Pastor Prosecuted For Preaching John 3:16
Clive Johnston, a retired Baptist pastor, is facing charges under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act after delivering a sermon near an abortion clinic in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. The 76-year-old, who is a former president of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland, has been charged with attempting to “influence” individuals seeking abortion services and refusing to leave when asked by police. His sermon, held on July 7, 2024, was based on John 3:16 and was accompanied by hymn singing and a wooden cross, though abortion was not directly mentioned.
Johnston’s sermon occurred on a grassy area near Causeway Hospital, separated by a dual carriageway from the hospital itself. While no anti-abortion signs or explicit references to abortion were present, the gathering was seen as a violation of the law prohibiting activities that could cause distress or harassment near abortion clinics. Johnston now faces a court hearing where he could be subject to substantial fines.
Simon Calvert, Deputy Director of The Christian Institute, has criticized the charges, arguing that they infringe upon religious freedom and free speech. He asserts that preaching the Gospel without directly addressing abortion should not be construed as a protest. According to Calvert, applying the buffer zone law in this context represents an overextension by authorities, who are misinterpreting the law’s purpose of preventing harassment.
The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act, enacted in 2022, created buffer zones around clinics and hospitals to shield individuals from harassment or attempts to influence them by anti-abortion activities. However, some critics believe the law is being misused to restrict religious expression that is unrelated to abortion. Johnston’s supporters stress that his gathering was peaceful and focused solely on sharing a religious message of love.
The Christian Institute is supporting Johnston, arguing that his case is a matter of defending the right to express religious beliefs in public. The organization warns that prosecuting individuals for preaching in such areas could set a dangerous precedent for limiting free speech and religious expression, especially for those wishing to share their faith in public spaces. This case raises significant questions about the balance between protecting individuals at abortion clinics and upholding the right to freely express religious views.