All cases
Sanctuary Set on Fire in Marsala
August 4, 2021, ItalyUnknown perpetrator set the sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Marsala on fire. The incident happened on 4 August, at around 5.30 p.m. Although the fire brigade prevented much damage, the church suffered partial damage to its altar, the gospel book and other furnishings. The police were informed and are now looking for the perpetrator, who was seen fleeing the scene.
Thieves Steal over €3.000 from Presbytery
August 4, 2021, FrancePolice arrested three suspects in a case of church theft. The three individuals are accused of breaking into the presbytery of the church of Ligueuil in Touraine on the 27 July. They are said to have searched the premises and escaped with €3.870 in cash. Parish priest Father Rémy Soubrier explained this is the third robbery of this kind.
School Teacher 'Sacked' from School after Stating Christian Views
August 3, 2021, United KingdomJoshua Sutcliffe, a maths teacher and a Christian pastor, was dismissed from his school in Oxford because he allegedly 'misgendered' a student. He is said to have said "well-done girls" to a group that included a student who identifies as a boy. In a legal challenge, Mr Sutcliffe claims the school has "systematically and maliciously" breached his rights which subsequently forced him to leave his job, for it had become impossible to continue the working relationship. The secondary school he worked in has not commented on the case.
Update: Suspect Caught for Setting Church Door on Fire
August 3, 2021, ItalyPolice managed to apprehend a suspect in the case of arson at the Saint Andrew the Apostle Church. The individual identified is the same person who tried the set the church on fire in the previous year. According to parish priest Don Giuseppe the suspect has been committing acts of vandalism towards the church for some time now. Saint Andrew's community is collecting funds for the restoration of the church door.
Christian Missionary Arrested and Banned from Re-Entering Turkey to Return to his Family
August 3, 2021, TurkeyDavid Byle has lived in Turkey for 19 years and together with his wife Ulrike raised their five children there. The Christian minister has now been barred from re-entering the country because of his Christian faith. Supported by a legal team he is now taking the issue to the European Court of Human Rights. According to the Turkish government, Byle is a ‘threat to public order and security’ and has therefore been banned from the Country. The family is now residing in Germany until they are all permitted to return home.
Irish Government Once again Restricts Certain Church Services
August 3, 2021, IrelandThe Irish Government instructed the local parishes to hold communion and confirmation services this month. This newly imposed restriction came as a blow, as the churches were allowed to resume services only in May after a very long period of COVID-19 related restrictions. While five Bishops have now decided to defy the newly imposed restrictions, holding communion and confirmation services anyway, the reformist Association of Catholic Priests in Ireland has criticised the Bishops action.
Ansgarii Church in Vättersnäs Set on Fire
August 3, 2021, SwedenAn unknown perpetrator burned down the Ansgarii Church in Vättersnäs, Jönköping. The incident happened on 3 August, at around 2 a.m. when residents called the fire brigade. The Ansgarii Church belongs to the Swedish Ecumenical Uniting Church. There were no injuries reported. Police are investigating and treating the incident as a case of arson.
The Galician Government Removed Monument Dedicated to John Paul II
August 3, 2021, SpainA monument, commemorating the visit of Pope John Paul ll, was removed by the Xunta de Galicia in March of 2021. They removed it because of its deterioration but it has recently become a problem since it doesn't seem to be getting reinstalled. The diocese of Galicia has tried to get in put back and the Christian Lawyers Association were collecting signatures to request its return. They claim that the authorities just wanted it removed and it could have easily been repaired so deterioration is not a sufficient reason.
Church Door Set on Fire in Italy
August 2, 2021, ItalyThe wooden door of the church of Saint Andrew the Apostle in Capodrise has been set on fire by an unknown perpetrator. The incident happened on the evening of 2 August. Thanks to the quick intervention of the local fire brigade the fire was brought under control and quickly put out. Police are investigating the scene and are looking for the perpetrator.
15 Graves Desecrated in Stains
August 2, 2021, France15 graves were desecrated on the cemetery of Stains. The incident occurred on the night of 31 July to 1 August. The perpetrator(s) knocked over flowers, broke plaques, smashed vaults and broke open tombstones. A complaint was filed with the local police. In the past, the cemetery had been vandalised numerous times, but never to this extend says mayor Azzedine Taïbi.