All cases
Proposal to replace the word "Christmas" with "Holidays" or "Winter Break" raised Concern
December 1, 2021, InternationalIn the first week of December, an internal document outlining communication guidelines for European Union staff was leaked, which raised concern among the Christian population. In this document, the EU Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli of Malta, proposed replacing the term "Happy Christmas" for "Happy Holidays" or calling Christmas a "winter break" in the name of inclusivity. Among the Christian voices that raised concern, Pope Francis called this action "a fashion of a watered-down secularism" and called it an "anachronism". The document has since been withdrawn.
35,000€ Stolen from a Church in Milan
November 29, 2021, ItalyOn the night from November 28 to 29, around 35,000€ were robbed from the Church of Santa Ausiliatrice in via della Ferrera, Milan. A woman who works in the secretariat of the church noticed the forced window and the safe wide open and alerted the authorities.
Church in Regensburg Terribly Damaged by Vandals
November 29, 2021, GermanyOn the 29th of November between 11a.m and 7 p.m, an unknown person went on a rampage in the Holy Spirit Parish Church in Regensburg and damaged several sacred objects. The offender stole a cross from the altar, urinated in a corner, broke a chandelier off the altar of Mary, and tipped several lighted candles over. The police were looking for witnesses who can give information about this incident.
Monument defaced with Anti-Catholic Tags
November 29, 2021, ItalyThe Online Newssite "Taccuino di Verità" posted on 29. November that the Base of a Monument in Ferrara was tagged with black spray paint. The tags contained offensive inscriptions against the deputy mayor Nicola Lodi and towards priests, saying "Priests eat children". The police will investigate with CCTV footage from the Piazza Ariostea.
Cathedral Entrance Vandalised with Paintings
November 28, 2021, ItalyThe entrance door to the cathedral of San Steffano in Milazzo has been vandalized with writings and graffiti, leaving it in a deplorable state. The mayor has strongly condemned the acts and ordered police reinforcement of the area to prevent future vandalism. The mayor further claimed: "this cannot be my city", since there seems to be a high degree of tolerance towards this kind of acts, which should be "heavily sanctioned". He recalls that the square in front of the church is often the target of raids and "unthinkable actions" that should be countered.
Relic from St. Joseph Stolen in Macherio
November 28, 2021, ItalyIn the church of Saints Gervase and Protasius in Macherius, a relic from St. Joseph, placed next to a figure of the saint, was stolen a few days before November 28th. This relic of St. Joseph was a piece of cloth that was kept inside a glass case. The incident was reported to the Carabinieri who are now investigating the matter.
Church windows in Everingen Repeatedly Vandalized
November 28, 2021, GermanyThe windows of the St. Jacobi church in Everingen, have been repeatedly damaged by unidentified persons. In the space of two weeks, the windows were broken twice by thrown stones, the latest incident was recorded on November 28th.
Sacred Painting from 1706 Damaged in Rampage
November 28, 2021, ItalyThe chapel of St. John the Baptist of via Bergamas in the historic center of Gradisca was vandalized on November 28th. The unknown individual, broke into the church, threw candles on the floor and against the altar, damaged a sacred painting from 1706, and then smeared the walls and a wooden notice board with candle wax. The rampage left the chapel in complete disarray and showed obvious malice toward the church.
Arson at Church in Boulonnais: A Total of 8 Attacks in One Month
November 27, 2021, FranceOn the night of 26th to 27th November around midnight, a fire struck a church in Boulonnais in the town of Le Portel. The church Saint-Pierre Saint-Paul had already been vandalised a couple of days before. The fire started at the back of the religious building in the sacristy where the equipment of the parish priest and volunteers is kept. Nineteen firemen intervened to control the fire, which threatened the whole church. The police arrested a 36-year-old suspect during the night as he was trying to flee, as the police commissioner of Boulogne, Arnaud Jublin, explained. A hearing of the suspect will take place soon.
Anti-Christian Messages in the Church of Mauléon-Licharre
November 27, 2021, FranceThe church of Mauléon-Licharre was targeted with anti-religious inscriptions on November 27th. "P Do Fil's Team" and "ABA GZU" (down with Jesus) were written on the side of the church during the night. The gendarmerie started an investigation and the priest of Mauléon said "It's so cowardly."