Loading
Spanish Catholic justice fends off calls to recuse himself in abortion case

Madrid, Spain, Aug 20, 2012 / 04:06 pm (CNA).- Justice Andres Ollero of Spain's Constitutional Court, who will write the ruling on a case challenging the country's 2010 abortion law, has warded off calls to recuse himself because he is Catholic.

“It makes no sense to think that the justices come to the (court) with preconceived prescriptions,” Justice Ollero said in an Aug. 16 article published by the ABC newspaper.

Justice Ollero underscored that as a judge, he has taken an oath to carry out his office “respecting a strict constitutional-juridical methodology, which differs from that of moral controversies or political debates.”

He said it would be an “insult” to claim that justices who are believers are incapable of finding rational arguments to establish the unconstitutionality of a law.

Because of its defense of basic human values, Catholicism is “a very reasonable religion,” he added.  To discredit those who have a different opinion by claiming they have “pre-constitutional ideas” is “political irrationality.”

Ollero said the justice who writes the upcoming ruling on abortion only has one vote and is speaking for the majority on the court.  

“If his arguments do not convince the majority, he should chose to either make the corrections that do reflect the opinion of the majority, or not write the opinion, which would then be passed on to another justice without any problem.”

Tags: Abortion, Spain



Ads by AdsLiveMedia.com

* The number of messages that can be online is limited. CNA reserves the right to edit messages for content and tone. Comments and opinions expressed by users do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of CNA. CNA will not publish comments with abusive language, insults or links to other pages

RESOURCES »

Featured Videos

Pope Francis prays over a sick boy in St Peter's Square
Pope Francis prays over a sick boy in St Peter's Square
Denver women's clinic will offer natural, Catholic care
Interview Clips: Barbara Nicolosi speaks to CNA
US Cardinals press conference at North American College
Pope Benedict to retire to monastery inside Vatican City
Pope cites waning strength as reason for resignation
Hundreds convene in Denver to urge respect for life
New Orange bishop encourages Catholic unity in diversity
Chinese pro-life activist calls for reform, international attention
At Lincoln installation, Bishop Conley says holiness is success
Mother Cabrini shrine reopens in Chicago after a decade
Ordination of 33 deacons fills St. Peter's with joy
Cardinal says "Charity is the mother of all the virtues"
Augustine Institute expands evangelization effort with new campus
Bishops recall 'Way of St. James' as chance to trust in God
Los Angeles cathedral's newest chapel houses Guadalupe relic
Lay missionaries to the poor open new Denver headquarters
New Buffalo bishop stresses need for modern-day martyrs
Guadalupe message resounds at Los Angeles' massive Marian festival
Pastors of Aurora churches comfort, encourage parishioners
Visit our YouTube channel »
May
24

Liturgical Calendar

May 24, 2013

Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

All readings:
Today »
This year »

Catholic Daily

Gospel of the Day

Mark 10,1-12

Gospel
Date
Mark 10,1-12
05/24/13
Lc 22,14-20
05/23/13
Mc 9,38-40
05/22/13

Daily Readings


First Reading:: Sir 6:5-17
Psalm:: Ps 119:12, 16, 18, 27, 34, 35
Gospel:: Mk 10:1-12

Homily of the Day

Mark 10,1-12

Homily
Date
Mark 10,1-12
05/24/13
Lc 22,14-20
05/23/13
Mc 9,38-40
05/22/13

Ads by AdsLiveMedia.com

Ads by AdsLiveMedia.com
     HTML
Text only
Headlines
  

Follow us: