All cases

Home-schooling Prohibited

May 21, 2013, Germany

“Home-schooling” is prohibited. Parents’ rights are commonly understood to include the right to choose the form of education of one’s children, including the possibility of non-institutional education, such as so-called home-schooling. Germany, however, allows home-schooling only in the most exceptional circumstances. In general, parents do not have the option to home-school their children. Offenders have to pay fines, and occasionally prison sentences are pronounced.

Home-schooling Severely Limited

May 21, 2013, Slovakia

Home-schooling is severely limited in Slovakia. In fact, it is allowed only for pupils of 1st - 4th class in basic schools, for disabled children, or for children in custody and who are not able to go to school for longer than two months for health reasons. Permission for “individual education” must be granted by the director of the district school of the pupil. Another major problem is that the person who teaches the pupils must have a pedagogical university qualification. As a consequence, home-schooling is very rare in Slovakia.

State Educational Programme Angers Christian Parents

May 21, 2013, Spain

Spanish educational law includes a set of mandatory subjects under the generic category of Education for Citizenship which are indoctrinatory and violates the rights of parents. The Education for Citizenship curriculum is mandatory for primary and secondary education (children ages 10-16), and must be implemented into all Spanish schools (public and private).

Home-schooling Practically Prohibited

May 21, 2013, Sweden

According to the Education Act (2010:800) home-schooling is practically forbidden in Sweden. Home-schooling is allowed only when exceptional circumstances apply, which is hardly ever granted. According to the preparatory work of the government bill, permissions should be granted with great restraint, stating explicitly that religious and philosophical reasons are not to be considered as exceptional circumstances.

No Opt Out of Sex Education

May 21, 2013, Sweden

In 2011, the Swedish Educational Broadcasting Company, a public service company (UR), launched a sex education campaign in Swedish schools, called “Putting sex on the map” (co-produced by RFSU, a member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation), targeting children of lower secondary school age. Parents objected to the content of the materials, including explicit images and sex scenes, and scientific information, including physical and psychological risks of early sex debut and many sexual partners or abortion.

No Parental Consent Necessary for Minors' Abortion

May 21, 2013, Sweden

There is no parental consent with regard to abortion. Much attention was drawn to a case where an eleven-year-old girl had undergone two abortions in a very short period of time without parental consent. The Parliamentary Ombudsman held that it had gone too far and concluded that “it is obvious that a child of this age (11 years) does not have the maturity to consider the consequences of an abortion by herself.”

Province of Asturias Decides to Eliminate Religious Terms in Schools

May 20, 2013, Spain

The region’s education minister Doña Ana González Rodríguez asked the schools to remove the words Christmas and Easter from their calendars.

Vandalism Forces Churches in Breckerfeld to Install Security Cameras

May 18, 2013, Germany

In a Catholic church in Breckerfeld, vandals left cigarette butts on benches and in the holy water, chewing gum on the organ and broke the Easter candle. A similar incident happened to the Protestant community in Breckerfeld. Both churches are accustomed to leaving the church unlocked so that people can enter at any time to pray or visit. In order to keep out the vandals they have decided to install surveillance cameras and tighten security measures by locking the organ and the loft of the church.

Anti-Christian Graffiti at Pro Life Manifestation

May 12, 2013, Italy

On May 12th, about 30,000 people held a manifestation in favour of the protection of life in Rome. Graffiti on the way of the manifestation said: "All Catholics are Bastards." "The only Church which illuminates is a burning church." A cross turned upside down and the number 666 (for Christians an anti-Christian symbol) were spray-painted as well.

Altar in Catholic Church Set on Fire in Valence, Drôme

May 10, 2013, France

The altar of the church of Saint-Jean in Valence (Drôme) was purposefully set on fire on May 10. Parish priest Dominique Fornerod deplores the incident and ask the parishioners to pray for the perpetrators.

Socialist Youth Organisation Uses Image of Crucified Woman

May 9, 2013, Spain

The words, “You’re entitled to your life. You have the right to decide” were used on the poster of a Spanish socialist youth organization, Galician Socialist Youths, along with a picture of a crucified woman in order to advocate for abortion. As a sacred symbol to Christians, using the crucifix in such a way is perceived by many Christians as a mockery of the Christian faith.

Mother Forces Primary School to Remove Crucifixes

May 7, 2013, Austria

At a primary school in Vienna crucifixes had to be taken off the walls because a mother felt that they were a “religious paternalism”. This was possible when it turned out that less than half of the pupils are registered as Christians. For the first time since National Socialism crucifixes were banned from class rooms.

Church Building Ransacked in Wolfsburg

May 6, 2013, Germany

Unidentified perpetrators broke into the Holy Spirit church building at Vorsfelde-Wendschott and ransacked several rooms. All the cabinets were searched and the lamp in the entry way was smashed.

Robbery in the Church in Marburg

May 5, 2013, Germany

A small amount of money was stolen by unidentified thieves from the church in Marburg, Germany. In early May the thieves stole two loudspeakers from the same church.

Graves Vandalised at in Crni Potok

May 5, 2013, Croatia

Unknown perpetrators vandalised an Orthodox cemetery in the village of Crni Potok, not far from Topusko. At this cemetery, 17 tombstones were damaged, numerous crosses were uprooted and parts of tombs were smashed. A criminal complaint was filed with the police for disturbing the peace of the deceased.

Anti-Christian Graffiti on Cathedral of St Pölten

May 1, 2013, Austria

Unknown perpetrators spray painted "We do not want your crosses" on the outside wall of the Catholic Cathedral of St. Pölten in the night to May 1st. The graffiti included crossed-out signs in cross-shapes, a swastika and a so-called Kruckenkreuz (an Austrian historic sign for the right-wing government between 1934-38). Next to a clearly anti-Christian message, the Christian cross was unfairly paired with the Nazi swastika.

Condom Present as Eucharist on Festival Stage

May 1, 2013, Italy

At the annual “First of May” concert on Piazza San Giovanni in Rome the lead singer of the band “Management Post Operatorio” lifted a condom with both hands simulating the consecration of the Eucharist. While doing so, he said: “Take this all of you, and use it” before continuing with his song “Pornobisogno”. The concert was also broadcasted on Italian Television. The organisers of the “First of May” dissociated themselves from this incident.

Vandalism to Church in Riedlhütte

April 29, 2013, Germany

Significant damage was done to the church of Riedlhütte in Germany. The microphones in the church were damaged and thrown into the holy water, a statue of Jesus on the altar was damaged and the four crosses in the church entrance were damaged. The total damage is estimated at 1,200 euros.

Three Teenagers Broke Into Church in Crailsheim

April 26, 2013, Germany

Three teenagers broke into a church in Crailsheim, German with the intention of stealing money. They broke through a window and the door of the office. A resident heard the noise and called the police who arrested the teenagers. They caused an estimated damage of 1000 euros.

Explosives Sent to Church Officials Wrapped in Sex Toys

April 25, 2013, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)

Bombs wrapped in sex toys were sent to two different Catholic officials, the Bishop of Pamplona and a director of a Legionaries of Christ school in Madrid. The apparent perpetrator was the anarchist group calling themselves the Anticlerical Group for the Promotion of the Use of Sex Toys. Although the first bomb did not explode, the second detonated, injuring a postal worker.

Common Greeting with Reference to God Discouraged in Department of Health

April 24, 2013, Austria

In the course of a debate on the health care reform in the National Assembly of Austria, the spokesman of physicians of the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ), Andreas Karlsböck criticised Health Minister Alois Stöger of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) because he had discouraged or even prohibited the use of the common German greeting “Grüß Gott” (a greeting which literally means “Greet God”) in the Department of Health.

Numerous Human Rights Violations Against Pro-Family Demonstrators

April 23, 2013, France

The recent attacks on pro-family mass-demonstrations included: tear gas against children, overbearing police force, unconstitutional state action and human rights violations, death threats against organisers on social media and stabbing of a protester, as well as violations of freedom of assembly.

Archbishop of Brussels Andre Leonard Attacked

April 23, 2013, Belgium

Four activists of the feminist group Femen disturbed a conference at the university of Brussels. The topless women interrupted Archbishop André-Joseph Léonard's speech by throwing water out of Lourdes bottles at him. Screaming loudly they held up a poster "Stop Homophobia". On their bare chests they had written blasphemous comments.

Burglary in St. John’s Church in Rostock

April 23, 2013, France

Unidentified perpetrators broke into the St. John's church by forcing their way through a window. Almost every interior door was damaged. The offices were raided and cupboards and containers ransacked. Computer accessories worth several hundred euros were stolen. The case was taken over by the Crime police.

Vandalism in St. Peter's Church in Wesel

April 23, 2013, Germany

Vandals brutally damaged the parish church of St. Peter’s church in Wesel, Germany. They broke their way in and once inside broke more doors, ransacked the cupboards and drawers in the sacristy and tried to open two safes.

Burglary at Church in Dettelbach

April 23, 2013, Germany

A church in Dettelbach, Germany, was broken into by unidentified perpetrators who stole a case of sacred objects. They entered by breaking the door of the sacristy and then tried to open a safe that was in a closet but they did not succeed. It is believed that the perpetrators escaped through the cemetery because one of the stolen items was found there. The damage caused is of an estimated 1,500 euros.

Home-schooling Prohibition Challenged at European Court of Human Rights

April 22, 2013, Sweden

Alliance Defending Freedom and the Home School Legal Defence Association have asked the European Court of Human Rights to hear the case of a Swedish family heavily fined for home-schooling their daughter. Although the 13-year-old girl flourished in her home-schooling environment, local Swedish authorities fined her family the equivalent of more than $28,000.

Homosexual Activists David Berger Claims "Gay Haters Get Out of Talk Shows"

April 21, 2013, Germany

In an appeal to the media in Germany, Mr Berger, writer and theologian, claims that people critical of the homosexual life style must not be allowed to voice their thoughts in talk shows any more. In the name of human dignity and human rights, critics ought to be silenced.

Burglary Attempt in Two Churches

April 19, 2013, Germany

A youth attempted to break a safe in the St. James’ church in Saterland, Germany. He tried to escape but in his haste he caused an accident so the police caught him. It turned out he had broken into the St. Jacob’s church as well.

Femen Releases Anti-Christian Image on Facebook

April 16, 2013, France

The anti-Christian campaign group Femen released a painting on their Facebook page on April 16. The painting is modelled after "La tentation de saint Antoine" and shows a naked Femen activist crucified, saying "Femen" instead of "Inri" on the inscription.

Attempted Burglary in St. George’s Church in Neustadt

April 16, 2013, Germany

An unidentified perpetrator tried to break into the St. George’s church through the door of the sacristy. He used a screwdriver which left visible marks on the door. His attempt of burglary failed but the door was damaged.

Church in Hauture in Fos-sur-Mer Vandalised

April 15, 2013, France

During the night from April 14th, 2013, a Church in Hauture in Fos-sur-Mer was broken into by vandals. They broke into a window to get inside the church. After forcing open the tabernacle and finding nothing inside they stole money from the donation box for the candles. They left the church after defecating onto the organ, using the altar cloth for wiping.

LGBT Activists Calls for Murder of Catholic Campaigner

April 14, 2013, France

At a radical LGBT manifestation in Lyon on Sunday, April 14, a participant held up a sign saying "Keep calm and kill Frigide Barjot". Comedian Barjot was the main person behind the pro-family mass demonstrations in France opposing same sex marriage and adoption.

Ban on Christian Teacher from Deptford Green School in London

April 12, 2013, United Kingdom

A classroom ban on a Christian school teacher who condemned the “homosexual lifestyle” in front of year 11 pupils aged 15 and 16, has been upheld by the High Court. Science teacher, Robert Haye’s appeal against the decision to ban him indefinitely was rejected by the judge. After telling his class that the way homosexual people lived was a “sin”, according to the bible, he was sacked and prohibited from teaching at any school.

Christian Worker Bullied by Muslims at Work

April 11, 2013, United Kingdom

After defending a Christian colleague at work last year, some of Mrs. Halawi's Muslim colleagues complained to managers with unsubstantiated claims about her conduct. As a result, the management removed her ‘airside pass’ without properly considering her side of the story. This meant she was unable to keep working at the airport. Mrs. Halawi said that she had frequently been bullied by her Muslim colleagues for her Christians faith.

Appeal Against Acquittal of Musician Javier Krahe Denied by Courts

April 11, 2013, Spain

The Thomas More Law Center appealed the acquittal of musician Javier Krahe, a verdict delivered the previous year, and were denied by the Spanish court. The charge was derision of religious beliefs and offense against religious feelings as Krahe had previously made a video entitled “How to Cook a Crucifix” in which a crucifix was buttered and then put into an oven. The court decided that such behavior was within the limits of artistic freedom and denied that the charge could be upheld.

(Northern Ireland) Printing Firm to be Sued for Refusing to Print Gay Magazine

April 5, 2013, United Kingdom

The Christian owner of a printing firm in Northern Ireland faced being hauled to court over his refusal to print a gay magazine. Nick Williamson says printing the material would go against his religious beliefs. But the editor of MyGayZine, Danny Toner, approached a solicitor and referred the matter to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

Graffiti and Desecration to Church in Caorso

April 1, 2013, Italy

In the night of Easter Sunday graffiti was spray painted in the churchyard of Santa Maria Assunta in Caorso. Drawings were made of satanic pentagrams with lots of red candles at both ends. A wafer was stuck on the door with the words "Animate vacuum" (empty soul).

Catholic Parish Targeted by Government

March 29, 2013, Russia

As a consequence of a “foreign agents“ law that was signed by President Vladimir Putin last year, Russia caused headlines with its persistent attempt to crack down foreign funded non-governmental organisations such as Human Rights Watch and Transparency International. Now the latest reports state that the government has started targeting churches as well, e.g. fining a Catholic parish in Nowotscherkassk for 450,000 Rubles (11,200 Euros).

Reproach of Police Misconduct at Pro-Family-Manifestation

March 25, 2013, France

French Christians launched a petition for the resignation of Manuel Valls, French Minister of the Interior, and Bernard Boucault, Prefect of Police, and to sanction all police staff who committed abuses against the peaceful demonstrators at the Pro-Family-demonstration "Manif pour tous" in Paris on Sunday 24th of March. According to the organisers, the number of protesters had been greatly underestimated by the police, and in order to try to contain the actual 1,4 million the police employed unnecessary forceful measures.

Palm Sunday Services Interrupted by LGBT Activists

March 24, 2013, France

Demonstrators for LGBT causes disrupted the Palm Sunday service on the 24th of March at the Cathedral in Metz, France. They were calling out slander, waving rainbow flags demanding that the bishop withdrew his support of the pro-family demonstration in Paris. The protesters were members of CNT and individuals.

Saint-Jean Cathedral of Lyon Broken Into

March 23, 2013, France

On Saturday, March the 23rd, around 6.30 pm, an Iranian citizen aged 28, was arrested and taken into custody. He had broken into the Saint-Jean Cathedral of Lyon and seriously damaged the astronomical clock with an iron bar.

Church of Saint-Similien Nantes Vandalised

March 23, 2013, France

The church of Saint-Similien Nantes was vandalised on the night of the 23rd of March. Someone hid in the confessional on Friday night and then desecrated the stoup and vandalised the organ. An ermine chasuble, the organ bench and the light of the tabernacle were stolen.

20 Graves Desecrated in Elne-Cemetery in Pyrenees-Orientales

March 22, 2013, France

During the night of March 22nd more than 20 graves were desecrated in the Elne-Cemetery in Pyrenees-Orientales. This happened before in 2008 when 248 graves were vandalised, almost all of them Christian tombs.

Christian Youth Foundation in Dordrecht Accuses Local Government of Anti-Christian Repression

March 22, 2013, Netherlands

A Christian foundation for working with youth surprisingly lost its license to serve coffee and soda on the grounds that the youth centre was a gastronomical enterprise running on deficit and other permits would be necessary for non-profit activities. This was perceived as a governmental anti-Christian repression and is now debated in court.

Theft and Desecration in Church in Termoli

March 21, 2013, Italy

Two youth entered the Church of St. Timothy in Termoli. One pretended to pray and when they were left alone made profane and sacrilegious gestures before stealing wafers and other sacred objects from the tabernacle. The theft was carried out on March 21 which corresponds to the satanic calendar as the "Second night of Tregenda”.

Catholic Bookstore Vandalised Once Again

March 15, 2013, France

Another Catholic bookshop (“Notre-Dame-de-France”) was trashed on the 15th of March in Paris. The windows were broken and books thrown on the floor. There have been 26 reports of similar incidents over the past year.

Pro-Life Women Attacked By Pro-Abortion Men at Manifestation

March 15, 2013, Poland

Male pro-abortion protesters physically attacked several pro-life women, pushing and kicking them, during a rally on March 10th in Warsaw. The pro-lifers were part of the organisation Fundacja Pro and were carrying a controversial banner of a woman who died during an abortion.

Catholic Bookstore Vandalised in Paris

March 15, 2013, France

The window of a Catholic bookshop, Our Lady of France (former "Bookstore Petit Pont ") was smashed.

Attempted Arson at Saint-Nicolas Church in Fribourg

March 11, 2013, Switzerland

On March 11th at around 7pm, the cantonal police were called to the scene at Saint-Nicolas in Fribourg, as an employee restrained two individuals who tried to hang a banner in the cathedral. They had also poured gasoline into the stoup to set it on fire.