All cases
Final Ruling Expected in Pro-Life Ads Censorship Case
June 9, 2021, SloveniaIn 2018 a state-owned bus company removed advertisements from the pro-life NGO Zavod ŽIV!M on the grounds of them being "intolerant". Although the NGO signed a contract with the company allowing them to display their ads for several months, the company took them down just after a little more than a week. On the ads the messages "We love Life!", "You are not alone", "Step out of Silence" and "I mourn my child", were accompanied by pictures of a happy family, a grieving mother and a woman holding a pregnancy test. In a first ruling the Slovenian equality body called "Advocate of the Principle of Equality" found the company to have acted discriminately towards the NGO. The company challenged the ruling, an outcome is expected in June.
Teenagers Between 11 and 15 Vandalized Two Churches in Bad Griesbach
June 9, 2021, GermanyFour offenders, ranging from 11 to 15 years old, seriously vandalized the churches of Maria Schutz on Kronberg and the church on Schlossberg. They damaged several candles, the organ, and some church figures; as well as emptying a fire extinguisher in the church. The property damage was around 50,000 euros.
Church Ransacked in France
June 8, 2021, FranceThe roman catholic church of Tasque in the Gers has been ransacked at the end of May after its recent reopening. The church finished restoration works a few days earlier. Tourists visiting the church noticed the damage in early June. Unknown perpetrators have desecrated the altar through inscriptions, they also damaged the chandeliers, as well as furniture and several statues. Locals informed the authorities, it is thought that the local "youths" is to blame for this.
Church Door in Tafalla Vandalised with Cement
June 7, 2021, SpainThe Church of Santa María de Tafalla in Spain has fallen victim to an act of vandalism. Unknown perpetrators have knocked down the fences attached to the parish and thrown a sack of cement over the door of the church. The attack is thought to have taken place sometime between Saturday afternoon and Sunday Morning. Alfredo Ondarra, head of the Tafalla Municipal Police, said that his team is looking for the culprit.
Cemetery Repeatedly Desecrated in France
June 7, 2021, FranceA cemetery in France has been repeatedly vandalised. Unknown perpetrators are said to have stolen different objects and flowers from the graves in Laneuveville-devant-Nancy. The thefts started to occur in May and have since become regular. A complaint has already been filed. The police are investigating.
18 Cemetery Iron Crosses Stolen and Vandalized
June 6, 2021, FranceBetween 6 and 9 June, the cemetery of Genêts was vandalized and looted. A total of 18 cast iron crosses were stolen, and their foot broken. 18 graves were ransacked and 17 cast iron crosses were stolen. The Crosses were broken, cut into pieces and sometimes abandoned on the spot. An investigation of gendarmerie is in progress.
Totem Dedicated to Our Lady in Sorso Destroyed
June 6, 2021, ItalyOn the 6th June it was reported that a Totem with a Marian depiction was vandalized during the night in Sorso‘s Capuchin Street. It belongs to an installation dedicated to Our Lady "Noli Me Tollere", near to the church of Santa Croce. The incident was investigated by law enforcement officials.
Church desecrated in Cork
June 5, 2021, Ireland“The parishioners are deeply disturbed by what happened”. Vandals graffitied a "deeply disturbing" message onto a church in Cork, Ireland. The currently unknown perpetrator was caught on camera while desecrating the Church of the Ascension around one o'clock in the morning. On the CCTV the culprit can be seen entering the premises of the church, vandalising it and also damaging the cars belonging to the priests and their houses. “The community were just coming alight again after the lockdown," Father Walsh stated. He additionally added that the parishioners although shocked are coming together to try and help undo the damage. The police have been informed and are currently investigating.
Fined Overturned for Christian Volunteer Who Helped Homeless During Pandemic
June 4, 2021, United Kingdom56-year-old Christian volunteer Jan Niedojadlo was fined £60 by Police officers in April 2020 for preaching the gospel and helping homeless people to get food during the Covid 19 lockdown. Despite proving that he was allowed to perform the volunteer service, a police officer gave 'him a ticket' on the ground of him 'being away from home without a valid reason under Covid regulations'. Mr Niedojadlo's case came to court after a group of MPs on the Joint Committee on Human Rights called for all covid fines issued during the pandemic - a total of 85,000 - to be reviewed. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has now ruled in favour of Mr Niedojadlo.
Church Door Set on Fire in Sogliano Cavour
June 3, 2021, ItalyThe side door of the Mother Church "San Lorenzo Martire" in Sogliano Cavour has been set on fire. It is currently unknown how many individuals were involved in the occurrence. The fire was noticed by a resident at around 5.40 a.m. who also alarmed the fire brigade and the local police. The Insurance has already covered the damage caused by the fire. The Police are now investigating. The parish priest is pressing charges.