All cases

Offensive Graffiti on Church in Imperia

November 25, 2013, Italy

The front of the Church of Artallo (fraction of Imperia) was desecrated with offensive graffiti.

Crucifixes Damaged in Churches in Prato

November 25, 2013, Italy

Crucifixes in both the Church of St. Bartholomew and the Church of San Pier Fiorelli in Prato were damaged. In the Church of St. Bartholomew, someone climbed on the structure before the crucifix and "shook it until he pulled both arms off, which were attached to the media." This crucifix had survived the bombing in 1944 unscathed, but not this deliberate violent act.

Political Slogans Spraypainted on Catholic Church Building

November 23, 2013, Austria

Unknown perpetrators spray painted the famous Vienna church "Votivkirche" with political slogans such as "Refugees Welcome?“. This is particularly strange as the parish priest and the archdiocese of Vienna did not ask the police to end a months-long occupation of the church by refugees.

Two Madonna’s Damaged in Imperia

November 22, 2013, Italy

Two Madonna statues were beheaded in Imperia, and are irreparably damaged. One was located at the centre for the disabled in the square ISAH De Negri. The other was located in the sanctuary near the church of San Sebastiano Via Agnesi.

Attack on Pro-Life Office

November 20, 2013, Ireland

Two hooded men attacked the office of the pro life organisation Life House in Cappel Street in Dublin and threw stones and rocks through the window. Youth Defence volunteers were shocked by this accident. It is suspected that the attackers were members of pro-abortion campaigns. The Life Insitute has called for politicians and abortion agencies and organizations to condemn the escalating pro-abortion violence.

Statue of Our Lady Knocked Over at Open Air Sanctuary in Nitra

November 19, 2013, Slovakia

Unknown perpetrators have knocked over and severely damaged a statue of Our Lady. Police are investigating for the crime of property damage in the amount of about 1500 Euro.

Church in Vienna Vandalised

November 18, 2013, Austria

In the church Our Lady of the Martyrs in Vienna's 15th district, candle holders were stolen and a cross was vandalised.

Offensive Graffiti on Walls of Catholic College

November 17, 2013, France

The outside walls of St. Mary’s College, a private Catholic institution in Lyon, France, were covered with offensive insults. The spray painters are probably members of a left wing "Antifa” group.

Vandalism and Theft in Shrine in Mirano

November 16, 2013, Italy

The Madonna of a shrine at the intersection of two streets in Mirano was destroyed. On the same day, the statue of St. Anthony was stolen as well.

Death Threat Against Catholic Priest Upon Marriage Referendum Endorsement

November 15, 2013, Croatia

Don Damir Stojić, a Croatian Salesian priest, released a youtube video explaining on the basis of John Paul II's theology of the body why Croatians should support the pro-marriage referendum taking place on December 1st. A youtube user commented with swear words and called on the public to kill Don Damir.

Theft in Church in Rieti

November 14, 2013, Italy

The monstrance and relic of St Anthony was stolen from the Church of St. Francis in Rieti.

Explosives Thrown at Church Door in Italy

November 14, 2013, Italy

The newly renovated Church of San Donato (LU) was damaged when a lady threw Molotov cocktails against the door of the church. The village had just raised 40,000 Euro to have the church renovated.

Figurine Shows Madonna Defecating

November 14, 2013, Spain

The Spanish company Caganer developed a caganer figurine (a “crapper”, see below) in the image of the Virgin of Montserrat. The Tarraconense Episcopal Conference expressed their “deep regret” that an image of such a beloved religious symbol should be portrayed in such a way. As well, Fr. Ignasi Fossas, prior of Montserrat, declares that such a representation of the Virgin Mary is in bad taste.

Cross on News Presenter's Neck Forbidden on Offending Islam Claims

November 12, 2013, Norway

Siv Kristin Sællmann, one of the best-known news presenters of the Norwegian television was forbidden to wear a small cross around her neck on air in order not to insult Islam.

Video of Sexual Act with Cross Hurts Feelings of Believers

November 8, 2013, Poland

An exhibition in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Warsaw displayed a video "Veneration of Christ" in which the artist rubs himself in a blasphemous way against a crucifix, imitating a sexual relationship. The exhibition was showing from September to November 2013. The artist Jacek Markiewicz claims that it was not his wish to vilify any religious feelings. By his own statements he is a non-believer. Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz of Warsaw calls the video a "desecration of the Cross" that exceeds the boundaries of artistic expression and basic ethical standards".

Church Vandalised Causing Considerable Material Damage

November 7, 2013, Germany

St. Peter’s Church in Waltrop, Germany was broken into. The door to the sacristy was broken and the interior ransacked. The Police and Crime investigators were at the scene and a report was made.

Vandalism at St. Peter’s Church in Waltrop

November 6, 2013, Germany

Considerable damage was caused to St. Peter's Church in Waltrop. The vestry door was broken and the interior devastated. Police are investigating

Push to Eliminate the Christian Element of the Saint Martin Tradition in Nordrhein-Westfalen and Hessen

November 5, 2013, Germany

The Chairman of the Left-wing party in the Nordrhein-Westfalen region, Rüdiger Sagel, suggested to rename the celebration and remove the religious overtones in the local day-care centres. “In many Nordrhein-Westfalen day-care centres there are an increasing number of children from different religions.” ... „”the day-care should be an interdenominational space,” says Sagel, and claims that the day-cares are influencing the children regarding their religion. After a storm of protests, the Left-wing party withdrew the suggestion.

Church Covered in Graffiti in Brescia

November 4, 2013, Italy

During a night raid the walls of the Church of Santa Maria Calchera in Brescia were covered with inscriptions in red paint. The whole length of the façade was covered.

Vandalism and Desecration at Church of Carmine in Ascoli

October 28, 2013, Italy

Vandals entered the Church of the Carmine in Ascoli using scaffolding positioned for restructuring. They removed some crucifixes, holy objects and candles. The walls and furniture were also covered in paint and at the end they tried to celebrate a black mass.