THE Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) has hit back at a bishop who compared peace camps at Faslane to anti-choice prayer vigils outside abortion providers.

Bishop John Keenan, vice-president of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland and Bishop of Paisley, made the comment when speak to Holyrood’s health committee about the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill, which is currently being scrutinised by MSPs.

While arguing that place is important for people who want to pray for women going for an abortion, Keenan appeared to suggest that prayer vigils were similar to demonstrations held at HMNB Clyde where the UK’s weapons of mass destruction are held.

He also made comparisons to protests arguing for the rights of asylum seekers happening outside Dungavel detention centre in South Lanarkshire.

Janet Fenton, of Scottish CND, told The National the “very odd” comments from the bishop should be a “cause for concern”.

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She highlighted protests at Faslane are not designed to intimidate anyone, unlike those outside abortion clinics.

“It was very odd to me that John Keenan was equating ‘prayer’ vigils held outside abortion clinics to the longstanding peace camp at Faslane, on the grounds that ‘place’ is important for those engaged in protest,” said Fenton.

“John Keenan is not a doctor or someone who has any training as a health care professional but he holds very strong views on abortion, believing that the legislation that made it legal more than 50 years ago is a tragedy, which is clear from videos on YouTube of the bishop expressing himself at the 2021 March for Life anti-abortion rally in London.

“His moral authority may extend to those who share his view of abortion but the behaviour of those who are putting clinic staff in a state of alarm and troubled women in a state of fear seem to me to be wholly beyond his remit. Women who have already been given access to Bishop Keenan’s views should not have to run the gamut of the placards and the slogans and moral indignation at this level.

“Protestors at Faslane and Dungavel are not offering verbal and emotional violence to those they disagree with and would not be allowed by the state to do so.

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“There is cause for concern when protest does not recognise the humanity and even vulnerability of those who are being challenged, and chanting and rage lead to threatening and violent behaviour that provides the excuse needed to shut down the voices for compassion and peace.”

There were multiple references to Faslane throughout the session and witnesses were told by MSPs to desist from referring to protests in different contexts.

There were also comparisons made between the protests outside hospitals and prayer services at memorial sites for road accidents and even 9/11.

Later in the evidence session Keenan ended up in an awkward exchange with Tory MSP Dr Sandesh Gulhane – a practicing GP – when he handed out leaflets on abortion care he claimed were “factually accurate”.

Gulhane shot him down saying they were full of “concerning disinformation” including claims one in 17 women end up in hospital after an abortion.

It emerged last month the Diocese of Paisley was helping to recruit people to join anti-abortion protests run by the Texas-based group 40 Days for Life who have regularly been criticised by pro-choice campaigners for intimidating women.

A post on its website said: "This Lent, you are invited to consider joining the 40 Days for Life Peaceful Prayer and Fasting Vigil outside of the grounds of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.”