STATEMENT FROM THE INDEPENDENT LOYAL ORANGE INSTITUTION
On the Conviction of Pastor Clive Johnston and the Threat to Civil and Religious Liberty
CONVICTED FOR CHRISTIAN CONVICTIONS
The Independent Loyal Orange Institution condemns in the strongest possible terms the conviction of retired Pastor Clive Johnston, former President of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland, at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court. This judgment by District Judge Peter King represents a grave miscarriage of justice and a direct assault on the fundamental freedoms that our Institution has defended for over a century.
While this matter remained before the courts, we kept our own counsel, choosing instead to remain steadfast in prayer and support for Pastor Johnston and his family. Now that the verdict has been delivered, we are moved to public action. We see not merely the criminalisation of a peaceful act of Christian worship, but the broader curtailing of the public witness of our Faith. A retired pastor preaching the timeless words of John 3:16 — “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” — in an open-air service, with no reference to abortion, no placards, and no disruption, has been penalised. This is unacceptable in any society that claims to value liberty.
Imperial Grand Master Rt Wor Br Phil Moffatt said, “ This ruling is diabolical and is an absolute disgrace. It’s nothing less than an infringement of a Preachers right to share the life changing message of the Gospel. Religious liberty and Freedom of Expression have both been challenged today. Our Judicial system was built upon biblical principals and these fundamental values are being eroded before our eyes. To convict a Pastor for preaching from Gods precious Word is a poor refection upon the freedoms which we have previously cherished and enjoyed.”
The ILOI opposed the Northern Ireland Assembly as it extended Abortion practices to Northern Ireland and legislated for Safe Access Zones in 2023. At that time it was warned that the application of this legislation by the courts would result in a serious and troubling overreach. Today we see an alarming assault on our faith as a Christian minister is convicted for his Christian convictions. Criminalising a man for reading Scripture in a public place — without harassment, obstruction, or targeted protest — strikes at the heart of the fundamental freedoms protected under Article 9 (freedom of religion) and Article 10 (freedom of expression) of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The judgment appears to rest not on Pastor Johnston’s conduct, but on an assumption about his perceived beliefs. This is a dangerous precedent. In a democratic society, individuals must never be criminalised for who they are, what they believe, or for peacefully expressing their faith.
We express profound concern at the implications of this case for civil and religious liberty across Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom. In particular, it raises serious questions regarding the erosion of Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights (freedom of thought, conscience, and religion) and Article 10 (freedom of expression). The right to manifest one’s Christian faith through public preaching and worship is a cornerstone of Protestant liberty. When the proclamation of the gospel in a public space can be construed as a criminal offence merely by its proximity to a designated area, we stand on a dangerous precipice where the state determines which expressions of faith are permissible.
We call upon the entire Christian community — across denominations, churches, and organisations — to unite in challenging this conviction through prayer, public advocacy, and support for any appeal. Silence in the face of such encroachment will only invite further restrictions on our God-given liberties.
The Independent Loyal Orange Institution has maintained a consistent and principled opposition to the extension of abortion to Northern Ireland. We have always been motivated by the defence of the rights of the most vulnerable in our society, particularly the unborn child. This conviction flows directly from that flawed legislation and highlights how laws prioritising one set of rights can unjustly suppress the conscientious beliefs of others.
Our defence of the rights to worship and witness publicly is not new. It was one of the foundational issues upon which our Institution was established. In his maiden speech in Parliament in 1902, our founder Thomas Sloan MP, made the defence of the public preaching of God’s Word a central concern. That same spirit of defending Christian principles, biblical truth, and the open proclamation of the Gospel continues to animate us today.
We urge all who value religious freedom, freedom of speech, and the sanctity of life to stand firm. The Independent Loyal Orange Institution will continue to pray for Pastor Johnston, support his legal efforts, and speak boldly against any measure that seeks to silence the public witness of the Christian faith.
The ILOI affirms that freedom of religion and freedom of expression are foundational to a free society and essential to the shared civic life of all communities in Northern Ireland.
We therefore call for:
- A full and urgent review of how Safe Access Zones legislation is being interpreted and enforced
- A reaffirmation by public authorities of their duty to uphold the rights of all citizens, including people of faith
- Consideration of an appeal to ensure that human‑rights standards are properly applied
The ILOI will continue to stand for the historic liberties of conscience, worship, and peaceful expression — not only for our own members, but for all people in this land.
