All cases
Catholic Priest Insulted as “Infidel” and “Swine” at Lidl Checkout
October 21, 2017, GermanyA parish priest, dressed in his normal clerical clothing, was verbally attacked in a supermarket in Werl by a man who called him a "pig" and an "infidel" as he shook the priest's shopping cart. The priest called the police, but they told him they wouldn't respond. Publicly insulting a person in Germany can be a criminal offense.
Pakistani Christian Attacked for Displaying Cross, Poppies on Car
October 20, 2017, United KingdomTajamal Amar, a 45-year-old Pakistani Christian man, was beaten and left unconscious outside a restaurant. He reported that he was attacked by a group of Muslims who objected to him displaying a cross in his car and two large red poppies on the front of his car.
Parents' Campaign Forces Church School to Ban Christian Charity Group; Wants Symbols Removed
October 17, 2017, United KingdomAfter a parents' group complained about a Christian charity's "fundamentalist approach" in discussions of sin, St. John's Church of England Primary School in Tunbridge Wells agreed to block CrossTeach from running assemblies or giving lessons. The campaign also demands the removal of crosses, Bibles and clergy from Church of England school assemblies.
German Yoghurt Maker Weideglück Removed Santorini Cross from Packaging
October 11, 2017, GermanyWeideglück's Greek Yoghurt packaging uses an image similar to those used by Nestlé. Carrefour, and Lidl, which depicts the famous blue dome of the Anastasis Church in Santorini, but with the cross removed.
"Allahu Akbar" Graffiti on Church
October 8, 2017, AustriaOver the weekend in Ybbs (district of Melk) graffiti with messages such as "Allahu Akbar" ("God is great"), "Bomb the Kids," and "Bomb the Church" was found in various areas of the town, including on a church. Police began an investigation and offered a reward for information.
Oxford College Student Group Banned Christian Union from "Freshers' Fair"; then Reversed Decision
October 8, 2017, United KingdomA 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, PolandThe 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 KingdomB.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, FranceAn 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, AustriaIn 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.