Across the United Kingdom this Lent, the 40 Days for Life campaign continues its vigils outside abortion clinics, even as government efforts seek to limit their presence.
Volunteers remain steadfast in their mission to offer support to women facing crisis pregnancies, and their prayers for the unborn continue despite the growing obstacles.
Vigils Continue Across the Country
This year, 40 Days for Life vigils are taking place in 11 locations spread across 10 cities in the UK, from Glasgow in Scotland to Bournemouth on England’s southern coast.
This annual initiative, which began in 2009, shows no signs of slowing down.
However, new laws introduced last year now require volunteers to stay outside a 150-meter “buffer zone” surrounding all abortion clinics, making it illegal to approach or influence people within these areas.
Since the law’s introduction, there have been reports of pro-life activists being arrested for silently praying within these zones, despite not engaging with anyone.
Resilience in the Face of Restrictions
While some volunteers have been discouraged by these restrictions, others, like Sarah Bignell, remain determined to continue their efforts.
Bignell, who leads the vigil in Ealing, West London, expressed how setbacks only fuel her resolve.
“The more we are attacked and the more challenges we face, the more motivated I am to engage in pro-life work,” she shared.
In Bournemouth, Livia Tossici-Bolt faces legal consequences for quietly holding a sign reading “Here to talk, if you want,” which she claims led to peaceful conversations with women seeking support.
Tossici-Bolt is now awaiting a court ruling, after refusing to pay a fine issued for allegedly breaching the buffer zone laws.
Support and Positive Encounters
Though the new law has made it more difficult for volunteers to offer direct assistance, there are still encouraging signs.
Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, a pro-life leader in Birmingham, reported that the vigils have continued without incident so far this year, and many women have responded positively to the offers of help.
“Women are responding to signs offering help, and we’ve seen cars turn around and leave the clinic after seeing us,” Vaughan-Spruce said.
In London, Clare McCullough, director of the Good Counsel Network, highlighted that despite reduced volunteer numbers, the vigils are still making a difference.
“We may not be able to meet as many women now that we’re further from the clinics, but God is at work during 40 Days for Life,” McCullough explained.
One particularly heartwarming example involved a woman who initially believed she had to undergo an abortion in order for her asylum claim to be accepted.
Through the vigil’s support, she learned about alternative resources to help her keep her child.
Continued Hope Despite Challenges
Despite the legal and societal pressures, the leaders of the 40 Days for Life campaign remain optimistic.
They believe that the increased media attention on their efforts, as well as the stories of women choosing life after encountering the vigils, are signs that their work is having a lasting impact.
Robert Colquhoun, the campaign’s international coordinator, expressed his belief that, though the law is becoming increasingly restrictive, the attention they’re receiving is changing minds and hearts. “At some point, there will be change,” Colquhoun said.
Pressure Beyond the Vigils
The challenges facing pro-life activists in the UK extend beyond buffer zones.
In February, nursing student Sara Spencer was removed from her midwifery course in Scotland for expressing pro-life views online, demonstrating that the pressure is not limited to physical vigils but also to the freedom of expression.
Volunteers like Bignell feel the weight of these challenges but continue their efforts undeterred.
“This is a spiritual battle, and we are committed to this cause, no matter the opposition,” she stated.
Rising Abortion Numbers Highlight Growing Concern
The backdrop to these vigils is the concerning increase in the number of abortions in England and Wales.
According to official statistics, 251,377 abortions were carried out in 2022, marking a sharp rise from the previous year.
With the 2023 numbers expected to be even higher, volunteers at the vigils remain committed to offering alternative solutions to women facing unplanned pregnancies.
A Movement That Refuses to Back Down
Though facing significant opposition, volunteers in the UK remain resolute in their commitment to the pro-life cause.
They believe that through their prayers and support, they are providing women with the resources and encouragement needed to choose life.
And despite the growing legal and social pressures, their resolve to continue will only strengthen.