All cases
A Statue of the Virgin Mary Desecrated in Châtel
February 19, 2015, FranceUnknown perpetrators have committed various degradations and profanations in the main town of the resort of Châtel in Haute-Savoie. The statue of Our Lady of Skieurs in front of the church was the main target for the vandals.
Dozens of Christian Graves Vandalized in Calvados
February 17, 2015, FranceChristian symbols on graves were vandalized in the cemetery of the town of Tracy-sur-Mer in Calvados. Unknown perpetrators vandalized dozens of crucifixes and displaced them. The Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve expressed his outrage and promised that "every effort will be made to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of these outrageous acts that violate our values and respect that seals our community".
Church in Delémont Soiled by Offensive Graffiti
February 17, 2015, SwitzerlandInside and outside the Catholic church of Saint-Marcel Delémont was vandalised by offensive graffiti. The perpetrators are suspected to have been anarchists or leftists.
St. John the Baptist Church in Lecce Vandalized With Offensive Graffiti
February 16, 2015, ItalyThe church of Saint John the Baptist in Lecce was vandalized. A statue of the Virgin Mary was spray painted in red and graffiti saying "God is a transgender" and that "Priests are pedophiles" was painted. Other graffiti clarified that the reason for the attack was the pro-family conference organized the previous week by organizations "Se alla famiglia" and "Alleanza Cattolica". Offending graffiti also attacked a judge and former deputy Minister Alfredo Mantovano, who spoke at the pro-family event.
Statues in Church in Friedrichshafen Severely Vandalized
February 16, 2015, GermanyA church was vandalized and desecrated in Friedrichshafen in Baden-Württemberg. The Catholic community of the parish of St. Peter Canisius of the diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart was very much in shock.
French President Condemns the Murder of Christians Without Referring to Their Faith
February 16, 2015, FranceIn his statement after the murder of 21 Coptic Christians by Daesh in Libya, President Hollande did not mention the word "Christian" or that these people were killed by Islamic State for their Christian faith at all, but he merely referred to the victims as "Egyptian citizens."
After Numerous Acts of Vandalism Bishop Orders Removal of the Eucharist
February 10, 2015, FranceIn a response to the repeated, severe acts of vandalism which have taken place in ten French parishes during the last few weeks, the bishop of Bellay-Ars ordered that the Eucharist should be removed from all parishes and chapels of his diocese.
Abortion Opponents Compared to Jihadists
February 9, 2015, SwedenMona Sahlin, the national coordinator against violent extremism at the Swedish Ministry of Justice, stated during a panel discussion on religion and democracy that Ellinor Grimmark, a Christian midwife who refuses to participate in abortion, was an "extreme religious practitioner who is fighting in a similar way as do the people fighting for the Islamic state.”
Series of Desecration and Thefts at Churches
February 8, 2015, FranceFive French churches were the victims of theft, vandalism and desecration within three days at the hands of unknown perpetrators.
Student Beaten in Dormitory for Christian Faith in Berlin
February 8, 2015, GermanyAccording to the police, a 24-year-old student was first verbally insulted and then severely beaten by two attackers on his way to his student dormitory, solely "because of his Christian faith." During the assault, the offenders put a knife to the student’s throat. Security staff intervened, but the two perpetrators escaped by car.
Graves Devastated in Severan
February 7, 2015, FranceAccording to the local sources, twenty graves were vandalized in the downtown cemetery of Severan. The unknown perpetrators were exceptionally brutal toward Christian symbols that adorned the graves. Police is investigating.
Arson of Protestant Church in Plauen / Saxony
February 5, 2015, GermanyIn Stockheim (in the diocese of Augsburg) an arson attack took place in Protestant St. Michael's church. The fire was discovered by the sexton of the church who together with his wife managed to extinguish the fire in the altar area. Despite their efforts, according to the police report, the fire spread to the rest of the church. The couple was taken to the hospital for the observation. According to a police report, there is evidence of intentional vandalism, even though religious motivation has not yet been publicly confirmed.
Conscientious Objection At Stake After Five Public Hospitals Refuse to Perform Abortions
January 31, 2015, CroatiaThe Ministry of Health in Croatia vowed to ensure abortion in all public hospitals, regardless of doctors' conscientious objection. According to the Ministry every public hospital must have a team that performs abortions. This policy came as the result of the discovery of five hospitals, in which gynecologists refused to perform abortions based on their right to conscientious objection.
Politician Forced to Withdraw Candidacy Due to Christian Engagement
January 28, 2015, GermanyPolitician Mark Holleman had to withdraw his candidacy for appointment as the environmental and health officer for Munich, despite being the favored candidate of the City Council, because of his membership in a pro-life group as well as in Christian Solidarity International.
Parents Protesting Against Aggressive Sex Education Attacked by Counter-Demonstration in Hamburg
January 25, 2015, GermanyProtesters demonstrated against the "violation of parents’ rights in education" of their children.150 parents were attacked by about 600 left-wing radicals who threw eggs, fireworks and bottles into the crowd of demonstrators. A 15 year-old girl had to be taken to the hospital. Police intervened.
Devastation of St. John's Church in Plauen / Saxony
January 21, 2015, GermanyThe interior of the Protestant Church of St. John's in Plauen (Saxony) was vandalized with fire extinguisher powder. The total damages are estimated at 10,000 euros.
Vandalism in Miesenbacher Chapel in Ruhpolding
January 12, 2015, GermanyThe Daily "Traunsteiner Tagblatt“ of Bavaria reported on January 12, 2015, an incident of vandalism in the Miesenbacher Kapelle in Ruhpolding (Chiemgau). Vandals threw blessed liturgical candles around and hit a statue of the Virgin Mary with a statue of the baby Jesus, breaking the hands of the Jesus figure.
Desecration of Tabernacle in Chapel in Barbizon
January 10, 2015, FranceAn incident of desecration took place in the chapel of Barbizon, near Fontainebleau. Vandals broke open the door of the tabernacle, which is the place where the consecrated wine and host are kept. Both religious items, which carry significant meaning for Catholics, were thrown on the ground. Nothing was stolen.
Journalists’ Association Displays Anti-Christian Bias
January 10, 2015, CroatiaA Croatian journalist was reprimanded by her professional association for calling abortion murder in an online article. While anti-Christian expressions are generally accepted as "a matter of style“, her Christian-inspired opinion was not tolerated.
Profanation and Devastation of Statue of Mary in Perugia
January 9, 2015, ItalyA statue of the Virgin Mary was vandalized by a group of North-African immigrants with a Muslim background, according to locals. The parish priest of St. Barnaba, Fr. Alessandro Scarda, recounted: “They broke the statue in two pieces, and they then kicked it as if it was a ball. Afterward, they urinated onto the pieces.” The people of the parish gathered the remains of the statue, cleaned and glued them. The small statue was put back at its original location. The parishioners have gathered to pray at the statue after the vandalism. The police are investigating to confirm the identity and the background of the perpetrators. Muslim organizations and public figures have condemned the act.