All cases
EU Attempted to Remove Christian Symbols of Commemorative Coin
November 29, 2012, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)The National Bank of Slovakia announced that the European Commission, the union’s executive arm, had ordered it to remove halos and crosses from special commemorative euro coins. The European Union finally gave in- the coins are to be minted as planned.
Chapel of Regional Pilgrimage Site Vandalized
November 29, 2012, FranceThe chapel Notre-Dame de la Roche in the area of Rhône, which is a regional pilgrimage site, was vandalized and profaned in November 2012. The chapel was restored in May 2013.
Church in Gotha Defiled
November 29, 2012, GermanyOn the 29th of November 2012, the inside of a church in Gotha, Germany, was desecrated. The perpetrator(s) also vandalised the Organ. This was reported by the Apostolic Nunciature of Germany.
Desecration of Graves in Germany
November 29, 2012, GermanyBetween July and November the Holy See reported cases of desecration to graves in the following places: ·27 July 2012 Herzberg ·26 October 2012 Duisburg (NRW) ·9 November 2012 Unterrath (Düsseldorf). ·13 November 2012 Güdesweiler (Saarland)
Parish House of Church in Daaden Broken Into
November 27, 2012, GermanyIn Daaden on the 27th of Nov 2012 the parsonage of the church was devastated and a relique of St. Georg stolen.
Church of St. Alban Desecrated in Mainz
November 27, 2012, GermanyOn the 27th of November 2012, St. Alban’s church in Mainz was broken into and defiled. The perpetrator went into the sacristy and mindlessly hit everything he saw. This was reported by the Apostolic Nunciature of Germany.
Church in Daaden Broken Into and Defiled
November 27, 2012, GermanyOn the 27th of November 2012, a Church in Daaden (Siegen) was broken into. The perpetrators desecrated the rectory, vandalised the church, and stole a relief of St. George, which is feared to be destroyed. This was reported by the Apostolic Nunciature of Germany.
Parish Building Set on Fire in Latvia
November 23, 2012, LatviaThe adjoining building of a parish in Madona was set on fire on November 23rd 2012, the perpetrator was not found.
Church Broken Into in Globarice
November 22, 2012, Bosnia and HerzegovinaBetween the 22nd and the 23rd of November, 2012, a church was broken into in Globarice, Bosnia-Herzegovina. The perpetrator(s) stole money, a chalice with consecrated hosts, and a monstrance with consecrated hosts.
(Scotland) Artist Depicts Pope as a Nazi-Pedophile
November 20, 2012, United KingdomDutch artist Jeff van Weereld's piece “The Holy Truth“ on display in Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, Scotland in November 2012, depicts the pope aroused, wearing a swastika shaped cross, and with his hands on two young boys. The artist claims to reflect „four facts“ of the Church: “There is high incidence of paedophilia, the pope did spend a good part of his formative years in the Hitlerjugend and the Wehrmacht, the church is friendly to the outside, but not necessarily within the hierarchy and they do tend to cover up things.”
Brussels Bans Annual Christmas Tree Display As It May Offend Muslims
November 19, 2012, BelgiumGovernment officials in Brussels banned the Christmas tree in the city center out of concerns that the local Muslim population might find it “offensive.” An “electronic winter tree,” will take the place of the traditional Christmas Tree and Nativity scene at the city center of Grand Place. Citizens protested.
New Legislation on Gay Marriage Might Get Teachers Fired
November 18, 2012, United KingdomThe British Parliamentary Undersecretary of State, Liz Truss, states she was not able to rule out the possibility that teachers refusing to use stories or textbooks favoring same sex- marriage face disciplinary consequences.
Anti-Christian Slogans Interrupt a Symposium for Life in Biarritz
November 18, 2012, FranceAttendants at the Symposium for Life held in Biarritz, following the 18th of November demonstration against same-sex marriage by Civitas, was interrupted by an anti-Christian demonstration. With signs saying “yes, yes to sodomy, no, no, no to the inquisition” held by men in nuns habits and women with devils horns the aim was one of offending. Worsening matters was the biased coverage by the press that failed to report on the anti-Christian nature of the demonstration.
TV Team Produces Satire on Church in Cathedral Without Permission
November 16, 2012, AustriaIn mid-November an episode of the satiric television serial “Wir Staatskünstler” (We official state artists) was filmed in the Catholic Cathedral of St Pölten without permission. Three actors working for the Austrian public service broadcaster ORF (state TV) were dressed up similarly to the group “Pussy Riot”, entered the church, imitated Islamic prayer moves and called upon “mother heaven”.
Church Vandalised in Switzerland
November 16, 2012, SwitzerlandA church in Hägendorf was broken into on November 16 2012. Statues of two Saints were set on fire. That did not succeed the vandals poured oil on the altar and set the apostle candles on fire.
Church in Märkische Heide Broken Into and Desecrated
November 15, 2012, GermanyOn the 15th of November 2012, thieves in Märkische Heide, Germany, stole the key to a church building, entered the church, and desecrated holy items. This was reported by the Apostolic Nunciature of Germany.
Proposed EU Commissionar Faces Opposition for Holding Christian Views
November 13, 2012, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)A consortium of homosexualist, secular humanist and abortion groups campaigned against the appointment of the Maltese Dr. Tonio Borg as the new EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner. The objection, they said, was nothing more than that Dr. Borg was a Catholic, with “staunchly conservative and outdated” views on homosexuality, divorce and abortion. The campaign failed soon thereafter.
Desecration of Graves in Güdesweiler
November 13, 2012, GermanyOn the 13th of November 2012, a Christian cemetery in Güdesweiler, Germany, was vandalised by unknown perpetrators. This was reported by the Apostolic Nunciature in Germany.
(Scotland) Cardinal O´Brien Declared “Bigot of the Year”
November 12, 2012, United KingdomChristian believers and other people in Britain are expressing outrage after the country’s leading homosexualist lobby group declared the Cardinal Archbishop of Edinburgh, Keith O’Brien, “Bigot of the Year” for his opposition to “gay marriage”.
Woman Verbally Harassed in Turkey
November 12, 2012, TurkeyOn November 12th, 2012 in Batman, a woman who was participating in the worship services was verbally harassed and threatened about attending such meetings .
Church of St. James in Lübeck Broken Into
November 10, 2012, GermanyThe Church of St. James in Lübeck has been broken into. The donations for the poorest were stolen and the sacred space profaned. This is the 10th noted case of a church desecration in Lübeck this year.
Desecration of Graves in Unterrath
November 9, 2012, GermanyThe Apostolic Nunciature of Germany reported that on the 9th of November 2012, dozens of graves in a Christian cemetery in Unterrath (Düsseldorf), Germany were desecrated.
Church and Adjoining Building Vandalised in Latvia
November 8, 2012, LatviaOn November 8th 2012, the windows of a church in Cesvaine were broken and the doors to the adjoining building demolished. The information stand was knocked over and the some lights pulled down.
Caricature of Holy Trinity in Journal Hurts Feelings of Christians
November 7, 2012, FranceIn an attempt to support a bill legalising same-sex “marriage” the journal Charlie Hebdo published the 7th of November a front page image that depicted the three persons of the Holy Trinity engaging in homosexual intercourse. The caricature transcends any standards of decency. It does not respect religious feelings in a way that one might speak of hate incident.
Secularists Condemn Churches Involvement in Public Life
November 5, 2012, FranceThe Grand Society of France (the largest among Masonic organizations in France) declared that "... churches are restricted only to the spiritual sphere, and not to interfere legitimate public debate leading to evolution and progress of civil rights."
Catholic Church in Heilbronn Defiled
November 5, 2012, GermanyIn Schöntal (Heilbronn) the sacred space of the Catholic Church was defiled and there was an attempted burglary in the sacristy.
Chapel Spraypainted with Insults in Haßfurt
November 2, 2012, GermanyA gothic chapel, a protected heritage monument which had just been renovated, was vandalised by graffiti in Haßfurt. The words which were spraypainted onto the chapels walls read things like "F...king sick child abusers" and "I serve Satan".
(Scotland) National Secular Society Pressured Highlands Council to Drop Prayers
October 31, 2012, United KingdomThe Highlands Council Scotland had the tradition of incorporating a prayer in its agenda before each meeting. However, during the summer the National Secular Society wrote a letter to the Council demanding it remove prayer from its formal agenda or it would face legal action. The Council has now dropped prayer from its formal agenda.
Church Burglarized in Saint–Lys
October 28, 2012, FranceUnidentified individuals broke into the parish church in Saint-Lys on the 28th of October. The incident was discovered by the parish priest when opening the church for church services. Upon initial investigation it has been reported that the priest's chair, two stools, a desk, a lectern, and an altar cloth were stolen. In addition, the pews in the church were dislocated.
House Owner Sentenced For Not Selling to a Homosexual Couple
October 27, 2012, FranceA man was condemned because he refused to sell a house to a same-sex couple. The 69-year-old was sentenced to pay 800 Euro to the court and 300 Euro each to the same-sex-couple in damages, plus the legal fees.
Left Wing Politicial Youth Insults Jesus
October 26, 2012, AustriaIn a newspaper of the "Young Greens" of Austrian region Vorarlberger depicts Jesus with a funny smile as a gay man holding a sign "gay Jesus". While the magazine gives explicit instructions for sexual behaviour of youth, it also recommends to wear three knotes in a belt, signifying "wealth, unchastity and disobedience" mocking the evangelical counsels of Christian tradition.
Desecration of Graves in Duisburg
October 26, 2012, SlovakiaOn the 26th of October 2012, thieves in Duisburg (Nordrhein-Westfalen), Germany, desecrated over one hundred graves and scavenged for metal. This was reported by the Apostolic Nunciature of Germany.
Two Churches Desecrated in the Bretagne
October 24, 2012, FranceAt St. Cornelcy the crucifix that sits above the Tabernacle was broken in half. In August, the altar at Locmaria-Plage had been painted with satanic symbols.
Christian B&B Owners Fined for Denying a Room to a Homosexual Couple
October 22, 2012, United KingdomChristian bed and breakfast owners Mike and Susanne Wilkinson lost a lawsuit on their married-couples-only policy and were fined over 3.500 pounds for denying a double room to a homosexual couple. The Wilkinson's Bed&Breakfast is located in their own house where they live with their children. The courts apply a "zero tolerance" policy on grounds of "unlawful discrimination".
Reported Attacks Against Places of Worship in Hungary
October 22, 2012, Hungaryin 2012 the Holy See reported on attacks against places of worship in the following places: 23 March 2012 Szakadát 20 April 2012 Tatabánya-Bánhida 21 May 2012 Kápolnásnyék 02 July 2012 Pécs, Rácváros 21 August 2012 Pusztaszabolcs 25 August 2012 Pécs –Postavölgy 06 October 2012 Kékesd 06 October 2012 Szabadbattyán
A Fire in the Church of Notre-Dame-aux-Neiges
October 19, 2012, FranceOn October 19 the sacristy of the Church of Notre-Dame-auy-Neiges was vandalised. The damages were extensive as the fires were lit inside the church after the sacristy was vandalised.
Burglars Concentrate on Churches in Thüringen
October 18, 2012, GermanyIn many counties of Thüringen churches have been broken into by burglars who have caused damage while trying to steal money and religious images and statues.
Green Party Parliamentary Group Seeks to Disestablish Christian Institute for Youth and Society
October 17, 2012, GermanyThe Christian community The Reichenberg Fellowship and its German Institute for Youth and Society have become the object of a parliamentary inquiry that the parliamentary group of the Green Party has directed at the state government of the German state of Hessen on October 19.
Mourners Insulted at Catholic Cemetery in Sarajevo
October 16, 2012, Bosnia and HerzegovinaOn the 16th of October, 2012, a group of mourners were blocked from putting down a gravestone at a Catholic cemetery in Sarajevo. The perpetrators did not let them pass and insulted them.
Russian Orthodox Cathedral Vandalised in Geneva
October 14, 2012, SwitzerlandBetween the hours of 23 and 6 between the 13th and 14th of October unidentified individuals spray painted the facade of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Geneva. This was discovered at 10 Monday morning when Archbishop Michel arrived to open the church for the day. He said that is was the first time in the churches 150 year history that it was attacked.
Disturbance in Cologne Cathedral by Supporters of the Russian Punk-Band “Pussy Riot”
October 13, 2012, GermanyThree 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, FranceIn 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, GermanyThe 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, LithuaniaOn 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, FranceOn 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, AustriaThe 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, FranceTwo 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, FranceOn 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, AustriaUnknown 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, SerbiaUnder 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.