Lucan Church reported to Charity Regulator over anti-abortion billboard

Workers’ Party representative in Lucan / Palmerstown, David Gardiner, has reported St. Mary’s church in Lucan village to the Charity Regulator, for what he considers to be inappropriate political campaigning.

The move comes in the wake of a decision by the Charity Regulator that the Project Arts Centre be directed to remove a mural from their walls which advocated the repeal of the 8th amendment.

Gardiner said:

“I’d prefer not to be engaging in tit-for-tat behaviour, but the reality is that the Charity Regulator has been operating a complete double standard when it comes to regulating charities’ activity in relation to the upcoming referendum on the 8th amendment.

“The Regulator was quick to tell the Project Arts Centre that they couldn’t have a pro-repeal mural on their walls, because they are a charity, but has ignored the vocal campaigning by churches, who are also registered charities, the length and breadth of the country.”

Gardiner said that the sign on the walls of St. Mary’s Parish Church in Lucan, is not related to the Archdiocese of Dublin’s charitable purpose and so should be removed:

“St. Mary’s is a part of the charity of the Archdiocese of Dublin, whose stated charitable purpose is to promote religion. This sign, which advocates a particular view on abortion, is in no way linked to that purpose.

“As such, according to the Charity Regulator, it is inappropriate political activity by a charity, and should be removed.”

The sign in question reads: The unborn child is not a potential human life, but instead a human life with potential.

Gardiner concluded:

“The Workers’ Party will continue to campaign for the removal of the 8th amendment from the constitution. But we are entitled to a level playing ground – and the Charity Regulator needs to prove that it can achieve that.”