British court convicts army veteran for silent prayer in front of abortion clinic

LIVERPOOL, England (OSV News) -- A court has convicted a British army veteran of violating a "buffer zone" around an abortion clinic after he prayed silently within the boundary.

Adam Smith-Connor was given a conditional discharge -- in which a fine or prison sentence will be imposed if he repeats his offense in the next two years -- and ordered to pay prosecution costs of 9,000 British pounds (US $11,700).

The Oct. 16 judgment of the Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council, or court, on England's south coast, represents the first time anyone has been convicted for praying silently outside an abortion facility in the U.K.

The court decided that his posture had expressed "disapproval for abortion," noting that his hands were joined in prayer and his head was bowed solemnly.

Afterward, Smith-Connor said, "Today, the court has decided that certain thoughts -- silent thoughts -- can be illegal in the United Kingdom. That cannot be right. All I did was pray to God, in the privacy of my own mind -- and yet I stand convicted as a criminal.

"I served for 20 years in the army reserves, including a tour in Afghanistan, to protect the fundamental freedoms that this country is built upon," he said in an Oct. 16 statement published on the website of ADF UK, the Christian human rights organization that supported him legally.

He added, "I continue that spirit of service as a health care professional and church volunteer. It troubles me greatly to see our freedoms eroded to the extent that thought-crimes are now being prosecuted in the UK."

Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF UK, described the ruling as "a legal turning point of immense proportions."

"A man has been convicted today because of the content of his thoughts -- his prayers to God -- on the public streets of England," he said.

"We can hardly sink any lower in our neglect of basic fundamental freedoms of free speech and thought," he continued. "We will look closely at the judgment and are considering options to appeal. Human rights are for all people -- no matter their view on abortion."

The English and Welsh bishops have criticized a decision by the British government to put “buffer zones” around all abortion clinics, which could see Christians arrested for offering private prayers.

This legislation, contained in the Public Order Act 2023 and which will come into force from Oct. 31, criminalizes a range of activities within 492 feet, or 150 meters, of an abortion facility, the Home Office announced in a Sept. 18 press release.

In the case of Smith-Connor, conviction followed his being questioned by a police officer on the "nature of his prayers" after he had paused for a few moments outside the facility in November 2022.

Such activities that will soon be banned throughout the U.K. potentially include prayer, thought, peaceful presence, consensual communication and offers of practical support to women in vulnerable situations, should any of these be deemed to influence or interfere with access to the clinic.

Auxiliary Bishop John Sherrington of Westminster, the lead bishop for life issues, said Sept. 18: "Religious freedom includes the right to manifest one's private beliefs in public through witness, prayer and charitable outreach, including outside abortion facilities."