Contact: Stephen Phelan, Human Life International, 540-622-5270, SPhelan@hli.org

FRONT ROYAL, Va., March 2 /Christian Newswire/ -- "The world is watching to see whether Spain's Head of State, Juan Carlos de Borbón, will abdicate his moral leadership of the nation and sign the death warrants of millions more Spanish babies who will be killed by abortion," said Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, president of Human Life International. "He has already been complicit, by his signature, in the deaths of millions in the first abortion law he signed in 1985 and other immoral legislation such as law authorizing same sex marriage in 2005."

Juan Carlos of Spain is expected by many to sign legislation which will have the effect of increasing access to abortion in Spain, a measure which has already been passed by Spanish parliament. Many, including some of Spain's Catholic bishops, citing articles 62 and 91 of the Spanish Constitution, have said that Juan Carlos has little leeway, and simply must endorse any legislation that comes his way as his position is largely ceremonial. This position, however, is erroneous, because the Head of State in exercising his office does not lose the rights and duties inherent to the human person, nor those inherent in being a Catholic. Juan Carlos de Borbón has declared himself to be a Catholic on many occasions, so he has the right and the duty to act in conformity to his conscience as a Catholic.

"All the Catholic Kings of Spain, especially Ferdinand and Isabella, would be horrified at the possibility of signing such murderous legislation and will stand in fierce judgment of a king who abdicates his moral responsibility to his people in such an act," said Rev. Euteneuer. It is also a basic fact that the Spanish people are against the liberalization of abortion. A poll conducted by Instituto Noxa in October 2009 showed that more Spanish citizens oppose expanding abortion than support its expansion.

Indeed, there is precedent for conscientious objection to immoral legislation among the royalty of Europe. Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg suffered the removal of his powers for taking such a stand, refusing to sign a bill last year which would have legalized Euthanasia in Luxembourg. Likewise, King Baudoin of Belgium stepped down from his office in 1990 while the Belgian Parliament legalized abortion; he refused in conscience to sign such an evil bill.

Human Life International calls upon the Spanish Episcopal Conference to issue a declaration that Juan Carlos de Borbón has incurred excommunication if he should sign this law authorizing the murder of even more Spanish innocents.

Human Life International: Creating effective opposition to the culture of death around the world. Founded in 1981, HLI is the world's largest pro-life organization and has affiliates in over 100 countries on six continents.