All cases

Religion Teacher Mobbed At Madrid High School

January 26, 2007, Spain

Fernando Perez Crespo, teacher of religion at Carlos III High School, filed a formal complaint for mobbing. For the last four years, the schedule for his class had not been respected by the school authorities, parents who had requested religious instruction discovered that their children had been enrolled in other courses instead of Perez Crespo's religion class. At times Mr. Perez Crespo was compelled to use the school bathrooms or the smoking room to for teaching.

Girl Banned From Wearing Cross at School

January 10, 2007, United Kingdom

A British schoolgirl has been barred from wearing a crucifix necklace in class, the Daily Mail reported.

Christian Prayers Replaced By Quiet Moment

January 1, 2007, United Kingdom

Totnes Town Council replaced Christian prayers at the start of its meeting with a moment of silence.

Overview of Anti-Christian Vandalism in 2006

December 31, 2006, France

Acording to National Sources, 172 acts of vandalism against all religions have occured in France in 2006. A large number of those were perpetrated against Christian places of worship. Please find in the following an exemplary list of indicidents.

Repeated Attacks Against the Orthodox Church in Kosovo

December 31, 2006, Kosovo

Christian sites, ministres and believers have been targeted by various attacks in Kosovo during the year 2006. Here is a non-exhaustive list of these actions:

Scottish Registrars Blackmailed for Rejecting Same-Sex Unions

December 30, 2006, United Kingdom

The Western Isles Council´s registrars have received hate mail and death threats because they refused, on moral grounds, to conduct civil partnership ceremonies. The registrars said that same sex unions would be conducted in fulfilment of the law, but no wedding-alike ceremony would be provided. Gay groups fired back indicating they would follow a human rights suit against the council to ensure gay couples on the Isles the same „rights“ as those elsewhere.

Madrid Restaurant Fined for Refusing to Host Gay Wedding Reception

December 29, 2006, Spain

The La Favorita restaurant in Madrid has been fined 12,000 € by the City Hall for refusing to serve a gay wedding party, according to the El Mundo newspaper. The council considers that the owners have committed a ‘serious infraction’ and is guilty of discrimination.

Christmas Mass Interrupted in Montpellier

December 25, 2006, France

The bishop of Montpellier, Mgr Thomazeau, was celebrating midnight Christmas Mass in his cathedral when he was interrupted by ten individuals who entered uttering insults, yelling, and manifesting in various ways their hostility to the Christian faith; some were naked to accentuate the provocation. The police had to intervene in order to drive them out. The mayor showed great indignation and the faithful were very shocked by such behavior.

Orthodox Priest Was Killed With His Family

December 2, 2006, Russia

The priest Andrei Nikolaev, his wife and three children have died after their house was set on fire in the village Pryamukhino, Tver region. This was not the first time someone tried to disserve the family or the church. Several months before the accident, the priest informed police and asked for help and protection. He even addressed the media for help but nobody answered. The killer doused the house with gasoline and set on fire.

Church Targeted by Molotov Cocktails

November 4, 2006, Turkey

The Odemis Love Protestant Church in Odemis, near Izmir, was attacked with Molotov cocktails. The church, where the pastor and his family lived, had been the target of stone-throwing and harassment in the months prior to the event.

Catholic School Vandalized in Pozuelo de Alarcon

October 31, 2006, Spain

The Catholic School Monte Tabor was vandalized just a few days before its inauguration in September 2006. Early in the morning, wearing gloves, four youths broke into the school and caused significant damage to the establishment, estimated in the amount of 20,000 Euro. Doors, windows, desks, and chairs were destroyed, and the walls painted with anti-Catholic expressions, as well as attacks to the PP, the PSOE political opponents.

Gay Association Demeans Bible in Ad

October 18, 2006, United Kingdom

Gay Police Association places ad in The Independent with a photograph of a bible next to a pool of blood.

Tourism Office Suggests to “Avoid Religious Symbols in Holiday Apartments”

October 17, 2006, Austria

According to the reports of www.kath.net, the business manager of the Office of Tourism in the municipality of Schruns/Tschagguns in Southern Tyrol, Manuel Bitschnau, asked landlords of 300 holiday apartments to remove religious symbols. This was done in the course of a program of “improvement” in the tourism sector. The reason he gave: people of religions other than Christian could feel offended.

Official Seat of Ecumenical Patriarchate Attacked by Grenade

October 6, 2006, Turkey

The official seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate suffered an attack in Istanbul on October 6th and was damaged by a grenade.

Creationism Debate comes with Defamation of Christians

October 2, 2006, Germany

Wolfgang Baake, general secretary of Christian Media Association (Christlichen Medienverbundes KEP) Germany, calls the reporting and public discussion of evolution vs. intelligent design vs. creationism “defamation” of Christians.

(BBC) Internal Memo Admits Anti-Christian Bias

October 1, 2006, International

The British Broadcasting Corporation has admitted to a marked bias against Christianity among the network’s executives and key anchors.

Blasphemous Theater Play “La Revelación” Performed in Different Spanish Theaters

September 30, 2006, Spain

Stage play “The Revelation” of author Leo Bassi ridicules the Christian faith, by portraying God as illogical and blood thirsty, believers as cruel, and the Church as power hungry.

Catholic Church Targeted by Government Representatives

September 18, 2006, Spain

In July 2005 the Spanish Socialist Youth political wing (JSE) has requested the government to appoint a commission to review the agreements between Spain and the Holy See. The JSE General Secretary and speaker, Herick Campos, emphasized the need to put the Catholic Church "in its place, without any privileges because the Catholic hierarchy has abused of its condition of majority to influence government affairs, specially in issues related to education and finance". This was supported by government leaders in 2006.

Paint Bomb Attack on Pope’s Birthplace

September 10, 2006, Germany

One day before the visit of Pope Benedict XVI. in his hometown Marktl (Bavaria), unknown perpetrators threw two paint bombs unto the front of his birthplace at about 5 o’clock in the morning. The building had just been completely renovated. After the attack, the lower part of the facade had to be completely redone. The perpetrators were not found.

Birth Place of Pope Benedict XVI Vandalized

September 10, 2006, Germany

On Sept 10th, unknown perperators vandalized the birth place of Josef Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, in Marktl in Germany, by throwing colour on the newly restaurated front walls.

Christian Arrested for Distributing Bible Quotes

September 1, 2006, United Kingdom

Stephen Green, 55, national director of the evangelical organization Christian Voice, Christian Arrested for Distributing Bible Quotes Opposing Homosexuality in South Wales, UK.

Parish Vandalized in Valencia

August 31, 2006, Spain

The parish Asunción de Nuestra Señora, located in the Benimaclet neighborhood of Valencia, was vandalized and the walls painted with anti-Christian messages and images. The parish priest Juan Luis Orquín pointed out that anarchists and gays group have been attacking the Church on regular basis. The priest added that local authorities have not taken any measure to reduce the harassment and the threat to the church. The local newspaper El Levante reported that before the arrival of Benedict XVI to Valencia, a fire was started at the parish doors and the damage caused is still visible.

Anti-Christian Parade and Art Exhibit During Catholic World Family Forum in Valencia

June 30, 2006, Spain

On June 24th a LGBT parade targeted Valencia Cathedral where a priestly ordination mass was taking place. Protesters, holding anti-Christian signs and dressed in profane attire, were joined by the Secretary of Social Affairs, Pedro Zerolo. During the same days, an art exhibit was hosted at the University of Valencia. In order to mock the Catholic Church and sacred art, icons were used for profane images.

Fire-raising on Catholic School and Chapel

June 23, 2006, France

Fire-raising on Catholic School and Chapel in Montpellier, France.

Christian Symbol Forbidden to Students

June 1, 2006, United Kingdom

Students Barred From Wearing Christian Chastity Symbol in Millais School, West Sussex; UK.

High-Ranking Politician Disregards Agreement with the Vatican

May 31, 2006, Spain

The Secretary of the State Department of Communications, Fernando Moraleda, declared that the Government will "not pay more attention to the catechism than to the [official] program". Moraleda´s statement came right after the Pope Benedict XVI requested the teaching of religion in the schools be conducted in similar conditions to other subjects and as it has been agreed to in an international treaty signed by Spain and the Vatican. These agreements are mandatory law for Spain. "The Government has a program and it cannot pay attention to the catechism", Moraleda added.

Crucifixes and Religious Symbols Removed from San Juan de la Cruz School in Jaen

May 31, 2006, Spain

After receiving a formal claim from the Ombudsman Jose Chamizo, the Council of Andalucia requested the Department of Education to remove crucifixes and other religious symbols from San Juan de la Cruz of Baeza school in Jaén. According to the media, only one parent had complaint to the Ombudsman to remove the crucifixes displayed in the classrooms.

Anti-Christian Controversy About a Catholic Becoming Equality Minister

May 9, 2006, United Kingdom

Ruth Kelly, a devout Roman Catholic was made Minister for Women and Equality. Gay rights campaigners reacted with disbelief and stirred up a worrying debate whether a Catholic was fit for such a government position.

Anti-abortion Campaigner Jailed

May 1, 2006, United Kingdom

Anti-abortion campaigner jailed for sending abortion photo and video to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, Norfolk, UK. He was subsequently denied urgently needed hip treatment.

(MTV) Cartoon Demeans Vatican

May 1, 2006, International

MTV Cartoon Series Popetown demeans and ridicules Vatican.

Christian Church Leader Imprisoned for Organizing Bible Study

March 30, 2006, Belarus

Sergei Shavtsov was arrested and jailed for 10 days for organizing a meeting on Christian history and Bible issues without an official permit.

Christian Couple Interrogated on Their Christian Convictions

March 19, 2006, United Kingdom

The retired couple Joe and Helen Roberts were interrogated by police officers after they complained about their local council's gay rights policy on the grounds of their Christian belief that homosexual practices are morally wrong.

Painting Ridicules Catholic Solemn Service In Saint-Armand-Montrond

March 16, 2006, France

A painting by Amador Castaner which was displayed for the wine fair of Saint-Amand-Montrond (Cher) angried parish priest Jean-François Breton and the inhabitants. In a scene of holy mass, the people’s cheeks were reddened by drinks and they were waiting for more – namely to receive the blood of Christ (the wine). A woman kneeling at the foot of a priest offered him a rather bald chest. The offending paiting was finally masked.

Woman Beaten Up - Accused of ‘Christianizing’ Muslim Girl

March 8, 2006, Turkey

A Muslim woman was attacked and beaten in her shop. The attacker accused the woman of “Christianizing” his daughter. The perpetrator was arrested and was tried on charges of willful infliction of injury. He was punished with a fine.

War Memorial Cross Removed

March 1, 2006, Netherlands

War Memorial Cross was removed in Baarsjesweg, Amsterdam, after Moslems in the neighborhood said that it “disturbed” them. After protests of war veterans it was subsequently reinstalled.

Christian TV-Spot Forbidden

March 1, 2006, Switzerland

Christian media agency CAT is forbidden to show a TV-Spot for advertising their magazine, Baden, Switzerland

Muslim Anti-Christian Protest – Scary Images

March 1, 2006, United Kingdom

Muslim anti-Christian protest took place in London in front of several European embassies and is portrayed on photos which were taken during a demonstration against the Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad.

Christian Women Attacked in Serbia

February 15, 2006, Serbia

On 15 February, a man locked two female devotees inside a building near Belgrade. He then started destroying their religious literature and attempted to drag them into the cellar. One of the two victims managed to escape and subsequently called the police, who rescued the other.

Sculpture Presents Christ with a Missile

February 10, 2006, Spain

Sculpture shows Christ with a Missile instructing Second World War German soldiers in Ferran Cano Art Gallery in Madrid.

Catholic Priest Shot Dead in Trazbon

February 5, 2006, Turkey

In the northern city of Trabzon, a 61-year-old Catholic priest was shot dead while praying in his church. The 16-year-old perpetrator, who was arrested shortly after the shooting, shouted a religious slogan to justify his actions, and allegedly made a confession to the police that indicated the religious motivation behind the attack. The killing was strongly and publicly condemned by the government, including by the interior minister.

Jesus Ridiculed in Music Clip

February 1, 2006, Spain

Jesus Christ is ridiculed in a Musical Video Clip on TV Channel Telecinco and the Internet

(TV) South Park “Bloody Mary” Episode

February 1, 2006, International

An episode of the cartoon series “South Park” shows irreverent treatment of Catholic symbols.

State TV Censures Critical Comment

February 1, 2006, Austria

Austrian public broadcast ORF deletes a polite comment from an online debate which criticises the mainstream. Vienna, Austria.

Major Wears a Bishop Costume and Mocks Blessings During Carnival Parade

January 25, 2006, Spain

The major of San Sebastian, the socialist Odón Elorza, wore a religious costume for a pagan festivity. The media reported that during the Carnival, Erloza, dressed as a bishop along with three men dressed in female tennis cloth, preceded the parade. Erloza made the sign of the cross imitating the Catholic ritual "blessing" the attendance.

Government Officials Threat to Boycott Spanish Budget to Defund Catholic Church

January 16, 2006, Spain

Members of the socialist party said that they would vote against the National Spanish Budget as long as the government continues the provision of funds to the Catholic Church. During an interview broadcast by the media Ser, MP Victorino Mayoral, a socialist representative, claimed that the Catholic Church funding is "dubious, not to mention unconstitutional". Mayoral says that the secular government of Spain cannot afford the funding of a religious organizations that "revives Franco's times“.

MSP Patrick Harvie Reports Archbishop to the Police for Defending Marriage

January 13, 2006, United Kingdom

Member of the Scottish Parliament asked Strathclyde Police to investigate remarks made by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow. The Archbishop had defended the institution of marriage in a church service.

Crucifixion Ridiculed by Popstar

January 1, 2006, International

Popstar Madonna ridicules the crucifiction on tour in Europe

BBC Spreads Negative Image of Jesus

January 1, 2006, International

BBC spreads negative image of Jesus by Series on “The Miracles of Jesus”

Religious Persecution Through Bureaucratic Obstacles

January 1, 2006, Russia

(ongoing) Visa difficulties for religious personel; police failure to protect the faithful; administrational obstacles prevent religious services.

Several Cases of Discrimination of and Violence against Christians

January 1, 2006, Turkey

(2000-2006) Several instances recorded. Christians faced violence including murders, threats, vandalisations and administrational difficulties.