Retired pastor Clive Johnston has been convicted for preaching on John 3:16 within one of Northern Ireland’s controversial abortion censorship zones.
The former President of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland, who is being supported by The Christian Institute, has been convicted of two charges under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act for holding an open-air service on the fringes of a buffer zone opposite Coleraine’s Causeway Hospital last year.
The grandfather of seven – who had never been in trouble with the police – now faces a criminal record and £450 in fines. It is expected that he will appeal.
‘Dark day’
After being found guilty by a District Judge at a hearing today at Coleraine Magistrates, Pastor Clive Johnston called it a “dark day for Christian freedom”.
“We held a small, open air Sunday service near a hospital. We made no reference whatsoever to the issue of abortion. And yet the buffer zones law is so broad that holding a Sunday service has been found to be a criminal offence. And at 78 years of age I find myself, for the first time, convicted of a crime.”
He emphasised: “If someone is out there causing trouble, stirring up violence, harassing or verbally attacking people, then, absolutely, go ahead and prosecute them. But I wasn’t doing any of those things as the police video shows and as everyone involved in this case accepts.
“So we are going to go away now and discuss what to do next with our legal team. I am obviously keen to find out what options there might be for me to appeal.”
‘Creeping censorship’
The Institute’s Director Ciarán Kelly commented: “Despite assurances to the contrary when this legislation was being considered, we now see that an already controversial and deeply unjust law has now been selectively applied to criminalise gospel preaching.
“This is creeping censorship. If the ruling stands it will represent a shocking new restriction on freedom of religion and freedom of speech so we will be helping Clive to consider the options for appeal.”