All cases
Sunni Muslim Threatens to Kill Christian Syrian in Kalmar Accommodation
September 22, 2015, SwedenA 26-year-old, who claimed to have fought with jihadist groups in Syria, was arrested by police after threatening to "slaughter" and "cut the throat" of a Christian refugee.
Anti-Christian Hate Crimes on the Rise in Sweden
August 5, 2015, SwedenThe sharpest rise is seen among crimes with christianophobic motives, which have tripled in the past five years, according to the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention (Brottsförebyggande rådet – Brå).
Two Orthodox Religious Murdered in Ukraine
July 30, 2015, OtherA priest and a nun, both members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, were murdered within days of each other in the Ukraine.
Islamic Terrorists Planned Suicide Bombings at St. Peter's Square
April 24, 2015, ItalyA terrorist ring based on Sardinia had been planning an attack against the Vatican since 2010, involving two suicide bombings at St. Peter's Square. The network supported itself through illegal migrant trafficking. False work contracts helped facilitate asylum for Pakistani and Afghanistan men posing as migrants. Fake customs declarations and flawed money transactions partly financed the activities. Italian counter-terrorism operatives issued arrest warrants for 18 men and arrested nine of them across Italy.
Attack on Churches Foiled
April 22, 2015, FranceFrench police arrested an Algerian Muslim man suspected of planning an attack on "one or two churches" near Paris. According to the Paris prosecutor, documents linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State were found at his apartment and a contact in Syria had advised him to target churches.
12 Christians Killed by Muslim Migrants
April 16, 2015, ItalyItalian police said that 15 Muslim migrants were arrested after they threw 12 Christians overboard on a boat in the Mediterranean Sea on the way to Italy. Migrants from Senegal, the Ivory Coast, Mali, and Guinea were arrested in the Sicilian city of Palermo and charged with multiple counts of aggravated murder, motivated by religious hate.
Bremen Cathedral Target in Plans for Islamist Attack
February 28, 2015, GermanyFour Islamists from France attempted to commit terrorist attacks in Bremen in the Cathedral of St Peter, a Gothic cathedral adjacent to the Renaissance town hall, in a synagogue, and on a lively square. A massive deployment of police thwarted their plans, but the would-be attackers managed to escape.
Student Beaten in Dormitory for Christian Faith in Berlin
February 8, 2015, GermanyAccording to the police, a 24-year-old student was first verbally insulted and then severely beaten by two attackers on his way to his student dormitory, solely "because of his Christian faith." During the assault, the offenders put a knife to the student’s throat. Security staff intervened, but the two perpetrators escaped by car.
Wayside Cross Motersawed by Muslim
December 22, 2014, AustriaAn old wayside crucifix with corpus was cut down with a motor saw in Groß-Enzersdorf, Lower Austria. A Muslim of Egyptian origin whose property was located close to the cross said that he it had „annoyed him“. The cross had been a destination for pilgrimages for over 60 years.
Priest Hospitalized After Attack During Silent Pro-Family Manifestation in Rovereto
October 5, 2014, ItalyOn Sunday, 5th of October, silent demonstrations against “gay marriage” took place throughout Italy under the name “standing sentinels” (“Sentinelle in Piedi”). During the gathering in Rovereto a group of anarchists demanded that the Sentinels leave and started to attack them. Two people, a priest and a young woman, had to been taken to hospital.
Church Set on Fire in Berlin
October 4, 2014, GermanyA Coptic church in Berlin was set on fire by yet unknown perpetrators in the early morning hours of October 4th. A dustbin was moved to the main door of the church and set on fire. The fire spread from the dustbin to the historical wooden door which was seriously damaged
Attack on Pro-Life Activist during Anti-Concordat Demonstration in Zagreb
September 20, 2014, CroatiaDuring an anti-concordat demonstration organized by the non-governmental organization „The Voice of Reason - A Movement for a Secular Croatia“ on the Flower Square in Zagreb, a counter demonstrator was attacked. Mrs. Ružica Ćavar, who is the President of the Croatian Pro-Life Movement, was carrying a poster expressing her opposition. A man attacked and injured Mrs. Ćavar so that she had to be transported to the hospital for medical treatment. The police arrested the attacker.
Attack Against a Nigerian Christian Woman
September 19, 2014, ItalyA Muslim from Mali living in Italy was arrested for a physical attack at a Christian Nigerian woman in Italy. The Nigerian woman had been threatened with death because she was wearing a chain with a cross, later on she was stabbed and needed to be hospitalized with serious injuries.
Attack at a Church in Berlin and at Christians Assembled in March for Life
September 19, 2014, GermanyA church in Berlin was seriously damaged because it offered its premises for abortion opponents. Also the Christians peacefully assembled at the so called “March for life” – a pro life manifestation in Berlin became targets of variety of attacks. Several German politicians criticized the event and described attending Christians as "religious fundamentalists".
Vandalism and Death Threats at Church in Leoben
September 2, 2014, AustriaThe Stadtpfarrkirche, the main city parish church, of Leoben was vandalised and damaged in the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 2nd. The perpetrators ripped apart paintings, and destroyed crosses and candle holders. The altar was displaced despites its heavy weight, and on the altar cross the writing „death to priests“ was smeared. The parish priest was also personally threatened with the smeared words „Priest go home, otherwise we will burn down your church.“ A woman was identified a few days later who claims that voices told her to vandalize the church.
Muslim Chechens Attack Christian Syrians In Berlin Refugee Camp
August 8, 2014, GermanyAround 100 Muslim Chechens have beaten Christian Syrians in a refugee camp in Berlin, Marienfeld. The motivation apparantly was religious hate. Five Syrians had to go to the hospital with serious injuries. 80 police men were finally able to get the situation under control, eight Chechens were allegedly taken to the police station for identification.
(/Northern Ireland) Arson Attack on a Church in North Belfast
July 20, 2014, United KingdomThe Catholic church in Newtownabbey has been a target of several hate crimes already. On July 20th, it was an arson attack. The wooden doors of the church were damaged by flammable liquid.
Memorial of John Paul II Vandalised in Krakow
April 24, 2014, PolandThe monument to John Paul II in Krakow was graffitied with a star of David during the week before the Sunday canonisation of the late pope. The police set up a perimeter while the monument was being cleaned, but rest silent as to the origin of this act of vandalism.
Church in Villers-Cotterêts Robbed
April 21, 2014, FranceOn returning from the Easter Vigil, the local priest in Villers-Cotterêts discovered that someone had forced entry into the church. The sacristy was in disarray, and the poor box had been robbed. This box had already been padlocked because of an earlier theft, but the thief still managed to break in, leaving damages amounting to 80 euros. The box had been recently emptied.
Insulting and Blasphemous Graffiti Near Entrance to the Chapel of Locmaria
April 20, 2014, FranceNear the entrance to the chapel of Locmaria, which is part of the parish of Carnac, sometime during the night of Holy Saturday to Easter Sunday, graffiti was painted on a public signpost. This graffiti made blasphemous and insulting comments that made reference to Catholic fascists and a homosexual Jesus. The rector, Father Jérôme Sécher, filed a complaint with the local authorities.
Church Vandalised in Region of Neuchâtel
April 18, 2014, SwitzerlandA church in Chaux-de-Fonds in the region of Neuchâtel was vandalised during the night by a man who damaged the organ, destroyed the Easter decorations, and ripped out the speakers. The perpetrator appears to have been mentally unstable and was later escorted to a psychiatric hospital. The church intends to keep its opening hours in spite of the event.
Christian Convert Knifed in Hvalsø
April 11, 2014, DenmarkA 48-year-old Christian convert seeking asylum in Denmark was knifed several times by an unknown assailant in the kitchen of the Asylum center in Hvalsø. The victim received blows with a knife in the neck, arm, and back. The victim said that he had previously received death threats for having converted from Islam to Christianity, but no safety measures had been taken.
Chapel Saint-François in Rennes Vandalised
April 9, 2014, FranceUnidentified people broke into the Chapel of Saint- François in Rennes on April 9th breaking open the door to the sacristy. They left lying on the floor the vestments, liturgical linens, and other sacred objects. The perpetrator(s) emptied the poor boxes, but most importantly, the tabernacle was opened and the ciborium tampered with.
Catholic Private School Graffitied in Périgueux
March 31, 2014, FranceThe Catholic private school Saint-Jean de Périgueux was graffitied with the phrase, “Quand je serai grande, je serai gouine” which means, “When I grow up, I’m going to be a dyke” (a crude way of saying lesbian).
Church in Mayenne Robbed of Hosts
March 31, 2014, FranceThe Church of Saint Peter in the community of Bouchamps-lès-Craon in Mayenne was robbed of its ciborium and the Eucharistic hosts inside. The police arrived on scene on Sunday, the 6th of April, and the bishop of Angers intends to celebrate a mass of reparation.
Church of Sacré-Cœur in Lourdes Attacked
March 27, 2014, France“Robbers” entered the Church of Sacré-Cœur in Lourdes sometime during the night of March 27-28, 2014 and broke open the poor boxes. More importantly, they broke open the tabernacle and stole the ciborium with the consecrated hosts that it contained. The parish priest responded by organising a prayer session.
Christian Demonstrations Violently Attacked by Left Wing Radicals in Baden-Württemberg and Cologne
March 23, 2014, GermanyA new governmental sex ed curriculum of Baden-Württemberg has caused outrage among Christian parents. Several manifestions suffered serious attacks by left wing activists which were later identified as LGBT activists. Eyewitnesses reported in shock to the Observatory.
Tabernacles in Churches Pouancé and Bouchamp-lès-Craon Robbed of Hosts
March 23, 2014, FranceAt the end of March and the beginning of April, two churches were vandalised in France and the consecrated hosts were robbed from the tabernacle. One was the church in Pouancé and the other that in Bouchamp-lès-Craon.
Sacré-Cœur in Paris Again Victim of Vandalsim
March 22, 2014, FranceThe Sacré-Cœur basilica in Paris, after having been marked with graffiti indicating anarchist origins, was again found graffitied within a few days of the previous vandalism.
Fire in Church of Sainte-Marie in Le Boulou
February 18, 2014, FranceA fire broke out around 10 am in the church of Sainte-Marie Le Boulou. A large figure of Christ which was made of wood and plaster and installed in the entrance of the church caught on fire and was burning for hours. The fire department and police are investigating.
Invaluable Relic of Pope John Paul II Stolen from Chapel in the Region of Abruzzo
January 26, 2014, ItalyThieves broke into the church of San Pietro della lenca in the Abruzzo region breaking the protective iron bars and forcing their way in through a window. They left the collection box but took a crucifix and invaluable relic which contains a piece of gauze once soaked in the blood of the late Pope John Paul II.
Two Priests Attacked in Paris
December 6, 2013, FranceTwo priests were beaten in Paris by five youth after telling them to stop demolishing garbage bins. When the youth did not listen, one of the priests photographed them after which they reacted violently.
Violence Against Peaceful Christian Manifestation
November 30, 2013, GermanyA Christian protest against the persecution of Christians was interrupted by Muslims in Cologne. The protesters were shouted at with insults. Microphones and loudspeakers damaged. Some individuals were personally attacked and hit. The police did not respond for a long time exposing the participants to serious risks. Only at the end, after an attack on a cameraman did the police take action.
Lutheran Church Burnt Down in Hannover
July 29, 2013, GermanyIn the night from July 29 to 30, the Lutheran church and parish house Willehadikirche in Hannover was set on fire and burned down completely despite the efforts of 150 firemen. The police concluded the following day that it was a case of deliberate arson. Neighbours reported that they saw a group of youth trying to set the church on fire but thought that they had not succeeded.
34 Anti-Life Activists Arrested for Attacks and Violations of Freedom of Assembly against Praying Christians
July 26, 2013, AustriaA peaceful prayer-manifestation of young Christians in Salzburg was interrupted by aggressive pro-choice activists who blocked streets and insulted the Christian activists. Police officers had to rearrange the walking route of the march and finally arrested 34 pro-choice activists for the violation of freedom of assembly. Two pro-choice activists also attacked a police officer.
Encouragement of Violence Against Christians
June 21, 2013, GermanyDuring anti-Christian manifestations in Germany, the appeal to rape Christians in an exceptionally brutal way and vulgar language was spread. A slogan invented by a punk band who titled a song with it, is gaining popularity. This call to violence is also spreading as a slogan on t-shirts.
Protestant Assembly Hall Burned Down in Villiers-sur-Marne
June 10, 2013, FranceIn the early morning of the 10th of June, the Protestant assembly hall in Villiers-sur-Marne, France, which had room for 200 people, was burned down. An investigation is in progress but it seems that the action of the burning was done voluntarily.
Monastery Raided by Masked Gunmen
June 3, 2013, AustriaThe Salvatorian monastery of Hörbranz in the Austrian federal state of Vorarlberg was raided by masked gunmen. A monk was threatened at gunpoint. The two men, allegedly in their 30’s, escaped with several thousands of Euros.
Saint Louis Church in La Roche Sur Yon Spray-painted with Anti-Christian Slogans
June 1, 2013, FranceA wall of Saint Louis Church was spray-painted with blasphemous graffiti saying “Jésus la Tepue” (Jesus the slut). There was also graffiti found on the pedestal of the statue of the Virgin Mary, reading: “666 Satan reviendra. (Satan will return).
Explosives Sent to Church Officials Wrapped in Sex Toys
April 25, 2013, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)Bombs wrapped in sex toys were sent to two different Catholic officials, the Bishop of Pamplona and a director of a Legionaries of Christ school in Madrid. The apparent perpetrator was the anarchist group calling themselves the Anticlerical Group for the Promotion of the Use of Sex Toys. Although the first bomb did not explode, the second detonated, injuring a postal worker.
Numerous Human Rights Violations Against Pro-Family Demonstrators
April 23, 2013, FranceThe recent attacks on pro-family mass-demonstrations included: tear gas against children, overbearing police force, unconstitutional state action and human rights violations, death threats against organisers on social media and stabbing of a protester, as well as violations of freedom of assembly.
Pro-Life Women Attacked By Pro-Abortion Men at Manifestation
March 15, 2013, PolandMale pro-abortion protesters physically attacked several pro-life women, pushing and kicking them, during a rally on March 10th in Warsaw. The pro-lifers were part of the organisation Fundacja Pro and were carrying a controversial banner of a woman who died during an abortion.
Nail Bomb Placed in Almudena Cathedral in Madrid
February 20, 2013, SpainA nail bomb was found in the Almudena Cathedral by a priest who reported seeing a suspicious looking bag on leaving the confessional. The Cathedral was evacuated before anyone was hurt by the home-made device, and the police were able to deactivate it without any damage being done.
Church of Saint-Germain de Charonne in Paris Marked with Graffiti
February 6, 2013, FranceThe Church of Saint-Germain de Charonne in Paris was marked with the words, “The only church that illuminates is the one that burns.”
Long List of Hate Crimes Against Christians in 2012 Reported by the Holy See
December 31, 2012, GermanyThe Holy See reported numerous hate crimes against Christians in Germany in 2012 to OSCE/ODIHR. View the locations and dates here.
Long List of Hate Crimes Against Christians in 2012 Reported by the Holy See
December 31, 2012, HungaryThe Holy See reported numerous hate crimes against Christians in Hungary in 2012 to OSCE/ODIHR. View the locations and dates here.
Long List of Hate Crimes Against Christians in 2012 Reported by the Holy See
December 31, 2012, ItalyThe Holy See reported numerous hate crimes against Christians in Italy in 2012 to OSCE/ODIHR. View the locations and dates here.
Youth Demand the Handing Over of a Priest "to be Burnt" at Catholic School in Merida
December 17, 2012, SpainDuring the morning of the 17th of December ten youths between the ages of 15 and 17 entered the Salesian School ‘Maria Auxiliadora’ in the outskirts of Merida, Spain. After assaulting the groundskeeper who had tried to stop their entrance, they made their way to the classrooms demanding the priests be handed over to be burnt and accusing the teachers of fascism.
Christians Threatened in Muslim-Christian Area in Bulgaria
September 27, 2012, Bulgaria“Christians are threatened” said a resident of the Roma neighborhood in Iztok, a suburb in Pazardjik (Bulgaria) in the television program "Fatherland Front" (Otechestven front) with Martin Karbovski.
Chapel of Saint-Sébastien Set on Fire
August 8, 2012, FranceThe chapel of Saint-Sébastien in the region of le Gard, France, suffered an arson attack which partially destroyed the wooden part of the altar. This was not the first attack on the chapel.