January 17 In History: Ireland Grants Legal Divorce For The First Time

Illustrator (Zoriana Stakhnif / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - After holding a referendum in 1995, the Republic of Ireland granted legal divorce for the first time in history. Ireland's first divorce took place on January 17, 1997, today 24 years ago.

As quoted by History, the divorce verdict was given to a man who was seriously ill who wanted to marry his new partner. This event marked the mersotonya power of the Catholic Church over Ireland.

Since 1937 the Irish constitution has specifically prohibited divorce. Although the consensus prohibits the state from adopting an official religion, Ireland is actually a predominantly Catholic country, while the original documents contain many Catholic doctrinal elements.

The church plays a very large role in Irish public life. This doctrine is even said to be stronger than countries with strong Catholicism. Italy, for example, has legalized divorce in 1970, decades before Ireland.

In 1986, the Irish government submitted the matter to a national referendum, but 63.5 percent voted against a constitutional amendment. Then the law allowing legal separation was passed in 1989.

After coming to power in 1994, the "Pelangi Coalition" government of moderate progressive parties once again held a referendum on changing the rules on divorce. This was rejected by Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa. This indicates that the Church is seriously against this.

However, the Church admits it is not a sin for Catholics to vote in favor of the referendum. In the end, votes in favor won by a thin difference of 50.3 percent with those who disagreed by 49.7 percent.

The new 1995 referendum only legalized divorce in cases where the spouses had been separated for at least four years. But supporters of the separation of church and state greet it as a victory that must be built.

Until 2019, another amendment removed the separation period regulation. Now Irish law no longer makes it difficult for citizens to obtain legal divorce status.