All cases

Second Church in Valence Tagged with Graffiti

March 13, 2016, France

The facade of the church of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Valence was tagged with anarchist slogans in black spray paint and covered with red paint. It is the second such incident over the weekend in Valence.

Valence Church Vandalized with Paint

March 12, 2016, France

The facade of Notre-Dame church in Valence was splashed with red paint and tagged with anarchist graffiti some time between Saturday, March 12th and Sunday, the 13th. The priest discovered the damage before Mass on Sunday.

Theft of Consecrated Host in Andalucia

March 11, 2016, Spain

In the afternoon of March 11th, a small container holding the consecrated host was stolen from the Franciscan Monastery in Jaén.

Côte-d'Or Chapel Vandalized

March 11, 2016, France

The 13th century chapel of Saint-Ambroise of Busserotte-et-Montenaille, in Grancey-le-Château, was found completely ransacked.

Armed Robbery at Upper Austria Church

March 9, 2016, Austria

At 2:15 in the afternoon of March 9, 2016, three men entered the rectory of the Catholic parish in Laakirchen of the Linz diocese and, armed with a handgun, demanded cash from the priest and a member of his staff.

Graffiti Attack on Barcelona Church

March 8, 2016, Spain

The parish of San Andrés de Palomar was sprayed with the words "Fuego sálvanos de la Iglesia" (Fire: save us from the Church) accompanied by an anarchist symbol.

Ljubljana Cathedral Vandalized with Graffiti

March 8, 2016, Slovenia

The words (translated from Slovenian) "Church get out of my womb" and "RCC (Roman Catholic Church) get out of our vaginas" were sprayed on the wall of the Franciscan church.

Activists Attack Church in Lérida

March 7, 2016, Spain

The youth organization Arran has taken responsibility for a graffiti attack against a church in the Catalonia region. The wall outside the church was painted lilac and the words "Contra los ataques de la Iglesia. Juntos somos más fuertes" ("Against the attacks of the the Church. Together we are stronger.")

Paint Bomb Attack at Evangelical Academy in Gießen

March 7, 2016, Germany

In the night between March 7-8, the Freien Theologischen Hochschule (FTH) building in Gießen was hit with paint bombs. An anonymous claim of responsibility was published on a left-wing internet platform

Statue of Pope Benedict XVI Vandalized in Bavaria

March 6, 2016, Germany

During the night from March 5-6, unknown perpetrators sprayed the monument to Pope Benedict in front of the St. Oswald church in Traunstein with pink paint. Police are investigating.

Christians Harassed by Muslim Security Staff at Berlin Office for Health and Social Affairs

March 2, 2016, Germany

Muslim refugees at the regional office complained about having to sit in the waiting room with "impure Christians". Security staff responded by banning the Christians for six months.

Crosses Ordered Removed from District Court in Saarbrücken

March 2, 2016, Germany

Stefan Geib, president of the district court in Saarbrücken, announced the removal of crosses from meeting rooms. They are to be replaced by the state seal.

Peaceful Protest in Stuttgart Disrupted by Counter-Demonstrators

February 28, 2016, Germany

A peaceful manifestation by 4,500 supporters of Demo für Alle against a proposed education program was disrupted by counter-demonstrators, resulting in clashes with police and 18 people injured, including 3 police.

Serbian Orthodox Church Desecrated and Looted in Kosovo

February 28, 2016, Kosovo

On February 28th, Slobodan Djoric, the priest of the Church of the Dormitition of the Most Holy Mother of God in Pejčići, reported to the police that the 17th century church had been the victim of theft and vandalism.

Church in Aube Looted

February 28, 2016, France

The church of Saint-Martin of Dommartin-le-Coq was the victim of a burglary sometime between the 23rd and 27th of February.

Christian Postgraduate Student Expelled for Opposing Gay Marriage

February 27, 2016, United Kingdom

A Sheffield University social work postgraduate student, Felix Ngole, was expelled from his course for posting on his Facebook page that homosexual activity is against the teaching of the Bible.

Antifa Admits Attack on Demo für Alle

February 26, 2016, Germany

In advance of a planned peaceful demonstration on February 28 in Stuttgart by Christian activists against a new school curriculum emphasizing gender ideology, the radical left group "Antifa" attacked the building owned by a financier of the buses provided for the demonstration.

Church in French Antilles the Victim of Desecration, Theft, and Vandalism

February 24, 2016, France

During the night between February 23-24, burglars entered the church of Saint-Augustin in the Guadeloupe town of Saint-Claude and destroyed the tabernacle, opened the ciborium and removed the consecrated Hosts, and stole the entire sound system.

Saint-Germain-en-Laye: A Series of Profanations of Shrines in a Forest

February 17, 2016, France

Seven small religious shrines, little boxes topped by a cross and containing statuettes of saints, have been desecrated for years.

French Mayor Brought before Administrative Tribunal of the League of Human Rights

February 17, 2016, France

Julien Sanchez, mayor of Beauclaire, was denounced by the League of Human Rights on February 17th for having displayed a creche at the city hall at Christmas time.

Paris Court Acquits Femen

February 16, 2016, France

A Paris court acquitted members of the radical feminist group Femen who had in November 2012 disrupted Catholic families peacefully protesting in defense of traditional marriage, topless with vulgar anti-church slogans written on their bodies and spraying fire extinguishers at the group.

Iranian Christians Kicked Out of Refugee Home After Being Attacked

February 14, 2016, Germany

Six Iranian Christian refugees were told by a security employee of the Tempelhof accommodation that they had an hour to leave because they were trouble-makers. Just days earlier, these six men had been threatened with beatings by 70 radical Muslim refugees for reading the Bible.

Chapel Vandalized in Trévé

February 13, 2016, France

The chapel of Saint-Pierre, originally dating from the 5th century and which is being restored, was vandalized. Portions of the posts of the portico holding the roof were sawn with chainsaws. Motives are unclear, as there was no wood taken. The mayor is outraged and the police are investigating.

UPDATE: Afghan Asylum Seeker Indicted for Attempted Homicide

February 10, 2016, Germany

The Hamburg prosecutor has indicted a 23-year-old Afghan asylum seeker Mohebolla A. He is said to have attacked and seriously injured a 24-year-old Amir H., an Iranian Christian, with a telescopic baton on 18 October in a shelter.

Longueville Cemetery Crucifixes Vandalized

February 10, 2016, France

On the evening of Wednesday, February 10, a municipal officer discovered 16 vandalized crucifixes in a cemetery.

Separate Housing for Christian Refugees in Stuttgart Approved

February 10, 2016, Germany

Due to frequent reports of abuse, harassment, and assaults against Christian refugees at the hands of their Muslim co-habitatants, the City of Stuttgart has approved new, separate, accommodations.

Church Vandalized near Graz

February 8, 2016, Austria

Over the weekend of February 6-7, an unknown vandal left graffiti on the parish church in Kalsdorf bei Graz, in Styria. The graffiti included vague symbols and letter combinations, as well as a swastika smeared on the pillar of the church canopy.

Parish Church of Kervignac Vandalized

February 6, 2016, France

On February 6, 2016, the parish church of Kervignac (Diocese of Vannes) was the victim of vandalism: papers scattered on the floor, an umbrella left in pieces, candles broken, all the confessionals left wide open, flowers thrown to the ground, and the altar cloth left in rags.

Christian Refugee Attacked in Berlin Camp

February 3, 2016, Germany

A member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Berlin-Stegliz was attacked because of his Christian faith in the refugee camp where he lives.

Church and Mosque Destroyed in Calais "Jungle"

February 1, 2016, France

Despite promises to the contrary, officials from the Calais Prefecture bulldozed a church and a mosque in the refugee camp.

Mass at Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes Repeatedly Disrupted

February 1, 2016, France

According to the parish priest, beginning on January 5th, eggs have been thrown at the windows of the Nancy chapel every evening during the 7pm Mass.

Chapel Vandalized in Lyon

February 1, 2016, France

On February 1st, an unknown perpetrator broke into the chapel of la Famille Missionnaire de Notre-Dame à Lyon around 5:00pm and vandalized the statue of the Virgin Mary, which was found on the ground with a demolished head.

Historic Bruyères-le-Châtel Church Vandalized; Consecrated Hosts Stolen

January 31, 2016, France

Unknown perpetrators broke a window, overturned the tabernacle, stole the ciborium containing consecrated Hosts, and sacked the sacristy. The bishop of Evry called it a "rampage." According to a parishioner, this was not the first time the church had been a victim, as graffiti had been found last year. However, this attack was much more serious. "Consecrated Hosts were stolen. For someone who doesn't believe, this probably does not matter much. For [Catholics] it is the most serious. It is the body of Christ. It is Jesus who was attacked." For the bishop of Evry, "this is a real attack against the Catholic Church. It is the symbol of the sacred that has been affected. There is a will to do harm." (Translated from French).

1,700 Year Old Orthodox Church Damaged

January 28, 2016, Turkey

St. Mary Church, a Syriac Orthodox church, was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, destroying a portion of the wall in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir.

Police Spokesman Reported Muslims Trying to Expel Christians From Grande-Synthe Camp

January 27, 2016, France

Forty shots were fired in what was termed a quarrel between rival smuggler gangs at the Grande-Synthe refugee camp near Dunkirk. David Michaux, a CRS anti-riot officer from the Unsa-police union, told Le Figaro: "There is a real problem between Muslims and non-Muslims. Most of the camp's 3,000-odd occupants are Muslim Kurds from Iraq, Iran and Syria but a minority are Christians from Iran." He went on to say "The Muslims are trying to expel the Christians from the camp."

Seville Church the Victim of Burglary

January 24, 2016, Spain

Thieves have stolen three silver ciboria, chalices and the contents of collection boxes from the Corpus Christi church.

Bouches-du-Rhône Church Hit with Vandalism

January 23, 2016, France

On the 23rd January, Deputy Mayor Marcel Galli discovered that the Sainte Marie Madeleine de Plan-de-Cuques church (of the Marseille diocese) had been smeared with tar on three facades, with many circles painted on the walls, and large lines were drawn on the ground. The large wooden doors of the entrance to the church and the sacristy, the surface of the front porch, and entrance hall were also damaged by tar.

Bullied Christian Refugees Demand Separate Accommodations

January 20, 2016, Germany

Assyrian refugees hope to be housed apart from Muslims in the future camp near Stuttgart due to conflicts and threats.

German Pastor Warns of Dire Situation for Christians in Refugee Camps

January 18, 2016, Germany

“The situation in refugee camps, especially in Berlin is very dramatic”, said Pastor Gottfried Martens of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Berlin. Around 1.000 refugees from Iran, Afghanistan and the Arabic world visit his community.

French Pastor Reported Murder of Christian Refugee at Camp Near Dunkirk

January 18, 2016, France

In a series of emails to a French blog, Pastor Daniel O. described the beatings, stabbings, disappearance, and presumed murder of an Iranian Christian at the Grande-Synthe refugee camp.

Mallorca Gay Men's Chorus Dress as Nuns

January 18, 2016, Spain

Mallorca Gay Men's Chorus dressed as nuns in a concert for the celebration of St. Sebastian, patron saint of Palma de Mallorca.

French Crèche the Victim of Vandalism

January 17, 2016, France

Twenty figurines in the Nativity scene installed in the church of Chamaret were beheaded.

Cantal: Church Robbed of Ciborium and Consecrated Hosts

January 15, 2016, France

A theft occurred in the Church of Notre Dame de Quézac, sometime between Thursday, January 14th and Friday 15th. A ciborium, a gold sacred vase containing a hundred consecrated Hosts, was stolen from a tabernacle, a small wardrobe. The police have opened an investigation.

Montauban Church Vandalized

January 14, 2016, France

Saint-Jacques church, located in the city center, was the target of vandalism by unknown perpetrators.

FIFA Erased a Brazilian Football Player's Reference to the Christian Faith

January 11, 2016, Switzerland

FIFA, the highest institution in the world of football, censored a reference to Jesus by Ballon d’Or candidate Neymar.

Orthodox Priest Reports Harassment of Christians in Refugee Camps

January 11, 2016, Germany

Christian refugees are exposed to harassment at the refugee camps in Germany, says Hegumen Daniel (Irbits) father superior of the St. George the Victorious Monastery in Gotschendorf, member of the Integration Committee at the German Federal Chancellery.

Theft and Vandalism at Orthodox Church in Kosovo

January 11, 2016, Kosovo

On January 11, 2016, a member of the St.Demetrios Church in Sušica discovered a broken window and the theft of the trunk for offerings had been stolen. The police are investigating.

Nantes: Fire in the Basilica of Saint-Nicolas

January 10, 2016, France

Around 4pm, a parishioner noticed two individuals at a table covered with tablecloth. They left quickly and the parishioner immediately noticed a fire had broken out on the furniture. She extinguished the fire with her shoes.

Arson and Desecration at Fontainebleau Church

January 10, 2016, France

The sixteenth century church Saint-Louis was entirely burnt out, images, including that of the baby Jesus, were desecrated, and the ciborium containing consecrated Hosts was stolen.

Seine-et-Marne: A Cross Vandalized in the Forest of Fontainebleau

January 10, 2016, France

On the same night that an arson fire swept through the church of Saint-Louis of Fontainebleau, a historic cross in the forest was toppled from its base.

Vandalism Sparked Uproar in Morigny-Champigny

January 8, 2016, France

A Catholic church in Morigny was tagged with grafitti, just days before the Fontainebleau Church was the victim of a serious arson.

Controversial Magazine Charlie Hebdo Depicts God as Kalashnikov-Carrying Killer

January 6, 2016, France

The magazine's cover for the anniversary edition commemorating the attacks one year ago depicts an angry, violent God and contains the headline (translated): "One year later, the assassin is still on the run".

Syrian Muslim Threatens to Kill Christian Woman's Baby

January 6, 2016, Germany

In a community shelter for refugees in Ballenstedt (Harz), a Muslim Syrian threatened an Eritrean Christian woman that he would kill her baby while she slept.

Nativity Scene in French Church Vandalized Twice

January 6, 2016, France

On December 30 and January 6, wax statues in the nativity scene were vandalized. These figures were more than a century old and familiar to the faithful of Sainte-Catherine parish in Le Passage-d’Agen. The abbot of Thibaud de La Serre, the parish priest, and the mayor issued a joint press release to express the town’s dismay and sorrow over the incidents.

44 Crucifixes Stolen From Cemetery in Petite-Ile

January 4, 2016, France

On the morning of January 4, as he opened the cemetery, a guard discovered that many crucifixes had been removed.

Another Jesus Nativity Figure Decapitated in Bergamo Region

January 3, 2016, Italy

A nativity scene in Treviglio was destroyed and the Jesus statue taken and beheaded by unknown perpetrators.

French Cathedral Tagged

January 3, 2016, France

The Cathedral Notre-Dame-de-l’Annonciation in Nancy was spray painted with "Spray for Paris" - a distortion of the message "Pray for Paris".

Floats for Parade of Kings Burned

January 3, 2016, Spain

The four floats that would be used in the traditional procession of the Three Kings were found burned on the Sunday before Epiphany in Arriate.

Brussels Christmas Tree Destroyed by Petrol Bomb

January 3, 2016, Belgium

Youths in Brussels yelled 'Allahu Akbar' as they set fire to a Christmas tree in a public square using a home made petrol bomb.

Attempted Arson in Evangelical Church in Crégy-lès-Meaux

January 2, 2016, France

Gasoline had been poured inside the church and a half-burnt rag was found on one of the dining chairs.

Statue of St. Joseph Decapitated; Finger of Infant Jesus Broken

January 1, 2016, Italy

Police are investigating the destruction of Nativity statues in a creche in front of a church in Dorga in the Bergamo region.

Statue of Baby Jesus in Fibbiana Nativity Beheaded; Legs Broken

January 1, 2016, Italy

In Piazza S. Rocco, Fibbiana not only was the statue of the infant Jesus broken, but the entire nativity was attacked with firecrackers and fireworks.

Refugee's Life Threatened After He Revealed Conversion to Christianity

January 1, 2016, Germany

A 19-year-old man told another refugee (18) that he was no longer a Muslim, but had become a Christian. The 18-year-old responded: "Then I will cut your throat. For this, I do not even need permission from IS. "

Nativity Figure of Infant Jesus "Hanged" with Noose in Pitelli

December 31, 2015, Italy

The act was condemned by the Bishop, as well as the President, of the region of Liguria.

Statue of Hand Painted Baby Jesus Destroyed by Firecracker

December 31, 2015, Italy

In Villa d'Almè, a group of unknown perpetrators threw a big firecracker into the hut containing the creche where the hand painted statue of the baby Jesus been placed on Christmas Eve.

Norway Begins Adoption Process for 5 Children Seized From Christian Parents

December 31, 2015, Norway

Norwegian child services have begun the adoption process for five children who were seized from a Romanian Pentecostal family in November after concerns were expressed about the parents' Christian faith, the family says.

New Year's Eve Mass at Cologne Cathedral Deliberately Disrupted

December 31, 2015, Germany

The shelling of the Cologne Cathedral with fireworks and firecrackers on New Year's evening between 6:30 and 7:45 pm was a targeted disruption of the service.

Haut-Rhin Church & Creche Tagged; Infant Jesus Burned

December 31, 2015, France

The figure of the nearly life-size Christ child was burned in a crib display on December 31 at about 10 pm, while the faces of his parents and a wall of the adjacent Catholic church were tagged with spraypaint.

Catholic Schoolchildren in Madrid Banned from Three Kings Parade

December 31, 2015, Spain

Approximately 800 students at a Catholic school in Madrid’s southern Carabanchel district have been excluded from a local parade by city authorities.

Nuremberg Church Target of Firework Attack on New Year's Eve

December 31, 2015, Germany

Similar to the attacks on the Cologne Cathedral on New Year's Eve, hundreds of men gathered in front of the Lorenzkirche in Nuremberg and shot firework missiles at its roof.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Figures Stolen from Villejuif Creche

December 28, 2015, France

The figure of the infant Jesus was stolen first, and the figures of his parents, Mary and Joseph were stolen the next day, along with the crib and straw.

Suspicious Burning of Nativity Display in Giraumont

December 27, 2015, France

During the night between December 27th and 28th, the city's nativity display was burned and partially destroyed.

Creche Vandalized in Aix-en-Issart

December 27, 2015, France

Mayor Pierre La Fonte was awakened at 2am by the police, who reported that the creche in a public square had been vandalized.

Religious Statues Spray-Painted at Site Dedicated to the Virgin Mary

December 27, 2015, France

Several religious statues, among which Jesus Christ was central, as well as a commemorative plaque and the floor were all spray painted red in a grotto altar in Libaux.

Image of St. John the Evangelist Banned from Rochester Train Station

December 27, 2015, United Kingdom

Network Rail, partly funded by taxpayer money, argued it was "overtly Christian" and that it would offend "multi-cultural values".

Church of Saint-Martin-sur-Ocre Tagged

December 26, 2015, France

In Loiret, a church was tagged with vulgar and insulting slogans ("Nique Jesus"), as well as "Allahu Akbar" during the night of December 26-27th.

Christians Attacked in Berlin Mitte a Day After Christmas

December 26, 2015, Germany

“I am Muslim. What are you?” After asking this question, unidentified Muslim and others beat up five Christians.

Statue of Jesus Destroyed on St. Stephen's Day

December 26, 2015, Italy

In Albino, on December 26, 2015, the crib outside the parish church of San Giuliano containing the statue of the infant Jesus was targeted.

Fire Completely Destroys City Manger Scene

December 25, 2015, Spain

The manger scene in the municipality of Villa del Prado (Madrid) was completely destroyed by a fire on December 25th at 4am.

Two of Thirteen Creche Installations Burned in Masevaux

December 24, 2015, France

The first creche was damaged by fire on the night of December 22nd and the second, including the ornaments and figures, was completely destroyed by fire on December 24th.

Public Nativity Scene Attacked by Vandals in Pamplona

December 24, 2015, Spain

On December 24th, the morning of Christmas Eve, vandals toppled and damaged figures in the enormous nativity scene, which is installed every year in a public park.

German Newspaper Refuses to Publish Church's Advertisement

December 20, 2015, Germany

The Weser-Kurier in Bremen has refused to publish an advertisement of a local Evangelical church containing a bible passage.

Tabernacle Vandalized in French Church

December 18, 2015, France

Father Louis Villoutreys reported on Twitter that a tabernacle in l’église Saint-Vincent in Naintré was vandalized by unknown perpetrators.

National Association of Assyrians in Sweden Victim of Arson

December 16, 2015, Sweden

The association's headquarters in the city of Södertälje was completely destroyed during the night between the 16th to 17th of December.

Berlin Court Reverses Injunctions; Allows Incitement to Violence in the Name of Art

December 15, 2015, Germany

In the name of artistic expression, a Berlin court reversed injunctions it had issued and has now permitted the staging of a play ("Fear") which displays photos of pro-family organizers and explicitly incites hatred against them.

Men Attempt to Disarm Soldiers Guarding Cathedral in Rome

December 15, 2015, Italy

A Palestinian and a Tunisian attempted to disarm soldiers stationed outside Santa Maria Maggiore cathedral while yelling "Allah (God) is great", Rome police said Tuesday.

Theft from Creche in Hauts-de-Seine

December 14, 2015, France

A statue of the Virgin of Fatima, given to the parish of Sainte-Bernadette de Chaville by the Portuguese community, was stolen on December 14th.

UPDATE: Hamburg Police Arrest Refugee for Attempted Manslaughter

December 14, 2015, Germany

The Hamburg police arrested the Afghan asylum seeker Amir Mahaballa. He is said to have attacked and seriously injured a 24-year-old Iranian Christian at a refugee camp in October. He sits on remand before trial on the charge of attempted manslaughter.

Knife Attack and Murder in Grande Synthe Camp

December 14, 2015, France

According to Open Doors France, police are investigating a knife attack by Iraqi migrants against Christian refugees which left several wounded and one 19-year-old man dead.

Creche Vandalized in la Grand-Place de Bruxelles

December 13, 2015, Belgium

Three people aged 20, 21 and 24 were arrested after they vandalized the manger of the Grand-Place during the night from Saturday to Sunday. In addition to damaging the structure, they stole the figure of the baby Jesus and threw it on the ground.

Church Vandalized in Verviers, in the province of Liege

December 13, 2015, Belgium

The church Sainte-Julienne, which had previously been tagged with spray paint, was again vandalized as a window was broken by rocks being thrown.

Church Bells Destroyed in French Chapel

December 13, 2015, France

Vandals broke into the locked chapel of Saint-Hervé-Ménez Bré in Pédernec and rang the church bells so hard that one of them is irreparably broken while the other, off-axis from its support, is stuck.

Proposed UK School Regulations May Put Christian Sunday Schools and Summer Camps at Risk

December 13, 2015, United Kingdom

Plans for Ofsted to regulate out-of-school settings could burden churches, discourage volunteers and cause unnecessary distress to children, a Conservative MP has warned.

Christians Attacked by Guards in Refugee Camps

December 10, 2015, Germany

At the end of November five Muslim security employees beat two refugees from Iran for having a bible in their room.

Fire Investigated at Collegiate Church of Saint-Junien

December 7, 2015, France

Upon his arrival at the church, the priest discovered three small fires in separate parts of the church.

Syrian Arrested on Suspicion of Beating and Threatening 16 Year Old

December 3, 2015, Sweden

A 26-year-old Syrian, known as "N.N.," was arrested on suspicion of beating and threatening a 16-year-old at an asylum house in Borgholm.

Archbishop Disinvited from Elementary School Pre-Christmas Visit

December 2, 2015, Italy

School officials point to respect for the "multicultural character" of their student body as the reason.

Religious Images Prohibited in School Christmas Card Contest

December 2, 2015, Spain

The prohibition was imposed by a secular parents' association in Cantabria (Cantabria FAPA) when they announced the annual card-drawing contest.

Website of the Diocese of Bayonne, Lescar and Oloron Hacked

December 1, 2015, France

According to reports, this was a targeted hacking.

Seventh Cemetery in 18 Months Desecrated by Vandals

December 1, 2015, France

This time, thirteen crucifixes were torn from their graves and were thrown to the ground, broken, or planted upside down.