All cases

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.

Provocative Graffiti on Church of St. Louis en l‘lle

July 21, 2013, France

Unidentified perpetrators spray painted the words: “Essayez les orgasmes” (Try Orgasms) on the church of St. Louis, France. The second phrase was “Omnia sunt Communia”, but written in a wrong way: “Ominia comminia“. It means "Everything in common" which is generally attributed to Thomas Munzer (1488-1527) a leader of the Peasants' War of 1525 in Germany.

Graffiti Spray Painted on Catholic Church in Brussels

July 21, 2013, France

Three walls of the church of the Holy Trinity d’Ixelles (Elsenes) near Brussels were spray painted with graffiti.

Church Set on Fire Leads to Arrests of Four Young Adults

July 20, 2013, Spain

Spanish police arrested four young adults for setting the church of Carmen de Vinaroz in Castellón on fire on July 5th. Sacred images and furniture were severely damaged. Spanish Christians deplore frequent threats, for example spray paintings saying: “the only church which illuminates is a burning church“ or “remember the year 1936“, suggesting a planned repetition of the murder of over 3000 religious people.

Croatian Television Breaks Agreement with Catholic Church

July 19, 2013, Croatia

Croatian Television (HTV) one-sidedly cancelled the autonomy of its religious program, which had been guaranteed by the Agreement signed in 2000 by HTV and the Croatian Conference of Bishops (in reference to the implementation of the international contract between the Holy See and the Republic of Croatia).

Priest Violently Assaulted in Quimper, Bretagne

July 17, 2013, France

Father Michel Mazeas, Pastor of the cathedral of Quimper, Bretagne, was attacked by a man at the rectory of Saint Corentin in Rue Toul-al-Laer. He was threatened and received a dozen punches in the face by the stranger. The attacker was arrested by the police, placed in custody and interned in a public mental health facility of Gourmlen.

Old Lady Robbed and Killed in Church in Marche-en-Famenne

July 13, 2013, Belgium

Marie-Thérèse Deflandre, was found lifeless on the floor of the church of Saint-Remacle in Marche-en-Famenne, Belgium. She was found with severe head injuries and taken to hospital in Liege where she died 10 days later. No personal belongings were found with the lady and her credit card was later used by a third party.

Anti-Catholic Performance in Metz

July 12, 2013, France

For two consecutive days anti-Catholic provocative and sacrilegious performances were held in Metz. They were organized by the city of Metz and “Hop Hop Hop –festivals”, at which the Belgian group Compagnie d'Outre Rue performed their program including a show called “Mass with breadsticks”. During the show, they wore liturgical clothing, used liturgical items and mocked the Pope and the Church under much laughter of the public. The event was organised by the socialist mayor Dominique Gros.

European Affairs Minister Forced to Resign

July 11, 2013, Ireland

Lucinda Creighton, European Affairs Minister of Ireland had to resign after voting against the Government on an amendment to the abortion bill. The so-called “whip” does not permit to deviate from party policy. Mrs. Creighton however felt that she could not compromise on matters of “life and death”.

13-Century-Church Vandalised in Grafing

July 7, 2013, Germany

Unknown perpetrators entered St. Leornhard church in Grafing, Bavaria, on the weekend of July 6 and 7. They climbed into the locked main hall of the 13th-century church and broke pieces from a number of wooden statues which they burnt on the altar, thereby also damaging the main painting behind the altar. Some relics were stolen and the damage was severe.

Facebook Page Claims “Mary Should´ve Aborted”

July 4, 2013, Italy

An anti-Christian page on facebook stated that “Mary should have aborted”. The page was reported to the facebook service who answered that this content does not violate community standards on hate speech.

Street Preacher Arrested For Preaching on Sexual Morality

July 1, 2013, United Kingdom

The police arrested a street preacher in Wimbledon under suspicion of offences under the Public Order Act. He had been speaking about sexual immorality in general and the importance to abstain from such practices.

Church in Lille Spray Painted

July 1, 2013, France

A church in Lille was sprayed with graffiti insulting the Catholic Church and the Catholic political movement “Civitas”.

Catholic Bookseller Vandalised for the 27th Time in Bordeaux

June 29, 2013, France

A Catholic bookseller in Bordeaux became a victim of vandalism for the 27th time. The proprietor said that they had been threatened, offended and the shop window was spat upon. The bookseller has been the object of “attack” of left wing extremists for many years, especially since the debate about gay marriage and the French "Manif pour tous".

Arrest for Setting Two Churches on Fire

June 27, 2013, United Kingdom

A young man in Derbyshire, England, was arrested because he is suspected to have set two churches on fire in Allestree and one in Twyford.

Police Brutality Directed Against Pro-Family Demonstrators

June 26, 2013, France

Tear gas attacks and beatings by the police, arbitrary arrests, solitary confinement, illegal finger print storing, and countless other human rights violations were conducted by the French police against a peaceful mass demonstration opposing government policy on gay marriage and adoption.

Church Vandalised and Robbed in Itzum

June 25, 2013, Germany

The church of St. George in Itzum, Germany was vandalised and robbed when gangsters smashed their way through a window into the church. They smashed doors and furniture and ransacked offices. They found the key to the sacristy and vault, and stole the church’s valuables from the safe as well as the studded chalices, communion cups and a gold plated 275 year-old monstrance.

Church St. Nicolas du Chardonnet in Paris Vandalised

June 23, 2013, France

The church of St. Nicolas du Chardonnet in Paris was vandalised in the night of June 22nd when someone spray painted the following words on the wall of the church: “Tantum religio potuit suadere malorum.” meaning “only religion can lead to such evil” or “so much wrong could religion induce." The graffiti was signed with the anarchy logo.

Insurance Company Refuses Youth Ministry on Confessional Grounds

June 22, 2013, France

The insurance company MAIF (Mutuelle Assurance Automobile des Instituteurs de France – Mutual Automobile Assurance of elementary school teachers of France) refused to cover “Le Foyer de Saint-Martin” (The House of Saint Martin) because the association has confessional roots.

Violent and Anti-Catholic Placard Displayed in Caen

June 22, 2013, France

A placard by the “Confédération Nationale du Travail“ (National Confederation of Work) was displayed in Caen, France. The placard shows a picture of a woman kicking a priest in his genitalia and the corresponding text says: “Buzz off! My body belongs to me”.

Encouragement of Violence Against Christians

June 21, 2013, Germany

During anti-Christian manifestations in Germany, the appeal to rape Christians in an exceptionally brutal way and vulgar language was spread. A slogan invented by a punk band who titled a song with it, is gaining popularity. This call to violence is also spreading as a slogan on t-shirts.

Vandalism in Church in Messina

June 19, 2013, Italy

In the Church of the Good Shepherd in Messina a crucifix was found upside down covered in dirty wax and paint. A Madonna statue was also burned. There were also nails driven into the images, one in the neck of the crucifix. The Satanists also marred the vessel of the sacristy and engraved an inverted cross, swastika and 666 on the table.

Repeated Vandalism of Chapel in Bergheim-Kenten

June 19, 2013, Germany

Two volunteers who have been caring for a chapel in Bergheim- Kenten for many years gave up after repeated vandalism when they found the shrine vandalized again, this time smeared with feces.

Attempt to Break into Church in Osterhol

June 17, 2013, Germany

During the open hours of Martin Church unidentified perpetrators damaged several doors of different rooms in the church in Osterhol. The damage to the doors was worth several hundred euros.

Anti-Catholic Graffiti on the Entrance Door of Cathedral of Montpellier

June 16, 2013, France

In the night of June 16th, an unknown person sprayed anti-Catholic graffiti on the main entrance of the door of the cathedral in Montpellier, France. “Filthy fascist. You have killed Clement…” Clément Meric, a left wing activist, was tragically beaten to death by a skinhead – not Christians – in the beginning of June.

Attempted Burglary at a Church in Duisburg-Marxloh

June 16, 2013, Germany

A 11-year-old boy and 24-year-old men entered a church in Duisburg-Marxloh, Germany and attempted to steal metal from the roof. Someone noticed and called the police. The thieves hid in a false ceiling of the church while fire fighters were searching for them. The thieves were finally found.

Anti-Catholic Graffiti on Church in Bourgoin–Jalliieu, Isère

June 15, 2013, France

Insulting anti-Catholic, anti-France, pro-Islam and pro-Bin Laden graffiti were found on two pillars in the morning of the 15th of June by a member of the church “Saint - Jean – Baptiste” in Bourgoin- Jalliieu. The sign “GIA” suggests to mean “Groupe islamique armé (Islamic armed group)”.

Young Man Set Church in Moulins on Fire

June 15, 2013, France

The police questioned a young man who had been noticed by a witness coming out of the sacristy of the church in Moulins. Inside the sacristy, a fire had started: a bottle of alcohol had been poured over the candles. The witness managed prevent the fire from spreading.

Attempted Burglary in Church in Bad Herrenalb

June 14, 2013, Germany

Burglars tried to pry open the door to the monastery in Bad Herrenalb, Germany. After the failed attempt they fled. According to police information, an estimated damage of 100 euro was caused.

Gathering Disturbed by Insults and Shouting in Montpellier

June 13, 2013, France

A gathering of “Les Veilleurs”, a peaceful manifestation group in favour of the traditional family of was disturbed by shouting from students and radical LGBT activists. Anti-Catholic insults were yelled as “Les Veilleurs” gathered to pray and sing together as they do every Tuesday evening before the prefecture in Montpellier.

Church and Graves Vandalised in Grandvilliers

June 13, 2013, France

The church and 37 tombs in the village of Grandvilliers were vandalised. The vandals stoned the stained-glass windows of the church and knocked over sepulchral items. They also damaged the signs of the tombs and displaced one tombstone.

Vandalism in Church in Losheim

June 12, 2013, Germany

Unidentified perpetrators entered a church in Losheim, Germany, broke several doors and ransacked the sacristy. They also searched the gallery and the bell tower. Nothing was stolen but the damages were substantial.

Anti-Catholic Graffiti on Walls of Catholic School in Nantes

June 11, 2013, France

The walls inside of the Catholic school in Nantes were spray painted with anti-Catholic graffiti showing obscene images and messages. The different style of writing suggests that at least two people have done this.

German Publicists Suffer Defamatory Statements

June 10, 2013, Germany

Berger, chief editor of the gay magazine “Men”, said that some publicits made defamatory statements and should not be allowed on TV any more. He had labeled Gabriele Kuby, a Catholic German publicist and also Martin Lohmann, chief editor of the Catholic television channel K-TV, and Katherina Reiche, member of the German parliament, as “homophobic protagonists” and had demanded: “Homo-haters get out of the talk shows”. Gabriele Kuby renounced these false accusations and explicitly stated that she is not homophobic and that the term “homo-hater” was invented by the homo-lobby to criminalize critique of the “homosexual movement”.

Protestant Assembly Hall Burned Down in Villiers-sur-Marne

June 10, 2013, France

In the early morning of the 10th of June, the Protestant assembly hall in Villiers-sur-Marne, France, which had room for 200 people, was burned down. An investigation is in progress but it seems that the action of the burning was done voluntarily.

Pope Demeaned by Headline “Junta Buddy Replaces Nazi Boy”

June 10, 2013, Germany

The German daily “taz” commented on the inauguration of the pope with the headline “Junta buddy replaces Nazi Boy” (Juntakumpel löst Hitlerjungen ab). After about 50 individual complaints to the German press council it ruled that the headline constituted an offence against the duty to take care (Sorgfaltspflicht). The Central Committee of the German Catholics (ZdK) sharply criticised the statement and the fact that the press council refuses a reprehension concerning the violation of religious feelings. The press council states that “assessments” on the Catholic doctrine such as “Old geezer I. followed old geezer II” are provocative but are covered through the right to freedom of opinion.

Graffiti on Cathedral of Limoges

June 8, 2013, France

Suspected “Antifa”-left wing activists spray painted the words: “Canon Law = Sharia”. Next to the Church on a construction site fence you could read: “To Clement, who was killed by the brown pest.” This is an allusion to the left wing activist Clement Meric, who had been thrashed to death by a skinhead some days before, blaming the Church for the tragedy of Clement’s death.

Cathedral of Nantes Vandalised and Desecrated

June 8, 2013, France

Perpetrators found their way into the Cathedral and spray painted the altar, walls and floor with provoking symbols like 666 and Nazi slogans.

Anti-Christian Incident at Corpus Christi Procession in Lyon

June 6, 2013, France

On the feast of Corpus Christi as participants of a procession were splattered with water by someone in the building. The archdiocese of Lyon had organized the procession called “march of the witnesses of the faith”. No one was hurt.