The UK government has announced that "buffer zones" will come into effect outside abortion clinics across England and Wales from 31st October. However, silent prayer has not been specifically listed as an offence under the new rules.
These zones will make it illegal to intentionally influence someone's decision to seek abortion services within a 150-metre radius. The Home Office confirmed on Wednesday that anyone found guilty of violating the law could face an unlimited fine.
While silent prayer is not explicitly banned, the legislation does prohibit harassment, intimidation, and any form of influence. Religious freedom groups warn that vague legal definitions can be easily misinterpreted and abused - and that silent prayer could still be seen as a violation.
Lois McLatchie Miller from Alliance Defending Freedom UK told Premier that the term "influencing" is too broad:
“If I'm a friend or a mother asking someone, ‘Are you sure you want to do this?’ is that considered influence? If you're having a consensual conversation between two friends, is that influence? And of course, if you're simply praying—does that count?”
Although freedom of thought is protected under international and domestic law, McLatchie Miller says Christians remain vulnerable to arrest.
“We've already seen in local buffer zones, introduced by councils, that people have been put on trial simply for their thoughts," she said.
Charity worker Isobel Vaughan-Spruce and Catholic priest Father Sean Gough were both arrested for silently praying near an abortion clinic. In March 2022, the pair were found "not guilty" after facing criminal charges. Earlier this year, Vaughan-Spruce won a legal challenge for wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, and human rights violations, receiving a £13,000 settlement and an apology from the police.
ADF is calling for "clear, consistent, and predictable" legal definitions to ensure fair judgments.
British Army veteran Adam Smith-Connor is currently facing trial for silently praying within a legally designated abortion clinic buffer zone. According to ADF, Smith-Connor was approached by police after praying outside the clinic for three minutes. He later received a fixed penalty notice.
The trial continues.
Following the government's buffer zone announcement, Bishop John Sherrington, the Lead Bishop for Life Issues for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales raised concerns over discrimination towards people of faith.
Bishop John described ‘safe access zone’ legislation as "unnecessary and disproportionate."
“In practice, and despite any other intention, this legislation constitutes discrimination and disproportionately affects people of faith," he said.
"Religious freedom is the foundational freedom of any free and democratic society, essential for the flourishing and realisation 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."
