All cases

Cathedral of Nantes Vandalised and Desecrated

June 8, 2013, France

Perpetrators found their way into the Cathedral and spray painted the altar, walls and floor with provoking symbols like 666 and Nazi slogans.

Anti-Christian Incident at Corpus Christi Procession in Lyon

June 6, 2013, France

On the feast of Corpus Christi as participants of a procession were splattered with water by someone in the building. The archdiocese of Lyon had organized the procession called “march of the witnesses of the faith”. No one was hurt.

Fake Priest Personality Posts Blasphemous Comments on Facebook Page

June 5, 2013, Hungary

A group of Hungarian students created the fake priest Monsignor Tibi's facebook page. Msgr. Tibi is a paedophilic alcoholic who posts blasphemous comments. Since its creation the page has become less aggressive. The fake priest lived in a small village between Budapest and the Austrian border until the people from the village complained about the growing negative attention (the facebook page has over 135,000 likes). The creators then moved the figure into a fictional town.

Church in Ostia Covered in Satanic Graffiti

June 5, 2013, Italy

During the night the Church of St. Nicholas of Bari in Ostia was covered with satanic graffiti saying, "our dreams are your monsters", "all human beings are dogs","666", as well as inverted crosses and various satanic references.

Doctors are Denied the Right to Conscientious Objection

June 4, 2013, Norway

Medical doctors in Norway must be willing to refer their patients to abortion clinics even if this is against their conscience.

Attempted Burglary and Vandalism at Church in Frohngau

June 4, 2013, Germany

Burglars broke the door to the sacristy of the church in Frohngau, Germany and rummaged through drawers and cabinets. They also broke open the door leading into the church. Nothing was stolen but there was property damage amounting to about 400 euros.

Minister Calls Contribution of Church “Inacceptable and Dispensable” in Public Debate

June 4, 2013, Austria

In the public debate on stepchild adoption for homosexual couples, Mrs. Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek, minister for women’s affairs, calls the contribution of the Catholic Church “inacceptable and dispensable”. In German: “Die Wortmeldungen aus Kirchenkreisen sind in diesem Zusammenhang inakzeptabel und entbehrlich."

Threats and Damage at a Church Building in Slavonski Brod

June 4, 2013, Croatia

In the territory of the Holy Spirit Parish in Slavonski Brod is a building for liturgical use dedicated to the Blessed Mother Teresa upon which material damage was inflicted. In front of the building on a stone the size of an egg, the message “I’m going to kill you” was written in various forms. Previously no one had threatened the priest and vicar. The incident was recorded by the police and an investigation and report were made.

Monastery Raided by Masked Gunmen

June 3, 2013, Austria

The Salvatorian monastery of Hörbranz in the Austrian federal state of Vorarlberg was raided by masked gunmen. A monk was threatened at gunpoint. The two men, allegedly in their 30’s, escaped with several thousands of Euros.

On-going Vandalism, Burglary and Spray Painted Insults in Thomasberg

June 2, 2013, Germany

Early in June vandals entered St. Joseph’s church in Thomasberg, Germany, stole the altar cross and some money and then broke candles for the offertory and damaged the icon of Mary. Several days later it was discovered that the organ had been damaged and candles burned. In mid-June the offertory candles were found to have all been burned down and matches were distributed throughout the church. At the end of June the Church door and showcase were painted with the words: "Kirche ist scheiße, Türken auch - wir wollen euch das Geld klauen.” - “Church is shit, Turks also - we want to steal your money."

Graffiti on Façade and Square of the Basilica Saint-Sernin in Toulouse

June 2, 2013, France

On the feast of Corpus Christi, the façade and the square of the basilica Saint-Sernin in Toulouse were spray painted with anti- Catholic graffiti saying “Death to Catholics”.

Saint Louis Church in La Roche Sur Yon Spray-painted with Anti-Christian Slogans

June 1, 2013, France

A wall of Saint Louis Church was spray-painted with blasphemous graffiti saying “Jésus la Tepue” (Jesus the slut). There was also graffiti found on the pedestal of the statue of the Virgin Mary, reading: “666 Satan reviendra. (Satan will return).

Conscientious Objection Undermined in Ireland's Proposed Abortion Law

June 1, 2013, Ireland

The Irish Cabinet has reached a consensus on the draft of the "Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013". The law prohibits objections on the basis of one’s conscience: “no institution, organisation or third party shall refuse to provide a lawful termination of pregnancy to a woman on grounds of conscientious objection”. Apart from this clause, the law that will regulate abortion in Ireland is rather restrictive compared to the legislation concerning abortion of other European countries.

French Minister of Education Wants to Replace Catholicism

May 31, 2013, France

The French minister Vincent Peillon wants to replace the Catholic faith by a “Republican religion”. “It is time to change that morality and spirituality have been determined by the Catholic Church”, a land of freedom would never be established when involving the Catholic Church, he said.

Witness Reports of Online Mobbing for Christian Positions

May 29, 2013, Germany

A letter to the editor by kath.net user „trierer“ about what he experienced in a German online discussion forum sheds light on the exclusion of Christians and Christians values from the public.

Parish Priest Discovers Desecration in Santa Chantal Church in Dijon

May 29, 2013, France

After presiding over a funeral, a Parish Priest was shocked to discover a heap of excrement behind the altar of Our Lady at the entrance to the sacristy. In addition, a prayer book in the back of the church was torn and smeared into. He decided that they can no longer leave the church open during the day but will have to keep it closed for protection.

Stickers Spread in Angers Saying "Catholicism – Enough Annoyance"

May 29, 2013, France

Citizens of the French city of Angers are confronted with stickers on traffic signs saying: “CATHO RAS-LE-BOL” (=Catholicism – enough annoyance). The credit is claimed by a group called “Comité anti-Catholique Angevin” (= anti-Catholic committee of Angers).

Repeated Urination in the Entrance Area of Church in Traunstein

May 29, 2013, Germany

The second entrance of the church of St. George and Katharina in the city centre of Traunstein has been repeatedly used as toilet facility a local source reported. In one case our source caught an adolescent by over-hearing the adolescent bragging to his friend about having urinated into the church on various occasions before.

Church Broken Into in Garevac

May 27, 2013, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Between the 22nd and the 23rd of May 2012, a church was broken into in Garevac, Bosnia-Herzegovina. The perpetrator(s) stole chalices which were used for Holy Communion.

Catholic Church in Esbjerg Vandalised

May 26, 2013, Denmark

On May 26 the crucifix in front of the church of Esbjerg in Jutland was vandalised for the second time. In the early morning a man of 25 to 30 years passing by the church with a companion, jumped into its front yard and broke the legs of the Jesus figure on the cross. The first time the crucifix has been attacked was at Easter 2012 when the figure of Jesus was torn from the cross.

References to Christmas to be Removed in Asturias

May 22, 2013, Spain

The Asturian regional government has sent a circular to schools asking for all references to Christmas to be removed from the school calendar and replaced with “winter holidays”.

Music Video to David Bowie’s Song The Next Day Insults Christians’ Religious Feelings

May 22, 2013, International

The video presented Bowie singing in an outfit representing Jesus. The scene takes place in a dark and bloody brothel. It begins with a priest entering the brothel after having beaten down a beggar. The priest then seduces a nun inside the brothel while Bowie performs. In the end the nun’s hands develop stigmata.

(Northern Ireland) Young Business Man Troubled for Not Printing Sexually Explicit Magazine

May 22, 2013, United Kingdom

Mr Williamson from Portadown in Northern Ireland, faces court proceedings for refusing to print materials of a gay magazine. He says the website of MyGayZine contained explicit images, and he wasn’t prepared to print that kind of material whether homosexual or heterosexual.

Pharmacists Do Not Enjoy an Explicit Right to Conscientious Objection

May 21, 2013, Austria

In Austria, pharmacists do not enjoy an explicit right to conscientious objection. The so called “morning after pill” may be obtained either by prescription or in case of emergency without a prescription. Besides other functions, the taking of the morning after pill may result in an early abortion. The Austrian criminal code contains a conscience clause for medical staff with regard to abortion. But for pharmacists there is no such clause. It is therefore unclear, whether pharmacists have a right to conscientious objection or not. The professional representation of pharmacists says there isn’t. This body argues that there is a legal obligation to contract; and that not delivering would be an act of non-assistance to a person in danger. Therefore, pharmacists or employees of pharmacies do not dare to withhold the abortifacient drug for conscientious reasons. It is necessary to introduce a law in Austria which explicitly recognises the freedom of conscience of pharmacists.

Duty of Referral Creates Conscience Dilemma for Pharmacists

May 21, 2013, Belgium

In 2007, a law was passed requiring a pharmacist to sell any type of legal drugs. This position was modified in a pharmaceutical law on the 15th of October 2010. Article 32 now states that without prejudice of the rights of the patient, the continuity of the caring and the execution of the order, the pharmacist has the right to refuse delivery according to his conscience and refer the client immediately to another pharmacist, where the drug will be available, otherwise he needs to deliver the drug himself. Even though these changes constitute an improvement, the duty to refer to someone else who will make the objectionable drug available, is problematic to the objector.

Registrars and Wedding Place Owners Not Allowed to Opt Out of Gay Civil Ceremonies

May 21, 2013, Belgium

Registrars of birth, marriages and deaths are not entitled to refer to their conscience to refuse to register a gay marriage as a civil act. Owners of wedding locations cannot opt out of facilitating gay marriages in their places.

Pharmacists Conscientious Objection Limited

May 21, 2013, Czech Republic

As of November 2011 the so-called “emergency pill” no longer needed a prescription making Postinor-2 and Escapelle available for women over the age of 16. The Czech Pharmaceutics Chamber published a “recommended policy” discussing the ethical view on the issue: “Due to the pill’s effects, some pharmacist might have personal reservations to sell it. Those pharmacists whose consciences do not allow to sell abortifacients can deny selling the pill only in such situation when there is not a problem for the buyer to get the pill from another pharmacist. If there is no possibility for the buyer to purchase the pill from another pharmacist in reasonable time and distance, the pharmacist is obliged to sell the pill no matter what his conscience requires.” A group of pharmacists signed a petition against this restriction of their freedom of conscience.

Conscientious Objection Impeded for French Medical Doctors and Students

May 21, 2013, France

The French law says: “A doctor is never required to perform an abortion (...). No midwife, nurse or physician assistant, whoever he is, can be forced to participate in an abortion.” But the reality is different: the organisation of the hospitals, the lack of staff, the schedules of the surgery departments and the pressure on the medical staff make a refusal on the grounds of freedom of conscience difficult.

No Conscientious Objection for Pharmacists

May 21, 2013, France

In French law conscientious objection for pharmacists is merely non-existent. Pharmacists are compelled to stock and sell the so-called “morning-after” or abortion pill. Moreover, in France, in the case of ‘passive euthanasia’ (i.e. a voluntary interruption of treatment), the physician has the right to be replaced by another doctor , but nothing in the law mentions the case of the other medical professionals, including nurses who often find themselves in very difficult situations. The prospects are not good: the very principle of conscientious objection is at risk. Eva Joly, French member of the European Parliament, recently said: "I am absolutely for France to abolish the clause of conscientious objection for doctors."

Pharmacists Forced to Sell "Morning-After-Pill" Despite Conscientious Objection

May 21, 2013, Ireland

The code of conduct for pharmacists requires that all pharmacists sell everything that is lawfully available in the state. This includes the so-called ‘morning after pill’. The Irish constitution has strong religious freedom protections, but if a pharmacist is unwilling to sell the morning after pill he would have to take his employer to court and plead for his constitutional rights. This could be very expensive and therefore most pharmacists with an objection to abortifacients in practice either sell them or quit their job.

Civil Registrars Forced to Officiate Same Sex Ceremonies

May 21, 2013, Ireland

A civil registrar could go to jail for up to six months for refusing to officiate at the ceremony of, for example, a same-sex couple. While churches are not forced to actually perform such ceremonies directly, they might face fines if they refuse to rent out halls for same-sex couples who wanted to use it for their reception following a civil partnership.

Marriage Commissioners in Amsterdam Evaluated on Support for Same-Sex Marriage

May 21, 2013, Netherlands

Marriage commissioners in a district of Amsterdam must undergo annual evaluations to ensure they support same-sex “marriage” after it was revealed that two commissioners had refused to officiate at the ceremonies. Since 2007, the government in Amsterdam’s Nieuw-West district has only employed commissioners who agree to perform same-sex “marriages,” and officials apparently believed the district was free of “conscientious objectors.”

Statutory Protection of Freedom of Conscience for Pharmacists Missing

May 21, 2013, Poland

Pharmaceutical Law requires public pharmacies to provide medical products and medical devices in the quantity and range needed by the local population. The current law does not provide for the possibility to refuse sale of drugs except in very specific cases, eg. in doubt of authenticity of the prescription. It is found that the type of drug or pharmacological properties do not constitute grounds for refusal. State authorities may revoke the license to operate a pharmacy if the pharmacy does not comply to these demands. There is a list of cases in which pharmacist can refuse to sell the drug. In order to ensure real respect for freedom of conscience, the relevant statutory provisions protecting the right to conscientious objection should be introduced in the Pharmaceutical Law.

No Explicit Provision for Conscientious Objection

May 21, 2013, Poland

While the abortion law in Poland is rather restrictive, it does not contain an explicit provision for “conscientious objection” to any of the medical staff involved in legal abortion.

Conscientious Objection Defined Too Narrowly

May 21, 2013, Spain

The Act on Sexual and Reproductive Health N° 2/2010 regulates the wilful interruption of pregnancy. It grants a right to conscientious objection only to those health professionals who are required to participate directly in an abortion procedure. (Article 12 §2, Article 19).

Registrars Not Allowed to Refuse to Conduct Same-Sex Ceremonies

May 21, 2013, Spain

Registrars are not allowed to refuse to conduct same-sex union procedures or ceremonies. Caso Judge (Juez de Paz) of the town of Pinto was forced to resign because he refused to officiate homosexual unions.

No Conscientious Objection of Health Care Workers

May 21, 2013, Sweden

There is no conscientious objection for health care workers in Sweden, in fact there is a total absence of legal statutes that protects the freedom of conscience for health care workers, midwifes, nurses, physicians, medical students or pharmacists. Health care workers, who are reprimanded, repositioned or put at disadvantage for refusing to perform procedures such as abortions, claim that their rights under article 9 of the Convention in compliance with the European Council resolution are infringed.

Conscientious Objection Clause Routinely Challenged

May 21, 2013, United Kingdom

Section 4 of the Abortion Act 1967 provides a conscientious objection to participation in abortion procedures. However, the scope of this conscientious objection clause is routinely being challenged. In 2012, the General Medical Council released its Draft Guidance on Personal Beliefs and Medical Practice, which stated that doctors must “be prepared to set aside their personal beliefs” in relation to a variety of controversial areas, including prescribing contraceptives – including the abortifacient morning-after-pill, referring women for abortions and performing “gender reassignment surgery.”

No Conscientious Objection with Regard to Affirming Homosexuality in the Workplace

May 21, 2013, United Kingdom

There have been a number of cases in the past few years that have followed a similar pattern in that no exemption will be made where a Christian has a conscientious objection in the workplace because he or she cannot endorse, condone or approve homosexual conduct.

Overly Strict Hate Speech Legislation

May 21, 2013, France

Hate speech laws are very strict in France. Since the law of December 8th, 2004, any discrimination in speech against homosexuals is forbidden. Christians for example are unable to publically say that having a same-sex relationship is a sin. The consequence is that nobody criticizes homosexuality in itself on TV, radio or in newspapers.

Hate Speech Legislation Curbing on Freedom of Expression

May 21, 2013, Sweden

Swedish penal law contains the crime “agitation against a national or ethnic group,” a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 2 years in prison. The Swedish government charged four activists who wanted to “start a debate about the lack of objectivity in the education in Swedish schools” by distributing leaflets on the "homosexual agenda".

"Insulting Speech Laws" Cause Legal Problems for Christians

May 21, 2013, United Kingdom

According to section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, it is criminal offence to use “insulting words or behaviour” which is “likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.” Originally enacted to combat football hooliganism, this provision has led to the arrest and prosecution of many Christian street preachers in recent years.

Stalking Law Used Against Freedom of Assembly of Pro-Life Christians

May 21, 2013, Austria

Anti-stalking legislation is used against side-walk counselling or picketing. On October 25th, 2011, the state court of Graz, Styria, upheld a judgement of the first instance condemning pro-life side-walk counsellors to pay fines on the grounds of “stalking.”

Freedom of Assembly Limited by Court Order in Germany

May 21, 2013, Germany

Christian-inspired non-governmental pro-life organisations often express their faith and their convictions by protesting in front of abortion clinics, or by simply standing in front of clinics or counselling centres in order to offer conversation and alternatives. In the German cities Freiburg and Munich, this activity has been severely limited. Local courts have given in to the pressure by the targeted locations, which could have been mainly financial ones. Courts have restricted the form of manifestation as well as established a geographical ban. Appeals are on-going.

Hostile Climate With Regard to Religion esp. Christianity

May 21, 2013, Germany

Anti-religion groups have created a climate hostile to frank discourse. Besides defamation campaigns and negative stereotyping, hate incidents have come to the Observatory’s notice. Activists physically prevented a professor to enter an auditorium to voice deviating views. Anti-religion slogans and images are often used in hurtful manners, such as the public destruction of crosses, the image of Jesus as a crucified pig, or slogans such as “We are here to hurt your feelings” or “If Mary had had an abortion, we would have been spared people like you”.

Pro-Life Manifestations Frequently Prohibited

May 21, 2013, France

Law 93-121 of January, 27th, 1993, so- called “loi Neiertz” made it a specific offense to obstruct abortions. Therefore manifestations in front of hospitals are frequently not permitted. A well-known doctor and embryologist, Xavier Dor, was condemned and sentenced to prison several times because he prayed together with a few others in front of a hospital and obstructed legal abortions. At 83, his latest trial is on-going.

Public Funding Restricted for Organisations with Christian Convictions

May 21, 2013, Netherlands

Organisations may base their work on whatever beliefs or convictions - but to receive public funding, they must not object to current legislation. This creates a problem for Christian organisations especially with regard to objecting to medical procedures.

Freedom of Association Limited to So-Called Non-Discriminatory Activities

May 21, 2013, Spain

The law states that “the public authorities shall not provide any assistance to associations in the case where the admission process or its operations discriminate on grounds of birth, race, sex, religion, opinion or any other condition or personal or social circumstance.”

(EU) Non-Discriminatory Hiring Laws Shown to be Problematic

May 21, 2013, Austria

In transposition of EU – law, Austria has adopted strict non-discrimination legislation in the employment sector. When a Christian religious official was looking for a secretary, his legal advisor asked the equal treatment commission before publishing a job advertisement: would it be permissible to reject a headscarf-wearing Muslim woman? The answer was no.

Lutheran Church Forced to Conduct Same-Sex Union Ceremonies

May 21, 2013, Denmark

The parliament of Denmark voted to force the established Evangelical Lutheran Church to perform same-sex “marriage” ceremonies inside their sanctuaries, although one-third of all the denomination’s priests say they will not participate in such rituals. The Danish parliament voted by an overwhelming 85-24 margin to compel churches to carry out unions for same-sex couples that are identical to heterosexual marriage celebrations.