All cases
State Council Allows "Decorative" Christmas Scenes at Town Halls
November 9, 2016, FranceAfter a bitter two-year battle over whether decorating town hall entrances with nativity scenes violated rules on secularism, the country’s highest administrative court ruled that as long as the intent behind the installation was "cultural, artistic, or festive" - and not religious proselytism - it was permitted.
Threatening Graffiti on the Walls of a Christian School
November 9, 2016, SpainThreatening graffiti was found on the walls of a religious Catholic school (Colegio de San José, Vallecas). The graffiti incited to burn down the school and also said “You will burn like in ‘36” (clear reference to the anti-religious murders and anti-religious arson during the Spanish Civil War).
Summit Cross Destroyed for the Second Time
November 8, 2016, GermanyA summit cross on the Austrian-German border, previously chopped with an ax in August, was again destroyed by an unknown perpetrator using an ax.
Desecration in Cemetery Chapel
November 7, 2016, SpainIn a letter to members of his diocese on November 9, 2016, Bishop José Ignacio Munilla, Bishop of San Sebastián, denounced "a very grave desecration against the Blessed Sacrament" committed in the cemetery chapel of Polloe. The tabernacle was stolen, as was the ciborium and the consecrated Hosts it contained. The bishop announced a reparation Mass would be celebrated in the same chapel on November 20th.
Nantes Church Tagged with Anarchist Grafitti
November 5, 2016, FranceAnarchist messages were drawn on the walls and doors of the Church of Saint-Clément.
French Politician Fined for Using Word from Bible to Describe Homosexuality
November 4, 2016, FranceFrench politician and former housing minister Christine Boutin was convicted of hate speech on Wednesday by the Court of Appeals of Paris for having called homosexuality an “abomination” in an interview with the political magazine Charles in March 2014.
Christian Midwife Loses Case Against County Council
November 4, 2016, SwedenSwedish midwife Linda Steen objected to assisting with abortions for reasons of conscience and as a consequence public hospitals denied her employment. She sued the Sörmland county council for violation of her freedom of conscience and religion. After losing the case, she was ordered to pay 1.2 million Swedish krona for the city's legal expenses.
Government of Rincon Prohibits Nativity Scene in Municipal Courtyard
November 4, 2016, SpainThe city council gave the reason for the prohibition: "it is the central administrative building, and must respect the non-denominational vision of the State."
Media Campaign Targets Priest for Upholding Church Doctrine
November 3, 2016, SpainThe Spanish media network SER launched a media campaign against a Catholic priest for posting a list of sins that preclude parishioners from receiving Communion until they have been confessed, calling the list a throw-back to old times.
Christian Convert Threatened with Death in French Refugee Camp
November 2, 2016, FranceA Kurdish church leader smuggled to Britain says he received death threats – for having left Islam for Christianity – while living in makeshift camps in northern France. The church leader, who did not wish to be identified, spent nine months living in camps outside the French cities of Calais and Dunkirk. He said that Kurdish Muslims in both camps antagonized him for his Christian faith.
Christian Graves Vandalized on All Saints' Day
October 30, 2016, BelgiumFamilies visiting the burial sites of their loved ones in Pécrot were shocked to discover the crosses at the graves were removed and planted upside down in the cemetery.
Minor Arrested for Twice Setting Fires in Church
October 28, 2016, FranceA minor was arrested for setting fires in the church of Saint-Brice-sur-Vienne in August and October.
City Council to Vote on Removal of Religious Symbols from Public Spaces
October 26, 2016, SpainIn November, the Madrid City Council is expected to approve a draft "human rights" law which includes the removal of religious symbols from public spaces.
Police Investigate Vandalism of Church
October 26, 2016, FranceDuring the afternoon of 26 October, 2016 the church of Saint-Paterne in Orléans was vandalized, with objects toppled inside. The police investigated.
Priest Attacked by Three Pre-Teens Throwing Stones
October 25, 2016, GermanyThe Ethiopian vicar, dressed in traditional priest's clothing and wearing a cross around his neck was visiting the town of Raunheim near Frankfurt when three pre-teens threw stones at him while yelling “Allahu Akhbar”.
Christian Bakers Lose Appeal
October 24, 2016, United KingdomThe owners of Ashers Baking in Belfast lost their appeal of 2015 discrimination conviction for refusing to bake a cake ordered by homosexual activist Gareth Lee showing two Sesame Street characters and the message: “Support Gay Marriage.” The case was heard by the Supreme Court in May 2018.
Public Art Exhibition Containing Sacreligious Images Cost Madrid 60,000 Euros
October 23, 2016, SpainThe exhibition, paid for by taxpayers and with the approval of the mayor, contains violent and pornographic images including a painting depicting a cardinal raping a woman on the altar of a church.
Christian parents fear 'gender-confused' daughter will be taken away
October 23, 2016, United KingdomChristian parents fear their 14-year-old daughter will be taken into foster care unless they allow her to change her female name to a male one.
Thieves Desecrate Church of Santa Maria in Ocaña; Steal Valuable Objects
October 17, 2016, SpainThe intruders gained access to the church after breaking a fence and window. They stole consecrated Hosts that were in the tabernacle and stole valuable religious jewelry, left other Hosts and various objects lying on the floor, and vandalized numerous images of virgins and saints.
Religiously-Motivated Attacks on 743 Christian Refugees in Germany
October 17, 2016, GermanyThe NGOs AVC (Action on behalf of Persecuted Christians and the Needy), EMG (European Mission Society) as well as ZOCD (Central Council of Oriental Christians in Germany) and Open Doors announced the results of their research on October 17th.
Church Vandalized in Gif-sur-Yvette
October 16, 2016, FranceThe intrusion was discovered by a member of the parish one hour before the beginning of Sunday Mass. The portrait of the Virgin Mary was removed from its pedestal, the crucifix and other objects of worship were thrown to the ground, according to Michel Bournat, the mayor of Gif-sur-Yvette. A police investigation is underway.
Elderly Priest Attacked in Church; Suffered a Stroke Due to Injuries
October 8, 2016, SpainOn the afternoon of October 8, 2016, two young men entered the church of Santa Rita in Vigo and asked to give confession to Father Antonio Rodríguez, age 83. Once alone with him, the two assailants grabbed the priest from behind, threw him to the ground and kicked him all over his body and head. They stole his glasses, wallet, watch, and the money they found in the church.
Serial Church Arsonist Expelled from Spain; Banned from Schengen for 10 Years
October 7, 2016, SpainSpanish authorities expelled the Moroccan man who admitted setting a fire in a church that destroyed several images of the Virgin Mary and then violating a restraining order by destroying a cross atop another church in September.
Burglary and Attack Stopped by Priest in Seine-Saint-Denis
October 7, 2016, FranceA man broke and entered into the rectory of the church of Sainte-Louise-de-Marillac in the parish of Drancy, ostensibly to commit a theft. He struck the priest in the head with a bottle, but was stopped from committing further assault by the priest, who had previously studied judo.
Christian Nursing Home Ordered to Allow Assisted Suicide on Premises
October 7, 2016, SwitzerlandThe home, which belongs to The Salvation Army, had previously contested a Swiss law that allows assisted suicide to take place in charitable institutions, if requested by a patient. They challenged the legislation, saying that it conflicted with their religious beliefs and violated their freedom of conscience. Last week, federal judges rejected their complaint and said the only way the care home could avoid complying with the law was by giving up its charitable status.
France Plans to Ban Pro-Life Websites it Judges 'Extremist'
October 6, 2016, FranceLaurence Rossignol, minister of families, children, and women’s rights, has announced that the French government intends to introduce legislation to ban pro-life websites it judges to be 'extremist'. She plans an amendment to the current “Equality and Citizenship” law, which will impose penalties on owners of pro-life sites of 30,000 euro fine (£26,517/ $33,600) and two years in prison.
Serbian Orthodox Chapel turned into Public Toilet
October 3, 2016, KosovoA recently repaired and cleaned cemetery chapel was turned into a public toilet and a garbage dump, with many graves overrun with weeds, despite a custodian employed by the Priština municipality.
Visitors at Estonian National Museum Invited to Kick Image of Virgin Mary
October 3, 2016, EstoniaThe new museum included an exhibit of a virtual image of the Virgin Mary in a glass box. Visitors were invited to kick the display, causing the image to appear to fall to pieces and the word "Reformation" to appear.
Crucifix Marred by Vandals in Arcugnano
October 1, 2016, ItalyThe crucifix of Lake Fimon, in the Berici hills was defaced with paint for the second time in 10 months.
Man Arrested after Series of Attacks on Churches in Rome
October 1, 2016, ItalyPolice arrested a 39-year-old Ghanaian man suspected of attacking several churches in Rome over the previous two days. He is suspected of heavily damaging devotional statues, crucifixes, and candlesticks at the Basilica of Santa Prassede, the Church of San Martino ai Monti, and the Basilicas of San Giovanni de' Fiorentini and San Vitale.
Pro-Government Officials and Media using Anti-Christian Propaganda
October 1, 2016, TurkeyFollowing the failed military coup against President Erdogan the Christians of Turkey are being made scapegoats by government officials and Islamist extremists.
Armed Police Patrol Canterbury Cathedral
September 29, 2016, United KingdomPolice with guns patrol Canterbury Cathedral due to concerns about terror attacks. The extra security is in response to a series of jihadist attacks across Europe, including the murder of French priest, Father Jacques Hamel.
Humanist Association Urges Vote to Remove "God" from Constitution
September 29, 2016, IrelandThe Association calls for the removal of any references to God in the Constitution, and to any clauses that require public officials to swear a religious oath upon taking office.
Multiple Acts of Vandalism in La Mothe-Saint-Héray
September 29, 2016, FranceActs of vandalism were discovered in the church of Saint-Héray late in the afternoon on September 29: Statues of Joan of Arc and the Virgin Mary were damaged, as were a crucifix, a rosary, and prayer books.
Orthodox-Christian Monument Defaced in Bucharest
September 27, 2016, RomaniaAn Orthodox-Christian monument in Piata Unirii ("Union Square") in the form of a large cross, was vandalized with LGBT and anarchist graffiti.
Abortion Activists say Disruption of Mass a "Legitimate Political Act"
September 27, 2016, SpainTwo and a half years after a pro-abortion group burst into the parish of San Miguel in Palma de Mallorca during Mass shouting "take your rosaries out of our ovaries" and shouts in favor of "free abortion," they have refused to come to an agreement with the diocese that would avoid a trial.
Saint-Henri in Neuilly-Plaisance Desecrated and Burglarized
September 26, 2016, FranceDuring the night from September 25 to 26th, one or more individuals broke into the church. Once inside, they stole the collection box containing donations to the church. They opened the tabernacle and threw the consecrated Hosts on the floor.
Italian Television Presenter Attacked Online for Wearing Rosary & Holy Medals
September 25, 2016, ItalyMarina Nalesso, an Italian TV presenter, has been the target of online attacks from secular atheists for wearing on TV a rosary and holy medals, including a St Benedict medal.
Serial Arsonist Set Two Fires in Churches in Millau; Attempted Arson in a Third
September 21, 2016, FranceThe 22-year-old suspect appeared in court on September 21 and a trial will begin on October 12. He is said to be Moroccan national, and already known to authorities for previous fires set in Paris and Millau.
Attempted Arson at the church of Notre-Dame-des-Noues Franconville (Val d'Oise)
September 18, 2016, FranceThe parish priest confirmed that there had been acts of vandalism and arson attempts in this church, probably during the night of September 18th to 19th.
Pristina University Students Demand Demolition of Church
September 16, 2016, KosovoA group of students at Pristina University has demanded that a Serbian Orthodox church on campus be either destroyed or converted into student facilities.
ECtHR Finds Greece Violated Rights of Conscientious Objector
September 15, 2016, GreeceThe case concerned the authorities’ refusal to grant a Jehovah's Witness the status of conscientious objector and to allow him to do alternative civilian work instead of military service. The Court held that this was a violation of Article 9 (freedom of thought, conscience and religion) of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Self-Described Jihadist Violated Restraining Order; Destroyed Church Cross
September 14, 2016, SpainThe man arrested on September 9th for burning images of the Virgin Mary in the Church of Fontellas was arrested again a week later for destroying the cross atop the church of Ribaforada.
Humanist Society Scotland Challenges Parental Opt-Out for Religious Observance in Schools; wants Children to Decide
September 12, 2016, United KingdomThe Humanist Society Scotland (HSS) is seeking judicial review after the Scottish Government rejected calls for a change to the current rules which permit only parents to opt out on their children’s behalf.
Man Arrested for Setting Fire in the Basilica del Gran Poder de Sevilla
September 12, 2016, SpainThe incident occurred in the afternoon of September 12th when an individual alerted authorities in the basilica that he had extinquished a burning cloth of great artistic value in the sanctuary and that moments before he had seen someone set it on fire. Security cameras assisted the police in locating the perpetrator.
Church of San Juan Bautista de Manises Vandalized with Satanic Graffiti
September 9, 2016, SpainUnknown perpetrators painted "666", a swastika, and a pentagram on the facade of the church with red paint.
Moroccan Man Arrested for "Islamist" Attack on Spanish Church
September 8, 2016, SpainA Moroccan man admitted setting a fire that destroyed an ancient altarpiece and beautiful images in the church of Fontellas in Navarre on September 8, the day recognized by Catholics as of the Nativity of the Virgin (the day of the birth of the Virgin Mary).
Hamburg Court Acquits Afghan Charged with Attempted Homicide against Christian Convert
September 5, 2016, GermanyChristian leaders and the Christian Police Union criticized the acquittal, noting that all of the witnesses were Muslims - many of whom helped the accused flee after the incident.
Porch of Church Burnt as Street Fire Spread
September 3, 2016, FranceIn Roubaix, the porch of the church of Sacré-Cœur was destroyed by fire during the night from 2-3 September. Rubbish, including a bench, were burned on the boulevard de Strasbourg and the fire spread to the door of the church.
Arson in Passau Catholic Church
September 1, 2016, GermanyUnknown offenders tried to set the altar of the St. Anton church on fire in the morning of September 1st. They also damaged furniture, painting, and statues according to the police, who call it a case of vandalism.