All cases

Silent National Christian-Inspired Protest Mocked By Opponents

May 24, 2015, Italy

On 24th of May 2015, an Italian network called Sentinelle in piedi ("Standing Watchmen“) organized a protest against the proposed draft laws on "homophobia" and same-sex unions and expressed their dissenting views by standing for an hour in silence at over 100 public squares all over Italy. The reason for that is the belief that new laws, if approved, would curtail freedom of speech for Christians. Opponents used offensive slogans and provocative gestures, including simulating homosexual acts. The participants of the Sentinelle in piedi were partly hindered by the protests. Opponents were mostly LGBT activists.

Arson in the Lutheran Church of Altena

May 19, 2015, Germany

A fire caused damages worth thousands of Euros in the Lutheran Church in Altena in Nordhein-Westfalen. Police suspect arson, because all evidences lead to burglary in which the sacristy was broken and ravaged. Without the quick reaction of the firefighters, the church would have been lost. The faithful and local priests felt offended by this horrible act.

Baker Found Guilty After Refusing to Bake Cake Supporting Same-Sex Marriage

May 18, 2015, United Kingdom

A bakery in Northern Ireland was found guilty of "direct discrimination" after its Christian owner declined to provide a decorated cake with the words 'support gay marriage’. The owner said he could not fulfill the order because it conflicts with his Christian beliefs about marriage.

Disruption, Threats, and Insults at a Catholic Procession

May 14, 2015, Italy

A group of Muslims disrupted a Catholic procession in the Italian municipality of Conselice which was held in honour of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Reportedly seeing the procession as provocation, the group started to threathen and insult Catholics and claimed that the procession offended Islam. Participants were scared and shocked by this aggression.

Attack at Marriage Referendum Event Causes Life-Threatening Allergic Reaction

May 13, 2015, Ireland

A 10-year-old girl suffered a severe allergic reaction after an egg attack at a "No-Campaign" event in Meath, Ireland. "Yes-Campaigners" threw objects, including eggs, at people who were expressing opposition to same-sex marriage. "No-Campaign" leader Mr. Manning said that the atmposphere created by "Yes-Campaigners" was "toxic”.

Burglary in St. Apostles at Neumarkt in Cologne

May 12, 2015, Germany

An unknown perpetrator broke into the church of St. Apostles in Cologne on May 12th, and stole figures of Jesus Christ from the cloister. Moreover, the thief caused damages worth thousands of euros. This theft offended and angered the religious faithful.

Vandalism Spree Against Chapels on the Island of La Reunion

May 12, 2015, France

Many chapels and other places of worship on the island of La Reunion were devastated with satanic slogans and red Stars of David.

Judge Ordered French Town to Remove the Statue of Saint John Paul II

May 5, 2015, France

Authorities in the small French town of Ploermal are obliged to remove a statue of Saint John Paul II built in 2006. The reason which was given was the "ostentatious character" of the monument located in the public square, which is in contradiction with the secular principles of the state. This decision shocked local faithful and Mayor Parick Le Diffon vowed to appeal.

Figure of Jesus Christ destroyed by Turkish Muslim

May 3, 2015, Germany

A Turkish Muslim armed with a kitchen knife destroyed the figure of Jesus Christ located on the Sendlinger Tor in Munich. Additionally, he attacked eyewitnesses and devastated all vases and flowers which were next to the cross. The case has been reported to the police, but the man was declared as a mentally ill and he has been brought to a psychiatrist. It is not clear whether the act was religiously-motivated.

Pro-Marriage Posters Removed

May 1, 2015, Ireland

Mothers and Fathers Matter, a group that urged people to vote “No” in May’s gay marriage referendum in Ireland, said there was a campaign of harassment and intimidation from those on the “Yes” side of the debate. Posters were torn and removed in Dublin and elsewhere at the beginning of May 2015. Pictures of this act have been celebrated as an "act of bravery" on social media.