All cases

Montmartre Basilica of Sacré-Cœur in Paris Graffitied

March 18, 2014, France

The forecourt and pillars of the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur in Paris were found graffitied with phrases such as “Fire to the chapels,” “Neither God, nor master,” “Fuck tourism,” and “Down with all the authorities.” The last, along with the phrase “Solidarity Monica and Francisco,” could be an indication that the vandalism was committed by an anarchist group. Monica Caballero and Francisco Solar were two militants imprisoned in Spain after the attempted bombing on the Spanish basilica of El Pilar.

St. Peter’s Church in Pléhédel Vandalised

March 16, 2014, France

A church in Pléhédel, Brittany, was vandalised on Sunday, March 16th. The candles were smashed into the carpet and fire damaged the carpet and the cloth tabernacle altar covering as well as the steps leading up to the altar. It is reported that some youths were spotted at the time.

Christian Claims he was Denied a Job at a Country House Hotel near Colchester on Account of His Faith

March 13, 2014, United Kingdom

Graphic designer Jamie Haxby was interviewed for a job at Prested Hall Hotel near Colchester in the United Kingdom. He says his interviewer, Celie Parker, asked him if he was Christian, to which he answered in the affirmative. On looking through his portfolio and seeing that he had done previous work with churches and Christian groups, she commented that she and other members of staff were atheists and that they could never work with a committed Christian. She is also reported to have apologized for wasting Haxby’s time.

Church in Brie-Comte-Robert Robbed of Consecrated Hosts

March 11, 2014, France

Upon arriving at the church on a Monday morning, one of the priests in charge of serving the parish of Saint-Étienne discovered that the door to the chapel was open and the tabernacle had been robbed. The hosts that had been stolen were consecrated ones, considered by Catholics to be sacred. The tabernacle was the only thing robbed. Police rapidly intervened and dusted the area for fingerprints. The community reacted in a spiritual way, organising a prayer session.

Graffiti on Church of Saint-Sernin in Toulouse

March 11, 2014, France

Anticlerical graffiti was found on the church of Saint-Sernin in Toulouse. One of the inscriptions read “Fuck the Church.”

Propaganda Film Offensive to Christians

March 11, 2014, France

The short propaganda film, “14 Millions de Cris”, produced by Liza Azuelos, speaks out against forced marriages of under aged children, but turns offensive when it uses the Christian milieu as its setting. Many Christians find it derogatory to portray Christians in this film as forcing their children into early matrimony. This might be more common in Muslim countries, but to place it in a Christian setting in France is an indication of discrimination.

Obscene Graffiti on the Basilica of Saint Nicholas in Nantes

March 9, 2014, France

Obscene graffiti was found on the church of Saint-Nicolas in Nantes, France. The graffiti, located near the entrance of the church, said “Jesus Fucked.” The media was silent on this subject.

European Femen Activist Rips Bible in Front of Texas State Capitol

March 8, 2014, International

Ukrainian citizen, French resident, Inna Shevchenko stood outside the Texas state Capitol in Austin to protest abortion laws on March 8th, 2014. She had “Your Bible doesn’t control my vagina” written across her bare chest as she tore out pages of a Bible.

Desacration and Devastation Of The Holy Icons in Pogoni, North Epirus

March 1, 2014, Greece

Unknown vandals broke into the Chapel of the Mother of God in Pogoni of North Epirus and devastated and burned Holy Icons and other objects. The act shocked local faithful and priests.

Church in Rennes Target of Shaving Cream Graffiti

February 27, 2014, France

The church of Saint-Germain in Rennes was the target of vandals who “painted” the words “Raser l’Eglise” with shaving cream onto the exterior wall of the church. The translation of these words is either “Shave the church” or, alternately, “Demolish the church”. The same church had been the victim of vandalism at the beginning of January when its Nativity scene was burned.

Government Seems to Discriminate Against Religious Education

February 25, 2014, United Kingdom

The failure of the government to provide bursaries for those wishing to teach Religious Education (RE) has been described as “rank discrimination” by a leading RE body. Childcare minister Elizabeth Truss MP confirmed this month that no bursaries would be offered for religious education teachers in training this year. This cut in the bursaries has made it increasingly difficult for those studying to teach RE.

Communist Candidate Wants to See Parish in Bordeaux Disappear

February 24, 2014, France

Vincent Maurin, a Communist candidate of the Left Front in the city of Bordeaux, not only opposed the opening of a Catholic School in a district of Bordeaux in December but in February the construction of a church in the same area also. A new election propaganda leaflet included a list of changes to be made in Bordeaux under Vincent Maurin, one item being the disappearance of the parish St. Eloi, which he described as a "stronghold of religious fundamentalism". The word "fundamentalism" is printed in red.

Cross Desecrated in Rennes

February 24, 2014, France

A large cement monument of a cross was covered in graffiti during a left wing “Antifa” event on 8 February. It remained covered in graffiti for weeks despite services clearing up the city in preparation for another event. It seems that desecrated religious buildings and sites do not enjoy the same respect as other parts of the city.

Vandalism and Bulglary in Churches in Crete

February 23, 2014, Greece

The churches of Saint Spyridon and Saint Paraskevi were profanated and devastated by unknown vandals. There was also an attempt to burn Christian symbols and object on the altar. Local faithful and priests were shocked and terrified.

Desecration of the Chapel of the Olympic Village in Grenoble

February 21, 2014, France

In the morning when a faithful arrived to prepare the religious services, he found damages to the chapel of the Olympic Village. Furthermore, the ciborium containing the consecrated hosts had been stolen. The intention of the perpetrator is not known.

Member of European Parliament Seeks Exclusion of Christianity

February 20, 2014, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)

Belgian socialist Member of the European Parliament, Veronique De Keyser called in an e-mail to all MEPs and all assistants for “general mobilisation against obscurantism”. With "Obscurantism" she seems to mean Christianity, as she continues to say: “A Europe which is open and respectful of all beliefs and philosophical convictions cannot be one that puts Christian roots to the forefront. This is not Europe! Europe is one of Enlightenment, a Europe of free thinking, a Europe of separation of state and church.”

Tabernacle in French Alsace Target of Break-in

February 19, 2014, France

A chapel in the French city of Mulhouse was broken into, and it appears that the tabernacle was the intended target. Nothing was vandalised, but the lock on the tabernacle shows signs of an attempt to open it. The perpetrators did not succeed, however, the lock is now broken and must be replaced.

Fire in Church of Sainte-Marie in Le Boulou

February 18, 2014, France

A fire broke out around 10 am in the church of Sainte-Marie Le Boulou. A large figure of Christ which was made of wood and plaster and installed in the entrance of the church caught on fire and was burning for hours. The fire department and police are investigating.

Hate Mail Received for Disagreeing with Same-Sex Marriage

February 12, 2014, Ireland

Breda O’Brien, an Irish teacher, journalist and pro-life feminist has been receiving hate mail from people because of an article she wrote disagreeing with same-sex marriage and discussing homophobia and liberal intolerance.

Elderly Street Preacher Falsely Arrested and Assaulted by Police

February 11, 2014, United Kingdom

73-year-old Bill Edwards was ordered by a police constable to stop preaching outside the Magistrates Court House in Banbury as some people in the building found his preaching “offensive”. He refused to move and was arrested and charged with assault and breach of peace. In the police station Mr Edwards was grabbed by six officers and pinned to the ground.