All cases

U.S. Baptist Minister Arrested, Convicted Under Missionary Activity Law

August 14, 2016, Russia

Donald Ossewaarde was arrested on August 14th as he conducted a bible study group in his home. He is first foreign missionary to be charged with violating Russia's law banning missionary activity outside officially registered church buildings.

Church Desecrated in Grandate

August 13, 2016, Italy

During the night of August 13, 2016, unknown persons forced open the door of the church of San Bartolomeo in the Como province and attempted to break open the tabernacle containing consecrated Hosts, broke the marble lectern, and topped the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, breaking her hands and nose.

Mass of the Assumption Banned by Authorities

August 11, 2016, Turkey

After 88 years of closure, the Panagia Sumela Monastery in Trabzon, was reopened in June 2010 and since then, the Turkish authorities had given a license for a yearly Mass to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to celebrate the Mass of the Assumption. This year, the authorization was administratively revoked.

Town Council to Remove Cross from Public Square

August 11, 2016, Spain

The Callosa de Segura town council voted to remove the cross in the plaza of the church of San Martin. Christian legal groups objected, noting that its presence poses no threat to anyone and that it is part of the town's historical and cultural heritage.

Authorities Deny Permission for CCTV for Church

August 10, 2016, Sweden

The Catholic Church of Karlstad has been a repeated victim of attacks: Hate graffiti, inverted crosses glued on its walls, and broken windows. In 2015, Father Martin Ferenc, pastor of the church, filed no fewer than 15 police complaints. The police suggested that he install video surveillance cameras in order to identify the perpetrators. The priest therefore asked the administrative board to authorize their installation. The board rejected the application on the grounds that the church's interest in solving these crimes is outweighed by the individual's interest in not being recorded.

Vandals Tag 14th Century Church Fresco

August 10, 2016, Italy

A "street artist" tagged a fresco in the Basilica di San Lorenzo in Vicenza with black spray paint.

Pastor and Politician Report Abuse of Christian Refugees in Frankfurt

August 8, 2016, Germany

During a press conference with Bundestag member Erika Steinbach, Pastor Mahin Mousapour said Christians staying at migrant shelters are being told that they are impure and that they deserve to die for rejecting Islam.

Holy Synod Offices the Victim of Arson Attack by Molotov Cocktails

August 8, 2016, Greece

The attack occurred at 3.10 a.m. when unidentified assailants, presumed to be anarchists, threw four Molotov cocktails into the yard of a church in central Athens, the Moni Petraki, which houses the central offices of the Church of Greece's Holy Synod. The molotov cocktails detonated, destroying two cars that had been parked outside.

Venice Church the Site of Two Anti-Christian Incidents

August 7, 2016, Italy

Four women wearing headscarves entered the Church of San Zulian, approached the crucifix, and spat on it. They then moved among the tourists undetected. The day before, on July 6, 2016, two young men, described as "Asians," received Communion, and then spat out pieces of the Host onto the ground and fled.

14-Year-Old Confesses to Setting Fire to Church

August 6, 2016, Italy

During the day of August 6, 2016, a 14-year-old intentionally set a fire in the church of San Filippo Neri in Savigliano using candles. The fire spread to the wooden paneling and was finally contained by the use of two fire extinguishers.