Free Speech

Retired Pastor Faces Trial Under U.K. Speech Laws for Preaching John 3:16 Near Hospital

Despite not mentioning abortion in his sermon, Clive Johnston is being charged for trying to "influence" people not to go through with the procedure.

Reem Ibrahim | 4.21.2026 3:02 PM

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(Clive Johnston/The Christian Institute)

A 77-year-old retired pastor will be tried in court for the second day on Wednesday after preaching a sermon near a hospital in Northern Ireland. Despite not mentioning abortion in his sermon, the retired pastor, Clive Johnston, is being accused of violating the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act (Northern Ireland), which outlaws actions aimed at "influencing" or "preventing or impeding" people seeking abortion services within 100 meters of eight abortion service providers in Northern Ireland, a barrier known as a "safe access zone."

The sermon, which took place across the street from the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, on July 7, 2024, included Johnston singing with a ukulele, telling his life story,........

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