Originally published at National Catholic Register
Bishop John Sherrington, auxliary bishop of Westminster said in a Sept. 18 statement that the Public Order Act ‘constitutes discrimination and disproportionately affects people of faith.’
The Catholic bishops of England and Wales have condemned legislation relating to prayer outside abortion clinics, claiming that the proposal represents a step backward for civic and religious freedom.
Bishop John Sherrington, auxliary bishop of Westminster and spokesperson for the bishops’ conference on issues relating to life, said in a Sept. 18 statement that the Public Order Act “constitutes discrimination and disproportionately affects people of faith.”
“Religious freedom is the foundational freedom of any free and democratic society, essential for the flourishing and realization of dignity of every human person. Religious freedom includes the right to manifest one’s private beliefs in public through witness, prayer, and charitable outreach, including outside abortion facilities,” Bishop Sherrington said.
“As well as being unnecessary and disproportionate, we have deep concerns around the practical effectiveness of this legislation, particularly given the lack of clarity in relation to the practice of private prayer and offers of help within ‘safe access zones,’” he continued.
The passage of the Public Order Act means that starting Oct. 31, buffer zones will be
