Retired Pastor Faces Legal Battle Over Alleged Breach of Buffer Zone Law
(Photo: The Christian Institute)
In Northern Ireland, a former pastor faces prosecution for allegedly breaching an abortion clinic buffer zone. Pastor Clive Johnston, who once led the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland, is at the center of a legal controversy after an open-air service near a clinic buffer zone.
The incident occurred on July 7 last year, when Johnston, aged 76, conducted a service based on John 3:16 near Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. Authorities later charged him with two violations of the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act.
Johnston is accused of trying to “influence” individuals accessing abortion services and not complying with police orders to vacate the area. His court appearance is scheduled for March 21 in Coleraine.
The Christian Institute, defending Johnston, has expressed strong opposition to the charges. Simon Calvert, Deputy Director of the Institute, described the prosecution as “an outrageous restriction on freedom of religion and freedom of speech.”
Calvert criticized the application of the buffer zone law, suggesting it was used “to outlaw the Gospel,” and accused the authorities of “over-stepping the mark.”
“Should a law designed to stop abortion protests be used to criminalise gospel preaching?” Calvert questioned, emphasizing the importance of religious freedoms in the country.
He further argued, “It’s just not reasonable or rational to suggest that preaching the Gospel, with no reference to abortion, is a protest against abortion.”
The service in question took place on a Sunday with around twelve attendees, featuring hymns led by Johnston on a ukulele. Despite the lack of anti-abortion content in his sermon, police allege Johnston’s actions constituted a protest.
Should Johnston be convicted, he faces the possibility of significant fines, despite his sermon not mentioning abortion or displaying related placards.
The Christian Institute has labeled the charges as “ridiculous,” calling for them to be dismissed. Calvert warned that prosecuting Johnston could set a troubling precedent for other forms of speech.
“If prosecutors succeed in getting a conviction against Clive for preaching about God’s love, what will that mean for other forms of non-abortion-related speech in these zones?” Calvert asked.
He further pondered the implications for other protests outside hospitals, such as those against health service cutbacks.
The Christian Institute supports Johnston’s case, citing the broader implications for public expression of religious beliefs. “If the Gospel can be banned in this public place, where else can it be banned?” Calvert queried, highlighting concerns over human rights.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
