All cases

Filtered by: Intolerance towards Religious Symbols

Church of Pouan-les-Vallées Wrecked

July 27, 2010, France

The XIIIth and XVIth century’s church of Saint-Pierre-les-Vallées in Pouan was wrecked in the night of July 26th. An employee noticed the knocked over Cross in the church’s courtyard. As he went to inspect the rest of the church, he saw the disastrous state of the church: crucifixes overturned, glass chandeliers smashed to pieces on the pavement, stations of the Cross burnt, an altar overthrown and the ogive vault overlooking the high altar very damaged.

Church Wrecked in Limoux

July 24, 2010, France

In the parish Church of Limoux, the chandeliers, the statue and the crucifix which decorated the tabernacle were overthrown and vandalized. They laid on the ground, bent or broken, when the acts were discovered. Behind the altar, the nativity scene and the chapel of the Virgin Mary were wrecked. The church is open continuously, visitors discovered the damage in the beginning of the afternoon and called the police. The police had to close the church for the afternoon but it could be reopened for a scheduled evening concert.

Church Desecrated in Echillais

July 18, 2010, France

On Monday July 21st, the sacristan of the medieval church of Echillais discovered that the church had be stained, desecrated and that the vandals had probably entered in it with there scooters.

Longstanding Tradition of Army's Corpus Christi Procession Ended

May 31, 2010, Spain

The Corpus Christi procession, a landmark celebration that takes place in Toledo, Spain, every year was modified to comply with a new regulation issued by the Defense State Department. While traditionally the army rendered honors to the Catholic holy symbol the Eucharist (which was granted under a special provision of the Army’s legal code), Carme Chacón, the Minister of Defense, modified the Code to end the long standing tradition of the army’s involvement in the Corpus Christi celebration.

Personal Experiences of Marginalisation at the Workplace

May 29, 2010, United Kingdom

Evangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes at the workplace with a special focus on the medical profession.

Personal Experiences of Repression of Religious Symbols and Public Prayer

May 28, 2010, United Kingdom

Evangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes with regard to religious symbols and prayer in public.

Christian Cemetery Vandalised

May 14, 2010, France

Acts of vandalism in cemetery target Christian graves in particular.

Church Burglarised and Vandalised

May 13, 2010, Switzerland

Unidentified criminals burglarised and vandalised a Catholic church in Switzerland. The act included desecration of the Eucharist and of the Bible.

Blessed Sacrament Chapel Vandalised in Salindres

May 13, 2010, France

An unknown individual vandalized the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament of the church of Saint André de Salindres and urinated in the chapel.

Magazine Cover Page Blasphemes Image of Christ

April 9, 2010, Germany

German Magazine sparks outrage by portraying profane image mocking Catholic Church and blaspheming image of Christ on the crucifix.

Theft and Tabernacle Desecrated in Quimper

March 18, 2010, France

The church of Sainte Clair of Quimper was burglarized on the night of Thursday, March 18th, 2010. The tabernacle was also desecrated. Burglars broke into the church; all the furniture were forced-open, the liturgical cloths thrown to the ground and every room was carefully searched including the bell tower. But in the end, visitors left with only a CD player and a microphone.

Church Vandalised in Arras

March 16, 2010, France

The Bible was thrown to the ground, tiles were broken, benches overturned, flower pots broken in the parish church of Arras. It is not the first time damage was noted in this church. This case of vandalism deeply shocked Father Berthe, who evokes the "lack of respect while the good news of Jesus' love is a source of hope for everyone."

Secularists Attempt to Ban Catholic Services from European Parliament

February 28, 2010, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)

A group of socialists, communists, liberals and greens, headed by Dutch liberal Sophie in’t Veld and German green Franziska Brantner seek to ban the Catholic Service which has been in place in Strasbourg for 11 years.

Crosses Removed From Hospital Walls and Thrown Into Trash Bags

February 25, 2010, Germany

Twelve crosses were removed from the walls of the surgery unit of the public hospital of Bad Soden, Germany, in February, while patients were watching.

Desecration of Christian Churches on the Rise

February 25, 2010, France

Graffiti on church walls, destruction of religious art, and desecration of objects of worship becoming increasingly commonplace in France.

Fire Set in Famous Vienna Catholic Church

February 19, 2010, Austria

Two glass doors were broken and fire set on the altar under the tabernacle. Fire did not spread and was extinguished by itself.

Cemetery Desecrated in Oxelaëre

February 18, 2010, France

47 graves were vandalized in Oxelaëre, in Northern France. They were all Christian graves and many of them were tagged with swastika, injurious words and various grafiti. Mayor Stéphane Dieusaert exclaims: "It is pathetic."

Provocation of Christians in Front of Church by Gay Activists

February 15, 2010, France

Gay activists plan mass kissing provocation in front of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. Counterdemonstrations led to new location while a few remained there.

Arson in Church in Bourges

January 29, 2010, France

The fire was set in the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, near the choir, in the middle of previously stacked chairs. Firefighters quickly controlled the fire, but a significant amount of smoke spread into the building. The fire fortunately did not damage the walls and paintings in the chapel. For the police officers as well as for the parish priest, Father Massip, the fire was with no doubt of intentional origin.

Graves Vandalised in Calvados

January 28, 2010, France

Thirty-six graves were targeted in the cemetery of Biéville-Beuville, in Calvados, near Caen. Many crosses were reversed and funeral ornaments wrecked.