A retired pastor has been found guilty of preaching the gospel too close to an abortion clinic, in violation of Ireland’s newly passed Safe Access Zones Act.
Clive Johnston, former President of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland, was charged last year after he started preaching and proclaiming the gospel near an abortion clinic.
The action contravened Ireland’s newest law, which creates a 330-foot buffer zone in every direction around clinics and prohibits any form of contact, protest, or effort that could potentially dissuade women from having an abortion within that space.
Johnston argued that he was only preaching a simple gospel message and noted that he never mentioned abortion at any time.
Prosecutors insisted, however, that despite not naming it, his message was nonetheless a “pro-life, anti-abortion” one.
Johnston was fined $615.
According to the Christian Institute, following his conviction, Johnston called it a “dark day for Christian freedom”.
“We held a small, open air Sunday service near a hospital. We made no reference whatsoever to the issue of abortion. And yet the buffer zones law is so broad that holding a Sunday service has been found to be a criminal offence. And at 78 years of age I find myself, for the first time, convicted of a crime.”
He emphasised: “If someone is out there causing trouble, stirring up violence, harassing or verbally attacking people, then, absolutely, go ahead and prosecute them. But I wasn’t doing any of those things as the police video shows and as everyone involved in this case accepts.
“So we are going to go away now and discuss what to do next with our legal team. I am obviously keen to find out what options there might be for me to appeal.”
