Catholic Ping
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Posted on 12/05/2008 9:57:43 AM PST by marshmallow
Luxembourg, Dec 5, 2008 / 12:36 pm (CNA).- For the first time in the history of Luxembourg, the Grand Duke has opposed a decision by the country’s House of Representatives. Henry I rejected a bill that would legalize euthanasia, and government officials have announced their intention to strip the Duke of some of his powers.
Some reports in the country are calling it a “grave constitutional crisis,” with Henry I announcing that for reasons of conscience he will not approve the controversial law, which the overwhelmingly Catholic population opposes.
Socialist and Green party lawmakers pushed the measure through, and the Grand Duke normally would approve the measure within a period of three months, but this time he made a different decision.
In wake of the rejection, Luxembourg’s Prime Minister, Jean-Claude Juncker, announced the country’s Constitution would be modified to reduce the Duke’s power.
“We are going to remove the term ‘sanction’ from article 34 of the Constitution and replace it with the term ‘promulgate,’ which means only promulgating laws so that they take effect,” Juncker stated.
Some media reports suggest the Grand Duke is repeating the crisis sparked in 1990 by his uncle, King Baldwin of Belgium, who refused to sign a law legalizing abortion that was approved by the Belgian Congress.
Henry I of Luxembourg took the oath as Grand Duke in 2000 after his father abdicated his seat. He was born on April 6, 1955, in Berzdorf. In 1981, Henry I married Maria Teresa Mestre, who is from Cuba. They have five children and two grandchildren.
When he became head of state, Juncker said he would be the “most decent Grand Duke” because of his “character and his deep knowledge of the people.”
In his first remarks as Grand Duke, Henry I encouraged citizens to conserve family values, ensure equality of rights for men and women and not be blinded by their prosperity.
I’m sure the people will really approve of stripping his powers down...
Ping
You got give props to Grand Duke
Catholic Ping
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list
So his constitutional role is to act as a rubber stamp? If he dares to demonstrate backbone he’s out on his rump? I think an unelected head of state, such as the Grand Duke, could be a force for good against cynical factionalism which serves its own and not the nation.
We read about events such as this in our history books but to actually witness it ... that's simply amazing. God bless and protect him!
What a great witness for the Church militant.
There are still giants among laity in the Church.
Time for real Catholics to stand up, and for the phony ones to be excommunicated. This kabuki play of true Catholics tolerating even the most groteque forms of dissent needs to end and end yesterday.
“So his constitutional role is to act as a rubber stamp?”
Currently no, but they want to do to him as the Spanish did to King Carlos. That includes the political party that usually sides with him. The problem is this is the first controversial law that he has had the guts to say no to. A Monarch should reject laws every now then just to remind the legislatures that he has such power. When you don’t use your powers, people will be appalled when you actually assert yourself. Kind of like when Dubya finally used the veto pen. It appalled conservatives as much as liberals. LOL!
Henri I is also descended from St. Louis IX! So perhaps asking St. Louis IX for his prayers would be a good idea.
God Bless the Grand Duke. Satan is EVERYWHERE.....Christians are under siege.
Pray for the Grand Duke and that the good people of Luxembourg reject this assault on life.
If legalizing murder of the old and sick is opposed by both the king and a majority of the "overwhelmingly Catholic" population, how did the typically Christ-hating socialists and enviro-whackjobs push it through the nation's elected legislative body? Are Christians barred from voting for members of the Luxembourg legislature?
Or am I reading the quoted excerpt wrong? Maybe it means that the majority of Luxembourgers oppose the king's refusal to approve the legislature's law. If so, that doesn't speak well for the Catholic voters over there, just as the election of many of our own pro-abortion, pro-sodomy, pro-euthanasia legislators in states such as MA or NY where the majority of voters are nominal Christians doesn't speak well for the Christian voters in those states.
Not to be massively picky about it, but as I live in the city that bears his name and am a member of the flagship parish, Louis IX's title in the church is Saint Louis, King of France. Feast day is August 25.
I don’t know about the population, but the conservative party is evidently in the minority and they voted against this bill. The pisser is, it is the conservative leader that is leading the charge to strip Henri I of his executive powers.
Thank you for correction.
Here is the 2004 election results. Elections are next year.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxembourgian_legislative_election,_2004
Because a long time ago a generation came along and demanded that each and every thing and person justify themselves to them and if they were unable to the satisfaction of the former, it was considered ‘irrelevant” and therefore destined for the garbage.
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