All cases

Lottery's Advertisement Featured Model Posing as Crucified Jesus

December 13, 2017, Germany

German Catholic and Protestant leaders expressed outrage after Sophia Thomalla posed on a cross in lingerie for a lottery company's promotion. The advertising included the slogan "Christmas is now even more beautiful."

Christian Peer Fears Proclaiming Christianity could be a Hate Crime

December 12, 2017, United Kingdom

Lord Pearson of Rannoch posed the question to the British government: "Will they confirm unequivocally that a Christian who says that Jesus the only son of the one true God cannot be arrested for hate crime or any other offense?" The government's representative in the House of Lords refused to comment on the question.

Nativity Scene in Boadilla del Monte Vandalized

December 6, 2017, Spain

Figures of a nativity scene in Boadilla del Monte were found placed in obscene poses by unknown perpetrators.

Belgian Red Cross Branches Ordered to Remove Crucifixes

November 29, 2017, Belgium

The Provincial Committee of the Red Cross in Liège sent an email to all branches in Belgium ordering them to remove all crucifixes from their walls, to appear more secular.

Two Gates Stolen from War Memorial at Church in Mapperley

November 27, 2017, United Kingdom

Thieves have stolen two large gates from a war memorial at the Holy Trinity Church in Mapperley. The 1.2 meter gates were taken sometime between 6 PM November 26 and 8:30 AM November 27. Reverend Gill Turner-Callis said "they are the gates which lead to the churchyard and form part of the war memorial for all those who died in the Great Wars." Derbyshire police have investigated the theft from the Mapperley church.

‘Crucified Cow’ Displayed in Catholic Church by Artist as Comment on Wastefulness

November 23, 2017, Belgium

An “art” exhibit depicting 500 kg cow nailed to a cross hanging over a basin with 5,000 liters of milk was installed in the small parish church of Saint John the Baptist of Kuttekoven, in the Flemish town of Borgloon. The artist's message was to draw attention to food waste and housing shortages.

Statue of Mother Teresa to be Removed from Skopje

November 23, 2017, Other

The Minister of Culture Robert Alagjozovski of FYROMacedonia recommended the removal of a statue of Mother Teresa from the center of Skopje. The Balkan city is the birthplace of the Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary who was canonized by Pope Francis in 2016.

"God is Dead" Painted on Landerneau Church

November 19, 2017, France

During the night, vandals sprayed "God is Dead -- Nietzsche" and an inverted cross on the outside of the church of Saint-Houardon in Landerneau.

Spanish Nuns Fined for Restoring Church Organ

November 18, 2017, Spain

The Andalusian government fined a convent of Spanish nuns 170,000 euros for having a priceless church organ repaired without the state's permission. After public outcry, the fine was reduced to 1,1710 euros on December 19, 2017.

Pro-ISIS Group Circulated Image of Beheaded Pope on Poster Called "Christmas Blood"

November 17, 2017, Other

The pro-ISIS Wafa Media Foundation released a propaganda poster with an image depicting a jihadist standing over the torso of a prisoner in an orange jumpsuit while holding the head of the Pope. Written next to the Pope's head is "Jorge Mario Bergoglio."