Catholic Grand Duke risks power by not approving law on euthanasia

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Comments: 12

Grand Duke of Luxembourg Henry I

Luxembourg, 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.

Comments: 12

Subscriber comments:

Published by: dante Figueroa
United States 01/26/2009 08:35 PM EST

May God always preserve the Honorable Grand Duke. He is showing the courage to oppose the apparently omnipotent culture of death. May all of us follow his example.

Published by: J. Schultes
Norwood, Ohio 01/05/2009 08:37 AM EST

THE WORLD IS IN DESPARATE NEED OF A MONARCH LIKE "HENRY I". MAY GOD GRANT HIM THE GRACE TO CONTINUE TO STANDUP AND FIGHT AGAINST THE EVIL IN THE WORLD TODAY. GOD BLESS HIM.

Published by: Gwyn Williams
Abergavenny, South Wales 12/17/2008 12:20 PM EST

All praise to Henry 1st.
May Our Lady and The Holy Innocents interceed for him and for Europe.

Published by: Annette Thomas
Gudalajara, Mexico 12/12/2008 12:01 AM EST

This new law is opposed by the Catholic majority. How is this Democracy? The culture of death is spreading. Kudos to Henry 1 for maintaining his Catholic values and standing up to those who oppose life.

Published by: Bart Van Stappen
Antwerpen, Belgium 12/11/2008 09:52 PM EST

"are you kidding? we're living in the 21st century. the law on euthanasia was voted by the parliament. that's democracy in case you have forgotten. seems like church and democracy just doesn't go together. vive la republique!"

Excellent comparison!

I am afraid that "21st c. democracy", too, is why in all but one EU countries, the Lisbon Treaty is being ratified by parliaments instead of by public vote. Because referendum outcome 'd be a firm "No" ("Non", "Nee"), that is - as you and I and GOP know. The Irish people said "No" and thus, by EU's own rules, the Lisbon Treaty is dead - or is it?

After the late King Baldwin was officially declared "mad" in order to push through a most liberal abortion law without him signing anyway, political parties that took part in the latter scoundrelism, got rewarded by election disaster - and right so!

Nevertheless, the abhorrent "licence to kill unborn children" law is and is staying "en vigeur".

I am afraid that your screaming "vive la republique" might backfire. Because of his standing firm and defending civilisation indeed, the Grand Duke's popularity most probably will rise.

Mind you: in Belgium, even most firm "républicains" expressed high admiration and praise for the late King Baldwin's conscientious objection and principled refusal to sign that law.

If you prefer "la république", better make sure parliament doesn’t turn it into a murdering machine. People might prefer Church and the Grand Duke to 21st c. "democracy". Right so!

Published by: Rose
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA 12/09/2008 12:08 AM EST

Good grief, Lieschen, did faith and belief in God end in the 21st century? Do you really blame the man for standing firm in his beliefs? He's going to answer to God the same way you and I and everyone else is. If you don't like it, I guess you can always move to get rid of your monarchy.

Published by: lieschen muller
luxembourg 12/08/2008 03:25 AM EST

are you kidding? we're living in the 21st scentury. the law on euthanasia was voted by the parliament. that's democracy in case you have forgotten. seems like church and democracy just doenss't go together. vive la republique!

Published by: Aaron
Philippines 12/07/2008 10:07 PM EST

God bless him! He is the best! Thank you so much! Thanks be to God for such a great monarchy in Luxembourg! Makes me proud that the royalty in Luxembourg would rather lose power than stain their moral dignity.

Published by: Matthew Schrank
Seaside, CA USA 12/05/2008 07:39 PM EST

It's good to know there are still some good leaders out there in Europe. God bless him.

Published by: Dale
Sacramento CA 12/05/2008 03:49 PM EST

Thanks be to God for Grand Duke Henry I. May God bless and protect him and his family, and may God give us in America leaders who love Christ and His Church more than their worldly power. Amen.

Published by: Rose
Salt Lake City, Utah 12/05/2008 03:14 PM EST

God Bless You, Grand Duke! A Catholic leader with guts - wow. Too bad your country is going to take some of your power because of your stands. Christ lost his life for us, good for you for standing up for Him!

Published by: Jack
NY 12/05/2008 01:09 PM EST

Sounds like the French Revolution all over a again. The Socialist and Green parties must be have Masonic members who are the root of the evil in the world by pushing liberalsim and anti-Catholic ideas.

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