Of Belgium. One of my favorite stories is that when the entire parliament voted to liberalize abortion, he refused to give his formal assent.

He then asked for the government to declare him "temporarily unable to reign" so that he could avoid having to sign the bill, with the government declaring him fit to reign afterwards.

Upon my return to Rome, I will start the beatification process of King Baudouin. May his example as a man of faith illuminate all leaders.

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) September 29, 2024

Pro Sandy said:

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Quo Vadis? said:

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In Belgium the signature of the monarch is a mere formality and not necessary to advance the law. He wanted to make sure the liberalization of abortion didn't happen "under his watch" so he had himself declared unable to rule.

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Seems like he found a loophole to maintain his reputation.

Why is this worth celebrating?

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I don't think it was a loophole. He was a fierce opponent of abortion and said he would not sign it into law. When the Belgian government went ahead to enact it anyway, he had them remove him from office so he would have no part of it.

powerbelly said:

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I don't understand why that story is so great. He took zero risk to make a "stand" and lost nothing for it.

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First, you have to understand the entirety of the beatification process, what it is etc. Then you have to know a great deal more about the life of the person being considered. Then you need to have the charity of heart to consider it all

Quo Vadis? said:

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powerbelly said:

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So explain to me why that particular story is so great. He took literally no risk and stopped nothing.

I understand the broader process and his life.

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It's not so great, I just thought it was interesting. The easiest thing for him to do would be to say "well I can't stop it so I'll just abstain" but instead to show his disapproval and that he would have no part in the process, he had them declare him unfit momentarily. That's a big thing for a Monarch to do, it's almost like disowning your family. He's giving a clear sign to his people that "I will not legitimize this with my presence".

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But other than preserve his reputation, what did he do? Death is still the law, he can just say he has clean hands.

Pro Sandy said:

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Quo Vadis? said:

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Pro Sandy said:

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Quo Vadis? said:

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powerbelly said:

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So explain to me why that particular story is so great. He took literally no risk and stopped nothing.

I understand the broader process and his life.

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It's not so great, I just thought it was interesting. The easiest thing for him to do would be to say "well I can't stop it so I'll just abstain" but instead to show his disapproval and that he would have no part in the process, he had them declare him unfit momentarily. That's a big thing for a Monarch to do, it's almost like disowning your family. He's giving a clear sign to his people that "I will not legitimize this with my presence".

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But other than preserve his reputation, what did he do? Death is still the law, he can just say he has clean hands.

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He set an example for the populace, that abortion was wrong and he wouldn't stand for it under his watch. Since he was powerless to stop it, he completely removed himself from the situation lest anyone be able to say that he tacitly approved of it.

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I don't really see what he did being noble. It looks like he just closed his eyes so he could say it wasn't him.

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Closing his eyes would have been washing his hands of it and saying "well I tried" and giving royal assent to the bill which would have passed anyway. As King, you are the physical embodiment of the nation, your entire position in a constitutional monarchy is symbolic, and symbols are powerful.

Imagine something so heinous that King Charles or Queen Elizabeth II would decide to temporarily abdicate rather than allow under their watch. Think of the impact that would have on the British population and the attention it would draw to the subject.

Quo Vadis? said:

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Pro Sandy said:

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Quo Vadis? said:

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Pro Sandy said:

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Quo Vadis? said:

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powerbelly said:

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So explain to me why that particular story is so great. He took literally no risk and stopped nothing.

I understand the broader process and his life.

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It's not so great, I just thought it was interesting. The easiest thing for him to do would be to say "well I can't stop it so I'll just abstain" but instead to show his disapproval and that he would have no part in the process, he had them declare him unfit momentarily. That's a big thing for a Monarch to do, it's almost like disowning your family. He's giving a clear sign to his people that "I will not legitimize this with my presence".

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But other than preserve his reputation, what did he do? Death is still the law, he can just say he has clean hands.

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He set an example for the populace, that abortion was wrong and he wouldn't stand for it under his watch. Since he was powerless to stop it, he completely removed himself from the situation lest anyone be able to say that he tacitly approved of it.

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I don't really see what he did being noble. It looks like he just closed his eyes so he could say it wasn't him.

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Closing his eyes would have been washing his hands of it and saying "well I tried" and giving royal assent to the bill which would have passed anyway. As King, you are the physical embodiment of the nation, your entire position in a constitutional monarchy is symbolic, and symbols are powerful.

Imagine something so heinous that King Charles or Queen Elizabeth II would decide to temporarily abdicate rather than allow under their watch. Think of the impact that would have on the British population and the attention it would draw to the subject.

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Did Belgium reconsider allowing abortion because the King stepped aside?

Pro Sandy said:

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Quo Vadis? said:

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Pro Sandy said:

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Quo Vadis? said:

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Pro Sandy said:

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Quo Vadis? said:

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powerbelly said:

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So explain to me why that particular story is so great. He took literally no risk and stopped nothing.

I understand the broader process and his life.

---

It's not so great, I just thought it was interesting. The easiest thing for him to do would be to say "well I can't stop it so I'll just abstain" but instead to show his disapproval and that he would have no part in the process, he had them declare him unfit momentarily. That's a big thing for a Monarch to do, it's almost like disowning your family. He's giving a clear sign to his people that "I will not legitimize this with my presence".

---

But other than preserve his reputation, what did he do? Death is still the law, he can just say he has clean hands.

---

He set an example for the populace, that abortion was wrong and he wouldn't stand for it under his watch. Since he was powerless to stop it, he completely removed himself from the situation lest anyone be able to say that he tacitly approved of it.

---

I don't really see what he did being noble. It looks like he just closed his eyes so he could say it wasn't him.

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Closing his eyes would have been washing his hands of it and saying "well I tried" and giving royal assent to the bill which would have passed anyway. As King, you are the physical embodiment of the nation, your entire position in a constitutional monarchy is symbolic, and symbols are powerful.

Imagine something so heinous that King Charles or Queen Elizabeth II would decide to temporarily abdicate rather than allow under their watch. Think of the impact that would have on the British population and the attention it would draw to the subject.

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Did Belgium reconsider allowing abortion because the King stepped aside?

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No, but did some people reconsider having one? I would say likely

Quo Vadis? said:

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Pro Sandy said:

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Quo Vadis? said:

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Pro Sandy said:

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Quo Vadis? said:

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Pro Sandy said:

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Quo Vadis? said:

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powerbelly said:

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So explain to me why that particular story is so great. He took literally no risk and stopped nothing.

I understand the broader process and his life.

---

It's not so great, I just thought it was interesting. The easiest thing for him to do would be to say "well I can't stop it so I'll just abstain" but instead to show his disapproval and that he would have no part in the process, he had them declare him unfit momentarily. That's a big thing for a Monarch to do, it's almost like disowning your family. He's giving a clear sign to his people that "I will not legitimize this with my presence".

---

But other than preserve his reputation, what did he do? Death is still the law, he can just say he has clean hands.

---

He set an example for the populace, that abortion was wrong and he wouldn't stand for it under his watch. Since he was powerless to stop it, he completely removed himself from the situation lest anyone be able to say that he tacitly approved of it.

---

I don't really see what he did being noble. It looks like he just closed his eyes so he could say it wasn't him.

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Closing his eyes would have been washing his hands of it and saying "well I tried" and giving royal assent to the bill which would have passed anyway. As King, you are the physical embodiment of the nation, your entire position in a constitutional monarchy is symbolic, and symbols are powerful.

Imagine something so heinous that King Charles or Queen Elizabeth II would decide to temporarily abdicate rather than allow under their watch. Think of the impact that would have on the British population and the attention it would draw to the subject.

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Did Belgium reconsider allowing abortion because the King stepped aside?

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No, but did some people reconsider having one? I would say likely

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Maybe. I think many everyday people do more than just step aside.

I think the crisis pregnancy center we support is having a greater impact.