All cases

Theft and Desecration in Bazas’ Cathedral

October 9, 2010, France

An 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 Kingdom

BHA (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, Italy

Exhibition 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, Turkey

In 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, Austria

Repeated vandalism including defecation committed by youth in church building in Upper Austria.

Severe Restriction on Conscientious Objection

September 28, 2010, Spain

Administration 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, France

The 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, France

About 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 States

Mr. 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, Cyprus

The 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, Austria

Ongoing 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 Kingdom

Scottish 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, Spain

A 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, France

During 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, Spain

The 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, France

During 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 Kingdom

Two 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, France

Fifteen 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, Turkey

Patriarch 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 Kingdom

Dr 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, Spain

Spain’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, Sweden

Sweden’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, France

The 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.

Church Wrecked in Limoux

July 24, 2010, France

In the parish Church of Limoux, the chandeliers, the statue and the crucifix which decorated the tabernacle were overthrown and vandalized. They laid on the ground, bent or broken, when the acts were discovered. Behind the altar, the nativity scene and the chapel of the Virgin Mary were wrecked. The church is open continuously, visitors discovered the damage in the beginning of the afternoon and called the police. The police had to close the church for the afternoon but it could be reopened for a scheduled evening concert.

Church Desecrated in Echillais

July 18, 2010, France

On Monday July 21st, the sacristan of the medieval church of Echillais discovered that the church had be stained, desecrated and that the vandals had probably entered in it with there scooters.

Street Dedicated to Anti-Christian War Criminal

July 7, 2010, Spain

The City of Santa Pau in Girona dedicated a street to the former mayor Joan Pinsach, who commanded the execution of priests in 1936 during the Civil War, as approved by mayor Esther Badosa.

Lower House of Irish Government Passes Civil Partnership Bill

July 5, 2010, Ireland

Lead politicians backing the bill refuse to allow a conscience clause; opposition parties claim that the objections of Christians are being ignored.

Playboy Magazine Displays Photos of Jesus Christ With Topless Models

July 1, 2010, Portugal

Playboy’s Portuguese edition after it publishes photos depicting Jesus Christ among topless Playboy models, allegedly in a tribute to author Jose Sarmago.

100,000 Euro Fine For Christian Broadcaster

July 1, 2010, Spain

Spain's government fined the Christian television network 100,000 euros for running a series of advertisements in favor of the family and opposing homosexual lifestyle.

Police Raid Office of Catholic Church Officials

June 24, 2010, Belgium

Belgian officials search the offices of the Catholic Church in Belgium. The raid has been condemned by the Pope and investigation is underway to determine its lawfulness.

English Footballer Prevented From Mentioning Religion

June 17, 2010, International

A Football Association official prevented a prominent footballer for England’s World Cup team from talking about his Christian faith to reporters during a press conference.

Case Against Turkish Christians Ongoing Despite Lack of Evidence

June 11, 2010, Turkey

Turkish attorneys now in fourth year of prosecuting two Christians for allegedly slandering Islam; despite the lack of any concrete evidence to support their claims, Turkish courts are continuing prosecution.

Police Tell Christian that it’s a Crime to Say Homosexuality is a Sin

June 8, 2010, United Kingdom

A moderate Christian preacher, Andy Robertson, was wrongly told by a police officer Gainsborough, Lincolnshire that it is a crime to publicly express the religious belief that homosexual conduct is sinful.

Christianity Marginalised in Religious Education Courses in English Schools

June 6, 2010, United Kingdom

English schools failing to teach pupils about basic Christian beliefs in religious education lessons, according to a new report by education “watchdog”, Ofsted.

Catholic Bishop Murdered in Turkey

June 3, 2010, Turkey

Catholic bishop Luigi Padovese was fatally stabbed in his home in Turkey. Driver confessed to the murder, yet motive remains unclear.

Longstanding Tradition of Army's Corpus Christi Procession Ended

May 31, 2010, Spain

The Corpus Christi procession, a landmark celebration that takes place in Toledo, Spain, every year was modified to comply with a new regulation issued by the Defense State Department. While traditionally the army rendered honors to the Catholic holy symbol the Eucharist (which was granted under a special provision of the Army’s legal code), Carme Chacón, the Minister of Defense, modified the Code to end the long standing tradition of the army’s involvement in the Corpus Christi celebration.

Personal Experiences of Marginalisation at the Workplace

May 29, 2010, United Kingdom

Evangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes at the workplace with a special focus on the medical profession.

Personal Experiences of Marginalisation in the Area of Education

May 28, 2010, United Kingdom

Evangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes with regard to education.

Personal Experiences of Marginalisation in the Media

May 28, 2010, United Kingdom

Evangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes with regard to the media.

Personal Experiences of Marginalisation with Regard to Hiring Venues

May 28, 2010, United Kingdom

Evangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes with regard to hiring venues.

Personal Experiences of Marginalisation with Regard to Hiring Venues

May 28, 2010, United Kingdom

Evangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes with regard to hiring venues.

Personal Experiences of Repression of Religious Symbols and Public Prayer

May 28, 2010, United Kingdom

Evangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes with regard to religious symbols and prayer in public.

Personal Experiences of Marginalisation in the Area of Adoption and Fostering

May 26, 2010, United Kingdom

Evangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes with regard to "Adoption and Fostering".

Christian Cemetery Vandalised

May 14, 2010, France

Acts of vandalism in cemetery target Christian graves in particular.

Church Burglarised and Vandalised

May 13, 2010, Switzerland

Unidentified criminals burglarised and vandalised a Catholic church in Switzerland. The act included desecration of the Eucharist and of the Bible.

Blessed Sacrament Chapel Vandalised in Salindres

May 13, 2010, France

An unknown individual vandalized the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament of the church of Saint André de Salindres and urinated in the chapel.

Church Compared to Mafia in European Parliament

May 12, 2010, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)

In a meeting on child abuse, European Parliament Platform for Secularism says that Roman Catholic Church is protecting criminals and that its behavior is comparable to that of the Sicilian Mafia.

Street Preacher Arrested for Comment on Homosexuality as a Sin

May 12, 2010, United Kingdom

Street Preacher Dale McAlpine was arrested after stating to a passersby that homosexuality was a sin. After seven hours in a police cell, McAlpine was released. (video footage available!)