All cases
Chinese Karaoke will Ring in a Secular Christmas in Madrid
November 20, 2015, SpainThe mayor of Madrid announced plans for the city’s commemoration of the Christian holiday, including Greek dancing and Arabic food tasting, among other programming activities.
Theft in Small 16th Century Chapel
November 19, 2015, FranceA late 15th century wooden statue of St. Nicolas was stolen from the church of Saint-Léger-sous-Margerie.
Christian Convert Violently Attacked Outside His Home
November 17, 2015, United KingdomNissar Hussain, who has helped to promote Christian Concern's Safe Haven initiative to help protect Christians who have converted from Islam, was beaten with a pickaxe handle by two men while on the way to his car in Bradford (United Kingdom).
Norway's Child Welfare Services Removes Five Children from a Pentecostal Christian Couple
November 16, 2015, NorwayAccording to a petition in support of the family which has attracted more than 22,600 signatures, the couple have been charged with "Christian radicalism and indoctrination".
Apartment Owner Refuses to Rent to Employee of Pro-Life Association
November 15, 2015, GermanyIn November 2015, a theologian who is an employee of ALfA (Aktion Lebensrecht for Alle) wanted to rent an apartment in Augsburg. The owner refused to enter into a lease with the man for the sole reason that he works for ALfA (seen as a fundamentalist association).
Arrests in Counter-Demonstration during Students for Life Procession
November 14, 2015, AustriaThe march against abortion by more than 100 participants in Innsbruck was disrupted by counter-demonstrators.
Church Vandalized in Poitiers, France
November 13, 2015, FranceThe devastation at the Church of Saint-Cyprian was discovered by a parishioner. A large concrete statue of the Virgin Mary located at the church entrance was thrown to the ground and irreparably broken.
Association of French Mayors Recommend Against Nativity Scenes on Public Property
November 13, 2015, FranceThe Association issued a "good secular conduct" handbook to local town officials to assist them in their decision-making about the installation of crèche and nativity displays.
Tasmania's Anti-Discrimination Commissioner to Investigate Catholic Church's Marriage Pamphlet
November 12, 2015, OtherTransgender politician, Martine Delaney, lodged an anti-discrimination complaint in September and on November 12, the commissioner announced it will begin investigation.
Public Funds Used for Play Depicting Jesus Christ as Transsexual
November 12, 2015, United KingdomThe Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven is part of the Outburst Queer Arts Festival in Belfast, and is advertised with the tagline: “Jesus is a transsexual woman. And it is now she walks the earth.”
"Piss Christ" and Sexually Provocative Virgin Mary to be Displayed in Exhibition Sponsored by Italian Government
November 9, 2015, ItalyThe Lucca Photolux photo exhibition, with the theme "Sacred and Profane", and sponsored by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture and Tourism will run from November 21 to December 13.
Radical Feminists Shout "We Will Burn the Episcopal Conference" at Domestic Violence March
November 7, 2015, SpainViolence advocated at an anti domestic violence rally in Madrid.
Popular German Catholic Blogger Threatened After Reporting About Arson
November 3, 2015, GermanyWith the title "That was fast," Dr. Bordat wrote on the afternoon of November 3rd that he received an anonymous letter three hours after the publication of his report about the arson against "Demo für Alle". "Don't be a nuisance, you Catholic conservative idiot ... otherwise a fire will soon be delivered to you. Your address is known."
City of Toronto Threatened with Lawsuit after Banning Christian Music Festival
November 3, 2015, OtherThe City of Toronto is being threatened with legal action for refusing to grant a Christian group a permit to use a prominent downtown square for its annual musical festival next year, all because the city determined that singing the name of Jesus in the public venue contravenes city policy against “proselytizing.”
Two French Evangelicals Convicted for Leaflet on Faith and Homosexuality
November 2, 2015, FranceThe correctional court of Angoulême (Bordeaux) convicted two men of “incitement to discrimination against a group of persons because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Spanish Church Vandalized with Arabic Graffiti; Holy Objects Destroyed
November 2, 2015, SpainThe unknown perpetrators broke into the Church of our Lady of Carmen in the Spanish town of Rincon de la Victoria, Andalusia, smashed wooden statues of the Virgin Mary and Jesus on the cross, and spray painted "Allah" on the wall.
Serious Arson Attack against "Demo für Alle"
November 1, 2015, GermanyThe Magdeburg business office of "Demo für Alle", a group which advocates against gender ideology and the sexualization of children, was torched by unknown perpetrators.
Graves Vandalized in Mazères
November 1, 2015, FranceOn All Saints Day, a solemnity celebrated by Catholics and some Protestants, visitors to the Mazères cemetery discovered five graves, including a central cross, sprayed with orange paint with references to "Satanists", among others.
Proposed Mandatory LGBT Education in Scotland Would Violate Parents' Rights & Put Teachers' Jobs in Jeopardy
November 1, 2015, United KingdomPro-LGBT group Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) has launched a petition demanding that children as young as five learn about homosexual, bisexual and transgender issues, and this week it addressed the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee.
Prison Minister Fired for Preaching "Homophobic" Bible Verses
October 31, 2015, United KingdomReverend Barry Trayhorn, volunteering as a chaplain at a prison for sex offenders, recited verses from Corinthians which include homosexuality in a long list of sins, along with adultery, theft and drunkenness during a service.
Fourth Act of Vandalism Against Notre-Dame-du-Rocher in Saint-Hippolyte (Haut-Rhin)
October 28, 2015, FranceEarlier vandalism led to the replacement of the statue of the Virgin Mary last spring. In mid-September the arms of the statue were broken and glued back together. On October 28, the statute was broken off its base.
Mayor of Valencia Orders Removal of Christian Symbols in Cemetery
October 27, 2015, SpainThe mayor of Valencia, Joan Ribó, has ordered municipal management to remove all Christian symbols from the General Cemetery of Valencia
Desecration at Baden-Baden "Autobahn" Church
October 23, 2015, GermanyThe altar, tabernacle, and pews of the nationally-known church were desecrated by swastikas and other Nazi symbols carved into the wood, and acid poured onto the stone.
Sweden Seeks to Deport Pakistani Christian Convert
October 22, 2015, SwedenThe Swedish Migration Board issued a deportation order against Faisel Javaid, concluding that Christians from Pakistan do not need protection because they can just keep their faith a secret.
Christian Convert Attacked in German Refugee Camp
October 20, 2015, GermanyA 24-year-old Iranian was beaten with a baton by an Afghan man, who allegedly declared that it was not a sin to kill him, according to police. This attack is now being called attempted homicide by prosecutors.
Christian Converts Harassed at Swedish Asylum Center
October 20, 2015, SwedenA Pakistani couple had to leave the shelter in Western Sweden where they were staying after harassment by some of the Muslims in the housing ended with the husband's name sprayed on a wall near their room calling for his death.
UPDATE: No Registry for Faith Leaders in Published UK Counter-Extremism Strategy
October 19, 2015, United KingdomAfter a leaked report indicated that the strategy would include the following provision, "pastors, rabbis and other religious leaders will be subject to Government training and security checks and will have to enrol in a 'national register of faith leaders'," the Government's final strategy only calls for "training."
Vandalism at Catholic School in Vienna
October 15, 2015, AustriaGraffiti of two "Antifa" signs and one anarchy symbol seen on a pillar of Catholic student parish event centre and dormitory.
Statue of Virgin Mary Decapitated in Aisne
October 15, 2015, FranceThe mayor was informed of this vandalism on October 15. The statue, beloved by the citizens of the small town, was erected on Aug. 14, 1960 as act of gratitude for a priest who was in a serious motorcycle accident at that location, but was unhurt.
Statue of Virgin Mary Decapitated in Aisne
October 15, 2015, FranceThe mayor was informed of this vandalism on October 15. The statue, beloved by the citizens of the small town, was erected on Aug. 14, 1960 as act of gratitude for a priest who was in a serious motorcycle accident at that location, but was unhurt.
Madrid Church Vandalized
October 14, 2015, SpainThe outside of the church of the Virgen del Alba de Alcorcón was vandalized by individuals who soiled the facades and access steps as well as the bulletin boards.
Serious Desecration and Theft at the Chapelle d’Effiat à Montrichard (Loir-et-Cher)
October 14, 2015, FranceOn the morning of October 14, the Tabernacle was forced open and the Ciborium containing ten consecrated Hosts was stolen.
Assyrian Christians in Gothenburg Threatened: "Convert or Die"
October 13, 2015, SwedenAssyrian Christians living in Sweden have been targeted with a string of threatening messages, including demands that they “convert or die.”
Fire in French Church Investigated
October 13, 2015, FranceA fire in the church of La Baume-de-Transit in Southern Drôme damaged furniture.
Barcelona Parish Tagged with Abortion Message
October 9, 2015, SpainThe vandalism from the 9th of October at the Parroquia del Espírito Santo was reported to El Observatorio para la Libertad Religiosa y de Conciencia.
Case update: Christian Punished for Praying with Colleague Allowed to Appeal
October 8, 2015, United KingdomA Christian disciplined by an NHS trust for praying with a colleague has won permission to appeal an employment tribunal’s decision against her.
Chapel in Charleroi the Victim of Thieves
October 8, 2015, BelgiumThieves dismantled and carried away the metal roof of the Chapel of Saint-Joseph de Charleroi.
French Chapel Sacked by Vandals
October 8, 2015, FranceLa 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, FranceIntruders 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, FranceL'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, OtherThe 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, GermanyChristian 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, SwedenA 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, FranceIn 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, GermanyMore 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, FranceA 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, FranceA 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 KingdomVoicing 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, SwitzerlandThe 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, FranceL’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.