All cases
Unknown Perpetrator Damaged the Angels from the Pulpit
July 27, 2021, GermanyA parishioner of the Martinskirche in Kirchheim found the wings of one of the six plaster angels, which typically sit on the altar of the church, on the ground and broken. The wings had fallen to the floor after some vandal had tried to cut the statue from its base and in the process had dropped it. A complaint was filed but the police had little hope that the perpetrator could be found.
Christian Activist Hatun Tash Stabbed in London
July 26, 2021, United Kingdom39-year-old Christian activist Hatun Tash has been stabbed several times while speaking at the "Speaker's Corner" in London's Hyde Park. The incident happened on the afternoon of 25 July, during a gathering. She suffered light injuries to her head but was taken to the hospital for care. Police are looking for the culprit who left the knife at the scene before escaping.
Pastor Faces Charges for Granting Church Asylum
July 25, 2021, GermanyPastor Andreas Schlechtweg and his wife Susanne Wittmann-Schlechtweg are facing charges for granting asylum through the church in Bamberg. The pair had granted asylum to a young Irani woman in 2020, who was supposed to be deported to Croatia according to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. On 26 August, they have to respond to the charges raised against them. If found guilty they might be incarcerated.
Arson at Church in Finistère
July 25, 2021, FranceUnknown perpetrators set fire to a plastic folder containing sheets of songs and prayers inside a church in Loctudy, Finistère. The incident occurred on 25 July. Further damage was prevented, thanks to the quick intervention of a visitor. According to the parish, no complaint has been filed yet. The first deputy mayor of Loctudy, Sylvain Cosnard, ensured that measures would be taken to protect the church from further attacks.
Arson in an Herentals Church
July 25, 2021, BelgiumThe church of Our Lady on Nederrij in Herentals was victim of an arson attack that was luckily noticed soon enough and could be extinguished by fire fighters before too much damage was done. Young people were seen in the area shortly before the fire broke out but no one has been caught yet. Major Peelaerts of the Kempen fire department said: "They are serious facts. The arson on the stairs could have had serious consequences.”
Catholic Group Attacked During Demonstration In Nantes
July 24, 2021, FranceA group of Catholic demonstrators has been attacked by people wearing black clothing. The incident happened on 24 July, during an anti-sanitary pass demonstration. Fifteen demonstrators gathered around a Civitas banner, a catholic political movement, to demonstrate against the implementation of the sanitary pass in France. While demonstrating a group of individuals dressed in black, with hidden faces started to attack the demonstrators. It is unclear whether or not the police has been informed.
Update: Street Preacher Wins Legal Challenge
July 23, 2021, United KingdomA court in London ruled in favour of 31-year-old pastor Joshua Sutcliffe. The street preacher was preaching in Camden, North London on Good Friday in April 2020, as he was approached by four police officers, who claimed he is breaching government COVID restrictions and subsequently fined him. "We find the defendant not guilty on all charges. We find that the defendant was outside and that he had a reasonable excuse as he was travelling to his place of work, as a worship leader", ruled the Magistrates Court in London.
Physical Assault to Pro-life Activist, Police Observes Passively
July 23, 2021, United KingdomA member of a peaceful pro-life display was punched in the face while standing in the streets of Norwich by a woman who did not agree with the content written on one of the posters. The incident, which happened on the 23. July, did not alarm the police officers. When a police officer was asked for his inaction, he responded that the aggression committed was "proportional" to the one displayed by the pro-life group.
Attempted Arson and Vandalism at Church in Dieulefit
July 23, 2021, FranceActs of vandalism and attempted arson have been committed at the church of Dieulefit. On the morning of 23. July, the mayor, Pierrick Gouronnec, went to the site accompanied by representatives of the parish. The gendarmes came to take the usual samples and noted the damage: candles and enclosure were stolen. In addition, candles were lit on the altar, which could have had serious consequences because they could have caused a fire. This event, which is taken very seriously by the gendarmerie, is currently being investigated, and the church is now under increased surveillance. This is also because the church already fell victim to an arson attack in January of the same year and has been extensively renovated in the last months.
Evangelist Arrested in London for Preaching about Homosexuality and Given Mental Health Evaluation
July 22, 2021, United KingdomRyan Schiavo was arrested in London for preaching on the streets that "homosexuality is a sin" or that "churches that have rainbow flags on them are not real churches". A woman who heard him called the police and some minutes later he was arrested. The incident was recorded by a friend of the street preacher.