A retired pastor has been convicted for preaching a sermon on divine love within one of Northern Ireland’s controversial abortion ‘safety’ zones [1].
The former President of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland, Clive Johnston, 78, was arrested last year as he was holding an open-air service on the fringes of a buffer zone opposite Coleraine’s Causeway Hospital which conducts abortions. He did not mention the abortion law but his presence was still deemed a violation of the law leading to his arrest.
The grandfather of seven – who had never been in trouble with the police – now faces a criminal record and £450 in fines
After being found guilty at Coleraine Magistrates court, Pastor Johnston called it a “dark day for Christian freedom”.
Director of the Christian Institute, Ciarán Kelly, called the verdict “creeping censorship”.
“If the ruling stands it will represent a shocking new restriction on freedom of religion and freedom of speech so we will be helping Clive to consider the options for appeal.”