Singapore priest, Fr Paul Staes has endorsed an online petition to criminalize marital rape and highlighted what he says is a “serious shortcoming” in Church teachings on the issue. Immaculate Heart of Mary Fr Staes, 72, signed the petition last month after receiving an email from a friend about the “No to Rape” campaign.
The friend had wanted to find out the Catholic Church’s stand on marital rape.
According to the “No to Rape” team, it is collecting signatures and personal statements in the hope of repealing the marital rape immunity of husbands toward wives in Singapore.
The petition will be submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office in October.
Reflecting on the issue, Fr Staes, a moral theologian, said the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” addresses issues such as adultery, divorce and polygamy, but marital rape is not “being considered,” which is a “serious shortcoming.”
He explained that it can be inferred from the catechism that the meaning of sexual intercourse excludes all use of force and disrespect. Nonetheless, there are probably some Church people who argue there is no such thing as marital rape as the wife must respect the “marital rights” of the husband and be submissive to him, he added.
“Personally, I believe, from an ethical viewpoint, violence against one’s own spouse is actually more reprehensible than against a third party because of the promised bond of love and care that exists between spouses,” he wrote in his comments on the “No To Rape” website.
Dominican Fr David Garcia, 42, another moral theologian, explains that the Church considers all forms of rape as “intrinsic evil” and wrong. The moral aspect of marital rape is clearly wrong and ideally should be criminalized, he said.
The priest said, however, that he is in “no position” to suggest how such a law should be implemented.
Other religious leaders have also voiced their support for this petition. They include Bhante Dhammika of the Buddha Dhamma Mandala Society, Reverend David Burke of the Orchard Road Presbyterian Church and Reverend Doctor Yap Kim Hao from the Free Community Church.
More than 1,700 signatures have been collected as of Aug. 7.
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