All cases
Lutheran Church Burnt Down in Hannover
July 29, 2013, GermanyIn 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, AustriaA 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, GermanyTwo 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, FranceThe 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, ItalyIn 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, FranceInscription 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, ItalyThieves 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, FranceUnidentified 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, FranceThree 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, SpainSpanish 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.