Robin Padilla and Mariel Rodriguez face church objections to their planned Catholic wedding in June

A few weeks ago, Robin Padilla made public his plans of marrying host-actress Mariel Rodriguez in a Catholic wedding this June.

Robin and Mariel "officially" became husband and wife when they had a "wedding ceremony" at the Taj Mahal in India last August 19.

However, a hindrance to the plans of the couple looms. A Catholic Church official has opined that even if the two get married in a Catholic church, their wedding will be considered null and void.

Archbishop Oscar Cruz of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCB) explained that because of Robin's Muslim faith, his planned wedding to Mariel will not be in accordance with Catholic church laws.

"If one of them believes that he or she can be married thrice or four times to different people, then that marriage will be considered null and void," Archbishop Cruz was quoted as saying in a report of Sun Star.

Several years ago, Robin embraced the Muslim faith and was baptized as "Abdul Aziz." He also married Liezl Sicangco in a Muslim ceremony.

Under Muslim law, a man can have more than one wife.

Archbishop Cruz further explained the Church's stand on this issue in an interview with Showbiz News Ngayon:

"Hindi sa ayaw mong ikasal, e. Kundi ang isang babaeng Katolika, na ang kanyang paniniwala ay isang babae at isang lalaki, kapag siya ay ikinasal sa isang lalaki na ang paniwala ay dalawa, tatlo o apat [na babae]—walang bisa ang kasal na iyon sapagkat iyon ay salungat na salungat sa banal na kasulatan at ng simbahan na isang babae, isang lalaki.

"Hindi puwede sa kanya iyong isang lalaki equals apat na babae. Ang mga Muslim, mayroon silang paniniwalang ganyan."

Cruz mentioned that Robin's first marriage must be taken into consideration.

"Ang una niyang kasal, ano ba 'yon? Iyon ba ay may bisa o walang bisa? Kung may bisa, hindi na puwedeng ikasal. Kung walang bisa, puwede siyang ikasal sa Katolika," the church official said.

APPEAL FOR UNITY. In a separate interview, Mariel defended her husband by saying that he is already "legally separated" from his first wife Liezl and that Robin has promised her that she will be the only woman in his life.

Robin, on the other hand, revealed that Mariel was deeply affected by this development.

"Medyo naiyak nga nang matindihan si Mariel diyan... Linggo-linggo nagdadasal 'yan, nagpupunta sa simbahan. Ngayon, kung kailan siya bumabalik, ngayon naman siya nagkaroon ng ganyang pagsubok."

In an interview with Radio dzMM, Robin spoke his mind regarding the issue.

"Sa panahon po ngayon kasi ay dapat tingnan na natin ang wisdom, hindi na rule ng bawat religion. Kasi kapag doon na naman tayo tumayo, division na naman..."

Furthermore, he said, "Ngayon po dapat nandoon na tayo sa unity. Kailangan ang mga tao dalhin na tayo sa pagkakaisa. Sana in our own little way, mapakita natin na may unity among religion, lalo na usapin ng pagpapakasal. Sa Diyos naman po 'yan."

The actor said he consulted other priests regarding their plight.

"Kumakausap kami ng ibang pari. Pero 'yong ibang pari, ang sinasabi okay, pero hindi maaring i-rehistro... Ay, magulo naman 'yon sa aming kasal..."