Northern Ireland Police Service: Carrying a Bible through a hospital could be a crime

– New police guidance raises alarm over the impact of Northern Ireland’s abortion censorship zones on ordinary Christian ministry, including praying with the sick or carrying a Bible.
– Follows conviction of Pastor Clive Johnston in May for preaching near hospital

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed that hospital chaplains and clergy risk being accused of committing a criminal offence if they carry a Bible, or pray with patients or relatives within an abortion buffer zone.

It comes just weeks after retired pastor Clive Johnston was convicted in a first-of-its-kind court case for preaching a short Gospel message as part of an open-air Sunday service within the zone around Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. The Christian Institute is supporting Mr Johnston’s appeal.

The guidance on interpreting the Abortion Service (Safe Access Zones) Act was issued by the Chief Constable in response to a question raised through the Northern Ireland Policing Board – the body that oversees the PSNI.

It claimed “the vast majority” of hospital chaplaincy would be unaffected, but warned that ordinary pastoral ministry including bedside prayer could be regarded as criminal if it is deemed to be capable of ‘influencing, or causing distress to, someone accessing abortion services’. It also confirmed that there are no exemptions in the Act for clergy, chaplains or other religious ministers.

The guidance makes clear that any of the following could be treated as a criminal offence if it is perceived that they could influence or distress someone attending for abortion services:

• Praying with a dying patient, even when specifically requested by the patient or family;
• Reading the Bible or other Scripture at the request of a patient or family;
• Carrying or visibly displaying a Bible or other religious materials within the buffer zone; and,
• Passive, visible expressions of religious belief.

It adds that an individual who never intended to ‘influence’ anyone does not avoid liability.

The new guidance has been met with concern amongst church leaders in Northern Ireland who devote significant time to pastoral care for the sick and vulnerable on hospital premises.

Pastor Jonathan Campbell of Newbuildings Independent Methodist Church, Londonderry said:

“Providing pastoral care to hospital patients in their darkest moments is a precious part of Christian ministry.

“Yet the ruling against Clive Johnston, and this new guidance, has made Christians feel very uncertain about how to operate and express faith within hospital areas without falling foul of the law. As a result, the emotional and spiritual needs of vulnerable people could go unmet.

“It’s unthinkable that the Bible, or even just clerical dress, could be off-limits on hospital grounds in case someone might find it offensive.

“The Christian message is one of hope and comfort to those who are ill, worried and grieving. It cannot be the case that in Northern Ireland, church representatives are unable to comfort those in need.

“Rather than leaving church leaders in limbo, uncertain as to whether they may fulfil their duties, the Government should urgently clarify that Christians remain free to express their faith on hospital grounds and everywhere else.”

Retired pastor Clive Johnston was convicted at Coleraine Magistrate’s court after he preached from John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world” – despite not mentioning abortion or approaching anyone attending the hospital. The court ruled that his actions were “reckless” as to whether they might influence someone seeking abortion services.

Ciarán Kelly, Director of The Christian Institute, which is backing Clive Johnston’s appeal, said:

“This guidance confirms why Pastor Clive Johnston’s case is so important. A law introduced to address allegations of harassment outside abortion facilities risks being interpreted in ways that threaten ordinary Christian ministry inside hospitals.

“According to this guidance, a chaplain praying with parents mourning the loss of a child and then reading the famous words of Psalm 23 – The Lord is my shepherd – could fall foul of the law.

“Indeed, it seems someone simply carrying a Bible through certain parts of a hospital could face a criminal investigation if someone thinks it could potentially influence a wholly unrelated abortion decision.

“This surely cannot have been the intention of lawmakers. But in drafting their buffer zones law so vaguely they have cast suspicion on all manner of legitimate activities and risked creating a very damaging chilling effect.

“Patients do not lose the right to spiritual care because they happen to be in a hospital where abortions are also provided. The very suggestion that consensual prayer or Bible reading could ever become a criminal matter should concern everyone who values basic freedom.”

Mr Johnston received international support in the face of the restriction on his freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

The US Department of State raised concerns about the prosecution of the pastor, calling such cases an “egregious violation” of fundamental rights, and a “concerning departure” by UK authorities from the “shared values” which underpin the transatlantic relationship.

Former MP Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “It is extraordinary that in a Christian country the police think it is an offence to preach the word of God outside a hospital.”

NOTES FOR EDITORS

• Mr Johnston was fined a total of £450.
• He was not accused of harassment or impeding access to a clinic but of intentionally influencing a protected person, or being reckless as to whether his actions had that effect.
• A dark day for Christian freedom: Pastor Clive Johnston speaks outside court following conviction.
• The attached photo from outside Coleraine Court House can be used for your coverage, Credit: The Christian Institute. More photo options available at: christian.org.uk/johnston-press-resources
• Police bodycam footage from the incident is available here, which can be used in your own coverage: https://youtu.be/gHrqleYO-b8?si=CExLH8PwsCqwtP13