All cases
Violence and Damages in Aggressive Disruption of a Pro-Life Manifestation
July 24, 2012, AustriaMore than 80 pro-abortion-activists attacked the pro-life manifestation “1000 Crosses-March” organized by the Youth for Life and Human Life International in Salzburg-City. Blockages, insults and windows smashed kept a large number of police busy.
Destroy All Christian Church, Muslim Leaders Says
March 12, 2012, InternationalThe most influential leader in the Muslim world issued a fatwa to destroy Christian churches. Response to this call is also possible in European countries.
Christian Church Targeted in Turkey
March 4, 2012, TurkeyOn Sunday, March 4, police notified the pastor of Samsun Agape Church that someone had attacked the church building. The attacker kicked in the church door to get inside. He also damaged the church sign before being detained by police and a neighbor.
Archbishop of York Receives Racist and Threatening Emails
February 6, 2012, United KingdomThe Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu received racist and threatening messages just days after he voiced his support for traditional marriage, sparking a police hate crime investigation.
21 Hate Crimes against Christians Documented in 2011
December 31, 2011, FinlandThe representation of the Catholic Church in Finland reported to OSCE a total of 21 hate crimes directed against Christians in the year 2011. The hate crimes range from insult and threat to vandalism and physical assault.
Seven Hate Crimes Against Christians in 2011
December 31, 2011, DenmarkThe Holy See reported 7 hate crimes against Christians in Denmark in 2011 to OSCE/ODIHR.
24 Hate Crimes Against Christians in 2011
December 31, 2011, FinlandThe Holy See reported 24 hate crimes against Christians in Finland in 2011 to OSCE/ODIHR.
Reported Cases of Hate Crime in Denmark
December 30, 2011, DenmarkThe Holy See reported seven hate crimes against Christians in 2011.
Reported Hate Crimes in Finland
December 30, 2011, FinlandThe Holy See reported 24 hate crimes against Christians in 2011.
Christians Physically Assaulted at Christmas
December 25, 2011, Bosnia and HerzegovinaIn Zavidovici, numerous cases of physical assaults on older Catholics were reported on Christmas day.
73-Year-Old Priest Beaten and Attacked
December 10, 2011, PolandOn December 10th, 2011, 73-year-old Roman-Catholic priest, Fr. Stanislaw Wysocki, was attacked and beaten in Suwalki, and was hospitalized. Despite police proceedings, the perpetrators were not identified.
Trespassing and Thefts in Kostajnica
November 29, 2011, Bosnia and HerzegovinaBurglars broke into the church of Kostajnica and stole various objects.
Police Force Necessary to Protect Pro Life Activists from Left Wing Mob
November 3, 2011, SwitzerlandPolice in Zurich, Switzerland were forced to use water cannons and tear gas against anti-life protesters who tried to disrupt a recent March for Life of about a thousand pro-life supporters marching through the streets of the Swiss capital.
Vandalism at Cemetery in Niedereschach
October 30, 2011, GermanyOn the night of October 30th, vandals raged on the graveyard of Niedereschach, damaging graves, memorial candles, statues of Mary and of angels, flowers, and jardinières. They also pulled out wooden crosses of fresh graves and lined them up upside down which could indicate a satanic background.
"Occupy Rome" Activists Destroyed Sacred Icons During Demonstration
October 15, 2011, ItalyA group of youth who were marching as part of the anti-capitalist movement "Occupy Rome", detoured from the main stream of the parade, and made their way into Saints Marcellino and Pietro Parish, located between Labicana and Merulana streets. The youth, with their heads covered and handing sticks, broke into the parish house and took the statue of the Immaculate Conception and a crucifix. They carried the sacred icons outside the parish premises to the street, where both were destroyed and the debriefs left on the street.
Physical Assaults Against Christians in Nîmes
October 2, 2011, FranceA crowd of about one thousand people had gathered at the sanctuary of Our Lady of Santa-Cruz in Nîmes, for the annual procession organized by the ‘Joyeuse Union Don Bosco’ every year since 1982. But when they went back to their personal cars, several of them were surrounded, insulted and stoned by groups of violent youths.
Singer Sinead O'Connor Says She'd Shoot the Pope If He Came to Ireland
September 29, 2011, IrelandThe popular Irish singer, Sinead O'Connor used social media to warn the Pope that if he comes to Ireland, there "would be a bloodbath". The singer posted the threat on her Twitter account after a poll was conducted on whether the Pope should visit Ireland. Previously, in 1992 during a TV show, O'Connor tore a photo of John Paul II into pieces and called him evil.
Pro Life Manifestation Attacked
September 17, 2011, FranceThe Christian pro life group "SOS Tout Petits" was attacked by pro-choice and anti-Christian activists during a manifestation in front of the Paris Hospital Tenon while praying peacefully.
Anonymous Caller Threatens School for Displaying Welcome Poster for Pope
September 14, 2011, GermanyA welcome poster for pope Benedict XVI upon his visit to Germany in September 2011 was removed in Fürstenwalde (Oder-Spree) after an anonymous caller said that „something would happen, if the posters were not immediately removed.“
Catholic Newspapers Site Hacked; Anti-Christian Message Displayed
September 12, 2011, IrelandThe homepage of the Irish Catholic website was hacked and replaced with a blue and white screen which read “Site off-line. You. Got. Taken”. The hacker’s message went on to say “And wish you to continue beliveing [sic] in your false religion”. and: "Gotta love false hope."
Christian Think Tank Receives Threatening Phone Call
September 11, 2011, IrelandThe Dublin based Christian Think Tank Iona Institute received a threatening phone call in September: The anonymous caller said the Institute was “scum”, that its director “David Quinn should be castrated and hung up on O’Connell Street”, that they had “the nerve to portray your “f**king religion”, and that the people at the Institute were “filth”.
Moslem Protester: "Jihad to Christian Extremists"
September 11, 2011, InternationalOn a protest against the USA and the UK in London on September 11, a group of Muslims marched through London. A sign was carried which read "Jihad to Christian Extremists".
Destruction of Crosses as Protest Against the Visit of the Pope
September 7, 2011, GermanyA radical atheist group called „What the f...“ released a video on youtube in which crosses are being destroyed with much violence and hatred.
Violent Counter Demonstrators Attack Youth at World Youth Day in Madrid
August 17, 2011, SpainA demonstration against the Catholic Church and the visit of the pope during the major Catholic event of World Youth Day, resulted in the young Christian visitors be booed, spat and shouted at. Several World Youth Day participates were physically attacked, one had to be treated in hospital for being kicked in the stomach. Eight anti-pope demonstrators were jailed.
Masked Vandals Attack Pro-Life Office in Austria
August 8, 2011, AustriaThe office of Johannes Bucher, the European Regional Director of Human Life International’s (HLI), was attacked after a pro-life march in Salzburg, Austria. The office suffered seven broken windows, causing thousands of Euros in damage.
Closing of Churches After Vandalism Acts
June 22, 2011, FranceThe churches of Rieux-Minervois and of Toucy had to be closed after several acts of vandalism and thefts.
Trespassing and Theft in Lukavac
May 18, 2011, Bosnia and HerzegovinaBurglars broke into the church of Lukavac and stole various objects.
Catholic Church Vandalised on Good Thursday
April 21, 2011, TurkeyTwo men armed with swords and knives broke into a Catholic Church in Adana last Thursday. After learning that the priest was not in the church, the 26 year old aggressors proceeded to vandalise the property.
Belgian Archbishop Hit in Face with Cream Pies
April 6, 2011, BelgiumThe head of Belgium's Roman Catholic Church, Archbishop Andre-Joseph Leonard, was hit four times by custard pies at the Catholic University of Louvain while people were cheering.
Atheists Announce Public Campaign Against Catholics
April 5, 2011, SpainIn a broadcasting interview by ELA radio, in Madrid, a group of people who identified themselves as “representatives of different atheist groups”, expressed openly that their goals are to “punish” the Catholic belief, and to “damage” the views of Catholics. They praised the burning of churches in 1936, and they expressed their intention to “welcome” the Pope “as he deserves”, during the announced visit to Madrid in the summer of 2011.
Missionaries Seen as a Threat to the Integrity of the Country
March 31, 2011, TurkeyMissionaries and evangelists in Turkey are perceived as a real threat to both the integrity of the country and to the Muslim religion. Therefore, evangelism is regarded with suspicion and evangelists are sometimes arrested. Non-Muslim religious communities reported that they are personally being attacked. Attacks against churches and cemeteries take place as well.
Fire Set to Catholic Church in Barcelona
March 23, 2011, SpainDuring the night of March 22th, early morning of March 23th, 2011, a group of radical feminists started a fire at the doors of San Vicenç Church, in the Sarriá neighbourhood, in Barcelona. According to the priest Manuel Valls this was the fifth attack against the church in the last three years.
University Chapel Desecration at Complutense University in Madrid
March 11, 2011, SpainOn March 11, 2011, Paula Nieto, the President of the Students Union at the Complutense University in Madrid, reported incidents at the Moncloa campus law school chapel in a radio interview. According to Nieto, several students locked themselves in the chapel, smoked weed and drank beer, while making statements against the Catholic Church. Nieto argues the attacks come from an ultra-left student group named Contrapoder.
Pharmacy Does Not Sell “Morning-After-Pill” - Windows Shattered
March 8, 2011, GermanyThe windows of a pharmacy in Berlin’s Neukölln district were shattered because the owner does not sell the so called “morning-after-pill” due to his catholic convictions.
Trespassing and Thefts in Tarcin
February 28, 2011, Bosnia and HerzegovinaOn February 28th, 2011, an unknown number of people broke in the parish house of Tarcin and stole various objects.
Christian Property Damaged in Sarajevo
February 23, 2011, Bosnia and HerzegovinaOn February 23rd, 2011 it was reported that someone had broken into a Christian parish house of Sarajevo and stolen property. A few days later, on February 28th, the same facts occurred in a Christian monastery of Sarajevo.
Thefts in Sarajevo’s Cathedral
February 23, 2011, Bosnia and HerzegovinaAn unknown number of people broke in the Cathedral of Sarajevo, stole various objects and damaged the interior of the Christian place of worship.
Threats by Islamists against Coptic Churches in Europe
January 6, 2011, InternationalChristian Copts in Europe, particularly in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy, celebrated Christmas on January 6th under special police protection.
Parish Several Times Severly Attacked by Muslim Youth
December 30, 2010, FranceFaithful of the parish St John in Avignon are being annoyed, often during the mass service, by insults and agressions, thefts, attempts of arson, and even a car bomb left by Muslim youth. The little community of Christians in a city which hosts an arabic-moslem majority begins to feel afraid of praying together. The parish priest understands that there is a "startling code of silence both for media and politics about the issue".
Pro-Life Manifestation Attacked, One Hospitalised
December 11, 2010, AustriaPeaceful protest of Catholic Youth pro-life Group "Jugend für das Leben“ violently attacked by pro-choice forces. Member hospitalised with concussion.
List of Attacks Against Christian Sexual Orientation Group
December 10, 2010, GermanyAt a meeting on Freedom of Religion of OSCE/ODIHR in Vienna on Dec 9 and 10, the spokesperson of Wüstenstrom, a Christian NGO representing people with unwanted same-sex attractions, summarized a series of intolerance and attacks against them and their work. Find here the full text of his intervention.
Activists Force Spanish Cardinal to Cancel Lecture
December 1, 2010, SpainRadical groups forced the Archdiocese of Madrid to cancel a speech of Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela scheduled to be held at the Autonomous University of Madrid.
Harsh Persecution of Muslims Converted to Christianity
December 1, 2010, United KingdomIn Great Britain many converts from Islam to Christianity are forced to worship in secret at the risk of their own lives according to the report of the French Internet Portal “Observatoire de l’islamisation” which resulted in a report broadcasted 2010 on British TV.
Gay Activists Attack Orthodox Protesters in Moscow
November 3, 2010, RussiaA group of male gay rights activists attacked members of the Orthodox youth movement "Georgievtsy!" outside the Council of Europe office in Moscow, who gathered against the European Court of Human Rights ruling declaring Russia's ban on gay pride marches illegal.
Faithful Stoned During Mass at Carcassonne
November 2, 2010, FranceThe 150 faithful attending holy mass on Tuesday, November 2nd, in the Church of Saint Jacques du Viguier were the target of two teenagers who entered the church to throw stones on the faithful. An eldery person was slightly injured and a statue of the virgin Mary was damaged.
Mountain Guide Destroys Mountain Top Crosses
October 28, 2010, SwitzerlandThe Swiss mountain guide Patrick Bussard vandalized and destroyed three crosses on tops of mountains in 2010 after he had conducted a petition against religious symbols in public. He faced a fine for property damage and violating freedom of religion in January 2012.
(Excursus) Muslim Wipes Website of Lawyer Who Helped Convert
September 15, 2010, United StatesMr. Stemberger, a US lawyer who successfully defended Rifqa Bary, a teenage Christian convert from Islam, has had his organisation’s website destroyed by a Muslim hacker. Obscene message stating intent left on site.
Attacks on Pro Life Activists
September 7, 2010, AustriaOngoing attacks against sidewalk-counseling pro life activists in Vienna filmed and published online.
Catholic Bishop Murdered in Turkey
June 3, 2010, TurkeyCatholic bishop Luigi Padovese was fatally stabbed in his home in Turkey. Driver confessed to the murder, yet motive remains unclear.
Report Published: 84 Pages of Incidents of Marginalisation of Christians
December 31, 2009, United KingdomThe Christian Institute published a report called "Marginalising Christians", cataloguing numerous cases of Christians being sidelined by public bodies, popular media, employers and facing barriers to public funding.