All cases

French President Condemns the Murder of Christians Without Referring to Their Faith

February 16, 2015, France

In his statement after the murder of 21 Coptic Christians by Daesh in Libya, President Hollande did not mention the word "Christian" or that these people were killed by Islamic State for their Christian faith at all, but he merely referred to the victims as "Egyptian citizens."

After Numerous Acts of Vandalism Bishop Orders Removal of the Eucharist

February 10, 2015, France

In a response to the repeated, severe acts of vandalism which have taken place in ten French parishes during the last few weeks, the bishop of Bellay-Ars ordered that the Eucharist should be removed from all parishes and chapels of his diocese.

Abortion Opponents Compared to Jihadists

February 9, 2015, Sweden

Mona Sahlin, the national coordinator against violent extremism at the Swedish Ministry of Justice, stated during a panel discussion on religion and democracy that Ellinor Grimmark, a Christian midwife who refuses to participate in abortion, was an "extreme religious practitioner who is fighting in a similar way as do the people fighting for the Islamic state.”

Series of Desecration and Thefts at Churches

February 8, 2015, France

Five French churches were the victims of theft, vandalism and desecration within three days at the hands of unknown perpetrators.

Student Beaten in Dormitory for Christian Faith in Berlin

February 8, 2015, Germany

According to the police, a 24-year-old student was first verbally insulted and then severely beaten by two attackers on his way to his student dormitory, solely "because of his Christian faith." During the assault, the offenders put a knife to the student’s throat. Security staff intervened, but the two perpetrators escaped by car.

Graves Devastated in Severan

February 7, 2015, France

According to the local sources, twenty graves were vandalized in the downtown cemetery of Severan. The unknown perpetrators were exceptionally brutal toward Christian symbols that adorned the graves. Police is investigating.

Arson of Protestant Church in Plauen / Saxony

February 5, 2015, Germany

In Stockheim (in the diocese of Augsburg) an arson attack took place in Protestant St. Michael's church. The fire was discovered by the sexton of the church who together with his wife managed to extinguish the fire in the altar area. Despite their efforts, according to the police report, the fire spread to the rest of the church. The couple was taken to the hospital for the observation. According to a police report, there is evidence of intentional vandalism, even though religious motivation has not yet been publicly confirmed.

Conscientious Objection At Stake After Five Public Hospitals Refuse to Perform Abortions

January 31, 2015, Croatia

The Ministry of Health in Croatia vowed to ensure abortion in all public hospitals, regardless of doctors' conscientious objection. According to the Ministry every public hospital must have a team that performs abortions. This policy came as the result of the discovery of five hospitals, in which gynecologists refused to perform abortions based on their right to conscientious objection.

Politician Forced to Withdraw Candidacy Due to Christian Engagement

January 28, 2015, Germany

Politician Mark Holleman had to withdraw his candidacy for appointment as the environmental and health officer for Munich, despite being the favored candidate of the City Council, because of his membership in a pro-life group as well as in Christian Solidarity International.

Parents Protesting Against Aggressive Sex Education Attacked by Counter-Demonstration in Hamburg

January 25, 2015, Germany

Protesters demonstrated against the "violation of parents’ rights in education" of their children.150 parents were attacked by about 600 left-wing radicals who threw eggs, fireworks and bottles into the crowd of demonstrators. A 15 year-old girl had to be taken to the hospital. Police intervened.

Devastation of St. John's Church in Plauen / Saxony

January 21, 2015, Germany

The interior of the Protestant Church of St. John's in Plauen (Saxony) was vandalized with fire extinguisher powder. The total damages are estimated at 10,000 euros.

Vandalism in Miesenbacher Chapel in Ruhpolding

January 12, 2015, Germany

The Daily "Traunsteiner Tagblatt“ of Bavaria reported on January 12, 2015, an incident of vandalism in the Miesenbacher Kapelle in Ruhpolding (Chiemgau). Vandals threw blessed liturgical candles around and hit a statue of the Virgin Mary with a statue of the baby Jesus, breaking the hands of the Jesus figure.

Desecration of Tabernacle in Chapel in Barbizon

January 10, 2015, France

An incident of desecration took place in the chapel of Barbizon, near Fontainebleau. Vandals broke open the door of the tabernacle, which is the place where the consecrated wine and host are kept. Both religious items, which carry significant meaning for Catholics, were thrown on the ground. Nothing was stolen.

Journalists’ Association Displays Anti-Christian Bias

January 10, 2015, Croatia

A Croatian journalist was reprimanded by her professional association for calling abortion murder in an online article. While anti-Christian expressions are generally accepted as "a matter of style“, her Christian-inspired opinion was not tolerated.

Profanation and Devastation of Statue of Mary in Perugia

January 9, 2015, Italy

A statue of the Virgin Mary was vandalized by a group of North-African immigrants with a Muslim background, according to locals. The parish priest of St. Barnaba, Fr. Alessandro Scarda, recounted: “They broke the statue in two pieces, and they then kicked it as if it was a ball. Afterward, they urinated onto the pieces.” The people of the parish gathered the remains of the statue, cleaned and glued them. The small statue was put back at its original location. The parishioners have gathered to pray at the statue after the vandalism. The police are investigating to confirm the identity and the background of the perpetrators. Muslim organizations and public figures have condemned the act.

Desecration and Theft of the Church Notre-Dame-des-Marais in Montluel

January 8, 2015, France

Unknown perpetrators profanated a tabernacle. A chalice and consecrated hosts were stolen. Police was notified about the devastation, but the perpetrators remain unknown. The following Sunday morning Mass in the church had to be moved to the neighboring town of Dagneux. The Notre-Dame-des-Marais church had to be closed for five days.

Muslim Devastated the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Cles/Trento

January 3, 2015, Italy

While entering the church, a Moroccan-origin Muslim was yelling in Arabic phrases from the Koran. Then he destroyed five religious statues and other religious objects in the church causing severe damage. Eventually, the 67 years old male was arrested by the Police and is now facing criminal charges.

Lifesize Calvary Scene Statues Overthrown in Cabourg

January 1, 2015, France

Lifesize statues of a calvary scene behind a church in Cabourg (Calvados) were vandalized in the night between December 31, 2014 and January 1, 2015. The statues of Mary and St. John were over thrown and found lying on the ground. The statues had been recently renovated.

Topless Protester Lifts Baby Jesus From Vatican Nativity Scene

December 25, 2014, International

A woman of the activist group Femen disrupted the nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. The topless woman had ‘God is a Woman’ written on her torso. She stole a figurine of baby Jesus which had been unveiled by the pope the day before. The woman rushed to the manger in the center of the square, grabbed the Jesus figurine, and raised it above her head while shouting slogans against the Catholic Church. Police intervened.

Devastation of the Nativity Scene in Pecq

December 25, 2014, France

The Nativity Scene at the parish church of St. Wandrille in Pecq was severely vandalized by unknown perpetrators. The Holy Family and the cradle were stolen.