Retired pastor faces trial for public worship service near abortion clinic
Clive Johnston, a retired pastor in Northern Ireland is facing trial for holding an open-air Christian service near an abortion clinic, raising serious concerns about the impact of so-called ‘buffer zone’ laws on religious freedom and freedom of expression.
Clive Johnston, a former president of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland, held a short outdoor service on 7 July 2023 near the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine, one of Northern Ireland's eight abortion buffer zones. His service included a sermon on God's love for humanity, prayers and hymns accompanied by a ukulele. Although he made no mention of abortion and was separated from the hospital by a dual carriageway, he was later charged with attempting to 'influence' people seeking abortion services within the censorship zone around the hospital. If convicted, the 76-year-old grandfather of seven faces a criminal record and could be fined thousands of pounds. The first trial took place on 21 March 2025.
The Christian Institute, which is supporting Mr Johnston, questioned whether a law designed to stop abortion protests should be used to criminalise the preaching of the Gospel. Simon Calvert, deputy director of the Christian Institute, said: 'It is fundamentally unjust to criminalise a man for preaching and playing hymns on a ukulele as if he were holding an anti-abortion protest. He went on to ask: "If the Gospel can be banned in this public place, where else can it be banned? The organisation expressed concern that if a pensioner can be convicted for preaching about God's love, it could set a precedent for other forms of non-abortion-related speech in these zones.
The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act (Northern Ireland) 2023 establishes buffer zones around abortion providers and restricts a wide range of activities deemed to disrupt, influence or protest against abortion services. The legislation has been criticised for its vague wording, which allows for the criminalisation of peaceful prayer, religious expression and even silent witness. Legal experts and religious freedom advocates warn that such laws can be applied in an arbitrary and overbroad manner, restricting fundamental freedoms without clear justification. The prosecution of Clive Johnston under this legislation sets a worrying precedent for religious freedom in Northern Ireland and beyond. Criminalising public acts of Christian worship simply because they take place near an abortion facility effectively restricts expressions of faith in the public square. The case raises serious concerns that the Safe Access Zones Act is being used not only to prevent harassment, but also to stifle peaceful religious activity and moral viewpoints that differ from dominant political narratives.
Source: Gript.ie, The Christian Institue
Image: The Christian Institute