All cases

Christian Prison Preacher to Appeal Tribunal Ruling

April 27, 2017, United Kingdom

A Christian prison worker who felt he had no option but to resign after being disciplined for quoting from the Bible during a prison chapel service, will challenge an Employment Tribunal's ruling that the prison was right to discipline him. In March 2016, the Employment Tribunal ruled that Barry Trayhorn spoke of God's forgiveness in an "insensitive" way which "failed to have regard for the special nature of the congregation in the prison".

The Head of a Jesus Statue Used as a Toilet in Illegal Migrant Camp

April 26, 2017, Italy

During an inspection by Regional Councilor for Agriculture of the Northern League, Stefano Mai, of an illegal migrant camp in Ventimiglia, the head of a marble statue of Jesus was found covered with excrement and urine. The head had possibly been taken from a local cemetery and then used as a makeshift toilet. The discovery caused anger and upset in the local community and Councilor Mai publicly denounced the situation.

Expelled Christian Student Wins Right to Face High Court

April 26, 2017, United Kingdom

Felix Ngole was expelled from the University of Sheffield in 2016 for writing a post on his private Facebook page in which he quoted Leviticus stating that homosexuality was sinful. Deputy High Court Judge James Lewis has allowed Ngole to take his case to the High Court in London and a ruling is expected after a trial this fall.

Statue of St. Paul Decapitated in Luxembourg; Left on Priest's Doorstep

April 25, 2017, Luxembourg

A statue of St. Paul near the church in Dalheim was discovered decapitated. The head was later found left on the doorstep of the local priest’s home. The discovery worried the priest, but the mayor decided simply to have the head re-attached onto the statue, rather than initiate an investigation. When asked if he thought the act was a symbolic gesture, the mayor said it could have been just a "random act." The priest said he was "reassured" but if it happened again, he would have to make his own security arrangements.

Virgin and Child Mosaic Vandalized in Málaga

April 24, 2017, Spain

The ceramic image of the Virgen del Carmen de Huelin located on the seafront of a popular neighborhood of Málaga was damaged by vandals who broke the tiles composing the faces of the Virgin Mary and Jesus.

Syrian Women Vandalized Church in Rennes-le-Château

April 23, 2017, France

On the morning of April 23rd, a young Syrian women vandalized the church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine. The woman, dressed in a white cloak and face hidden behind a Venetian mask, attacked the holy water font with an ax, decapitated the famous "red devil" (a statue of the demon Asmodeus from the Old Testament), and placed a Quran next to his chopped-off arm. She then lacerated the bas-relief of Mary Magdalene's altar in front of shocked witnesses.

Croatian Theatre Festival Included Play with Jesus Christ Rape Scene

April 22, 2017, Croatia

A theater festival in Split was to include a controversial play which depicts Jesus Christ raping a Muslim woman wearing a hijab. This drew strong condemnation from Croatia's Catholic Church.

Church was Robbed and Vandalized in Onnaing

April 22, 2017, France

The sacristy of the church of Sainte-Maria-Goretti was broken into and vandalized. Wall tiles of the sacristy were broken, as well as candles and seats. Mass wine was stolen.

Cemetery Desecrated in Fouchécourt

April 22, 2017, France

It is estimated that a dozen graves were desecrated, including Christian graves, and one coffin was opened at a cemetery near Fouchécourt between the 21st and 22nd April 2017. The local community is upset and angry.

Church Vandalized with Graffiti

April 21, 2017, France

During the Easter weekend the Church Saint-Géry in Quévy was vandalized with graffiti. The porch outside the church and sculptures inside the church, as well as the sacristy, were vandalized.

Jehovah’s Witnesses Outlawed in Russia

April 21, 2017, Russia

The Russian Supreme Court has ruled that Jehovah’s Witnesses are an “extremist” religious group and therefore they have outlawed them. A Jehovah’s Witnesses spokesperson has stated that the group is “greatly disappointed by this development and deeply concerned about how this will affect our religious activity”. A spokesman of a Russian Baptist Evangelical union had defined the de-legalisation of the Jehovah’s Witnesses as an “unreasonable and dangerous step.” The Ministry of Justice “is beginning to distinguish between proper and improper believers. What will prevent these same officials tomorrow from condemning, say, the Evangelical Christians-Baptists, (Orthodox) Old Believers or Catholics? I think this approach is fundamentally wrong”, Vitaly Vlasenko, of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists said.

Repeated Vandalism of Church in Hume

April 19, 2017, France

The Parish of Gujan-Le Teich in Hume was vandalized again, after having been previously vandalized in June 2016. This time a motorcycle, which had been left blocking the handicapped rail, was burned during the night and the fire could have easily spread to the chapel.

Arson in Church in Liege

April 19, 2017, Belgium

During the Easter holidays, candles were stolen from the Church of Seny in Liege and on April 19th, the Church was damaged by arson from candles set on fire in their plastic packaging.

French Visa denied to Eastern Christians on Ideological Grounds

April 18, 2017, France

During an interview Jean-Jacques Brot, a French official responsible for the mission to host Syrian and Iraqi refugees, admitted that Eastern Christians who apply for visas often have the applications denied by French officials due to “their convictions” or “ideological grounds” (“leurs conviction” or “motifs idéologiques”).

Vandalism in Nantes Church

April 18, 2017, France

During the morning of April 18th, a church employee discovered damage in small chapel in l’Église Sante-Croix. Vases were overturned, the tablecloth of the altar was crumpled, and the crown on the head of the statue of the baby Jesus in the arms of the statue of Our Lady of Bon-Secours was stolen.

Attempted Arson in Church

April 17, 2017, France

Jean-Louis Herbinière, the priest of the parish Saint-Samson in Calvados, discovered an attempted arson in the church. The tablecloth of the altar was blackened and had burn marks.

Cemetery Vandalized During Three Nights in One Week

April 16, 2017, France

The first act of vandalism in the cemetery near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Salanque occurred between the 12th and 13th of April, the second act between 13th and 14th of April, whilst the third act of vandalism occurred between the 15th and 16th of April despite the town having organized surveillance. During these attacks, tombstones were broken, vases were shattered, and pictures on the tombstones were ripped apart.

Longford Church Broken into and Tabernacle Stolen

April 16, 2017, United Kingdom

St Michael’s Church outside Longford was due to open its doors for Easter Sunday Mass when the break-in was discovered. The church window was broken and the altar was severely damaged. Several items were stolen, including the tabernacle.

Church Vandalized during Easter

April 15, 2017, Spain

During the morning of the 15th of April, the parish priest of Nuestra Señora del Carrascal discovered acts of vandalism: the facades had been tagged with graffiti, doors within the premises had been broken, and the fire extinguishers had been emptied in several rooms.

Easter Mass Celebration Evacuated in Nice

April 15, 2017, France

During the Easter Mass celebration a man entered the church of Saint-Pierre d'Arène wearing an army jacket and ski gloves, acting in a menacing manner. He excitedly told the congregation "qu'on allait tous y passer" (it will all come to pass). The security forces quickly arrived on site and were able to arrest the man peacefully.