Northern Ireland Police Warn Bible Carrying, Prayer Within 100 Meters of Abortion Sites Could Be Crimes
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 19
Northern Ireland Police Warn Bible Carrying, Prayer Within 100 Meters of Abortion Sites Could Be Crimes
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 19
Summary
July 2 guidance from the Police Service of Northern Ireland says carrying a Bible, reading Scripture or praying with patients inside hospital abortion buffer zones could trigger criminal liability under the 2023 Safe Access Zones Act.
The law bars conduct within 100 meters that influences, impedes or causes distress to a protected person, and PSNI said there are no clergy exemptions; even passive religious expression can qualify if assessed objectively as affecting someone nearby.
PSNI said it is not policing religion and that the guidance creates no new offenses, but helps officers apply the law consistently when complaints arise because rights to religion and expression must be balanced against statutory protections.
The clarification follows the May conviction of retired pastor Clive Johnston, 78, who was fined about $614 for preaching a John 3:16 sermon near a hospital, a case supporters say has deepened uncertainty for chaplains and other Christians.
Faith groups say the guidance's vague wording is creating a chilling effect on hospital ministry, while U.S. officials have already said they are monitoring U.K. buffer-zone cases for free-speech and religious-liberty concerns.