Divorce

The last debate in the General Synod on divorce itself was on the Government's proposals to reform the Divorce Law in 1994. The General Synod carried the following motion:

'That this Synod:

1. reaffirm its belief that marriage should always be undertaken as a lifelong commitment;
2. recognise that when marriages break down the civil law must deal with the consequences of that breakdown;
3. believe that the Divorce Reform Act 1969 has failed to meet the objectives set by Putting Asunder and by the Law Commission in 1966;
4. welcome the general direction in which the Lord Chancellor proposes to reform the law relating to divorce and, in particular, the acceptance that the establishment of "irretrievable breakdown" through a period for consideration and reflection rather than fault should be the basis of the law, and the emphasis in Looking to the Future on the importance of providing appropriate mediation and other professional services for those who encounter difficulties in their marriage; and
5. instruct the Board for Social Responsibility, in the light of the debate, to submit the response to the questions of detail raised in the Government's consultation paper.'

The response to the Government law reform is contained within Divorce Law Reform: The Government's Proposals (GS1095) available from the Community & Public Affairs Unit, Church House, Great Smith St, London SW1P 3AZ (tel: 020 7898 1535)

Further information and resources

Family Life & Marriage Education (FLAME)
One Plus One
RELATE
MarriageCare
Broken Rites (a self help and support group for divorced, and separated, clergy or mini

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