All cases

Long List of Hate Crimes Against Christians in 2012 Reported by the Holy See

December 31, 2012, Germany

The Holy See reported numerous hate crimes against Christians in Germany in 2012 to OSCE/ODIHR. View the locations and dates here.

Long List of Hate Crimes Against Christians in 2012 Reported by the Holy See

December 31, 2012, Hungary

The Holy See reported numerous hate crimes against Christians in Hungary in 2012 to OSCE/ODIHR. View the locations and dates here.

Long List of Hate Crimes Against Christians in 2012 Reported by the Holy See

December 31, 2012, Italy

The Holy See reported numerous hate crimes against Christians in Italy in 2012 to OSCE/ODIHR. View the locations and dates here.

High Court Rules No Right for Christians to Decline Sunday Work

December 30, 2012, United Kingdom

A new ruling by a High Court judge says that Christians have no right to decline working on Sunday as it is not a “core component” of their beliefs, considering that „many Christians work on Sundays".

University Professor in Austria Calls for Death Penalty for Pope

December 28, 2012, Austria

During Christmas holidays 2012, Austrialian born Richard Parncutt, professor for music sciences at the Karl-Franzens-Universität in Graz, issued the official University website to call for death penalty for the pope as a punishment for opposing artifical birth control and condoms. The university deleted the comments and summoned Prof. Parncutt to a disciplinary meeting: “Safeguarding human rights belong to the most important principles of the University of Graz.” The professor apologized.

Reported Attacks Against Places of Worship in Germany

December 27, 2012, Germany

In 2012 the Holy See reported attacks against places of worship in the following places of Germany: • 19 May 2012 Bürstadt (Idstein) • 19 May 2012 Bispingen (Walsrode) • 23 May 2012 Petersberg (Osthessen) • 26 June 2012 Flensburg • 23 June 2012 Bergtheide. (Lübeck) • 23 June 2012 Bad Herrenalb • 17 June 2012 Krefeld • 12 June 2012 Haltingen. (Weil am Rhein) • July 2012 Münster-Gremmendorf (Westfalen) • 31 July 2012 Engelsdorf (Sachsen) • 17 July 2012 Meiningen • 14 July 2012 Euskirchen • 6 July 2012 Eckernförde • 16 August 2012 Bötzingen (Freiburg) • 28 August 2012 Cochem (Mosel) • 30 August 2012 Altkreis Norden (Aurich) • 4 September 2012 Hirschhorn (Odenwald) • 7 September 2012 Ihringen (Breisach) • 7 September 2012 Bad Langensalza (Thüringen). • 7 September 2012 Aurich (Niedersachsen) • 9 September 2012 Mirskofen (Landshut) • 10 September 2012 Weimar-Niederweimar • 18 September 2012 Cochem (Mosel) • 21 September 2012 Neuhausen (Pforzheim) • 15 October 2012 Leidingen (Saarland) • 4 November 2012 Ahlbeck (Vorpommern) • 5 November 2012 Bielefeld • 5 November 2012 Schöntal (Heilbronn) • 10 November 2012 Lübeck • 11 November 2012 Brandenburg (Havel) • 13 November 2012 Schmalegg (Ravensburg) • 15 November 2012 Märkische Heide • 17 November 2012 Thüringen • 21 November 2012 Groß Leuthen (Lausitz) • 27 November 2012 Mainz. • 27 November 2012 Daaden (Siegen) • 29 November 2012 Gotha • 4 December 2012 München • 15 December 2012 Drensteinfurt (NRW)

Reported Damage to Properties in Hungary

December 27, 2012, Hungary

In 2012 the Holy See reported damaged to property in the following places in Hungary: 10 January 2012 Pécs 27 January 2012 Mezőfalva 04 March 2012 Pécs, Rácváros 22 March 2012 Pécs 08 April 2012 Pécs 27 June 2012 Pécs, Parrochia San Francesco 04 September 2012 Piliscsaba Klotildliget 08 December 2012 Sárbogárd 16 December 2012 Németkér 20 December 2012 Újpetre 23 December 2012 Simontornya

Reported Cases of Damage to Property in Italy

December 27, 2012, Italy

The Holy See reported damage to property in the following places in 2012: 12 February 2012 Terrasini (diocesi di Monreale) 22 February 2012 in provincia di Trento 02 March 2012 Cinisi (diocesi di Monreale) 31 May 2012 nel quartiere di La Gogna, fra 10 August 2012 Trinitapoli in Puglia 19 November 2012 di Milazzo (Messina) 22 December 2012 Termoli 23 December 2012 Villagrazia di Carini (Monreale)

Reported Cases of Desecration to Graves in Italy

December 27, 2012, Italy

The Holy See reported cases of desecration of graves on the following dates in Italy in 2012: 19 March 2012 22 March 2012 19 April 2012 20 June 2012 19 September 2012 24 September 2012 28 November 2012

Nativity Scene Statues Decapitated in Frejus

December 26, 2012, France

In front of the Tourist information office in Frejus, France, the wooden nativity scene of the local parish, suffered severe vandalism. During a night of the Christmas season the statues of Mary and Joseph were decapitated. The perpetrators and their motives were not clarified by the police.

People in Turkey Threatened by Plain-Clothes Police

December 26, 2012, Turkey

People in the Denizli, Diyarbakir, Sinop and Hatay provinces attending worship services were being threatened and warned about further participation by plain-clothes policemen. The Police also requested information about other people attending.

Pride Parade Hurts Christians' Religious Feelings

December 25, 2012, Slovenia

During the Ljubljana Gay Pride Parade 2012 the protestors for „a proud LGBT community“ carried signs which hurt the religious feelings of Christians: One image satirically said "let us return to the middle ages" showing a pope-like figure cutting apart a rainbow flag. The other one read: "even Jesus had two fathers". Furthermore, the Observatory was told by the organizers of the Iskreni Festival (clf. a pro family event), that Slovenian LGBT lobby organisations attacked their work massively. They tried to pressure benefactors of the festival into seizing any financial support due to the Iskreni Festival's pro life and pro family orientation.

Muslims Shout Abuse at Christians Queueing for Christmas Services

December 24, 2012, United Kingdom

Muslims protested in front of St Paul’s Cathedral, London, on Christmas Eve 2012 while Christians were lining up to enter the Cathedral for services. One person reported to the Observatory: “We have been adversely affected, distressed, and inconvenienced because of the nature, loudness, and closeness of this verbal outpour of hatred and abuse abuse. None of the Christians who were peacefully waiting in line to attend a Christmas celebration provoked the verbal abuse that we were forced to endure. At one point a Muslim male was loudly shouting abuse at us from a distance of about four meters.”

Three Churches Set on Fire in Amstetten

December 23, 2012, Austria

On December 23, three churches were set on fire in the small town of Amstetten, lower Austria. One of the churches was severely damaged.

Evangelical Church in Bremen Vandalized

December 22, 2012, Germany

Two days before the Christmas, the evangelical church in Bremen Tenever was vandalized in a way, that the Christmas celebrations could not take place in the church.

Nativity Scene Burnt Down in a Church in Savoy

December 18, 2012, France

The nativity scene at the Church of Barby in Savoy was set on fire on Tuesday, December 18th, between 7 and 8 in the evening. The sacristan reported that it is not the first instance of attack the Church has experienced. The day after several parents and children of the parish set up a new nativity scene.

Youth Demand the Handing Over of a Priest "to be Burnt" at Catholic School in Merida

December 17, 2012, Spain

During the morning of the 17th of December ten youths between the ages of 15 and 17 entered the Salesian School ‘Maria Auxiliadora’ in the outskirts of Merida, Spain. After assaulting the groundskeeper who had tried to stop their entrance, they made their way to the classrooms demanding the priests be handed over to be burnt and accusing the teachers of fascism.

Vandalism of Christian Wayside Shrine in St-Germain-en-Laye

December 16, 2012, France

The French Observatoire de l’Christianophobie was notified of an act of vandalism against a statue of St Genevieve in St-Germain-en-Laye the 16th of December. The glass encasement of the image of the Saint was destroyed leaving the statue somewhat damaged.

Series of Thievery in Austrian Churches

December 15, 2012, Austria

Since summer 2012 a series of thefts has been going on in Austrian churches around Melk. Figurines have been taken and in mid-December images have been cut out from flags used for processions.

Insults and Removal Claims for Crucifix in Federal German Minister for Consumer Protection

December 15, 2012, Germany

Calls to remove the cross from the Federal German Minister for Consumer Protection argue that the public display of the crucifix was no surprise in an arm-exporting country - "because the crucifix was a pungent glorification of violence and an learning tool towards anti-Semitism."

Protestant Church in Drensteinfurt Vandalized

December 15, 2012, Germany

On 15th December 2012 the Protestant church in Drensteinfurt (NRW) was broken into. The altar and the place for the commemoration of the dead were desecrated.

Church Desecrated by Burglars in Drensteinfurt

December 15, 2012, Germany

On the 15th of December 2012, Burglars broke into an Evangelical church building in Drensteinfurt (Nordrhein-Westfalen), Germany and desecrated the interior. This was reported by the Apostolic Nunciature of Germany.

Catholic Intellectual Threatened For Opposing Gay Adoption on TV

December 12, 2012, Germany

Following his appearance in a talkshow opposing homosexual adoption on German public service television, Martin Lohman, a Catholic intellectual has received severe threats via Email. He was sent an anonymous email stating the following: "I am homosexual, I have AIDS and I live in Bonn and I am now set on giving the gift of my immune disease to you, too. Should you feel a little prick of a needle soon, then that was most likely me with my needle."

Homeschooling Parents Portrayed as Sectarian Fundamentalists by Spiegel TV

December 12, 2012, Germany

Homeschooling family experiences negative stereotyping by Spiegel TV documentary: “We were not only a little disappointed and upset when we saw the outcome, which offends our Christian convictions and does not give unbiased information about the subject matter. My wife is called the 'chief inquisitor'. The reporter suggests that our children are victims, socially isolated children, controlled by their stubborn fundamental-Christian parents."

German Christian Rights' Activist Heavily Insulted And Threatened After Opposing Gay Adoption on TV

December 10, 2012, Germany

In the German public service broadcaster ARD’s talk show “Tough but Fair” (“Hart aber Fair”), on Monday, December 3rd, the question whether homosexual couples should be allowed to adopt children was debated. Women’s and Family Rights activist Birgit Kelle argued that children need a mother and a father. Following her appearance on the show, a journalist of the said ARD commented on his twitter account: “I think she is a witch. Witches get burned.”

Desecrations at Saint Rambert, Lyon

December 10, 2012, France

One or more unknown persons broke into the Church of St Rambert in Lyon, France, and proceeded to damage the tabernacle, desecrating the Eucharist. Several liturgical objects were stolen and the altar damaged. In response, the parish priest convened an evening of prayer.

Sign of the Cross Forbidden to Pupils by History Teacher in Narbonne

December 7, 2012, France

On a school trip to the nearby Cathedral of Saint-Jus, students of the local school Therese Leon Blum where warned against making the sign of the cross upon entering the Cathedral. As a punishment, the teacher mentioned three hours of after-hours at school. One of the parents wrote to the council to complaint but did not receive a response.

Sacred Heart Church in Bielefeld Depredated

December 5, 2012, Germany

In Bielefeld the sacred Heart Church was depredated. The tabernacle on the high altar was broken into and consecrated hosts were defiled.

Orthodox Church Vandalised in Munich

December 4, 2012, Germany

In Munich on 4th December 2012, an Orthodox church was desecrated, icons destroyed and the devotional profaned.

Orthodox Church in Munich Desecrated

December 4, 2012, Germany

The Apostolic Nunciature of Germany reported that on the 4th of December 2012, unknown perpetrators defiled an Orthodox church in Munich, Germany. Icons were desecrated and devotional objects profaned.

Desecration of Greek-Orthodox Church in Munich

December 4, 2012, Germany

On December 4th, a unknown man locked himself into the little Greek-Orthodox church in Salvatorstraße. The man destroyed the glass window of an icon of Marie and stole the items that were left there by thankful believers. Later he escaped through the sacristy.

Two Figures Destroyed at Church in Venice

December 4, 2012, Italy

Vandals destroyed two ceramic figures representing St. Francis and St. Clare. The figures were displayed in the wall of the church of the Sacred Name of Jesus.

Reported Attacks Against Places of Worship in Italy

December 3, 2012, Italy

The Holy See reported attacks against places of worship in the following places in Italy 27 June 2012 Teramo 16 August 2012 Foggia 08 September 2012 Gonnosfanadiga in Sardegna 18 October 2012 Oristano 15 November 2012 Luino (in provincia di Varese) 29 November 2012 3 December 2012 S. Chiara (Venezia)

Restitution of Property to Catholic Church in Czech Republic Accompanied with Dirt Campaign Against the Church

November 29, 2012, Czech Republic

A controversial campaign by the oppositional Social Democrats directed against the Church Property Restitution Bill has turned into a major brawl with Czech Catholics and other churches.

Parish Church in Gotha Broken Into

November 29, 2012, Germany

In Gotha the parish church was broken into. The sacred space was defiled and the organ destroyed.

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, France

The 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, Germany

On 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, Germany

Between 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, Germany

In 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, Germany

On 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, Germany

On 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, Latvia

The 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 Herzegovina

Between 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 Kingdom

Dutch 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, Belgium

Government 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 Kingdom

The 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, France

Attendants 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, Austria

In 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, Switzerland

A 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.