All cases
Judge Dismisses Charges Against Artist Who Stole Consecrated Hosts
November 16, 2016, SpainAbel Azcona stole more than 240 consecrated hosts from Masses celebrated in the cities of Madrid and Pamplona. He later took nude photos of himself arranging them on a floor to spell the word ‘pederasty.’ He was charged with an offense against laws respecting religious sentiments. However, on November 16, 2016, a judge dismissed the case against Azcona. In his ruling, the judge described the consecrated and stolen hosts as “small white round objects.” He claimed that there had been no desecration of the sacred hosts because according to the Spanish Royal Academy dictionary desecration is defined as “treating something sacred without due respect or using it for profane purposes.”
Stolen Tabernacle and Ciborium Found in Cemetery
November 10, 2016, SpainThe Bishop of San Sebastián reported that the tabernacle and ciborium containing consecrated Hosts which had been stolen from the chapel earlier in the week had been found in a cemetery. The ciborium was empty.
Christian Couple Blocked from Adopting Foster Children
November 9, 2016, United KingdomA Christian couple has been blocked from adopting their foster children, after expressing views based on their belief that children should have a mother and a father wherever possible.
Christian Family Forced to Flee their Home
November 9, 2016, United KingdomA family have been forced to flee their home under armed police guard amid fears for their safety after suffering what they say is eight years of persecution for converting from Islam to Christianity.
State Council Allows "Decorative" Christmas Scenes at Town Halls
November 9, 2016, FranceAfter a bitter two-year battle over whether decorating town hall entrances with nativity scenes violated rules on secularism, the country’s highest administrative court ruled that as long as the intent behind the installation was "cultural, artistic, or festive" - and not religious proselytism - it was permitted.
Threatening Graffiti on the Walls of a Christian School
November 9, 2016, SpainThreatening graffiti was found on the walls of a religious Catholic school (Colegio de San José, Vallecas). The graffiti incited to burn down the school and also said “You will burn like in ‘36” (clear reference to the anti-religious murders and anti-religious arson during the Spanish Civil War).
Summit Cross Destroyed for the Second Time
November 8, 2016, GermanyA summit cross on the Austrian-German border, previously chopped with an ax in August, was again destroyed by an unknown perpetrator using an ax.
Desecration in Cemetery Chapel
November 7, 2016, SpainIn a letter to members of his diocese on November 9, 2016, Bishop José Ignacio Munilla, Bishop of San Sebastián, denounced "a very grave desecration against the Blessed Sacrament" committed in the cemetery chapel of Polloe. The tabernacle was stolen, as was the ciborium and the consecrated Hosts it contained. The bishop announced a reparation Mass would be celebrated in the same chapel on November 20th.
Nantes Church Tagged with Anarchist Grafitti
November 5, 2016, FranceAnarchist messages were drawn on the walls and doors of the Church of Saint-Clément.
French Politician Fined for Using Word from Bible to Describe Homosexuality
November 4, 2016, FranceFrench politician and former housing minister Christine Boutin was convicted of hate speech on Wednesday by the Court of Appeals of Paris for having called homosexuality an “abomination” in an interview with the political magazine Charles in March 2014.