Pastor in court over abortion buffer zone Gospel service

A retired elderly Christian pastor faces trial in Coleraine Magistrate’s Court this week accused of breaching Northern Ireland’s controversial abortion buffer zone laws by preaching on John 3:16.

Clive Johnston, former President of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland, faces 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.

Mr Johnston is expected to be a witness at the 17 December proceedings. If convicted, the grandfather of seven – who has never been in trouble with the police – faces a criminal record and potential fines totalling thousands of pounds.

Public support

In March, Mr Johnston, who is being supported by The Christian Institute, pleaded not guilty to charges of seeking to ‘influence’ people accessing the hospital’s abortion services and for not immediately leaving the area when asked to do so by police.

the allegations against me will be contested and I look forward to defending myself in court

He was preaching from John 3:16, one of the most famous ‘good news’ verses in the Bible. The issue of abortion was never mentioned.

Ahead of this week’s hearing, he expressed gratitude “for the kind messages of support” he has received “from members of the public both here and abroad, and for the prayers being offered up to God about this case by many Christians”.

He added: “My legal representatives have made clear that the allegations against me will be contested and I look forward to defending myself in court.”

Make a secure donation to assist with the case costs for Clive and others like him.

Over-reach

Deputy Director of The Christian Institute 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.”

At the preliminary hearings, leading defence barrister Aaron Thompson indicated that the case raises significant new human rights and devolution issues which may involve consideration by a higher court.

He also told the court that Mr Johnston has instructed prominent legal figure John Larkin KC, Northern Ireland’s former Attorney General, to advise on whether the buffer zone laws really do outlaw such acts of worship and, if so, whether that complies with human rights law.