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Gay Marriage Bill Makes Progress in Spain

Thu Apr 21, 4:08 PM ET World - AP


By CIARAN GILES, Associated Press Writer

MADRID, Spain - The lower house of the Spanish Parliament approved the Socialist government's gay marriage bill Thursday, a major step toward making traditionally Roman Catholic Spain the third European country to legalize same-sex marriages.

The bill, which also will pave the way for gay couples to adopt children, will now go to the Senate � where the Socialists have ample support � for final approval in the coming weeks. Belgium and the Netherlands are the only two other European countries that have legalized gay marriages.


Representatives of gay and lesbian groups cheered and applauded from the chamber's public gallery when the vote result was read out. The bill passed by a 183-136 vote, with six abstentions.


"This is a great and historic day because never before has such a small legal reform made such an important improvement in rights and in favor of freedom and equality," said Pedro Zerolo, a leader of Spain's homosexual rights group.


The bill reflects the radical change in recent decades in Spain, for centuries a bastion of the church. According to Madrid's Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, while 80 percent of Spaniards consider themselves Catholic, half ignore church teachings, and religion for most is more an inherited tag than a way of life.


Polls say nearly half of the country's Roman Catholics almost never go to Mass, and a third say they are simply not religious.


Spain's Roman Catholic church and the conservative opposition Popular Party opposed the bill.


The Spanish Bishops Conference issued a statement saying the bill "went against the common good." It added that it was "unfair that real marriage should be treated the same as the union of persons of the same sex."


Last year, conference spokesman Antonio Martinez Camino said allowing gay marriage was like "imposing a virus on society, something false that will have negative consequences for social life."


Organizations representing the Jewish, Protestant and Orthodox faiths in Spain also expressed opposition to the bill, saying that recognition of other types of unions between couples should not alter the institution of matrimony.


In an opinion poll on the issue carried out by the government-run Center for Sociological Investigations last June, 66 percent of Spaniards favored legalizing gay marriage, while 26 percent opposed.


Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's Socialists proposed the bill in October, seven months after winning general elections that ended an eight-year stint in office for the Popular Party.


At a news conference before the vote, Zapatero was asked how he thought newly elected Pope Benedict XVI might greet the news.


"If the new pope wants to say something about it, I'm prepared to respect whatever he says, he can count on my respect for him," Zapatero said.


"One of the guarantees of democracy is the freedom of religion, freedom of opinion and freedom to carry out a political project with the citizens' vote."


In a separate vote Thursday, the lower house also approved the government's proposed fast-track, no-fault divorce law, which scraps the trial period of separation and lets people file directly for divorce three months after getting married.


Under the existing law, a man or woman filing for divorce had to state a reason to the judge, such as infidelity. The new bill says either can simply request a divorce � no questions asked � and the judge has to grant it.

Government figures show that 60 percent of Spanish marriages end either in separation or divorce.


Gaudior, who thinks this is definitely a turn for the worse. It is tragic that religion is being relegated to a quaint heirloom, tucked in the attic, due to being out of fashion...

Well Pope Benedict XVI has chosen a name of a saint who lived during the time when Western Christianity was collapsing under the weight of the Barbarian invasions. As Cardinal Ratzinger he predicted a falling away of many and as Pope his reign will bare witness to this. But we have seen it before and the Pope's name shows that he is confident in the future we will turn this situation around once again.

It's outrage

This certainly is a sign of how values have fallen away... I really feel it personally inasmuch as my parents are Spaniards and my whole family has been from Spain... it's so sad to see that once the "Catholic Spain" has fallen so deep.

Lord Have Mercy, �Se�or ten piedad!

Bernardo
(really depressed)

St James, Our Lady of El Pilar, St Leander, St Isidore, St Fernando III, St Peter of Alcantara, St Ignatius Loyola, St Francis Xavier, St Saint Teresa of Avila, St John of the Cross...

All you holy Saints of Spain

PRAY FOR US

Franco forced the Catholic Church on the people of Spain. There was rebellion against the Church there before the Spanish Civil War.

It is indeed a shame that the one nation most responsible for the evangelization of the Faith in the New World is so determined to go down this path.

It is also terrible that so many Spanish have forgotten their history.

Sad to say, but Spain will likely have to suffer again before it returns to the Church.

Pope Benedict XVI has condemned the bill http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4473001.stm

Is the King of Spain required to sign new legislation before it can come into effect? That information has bearing on the case in hand - would "His Most Catholic Majesty" sign such a bill?

Incognitus

He could always "abdicate" for a day and appoint a regeant who would sign the bill. The King of the Belgians used that method to get around signing the bill that legalized abortion in Belgium.

I try not to get discouraged with all this disappointing news.

The most important thing is to stay focused and to save your own soul.

Nothing else counts in the long run.

Jim

Their Most Catholic Majesties of Spain were conspicuously present this morning at the Mass - so I would advise the King to find some way to avoid signing that particular piece of legislation.

Incognitus

He could always refuse to sign it and force a constitutional crisis which would probably end in the abolution of the Spanish monarchy or at least the end of any executive power in the hands of the monarch.
I guess after this becomes law in Spain w/o Juan-Carlos stopping it, he'll go from "Most Catholic" to "His Somewhat Catholic Majesty"....well stuff hits the fan when you mix a government, a church and a figure head monarch.

Although the bill has been approved by the "Cortes" this is the House of Representatives, it still has to be approved by the Senate, then the President of the Government is to sign such a bill and the King only has to make it published at the BOE (Official Bulletin of the State). I'm not quite sure if the King still has any veto authority, but I'll be sure to review the Spanish Constitution.

I really hope the King states his inconformity on this bill and really do something about it.

God Bless

Bernardo (really depressed about his Mother Land)

"the abolution of the Spanish monarchy"? Now there's an interesting idea. Would it mean that the Spanish monarchy is a wash-out?

I hasten to add that I support the Spanish monarchy and His Most Catholic Majesty King Juan Carlos - I'm merely amused by the singlet "abolution". Viva Espana - e Viva Cristo Re!

Incognitus

Well, well, well

I suppose that is time to answer to all your posts.

First of all the Spanish Constitution does not give the King the power of not signing a law aproved by Parlament (Congreso de los Diputados, Senado) and signed by the President of the Government.

Second, why do you suppose that our king is against this law? Taking into account the fact that abortion is allowed in Spain under certain circustances (we are here talking about human life and not about the Christian character of Spanish family and familiar institutions and values)and that the goverment of the Conservative Party (they use to identify themselves as Catholics, although they do not follow the social doctrine of the Church - they are not a Christian Democratic but a liberal conservative party-and they took part in wars condemned by the Church and the Holy See, they did not change the law of divorce they voted against but instead they decided to get divorced theyselves, they have a gay group in their party and yes unfortunately they also comite abortions)did nothing to change that law why should our king do something againsts that law? (By the way, he is a very easy going person and probably he does not care very much if Spanish gay want or not to get married. He acepted a divorced woman as daughter in law after all)

Third, the Spanish Constitution says nothing about the religion of the King. Title as His Most Catholic Majesty are not found in the Spanish Constitution and have not been used by the Spanish Kings for centuries. The religion of the King and the Royal family is a personal problem of its members and has to do with their familiar history and traditions and not with the State.

Forth, the expressions "Arriba Espanya" or "Viva Espanya, viva Cristo Rey" or the denomination of "King of Spain" for the Holy Heart of Jesus are linked in Spanish history with the dictatory of General Franco and with a paramilitar terrorist group that was active in Spain during the last years of the dictator and the first years of the democracy (Guerrilleros de Cristo Rey) and in general with Spanish fascism... so I propose you more democratic and more liturgical expressions such as "Que Dios bendiga y proteja a los pueblos de Espanyola" or "Que Dios bendiga y proteja a la Iglesia que esta en Espanya"

Shlomo Lkhoolkhoon,

Instead of being snid to the King of Spain, why don't we look at what the Constitution says about his powers.

Poosh BaShlomo Lkhoolkhoon,
Yuhannon

PART II

The Crown


Section 56

(1) The King is the Head of State, the symbol of its unity and permanence. He arbitrates and moderates the regular functioning of the institutions, assumes the highest representation of the Spanish State in international relations, especially with the nations of its historical community, and exercises the functions expressly conferred on him by the Constitution and the laws.

(2) His title is that of King of Spain, and he may use the other titles appertaining to the Crown.

(3) The person of the King is inviolable and shall not be held accountable. His acts shall always be countersigned in the manner established in section 64. Without such countersignature they shall not be valid, except as provided under section 65(2).

Section 57

(1) The Crown of Spain shall be inherited by the successors of H. M. Juan Carlos I de Borb�n, the legitimate heir of the historic dynasty. Succession to the throne shall follow the regular order of primogeniture and representation, the first line always having preference over subsequent lines; within the same line, the closer grade over the more remote; within the same grade, the male over the female, and in the same sex, the elder over the younger.

(2) The Crown Prince, from his birth or from the time he acquires the claim, shall hold the title of Prince of Asturias and the other titles traditionally held by the heir to the Crown of Spain.

(3) Should all the lines designated by law become extinct, the Cortes Generales shall provide for succession to the Crown in the manner most suitable to the interests of Spain.

(4) Those persons with a right of succession to the throne who marry against the express prohibition of the King and the Cortes Generales, shall be excluded from succession to the Crown, as shall their descendants.

(5) Abdications and renunciations and any doubt in fact or in law that may arise in connection with the succession to the Crown shall be settled by an organic act.

Section 58

The Queen consort, or the consort of the Queen, may not assume any constitutional functions, except in accordance with the provisions for the Regency.

Section 59

(1) In the event of the King being under age, the King's father or mother or, in default thereof, the oldest relative of legal age who is nearest in succession to the Crown, according to the order established in the Constitution, shall immediately assume the office of Regent, which shall exercise during the King's minority.

(2) If the King becomes unfit for the exercise of his authority, and this incapacity is recognized by the Cortes Generales, the Crown Prince shall immediately assume the Regency, if he is of age. If he is not, the procedure outlined in the foregoing paragraph shall apply until the coming of age of the Crown Prince.

(3) If there is no person entitled to assume the Regency, it shall be appointed by the Cortes Generales and shall be composed of one, three or five persons.

(4) In order to exercise the Regency, it is necessary to be Spaniard and legally of age.

(5) The Regency shall be exercised by constitutional mandate, and always on behalf of the King.

Section 60

(1) The guardian of the King during his minority shall be the person appointed in the will of the deceased King, provided that he or she is of age and Spaniard by birth. If a guardian has not been appointed, the father or the mother shall be guardian, as long as they remain widowed. In default thereof, the guardian shall be appointed by the Cortes Generales, but the offices of Regent and Guardian may not be held by the same person, except by the father, mother or direct ancestors of the King.

(2) Exercise of the guardianship is also incompatible with the holding of any office or political representation.

Section 61

(1) The King, on being proclaimed before the Cortes Generales, will swear to faithfully carry out his duties, to obey the Constitution and the laws and ensure that they are obeyed, and to respect the rights of citizens and the Self-governing Communities.

(2) The Crown Prince, on coming of age, and the Regent or Regents, on assuming office, will swear the same oath as well as that of loyalty to the King.

Section 62

It is incumbent upon the King:

a) To sanction and promulgate the laws.

b) To summon and dissolve the Cortes Generales and to call for elections under the terms provided for in the Constitution.

c) To call for a referendum in the cases provided for in the Constitution.

d) To propose a candidate for President of the Government and, as the case may be, appoint him or her or remove him or her from office, as provided in the Constitution.

e) To appoint and dismiss members of the Government on the President of the Government's proposal.

f) To issue the decrees approved in the Council of Ministers, to confer civil and military positions and award honours and distinctions in conformity with the law.

g) To be informed of the affairs of State and, for this purpose, to preside over the meetings of the Council of Ministers whenever, he sees fit, at the President of the Government's request.

h) To exercise supreme command of the Armed Forces.

i) To exercise the right of clemency in accordance with the law, which may not authorize general pardons.

j) To exercise the High Patronage of the Royal Academies.

Section 63

(1) The King accredits ambassadors and other diplomatic representatives. Foreign representatives in Spain are accredited before him.

(2) It is incumbent upon the King to express the State's assent to international commitments through treaties, in conformity with the Constitution and the laws.

(3) It is incumbent upon the King, following authorization by the Cortes Generales, to declare war and to make peace.

Section 64

(1) The King's acts shall be countersigned by the President of the Government and, when appropriate, by the competent ministers. The nomination and appointment of the President of the Government and the dissolution provided for under section 99, shall be countersigned by the Speaker of the Congress.

(2) The persons countersigning the King's acts shall be liable for them.

Section 65

(1) The King receives an overall amount from the State Budget for the maintenance of his Family and Household and distributes it freely.

(2) The King freely appoints and dismisses civil and military members of his Household.