All cases
Church desecrated in Langeac
August 18, 2021, FranceUnknown perpetrators desecrated a church in the Haute Loire region. Apart from finding excrements in the church, the vandals knocked down the altar and threw the objects on it through the collegiate church of Saint Gal in Langeac. The incident happened on 12 August and the police are suspecting more than one culprit. A complaint was filed and the police are investigating.
Police Apprehend Suspect of Church Vandalism
August 17, 2021, FranceA man was arrested after urinating in the Sacred Heart Church in Agen. The arrest took place on August 15 after the man unknowingly set off an alarm while entering the church. Police arrived shortly after and apprehended the man who was irritated by what was happening. He is said to have confessed.
Notre Dame de Lourdes in Roly Vandalised Again
August 16, 2021, BelgiumUnknown perpetrators vandalised the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Roly. During the act, a crucifix broke. The incident itself dates back to August 16 and is not the first act of vandalism in the region. In the past two years, the shrine has fallen victim to vandalism several times. In order to maintain the shrine it was decided to install cameras. The police were informed and are investigating.
Statue of Father Eternal Vandalized in Trégastel
August 16, 2021, FranceA statue of Father Eternal in Trégastel has been desecrated. The incident happened during the night of 16 August. Unknown perpetrators are said to have painted unpleasant tags onto the 152-year-old statue. Police have been informed and are currently trying to identify the culprit(s).
Church Desecrated in Langeac
August 15, 2021, FranceUnknown perpetrator(s) desecrated the church of Saint-Gal in Langeac. The damage was reported on 12 August. They are said to have broken into the church and overturned the altar of celebrations and the objects placed on it. In addition, the police found excrements near the entrance to the place of worship. The police are currently investigating and looking for the culprit.
Statur of the Virgin Mary Desecrated in Massafra
August 14, 2021, ItalyA statue of the Virgin Mary was destroyed in Massafra. The incident happened sometime overnight from 13 to 14 of August. A Madonna from Medjugorje, as the statue is also known, was placed outside the Sacro Cuore Church. Massafra's community, as well as parish priest Don Michele Bianco, were shocked by the incident. The latter also informed the police about the incident. According to reports, the police is evaluating video surveillance, which shows two rather young people committing the act.
Desecration of Church Garden in Monfalcone
August 14, 2021, ItalyOn 9 August, currently unknown perpetrators vandalised the garden of the church in Monfalcone. The incident was reported by the San Giuseppe association, which manages the oratory. Their president, Luca Waldner, explained the necessity of keeping the garden closed until the reparation work is completed. According to Waldner, this is just one of many vandalism acts targetting the church and its premises. Police have been informed and are currently investigating.
Street Preacher Arrested for Alleged Hate Speech
August 14, 2021, United KingdomStreet preacher Ryan Williamson from Loughbrickland was arrested for alleged hate speech, while preaching in Larne on 10 August. Subsequently, MP Mr. Wilson expressed on social media that “police probably didn’t handle this very well”, for there is video footage of Williamson preaching and his arrest circulating on social media. Williamson was released 30 minutes later. However, the police are being harshly criticised. Williams stated to have received much support from the local community.
Vandalism and Theft at Church in Laskowa
August 13, 2021, PolandUnknown perpetrators vandalised the church of the Most Holy Name of Mary in Laskowa. The incident is said to have happened sometime overnight from 11 to 12 August. It has been reported that the culprit vandalised the church and stole money and parts of the church's furniture. Damage has been estimated to be 2,200 Euros. Police were informed and are currently looking for the perpetrator.
Police Recovers Safe Stolen from Church in Lüdenscheid
August 13, 2021, GermanyIn the night from 18 to 19 July, an unknown person stole a safe from the church "Queen Mary" in Lüdenscheid. In the latest event, the police managed to find the safe, which was discovered by a passer-by in a near park. The police are now looking for any possible eyewitnesses. The 200-kilos heavy piece will be returned to the church after the investigation comes to an end.
Repeated Arson Attacks against Church in Déols
August 13, 2021, FranceArsonists once again attacked a church in Déols near Châteauroux. The church was deliberately set on fire in the past already, one recent case dates back to August 8, 2021, in which the altarpiece was destroyed by the fire. In the year 2020, the church has also been subjected to arson, leading the clergy to close the church for reparation works. Police are investigating.
Swastikas Tagged on Church in Hénon
August 13, 2021, FranceOn 12 August, unknown perpetrators desecrated the church of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul in Hénon with swastikas. The damage was discovered by the sexton, who came to close the church's door. According to the report made, the vandals also damaged the porch of the building. Police have been informed.
Graveyards desecrated in Redessan
August 13, 2021, FranceDuring the night of 13 August, unknown perpetrators vandalised the cemetery of Redessan. The cemetery is located on the road to Saint Gervasy. It was reported that a cross was broken, plaques were smashed and flower pots were thrown over. A complaint was filled with the police who are investigating the case.
Parish Priest in Vienna Locks Thieve in
August 12, 2021, AustriaA priest in Vienna simply locked up an offertory thief in his church. The priest had kept an eye on the suspicious 39-year-old male of Romanian descent, who has allegedly been stealing money from the offertory since July 2021. When he returned on August 10, 2021, the parish priest observed the man's actions through video surveillance and simply locked him up, while he stole again. Without further ado, he informed the police about the thieve. Police are currently investigating the case.
Toddlers Allowed to Change Gender without Parental Consent
August 12, 2021, United KingdomUnder the new LGBT inclusivity guidelines, children as young as four will be able to change their names and gender at school, without their parents' consent. A 70-pages document authorized by the Scottish government, dictate teachers to ask pupils for their new names and pronouns instead of questioning their 'decision' to transition to living as the other gender. Campaigners fear for the safeguarding of children and the breach of parental rights to protect their children. Scottish lawyer Aiden O'Neill fears that this move could be very illegal and potentially dangerous.
Armin Laschet Publicly Mocked for His Believes, Experts Concerned for Religious Freedom
August 12, 2021, GermanyArmin Laschet, the CDU's candidate for the next federal elections, has been attacked in an anti-Catholic video shown at a political election event in early August. In the video, Laschet is seen as a Russian Matryoshka doll that 'hides' several other dolls inside. A voiceover says "whoever votes for Armin Laschet and the CDU, votes for ultra-Catholic Laschet confidants for whom sex before marriage is taboo". Bishops and politicians fear for a wider erosion of freedom of religion in an increasingly secular Europe.
Sacred Hosts Stolen from Church in Houyet
August 12, 2021, BelgiumA thieve stole an 18th-century silver ciborium and consecrated hosts from a church in Houyet. The police have been informed and are now looking for the perpetrator. It is said that the incident took place on 12 August.
Accused Finish MP Päivi Räsänen Concerned over Religious Freedom of Christians in Europe
August 11, 2021, FinlandIn 2004 MP Päivi Räsänen co-authored a church pamphlet about human sexuality for which she is additionally prosecuted on the grounds of ethnic aggravation . The other charges raised against her are based upon a TV interview and a social media post she made. If she is found guilty on all three counts she might be facing a prison sentence of up to six years. During a podcast with Jeff King, she told him that her case raises questions about religious freedom in Finland. "If, for example, any of the viewpoints contained in the Bible would be considered sufficient as such to fulfil the criteria for the crime of ethnic aggravation, then the distribution of the Bible, or rendering it available would in principle be considered a crime of ethnic aggravation and thus punishable", she cited a police report on her case. Talking to King she further stated: "This is also a question, are we allowed to agree with the Bible? Are we allowed to keep Bibles in public and teach what the Bible tells us? I think this is a very, very deep question of freedom of faith and religion."
Church in Remigny Vandalised
August 11, 2021, FranceOn the 7th July, the church in Remigny has been attacked again only a couple of days of it re-opening. Unknown perpetrators broke two stained glass windows in the historical church. A complaint has been filed and police are currently searching for the perpetrators.
Police Apprehended Vandals of Cemetery
August 11, 2021, FrancePolice arrested two brothers at the age of ten who are said to have desecrated 18 graves in the communal cemetery of Ham-les-Moines. The incident happened on 31 July, however, the police only managed to arrest them in August. It was reported that the police caught them as they were trying to desecrate another graveyard. They were handed over to their parents, who might have to pay for the damage their children made.