All cases
Disturbance in Cologne Cathedral by Supporters of the Russian Punk-Band “Pussy Riot”
October 13, 2012, GermanyThree masked fans of the Russian punk-band “Pussy Riot” disrupted the Sunday Mass in Cologne’s Cathedral as a sign of solidarity to members of the punk-band who had been convicted of causing disturbances in a church in earlier this year.
Ban on Distribution of Bibles at Public Schools in Berlin
October 10, 2012, GermanyThe International Gideons are known for distributing pocket Bibles for free - mostly at schools, hospitals, hotels and medical practices. They were denied to further distribute Bibles at public schools in Berlin by the ministry of education and cultural affairs.
German Parents Lose Custody of Their Children for Homeschooling
October 5, 2012, GermanyA district court in Darmstadt, Germany has revoked custody of four children from their parents and ordered it turned over to the Jugendamt, Germany’s child protective agency.
Pro-Life Activists Continuously Attacked
October 3, 2012, GermanyPro-Life activists continuously suffer attacks from radical groups, including physical attacks and property damages; as well as negative stereotyping by the media; and an infringement on freedom of assembly and expression by a ban mile.
St. Oswald in Traunstein Vandalized Again
September 26, 2012, GermanyThe St. Oswald Church in Traunstein, Germany was presumably spray painted by the Antifascist group “ANTIFA”. In this church, Pope emeritus Benedict XVI celebrated his first mass as a priest. The motivation for this attack is unknown. Several objects were spraypainted including a bust of Pope emeritus Benedict XVI. The bust had been vandalised two times already before.
National Pro-Life-Manifestation Attacked by Radical Left Wing Groups
September 23, 2012, GermanyEvery year in September, a national pro-life-manifestation - the March for Life takes place in Berlin. Radical groups disturb the peaceful marchers each year - with methods ranging from insults and hurtful chanting, to blocking of roads or venues, to property damage or physical violence.
Pharmacists' Freedom of Conscience Uncertain
September 19, 2012, GermanyWhile the law does not protect the freedom of conscience for German pharmacists, a letter from the ministry, dated 1986 upholds it. Legally, the letter is not binding. The uncertainty of whether this letter would be followed by today’s courts constitutes a difficulty in the ethical considerations and the freedom of acting according to one’s conscience of pharmacists in Germany.
„Homeschooling“ Still Prohibited
September 19, 2012, GermanyParents rights are commonly understood to include the right to chose the form of education of one’s children, including the possibility of non-institutional education, such as the so-called homeschooling. Not so in Germany.
Compulsory Sex Ed Problematic for Christian Families
September 19, 2012, GermanyGermany’s strict federal laws on compulsory school attendance do not allow any opt out with regard to sexual education.
Church in Landshut Borken Into
September 9, 2012, GermanyOn the 09.09.2012 in Mirskofen (Landshut) someone desecrated the sacred space of the church and the sacristy was broken into.
Local Church Defiled in Breisach
September 7, 2012, GermanyIn Ihringen (Breisach) the holy sacred space of the local church was defiled by feces and other clear signs of vandalism and aggression against Christianity.
Money Stolen from a Church Donations Box
September 7, 2012, GermanyThieves entered through a window into the Church on the market of Bad Langensalza. They pried open a donation box and stole a large amount of money.
Evangelical Church Desecrated in Odenwald
September 4, 2012, GermanyIn Hirschhorn (Odenwald) on the 4th Sept. 2012 the Evangelical church was desecrated.
Vandalism and Theft in Werdener Dom in Essen
September 3, 2012, GermanyPerpetrators broke into the cathedral of Werden in Essen and stole the donation boxes creating several thousand euros worth of damage.
Ad For Mountain Tourism Conceals Summit Cross
August 30, 2012, GermanyDue to increased tourism from Middle Eastern countries, the management of the Zugspitze Railway in Bavaria produced an advertisement leaflet of the mountain “Zugspitze” without an image of the summit cross. Churches protested.
Burglaries in Churches and Parish Buildings
August 24, 2012, GermanyThe parish building in Klotten and Pommern and the sacristy of the church in Bremm were broken into by burglars looking for money.
Burglars in Church Sacristy in Treis
August 20, 2012, GermanyAn unidentified perpetrator broke into the sacristy of a Church in Treis and attempted to steal money. The police did not release the amount of the damage.
Catholic Church in Bötzingen Broken Into and Defiled
August 16, 2012, GermanyIn Bötzingen (Freiburg) on the 16th of August one or perhaps more perpetrators broke into the Catholic Church on the main street in Bötzingen, destroying the decorations around the church. The perpetrators also defiled the sacred space by urinating and splashed holy water on an open torn up bible. More damage has also been detected in several pipes of the organ.
A Blasphemous Jesus Caricature Disturbs Religious Feelings of Christians in Kassel
August 10, 2012, GermanyA large publicity poster at the entrance to a cultural center in Kassel shows the caricature of Jesus on the Cross including an offensive caption which caused strong indignation among Christians living in Kassel.
Church in Sachsen Broken Into
July 31, 2012, GermanyIn Angel (Sachsen), the church of St. Pancras was desecrated, sacred chalices and alms for the poorest were stolen.