All cases
Series of Desecration and Thefts at Churches
February 8, 2015, FranceFive French churches were the victims of theft, vandalism and desecration within three days at the hands of unknown perpetrators.
Student Beaten in Dormitory for Christian Faith in Berlin
February 8, 2015, GermanyAccording to the police, a 24-year-old student was first verbally insulted and then severely beaten by two attackers on his way to his student dormitory, solely "because of his Christian faith." During the assault, the offenders put a knife to the student’s throat. Security staff intervened, but the two perpetrators escaped by car.
Graves Devastated in Severan
February 7, 2015, FranceAccording to the local sources, twenty graves were vandalized in the downtown cemetery of Severan. The unknown perpetrators were exceptionally brutal toward Christian symbols that adorned the graves. Police is investigating.
Arson of Protestant Church in Plauen / Saxony
February 5, 2015, GermanyIn Stockheim (in the diocese of Augsburg) an arson attack took place in Protestant St. Michael's church. The fire was discovered by the sexton of the church who together with his wife managed to extinguish the fire in the altar area. Despite their efforts, according to the police report, the fire spread to the rest of the church. The couple was taken to the hospital for the observation. According to a police report, there is evidence of intentional vandalism, even though religious motivation has not yet been publicly confirmed.
Conscientious Objection At Stake After Five Public Hospitals Refuse to Perform Abortions
January 31, 2015, CroatiaThe Ministry of Health in Croatia vowed to ensure abortion in all public hospitals, regardless of doctors' conscientious objection. According to the Ministry every public hospital must have a team that performs abortions. This policy came as the result of the discovery of five hospitals, in which gynecologists refused to perform abortions based on their right to conscientious objection.
Politician Forced to Withdraw Candidacy Due to Christian Engagement
January 28, 2015, GermanyPolitician Mark Holleman had to withdraw his candidacy for appointment as the environmental and health officer for Munich, despite being the favored candidate of the City Council, because of his membership in a pro-life group as well as in Christian Solidarity International.
Parents Protesting Against Aggressive Sex Education Attacked by Counter-Demonstration in Hamburg
January 25, 2015, GermanyProtesters demonstrated against the "violation of parents’ rights in education" of their children.150 parents were attacked by about 600 left-wing radicals who threw eggs, fireworks and bottles into the crowd of demonstrators. A 15 year-old girl had to be taken to the hospital. Police intervened.
Devastation of St. John's Church in Plauen / Saxony
January 21, 2015, GermanyThe interior of the Protestant Church of St. John's in Plauen (Saxony) was vandalized with fire extinguisher powder. The total damages are estimated at 10,000 euros.
Vandalism in Miesenbacher Chapel in Ruhpolding
January 12, 2015, GermanyThe Daily "Traunsteiner Tagblatt“ of Bavaria reported on January 12, 2015, an incident of vandalism in the Miesenbacher Kapelle in Ruhpolding (Chiemgau). Vandals threw blessed liturgical candles around and hit a statue of the Virgin Mary with a statue of the baby Jesus, breaking the hands of the Jesus figure.
Desecration of Tabernacle in Chapel in Barbizon
January 10, 2015, FranceAn incident of desecration took place in the chapel of Barbizon, near Fontainebleau. Vandals broke open the door of the tabernacle, which is the place where the consecrated wine and host are kept. Both religious items, which carry significant meaning for Catholics, were thrown on the ground. Nothing was stolen.
Journalists’ Association Displays Anti-Christian Bias
January 10, 2015, CroatiaA Croatian journalist was reprimanded by her professional association for calling abortion murder in an online article. While anti-Christian expressions are generally accepted as "a matter of style“, her Christian-inspired opinion was not tolerated.
Profanation and Devastation of Statue of Mary in Perugia
January 9, 2015, ItalyA statue of the Virgin Mary was vandalized by a group of North-African immigrants with a Muslim background, according to locals. The parish priest of St. Barnaba, Fr. Alessandro Scarda, recounted: “They broke the statue in two pieces, and they then kicked it as if it was a ball. Afterward, they urinated onto the pieces.” The people of the parish gathered the remains of the statue, cleaned and glued them. The small statue was put back at its original location. The parishioners have gathered to pray at the statue after the vandalism. The police are investigating to confirm the identity and the background of the perpetrators. Muslim organizations and public figures have condemned the act.
Desecration and Theft of the Church Notre-Dame-des-Marais in Montluel
January 8, 2015, FranceUnknown perpetrators profanated a tabernacle. A chalice and consecrated hosts were stolen. Police was notified about the devastation, but the perpetrators remain unknown. The following Sunday morning Mass in the church had to be moved to the neighboring town of Dagneux. The Notre-Dame-des-Marais church had to be closed for five days.
Muslim Devastated the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Cles/Trento
January 3, 2015, ItalyWhile entering the church, a Moroccan-origin Muslim was yelling in Arabic phrases from the Koran. Then he destroyed five religious statues and other religious objects in the church causing severe damage. Eventually, the 67 years old male was arrested by the Police and is now facing criminal charges.
Lifesize Calvary Scene Statues Overthrown in Cabourg
January 1, 2015, FranceLifesize statues of a calvary scene behind a church in Cabourg (Calvados) were vandalized in the night between December 31, 2014 and January 1, 2015. The statues of Mary and St. John were over thrown and found lying on the ground. The statues had been recently renovated.
Topless Protester Lifts Baby Jesus From Vatican Nativity Scene
December 25, 2014, InternationalA woman of the activist group Femen disrupted the nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. The topless woman had ‘God is a Woman’ written on her torso. She stole a figurine of baby Jesus which had been unveiled by the pope the day before. The woman rushed to the manger in the center of the square, grabbed the Jesus figurine, and raised it above her head while shouting slogans against the Catholic Church. Police intervened.
Devastation of the Nativity Scene in Pecq
December 25, 2014, FranceThe Nativity Scene at the parish church of St. Wandrille in Pecq was severely vandalized by unknown perpetrators. The Holy Family and the cradle were stolen.
Church in Aisne Vandalized and Desecrated
December 25, 2014, FranceThe Church of St. Hilary of Berry-au-Bac in Aisne was devastated by vandals. The perpetrators have not only stolen valuable things, but also vandalized, defiled and profaned holy items of the church, including the church's tabernacles. The vandals remain unknown.
Rioting at Christmas Service at Catholic Church in Rheydt
December 24, 2014, GermanyFour children and one teenager rioted at a Christmas service at Our Lady’s Catholic church in Rheydt close to Mönchengladbach. They entered the service and yelled: „Scheiß-Christen“ (shit Christians). Several news outlets reported that the congregation had identified the youth as young Muslims.
Wayside Cross Motersawed by Muslim
December 22, 2014, AustriaAn old wayside crucifix with corpus was cut down with a motor saw in Groß-Enzersdorf, Lower Austria. A Muslim of Egyptian origin whose property was located close to the cross said that he it had „annoyed him“. The cross had been a destination for pilgrimages for over 60 years.
Services in St. Stephan’s Cathedral Interrupted by Protest
December 8, 2014, AustriaWhen Cardinal Schönborn was about to read the gospel in the liturgy of festivity of December 8th in St. Stephan’s cathedral, a performance artist stepped in front of the altar for a minute of silence dressed in read. Afterwards he marched out of the church together with about 20 activists to hand out leaflets picturing a nacked nun eating icecream to protest celibacy. Police investigate on grounds of a violation of freedom of religious practice.
Image of Virgin Mary Burnt in Cordoba
December 4, 2014, SpainThe image of Virgin Mary was completely destroyed by a fire in the chapel of San Sebastian Hospital in Palma del Rio. Evidence suggests that the fire was intentionally caused by arsonist, because nothing else got burnt. However, the mayor reminded people that it may have been the result of an unfortunate accident due to wiring. Many local faithful could not stop tears, because the image, an object of faithful adoration, was one of the oldest in Palma del Rio.
Christmas Market Named “Winter Festival” by Law in Kreuzberg, Berlin
November 30, 2014, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)Local Parliament in Kreuzberg district of Berlin states that "The district office agrees upon a principle that, there is no permission to be granted for the events of religious communities in the public space". As a result, the previously called "Weihnnachtmarkt" (Christmas market) is from now on to be called "Winterfest" (winter festival).
Organized Campaign Against Building Religious Schools in Madrid
November 28, 2014, SpainA group of people organized a campaign against building religious schools in Spain and painted slogans "Your education - our destruction” on walls of the church of Santa Monica in Rivas Vaciamadrid. Moreover, some protesters in green jerseys (as a symbol of public schools) broke into the church with praying people to express their opinion. Local right-wing party PP decalred that it was another example of the radical atmosphere in the town.
Topless Protest in the Strasbourg Cathedral against Visit of Pope in the European Parliament
November 25, 2014, FranceAn activist of the feminist group “Femen” climbed the altar in Strasbourg's cathedral topless and waved the EU flag. The words “Anti-Secular Europe,” were written across her breasts, and “The Pope is Not a Politician” on her back.
Femen Vandalizes a Madrid Cemetery
November 20, 2014, SpainThe cementry of the Martyrs of Paracuellos del Jarama was vandalized by Spanish group Femen which is famous for physical and verbal agression against Christians. Activists carried signs such as "STOP20N” (the expression for not celebrating the date of death of famous Spanish dictator Francisco Franco and supporting his rule). They also wore slogans "No celebrate fascism” and "Stop fascism canonizing” on their bare torsos. People declared Femen's protest as act of an desecration of the sacred place. http://infocatolica.com/?t=noticia&cod=22550&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=NoticasTw&utm_source=infocatolicatw
Abortion Issue Meets Opposition in Sweden
November 14, 2014, SwedenNew Christian Democrat leader Ebba Busch Thor has reiterated her call for the introduction of a conscience clause, which would enable medical staff to refuse to carry out abortions.
Pensioner Dismissed from Red Cross After Protesting Same-sex Marriage
November 1, 2014, United Kingdom71-years-old Bryan Barkley was dismissed from the British Red Cross after his one-man protest in front of his church holding a placard saying “No same sex marriage” and “No redefinition of marriage”. His views were found incompatible with the principles of impartiality and neutrality of Red Cross.
Anti-Church Exhibit in Madrid Museum
October 29, 2014, SpainThe Spanish museum of modern and contemporary art exhibits a rather peculiar piece: matches with a sign reading “The only church that illuminates is a burning one". This slogan had also been painted by vandals on the walls of the churches all over the country. The matches also say: "Contribute!" and there is a picture of a church in flames on the box of matches.
Islamist Graffiti on a Monastery in Kosovo
October 13, 2014, KosovoA graffiti in support of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and the Albanian National Army (AKSh) appeared on the gate of monastery Visoki Decani in Kosovo on 13th October early in the morning. Another such graffiti were found on some of the buildings inside the compound of the medieval monastery protected by UNESCO.
Internat’l Human Trafficking Conference Cancelled Because Organizer Is Christian Abortion Opponent
October 12, 2014, SwedenAn international conference about human rights and human trafficking in Sweden and Europe was cancelled three days before it was supposed to take place by the Uppsala University. The reason was an article published in the Swedish newspaper "Aftonbladet" exposing Scandinavian Human Rights Lawyers, and their President, Mrs. Ruth Nordström, as a defender of unborn life and freedom of conscience.
Arson Attack on the Coptic Orthodox Church in Lichtenberg, Berlin
October 6, 2014, GermanyIn the early morning, unknown men pushed and lit a garbage can in front of the entrance of the Church of St. Anthony in Lichtenberg in Berlin. The fire spread to the oak door of the church. Fortunately, firefighters could prevent the fire from spreading. Nevertheless, the entrance area of the church had been badly damaged.
Priest Hospitalized After Attack During Silent Pro-Family Manifestation in Rovereto
October 5, 2014, ItalyOn Sunday, 5th of October, silent demonstrations against “gay marriage” took place throughout Italy under the name “standing sentinels” (“Sentinelle in Piedi”). During the gathering in Rovereto a group of anarchists demanded that the Sentinels leave and started to attack them. Two people, a priest and a young woman, had to been taken to hospital.
Church Set on Fire in Berlin
October 4, 2014, GermanyA Coptic church in Berlin was set on fire by yet unknown perpetrators in the early morning hours of October 4th. A dustbin was moved to the main door of the church and set on fire. The fire spread from the dustbin to the historical wooden door which was seriously damaged
Threat to Christians in Graffiti in Vienna
October 1, 2014, AustriaA graffiti on the ground on a popular walkers' and bikers' promenade outside Augarten park reads: "Occupy all churches. We will rise." (Besetzt alle Kirchen. We will rise." This is an outright threat to Christians in Vienna.
Bishop Locked into Parish Hall in Grosswarasdorf
September 30, 2014, AustriaÄgidius Zsifkovics, Austrian bishop of the diocese of Eisenstadt was locked into the parish hall of Grosswarasdorf by yet unidentified perpetrators.
Pharmacy in Neukölln Vandalized for Refusal to Sell “Morning-After-Pill”
September 26, 2014, GermanyIn the night from 25th to 26th September a pharmacy in Neukölln was vandalized because of the owner’s refusal to sell the morning after pill. Pharmacist Andreas Kersten refers to reasons of his conscience. The show window and the entrance room were painted all over by red color, the damage amounts to more than 500 Euro.
School Director Criticized for Displaying Madonna at School
September 20, 2014, CroatiaThe Director of a primary school was heavily criticized for displaying a 1,2m high statue of Holy Mary in a hall of his school. It is claimed it infringes the principle of state secularity and the separation of state and church.
Cross Removed from Cemetery's Gate
September 20, 2014, ItalyThe municipality of Crotone has planned replacement of the entrance gate to a cemetery. At this moment there is a new gate but without a cross, officially not to disturb the sensitivity of Muslims and other non-Christian religions.
Attack on Pro-Life Activist during Anti-Concordat Demonstration in Zagreb
September 20, 2014, CroatiaDuring an anti-concordat demonstration organized by the non-governmental organization „The Voice of Reason - A Movement for a Secular Croatia“ on the Flower Square in Zagreb, a counter demonstrator was attacked. Mrs. Ružica Ćavar, who is the President of the Croatian Pro-Life Movement, was carrying a poster expressing her opposition. A man attacked and injured Mrs. Ćavar so that she had to be transported to the hospital for medical treatment. The police arrested the attacker.
Attack Against a Nigerian Christian Woman
September 19, 2014, ItalyA Muslim from Mali living in Italy was arrested for a physical attack at a Christian Nigerian woman in Italy. The Nigerian woman had been threatened with death because she was wearing a chain with a cross, later on she was stabbed and needed to be hospitalized with serious injuries.
Attack at a Church in Berlin and at Christians Assembled in March for Life
September 19, 2014, GermanyA church in Berlin was seriously damaged because it offered its premises for abortion opponents. Also the Christians peacefully assembled at the so called “March for life” – a pro life manifestation in Berlin became targets of variety of attacks. Several German politicians criticized the event and described attending Christians as "religious fundamentalists".
Pro-Life-Activists Called “Conservative Dirt” by German Left Wing Party
September 17, 2014, GermanyThe regional council of the Left party in Türingen (Landesvorstand der Linken Thüringens) called the March for life organized every year by the national association of right to life as „an anti-feminist, anti-emancipatory and conservative dirt“.
Devastation And Profanation of the Church of the Ascension
September 14, 2014, GreeceUnknown vandals broke into the church of the Ascension on the day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and devastated it. They destroyed Christian symbols and icons and left the inscription „Eat shit, it’s a treat from Zeus“ on the altar. This shocked local faithful, priests from the church and the couple who saw the incident. Locals appealed to the police to catch the perpetrators.
Devastation of the Church Of Saints Helen And Konstantin in Nafplio
September 14, 2014, GreeceUnknown vandals broke into the church of Saints Helen and Konstantin in Nafplio and totally devastated the sacristy and the courtyard. They damaged stairs and walls of the building and soiled the backyard. Priests appealed to the police to identify the peretrators and asked people to help them.
Vandalism and Death Threats at Church in Leoben
September 2, 2014, AustriaThe Stadtpfarrkirche, the main city parish church, of Leoben was vandalised and damaged in the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 2nd. The perpetrators ripped apart paintings, and destroyed crosses and candle holders. The altar was displaced despites its heavy weight, and on the altar cross the writing „death to priests“ was smeared. The parish priest was also personally threatened with the smeared words „Priest go home, otherwise we will burn down your church.“ A woman was identified a few days later who claims that voices told her to vandalize the church.
Marriage Registrar Dismissed for Refusing to Perform Same-sex Ceremony But Subsequently Reinstated
September 1, 2014, United KingdomA Christian registrar was dismissed for indicating she would not be willing to perform same-sex marriages. Finally, she was reinstated after a successful appeal in which it was ruled that her employer had failed to take a “balanced view” of her religious beliefs.
Vandalism of a Statue of Christ in Krems
August 29, 2014, AustriaAn unidentified vandal destroyed a Calvary statue of Christ on the Mount of Olives of 200 kg weight in the Piaristen church in Krems. The damage amounts to 5.000 Euro. A similar act of vandalism took place 9 years ago, when a vandal was caught and condemned by court.
Church in Liege Repeatedly Vandalized
August 26, 2014, BelgiumThe Saint-Pierre Church of the Province and the Diocese of Liege in Belgium was vandalized again. Stones were thrown through the windows of the church breaking ten of them. A trunk with candle offerings was also broken again.
St-Pierre Church in Liege Vandalized Again
August 26, 2014, BelgiumSaint-Pierre Church of the province and the Diocese of Liege in Belgium was vandalized once more. Stones were thrown into the windows of the church and ten of them have been broken. Beside, a trunk with candle offerings was broken into.