A 77-year-old pastor from Northern Ireland is set to appear in court this week after preaching a sermon on John 3:16 near a hospital. The case has garnered international attention including from American officials.
Clive Johnston, a retired Baptist minister from Strabane, NI, faces charges under Northern Ireland’s Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act after delivering an open-air sermon on July 7, 2024, within 150 meters of Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. The case is scheduled to continue Wednesday at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court.
Authorities allege Johnston breached buffer zone restrictions designed to prevent protests around abortion facilities. However, court filings do not claim that he mentioned abortion, displayed signs, or engaged in protest activity. He is accused instead of “influencing” individuals within the zone.
The US State Department weighed in ahead of the hearing, stating: “The United States is still monitoring many 'buffer zone' cases in the UK, as well as other acts of censorship across Europe. The UK’s persecution of silent prayer represents not only an egregious violation of the fundamental right to free speech and religious liberty, but also a concerning departure from the shared values that ought to underpin US-UK relations.”
Johnston, a former president of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland, gave evidence in December before District Judge Peter King. He is represented by former Attorney General John Larkin KC. If convicted, he could face fines totaling thousands of pounds and receive a criminal record.
The legislation at issue, enacted in 2022, established buffer zones ranging from 100 to 150 meters around hospitals and abortion clinics. Within these areas, it is an offense to “impede, record, influence or to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.”
Supporters of Johnston argue that the law is being applied beyond its intended scope. Simon Calvert, deputy director of the Christian Institute, said: “Should a law designed to stop abortion protests be used to criminalise gospel preaching? John 3:16 is a wonderful, famous verse and everyone knows it says nothing about abortion.
“We have amazing freedom in this country to share the Christian message. That’s why we’ve taken on this case. Prosecuting Pastor Johnston for preaching ‘God so loved the world’ near a hospital on a quiet Sunday is a shocking new attempt to restrict freedom of religion and freedom of speech in a part of the world where open air gospel services are a part of the culture.
“Christians are pro-life. But preaching the good news about Christ is not the same thing as protesting against abortion. The Police and the Public Prosecution Service are overstepping the mark.”
Clive Johnston, a retired Baptist minister from Strabane, NI, faces charges under Northern Ireland’s Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act after delivering an open-air sermon on July 7, 2024, within 150 meters of Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. The case is scheduled to continue Wednesday at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court.
Authorities allege Johnston breached buffer zone restrictions designed to prevent protests around abortion facilities. However, court filings do not claim that he mentioned abortion, displayed signs, or engaged in protest activity. He is accused instead of “influencing” individuals within the zone.
The US State Department weighed in ahead of the hearing, stating: “The United States is still monitoring many 'buffer zone' cases in the UK, as well as other acts of censorship across Europe. The UK’s persecution of silent prayer represents not only an egregious violation of the fundamental right to free speech and religious liberty, but also a concerning departure from the shared values that ought to underpin US-UK relations.”
Johnston, a former president of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland, gave evidence in December before District Judge Peter King. He is represented by former Attorney General John Larkin KC. If convicted, he could face fines totaling thousands of pounds and receive a criminal record.
The legislation at issue, enacted in 2022, established buffer zones ranging from 100 to 150 meters around hospitals and abortion clinics. Within these areas, it is an offense to “impede, record, influence or to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.”
Supporters of Johnston argue that the law is being applied beyond its intended scope. Simon Calvert, deputy director of the Christian Institute, said: “Should a law designed to stop abortion protests be used to criminalise gospel preaching? John 3:16 is a wonderful, famous verse and everyone knows it says nothing about abortion.
“We have amazing freedom in this country to share the Christian message. That’s why we’ve taken on this case. Prosecuting Pastor Johnston for preaching ‘God so loved the world’ near a hospital on a quiet Sunday is a shocking new attempt to restrict freedom of religion and freedom of speech in a part of the world where open air gospel services are a part of the culture.
“Christians are pro-life. But preaching the good news about Christ is not the same thing as protesting against abortion. The Police and the Public Prosecution Service are overstepping the mark.”
