All cases
Attack on Pro-Life Office
November 20, 2013, IrelandTwo 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, SlovakiaUnknown 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, AustriaIn 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, FranceThe 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, ItalyThe 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, CroatiaDon 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, ItalyThe 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, ItalyThe 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, SpainThe 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, NorwaySiv 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, PolandAn 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, GermanySt. 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, GermanyConsiderable 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, GermanyThe 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, ItalyDuring 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, ItalyVandals 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.
Graffiti on Church of Casorate Sempione
October 26, 2013, ItalyThe outside walls of the church and churchyard were spray painted with white paint and with a number of sentences. One of these read: "most priests dead" (“più preti morti”). About a month before this happened, a symbol of "A" for anarchy was painted on the walls of the Caritas centre, and there have been acts of vandalism in the same church in the past.
Christian Parents Convicted for Home-schooling, Appeal Rejected
October 24, 2013, GermanyOn May 22nd the district court sentenced the parents of nine to pay a fine of 700 Euro each for their violation of the compulsory school attendance for all children in Germany. The public prosecution department demanded six months in prison for the married couple due to their repeated offense. An appeal was rejected in October.
Andalusia Discriminates against Teachers of Religion
October 22, 2013, SpainIn Andalusia, the Board of Education prohibits teachers of religion to watch students at recess. This is expressly due to the subject matter that they teach and not for economic reasons. The Centre for Religious Liberty and Conscience (OLRC), has asked the Ministry of Education to apologize for this discrimination and to allow teachers of religion to “practice their profession on equal footing with other teachers.”
Posters in Tarragona Mock Christians in Reaction to the Beatification of 522 Twentieth Century Christian Martyrs
October 17, 2013, SpainPosters on the streets of Tarragona depicted a lion chasing a priest with the inscription, “An ancient tradition. Blessed be the lions.” This in response to the beatification (the bestowing of the title of “Blessed” by the Catholic Church) of 522 Christian martyrs who were killed in the Twentieth century.