All cases

Religious Discrimination against Christian Seniors Group by Innsbruck's Social Services

March 4, 2020, Austria

A seniors group of Christians from recognised religious communities such as the Catholic Church, the Protestant Church and the Free Churches in Austria (FKÖ) is no longer allowed to use the tax-financed community centre after several years of use. In an e-mail from ISD (Innsbrucker Soziale Dienste), the Christian seniors group was informed that "prayers, devotions, hymns of praise, Bible readings or the like" are no longer permitted in the ISD Community Centre in Wilten with immediate effect. Representatives of political parties and Tyrollean citizens are protesting against this decision accusing of violating religious freedom.

Arson at Swiss Church

March 3, 2020, Switzerland

On the afternoon of March 3rd, an arson attack was committed in the Eusebiuskirche in Grenchen. Fortunately, the fire was discovered before major damage was caused. The police are looking for witnesses.

Three Arson Attempts in Church in Germany

March 3, 2020, Germany

On March 3rd between 2:00 and 4 pm, a girl and a boy of 14 and 15 years old committed attempted arson in the Maria Magdalena church in Goch. They tried to start three fires: one in the small chapel with a candlestick, another one to a stand for prayer books in the nave and the last one at the back of the high altar. All three fires failed and the crime has been recorded on surveillance cameras, the 15-year-old admitted the act of vandalism.

Arson on the Organ Loft of a Church in Grenchen

March 3, 2020, Switzerland

On Tuesday 3rd March, several individuals placed a burning newspaper on the organ loft of the Catholic Church St. Eusebius in Grenchen. The fire was brought under control by the witnesses before the firemen arrived. The flames left damage on the furniture which is estimated on several hundred francs and the smoke filled the church.

Madrid Municipality Threatens an Evangelical Church with Sanctions for Carrying out alleged Conversion Therapies

March 3, 2020, Spain

According to the Spanish Ministry, they will consider imposing "significant sanctions" on an Evangelical church in Madrid that exceeds 20,000 euros. In this church, therapies to cure homosexuality were offered and carried out. Now it is to be examined whether the church has thereby violated the Spanish LGBTQ law. "We will not tolerate any regression in our society and in what we have in our hands, which is to impose sanctions, we will not shake hands, we will not take a step back in the fight against LGTBIphobic behaviour," said Alberto Reyero, Minister of Social Policies.

Orthodox Church on Lesvos Vandalized by Refugees

March 2, 2020, Greece

News reports indicate that the Greek Orthodox church of St. George was ransacked on March 2nd. According to witnesses, the vandalism was caused by refugees residing on the island. This news came as tensions ran high due to the arrival of hundreds of refugees and migrants after Turkey "opened the doors" for them to enter Europe.

Christians Women Portrayed as Harassers at Abortion Clinic

March 2, 2020, Netherlands

Media portrayed Christian women as anti-abortion activists and harassers. They are also being targeted on the doorsteps of abortion clinics.

MP Interviewed by Police for Questioning Church Leadership

March 2, 2020, Finland

On March 2nd, member of the Finnish Parliament Päivi Räsänen faced a police interrogation because of a tweet she posted in June 2019. The tweet was directed at the leadership of her church and questioned its official sponsorship of the LGBT event “Pride 2019”, accompanied by an image of a bible text.

German Church Closed Outside Services Due To Vandalism

March 2, 2020, Germany

Due to several weeks of vandalism and misuse, demonstrated by, for example, red wine stains found between pews in the church of Saint Gallus in Rangendingen, the parish will only be open during church services. Also, food remains and broken glass were found in front of the Church door. Not only the Church was victim of vandalism, the mortuary in the cemetery was also targeted. Similar incidents have also happened in the neighbouring city Steinhofen. Anyone who has made observations about the incidents should contact the parish office, Father Artur Schreiber, phone 07476/ 13 32, or any police department.

Two Consecutive Profanations Of The Church Of Ennezat

March 2, 2020, France

In the last days, the church of Ennezat (Puy-de-Dôme) was profaned twice. On March 2nd and the week before, prayer books have been gathered in a corner and set on fire, luckily the damage to the church caused by the fire was not severe. Furthermore, candles were broken, fire extinguisher were damaged and the pampas grass contained in a jar was stolen. The church is closed until further notice. The police are investigating.