All cases

Provocative Graffiti on Church of St. Louis en l‘lle

July 21, 2013, France

Unidentified perpetrators spray painted the words: “Essayez les orgasmes” (Try Orgasms) on the church of St. Louis, France. The second phrase was “Omnia sunt Communia”, but written in a wrong way: “Ominia comminia“. It means "Everything in common" which is generally attributed to Thomas Munzer (1488-1527) a leader of the Peasants' War of 1525 in Germany.

Graffiti Spray Painted on Catholic Church in Brussels

July 21, 2013, France

Three walls of the church of the Holy Trinity d’Ixelles (Elsenes) near Brussels were spray painted with graffiti.

Church Set on Fire Leads to Arrests of Four Young Adults

July 20, 2013, Spain

Spanish police arrested four young adults for setting the church of Carmen de Vinaroz in Castellón on fire on July 5th. Sacred images and furniture were severely damaged. Spanish Christians deplore frequent threats, for example spray paintings saying: “the only church which illuminates is a burning church“ or “remember the year 1936“, suggesting a planned repetition of the murder of over 3000 religious people.

Croatian Television Breaks Agreement with Catholic Church

July 19, 2013, Croatia

Croatian Television (HTV) one-sidedly cancelled the autonomy of its religious program, which had been guaranteed by the Agreement signed in 2000 by HTV and the Croatian Conference of Bishops (in reference to the implementation of the international contract between the Holy See and the Republic of Croatia).

Priest Violently Assaulted in Quimper, Bretagne

July 17, 2013, France

Father Michel Mazeas, Pastor of the cathedral of Quimper, Bretagne, was attacked by a man at the rectory of Saint Corentin in Rue Toul-al-Laer. He was threatened and received a dozen punches in the face by the stranger. The attacker was arrested by the police, placed in custody and interned in a public mental health facility of Gourmlen.

Old Lady Robbed and Killed in Church in Marche-en-Famenne

July 13, 2013, Belgium

Marie-Thérèse Deflandre, was found lifeless on the floor of the church of Saint-Remacle in Marche-en-Famenne, Belgium. She was found with severe head injuries and taken to hospital in Liege where she died 10 days later. No personal belongings were found with the lady and her credit card was later used by a third party.

Anti-Catholic Performance in Metz

July 12, 2013, France

For two consecutive days anti-Catholic provocative and sacrilegious performances were held in Metz. They were organized by the city of Metz and “Hop Hop Hop –festivals”, at which the Belgian group Compagnie d'Outre Rue performed their program including a show called “Mass with breadsticks”. During the show, they wore liturgical clothing, used liturgical items and mocked the Pope and the Church under much laughter of the public. The event was organised by the socialist mayor Dominique Gros.

European Affairs Minister Forced to Resign

July 11, 2013, Ireland

Lucinda Creighton, European Affairs Minister of Ireland had to resign after voting against the Government on an amendment to the abortion bill. The so-called “whip” does not permit to deviate from party policy. Mrs. Creighton however felt that she could not compromise on matters of “life and death”.

13-Century-Church Vandalised in Grafing

July 7, 2013, Germany

Unknown perpetrators entered St. Leornhard church in Grafing, Bavaria, on the weekend of July 6 and 7. They climbed into the locked main hall of the 13th-century church and broke pieces from a number of wooden statues which they burnt on the altar, thereby also damaging the main painting behind the altar. Some relics were stolen and the damage was severe.

Facebook Page Claims “Mary Should´ve Aborted”

July 4, 2013, Italy

An anti-Christian page on facebook stated that “Mary should have aborted”. The page was reported to the facebook service who answered that this content does not violate community standards on hate speech.