The US State Department has said it is “monitoring” the “concerning” prosecution of Pastor Clive Johnston, who is accused of breaching an abortion ‘Safe Access Zone’.
Pastor Clive was preaching on John 3:16 in July 2024 near Coleraine’s Causeway Hospital when he was approached by PSNI officers, who charged him with attempting to ‘influence’ anyone seeking to access the hospital’s abortion services.
This is despite it being a Sunday, and the fact – accepted in court – that there was no mention of abortion, nor were there any placards or banners relating to abortion.
‘Egregious violation’
Government officials in the US are now following the case with interest, having spoken out against other cases involving freedom of speech or religion in relation to abortion buffer zones.
A US spokesman told The Daily Telegraph: “The United States is still monitoring many buffer zone cases in the UK, as well as other acts of censorship throughout Europe.
Referring to the case of Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, the spokesman added: “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.”
‘Preaching is not protesting’
If convicted, the grandfather of seven, who has never been in trouble with the police, faces a criminal record and maximum fines totalling thousands of pounds. The Christian Institute is supporting Pastor Johnston in the case.
Deputy Director Simon Calvert said: “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’s next court appearance is scheduled for 22 April 2026. Please pray for him, his wife Sheila, and his legal team as they make their final preparations.
Exclusive: Pastor Clive Johnston on being prosecuted for preaching in an abortion buffer zone