Prayer campaign "40 Days for Life" continued after court ruling in Vienna
Judges confirm right of assembly for peaceful vigils outside abortion facilities.
In Vienna, the association "Youth for Life" has once again opened the international campaign "40 Days for Life." Throughout the entire Lenten period until shortly before Easter, participants engage in prayer and fasting with the goal of protecting the lives of unborn children, according to the association. As in previous years, the action takes place around the clock in front of an abortion clinic on Mariahilfer Gürtel. This was reported by kathpress. This year's action takes place against the backdrop of a judicial decision. The Administrative Court of Vienna clarified at the beginning of January that peaceful prayer vigils are to be evaluated as assemblies within the meaning of the Assembly Act. Previously, registrations for such actions had been partially rejected by the authorities – among other reasons with the justification that it was not an assembly, but exclusively religious activity.
The Administrative Court ruled that such gatherings may not be prohibited solely due to their religious background, as long as they pose no concrete danger or serious impairment. Supporters view the decision as an important sign for the protection of freedom of assembly and expression. At the same time, the action remains the subject of social disputes over the handling of pregnancy terminations.
Previously, UOJ reported that Orthodox dialogue should be deepened and led to unity.
