All cases

Aggression against Pro-Life Activists in Munich

February 28, 2015, Germany

The German Christian pro-life group Jugend für das Leben ("Youth for Life") organized a demonstration on the Odeon Square in Munich followed by a Holy Mass at the University Church. The demonstration had previously been registered and approved.

Bremen Cathedral Target in Plans for Islamist Attack

February 28, 2015, Germany

Four Islamists from France attempted to commit terrorist attacks in Bremen in the Cathedral of St Peter, a Gothic cathedral adjacent to the Renaissance town hall, in a synagogue, and on a lively square. A massive deployment of police thwarted their plans, but the would-be attackers managed to escape.

Vandalism of Two Churches on the Same Day in Joigny

February 25, 2015, France

The City of Joigny and Fr. Romain Tavernier, a parish priest, submitted two complaints for acts of vandalism and theft which had taken place in two churches.

Profanation of a Church in Czestochowa

February 24, 2015, Poland

Unknown assailants vandalised the church of the Mystery of the Resurrection in Emmaus in Czestochowa. The perpetrators drew satanic signs on the facade of the church.

French Media Misleadingly Calls Christian Cemeteries "Municipal Sites"

February 23, 2015, France

The French news channel BFMTV reported statistics about problem of the profanation of cemeteries in 2014. In its morning news, it reported that 206 cases were in Christian cemeteries, in Jewish cemeteries there were 6 cases, and in Muslim sites there were 4 cases. By its lunchtime news program, the channel had ceased to mention "Christian" cemeteries, instead, the phrase "municipal" cemeteries was used. References to Jewish and Muslim cemeteries were unchanged.

Christian Graves Desecrated in Matoury (French Guiana)

February 19, 2015, France

Several graves in the cemetery of Matoury, French Guiana (15 km from Cayenne) were intentionally vandalized.

A Statue of the Virgin Mary Desecrated in Châtel

February 19, 2015, France

Unknown perpetrators have committed various degradations and profanations in the main town of the resort of Châtel in Haute-Savoie. The statue of Our Lady of Skieurs in front of the church was the main target for the vandals.

Dozens of Christian Graves Vandalized in Calvados

February 17, 2015, France

Christian symbols on graves were vandalized in the cemetery of the town of Tracy-sur-Mer in Calvados. Unknown perpetrators vandalized dozens of crucifixes and displaced them. The Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve expressed his outrage and promised that "every effort will be made to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of these outrageous acts that violate our values and respect that seals our community".

Church in Delémont Soiled by Offensive Graffiti

February 17, 2015, Switzerland

Inside and outside the Catholic church of Saint-Marcel Delémont was vandalised by offensive graffiti. The perpetrators are suspected to have been anarchists or leftists.

St. John the Baptist Church in Lecce Vandalized With Offensive Graffiti

February 16, 2015, Italy

The church of Saint John the Baptist in Lecce was vandalized. A statue of the Virgin Mary was spray painted in red and graffiti saying "God is a transgender" and that "Priests are pedophiles" was painted. Other graffiti clarified that the reason for the attack was the pro-family conference organized the previous week by organizations "Se alla famiglia" and "Alleanza Cattolica". Offending graffiti also attacked a judge and former deputy Minister Alfredo Mantovano, who spoke at the pro-family event.