‘Church divorce’ stirs controversy in Egypt’s parliament 

The discussion of Clause 22 of Article 1 of the Social Security and Cash Support Law’s definitions for separated Christian women witnessed wide controversy, resulting in its discussion being postponed to another session.

MP Mervat al-Kassan objected during the general session, warning against keeping the term “church divorce,” noting that there is no official divorce in the church, but rather a permit to marry for those who have obtained a divorce ruling from the court.

She demanded adding the phrase “or his representative” to the sentence of the “religious leadership to which she belongs.”

Kassan said that “All Christian sects confirm that there is no church divorce except for the reason of adultery” while divorce can be obtained based on a court ruling.

Clause 22 states that: “A separated Christian woman is one who is separated from her husband and no church divorce has occurred, and this is proven by a certificate from the religious leadership to which she belongs, or by a final judicial ruling.”

Objections and proposals for amendment

Minister of Parliamentary and Legal Affairs and Political Communication objected, saying: “Without going into the personal status law for Christians, these matters are taken into account during implementation.”

He continued: “I see that the phrase ‘a Christian woman separated from her husband and no church divorce has occurred’ is not a problem.”

While the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hanfy al-Gebaly, commented, saying: “The text is more disciplined because divorce in Christian law is a serious matter.”

Kassan responded: “I cannot write church divorce in the law.”

Gebaly stated: “We are talking about all Egyptian Christians, with all their sects.”

“There is no church divorce in all sects. I object to the word ‘church’, but divorce is established by a court ruling. We are in the process of legislation,” Kassan explained.

MP Magdy Malak pointed out that: “Upon referring to the church representative now, he confirmed that there is no church divorce, and a marriage permit is granted based on a court ruling.”

Recommendations to postpone

MP Ehab al-Tamawy noted that: “I hope that Counselor Monsef Naguib Solaiman, the representative of the Religious Committee, will attend, because he will be more helpful to us. I hope that the definition will be postponed.”

Gebaly agreed, saying: “We postpone the definition because the issue is very sensitive.”

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm

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