All cases
UPDATE: Afghan Asylum Seeker Indicted for Attempted Homicide
February 10, 2016, GermanyThe Hamburg prosecutor has indicted a 23-year-old Afghan asylum seeker Mohebolla A. He is said to have attacked and seriously injured a 24-year-old Amir H., an Iranian Christian, with a telescopic baton on 18 October in a shelter.
Longueville Cemetery Crucifixes Vandalized
February 10, 2016, FranceOn the evening of Wednesday, February 10, a municipal officer discovered 16 vandalized crucifixes in a cemetery.
Separate Housing for Christian Refugees in Stuttgart Approved
February 10, 2016, GermanyDue to frequent reports of abuse, harassment, and assaults against Christian refugees at the hands of their Muslim co-habitatants, the City of Stuttgart has approved new, separate, accommodations.
Church Vandalized near Graz
February 8, 2016, AustriaOver the weekend of February 6-7, an unknown vandal left graffiti on the parish church in Kalsdorf bei Graz, in Styria. The graffiti included vague symbols and letter combinations, as well as a swastika smeared on the pillar of the church canopy.
Parish Church of Kervignac Vandalized
February 6, 2016, FranceOn February 6, 2016, the parish church of Kervignac (Diocese of Vannes) was the victim of vandalism: papers scattered on the floor, an umbrella left in pieces, candles broken, all the confessionals left wide open, flowers thrown to the ground, and the altar cloth left in rags.
Christian Refugee Attacked in Berlin Camp
February 3, 2016, GermanyA member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Berlin-Stegliz was attacked because of his Christian faith in the refugee camp where he lives.
Church and Mosque Destroyed in Calais "Jungle"
February 1, 2016, FranceDespite promises to the contrary, officials from the Calais Prefecture bulldozed a church and a mosque in the refugee camp.
Mass at Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes Repeatedly Disrupted
February 1, 2016, FranceAccording to the parish priest, beginning on January 5th, eggs have been thrown at the windows of the Nancy chapel every evening during the 7pm Mass.
Chapel Vandalized in Lyon
February 1, 2016, FranceOn February 1st, an unknown perpetrator broke into the chapel of la Famille Missionnaire de Notre-Dame à Lyon around 5:00pm and vandalized the statue of the Virgin Mary, which was found on the ground with a demolished head.
Historic Bruyères-le-Châtel Church Vandalized; Consecrated Hosts Stolen
January 31, 2016, FranceUnknown perpetrators broke a window, overturned the tabernacle, stole the ciborium containing consecrated Hosts, and sacked the sacristy. The bishop of Evry called it a "rampage." According to a parishioner, this was not the first time the church had been a victim, as graffiti had been found last year. However, this attack was much more serious. "Consecrated Hosts were stolen. For someone who doesn't believe, this probably does not matter much. For [Catholics] it is the most serious. It is the body of Christ. It is Jesus who was attacked." For the bishop of Evry, "this is a real attack against the Catholic Church. It is the symbol of the sacred that has been affected. There is a will to do harm." (Translated from French).
1,700 Year Old Orthodox Church Damaged
January 28, 2016, TurkeySt. Mary Church, a Syriac Orthodox church, was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, destroying a portion of the wall in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir.
Police Spokesman Reported Muslims Trying to Expel Christians From Grande-Synthe Camp
January 27, 2016, FranceForty shots were fired in what was termed a quarrel between rival smuggler gangs at the Grande-Synthe refugee camp near Dunkirk. David Michaux, a CRS anti-riot officer from the Unsa-police union, told Le Figaro: "There is a real problem between Muslims and non-Muslims. Most of the camp's 3,000-odd occupants are Muslim Kurds from Iraq, Iran and Syria but a minority are Christians from Iran." He went on to say "The Muslims are trying to expel the Christians from the camp."
Seville Church the Victim of Burglary
January 24, 2016, SpainThieves have stolen three silver ciboria, chalices and the contents of collection boxes from the Corpus Christi church.
Bouches-du-Rhône Church Hit with Vandalism
January 23, 2016, FranceOn the 23rd January, Deputy Mayor Marcel Galli discovered that the Sainte Marie Madeleine de Plan-de-Cuques church (of the Marseille diocese) had been smeared with tar on three facades, with many circles painted on the walls, and large lines were drawn on the ground. The large wooden doors of the entrance to the church and the sacristy, the surface of the front porch, and entrance hall were also damaged by tar.
Bullied Christian Refugees Demand Separate Accommodations
January 20, 2016, GermanyAssyrian refugees hope to be housed apart from Muslims in the future camp near Stuttgart due to conflicts and threats.
German Pastor Warns of Dire Situation for Christians in Refugee Camps
January 18, 2016, Germany“The situation in refugee camps, especially in Berlin is very dramatic”, said Pastor Gottfried Martens of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Berlin. Around 1.000 refugees from Iran, Afghanistan and the Arabic world visit his community.
French Pastor Reported Murder of Christian Refugee at Camp Near Dunkirk
January 18, 2016, FranceIn a series of emails to a French blog, Pastor Daniel O. described the beatings, stabbings, disappearance, and presumed murder of an Iranian Christian at the Grande-Synthe refugee camp.
Mallorca Gay Men's Chorus Dress as Nuns
January 18, 2016, SpainMallorca Gay Men's Chorus dressed as nuns in a concert for the celebration of St. Sebastian, patron saint of Palma de Mallorca.
French Crèche the Victim of Vandalism
January 17, 2016, FranceTwenty figurines in the Nativity scene installed in the church of Chamaret were beheaded.
Cantal: Church Robbed of Ciborium and Consecrated Hosts
January 15, 2016, FranceA theft occurred in the Church of Notre Dame de Quézac, sometime between Thursday, January 14th and Friday 15th. A ciborium, a gold sacred vase containing a hundred consecrated Hosts, was stolen from a tabernacle, a small wardrobe. The police have opened an investigation.
Montauban Church Vandalized
January 14, 2016, FranceSaint-Jacques church, located in the city center, was the target of vandalism by unknown perpetrators.
FIFA Erased a Brazilian Football Player's Reference to the Christian Faith
January 11, 2016, SwitzerlandFIFA, the highest institution in the world of football, censored a reference to Jesus by Ballon d’Or candidate Neymar.
Orthodox Priest Reports Harassment of Christians in Refugee Camps
January 11, 2016, GermanyChristian refugees are exposed to harassment at the refugee camps in Germany, says Hegumen Daniel (Irbits) father superior of the St. George the Victorious Monastery in Gotschendorf, member of the Integration Committee at the German Federal Chancellery.
Theft and Vandalism at Orthodox Church in Kosovo
January 11, 2016, KosovoOn January 11, 2016, a member of the St.Demetrios Church in Sušica discovered a broken window and the theft of the trunk for offerings had been stolen. The police are investigating.
Nantes: Fire in the Basilica of Saint-Nicolas
January 10, 2016, FranceAround 4pm, a parishioner noticed two individuals at a table covered with tablecloth. They left quickly and the parishioner immediately noticed a fire had broken out on the furniture. She extinguished the fire with her shoes.
Arson and Desecration at Fontainebleau Church
January 10, 2016, FranceThe sixteenth century church Saint-Louis was entirely burnt out, images, including that of the baby Jesus, were desecrated, and the ciborium containing consecrated Hosts was stolen.
Seine-et-Marne: A Cross Vandalized in the Forest of Fontainebleau
January 10, 2016, FranceOn the same night that an arson fire swept through the church of Saint-Louis of Fontainebleau, a historic cross in the forest was toppled from its base.
Vandalism Sparked Uproar in Morigny-Champigny
January 8, 2016, FranceA Catholic church in Morigny was tagged with grafitti, just days before the Fontainebleau Church was the victim of a serious arson.
Controversial Magazine Charlie Hebdo Depicts God as Kalashnikov-Carrying Killer
January 6, 2016, FranceThe magazine's cover for the anniversary edition commemorating the attacks one year ago depicts an angry, violent God and contains the headline (translated): "One year later, the assassin is still on the run".
Syrian Muslim Threatens to Kill Christian Woman's Baby
January 6, 2016, GermanyIn a community shelter for refugees in Ballenstedt (Harz), a Muslim Syrian threatened an Eritrean Christian woman that he would kill her baby while she slept.
Nativity Scene in French Church Vandalized Twice
January 6, 2016, FranceOn December 30 and January 6, wax statues in the nativity scene were vandalized. These figures were more than a century old and familiar to the faithful of Sainte-Catherine parish in Le Passage-d’Agen. The abbot of Thibaud de La Serre, the parish priest, and the mayor issued a joint press release to express the town’s dismay and sorrow over the incidents.
44 Crucifixes Stolen From Cemetery in Petite-Ile
January 4, 2016, FranceOn the morning of January 4, as he opened the cemetery, a guard discovered that many crucifixes had been removed.
Another Jesus Nativity Figure Decapitated in Bergamo Region
January 3, 2016, ItalyA nativity scene in Treviglio was destroyed and the Jesus statue taken and beheaded by unknown perpetrators.
French Cathedral Tagged
January 3, 2016, FranceThe Cathedral Notre-Dame-de-l’Annonciation in Nancy was spray painted with "Spray for Paris" - a distortion of the message "Pray for Paris".
Floats for Parade of Kings Burned
January 3, 2016, SpainThe four floats that would be used in the traditional procession of the Three Kings were found burned on the Sunday before Epiphany in Arriate.
Brussels Christmas Tree Destroyed by Petrol Bomb
January 3, 2016, BelgiumYouths in Brussels yelled 'Allahu Akbar' as they set fire to a Christmas tree in a public square using a home made petrol bomb.
Attempted Arson in Evangelical Church in Crégy-lès-Meaux
January 2, 2016, FranceGasoline had been poured inside the church and a half-burnt rag was found on one of the dining chairs.
Statue of St. Joseph Decapitated; Finger of Infant Jesus Broken
January 1, 2016, ItalyPolice are investigating the destruction of Nativity statues in a creche in front of a church in Dorga in the Bergamo region.
Statue of Baby Jesus in Fibbiana Nativity Beheaded; Legs Broken
January 1, 2016, ItalyIn Piazza S. Rocco, Fibbiana not only was the statue of the infant Jesus broken, but the entire nativity was attacked with firecrackers and fireworks.
Refugee's Life Threatened After He Revealed Conversion to Christianity
January 1, 2016, GermanyA 19-year-old man told another refugee (18) that he was no longer a Muslim, but had become a Christian. The 18-year-old responded: "Then I will cut your throat. For this, I do not even need permission from IS. "
Nativity Figure of Infant Jesus "Hanged" with Noose in Pitelli
December 31, 2015, ItalyThe act was condemned by the Bishop, as well as the President, of the region of Liguria.
Statue of Hand Painted Baby Jesus Destroyed by Firecracker
December 31, 2015, ItalyIn Villa d'Almè, a group of unknown perpetrators threw a big firecracker into the hut containing the creche where the hand painted statue of the baby Jesus been placed on Christmas Eve.
Norway Begins Adoption Process for 5 Children Seized From Christian Parents
December 31, 2015, NorwayNorwegian child services have begun the adoption process for five children who were seized from a Romanian Pentecostal family in November after concerns were expressed about the parents' Christian faith, the family says.
New Year's Eve Mass at Cologne Cathedral Deliberately Disrupted
December 31, 2015, GermanyThe shelling of the Cologne Cathedral with fireworks and firecrackers on New Year's evening between 6:30 and 7:45 pm was a targeted disruption of the service.
Haut-Rhin Church & Creche Tagged; Infant Jesus Burned
December 31, 2015, FranceThe figure of the nearly life-size Christ child was burned in a crib display on December 31 at about 10 pm, while the faces of his parents and a wall of the adjacent Catholic church were tagged with spraypaint.
Catholic Schoolchildren in Madrid Banned from Three Kings Parade
December 31, 2015, SpainApproximately 800 students at a Catholic school in Madrid’s southern Carabanchel district have been excluded from a local parade by city authorities.
Nuremberg Church Target of Firework Attack on New Year's Eve
December 31, 2015, GermanySimilar to the attacks on the Cologne Cathedral on New Year's Eve, hundreds of men gathered in front of the Lorenzkirche in Nuremberg and shot firework missiles at its roof.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Figures Stolen from Villejuif Creche
December 28, 2015, FranceThe figure of the infant Jesus was stolen first, and the figures of his parents, Mary and Joseph were stolen the next day, along with the crib and straw.
Suspicious Burning of Nativity Display in Giraumont
December 27, 2015, FranceDuring the night between December 27th and 28th, the city's nativity display was burned and partially destroyed.
Creche Vandalized in Aix-en-Issart
December 27, 2015, FranceMayor Pierre La Fonte was awakened at 2am by the police, who reported that the creche in a public square had been vandalized.
Religious Statues Spray-Painted at Site Dedicated to the Virgin Mary
December 27, 2015, FranceSeveral religious statues, among which Jesus Christ was central, as well as a commemorative plaque and the floor were all spray painted red in a grotto altar in Libaux.
Image of St. John the Evangelist Banned from Rochester Train Station
December 27, 2015, United KingdomNetwork Rail, partly funded by taxpayer money, argued it was "overtly Christian" and that it would offend "multi-cultural values".
Church of Saint-Martin-sur-Ocre Tagged
December 26, 2015, FranceIn Loiret, a church was tagged with vulgar and insulting slogans ("Nique Jesus"), as well as "Allahu Akbar" during the night of December 26-27th.
Christians Attacked in Berlin Mitte a Day After Christmas
December 26, 2015, Germany“I am Muslim. What are you?” After asking this question, unidentified Muslim and others beat up five Christians.
Statue of Jesus Destroyed on St. Stephen's Day
December 26, 2015, ItalyIn Albino, on December 26, 2015, the crib outside the parish church of San Giuliano containing the statue of the infant Jesus was targeted.
Fire Completely Destroys City Manger Scene
December 25, 2015, SpainThe manger scene in the municipality of Villa del Prado (Madrid) was completely destroyed by a fire on December 25th at 4am.
Two of Thirteen Creche Installations Burned in Masevaux
December 24, 2015, FranceThe first creche was damaged by fire on the night of December 22nd and the second, including the ornaments and figures, was completely destroyed by fire on December 24th.
Public Nativity Scene Attacked by Vandals in Pamplona
December 24, 2015, SpainOn December 24th, the morning of Christmas Eve, vandals toppled and damaged figures in the enormous nativity scene, which is installed every year in a public park.
German Newspaper Refuses to Publish Church's Advertisement
December 20, 2015, GermanyThe Weser-Kurier in Bremen has refused to publish an advertisement of a local Evangelical church containing a bible passage.
Tabernacle Vandalized in French Church
December 18, 2015, FranceFather Louis Villoutreys reported on Twitter that a tabernacle in l’église Saint-Vincent in Naintré was vandalized by unknown perpetrators.
National Association of Assyrians in Sweden Victim of Arson
December 16, 2015, SwedenThe association's headquarters in the city of Södertälje was completely destroyed during the night between the 16th to 17th of December.
Berlin Court Reverses Injunctions; Allows Incitement to Violence in the Name of Art
December 15, 2015, GermanyIn the name of artistic expression, a Berlin court reversed injunctions it had issued and has now permitted the staging of a play ("Fear") which displays photos of pro-family organizers and explicitly incites hatred against them.
Men Attempt to Disarm Soldiers Guarding Cathedral in Rome
December 15, 2015, ItalyA Palestinian and a Tunisian attempted to disarm soldiers stationed outside Santa Maria Maggiore cathedral while yelling "Allah (God) is great", Rome police said Tuesday.
Theft from Creche in Hauts-de-Seine
December 14, 2015, FranceA statue of the Virgin of Fatima, given to the parish of Sainte-Bernadette de Chaville by the Portuguese community, was stolen on December 14th.
UPDATE: Hamburg Police Arrest Refugee for Attempted Manslaughter
December 14, 2015, GermanyThe Hamburg police arrested the Afghan asylum seeker Amir Mahaballa. He is said to have attacked and seriously injured a 24-year-old Iranian Christian at a refugee camp in October. He sits on remand before trial on the charge of attempted manslaughter.
Knife Attack and Murder in Grande Synthe Camp
December 14, 2015, FranceAccording to Open Doors France, police are investigating a knife attack by Iraqi migrants against Christian refugees which left several wounded and one 19-year-old man dead.
Creche Vandalized in la Grand-Place de Bruxelles
December 13, 2015, BelgiumThree people aged 20, 21 and 24 were arrested after they vandalized the manger of the Grand-Place during the night from Saturday to Sunday. In addition to damaging the structure, they stole the figure of the baby Jesus and threw it on the ground.
Church Vandalized in Verviers, in the province of Liege
December 13, 2015, BelgiumThe church Sainte-Julienne, which had previously been tagged with spray paint, was again vandalized as a window was broken by rocks being thrown.
Church Bells Destroyed in French Chapel
December 13, 2015, FranceVandals broke into the locked chapel of Saint-Hervé-Ménez Bré in Pédernec and rang the church bells so hard that one of them is irreparably broken while the other, off-axis from its support, is stuck.
Proposed UK School Regulations May Put Christian Sunday Schools and Summer Camps at Risk
December 13, 2015, United KingdomPlans for Ofsted to regulate out-of-school settings could burden churches, discourage volunteers and cause unnecessary distress to children, a Conservative MP has warned.
Christians Attacked by Guards in Refugee Camps
December 10, 2015, GermanyAt the end of November five Muslim security employees beat two refugees from Iran for having a bible in their room.
Fire Investigated at Collegiate Church of Saint-Junien
December 7, 2015, FranceUpon his arrival at the church, the priest discovered three small fires in separate parts of the church.
Syrian Arrested on Suspicion of Beating and Threatening 16 Year Old
December 3, 2015, SwedenA 26-year-old Syrian, known as "N.N.," was arrested on suspicion of beating and threatening a 16-year-old at an asylum house in Borgholm.
Archbishop Disinvited from Elementary School Pre-Christmas Visit
December 2, 2015, ItalySchool officials point to respect for the "multicultural character" of their student body as the reason.
Religious Images Prohibited in School Christmas Card Contest
December 2, 2015, SpainThe prohibition was imposed by a secular parents' association in Cantabria (Cantabria FAPA) when they announced the annual card-drawing contest.
Website of the Diocese of Bayonne, Lescar and Oloron Hacked
December 1, 2015, FranceAccording to reports, this was a targeted hacking.
Seventh Cemetery in 18 Months Desecrated by Vandals
December 1, 2015, FranceThis time, thirteen crucifixes were torn from their graves and were thrown to the ground, broken, or planted upside down.
Bancourt Mayor Forced to Remove Cross From Town Hall
December 1, 2015, FranceAfter two residents in the village of 90 inhabitants filed a lawsuit, a court has now ordered the removal of a cross that has been hanging in the town office since 1926.
Christian Refugees are Subjected to Violence and Harassment
November 30, 2015, GermanyViolent acts are not only committed by other asylum seekers, but in some cases by security personnel, as well.
Second Ukrainian Orthodox Church Desecrated in Same Town
November 29, 2015, OtherA new church dedicated to Our Lady of Iveron, in the town of Rokitno in the Rovno region (Western Ukraine), was desecrated by vandals.
Cemetery Crucifixes Uprooted and Planted Upside Down
November 29, 2015, FranceActs of vandalism were discovered on December 1st in the cemetery of Villiers-le-Sec, between Creully and Courseulles-sur-Mer, France.
Spanish "Artist" Claims to Have 32 New Consecrated Hosts, Some Stolen by "Fans" during Reparation Mass
November 28, 2015, SpainAbel Azcona announced he has 32 new consecrated Hosts stolen by fans who went to different Masses to get them.
Taxpayers Fund Blasphemous Display in Martinique
November 27, 2015, France"Yo Mama's Last Supper" is a blasphemous parody of Da Vinci's "Last Supper" in which the artist Renée Cox appears as Jesus Christ with full frontal nudity.
Catalan Radio Station Airs Song that Repeatedly Calls Priests Pedophiles
November 27, 2015, SpainStation has received government funding since 2011.
Church Vandalized; Damage Estimate: € 800
November 25, 2015, FranceTwo copper gutter-pipes were stolen from the church of Gironde-sur-Dropt on the night of November 25. The damage is estimated at € 800. A complaint was filed at the police station of La Role and an investigation has been opened.
Spanish Artist Stole and Desecrated over 200 Consecrated Hosts
November 23, 2015, SpainAs part of an exhibit, Abel Azcona placed the hosts on the ground in a public art gallery to form the word “Pederasty".
Lord's Prayer Advertisement Produced by JustPray.uk Banned in Cinemas
November 23, 2015, United KingdomThe advertisement shows the Lord’s Prayer being recited by a members of the public ranging from bodybuilders to children.
Church Used to Film Obscene and Offensive Video
November 23, 2015, FranceA musical group called "Les Chrétiens des Alpes" (Christians of the Alps) filmed a YouTube video in the church of Saint-Étienne in Dingy-Saint-Clair, which portrays priests in a sexually vulgar manner.
City Reduces Funding for Holy Week and Refuses to Fund to Corpus Christi
November 23, 2015, SpainThe Department of Culture in Palma de Mallorca has reduced municipal funding for events during the week leading up to Easter (known as “Holy Week” or “Semana Santa”, famous for grand processions) to just 3.000 euros, and has not allocated any funding to the important Catholic feast of Corpus Christi (known simply as “Corpus”).
Ukrainian Orthodox Church Plundered and Desecrated
November 22, 2015, OtherThe perpetrators stole money from the cash register of the church, and lit fires in five different locations in the building.
Thieves Destroyed a Parish Church in Pajarillos, Spain
November 21, 2015, SpainThey stole a tabernacle, ciborium, chalices, patens, a candelabrum, and some of the sound equipment from the Church of San Ignatius of Loyola
Chinese Karaoke will Ring in a Secular Christmas in Madrid
November 20, 2015, SpainThe mayor of Madrid announced plans for the city’s commemoration of the Christian holiday, including Greek dancing and Arabic food tasting, among other programming activities.
Theft in Small 16th Century Chapel
November 19, 2015, FranceA late 15th century wooden statue of St. Nicolas was stolen from the church of Saint-Léger-sous-Margerie.
Christian Convert Violently Attacked Outside His Home
November 17, 2015, United KingdomNissar Hussain, who has helped to promote Christian Concern's Safe Haven initiative to help protect Christians who have converted from Islam, was beaten with a pickaxe handle by two men while on the way to his car in Bradford (United Kingdom).
Norway's Child Welfare Services Removes Five Children from a Pentecostal Christian Couple
November 16, 2015, NorwayAccording to a petition in support of the family which has attracted more than 22,600 signatures, the couple have been charged with "Christian radicalism and indoctrination".
Apartment Owner Refuses to Rent to Employee of Pro-Life Association
November 15, 2015, GermanyIn November 2015, a theologian who is an employee of ALfA (Aktion Lebensrecht for Alle) wanted to rent an apartment in Augsburg. The owner refused to enter into a lease with the man for the sole reason that he works for ALfA (seen as a fundamentalist association).
Arrests in Counter-Demonstration during Students for Life Procession
November 14, 2015, AustriaThe march against abortion by more than 100 participants in Innsbruck was disrupted by counter-demonstrators.
Church Vandalized in Poitiers, France
November 13, 2015, FranceThe devastation at the Church of Saint-Cyprian was discovered by a parishioner. A large concrete statue of the Virgin Mary located at the church entrance was thrown to the ground and irreparably broken.
Association of French Mayors Recommend Against Nativity Scenes on Public Property
November 13, 2015, FranceThe Association issued a "good secular conduct" handbook to local town officials to assist them in their decision-making about the installation of crèche and nativity displays.
Tasmania's Anti-Discrimination Commissioner to Investigate Catholic Church's Marriage Pamphlet
November 12, 2015, OtherTransgender politician, Martine Delaney, lodged an anti-discrimination complaint in September and on November 12, the commissioner announced it will begin investigation.