All cases

Woman Attacked for Reading from Bible

December 28, 2016, Austria

A 22-year-old man from Afghanistan stabbed a Christian woman when he heard her reading from the Bible at a refugee accommodation in Vöcklamarkt (Upper Austria).

Man Forcibly Removed after Disrupting Christmas Mass

December 24, 2016, France

Police removed a man who disrupted the Mass at the Church of Saint-Christophe in Tourcoing after he frightened and disturbed the parishioners.

Orsay Church Vandalized on Christmas

December 24, 2016, France

The wall of church of Saint-Martin Saint-Laurent d'Orsay was tagged with an anti-consumerism message ("Noël fête du capitalisme") in black paint. Police are investigating.

Theft from Sainte-Anne Church in Lanvéoc

December 24, 2016, France

A statue of an angel was stolen from the manger scene where it had been displayed for the last 80 years. Parishioners are upset and the Mayor called the theft "scandalous" because the angel was part of the town's heritage. A police complaint was filed.

Vandals Attack St. Augustine Church in Utrecht

December 23, 2016, Netherlands

In the morning of December 23, 2016 a parish employee discovered the locked doors forced open, bibles torn, and the newly-restored processional cross destroyed. The pastor estimates damages in the thousands of euros. Police are investigating.

UK Considering Secularist Oath of Allegiance to British Values

December 21, 2016, United Kingdom

The UK government has proposed that all office holders and employees of the State swear an Oath of Allegiance to British Values that conflicts with traditional Christian teaching about sexuality.

Nativity Scene Destroyed by Fire

December 21, 2016, France

A Nativity scene set up in an old fountain in Wimille was completely destroyed by a fire during the night of December 20-21st. Police are investigating whether it was intentionally set, or a short circuit in the lighting. The city chose not to replace it, in case it was an act of vandalism.

Berlin Christmas Market the Target of Terrorist Attack

December 20, 2016, Germany

Anis Amri, a 24-year old Tunisian man, stole a truck and intentionally drove it into a crowded Christmas market near the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in West Berlin, leaving 12 dead and more than 50 injured. ISIS claimed responsibility, and the driver pledged allegiance to ISIS, calling on his "Muslim brothers everywhere... Those in Europe, kill the crusader pigs." "Crusaders" refers to Christians in ISIS rhetoric. While in the Italian prison in Sicily, Anis Amri threatened one of his fellow prisoners: “You are Christian and I will cut your head off,” according to Reppublica, which indicates the attacker's pre-existing bias against Christians.

Cathedral in Fort-de-France Vandalized and Burgled Five Times in Seven Days

December 20, 2016, France

The Cathedral of Saint-Louis was the repeated victim of looting, vandalism, and theft on December 14th, 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th. The Cathedral is being restored and the perpetrators broke recently-renovated windows to gain entry.

Holsbeek Town Council Removed Nativity Scene

December 19, 2016, Belgium

The Christmas display in the town hall was removed to "avoid offending Muslims living in the area," resulting in protests and objections from citizens, politicians, and some Muslim activists who said it was absurd to say that Muslims are offended by the birth of Jesus.

Vandalism and Fires in Two Churches in Tarn-et-Garonne

December 19, 2016, France

Police are investigating acts of vandalism and intentional fires set in the Church of Saint-Blaise and the Church of Saint-Michel.

Church Desecrated in Crete

December 18, 2016, Greece

Unknown perpetrators entered the Orthodox church of the Archangel Michael near Lagoliou, set sacred books on fire in the sanctuary, and sprayed "Allah is great" in Arabic on the walls.

Christian Kindergarten Advent Performance Disrupted by Man Carrying Koran

December 17, 2016, Austria

During the children's performance in Schwanenstadt, attended by parents and relatives, a 24-year-old Somali man with a backpack and plastic bag got on stage and began waving the Koran around. When people tried to remove him, he resisted and began shouting "Allah." The police investigated.

Christmas Decorations and Crèche Thrown in River

December 17, 2016, France

During the night of December 17-18th, all of the Christmas decorations installed on a bridge, as well as the handmade wooden crèche arranged at the feet of a statue of the Virgin Mary were thrown into the Seine in Fouchères. A complaint was filed with police.

Spanish Court Acquits City Councilor of Infringing on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Convictions

December 16, 2016, Spain

Rita Maestre had been fined for removing her top inside a chapel during a protest against the "antidemocratic and chauvinistic" positions of the Catholic Church in 2011. On appeal, that decision was reversed as the court found that "inadequate clothing or certain inappropriate gestures" were "disrespectful but not desecration."

Priest Attacked, Tied Up, and Robbed in Pastoral Center

December 16, 2016, France

Rutumbu Juvenal, the priest in charge of the parish of Palaiseau, was attacked by two armed men on December 16, 2016 at the church's pastoral center.

Bomb Discovered in Front of Church

December 15, 2016, France

A parishioner discovered a bomb in a cardboard box against the door of the Saint-André church. Police in Toulouse are investigating and said that the device was capable of a small explosion.

Thieves Hit Caorle Cathedral in 3rd Incident in Veneto Region in 10 Days

December 15, 2016, Italy

Glass cases protecting sacred statues and images were smashed and the decorative jewels and offerings of the faithful were stolen. Police are investigating the links between this incident and others in the region targeting shrines containing sacred images.

Five Churches Burgled in Three Weeks

December 13, 2016, France

According to the Bishop of Réunion, five churches have been the target of thieves in the preceding three weeks. The most recent was the church of Sainte-Marie, which was ransacked and money and equipment were stolen. A criminal investigation is underway.

Thieves Steal Gold from Sacred Statue of Our Lady of Pilastrello

December 11, 2016, Italy

After several failed attempts since June 2016, thieves managed to sneak into the guarded shrine in Lendinara, smashed a protective glass case, and stole all of the gold on the statue of the "Black Madonna."