All cases

Disturbance in Cologne Cathedral by Supporters of the Russian Punk-Band “Pussy Riot”

October 13, 2012, Germany

Three masked fans of the Russian punk-band “Pussy Riot” disrupted the Sunday Mass in Cologne’s Cathedral as a sign of solidarity to members of the punk-band who had been convicted of causing disturbances in a church in earlier this year.

Parish Church of St. Francis of Sales, Marseille, Set on Fire

October 11, 2012, France

In the neighbourhood of Vaudan two arsonist entered the Church of St Francis of Sales and set the altar vestments on fire causing considerable damage. The two unnamed individual have been detained.

Ban on Distribution of Bibles at Public Schools in Berlin

October 10, 2012, Germany

The International Gideons are known for distributing pocket Bibles for free - mostly at schools, hospitals, hotels and medical practices. They were denied to further distribute Bibles at public schools in Berlin by the ministry of education and cultural affairs.

Church Set on Fire in Lithuania

October 10, 2012, Lithuania

On October 10th 2012, a church in Stalgenai was set on fire. The fire was extinguished in time to save the church.

Arson at a Church in Marseille

October 9, 2012, France

On October 9, fire was set to the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in the district of Vauban (VI). Two doilies at the entrance of the church placed on two small tables were burned, causing severe damage. Two individuals have been arrested and placed in custody in connection with this investigation of "arson." Allegedly it was not their first time of setting fire to the church.

Pro-Life Offices Vandalised

October 8, 2012, Austria

The Vienna offices of Human Life International (HLI) were attacked and damaged during a World Prayer Congress for Life held on October 4th – 8th. During the attack the glass entrance door was broken and jars filled with black paint were through at the building, some of them making it an in and smearing computers inside. The front door of a building in which participants stayed over night was barricaded putting the people into significant risk.

Two Churches Vandalised in Mayenne

October 7, 2012, France

Two churches were vandalised in Mayenne in Meslay-du-Maine and Bignon-du-Maine on October 7, 2012. "There have been destructions of statues inside buildings, other ones were thrown down and taken away," said Lt. Col. Alain Lantz, commander of the gendarmerie company Laval.

Church at Marmoutier Abbey Vandalised and Burglarised

October 7, 2012, France

On the night of the 7th of October the Church of St Etienne at Marmoutier Abbey, Alsace, France was broken into. The burglars stole seven challises and spread hosts on the floor.

Hostile Graffiti on Church in Vienna

October 6, 2012, Austria

Unknown perpetrators have spraypainted the Catholic church Kirche Am Hof, which is one of the main Vienna churches in the inner city.

Exhibition in Belgrade Hurts Religious Feelings

October 6, 2012, Serbia

Under the title "Ecce Homo", the Centar za kulturnu the dekontaminaciju (“Centre for Cultural Decontamination”) displayed an exhibition of Swedish photographer Elisabeth Ohlson despite protests. The exhibition shows Jesus Christ in sexual orgies, such as in an image of the last supper with women dressed up and place in sexually explicit manners. Jesus, who holds up the Eucharist, wears black high heals under his white dress.

A Dozen Graves Vandalised in Royan

October 6, 2012, France

In the cemetery of Tilleuls Royan a dozen graves were targeted by vandals, probably on the night from October 5th to 6th. Memorial plates and flower pots were broken. Police are investigating.

German Parents Lose Custody of Their Children for Homeschooling

October 5, 2012, Germany

A district court in Darmstadt, Germany has revoked custody of four children from their parents and ordered it turned over to the Jugendamt, Germany’s child protective agency.

Christian Graves Vandalised in a Cemetery of Landes

October 5, 2012, France

A dozen Christian graves were vandalized in the village of Moustey (Landes). The incident occurred in the night of Thursday, October 4 to Friday, October 5. A dozen headstones were damaged and knocked over. Plates and funerary equipment was damaged, motocross tires left deep scars and damages on the ground along walkways and on the central cross.

Desecration of Two Churches in Soissons

October 4, 2012, France

On October 4, two churches were broken into, robbed, and desecrated in Soissons. In the church of Sainte-Eugénie, the presbytery and the door were broken open, the tabernacle was opened, papers and money was stolen.

70 Christian Graves Desecrated near Albi

October 4, 2012, France

Seventy graves were damaged at a small cemetery adjacent to a Catholic church. An investigation was opened after the discovery in Albi on October 4th. Seventy crosses were overturned and laid on the ground, 16 of them were broken, and funerary objects were vandalized in the cemetery in the area Fonlabour. The desecration was not signed nor claimed, said the departmental director of public safety (DDSP), the Commissioner Pierre-Marc Panazio, an AFP correspondent.

Church in Lithuania Set on Fire a Second Time

October 4, 2012, Lithuania

A church was set on fire and burned to the ground on October 4 2012. This was the same church where an attempt at burning the church was made in September 2012.

Vandalism in Lithuanian Church

October 4, 2012, Lithuania

On October 4th 2012 vandals broke the windows of a church in Raudondvaris and damaged a statue inside the church.

Pro-Life Activists Continuously Attacked

October 3, 2012, Germany

Pro-Life activists continuously suffer attacks from radical groups, including physical attacks and property damages; as well as negative stereotyping by the media; and an infringement on freedom of assembly and expression by a ban mile.

A Newly Restored Chapel Vandalised in Nice

October 3, 2012, France

The chapel of Saint-Jacques de Nice, which had been vandalised in June, was again targeted. After breaking into the door, the perpetrators attacked the statues that decorated the interior of the church building. Several of them were "beheaded". The deputy mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, immediately denounced the act of vandalism in a statement through an act of "unfair, incredible and malicious act committed in the heart of a place of worship."

Traditional Bible Reading Marathon Not Permitted in Paris

October 1, 2012, France

Evangelical Protestants who have organized an annual "Marathon of the Bible" with over 500 participants reading and sharing in Paris since 2003, did not obtain the permission to hold a session in 2012.