All cases

State restrictions at Navalny funeral ceremony

March 1, 2024, Russia

Russian authorities have implemented significant restrictions that interfere with Christian Orthodox funeral rituals during Navalny's burial. Many fear further violations of the right to manifest one's religion or belief by hindering the religious funeral ceremony.

Suspected Arson at St Matthew Church

March 1, 2024, Germany

In the early hours of Friday 1 March, St Matthew's Church in Berlin was the scene of several fires. Police are investigating arson.

Consecrated Hosts and Religious Objects Stolen from Church

March 1, 2024, Italy

In March 2024, unknown perpetrators broke into the Church of Santa Maria ad Nives in Bovalino Superiore by forcing open a side door. They stole several sacred items, including a reliquary medallion containing a hair of the Virgin Mary and the consecrated Host from the tabernacle. The theft was discovered shortly before Mass, which was then moved to another nearby church.

Theft of liturgical objects from church in Żychlin

March 1, 2024, Poland

On Friday, March 1, during the Stations of the Cross, the parish priest noticed that a lavabo, a liturgical vessel, had disappeared from the church in Żychlin. The lavabo is a jug with a bowl for washing hands during the liturgy. Additionally, a wooden cross with glasses containing fragments of rocks and sand from the Way of the Cross in Jerusalem, which was located on the main altar, was also missing.

Prayer Gathering in Frankfurt attacked

March 1, 2024, Germany

A prayer gathering conducted by "40 days for life" outside an abortion clinic was violently disrupted and the participants were threatened by a group of activists.

40 graves vandalised at cemetery in Fresselines

February 29, 2024, France

On February 29, a resident of Fresselines, on his way to the family crypt, discovered the unprecedented vandalism in the Creuse cemetery. Unknown perpetrators had desecrated around 40 graves: between some graves plates had been moved or broken, pots had been thrown to the ground. Some slabs had also been unscrewed and piled up on the ground. Stelae and plaques had been broken or moved.

Pepper spray attack against Christian missionary

February 28, 2024, Austria

On the afternoon of February 28, Christian missionary Lahzy Mahfonz Hefzalla Girgis has been attacked with pepper spray at Vienna’s central Stephansplatz. While Mr Girgis was having conversation with a Syrian person, two other allegedly Syrian men approached him. One of the Syrian men shouted "Jesus is God" mockingly and sprayed pepper spray into Mr Girgis' eyes. Lahzy Girgis had to be treated in hospital.

Landmark ECJ ruling recognises conversion in subsequent asylum application

February 28, 2024, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)

In a landmark ruling the European Court of Justice has decided that a conversion to Christianity after the flight should be recognised as grounds for asylum if the applicant can credibly demonstrate that he has changed his religion out of "inner conviction".

18th century church in Pliego vandalised with graffiti

February 28, 2024, Spain

As reported on February 28, the walls of the Virgen de los Remedios Church in Pliego, Murcia, has been defaced with graffiti. The church, dating back to the 18th century, is a cultural asset. Two young people, one of them a minor, are suspected of the vandalism.

Arson in Carlsberg Church of the Holy Cross

February 26, 2024, Germany

On February 26, the confessional in the Catholic Church of the Holy Cross was destroyed in a fire. According to the investigating authorities, a statue of a saint and a storage room were also damaged. A fire expert ruled out a technical defect on Friday, March 1, so the criminal investigation department in Neustadt is assuming arson.