All cases
22-Year-Old Detained for Defacing Church
October 2, 2021, PolandThe news reported on 2nd of October that police officers from Wołów detained a 22-year-old man who damaged a cross and the facade of a church. The perpetrator painted symbols and messages insulting religious feelings on the walls and facade of the church. He is now facing a heavy prison sentence.
Cross of Church Cemetery in Tempelberg Smeared and Vandalised
October 2, 2021, GermanyA large cross that stands in front of the small cemetery at the church in Tempelberg was desecrated. Unknown perpetrators smeared and vandalised the cross. The incident occurred on Germany's Unity Day, which is annually celebrated on 2 October. Police are investigating.
Madonna delle Grazie Vandalised in Salza Irpina
October 2, 2021, ItalyThe front door of a church in Salza Irpina was vandalised with graffiti on 2 October. The mayor of the city, Luigi Cella, has expressed his indignation on social media and hopes to find the perpetrator/s. "A deplorable gesture of vandalism was made against our church Maria Santissima delle Grazie".
Prayer in General Considered a Harmful Form of “Conversion Therapy” by Cooper Report
October 1, 2021, United KingdomThe Cooper Report has been recently published by the Ban Conversion Therapy Legal Forum that was founded at the end of June. The Ban Conversion Therapy Legal Forum is a multidisciplinary group of parliamentarians, academics, barristers, legal professionals and survivors, whose aim is to ban any form of what is by them considered as conversion therapy. The Forum also considers any from of prayer as a harmful practice used for conversion therapy. They further state that an individual cannot consent to any form of conversion therapy. This implies that Christians or people in general, who seek help or guidance when they struggle with their gender identity, would not be allowed to get pastoral help that is not confirming their new gender identity, which the persons are maybe not even sure about yet. The Report further states that the human right of religious freedom is to be seen as inferior in this case.
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER CONDEMNS DEATH THREATS AGAINST STUDENTS OF PRO-LIFE ASSOCIATION
October 1, 2021, United KingdomThe pro-life student "Life Society" association from the University of Exeter was the target of a hate campaign aimed to dissolve the group and its activity at the university. A petition among students and an open letter addressed to the university's Students Guild was sent to stop the pro-life group. Additionally, the group got harassed on social media. An online hate campaign was coordinated, to send them negative comments and even death threats, which were reported to the police. Fortunately, the University of Exeter defended the Pro-Life Association and supported their right to freedom of speech.
Study shows Christians are the Most Persecuted Religious Group for 12 Consecutive Years
September 30, 2021, United StatesThe Pew Research Center has published its last report on religious freedom. The findings show that Christians have been the most persecuted group worldwide for 12 consecutive years. The report analyses the situation, based on government policies and violent incidents in 198 different countries before the Covid-19 pandemic. The report concludes that Christians suffer different kinds of persecution in 153 countries, being the most persecuted group since 2007.
Catholic Monument Defaced During Religious Celebrations
September 30, 2021, ItalyIn Desenzano di Albino, the bell tower of the shrine of the Madonna della Gamba was defaced with spray-painted tags on the 30th of September, which is during the days of the novena - a patronal feast celebration. The inscription advertised a heroin dealing point. on the Desenzano al Serio parish's social page, they posted a photo of the vandalism and wrote: "We have no words, only so much disappointment and bitterness, given also the festive period for our community. We invite those responsible, caught on camera and caught in the act, to come forward to clean up the damage, otherwise, we will turn the footage over to the authorities."
Twitter Bans Spanish NGO's Account After Post Critical of Euthanasia
September 30, 2021, SpainOn June 26, 2021, the "Christian Lawyers" account tweeted: “Euthanasia is being debated in Congress. The Federal Right to Die Association has been financing itself for years with inheritances and legacies of the sick people whom it assists in their last moments. Enough already. #righttolive #euthanasia”. For this post, the social network blocked their account on the 30th of September, claiming the message broke "the rules that prohibit publishing private information". The organization is challenging this censorship.
Priest Discovered Armed Man in Parisian Church
September 29, 2021, FranceA Priest in the Saint-Luc church in the 19. district of Paris was approached by an agitated armed man on 29. August, asking for the time of mass and saying he wants to attend. After answering him, the priest noticed the man was carrying a revolver gun and alerted the police, who later took the suspect into custody near the church. The 28-year-old suspect was found with a loaded gun and had already been known for other offences. The police are investigating.
Update: Former Finnish MP Faces Trial for Quoting the Bible
September 29, 2021, FinlandFormer MP Päivi Räsänen, physician and mother of five is awaiting her hearing for the 22nd of January, 2022. She is being investigated after the Finnish Prosecutor General filed criminal charges against her. One of the reasons is that she published a tweet quoting the Bible. Räsänen could faced a two-year prison sentence or a fine for the tweet.