All cases

Gender-Abortion Whistleblower Ordered to Pay Costs

January 20, 2017, United Kingdom

Aisling Hubert, who began criminal proceedings against two doctors who were filmed offering 'gender-abortion', went to court to challenge £36,000 of the costs that were awarded against her after she tried to bring two 'gender-abortion' doctors to justice. The judge said he could not amend or reduce the costs. Instead a settlement was reached for the amount Aisling has to pay. She now has until 18 August to pay the agreed amount.

Man Fined for Using Altar in Performance Art in Saarbrücken

January 18, 2017, Germany

In January 2016, Alexander Karle crossed the barrier to the altar of the basilica of Sankt Johann and did push-ups for a video he called "Pressure to perform". An administrative court imposed a fine of EUR 700 for trespassing and disturbance of religious practice. Karle has appealed, citing artistic freedom.

Policing and Crime Bill Proposes to Raise Penalty for "Religiously Aggravated Offense"

January 18, 2017, United Kingdom

During the debate in the House of Lords, the Government was asked what would qualify for a "religiously motivated offense" and whether it could include a Christian preaching the "supreme divinity of Christ." The Government responded that this would be up to prosecutors and courts.

Romanesque Door and Rectory of a Church in Sabadell Destroyed

January 18, 2017, Spain

The Municipal Police of Sabadell investigated several instances of intentional damage in the Sant Pau de Riu-sec church, which dates from the 11th and 12th centuries, as well as in the rectory. The damage affected the original door of the south facade of the church. The arch and one of the windows were also attacked: a protection grid was cut and one of the wooden porticos was broken.

Iranian and Afghan Christian Converts Face Deportation from Germany

January 16, 2017, Germany

Germany’s Ministry for Immigration and Refugees (BAMF) rejected many applications for asylum from Iranian and Afghan converts from Islam to Christianity, following “kangaroo court”-style hearings as to whether the conversions are genuine, according to a Berlin pastor.

Goverment Still Supports Plan to Register & Inspect Sunday Schools

January 11, 2017, United Kingdom

Education minister confirmed that the program to regulate "out of school" settings, which could include Sunday school and youth group meetings, remains a government priority. Opponents say that this would leave churches open to complaints if they teach religious principles relating to traditional marriage.

Arson at Emmaüskerk in Amersfoort

January 8, 2017, Netherlands

Police investigated an early morning fire intentionally set on January 1st in the main entrance of the old wooden church, destroying the doors and leaving the church reeking of smoke. Fortunately, the fire was extinguished before destroying the building. One week later, unknown vandals set fire to the church again on January 8th.

Two Priests Attacked in Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome

January 7, 2017, Italy

A 41-year-old man attacked two priests with a broken glass bottle and both had to be hospitalized. The attacker fled, but was quickly caught by the police. The motive for the attack is unclear.

At Least 30 Tombs Vandalized and Profaned in Finistère

January 7, 2017, France

Some time in the night of January 6 - 7, at least 30 graves in the cemetery of Brennilis were vandalized, with crosses and crucifixes overturned or broken and headstones toppled. Police are investigating.

Christmas Nativity Set on Fire on Eve of Epiphany Holiday

January 6, 2017, France

Unknown perpetrators intentionally set fire to the straw at the base of the nativity scene in the Cathedral of Saint-Étienne, burning all of the figures. The Archbishop expressed the pain of the community, saying that the display expresses the heart of the Christian faith.

Church and Christ Figure Vandalized in Madrid

January 5, 2017, Spain

On January 5, 2017, the exterior of the parish of Santa María de Nazaret in Madrid, Spain, was vandalized with graffiti and an figure of Christ was damaged by unknown perpetrators.

25 Year Old Smashed Shrine and Set Fire to Crèche

January 2, 2017, Italy

The perpetrator, a Gambian with a valid residence permit, broke the glass case containing a statue of the Virgin Mary in the courtyard of the Church of the Madonna del Rosario and then burned the Christmas crèche, completely destroying it. He admitted the act to the police, saying that he was Muslim and wanted to destroy the Christian symbols.

L'Abbaye d'Orval Robbed

January 1, 2017, Belgium

A safe containing 50,000 euros was stolen from the Orval Abbey, a Cistercien-Trappist Monastery famous for a brewery whose profits go to fund social projects. Police are investigating.

New Year's Fireworks Damage Church Roof in Poeldijk

January 1, 2017, Netherlands

Illegal fireworks are the likely cause of damage to the recently restored roof of the Reformed Church in Poeldijk. Witnesses saw two men on the roof setting fireworks, which are illegal. Officials have not determined if the damage was intentional, but the perpetrators have not come forward and police are investigating.

Chapel in St. Radegund Damaged by Vandals

January 1, 2017, Austria

On New Year's Eve, unknown perpetrators vandalized a chapel, damaging a statue of the Virgin Mary and burned prayer books and wooden objects nearby. Damages are estimated at around 1,000 euros. Police are investigating.

Chapel in Brunau am Inn the Victim of Theft and Vandalism

January 1, 2017, Austria

Unknown perpetrators beheaded a statue of St. Barbara and stole a Christ figure from a cross and several other sacred objects. Damage is estimated at around 5,000 euros. Police are investigating.

Forest Chapel in Auerbach Vandalized

December 31, 2016, Austria

Unknown perpetrators broke into the chapel, threw stones at the altar, smashed two glass domes containing statues of the Virgin Mary, and stole and destroyed 22 paintings and murals hung by pilgrims visiting the chapel.

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.