All cases
Vandalism and Burglary in Church in Lünen
August 14, 2013, GermanyThieves 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, SwitzerlandSwitzerland 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, IrelandThe 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, GermanyA 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, FranceThe 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, ItalyThe 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 KingdomA 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, GermanyPolice 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, AustriaChristians 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, GermanyA 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, GermanyIn 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, AustriaA 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, GermanyTwo 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, FranceThe 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, ItalyIn 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, FranceInscription 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, ItalyThieves 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, FranceUnidentified 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, FranceThree 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, SpainSpanish 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.