A German court decided on Wednesday that meetings for silent prayer near an abortion counselling clinic cannot be outlawed.
The ruling overturns a ban that was imposed in 2019 by the southwest German city of Pforzheim and reaffirmed in May 2021 by a lower court ruling.
On August 31, the Mannheim Administrative Court concluded that “authorities may only condition an assembly on such a restriction if the assembly’s holding directly harmed public safety.” Here, that was not the case.
The decision was applauded by the prayer organiser.
“Every life is precious and deserving of protection. We will be allowed to restart our prayer vigils in support of pregnant mothers and their unborn children where we believe it makes the most sense, which gives me hope, said Pavica Vojnovi.
The 40 Days for Life prayer vigils were conducted by the pro-life campaigner.
With the assistance of the human rights group ADF International, Vojnovi filed the court appeal in defence of the basic freedoms of religion, speech, and assembly.
The facility is managed by Pro Familia, a group affiliated with the International Planned Parenthood Federation.
“This is a resounding success for everyone concerned with upholding basic human rights as well as for 40 Days for Life.
The legal representative for ADF International, which has backed Vojnovi’s lawsuit, Lidia Rieder, said that the German people have the freedom to peaceful assembly and expression, including silent prayer, in their public streets.
In Pforzheim, in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, the local government in 2019 refused the prayer group permission to perform vigils close to the centre.
About 20 individuals came twice a year to pray for 40 days for women who were considering abortions and their unborn children.
Participants at the vigil did not obstruct anybody from accessing the building or the nearby sidewalk.
Police were contacted by the advice centre to observe the activists, but they discovered no infractions.
The managers of the facility, however, requested that the vigil either be prohibited outright or relocated back a little.
David Bereit established 40 Days for Life in 2004 as a neighbourhood pro-life movement in Bryan-College Station, Texas.
The organisation has developed into a global organisation that organises Christian activity and prayer campaigns to eliminate abortion.
The German court ruling comes after Rosa Lalor, a grandma from the UK, recently won. During the COVID lockdown in Liverpool, she was stopped while wandering and quietly praying close to an abortion clinic.
After a long court battle, the prosecution decided to withdraw all charges.
“A recurring problem in Europe is the stifling of pro-life speech, including prayer.
We join the business of regulating thought crimes when the government begins outlawing quiet prayer in certain locations, which is a terrifying idea for everyone.
According to Felix Böllmann, senior lawyer for ADF International, “it is essential that we zealously defend our basic liberties in public settings, resisting efforts to curtail peaceful assembly and the expression of one’s beliefs.”