All cases
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.
Church windows Stoned by Unknown Perpetrators
August 2, 2021, GermanyTwo panes of glass on the façade of the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche church in Bayreuth were damaged by thrown stones. The police were notified and immediately searched for the perpetrator but they could no longer be found. Witnesses suggested the vandal was about 20 years old, slim, and 175 cm tall.
Update: Suspect Appears in Court After Attacking Priest
August 1, 2021, United KingdomAfter attacking a priest with a glass bottle in the Saint Mary's Catholic Cathedral in Edinburg, the main suspect appeared in court. The male is accused of assaulting a priest who was praying in the Cathedral at the time of the incident. 31-year-old Jason Irvine has been treated as the main suspect in the case. He has been charged with two counts of assault and is held in custody while expecting a court hearing.
Desecration of Statue of the Virgin Mary in Church in Koscierzyna
July 30, 2021, PolandA statue of the Virgin Mary has been desecrated in the church in Kościerzyna. Police managed to detain a 50-year-old female suspect, who is said to have entered the church and tore off the gold-plated crown from the statue of the Virgin Mary. As the main suspect, the woman is being charged with theft and is consequently facing a maximum of five years in prison. 200 Meters from the location of the theft, police found the crown. It was reported that the suspect confessed to the crime.
Major Theft of Consecrated Vessels in Zagórów
July 30, 2021, PolandPolice arrested a 45-year-old man who is said to have stolen from the Roman Catholic Church in Zagórów. The incident dates back to the end of July when it was reported that dozen gold-plated vessels, used for the daily celebration of the Mass, have been stolen. During a search of the suspect's flat, police recovered the stolen chalices, patens and ciboria. The suspect is already known to the police and is now facing a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Until the end of his process, the man was put under police supervision.