All cases

Party Proposes Explicit Ban of Conscientious Objection for Registrars with regard to Gay Marriage

July 4, 2012, Netherlands

The liberal party VVD (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie) tabled a proposal in the second chamber of the parliament to prohibit the use of conscientious objection for registrars with regard to conducting gay marriages. There seems to be a majority in the parliament to support this proposal. The topic is expected to be debated until the end of the year 2012.

Legislative Proposal Seeks to Limit Conscientious Objection for Registrars

July 4, 2012, Netherlands

On the 4th of July 2012 an amendment of the law on public officers was proposed by the members Koser Kaya and Van Hijum to the Dutch Parliament: It calls for the dismissal of registrars for marriages, births and deaths who refuse to perform same-sex marriages on conscientious grounds - if not sufficient other tasks could be found for him or her. The proposal also seeks to establish a mandatory training of students studying to be a registrar on performing same-sex marriages.

Church Leaders in Turkey Face Harassment

July 3, 2012, Turkey

Church leaders in the Diriliş church of Konak were repeatedly verbally harassed and were attacked by teenagers with eggs. When the teens threatened one of the leaders with a gun, the parents were informed and the attacks stopped.

German Magazine Shows Pope with large Urine Stains

July 2, 2012, Germany

The German Magazine "Titanic" presents the pope as a senile for incontinent person by depicting him in a fotomontage with a large urine stain on his white clothes while giving a blessing.

Christian on Trial for Reaching Out to Woman on the Way to Abortion

June 30, 2012, France

A French retired doctor faced police investigation for trial because of giving a woman who intended an abortion knitted baby shoes and a medallion. In France “moral and psychological pressure” seen as an “hindrance of abortion” is punishable.

Left MPs File Complaint Against Cross in Polish Parliament

June 28, 2012, Poland

About 10 MPs of the anti-clerical “Palikot Movement” seek to enforce the removal of the Cross in the Polish Parliament by legal proceedings at the Administrative Court.

Burglars Caught in the Act in the Church of Holy Spirit in Flensburg

June 25, 2012, Germany

Two young men, 18 and 22 years old, known to police from past attempted burglaries in St. Nicolas church and the church of St. Mary; were caught in the act of burglary in the Holy Spirit church. They cracked several donation boxes and stole the coins.

Catholic Church Broken Into and Desecrated in Lübeck

June 23, 2012, Germany

In Bergtheide (Lübeck) the Catholic church has been broken into, the Altar was completely desecrated. Donations for the poorest were stolen and sacred artifacts defiled and partly destroyed. Church had to be ritually cleansed and blessed anew.

Vandalism and Burglary in Catholic Church of St. Bernard in Bad Herrenalb

June 22, 2012, Germany

Unknown perpetrators broke into the church of St. Bernard and caused serious property damage. A candlestick was dragged from the side chapel and used to break the offertory box and the money inside was stolen. The money box under the statue of Saint Anthony was torn out of the wall. Many doors were damaged and the cupboards in the sacristy were opened, searched and turned upside down.

„Youth Defense“ Posters Devastated and Sprayed With Offensive Graffiti

June 21, 2012, Ireland

Posters of an Irish organisation that opposes legalisation of abortion „Youth Defense“ were devastated and sprayed upon with offensive graffiti all around Dublin. The posters were covered with paint and torn down and the video of that act appeared in social media.