All cases

Evangelical Church in Bremen Vandalized

December 22, 2012, Germany

Two days before the Christmas, the evangelical church in Bremen Tenever was vandalized in a way, that the Christmas celebrations could not take place in the church.

Nativity Scene Burnt Down in a Church in Savoy

December 18, 2012, France

The nativity scene at the Church of Barby in Savoy was set on fire on Tuesday, December 18th, between 7 and 8 in the evening. The sacristan reported that it is not the first instance of attack the Church has experienced. The day after several parents and children of the parish set up a new nativity scene.

Youth Demand the Handing Over of a Priest "to be Burnt" at Catholic School in Merida

December 17, 2012, Spain

During the morning of the 17th of December ten youths between the ages of 15 and 17 entered the Salesian School ‘Maria Auxiliadora’ in the outskirts of Merida, Spain. After assaulting the groundskeeper who had tried to stop their entrance, they made their way to the classrooms demanding the priests be handed over to be burnt and accusing the teachers of fascism.

Vandalism of Christian Wayside Shrine in St-Germain-en-Laye

December 16, 2012, France

The French Observatoire de l’Christianophobie was notified of an act of vandalism against a statue of St Genevieve in St-Germain-en-Laye the 16th of December. The glass encasement of the image of the Saint was destroyed leaving the statue somewhat damaged.

Series of Thievery in Austrian Churches

December 15, 2012, Austria

Since summer 2012 a series of thefts has been going on in Austrian churches around Melk. Figurines have been taken and in mid-December images have been cut out from flags used for processions.

Insults and Removal Claims for Crucifix in Federal German Minister for Consumer Protection

December 15, 2012, Germany

Calls to remove the cross from the Federal German Minister for Consumer Protection argue that the public display of the crucifix was no surprise in an arm-exporting country - "because the crucifix was a pungent glorification of violence and an learning tool towards anti-Semitism."

Protestant Church in Drensteinfurt Vandalized

December 15, 2012, Germany

On 15th December 2012 the Protestant church in Drensteinfurt (NRW) was broken into. The altar and the place for the commemoration of the dead were desecrated.

Church Desecrated by Burglars in Drensteinfurt

December 15, 2012, Germany

On the 15th of December 2012, Burglars broke into an Evangelical church building in Drensteinfurt (Nordrhein-Westfalen), Germany and desecrated the interior. This was reported by the Apostolic Nunciature of Germany.

Catholic Intellectual Threatened For Opposing Gay Adoption on TV

December 12, 2012, Germany

Following his appearance in a talkshow opposing homosexual adoption on German public service television, Martin Lohman, a Catholic intellectual has received severe threats via Email. He was sent an anonymous email stating the following: "I am homosexual, I have AIDS and I live in Bonn and I am now set on giving the gift of my immune disease to you, too. Should you feel a little prick of a needle soon, then that was most likely me with my needle."

Homeschooling Parents Portrayed as Sectarian Fundamentalists by Spiegel TV

December 12, 2012, Germany

Homeschooling family experiences negative stereotyping by Spiegel TV documentary: “We were not only a little disappointed and upset when we saw the outcome, which offends our Christian convictions and does not give unbiased information about the subject matter. My wife is called the 'chief inquisitor'. The reporter suggests that our children are victims, socially isolated children, controlled by their stubborn fundamental-Christian parents."

German Christian Rights' Activist Heavily Insulted And Threatened After Opposing Gay Adoption on TV

December 10, 2012, Germany

In the German public service broadcaster ARD’s talk show “Tough but Fair” (“Hart aber Fair”), on Monday, December 3rd, the question whether homosexual couples should be allowed to adopt children was debated. Women’s and Family Rights activist Birgit Kelle argued that children need a mother and a father. Following her appearance on the show, a journalist of the said ARD commented on his twitter account: “I think she is a witch. Witches get burned.”

Desecrations at Saint Rambert, Lyon

December 10, 2012, France

One or more unknown persons broke into the Church of St Rambert in Lyon, France, and proceeded to damage the tabernacle, desecrating the Eucharist. Several liturgical objects were stolen and the altar damaged. In response, the parish priest convened an evening of prayer.

Sign of the Cross Forbidden to Pupils by History Teacher in Narbonne

December 7, 2012, France

On a school trip to the nearby Cathedral of Saint-Jus, students of the local school Therese Leon Blum where warned against making the sign of the cross upon entering the Cathedral. As a punishment, the teacher mentioned three hours of after-hours at school. One of the parents wrote to the council to complaint but did not receive a response.

Sacred Heart Church in Bielefeld Depredated

December 5, 2012, Germany

In Bielefeld the sacred Heart Church was depredated. The tabernacle on the high altar was broken into and consecrated hosts were defiled.

Orthodox Church Vandalised in Munich

December 4, 2012, Germany

In Munich on 4th December 2012, an Orthodox church was desecrated, icons destroyed and the devotional profaned.

Orthodox Church in Munich Desecrated

December 4, 2012, Germany

The Apostolic Nunciature of Germany reported that on the 4th of December 2012, unknown perpetrators defiled an Orthodox church in Munich, Germany. Icons were desecrated and devotional objects profaned.

Desecration of Greek-Orthodox Church in Munich

December 4, 2012, Germany

On December 4th, a unknown man locked himself into the little Greek-Orthodox church in Salvatorstraße. The man destroyed the glass window of an icon of Marie and stole the items that were left there by thankful believers. Later he escaped through the sacristy.

Two Figures Destroyed at Church in Venice

December 4, 2012, Italy

Vandals destroyed two ceramic figures representing St. Francis and St. Clare. The figures were displayed in the wall of the church of the Sacred Name of Jesus.

Reported Attacks Against Places of Worship in Italy

December 3, 2012, Italy

The Holy See reported attacks against places of worship in the following places in Italy 27 June 2012 Teramo 16 August 2012 Foggia 08 September 2012 Gonnosfanadiga in Sardegna 18 October 2012 Oristano 15 November 2012 Luino (in provincia di Varese) 29 November 2012 3 December 2012 S. Chiara (Venezia)

Restitution of Property to Catholic Church in Czech Republic Accompanied with Dirt Campaign Against the Church

November 29, 2012, Czech Republic

A controversial campaign by the oppositional Social Democrats directed against the Church Property Restitution Bill has turned into a major brawl with Czech Catholics and other churches.