All cases

‘Crucified Cow’ Displayed in Catholic Church by Artist as Comment on Wastefulness

November 23, 2017, Belgium

An “art” exhibit depicting 500 kg cow nailed to a cross hanging over a basin with 5,000 liters of milk was installed in the small parish church of Saint John the Baptist of Kuttekoven, in the Flemish town of Borgloon. The artist's message was to draw attention to food waste and housing shortages.

Statue of Mother Teresa to be Removed from Skopje

November 23, 2017, Other

The Minister of Culture Robert Alagjozovski of FYROMacedonia recommended the removal of a statue of Mother Teresa from the center of Skopje. The Balkan city is the birthplace of the Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary who was canonized by Pope Francis in 2016.

"God is Dead" Painted on Landerneau Church

November 19, 2017, France

During the night, vandals sprayed "God is Dead -- Nietzsche" and an inverted cross on the outside of the church of Saint-Houardon in Landerneau.

Spanish Nuns Fined for Restoring Church Organ

November 18, 2017, Spain

The Andalusian government fined a convent of Spanish nuns 170,000 euros for having a priceless church organ repaired without the state's permission. After public outcry, the fine was reduced to 1,1710 euros on December 19, 2017.

Pro-ISIS Group Circulated Image of Beheaded Pope on Poster Called "Christmas Blood"

November 17, 2017, Other

The pro-ISIS Wafa Media Foundation released a propaganda poster with an image depicting a jihadist standing over the torso of a prisoner in an orange jumpsuit while holding the head of the Pope. Written next to the Pope's head is "Jorge Mario Bergoglio."

ISIS Propaganda Called for Christmas Attack on Vatican

November 16, 2017, Other

During the week of November 16th, the pro-IS group Wafa Media Foundation released a propaganda poster depicting a jihadist armed with a rifle driving into St. Peter's Basilica in Rome with a written message warning of a Christmas attack.

Men Entered Convent Demanding Nuns Convert to Islam

November 10, 2017, France

On November 10th, two men rang the doorbell of the Carmelite convent of Verdum and asked to "discuss religion" and to tell them how Islam corrects the distortions of Christianity. During Vespers, the men prayed aloud in Arabic and told the nuns if they did not convert to Islam, they would "go to hell."

Art Stolen from Saint-Jacques Church in Dieppe

November 7, 2017, France

Eight works of art were stolen from the St. Jacques Church in Dieppe during the night between the 6th and 7th of November.

Church Vandalized in Brittany

November 6, 2017, France

The Saint-Ouen parish church of Plouay was vandalized on November 6, 2018. The central altar stone was moved and and arm was broken off the statue of the Madonna and child and stolen.

Fifth Summit Cross Destroyed in Bavarian Mountains

November 5, 2017, Germany

The 4-meter-high wooden summit cross on the Kotzen in the Karwendel mountians was vandalized during the weekend of November 5th. Police opened an investigation to determine if the series of incidents were committed by the same person.

Church Crosses Removed from Event Logo; Replaced after Complaints

November 4, 2017, Romania

The event logo for "Upgrade My City" in Timisoura, Romania depicted a skyline with church buildings, but with the crosses atop the steeples removed. After complaints, the crosses reappeared on the logos with an apology.

Church Devastated by Vandalism in Bremen-Lesum

October 29, 2017, Germany

Unknown perpetrators caused half a million euros in damage when they vandalized the St. Martini Church by filling two organs with construction foam, emptying a fire extinguisher, and pouring red acrylic paint on the floor in front of the altar and baptismal font.

Statue of the Virgin Mary Vandalized in Noyelles-lès-Seclin

October 28, 2017, France

The statue of Notre-Dame-de-Fatima was splashed with used oil during the night of October 27th to 28th. Adolescents confessed to the incident.

Graffiti on Church

October 28, 2017, France

The church of L'Ardoise was vandalized with anti-police graffiti by unknown perpetrators. The mayor condemned the act, calling it disrespectful and filed a complaint with the public prosecutor.

Court Rules Student can be Expelled for Quoting Bible on Facebook

October 27, 2017, United Kingdom

On October 27, Felix Ngole, a Christian student who was expelled from university after posting on Facebook his support of Biblical teaching on marriage and sexual ethics, lost his case in a judicial review of the university’s decision.

Catholic Pro-Life Student Union President Ousted

October 27, 2017, Ireland

Students Union at University College Dublin, a university founded by Blessed John Henry Newman, voted to remove Katie Ascough, the Catholic pro-life president of their student union. This vote came after Ascough, on legal advice, stopped the Union from publishing information about the cost of abortion and information relating to abortion pills.

Christian Graves Vandalized in Arthon-en-Retz

October 27, 2017, France

Two teenagers were arrested for vandalizing at least a dozen graves in the cemetery in Arthon-en-Retz on October 27th. Flowerpots, vases, and crucifixes were broken, and at least one crucifix was planted upside-down in the ground.

Galway: Church Interior Found Devastated

October 26, 2017, Ireland

On the 26th of October, the Holy Trinity Church on Errislannan peninsula in Galway was completely desecrated by vandalism.

French Community Ordered to Remove Cross from Statue of John Paul II

October 25, 2017, France

On October 25th the French State Council, the highest administrative court in France, ordered the removal of the cross atop the statue of Pope John Paul II in the community of Ploërmel because the symbol violates French secularism laws.

Secularist Associations Call for Removal of Virgin Mary from Police Medal

October 24, 2017, Spain

The secularist associations Europa Lacia and Movimiento Hacia un Estado Laico (MHUEL) have appealed the 2016 Supreme Court ruling allowing the image of Nuestra Señora María Santísima del Amor to appear on a medal used by the fraternal organization, Jesús el Rico de Málaga, associated with the national police. The prosecutor asked for the appeal to be dismissed.