All cases

Knife Attacker in Hamburg Wanted to Kill Christians and Young People

July 28, 2017, Germany

One 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, Germany

The 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, Austria

Unknown 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, Germany

In 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, Spain

Police 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, Sweden

Sweden 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, Belgium

Unknown 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 Kingdom

Justine 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, France

An 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, Belgium

On Sunday morning before Mass, Fr. Pierre Jehenson discovered that two ciboriums had been stolen from the tabernacle of the village church of Rossignol.