Illegal fireworks are the likely cause of damage to the recently restored roof of the Reformed Church in Poeldijk. Witnesses saw two men on the roof setting fireworks, which are illegal. Officials have not determined if the damage was intentional, but the perpetrators have not come forward and police are investigating.
On New Year's Eve, unknown perpetrators vandalized a chapel, damaging a statue of the Virgin Mary and burned prayer books and wooden objects nearby. Damages are estimated at around 1,000 euros. Police are investigating.
Unknown perpetrators beheaded a statue of St. Barbara and stole a Christ figure from a cross and several other sacred objects. Damage is estimated at around 5,000 euros. Police are investigating.
Unknown perpetrators broke into the chapel, threw stones at the altar, smashed two glass domes containing statues of the Virgin Mary, and stole and destroyed 22 paintings and murals hung by pilgrims visiting the chapel.
A 22-year-old man from Afghanistan stabbed a Christian woman when he heard her reading from the Bible at a refugee accommodation in Vöcklamarkt (Upper Austria).
Police removed a man who disrupted the Mass at the Church of Saint-Christophe in Tourcoing after he frightened and disturbed the parishioners.
The wall of church of Saint-Martin Saint-Laurent d'Orsay was tagged with an anti-consumerism message ("Noël fête du capitalisme") in black paint. Police are investigating.
A statue of an angel was stolen from the manger scene where it had been displayed for the last 80 years. Parishioners are upset and the Mayor called the theft "scandalous" because the angel was part of the town's heritage. A police complaint was filed.
In the morning of December 23, 2016 a parish employee discovered the locked doors forced open, bibles torn, and the newly-restored processional cross destroyed. The pastor estimates damages in the thousands of euros. Police are investigating.
The UK government has proposed that all office holders and employees of the State swear an Oath of Allegiance to British Values that conflicts with traditional Christian teaching about sexuality.