All cases

Catalan Club Received Complaints for Offensive Show

April 7, 2017, Spain

A club in Barcelona received several complaints after its Good Friday show included an actor dressed as Jesus dancing with a cross. Adults who attended the show were offended and started a petition to ensure that the show was not repeated. They called the show “a mockery to the religion of Christianity to its believers and what it really means to celebrate Easter” (“una burla hacia la religión cristiana, hacia sus creyentes ya lo que realmente significa la celebración de Semana Santa”).

Church Vandalized in Blois

April 7, 2017, France

The Church of Saint-Saturnin de Vineuil was vandalized sometime between March 8th and March 30th. The Diocese lodged a complaint with the police for "degradation of the property of others on account of religion by means dangerous for people."

Mongolia Magazine Puts "Transgender Jesus" on Cover

April 6, 2017, Spain

In response to the bus campaign of Hazte Oír promoting a traditional view of gender with the slogans "Boys have penises; girls have vulvas. Do not be deceived," Mongolia magazine used an image of a transgender Jesus as its cover image. The magazine cover also has slogans such as “God has a penis” and “God has a vulva” (“Dios tiene pene” and Dios tiene vulva”).

Christmas and Easter School Holidays to Change Names

April 6, 2017, Spain

The Christmas and Easter school holidays will be re-named "first and second period" in the region of Castile and Leon in Spain for the academic year 2017/18 so as to be disassociated with the Christian holidays.

German Family's Homeschooling Case Filed at European Court of Human Rights

April 6, 2017, Germany

The Wunderlich family brought its case against Germany to the European Court of Human Rights in April 2017. In 2013, the Christian parents began homeschooling their children. German authorities took temporary custody of the children and imposed criminal penalties on the parents for not sending their children to school. The European Court of Human Rights will examine whether Germany violated the Wunderlich’s fundamental right of parents to direct the education of their children.

Bulgarian Justice Ministry Proposes Ban on Foreign Financing of Religious Groups

April 4, 2017, Bulgaria

The Justice Ministry of Bulgaria has presented a draft bill that would ban foreign countries from financing religious groups in the country, unless an inter-state treaty is in effect. The bill would require that foreign citizens serving as religious workers be fluent in Bulgarian and that no Bulgarian citizen can do the work. This could affect Roman Catholic and Protestant churches, as well as Islam and Judaism.

Church Leaders and Prime Minister Criticized National Trust

April 4, 2017, United Kingdom

The Church of England accused the National Trust of “airbrushing” Christianity out of Easter festivities, after it renamed “Easter Egg Trail” as the “Great British Egg Hunt.” Cadbury, which sponsors the event, said it wanted the event to appeal to non-Christians, saying: “We invite people from all faiths and none to enjoy our seasonal treats.” The Prime Minister said “[Easter is] a very important festival for the Christian faith for millions across the world. So I think what the National Trust is doing is frankly just ridiculous.”

National Police Investigate Hacking of HazteOir.org

April 4, 2017, Spain

HazteOir.org, the group behind a Christian anti-gender ideology publicity campaign using a bus, suffered a computer attack on some of its old accounts and social networks on April 4, 2017. The self-identified "cybercriminals" attempted to use the stolen information to blackmail and extort the president of the group on social networks.

At Least Four Shrines Vandalized in Saint-Expédit

April 4, 2017, France

On April 4, 2017 a witness reported the disappearance and decapitation of several religious statuettes in roadside shrines in Saint-Expedit, in the east of Réunion. This comes two days after the devastation of the site of the Black Madonna. In a shrine at the exit of the village of Bois-Blanc, the body, foot, and head of a statuette were left broken and scattered on the altar. The other statues had been taken, but offerings remained untouched. Nearby, at a shrine on the way to Cambourg in Saint-Benoît, four statuettes were decapitated. On the route de la Plaine, the well-known shrine, all statues were missing, and an auditor confirmed that this was also the case in the shrine located in the Jamaican sector in Saint-Denis.

Church Vandalized by Youths

April 4, 2017, France

In the afternoon of April 4th, two adolescents entered the Church of Saints Pierre-et-Paul, emptied the fire extinguishers and broke several candles.

Motion Filed for Catholic Church to Pay Property Tax

April 4, 2017, Spain

The political party "Ahora Getafe" has filed a motion for the Catholic Church and other religious entities to pay property taxes, despite its exemption. Due to the Concordat Agreements of the Spanish State with the Holy See in 1979, the Catholic Church was given a variety of privileges including not having to pay property taxes.

Statue of the Virgin of Lourdes of Higuera de la Sierra Found Decapitated

April 3, 2017, Spain

On April 3, 2017 neighbors discovered that the head of statue, which sits at the opening of a cave of the Paraje de las Tobas, in the region of the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche, had been removed. The Civil Guard investigated.

Verviers Church Targeted with Graffiti

April 3, 2017, Belgium

The Sainte-Julienne church in Verviers (province of Liège) was sprayed with black paint on the walls and the side door of the building with messages such as: "Welcome to Hell" and "Apocalypsy".

Multiple Attacks against Christian Statues in the Münsterland Region

April 3, 2017, Germany

Six statues were vandalized from March 22 - 29, 2017, bringing the total number of incidents to 62 since the end of October 2016.

Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes Decapitated in Spain

April 3, 2017, Spain

The statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in a cave of the Paraje de las Tobas, a natural area of ​​the Sierra de Huelva, was decapitated and its hands were broken off. The head was found, but the civil guard continued to search for the hands as well as the perpetrators.

The Armenian Evangelical Church in Alfortville Targeted Twice in One Week

April 2, 2017, France

On April 2, 2017, the Pastor and his wife were awakened by flames that lit up the window of their room above the church. A rubbish bin filled with gasoline had been set on fire in front of the building's door. Firefighters were called and immediately intervened. The fire was brought under control and only the facade and the cross were blackened by the flames. A week earlier, the building had been stoned, destroying the double glazing of the front door. The Pastor noted that stoning incident immediately followed the visit of an Iraqi pastor who came to talk about the situation of the Eastern Christians. Police are investigating.

Site of the Black Madonna Ransacked on Réunion; Cross of the Jubilee Destroyed

April 2, 2017, France

On April 2, 2017, a groundskeeper discovered the statue of the Black Madonna Rivière-des-Pluies (la Vierge Noire à la Rivière-des-Pluies) had been thrown to the ground and completely destroyed at a religious site where many faithful go to pray. The Cross of the Jubilee, placed in front of the church, was also vandalized. The priest of the parish expressed shock and disappointment that “people will desecrate holy places” and said that the site would be temporarily closed while the gendarmerie investigated. Parishioners expressed shock, sadness, and anger at the destruction.

Christian Convert Murdered in Front of her Children

April 1, 2017, Germany

A female Afghan Christian convert was stabbed to death by an Afghan asylum seeker in front of her children in front of a supermarket in Prien am Chiemsee. The 29-year old Muslim attacker yelled at Farina S. before stabbing her. He continued to stab her until an off-duty policeman and several witnesses dragged him aside. The woman, who moved to Bavaria six years earlier, died of her wounds. The victim’s family is convinced that the motive for the attack was the 38-year old woman’s religion. The police report: "For us, only facts count. But there is evidence of a religious motive for this act that we are pursuing."

Christian Youth Organizations Will No Longer Work Alongside Public Youth Agencies

March 30, 2017, Switzerland

Ten Swiss Christian youth federations working with 10,000 young people every year will no longer have the support of the public authorities. The decision of the federal government (“Bundesrat”) comes after decades of successful collaboration.

Cross Stolen in Ille-et-Vilaine

March 29, 2017, France

The public calvary cross (calvaire) in city of Ille-et-Vilaine was stolen by unknown perpetrators.

Zaragoza City Council Initiated Proceeding to Claim Public Ownership of Cathedral and Church

March 28, 2017, Spain

The municipal government's proceedings are an attempt to nullify the inmatriculación (entry into the property registry) of La Catedral de San Salvador de Zaragoza, known La Seo and Iglesia de La Magdalena by claiming the buildings are public property. The spokesman for the Archbishop of Zaragoza, José Antonio Calvo, replied that that the city cannot prevail because the Church has owned the buildings since the 12th century.

Journalist Calls Bishop Sexist and Homophobic

March 27, 2017, Spain

Spanish Journalist Fernando Pérez Monguió published a blog post about the Bishop of Cordoba, Demetrio Fernández, in which he called him "a fanatic and a dangerously sexist and homophobic prelate." He accused the Bishop of having attacked the honor and dignity of homosexuals and women and demanded an apology. Among the writer's complaints were the Bishop's remarks against abortion, homosexuality, and gender ideology -- each of which are consistent with the teaching of the Catholic Church.

RTVE Apologizes to Viewers

March 26, 2017, Spain

The Spanish Radio and Television Network RTVE apologized to viewers for broadcasting the performance of the Gala Drag Queen of Las Palmas. Many viewers were upset as the winning act portrayed the Virgin Mary and during the act transformed into a crucified Christ.

Politicians of Ponferrada Demand Removal of Holy Week Exhibition in School

March 23, 2017, Spain

The Ponferrada en Común (PeC), el Partido Comunista (PCE) e Izquierda Unida (IU) demanded immediate closure of a Holy Week exhibition in a public school by the Confraternity of Jesus of Nazareth (la Real Hermandad Jesús Nazareno). The political groups argued that such an exhibition “should not take place in a public school in a state that is defined as non-denominational.” They also claimed that the display "endangered safety at the school" as it is in a corridor that could be needed in an emergency.

Court Finds Discrimination against Jehovah's Witness

March 22, 2017, Sweden

The Swedish Court of Appeals concluded that a Jehovah's Witness was discriminated against on the basis of his religious convictions by the public Job Center (arbetsförmedlingen).

Thirty-two Graves Desecrated at the Batignolles Cemetery in Paris

March 20, 2017, France

Between 16 and 20 March, 2017 during the night, 32 graves - mostly Christian - were excavated and searched. Officials presume the perpetrators were looking for valuables. A thorough inspection of the cemetery of 15,000 graves, on about ten hectares, was carried out. Surveillance of the premises was strengthened.

Anti-Christian Crimes Recorded as "Islamophobia"

March 18, 2017, United Kingdom

Freedom of Information inquiries made by the Network of Sikh Organisations revealed that the London Metropolitan Police recorded 1,227 incidents of Islamophobic hate crime in 2016, but in 57 of these incidents the victim was not contacted, in 86 the religion of the victim was unknown, and 85 of the reported cases were ‘blank’. 19 Hindus, 11 atheists, 43 Christians and four Sikhs were victims.

Basilica in Valencia Vandalized

March 17, 2017, Spain

The Basilica of the Mare de Deu dels Desamparats was vandalized with offensive graffiti on the walls and black paint thrown on the mosaic of the Virgin Mary over several days, beginning during the night between March 11th and 12th. Citizens, as well as the Archbishop, denounced the acts.

Mother and Son Arrested for Church Theft

March 16, 2017, Switzerland

Police in Givisiez arrested a 46-year-old woman and her 27-year-old son for the theft of donation boxes from a chapel in Bulle and two churches in Freiburg.

University Students Want Pro-Life Posters Removed

March 16, 2017, United Kingdom

Aberdeen University students petitioned to have a pro-life poster removed from campus, claiming it was “actively harmful” to women. The Catholic chaplaincy on the campus displayed posters for a 40 Days of Life event, featuring people holding signs and prayer vigils outside the city’s maternity hospital during Lent.

Muslims Encouraged to Marry Christians to Spread Islam in Spain

March 15, 2017, Spain

Hundreds of posters were hung around the El Raval neighborhood of Barcelona encouraging Muslim men to take Christian wives, saying that they were permitted and encouraged to marry "honest and chaste women of the Book" (meaning Christians) for the purpose of increasing the population of Muslims in the region. The posters read "Brother, join in alliance with a Spanish woman, teach her that Islam is the only true religion. Islamic law dictates that the fruits of this alliance will follow Islam, which will further strengthen our community." It appears these posters are part of the "right-to-return" movement to "Restore Al-Andalus" -- that is, Muslim Spain.

Polish Universities Cancelled Pro-Life Speaker After Protests

March 14, 2017, Poland

In early March, the legal advocacy group Ordo Iuris and several student organizations invited Rebecca Kiessling, an American pro-life speaker, to give speeches at several universities in Poland. While all of the universities had initially agreed to hold the events, they abruptly cancelled the events or modified the format, after leftist groups protested.

Man Arrested for Church Vandalism

March 14, 2017, Luxembourg

Officials were called when smoke was seen coming from the church of Bettembourg. When they arrived they found a man had set fire to flags inside the church and had destroyed statues and other objects. Motive is not clear and an investigation is underway.

Court: Employers May Prohibit Employees from Wearing Religious Symbols

March 14, 2017, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)

On March 14, 2017, the European Court of Justice put employers' interest in "neutrality" above employees' exercise of religious freedom in a landmark judgment. The Court ruled that employers can prohibit the visible wearing of any political, philosophical or religious sign in the workplace.

Las Palmas Prosecutor Investigating Performance of Drag Queen as Christ

March 13, 2017, Spain

At the request of the Association of Christian Lawyers, the prosecutor's office initiated a criminal investigation of the performance of a "drag queen" dressed as the Virgin Mary and then as Jesus Christ during the Carnival celebrations. The office stated that because Carnival is so closely related to the Christian observance of the beginning of Lent, the performance was intentionally offensive to religious feelings. The Bishop's Conference called it "blasphemous."

Attempted Arson at Church in Nantes

March 12, 2017, France

In the evening of March 12th, firefighters were called to the Church of Saint-Luc after unknown perpetrators set fire to the outside wall of the church using combustible materials they had placed against the outer wall. The fire was described as "intense," but firefighters, police and two CRS buses arrived quickly and were able to subdue the fire and minimize the damage.

Arson in Church in Puget-Ville

March 12, 2017, France

The Church of the Immaculate Conception was vandalized and the victim of arson on March 12th. Father Eloi Legrand, calling it a profanation, reported that the altar linen was set on fire, candle wax spread on the altar and throughout the church, and items of devotion were broken and scattered in the church. The gendarmerie have found a small hand print and Father Legrand filed a complaint.

Man Arrested for Theft from Donation Boxes from Lambach Church

March 10, 2017, France

A 30-year-old man was arrested after police were alerted. He was found with cash and tools used to retrieve money from the boxes: a long rod with double-sided tape.

The Local Police Hate Crime Unit in Palma Investigate Multiple Acts of Vandalism against Churches

March 9, 2017, Spain

The Local Police Hate Crime Unit in Palma is investigating various acts of vandalism committed in recent months against several churches in the Balearic capital.

Government in Valencia Attempted to Stop Religion Lessons in Schools

March 9, 2017, Spain

The Ximo Puig Government in Valencia created obstacles for the hiring of new teachers of religion by introducing new certification requirements. One affected teacher said, "three weeks ago, on the spot and without written notice," the Ministry of Education of the Valencian Community informed the Archbishopric of Valencia that all new teachers of religion must have the CAP (Certificate of Pedagogical Attitude ), or to have completed a Master's Degree in Teacher Training in Secondary Education, Baccalaureate, Vocational Training, and Teaching of Languages. This is in addition to the certificate known as DECA (Document of Ecclesiastical Suitability), provided by the Spanish Episcopal Conference.

Regional Government of Andalucía Cancels School Procession for Holy Week

March 8, 2017, Spain

School children in Dos Hermanas, Seville, were prohibited from celebrating their usual children's Holy Week procession by the regional government. The government claimed it cancelled the event because of time constraints, but parents of the affected children insist it was cancelled due to a complaint by a secular association.

Leftists in Seville Seeks to Change the Coat of Arms

March 8, 2017, Spain

The Izquierda Unida (United Left) coalition in Seville wishes to change the coat of arms of the city as they say that its image is "not a representation of democracy" in the 21st century. Currently, the coat of arms is an image of King Fernando III, canonized as a saint, flanked by St. Isidore and St. Leander. The word "Mariana" also appears on the shield, added by Franco to represent the city's devotion to the Virgin Mary.

The Mayor of Zarazoga Prohibits the Traditional Firefighters Mass

March 8, 2017, Spain

The Mayor of Zarazoga and the local coalition government prohibited the Firefighters to continue with their tradition to celebrate Mass in their firehouse for the feast of San Juan de Dios.

Columnist Calls Immigration Minister's Crucifix Necklace a Symbol of Xenophobia

March 6, 2017, Norway

Sven Egil Omdal, a veteran journalist and editor who currently works as a commentator for newspaper Stavanger Aftenblad, noted that Sylvi Listhaug, Norway’s government minister in charge of immigration and asylum issues, had been wearing a cross necklace much more often than in the past. “Am I claiming that she uses the cross as a political statement to appeal to that strange group who thinks that fear of foreigners is a Christian virtue?” Omdal queried on social media. “Yes, that’s basically what I’m doing.”

Anti-Gender Ideology Campaign Censored

March 3, 2017, Spain

HazteOir.org painted a bus to circulate around Madrid with the words "Boys have penises, girls have vaginas. Don't be fooled. If you’re born a man, you’re a man. If you’re a woman, you’ll always be a woman" and publicized a pamphlet it created for parents: "Do you know what they want to teach your child at school? The laws of sexual indoctrination." The Madrid City Council authorized the seizure of the bus without a court order on March 2, 2017.

Primary School Teacher Suspended after Reading Bible Verses to Pupils

March 3, 2017, France

After a group of parents sent a letter of complaint, the school's headmaster suspended the Malicornay teacher. The teacher will remain under suspension pending an investigation into whether he was proselytizing in violation of secularism laws or simply studying the texts with the students. The city's mayor has denounced the suspension as extreme.

Spanish Councilman Officiated Wedding Dressed as a Priest

March 3, 2017, Spain

Councilman Javier Botella of Levatemos El Puerto officiated at a wedding of his childhood friends in a priest costume. He was wearing an F.C. Barcelona scarf as a stole and a black cassock with golden edges. He posted a picture of himself and the newly married couple on Facebook and was immediately criticized for ridiculing the Church and the sacrament of marriage in his public capacity.

Two Street Preachers Convicted of Public Order Offenses

February 28, 2017, United Kingdom

Michael Overd and Michael Stockwell were convicted on February 28, 2017 after a public prosecutor claimed that quoting parts of the King James Bible in the context of modern British society "must be considered to be abusive and is a criminal matter". After a four-day trial, the men were found guilty under Section 31 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, for using "threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress, thereby, and the offence was religiously aggravated."

Government Announces Compulsory Sex Education

February 28, 2017, United Kingdom

The government announced that sex and relationships education will become compulsory in all of England's schools. Relationships education will be compulsory for all pupils from the age of four years, but parents will have the right to withdraw their children from sexual education program. Critics view the law as weakening the influence of parents' right to educate their children about sex and relationships.

Oxford Lecturer Refused to take Christian Convert's Questions about Islam

February 27, 2017, United Kingdom

A trainee Church of England priest at Oxford University, an Iranian-born convert from Islam, claimed he wasn’t allowed to ask critical questions about Islam during a seminar and has accused the university of discrimination and bias and made a formal complaint.