All cases
Nurse Fired for Talking about Faith with Patients
August 31, 2016, United KingdomA Christian nurse was fired for "gross misconduct" by the NHS for talking to her patients about her faith and occasionally offering prayer to help them prepare for surgery. Part of her job was to help patients complete a questionnaire, which included a question about religion.
Albanians Threaten to Burn Serbs and their Churches
August 28, 2016, KosovoAttempts by Serbs to mark the religious holiday of Assumption in several towns in Kosovo and Metohija were met with road blocks, threats of burning, rocks, tear gas, and an attack on the car of the deputy director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Dusan Kozarev.
Vandalism and Attempted Arson in Hautmont Church
August 27, 2016, FrancePolice opened an investigation after a bystander reported smelling smoke from the church of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption. Investigators discovered damaged statues, as well as missals, songbooks, and wreaths knocked to the floor. The altar tablecloth was burnt, but the fire did not spread to the rest of the church.
Four Summit Crosses Damaged in the Bavarian Alps
August 27, 2016, GermanyFrom May to August 2016 four wooden summit crosses in the Bad Tölz-Wolfrashausen region were destroyed by unknown perpetrators using an ax.
Nice Deputy Mayor Confirms "Burkini Ban" Also Applies to Nuns' Habits on Beaches
August 26, 2016, FranceRudy Salles defended the ban of the "Burkini" and said that the same ban would apply to Catholic nuns wearing habits on Nice beaches.
Mass Interrupted by Intruder Yelling Insults at Cardinal
August 26, 2016, SpainCardinal Archbishop of Valencia, Antonio Cañizares was offering Mass in Avila dedicated to St. Teresa of Avila when he was interrupted by an individual who entered the church shouting insults at the Cardinal such as “Nazi, thief, Fascist.”
Man Arrested After Threatening to "Kill a Priest" in Ariege
August 25, 2016, FranceA thirty-year-old man was arrested by police after witnesses reported hearing him threaten several times to "kill a priest" and yelling "Allah Akbar." The man claimed it was a joke and was found to have been under the influence of narcotics.
Belgian Police Arrested Teen Pledging to Kill All Christians
August 22, 2016, BelgiumThe 17-year-old boy was filmed declaring in Arabic, “Oh Allah, destroy the odious Christians. Oh Allah kill them all.”
Religious Statues Decapitated
August 19, 2016, LuxembourgA resident of Weilerlach discovered religious statues of Jesus and Joseph decapitated by unknown vandals in a public park. The police are investigating.
Verviers Church Vandalized
August 19, 2016, BelgiumThe last remaining stained glass window in the church of Sainte-Julienne was destroyed on August 19th by stones. A few months earlier the other windows of the church had been similarly damaged, forcing the church to erect protective fences. Costs to restore and repair the damage is estimated to be considerable.
Afghan Christian Attacked by Four Muslim Refugees
August 17, 2016, GermanyAn Afghan refugee (31) who converted from Islam to Christianity was attacked by four Muslim Afghans in Maintal near Frankfurt am Main. They shouted “Allahu Akbar” and said that they were going to kill him.
Catholic Church Vandalized a Week After Board Denied CCTV Permission
August 16, 2016, SwedenAn unknown person threw a rock through the window of the Catholic church in Karlstad a week after the city's administrative board denied permission for the church to install CCTV cameras.
Antitheist Murders Flatmate for her Christian Faith
August 15, 2016, GermanyDaniel E. was sentenced to life in prison on January 30, 2017 for the August 2016 premeditated murder of his Christian flatmate. The self-proclaimed "antitheist" admitted killing her because of his hatred of all religion. The judge said, "He killed her as a representative of her religion because he could not kill all believers.”
Christian Asylum Seeker Attacked for Faith
August 14, 2016, GermanyA young Christian asylum seeker was approached by several men on the street near Berlin and was asked whether he is Christian. When he said yes, he was insulted in Arabic and badly beaten.
Stained Glass Windows Destroyed in Church
August 14, 2016, FranceAt least 40 stones were thrown at four stained glass windows in a church in Delme, possibly using slingshots from outside the church. Damage is estimated to be 20,000 euros. Police are investigating.
Statue of Virgin Mary Beheaded in Alpes de Haute-Provence
August 14, 2016, FranceDuring the weekend of August 14th, a hiker discovered the chapel door forced open and the statue of Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette removed from its display, decapitated, and left outside the building with its head at its feet. Police are investigating.
City Church in Indre-et-Loire Vandalized
August 14, 2016, FranceThe church of Notre Dame in Vouvray was vandalized with black spray paint during the weekend of August 14, 2016 with a message accusing the church of fundamentalism and calling Christianity a sect: "Intégriste Christianize = Secte." An investigation was initiated.
U.S. Baptist Minister Arrested, Convicted Under Missionary Activity Law
August 14, 2016, RussiaDonald Ossewaarde was arrested on August 14th as he conducted a bible study group in his home. He is first foreign missionary to be charged with violating Russia's law banning missionary activity outside officially registered church buildings.
Church Desecrated in Grandate
August 13, 2016, ItalyDuring the night of August 13, 2016, unknown persons forced open the door of the church of San Bartolomeo in the Como province and attempted to break open the tabernacle containing consecrated Hosts, broke the marble lectern, and topped the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, breaking her hands and nose.
Mass of the Assumption Banned by Authorities
August 11, 2016, TurkeyAfter 88 years of closure, the Panagia Sumela Monastery in Trabzon, was reopened in June 2010 and since then, the Turkish authorities had given a license for a yearly Mass to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to celebrate the Mass of the Assumption. This year, the authorization was administratively revoked.