All cases

Graves Desecrated in Albi

February 8, 2012, France

On the 8th of February 2012 the Apostolic Nunciature in France reported that 70 graves were desecrated in a Catholic cemetery in Albi, France.

Archbishop of York Receives Racist and Threatening Emails

February 6, 2012, United Kingdom

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu received racist and threatening messages just days after he voiced his support for traditional marriage, sparking a police hate crime investigation.

Church of Épiais Completely Ruined by Criminal Fire

February 4, 2012, France

The church of Épinais had just been restored when it was completely destroyed during the night from February 4th to 5th, 2012. Five young men were arrested by the police.

Blasphemous Exhibition in Nantes

February 4, 2012, France

An art exhibit displaying disrespectful and mocking statues of the Virgin Mary opened in the Galery Albane in Nantes.

Cemetery in Istres Vandalised

February 3, 2012, France

On the 3rd of February 2012, the Apostolic Nunciature in France reported that a cemetery in Istres, France, was vandalised.

Church in Turkey Shut Down After Church Leader Threatened

February 3, 2012, Turkey

In the middle of the night of February 3rd, 2012 someone banged on the door of the house of the church leader of Cesme Lütuf’s and tried to get in. The scared man called the police but the perpetrator was not caught. The leader was scared for his life after having also been threatened over the internet so he shut down the church and left town.

Irish Bishop Investigated After Upsetting Humanist in Homily

February 2, 2012, Ireland

Bishop Philip Boyce of the Raphoe diocese in northwestern Ireland was investigated by the police for “hate crime” after arguing that the Catholic Church in Ireland is under attack from “aggressive secularism”.

Catholics to be Singled Out by Proposal to "Screen" Civil Servants with Regard to "Church Deference"

February 1, 2012, Ireland

A proposal that senior civil servants which are likely to deal with the Catholic Church should be "screened" to ensure they do not show "inappropriate deference" to the church is to be debated at Labour's national conference.

Labour Party Calls for Prohibition of Enrollment Policies Based on Religion in Catholic Schools

February 1, 2012, Ireland

According to an Irish Labor party proposal to be discussed in April, ‘Catholics first’ policy in state-funded Catholic schools is illegal, discriminatory and should be abolished.

Discrimination Against Christian Communities in Bosnia-Herzegovina

February 1, 2012, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Almost 20 years after the war in the Balkans, there is still discrimination against Christians, especially Catholic Christians, in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Cardinal Puljic, Archbishop of Sarajevo pointed out the situation of Christians in his country during a visit to the international headquarters of the Catholic pastoral charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

University Motion Orders Human-Life-Defending Groups to Invite Pro-Abortion Speakers

January 31, 2012, United Kingdom

The students’ union of University College in London has passed a motion to officially make the campus “pro-choice” and to impose a “restriction of freedom of speech”.

Ad For Pizza Mocks Christianity

January 28, 2012, Lithuania

Katpédélé, a Lithuanian Pizza Company, uses anti-Christian add mocking the last supper and disposing satanic number 666.

Pro-Abortion Attack Pro-Life Activists at Barcelona Hospital

January 27, 2012, Spain

Peaceful pro-life protesters against abortions at Barcelona Catholic hospital were attacked by pro-abortion counter-demonstrators, some of whom reportedly threw rocks and trash and shouted obscene insults.

Blasphemious Theater Play at Thalia Theater in Hamburg

January 25, 2012, Germany

The play "Golgotha Picnic" by Rodrigo Garcia contains "sedition, blasphemy and pornography", say Christian viewers.

Blasphemous Theater Play at Teatro Franco Parenti, Milan

January 24, 2012, Italy

Christian groups protested against the performance of a blasphemous theater play by Romeo Castellucci called “On the Concept of the Face, Regarding the Son of God”. The director of the Vatican press office, P. Federico Lombardi, and Italian sociologist Massimo Introvigne drew attention to the case and called to strong but calm and prayerful reaction of the Christian community.

Nuns Report Increase of Verbal Abuse and Discrimination

January 23, 2012, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Nuns wearing habits are being subjected to verbal abuse in public more frequently in Bosnia-Herzegovina, say local Franciscan Sisters.

Blasphemous TV Show

January 23, 2012, Italy

During the TV show "Big Brother" a participant made blasphemous remarks and for this he was disqualified.

Roman Catholic Firemen Disciplined for Refusal to Attend Rally Which Mocked their Faith

January 21, 2012, United Kingdom

A group of nine firemen from Glasgow, including several Roman Catholics, were disciplined by their employers for refusing to march in a ‘gay pride’ rally. Strathclyde Fire Board apologized after legal steps were taken.

Mayor Who Criticised Halloween Punished

January 11, 2012, United Kingdom

A church-going former mayor in Warwickshire who declined to take part in a Halloween event has been found in breach of equality rules for upsetting pagans.

No Conscientious Objection for Pharmacists Selling Abortion Pill

January 10, 2012, France

French pharmacists are required by law to sell the „morning after pill“ which causes an early abortion. The absence of conscientious objection is a violation of freedom of religion and conscience.

Pro-Abortion Activists Spread False Claim That Bishop Said It Was OK to Rape a Woman Who Had an Abortion

January 10, 2012, Spain

Pro-abortion forces on the internet are engaged in an ongoing campaign accusing a Spanish bishop of legitimizing rape during a sermon denouncing the killing of the unborn.

Liberal Politician Calls for Even Harsher Penalities of Restrictive Homeschooling Laws

January 10, 2012, Sweden

The Swedish liberal party politician Lotta Edholm called for even harsher penalties for homeschooling and for a change to the country’s social services law so that the government can take children away from home-schooling families more easily by allowing social workers to do so.

Church in Aplerbeck Broken Into, Offertory Boxes Robbed

January 9, 2012, Germany

On January 9th the protestant church in Aplerbeck was broken into. The offertory boxes were robbed and the money, which was meant for a good cause, was stolen.

Anti-Christian Threats to Observatory

January 5, 2012, International

The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians receives threats and anti-Christian messages such as: "Set the church on fire, keep the fire blazing, Christianity will soon fall!"

Attempted Burglary and Vandalism in Görlitz

January 5, 2012, Germany

Burglars tried to break into the Görglitz Peterskirche. They broke an ornamental glass window and the damage adds up to at least 1000€ even though nothing was stolen.

Vandalism Against a Church in the North of Duisburg

January 4, 2012, Germany

A Church in Duisburg was badly vandalised on New Year's Eve by unknown perpetrators who used stones and fireworks. Many windows were broken including those with security glass. Fireworks were fired through the holes made in the windows. Damage to property was a minimum of 15 000 Euros.

Church Vandalised in Starzach-Börstingen

January 4, 2012, Germany

A stranger broke into the Catholic church in Starzach-Börstingen and vandalised the organ, the Easter candle and much more.

Handmade Cribs Vandalised in Mittelhessem

January 3, 2012, Germany

In Mittelhessen, 14 of a collection of 44 handmade cribs were vandalised. The initiator of this exhibition estimates the material damage to about 500€ but the ultimate damage is boundless.

Catholic TV Channel Ignored in License Distribution

January 1, 2012, Poland

The Polish National Broadcasting Council (NBC) did not include a major Catholic TV channel in their distribution of crucial Digital terrestrial television multiplex licenses but accepted rather unknown commercial networks. Polish Christian groups as well as human rights activists are very concerned. This is a particularily important decision, as the technical future of the individual channels depends on it. For TV Trwam it is especially crucial, as the channel generates the funding for a widespread radio channel, standing and falling with the TV channel.

Holy Items Stolen From Several Places

December 31, 2011, Italy

Several thefts of the Eucharist, for Catholic a most holy item, have been reported in Italy. People fear sacriledgeous use of the Eucharist.

Vandalism in Riccione Done to John Paul II Memorial

December 31, 2011, Italy

A monument in memory of pope Jean-Paul II was damaged by vandals.

21 Hate Crimes against Christians Documented in 2011

December 31, 2011, Finland

The representation of the Catholic Church in Finland reported to OSCE a total of 21 hate crimes directed against Christians in the year 2011. The hate crimes range from insult and threat to vandalism and physical assault.

Seven Hate Crimes Against Christians in 2011

December 31, 2011, Denmark

The Holy See reported 7 hate crimes against Christians in Denmark in 2011 to OSCE/ODIHR.

24 Hate Crimes Against Christians in 2011

December 31, 2011, Finland

The Holy See reported 24 hate crimes against Christians in Finland in 2011 to OSCE/ODIHR.

Clinton: "Religious Believes are an Obstacle to Human Rights"

December 30, 2011, International

Religious believes are an obstacle to human rights, says US Secretary of State Mrs Hillary Clinton in a major foreign policy address in December 2011 in Geneva before United Nations delegates. Clinton identified "deeply-held … religious beliefs" as among "the obstacles standing in the way of protecting the human rights of LGBT [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender] people."

(Scotland) Christian Principal Sacked from Multicultural College

December 30, 2011, United Kingdom

A principal, Malory Nye, and his wife have been sacked from the Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education in Dundee, Scotland, whose stated aim is to promote multiculturalism because they are white Christians, they claim. ‘We were sacked for being white and Christian', claim principal and his wife dismissed from Dubai-backed 'multicultural' college."

Series of Church Burglaries in Niedersachsen

December 30, 2011, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)

There were several break-ins in churches all over Niedersachsen. The Burglaries are mostly aimed at the offertory boxes and the contained money, the damage depends on the amount of money that was found in the boxes.

Strangers Vandalise Catholic Church in Bonn

December 30, 2011, Germany

The Sankt Augustin church in Bonn was vandalised by strangers who broke a glass door and moved one of the massive offertory boxes. They couldn’t steal anything but the damage of property is worth about 1000€.

Reported Cases of Hate Crime in Denmark

December 30, 2011, Denmark

The Holy See reported seven hate crimes against Christians in 2011.

Reported Hate Crimes in Finland

December 30, 2011, Finland

The Holy See reported 24 hate crimes against Christians in 2011.

Vandalism in the Church of Saint Ottilia in Börstingen

December 29, 2011, Germany

A unknown perpetrator entered the church of St. Otilia in Börstingen and caused damage. At the organ he took a pipe about 70 centimetres high, pressed it into the other organ pipes and damaged a number of other organ pipes. He tore out several ornamental pins from the Easter candle and damaged it with a knife as well.

Church Broken Into and Offertory Boxes Emptied

December 29, 2011, Germany

A church in Hilden was broken into, the burglars emptied two offertory boxes and broke two glass windows to get in. It is not known how much money was in the boxes.

Vandalism at World Famous Rome Basilica S. Maria Maggiore

December 28, 2011, Italy

Vandals purposely damaged the main entrance of S. Maria Maggiore’s basilica.

Church and Graveyard Vandalised

December 27, 2011, Germany

Churches and graveyards around Gießen were vandalised. Someone painted symbols on gravestones and church doors and windows were covered in orange paint.

Anti-Christian Sculpture Displayed in Art Gallery

December 25, 2011, United Kingdom

An anonymous artist donated a stone bust of a cardinal with his face covered in pixels to a gallery in Liverpool. The sculpture implies that Church officials are criminals. "...it’s easy to forget the true meaning of Christianity - the lies, the corruption, the abuse," says the producer. Reyahn King, the art gallery's director is "thrilled".

Christians Physically Assaulted at Christmas

December 25, 2011, Bosnia and Herzegovina

In Zavidovici, numerous cases of physical assaults on older Catholics were reported on Christmas day.

Vandalism at Christmas in Naples

December 25, 2011, Italy

The chapel of the church "Nostra Signora della Speranza" in Villaricca (Naples) was target by vandals during Christmas night.

Vandalism on Christmas Eve in Bible Garden in Loeffingen

December 25, 2011, Germany

The Bible Garden in Loeffingen was totally devastated by a unknown perpetrator. The garden and the plants were completely ruined.

Business Leader Says "Christians who Defend Marriage are Evil"

December 20, 2011, United Kingdom

“I’m…campaigning against evil Christians (that’s not all Christians, just bad ones) who think that gay people should not lead happy lives and get married to their same-sex partners,” said Nick Lansley, TESCO Head of Research and Development for the Tesco website.

Dead Animals Buried in Graveyard

December 14, 2011, Germany

A member of the St Vincent Parish in Lenne found a dead cat in a family members grave when she went to tidy it. The cat had been buried right beneath the dirt with only the feet sticking out. Several weeks later half a chicken was found buried in another grave.