All cases
Religious Statues Decapitated
August 19, 2016, LuxembourgA resident of Weilerlach discovered religious statues of Jesus and Joseph decapitated by unknown vandals in a public park. The police are investigating.
Verviers Church Vandalized
August 19, 2016, BelgiumThe last remaining stained glass window in the church of Sainte-Julienne was destroyed on August 19th by stones. A few months earlier the other windows of the church had been similarly damaged, forcing the church to erect protective fences. Costs to restore and repair the damage is estimated to be considerable.
Afghan Christian Attacked by Four Muslim Refugees
August 17, 2016, GermanyAn Afghan refugee (31) who converted from Islam to Christianity was attacked by four Muslim Afghans in Maintal near Frankfurt am Main. They shouted “Allahu Akbar” and said that they were going to kill him.
Catholic Church Vandalized a Week After Board Denied CCTV Permission
August 16, 2016, SwedenAn unknown person threw a rock through the window of the Catholic church in Karlstad a week after the city's administrative board denied permission for the church to install CCTV cameras.
Antitheist Murders Flatmate for her Christian Faith
August 15, 2016, GermanyDaniel E. was sentenced to life in prison on January 30, 2017 for the August 2016 premeditated murder of his Christian flatmate. The self-proclaimed "antitheist" admitted killing her because of his hatred of all religion. The judge said, "He killed her as a representative of her religion because he could not kill all believers.”
Christian Asylum Seeker Attacked for Faith
August 14, 2016, GermanyA young Christian asylum seeker was approached by several men on the street near Berlin and was asked whether he is Christian. When he said yes, he was insulted in Arabic and badly beaten.
Stained Glass Windows Destroyed in Church
August 14, 2016, FranceAt least 40 stones were thrown at four stained glass windows in a church in Delme, possibly using slingshots from outside the church. Damage is estimated to be 20,000 euros. Police are investigating.
Statue of Virgin Mary Beheaded in Alpes de Haute-Provence
August 14, 2016, FranceDuring the weekend of August 14th, a hiker discovered the chapel door forced open and the statue of Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette removed from its display, decapitated, and left outside the building with its head at its feet. Police are investigating.
City Church in Indre-et-Loire Vandalized
August 14, 2016, FranceThe church of Notre Dame in Vouvray was vandalized with black spray paint during the weekend of August 14, 2016 with a message accusing the church of fundamentalism and calling Christianity a sect: "Intégriste Christianize = Secte." An investigation was initiated.
U.S. Baptist Minister Arrested, Convicted Under Missionary Activity Law
August 14, 2016, RussiaDonald Ossewaarde was arrested on August 14th as he conducted a bible study group in his home. He is first foreign missionary to be charged with violating Russia's law banning missionary activity outside officially registered church buildings.
Church Desecrated in Grandate
August 13, 2016, ItalyDuring the night of August 13, 2016, unknown persons forced open the door of the church of San Bartolomeo in the Como province and attempted to break open the tabernacle containing consecrated Hosts, broke the marble lectern, and topped the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, breaking her hands and nose.
Mass of the Assumption Banned by Authorities
August 11, 2016, TurkeyAfter 88 years of closure, the Panagia Sumela Monastery in Trabzon, was reopened in June 2010 and since then, the Turkish authorities had given a license for a yearly Mass to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to celebrate the Mass of the Assumption. This year, the authorization was administratively revoked.
Town Council to Remove Cross from Public Square
August 11, 2016, SpainThe Callosa de Segura town council voted to remove the cross in the plaza of the church of San Martin. Christian legal groups objected, noting that its presence poses no threat to anyone and that it is part of the town's historical and cultural heritage.
Authorities Deny Permission for CCTV for Church
August 10, 2016, SwedenThe Catholic Church of Karlstad has been a repeated victim of attacks: Hate graffiti, inverted crosses glued on its walls, and broken windows. In 2015, Father Martin Ferenc, pastor of the church, filed no fewer than 15 police complaints. The police suggested that he install video surveillance cameras in order to identify the perpetrators. The priest therefore asked the administrative board to authorize their installation. The board rejected the application on the grounds that the church's interest in solving these crimes is outweighed by the individual's interest in not being recorded.
Vandals Tag 14th Century Church Fresco
August 10, 2016, ItalyA "street artist" tagged a fresco in the Basilica di San Lorenzo in Vicenza with black spray paint.
Pastor and Politician Report Abuse of Christian Refugees in Frankfurt
August 8, 2016, GermanyDuring a press conference with Bundestag member Erika Steinbach, Pastor Mahin Mousapour said Christians staying at migrant shelters are being told that they are impure and that they deserve to die for rejecting Islam.
Holy Synod Offices the Victim of Arson Attack by Molotov Cocktails
August 8, 2016, GreeceThe attack occurred at 3.10 a.m. when unidentified assailants, presumed to be anarchists, threw four Molotov cocktails into the yard of a church in central Athens, the Moni Petraki, which houses the central offices of the Church of Greece's Holy Synod. The molotov cocktails detonated, destroying two cars that had been parked outside.
Venice Church the Site of Two Anti-Christian Incidents
August 7, 2016, ItalyFour women wearing headscarves entered the Church of San Zulian, approached the crucifix, and spat on it. They then moved among the tourists undetected. The day before, on July 6, 2016, two young men, described as "Asians," received Communion, and then spat out pieces of the Host onto the ground and fled.
14-Year-Old Confesses to Setting Fire to Church
August 6, 2016, ItalyDuring the day of August 6, 2016, a 14-year-old intentionally set a fire in the church of San Filippo Neri in Savigliano using candles. The fire spread to the wooden paneling and was finally contained by the use of two fire extinguishers.
Christians Forced to Flee Refugee Housing in Schloss Holte-Stukenbrock
August 4, 2016, GermanyFourteen young Christian Iranians fled their accommodations after being threatened with death for months by a group of Muslims living in the tent city.