All cases

A Cemetery Vandalized in Varilhes

May 9, 2009, France

During the night from Thursday 7th to Friday 8th, one or several individuals broke in the cemetery of Varilhes and vandalized numerous graves. Flower pots were broken, flower and funeral ornaments thrown in the alleys and graves were unsealed.

Parliament Liberals Table Anti-Pope Amendment

May 7, 2009, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)

Liberal Group in the European Parliament tabled an amendment to the Annual Report on Human Rights in the World condemning Pope Benedict XVI's anti-condom statement.

Community Ruling Forbids Any Religious Symbols

May 6, 2009, Italy

A community ruling forbids any religious symbols, such as the crucifix, including on cemetery grounds, on May 6, 2009, in Lugo di Romagna.

Hospital Bans Paintings of Churches

May 5, 2009, United Kingdom

A London hospital informed local artists who contributed paintings for its decoration were informed that any depiction but that of churches was welcome. The reason given was to be mindful of other religions.

Nurse Fired For Religious Advise In a Role Play Training

May 1, 2009, United Kingdom

Anand Rao, a nurse with over 40-years of experience, has been sacked after he suggested two people playing patients might go to Church and pray during a role play session on a training course.

Congressmen Support a Motion to Condemn Benedict XVI´s Statements Made in Africa

April 30, 2009, Spain

The Catalonia Green Initiative (ICV), a left political fraction in the Spanish Congress, presented a motion to condemn Pope Benedict Statements made in Africa regarding HIV and the use of preservatives. The motion which was led by Joan Herrera and received the support of two members of the Popular Party (PP), Ana Pastor and Celia Villalobos.

Up to 100 Graves Wrecked in Montbron

April 30, 2009, France

Tombstones were tipped over, crosses broken, plaques and ornaments wrecked, flower pots put into pieces: a shocking sigh for the inhabitants. “I was disgusted to discover that,” says Gwenhaël François, mayor of Montbron.

Fire Set to Church in Clermont-Ferrand

April 28, 2009, France

Saint Joseph’s church of Clermont-Ferrand was partially destroyed by fire set to it on purpose. The fire started at 11:55 a.m. on Saturday, April 25th, and was mastered by the firemen only at 5 p.m. Philippe Kloeckner, the parish priest, explained that he had reported to the police a first attempt of fire against the church on Friday April 24th.

Parliament Issues Formal Protest against Pope's Statement on Condoms

April 27, 2009, Belgium

The Belgian Chamber and Senate overwhelmingly approve of two decisions that formally condemn the pope for having stated that the distribution of condoms will not help to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. The pope’s position is called a “crime against humanity."

Defamation of Christianity on Television

April 27, 2009, Italy

Television program ANNOZERO openly insults Christianity by showing satirical vignettes of the Way of the Cross.