All cases

Madrid Municipality Threatens an Evangelical Church with Sanctions for Carrying out alleged Conversion Therapies

March 3, 2020, Spain

According to the Spanish Ministry, they will consider imposing "significant sanctions" on an Evangelical church in Madrid that exceeds 20,000 euros. In this church, therapies to cure homosexuality were offered and carried out. Now it is to be examined whether the church has thereby violated the Spanish LGBTQ law. "We will not tolerate any regression in our society and in what we have in our hands, which is to impose sanctions, we will not shake hands, we will not take a step back in the fight against LGTBIphobic behaviour," said Alberto Reyero, Minister of Social Policies.

Orthodox Church on Lesvos Vandalized by Refugees

March 2, 2020, Greece

News reports indicate that the Greek Orthodox church of St. George was ransacked on March 2nd. According to witnesses, the vandalism was caused by refugees residing on the island. This news came as tensions ran high due to the arrival of hundreds of refugees and migrants after Turkey "opened the doors" for them to enter Europe.

Christians Women Portrayed as Harassers at Abortion Clinic

March 2, 2020, Netherlands

Media portrayed Christian women as anti-abortion activists and harassers. They are also being targeted on the doorsteps of abortion clinics.

MP Interviewed by Police for Questioning Church Leadership

March 2, 2020, Finland

On March 2nd, member of the Finnish Parliament Päivi Räsänen faced a police interrogation because of a tweet she posted in June 2019. The tweet was directed at the leadership of her church and questioned its official sponsorship of the LGBT event “Pride 2019”, accompanied by an image of a bible text.

German Church Closed Outside Services Due To Vandalism

March 2, 2020, Germany

Due to several weeks of vandalism and misuse, demonstrated by, for example, red wine stains found between pews in the church of Saint Gallus in Rangendingen, the parish will only be open during church services. Also, food remains and broken glass were found in front of the Church door. Not only the Church was victim of vandalism, the mortuary in the cemetery was also targeted. Similar incidents have also happened in the neighbouring city Steinhofen. Anyone who has made observations about the incidents should contact the parish office, Father Artur Schreiber, phone 07476/ 13 32, or any police department.

Two Consecutive Profanations Of The Church Of Ennezat

March 2, 2020, France

In the last days, the church of Ennezat (Puy-de-Dôme) was profaned twice. On March 2nd and the week before, prayer books have been gathered in a corner and set on fire, luckily the damage to the church caused by the fire was not severe. Furthermore, candles were broken, fire extinguisher were damaged and the pampas grass contained in a jar was stolen. The church is closed until further notice. The police are investigating.

A Group of Vandals Attacked the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George

March 2, 2020, Greece

On 2nd March, the small church of Saint George near the village of Moria on the Island of Lesbos was vandalized by unknown perpetrators. Some locals blamed a group of migrants that live at the nearby camp, claiming that it happened when the police prevented a march of migrants demanding to be transferred to Athens. The perpetrators destroyed icons and furniture. According to the locals, the church has been vandalized several times.

Trémorel Church Vandalized

March 1, 2020, France

During the night from March 1st to March 2nd, someone broke into and vandalized the church of Trémorel (Côtes-d'Armor). The tabernacle was destroyed and the consecrated hosts were found scattered on the ground.

Smashed Windows at Church in Bergkamen

March 1, 2020, Germany

A 18-year-old-man smashed several windows and doors of the church of the Resurrection and the nearby Martin Luther house on March 1st, using stones. He was cought by the police on the same day.

Orange Paint All Over Italian Church

March 1, 2020, Italy

The church of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother in Montesilvano was covered in orange paint on March 1st. An unknown perpetrator painted the walls of the church and over the statue of Jesus Christ in front of this religious building.