All cases
French Nun Denied a Place in Retirement Home Due to Religious Habit
November 19, 2019, FranceIn October 2018, an elderly nun applied for a place in a retirement home in Vesoul, run by the city's Centre Communal d'Action Sociale (CCAS) in her home prefecture of Haute-Saone. After nine months on the waiting list, on July 2019, her request for housing was accepted, but with one condition: "With due respect for secularism, any ostentatious sign of belonging to a religious community cannot be accepted in order to ensure the serenity of all. Indeed, religion is a private affair and must remain so." The nun was told she could only wear a discreet cross. Having worn her religious habit all of her adult life, she refused to comply and was thus denied a place.
Arrests for Vandalism in Church
November 18, 2019, FranceOn November 18th, five young people were arrested for vandalism at the church Saint-Gervais-et-Saint-Protais. Vandalism included urinating in confessionals and holy water stoups, tearing up a book, and attempting to set fire to the altar cloth.
Italian Church Thief Urinated on Altar
November 16, 2019, ItalyOn the afternoon of November 16th, an unidentified man entered the Trasfigurazione del Signor church in Scorrano while it was empty and stole money from the donation box and a golden necklace from around the neck of a statue of the Virgin Mary. Before leaving the church, he urinated on the altar underneath the crucifix. The incident was captured on video and police are investigating the identity of the individual.
German Church and Pilgrimage Site Targeted by Arsonists Twice in One Week
November 16, 2019, GermanyA visitor to the St. Katharina Kirche in Buschhoven discovered that a fire had been set in the church during the early afternoon of November 16th. Local media reports that books and booklets were placed on top of the lit candlesticks in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary, revered by Christians and pilgrims as the "Rosa Mystica." The books caught fire and the church was enveloped in a huge mass of smoke and soot before the fire brigade was able to extinguish the blaze. Earlier in the week, a fire had been set in the same church using the candles but was extinguished before major damage occurred.
Protestant Church Vandalized in Buschhoven
November 16, 2019, GermanyThe Protestant Versöhnungskirche in Buschhoven was the target of vandalism twice in the same week, with its hymnals and booklets scattered, seat cushions thrown on the floor, candles pushed off the altar, and a small fire lit on a doormat. These incidents coincided with fires having been set at the nearby St. Katharina Kirche.
Christ Figure Burnt in Holy Sepulcher Chapel
November 14, 2019, SpainOn morning of November 14th, the hermitage of the Holy Sepulcher in Tauste (Zaragoza) was discovered vandalized and the life-sized statue of the Nazarene Christ burnt. The custodian of the hermitage, Juan Francés, found the remains of a fire when he opened the hermitage and found "everything lying on the ground and on fire.” The city council of Tauste condemned the attack on the hermitage “It was an attack on a religious and cultural symbol of our people. It is not a simple act of vandalism.”
Politician Deselected for Christian Views
November 13, 2019, United KingdomA Catholic Liberal Democrat who was the prospective candidate for Stoke-on-Trent South in the upcoming election was abruptly deselected on the basis that his "values" were not in line with the party. Thirty-six hours after Robert Flello was chosen as the Lib Dem candidate, the party announced in a press release that his candidacy had been revoked. The former Labour MP's views on abortion and marriage were not a secret, as he had been a member of parliament for 12 years.
16th Century Spanish Church spray-painted with anarchist graffiti by militant group
November 13, 2019, SpainThe City Council of Segovia has condemned the graffiti on the ruins of the old temple of San Agustin, from the sixteenth century. The group Yesca Segovia, which with several photographs and a video on their Facebook and Twitter profiles claims the attack.
Statue of Our Lady of Fatima Intentionally Set on Fire
November 12, 2019, FranceIn the Cathedral of Saint-Luperc in the community of Eauze, the statue of Our Lady of Fatima was intentionally set on fire on November 12th. The mayor suspects the crime was committed by satanists. The statue had been vandalized and stolen before. The police was informed.
Satanic and Offensive Graffiti in a Madrid parish
November 11, 2019, SpainThe exterior wall of the Madrid parish of Santa Catalina de Alejandría was painted with images and symbols including "Death", an inverted cross, and "666."
Charente-Maritime: Desecration at the Church of Tonnay-Charente
November 11, 2019, FranceThe church of Saint-Etienne in Tonnay-Charente was desecrated on November 11th. According to the Bishopric of La Rochelle, the cross of Christ was overturned, the tabernacle was broken, the hosts were scattered on the ground, the lunula containing a host for worship was stolen. The Bishop denounced "the deliberate desire to undermine the integrity of the consecrated hosts."
Nuns at Carmelite Convent in Ireland Verbally Abused by Intruders; Chapel Desecrated
November 11, 2019, IrelandIntruders broke into the Star of the Sea Carmelite Nuns monastery in Malahide in the early afternoon of November 11th and verbally abused the elderly resident sisters, sprayed and smeared the walls of convent's chapel with graffiti.
Rocks thrown through Stained Glass Window of Worcester Church
November 11, 2019, United Kingdom11-12 November 2019. Church Warden left "in tears" after rocks damaged historic details of multiple windows at St Thomas' Church, Worcester.
Arson and Destruction at Churches on Chios
November 10, 2019, GreeceOver the weekend of November 9-10, unidentified vandals broke windows and set the Agia Trapeza (altar) on fire, burning sacred items, in the Agios Haralambos Church. According to reports, this was the third church vandalized in Chalkios on the island of Chios within a week. In the Church of Panagia, a window was smashed and oil and candles were stolen and a fire was set in the Church of Agios Petros and Pavlos.
Desecration and Vandalism of Tonnay-Charente Church: Tabernacle Broken Open; Statue Decapitated
November 9, 2019, FranceJust before an evening Mass on November 9th, unidentified vandals entered the Tonnay-Charente church and tore open the tabernacle of the altar of the Virgin Mary, breaking the doors. The consecrated hosts in the ciborium were thrown to the ground and the glass container holding a host consecrated for adoration was stolen. In addition, crosses were reversed and chairs and statues were broken, including one depicting St. Joseph holding the baby Jesus, which was decapitated by the perpetrators. The Bishop said, this was "desecration, not burglary."
Two Fires Set in Lleida Church
November 8, 2019, SpainUnknown perpetrators set fire to an altar in the church of Sant Joan in Lleida (Lérida) on November 7th. The rector, Joan Ramon Ezquerra, reported that a day earlier, three bouquets around the church had also been set on fire. Mass could not be celebrated in the central nave and had to be moved to the chapel.
Second investigation: Finnish Christian MP investigated for 2004 pamphlet on homosexuality
November 5, 2019, FinlandOn November 4th, the Finnish State General Prosecutor issued a press release announcing the launch of a pre-trial investigation into the publication and distribution of the 2004 pamphlet "Mieheksi ja naiseksi hän heidät loi" (in English, “Male and female He created them”), authored by Päivi Räsänen, the Finnish politician investigated by the police for a tweet in June 2019 quoting the Bible on the issue of homosexuality. Although the pamphlet was printed 15 years ago, it will be included in the case against the Christian politician because it is still “available online.” Räsänen, who served in the past as Minister of the Interior of the government of Finland, risks being accused under Section 10 of the Criminal Code of Finland for “ethnic agitation,” a crime punishable with a fine or prison.
Victory for Christian Refugees at European Court of Human Rights
November 5, 2019, FranceVictory in international court bolsters protections for Christians who face life-threatening persecution in home countries.
'Battering Ram' Night-Raid Robbery at French Cathedral
November 4, 2019, FranceA car fitted with a battering ram was driven into the door of the Cathedral Sainte-Marie d'Oloron in southwestern France on November 4th. Once inside the cathedral, thieves entered the chapel and sawed the iron bars protecting sacred and liturgical items. They stole chalices, ciboria, a centuries old nativity scene, and vestments used by the priest for the Mass. Authorities characterized the theft as organized and well-planned.
Saint-Florent Hermitage Chapel Vandalized in Oberhaslach
November 3, 2019, FranceA chapel was vandalized on Sunday, November 3 in Oberhaslach near Molsheim. A statue of St. Bernadette in the chapel of the hermitage of St. Florent was beheaded and moved. The gendarmes are calling for witnesses.
Inflated Condoms and Vandalism in Saint-Vaast Church in Béthune
November 1, 2019, FranceOn November 1st, unknown perpetrators vandalised the Saint-Vaast church in Béthune. The Vandals knocked over chairs and inflated condoms. The city will file a complaint and the police are investigating.
Antique Bell From Old Chapel In Ypres Stolen
October 31, 2019, BelgiumOn the eve of All Saints the bell of an old chapel located on the Saint-Yvon side, in Warneton, was stolen. Because of its historical value it was currently on display in the choir of the Sint-Jan church, in Ypres. The stolen bronze bell dates from 1728 and weighs 25 kilos.
Self-Described Satanist Vandalized 100 Graves in Cognac Cemetery
October 30, 2019, FranceJust before All Saints' Day, about 100 graves were damaged or destroyed in the Breuil cemetery of Cognac. Christian symbols including crucifixes, crosses, and statues of the Virgin Mary and angels were targeted. An 18-year-old self-described Satanist who "hates all religions, especially Catholicism," was arrested by the police. The timing of the incident, given its close proximity to the feast of All Saints and All Souls, shocked local residents.
St. Stephen Church Attacked Again
October 28, 2019, SpainSt. Stephen Church in Zamora has been once again vandalized. Unknown vandals sprayed graffiti and signatures on the church walls. A few weeks ago, a small fire from burning papers was also set next to the wooden door of the church.
News story Frames Christians Negatively for no Reason
October 28, 2019, FranceThe News Site "20 Minutes" included the picture of a Christian gathering to illustrate a survey on the feelings of French women towards the "threat against secularism", published in "Le Journal du Dimanche" on 26 October. The survey showed a majority of people in favor of banning street prayers together with a photograph showing a gathering of Christians, subtitled "Those polled are particularly opposed to prayers in the street". In reality, the survey was conducted to explore the issues of secularity with Islam in France.
Parish Church Cemetery Vandalized in Zabrzu-Helence
October 27, 2019, PolandMore than 40 graves were vandalized in the cemetery of the Our Lady Mother of the Church (Maryi Panny Matki Kościoła) parish of Zabrzu-Helence during the night between October 26 and 27, just days before Catholics observe All Saints' and All Souls' Days. Granite tombstones were torn down and broken, and wooden crosses were destroyed by unknown vandals.
Theft and Vandalism in Church of Montferrand
October 21, 2019, FranceThe police arrested three young persons on October 21st. They had stolen candles and vandalized the church of Notre-Dame de Montferrand. The entrance door was broken and other objects inside were also damaged. The three perpetrators tried to flee but were caught by police officers.
"Satan Lives" Painted on Barcelona Church
October 14, 2019, SpainThe Spanish Observatory of Religious Freedom reported that "Satan Vive" was discovered written on the door of the church of San Juan Bautista de Gracia in Barcelona in October 2019
Fire Set in Neapolitan Basilica
October 10, 2019, ItalyThe parish priest of the Basilica of San Giovanni Maggiore in Naples has condemned the fire set in the church's musician's chapel, known as the Ecce Homo. The fire had spread to the altar when firefighters were able to extinguish it.
Fire Set in Witzenhausen Church
October 10, 2019, GermanyPolice reported that at 3:30 p.m. on October 10th, a fire was found in the the Evangelical Free Church (Christuskirche) in Witzenhausen. Police officers discovered that several sheets of paper were lit in the area of a stairway directly in front of a wooden shelf, with an oily liquid used as an accelerant. The ignited papers went out without spreading and there was only minor damage to property.
Vandals set off firecrackers inside the church of Madonna della Neve
October 9, 2019, ItalyVandals set off firecrackers inside the church of the Madonna della Neve, also known as Madonna della Tosse.
Berlin Pregnancy Counseling Center Ransacked by Activists
October 6, 2019, GermanyRadical feminists claimed responsibility for breaking into the Pro Femina crisis pregnancy center in Berlin during the night of October 5-6. They smashed the windows on the third floor, smeared a hallway with paint and butyric acid (a foul smelling chemical) and the slogan "Pro Choice!", and glued closed the locks.
Legal Extension of IVF Met with Staunch Opposition in France
October 6, 2019, FranceTens of thousands of French protestors took to the streets of Paris on October 6th to protest the draft bioethics law which passed the lower house of parliament on September 25th. The bill would, amongst other provisions, allow all women under 43 the right to "medically assisted procreation," including in-vitro fertilization (IVF), regardless of their relationship status, or sexual orientation. Currently, French law only allows access to IVF to heterosexual couples unable to have children through natural means, who are either married, or who have lived together for two years.
Córdoba Church Broken into; Consecrated Hosts Scattered on Altar
October 5, 2019, SpainBefore dawn on October 5th, one or more intruders entered the 18th century Chapel of La Rosa in the Córdoba provincial town of Montilla through a side door. Once inside, they found the keys to the tabernacle, opened the pyx inside and scattered several hosts on the altar, according to the Rev. José Félix García, pastor of the parish of Santiago, to which the chapel belongs. Police opened an investigation.
Vandals Desecrated the Chapel of Rosa de Montilla
October 5, 2019, SpainOn Saturday morning, one or more individuals entered the Chapel of the Rose in Montilla and desecrated it by spreading the sacred hosts on top of the altar. The case was reported to the police as a crime against religious feelings. The perpetrators entered through a side door, without needing to use the force, then they took the key of the tabernacle and spread the hosts from the ciborium.
Safety Fears for Iranian Convert to Christianity Facing Threat of Deportation
October 4, 2019, GermanyAn Iranian Christian woman living in the state of Hesse in Germany fears for her life if she is forced to return to Iran, due to strict anti-conversion laws. The woman known as "Mahsa" fled Iran and traveled to Germany in 2015, after an attempted arrest by the religious police for her conversion to Christianity. A recent decision by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) denying her asylum limits Mahsa's options going forward.
Medical Practitioner Fired for Refusing to Adopt Transgender Pronouns
October 3, 2019, United KingdomDr David Mackereth has been an A&E doctor for more than 25 years. The Christian lost his job at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for refusing to identify his clients by their chosen gender instead of their biological sex. He stated that the usage of 'transgender pronouns' would go against his conscience as both, a doctor and a Bible-believing Christian. Supported by the legal team of Christian Concern, he took his case to court.
Tribunal Rules Biblical View of Sexes "Incompatible with Human Dignity"
October 2, 2019, United KingdomA Christian doctor has lost an employment tribunal case, where he alleged that the Department of Work and Pensions breached his freedom of thought, conscience and religion pursuant to the Equality Act. Disability assessor, Dr. David Mackereth claimed discrimination on part of the Department of Work and Pensions for failing to accommodate his refusal to use pronouns which did not correspond with the biological sex of clients. In its decision, the panel stated that Dr. Mackereth's belief that "the Bible teaches us that God made humans male or female" was "incompatible with human dignity."
Medical Professionals Call for Conscience Safeguards if Northern Ireland Liberalizes Abortion Law
September 28, 2019, United KingdomNorthern Ireland Minister received correspondence from more than 700 medical practitioners calling for conscience protections which would allow Christians and conscientious objectors within the profession the statutory right to refuse to participate in abortions.
Anti-Catholic Graffiti on Church of San Miguel de Fuencarral
September 27, 2019, SpainOn 27. September, the Church of San Miguel de Fuencarral was found spray-painted with anti-Catholic graffiti. In red paint the vandals wrote "Murderers", "Nazis", "Blood Stained", "Fascists" and threatened of burning the church. The police was notified.
Marseille Crucifix Vandalized for Fifth Time in Four Months
September 26, 2019, FranceThe crucifix monument on the grounds of the Saint-Patrice church in the Croix-Rouge district of Marseille, was found vandalized with red paint on September 26th. It was the fifth time since the middle of May 2019 that the Christ figure had been defaced with red or blue paint. Public employees removed the paint and Marseille public officials denounced the vandalism.
Saarland Government Denies Asylum to 400 Assyrian Christians
September 25, 2019, GermanyThe Saarland Prime Minister Tobias Hans (CDU) rejected the request of the Assyrian Cultural Association Saarlouis allow about 400 Syrian Christians from the conflict-torn region of Northern Syria on the Khabur River to enter Saarland. Despite offers of respite and assistance from the existing Assyrian community in the German federal state, the government said it would only admit five refugees.
Trial Began for 2016 Ramadan Attack on Christian Refugee
September 24, 2019, GermanyThe trial of a 26-year-old Afghan who was charged with committing serious bodily injury against a Christian convert at the Rottacher Traglufthalle asylum accommodation in 2016 began on September 24th.
Italian Court Ruling Opens the Door For Assisted Suicide in Italy
September 24, 2019, ItalyAfter surviving a 2014 car accident which resulted in tetraplegic paralysis and blindness, Italian disc Jockey Fabiano Antoniani (DJ Fabo) traveled to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland to end his life. The subsequent ruling of the Italian Constitutional Court over proceedings made against his accomplice now opens the door for the legalization of assisted suicide in Italy.
Vandals Set Fire to the Door of the San Juan de Dios Convent of Olivenza
September 20, 2019, SpainThe Convent of San Juan de Dios de Olivenza was vandalized for the second time in a few days. At the end of August, it suffered a paint attack and on September 20th, it was set on fire. An investigation was opened to try to find out who or who is behind this vandalism.
Repeated Vandalism of Eglwysilan Parish Church In Wales
September 16, 2019, United KingdomOver the last few months, a church in Abertridwr, Wales endured repeated acts of vandalism, resulting in fears that it will have to close to public visits during the week. Damage included a stolen collection box, a damaged and defaced historic visitors book, in use since the 1940s, a flagstone outside the church was removed, and fire extinguishers were sprayed inside the church, causing both damage and financial burden.
Anti-Catholic Inscriptions Painted on Wall of Polish Church
September 16, 2019, PolandPolice in Olecko investigated acts of vandalism against the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Poland (kościele Najświętszej Maryi Panny Królowej Polski) where anti-religious phrases such as "Catholicism Deceives" and "Lead us not" (referring to part of the Lord's Prayer) were painted in black on the wall.
Zurich March for Life Disrupted by Violent Counter-Demo
September 14, 2019, SwitzerlandThe approved rally "March for Life" in Zurich on the afternoon of September 14th was disrupted by an unauthorized counter-demonstration. More than a thousand peaceful participants in the March for Life gathered on the Turbinenplatz to begin the march on an approved route in the city. At the same time, several hundred people -- called by some press reports a Red-Green alliance -- some with prams containing objects to be thrown (including stones and bottles), convened on the Josefswiese to start an unauthorized counter-demonstration parade. As they attempted to stop the counter-demo and prevent a clash with the March for Life, police were attacked with objects, including bottles and stones. Dumpsters were set on fire, a police vehicle was demolished, and firefighters were hindered by the protesters. In response, the police used a water cannon, rubber bullets, and tear gas to deter the protesters. Due to the violence, the police stopped the March for Life temporarily and ultimately shortened the route to prevent an encounter with the counter-demonstrators, some of whom were masked.
Woman Destroyed the Cruz del Arquillo of the City of Seville
September 10, 2019, SpainThe City Hall Cross in the Plaza de San Francisco in Seville, was partially destroyed by a woman who broke the horizontal portions of the cross and fled. The city government denounced the act.
Marseille Crucifix Vandalized Again
September 9, 2019, FranceFor the fourth time since May 2019, the crucifix monument on the grounds of the Saint-Patrice church in hte Croix-Rouge district of Marseille was vandalized on September 9th. As in previous incidents, the Christ figure was defaced with paint. In this instance the vandals used red paint to cover parts of the head and body.