Archbishop Francisco Javier Errázuriz, president of the episcopal conference, read the message Sunday, in the course of the 32 bishops’ once-every-five-year visit to the Vatican.
“The meetings of the visit ‘ad limina apostolorum’ have reconfirmed us in what we have taught so many times as pastors: Indissoluble marriage is the solid foundation for the stability and happiness of families, as well as for the good of the whole society,” the statement says.
The bishops say they hope that any future legislation on civil marriage would recognize “the definitive character that matrimonial union has … for those who enter it, especially those who are united in the sacramental bond.”
The Chilean Parliament is now debating whether to allow legal divorce in the country.
