All cases
Town Council to Remove Cross from Public Square
August 11, 2016, SpainThe Callosa de Segura town council voted to remove the cross in the plaza of the church of San Martin. Christian legal groups objected, noting that its presence poses no threat to anyone and that it is part of the town's historical and cultural heritage.
Authorities Deny Permission for CCTV for Church
August 10, 2016, SwedenThe Catholic Church of Karlstad has been a repeated victim of attacks: Hate graffiti, inverted crosses glued on its walls, and broken windows. In 2015, Father Martin Ferenc, pastor of the church, filed no fewer than 15 police complaints. The police suggested that he install video surveillance cameras in order to identify the perpetrators. The priest therefore asked the administrative board to authorize their installation. The board rejected the application on the grounds that the church's interest in solving these crimes is outweighed by the individual's interest in not being recorded.
Vandals Tag 14th Century Church Fresco
August 10, 2016, ItalyA "street artist" tagged a fresco in the Basilica di San Lorenzo in Vicenza with black spray paint.
Pastor and Politician Report Abuse of Christian Refugees in Frankfurt
August 8, 2016, GermanyDuring a press conference with Bundestag member Erika Steinbach, Pastor Mahin Mousapour said Christians staying at migrant shelters are being told that they are impure and that they deserve to die for rejecting Islam.
Holy Synod Offices the Victim of Arson Attack by Molotov Cocktails
August 8, 2016, GreeceThe attack occurred at 3.10 a.m. when unidentified assailants, presumed to be anarchists, threw four Molotov cocktails into the yard of a church in central Athens, the Moni Petraki, which houses the central offices of the Church of Greece's Holy Synod. The molotov cocktails detonated, destroying two cars that had been parked outside.
Venice Church the Site of Two Anti-Christian Incidents
August 7, 2016, ItalyFour women wearing headscarves entered the Church of San Zulian, approached the crucifix, and spat on it. They then moved among the tourists undetected. The day before, on July 6, 2016, two young men, described as "Asians," received Communion, and then spat out pieces of the Host onto the ground and fled.
14-Year-Old Confesses to Setting Fire to Church
August 6, 2016, ItalyDuring the day of August 6, 2016, a 14-year-old intentionally set a fire in the church of San Filippo Neri in Savigliano using candles. The fire spread to the wooden paneling and was finally contained by the use of two fire extinguishers.
Christians Forced to Flee Refugee Housing in Schloss Holte-Stukenbrock
August 4, 2016, GermanyFourteen young Christian Iranians fled their accommodations after being threatened with death for months by a group of Muslims living in the tent city.
Anti-Christian Posters Glued to Public Light Posts in Argenteuil
August 3, 2016, FranceThe posters read: "The only church that illuminates is one that burns" along with an illustration of a church on fire.
Anarchist Protesters Disrupt Divine Liturgy
July 31, 2016, GreeceA group of about 25 people burst into the church of Saint Gregory Palamas in Thessaloniki, disrupting the Divine Liturgy (Eucharistic service of the Byzantine Rite) throwing leaflets protesting against the expulsion of refugees and migrants. The protesters clashed with those present in the church. Riot police made more than twenty arrests.