All cases

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.