All cases

Suspect Who Set Church in Malestroit on Fire Apprehended

June 18, 2021, France

French police arrested a suspect in a case of church arson. The individual is accused of setting the scaffolding on the north side of the Saint-Gilles church in Malestroit on fire with petrol cans. The incident happened around 11.30 pm on 18 June. Thanks to 27-year-old Eddy Chabrun's quick intervention the church was saved and no one harmed. The suspect is already known to the police.

Church in Konin Vandalised For the Fourth Time

June 17, 2021, Poland

An unknown perpetrator vandalised the church of Saint Maximilian M. Kolbe in Konin. CCTV Footage shows a man entering and vandalising the church, his identity and motives are yet to be discovered. The Diocese of Wloclawek reported the incident to the police on 16 June. The diocese also asked the public to share any information with the police who is currently investigating the case.

Vatican Criticised for Commenting on New Anti-Discrimination Bill in Italy

June 17, 2021, Italy

The Vatican is being accused of having intervened in the lawmaking process of an anti-discrimination law, also known as 'Zan Bill', because of a written note they directed to the Italian ambassador of the Holy See, in which they point out their concern about the bill. In the formal diplomatic note, the Holy See raises the concern upon the bill passing the senate as drafted since it would not only violate the freedoms of the Catholic Church in Italy, as regulated in an agreement of 1929, but it would also force Catholic schools to implement and organise activities on a future national day against homophobia and transphobia. Critics, amongst which are some prominent homosexuals and feminist groups as well as the Catholic Church, point out that the problem is not whether we agree or disagree with those statements it is more about the law interfering and thus preventing religious believers from freely and publicly expressing themselves. The "Zan Bill" has been approved by the lower house in November of 2020 but has yet to pass the Senate committee.

Arson Attack against Orthodox Church in Narva-Jõesuu

June 17, 2021, Estonia

An arsonist destroyed the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church in Narva-Jõesuu on June 17. The fire damaged the walls and completely destroyed the church's interior. In the course of the fire, the roof collapsed partially. Police have been informed, they suspect arson since the church had been set on fire in February 2020 already, causing damage to the 18th-century icons, its altar and the oak iconostasis. Estonias Firebrigade also suspects arson, since the fire spread so rapidly. The culprit has yet to be identified.

Update: 'Gentle Non-Coercive Prayer' To Be Included in Conversion Therapy

June 16, 2021, United Kingdom

Former LGBT Government advisor Jayne Ozanne called for "gentle non-coercive prayer" to be included in the planned conversion therapy ban. Ozanne forwarded the inclusion after Right Rev David Walker, the Bishop of Manchester, mentioned that prayer "where there is a level of power imbalance, and a level of force" should be included in the ban. A Human Rights lawyer affirmed that banning "gentle non-coercive prayer" would violate Convention rights. The bill will be discussed in September, following possible legislation next year.

Hateful Tags found on Ljubljana Church

June 16, 2021, Slovenia

The St. Joseph's Church in Ljubljana, was targeted with graffiti on June 16th. The façade and two posters of the Zivim and Rahela's Vineyard Institute, were defaced with writing by an unknown author. The Zivim Institute wrote on Facebook, "Vulgarity and hatred poured on the posters of the Zivim Institute and Rahela's Vineyard, which offer compassionate support and accompaniment to those who are in distress due to an unplanned pregnancy or suffering the consequences of an abortion in the centre of Ljubljana...".

23-year-old Man Charged For Defacing Church in Lubliniec

June 15, 2021, Poland

The perpetrator who defaced the facade of the historic Saint Nicholas Church in Lubliniec in early January, was caught. 23-year-old Adam G. does neither admit to having committed the crime nor does he provide a logical explanation for how the bottle with black liquid turned out to be his. In the course of the interrogation, the suspect confessed other crimes, for which he will be charged. The District Prosecutor's Office in Częstochowa is charging Adam G. under Polish penal code Article 108 which consists of damaging a historical monument, which is punishable with a prison sentence of up to eight years. He is additionally being charged for insulting religious feelings, which could add another two years of imprisonment.

UK Government Prolongs Inconsistencies Says Bishop

June 15, 2021, United Kingdom

As for Covid restrictions, the UK government announced a four-week extension to England's lockdown regulations. Although the new extension allows churches to stay open, it restricts worship and singing until 19 July. Right Reverend Dame Sarah Mullaly, the Bishop of London, is now pressing the Parliament to reconsider the decision. Retired Rev Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, confronting the House of Lords sees inconsistencies being prolonged instead of actual Covid measures, since singing inside of Pubs is allowed.

Italy: Church of San Giacomo Defaced

June 15, 2021, Italy

After the Church of San Giacomo in the Municipality of Ferrara was defaced with spray-painted tags in mid-June, the Catholic Knights Templar of Italy, in and the managers of the Apollo Cinema have decided to take action and start cleaning the facade of the Church. The historic Church is on the Via del Carbone.

Man Arrested for Torturing 6 Monks Out of Hatred Against the Church

June 14, 2021, Austria

Vienna police arrested the main suspect, who is alleged to have robbed and tortured six monks in Vienna-Strebersdorf. The man bound and gagged all his victims and brutally beat them with an iron rod. Five of the victims were seriously injured, while one fought for his life for several months. The suspect, a man of Serbian descent but with a Croatian citizenship, was caught and arrested in Zagreb after a two-year investigation. The suspect admitted that he committed the crime, as a motive he said he hated the church and wanted to avenge the ones hurt by them. He is facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years.