All cases

Chapel in Charleroi the Victim of Thieves

October 8, 2015, Belgium

Thieves dismantled and carried away the metal roof of the Chapel of Saint-Joseph de Charleroi.

French Chapel Sacked by Vandals

October 8, 2015, France

La Chapelle du Champ Fleuri in Masny, was the victim of desecration: The altar was overturned, the organ in pieces, Communion wafers littered the ground, a statue of the Virgin Mary, venerated by Catholics as the mother of Jesus, was decapitated, and liturgical vestments were burned

French Church Desecrated and Vandalised

October 4, 2015, France

Intruders into the church of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul in Blanzy damaged the Tabernacle by attempting to force open the door, damaged the organ, and set fire to the statue of the Virgin Mary.

Arson in Normandy Church

October 2, 2015, France

L'église Sainte-Croix de Saint-Lô was the victim of arson on Friday, October 2, 2015. The entry display was torched and it took 10 firefighters and 4 fire engines to combat the blaze.

Ukrainian Evangelical Pastor Kidnapped by Militants; Released 4 Days Later

October 1, 2015, Other

The Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith reported that Pastor Taras Sen was taken hostage on 27 September in the city of Sverdlovsk in the Luhansk oblast by armed militants and released on 1 October 2015.

Islamists threaten Christians in German Refugee Camps

September 27, 2015, Germany

Christian refugees in German asylum centres are living in constant fear, as the Sunni majority within the migrant population attempts to enforce Sharia law. The situation is so bad that Christians claim they live like “prisoners” in Germany, and some have even returned to Middle East.

Sunni Muslim Threatens to Kill Christian Syrian in Kalmar Accommodation

September 22, 2015, Sweden

A 26-year-old, who claimed to have fought with jihadist groups in Syria, was arrested by police after threatening to "slaughter" and "cut the throat" of a Christian refugee.

French Church Desecrated

September 19, 2015, France

In the afternoon of Saturday, September 19, 2015, the church of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul d’Habas (Landes) was badly vandalized. Various liturgical objects were desecrated: the altar was stained by food, crosses inverted, missals torn. The entire church was degraded with scattered flowers, candles, sheets of paper and posters torn. A complaint with the police was filed.

Counter-Demonstrators Attempt to Block Berlin’s March for Life

September 19, 2015, Germany

More than 7,000 pro-life demonstrators took part in the March for Life 2015 in Berlin. About 300 of a total of 1500 counter-demonstrators attempted to block the march. Between these groups stood as many as 1,000 police officers.

All Sacred Objects Stolen from French Chapel

September 18, 2015, France

A small chapel in Le Brethon, France, was robbed of all of its sacred objects during the week from Monday 14 to Friday, September 18. The few sacred objects it housed have all disappeared, namely, a processional cross, statuettes, votive offerings and all of the crosses. Additionally, a painting of Mary Magdalene, donated by an amateur painter was also stolen. Because of the isolated location of the chapel, and that it is always open to the public, officials have not been able to determine exactly when the theft occurred.

Burnt Confessional Investigated in L'Ile-Bouchard

September 18, 2015, France

A confessional in the church Saint-Gilles de L’Ile-Bouchard (France) was burned and the organ was damaged on the 18th of September.

British "Values Monitor" Says Opposing Homosexuality Could Be a Crime

September 18, 2015, United Kingdom

Voicing criticism of homosexuality “might be breaking the law”, a British values monitor claimed.

Swiss Evangelical Party's Office Attacked for Supporting Pro-Life Demonstration

September 16, 2015, Switzerland

The Zurich offices of the Swiss Evangelische Volkspartei (EVP) as well as the Swiss Evangelical Alliance and humanitarian organisations Tearfund and Opportunity were attacked by vandals.

French Church is Victim of Repeated Vandalism

September 16, 2015, France

L’église Saint-Martin in Sangatte, France is yet again a victim of vandalism. On September 16th, a volunteer at the Blanc-Nez Pentecostal parish returned to Saint-Martin to close the doors for the evening and immediately discovered smoke emerging from the church. She also noticed broken candles littering the ground and that small decorations were taken down. Thick smoke surrounded the altar of wood and marble, and it was apparent that the small fire could have easily spread to the wooden furniture and carpets, completely destroying the church.

Bremen Church the Victim of Burglary, Desecration and Vandalism

September 15, 2015, Germany

Unknown perpetrators broke into the St. Pius Church and stole the tabernacle with consecrated Hosts, offertory boxes, and sprayed fire extinguishing powder all over the inside of the church.

UK Burglars Urinate in Holy Water

September 10, 2015, United Kingdom

Burglars broke into a Sunderland church, smashed a window (causing more than £1,000 in damage) and used fire extinguishers to try to break down doors. Although nothing was stolen, someone urinated in the holy water font.

German Left Threatens to Disrupt the "March For Life"

September 8, 2015, Germany

The German left political party (Die Linke) is organising to disrupt the annual German "March for Life" for the protection of the unborn, the sick, and the aged that will take place in Berlin on the 19th of September. In response, the German Association for Christian Culture (Deutsche Vereinigung für eine christliche Kultur) responded that by doing so, Die Linke is threatening to infringe upon the rights to freedom of assembly and expression and noting that the law recognizes the basic human right to life from the moment of conception.

Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis Released from Jail

September 8, 2015, United States

Just hours before a large rally in support of Kim Davis was scheduled to begin, the judge who jailed her for refusing to violate her Christian beliefs ordered her release. Ms. Davis was jailed on September 3rd for her refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The following day, her deputies began issuing licenses in her absence after five of the six clerks who work for her swore under oath that they could comply with the court’s order to issue them. Ms. Davis stopped issuing all marriage licenses after the US Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of same-sex marriage, and refused to permit her deputies to do the same, because her name was printed on those licenses, and she said to issue them would violate her conscience. In his order to release Ms. Davis, the judge warned her not to interfere with her deputies issuing the marriage licenses, or she could risk “sanctions” again. Ms. Davis’s attorney said "Today Kim Davis is a free woman but her conscience did not change ... to get freedom." He noted that Ms. Davis would return to work, but he said she would "not violate her conscience."

Clerk Jailed for Refusing to Issue Same-Sex Marriage Licenses

September 3, 2015, United States

Kim Davis, a county clerk in Kentucky, has been jailed for "contempt of court" after defying a federal court order to issue marriage licenses to homosexual couples.

43 Graves in French Village Damaged and Vandalized

September 3, 2015, France

On the 3rd of September 2015, the destruction of 43 graves was discovered in the small French village of Montjavoult. Swastikas were spray-painted on 6 of them and crosses were broken off and left on the ground. Authorities have reason to believe that this act was political in nature, and not just the prank of drunk young people. The investigation is ongoing.

Two Men Arrested for Setting Fire to Lutheran Church in Sweden

September 1, 2015, Sweden

During the evening of the 26th of August, a Lutheran church Åmåls, Sweden was attacked by arsonists. The perpetrators used at least one Molotov cocktail to set fire to the building, and broke several windows in the church and the parish hall. The motive for the arson is unclear.

Treasured Statue Stolen from French Church

September 1, 2015, France

The statue of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, dating from the 15th century, was stolen from the church of Molins-sur-Aube.

Orthodox Church Destroyed by the Albanian Authorities

August 26, 2015, Albania

On the 26th of August, local officials destroyed the Orthodox church St. Athanasius, which is located in the village of Dhermi, in southern Albania.

Broken and Desecrated Statue of the Virgin Mary in Reunion, France

August 23, 2015, France

A Statue of the Virgin Mary has been purposely destroyed, its chest impaled on a spit, and the other pieces of the statue were left in a plastic bag on the side of a road. This event happened next to the chapel Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix a few days before the 23rd of August. The sight of the destroyed statue has shocked locals, and drivers passing by haven't dared to disturb the broken pieces. No explanation yet has been given to this act of vandalism.

Kindergarten Teacher Fired for Explaining Christmas Story

August 21, 2015, Austria

A city-run kindergarten in Vienna has fired a teacher because she “violated the kindergarten’s neutral stance on religion” by explaining that on Christmas, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. This was in response to the children's questions about the holiday. In the letter informing the teacher of the school board’s decision to fire her, one reads that city-run kindergartens “accompany children of diverse religious faiths as well as without religious faith; therefore the religious meanings of traditional feasts are not mentioned and must instead be replaced by other content (for example during advent by themes such as ‘family’, ‘friendship’, or ‘community’). You have not followed this approach, but instead informed the children several times … about the Christian meaning of Christmas”. The teacher explains, "I have answered only the questions of the children . . . I am a Christian, but not a religion teacher."

Desecration in Gex and Colloges Churches in Pays de l'Ain France

August 16, 2015, France

On Sunday, August 16, 2015, a ciborium containing consecrated hosts and chalice were stolen from the church of Gex. The same day, a ciborium, a chalice, and a reliquary, registered in the inventory of Historical Monuments, were stolen from the church of Collonges.

Chapel Vandalized in Nantes, France

August 16, 2015, France

The outside wall of a chapel of Christ Roi in Nantes was spray painted during the night of the 15th/16th of August. The tag says : "Don't open. Integriste. Inside". The wrongdoers remain unknown. http://www.christianophobie.fr/breves/nantes-precisions-dun-lecteur-sur-la-chapelle-taguee

Attempted Arson in Chapel Saint-François of Rennes

August 14, 2015, France

The chapel Saint-François of Rennes was the victim of an attempted arson during night between August 13 and 14th.

Haute-Loire Churches Hit with Burglaries

August 14, 2015, France

A burglary was committed in the sacristy of the church Sainte-Foy de Bains (Haute-Loire) on August 14, 2015. The criminals stole sacred objects: a chalice and a ciborium.

Anti-Christian Hate Crimes on the Rise in Sweden

August 5, 2015, Sweden

The sharpest rise is seen among crimes with christianophobic motives, which have tripled in the past five years, according to the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention (Brottsförebyggande rådet – Brå).

40 Christian Tombs Desecrated in French Cemetery

August 3, 2015, France

On the 3rd of August, local policemen found that 40 graves had been desecrated in a cemetery in the town of Labry, in northeastern France. 35 funeral ornaments, mostly crucifixes and plaques were displaced, and 4 were broken.

Chapel Vandalized in Walloon Brabant

August 3, 2015, Belgium

During the week of the 3rd of August 2015, the small chapel Notre-Dame de Walcourt, which had been restored for free a few years ago by a volunteer, was vandalized with spray paint. The tag represented a person giving a finger to what seems to be a crown. The perpetrators remain unknown.

Two Orthodox Religious Murdered in Ukraine

July 30, 2015, Other

A priest and a nun, both members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, were murdered within days of each other in the Ukraine.

UK Schools Watchdog Ignores Bullying of Christian Students

July 30, 2015, United Kingdom

Colin Hart, director of the Christian Institute, has said Ofsted and the Department for Education (DfE) have given “inadequate attention” to the “bullying of Christian pupils”.

Student Physically Forced to Attend Sex Education

June 22, 2015, Germany

In North Rhine-Westphalia, a 10 year old boy was forcefully removed from his home and forced to attend sex education without his parents’ consent.

Santeuil Church Vandalised and Soiled with Faeces in Eure-Et-Loir

June 10, 2015, France

The Santeuil church was vandalised by unknown perpetrators who burst into each room of the church, destroyed doors, statues and belfry. Additionally, they soiled the church with faeces. The case was reported to the police and investigation decided to examine the DNA in the neighbourhood to find the culprit.

Arson In The Church Of St. Chrysole in Comines

June 6, 2015, France

The doors to the church of St. Chrystole in Comines was burned as a result of the arson. Thanks to the quick reaction of police and firefighters, the flames did not reach the interior of the church. Local faithful and volunteers were terrified and quickly helped to clean the soot.

The Chapel of Sainte-Bathilde Damaged in Seine-et-Marne

June 4, 2015, France

The Sainte-Bathilde Chapel was hit by vandals who destroyed statues in the garden behind the shrine. One represented St. Bathilde on which flammable liquid was found. Another statue of St. Therese had been attacked and broken into pieces.

Silent National Christian-Inspired Protest Mocked By Opponents

May 24, 2015, Italy

On 24th of May 2015, an Italian network called Sentinelle in piedi ("Standing Watchmen“) organized a protest against the proposed draft laws on "homophobia" and same-sex unions and expressed their dissenting views by standing for an hour in silence at over 100 public squares all over Italy. The reason for that is the belief that new laws, if approved, would curtail freedom of speech for Christians. Opponents used offensive slogans and provocative gestures, including simulating homosexual acts. The participants of the Sentinelle in piedi were partly hindered by the protests. Opponents were mostly LGBT activists.

Arson in the Lutheran Church of Altena

May 19, 2015, Germany

A fire caused damages worth thousands of Euros in the Lutheran Church in Altena in Nordhein-Westfalen. Police suspect arson, because all evidences lead to burglary in which the sacristy was broken and ravaged. Without the quick reaction of the firefighters, the church would have been lost. The faithful and local priests felt offended by this horrible act.

Baker Found Guilty After Refusing to Bake Cake Supporting Same-Sex Marriage

May 18, 2015, United Kingdom

A bakery in Northern Ireland was found guilty of "direct discrimination" after its Christian owner declined to provide a decorated cake with the words 'support gay marriage’. The owner said he could not fulfill the order because it conflicts with his Christian beliefs about marriage.

Disruption, Threats, and Insults at a Catholic Procession

May 14, 2015, Italy

A group of Muslims disrupted a Catholic procession in the Italian municipality of Conselice which was held in honour of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Reportedly seeing the procession as provocation, the group started to threathen and insult Catholics and claimed that the procession offended Islam. Participants were scared and shocked by this aggression.

Attack at Marriage Referendum Event Causes Life-Threatening Allergic Reaction

May 13, 2015, Ireland

A 10-year-old girl suffered a severe allergic reaction after an egg attack at a "No-Campaign" event in Meath, Ireland. "Yes-Campaigners" threw objects, including eggs, at people who were expressing opposition to same-sex marriage. "No-Campaign" leader Mr. Manning said that the atmposphere created by "Yes-Campaigners" was "toxic”.

Burglary in St. Apostles at Neumarkt in Cologne

May 12, 2015, Germany

An unknown perpetrator broke into the church of St. Apostles in Cologne on May 12th, and stole figures of Jesus Christ from the cloister. Moreover, the thief caused damages worth thousands of euros. This theft offended and angered the religious faithful.

Vandalism Spree Against Chapels on the Island of La Reunion

May 12, 2015, France

Many chapels and other places of worship on the island of La Reunion were devastated with satanic slogans and red Stars of David.

Judge Ordered French Town to Remove the Statue of Saint John Paul II

May 5, 2015, France

Authorities in the small French town of Ploermal are obliged to remove a statue of Saint John Paul II built in 2006. The reason which was given was the "ostentatious character" of the monument located in the public square, which is in contradiction with the secular principles of the state. This decision shocked local faithful and Mayor Parick Le Diffon vowed to appeal.

Figure of Jesus Christ destroyed by Turkish Muslim

May 3, 2015, Germany

A Turkish Muslim armed with a kitchen knife destroyed the figure of Jesus Christ located on the Sendlinger Tor in Munich. Additionally, he attacked eyewitnesses and devastated all vases and flowers which were next to the cross. The case has been reported to the police, but the man was declared as a mentally ill and he has been brought to a psychiatrist. It is not clear whether the act was religiously-motivated.

Pro-Marriage Posters Removed

May 1, 2015, Ireland

Mothers and Fathers Matter, a group that urged people to vote “No” in May’s gay marriage referendum in Ireland, said there was a campaign of harassment and intimidation from those on the “Yes” side of the debate. Posters were torn and removed in Dublin and elsewhere at the beginning of May 2015. Pictures of this act have been celebrated as an "act of bravery" on social media.

Islamic Terrorists Planned Suicide Bombings at St. Peter's Square

April 24, 2015, Italy

A terrorist ring based on Sardinia had been planning an attack against the Vatican since 2010, involving two suicide bombings at St. Peter's Square. The network supported itself through illegal migrant trafficking. False work contracts helped facilitate asylum for Pakistani and Afghanistan men posing as migrants. Fake customs declarations and flawed money transactions partly financed the activities. Italian counter-terrorism operatives issued arrest warrants for 18 men and arrested nine of them across Italy.

Play Equates John the Baptist with Islamic Terrorists

April 24, 2015, Austria

The regional theater of Graz premiered its version of "Salome” in which John the Baptist is a radical fundamentalist. It claims that there is really no difference between him and Islamic State terrorists.