All cases

Group of Young People Demolish A Cross in Baracaldo

March 23, 2022, Spain

A group of young people demolished the Cabo Quilates Cross in Baracaldo in the early morning of the 23rd of March and uploaded it to social media. Although the major had also decided to demolish the monument under the "Historical Memory Law", he rejected the illegal actions of the group. The Historical Memory Law has been used across Spain to demolish several religious symbols and Christian crosses that were created in the context of the Spanish Civil War.

Precious Items Stolen from St. Nicholas Statue in Bari

March 22, 2022, Italy

Unknown thieves broke into the St. Nicholas Basilica of Bari and stole valuable items from the St. Nicolas statue within. They took a book with three silver balls and a cross with some precious stones. From the other hand, they took a golden ring with some stones and an old necklace. This statue has become a symbol of peace in the last weeks, due to the Ukraine war, which made the theft especially malicious. The theft occurred on 22. March.

Devastating Arson to Evangelical Church in Singen

March 22, 2022, Germany

An Evangelical church in Singen fell victim to arson and burnt down completely. The damage is estimated to be worth several million euros. The General Attorney took up investigations but the arsonist couldn't be found even after DNA tests were made. There are plans in place to built a new church building.

52-year-old Man Vandalizes Church and Sets Several Fires

March 21, 2022, Germany

The Catholic church in Ispringer was the victim of an arson attack, as a perpetrator set fires in several spots of the church by using candles and other materials. This was reported on the 21st of March. Fortunately, the police patrol and the fire crew were there very fast and could track the fire before it really started. The damage to property was estimated at about 10,000 euros.

Pastor Arrested in Mariupol, Ukraine

March 21, 2022, Ukraine

Release International has reported that Alexsander Glushko, the pastor of the Light of the World Evangelical Church of Mariupol, has been arrested by the Russian military. He was believed to have been taken to Dokuchaevsk, which is close to Donetsk, but no further information has been given about his wellbeing. Other pastors homes near Mariupol have been searched and the "hunt for pastors has begun in areas now under Russian control."

No Evidence to Justify Oxford College's Cancellation of Wilberforce Academy

March 21, 2022, United Kingdom

An independent investigation found that there was no substantial evidence for Worcester College's apology and cancellation of the Wilberforce Academy in September of 2021. After hosting this Christian youth conference that seeks to uphold free and considerate debate about controversial issues, this Oxford College said it had received "a number of complaints" and would not hold the event next year. Christian Concern inquired about these complaints, which they had heard nothing of, and upon getting little response, instigated their own investigation.

Teenagers try to Set Church on Fire

March 21, 2022, Italy

The church of Villa San Martino was the victim of an attempted arson by young teenagers around the 21st of March. The teenagers, who have already been identified, took the hand sanitiser gel at the entrance and spread it all over the church, pews and floor. They then tried to set fire to the gel, thinking it would be flammable. Given that the alcohol percentage was not that high, the fire did not catch up. Still, the layers of blackened gel remained on the floor near the altar. The vandals also looted the offering box.

Pastor Kidnapped by Russian Military in Melitopol, Ukraine

March 19, 2022, Ukraine

Dmitry Bodyu, the American - Ukrainian pastor of the Word of Life Church, was taken from his house in Melitopol, Ukraine by Russian soldiers. His wife Helen explained how 10 soldiers walked into their house, questioned them about their nationality, and then took her husband along with their electronic devices and other documents. This was the second pastor, that we know of, to be abducted by Russian troops.

Statue of Virgin Mary Stolen in Ardennes

March 19, 2022, France

The bronze statue of the Virgin of Chesnois-Auboncourt (Ardennes), was stolen on March 19 from the entrance to the village, where it had been since 1990. It was fixed to a concrete base with a marble plaque that commemorated Germaine Justin, the donor of the statue. The villagers were disappointed as the statue was beloved by them.

Germany: Court Ruled Banning Protests Outside Abortion Centers was Illegal

March 18, 2022, Germany

A German court ruled that it was illegal for the city of Frankfurt to create buffer zones around abortion centers where pro-life activists could not demonstrate during certain hours or within certain spatial restrictions. The ruling was reached on March 18th, after the city appealed the initial ruling on March 1st and the administrative court of Kassel confirmed the ruling by denying the appeal. It was the result of a long legal battle instigated by the city of Frankfurt imposing restrictions on the pro-life group "40 Days for Life" when they started a 40-day Lenten prayer gathering in January in front of a counseling center for pregnant women