"At a time of increasing marginalisation, discrimination and persecution – especially of Christians – I appeal to the international community to respond robustly to attacks on religious freedom wherever they occur."
After citing several attacks against Christians in Arab and African states, in a speech at the National Assembly, Mr. Remiller goes on to say: „Our country isn't spared! A crucifix and three statues of the Virgin Mary profaned in the department of the Landes within ten days. Let alone arts, which, having been "sacred" for several centuries in our country, is henceforth too often disrespectful of Christianity."
Cardinal Raymond Burke, former Archbishop of St. Louis and now the head of the Vatican’s highest court, told Catholic News Agency that he could envision a time when the Catholic Church in the U.S., “even by announcing her own teaching,” is accused of “engaging in illegal activity, for instance, in its teaching on human sexuality.” Asked if the cardinal could even see American Catholics being arrested for their faith he replied, “I can see it happening, yes.”
In a letter sent to Downing Street, Bishop Joseph Devine urged Mr Cameron to launch an inquiry into “whether the new equality and sexual orientation legislation infringes the rights of others and especially those who attend church”. The Bishop of Motherwell warned that an inquiry was needed because of dozens of cases in which churchgoers “appear to be given less respect for their views than other religions”.
Governement Minister, Baroness Warsi, – a Muslim – said “We need to create a country in which people can be unashamedly proud of their faith – where they don’t feel that they have to leave religion at the door. “That means being proud of Christianity, not downgrading it.” She also said: “For many years, I have been saying that the stronger we are as a Christian nation, the more understanding we will be of other faiths.”
"Modern Art is one of today’s christianophobia’s main manifestation... Of all religions, Christianity is, with no doubt, the most assaulted by art."
Miss Widdecombe, former UK Conservative minister: “David Cameron’s government have threatened to cut the overseas aid budget for countries which persecute homosexuals. Fair enough. But what about Christians? When do we qualify for such protection or don’t we?” Ann Widdecombe also said: “You stand a better chance of earnest representation if you are a hedgehog – and I speak as a patron of the Hedgehog Protection Society. In the last 10 years, how many debates have there been on persecution of Christians, how many Government statements on the subject?”
In a reaction to the event of the Chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the relevant Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to reflect on the phenomenon of hate incidents and crimes against Christians, the COMECE deplores the "decrease in tolerance for the visual presence of Christianity in the public environment" and "those organisations and minority groups that call for tolerance towards themselves, while in turn showing intolerance vis-à-vis religion (and in particular Christianity) by ridiculing or even insulting the Church during public events".
"In Europe... the social environment isn’t without problems. Just browse through the facts mentioned by the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe to be baffled by the number of cases taking place in Europe. People are discriminated against in either a veiled or opened manner, on their workplaces or in different areas of social life, and this only because they are Christian."