All cases
Police Investigate Damage to St.Nicholas Church in Gaggenau
October 16, 2021, GermanyThe side door of the St. Nicholas Church in Gaggenau had significant dents in its copper paneling that were made with large river pebbles. The police were investigating to see if the incident was an act of childish carelessness or deliberate vandalism. Relevant information was needed from witnesses.
Substantial Damage to Church Sacristy after Break-In
October 16, 2021, GermanyOn the morning of the 16th of October, the sacristy of St. Johann Baptist church in Kirchplatz Street was broken into, which was noticed by the sexton of the parish in Refrath the following morning. After a closer examination of the crime scene, the police were able to determine that the adjacent scout house of the parish had also been broken into. It was not possible to say for sure whether anything had been stolen during this incident, but the property damage was substantial. Forensic evidence was collected and a criminal complaint was filed.
Christian MP David Amess Stabbed to Death
October 15, 2021, United KingdomChristian MP David Amess was attending his regular duties in his local circumscription in a Methodist Church in Essex on 15. October, when a 25 years-old British citizen of Somali origin stabbed him to death. Soon after, the killer Ali Harbi Ali was arrested. An Anti-terrorism unit is investigating the case, given that the perpetrator has been identified as a radicalized Islamist. This murder is a direct attack on the Christian beliefs that David Amess represented. Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited the Methodist Church where the incident happened, accompanied by the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, and leader of the Opposition, Keir Starmer. People have been gathering for candlelit vigils in Leigh-on-Sea and have held church services in his memory.
Church Crypt in Bromsgrove Forced Open
October 14, 2021, United KingdomThe historic St. John's Church in Bromsgrove was targeted by unknown vandals on the 14th of October. The door of the crypt was forced open which caused hundreds of pounds of damage but luckily nothing was stolen.
Bell Stolen from Ostbevern Cemetery
October 13, 2021, GermanyDuring the weekend of the 9th and 10th of October, visitors of the Ostbevern Cemetery noticed that the bell standing in front of the burial ground was missing and alerted the town hall. It was unscrewed from its suspension and stolen by "brazen thieves". However, according to the Ostbevern municipality, the exact time at which the theft occurred is unknown. A criminal complaint was filed by the municipal administration and the police started an investigation, appealing to citizens to come forward in case they have any information.
Theft of Consecrated Hosts in Toledo Chapel
October 11, 2021, SpainOn October 11th, thieves took the tabernacle and consecrated hosts from the chapel of the Sisters of "Stella Matutina" in Illescas (Toledo). The desecration was reported and the Guardia Civil started an investigation into it.
Cross Destroyed in Peña Lemona
October 11, 2021, SpainYouth from the left-wing Sortu party demolished the Francoist cross of Peña Lemona using jackhammers and pulleys to take down the monument. It stood an impressive 10 meters high and was put in place to commemorate Franco's troops in the Spanish Civil War. This incident marked another religious public symbol that was taken down in Spain.
Vandalized Chapel in St. Gallen Refuses to Close Doors
October 11, 2021, SwitzerlandOn the 11th of October, a chapel in Rorschacherberg, St. Gallen, was vandalized. The perpetrators took a wooden figure, a window, and a Holy water container, they also left the church in a bad state. This was not considered to be an isolated incident, as three days later there was another incident in a Church nearby. The churches nevertheless have clarified that they will remain open.
Thefts of Consecrated Hosts in the Days Leading Up to Halloween
October 10, 2021, SpainAccording to a report by ABC, the theft of consecrated Hosts in Spain has been a yearly phenomenon that occurs with special emphasis in the days leading up to halloween. This year, on the 10th of October, the consecrated tabernacle which contains the hosts was stolen from the convent of the Sisters of Maria Stella Matutina in Toledo.
Around 7.000€ Stolen from a Benedictine Convent in Italy
October 9, 2021, ItalyThe community of the Passionist Fathers of San Giovanni was having dinner when thieves broke into the convent and stole approximately 7,000 Euros, as it was reported on the 10th of October. The thieves must have known the monks' habits because the robbery was carried out without inconvenience. The money was the sum of donations, from tourists who regularly visit the monastery and from couples who get married at the abbey. As the theft became known it came as a surprise because some monks had chosen to remain silent. Police and military forces are still investigating.
Stained Glass from Evangelical Church Destroyed
October 9, 2021, GermanyThe showcase of the Church of Brothers in Altenburg was destroyed by an intruder who was not identified. The police were investigating the crime and asked for witnesses to come forward to provide information about the property damage.
Church in Barbourne Broken into for the Second Time
October 8, 2021, United KingdomStaff discovered that St. George's Church in Barboune was broken into on October 8 and music equipment was stolen. A speaker and a small mixing desk were taken from a cupboard. The items are used for church events and worship that includes music. This is the second time this church has had a break-in, the first time was in August 2021. The police were contacted but no advancements on the investigation have been made.
OXFORD UNIVERSITY SPOKE OUT AGAINST VIOLENT REMOVAL OF PRO-LIFE STAND AT STUDENTS FAIR
October 7, 2021, United KingdomDuring the yearly Freshers' Fair at the Oxford University, the stand of the Pro-life group "Oxford Students For Life" (OSFL) was removed by other students and activists, who threw their material into a trash bin and completely removed it from the event. The students also refused to let them reinstall their stand and threatened them with tearing it down again. The group had already been criticized on the internet, as they posted some photos of their stand. The "Oxford Feminist Society" made a statement that the presence of a pro-life organization was a "threat to the safety, health, and autonomy of women", which was backed by the Students Union. The University of Oxford condemned the censorship and harassment of the pro-life group by stating that the university had a long history of protecting free speech.
Windows of Sankt Elisabeth Church in Bonn Broken
October 7, 2021, GermanyThe windows of the Sankt Elisabeth Church in Bonn were the victim of a vandalistic attack, as they were damaged by unknown persons throwing stones at them. On October 7th, the windows were found broken and the sexton had to pick up the shattered glass.
Former Lutherchurch Desecrated and Looted
October 7, 2021, GermanyThe former Lutherchurch, which is now used as a social center for volunteer work, was heavily vandalized during the first week of October. The damage was extensive, as many items were stolen, the infrastructure was damaged and perpetrators left human excrement on the Chapel. According to the statement on Facebook, it was not the first time they faced vandalism.
France: Psychologist Warns New Draft Law on "Conversion-Therapy" Would Breach Parental Rights
October 6, 2021, FranceThe French parliament has unanimously supported the proposed legislation to ban the so-called "conversion therapy". The law would have penalties from prison sentences up to 2 years, to fines that can reach 30,000€ for those to attempt to change someone's sexual orientation. The fines and prison sentences go even higher if the case involves a minor or vulnerable person. While the draft law claims to make illegal abusive practices that have - fortunately - never occurred in France and are already punishable by law, Christians and psychiatrists worry that the real aim of the law is to prohibit any reflection or questioning on the wishes expressed by young people who are insecure about their sexual identity. It would prohibit parents from objecting to the prescription of hormones for young people asking to make a transition or professionals who would recommend psychotherapy to help these people in their struggle. The draft is awaiting to be debated in the upper house of parliament.
Pro-life Activist Faced a Hate Campaign on Social Media
October 6, 2021, SpainElsa Almeda, an 18-year-old with ties to the VOX political party in Spain, received numerous attacks for expressing her pro-life views on a Spanish television program Tevecat that provides a space for young people with different ideologies to debate current topics. The discussion was around abortion which she likened to murder, an opinion that is based on her Christian values. For this, she received several threats and parts of her speech where quoted completely out of context with the intent of misrepresenting her views and to paint her in a bad light.
Repeated Vandalism and Objects Broken in Kempten Church
October 6, 2021, GermanyApart from church services, the doors of The Assumption of the Virgin Mary church in Kempten have been forced to close. This decision was taken due to the repeated acts of vandalism and broken objects there. The head of the parish community says the scripture stands were overturned, sacrificial candles scattered across the church interior and damaged. The parish has filed a complaint with the police.
Church in Sankt Mang Closed due to Vandalism
October 6, 2021, GermanyThe Maria Himmelfahrt church in Sankt Mang was forced to close because of repeated attacks by vandals. The damage included sacrificial candles destroyed and scattered, scripture stands overturned, and the thanksgiving altar looted. A complaint was filed in October.
Temple in Huelva Targeted with Paint Bomb
October 6, 2021, SpainThe façade of the Gerizim Evangelical Church in Huelva was splattered with red paint on October 6th. Although the police did not categorize it as a hate crime, the villains chose a religious building to commit the crime, and this should not be disregarded.