

February 18, 2014

Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury has criticized a proposal that would enshrine prenuptial agreements in civil law.

“Prenuptial agreements may soon become enshrined in civil law on the recommendation of the Law Commission,” he said during a February 15 homily. “Our society would be proposing to couples seeking marriage that they prepare their own divorce settlement before making the life-long promises of marriage.”

“It is a legal provision which would surely empty the words of the marriage promise for ‘better for worse … to love and to cherish till death do we part’ of all meaning,” he added. “What message does this send to the young at a moment when the institution of marriage stands at such a historically, low ebb? Should we not be putting our efforts into guarding and building-up the institution of marriage rather than steadily undermining it?”

 

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Further information:

• Bishop of Shrewsbury criticises plans for prenuptial agreements at annual diocesan Mass in celebration of marriage and family life (Diocese of Shrewsbury)