Praying, carrying or reading a Bible, or engaging in pastoral ministry or other religious practice could in some cases be illegal in Northern Ireland hospitals that perform abortions, according to guidance from the Policing Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
The extent of Northern Ireland’s abortion buffer zone law has raised questions in light of the May conviction of Pastor Clive Johnston, who stood on a public sidewalk near a hospital in the city of Coleraine in 2024 and preached a sermon on John 3:16. Although Johnston made no reference to abortion, the court found him guilty of violating Northern Ireland’s “safe access” law. The complaint against him said he had conducted a “protest” and that he was “reckless as to whether it had the effect of influencing” someone going to the hospital for an abortion.
Johnston, represented by the Christian Institute, plans to appeal the conviction, but pastors, chaplains and other Christians are finding that virtually any ministry or Christian expression could easily run afoul of the buffer zone law and result in fines. The buffer zones typically extend 100 meters from any entrance or exit of hospitals and clinics that provide abortions.
The PSNI guidance claims that the vast majority of chaplaincy and pastoral ministry is unaffected by the law, before going on to explain many ways in which a person might easily violate the law—even unintentionally. Further, the law makes no exemptions for members of the clergy.
For example, even if a patient or their family invites a member of the clergy to pray with them or read Scripture to them, that might still violate the law: “Pastoral ministry that takes place within a Safe Access Zone,” the guidance states, “even where fully consensual between the clergy member and their patient, may still constitute an offense if it is capable of influencing, impeding or causing distress to a protected person in that zone.”
The act defines a protected person as one who is on the premises to access abortion or counseling about abortion, as well as someone accompanying such a person or providing services to that person.
Even carrying a Bible or religious materials through public areas of hospitals, or engaging in “visible religious practice” within a buffer zone, could violate the law if it affects a “protected person” in one of these ways.
Jonathan Campbell, pastor of Newbuildings Independent Methodist Church in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, said the restrictions have caused confusion about how anyone can minister in a hospital setting without violating the law.
“It’s unthinkable that the Bible, or even just clerical dress, could be off-limits on hospital grounds in case someone might find it offensive,” Campbell told Fox News Digital. “The Christian message is one of hope and comfort to those who are ill, worried and grieving. It cannot be the case that in Northern Ireland, church representatives are unable to comfort those in need.”
Scriptures to consider: Acts 4:19-20 , 1 Peter 3:15-16 , 2 Timothy 4:2.
