All cases

Christian CEO Bullied For His View On Same-Sex Marriage

December 16, 2020, United Kingdom

An employment tribunal told on December 16th, that a CEO was exposed to bullying, hostility and harassment because of his christian view on same-sex marriage. Kenneth Ferguson files his former employer, the Robertson Trust for unlawful termination, discrimination and religious harassment. He claims that the Trust's chair, Shonaig Macpherson, became "incandescent with anger" after she found out that the Stirling Free church was hiring a Trust property. Mr Ferguson is an elder and treasurer of the Stirling Free church, which is opposing same-sex marriage and abortion.

BBC Equated Conversion Therapy And Group Prayer with Corrective Rape

December 16, 2020, United Kingdom

The section of Family & Education on the BBC News website perpetuated misinformation about `conversion therapy‘ for same sex-attraction. The BBC News LGBT Correspondent, Ben Hunte, says, “While some violent practices which may be classed as conversion therapy, such as ‘corrective rape’, are already covered by existing criminal offences, many religious practices, such as ‘group prayer”, are not.”

Restoration Works on Church in Cordoba Completed After Arson Attack In December

December 16, 2020, Spain

In the early hours of December 16th, an arson attack took place on the main door of the St. James' Church in Córdoba, Spain. The fire damaged the door, facade and pointed arch of the Fernanden temple, forcing the fire fighters to intervene. The Fraternity of as Penas de Santiago publicly condemned this act of vandalism against its canonical seat, as well as the attacks that have recently been perpetrated against the Church and the Fraternities in Andalusia. Now the restoration work of the church's main door ist completed.

Man Arrested in Miechów for Disturbing Mass and Insulting the Priest

December 16, 2020, Poland

During mass on May 16th, a man entered the the basilica of the Holy Sepulcher in Miechów, threatened to kill two priests with a knife, and demanded money. He had done a similar act three times before, but this time, the police caught and arrested him. He could face up to 12 years in prison.

Cambridge University's Proposed Free Speech Policy Allows the Disrespect of Views You Don't Agree With

December 15, 2020, United Kingdom

In its plan to alter the existing statement on freedom of speech, the University of Cambridge said people must be "respectful" of "differing opinions" and "diverse identities". However, more than 100 scholars and senior staff quickly objected, saying the “authoritarian” proposals could threaten academic freedom. Their amendment to change the phrase ‘respectful` to ‘tolerate’ was voted on by members of the University’s governing body and won “by a landslide”.

Church in Bruckmühl Vandalised with Graffiti and Set on Fire

December 15, 2020, Germany

On December 15th, unknown perpetrators vandalised the parish Heufeld in Bruckmühl. The Vandals set a fire and tagged the church with spray paint. The estimated property damage is several thousands Euros. The police is investigating and looking for witnesses.

Perpetrators Who Stole From Church, Have Now Been Sentenced

December 15, 2020, Poland

Four main suspects in a case of robbery from the St. Joseph Church in Puławy have been sentenced to one year in prison. Although the perpetrators were only judged now the theft itself dates back to December 2020. They were found guilty of stealing goods of particular cultural significance. They additionally have to pay a fine of 1,500 PLN which is equivalent to 332,37 Euros.

Parish Church in Villinger Targeted by Vandals

December 15, 2020, Germany

During the month of December, the St. Brother Klaus church in Villinger was targeted by various acts of vandalism. This included heaps of excrement left there, cigarette butts found in the holy water basin, and empty alcohol bottles in the courtyard. The community of St. Brother Klaus has had to contend with it so far but they were forced to turn to the wider community to combat it.

Graffiti Spray Painted On Church In Mere

December 10, 2020, United Kingdom

On the 10th of December at night, the door of St. Michael Church in Mere has been vandalized by a graffiti. White spray paint was used. The police are calling for witness and clues.

Desecration and Theft In Stephanus Church In Hamm

December 10, 2020, Germany

On December 12th, the catholic St. Stephen's church in Hamm was target of a second burglary within a few days. Unknown perpetrators broke open a safe in the adjoining room and removed the tabernacle from its original place. Removing the tabernacle is a highly disrespectful act of desecration and hurt the feelings of pastor Christoph Gerdemann and those of many parishioners deeply. The perpetrators had targeted the safe on New Year's Eve, but were unable to open it. Pastor Gerdemann assumes they came back with better tools. The loot was only a small amount of money from the collection of the mass the day before.