Papal condolences following death of Belgian queen
December 09, 2014
Pope Francis sent a telegram of condolence to King Philippe of Belgium following the death of his aunt, Queen Fabiola, on December 6 at the age of 86.
The Pontiff referred to the queen as a “faithful servant” of the Lord.
The queen, a member of the Spanish royal family, was wife of King Baudouin, who reigned from 1951 to 1993. The couple married in 1960.
“In 1990, when King Baudouin refused to assent to a Parliament-approved bill legalizing abortion, as he was required to do under the country’s Constitution, some Belgians blamed Queen Fabiola, suggesting that her strong opposition to abortion as a Catholic had influenced him,” The New York Times reported. “The king stepped down for one day to allow the government to pass the law. He was then reinstated.”
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Further information:
- Il cordoglio del Santo Padre per la morte di Sua Maestà la Regina Fabiola del Belgio (Holy See Press Office)
- Fabiola, Belgium's Fifth Queen, Dies at 86 (New York Times)
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Posted by: mario.f.leblanc5598 -
Dec. 09, 2014 8:37 PM ET USA
Of course King Baudouin reigned from 1951, but Fabiola did not become Queen until she married him in 1960. May they rest in the Peace of the Lord.
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Posted by: garedawg -
Dec. 09, 2014 10:30 AM ET USA
I wonder what would have happened if King Baudouin had stood his ground and not stepped down.
