Andy Drozdziak
A pro-life group has told a council attempting to ban abortion protestors- ‘All we want to do is pray.’
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council is proposing a buffer zone around an abortion clinic which seeks to specifically ban prayer and other pro-life activities. Similar buffer zones have already been introduced in Ealing and Richmond.
Magdalena Szymanska, from the group In The Light Pro-Life Bournemouth, has highlighted the opposition to the group’s actions. “They don’t want people praying or standing outside Bpas abortion centres because it interferes with their business,” she told the Universe.
“All we want to do is pray. We have prayed in the past, including the Forty Days For Life events twice per year. They’re basically trying hard to get rid of us. They don’t want us even standing or praying. Holding a rosary is seen as harassment.”
Magdalena, from Sacred Heart of Jesus parish in Bournemouth, added that the group’s activities have made a difference.
“We helped a number of women who are now happy mothers Some of them decide to keep their babies,” she said, adding that the public have been supportive.
“People from the public have been coming up to us to say ‘thank you for what you do’, ‘I don’t agree with abortion’,” she said. “The police have never brought charges against us. Over many years, we have never had any arrests, no claims of harassment.”
A public consultation is being run by the council on the proposals, which runs until 31st August, and Magdalena is encouraging all pro-life supporters to contribute. “It’s really important that everyone fills it in to support our pro-life work and to stop buffer zones,” she said.
“Anyone from around the world can state their opinions. If we don’t (respond), we won’t be able to keep saving lives as we have been so far.”
The form can be filled in here. She outlined the best way for pro-life supporters to do so.
“Questions with answers suggested from drop down box are biased and so we recommend not to choose any-only the general one that ‘I strongly do not support buffer zone’, and next ‘none of the above’ (regarding choice of restrictions. ) Plus write your explanation in the open box,” she said.
Magdalena also underlined the importance of prayer and specifically asked Universe readers to pray for the situation.
Pro-choice group Sister Supporter have highlighted In The Light’s activities, complaining that they ‘take up the path,’ and hand out ‘leaflets’ which contain ‘inaccurate information.’
SPUC are supporting In The Light’s stance, rejecting the proposals as ‘a draconian attack on freedom of speech and religion.’
“We are seeing more and more attempts to ban pro-life vigils outside abortion clinics,” a SPUC spokesperson said.
“This is a particularly draconian attack on freedom of speech and religion. It is vital that as many people as possible respond to the consultation. Pro-lifers in Bournemouth must retain their right to witness against abortion, and to pray for and offer help to women in need.”
Picture: In The Light Pro-Life Bournemouth