All cases
UPDATE: Robertson Trust Admitted to Discriminating Against Christian Organisations
December 10, 2021, United KingdomIn 2019, The Robertson Trust - Scotland’s largest grant-awarding charity - cancelled the bookings of its conference rooms to two evangelical organisations: Stirling Free Church and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. According to the Trust's policy, they are ideologically neutral and did not want to promote any religious belief. Almost a year after the controversy, the foundation has apologized for breaching equality laws for Christians and offered to pay both institutions £20,000 in reparation.
Stolen Cross finally found in Brig
December 10, 2021, SwitzerlandA cross, which was stolen in early December of 2021 from the Kollegium Spiritus Sanctus in Brig, was finally found in May of 2022. An investigation was launched at the time of the theft but there was no sign of the cross or thief. It was found in a bush where the thief must have hurled it. Pastor Paul Martone said: "It hurts my religious sensibilities and shows disrespect for believers and Christian values."
Burglary and Desecration in Godega Church
December 9, 2021, ItalyUnknown intruders broke into the church of Pianzano on December 12th. The parish priest said they forced their way into the cabinet where the holy vessel's were kept but those were not touched. However, some of the Holy Masses were missing and they found the keys to the sacristy as the offerings for the candles were gone. The sacristan of Pianzano found the break in and was disappointed by it.
Baby Jesus from Nativity Scene decapitated and broken
December 9, 2021, Spain24 hours after it was put on public display in the monastery of El Escorial in the town of San Lorenzo, the statue of the baby Jesus was found decapitated and missing an arm. Those in charge of the San Lorenzo Town Hall are restoring the figures so that they can once again be exhibited in public. The nativity scene in El Escorial is made up of 450 figures, made with a wooden frame, painted paper pulp and clothes donated by the people of the village.
Historic Madonna Statue Vandalized in a Church in Dortmund
December 8, 2021, GermanyThe statue of Madonna in a church in downtown Dortmund was vandalized on December 8th. The unknown perpetrator spattered wax, which had then dried, all over the statue and experts needed to be found to remove it. The statue, which is from 1470, is of great value to the church.
18-year-old Hits a Priest and Damages a Church
December 8, 2021, PolandPolice in Łęczyńska arrested an 18-year-old on December 8th, after hitting a priest in the face and threatening him. The perpetrator was drinking outside the parish of St. Barbara in Łęczna when one of the nuns working in the parish noticed him, as he was behaving noisily and drinking alcohol. She then reported this to the local parish priest, who asked the man to leave. The drunken man hit him in the face and threatened to kill him. He may be imprisoned for up to 5 years for the damage to property.
Immaculate Conception Procession Attacked with Insults and Death Threats
December 8, 2021, FranceOn Wednesday 8. December, ten people violently attacked a procession of 30 believers on the occasion of the feast of the Immaculate Conception in Nanterre (Hauts-de-Seine). The Catholics were threatened with phrases like "I swear by the Koran, I will cut your throats" and insulted by being called "Kafirs", which means "infidel". The attackers also threw water and even a torch in their direction. In response to these actions and the threats made, the Minister of the Interior condemned the attacks.
100 Nickolas Sacks Stolen from Amstetten Church
December 7, 2021, AustriaUnknown malefactors broke into the vicarage of the Herz Jesu Church in Amstetten and stole 100 St. Nicholas Sacks on the 7th December. The sacks, which were intended for the children of the church, were filled with sweets, fruit, and nuts. They youth group had filled the sacks and was quite angered by the theft which showed complete disregard for church property.
Between 70 and 80 Graves Desecrated in Tarnobrzeg
December 7, 2021, PolandThe Sobów cemetery in Tarnobrzeg, was vandalized on December 7th. A man who regularly visits the cemetery reported to the police that between 70 and 80 graves have been desecrated: crosses were torn off, broken figures, and the slabs have also been moved. The sight was totally devastated and the author of the crime had no respect for a place.
Pastry Shop Display Nativity Scene Made with Sexual Organs
December 7, 2021, SpainChristian Lawyers has filed a complaint against a pastry shop in Seville for the exhibition of a nativity scene made with male and female sexual organs. The irreverent scene is in sight of everyone and shows disrespect towards Christians. In its complaint, Christian Lawyers states that "the establishment has advertised the nativity scene on its social networks and despite being aware that it has offended a good number of citizens, it has not moved it."
Anonymous Vandal Destroyed Church Garden with a Car
December 6, 2021, PolandThe St. John Paul II Church garden in Wojcieszyna, a village near Nowogard, was devastated. The perpetrator smashed the wooden fence, which had been built in the summer, with the car and ruined the grounds of the church. The villagers reported the incident to the police and were trying to get information to identify the perpetrator.
Santa Maria del Galeso Church Graffitied
December 6, 2021, ItalyThe parish of Santa Maria del Galeso was painted with profanity and the words "Tari is paid" on December 6th. The police were trying to find out who did it by reviewing footage and the priest was saddened by the act. This was not the first time something similar to this had happened to the church.
Extreme Vandalism to Church caused over 10 thousand Euro Damage
December 4, 2021, GermanyOn Sunday morning (5. December), the churchgoers found the Johanneskirche in Feuersee completely vandalised. The perpetrator(s) devastated the Protestant church by destroying over 20 windows, breaking open the cupboards, taking the bibles from the shelves and throwing them around, among other things during the night of the 4. December. The damage is estimated at over 10 thousand Euros and the Church has to remain closed for the time being. The police are investigating to find the perpetrator(s).
Church in Cardigan Heavily Vandalized
December 2, 2021, United KingdomThe Church of the Holy Cross in a cove of Mwnt in Cardigan, was vandalized on the 2nd of November by unknown perpetrators. The intruders ransacked the church, smashing windows and damaging property. The church is visited by thousand every year so the act had a significant impact.
Proposal to replace the word "Christmas" with "Holidays" or "Winter Break" raised Concern
December 1, 2021, InternationalIn the first week of December, an internal document outlining communication guidelines for European Union staff was leaked, which raised concern among the Christian population. In this document, the EU Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli of Malta, proposed replacing the term "Happy Christmas" for "Happy Holidays" or calling Christmas a "winter break" in the name of inclusivity. Among the Christian voices that raised concern, Pope Francis called this action "a fashion of a watered-down secularism" and called it an "anachronism". The document has since been withdrawn.
35,000€ Stolen from a Church in Milan
November 29, 2021, ItalyOn the night from November 28 to 29, around 35,000€ were robbed from the Church of Santa Ausiliatrice in via della Ferrera, Milan. A woman who works in the secretariat of the church noticed the forced window and the safe wide open and alerted the authorities.
Church in Regensburg Terribly Damaged by Vandals
November 29, 2021, GermanyOn the 29th of November between 11a.m and 7 p.m, an unknown person went on a rampage in the Holy Spirit Parish Church in Regensburg and damaged several sacred objects. The offender stole a cross from the altar, urinated in a corner, broke a chandelier off the altar of Mary, and tipped several lighted candles over. The police were looking for witnesses who can give information about this incident.
Monument defaced with Anti-Catholic Tags
November 29, 2021, ItalyThe Online Newssite "Taccuino di Verità" posted on 29. November that the Base of a Monument in Ferrara was tagged with black spray paint. The tags contained offensive inscriptions against the deputy mayor Nicola Lodi and towards priests, saying "Priests eat children". The police will investigate with CCTV footage from the Piazza Ariostea.
Cathedral Entrance Vandalised with Paintings
November 28, 2021, ItalyThe entrance door to the cathedral of San Steffano in Milazzo has been vandalized with writings and graffiti, leaving it in a deplorable state. The mayor has strongly condemned the acts and ordered police reinforcement of the area to prevent future vandalism. The mayor further claimed: "this cannot be my city", since there seems to be a high degree of tolerance towards this kind of acts, which should be "heavily sanctioned". He recalls that the square in front of the church is often the target of raids and "unthinkable actions" that should be countered.
Relic from St. Joseph Stolen in Macherio
November 28, 2021, ItalyIn the church of Saints Gervase and Protasius in Macherius, a relic from St. Joseph, placed next to a figure of the saint, was stolen a few days before November 28th. This relic of St. Joseph was a piece of cloth that was kept inside a glass case. The incident was reported to the Carabinieri who are now investigating the matter.