All cases
Art Festival Against "Religious Censorship" celebrates "Blasphemy Day"
September 17, 2021, Italy"Ceci n'est pas un blasphème" is the title of the festival which claims to celebrate freedom of expression and attack "religious censorship". The festival took place between the 17th and 30th of September, the day on which "Blasphemy Day" is celebrated. The non-profit festival included exhibitions, talks, comedians, to promote anti-clerical art and raise funds to be donated to organizations that provide protection and legal assistance to people persecuted for having said or created blasphemous content. Interestingly, many artists have targeted Christian symbols to create blasphemous images, whereas the countries and cases with severe Blasphemy laws and punishments are Muslim.
Two Arson Attempts in a Church in Waldmünchen
September 17, 2021, GermanyAn unknown perpetrator seems to have tried twice to set the church in Waldmünchen on fire. The first time by placing a candle on the floor of the closed-off side altar with an advertising leaflet from church on it, shortly after the leaflet caught fire. On the next Saturday he tried it again by throwing a burning paper into the area of the fenced side altar. Fortunately the rest of the church was not damaged and the fire was contained. The police are investigating.
24-year-old Man Stabbed to Death While Handing Out Church Leaflets
September 17, 2021, United KingdomMohamed Issa Koroma has been stabbed to death, while he was handling out church leaflets. The attacker will be charge with murder and possession of a bladed weapon in public and will appear at Sheffield Crown Court on 22 September. When the police arrived, Mr. Koroma was seriously injured and still alive but shortly died after the attack. “Our investigation into this incident continues at pace and our officers remain at the scene as they conduct their enquiries" said the Detective Chief Inspector Paul Murphy, 31, of South Yorkshire Police. The motive is still unclear.
Fire Extinguisher Used to Damage Church in Louvie-Juzon
September 17, 2021, FranceOn the 17th of September, anonymous perpetrators vandalized the church of Louvie-Juzon in France by damaging the furniture and emptying the fire extinguisher over the furniture and floor of the Church. The major, who said being very disappointed, has lodged a formal complaint.
Two More Organizations Vandalized by Activists in Run-Up to March for Life
September 17, 2021, SwitzerlandIn the run-up to the March for Life, three different pro-life Evangelical centers were vandalized in two different cities, Zurich and Emmenbrücke (Lucerne). The perpetrators painted the offices of the Pro-Life organization in Lucerne with Graffiti between 15-17 September. Also, the organization Zukunft CH foundation was defaced with graffiti. The attacks were claimed on an anarcho-autonomous pro-LGBTQ information platform. "It is worrying that on certain socio-political issues it is obviously no longer possible to express oneself freely without being affected by hatred and vandalism," said the AES, Zukunft CH, and "Pro-Life" in a joint statement issued on September 21.
Church Window Broken by a Group of Young People
September 16, 2021, ItalyThe parish of Mortizzuolo in Mirandola was vandalized by a group of young people that was gathering next to the church. The group ended up breaking a window of the church. Police are investigating and tracking videocameras.
Statue of the Virgin Mary Toppled in Warsaw
September 16, 2021, PolandUnknown perpetrators have toppled a statue of the Virgin Mary, which was placed in the garden of the Franciscan Sisters of the Family of Mary convent in Anin, Warsaw. The statue was tied with a telephone cable, which indicates that the vandalism was intentional. According to Father Marek Doszko, pastor of the parish of Our Lady Queen of Poland, where the house is located, the statue fell on soft ground and leaves, so no extensive damage was caused. The profanation took place on the day of the commemoration of the founder of the congregation, St. Zygmunt Szczęsny-Feliński
Monstrance Stolen from Church in Fourmies
September 16, 2021, FranceOn 16 September, the glass door of the chapel of the church of Saint-Pierre was forced open with a crowbar. The perpetrators stole a tin monstrance. "The object was not of great material value, but it had spiritual value. This monstrance was used for Adoration every Friday, reports Abbé Potier. The thieves did not take the lunula, i.e. the glass vessel containing the consecrated host. The object is incomplete and therefore cannot be sold as it is. "I am very hopeful that it will be abandoned somewhere and we will eventually get our hands on it again sooner or later". The police are investigating.
Several Thousand Euros Damage: Stained Glass Window of Church in St. Godard Smashed
September 16, 2021, FranceUnknown perpetrators smashed stones against a stained glass window dating back to the XVI century. The incident took place between the night of the 15. to the 16. September in the Church of St. Godard. The church is well-known for its artistical value and is "very much visited for the Heritage Days" explained Élizabeth Labaye, a municipal councilor in charge of tourism and heritage, she is disappointed by the fact that the church was recently "completely cleaned" and because the damage is estimated at several thousand Euros.
About Fifty Graves Vandalised in Poitiers Hospital Cemetery
September 16, 2021, FranceA family that was visiting the Hopital des Champs cemetery alerted the police on 16 September, after they found around fifty graves, which were tagged with the symbol of Sidaction. Police are investigating.