All cases

Explosives Thrown at Church Door in Italy

November 14, 2013, Italy

The newly renovated Church of San Donato (LU) was damaged when a lady threw Molotov cocktails against the door of the church. The village had just raised 40,000 Euro to have the church renovated.

Figurine Shows Madonna Defecating

November 14, 2013, Spain

The Spanish company Caganer developed a caganer figurine (a “crapper”, see below) in the image of the Virgin of Montserrat. The Tarraconense Episcopal Conference expressed their “deep regret” that an image of such a beloved religious symbol should be portrayed in such a way. As well, Fr. Ignasi Fossas, prior of Montserrat, declares that such a representation of the Virgin Mary is in bad taste.

Cross on News Presenter's Neck Forbidden on Offending Islam Claims

November 12, 2013, Norway

Siv Kristin Sællmann, one of the best-known news presenters of the Norwegian television was forbidden to wear a small cross around her neck on air in order not to insult Islam.

Video of Sexual Act with Cross Hurts Feelings of Believers

November 8, 2013, Poland

An exhibition in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Warsaw displayed a video "Veneration of Christ" in which the artist rubs himself in a blasphemous way against a crucifix, imitating a sexual relationship. The exhibition was showing from September to November 2013. The artist Jacek Markiewicz claims that it was not his wish to vilify any religious feelings. By his own statements he is a non-believer. Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz of Warsaw calls the video a "desecration of the Cross" that exceeds the boundaries of artistic expression and basic ethical standards".

Church Vandalised Causing Considerable Material Damage

November 7, 2013, Germany

St. Peter’s Church in Waltrop, Germany was broken into. The door to the sacristy was broken and the interior ransacked. The Police and Crime investigators were at the scene and a report was made.

Vandalism at St. Peter’s Church in Waltrop

November 6, 2013, Germany

Considerable damage was caused to St. Peter's Church in Waltrop. The vestry door was broken and the interior devastated. Police are investigating

Push to Eliminate the Christian Element of the Saint Martin Tradition in Nordrhein-Westfalen and Hessen

November 5, 2013, Germany

The Chairman of the Left-wing party in the Nordrhein-Westfalen region, Rüdiger Sagel, suggested to rename the celebration and remove the religious overtones in the local day-care centres. “In many Nordrhein-Westfalen day-care centres there are an increasing number of children from different religions.” ... „”the day-care should be an interdenominational space,” says Sagel, and claims that the day-cares are influencing the children regarding their religion. After a storm of protests, the Left-wing party withdrew the suggestion.

Church Covered in Graffiti in Brescia

November 4, 2013, Italy

During a night raid the walls of the Church of Santa Maria Calchera in Brescia were covered with inscriptions in red paint. The whole length of the façade was covered.

Vandalism and Desecration at Church of Carmine in Ascoli

October 28, 2013, Italy

Vandals entered the Church of the Carmine in Ascoli using scaffolding positioned for restructuring. They removed some crucifixes, holy objects and candles. The walls and furniture were also covered in paint and at the end they tried to celebrate a black mass.

Graffiti on Church of Casorate Sempione

October 26, 2013, Italy

The outside walls of the church and churchyard were spray painted with white paint and with a number of sentences. One of these read: "most priests dead" (“più preti morti”). About a month before this happened, a symbol of "A" for anarchy was painted on the walls of the Caritas centre, and there have been acts of vandalism in the same church in the past.

Christian Parents Convicted for Home-schooling, Appeal Rejected

October 24, 2013, Germany

On May 22nd the district court sentenced the parents of nine to pay a fine of 700 Euro each for their violation of the compulsory school attendance for all children in Germany. The public prosecution department demanded six months in prison for the married couple due to their repeated offense. An appeal was rejected in October.

Andalusia Discriminates against Teachers of Religion

October 22, 2013, Spain

In Andalusia, the Board of Education prohibits teachers of religion to watch students at recess. This is expressly due to the subject matter that they teach and not for economic reasons. The Centre for Religious Liberty and Conscience (OLRC), has asked the Ministry of Education to apologize for this discrimination and to allow teachers of religion to “practice their profession on equal footing with other teachers.”

Posters in Tarragona Mock Christians in Reaction to the Beatification of 522 Twentieth Century Christian Martyrs

October 17, 2013, Spain

Posters on the streets of Tarragona depicted a lion chasing a priest with the inscription, “An ancient tradition. Blessed be the lions.” This in response to the beatification (the bestowing of the title of “Blessed” by the Catholic Church) of 522 Christian martyrs who were killed in the Twentieth century.

Profanities Shouted at a Parish Commemoration Presided Over by the Archbishop

October 16, 2013, Spain

During a commemoration by the Archbishop of the fiftieth anniversary of a parish in Madrid, 20 people gathered outside and shouted profanities. Two people were arrested after they got past the police barrier. They were released the next day.

Vandalism in Church in Galazzano, San Marino

October 15, 2013, San Marino

Vandals broke a crucifix in a church in Galazzano in San Marino. The church had never experienced vandalism before.

Statue of Our Lady Destroyed in Bordeaux

October 13, 2013, France

In the night to October 13, a statue of our lady was destroyed in Bordeaux. The statue had been attached about three meters high on a corner of an apartment building at Rue Neuve. The head of the statue could not be found which indicates a hate motivated act.

St. Eulalia, Patroness of Madrid, Secularized

October 10, 2013, Spain

An initiative driven by Ignasi Ventura Diaz hopes to reinstate the cross symbol on images of St. Eulalia, patroness of Madrid. Currently, public images of the saint contain a young girl on an eagle instead of the traditional cross upon which the saint was crucified at the age of thirteen. Groups such as e-Christians wish for the City Council to acknowledge the Christian roots of St. Eulalia, currently called “La Laia”, a nickname which also hides the Christian roots of the city’s patroness.

Discrimination Against Religion Teachers on the Canary Islands

October 10, 2013, Spain

Religion teachers on the Canary Islands are discriminated against, as they are not allowed to participate in extra activities, such as becoming a cycling coordinator or head teacher. This matter has been brought to court and is still pending. In the meantime, centers may choose according to their individual needs whether or not religion teachers may occupy such positions, but there is still discrimination occurring in some schools since such a decision is arbitrary and depends on the judgment of the inspectors.

Bomb Planted in Catholic Church in Zaragoza

October 3, 2013, Spain

A bomb was set inside the Catholic “Basílica del Pilar” in Zaragoza. It exploded close to the organ and benches. The church and the market square in front of the basilica had to be cleared by the police. Local sources suspect an extreme left-wing group behind the bomb attack. These claims are supported by the fact that the words “This is our offering“ and a veiled figure holding a bomb were spray painted on a wall nearby the basilica. This bomb was the first attack on the basilica of Zaragoza since the Spanish Civil War.

Violent Language Used by Feminists and Other Left-Wing Organisations

September 27, 2013, Spain

During a pro-choice rally, the coordinator of “Valladolid Women”, a feminist organization, shouted violence inciting words such as “We must burn the Episcopal Conference” outside of a lecture hall in which the Spanish Christian Lawyers Association AEAC was giving a lecture on the persecution of Christians. The Christian Lawyers Association has filed a complaint under the heading of incitement to hatred and violence.

Christian Cemetery Vandalised in Villecien, Yonne

September 26, 2013, France

In Villecien an old Christian cemetery was vandalised in the afternoon of September 26th. 61 graves were vandalised and inscriptions and religious statues were destroyed or removed.

Two Statues Destroyed at a Church in Haan

September 25, 2013, Germany

During a fair in Haan (North Rhine-Westphalia), unknown perpetrators tore the cross with the figure of Jesus off the church of St. Chrysanthus and Daria, beheaded the figure and took the head away. The perpetrators also tore an arm off the figure of a bishop and threw the arm into the garden of the kindergarten next door. In the last ten years, the figure of Jesus has been destroyed three times.

Statue Vandalised in Church in Sassari

September 25, 2013, Italy

The historic statue of Our Lady of Hope (1934) in Sassari was taken down from its stand and broken into pieces.

Church and Bust of Pope Benedict XVI Spray Painted

September 22, 2013, Germany

St. Oswald church - the church in which Pope Benedict XVI celebrated his first mass - was spray painted with large letters. Local sources suspect radical left wing forces behind the incident. A bust of the former Pope in front of the main entrance was spray painted twice. In the first case the delinquent was identified, the second case remains unclear.

Dublin Church Bells Silenced After 130 Years

September 21, 2013, Ireland

Due to complaints, the clock and bells at the Church of St. Bartholomew, Dublin, Ireland are temporarily out of service. The church is required to find a solution to stop the bells from ringing at night, or they will have to be switched off permanently.

Fire Damage in Church in Reggio Emilia

September 21, 2013, Italy

The shrine of Our Lady in the church of St. Augustine in Reggio Emilia was set on fire. Fortunately the statue was unharmed but everything around it was destroyed.

Vandalised Madonna in Bari

September 10, 2013, Italy

The Madonna in the Parish of St Nicholas in Bari was decapitated by vandals. The statue was carved in the rock at the base of a large crucifix and was probably broken by being thrown against the crucifix.

Government Takes Children From Christian Community

September 5, 2013, Germany

In the early morning of September 5th, a massive police raid of 100 police and 60 social workers descended on two of the Christian Twelve Tribes Communities of Klosterzimmern and Wörnitz. The police seized 40 children from 16 families and took them away in 25 vans on allegations of physical abuse.

Vandalism in Church in Bologna

September 5, 2013, Italy

Vandals broke in half the ceramic statue of the Madonna in Caserme Rosse. This statue had been vandalised two years ago as well.

Berlin Bans Public Christmas Celebrations

September 3, 2013, Germany

Berlin politicians and officials of Berlin-Kreuzberg banned the celebration of Christmas in public places or roads, as well as decorations and Christmas fairs, in order not to discriminate against the Muslim minority. A tree may only be placed in specific places, previously assigned by the authorities.

Stations of the Cross Vandalised in Traunstein

September 3, 2013, Germany

Local faithful discovered grafitti on stations of the cross. Unknown perpetrators had spraypainted "God is dead", "boozing" and an anarchy symbol on the small buildings.

Pope John Paul II Commemoration Monument in Rijeka Thrown into the Sea

September 1, 2013, Croatia

A monument commemorating the visit by John Paul II to Rijeka, which had been erected in June 2013 on the pier Gat Karoline Riječke, was thrown into the sea by unidentified vandals. Divers from the Rijeka Fire Department pulled it out from a depth of approximately six meters. The incident was recorded by the police who conducted an investigation.

Satanist Symbolism on Garage in Traunstein

August 30, 2013, Germany

Various acts of vandalism with clear anti-Christian symbolism have been reported in in Traunstein/Southern Germany: The exterior wall of a small church belonging to a parish in Traunstein (in the South of Germany) was spray painted with anti-Christian symbols and had to be repainted. Close by, the pedestal of a St. John Nepomuk figure was disfigured with the painting of a satanist cross. On a private garage, two big satanist crosses and the letters “GOD free“ were spray painted. Local sources suspect radical left wing groups are behind these acts.

Christians Hurt by Theatre Performance in Former Church Building

August 30, 2013, Germany

Local Christians reported to the Observatory that they felt offended by a play with the title, “Empathy to the Devil” which was performed in a secularised church in the south of Germany. The poster of the event featured a silhouette of the devil. Earlier productions from the same theatre-group have shown a big red cross being used as a hat stand on stage.

Church Vandalised Overnight in Loire-Atlantique

August 24, 2013, France

In the night perpetrators broke down the door and entered the church of Notre Dame in Loire-Atlantique, Bretagne, where they destroyed several more items. A lawsuit was filed and as a consequence the town decided to close and lock the doors of the church, which are normally open.

Exhibition in Church Damaged by Fire in Chatellerault

August 17, 2013, France

An exhibition of pilgrims financed by the Friends of Santiago de Compostela was on display in the St. Jacques church in Chatellerault, France. Several times someone tried to set the laminated panels of the images on fire using a candle. The panels were covered with burn holes from the candle. Police in Chatellerault have opened an investigation.

Burglary at Church in Wesel

August 15, 2013, Germany

Perpetrators broke through a basement window in the rectory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Wesel, Germany. They damaged several doors including the door to the sacristy and stole two boxes of donated money.

Vandalism and Burglary in Church in Lünen

August 14, 2013, Germany

Thieves broke through the roof into St. Joseph’s church in Lünen, Germany. All cabinets and boxes were opened. A large cross in the sacristy was thrown on the floor and a chandelier used as a crowbar. Police estimated a damage of at least 8000 euro.

Plan to Ditch God From National Anthem

August 13, 2013, Switzerland

Switzerland is holding a competition to rewrite its national anthem in 2014 because it currently focuses on God. Over £7,000 is being offered as a prize for rewriting the song, which is called the Swiss Psalm. Competitors are asked to include values from the Swiss constitution such as democracy and solidarity.

Government Says No Opt Out Of Performing Abortions for Faith-Based Hospitals

August 12, 2013, Ireland

The Irish government has told a Catholic hospital that there will be no opting out of the new law legalising abortion, and which requires hospitals to do the procedure. The health minister was responding to comments by a board member of Dublin’s Mater Misericordiae University Hospital that the hospital would not be complying with the new abortion law.

Wooden Cross Stolen From Church in Aushausen

August 12, 2013, Germany

A large 150 x 150 cm wooden cross with the figure of Jesus was stolen from the church of St. Andrew in Aushausen, Germany. The cross had been fastened with metal studs on the church wall.

Consultation Centre for Disabled People Vandalised by Left Wing Radicals

August 5, 2013, France

The Jérôme-Lejeune-Foundation reports that the HIV/Aids – Awareness raising lobby group “Act Up“ has vandalised the foundation’s premises in the night from August 4th to 5th. Doctors and patients of the foundation discovered insulting posters, red colour on doors, windows and walls and condoms lying around in the morning. Prof. Marie-Odile Rhétoré, director of the public consultations, deplored that the sight was shocking for families and their disabled children who came for appointments and support that morning.

Theft and Vandalism in Church in Misson

August 5, 2013, Italy

The Basilica of San Vittore in Misson was attacked by a vandal who forced open the side window of the sacristy and entered the church. He ripped the golden door off the golden casket and stole the consecrated Host.

British Gay Couple to Legally Challenge Church for Not Offering Gay Marriage

August 2, 2013, United Kingdom

A British homosexual couple feels „forced to take Christians into a court to get them to recognise” them. The Marriage Act contains legal provisions to protect churches which chose not to conduct same-sex weddings from being sued.

Attempted Burglary at a Church in Dorstfeld

August 2, 2013, Germany

Police were called to the Barbara Church at Arminiusstraße, Dorstfeld, Germany because of suspicious noises. They discovered a young man on a ladder, leaning under a window of the church. The man was already known to the police as a burglar. The police took him into custody, but had to dismiss him for lack of reasons for detention.

Crucified Chicken Hurts Feelings of Believers

August 1, 2013, Austria

Christians in Austria were hurt by the depiction of a crucified chicken as a work of art by Deborah Sengl. The image was displayed in Wiener Neustadt in the late summer, ironically in a former church building.

Church Burned to the Ground in Garbsen

July 30, 2013, Germany

A church in Garbsen, Germany was burned down by a group of arsonists from a violent Oriental circle. It is not clear whether it will be possible to retrieve parts of the church. Symbolically, the bronze Christ on the wall behind the altar survived the inferno and still hangs on the wall above the rubble.

Lutheran Church Burnt Down in Hannover

July 29, 2013, Germany

In the night from July 29 to 30, the Lutheran church and parish house Willehadikirche in Hannover was set on fire and burned down completely despite the efforts of 150 firemen. The police concluded the following day that it was a case of deliberate arson. Neighbours reported that they saw a group of youth trying to set the church on fire but thought that they had not succeeded.

34 Anti-Life Activists Arrested for Attacks and Violations of Freedom of Assembly against Praying Christians

July 26, 2013, Austria

A peaceful prayer-manifestation of young Christians in Salzburg was interrupted by aggressive pro-choice activists who blocked streets and insulted the Christian activists. Police officers had to rearrange the walking route of the march and finally arrested 34 pro-choice activists for the violation of freedom of assembly. Two pro-choice activists also attacked a police officer.

(Austria) Posters and Graffiti on Parish Display Cabinet

July 25, 2013, Germany

Two display cabinets attached to a Catholic parish house in Traunstein, Germany were covered with unauthorised posters on July, 23rd 2013. The posters invited to a pro-choice-demonstration in Salzburg. At least forty of the same poster were also plastered illegally in various places in the city of Salzburg, where the demonstration took place on July. This led to the arrest of 34 radically left wing participants and pro-choice-demonstrators. The mentioned display cabinets were also sprayed with the words “No Nazis“ and the surrounding walls were also painted.

Theatre Play Mocks Christianity at a Metz Streetfestival

July 25, 2013, France

The Belgian theatre group Compagnie d’Outre Rue, mocked the Christian faith and the Catholic Church in a public display of their program Petites Prophéties Urbaines. The play featured actors in liturgical clothes who, among other things, celebrated a “mass with snacks”. The Pope, the Church and its most sacred rituals were mocked and made fun of.

Desecration of Madonna in Church in Paratico

July 24, 2013, Italy

In the church of Oasi Mamma dell'Amore in Paratico excrement and glass bottles were left at the statue of the Madonna.

Cemetery in Cambrai Looted

July 23, 2013, France

Inscription plates, angel statues, ornaments, solar lights and flowers were stolen from a cemetery in Solesmes Cambrai. Many objects had high sentimental and financial value. Some of the stolen items were found at a market in the neighbouring town of Cantimpre by families of the deceased. The police were informed and an exhibitor was arrested.

Theft and Desecration in Church of Serravalle

July 23, 2013, Italy

Thieves broke into the church of Serravalle, stole items, and left excrement and urine beside the altar.

Provocative Graffiti on Church of St. Louis en l‘lle

July 21, 2013, France

Unidentified perpetrators spray painted the words: “Essayez les orgasmes” (Try Orgasms) on the church of St. Louis, France. The second phrase was “Omnia sunt Communia”, but written in a wrong way: “Ominia comminia“. It means "Everything in common" which is generally attributed to Thomas Munzer (1488-1527) a leader of the Peasants' War of 1525 in Germany.

Graffiti Spray Painted on Catholic Church in Brussels

July 21, 2013, France

Three walls of the church of the Holy Trinity d’Ixelles (Elsenes) near Brussels were spray painted with graffiti.

Church Set on Fire Leads to Arrests of Four Young Adults

July 20, 2013, Spain

Spanish police arrested four young adults for setting the church of Carmen de Vinaroz in Castellón on fire on July 5th. Sacred images and furniture were severely damaged. Spanish Christians deplore frequent threats, for example spray paintings saying: “the only church which illuminates is a burning church“ or “remember the year 1936“, suggesting a planned repetition of the murder of over 3000 religious people.

Croatian Television Breaks Agreement with Catholic Church

July 19, 2013, Croatia

Croatian Television (HTV) one-sidedly cancelled the autonomy of its religious program, which had been guaranteed by the Agreement signed in 2000 by HTV and the Croatian Conference of Bishops (in reference to the implementation of the international contract between the Holy See and the Republic of Croatia).

Priest Violently Assaulted in Quimper, Bretagne

July 17, 2013, France

Father Michel Mazeas, Pastor of the cathedral of Quimper, Bretagne, was attacked by a man at the rectory of Saint Corentin in Rue Toul-al-Laer. He was threatened and received a dozen punches in the face by the stranger. The attacker was arrested by the police, placed in custody and interned in a public mental health facility of Gourmlen.

Old Lady Robbed and Killed in Church in Marche-en-Famenne

July 13, 2013, Belgium

Marie-Thérèse Deflandre, was found lifeless on the floor of the church of Saint-Remacle in Marche-en-Famenne, Belgium. She was found with severe head injuries and taken to hospital in Liege where she died 10 days later. No personal belongings were found with the lady and her credit card was later used by a third party.

Anti-Catholic Performance in Metz

July 12, 2013, France

For two consecutive days anti-Catholic provocative and sacrilegious performances were held in Metz. They were organized by the city of Metz and “Hop Hop Hop –festivals”, at which the Belgian group Compagnie d'Outre Rue performed their program including a show called “Mass with breadsticks”. During the show, they wore liturgical clothing, used liturgical items and mocked the Pope and the Church under much laughter of the public. The event was organised by the socialist mayor Dominique Gros.

European Affairs Minister Forced to Resign

July 11, 2013, Ireland

Lucinda Creighton, European Affairs Minister of Ireland had to resign after voting against the Government on an amendment to the abortion bill. The so-called “whip” does not permit to deviate from party policy. Mrs. Creighton however felt that she could not compromise on matters of “life and death”.

13-Century-Church Vandalised in Grafing

July 7, 2013, Germany

Unknown perpetrators entered St. Leornhard church in Grafing, Bavaria, on the weekend of July 6 and 7. They climbed into the locked main hall of the 13th-century church and broke pieces from a number of wooden statues which they burnt on the altar, thereby also damaging the main painting behind the altar. Some relics were stolen and the damage was severe.

Facebook Page Claims “Mary Should´ve Aborted”

July 4, 2013, Italy

An anti-Christian page on facebook stated that “Mary should have aborted”. The page was reported to the facebook service who answered that this content does not violate community standards on hate speech.

Street Preacher Arrested For Preaching on Sexual Morality

July 1, 2013, United Kingdom

The police arrested a street preacher in Wimbledon under suspicion of offences under the Public Order Act. He had been speaking about sexual immorality in general and the importance to abstain from such practices.

Church in Lille Spray Painted

July 1, 2013, France

A church in Lille was sprayed with graffiti insulting the Catholic Church and the Catholic political movement “Civitas”.

Catholic Bookseller Vandalised for the 27th Time in Bordeaux

June 29, 2013, France

A Catholic bookseller in Bordeaux became a victim of vandalism for the 27th time. The proprietor said that they had been threatened, offended and the shop window was spat upon. The bookseller has been the object of “attack” of left wing extremists for many years, especially since the debate about gay marriage and the French "Manif pour tous".

Arrest for Setting Two Churches on Fire

June 27, 2013, United Kingdom

A young man in Derbyshire, England, was arrested because he is suspected to have set two churches on fire in Allestree and one in Twyford.

Police Brutality Directed Against Pro-Family Demonstrators

June 26, 2013, France

Tear gas attacks and beatings by the police, arbitrary arrests, solitary confinement, illegal finger print storing, and countless other human rights violations were conducted by the French police against a peaceful mass demonstration opposing government policy on gay marriage and adoption.

Church Vandalised and Robbed in Itzum

June 25, 2013, Germany

The church of St. George in Itzum, Germany was vandalised and robbed when gangsters smashed their way through a window into the church. They smashed doors and furniture and ransacked offices. They found the key to the sacristy and vault, and stole the church’s valuables from the safe as well as the studded chalices, communion cups and a gold plated 275 year-old monstrance.

Church St. Nicolas du Chardonnet in Paris Vandalised

June 23, 2013, France

The church of St. Nicolas du Chardonnet in Paris was vandalised in the night of June 22nd when someone spray painted the following words on the wall of the church: “Tantum religio potuit suadere malorum.” meaning “only religion can lead to such evil” or “so much wrong could religion induce." The graffiti was signed with the anarchy logo.

Insurance Company Refuses Youth Ministry on Confessional Grounds

June 22, 2013, France

The insurance company MAIF (Mutuelle Assurance Automobile des Instituteurs de France – Mutual Automobile Assurance of elementary school teachers of France) refused to cover “Le Foyer de Saint-Martin” (The House of Saint Martin) because the association has confessional roots.

Violent and Anti-Catholic Placard Displayed in Caen

June 22, 2013, France

A placard by the “Confédération Nationale du Travail“ (National Confederation of Work) was displayed in Caen, France. The placard shows a picture of a woman kicking a priest in his genitalia and the corresponding text says: “Buzz off! My body belongs to me”.

Encouragement of Violence Against Christians

June 21, 2013, Germany

During anti-Christian manifestations in Germany, the appeal to rape Christians in an exceptionally brutal way and vulgar language was spread. A slogan invented by a punk band who titled a song with it, is gaining popularity. This call to violence is also spreading as a slogan on t-shirts.

Vandalism in Church in Messina

June 19, 2013, Italy

In the Church of the Good Shepherd in Messina a crucifix was found upside down covered in dirty wax and paint. A Madonna statue was also burned. There were also nails driven into the images, one in the neck of the crucifix. The Satanists also marred the vessel of the sacristy and engraved an inverted cross, swastika and 666 on the table.

Repeated Vandalism of Chapel in Bergheim-Kenten

June 19, 2013, Germany

Two volunteers who have been caring for a chapel in Bergheim- Kenten for many years gave up after repeated vandalism when they found the shrine vandalized again, this time smeared with feces.

Attempt to Break into Church in Osterhol

June 17, 2013, Germany

During the open hours of Martin Church unidentified perpetrators damaged several doors of different rooms in the church in Osterhol. The damage to the doors was worth several hundred euros.

Anti-Catholic Graffiti on the Entrance Door of Cathedral of Montpellier

June 16, 2013, France

In the night of June 16th, an unknown person sprayed anti-Catholic graffiti on the main entrance of the door of the cathedral in Montpellier, France. “Filthy fascist. You have killed Clement…” Clément Meric, a left wing activist, was tragically beaten to death by a skinhead – not Christians – in the beginning of June.

Attempted Burglary at a Church in Duisburg-Marxloh

June 16, 2013, Germany

A 11-year-old boy and 24-year-old men entered a church in Duisburg-Marxloh, Germany and attempted to steal metal from the roof. Someone noticed and called the police. The thieves hid in a false ceiling of the church while fire fighters were searching for them. The thieves were finally found.

Anti-Catholic Graffiti on Church in Bourgoin–Jalliieu, Isère

June 15, 2013, France

Insulting anti-Catholic, anti-France, pro-Islam and pro-Bin Laden graffiti were found on two pillars in the morning of the 15th of June by a member of the church “Saint - Jean – Baptiste” in Bourgoin- Jalliieu. The sign “GIA” suggests to mean “Groupe islamique armé (Islamic armed group)”.

Young Man Set Church in Moulins on Fire

June 15, 2013, France

The police questioned a young man who had been noticed by a witness coming out of the sacristy of the church in Moulins. Inside the sacristy, a fire had started: a bottle of alcohol had been poured over the candles. The witness managed prevent the fire from spreading.

Attempted Burglary in Church in Bad Herrenalb

June 14, 2013, Germany

Burglars tried to pry open the door to the monastery in Bad Herrenalb, Germany. After the failed attempt they fled. According to police information, an estimated damage of 100 euro was caused.

Gathering Disturbed by Insults and Shouting in Montpellier

June 13, 2013, France

A gathering of “Les Veilleurs”, a peaceful manifestation group in favour of the traditional family of was disturbed by shouting from students and radical LGBT activists. Anti-Catholic insults were yelled as “Les Veilleurs” gathered to pray and sing together as they do every Tuesday evening before the prefecture in Montpellier.

Church and Graves Vandalised in Grandvilliers

June 13, 2013, France

The church and 37 tombs in the village of Grandvilliers were vandalised. The vandals stoned the stained-glass windows of the church and knocked over sepulchral items. They also damaged the signs of the tombs and displaced one tombstone.

Vandalism in Church in Losheim

June 12, 2013, Germany

Unidentified perpetrators entered a church in Losheim, Germany, broke several doors and ransacked the sacristy. They also searched the gallery and the bell tower. Nothing was stolen but the damages were substantial.

Anti-Catholic Graffiti on Walls of Catholic School in Nantes

June 11, 2013, France

The walls inside of the Catholic school in Nantes were spray painted with anti-Catholic graffiti showing obscene images and messages. The different style of writing suggests that at least two people have done this.

German Publicists Suffer Defamatory Statements

June 10, 2013, Germany

Berger, chief editor of the gay magazine “Men”, said that some publicits made defamatory statements and should not be allowed on TV any more. He had labeled Gabriele Kuby, a Catholic German publicist and also Martin Lohmann, chief editor of the Catholic television channel K-TV, and Katherina Reiche, member of the German parliament, as “homophobic protagonists” and had demanded: “Homo-haters get out of the talk shows”. Gabriele Kuby renounced these false accusations and explicitly stated that she is not homophobic and that the term “homo-hater” was invented by the homo-lobby to criminalize critique of the “homosexual movement”.

Protestant Assembly Hall Burned Down in Villiers-sur-Marne

June 10, 2013, France

In the early morning of the 10th of June, the Protestant assembly hall in Villiers-sur-Marne, France, which had room for 200 people, was burned down. An investigation is in progress but it seems that the action of the burning was done voluntarily.

Pope Demeaned by Headline “Junta Buddy Replaces Nazi Boy”

June 10, 2013, Germany

The German daily “taz” commented on the inauguration of the pope with the headline “Junta buddy replaces Nazi Boy” (Juntakumpel löst Hitlerjungen ab). After about 50 individual complaints to the German press council it ruled that the headline constituted an offence against the duty to take care (Sorgfaltspflicht). The Central Committee of the German Catholics (ZdK) sharply criticised the statement and the fact that the press council refuses a reprehension concerning the violation of religious feelings. The press council states that “assessments” on the Catholic doctrine such as “Old geezer I. followed old geezer II” are provocative but are covered through the right to freedom of opinion.

Graffiti on Cathedral of Limoges

June 8, 2013, France

Suspected “Antifa”-left wing activists spray painted the words: “Canon Law = Sharia”. Next to the Church on a construction site fence you could read: “To Clement, who was killed by the brown pest.” This is an allusion to the left wing activist Clement Meric, who had been thrashed to death by a skinhead some days before, blaming the Church for the tragedy of Clement’s death.

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."