It appears the medieval control of the catholic church which has, since the Inquisition prevailed and more recently in complicity with Franco, dictated its doctrine almost as law is slipping. The rule of Vatican Taliban and its own version of sharia law may soon be an odd artifact and relic of Spain's past.[C]ontroversial reforms to the country's abortion law ... would allow women as young as 16 to undergo the procedure without parental consent.
The proposal was passed at a cabinet meeting despite strong opposition from the Roman Catholic Church, the conservative opposition Popular Party and even many supporters of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's Socialist Party. The measure now will to go to parliament for approval, Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega told a news conference.
Under the proposed reforms, abortions would be allowed for women of 16 and over on demand up to the 14th week of pregnancy, and up to 22 weeks if there is a risk to the mother's health or if the foetus is deformed. Women can also undergo the procedure after 22 weeks if the foetus has a serious or incurable illness.
"We want to offer minors as much protection as possible and the most respect for their basic rights," said de la Vega.
The existing law introduced in 1985, a decade after the death of right-wing dictator Francisco Franco, only allows abortion in cases of rape, fetal malformation and when a pregnant woman's mental or physical health is deemed to be at risk if the pregnancy goes to term.
Saturday, 26 September 2009
The Reign in Spain
... of rightwing fundamentalist catholic clergy has been challenged by the very secular (and socialist) government.
4 comments:
There is actually a priest here in the Montreal area who vocally supported Abortion & Same-sex marriage.
He was also temporarily a Bloc MP.
For awhile I struggled with my Catholic roots & my views which go against Catholic doctrine.
It is because of this priest that I continue to practise my faith while remaining true to myself & sticking to my convictions.
A little off-topic, I know, but the Vatican does need some more progressive minded priests like Father Raymond Gravel to help move the church more toward the times. To modernize it.
Spain's new laws show this very Catholic country to be moving forward as Ireland (South) did when it finally legalized divorces which believe it or not, was not that long ago.
I've been in love with Spain since Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero announced his Cabinet and noted there was gender parity in it! At the time, I believe the Minister of Defence was pregnant.
WTG Spain!!! In the mid-70s, while Franco was still alive, young women wearing summer shorts outside of beaches was seriously frowned upon. I spent the summer being reprimanded by my aunts for my wanton NA ways :-)
CK, Father Gravel has tremendous courage. He was one of the lone voices in Parliament criticizing Epp's phony, "let's protect pregnant women" private member's bill.
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