All cases
Church and Christ Figure Vandalized in Madrid
January 5, 2017, SpainOn January 5, 2017, the exterior of the parish of Santa María de Nazaret in Madrid, Spain, was vandalized with graffiti and an figure of Christ was damaged by unknown perpetrators.
25 Year Old Smashed Shrine and Set Fire to Crèche
January 2, 2017, ItalyThe perpetrator, a Gambian with a valid residence permit, broke the glass case containing a statue of the Virgin Mary in the courtyard of the Church of the Madonna del Rosario and then burned the Christmas crèche, completely destroying it. He admitted the act to the police, saying that he was Muslim and wanted to destroy the Christian symbols.
L'Abbaye d'Orval Robbed
January 1, 2017, BelgiumA safe containing 50,000 euros was stolen from the Orval Abbey, a Cistercien-Trappist Monastery famous for a brewery whose profits go to fund social projects. Police are investigating.
New Year's Fireworks Damage Church Roof in Poeldijk
January 1, 2017, NetherlandsIllegal fireworks are the likely cause of damage to the recently restored roof of the Reformed Church in Poeldijk. Witnesses saw two men on the roof setting fireworks, which are illegal. Officials have not determined if the damage was intentional, but the perpetrators have not come forward and police are investigating.
Chapel in St. Radegund Damaged by Vandals
January 1, 2017, AustriaOn New Year's Eve, unknown perpetrators vandalized a chapel, damaging a statue of the Virgin Mary and burned prayer books and wooden objects nearby. Damages are estimated at around 1,000 euros. Police are investigating.
Chapel in Brunau am Inn the Victim of Theft and Vandalism
January 1, 2017, AustriaUnknown perpetrators beheaded a statue of St. Barbara and stole a Christ figure from a cross and several other sacred objects. Damage is estimated at around 5,000 euros. Police are investigating.
Forest Chapel in Auerbach Vandalized
December 31, 2016, AustriaUnknown perpetrators broke into the chapel, threw stones at the altar, smashed two glass domes containing statues of the Virgin Mary, and stole and destroyed 22 paintings and murals hung by pilgrims visiting the chapel.
Woman Attacked for Reading from Bible
December 28, 2016, AustriaA 22-year-old man from Afghanistan stabbed a Christian woman when he heard her reading from the Bible at a refugee accommodation in Vöcklamarkt (Upper Austria).
Man Forcibly Removed after Disrupting Christmas Mass
December 24, 2016, FrancePolice removed a man who disrupted the Mass at the Church of Saint-Christophe in Tourcoing after he frightened and disturbed the parishioners.
Orsay Church Vandalized on Christmas
December 24, 2016, FranceThe wall of church of Saint-Martin Saint-Laurent d'Orsay was tagged with an anti-consumerism message ("Noël fête du capitalisme") in black paint. Police are investigating.
Theft from Sainte-Anne Church in Lanvéoc
December 24, 2016, FranceA statue of an angel was stolen from the manger scene where it had been displayed for the last 80 years. Parishioners are upset and the Mayor called the theft "scandalous" because the angel was part of the town's heritage. A police complaint was filed.
Vandals Attack St. Augustine Church in Utrecht
December 23, 2016, NetherlandsIn the morning of December 23, 2016 a parish employee discovered the locked doors forced open, bibles torn, and the newly-restored processional cross destroyed. The pastor estimates damages in the thousands of euros. Police are investigating.
UK Considering Secularist Oath of Allegiance to British Values
December 21, 2016, United KingdomThe UK government has proposed that all office holders and employees of the State swear an Oath of Allegiance to British Values that conflicts with traditional Christian teaching about sexuality.
Nativity Scene Destroyed by Fire
December 21, 2016, FranceA Nativity scene set up in an old fountain in Wimille was completely destroyed by a fire during the night of December 20-21st. Police are investigating whether it was intentionally set, or a short circuit in the lighting. The city chose not to replace it, in case it was an act of vandalism.
Berlin Christmas Market the Target of Terrorist Attack
December 20, 2016, GermanyAnis Amri, a 24-year old Tunisian man, stole a truck and intentionally drove it into a crowded Christmas market near the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in West Berlin, leaving 12 dead and more than 50 injured. ISIS claimed responsibility, and the driver pledged allegiance to ISIS, calling on his "Muslim brothers everywhere... Those in Europe, kill the crusader pigs." "Crusaders" refers to Christians in ISIS rhetoric. While in the Italian prison in Sicily, Anis Amri threatened one of his fellow prisoners: “You are Christian and I will cut your head off,” according to Reppublica, which indicates the attacker's pre-existing bias against Christians.
Cathedral in Fort-de-France Vandalized and Burgled Five Times in Seven Days
December 20, 2016, FranceThe Cathedral of Saint-Louis was the repeated victim of looting, vandalism, and theft on December 14th, 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th. The Cathedral is being restored and the perpetrators broke recently-renovated windows to gain entry.
Holsbeek Town Council Removed Nativity Scene
December 19, 2016, BelgiumThe Christmas display in the town hall was removed to "avoid offending Muslims living in the area," resulting in protests and objections from citizens, politicians, and some Muslim activists who said it was absurd to say that Muslims are offended by the birth of Jesus.
Vandalism and Fires in Two Churches in Tarn-et-Garonne
December 19, 2016, FrancePolice are investigating acts of vandalism and intentional fires set in the Church of Saint-Blaise and the Church of Saint-Michel.
Church Desecrated in Crete
December 18, 2016, GreeceUnknown perpetrators entered the Orthodox church of the Archangel Michael near Lagoliou, set sacred books on fire in the sanctuary, and sprayed "Allah is great" in Arabic on the walls.
Christian Kindergarten Advent Performance Disrupted by Man Carrying Koran
December 17, 2016, AustriaDuring the children's performance in Schwanenstadt, attended by parents and relatives, a 24-year-old Somali man with a backpack and plastic bag got on stage and began waving the Koran around. When people tried to remove him, he resisted and began shouting "Allah." The police investigated.
Christmas Decorations and Crèche Thrown in River
December 17, 2016, FranceDuring the night of December 17-18th, all of the Christmas decorations installed on a bridge, as well as the handmade wooden crèche arranged at the feet of a statue of the Virgin Mary were thrown into the Seine in Fouchères. A complaint was filed with police.
Spanish Court Acquits City Councilor of Infringing on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Convictions
December 16, 2016, SpainRita Maestre had been fined for removing her top inside a chapel during a protest against the "antidemocratic and chauvinistic" positions of the Catholic Church in 2011. On appeal, that decision was reversed as the court found that "inadequate clothing or certain inappropriate gestures" were "disrespectful but not desecration."
Priest Attacked, Tied Up, and Robbed in Pastoral Center
December 16, 2016, FranceRutumbu Juvenal, the priest in charge of the parish of Palaiseau, was attacked by two armed men on December 16, 2016 at the church's pastoral center.
Bomb Discovered in Front of Church
December 15, 2016, FranceA parishioner discovered a bomb in a cardboard box against the door of the Saint-André church. Police in Toulouse are investigating and said that the device was capable of a small explosion.
Thieves Hit Caorle Cathedral in 3rd Incident in Veneto Region in 10 Days
December 15, 2016, ItalyGlass cases protecting sacred statues and images were smashed and the decorative jewels and offerings of the faithful were stolen. Police are investigating the links between this incident and others in the region targeting shrines containing sacred images.
Five Churches Burgled in Three Weeks
December 13, 2016, FranceAccording to the Bishop of Réunion, five churches have been the target of thieves in the preceding three weeks. The most recent was the church of Sainte-Marie, which was ransacked and money and equipment were stolen. A criminal investigation is underway.
Thieves Steal Gold from Sacred Statue of Our Lady of Pilastrello
December 11, 2016, ItalyAfter several failed attempts since June 2016, thieves managed to sneak into the guarded shrine in Lendinara, smashed a protective glass case, and stole all of the gold on the statue of the "Black Madonna."
Dozens of Christian Statues Destroyed
December 8, 2016, GermanyPolice in the Münsterland region are investigating the destruction of Christian statues of holy figures since the end of October. One report said "not a day goes by without an attack on a statue. The local Christian community is concerned and upset by the destruction. An anti-religious motive is suspected and the police believe the vandalism is fueled by a "lust for destruction". Estimates suggest the cost of the damage to be a six-figure sum.
Nativity Crib Burned in Church
December 8, 2016, FranceParishioners praying in the chapel adjacent to the Church of Notre-Dame in Metz smelled smoke and discovered the crib burning inside the church. Police have launched a criminal investigation.
Hindu UKIP Member Racially Harassed for Calling Britain a "Christian Country"
December 7, 2016, United KingdomAnish Patel, a UKIP member and practising Hindu took to Twitter with a message defending Britain’s Christian identity. In response, Twitter users responded with racist epithets.
Church Requests Security Staff Due to Disruptions, Vandalism
December 7, 2016, SwedenThe Holy Trinity Church in Kristianstad has been given permission by police to have security guards at church services due to repeated thefts, disruptive and threatening behavior during services, drug and alcohol use in the church, and urination and defecation in the pews.
Student Union Bans Pro-Life Group
December 5, 2016, United KingdomPro-life supporters have been banned from setting up an official campus group by the University of Strathclyde Student Union on the grounds that such a group would violate "safe space."
Equalities Watchdog Calls for Review of Catholic Schools Hiring Rules
December 5, 2016, United KingdomThe Equality and Human Rights Commission has told the Scottish government that the Scottish Catholic schools’ legal right to examine teaching staff for religious suitability should be reviewed.
Christian Archbishops from Iraq and Syria Denied Visas to UK
December 4, 2016, United KingdomDespite a formal invitation from Prince Charles to attend a consecration ceremony of Britain's first Syriac Orthodox Cathedral, the Home Office denied the visa applications of Archbishops Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf of Mosul, Timothius Mousa Shamani of St Matthew's in Nineveh valley of northern Iraq, and Selwanos Boutros Alnemeh of Homs and Hama in Syria because they "did not have enough money to support themselves and might not leave the UK."
Court Gives Town Three Months to Remove Statue of Virgin Mary
December 3, 2016, FranceA court has ordered the town of Publier to remove its statue of the Virgin Mary to comply with France's ban on religious symbols in public spaces. Failure to remove it within three months will result in a fine of 100 euros per day.
Leftist Graffiti on Bordeaux Catholic Seminary
December 3, 2016, France"Neither God nor master", "I love Satan", "Lesbi Power" and "Antifa" and other slogans were sprayed on the walls of the seminary during the night of December 3, 2016.
Nantes Church Vandalized with Anarchist Graffiti
December 3, 2016, FranceThe Church of St. Clement in Nantes was vandalized with the anarchist "A" topped with symbols of both sexes. This sign is supposed to convey the opposition to the male and female genders in their traditional definitions.
Thieves Steal Votive Offerings in Treviso Church
December 3, 2016, ItalyUnknown perpetrators broke into the Basilica of Motta di Livenza during the night of December 3, 2016, disconnected an alarm, sawed off iron bars, broke a window, and stole votive offerings donated in the past by the faithful of the diocese. They were unable to force open the shrine with the statue of the Madonna. Police are investigating.
Madrid Parish Vandalized
December 1, 2016, Spain"You will burn in Hell" (“Arderéis en el infierno”) was sprayed on the parish of Nuestra Señora Reina del Cielo in Madrid by unknown perpetrators.
Graffiti Damaged Granada Cathedral
November 25, 2016, SpainThe Archbishop of Granada filed a complaint after graffiti was painted on the facade of the Metropolitan Curia and the Cathedral, one of the most important cultural sites of the city. The vandalism occurred during the night from the 24 to 25 of November and damaged the original stone of the Cathedral.
Church Ransacked in Northern France
November 25, 2016, FranceSome time in the early afternoon of November 25th, unknown perpetrators started a fire inside the church of Zuydcoote, overturned chairs and benches, smashed statues onto the floor, and destroyed the tabernacle.
School Prohibits Christmas Decorations with Religious Motifs
November 24, 2016, SpainA school in Elche sent a letter to parents saying it needed Christmas decorations for the classrooms, but that they should not have a religious motif, such as a nativity scene.
Easter Poster Depicting Christ Removed from Government Office
November 23, 2016, SpainAfter a complaint by the Oberservatorio del Laicismo, the Andalusian Employment Office in Granada removed a poster containing an image of Christ promoting Holy Week tourism.
Officials Ban Television Commercial to Commemorate World Down Syndrome Day
November 22, 2016, FranceTelevision officials rejected as "inappropriate" an award-winning video featuring several people with Down syndrome responding to a letter from a frightened woman whose unborn baby had been diagnosed with the disorder.
14th Century Church Vandalized with Red Paint
November 22, 2016, SpainDuring the night of November 22, 2016, two people threw red paint against the facade and one of the entrances of the parish of Santa Creu, one of the oldest in Palma. Costs to clean the damage is unclear. Perpetrators justified the attack as denouncing the "historical collaboration" of the Catholic Church with fascism.
Priest Attacked While Celebrating Mass
November 17, 2016, SpainWhile he was celebrating Mass in the parish church of Nuestra Señora de Covadonga in Madrid, Fr. Lino Hernando was attacked at the altar by an unknown person who threw him to the ground, kicked and insulted him. The aggressor also threw around consecrated Hosts and other worship items from the altar. The police were immediately alerted and arrested the perpetrator.
Judge Dismisses Charges Against Artist Who Stole Consecrated Hosts
November 16, 2016, SpainAbel Azcona stole more than 240 consecrated hosts from Masses celebrated in the cities of Madrid and Pamplona. He later took nude photos of himself arranging them on a floor to spell the word ‘pederasty.’ He was charged with an offense against laws respecting religious sentiments. However, on November 16, 2016, a judge dismissed the case against Azcona. In his ruling, the judge described the consecrated and stolen hosts as “small white round objects.” He claimed that there had been no desecration of the sacred hosts because according to the Spanish Royal Academy dictionary desecration is defined as “treating something sacred without due respect or using it for profane purposes.”
Stolen Tabernacle and Ciborium Found in Cemetery
November 10, 2016, SpainThe Bishop of San Sebastián reported that the tabernacle and ciborium containing consecrated Hosts which had been stolen from the chapel earlier in the week had been found in a cemetery. The ciborium was empty.
Christian Couple Blocked from Adopting Foster Children
November 9, 2016, United KingdomA Christian couple has been blocked from adopting their foster children, after expressing views based on their belief that children should have a mother and a father wherever possible.
Christian Family Forced to Flee their Home
November 9, 2016, United KingdomA family have been forced to flee their home under armed police guard amid fears for their safety after suffering what they say is eight years of persecution for converting from Islam to Christianity.