All cases
Politician Forced to Withdraw Candidacy Due to Christian Engagement
January 28, 2015, GermanyPolitician Mark Holleman had to withdraw his candidacy for appointment as the environmental and health officer for Munich, despite being the favored candidate of the City Council, because of his membership in a pro-life group as well as in Christian Solidarity International.
Parents Protesting Against Aggressive Sex Education Attacked by Counter-Demonstration in Hamburg
January 25, 2015, GermanyProtesters demonstrated against the "violation of parents’ rights in education" of their children.150 parents were attacked by about 600 left-wing radicals who threw eggs, fireworks and bottles into the crowd of demonstrators. A 15 year-old girl had to be taken to the hospital. Police intervened.
Devastation of St. John's Church in Plauen / Saxony
January 21, 2015, GermanyThe interior of the Protestant Church of St. John's in Plauen (Saxony) was vandalized with fire extinguisher powder. The total damages are estimated at 10,000 euros.
Vandalism in Miesenbacher Chapel in Ruhpolding
January 12, 2015, GermanyThe Daily "Traunsteiner Tagblatt“ of Bavaria reported on January 12, 2015, an incident of vandalism in the Miesenbacher Kapelle in Ruhpolding (Chiemgau). Vandals threw blessed liturgical candles around and hit a statue of the Virgin Mary with a statue of the baby Jesus, breaking the hands of the Jesus figure.
Desecration of Tabernacle in Chapel in Barbizon
January 10, 2015, FranceAn incident of desecration took place in the chapel of Barbizon, near Fontainebleau. Vandals broke open the door of the tabernacle, which is the place where the consecrated wine and host are kept. Both religious items, which carry significant meaning for Catholics, were thrown on the ground. Nothing was stolen.
Journalists’ Association Displays Anti-Christian Bias
January 10, 2015, CroatiaA Croatian journalist was reprimanded by her professional association for calling abortion murder in an online article. While anti-Christian expressions are generally accepted as "a matter of style“, her Christian-inspired opinion was not tolerated.
Profanation and Devastation of Statue of Mary in Perugia
January 9, 2015, ItalyA statue of the Virgin Mary was vandalized by a group of North-African immigrants with a Muslim background, according to locals. The parish priest of St. Barnaba, Fr. Alessandro Scarda, recounted: “They broke the statue in two pieces, and they then kicked it as if it was a ball. Afterward, they urinated onto the pieces.” The people of the parish gathered the remains of the statue, cleaned and glued them. The small statue was put back at its original location. The parishioners have gathered to pray at the statue after the vandalism. The police are investigating to confirm the identity and the background of the perpetrators. Muslim organizations and public figures have condemned the act.
Desecration and Theft of the Church Notre-Dame-des-Marais in Montluel
January 8, 2015, FranceUnknown perpetrators profanated a tabernacle. A chalice and consecrated hosts were stolen. Police was notified about the devastation, but the perpetrators remain unknown. The following Sunday morning Mass in the church had to be moved to the neighboring town of Dagneux. The Notre-Dame-des-Marais church had to be closed for five days.
Muslim Devastated the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Cles/Trento
January 3, 2015, ItalyWhile entering the church, a Moroccan-origin Muslim was yelling in Arabic phrases from the Koran. Then he destroyed five religious statues and other religious objects in the church causing severe damage. Eventually, the 67 years old male was arrested by the Police and is now facing criminal charges.
Lifesize Calvary Scene Statues Overthrown in Cabourg
January 1, 2015, FranceLifesize statues of a calvary scene behind a church in Cabourg (Calvados) were vandalized in the night between December 31, 2014 and January 1, 2015. The statues of Mary and St. John were over thrown and found lying on the ground. The statues had been recently renovated.