Bishop Mukalo Warns Against Marrying Divorcees
Bishop Joel Mukalo of the Yahweh Pentecostal Mission has urged those planning to marry to avoid marrying divorcees—individuals whose previous marriages were legally dissolved. He emphasized the sanctity of Biblical marriage and urged young people to prioritize discernment and compatibility before tying the knot, rather than yielding to societal pressures.
“In biblical marriage, we do not marry someone who has been married before. It is wrong,” said Bishop Mukalo. “If someone was married, had a ring, and wedded in church, or even if they divorced, our youth should not accept such unions.” He cited Matthew 5:31-32, which states, “Whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” The Bishop added that, in his view, a divorcee cannot fully settle into a new relationship unless their former partner has passed away.
In the same forum, Dokolo South Member of Parliament Felix Okot Ogong expressed concern about the rising trend of young people engaging in sexual relationships with individuals old enough to be their parents. He shared an example from his constituency, where a woman and her daughter were reportedly living with the same man as their husband. Okot called on cultural and religious leaders to intensify their efforts in teaching young people about proper marriage values.
“Some youths are now engaging in harmful practices, smoking substances from swamps or plants found at home. Boys and girls as young as 15 years are openly indulging in immorality,” said Okot. “It’s time we guided them to return to the basics.”
Senior Presidential Advisor Sam Engola also expressed concern about the behavior of some youths, describing their lifestyles as wasteful. He appealed to religious leaders to strengthen efforts in guiding young people toward spiritual and moral rejuvenation to help groom responsible future leaders.
