Northern Ireland: Carrying a Bible Can Be a Criminal Offence

On July 2, the Northern Ireland Policing Board published guidance on how Safe Access Zone legislation applies to hospital ministry.
The zones extend up to 100 metres (extendable to 250 metres) around premises that kill unborn children. Three groups are protected: mothers attending for abortion, anyone accompanying them, and staff.
The flagged activities are:
- prayer with patients during end-of-life care
- scripture reading requested by patients or families
- carrying Bibles or religious materials through public areas of hospitals
- consensual pastoral ministry within wards or hospital grounds
- visible religious practice within areas covered by Safe Access Zones
These religious actions could constitute an offence within a designated zone. It is enough if a "reasonable person" would consider them capable of influencing, or "causing distress" to, a mother seeking an abortion - even if there is no intent to do so.
The guidance states there is no exemption for clergy or religious activity …More