All cases

Statue of Virgin Mary Beheaded in Växjö

January 19, 2018, Sweden

An unknown perpetrator chopped the head and hands off the statue of the Virgin Mary which stood outside St. Michael's Catholic Church in Växjö.

Afghan Convert ‘Could Face Death’ if Deported from Switzerland

January 18, 2018, Switzerland

ADF International filed an expert brief with the European Court of Human Rights in support of an Afghan citizen who faces deportation from Switzerland. A.A. (anonymized for security reasons) converted from Islam to Christianity and sought asylum, which the Swiss government denied. If returned to Afghanistan, he could face severe social and formal persecution, with punishments ranging from lengthy imprisonment to death.

Antwerp Church Vandalized

January 14, 2018, Belgium

The Church of St. James (Sint-Jacobskerk) in Antwerp was vandalized sometime during the night between January 14th to January 15th. The church is frequented by the Chaldean brothers in Belgium.

Baptismal Font Stolen from Flavignac Church

January 14, 2018, France

On January 14th, church trustees discovered that a baptismal font was missing and presumed stolen on January 14th. The copper font, dating from 1922, object, had been located near the entrance of the church of Flavignac. Church trustees thought it was being repaired, but later discovered that had been stolen. The mayor noted that the theft must have occurred during the day, as the church is closed after 5 p.m. A complaint was lodged with the police.

Pastor excluded from volunteering at prison due to allegations of extremism by Imam

January 11, 2018, United Kingdom

Pastor Paul Song was excluded from volunteering at a prison in Brixton, South London after Muslim Imam accused him of being too radical.

Church Visit Disrupted by a Man yelling "Allah Akbar"

January 10, 2018, France

During a visit of a class from the Dauphiné high school to the church le collégiale Saint-Barnard in Romans-sur-Isère, a 34-year-old man allegedly reproached the female students for how they were dressed, before shouting "Allah Akbar." He also damaged the facade of the church. The man was later arrested.

Statue of Virgin Mary Damaged by Paint and Stones

January 6, 2018, Poland

Unknown vandals poured black paint and used stones to damage the statue of the Virgin Mary in the forest shrine in Gdynia. Police began an investigation and parishioners of Wawrzyńca prayed for the "conversion of the hears and minds" of the perpetrators.

Vandalism Trial in Gemonio Postponed Until June

December 31, 2017, Italy

A hearing, which was meant to happen on 27th of April 2022, was postponed until June due to health reason. The hearing relates to a case of vandalism where a group of children sprayed black spray paint on of the fourteen chapels of the Via Sacro in December 31st, 2017. The police examined video footage to identify the suspects who were 14 years or older.

Lons-le-Saunier: Repeated Vandalism and Disturbances in a Church

December 29, 2017, France

After weeks of disturbances and vandalism in the church of Cordeliers, the priest church filed a complaint with the police on December 29th. From the beginning of December, fire extinguishers had been found emptied, excrement found in the pulpit, and games had been played with candles creating a fire risk. Police began a forensic investigation.

Infant Jesus Stolen from Brussels Nativity

December 29, 2017, Belgium

Sometime during the night between December 28th and 29th, the nativity scene placed in the Grand Palace in Brussels was vandalized. The figure of the infant Jesus was stolen and the cradle was damaged. The police investigated.

Desecration and Theft of Consecrated Hosts from Spanish Parish

December 26, 2017, Spain

During the night between 26th to 27th of December the parish church of San Francisco de Sales in Parla, in the Community of Madrid, was desecrated when the tabernacle containing consecrated hosts was stolen. 

A Nativity Scene in Alzira Mountain Destroyed

December 25, 2017, Spain

On 25th December, the nativity scene installed on Sunday 17 December on the summit of Alzira's highest mountain, La Ratlla, was vandalised. Unknown perpetrators destroyed several figures and others went missing. The backpack in which the material was stored was empty, and the landmark of the mountain was also torn to pieces. The visitor's book was also damaged and the book was stolen.

Pharmacist’s Conscience Rights Appeal Dismissed

December 22, 2017, France

France's highest administrative court refused to hear the appeal of a pharmacist who was sanctioned for refusing to sell an IUD.

London Assembly Passed Motion to Clarify Police Power in "Buffer Zones"

December 21, 2017, United Kingdom

On December 21, 2017 the London Assembly passed a motion calling on the mayor to “clarify the powers available to [police] to arrest and prosecute” pro-life campaigners who pray near abortion clinics, accusing them of “obstruction, intimidation and harassment” and “threatening behavior.”

Government Guidance Ensures "Gender Inclusive School Environment"

December 13, 2017, United Kingdom

New government guidance by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) encourages schools to “ensure the visibility” of transgender perspectives in the classroom.

Lottery's Advertisement Featured Model Posing as Crucified Jesus

December 13, 2017, Germany

German Catholic and Protestant leaders expressed outrage after Sophia Thomalla posed on a cross in lingerie for a lottery company's promotion. The advertising included the slogan "Christmas is now even more beautiful."

Christian Peer Fears Proclaiming Christianity could be a Hate Crime

December 12, 2017, United Kingdom

Lord Pearson of Rannoch posed the question to the British government: "Will they confirm unequivocally that a Christian who says that Jesus the only son of the one true God cannot be arrested for hate crime or any other offense?" The government's representative in the House of Lords refused to comment on the question.

Nativity Scene in Boadilla del Monte Vandalized

December 6, 2017, Spain

Figures of a nativity scene in Boadilla del Monte were found placed in obscene poses by unknown perpetrators.

Belgian Red Cross Branches Ordered to Remove Crucifixes

November 29, 2017, Belgium

The Provincial Committee of the Red Cross in Liège sent an email to all branches in Belgium ordering them to remove all crucifixes from their walls, to appear more secular.

Two Gates Stolen from War Memorial at Church in Mapperley

November 27, 2017, United Kingdom

Thieves have stolen two large gates from a war memorial at the Holy Trinity Church in Mapperley. The 1.2 meter gates were taken sometime between 6 PM November 26 and 8:30 AM November 27. Reverend Gill Turner-Callis said "they are the gates which lead to the churchyard and form part of the war memorial for all those who died in the Great Wars." Derbyshire police have investigated the theft from the Mapperley church.