All cases
Lidl Supermarket Group Removed Crosses from Santorini Churches on Greek Products
August 31, 2017, InternationalThe supermarket chain Lidl promotes its Greek ERIDANOUS products with images of the famous Anastasis Church in Santorini, Greece, complete with its world-renowned blue dome roof. However, the packaging image has photoshopped out the crosses from the tops the orthodox churches. Lidl spokesman said "We are avoiding the use of religious symbols because we do not wish to exclude any religious beliefs," and "We are a company that respects diversity and this is what explains the design of this packaging." The company later apologized, "Our intention has never been to shock. We avoid the use of religious symbols on our packaging to maintain neutrality in all religions. If it has been perceived differently, we apologize to those who may have been shocked."
Jerez Church Vandalized with Graffiti
August 30, 2017, SpainNuestra Señora de Fátima was sprayed with graffiti reading "Pedophiles" and "God is bisexual. She loves everyone."
Court Rules Christian Child Can be Returned to Family
August 29, 2017, United KingdomA Christian five-year-old girl was placed into foster care with a Muslim family in London. Confidential local authority reports suggest that the foster family removed the girl's Christian cross necklace, suggested she learn Arabic, and forbade her from eating pork. In addition, It was alleged that when she had a visit with her biological mother, the girl said that Christmas was “stupid” and European women are “stupid alcoholics”. The court having jurisdiction ruled on August 29, 2017 that the girl should be placed with her grandmother.
Devastating Vandalism in Wieselburg Parish Church
August 28, 2017, AustriaUnknown perpetrators broke into the church, forced open the sacristy door. They caused enormous material damage, including cutting all electrical cables, destroying armchair upholstery, tearing the tabernacle from the altar, destroying the Easter candle, and stealing a few hundred euros in cash. In addition, the vandals poured sand on the church floor and made the sign of a pentagram, according to the police.
Vatican Secretary of State calls Jihadist Video "Worrying"
August 26, 2017, ItalyCardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, told reporters on August 26, 2017 that a day earlier he had seen a video indicating that the pope is a target of an Islamic extremist attack. He said that the Vatican would not increase its already high security measures.
Burglary in Schwadorf Parish
August 23, 2017, AustriaDuring the night of August 23, 2017, burglars broke into the parish church in Schwadorf through a terrace door. After being unable to break into the office, they entered the priest's apartment. According to police, cash and valuables were stolen, including a jewelry box and a clock. Afterwards, the perpetrators sprayed a fire extinguisher on the floor in the entrance of the apartment, in the stairwell of the parish center, and on the ground floor, to obliterate their footprints. The church was equipped with an alarm system, but the priest was not at home at the time of the incident, so no one heard the alarm. A passerby discovered the break-in in the morning and reported it to the police.
Muslim Threatens Journalist: "We are sick of Christians"
August 23, 2017, SpainOn August 23, 2017, in Cañada de la Muerte, one of the most troubled and dangerous districts in Melilla, a Spanish journalist from Antena 3 approached a group of Muslim men. One man was filmed saying: "We are tired of you, the Spaniards and the Christians [..] They have us held here, separated and marginalized." When the journalist pointed out that the man was Spanish himself, he answered: "I am not Spanish, I am Muslim." "We throw stones at the police because they come to bother us. They just want to ask us for documentation ... they annoy us." Another man did not hesitate to justify the Barcelona attacks: "It's normal. We Muslims are sick of you, the Christians." He then threatened, "I myself can take a truck and run over people because I'm tired of living like this. Of not having opportunities because of you."
Arran Denounces Islamophobia but Paints Churches with Graffiti Inciting Violence
August 23, 2017, SpainThe leftist youth organization of the Catalan Pro-Independence movement, Arran, has painted the facades of some Catalonian churches with aggressive messages like "The only church that illuminates is the one that burns" or "against the attacks of the Church, together we are stronger." Jésus Sanz, head of studies of the platform Civic Convivencia, has responded by noting "You do not have to be Catholic, or even a believer, but just a minimally respectful person to condemn the attacks."
Break-in and Vandalism at Erlauf Church
August 21, 2017, AustriaUnknown perpetrators broke into the church in Erlauf sometime during the night of August 20-21, 2017. All the money in the church had been removed on the Sunday after the Mass, but the sacristy was ransacked, with boxes emptied and overturned. It is unclear whether anything was stolen. This was the fourth break-in at the church.
15th Century Image of Saint Paul Destroyed by Vandals
August 18, 2017, SpainUnknown vandals tore down and destroyed the image of Saint Paul from the Gothic doorway of the parish of Andra Mari in Gernika (Guernica), Spain on August 18, 2017. The image, dated from the 15th century, was found broken to pieces. The parish filed a complaint.