All cases
Man Spits on Priest in Bordeaux
February 27, 2022, FranceA man, who has been identified by the police and arrested, spat in the face of a priest at the Saint Michel church in Bordeaux. Foreigners had set up stalls inside the church without permission and the police had to intervene. At the exit of the church, a priest was blessing those in the square when a man allegedly spat in his face. The priest has chosen not to press charges due to the church policy of maintaining peace.
Garbage Cans Set Alight at Church in Andernach
February 26, 2022, GermanyFour garbage cans, at the Christ Church in Andernach, where set alight by arsonists on February 26th ruining the bricks underneath and leaving some charred boards. Parts of a recently planted hedge were also burned and a two meter high fence also went up in flames. Andreas Schulte, head of the municipal office said, "This thoughtless vandalism leaves us stunned."
PCSC Bill Causes Freedom of Speech Concern
February 25, 2022, United KingdomCharity and Faith leaders around the UK have raised freedom of speech concerns in regard to Part 3 of the Policing, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts bill (PCSC). This bill empowers police officers to impose conditions or arrest public demonstrators who cause “serious unease, alarm or distress”, or even “inconvenience” to members of the public. Proposed amendments will remove this part of the bill and await final votes on the 28th of February.
Armed Men Storm Church in Violent Manner
February 25, 2022, UkraineArmed men, dressed in military uniforms and balaclavas, broke into the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Mariupol during the administration of a baptism. They physically harmed an employee, a security guard, and the priest; and then took money from the church safe, stole food, and household items. They then concluded their rampage by fleeing in two of the clergies cars. Due to their state of shock, those who observed the act were unable to identify the criminals.
Montpellier Church Vandalised with Tags Inciting Violence
February 25, 2022, FranceThe parish of Sainte-Bernadette in Montpellier has been graffitied with threatening tags directed at the church and Father Benoît on 25. February. The phrases were mainly intifada and anarchist related and included "the only church that illuminates is the one that burns." Father Benoît was distressed by the act and planned to file a complaint.
Church in Niederndodeleber Vandalised
February 24, 2022, GermanyThe church of St. Peter and Paul in Niederndodeleber, Germany was vandalised on February 24. Pastor Martin Zander found "numerous destructions" and smears, reported the Volksstimme as well as paper scattered everywhere. The devastation reflected a lack of respect for religious spaces.
Vases at Alter in Thizy-les-Bourgs Broken
February 24, 2022, FranceSeveral vases at the alter of the Thizy-les-Bourgs church were broken on 24. February. It was not known who committed the act but an investigation was started.
Urn Broken in the Moux-en-Morvan Church
February 24, 2022, FranceAn urn, used for the exchange of payment for lighting candles, was broken in the Moux-en-Morvan church on February 21st. The contents of the urn were also stolen but it was not known who committed the sacrilegious act.
Napoli Church Defaced with Graffiti for the Second Time
February 23, 2022, ItalyAfter being restored for only a few days, the outer wall of the Angevin building at the Saint Marta church in Napoli was once again covered with graffiti. Writings offending the church from the first incident had been painted over but new inscriptions were there to replace them on February 23. The community has been very saddened by this vandalism of the historic church.
Church Tagged with Insults Against Priest
February 23, 2022, FranceDuring the night of February 23rd, unknown vandals spray-painted an insult on the side of a church in Curlu, France. The insult was directed towards the parish priest Sylvain Mansart, who commented: "At least I'm not alone in this problem. (...) We comfort each other". Priests in neighbouring churches have received similar abuse. The local police confirmed these claims and are investigating.
Religious Freedom severely restricted in Donbas region
February 23, 2022, UkraineThe organisation Forum 18 has been monitoring the human rights of Christians and other religious communities in the area of eastern Europe, and they recently published a survey on the situation in the Luhansk region in Ukraine. They state that freedom of religion is severely restricted in the rebel zone occupied by the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), which makes up a third of the Luhansk region. In this area, all Protestant and non-Moscow Patriarchate Orthodox communities are rendered illegal, there are repeated denials of permission to a Catholic priest to live in the region, Evangelical and Catholic literature is being banned and there is an overall fear about discussing these — among other — human rights violations.
16 to 18 Year Old Girls in Spain may no Longer Need Parental Consent to Abort
February 23, 2022, SpainIrene Montero, Spain's equality minister, has told Congress's Equality Commission that 16 to 18 year old girls should be allowed to access abortion without consulting their parents. This would allow for the daughter of Christian parents to complete an abortion without them knowing or being able to advise her on this life changing event. This change has no set date yet but will greatly affect the lives of minor girls if enacted.
Repeated Abuse and Vandalism to Church in Poinger
February 23, 2022, GermanyAnonymous donors of the Seliger parish church in Poinger, have offered a 1000 euro award for information about who has been committing the repeated acts of vandalism in the church. Someone smashed signs in the church and then tried to light them. Pages were also torn from the hymn books to be used as toilet paper. Pastor Philipp Werner said "I'm sad that a church is treated with such disrespect."
Religious Statue Removal to be Decided in French Court
February 22, 2022, FranceBack in 2020, a group called The National Federation for Free Thought requested that The statue of the Virgin Mary, in the village of La Flotte-en-Re France be removed. They claimed it was not in accordance with the separation of church and state. This case has now gone to court and will be decided on March 3rd. The statue was only targeted after it was hit by a car and was later rebuilt identically.
Satanist Tags on Notre-Dame de Coutances Cathedral
February 21, 2022, FranceSatanist inscriptions were found on the façade of the Notre-Dame de Coutances Cathedral on the 21st of February. They were painted in black and included the words "I'm back" with a star after it and the number 666, symbolizing the devil. A complaint has been lodged about this hateful attack.
Chapel Tagged with Anti-Christian Phrases in Les Lèches
February 21, 2022, FranceThe chapel of Tresséroux in Les Lèches was tagged with anarchist or radical feminist graffiti on the night of February 21st. Phrases such as: “Neither god nor master nor boss nor husband” and, “destroy the patriarchal and religious state," were written. The mayor was "appalled" by the act and asked for volunteers to help clean it up. This was the first time this chapel has been defiled and a complaint was filed with the police.
Easter Candle Stolen from Munich Church
February 20, 2022, GermanyAn Easter candle was stolen from the Apparition of the Lord Catholic church in Blumenau, Munich. The police were searching for the individual who was wearing an orange hooded sweatshirt and black vest, attire often worn by the Harley rider group. The thief caused 100 Euros of damage.
Man Shouts "Allah Akbar" During Church Service
February 20, 2022, FranceA man, who was Caucasian and possibly Chechen, entered the Saint - Gervais church in Avranches during the morning mass on February 20th. He walked around the building shouting "Allah Akbar" while play rap music with his phone. The authorities were notified and began searching for him.
Police Open Investigation into Theft of Silver Crown from Church
February 20, 2022, SpainThe silver crown from the Virgin of the Rosary of Glory was stolen from the Church of San Pablo in Cordoba. The National Police have opened an investigation to clarify the theft.
Property Damage and Theft in St. Gallen Church
February 20, 2022, SwitzerlandA church in St. Gallen was targeted by thieves who caused property damage to 1000 Swiss francs in the process of stealing a small amount of cash on the 20th of February. They forced their way through a window and once inside, searched rooms and broke open several containers. The case was recorded by the police.