All cases
Man Arrested for Stealing Sacred Vessels from Nicosia Chapel
May 6, 2022, CyprusA 36-year-old man was arrested on the 6th of May on suspicion of stealing sacred vessels from a schoolyard chapel in Nicosia, Cyprus. Sometime between April 15th and May 3rd, the chapel was broken into and the sacred items were taken. Those investigating the crime found the man.
Window in Schlierstadt Church Smashed
May 6, 2022, GermanyA window of the Catholic church "Sankt Gangolf" in Schlierstadt, was smashed with a stone between May 2nd and 6th. The church was vandalized twice last year but this time, the property damage was around 1000 euros. The police were looking for more information about the perpetrator.
Parental Consent Not Needed for Children Under 16 Years Old to Take Puberty Blockers
May 6, 2022, United KingdomOn the 6th of May, the Supreme Court of the UK declined to take the Bell v Tavistock case, regarding puberty blockers for teenagers under 16 years old, which means the ruling by the Court of Appeals will currently stand. After the High Court ruled that 13-year-olds were not old enough and needed parental consent to begin hormone blockers; Tavistock appealed in June of 2021 and the Court of Appeals ruled that it was not the High Court's decision to make. Instead, they ruled that parental consent was unnecessary and that clinicians could decide it with their patients. This is a significant concern for Christian parents who would disagree with such treatment.
Anti-Christian and Nazi Tags on Parish Church in Mautern
May 6, 2022, AustriaThe outer walls of the parish church in Mautern were sprayed with Nazi symbols on May 6th. Once the police had the relevant details, they were able to identify the perpetrators who were brothers aged 21 and 27 from the Leoben district. The property damage was significant. One graffiti reads "F** Jesus".
Bishop's Car in Kaluga Vandalized
May 6, 2022, RussiaOn the night of May 6th, the car of Albert Ratkin, bishop of the Glorification Church in Kaluga, was painted with the "pro-Russian war" letters Z and V, and polyurethane was put in the exhaust pipe and doors. The vandalism was done because the Bishop had a YouTube channel, called "View from Heaven", on which he had posted videos against the war. He said: “I am not speaking with criticism, I am offering some solutions. Not everyone likes it, you see.”
Satanist Profanation of Cementery in Chișinău
May 6, 2022, MoldovaOn May 6, 20 crosses and 70 funeral wreaths were set on fire at the St. Lazarus Cemetery in Chișinău, Moldova. Law enforcement officials found evidence of a satanic"ritual" at the site. The following May 13, a 35-year-old man was arrested for the theft of an electric bicycle in the capital - he was linked to these acts of desecration and indicted. He faces up to four years in prison and a fine of over 3,000 euros.
Offering Box in Rain Church Destroyed
May 5, 2022, GermanyOn May 6th, a thief broke into the parish church in Rain and stole 100 euros from the offering box there. In the process, the intruder broke open the historic offering box from 1721 with a tool and caused damage that will take around 1000 euros to repair. It was not known who did it but the police in Rain were started an investigation and were looking for more information.
European Parliament Adopts "Hostile" Report on Persecution of Religious Minorities
May 4, 2022, BelgiumA report titled "Persecution of minorities on the grounds of belief or religion," was adopted by the European Parliament in Brussels on May 4th. It has since been called “openly hostile towards religion” by human rights experts since it in places points to religion as a threat and a driver of humanitarian crises. It also failed to mention the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and Africa, but states that "sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), including abortion, are being banned in the name of religion." Although the report had some positive points it did not always refer to religion favorably.
Attempted Arson in Hüttersdorf Church
May 4, 2022, GermanyAn unidentified arsonist tried to ignite the doors of a church on Berliner Straße in Hüttersdorf but failed. On May 4th, a witness saw from her place a lighted candle next to the wooden door of the church but before it could cause significant damage, it tipped over and went out. The Lebach Police were looking for people who could provide more information about the incident.
Teenage Girls Vandalize Völklingen Church
May 2, 2022, GermanyIn the morning of May 2nd, two 11 year old girls threw candles and song books on the ground in the St. Eligius church in Völklingen, Saarland, and smeared a banana on the wall. They returned in the afternoon and knocked over some displays and commemorative candles. They left before the police arrived but the officers found them at a nearby supermarket; at which point, they were handed over to their mother after some strict words.