Pastor to appeal conviction for preaching John 3:16 in public

A pastor who was convicted for preaching on John 3:16 within 328 feet of a hospital in Northern Ireland is planning to appeal.

Clive Johnston, 78, was found guilty earlier this month of "influencing" people on the topic of abortion because of his preaching that was within 100 meters of the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine.

When he was approached by police officers during the open-air service, held in 2024, he was informed that he should preach within a "safe" space like a chaplaincy.

He was convicted on two charges under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act and fined £450 ($604), even though his sermon was on the topic of John 3:16 and did not mention abortion.

Speaking on his decision to appeal, Johnston said the ruling "sets a deeply troubling precedent."

"I was not protesting abortion. I was peacefully preaching the Gospel, reading from the Bible, and pointing people to the hope found in Jesus Christ," he said.

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