All cases
Strasbourg Christmas Market Shooting Declared Terrorism
December 11, 2018, FranceProsecutors announced that the attack on a busy Strasbourg Christmas market was an act of terrorism, committed by an Islamist extremist who had previously pledged alliance to ISIL. During the attack, the suspect shouted "Allahu Akbar." Security experts have said that the Christmas market was likely targeted both because it was crowded and its connection to Christianity and Christian symbolism. In response to the deadly attack, other Christmas markets across France implemented extra security measures.
Two Men Arrested for Stealing the Tabernacle from a Hospital Chapel in Vigo
December 10, 2018, SpainThe National Police arrested two men for the robbery in the chapel of the Alvaro Cunqueiro Hospital. The alleged thieves stole the tabernacle containing consecrated hosts from the hospital chapel during the night of December 10, and it was a woman who came to pray first thing in the morning that alerted them to the disappearance.
Shopping Mall Refused to Display Nativity but Advertised Christmas Market
December 5, 2018, United KingdomThe Thistles Shopping Centre in Stirling, Scotland refused requests from the Legion of St. Mary's Association to display a nativity scene in the mall, saying they "pride themselves on religious neutrality." Despite this official position, the mall heavily advertised a "Christmas Market."
UK Home Office Admits Reason for Underrepresentation of Christian Refugees
December 5, 2018, United KingdomChristian refugees from the Middle East are widely underrepresented in the United Kingdom. In 2017, 4,832 Syrians were accepted to the UK, however, only 11 were Christians. The Home Office has acknowledged that Christian refugees in the Middle East are “reluctant” to enter the UNHCR refugee camp system, but refuses to state this is because of persecution.
French Mayor Fights State Over Nativity Scene
December 4, 2018, FranceFor the second year in a row, Mayor Robert Ménard, former journalist for Reporters Without Borders, installed a nativity scene in the courtyard of the town hall of Béziers. The French government filed a complaint for its removal in the administrative court, claiming the installation violated the law of 1905 on the separation of Church and State.
Doctors Claim their Concerns about Abortion Legislation in Ireland Not Taken Seriously
December 3, 2018, IrelandDozens of its members stormed out of the "Extraordinary General Meeting" of the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) concerning the Irish abortion bill on December 2nd. The members protested that their concerns and objections were not taken seriously and the ICGP “refused to accept members’ motions from the floor.” The spokesperson for the group of approximately 80 doctors, Dr Andrew O'Regan, told the media: "We feel disrespected and not listened to by our own college board."
Church Cellar Deliberately Flooded by Vandals
December 2, 2018, GermanyDuring an advent concert in the parish church of Claußnitz on Sunday, December 2, unknown people turned on a faucet in the boiler room and flooded the cellar with it. "The boiler was totally under water," said Pastor Christian Schmidt. When the damage was discovered, the fire brigade and police were alerted. Two firefighters pumped the approximately 60 centimeters high water out of the basement. The police estimated the damage to be several thousand euros.
Protests Against Polish Radio Maryja on its Anniversary
December 1, 2018, PolandAs Radio Maryja listeners gathered in Toruń to celebrate the radio station's 27th anniversary, a protest against public funding of the station took place a few kilometers away. Organized by a Polish secularist association, a small group protested at the monument of Nicolaus Copernicus.
Statue of Saint Anne Decapitated in Ille-et-Vilaine
December 1, 2018, FranceA statuette of St. Anne with the Virgin Mary in a niche above a first floor window of a private home was removed and beheaded by an unknown vandal during the night of December 1st. The head was placed in front of the doorway of the home.
IS Supporting Refugee Physically Attacks and Threatens Christian Refugee with Death
November 30, 2018, GermanyThe perpetrator, a radicalized IS supporter, was found guilty of physical attacks and death threats against a Christian refugee, which allegedly happened in the asylum center where both were staying. The charges were stated on the 30th of November 2018.