All cases
Catholic School Fined For Not Hiring a Protestant Teacher
November 12, 2010, IrelandA Catholic national school found guilty of ''discrimination'' by Equality Tribunal and fined more than €12,000 for not hiring a Protestant teacher.
Statues of Mary, Mother of Jesus, Covered in Condoms in Art Exhibit
November 10, 2010, AustriaThe lower Austrian main building of government (NÖ-Landhaus) hosts an exhibition which displays Mary, the mother of Jesus, covered in a condom and sperma. This exhibition is funded by public money and approved by governor Erwin Pröll.
Atheist Father Obtains Withdrawal of Crucifix in Bavarian Highschool Despite Other Parent's Protests
November 10, 2010, GermanyAn atheist father obtains the withdrawal of a crucifix in his son’s classroom in Regensburg (Bavaria, Germany) despite the opposition of the majority of parents. Morning prayer was changed to a neutral “Good Morning Circle”.
Political Spokeswoman States That "The Church in Spain is Sustained Tick”
November 10, 2010, SpainIn a session the Government, the spokeswoman of Esquerra Republicana, Joan Ridao, has called the Catholic Church in Spain to be "a kind of sustained, a luxury tick" (“mantenida y garrapata”).
Generalitat Catalana and Government Fund a Forum Against Public Presence of Catholic Church
November 10, 2010, SpainThe Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Equality, the Generalitat of Catalonia, Barcelona City Council and La Caixa funded the Forum Libertat 2010 on the same days on which the historic visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Santiago and Barcelona took place. The Forum advocated the withdrawal of the public presence of the Catholic Church.
“Ortega y Gasset” School in Almendralejo (Badajoz) Forced to Remove Crucifixes From Classrooms
November 9, 2010, SpainThe parents of two students of the public school Ortega y Gasset in Almendralejo (Badajoz) succeeded in their campaign to remove crucifixes from classrooms and prohibit religious ceremonies. The school parent association, who opposes these decisions, called for a protest.
Threats and Attempts of Fire in a Church Near Avignon
November 6, 2010, FranceSaint-John’s parish near Avignon has been the target of a number of threats and intimidations: insulting tags in the church’s walls, feces thrown on the church, a young man even entered the church during mass, urinated and screamed to the parishioners: “we’ll toast you all in fire, you and your church”. A fire was also started in a tree growing against the church, probably in order to burn the church itself. Father Gabriel, the parish priest, regrets and condemns “an increasingly aggressive and violent climate”.
Gay Activists Attack Orthodox Protesters in Moscow
November 3, 2010, RussiaA group of male gay rights activists attacked members of the Orthodox youth movement "Georgievtsy!" outside the Council of Europe office in Moscow, who gathered against the European Court of Human Rights ruling declaring Russia's ban on gay pride marches illegal.
Head of Belgian Catholic Church Could Face Charges of Homophobia For Controversial Speech
November 2, 2010, BelgiumMsgr. Leonard faces accusations of homophobia for expressing controversial positions on the causes of HIV/AIDS.
Faithful Stoned During Mass at Carcassonne
November 2, 2010, FranceThe 150 faithful attending holy mass on Tuesday, November 2nd, in the Church of Saint Jacques du Viguier were the target of two teenagers who entered the church to throw stones on the faithful. An eldery person was slightly injured and a statue of the virgin Mary was damaged.
Code of Conduct Could Target Religion Teachers
November 1, 2010, IrelandThe Teaching Council of Ireland is using a Code of Professional Conduct that could lead to religion teachers being found guilty of “professional misconduct” for teaching core parts of their faith.
Crucifix Desecrated by a Pig’s Head in Bellocq
November 1, 2010, FranceOn the road to Lahontan, in Bellocq, south of Daw, a Calvary scened called Palin, was covered by an entire pig’s head, attached to the wood by a piece of string.
Greek Orthodox Church Struggles to Survive
October 30, 2010, TurkeyThe Greek-Orthodox Church, school, and community in Turkey has been gradually stripped of rights by the Turkish government. European law organizations declare this a violation of human rights.
Tabernacle and Holy Sacrament Desecrated in Billière
October 29, 2010, FranceVandals broke in the XIIth century church of Saint Laurent de Billière, near Pau, on Friday, October 29th. The tabernacle was forced opened and the consecrated hosts scattered on the ground.
University Supports Profane Show Despite of Students and Staff´s Complaints
October 28, 2010, SpainThe Dean of University of Valladolid, Marcos Sacristán, after being warned about the blasphemous content of Leo Bassi´s play, decided to offer the university premises for its performance. Students and staff of University of Valladolid had requested Dean Sacristan to ban the play because of its offensive content.
Mountain Guide Destroys Mountain Top Crosses
October 28, 2010, SwitzerlandThe Swiss mountain guide Patrick Bussard vandalized and destroyed three crosses on tops of mountains in 2010 after he had conducted a petition against religious symbols in public. He faced a fine for property damage and violating freedom of religion in January 2012.
"Free-Thinkers" Take Action Against the Presence of Crosses On Mountaintops
October 24, 2010, SwitzerlandThe "free-thinkers" of Switzerland, the association of people without religious confession (Vereinigung der Konfessionslosen), are campaigning for a ban of religious symbols not only in public institutions, but also all mountain should be cleared of them.
127 Graves Desecrated in Igny-Comblizy
October 23, 2010, France61 headstones were revered and their crosses unsealed and another 66 graves also but less heavily damaged. Graves, headstones, flowerpots and funerary objects were thrown all around the cemetery.
Saint-Louis Church in Brest Tagged
October 21, 2010, FranceAnti-Catholic and Satanic symbols were found on the walls and doors of the church of Saint-Louis in Brest. Elected officials are shocked and say in a written statement: “All places of worship, whatever they are, are places that must be respected.”
Government Representatives Verbally Attack Catholic Church
October 15, 2010, SpainOriol Amorós, the Immigration State Secretary in Cataluña, during a radio interview broadcast by RAC1 declared "Between the Pope and the Iman of Lérida, I have difficulties to make my mind. They are two version of too conservative and retrograde religions."
Lutheran Church in Michalovce Vandalised
October 14, 2010, SlovakiaOn October 14, 2010, the Lutheran Church in Michalovce was found seriously damaged. It had been broken into, possibly by Satanist, who had turned the major cross upside down, burnt the altar vestments, damaged the baptismal font, and wrote insults to God and saints onto the altar.
Steady Increase of Desecrating Acts in French Cemeteries
October 12, 2010, FranceOngoing: A report of the Gendarmerie Nationale underlines the fact that most desecrations since 2005 have been aimed at Christian cemeteries and other Christian places of worship.
Mother Denied to Bury her Executed Son According to her Christian Faith
October 12, 2010, BelarusMother of an executed prisoner cannot pray at her son's tomb. It is unclear whether he had seen a priest before execution.
Call for “Islamic Crusade” Sprayed on Church in Strasbourg
October 12, 2010, FranceThe Catholic church of Saint Florent in Strasbourg was vandalised by Islamists who spray painted the door of the church, calling for an Islamic Crusade. One could read in black marker on both wings of the door: “Jerusalem to the Muslims” and “The Crusade for an Islamic Holy Land.”
Church Sainte Madeleine Tagged in Besançon
October 10, 2010, France“All catho are bastards” and other anti-Catholic symbols were tagged on the church Sainte Madeleine in Besançon. Mgr Lacrampe, bishop of Besançon issued a statement in which he says: "During the night of October 9th to 10th, individuals wrote on the door of the church of Sainte Madeleine in Besançon abusive language against Catholics. I strongly condemn these irresponsible acts which lack of respect towards the public building as well as towards the community to whom it is entrusted. I reaffirm that nothing can justify the hatred of others or contempt for people and their faith."
Theft and Desecration in Bazas’ Cathedral
October 9, 2010, FranceAn unknown number of burglars entered the cathedral, broke-opened the tabernacle and took a 1930 monstrance of brass and wood. They also broke several stained windows. For Father Arnaud, the parish priest, “this attacks the very essence of our faith.” He experienced this burglary as “a sacrilege and a desecration,” he said.
Humanists Campaign to Stop the Noah's Ark Zoo Farm Because it Says that God Created the World
October 7, 2010, United KingdomBHA (British Humanist Association) has called on the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, North Somerset Council, Visit Britain and South West England to shut down the zoo. The secular group claims that the zoo is misleading tens of thousands of visitors annually and ‘threatening public understanding’ by questioning the traditional view of evolution.
MP McCafferty Attempted to Restrict Freedom of Religion and Conscience
October 7, 2010, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)Former British MP Christine McCafferty urged the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to recommend limitations to conscientious objection when it comes to abortion. The draft report contained a limitation of freedom of conscience to individuals. Objecting individuals would have faced restrictions and blacklisting. The draft, aiming at discriminating against Christians, was voted down on October 7th.
Painter Exhibits “Madonna Carrying Hitler Child”
October 6, 2010, ItalyExhibition in Italian city Salemi shows a painting of Madonna holding child Hitler. Jewish and Christian Church leaders have condemned the display.
Polish Minister Excluded From EU-Jury Because of “Homophobic” Statement
October 3, 2010, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)Polish equality minister Elzabieta Radziszewska not asked to be a jury-member for this year’s EU journalism award “Together against Discrimination” after explaining rights of schools with regard to employing homosexual teachers.
No Place of Worship for Christians
September 30, 2010, TurkeyIn a report released in September 2010, the Association of Protestant Churches details the fundamental problems faced by Christians in Turkey. Among them, the place of worship is a troublesome one.
Vandalism in Austrian Church Building
September 29, 2010, AustriaRepeated vandalism including defecation committed by youth in church building in Upper Austria.
Severe Restriction on Conscientious Objection
September 28, 2010, SpainAdministration interprets freedom of conscience so narrowly that only those directly involved in the objected surgical act of abortion are allowed to invoke the right to "conscientious objection".
Chapel Desecrated in Bastia, Corsica
September 26, 2010, FranceThe chapel of the crypt of Notre-Dame de Lourdes, in Bastia, was attacked most likely on Monday, September 27th. The altar was sprayed with urine and statues of the Virgin were plunged into a water vase, head down.
20 Graves Damaged in Frontenay-Rohan-Rohan
September 21, 2010, FranceAbout twenty graves were desecrated, tombstones and memorial plaques scattered in the Catholic cemetery of Frontenay-Rohan-Rohan.
(Excursus) Muslim Wipes Website of Lawyer Who Helped Convert
September 15, 2010, United StatesMr. Stemberger, a US lawyer who successfully defended Rifqa Bary, a teenage Christian convert from Islam, has had his organisation’s website destroyed by a Muslim hacker. Obscene message stating intent left on site.
Summary of Anti-Christian Incidents in Occupied Cyprus
September 10, 2010, CyprusThe U.S. House of Representatives deplores: the inability of Orthodox Christians, clergy and other religious communities to access and hold services at their place of worship and cemeteries in the north; the disrepair of churches and cemeteries and the preservation of religious heritage (iconography, mosaics, and other religious symbols); the lack of schools and perspectives for young people in the north.
Attacks on Pro Life Activists
September 7, 2010, AustriaOngoing attacks against sidewalk-counseling pro life activists in Vienna filmed and published online.
(Scotland) BBC Displays "Consistent Anti-Christian institutional Bias"
September 5, 2010, United KingdomScottish Cardinal O'Brien says that detailed research into BBC news coverage of Christianity revealed a consistent anti-Christian institutional bias.
Statue of the Mary Removed At School in Malaga
September 3, 2010, SpainA statue of the Virgin of Fuensanta (local patron) at the Carazony college in Malaga was removed in September at the request of parents. Another group of parents launched a campaign to ask for it to be reinstated.
Church Vandalised in Juniville
August 26, 2010, FranceDuring the night of August 26th to 27th, the church of Juniville has been attacked and vandalised: candles were thrown on the ground, the tabernacle was broken and posters were torn and burned on the ground.
Parliament Attempt to Undermine Religion from the Public Square
August 24, 2010, SpainThe political parties Esquerra Republicana, Izquierda Unida, and Iniciativa per Catalunya Verds, requested Parliament to pass a law to remove any religious sign and faith-related traditions -specially those related to Catholicism-, from the public square.
Cemetery Vandalised in Laon
August 22, 2010, FranceDuring the night of Saturday 21st to Sunday 22nd of August, about fifty graves in the German military cemetery of Laon were vandalised. Crosses were extracted from the ground or completely broken.
Pro Life Abortion Protestors Arrested
August 10, 2010, United KingdomTwo Christian pro-life protesters were arrested twice by Police in Brighton and await the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service to see if they will face a Criminal Prosecution.
Cemetery Vandalised in Hénin-Beaumont
August 8, 2010, FranceFifteen graves and a Catholic chapel have been targeted. A cross was destroyed. Among the graves vandalised, three vaults were particularly damaged. The doors of three grave buildings were broken open and their windows broken. On other graves, funerary objects such as crosses or flowers pots were broken and scattered all around the cemetery.
The Ecumenical Patriarch in Turkey Cannot Use His Ecclesiastical Title
August 1, 2010, TurkeyPatriarch Bartholomew leads 250 million Orthodox Greeks worldwide. The community in Turkey has dwindled to a few thousand. The Turkish government refuses to recognize the title Ecumenical Patriarch, or Bartholomew's role as an international religious leader. A journalist from CBS asked Bartholomew about his feelings, he said that he felt “crucified” by the difficulties he faces every day in Turkey.
Oxford University Lecturer Discriminated Against After Converting to Christianity
July 29, 2010, United KingdomDr Tali Argov overlooked for promotion, stripped of her privileges and ill-treated at social gatherings, after converting from Judaism to Christianity.
Conscience Rights of Health Care Workers Violated
July 28, 2010, SpainSpain’s government is systematically violating the conscience rights of health care workers on abortion, says a group of legal experts that is now taking action to restore those rights.
Severe Restrictions on Homeschooling
July 28, 2010, SwedenSweden’s parliament gave a crushing blow to parental rights passing a law that makes homeschooling legal only in “extraordinary circumstances.” The law excludes religious or philosophical convictions as legitimate reasons for home education.
Church of Pouan-les-Vallées Wrecked
July 27, 2010, FranceThe XIIIth and XVIth century’s church of Saint-Pierre-les-Vallées in Pouan was wrecked in the night of July 26th. An employee noticed the knocked over Cross in the church’s courtyard. As he went to inspect the rest of the church, he saw the disastrous state of the church: crucifixes overturned, glass chandeliers smashed to pieces on the pavement, stations of the Cross burnt, an altar overthrown and the ogive vault overlooking the high altar very damaged.