All cases
Thieves Desecrate Church of Santa Maria in Ocaña; Steal Valuable Objects
October 17, 2016, SpainThe intruders gained access to the church after breaking a fence and window. They stole consecrated Hosts that were in the tabernacle and stole valuable religious jewelry, left other Hosts and various objects lying on the floor, and vandalized numerous images of virgins and saints.
Religiously-Motivated Attacks on 743 Christian Refugees in Germany
October 17, 2016, GermanyThe NGOs AVC (Action on behalf of Persecuted Christians and the Needy), EMG (European Mission Society) as well as ZOCD (Central Council of Oriental Christians in Germany) and Open Doors announced the results of their research on October 17th.
Church Vandalized in Gif-sur-Yvette
October 16, 2016, FranceThe intrusion was discovered by a member of the parish one hour before the beginning of Sunday Mass. The portrait of the Virgin Mary was removed from its pedestal, the crucifix and other objects of worship were thrown to the ground, according to Michel Bournat, the mayor of Gif-sur-Yvette. A police investigation is underway.
Elderly Priest Attacked in Church; Suffered a Stroke Due to Injuries
October 8, 2016, SpainOn the afternoon of October 8, 2016, two young men entered the church of Santa Rita in Vigo and asked to give confession to Father Antonio Rodríguez, age 83. Once alone with him, the two assailants grabbed the priest from behind, threw him to the ground and kicked him all over his body and head. They stole his glasses, wallet, watch, and the money they found in the church.
Serial Church Arsonist Expelled from Spain; Banned from Schengen for 10 Years
October 7, 2016, SpainSpanish authorities expelled the Moroccan man who admitted setting a fire in a church that destroyed several images of the Virgin Mary and then violating a restraining order by destroying a cross atop another church in September.
Burglary and Attack Stopped by Priest in Seine-Saint-Denis
October 7, 2016, FranceA man broke and entered into the rectory of the church of Sainte-Louise-de-Marillac in the parish of Drancy, ostensibly to commit a theft. He struck the priest in the head with a bottle, but was stopped from committing further assault by the priest, who had previously studied judo.
Christian Nursing Home Ordered to Allow Assisted Suicide on Premises
October 7, 2016, SwitzerlandThe home, which belongs to The Salvation Army, had previously contested a Swiss law that allows assisted suicide to take place in charitable institutions, if requested by a patient. They challenged the legislation, saying that it conflicted with their religious beliefs and violated their freedom of conscience. Last week, federal judges rejected their complaint and said the only way the care home could avoid complying with the law was by giving up its charitable status.
France Plans to Ban Pro-Life Websites it Judges 'Extremist'
October 6, 2016, FranceLaurence Rossignol, minister of families, children, and women’s rights, has announced that the French government intends to introduce legislation to ban pro-life websites it judges to be 'extremist'. She plans an amendment to the current “Equality and Citizenship” law, which will impose penalties on owners of pro-life sites of 30,000 euro fine (£26,517/ $33,600) and two years in prison.
Serbian Orthodox Chapel turned into Public Toilet
October 3, 2016, KosovoA recently repaired and cleaned cemetery chapel was turned into a public toilet and a garbage dump, with many graves overrun with weeds, despite a custodian employed by the Priština municipality.
Visitors at Estonian National Museum Invited to Kick Image of Virgin Mary
October 3, 2016, EstoniaThe new museum included an exhibit of a virtual image of the Virgin Mary in a glass box. Visitors were invited to kick the display, causing the image to appear to fall to pieces and the word "Reformation" to appear.