Backers of abortion law will not get communion

The Catholic Church has strongly opposed plans by the socialist government to liberalise Spain's abortion laws.

Spanish lawmakers who vote in favour of abortion reforms will not be allowed to take holy communion, a senior Spanish bishop said Wednesday.

Roman Catholics cannot back this law and - if they do they will find themselves in a state of sin and cannot receive the holy communion - Juan Antonio Martinez Camino, the secretary general of the Spanish Bishops Conference, told reporters.

He emphasized that the lawmakers would not be excommunicated, as - excommunication is reserved in the code of canon law for those who cooperate actively in the practice of abortion. -

Health Minister Trinidad Jimenez responded by saying - the Catholic Church is much more than that represented by Mr. Camino. -

The Catholic Church has strongly opposed plans by the socialist government to liberalise Spain's abortion laws.

The proposed legislation was approved by the government in September and is to be debated in parliament in November.

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Madrid on October 17 to condemn the measure.