ADF International and Pro-Life Prayer Group Challenge Public Prayer Prohibition at Court
In 2019, the local authority of Pforzheim, Germany, prohibited the assemblies of the "40 Days for Life" group that was peacefully and silently praying in front of an abortion advisory center. The group's concern is to pray for women struggling with abortion and for their unborn children and to offer them support. The legal human rights organization ADF International is now challenging the prohibition in court, in order to ensure that the group's fundamental rights to freedom of religion, assembly, and speech will be reinstalled.
Pavica Vojnović, the leader of the prayer group, calls for "better support to mothers in difficult situations" and the attitude that "every life is valuable and deserves protection".
On 12 May 2021, a German court ruled the ban lawful, which dismissed the challenge of the leader of a prayer initiative to have restrictions on their prayer vigils lifted. The ban was challenged by the group's leader, on the grounds of the "40 Days for Life" group's right to freedom of assembly, religion, and speech. With the newest ruling, the group is prohibited from gathering together for silent, peaceful prayer in the vicinity of a Pro Familia abortion facility in Germany.
Pavica Vojnović, the leader of the Pro-Life group: “Every life is valuable and deserves protection. I am shocked that we are being prevented from supporting vulnerable women and their unborn children in prayer. It’s discouraging to hear that silent prayer vigils in a public place are restricted by local authorities. Our society must offer better support to mothers in difficult situations. This topic really touches my heart, because I’ve stood by many women who have suffered the pain of losing a child. This is about more than our group in Pforzheim. It’s about whether prayer-free zones are lawful, or whether one is allowed to represent different opinions in the public square. That is why we want to continue fighting for this freedom”.
"40 Days for Life" and its leader is supported by the human rights organization ADF International. Together they will continue to seek justice in court to restore their fundamental rights to freedom of assembly, religion, and speech.
Updated: 20 May 2021
Sources: adfinternational.org; thecatholicuniverse.com; adfinternational.org
Photo: adfinternational.org