1LoverofGod
Well-known
A retired pastor in the United Kingdom is awaiting a ruling after standing trial Wednesday on criminal charges relating to a gospel sermon he preached near a hospital..
Prosecutors claim he violated Northern Ireland’s Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act 2023 by preaching near a hospital where abortions are performed. If convicted, he could face a criminal record and a fine of up to £2,500 ($3,376).
Johnston may be the first person prosecuted under the law for preaching a sermon unrelated to abortion in a protected zone, according to the Christian Institute, which is supporting his legal case.
"We have amazing freedom in this country to share the Christian message. That’s why we’ve taken on this case. Prosecuting Pastor Johnston for preaching ‘God so loved the world’ near a hospital on a quiet Sunday is a shocking new attempt to restrict freedom of religion and freedom of speech in a part of the world where open-air gospel services are a part of the culture."
Ahead of the hearing, the U.S. State Department expressed concern about Johnston’s case.
www.foxnews.com
Prosecutors claim he violated Northern Ireland’s Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act 2023 by preaching near a hospital where abortions are performed. If convicted, he could face a criminal record and a fine of up to £2,500 ($3,376).
Johnston may be the first person prosecuted under the law for preaching a sermon unrelated to abortion in a protected zone, according to the Christian Institute, which is supporting his legal case.
"We have amazing freedom in this country to share the Christian message. That’s why we’ve taken on this case. Prosecuting Pastor Johnston for preaching ‘God so loved the world’ near a hospital on a quiet Sunday is a shocking new attempt to restrict freedom of religion and freedom of speech in a part of the world where open-air gospel services are a part of the culture."
Ahead of the hearing, the U.S. State Department expressed concern about Johnston’s case.
US monitoring ‘concerning’ UK prosecution of retired pastor who preached John 3:16 near hospital
Retired U.K. pastor Clive Johnston awaits a verdict after being charged for preaching a gospel sermon near a Northern Ireland hospital in a safe zone.
www.foxnews.com
