All cases

Teenager Destroyed Church Crucifix

July 21, 2021, Poland

Adam K., a 17-year-old was charged with destroying a statue of Christ in the Mikołów district during July. He unscrewed the metal cross, which he then used to smash the statue with, and then threw the shards into the field. Despite his claims that he did it because of alcohol intoxication rather than hate for religion, he has been charged with "insulting religious feelings by publicly defacing an object of religious reverence by destroying it."

Repetead Acts of Vandalism in the Protestant Church of Oberfrohna

July 21, 2021, Germany

Extremely often, charges are filed to the police because unknown persons leave damage in the Lutherchurch in Oberfrohna and the Church in Rußdorf. Suspects have already been spotted running away. Christiane Zitzkat, a pastor, commented that the damages happen "every week", and in the summertime more often than in winter.

Crosses Cut Down in Llodio

July 21, 2021, Spain

Crosses on the top of the Goikogane and Alpitsu peaks were cut down on the weekend of the19th of June by unknown attackers. Both crosses, located in the Llodio municipality, were cut off at the base. Bishop Elizalde said, “Attacking it, as someone has done in our land, is an attack against oneself and against all humanity.”

Desecration of Statue of Virgin Mary in Kraplewo

July 20, 2021, Poland

An unknown perpetrator is currently being searched for by polish police. The perpetrator is accused of having desecrated a statue of the Virgin Mary and the destruction of a roadside shrine in Kraplewo near Ostróda. Build in the 1950s the shrine has a cultural and historic meaning for the locals. If identified, the perpetrator is facing up to two years in prison for insulting an object of a religious group or a place intended for the public performance of religious rites.

European Bishops Urge Action to Protect Religious Freedom as Attacks Increase Globally

July 20, 2021, Belgium

European bishops are urging the European Union to ensure religious freedom is protected in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement released by the Commission of Bishops Conference of the European Union, it can be read that “vulnerable religious communities are experiencing discrimination, intolerance and, in some cases, persecution as victims of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.” The statement followed a meeting of church representatives held on July 15.

Teenagers Accused of Arson at Church in Mauléon-Licharre

July 20, 2021, France

Police arrested two suspects in the case of damaging the church of Saint Jean Baptiste in Mauléon Licharre in the Atlantic Pyrenees. The incident dates back to 7 July. The suspects are accused of having tried to set fire to the church, by lighting songbooks and throwing them into the church. It is thought that in the course of this action, a statue of the Virgin Mary was damaged. Police are investigating

Repeated Arson Attacks against Church in Pont-de-Vaux

July 19, 2021, France

In the course of 72 hours, french authorities were called two times because of a suspected arson inside a church in Pont-de-Vaux. Thanks to the quick interference of the authorities the fires were extinguished without causing much damage. It is suspected that both fires have been deliberately set by currently unknown perpetrators. The church is under surveillance and the police are investigating.

Unknown Perpetrators Vandalise and Desecrated Cross at Church in Vaguines

July 18, 2021, France

Unknown perpetrators have desecrated a cross at the church of Vaguines. The incident is thought to have taken place sometime overnight from 18 to 19 July. The perpetrators have spray painted the cross in pink and wrote "Jesus son 2 rape" onto the church wall. Police are investigating since the case has been reported by the town's authorities.

Blackpool Transport Has to Apologise and Pay Reparations for Discriminating against Christian Event Organizers, Court Rules

July 16, 2021, United Kingdom

After a court ruling, council owned Blackpool Transport has now agreed to pay £109,000 in damages caused to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for banning adverts for an event organised by the same. The public transportation company banned the advertisements after evangelist Franklin Graham, who was an invited guest speaker at the Festival of Hope event, commented upon Islam and homosexuality. Additionally, the transport company offered a public apology and have now implemented clear policies regarding adverts. Franklin Graham is "grateful to God" for this outcome.

Repeated Vandalism in Bad Rappenau Church

July 16, 2021, Germany

An unknown intruder knocked the candle off the altar of the Bad Rappenau church and caused other damage on July 7th. Pastor Joachim Bollow, labeled the damage as extreme, which amounted to about 1000 euros in financial costs. There was a similar incident in March.