There is hardly an opening prayer offered in a Bible-believing Sabbath service that does NOT contain an offering of thanks for the freedom we enjoy here in Northern Ireland to gather in God’s house to worship Him in accordance with His Word.
However, I suggest that few give thought to the sad truth that that freedom and others, which the Gospel of Christ has brought to our land, are slipping away under the corruption and error promoted by wicked men in an ever more increasingly rebellious world.
A recent article in the ‘Belfast Newsletter’ highlighted one of the latest evidences of the threat to the Gospel in today’s society.
PSNI does not deny cleric’s claims that openly carrying a Bible in Northern Ireland hospitals could be criminal
It comes from the Government’s measures to protect those who wish to kill the unborn by abortion.
An Independent Methodist minister, Pastor Jonathan Campbell of Newbuildings Independent Methodist Church, in Co. Londonderry, has raised the question of the possibility of a minister committing a criminal offence by openly carrying a Bible in any hospital covered by an abortion protest buffer zone.
That is a zone which surrounds any hospital where abortions are carried out and within which any action that can be construed as a Christian protest against abortion – such as carrying a Bible – is deemed a criminal act!
Pastor Campbell said he is deeply concerned about the possibility.
The response of the Police Service of Northern Ireland ought to concern every Christian.
The ‘Newsletter’ reports: ‘The issue arose after police gave the Policing Board guidance on how the Safe Access Zone legislation applies at hospitals with abortion clinics.’
‘At a recent Policing Board meeting, member Patrick Nelson asked police how the legislation affected routine chaplaincy work, including praying with patients, reading scripture with them, carrying Bibles, pastoral ministry and visible religious practice.
Police gave essentially the same response to each question, saying “the lawfulness of any activity depended on whether it could reasonably influence, cause distress to, or impede” a protected patient or member of staff nearby.’
‘The Act applies to all conduct within a Safe Access Zone regardless of its nature or purpose,’ police added.
Police also stressed there are no exemptions for clergy carrying out religious duties.’
‘Describing conduct as pastoral, prayerful or religious in nature does not determine whether an offence has been committed,’ police added.
This is the price society is paying for following the liberal and modernistic teaching of ‘Ecumenical Apostasy’!!
The police in Northern Ireland have become the guardians of those who do that which they have absolutely no right to do — end the life of the unborn child.
There is a similarity between the recent tragic murder of young Henry Nowak, who, as he lay dying was handcuffed and arrested at the behest of his lying murderer and his pleas that he had been stabbed and that he was the true victim, were reportedly mocked by those arresting him.
Henry Nowak’s blood is upon those engaged in that tragedy, irrespective of the apologies that followed, even as the blood of the slaughtered unborn in Northern Ireland must now also lie at the door of the police force that is ready to move to hinder the least sign of protest against this crime and prosecute any involved in such!
Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)
Monday, 27h July 2026