All cases

Church Vandalised Causing Considerable Material Damage

November 7, 2013, Germany

St. Peter’s Church in Waltrop, Germany was broken into. The door to the sacristy was broken and the interior ransacked. The Police and Crime investigators were at the scene and a report was made.

Vandalism at St. Peter’s Church in Waltrop

November 6, 2013, Germany

Considerable damage was caused to St. Peter's Church in Waltrop. The vestry door was broken and the interior devastated. Police are investigating

Push to Eliminate the Christian Element of the Saint Martin Tradition in Nordrhein-Westfalen and Hessen

November 5, 2013, Germany

The Chairman of the Left-wing party in the Nordrhein-Westfalen region, Rüdiger Sagel, suggested to rename the celebration and remove the religious overtones in the local day-care centres. “In many Nordrhein-Westfalen day-care centres there are an increasing number of children from different religions.” ... „”the day-care should be an interdenominational space,” says Sagel, and claims that the day-cares are influencing the children regarding their religion. After a storm of protests, the Left-wing party withdrew the suggestion.

Church Covered in Graffiti in Brescia

November 4, 2013, Italy

During a night raid the walls of the Church of Santa Maria Calchera in Brescia were covered with inscriptions in red paint. The whole length of the façade was covered.

Vandalism and Desecration at Church of Carmine in Ascoli

October 28, 2013, Italy

Vandals entered the Church of the Carmine in Ascoli using scaffolding positioned for restructuring. They removed some crucifixes, holy objects and candles. The walls and furniture were also covered in paint and at the end they tried to celebrate a black mass.

Graffiti on Church of Casorate Sempione

October 26, 2013, Italy

The outside walls of the church and churchyard were spray painted with white paint and with a number of sentences. One of these read: "most priests dead" (“più preti morti”). About a month before this happened, a symbol of "A" for anarchy was painted on the walls of the Caritas centre, and there have been acts of vandalism in the same church in the past.

Christian Parents Convicted for Home-schooling, Appeal Rejected

October 24, 2013, Germany

On May 22nd the district court sentenced the parents of nine to pay a fine of 700 Euro each for their violation of the compulsory school attendance for all children in Germany. The public prosecution department demanded six months in prison for the married couple due to their repeated offense. An appeal was rejected in October.

Andalusia Discriminates against Teachers of Religion

October 22, 2013, Spain

In Andalusia, the Board of Education prohibits teachers of religion to watch students at recess. This is expressly due to the subject matter that they teach and not for economic reasons. The Centre for Religious Liberty and Conscience (OLRC), has asked the Ministry of Education to apologize for this discrimination and to allow teachers of religion to “practice their profession on equal footing with other teachers.”

Posters in Tarragona Mock Christians in Reaction to the Beatification of 522 Twentieth Century Christian Martyrs

October 17, 2013, Spain

Posters on the streets of Tarragona depicted a lion chasing a priest with the inscription, “An ancient tradition. Blessed be the lions.” This in response to the beatification (the bestowing of the title of “Blessed” by the Catholic Church) of 522 Christian martyrs who were killed in the Twentieth century.

Profanities Shouted at a Parish Commemoration Presided Over by the Archbishop

October 16, 2013, Spain

During a commemoration by the Archbishop of the fiftieth anniversary of a parish in Madrid, 20 people gathered outside and shouted profanities. Two people were arrested after they got past the police barrier. They were released the next day.

Vandalism in Church in Galazzano, San Marino

October 15, 2013, San Marino

Vandals broke a crucifix in a church in Galazzano in San Marino. The church had never experienced vandalism before.

Statue of Our Lady Destroyed in Bordeaux

October 13, 2013, France

In the night to October 13, a statue of our lady was destroyed in Bordeaux. The statue had been attached about three meters high on a corner of an apartment building at Rue Neuve. The head of the statue could not be found which indicates a hate motivated act.

St. Eulalia, Patroness of Madrid, Secularized

October 10, 2013, Spain

An initiative driven by Ignasi Ventura Diaz hopes to reinstate the cross symbol on images of St. Eulalia, patroness of Madrid. Currently, public images of the saint contain a young girl on an eagle instead of the traditional cross upon which the saint was crucified at the age of thirteen. Groups such as e-Christians wish for the City Council to acknowledge the Christian roots of St. Eulalia, currently called “La Laia”, a nickname which also hides the Christian roots of the city’s patroness.

Discrimination Against Religion Teachers on the Canary Islands

October 10, 2013, Spain

Religion teachers on the Canary Islands are discriminated against, as they are not allowed to participate in extra activities, such as becoming a cycling coordinator or head teacher. This matter has been brought to court and is still pending. In the meantime, centers may choose according to their individual needs whether or not religion teachers may occupy such positions, but there is still discrimination occurring in some schools since such a decision is arbitrary and depends on the judgment of the inspectors.

Bomb Planted in Catholic Church in Zaragoza

October 3, 2013, Spain

A bomb was set inside the Catholic “Basílica del Pilar” in Zaragoza. It exploded close to the organ and benches. The church and the market square in front of the basilica had to be cleared by the police. Local sources suspect an extreme left-wing group behind the bomb attack. These claims are supported by the fact that the words “This is our offering“ and a veiled figure holding a bomb were spray painted on a wall nearby the basilica. This bomb was the first attack on the basilica of Zaragoza since the Spanish Civil War.

Violent Language Used by Feminists and Other Left-Wing Organisations

September 27, 2013, Spain

During a pro-choice rally, the coordinator of “Valladolid Women”, a feminist organization, shouted violence inciting words such as “We must burn the Episcopal Conference” outside of a lecture hall in which the Spanish Christian Lawyers Association AEAC was giving a lecture on the persecution of Christians. The Christian Lawyers Association has filed a complaint under the heading of incitement to hatred and violence.

Christian Cemetery Vandalised in Villecien, Yonne

September 26, 2013, France

In Villecien an old Christian cemetery was vandalised in the afternoon of September 26th. 61 graves were vandalised and inscriptions and religious statues were destroyed or removed.

Two Statues Destroyed at a Church in Haan

September 25, 2013, Germany

During a fair in Haan (North Rhine-Westphalia), unknown perpetrators tore the cross with the figure of Jesus off the church of St. Chrysanthus and Daria, beheaded the figure and took the head away. The perpetrators also tore an arm off the figure of a bishop and threw the arm into the garden of the kindergarten next door. In the last ten years, the figure of Jesus has been destroyed three times.

Statue Vandalised in Church in Sassari

September 25, 2013, Italy

The historic statue of Our Lady of Hope (1934) in Sassari was taken down from its stand and broken into pieces.

Church and Bust of Pope Benedict XVI Spray Painted

September 22, 2013, Germany

St. Oswald church - the church in which Pope Benedict XVI celebrated his first mass - was spray painted with large letters. Local sources suspect radical left wing forces behind the incident. A bust of the former Pope in front of the main entrance was spray painted twice. In the first case the delinquent was identified, the second case remains unclear.

Dublin Church Bells Silenced After 130 Years

September 21, 2013, Ireland

Due to complaints, the clock and bells at the Church of St. Bartholomew, Dublin, Ireland are temporarily out of service. The church is required to find a solution to stop the bells from ringing at night, or they will have to be switched off permanently.

Fire Damage in Church in Reggio Emilia

September 21, 2013, Italy

The shrine of Our Lady in the church of St. Augustine in Reggio Emilia was set on fire. Fortunately the statue was unharmed but everything around it was destroyed.

Vandalised Madonna in Bari

September 10, 2013, Italy

The Madonna in the Parish of St Nicholas in Bari was decapitated by vandals. The statue was carved in the rock at the base of a large crucifix and was probably broken by being thrown against the crucifix.

Government Takes Children From Christian Community

September 5, 2013, Germany

In the early morning of September 5th, a massive police raid of 100 police and 60 social workers descended on two of the Christian Twelve Tribes Communities of Klosterzimmern and Wörnitz. The police seized 40 children from 16 families and took them away in 25 vans on allegations of physical abuse.

Vandalism in Church in Bologna

September 5, 2013, Italy

Vandals broke in half the ceramic statue of the Madonna in Caserme Rosse. This statue had been vandalised two years ago as well.

Berlin Bans Public Christmas Celebrations

September 3, 2013, Germany

Berlin politicians and officials of Berlin-Kreuzberg banned the celebration of Christmas in public places or roads, as well as decorations and Christmas fairs, in order not to discriminate against the Muslim minority. A tree may only be placed in specific places, previously assigned by the authorities.

Stations of the Cross Vandalised in Traunstein

September 3, 2013, Germany

Local faithful discovered grafitti on stations of the cross. Unknown perpetrators had spraypainted "God is dead", "boozing" and an anarchy symbol on the small buildings.

Pope John Paul II Commemoration Monument in Rijeka Thrown into the Sea

September 1, 2013, Croatia

A monument commemorating the visit by John Paul II to Rijeka, which had been erected in June 2013 on the pier Gat Karoline Riječke, was thrown into the sea by unidentified vandals. Divers from the Rijeka Fire Department pulled it out from a depth of approximately six meters. The incident was recorded by the police who conducted an investigation.

Satanist Symbolism on Garage in Traunstein

August 30, 2013, Germany

Various acts of vandalism with clear anti-Christian symbolism have been reported in in Traunstein/Southern Germany: The exterior wall of a small church belonging to a parish in Traunstein (in the South of Germany) was spray painted with anti-Christian symbols and had to be repainted. Close by, the pedestal of a St. John Nepomuk figure was disfigured with the painting of a satanist cross. On a private garage, two big satanist crosses and the letters “GOD free“ were spray painted. Local sources suspect radical left wing groups are behind these acts.

Christians Hurt by Theatre Performance in Former Church Building

August 30, 2013, Germany

Local Christians reported to the Observatory that they felt offended by a play with the title, “Empathy to the Devil” which was performed in a secularised church in the south of Germany. The poster of the event featured a silhouette of the devil. Earlier productions from the same theatre-group have shown a big red cross being used as a hat stand on stage.

Church Vandalised Overnight in Loire-Atlantique

August 24, 2013, France

In the night perpetrators broke down the door and entered the church of Notre Dame in Loire-Atlantique, Bretagne, where they destroyed several more items. A lawsuit was filed and as a consequence the town decided to close and lock the doors of the church, which are normally open.

Exhibition in Church Damaged by Fire in Chatellerault

August 17, 2013, France

An exhibition of pilgrims financed by the Friends of Santiago de Compostela was on display in the St. Jacques church in Chatellerault, France. Several times someone tried to set the laminated panels of the images on fire using a candle. The panels were covered with burn holes from the candle. Police in Chatellerault have opened an investigation.

Burglary at Church in Wesel

August 15, 2013, Germany

Perpetrators broke through a basement window in the rectory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Wesel, Germany. They damaged several doors including the door to the sacristy and stole two boxes of donated money.

Vandalism and Burglary in Church in Lünen

August 14, 2013, Germany

Thieves broke through the roof into St. Joseph’s church in Lünen, Germany. All cabinets and boxes were opened. A large cross in the sacristy was thrown on the floor and a chandelier used as a crowbar. Police estimated a damage of at least 8000 euro.

Plan to Ditch God From National Anthem

August 13, 2013, Switzerland

Switzerland is holding a competition to rewrite its national anthem in 2014 because it currently focuses on God. Over £7,000 is being offered as a prize for rewriting the song, which is called the Swiss Psalm. Competitors are asked to include values from the Swiss constitution such as democracy and solidarity.

Government Says No Opt Out Of Performing Abortions for Faith-Based Hospitals

August 12, 2013, Ireland

The Irish government has told a Catholic hospital that there will be no opting out of the new law legalising abortion, and which requires hospitals to do the procedure. The health minister was responding to comments by a board member of Dublin’s Mater Misericordiae University Hospital that the hospital would not be complying with the new abortion law.

Wooden Cross Stolen From Church in Aushausen

August 12, 2013, Germany

A large 150 x 150 cm wooden cross with the figure of Jesus was stolen from the church of St. Andrew in Aushausen, Germany. The cross had been fastened with metal studs on the church wall.

Consultation Centre for Disabled People Vandalised by Left Wing Radicals

August 5, 2013, France

The Jérôme-Lejeune-Foundation reports that the HIV/Aids – Awareness raising lobby group “Act Up“ has vandalised the foundation’s premises in the night from August 4th to 5th. Doctors and patients of the foundation discovered insulting posters, red colour on doors, windows and walls and condoms lying around in the morning. Prof. Marie-Odile Rhétoré, director of the public consultations, deplored that the sight was shocking for families and their disabled children who came for appointments and support that morning.

Theft and Vandalism in Church in Misson

August 5, 2013, Italy

The Basilica of San Vittore in Misson was attacked by a vandal who forced open the side window of the sacristy and entered the church. He ripped the golden door off the golden casket and stole the consecrated Host.

British Gay Couple to Legally Challenge Church for Not Offering Gay Marriage

August 2, 2013, United Kingdom

A British homosexual couple feels „forced to take Christians into a court to get them to recognise” them. The Marriage Act contains legal provisions to protect churches which chose not to conduct same-sex weddings from being sued.

Attempted Burglary at a Church in Dorstfeld

August 2, 2013, Germany

Police were called to the Barbara Church at Arminiusstraße, Dorstfeld, Germany because of suspicious noises. They discovered a young man on a ladder, leaning under a window of the church. The man was already known to the police as a burglar. The police took him into custody, but had to dismiss him for lack of reasons for detention.

Crucified Chicken Hurts Feelings of Believers

August 1, 2013, Austria

Christians in Austria were hurt by the depiction of a crucified chicken as a work of art by Deborah Sengl. The image was displayed in Wiener Neustadt in the late summer, ironically in a former church building.

Church Burned to the Ground in Garbsen

July 30, 2013, Germany

A church in Garbsen, Germany was burned down by a group of arsonists from a violent Oriental circle. It is not clear whether it will be possible to retrieve parts of the church. Symbolically, the bronze Christ on the wall behind the altar survived the inferno and still hangs on the wall above the rubble.

Lutheran Church Burnt Down in Hannover

July 29, 2013, Germany

In the night from July 29 to 30, the Lutheran church and parish house Willehadikirche in Hannover was set on fire and burned down completely despite the efforts of 150 firemen. The police concluded the following day that it was a case of deliberate arson. Neighbours reported that they saw a group of youth trying to set the church on fire but thought that they had not succeeded.

34 Anti-Life Activists Arrested for Attacks and Violations of Freedom of Assembly against Praying Christians

July 26, 2013, Austria

A peaceful prayer-manifestation of young Christians in Salzburg was interrupted by aggressive pro-choice activists who blocked streets and insulted the Christian activists. Police officers had to rearrange the walking route of the march and finally arrested 34 pro-choice activists for the violation of freedom of assembly. Two pro-choice activists also attacked a police officer.

(Austria) Posters and Graffiti on Parish Display Cabinet

July 25, 2013, Germany

Two display cabinets attached to a Catholic parish house in Traunstein, Germany were covered with unauthorised posters on July, 23rd 2013. The posters invited to a pro-choice-demonstration in Salzburg. At least forty of the same poster were also plastered illegally in various places in the city of Salzburg, where the demonstration took place on July. This led to the arrest of 34 radically left wing participants and pro-choice-demonstrators. The mentioned display cabinets were also sprayed with the words “No Nazis“ and the surrounding walls were also painted.

Theatre Play Mocks Christianity at a Metz Streetfestival

July 25, 2013, France

The Belgian theatre group Compagnie d’Outre Rue, mocked the Christian faith and the Catholic Church in a public display of their program Petites Prophéties Urbaines. The play featured actors in liturgical clothes who, among other things, celebrated a “mass with snacks”. The Pope, the Church and its most sacred rituals were mocked and made fun of.

Desecration of Madonna in Church in Paratico

July 24, 2013, Italy

In the church of Oasi Mamma dell'Amore in Paratico excrement and glass bottles were left at the statue of the Madonna.

Cemetery in Cambrai Looted

July 23, 2013, France

Inscription plates, angel statues, ornaments, solar lights and flowers were stolen from a cemetery in Solesmes Cambrai. Many objects had high sentimental and financial value. Some of the stolen items were found at a market in the neighbouring town of Cantimpre by families of the deceased. The police were informed and an exhibitor was arrested.

Theft and Desecration in Church of Serravalle

July 23, 2013, Italy

Thieves broke into the church of Serravalle, stole items, and left excrement and urine beside the altar.