All cases
Metal cross blown up in Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijani troops
September 27, 2023, ArmeniaThe second tallest metal cross in Europe, a 50-meter cross overlooking Stepanakert, the capital of the ethnic-Armenian Republic of Artsakh, was destroyed during the Azerbaijani military offensive that began on 19 September. This is only one of many attacks on the Christian religion of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, who are suffering an ethnic cleansing from their native land since the Azerbaijani military offensive.
Azerbaijani soldiers shooting at 13th century Charektar Monastery
September 26, 2023, ArmeniaOn 26 September a video released on the internet showed Azerbaijani soldiers shooting at the 13th century Armenian monastery of Charektar in Nagorno-Karabakh. The shots were fired from an armoured personnel carrier and sniper rifles. The attack comes in the context of the ethnic cleansing and military offensive launched on 19 September by Azerbaijan against the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh which is also targeting Armenian Christianity in the region.
Christian Family Faces Prosecution for Homeschooling if Deported Back to Germany
September 25, 2023, GermanyA Christian family is asking the Biden administration to intervene in their deportation after they lived in the USA for 15 years seeking asylum from prosecution in Germany. The Romeikes had fled Bissingen, Germany in 2008 after being threatened with prosecution for homeschooling their five children. Homeschooling in Germany is tightly regulated and only allowed under certain circumstances.
Vandals deface church with blasphemous writings
September 25, 2023, ItalyDuring the night of September 25, a group of youth defaced the walls of the parish church Santi Giovanni e Agostino and some facades in la Spezia. According to the media, the slogans included blasphemous writings.
Desecration of the Virgin of Flores Convent Church
September 19, 2023, SpainThe Virgen de las Flores Convent Church in Malaga was vandalised. The attack happened in the morning of September 19. In the sanctuary of the Virgen de las Flores Convent they scattered the consecrated hosts on the floor, took the mantle of Mary and the image of Baby Jesus.
Posters defame pro-life campaigners as "religious fundamentalists"
September 17, 2023, SpainIn Madrid, around the Isadora center, located in the university district, abortion supporters have placed signs on the streetlights that read: “Attention: Dangerous religious fundamentalists on the loose,” “STOP fanaticism,” “40 Days hating women” or “40 days against human rights”. The slogans were directed against the 40 Days for Life prayer initiative.
Fire in Laupersdorfs church - arsonist charged
September 16, 2023, SwitzerlandA 36-year-old Swiss man has been charged with the arson of St Martin's Church in Laupersdorf on 16 September and the burning of several vehicles in Grellingen. The church fire caused immense damage.
Two Cases of Desecration in Hospital Chapel in Puerto Real
September 14, 2023, SpainOn the 14th of September, CNA reported that a hospital chapel in the town of Puerto Real, in the Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta, had recently been desecrated twice. The first time, nothing was stolen but someone moved the tabernacle so that it was out of joint and left a dirty glass in it. The second time, the consecrated hosts were stolen and the veil of the tabernacle was torn off. The police were notified.
Hateful Graffiti On Residence of Cardinal of Cologne
September 13, 2023, GermanyThe official residence of the Cardinal of Cologne, Rainer Maria Woelki, was smeared with hateful graffiti on the September 19. The entrance gate to the archbishop's house was also sprayed with powder from a fire extinguisher.
Court rules against Geneva's ban on religious processions
September 13, 2023, SwitzerlandThe Swiss Federal Court has ruled in favour of a parish, which has been banned from organising a procession on Corpus Christi by the canton of Geneva. The Court found in its judgment (2C_285/2023) that the ban violates freedom of religion and conscience.