But in a city where 5,823 divorces have been granted so far this year, while 6,866 marriage licenses were being issued, a promise of marriage is a promise often broken. Backers of a new state law hope to change that trend. They will learn important things about how they relate to each other and hopefully learn how to disagree agreeably, how to solve some of their problems before they become acute problems,'' said Bloom, who sponsored the law. In 1997, Duval County judges granted 5,550 divorces, while clerks issued 7,407 marriage licenses. Compatibility, that's what keeps people together, not love,'' he said.
Several churches require that couples go through premarital counseling with a minister.
For example, Catholic churches in the St. Augustine Diocese require a program called Pre Cana. It can't hurt you. The Rev. Dan Cody, pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Mandarin, said he has mixed feelings about the new state requirement. Cody is concerned that people can avoid the counseling by waiting the three days, and he's concerned about the costs and the qualifications of some counselors. I think it's good because the rate of divorce is high,'' said Kandace Toudle, just moments following her wedding ceremony.