All cases

Graves Desecrated in Ardennes

July 9, 2012, France

In July 2012 the Apostolic Nunciature of France reported that 40 graves were desecrated by (an) unknown perpetrator(s) in Saint-Etienne-à-Arnes in Ardennes, France.

Plundered Donation Boxes in Churches in Euskirchen

July 8, 2012, Germany

Burglars forced their way into churches in Kirspenich, Schönau and Nemmenich and plundered the donation boxes.

Desecration of Church in Eckerförde, Offertory Box Robbed

July 6, 2012, Germany

A robber broke into the church in Eckerförde and stole the money being collected for the poor out of the offertory boxes. He left an apologetic message in the visitors book.

Party Proposes Explicit Ban of Conscientious Objection for Registrars with regard to Gay Marriage

July 4, 2012, Netherlands

The liberal party VVD (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie) tabled a proposal in the second chamber of the parliament to prohibit the use of conscientious objection for registrars with regard to conducting gay marriages. There seems to be a majority in the parliament to support this proposal. The topic is expected to be debated until the end of the year 2012.

Legislative Proposal Seeks to Limit Conscientious Objection for Registrars

July 4, 2012, Netherlands

On the 4th of July 2012 an amendment of the law on public officers was proposed by the members Koser Kaya and Van Hijum to the Dutch Parliament: It calls for the dismissal of registrars for marriages, births and deaths who refuse to perform same-sex marriages on conscientious grounds - if not sufficient other tasks could be found for him or her. The proposal also seeks to establish a mandatory training of students studying to be a registrar on performing same-sex marriages.

Church Leaders in Turkey Face Harassment

July 3, 2012, Turkey

Church leaders in the Diriliş church of Konak were repeatedly verbally harassed and were attacked by teenagers with eggs. When the teens threatened one of the leaders with a gun, the parents were informed and the attacks stopped.

German Magazine Shows Pope with large Urine Stains

July 2, 2012, Germany

The German Magazine "Titanic" presents the pope as a senile for incontinent person by depicting him in a fotomontage with a large urine stain on his white clothes while giving a blessing.

Christian on Trial for Reaching Out to Woman on the Way to Abortion

June 30, 2012, France

A French retired doctor faced police investigation for trial because of giving a woman who intended an abortion knitted baby shoes and a medallion. In France “moral and psychological pressure” seen as an “hindrance of abortion” is punishable.

Left MPs File Complaint Against Cross in Polish Parliament

June 28, 2012, Poland

About 10 MPs of the anti-clerical “Palikot Movement” seek to enforce the removal of the Cross in the Polish Parliament by legal proceedings at the Administrative Court.

Burglars Caught in the Act in the Church of Holy Spirit in Flensburg

June 25, 2012, Germany

Two young men, 18 and 22 years old, known to police from past attempted burglaries in St. Nicolas church and the church of St. Mary; were caught in the act of burglary in the Holy Spirit church. They cracked several donation boxes and stole the coins.