A retired pastor has thanked his worldwide supporters for standing by him as he faces prosecution for preaching in an abortion buffer zone.
Clive Johnston, 76, delivered a sermon to a small group of individuals within the buffer zone round Causeway Hospital in Coleraine, Northern Eire in July of final 12 months.
A spokeswoman for the Public Prosecution Service in Northern Eire stated of the case, “Following cautious consideration of all of the accessible proof in a police investigation file, a choice to prosecute a person for one rely of allegedly doing an act in a protected entry zone opposite to the Abortion Providers (Secure Entry Zones) Act (Northern Eire) 2023 and one rely of failing to adjust to a route below the identical Act issued on thirteenth February 2024.”
Whereas formally retired, Pastor Johnston nonetheless preaches at his native church. In line with Information Letter, he stated, “I’ve had immense assist from throughout the grassroots evangelical neighborhood but in addition from the Catholic neighborhood at the moment … To be trustworthy, it has been such an encouragement. I’ve had individuals contacting me to supply their assist from England, America, Spain, Romania and Croatia.”
Pastor Johnston confirmed that his authorized struggle will likely be taken on by The Christian Institute and added that the deputy chief of Aontú, Gemma Brolly, had been in contact to supply her assist.
Aontú is a comparatively new political celebration in each Northern and the Republic of Eire. It was based in 2019 by former members of Sinn Féin who objected to the celebration’s drift in the direction of social liberalism and is staunchly anti-abortion.
Buffer zones round abortion clinics have been launched in Northern Eire in 2023 to stop “harassment” of these looking for abortions from protestors.
US Vice-President JD Vance lately took concern with abortion buffer zones in Scotland. He claimed that folks whose homes have been inside the zones have been warned that personal prayer of their properties could possibly be thought of a breach of the regulation, one thing the Scottish authorities has denied.
