The introduction of abortion clinic ‘buffer zones’ could foster intolerance towards those with ‘legitimate opinions which promote the common good’, an Auxillary bishop of Westminster has said.
The Home Office is currently considering whether exclusion zones or new police or civil powers are required to tackle concerns about protestors outside of abortion clinics. At the launch of the Home Office's review, Mrs Rudd said: “While everyone has a right to peaceful protest, it is completely unacceptable that anyone should feel harassed or intimidated simply for exercising their legal right to healthcare advice and treatment.”
Responding to the review, Bishop John Sherrington, the Bishop with responsibility for ‘Day for Life’ - the Church's year dedicated to raising awareness about the meaning and value of human life at every stage - said that in a democratic society the freedom to protest and express one’s opinion is always to be considered in relation to the common good.
“It should not be necessary to limit the freedom of individuals or groups to express opinions except when they could cause grave harm to others or a threat to public order,” he said.
He added that there are already means in current legislation to deal with these situations.
“A blanket introduction of ‘buffer zones’ carries with it the danger of both denying freedom of expression and fostering intolerance towards legitimate opinions which promote the common good,” he explained.
Bishop Sherrington added that members of the public – who are often connected to a church - gather peacefully to pray outside abortion clinics and “witness to the good of human life in a dignified way”.
They do so because of their fundamental belief in the protection of unborn life and the good of the mother,” he said.
He said that offering women leaflets outside of abortion clinics is part of helping to inform women who might not have had impartial information before. He also said some women were offered practical alternatives.
Southwark, Ealing and and Portsmouth councils have voted to take action to prevent harassment outside its clinics
Ealing council leader Julian Bell said: “Ealing Council’s investigation has found behaviour around the Mattock Lane clinic that represents unacceptable harassment and intimidation of women seeking a legal medical procedure. Given the evidence, the council have a duty to act to end this kind of behaviour and a PSPO [public spaces protection] order is likely to be the most effective tool at our disposal.”
Speaking before Ealing Council’s decision, Antonia Tully of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children said: “Peaceful, prayerful pro-life vigils must continue to offer help to desperate women.
Many women are ambivalent about abortion and the presence of groups such as the Good Counsel Network offers a lifeline to such women.”
In January, the home office extended the review to include contributions from groups protesting outside abortion clinics and people who have sought medical assistance or advice along with earlier submissions from police, healthcare providers and local authorities.
Submissions must be received by 19 February.
PIC: People hold a prayer vigil outside of the Marie Stopes clinic in Ealing ©Good Counsel Network
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