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US monitoring ‘concerning’ UK prosecution of retired pastor who preached John 3:16 near hospital
A retired pastor in the United Kingdom is awaiting a ruling after standing trial Wednesday on criminal charges stemming from a gospel sermon he preached near a hospital.
Clive Johnston, 77, faces two charges tied to a July 7, 2024, sermon on John 3:16 that he delivered near Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. 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.
At Wednesday’s hearing at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court, a District Judge announced he would reserve judgment until May 7, according to the legal group.
A newly released police bodycam video of the July 2024 incident was shared with Fox News Digital on Wednesday. In the video, an officer approaches Johnston to tell him he is in a clearly marked safe access zone and cannot be filming or preaching in the area.
“You can say to yourself, in the goodness of my heart, I am coming here to preach the word of God,” the officer says at one point. “However, if you are reckless, as to the effect that it could have on patients, staff, or any protected person, then you may be committing an offense.”
“That is an incredible thought,” Johnston replies in the video. “Because what you’re saying is the word of God, which the country has had free to proclaim and read in church for hundreds of years, freedom since the Magna Carta, suddenly could become offensive because it’s outside a hospital.”
The officer goes on to tell Johnston that he may go inside the chaplaincy area in the hospital if he wants a “safe area” to give “religious guidance or comfort or help.”
“But while you’re out here in the Safe Access Zone, any act in that area which may dissuade any protected person from availing services, harassment or cause them distress, is an offense,” he added.
Prosecutors accuse Johnston of “influencing a protected person, whether directly or indirectly,” by conducting a “protest” near the hospital, where abortions are performed, in violation of the 2023 law. He is also accused of failing to leave the safe access zone when directed.
The Christian Institute said Johnston’s sermon did not mention abortion.
Ahead of the hearing, the U.S. State Department expressed concern about Johnston’s case.
“The United States is still monitoring many ‘buffer zone’ cases in the U.K., as well as other acts of censorship across Europe,” the department told The Telegraph.
Referring to other cases of Christians prosecuted under the abortion law for silent prayer, the department added, “The U.K.’s persecution of silent prayer represents not only an egregious violation of the fundamental right to free speech and religious liberty, but also a concerning departure from the shared values that ought to underpin U.S.-U.K. relations.”
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Simon Calvert, deputy director of the Christian Institute, said Johnston’s prosecution sets a troubling new precedent in the U.K.
“Should a law designed to stop abortion protests be used to criminalize gospel preaching? John 3:16 is a wonderful, famous verse and everyone knows it says nothing about abortion,” he said in a press release. “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.”
Johnston said he was grateful that the judge had decided to take time to think about his case before issuing a ruling because “there is a lot at stake.”
“It’s a difficult thing to go through, but we are upheld by the prayers of God’s people, and we have drawn near to Christ for help and strength,” he said. “Christ is the most precious thing in the world to us and that is why we are so keen to talk about him in the highways and byways of this land that we love.”
King Charles III will meet with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani during his state visit to the U.S. next week, his office confirmed to Fox News Digital on Saturday.
The king and the mayor will attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the 9/11 memorial in New York City on Wednesday.
The meeting will come after the king is greeted by President Donald Trump at the White House after he arrives in Washington, D.C., on Monday.
The king and Queen Camilla will join the president and first lady Melania Trump for a private tea at the White House soon after landing at Joint Base Andrews and receiving a military arrival ceremony.
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On Tuesday the king and the president will hold a bilateral meeting and Charles is also expected to address Congress, the first British monarch to do so since his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1991.
The evening will end with a state dinner at the White House before the king and queen leave for New York on Wednesday.
“The Mayor will not meet privately with King Charles,” Mamdani’s press secretary Joe Calvello told Fox News Digital. “He was invited to join a number of New York elected officials next week at a wreath laying at the 9/11 memorial with members of the British royal family.”
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Sixty-seven British citizens were killed on 9/11.
The king will leave for his last stop, Virginia, on Thursday, where he’ll meet with indigenous and Appalachian cultural groups and attend a block party celebrating 250 years of American independence.
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On Thursday, Trump told a BBC reporter he believes the king’s visit will “absolutely” ease current tensions between the U.S. and the U.K. that escalated over Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s reluctance to join Trump’s military action in Iran.
“I know him well, I’ve known him for years. He’s a brave man, and he’s a great man,” Trump told the BBC, adding that his and Camilla’s visit will “absolutely be a positive.”
Trump made his last state visit to Britain in September, which included a state dinner at Windsor Castle.
The Boston Red Sox are firing manager Alex Cora, ESPN reported Saturday. The team is also letting go of hitting coach Peter Fatse, bench coach Rámon Vazquez and game-planning coach Jason Varitek.
Red Sox owner John Henry put out a statement addressing the decision.
“Alex Cora led this organization to one of the greatest seasons in Red Sox history in 2018, and for that, and the many years that followed, he will always have our deepest gratitude. He has had a lasting impact on this team and on this city. He has led on and off the field in so many important ways,” Henry said.
“These decisions are never easy, but this one is especially difficult given what Alex has meant to the Red Sox since the day he arrived. I want to thank Alex, our coaches, and their families for everything they have given to this organization. They have been part of this club in a way that goes beyond the field, and they will always have our respect and gratitude.”
Chad Tracy will serve as the the Red Sox interim manager.
Cora’s reported firing comes after the team’s 10-17 start to the season, as the team has lost four of their last five games. However, the firing comes after Boston’s largest win of the season — a 17-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday.
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The Red Sox lost 10-3 on Friday night, after getting swept in a three-game series by the rival New York Yankees.
Boston’s slow start comes in a year with heightened expectations, after the Red Sox reached the postseason last season.
Cora was previously fired by the Red Sox in 2020 amid peak controversy over his involvement in the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal, as he was the mastermind behind Houston’s method of illegally stealing signs electronically. At that point, Cora was less than two years removed from leading the Red Sox to the 2018 World Series title.
The Red Sox then rehired Cora for the 2021 season after public discourse over the scandal eased, and he led Boston to the ALCS that year. However, under Cora’s leadership, Boston missed the playoffs from 2022-24, and was eliminated in the wild-card round by the Yankees last year.
Now, in last place in the AL East to start this season, Boston is making wholesale changes after a surprisingly bad start.
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‘Charlie’s Angels’ star Kate Jackson opens up about her quiet life on Virginia farm after leaving Hollywood
Kate Jackson retreated from the public eye two decades ago, and has loved her private life on her farm in Virginia.
During an interview with People, Jackson opened up about farm life and the 128 acres of land she calls home.
“I love being in Virginia, and I really enjoy the farm. I’ve got chickens, a couple of horses. Most of it’s woods, but it’s 128 acres and it’s beautiful and it’s quiet and peaceful,” the actress began.
“It’s a good place for me, and I love being in the mountains. I still get to ski, but I shouldn’t.”
Jackson is widely known for her role as Sabrina Duncan on the hit TV series “Charlie’s Angels.”
She quickly rose to fame in the 70s and became a prominent television star, also earning acclaim for her work on “The Rookies” and “Scarecrow and Mrs. King.”
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Although Jackson has been out of the public eye for years, she is currently revisiting the entertainment world and has found a love for directing.
“I’m in California now and going to see what happens and if there are things to do, if there’s work to be had, acting or directing,” she began. “Directing was really fun. I’m pretty darn good at it.”
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Jackson told People that when she left Hollywood 20 years ago, she had a feeling that she might want to return one day.
“I guess somewhere in the back of my head, I always knew one day I was going to say, ‘I think I’d like to do that again.’ Creative people need to be creative,” Jackson said.
‘Charlie’s Angels’ star Kate Jackson opens up about her quiet life on Virginia farm after leaving Hollywood
Boston Red Sox fire manager Alex Cora
King Charles to meet Mamdani in New York during US state visit next week
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