(Photo: The Christian Institute)
In a case that has drawn international attention, retired Pastor Clive Johnston awaits the court’s decision after being prosecuted for delivering a sermon outside a hospital in Northern Ireland. The verdict is anticipated on May 7, following a hearing at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court.
Johnston is facing charges related to an open-air sermon he preached on John 3:16 in 2024, within a designated ‘safe access zone’ at Coleraine’s Causeway Hospital. The charges allege that he attempted to influence individuals seeking abortion services, despite the sermon occurring on a Sunday when the clinic was closed, and without any mention of abortion.
A widely circulated video shows police advising Johnston to preach in a “safe” location, such as the hospital chaplaincy, rather than within the ‘safe access zone’. His prosecution has been criticized by The Christian Institute, which describes it as a significant threat to freedom of speech and religion.
“I’m glad the judge has decided to go away and have a think about this case before issuing his ruling because there is a lot at stake,” Johnston remarked after the hearing. He emphasized that their open-air service made no reference to abortion, questioning the broad application of the buffer-zone law.
Johnston expressed his reliance on faith during this challenging time: “It’s a difficult thing to go through but we are upheld by the prayers of God’s people and we have drawn near to Christ for help and strength. Christ is the most precious thing in the world to us and that is why we are so keen to talk about him in the highways and byways of this land that we love.”
The case has also piqued the interest of the US State Department. A spokesman commented to The Daily Telegraph about the situation, noting, “The United States is still monitoring many buffer zone cases in the UK, as well as other acts of censorship throughout Europe.”
Referring to similar cases, including that of Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, the spokesman stated, “The UK’s persecution of silent prayer represents not only an egregious violation of the fundamental right to free speech and religious liberty, but also a concerning departure from the shared values that ought to underpin US-UK relations.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
