A judge in Northern Ireland is expected to set the date for a trial of a Christian man charged with preaching a sermon on John 3:16 near a hospital in Coleraine where abortions are performed.
Retired pastor Clive Johnston is being prosecuted under abortion buffer zones laws, even though abortion was never mentioned during his open-air service, nor were there any abortion placards or banners.
The case raises the question of whether abortion buffer zones can be used to silence all expression of Christian beliefs within the designated area, regardless of whether it relates to the issue of abortion.
Clive Johnston, aged 76 and a former President of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland, is facing two charges under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act.
