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Update: Fired CEO Wins Legal Challenge Against Former Employer
July 29, 2021, United KingdomFormer Robertson Trust Fund CEO Kenneth Ferguson was fired because he held traditional Christian views on marriage. In a legal challenge, the Employment Tribunal found that Ferguson was a victim of religious discrimination and unfair dismissal. The consequences of the ruling are not yet revealed. A further hearing is expected to take place in order to determine the amount of compensation the Robertson Trust has to pay Mr Ferguson.
Karl's Church in Vienna Repeatedly Vandalised with Graffiti
July 29, 2021, AustriaThe Karls Church in Vienna has been repeatedly attacked and spray painted by vandals. Figures of the crime statistics show that this is by no means an isolated case since the number of offences of damage to property has increased by 46.7 per cent alone in the last year. After the latest attacks on places of worship, the Vienna People's Party (ÖVP) is requesting security measures to keep places of worship safe.
Saint Mary Magdalene Church in Caldecote Severely Vandalised
July 29, 2021, United Kingdom10 days after the Saint Mary Magdalene Church in Caldecote reopened it fell victim to vandalism. Windows were smashed, a powder fire extinguisher was emptied inside the church and the decorations were torn off and bleach was thrown over the floor and altar. The incident is said to have happened between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. on 29 of July. Police have been informed and are currently investigating the case.
Major Acts of Vandalism at Chapel Memorial in Besançon
July 29, 2021, FranceDuring the night of 29 July to 30 July vandals are said to have caused great damage to the memorial at the Chapelle des Buis. The memorial houses a statue of the Virgin Mary and a crypt, which was built in 1949 in remembrance of 5,500 victims the town lost to the Second World War. Brother Nicholas from the Diocesan Association, who is the owner of the memorial, discovered the destruction and reported it to the local authorities. Acts of vandalism have increased lately, as especially young people come during nighttime to the monument to party and take drugs, stated the local residents. A plan to protect the monument is underway.
Church Burned Down in Glasgow, Possibly by Arsonist
July 28, 2021, United KingdomGlasgow's St Simon's church fell victim to a devastating fire. Emergency services were called to the location in the morning hours of 28 July. Saint Simon's Catholic Church was the 'spiritual home' of the cities' polish community. Additionally, residents were evacuated or told to keep windows and doors shut. One person had to be rescued from the flames and was given treatment at the scene. Police were informed and are currently investigating the cause of the fire.
Update: Stabbed Evangelist Hatun Tash Speaks after Attack
July 28, 2021, United KingdomHatun Tash, the converted Chrisitan evangelist who was stabbed with a knife during a debate by a Muslim man, spoke out on the attack. Speaking to local newspapers the former Muslim called on the state to enforce better safeguard measures to prevent future attacks. Her attacker unleashed a series of violent stabs at her throat and upper body leaving her with wounds to her face and hands. She called the attack a result of "police inaction" since the aggresor "was not afraid to do this right in front of them."
Church Theft in Poland Leaves Community Shocked
July 28, 2021, PolandTreasuries placed on the pillars in the garrison church in Gniezno were stolen by unknown perpetrators. During the incident, the facade of the historic church was damaged, money is said to have been stolen as well. The incident is thought to have taken place around noon, on 28 July. "Fara Gniezno" the parish's Facebook profile shared the incident stating they had "No words" to the occurrence. The police are investigating the case.
Update: Arsonist Charged with Glasgow Church Burning
July 28, 2021, United KingdomPolice charged a 24-year-old man with "wilful fire-raising" for setting Saint Simon's Catholic Church on fire. The incident took place on July 28 and damaged the Archdiocese of Glasgow severely. As a result of the fire the churches roof, interior and upper walls were completely destroyed. The church was the 'spiritual home' to the Polish community in Glasgow. Further information was not released by the police.
Priest Physically Attacked with Glass Bottle inside St. Mary's Cathedral
July 27, 2021, United KingdomPolice are looking for a man who attacked a priest with a broken glass bottle inside Saint Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh. The unnamed clergyman was praying alone inside the church when he was approached by a male individual who asked if he was a priest. Upon his "yes" he was attacked with a glass bottle. The occurrence happened at around 9.30 a.m. on the morning of 27 July. Police are investigating.
40-Year-Old Man Arrested for Theft of Service Book from Church in Ravenna
July 27, 2021, ItalyItalian police arrested a 40-year-old suspect in the case of theft of a missal in a church in Ravenna. The stolen missal was placed on the altar of the church of San Rocco, where a man of Moroccan descent was seen taking it. The theft had been reported to the authorities a couple of days prior to the arrest. Police are still searching for the stolen book. The suspect is being charged among other things with offending a religious denomination.
Cemetery Vandalised in Rendeux
July 27, 2021, BelgiumUnknown perpetrators damaged various graves in the cemetery in Beffe in the city of Rendeux. It has been reported that vandals knocked over flowers and broke grave markers. The incident dates back to 27 July. A complaint was filed with the police who are currently looking to identify the culprit(s).
Unknown Perpetrator Damaged the Angels from the Pulpit
July 27, 2021, GermanyA parishioner of the Martinskirche in Kirchheim found the wings of one of the six plaster angels, which typically sit on the altar of the church, on the ground and broken. The wings had fallen to the floor after some vandal had tried to cut the statue from its base and in the process had dropped it. A complaint was filed but the police had little hope that the perpetrator could be found.
Christian Activist Hatun Tash Stabbed in London
July 26, 2021, United Kingdom39-year-old Christian activist Hatun Tash has been stabbed several times while speaking at the "Speaker's Corner" in London's Hyde Park. The incident happened on the afternoon of 25 July, during a gathering. She suffered light injuries to her head but was taken to the hospital for care. Police are looking for the culprit who left the knife at the scene before escaping.
Pastor Faces Charges for Granting Church Asylum
July 25, 2021, GermanyPastor Andreas Schlechtweg and his wife Susanne Wittmann-Schlechtweg are facing charges for granting asylum through the church in Bamberg. The pair had granted asylum to a young Irani woman in 2020, who was supposed to be deported to Croatia according to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. On 26 August, they have to respond to the charges raised against them. If found guilty they might be incarcerated.
Arson at Church in Finistère
July 25, 2021, FranceUnknown perpetrators set fire to a plastic folder containing sheets of songs and prayers inside a church in Loctudy, Finistère. The incident occurred on 25 July. Further damage was prevented, thanks to the quick intervention of a visitor. According to the parish, no complaint has been filed yet. The first deputy mayor of Loctudy, Sylvain Cosnard, ensured that measures would be taken to protect the church from further attacks.
Arson in an Herentals Church
July 25, 2021, BelgiumThe church of Our Lady on Nederrij in Herentals was victim of an arson attack that was luckily noticed soon enough and could be extinguished by fire fighters before too much damage was done. Young people were seen in the area shortly before the fire broke out but no one has been caught yet. Major Peelaerts of the Kempen fire department said: "They are serious facts. The arson on the stairs could have had serious consequences.”
Catholic Group Attacked During Demonstration In Nantes
July 24, 2021, FranceA group of Catholic demonstrators has been attacked by people wearing black clothing. The incident happened on 24 July, during an anti-sanitary pass demonstration. Fifteen demonstrators gathered around a Civitas banner, a catholic political movement, to demonstrate against the implementation of the sanitary pass in France. While demonstrating a group of individuals dressed in black, with hidden faces started to attack the demonstrators. It is unclear whether or not the police has been informed.
Update: Street Preacher Wins Legal Challenge
July 23, 2021, United KingdomA court in London ruled in favour of 31-year-old pastor Joshua Sutcliffe. The street preacher was preaching in Camden, North London on Good Friday in April 2020, as he was approached by four police officers, who claimed he is breaching government COVID restrictions and subsequently fined him. "We find the defendant not guilty on all charges. We find that the defendant was outside and that he had a reasonable excuse as he was travelling to his place of work, as a worship leader", ruled the Magistrates Court in London.
Physical Assault to Pro-life Activist, Police Observes Passively
July 23, 2021, United KingdomA member of a peaceful pro-life display was punched in the face while standing in the streets of Norwich by a woman who did not agree with the content written on one of the posters. The incident, which happened on the 23. July, did not alarm the police officers. When a police officer was asked for his inaction, he responded that the aggression committed was "proportional" to the one displayed by the pro-life group.
Attempted Arson and Vandalism at Church in Dieulefit
July 23, 2021, FranceActs of vandalism and attempted arson have been committed at the church of Dieulefit. On the morning of 23. July, the mayor, Pierrick Gouronnec, went to the site accompanied by representatives of the parish. The gendarmes came to take the usual samples and noted the damage: candles and enclosure were stolen. In addition, candles were lit on the altar, which could have had serious consequences because they could have caused a fire. This event, which is taken very seriously by the gendarmerie, is currently being investigated, and the church is now under increased surveillance. This is also because the church already fell victim to an arson attack in January of the same year and has been extensively renovated in the last months.