All cases

Sculpture Presents Christ with a Missile

February 10, 2006, Spain

Sculpture shows Christ with a Missile instructing Second World War German soldiers in Ferran Cano Art Gallery in Madrid.

Catholic Priest Shot Dead in Trazbon

February 5, 2006, Turkey

In the northern city of Trabzon, a 61-year-old Catholic priest was shot dead while praying in his church. The 16-year-old perpetrator, who was arrested shortly after the shooting, shouted a religious slogan to justify his actions, and allegedly made a confession to the police that indicated the religious motivation behind the attack. The killing was strongly and publicly condemned by the government, including by the interior minister.

Jesus Ridiculed in Music Clip

February 1, 2006, Spain

Jesus Christ is ridiculed in a Musical Video Clip on TV Channel Telecinco and the Internet

(TV) South Park “Bloody Mary” Episode

February 1, 2006, International

An episode of the cartoon series “South Park” shows irreverent treatment of Catholic symbols.

State TV Censures Critical Comment

February 1, 2006, Austria

Austrian public broadcast ORF deletes a polite comment from an online debate which criticises the mainstream. Vienna, Austria.

Major Wears a Bishop Costume and Mocks Blessings During Carnival Parade

January 25, 2006, Spain

The major of San Sebastian, the socialist Odón Elorza, wore a religious costume for a pagan festivity. The media reported that during the Carnival, Erloza, dressed as a bishop along with three men dressed in female tennis cloth, preceded the parade. Erloza made the sign of the cross imitating the Catholic ritual "blessing" the attendance.

Government Officials Threat to Boycott Spanish Budget to Defund Catholic Church

January 16, 2006, Spain

Members of the socialist party said that they would vote against the National Spanish Budget as long as the government continues the provision of funds to the Catholic Church. During an interview broadcast by the media Ser, MP Victorino Mayoral, a socialist representative, claimed that the Catholic Church funding is "dubious, not to mention unconstitutional". Mayoral says that the secular government of Spain cannot afford the funding of a religious organizations that "revives Franco's times“.

MSP Patrick Harvie Reports Archbishop to the Police for Defending Marriage

January 13, 2006, United Kingdom

Member of the Scottish Parliament asked Strathclyde Police to investigate remarks made by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow. The Archbishop had defended the institution of marriage in a church service.

Crucifixion Ridiculed by Popstar

January 1, 2006, International

Popstar Madonna ridicules the crucifiction on tour in Europe

BBC Spreads Negative Image of Jesus

January 1, 2006, International

BBC spreads negative image of Jesus by Series on “The Miracles of Jesus”