All cases

Physical Assaults Against Christians in Nîmes

October 2, 2011, France

A crowd of about one thousand people had gathered at the sanctuary of Our Lady of Santa-Cruz in Nîmes, for the annual procession organized by the ‘Joyeuse Union Don Bosco’ every year since 1982. But when they went back to their personal cars, several of them were surrounded, insulted and stoned by groups of violent youths.

Police Visits Christian Cafe for Display of Bible Passages

September 30, 2011, United Kingdom

UK, Blackpool: Jamie Murray, Salt & Light Coffee House's owner, has been visited by the Lancashire Police and threatened for the display of Bible versicles on a TV screen inside his property. The police told Murray that the Bible passages use offensive, insulting words, and this constitutes a violation of Section 5 of the Public Order Act. The officers warned Murray that if he didn’t stop, he could be prosecuted for hate speech. The coffee house TV screen connected to a DVD displays images with no soundtrack from "Watchword Bible", which contents verses from the New Testament.

Left Wing Extremists Violently End Pro-Life Rally in Düsseldorf

September 30, 2011, Germany

Left-wing extremists prevented a pro-life group from showing a short movie about the development of the human embryo on the square in front of Düsseldorf’s main railway station.

Church of Langrune-sur-Mer Vandalised

September 30, 2011, France

The Church of Saint Martin in Langrune-sur-Mer (Calvados), a XIIIth century church, was targeted by vandals. Many damages were caused: flowers on the ground, flower pots smashed, prayer books ripped, candles broken into pieces... The police have also found signs that the vandals had the intention to put the church on fire but had not succeeded.

Singer Sinead O'Connor Says She'd Shoot the Pope If He Came to Ireland

September 29, 2011, Ireland

The popular Irish singer, Sinead O'Connor used social media to warn the Pope that if he comes to Ireland, there "would be a bloodbath". The singer posted the threat on her Twitter account after a poll was conducted on whether the Pope should visit Ireland. Previously, in 1992 during a TV show, O'Connor tore a photo of John Paul II into pieces and called him evil.

Graffiti Insults Christians in Vienna's First District

September 29, 2011, Austria

In Postgasse, a fancy Vienna downtown street, a graffiti was placed on a residential house saying: "Pig Christians destroy the world", signed with a anarchy symbol.

Pro-family Groups Discriminated Against by PayPal Services

September 29, 2011, International

Homosexualist websites are boasting of victory in an ongoing campaign to induce PayPal, one of the world’s largest payment processing companies, to eliminate pro-family Christians from its service.

Marketing Campaign for Canal+ Series Smashes Holy Images

September 29, 2011, France

„Borgia“ TV series produced by the French TV channel "Canal+" in association with EOS Entertainment and distributed by Beta Film GmbH, used holy symbols for promotional advertisements in a profane way.

Paint Bomb on Welcome Poster for Pope's Visit

September 19, 2011, Germany

In the night from the 18th to the 19th of September, unknown perpetrators cast a paint bomb on a welcome poster at a Church in Berlin.

Vandalism at Cemetery in Schönau

September 17, 2011, Germany

A 16 year-old admitted being responsible for the desecration of numerous graves in Schönau on the 17th of September. He had knocked over memorial candles and gravestones, and had pulled out a wooden cross and destroyed it.

Pro Life Manifestation Attacked

September 17, 2011, France

The Christian pro life group "SOS Tout Petits" was attacked by pro-choice and anti-Christian activists during a manifestation in front of the Paris Hospital Tenon while praying peacefully.

Prayer Banned From Public Spaces

September 16, 2011, France

France banned prayers from the streets beginning September 16th, 2011. The measure mainly aims to target Muslims and their Friday prayers. In support of the new regulation the French Minister, Claude Gueant, affirmed that prayers on the street are unacceptable in a secular country such as France, and police force would be used in case of disobedience. Marine Le Pen, a right-wing French representative, speaking of Muslim prayer meetings, described prayers on the street as a "Nazi occupation". The consequences of a regulation also undermines freedom of religion of Christians, with regard to traditional Catholic processions as well as street evangelisations and outdoor liturgies. It is unclear to the Observatory, whether there will be exceptions granted to such initiatives under the new law.

Major Social Media Sites ‘Actively’ Censor Christian Content

September 15, 2011, International

A new study has found that Google and other major social media sites such as Facebook have “actively” censored Christian and conservative viewpoints. The report examined the policies and practices of several major Internet-interactive “new media” communications platforms and service providers, including Apple and its iTunes App Store, Facebook, Google, and others.

(Jersey) Post Refuses to Deliver ‘Offensive’ Bible CD

September 15, 2011, United Kingdom

Postal workers in Jersey refused to deliver audio recordings of St Mark’s Gospel after deeming it “offensive material”. Several churches clubbed together to pay for 45,000 CDs to be produced to mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. A copy of the recording was due to be delivered to every household on the Channel Island of Jersey. But church leaders were left reeling after Jersey Post claimed that the CDs could offend people and refused to deliver them.

Anonymous Caller Threatens School for Displaying Welcome Poster for Pope

September 14, 2011, Germany

A welcome poster for pope Benedict XVI upon his visit to Germany in September 2011 was removed in Fürstenwalde (Oder-Spree) after an anonymous caller said that „something would happen, if the posters were not immediately removed.“

Catholic Cemetery of Buxy Wrecked

September 13, 2011, France

Twenty graves and tombstones have been desecrated in the small village of Buxy in Burgundy. The 2,000 residents of Buxy and their mayor are shocked and incredulous, the police has opened an investigation.

Smearings on a Catholic Church in Dijon

September 13, 2011, France

The Saint-Michel Catholic church of Dijon has been smeared on during the night on September 13th. The mayor’s office quickly responded by clearing out the inscriptions. One could see a scored of cross and read «No Gods, no Masters».

Catholic Newspapers Site Hacked; Anti-Christian Message Displayed

September 12, 2011, Ireland

The homepage of the Irish Catholic website was hacked and replaced with a blue and white screen which read “Site off-line. You. Got. Taken”. The hacker’s message went on to say “And wish you to continue beliveing [sic] in your false religion”. and: "Gotta love false hope."

Christian Think Tank Receives Threatening Phone Call

September 11, 2011, Ireland

The Dublin based Christian Think Tank Iona Institute received a threatening phone call in September: The anonymous caller said the Institute was “scum”, that its director “David Quinn should be castrated and hung up on O’Connell Street”, that they had “the nerve to portray your “f**king religion”, and that the people at the Institute were “filth”.

Legal Proposal Endangers Freedom of Religion by Seeking to Interfere with the Seal of Confession

September 11, 2011, Ireland

The Irish Government is „set on passing a law that will require priests to break the seal of confession if they hear about child abuse in the confessional.

Moslem Protester: "Jihad to Christian Extremists"

September 11, 2011, International

On a protest against the USA and the UK in London on September 11, a group of Muslims marched through London. A sign was carried which read "Jihad to Christian Extremists".

Call for Ban on Church Marriage if Churches Would Not Perfom Same-Sex Unions As Well

September 8, 2011, United Kingdom

A member of U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron’s government is calling for a ban on marriages at Christian churches if they refuse to also perform same-sex unions.

Doctors Should Refer Patients for Euthanasia: New Dutch Guidelines

September 8, 2011, Netherlands

According to new guidelines from the Dutch national doctors association, doctors with moral objections to euthanasia have “a moral and professional duty” to refer patients to another doctor willing to euthanize them.

Destruction of Crosses as Protest Against the Visit of the Pope

September 7, 2011, Germany

A radical atheist group called „What the f...“ released a video on youtube in which crosses are being destroyed with much violence and hatred.

Poznan Medical University Breaks Previous Agreement to Host Reparative Therapy Conference

September 6, 2011, Poland

A reparative therapy conference, which aims to help people who struggle with same sex attraction, was denied to use of the Medical School Foundation (UM) facilities in Poznan, Poland. The conference, featuring psychologist Dr. Joseph Nicolosi of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH), received criticisms from Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza, and it was after them that UM decided not to host the event. Gazeta Wyborcza highlighted that the American Psychological Association (APA) has concerns about the effects of treatment for same-sex attraction.

US Officials Call Catholic Church Source of Spreading “Homophobia” in Poland

September 6, 2011, International

American embassy officials under the Obama administration complained that the Catholic Church teaching is a major source of “homophobia” in the heavily Catholic country, according to private cables published by Wikileaks.

Christian Debt Counselling Charity Excluded from Support Network for Offering Prayer to Clients

September 5, 2011, United Kingdom

‚Advice UK’, the largest support network for free advice centres in the UK, has pushed out a Christian debt counselling charity from its membership for offering to pray with clients suffering from debt problems.

MP Calls for Churches to be Stripped of Licences for Refusing to Marry Gays

September 2, 2011, United Kingdom

Churches which refuse to conduct gay marriages should be stripped of their licence, according to Member of Parliament Mike Weatherley of Hove. While marriage between people of the same sex is not legal in the UK but civil partnerships were introduced in 2005 to give couples the same legal protection as if they were wed. Mr Weatherley said according to „The Argus“: “As long as religious groups can refuse to preside over ceremonies for same-sex couples there will be inequality. “Until we untangle unions and religion in this country we will struggle to find a fair arrangement.”

Theater Play Hurts Feelings of Christians

September 1, 2011, France

Several French theaters have scheduled Romeo Castellucci's play "Sur le concept du visage du fils de Dieu" (On the concept of the face of the son of God) or "Golgotha picnic" to be on their stage this year. The play "Sur le concept du visage du fils de Dieu" depicts in the 2nd act a group of children throwing grenades onto a large image of Jesus displayed in the back of the stage. After Jesus is "stoned", the 3rd act shows the same image on Jesus being torn apart while the words "you are (not) my Shepherd" are displayed.

Blasphemious Play Shown in French Theaters

August 31, 2011, France

„Golgotha Picnic“, a theater play written by Rodrigo García, abuses mercylessly Christian icons and Bible passages in brings them in the proximities of terror and barbarism. Christ is called "el diablo puto" (the f... evil); money notes are placed at the Jesus' side wound; burger bread covers the floor as a parody of the multiplication of the loaves; and a piano player, totally naked, ridicules the “Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross” by Haydn.

Campaign Against Catholic Church's Tax Exemption

August 31, 2011, Italy

A political campaign supported by a social media campaign advocated the removal of the tax exemption granted to the Catholic Church. The supporters of the proposal claim that the Church money would help Italy to overcome its financial crisis, and would therefore make other governmental spenditure cuts unnecessary. The Catholic Church properties are exempted from tax because of the community service they provide and the social function church buildings serve. In the fall of 2011, the issue was dropped.

Politican Plans to Sue Physicians for Offering Therapy for People Struggling With Unwanted Same-Sex Attraction

August 29, 2011, Germany

Volker Beck, member of the German Bundestag (parliament) and speaker on human rights issues of the Green party, has launched an initiative to engage the German Medical Association against the German Union of Catholic Physicians (BKÄ). On their website, the BKÄ provides informations about therapeutic options in case of unwanted same-sex attraction.

Crucifixion Group Defaced in Wassenberg-Myhl

August 25, 2011, Germany

On August 21st a crucifixion group was defaced with black paint in Wassenberg-Myhl by strangers.

(Northern Ireland) Gay March Signs Offend Christians

August 24, 2011, United Kingdom

Belfast's Gay March 2011 was (again) marked by anti-Christian offensive signs. One sign read: “Jesus had two dads (and he turned out just fine)”. Another protester bore a placard that said “Jesus protect me from your followers”.

UK Employee Suspended Upon Display of Cross

August 20, 2011, United Kingdom

A UK Christian electrician who won a fight with his employer over his right to display a small Palm leaf cross in his van is now saying that the company has reneged on its agreement. 64-year-old Colin Atkinson was asked by his employers, Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) in West Yorkshire, to remove the cross after an anonymous complaint from a WDH tenant. The company threatened Atkinson with disciplinary action when he refused, but backed down when their threats prompted a public outcry and criticism from prominent religious leaders, including the former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey.

Local Government Eliminates Traditional Barbeceue at Ascension Day During the Time of Ramadan in Novara

August 20, 2011, Italy

In the first year after the centre-left’s victory at local elections, local politicians decided to prohibit the traditional Ascencion Day barbeceue – at which „Crostine“ and „Salamelle“ (special Italian sausages) have been indispensable for decades. The reason was that Ascension Day took place during Ramadan. Not to offend the Muslim minority, the local government decided to serve only water melon instead of the traditional barbeceue.

Immigrant Club Calls For Removal of the Cross in the Swiss Flag

August 19, 2011, Switzerland

The Swiss club of immigrants Secondos Plus demands that the Swiss Cross be removed from the flag of Switzerland because it "didn't correspond anymore to the multicultural Switzerland of today." As alternative, they suggest to go back to the national flag of 1799 which contains green, red and yellow stripes.

Violent Counter Demonstrators Attack Youth at World Youth Day in Madrid

August 17, 2011, Spain

A demonstration against the Catholic Church and the visit of the pope during the major Catholic event of World Youth Day, resulted in the young Christian visitors be booed, spat and shouted at. Several World Youth Day participates were physically attacked, one had to be treated in hospital for being kicked in the stomach. Eight anti-pope demonstrators were jailed.

Hospital Attempted to Force Christian Nurses to Commit Abortions and Backs Down

August 15, 2011, United Kingdom

A hospital in London that recently attempted to force two Christian nurses to commit abortions has backed down after legal threats using the Equality Act to protect the nurses pro-life beliefs.

New Guidelines from the General Pharmaceutical Council Threaten Freedom of Conscience

August 15, 2011, United Kingdom

New guidelines issued by the UK pharmaceutical regulatory board tends towards stripping pharmacists of their right to conscientious objection with regard to refusing the sale of the morning-after pill, an abortive device.

Church Set on Fire by Vandals in Begijnendijk

August 14, 2011, Belgium

Vandals started a devastating fire in the parish church of Saint-Lucie in Begijnendijk (Flemish Brabant). They entered the church through a window and put fire to the curtains and chairs. The damage is significant and the church was closed for several weeks.

Catholic Care Forced to Close or Allow Gay Adoption after Tribunal Decision

August 9, 2011, United Kingdom

On May 31st, 2011, Catholic Care of the Diocese of Leeds has applied for leave to appeal the latest decision against it in the long-running case sparked by the Charity Commission’s refusal to allow it to prevent gay couples from using its adoption service. The appeal was granted in August 2011.

Masked Vandals Attack Pro-Life Office in Austria

August 8, 2011, Austria

The office of Johannes Bucher, the European Regional Director of Human Life International’s (HLI), was attacked after a pro-life march in Salzburg, Austria. The office suffered seven broken windows, causing thousands of Euros in damage.

Cemetery Vandalized in Champniers

July 30, 2011, France

The cemetery of Champniers and its surroundings were vandalized at the end of July 2011. Crosses were tossed, and statues of Marie damaged, flower pots thrown to the ground.

Norway Killer Anders Breivik Wrongly Labelled a "Christian Fundamentalist"

July 29, 2011, International

Shortly after his ruthless murder of at least 76 innocent men, women, and children Anders Breivik has been called a “Christian fundamentalist,” “Christian terrorist,” and “Christian extremist.” The media picked up the solitary, premature and unjust comment of a police officer right after the incident.

Vandalism at St. Ann's in Ascheberg

July 28, 2011, Germany

Unknown perpetrators urinated into a Holy Water vessel of St. Ann Catholic church, in Ascheberg. They also damaged organ pipes, several apostle statues and a censer. The damage amounts to several thousand Euros. The police has not yet convicted the vandals and does not rule out that they are a gang of teenagers.

Christian Media Ad Banned By Authorities

July 27, 2011, United Kingdom

The media group Premier Christian Radio's advertizment on the marginalization of Christians in the workplace was banned by the Radio Advertising Clearance Centre (RACC) for being “politically motivated”. Even though the ad was modified and redone several times, RACC upheld the ban.

Swastika on a Church Door in Bessans

July 27, 2011, France

The Church of Saint Jean Baptiste of Bessans (Savoie) was vandalized in the night from July 26th to July 27th. Swastika were painted on the door of the church and "Adolf Hitler" written on the church steps. The vandals apparently tried to break open the door but did not succeed.

Militant Left Wing Activism Against Peaceful Pro Life Manifestation

July 24, 2011, Austria

The left wing radicals praised themselves for their actions by saying: "Over 50 emancipated people were present to block and disturb and they were not affraid of nervious cops. They prevented stupid prayers and managed to disrupt the pro life manifestion in a way that it had to be ended early. During almost the entire pro life manifestion, they made their feminist viewpoints clear by shouting paroles. They showed that militant resistance against anti-emanzipatory conditions and ass-holes is possible.“

Church Vandalised in Saint-Jouin-Bruneval

July 16, 2011, France

The church of Saint-Jouin-Bruneval in the Seine Maritime department of Normandy has been vandalised during the night from Saturday 15th to Sunday 16th of July. An unknown number of person came through the door of the church tower, descended a ladder and took a choir bench to break down the door of the sacristy which they completely wrenched. They tumbled the candles and the candle-holders and then ripped off a wooden chest near the main altar. Finally, they broke open the offertory-box were to take its contents.