(LifeSiteNews) — A pro-life group said it was barred from entering a British cathedral for Sunday worship during the Church of England’s General Synod, while climate activists were welcomed inside despite past disruptions.

The group, “Where’s Welby,” said its supporters were told by the York Minster’s private security force – the York Minster Police – that they were banned from entering the service. Officers allegedly cited previous disruptions, despite the group insisting it had never visited the Minster before.

“This is a lie,” said Revd Matthew Firth, a supporter of the campaign, which seeks to challenge the Archbishop of Canterbury over his silence on abortion. “The group has never been to York. Indeed, the group has never attended any public worship before.”

‘Where’s Welby?’ are in York, but we aren’t welcome here.

Here you can see us being told that the Minster police, at the request of the Bishop of Bristol and Bishop of Gibraltar, won’t let the Where’s Welby team to worship in or enter York Minster.@Bishopviv1 @Bishop_Europe pic.twitter.com/F8ZuPkJyfw

— Where’s Welby? (@Wheres_Welby) July 9, 2023

Firth added that climate demonstrators protesting nearby, some of whom had previously disrupted services, were admitted with placards in hand.

Here you see climate protesters next to us. They have been allowed IN the Minster with their placards.

Pro-lifers cannot worship in York’s cathedral. Climate activist can PROTEST there. pic.twitter.com/7ht9y7RsBP

— Where’s Welby? (@Wheres_Welby) July 9, 2023

York Minster denied that any group had been banned. A spokesperson said: “York Minster would not ban individuals or groups from any service. Groups or individuals would only be asked to leave if they behave in a way that puts the safety of worshippers inside the building at risk.”

“No groups or individuals were asked to leave any services at York Minster yesterday,” the spokesperson added.

Campaigners also expressed concern over alleged interference from Church of England bishops. They claim that Anglican “bishops,” including female Vivienne Faull of Bristol and Robert Innes of Gibraltar in Europe, contributed to their exclusion from the service.

Spokespeople for both bishops denied the accusations. A representative for Faull said she “made no attempt to deny entry to any group, nor did she advise the local constabulary to do so.” Innes’s office stated he had “nothing to do with anyone’s attendance at the service.”

The Minster Police operate independently from North Yorkshire Police and are responsible for the security and order within the cathedral precincts.

The “Where’s Welby” group was formed in order to highligh the silence of Justin Welby about abortion, who was the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury from 2013 to 2025.

Welby stepped down in January 2025, after months of pressure over his handling of abuse allegations. The group continues to question Anglican leaders over their public silence on abortion, saying that their protest was peaceful and their exclusion unjustified.