In Northern Ireland, Baptist tried for preaching near abortion clinic
A Baptist minister will stand trial for preaching near a clinic where abortions are performed.
In Northern Ireland, a 76-year-old Baptist minister, Clive Johnson, will stand trial for preaching on the fringes of an abortion clinic buffer zone, reports Christian Today.
On December 14, 2025, in the town of Coleraine, Johnson delivered a sermon based on the words from the Apostle John's message: "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16). In his sermon, Johnson did not mention abortions. Participants in the event did not have placards or banners.
However, he is accused of "intentionally influencing a protected person, and for not immediately leaving the area when asked to do so by police". Johnson faces a fine of up to several thousand pounds.
Ciarán Kelly, director of The Christian Institute, said, "The already unjust buffer zones laws should not be used to outlaw acts of worship and criminalise gospel preaching."
In Northern Ireland, in 2013, a law was passed to protect life during pregnancy, according to which "buffer zones" were created around abortion clinics, prohibiting protesters from approaching abortion clinics.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that in Brussels, abortion supporters attacked a Catholic bishop from Nigeria.
