Former Pastor Appeals Conviction for Preaching Near Hospital

A retired pastor, 78-year-old Clive Johnston, is appealing a conviction related to preaching near a hospital in Northern Ireland. This decision comes after a judge ruled on May 7 that he had violated Northern Ireland’s Safe Access Zone Act while preaching on John 3:16 outside Coleraine’s Causeway Hospital in July 2024.

The legislation in question establishes a buffer zone that restricts any actions that might “impact,” “prevent or impede access to,” or “cause harassment, alarm, or distress” to individuals within a 100-meter radius of facilities where abortions are performed.

On Wednesday, Johnston announced his appeal, expressing concern that convicting someone for reciting well-known Bible verses could lead to troubling implications for religious freedom and free speech. He emphasized, “If this conviction stands, it signals that public expressions of faith can be criminalized based on location.”

In a statement, Johnston clarified that he didn’t mention abortion in his sermon and simply aimed to share “the hope found in Jesus Christ.” He continued, “This should concern anyone who values religious freedom and freedom of expression, irrespective of their views on abortion.”

Johnston’s lawyers from the Christian Institute will challenge the verdict as an unreasonable infringement on fundamental rights protected by both the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act in British law. These rights include freedom of speech, religion, and peaceful assembly.

Johnston’s conviction stemmed from being deemed “reckless” regarding the potential influence of his preaching near the hospital. He was fined £450, approximately $614.

This case marks the first prosecution under British law for preaching unrelated to abortion near a protected area, according to legal advocacy groups. Simon Calvert, vice president of the group, asserted that the matter isn’t about harassment, but whether the state can criminalize peaceful public expressions of Christian faith.

Calvert commented, “The impact of this judgment extends beyond Johnston; it raises questions about our fundamental freedoms.” He reiterated that public authorities prosecuting someone for preaching the love of God could threaten those liberties.

Concerns have also been raised about the overly broad nature of the law, which may risk further government overreach against religious individuals. Johnston pointed out that if non-abortion-related preaching is criminalized, it opens the door to question what other behaviors might similarly be scrutinized.

As of now, Northern Ireland’s Crown Prosecution Service has not provided a comment on the situation.