|PIC1|The Roman Catholic Church in Spain has launched a campaign against abortion following the government’s announcement earlier in the month that it intends to liberalise the country’s 1985 abortion law.

The campaign draws comparisons between the rights of animals and of unborn children. Campaign billboards show a toddler next to an Iberian lynx, one of the most protected animal species in Spain. The caption reads “What about me? Protect My Life!” reports the Associated Press.

Currently abortion can be provided up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy in the case of rape, up to 22 weeks if the baby is deformed, or at any stage if the woman’s health is endangered by the pregnancy.

Jose Antonio Martinez Camino, a spokesman for the Spanish Bishops' Conference told Spanish National Radio, “We want to speak for those that have no voice as yet."

The Church’s position is also being supported by hundreds of scientists and researchers who issued a statement against the government’s plans.

Dr Monica Lopez Barahona, director of a biomedical company, signed the letter and said, "Abortion, being an attack on life in the first weeks of development, is nobody's right," reports the Associated Press.

Since the Socialist Government came to power it has had a number of clashes with the Church over moral issues, especially the introduction of gay marriage and liberalised divorce laws.

The Church’s current campaign will run until 30 March and will have 1,300 billboards spread across 37 cities.