All cases
Burglary in Schwadorf Parish
August 23, 2017, AustriaDuring the night of August 23, 2017, burglars broke into the parish church in Schwadorf through a terrace door. After being unable to break into the office, they entered the priest's apartment. According to police, cash and valuables were stolen, including a jewelry box and a clock. Afterwards, the perpetrators sprayed a fire extinguisher on the floor in the entrance of the apartment, in the stairwell of the parish center, and on the ground floor, to obliterate their footprints. The church was equipped with an alarm system, but the priest was not at home at the time of the incident, so no one heard the alarm. A passerby discovered the break-in in the morning and reported it to the police.
Muslim Threatens Journalist: "We are sick of Christians"
August 23, 2017, SpainOn August 23, 2017, in Cañada de la Muerte, one of the most troubled and dangerous districts in Melilla, a Spanish journalist from Antena 3 approached a group of Muslim men. One man was filmed saying: "We are tired of you, the Spaniards and the Christians [..] They have us held here, separated and marginalized." When the journalist pointed out that the man was Spanish himself, he answered: "I am not Spanish, I am Muslim." "We throw stones at the police because they come to bother us. They just want to ask us for documentation ... they annoy us." Another man did not hesitate to justify the Barcelona attacks: "It's normal. We Muslims are sick of you, the Christians." He then threatened, "I myself can take a truck and run over people because I'm tired of living like this. Of not having opportunities because of you."
Arran Denounces Islamophobia but Paints Churches with Graffiti Inciting Violence
August 23, 2017, SpainThe leftist youth organization of the Catalan Pro-Independence movement, Arran, has painted the facades of some Catalonian churches with aggressive messages like "The only church that illuminates is the one that burns" or "against the attacks of the Church, together we are stronger." Jésus Sanz, head of studies of the platform Civic Convivencia, has responded by noting "You do not have to be Catholic, or even a believer, but just a minimally respectful person to condemn the attacks."
Break-in and Vandalism at Erlauf Church
August 21, 2017, AustriaUnknown perpetrators broke into the church in Erlauf sometime during the night of August 20-21, 2017. All the money in the church had been removed on the Sunday after the Mass, but the sacristy was ransacked, with boxes emptied and overturned. It is unclear whether anything was stolen. This was the fourth break-in at the church.
15th Century Image of Saint Paul Destroyed by Vandals
August 18, 2017, SpainUnknown vandals tore down and destroyed the image of Saint Paul from the Gothic doorway of the parish of Andra Mari in Gernika (Guernica), Spain on August 18, 2017. The image, dated from the 15th century, was found broken to pieces. The parish filed a complaint.
Bilbao: Fair Booth Depicts Jesus Christ as Cuts of Meat
August 18, 2017, SpainA poster of a crucified Jesus Christ with his body parts labeled as if they were pieces of meat for sale, with the words "Take and eat, this is my body," was on display in an exhibition called "Vatican Butchers." It was shown in one of the "txosnas" (fair booths of clubs which have music and drinks) during the Semana Grande in Bilbao. The poster was surrounded by pieces of meat and sausages hung from butcher hooks.
No Charges Filed against Porn Makers for Church Sex Film in Tilburg
August 15, 2017, NetherlandsProsecutors rejected a complaint from Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Tilburg after two actors were filmed having sex in the confessional box. The video was posted on a Dutch porn website earlier this year. Dutch authorities said the pornographic film was offensive but there was no longer a blasphemy law in the Netherlands. A reparation Mass was held due to the desecration in the church.
Terror Threat in Lausanne and Geneva
August 13, 2017, SwitzerlandA 28-year-old man planned a terror attack in Lausanne and on a church in Geneva, according to evidence found on his mobile phone.
Wooden Christ Statue Decapitated on Mountaintop
August 7, 2017, AustriaA hand-carved figure of Jesus Christ on a cross was placed at 789 meters on the north side of the Traunstein mountain in Gmunden, Austria by members of the alpine club as a gift to a member. They discovered the statue had been decapitated with a saw when they arrived to present the gift on August 7, 2017. Police are investigating.
Prison Worker Loses Employment Tribunal Appeal over Sermon
August 4, 2017, United KingdomA Christian prison worker has lost his latest appeal in the courts over his discipline by HMP Littlehey. Rev Barry Trayorn who worked as a gardener, but volunteered in the chapel, fell into trouble after delivering a talk to prisoners about homosexuality and sin. Following a complaint, he was disciplined then later resigned. In 2016, an employment tribunal ruled that his employers acted within the law. A judge confirmed in August 2017 that ruling was fair, claiming his words could "legitimise mistreatment of homosexual prisoners." Trayhorn will take his case to the Court of Appeal.
Mosaic of the Virgen del Carmen de Huelin Vandalized
July 31, 2017, SpainThe popular ceramic mosaic of the Virgin Mary and Jesus child located on the beach promenade in the Huelin neighborhood of Malaga was damaged by vandals for the second time in four months and 15 days after having been repaired.
Knife Attacker in Hamburg Wanted to Kill Christians and Young People
July 28, 2017, GermanyOne person died and seven were injured in Hamburg on July 28, 2017 when a 26-year-old Palestinian ("Ahmad A.") attacked people with a knife in a Edeka market in Hamburg-Barmbek. The attacker, who lived in a refugee home, was known by authorities to have been radicalized and said his goal was to "kill Christians and young people" and die as a martyr.
German Greens Created "Anti-Feminist" Wiki; Targeted Christian Public Figures
July 28, 2017, GermanyThe Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, the foundation of the German Green Party, created a website called "Agent*In" that listed individuals and organizations said to be "anti-feminist" in order to better find and combat them. The majority of the persons and organizations listed were Christians or Church organizations. After public criticism, the website was temporarily taken offline.
Statue of Saint Beheaded in Neusiedl am See
July 27, 2017, AustriaUnknown perpetrators broke off and stole the head from a 300-year-old statue of Saint Rosalia in the middle of the main square of the town in Burgenland. Police initiated an investigation after local residents discovered the vandalism on July 27, 2017.
Attempted Arson by Molotov Cocktails at Dresden Church
July 27, 2017, GermanyIn the early morning hours of July 27, 2017, unidentified individuals threw two Molotov cocktails at the evangelical Martin-Luther-Kirche in Dresden resulting in at least 1,000 euros in damage. Police are investigating.
Vandalism in the Cathedral of Ibiza
July 27, 2017, SpainPolice arrested a young man after he struck a tombstone in the cathedral with a hammer and painted the words “Vergonya ke sagna” (Shame that bleeds) in red. The tombstone lists names of those killed at the beginning of the Civil War in 1936. A nun observed the vandalism and told a priest, who with the help of a French tourist, tried to hold the attacker to prevent him from fleeing. After an investigation, the police arrested him for a crime against religious sentiments and disrespect for the deceased.
Sweden to Deport Christian to Iran Despite Danger
July 26, 2017, SwedenSweden has rejected the asylum claim of Iranian Christian actress Aideen Strandsson and will deport her back to Iran, where she likely faces time in an Iranian prison -- or worse. In Iran, where it can be deadly to convert to Christianity, Strandsson kept her conversion largely a secret. But when she came to Sweden, she requested a public baptism. Iranian intelligence most likely is aware of her conversion and she has received threats on social media. Strandsson has said "I don't know what will happen to me, I know the punishment for me in Iran is death," she said. But "I have hope in Jesus, it's just the last hope I have in my life."
Church of Ciplet Vandalized
July 25, 2017, BelgiumUnknown vandals emptied a fire extinguisher and covered benches with toilet paper in the nave of the church of Saint-Maurice de Ciplet. A piece of furniture in a chapel was also destroyed. Nothing was stolen and the police began an investigation.
Equalities Minister Said Churches Should Follow Public Opinion on Gay Marriage
July 23, 2017, United KingdomJustine Greening, who is also Education Secretary, said churches and other religious groups should “keep up” with public opinion on same-sex marriage.
Offensive Grafitti on Church in Brest
July 23, 2017, FranceAn unknown perpetrator sprayed a vulgar message on the door of the church of Saint-Martin de Brest along with an inverted cross.
Theft from Tabernacle in Tintigny
July 23, 2017, BelgiumOn Sunday morning before Mass, Fr. Pierre Jehenson discovered that two ciboriums had been stolen from the tabernacle of the village church of Rossignol.
U.K. May Scrap Single-Faith Schools
July 23, 2017, United KingdomChristian schools may soon be required to ensure that half of their students are from different religious backgrounds, due to concerns that Christian-only schools "heighten community divisions."
Christian Refugees on Lesbos Threatened; Prevented from Seeking Asylum
July 22, 2017, GreeceSeveral clashes broke out around July 22, 2017 at Lesbos Island’s Moria Camp for refugees, with Greek authorities arresting 35 Muslim rioters who threw large rocks at police officers and set fire to tents both inside and outside the bounds of the camp. A disabled Christian was nearly burnt alive while sleeping in one of the shelters. "Christians are being prevented from holding church services, worshiping and praying by their Muslim neighbors. Moreover, reports of tents being burned down, violence, bullying, harassment and severe threats paint a very bleak picture of the quality of life for Christians caught up within the camp," according to the British Pakistani Christian Association.
Planned Attack on Pope in Fatima Foiled
July 21, 2017, PortugalA Moroccan man was expelled from Portugal after police foiled his planned attack on Pope Francis during his visit to Fatima in May 2017.
Bibles Found Burnt in Lonay
July 18, 2017, SwitzerlandA member of the Evangelical Church of Lonay discovered that five bibles had been taken from its festival tent in the middle of the night and burned. Nothing else was taken or damaged.
More than 25 Catholic Pages Blocked by Facebook as "Spam"; Later Restored
July 17, 2017, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)Between the night of July 17 and the morning of July 18, 2017 Facebook unpublished more than 25 Catholic pages in English, Portuguese and Spanish with no explanation to page administrators. After restoring the pages around 1:00 in the morning of July 19th, Facebook gave a statement to ACI Prensa: "The pages were reestablished. The incident was a malfunction of the spam detection mechanism in our platform. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused." In 2016, Facebook came under fire for allegedly censoring trends to news deemed "conservative."
U.K. Foreign Office Agency says Evangelical Christians in the Global South Should “Reinterpret” the Bible
July 17, 2017, United KingdomThe Barnabas Fund has highlighted a Wilton Park (an executive agency of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office) report from 2016 in which it describes biblical sexual morality as 'hateful' and evangelical Christians in prejudicial terms. A key recommendation of the report is "challenging the interpretation of sacred texts."
Political Party Tried to Boycott Inauguration of Virgin Mary Monument
July 15, 2017, SpainParty members of Podemos failed to prevent the inauguration of a monument dedicated to the Virgen del Rocío when they were denied authorization to hold a second protest march.
Man Attacked for Wearing a Cross in Berlin
July 14, 2017, GermanyIn the early morning hours of July 14, 2017, three teenagers attacked a 39-year-old man on a tram who was wearing two wooden Christian crosses on a chain around his neck. They pointed at the necklace and asked in broken German "what's that?" The teenagers, who appeared to be North African, proceeded to taunt him with insults and slapped him in the face repeatedly.
Church Desecrated in Villarreal
July 14, 2017, SpainThe Basilica San Pascual de Villarreal was desecrated on July 14, 2017. One or more perpetrators forced open the tabernacle and stole the ciborium containing consecrated hosts. This act of desecration requires that a Mass of reparation be celebrated according to Canon Law.
Iraqi Man Threatened to Kill Church Members
July 9, 2017, United KingdomZana Hassan interrupted a Sunday afternoon church service in Barnard Castle, County Durham on July 9, 2017 “shouting and swearing.” After being arrested by police, he threatened to “kill all the English,” making references to the war in Iraq. He was later convicted of a racially aggravated offense.
Arson at Church in Luleå
July 5, 2017, SwedenThe Catholic Church in Luleå Sweden was the victim of arson on July 5, 2017. The fire was started at two places outside of the church, one of them being the main entrance of the church. The parish priest, Nelson Mendoza Caserial, is shocked and surprised about the attack. He has stated that the church had not received any prior threats, either to the congregation, the employees, or himself. He lives in a house on the church property and was sleeping when the police alerted him at midnight. "I was really shocked and still shaking. I have not slept a wink since the police came and told us that the church was on fire," he said.
Spanish law on Religious Freedom to Change
June 29, 2017, SpainThe Spanish congress has passed a vote to change the law guaranteeing ideology, religion and freedom of worship in Spain. The Parliamentary Group Spokesman Joan Tarda stated that the law needs to be renewed as the Spanish society today no longer resembles the society of the 1980s and thus needs to be updated. New drafts of the law will have to be submitted prior to the end of the next session.
The Arran Organization Lleida Launches Obscene Campaign Against Bishops
June 27, 2017, SpainThe Catalan separatist youth organization launched a campaign against the Bishop of Solsona, Xavier Novell, and Cardinal Archbishop of Valencia, Antonio Cañizares. Arran distributed a poster with the image of Antonio Cañizares and Xavier Novell practicing anal sex as "denunciation" of the Church's position on homosexuality.
Saying Grace in Christian Kindergarten Prohibited
June 26, 2017, SwedenAn independent religious kindergarten in Umeå, Sweden, was forced to stop saying grace before meals by the county government. The Education Act says that religious elements may be included in education at independent schools, but they must be voluntary in order for the children to participate. The law does not say that the children themselves must agree, but rather that their parents consent on their behalf. The county argued that the children have not made the choice to participate in saying grace and have thus prohibited it. Preschool Director Britt Marie Mårtensson said they replaced grace with "Thank you for the sun and the rain and the food on our table."
University Tagged with Anti-Christian Slogans
June 24, 2017, SpainOne day after incendiary devices were used to start a fire at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, anti-Christian slogans were painted on the walls outside the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos of Madrid. Slogans included "The only church that illuminates is one that burns" and "No more crucifixes."
Swedish Prime Minister: "Priests Should Perform Same-Sex Marriages
June 24, 2017, SwedenSwedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has suggested that all Church of Sweden priests be compelled to perform gay marriages, or "do something else." Currently the Swedish church holds the position that “no priest should be obliged to officiate at the wedding of a same-sex couple.” Löfven said priests who are unable to bless gay marriage are in the wrong vocation and that the Social Democrats are working to ensure that priests "will consecrate everyone."
Renovated Church Vandalized in Seine-et-Marne
June 24, 2017, FranceDuring the night of June 24, 2017 the church Saint-Vincent-et-Saint-Arnould was broken into and vandalized. The church door was broken and the tabernacle in the church was also forced open. A large processional cross was stolen, as was a vacuum cleaner from a professional cleaning company who were preparing the church for its reopening after a year of construction. The police opened an investigation.
La Santina Beheaded
June 24, 2017, SpainOn June 24, 2017, the statue of the Virgen de Covadonga on the pilgrimage route of Chorrón de Villamayor in Piloña (Asturias, Spain) was beheaded by vandals. The statue, known as "La Santina," is an image of the Virgin Mary which forms an integral part of the Asturian tradition and presides over a small cave chapel and is protected by a metal fence. The parish is upset and sees the event as an attack not only on religious sentiments, but also on cultural heritage. The Basilica of Covadonga, next to the sacred cave where pilgrims venerate the statue of La Santina, is a place of worship and pilgrimage for the people of Asturias.
Saint Joan of Arc Statues Vandalized with Political Messages
June 24, 2017, FranceWitnesses discovered on June 24, 2017 that two statues of Saint Joan of Arc at the entrance of her home village of Neufchâteau had been sprayed with "anti-fascist" messages. Police opened an investigation.
University Chapel Attacked with Incendiary Devices
June 23, 2017, SpainThe chapel of the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), the second most important public university in the region and one of the main universities in Spain, was attacked with incendiary devices thrown through a window early in the morning of June 23, 2017. In addition to trying to destroy the chapel, the perpetrators left the slogan "The only church that illuminates is the one that burns" on the walls.,
Nun Assaulted for "Being a Nun"
June 23, 2017, SpainSister Rosario of the Congregación de las Esclavas de la Inmaculada Niña de Granada was attacked on June 23rd. The assailant hit Sister Rosario in the face and said “this is for being a nun” (“esto por ser monja”). The assault caused Sister Rosario a broken nose and swollen face. Sister Rosario was not wearing her habit at the time but was recognized as a religious by the medal she wore. She was returning to the residence after having dropped children off at their school.
Terror Attack on Church in Helsinki Foiled
June 18, 2017, FinlandOn June 18, 2017, Finnish police launched an operation in response to the threat of a terrorist attack on a church in Helsinki. The Temppeliaukio Church is located in the center of Helsinki less than a kilometer from the Finnish parliament and is a popular tourist attraction. The police sent several patrols to the church and the surrounding neighborhood to conduct raids. The following day, concrete barriers were erected to protect the church.
Cemetery Desecrated in Pondrôme
June 18, 2017, BelgiumDuring the afternoon on June 18, 2017, the cemetery of Pondrôme in Belgium was vandalized. Unknown vandals entered the cemetery and desecrated several graves, destroyed crosses, plaques and other memorial items on the burial sites. The reaction of the villagers of Pondrôme was one of anger and incomprehension. The Mayor Marc Lejeune filed a complaint with the police after being informed of the vandalism and said citizens should not be quick to assume the vandals came from the Fedasil refugee accommodation, which is next door to the cemetery.
Cathedral Saint-Jean of Besaçon Vandalized with Anarchist Graffiti
June 15, 2017, FranceDuring the night of June 14-15, 2017 the outer walls of the cathedral were tagged with slogans reading “our lives, our bodies belong to us” and “Down with charity, long live solidarity” (“Nos vies, nos corps nous appartiennent“ and “à bas la charité, vive la solidarité”) . The vandals also painted the anarchistic symbol “A” on front of the door twice.
Church Bulletin Board Set on Fire
June 15, 2017, FranceDuring the night of June 15th, the bulletin board of the Sacré Cœur church in Roubaix was set on fire. A neighbor of the church saw the flames and contacted the authorities.
Church in Tamworth Vandalized
June 14, 2017, United KingdomAnti-Christian messages were scrawled on three different areas of St. Edythe’s Church, the oldest church in Tamworth by unknown vandals. The ancient doors and walls were tagged with statements such as “Lucifer runs this capitalist ruin,” “God has failed,” and “deliver us to evil.” Reverend Alan Gordon and the church community were devastated that the church was targeted by this vandalism.
Photographer and Naked Model Caught in Church
June 13, 2017, FranceA photographer taking pictures of a naked model were caught in the center aisle of the church Saint-Antoine de Compiegne in Oise in front of the altar by two parish members who went to the church to pray the rosary for the Christians of the East.
Break-In and Possible Attempted Robbery of Church in Lyon
June 12, 2017, FranceUnknown perpetrators entered the church of the 5th arrondissement of Lyon during the night of June 11-12th and broke the glass door to the sacristy. Nothing was stolen. The break-in occurred only a month after the crown of the Virgin at the Fourvière Museum was stolen.
Ramadan Prayer in front of Virgin Mary Statue
June 10, 2017, SpainBefore breaking their daily Ramadan fast, a prayer was held in the Jardines del Triunfo (Gardens of Triumph) in Granada, Spain. This prayer event was sanctioned by City Hall but caused outrage among some Catholics in the area as the Jardines del Triunfo is the site of a cherished statue of Virgin Mary.
Priest Assaulted in Church Sacristy
June 9, 2017, MonacoFather Jean-Christophe Genson of the church of Sainte-Dévote in Monaco was assaulted by an unnamed assailant as he prepared for Mass on the evening of June 9, 2017.
Three Acts of Vandalism in Jongieux
June 8, 2017, FranceSeveral statues of the Virgin Mary were vandalized in the village of Jongieux between June 8-13, 2017.
Mass Desecration of Serbian Orthodox Graves
June 6, 2017, KosovoDuring their annual visit to the Serbian Orthodox Cemetery in Mitrovica Kosovo, relatives discovered that 90 percent of the graves had been desecrated. Tombstones had been destroyed and broken on the ground. The grieving families were shocked and deeply hurt by this destruction and desecration.
Political Campaign Graffiti on Church
June 6, 2017, FranceThe church La Chapelle du Rosaire in Saint-Louis was vandalized with political graffiti during the night on June 6th, 2017. The political tags were related to the legislative campaigns in France. The mayor of Saint-Leu has condemned the vandalism and stated that he will ensure that the building is restored.
Journalist "Jokes" about imprisoning Priests
June 6, 2017, RomaniaThe Romanian journalist Ovidiu Eftimie has stated that he “yearns for the years of communist persecution, where the priest were taken to the canal and stranded in jail” (“tânjește după anii de prigoană comunistă, în care preoții erau duși la canal și înfundau pușcăriile”). He has also stated that he would love to become a new Vişinescu and punch the church leaders. The media has characterized these statements as a joke.
Swastika Graffiti Discovered in Cemetery
June 4, 2017, FranceAccording to a witness, blue swastika graffiti was found on at least four graves in the Causses-et-Veyran Cemetery on June 4, 2017. One of the graves attacked with a swastika was a bas-relief depicting mourners holding Christ after his death on the cross. The grave plaques belonged to the same family, other items from the graveyard were also moved and thrown on the ground.
Spanish Councilor of Culture Hints that Churches Should be Burned
June 4, 2017, SpainAida Ginestar Pau, town councilor for sport and culture of the Spanish city Alzira in the province of Valencia, attacked the Catholic Church and Christianity on social media. On her Facebook page, the left-wing Podemos politician wrote a post that spoke about the Catholic Church, in which she laughed at the institution and in what could be seen as incitement to violence asked "but are there still churches that have not burned all??" In Valencian: "Jajajaja jajajaja!!!! Però queden esglesies encara?? No les han cremat totes???".
School Holidays Changed to Remove Religious Connection
June 3, 2017, SpainThe Ministry of Education in Spain has proposed changing the Carnival and Easter Holidays to a week in late February and May respectively in order to remove the religious connections from the school holidays. This proposal is waiting to be ratified and implemented for the school year 2017/2018.
Man Burst into Church Yelling "Allah is Great"
June 3, 2017, SpainA Muslim man shouting "Allah is great" disrupted a wedding in the Church of San Pablo in the city of Valladolid. He approached the altar with the apparent intention of overthrowing various liturgical objects and assaulting those present, including the priest.
Relic of St John Bosco Stolen
June 2, 2017, ItalyThe urn containing St John Bosco’s brain was stolen from the Salesian Basilica of Castelnuovo Don Bosco in the Piedmont region of Italy. The Archbishop of Turin, Bishop Cesare Nosiglia, has condemned the theft and urged return of the relic.
Rome Bus Stops the Target of Blasphemous Images
June 1, 2017, ItalyUnknown perpetrators placed offensive and obscene posters inside publicity screens of the Roman transport company ATAC on June 1, 2017. One poster, called Immaculata Conceptio - In Vitro was a depiction of the Virgin Mary holding a baby, presumably Jesus Christ, with her hand on another woman's thigh, implying that they were a couple who used in vitro fertilization to conceive the child. Another poster, entitled Ecce Homo Erectus, shows an obscene image of Jesus Christ with a child.
Several Cemeteries Vandalized across France
May 31, 2017, FranceBetween May 24th and May 31st, 2017, four cemeteries in France have been vandalized. The cemeteries have had their graves, including Christian graves, desecrated, crosses, vases and grave plaques destroyed to various degrees. Each cemetery has had their own suspects and three people have been identified and questioned by the local police, two cemeteries suspects remain unknown.
Orthodox Chapel Vandalized
May 30, 2017, FranceFather Archimandrite Amphilokios of the Orthodox Monastery of Saint Michael in Marseille reported an act of vandalism to the French Observatory. An image of the cross which was mounted on the monastery’s wall was torn. The community reacted by posting a sign condemning the act.
Swedish Pro-Life Midwives Fined
May 29, 2017, SwedenEllinor Grimmark and Linda Steen are two pro-life midwives who challenged their employment termination cases in court. Grimmark's case was taken to the Labor Court where she lost the case in April 2017. Due to this loss, she has been ordered pay all the court costs and received an invoice from the Jönköping County in the amount of 1 640 000 Swedish Kronor (€168 634). Linda Steen was denied an appeal in the Labor Court, but she will receive an invoice of 1.2 million Swedish Kronor (€123 391).
Attack Against a Catholic Bishop
May 29, 2017, SpainA Catholic bishop had to be escorted by the police after several dozens of people holding LGTB banners assaulted him at the entrance of the church after a service.
Cemetery Vandalized in Saint-Brès
May 27, 2017, FranceTwo teenagers entered the cemetery of Saint-Brès France and destroyed two graves, crosses, statues, and grave plates. The police were called and the two teenagers were identified through surveillance cameras.
Reparation Prayers for Abortion Banned by Hospital Management
May 27, 2017, SwitzerlandPrayers in reparation for the victims of abortion have been held in the chapel of the University Hospital (CHUV) in Lausanne on the 13th of every month for the past 10 years, organized by the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX). Pierre-Francois Leyvraz, the CEO of the hospital claimed not to have known about the events when the media contacted him. He informed the SSPX that they would no longer have access to the chapel and that the chapel will be closed on the 13th of each month to prevent the prayer meetings. He noted that abortion is legal and they will not permit people opposed to abortion to meet in the hospital chapel.
Cross at General De Gaulle's Grave Vandalized
May 27, 2017, FranceTwo unknown perpetrators were seen entering the cemetery of Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises, where General de Gaulle's grave is located. One of the two men was suspected of having climbed on the grave and reversed the cross of the grave. Police are investigating.
ISIS Graffiti on Catholic Church in Sweden
May 24, 2017, SwedenThe Catholic church in Västerås was vandalized in several places with graffiti with the Arabic letter “N,” which stands for Nazarene or Nasrani, the Arabic word for "Christian". In ISIS-controlled areas, this tag has been used in combination with attacks on Christian’s homes and properties. Its use has been used as a signal: convert, pay a tax or be killed. Members of the parish are both frightened and upset about this attack. Cardinal Anders Arborelius has stated that he believes this is the first time a Catholic church has been tagged with ISIS graffiti in Sweden.
Berlin's Left-Wing Politicians Opposed Cross on City Palace
May 20, 2017, GermanyThe Greens and the Left party objected to plans to put a cross on top of the rebuilt Stadtschloss, the future site of the Humboldt Forum, saying the plan endangers the "open cultural dialogue" intended for the site. The Humboldt Forum is an art and culture museum project.
Medical Director's Dismissal Reversed
May 20, 2017, GermanyOn May 19, 2017 the Lüneburg labor court ruled that the termination of Medical Clinic Director Markus Fröhling was unjustified. In February 2017, Fröhling was dismissed after publicly voicing his support for the former gynecology chief physician Thomas Börner, who declined to do abortions in his department. This support caused criticism by both the media and politicians.
Christian Bookshop in Marseille Vandalized
May 19, 2017, FranceThe children’s display case window of the bookshop “La Bible pour tous” (The Bible for All) was found vandalized some time during the night between the 18th and 19th of May with a black paint bomb and graffiti tags reading “neither God nor master” (“Ni Dieu ni maître”), along with the anarchist's "A". The bookstore is adjacent to the church église évangélique Action Biblique Marseille.
Church Vandalized by Graffiti
May 18, 2017, FranceThe church of Saint-Joseph was tagged with the slogan “Down with love, long live solidarity” (“à bas la charité, vive la solidarité”). The graffiti was painted with green spray paint.
Crown of the Virgin Stolen from the Musée de Fourvière
May 12, 2017, FranceThe crown of the Virgin, was stolen from the Museum of Religious Art in Fourviere, shortly before 3:30 am on the night of May 12th. Asking for prayers, the Fourvière Foundation denounced the theft and noted that it was the symbolic value of the crown that made the theft most painful as it was given by families in Lyon to prove their devotion to Notre-Dame de Fourvière.
News Article Used Pro-Life Rally Picture to Illustrate "Religious Extremism"
May 11, 2017, GermanyNews and email website GMX published an article by journalist Mathias Heim about a recently-published study correlating certain head trauma with religious "fundamentalism." Although the article begins with “The problem of the religious fundamentalists has been a topic in science even prior to IS-Terror”, and never mentions Christians or Christianity, the photograph accompanying the article, with the headline “Injuries in the brain can lead to religious extremism”, depicts a peaceful Christian pro-life demonstration. This clearly negatively stereotypes Christian pro-life activists as "extremists".
Tabernacle Stolen from Chapel
May 10, 2017, FranceThe tabernacle of the chapel of Collognes has been stolen. This theft is not the first for this small chapel, three years ago the statue of Virgin Mary was stolen and the collection boxes have been emptied several times. The parish is very upset and the local police have opened an investigation. The chapel will remain open to the public as it is on the pilgrimage route of Santiago de Compostela and St. Francis of Assisi and thus has many visitors throughout the year.
Barcelona Church Vandalized
May 9, 2017, SpainA Barcelona church has been vandalized by unknown vandals. The doors were painted with graffiti of the anarchist's A and statements such as “Get your rosaries out of our ovaries” (“Fora els vostres rosaris dels nostres ovaries”). It is estimated that more than 40 churches have been vandalized in Barcelona in recent months.
Attack and Desecration in Catholic Church in Castellón
May 9, 2017, SpainThe parish church of the small town of Teresa - 1 hour by car from Valencia - suffered a robbery and desecration on May 9th after one of the back doors of the temple was forced, the money from the alms was taken and the chalices containing consecrated forms were thrown to the ground.
Man Filmed Attacking Cross in Austria
May 8, 2017, AustriaA group of youths filmed a man as he attacked a life-sized Jesus figure on a cross in the church square of St. Marein. The man, identified by police as a "37-year-old from the Weiz district," first shook the cross to make it fall but when unsuccessful he then proceeded to rip out a wind organ from the ground and hit the cross with it. The man’s rampage continued within the church grounds as he broke the two glass doors of the parish and several flower pots before being arrested. Damage is estimated to be well over €15,000.
Monastery in Alicante Vandalized
May 7, 2017, SpainOn the morning of May 7th the chaplain of the Monastery de la Santa Faz discovered seven intentionally-inverted crosses on the columns of the sanctuary, Satanic symbols on the armored glass case that protects the Santa Faz relics. Additionally, a liturgical prayer book and the diary where the acts of worship are recorded were stolen. Police opened a forensic investigation.
Molotov Cocktail Thrown at Virgin of the Helpless Image
May 2, 2017, SpainA Molotov Cocktail was thrown at the carving of the Virgin of the Desamparados (Virgin of the Forsaken) in the church of Real Convento de Santiago in Vélez-Málaga. The 17th century carving did not burn, but the base, skirt, and mantle were stained by the homemade device containing gasoline. A young man was seen running from the scene and police began an investigation.
Facebook Page Celebrates Arson of Churches
May 1, 2017, SpainA Spanish Facebook page appears to celebrate, and perhaps encourage, church arson by using the anarchistic slogan “The only church that illuminates is the one that burns” (“La única iglesia que ilumina es la que arde”). The Facebook page's profile picture is a burning church. Other photos posted on the page include cartoons mocking Christianity and the Catholic Church.
Defenders of Public Cross of Callosa Threatened
May 1, 2017, SpainResidents of Callosa de Segura opposed the City Council's decision to remove a cross next to the parish church entrance and took turns guarding it to prevent its removal. In response, they became the targets of threatening graffiti. On May 1st, graffiti appeared with a message aimed at the spokesman of the PP parliamentary group Javier Perez: “Javier Perez is dead” (“Javier Perez estas muerto”) and the second read: “A bomb to the cross” (“Una bomba a la cruz”). On May 17, 2017, a high court dismissed Perez's appeal to stop the removal of the cross but the case could still go to the supreme court.
Three Churches Discovered Vandalized in Three Days
May 1, 2017, SpainUnknown perpetrators broke windows and doors, damaged the altar and scattered objects in church of Santa Maria de Vallvidrera. Nothing was stolen. The parish of Sant Ildefons and the Hermitage of Santa Margarida were vandalized with graffiti, the former stating “the only church that illuminates is one that burns” and the latter “neither God nor country, nor King” (“la única iglesia que ilumina es la que arde” and “ni Dios, ni patria, ni Rey”). In the Hermitage of Santa Margarida the assailants also vandalized the interior by destroying vases, candle holders and other decorative items.
Burning Cross Painted on Convent of Cloistered Nuns
April 30, 2017, SpainThe façade of the church of Santa Magdalena at the convent was vandalized with graffiti of an inverted and burning cross. The Palma Police's Hate Crimes Unit took charge of the investigation and said it appeared the purpose of the graffiti was to try to intimidate the Christian community, particularly the religious women who live in the cloistered convent. Evidence appears to indicate that the graffiti was the work an extreme Leftist group.
ISIS Supporter Jailed
April 29, 2017, United KingdomThe ISIS supporter Akeem Samuels has been sentenced to jail for four years by a court in the United Kingdom. Akeem Samuels posted videos on Instagram where he encouraged terror attacks on Christians.
Christian Prison Preacher to Appeal Tribunal Ruling
April 27, 2017, United KingdomA Christian prison worker who felt he had no option but to resign after being disciplined for quoting from the Bible during a prison chapel service, will challenge an Employment Tribunal's ruling that the prison was right to discipline him. In March 2016, the Employment Tribunal ruled that Barry Trayhorn spoke of God's forgiveness in an "insensitive" way which "failed to have regard for the special nature of the congregation in the prison".
The Head of a Jesus Statue Used as a Toilet in Illegal Migrant Camp
April 26, 2017, ItalyDuring an inspection by Regional Councilor for Agriculture of the Northern League, Stefano Mai, of an illegal migrant camp in Ventimiglia, the head of a marble statue of Jesus was found covered with excrement and urine. The head had possibly been taken from a local cemetery and then used as a makeshift toilet. The discovery caused anger and upset in the local community and Councilor Mai publicly denounced the situation.
Expelled Christian Student Wins Right to Face High Court
April 26, 2017, United KingdomFelix Ngole was expelled from the University of Sheffield in 2016 for writing a post on his private Facebook page in which he quoted Leviticus stating that homosexuality was sinful. Deputy High Court Judge James Lewis has allowed Ngole to take his case to the High Court in London and a ruling is expected after a trial this fall.
Statue of St. Paul Decapitated in Luxembourg; Left on Priest's Doorstep
April 25, 2017, LuxembourgA statue of St. Paul near the church in Dalheim was discovered decapitated. The head was later found left on the doorstep of the local priest’s home. The discovery worried the priest, but the mayor decided simply to have the head re-attached onto the statue, rather than initiate an investigation. When asked if he thought the act was a symbolic gesture, the mayor said it could have been just a "random act." The priest said he was "reassured" but if it happened again, he would have to make his own security arrangements.
Virgin and Child Mosaic Vandalized in Málaga
April 24, 2017, SpainThe ceramic image of the Virgen del Carmen de Huelin located on the seafront of a popular neighborhood of Málaga was damaged by vandals who broke the tiles composing the faces of the Virgin Mary and Jesus.
Syrian Women Vandalized Church in Rennes-le-Château
April 23, 2017, FranceOn the morning of April 23rd, a young Syrian women vandalized the church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine. The woman, dressed in a white cloak and face hidden behind a Venetian mask, attacked the holy water font with an ax, decapitated the famous "red devil" (a statue of the demon Asmodeus from the Old Testament), and placed a Quran next to his chopped-off arm. She then lacerated the bas-relief of Mary Magdalene's altar in front of shocked witnesses.
Croatian Theatre Festival Included Play with Jesus Christ Rape Scene
April 22, 2017, CroatiaA theater festival in Split was to include a controversial play which depicts Jesus Christ raping a Muslim woman wearing a hijab. This drew strong condemnation from Croatia's Catholic Church.
Church was Robbed and Vandalized in Onnaing
April 22, 2017, FranceThe sacristy of the church of Sainte-Maria-Goretti was broken into and vandalized. Wall tiles of the sacristy were broken, as well as candles and seats. Mass wine was stolen.
Cemetery Desecrated in Fouchécourt
April 22, 2017, FranceIt is estimated that a dozen graves were desecrated, including Christian graves, and one coffin was opened at a cemetery near Fouchécourt between the 21st and 22nd April 2017. The local community is upset and angry.
Church Vandalized with Graffiti
April 21, 2017, FranceDuring the Easter weekend the Church Saint-Géry in Quévy was vandalized with graffiti. The porch outside the church and sculptures inside the church, as well as the sacristy, were vandalized.
Jehovah’s Witnesses Outlawed in Russia
April 21, 2017, RussiaThe Russian Supreme Court has ruled that Jehovah’s Witnesses are an “extremist” religious group and therefore they have outlawed them. A Jehovah’s Witnesses spokesperson has stated that the group is “greatly disappointed by this development and deeply concerned about how this will affect our religious activity”. A spokesman of a Russian Baptist Evangelical union had defined the de-legalisation of the Jehovah’s Witnesses as an “unreasonable and dangerous step.” The Ministry of Justice “is beginning to distinguish between proper and improper believers. What will prevent these same officials tomorrow from condemning, say, the Evangelical Christians-Baptists, (Orthodox) Old Believers or Catholics? I think this approach is fundamentally wrong”, Vitaly Vlasenko, of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists said.
Repeated Vandalism of Church in Hume
April 19, 2017, FranceThe Parish of Gujan-Le Teich in Hume was vandalized again, after having been previously vandalized in June 2016. This time a motorcycle, which had been left blocking the handicapped rail, was burned during the night and the fire could have easily spread to the chapel.
Arson in Church in Liege
April 19, 2017, BelgiumDuring the Easter holidays, candles were stolen from the Church of Seny in Liege and on April 19th, the Church was damaged by arson from candles set on fire in their plastic packaging.
French Visa denied to Eastern Christians on Ideological Grounds
April 18, 2017, FranceDuring an interview Jean-Jacques Brot, a French official responsible for the mission to host Syrian and Iraqi refugees, admitted that Eastern Christians who apply for visas often have the applications denied by French officials due to “their convictions” or “ideological grounds” (“leurs conviction” or “motifs idéologiques”).