All cases

Oxford College Student Group Banned Christian Union from "Freshers' Fair"; then Reversed Decision

October 8, 2017, United Kingdom

A Balliol College student group at Oxford banned the Christian Union from its freshers’ fair on the grounds that it would be "alienating" for students of other religions, and constitute a "micro-aggression." They further claimed that Christianity was used as "an excuse for homophobia and certain forms of neo-colonialism" and that students might feel "unwelcome" if the Christian Union had a stall. After being reprimanded, organizers agreed that the Christian Union could participate in future fairs.

Christian Polish Prayer Initiative called Islamophobic; Controversial

October 7, 2017, Poland

The public prayer event "Rosary to the Borders" was called "a problematic expression of Islamophobia" by the Associated Press and "controversial" by the BBC and other media.

Some UK Schools Have Removed B.C. and A.D. Dating from Religious Education Classes

October 1, 2017, United Kingdom

B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini, meaning "in the year of the Lord"), have been replaced with B.C.E., which stands for Before Common Era, and C.E., meaning Common Era. The changes were justified "to show sensitivity to those who are not Christians."

Vandalism of Graves in Metz Cemetery

October 1, 2017, France

An unknown perpetrator entered the cemetery during the night of September 30th and October 1st and vandalized 20 graves. Crucifixes were removed from gravestones and thrown to the ground.

Offertory Box Stolen from St. Stephan's Cathedral

September 30, 2017, Austria

In the early morning hours of September 30th, an unknown burglar entered the door to the northern tower into the cathedral in Vienna. After stealing a donation box, the individual fled. The cathedral is secured by an alarm system with a direct connection to the police station, which was triggered at 5:15 am. Seven police cars and several police dogs arrived to investigate, but were unsuccessful in locating the perpetrator.

Thousands of Pounds Worth of Lead Stolen from Shrewsbury Church

September 30, 2017, United Kingdom

St. Mary's church in Shrewsbury was attacked by thieves twice in the span of 4 months in 2017. In July, 23 square meters of lead was stolen, and in Setpember, 14 square meters of lead was stolen. Jessica Robertson, spokeswoman for the Churches Conservation Trust said: "The cost of replacing the lead and repairing the damage to the historic fabric of the building will run into tens of thousands of pounds for our charity. In addition, on both occasions, the popular Battlefield Café was forced to close while the building was secured." This is the eighth church in the Trust's care which has been attacked in 2017 alone.

YouTube Removed Channel of Islam-Critical Priest

September 27, 2017, France

After a third "warning" that his posted videos were "inappropriate" and violated "community rules," YouTube removed priest Guy Pagès's "Islam et Vérité" channel from its content-sharing platform on September 27, 2017 .

Catalonian Separatists say Church is the Enemy

September 26, 2017, Spain

At a press conference held on September 26, 2017 in front of the cathedral in Tarragona, officials from the pro-Catalan independence political party CUP (Candidatura d'Unitat Popular) called the Catholic Church a "power structure to crush" that "discriminates against women and LGBT groups." It has also called for the elimination of aid to Christian schools and removal of a favorable tax status for churches.

Graffiti Found on Seville Church

September 23, 2017, Spain

The Church of Santa Marina, canonical headquarters of la Hermandad de la Resurrección (the Brotherhood of the Resurrection), was vandalized with an upside-down white cross painted on the main door of the church.

"Kill all Christs" Graffiti Painted on Street

September 23, 2017, Germany

The phrase "Kill all Christs" next to a heart containing "IS" was discovered painted on a street in Bischoffen-Niederweidbach on September 23, 2017. This acronym for Islamic State was also found painted in the same pink color on a road sign.