Friday, February 26, 2010

Bishops Agree Not to Criticize King of Spain for Signing a Bill into Law to Ease Abortion

If King Juan Carlos of Spain signs a new law easing restrictions on abortion -- as he is constitutionally required to do -- the country's Catholic bishops will not take any action against him, the general secretary of the Spanish bishops' conference said.

According to the Catholic News website, Spain's bishops had said Catholic members of parliament who vote to liberalize abortion would place themselves outside the Church and should not receive Communion. Spain's Parliament approved a law easing restrictions on abortion on February 24, 2010.

"That his majesty the king must sanction this law with his signature is a unique situation. No other citizen would encounter this," and so "general principles" cannot be applied, said Auxiliary Bishop Juan Antonio Martinez Camino of Madrid, conference general secretary.

I just cannot avoid asking a critical question relating to this situation. Should the King of Spain have the right to refuse to sign a bill into law that clearly violates Christian values? Feel free to comment with your thoughts on this matter.

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