The Archbishop of Granada, Javier Martinez, has encouraged Spanish Catholics to show their opposition to abortion by wearing a white bow during Holy Week.

A number of other Catholic groups have also suggested the wearing of white bows.

The Archbishop was quoted by the Catholic News Agency, “If we wear signs so many times, for example, why can’t we put on a white bow if we want?

"When the Church defends life she is not going outside her tradition or her experience or her sphere, because the Christian faith is not an ideology, nor does it have anything to do with political struggles."

Archbishop Martinez added that knowing the grace of Christ “is worth more than life, and we are not willing to question that”.

He also called on Catholics to take part in other pro-life campaigns by responding “to gatherings that come up in support of life”.

The Archbishop also praised organisations that helped mothers to reject the temptation of abortion and welcome their children.

Last Sunday, tens of thousands of protestors took to the streets of Spain against proposals by the Spanish Government to liberalise abortion laws in the country. The protest was supported by the Vatican and joined by many priests and nuns.