All cases
Mother Forces Primary School to Remove Crucifixes
May 7, 2013, AustriaAt a primary school in Vienna crucifixes had to be taken off the walls because a mother felt that they were a “religious paternalism”. This was possible when it turned out that less than half of the pupils are registered as Christians. For the first time since National Socialism crucifixes were banned from class rooms.
Church Building Ransacked in Wolfsburg
May 6, 2013, GermanyUnidentified perpetrators broke into the Holy Spirit church building at Vorsfelde-Wendschott and ransacked several rooms. All the cabinets were searched and the lamp in the entry way was smashed.
Robbery in the Church in Marburg
May 5, 2013, GermanyA small amount of money was stolen by unidentified thieves from the church in Marburg, Germany. In early May the thieves stole two loudspeakers from the same church.
Graves Vandalised at in Crni Potok
May 5, 2013, CroatiaUnknown perpetrators vandalised an Orthodox cemetery in the village of Crni Potok, not far from Topusko. At this cemetery, 17 tombstones were damaged, numerous crosses were uprooted and parts of tombs were smashed. A criminal complaint was filed with the police for disturbing the peace of the deceased.
Anti-Christian Graffiti on Cathedral of St Pölten
May 1, 2013, AustriaUnknown perpetrators spray painted "We do not want your crosses" on the outside wall of the Catholic Cathedral of St. Pölten in the night to May 1st. The graffiti included crossed-out signs in cross-shapes, a swastika and a so-called Kruckenkreuz (an Austrian historic sign for the right-wing government between 1934-38). Next to a clearly anti-Christian message, the Christian cross was unfairly paired with the Nazi swastika.
Condom Present as Eucharist on Festival Stage
May 1, 2013, ItalyAt the annual “First of May” concert on Piazza San Giovanni in Rome the lead singer of the band “Management Post Operatorio” lifted a condom with both hands simulating the consecration of the Eucharist. While doing so, he said: “Take this all of you, and use it” before continuing with his song “Pornobisogno”. The concert was also broadcasted on Italian Television. The organisers of the “First of May” dissociated themselves from this incident.
Vandalism to Church in Riedlhütte
April 29, 2013, GermanySignificant damage was done to the church of Riedlhütte in Germany. The microphones in the church were damaged and thrown into the holy water, a statue of Jesus on the altar was damaged and the four crosses in the church entrance were damaged. The total damage is estimated at 1,200 euros.
Three Teenagers Broke Into Church in Crailsheim
April 26, 2013, GermanyThree teenagers broke into a church in Crailsheim, German with the intention of stealing money. They broke through a window and the door of the office. A resident heard the noise and called the police who arrested the teenagers. They caused an estimated damage of 1000 euros.
Explosives Sent to Church Officials Wrapped in Sex Toys
April 25, 2013, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)Bombs wrapped in sex toys were sent to two different Catholic officials, the Bishop of Pamplona and a director of a Legionaries of Christ school in Madrid. The apparent perpetrator was the anarchist group calling themselves the Anticlerical Group for the Promotion of the Use of Sex Toys. Although the first bomb did not explode, the second detonated, injuring a postal worker.
Common Greeting with Reference to God Discouraged in Department of Health
April 24, 2013, AustriaIn the course of a debate on the health care reform in the National Assembly of Austria, the spokesman of physicians of the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ), Andreas Karlsböck criticised Health Minister Alois Stöger of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) because he had discouraged or even prohibited the use of the common German greeting “Grüß Gott” (a greeting which literally means “Greet God”) in the Department of Health.
Numerous Human Rights Violations Against Pro-Family Demonstrators
April 23, 2013, FranceThe recent attacks on pro-family mass-demonstrations included: tear gas against children, overbearing police force, unconstitutional state action and human rights violations, death threats against organisers on social media and stabbing of a protester, as well as violations of freedom of assembly.
Archbishop of Brussels Andre Leonard Attacked
April 23, 2013, BelgiumFour activists of the feminist group Femen disturbed a conference at the university of Brussels. The topless women interrupted Archbishop André-Joseph Léonard's speech by throwing water out of Lourdes bottles at him. Screaming loudly they held up a poster "Stop Homophobia". On their bare chests they had written blasphemous comments.
Burglary in St. John’s Church in Rostock
April 23, 2013, FranceUnidentified perpetrators broke into the St. John's church by forcing their way through a window. Almost every interior door was damaged. The offices were raided and cupboards and containers ransacked. Computer accessories worth several hundred euros were stolen. The case was taken over by the Crime police.
Vandalism in St. Peter's Church in Wesel
April 23, 2013, GermanyVandals brutally damaged the parish church of St. Peter’s church in Wesel, Germany. They broke their way in and once inside broke more doors, ransacked the cupboards and drawers in the sacristy and tried to open two safes.
Burglary at Church in Dettelbach
April 23, 2013, GermanyA church in Dettelbach, Germany, was broken into by unidentified perpetrators who stole a case of sacred objects. They entered by breaking the door of the sacristy and then tried to open a safe that was in a closet but they did not succeed. It is believed that the perpetrators escaped through the cemetery because one of the stolen items was found there. The damage caused is of an estimated 1,500 euros.
Home-schooling Prohibition Challenged at European Court of Human Rights
April 22, 2013, SwedenAlliance Defending Freedom and the Home School Legal Defence Association have asked the European Court of Human Rights to hear the case of a Swedish family heavily fined for home-schooling their daughter. Although the 13-year-old girl flourished in her home-schooling environment, local Swedish authorities fined her family the equivalent of more than $28,000.
Homosexual Activists David Berger Claims "Gay Haters Get Out of Talk Shows"
April 21, 2013, GermanyIn an appeal to the media in Germany, Mr Berger, writer and theologian, claims that people critical of the homosexual life style must not be allowed to voice their thoughts in talk shows any more. In the name of human dignity and human rights, critics ought to be silenced.
Burglary Attempt in Two Churches
April 19, 2013, GermanyA youth attempted to break a safe in the St. James’ church in Saterland, Germany. He tried to escape but in his haste he caused an accident so the police caught him. It turned out he had broken into the St. Jacob’s church as well.
Femen Releases Anti-Christian Image on Facebook
April 16, 2013, FranceThe anti-Christian campaign group Femen released a painting on their Facebook page on April 16. The painting is modelled after "La tentation de saint Antoine" and shows a naked Femen activist crucified, saying "Femen" instead of "Inri" on the inscription.
Attempted Burglary in St. George’s Church in Neustadt
April 16, 2013, GermanyAn unidentified perpetrator tried to break into the St. George’s church through the door of the sacristy. He used a screwdriver which left visible marks on the door. His attempt of burglary failed but the door was damaged.