All cases

Vandalized Chapel in St. Gallen Refuses to Close Doors

October 11, 2021, Switzerland

On 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, Spain

According 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, Italy

The 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, Germany

The 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 Kingdom

Staff 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 Kingdom

During 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, Germany

The 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, Germany

The 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, France

The 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, Spain

Elsa 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, Germany

Apart 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, Germany

The 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, Spain

The 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.

Display Bible Defaced at St. Ulrich Church

October 6, 2021, Germany

In October the news outlet Allgäuer-Zeitung reported cases of vandalism in the Kempten area. According to the parish priest Aleksander Gajewski, the Bible displayed in the church of St. Ulrich in East-Kempten was defaced with tags. In another Church, the vandalism damage was even greater.

Desecration of Graves at St.Mary's Church in Wexford

October 5, 2021, Ireland

Three headstones at the graveyard of St.Mary Church have been desecrated after they were vandalised with red graffitis on . The parish prieste, Cllr Michael Sheehan, has expressed his concern and has asked to "anyone who knows any information on this to make it known to the guards and that the full rigors of the law be applied.” He further stated: "I think it’s despicable that anyone would feel so low that they would have to attack a person’s grave. St Mary’s is the site of some really old graves, dating back from centuries gone by."

Nurse Suspended for Wearing a Cross-Necklace Challenges Case of Discrimination

October 5, 2021, United Kingdom

Mrs. Onuoha worked at Croydon University Hospital in London for many years as a nurse and has been wearing a golden cross necklace for 40 years without any problems. During the last two years, she started being pressured to remove her cross. Her necklace was considered "too visible" and posed a ‘risk of injury or infection’, despite the jewelry pieces of other medical staff not being criticized. After her repeated refusal, Mrs. Onuoha faced an investigation, was suspended, and relegated to work as a receptionist, and was told not to mention the reason for her relegation. With help of the Christian Legal Center (CLC), she is confronting the Hospital for harassment and discrimination.

Arson at St. Remy's Church

October 4, 2021, Belgium

In the night of 4 October, the church of Saint-Rémy in the centre of Ottignies fell victim to arson. A carpet, a chair and a panel were set on fire. The incident was quickly brought under control by alerted firefighters. Shortly after the incident, Ottigines police checked a laundromat located in the neighbourhood. There, an intoxicated suspect was identified and arrested. At the time of his arrest, the man born in 1987 and of no known address was in possession of a box of matches. The man, who already had a criminal record, will be brought before the criminal court as part of an accelerated procedure.

Church Bell Stolen from St Matthew's Church in Withernsea

October 4, 2021, United Kingdom

St. Matthew's parish community realized on Sunday 10th that the church bell was stolen after it failed to ring at a Sunday service. Apparently the bell was dropped from 9.1m above damaging the cellar doors. The damage is estimated at 8000€. Rev Martin Faulkner "would appreciate the return of its bell to the church grounds with no questions asked", he added that the bell "has a special place in the hearts of the Withernsea community", having been rung every week during Clap for Carers and to commemorate local people who died with Covid".

Church in Badia Vandalised Multiple Times

October 3, 2021, Italy

Over the course of a month the church in Badia has been vandalised in various ways: glasses were broken with stone, stones were pulled out of the walls and dog excrements smeared on the facade of the church. The last damage was perpetrated by smashing the windows with stones. Stones falling inside the church also caused damage to the wooden pews. Police are investigating.

Sacred Items Stolen from Parish Church in Saint-Léger

October 3, 2021, France

A complaint was filed by Father Nicola Berthier for the theft of objects of worship form the church in Saint-Léger-sous-Beuvray. On October 3rd, he found the sacristy door forced open and two chalices, a paten, and a ciborium all missing. These are all sacred objects used in mass and their theft is deeply hurtful for the church.