All cases
Arson and Destruction at Churches on Chios
November 10, 2019, GreeceOver the weekend of November 9-10, unidentified vandals broke windows and set the Agia Trapeza (altar) on fire, burning sacred items, in the Agios Haralambos Church. According to reports, this was the third church vandalized in Chalkios on the island of Chios within a week. In the Church of Panagia, a window was smashed and oil and candles were stolen and a fire was set in the Church of Agios Petros and Pavlos.
Desecration and Vandalism of Tonnay-Charente Church: Tabernacle Broken Open; Statue Decapitated
November 9, 2019, FranceJust before an evening Mass on November 9th, unidentified vandals entered the Tonnay-Charente church and tore open the tabernacle of the altar of the Virgin Mary, breaking the doors. The consecrated hosts in the ciborium were thrown to the ground and the glass container holding a host consecrated for adoration was stolen. In addition, crosses were reversed and chairs and statues were broken, including one depicting St. Joseph holding the baby Jesus, which was decapitated by the perpetrators. The Bishop said, this was "desecration, not burglary."
Two Fires Set in Lleida Church
November 8, 2019, SpainUnknown perpetrators set fire to an altar in the church of Sant Joan in Lleida (Lérida) on November 7th. The rector, Joan Ramon Ezquerra, reported that a day earlier, three bouquets around the church had also been set on fire. Mass could not be celebrated in the central nave and had to be moved to the chapel.
Second investigation: Finnish Christian MP investigated for 2004 pamphlet on homosexuality
November 5, 2019, FinlandOn November 4th, the Finnish State General Prosecutor issued a press release announcing the launch of a pre-trial investigation into the publication and distribution of the 2004 pamphlet "Mieheksi ja naiseksi hän heidät loi" (in English, “Male and female He created them”), authored by Päivi Räsänen, the Finnish politician investigated by the police for a tweet in June 2019 quoting the Bible on the issue of homosexuality. Although the pamphlet was printed 15 years ago, it will be included in the case against the Christian politician because it is still “available online.” Räsänen, who served in the past as Minister of the Interior of the government of Finland, risks being accused under Section 10 of the Criminal Code of Finland for “ethnic agitation,” a crime punishable with a fine or prison.
Victory for Christian Refugees at European Court of Human Rights
November 5, 2019, FranceVictory in international court bolsters protections for Christians who face life-threatening persecution in home countries.
'Battering Ram' Night-Raid Robbery at French Cathedral
November 4, 2019, FranceA car fitted with a battering ram was driven into the door of the Cathedral Sainte-Marie d'Oloron in southwestern France on November 4th. Once inside the cathedral, thieves entered the chapel and sawed the iron bars protecting sacred and liturgical items. They stole chalices, ciboria, a centuries old nativity scene, and vestments used by the priest for the Mass. Authorities characterized the theft as organized and well-planned.
Saint-Florent Hermitage Chapel Vandalized in Oberhaslach
November 3, 2019, FranceA chapel was vandalized on Sunday, November 3 in Oberhaslach near Molsheim. A statue of St. Bernadette in the chapel of the hermitage of St. Florent was beheaded and moved. The gendarmes are calling for witnesses.
Inflated Condoms and Vandalism in Saint-Vaast Church in Béthune
November 1, 2019, FranceOn November 1st, unknown perpetrators vandalised the Saint-Vaast church in Béthune. The Vandals knocked over chairs and inflated condoms. The city will file a complaint and the police are investigating.
Antique Bell From Old Chapel In Ypres Stolen
October 31, 2019, BelgiumOn the eve of All Saints the bell of an old chapel located on the Saint-Yvon side, in Warneton, was stolen. Because of its historical value it was currently on display in the choir of the Sint-Jan church, in Ypres. The stolen bronze bell dates from 1728 and weighs 25 kilos.
Self-Described Satanist Vandalized 100 Graves in Cognac Cemetery
October 30, 2019, FranceJust before All Saints' Day, about 100 graves were damaged or destroyed in the Breuil cemetery of Cognac. Christian symbols including crucifixes, crosses, and statues of the Virgin Mary and angels were targeted. An 18-year-old self-described Satanist who "hates all religions, especially Catholicism," was arrested by the police. The timing of the incident, given its close proximity to the feast of All Saints and All Souls, shocked local residents.
St. Stephen Church Attacked Again
October 28, 2019, SpainSt. Stephen Church in Zamora has been once again vandalized. Unknown vandals sprayed graffiti and signatures on the church walls. A few weeks ago, a small fire from burning papers was also set next to the wooden door of the church.
News story Frames Christians Negatively for no Reason
October 28, 2019, FranceThe News Site "20 Minutes" included the picture of a Christian gathering to illustrate a survey on the feelings of French women towards the "threat against secularism", published in "Le Journal du Dimanche" on 26 October. The survey showed a majority of people in favor of banning street prayers together with a photograph showing a gathering of Christians, subtitled "Those polled are particularly opposed to prayers in the street". In reality, the survey was conducted to explore the issues of secularity with Islam in France.
Parish Church Cemetery Vandalized in Zabrzu-Helence
October 27, 2019, PolandMore than 40 graves were vandalized in the cemetery of the Our Lady Mother of the Church (Maryi Panny Matki Kościoła) parish of Zabrzu-Helence during the night between October 26 and 27, just days before Catholics observe All Saints' and All Souls' Days. Granite tombstones were torn down and broken, and wooden crosses were destroyed by unknown vandals.
Theft and Vandalism in Church of Montferrand
October 21, 2019, FranceThe police arrested three young persons on October 21st. They had stolen candles and vandalized the church of Notre-Dame de Montferrand. The entrance door was broken and other objects inside were also damaged. The three perpetrators tried to flee but were caught by police officers.
"Satan Lives" Painted on Barcelona Church
October 14, 2019, SpainThe Spanish Observatory of Religious Freedom reported that "Satan Vive" was discovered written on the door of the church of San Juan Bautista de Gracia in Barcelona in October 2019
Fire Set in Neapolitan Basilica
October 10, 2019, ItalyThe parish priest of the Basilica of San Giovanni Maggiore in Naples has condemned the fire set in the church's musician's chapel, known as the Ecce Homo. The fire had spread to the altar when firefighters were able to extinguish it.
Fire Set in Witzenhausen Church
October 10, 2019, GermanyPolice reported that at 3:30 p.m. on October 10th, a fire was found in the the Evangelical Free Church (Christuskirche) in Witzenhausen. Police officers discovered that several sheets of paper were lit in the area of a stairway directly in front of a wooden shelf, with an oily liquid used as an accelerant. The ignited papers went out without spreading and there was only minor damage to property.
Vandals set off firecrackers inside the church of Madonna della Neve
October 9, 2019, ItalyVandals set off firecrackers inside the church of the Madonna della Neve, also known as Madonna della Tosse.
Berlin Pregnancy Counseling Center Ransacked by Activists
October 6, 2019, GermanyRadical feminists claimed responsibility for breaking into the Pro Femina crisis pregnancy center in Berlin during the night of October 5-6. They smashed the windows on the third floor, smeared a hallway with paint and butyric acid (a foul smelling chemical) and the slogan "Pro Choice!", and glued closed the locks.
Legal Extension of IVF Met with Staunch Opposition in France
October 6, 2019, FranceTens of thousands of French protestors took to the streets of Paris on October 6th to protest the draft bioethics law which passed the lower house of parliament on September 25th. The bill would, amongst other provisions, allow all women under 43 the right to "medically assisted procreation," including in-vitro fertilization (IVF), regardless of their relationship status, or sexual orientation. Currently, French law only allows access to IVF to heterosexual couples unable to have children through natural means, who are either married, or who have lived together for two years.