All cases
Historic Church the Victim of Arson
February 12, 2017, United KingdomThe Church of the Ascension in Salford was completely destroyed by a fire which was described as arson by police. It was built in 1869 and had recently undergone a £250,000 restoration with funds raised over three years. CCTV footage reportedly shows a young man running from the church at the time the fire broke out.
Vienna Church Vandalized with Anarchist Graffiti
February 11, 2017, AustriaThe outside walls of the church of Maria am Gestade was sprayed with the anarchist A symbol and the word "Antifa."
National Theatre's School Performances use Statue of Virgin Mary as Symbol of Extremism
February 9, 2017, SlovakiaThe Slovak National Theatre visited schools with a performance about the dangers of extremism, depicting the true story of a Roma family being attacked by skinheads in 2009. Without any explanation, the stage setting includes a statue of the Virgin Mary in front of a swastika symbol. A complaint has been filed on the grounds that this has insulted and defamed the Catholic Church by implying that the Church was somehow complicit in the crime.
Norwegian Court Ruled Against Catholic Doctor
February 9, 2017, NorwayOn February 9, 2017, a Norwegian court ruled against Katarzyna Jachimowicz, a Polish Catholic doctor who sued after she was fired for refusing to insert intrauterine devices (IUDs). Jachimowicz v. the Municipality of Sauherad was the first case in Norway in which a medical professional sued over conscience rights.
LGBT Lobby Attempts to Block Lecture by Gay Author; Demanded Apology
February 7, 2017, SpainTwo LGBT groups in Barcelona demanded that the Archdiocese prohibit a February 11, 2017 lecture by Philippe Ariño in the parish of Santa Ana on the grounds that the content would be "seriously homophobic" in violation of Catalonia anti-discrimination law. The lecture by a young French Catholic man who is homosexual and advocates celibacy as a means to resist homosexual urges was organized by the Youth Delegation of the Archdiocese. The LGBT groups have also demanded an apology from the Archbishop.
Arson in Private Chapel in Omessa
February 6, 2017, FranceThe owner of the chapel of Santa Rita, which he renovated, discovered the door had been forced open, cards and a rosary were left on the altar and set on fire. Luckily, the fire did not spread to the rest of the chapel.
Church Funeral Disrupted by Man Shouting Koran Verses and Calling Mourners "Infidels"
February 3, 2017, GermanyA 33-year-old Muslim man from the western Balkans was charged with criminal interference with the exercise of religion after he interrupted a funeral service at the Christuskirche in Schnaittacher, shouting "I curse you and your religion."
NHS does not Record Religious Discrimination
February 2, 2017, United KingdomThe National Health Service has confirmed, in response to a question from a Member of Parliament, that it does not collect information on instances of discrimination against NHS staff on the basis of their faith.
French Ministry of the Interior Reports 949 Anti-Christian Incidents in 2016
February 1, 2017, FranceAccording to the Ministry of the Interior, 949 anti-Christian incidents - 399 acts of vandalism and 191 cases of theft of worship items - were recorded on the French territory in 2016 but this does not include the hacking of Catholic websites which were said to number 112 by the French Observatory of Christianophobia.
Convent in Avon the Victim of Theft and Desecration
January 31, 2017, FranceUnknown perpetrators broke into the convent of the Carmelites of Avon during the night of January 31, 2017, stole computer equipment, holy objects, and broke open the tabernacle containing consecrated Hosts.
Magistrate Disciplined for Refusing to Hear Same Sex Parenting Case
January 30, 2017, United KingdomThe Judicial Conduct Investigations Office ordered Susan Preston to stand down from hearing future family cases, after she declined to sit on a case involving same-sex parenting due to her personal views.
Two Arson Attempts on Village Church in Rochecorbon
January 29, 2017, FranceTwo minors were arrested after police discovered they were responsible for two separate fires at the church of Notre-Dame in the parish of Saint-Marin-Saint-Vincent en Vouvrillon. The first fire was set on January 27, 2017, with the curtains of a confessional burnt; the second fire was set in the confessional itself.
Swedish Pro-Life Midwife Publicly Bullied by Journalists
January 28, 2017, SwedenOn the national Swedish Morning news, a journalist said: ”Those who are against abortion should be aborted. Retroactively.” And everybody in the panel laughed. Just before that, pictures of Christian midwife Ellinor Grimmark and her attorneys were shown on the screen. This occurred during the week Grimmark's lawyers defended her case in the Swedish Labour Court.
Infant Jesus Stolen from Manger in Noyon Cathedral
January 27, 2017, FranceOn January 27, 2017 the figure of the infant Jesus was stolen from a crèche in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Noyon on the same day that a funeral Mass for Father Serge Maroun was celebrated.
Church Bells in Two Towns Ordered Silenced by Courts
January 22, 2017, SlovakiaAfter a complaint by a resident in Pezinok about the volume of the local church bells, and another complaint by a different resident in Svinna, courts have ordered the church to reduce the volume or silence the bells in each town.
A Statue of the Virgin Mary Attacked and Damaged
January 22, 2017, SpainUnknown people stole the crown of the statue of the Virgin Mary on January 22nd around 6pm. A finger of the figure, as well as an arm of the statue of the Child Jesus, were also broken.
Attack against a Catholic Parish Church
January 22, 2017, SpainThe external walls of the church of San Nicolás de Bari were covered with graffiti messages such as “The only church that illuminates is a burning church” (common anarchist motto during the Spanish Civil War) and “No to obligatory religion”.
Vandals Twice Damage Cemetery near Gurmels
January 21, 2017, SwitzerlandTwice in a week, unknown perpetrators dug up crosses, damaged lanterns, and trampled on graves in a cemetery of the Reformed Church of La Corbaz. The church reported the acts to the police.
Gender-Abortion Whistleblower Ordered to Pay Costs
January 20, 2017, United KingdomAisling Hubert, who began criminal proceedings against two doctors who were filmed offering 'gender-abortion', went to court to challenge £36,000 of the costs that were awarded against her after she tried to bring two 'gender-abortion' doctors to justice. The judge said he could not amend or reduce the costs. Instead a settlement was reached for the amount Aisling has to pay. She now has until 18 August to pay the agreed amount.
Man Fined for Using Altar in Performance Art in Saarbrücken
January 18, 2017, GermanyIn January 2016, Alexander Karle crossed the barrier to the altar of the basilica of Sankt Johann and did push-ups for a video he called "Pressure to perform". An administrative court imposed a fine of EUR 700 for trespassing and disturbance of religious practice. Karle has appealed, citing artistic freedom.
Policing and Crime Bill Proposes to Raise Penalty for "Religiously Aggravated Offense"
January 18, 2017, United KingdomDuring the debate in the House of Lords, the Government was asked what would qualify for a "religiously motivated offense" and whether it could include a Christian preaching the "supreme divinity of Christ." The Government responded that this would be up to prosecutors and courts.
Romanesque Door and Rectory of a Church in Sabadell Destroyed
January 18, 2017, SpainThe Municipal Police of Sabadell investigated several instances of intentional damage in the Sant Pau de Riu-sec church, which dates from the 11th and 12th centuries, as well as in the rectory. The damage affected the original door of the south facade of the church. The arch and one of the windows were also attacked: a protection grid was cut and one of the wooden porticos was broken.
Iranian and Afghan Christian Converts Face Deportation from Germany
January 16, 2017, GermanyGermany’s Ministry for Immigration and Refugees (BAMF) rejected many applications for asylum from Iranian and Afghan converts from Islam to Christianity, following “kangaroo court”-style hearings as to whether the conversions are genuine, according to a Berlin pastor.
Goverment Still Supports Plan to Register & Inspect Sunday Schools
January 11, 2017, United KingdomEducation minister confirmed that the program to regulate "out of school" settings, which could include Sunday school and youth group meetings, remains a government priority. Opponents say that this would leave churches open to complaints if they teach religious principles relating to traditional marriage.
Arson at Emmaüskerk in Amersfoort
January 8, 2017, NetherlandsPolice investigated an early morning fire intentionally set on January 1st in the main entrance of the old wooden church, destroying the doors and leaving the church reeking of smoke. Fortunately, the fire was extinguished before destroying the building. One week later, unknown vandals set fire to the church again on January 8th.
Two Priests Attacked in Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome
January 7, 2017, ItalyA 41-year-old man attacked two priests with a broken glass bottle and both had to be hospitalized. The attacker fled, but was quickly caught by the police. The motive for the attack is unclear.
At Least 30 Tombs Vandalized and Profaned in Finistère
January 7, 2017, FranceSome time in the night of January 6 - 7, at least 30 graves in the cemetery of Brennilis were vandalized, with crosses and crucifixes overturned or broken and headstones toppled. Police are investigating.
Christmas Nativity Set on Fire on Eve of Epiphany Holiday
January 6, 2017, FranceUnknown perpetrators intentionally set fire to the straw at the base of the nativity scene in the Cathedral of Saint-Étienne, burning all of the figures. The Archbishop expressed the pain of the community, saying that the display expresses the heart of the Christian faith.
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."