All cases

"Buffer Zones" Clause in England and Wales Criminalize Silent Prayer or "Influence" Around Abortion Clinics

March 7, 2023, United Kingdom

On March 7, the House of Commons voted to comprehensively introduce buffer zones around abortion clinics to the Public Order Bill for the final time. The clause to the bill was approved by a majority of 299 MPs in favor to 116 against. Now that the Public Order Bill is set to become law, any form of "influence" around abortion clinics will be criminalised, including silent prayer or consensual conversations, de facto making "thought crime" a reality in the UK. Experts have commented that while harassment and intimidation are already illegal, this law would be a serious attack on freedom of speech and freedom of thought.

Vandalism of religious memorial plaque

March 7, 2023, Poland

On the night of March 7, 2023, an unknown perpetrator vandalised a commemorative plaque with the image of St. John Paul II located on the wall of the City and Commune Office in Skała. The vandal painted the commemorative plaque with green spray or paint.

German Minister wants buffer zones around abortion clinics

March 6, 2023, Germany

Germany prohibits abortion, but under the condition that women receive mandatory counseling, it is not punishable during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It is also not punished in cases of danger for the woman's health or rape. As many politicians ask for its legalization, Lisa Paus, Federal Minister for Family Affairs, expressed her intentions to create buffer zones around abortion clinics, which poses a real thread on freedom of speech and thought if, as in the UK or Spain, they include the prohibition of prayer, for example.

Teenagers Vandalize Church and Steal Offertory Money

March 5, 2023, France

On the 5th of March, three teenagers broke into a church, severely damaged the organ, vandalized the church, and robbed the money in the offertory box. They are to be judged in April. According to the report, the perpetrators climbed through the balcony, stealing the key to the organ and bending several pipes, they also sprayed the church with a fire extinguisher and unsealed a railing.

LGBT-activists disrupt church service

March 5, 2023, Poland

On March 5, 2023, a mass in the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Warsaw was interrupted. LGBT-activists dressed in coats in the colours symbolising the LGBT movement, demonstratively prostrated themselves in front of the rails during the liturgy. They lay down on the floor, claiming to symbolise that they were "victims of the Church".

High Level of Anti-Christian Crimes in France Can't be Ignored Anymore: Collective Statement by 20 Personalities

March 3, 2023, France

The anti-Christian incidents have been rising in France, up to the point that 20 personalities from different organisations and careers have issued a letter to the authorities. The newspaper "Le Figaro" has published a collective statement signed by twenty french personalities asking for a better response against this problem in France and Europe. The article mentions recent news about two nuns who will leave the city of Nantes due to insecurity. The authors state: "If the worrying rise in violence against religions affects all believers, Christianity remains the primary target of anti-religious acts in France as in Europe." The statement asks the European Union to "react and recall that all anti-religious acts must be fought with the same force."

Glass door smashed during parish event

March 3, 2023, Italy

On the evening of Sunday, 3 March 2024, unknown individuals shattered the glass door of the room adjoining the BMV Immacolata Parish in Terlizzi, Italy. This room is used by the church for pastoral and catechetical activities. The incident occurred during a meeting between the parish priest, Father Gianni Rafanelli, and young people.

Drunken men interrupt mass and insult priest

March 3, 2023, Poland

On March 3, 2023, there was a disruption in the celebration of Holy Mass at the Franciscan Church in Wronki. During the service, two drunken men aged 29 and 40 entered the church and insulted the priest. Police officers were called to the scene.

Church of Saint-Eustache in Paris Desecrated

March 2, 2023, France

On March 2, the church of Saint-Eustache located in Paris was severely damaged and desecrated, according to media reports. Unknown perpetrators broke the protective glass of the altar with a fire extinguisher. The parish community was shocked and commented: "This altar is at the heart of the church as Christ is at the heart of our gatherings and of the rich life of our parish community." Further damages and motives are still under investigation.

Anti-Christian Tags on the pavement of the church

February 28, 2023, Italy

On the last day of February, an act of vandalism and hate crime occurred in the Church of San Giovanni Battista. An Italian news site reported that unknown perpetrators smeared offensive tags and drew symbols on the church's pavement. The symbols were said to be pentagrams, usually used by satanists and an upside-down cross. There was also a stone in front of the church with writings on it. The investigation is ongoing.