A serious and important measure was passed by the Commons amid the psychodrama of Liz Truss’s unravelling premiership. It was an amendment to the public order bill, which banned pro-life campaigners from assembling within 150 metres of an abortion clinic. It would threaten with a six-month sentence not only those who harass those providing abortions or having them (for which there are laws already) but also anyone who “persistently, continuously or repeatedly occupies” (holds a silent vigil, in other words) or who “advises or persuades, attempts to advise or persuade, or otherwise express opinion”. This egregiously repressive measure was supported by another Labour MP, Stella Creasy, who gave as instances of the offences “calling someone mum” or “offering to pray for them” or offering them a plastic foetus. The other offence they committed was to try and change someone’s mind once they’d made it up. But isn’t that what protest is meant to be about?
This is not just a serious curtailment of the right of pro-life campaigners to protest peacefully and offer financial help to women who may be driven by poverty to seek an abortion, but an infringement on free speech. What these protesters are doing, and should in a free society be able to do, is to defend pre-natal human rights. They are indeed seeking to change someone’s mind – from bringing an end to the life of another human being. In Britain, pro-lifers are not violent or aggressive, but they seek to persuade people involved with abortion that it is wrong. This is not a religious issue; it is a moral issue and a civil rights issue. How is it possible that in Britain it could be an offence to pray for someone or to offer to pray for them? Indeed, as one MP pointed out, given that silent vigils will also be banned, it may now be possible to ban individuals from silent prayer if undertaken in the wrong place. This is a bad measure, one which would make Britain less free.
Pro-life voters can find out how MPs voted on this measure – the information is available on the website votes.parliament.uk/Votes/Commons/Division/1368 – and use their own vote accordingly.
There remains another legacy from Liz Truss’s ill-starred premiership: her brief to the Foreign Office to explore removing the British Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This has elicited concerted protests from the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster and the Archbishop of Canterbury as well as from the leaders of Christian Churches in Jerusalem, including the Greek Orthodox Church.
Christians in Jerusalem are already beleaguered, under pressure from militant Jewish groups, notably Ateret Cohanim who have purchased properties in sensitive areas of Christian East Jerusalem in order to assert that Jerusalem, east and west, is Jewish. They and other groups have shown no respect for Christian sensibilities in organising public events and festivities in the area. The Israeli government has been indifferent to Christian protests. Jerusalem should be a city for all faiths – Jewish, Christian and Muslim – and should not be regarded diplomatically as the capital of Israel.
Donald Trump led the way in moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, but his successor, Joe Biden, should – if he does take his faith seriously – reverse that step. And certainly European countries, including the UK, should not follow suit.
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.