A priest has lodged a formal complaint against a charity with close links to the anti-abortion movement following a fundraising collection outside a Belfast city centre church.
Stanton Healthcare, closely linked to the Precious Life organisation, was granted permission by the PSNI to collect outside the grounds of a number of Catholic churches over the weekend, including St Patrick’s on Donegall Street.
One of those collecting reportedly took a phone out and was filming as Mass goers left the church on Sunday morning.
A priest who was outside St Patrick’s greeting parishioners following Mass has filed a formal complaint with the Fundraising Regulator, the Diocese of Down and Connor said.
“The priest has lodged a formal complaint regarding the behaviour of the organisers of the collection and is seeking legal advice in respect of potentially defamatory comments subsequently made by the organisers of this street collection,” a spokesperson said.
The regulator, which has jurisdiction over fundraising in the north, England and Wales, confirmed the complaint was received but has asked the complainant to approach the charity in the first instance, which is current policy.
A charity collector for Stanton Healthcare was seen holding a phone to the chest as congregants left the church, The Irish News understands.
Stanton said the charity, which describes itself as a “life-affirming centre…specialising in unexpected pregnancy care, and volunteers “wholly reject the portrayal of events” .
“Stanton Healthcare collected outside a number of churches in Derry and Belfast without incident,” the organisation said.
“Indeed, we were made welcome, thanked and given donations to help with our lifesaving ministry.” When Stanton told St Patrick’s the collection was taking place, the charity was told it would be without the permission of the church, though this is not legally needed if on public footpath.
The organisation said it planned to “follow this up” with the recently appointed Bishop of Down and Connor Aidan McGuckian.
Stanton Heathcare, based on Great Victoria Street, is closely linked to Precious Life, a leading anti-abortion group. Bernadette Smyth, the head of Precious Life, is also the founder of Stanton and is named as the centre manager in documents filed with the Charities Commission.
In a statement, Down and Connor Diocese said Stanton “independently arranged to carry out a street collection outside a number of Belfast City parishes to coincide with parishioners leaving after the masses”.
“A priest in one of the city parishes approached the organisers of the street collection to ask them to move away from the parish grounds.”
A spokesperson for the Fundraising Regulator said: “”We would always remind charities of the need to be mindful of the Code of Fundraising Practice when engaging in fundraising activity.
“It is vital that all fundraising takes place in a way that is legal, open, honest and respectful.”
