All cases
Professor Threatened Priest and Others in Nice
January 23, 2018, France"Frank C.," a German philosophy professor, made death threats against a priest, a lawyer, a police officer, Christian Estrosi (the mayor of Nice), and magistrates in Nice. He was arrested and remanded for trial in Grasse.
Five U.K. Retailers Accused of Insulting Christianity in Five Months
January 22, 2018, United KingdomFive major U.K. retailers were accused of using advertising or packaging offensive to Christians in as many months. Ocado, an online supermarket, Fortnum & Mason, a luxury goods retailer, the bakery chain Gregg's, Domino's pizza, and Lidl all faced criticism for insulting Christians or Christianity.
Paris March for Life Crowds Underreported by Media
January 21, 2018, FranceFrench media largely ignored the March for Life, and those who reported about it underestimated the number of participants, saying there were "more than a thousand" marchers. Police estimated 8,500 participants, while organizers reported that over 40,000 people marched.
Donation Box Stolen from Church in Mantes-la-Jolie
January 21, 2018, FranceShortly before starting Mass on January 21st, the priest of Saint-Jean-Baptiste church in Mantes-la-Jolie discovered that one or more individuals broke a window and two doors in order to steal the church donation box. The priest filed a complaint with the police.
Arson in Saxony Church
January 21, 2018, GermanyA passerby discovered smoke was rising from the funeral chapel in Annaberg-Buchholz on January 21, 2018. The police and fire departments were called. The police suspected arson and initiated forensic investigations.
Statue of Virgin Mary Beheaded in Växjö
January 19, 2018, SwedenAn unknown perpetrator chopped the head and hands off the statue of the Virgin Mary which stood outside St. Michael's Catholic Church in Växjö.
Afghan Convert ‘Could Face Death’ if Deported from Switzerland
January 18, 2018, SwitzerlandADF International filed an expert brief with the European Court of Human Rights in support of an Afghan citizen who faces deportation from Switzerland. A.A. (anonymized for security reasons) converted from Islam to Christianity and sought asylum, which the Swiss government denied. If returned to Afghanistan, he could face severe social and formal persecution, with punishments ranging from lengthy imprisonment to death.
Antwerp Church Vandalized
January 14, 2018, BelgiumThe Church of St. James (Sint-Jacobskerk) in Antwerp was vandalized sometime during the night between January 14th to January 15th. The church is frequented by the Chaldean brothers in Belgium.
Baptismal Font Stolen from Flavignac Church
January 14, 2018, FranceOn January 14th, church trustees discovered that a baptismal font was missing and presumed stolen on January 14th. The copper font, dating from 1922, object, had been located near the entrance of the church of Flavignac. Church trustees thought it was being repaired, but later discovered that had been stolen. The mayor noted that the theft must have occurred during the day, as the church is closed after 5 p.m. A complaint was lodged with the police.
Pastor excluded from volunteering at prison due to allegations of extremism by Imam
January 11, 2018, United KingdomPastor Paul Song was excluded from volunteering at a prison in Brixton, South London after Muslim Imam accused him of being too radical.