All cases

"Anonymous" Hacks Website of Archdiocese of Granada

January 13, 2014, Spain

Internet activists "Anonymous,” known for protests against corruption, censorship and undermining the Catholic values, hacked the website of the Archdiocese of Granada.

Theft and Vandalism in Church in Palaia

January 12, 2014, Italy

The parish church of Villa Saletta in Palaia was devastated by vandals who stole alms and damaged consecrated hosts. They also stole a fold chain that hung around the alter of Our Lady and a chalice from the tabernacle.

Deliberate Arson of a Chapel

January 10, 2014, France

The chapel of Aibre, France was found on fire. Police were called to the scene but the doors had already been damaged by the fire. They investigated and found bits of wood used to start the fire as well as remains of a product used to spread the fire more quickly.

Graffiti on Walls of Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Yecla Murcia

January 9, 2014, Spain

Graffiti threatening religious freedoms of Christians was spray painted on the walls of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. The words, “Si no nos dejáis abortar, no os dejaremos rezar” (“If you do not let us have an abortion, we will not let you pray”) were written there in addition to different anarchists symbols.

Street Preacher Arrested for Mentioning "Sexual Sin" in Scotland

January 8, 2014, United Kingdom

Tony Miano, a street preacher addressing lunchtime shoppers at Dundee High Street, Scotland, was arrested and held in custody to appear before the Dundee Sheriff Court. He was talking about “sexual sin” including “adultery, promiscuity and homosexual practice”. A woman called the police, who on arrival snatched away the camera of a friend who was filming the preaching and arrested the street preacher.

Church's Main Gate Covered with Graffiti

January 6, 2014, France

Obscene, Satanist and anti-Christian graffiti was spray painted on the church door of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul in Haute Garonne. The police were notified and collected evidence.

Offensive Behaviour of Homosexual Couples During Religious Celebration

January 6, 2014, Greece

During the celebration of Epiphany of Christ in Piraeus, a number of homosexual couples started to kissing each other in oscentatious way, trying to show their protest against Christian morals and teaching. Local faithful and prayers declared themselves offended.

Muslims Distribute Intolerant Writings in Basel

January 4, 2014, Switzerland

Every first Saturday of the month, five Muslim men from the Islamic Central Bureau of Switzerland (IZRS) distribute Muslim texts at the Claraplatz in Central Basel. One of the books they distribute, the „Book of Simplified Comment“, suggests to murder Christians and Jews, and to take their money.

Desecration of Altar of Church in Paris

January 4, 2014, France

A man approached the altar of Saint-Odile Church in Paris and through violent acts desecrated and destroyed the candle holder and hammered down the statue of St Therese of the Child Jesus. He also opened the baptismal fountain and spilled the water used for baptisms. The police were called but they arrived only an hour later after the man had already walked away. Witnesses said that the tall young man looked very determined in his actions.

Four Churches in Spain Targeted with Graffiti and Vandalism

January 3, 2014, Spain

Four Catholic churches in Malaga, Spain, were targeted with pro-abortion graffiti and vandalism. Some of the slogans read: “Saca tus rosarios de mis ovarios” (Get your rosaries off my ovaries) and “Maria queria abortar” (Mary wanted to abort) as well as "Iglesia = Dictatura" (Church = dictatorship). Vandals also dropped balloons containing red paint, into a church, which burst and damaged a ceramic alter piece depicting the Virgin Mary.

Nativity Scene in Foligno Targeted by Vandals

January 3, 2014, Italy

The crib of the Nativity of St. Felicianetto was set on fire. Already several days before, the figure of Baby Jesus had been stolen.

Nativity Scene Vandalised in Hainaut

January 1, 2014, Belgium

A nativity scene set up in front of a church in Belgium was vandalised overnight. A shepherd was dismembered, the figure representing baby Jesus was lying on the ground and Mary and Joseph had be taken away. A fence which had been erected to protect the scene did not deter the vandals.

Member of Parliament Impersonated a Drunk Priest

January 1, 2014, Greece

A member of the Greek Parliament, Vangelis Diamantopoulos, dressed and acted as a drunk priest conducting a burial ceremony for the EU-IMF memorandum at New Year’s carnival in Northern Greece. Archbishop Ieronymos claimed that he was hurt by this behaviour and described the act as foolish.

Crib Scene Destroyed in Badia

December 31, 2013, Italy

A crib scene in the village of Badia was destroyed and heads of several of the figures were severed off.

Graffiti on Church of St. Augustine in Trani

December 30, 2013, Italy

The front of the Church of St. Augustine in Trani was splattered with paint and the stone lion in the courtyard of the church was spray painted.

Tabernacle Stolen at the Hermitage of Pasico Torre Pacheco

December 30, 2013, Spain

The Hermitage had to close the doors of its church from December 30th, 2013 to January 11th 2014, due to a theft of the tabernacle on the 30th of December.

Nativity Scene in Church in Hungary Vandalised

December 29, 2013, Hungary

Vandals destroyed figures of the nativity scene from a Lutheran Church located in Szentendre, Hungary, 20 km north of Budapest. In November, a cross was vandalised in the same church.

Series of Anti-Christian Vandalism in North Westfalen

December 28, 2013, Germany

More than forty acts of vandalism against Christian sites were recorded between September and December around Ibbenbüren, Saerbeck, Hörstel, Hopsten, Mettingen, Tecklenburg and Rheine. Especially large outdoor crosses and statues were targeted. Police think it is likely that the perpetrator is the same in all the cases.

Vandalism of Nursery of Church in Rennes

December 27, 2013, France

The nursery of Saint-Germain Rennes was set on fire causing damage to the Church. It was confirmed that the fire was not caused by electric problems.

Nativity Scene Vandalised in Paris

December 27, 2013, France

The statues of Mary and Joseph were destroyed in St. Séverin Church nativity scene in Paris.