All cases
13-Year-Old Boy Hospitalized After Beating Because of Cross Necklace
July 1, 2021, SerbiaNikola P., a thirteen-year-old boy, was attacked and beaten by a group of hooligans on his way home and had to receive treatment. The incident happened on the night of July 1st. After his football training, Nikola was on his way home when he was knocked to the ground, beaten, and his neckless with a cross was torn. His father reported the incident to the police office in Kosovo and Metohija. Nikola was hospitalized and had to recover from that gruesome attack.
Street Preacher Takes Up Legal Action Against Police After Arrest and Fine
July 1, 2021, United Kingdom46-year-old street preacher, Andrew Sathiyavan, got arrested on Easter Sunday 2020 for publicly preaching on the street. Three police officers told him that he was "not allowed" to preach the gospel because he is causing anti-social behaviour and is in breach of current COVID regulations. Mr. Sathiyavan was then arrested and received a fine of £400. Since this is not the first time Mr Sathiyavan has been arrested by the police for street preaching he is now lodging an appeal and will be seeking legal action against the police, who arrested him for preaching, fined him and strip-searched him in Solihull in November of 2020.
Church of San Pedro Vandalized with Satanic Phrases
June 30, 2021, SpainOn the morning of June 30, two churches in the town of Daimiel were tagged with anti-Christian phrases, such as "Long Live Satan" and the "666". The church of San Pedro had several graffiti in the access areas to the sacristies. Other windows, doorways and facades on the premises, near the Plaza de España, were also vandalized, as well as the Church of Santa Maria. The case was reported to the Local Police which started an investigation to identify those responsible for these acts.
Satanic Graffiti Appears on Church of Santa Maria and Other Places
June 30, 2021, SpainOn the morning of June 30, two churches in the town of Daimiel were tagged with anti-Christian phrases, such as "Long Live Satan", the "666" and "Sect of Shit". The church of Santa Maria was target of the tags. But also other doorways and facades near the Plaza de España were vandalized, as well as the Church of San Pedro. The case has been reported to the Local Police which started an investigation.
Christian Fostercare and Adoption Agency Sues UK
June 29, 2021, United KingdomCornerstone Adoption and Fostering Service is appealing a court decision. After the High Court decided the evangelical Christian fostering agency had to change its policy regarding the placement of children with exclusively heterosexual married couples. QC lawyer Aiden O'Neill is now supporting the adoption agency and stated the ruling to be "incoherent". QC lawyer Sir James Eadie, who is representing Ofsted, cannot find such inconsistencies in the Judge's ruling.
Spain: New Transgender Law Passed Council of Ministers
June 29, 2021, SpainOn 29 June, the Spanish government voted to approve a draft law about gender self-determination. The approval of the drafted law received opposition since it blurs the concept of biological sex. Another aspect highly criticised in the draft law is the interference with "parental guardianship". Although it passed the Council of Ministers the draft law has yet to pass the parliament to be added to the already existing law surrounding LGBT+. Changes to the draft law could happen.
Christian Arrested For 'Importing' Bibles to Norther Cyprus
June 27, 2021, CyprusIn January 2021, police raided the home of Christian worker Ryan Keating in Northern Cyprus. He is accused of illegally importing more than 20 books related to Christianity, including the Bible. He is expected to appear in court for the first hearing in July. The US Embassy fears for Keating's wellbeing, who pleads not guilty to the charges raised against him.
Christian Politician, Carol Monaghan, Received Death Threats
June 26, 2021, United KingdomScottish MP Carol Monaghan and her family had to be shielded in a police car and were brought to a safe house, after she experienced online abuse and a death threat via phone call. In a BBC interview, Monaghan (48) stated she received a series of offensive tweets followed by messages referencing to her murdered colleague MP Jo Cox. Apart from the online abuse Ms Monaghan also had to endure that her constituency office in Patrick was targeted and its windows smashed and office front splattered with ketchup, to appear like blood. Her stalker, 35-year-old Jonathan Bell, confessed in Court to the harassment and is now facing a prison sentence.
Censorship Zones Amendment Dropt
June 26, 2021, United KingdomAn amendment aiming to criminalize Pro-Life organisations for offering prayer, assistance and counselling to women outside of abortion clinics across England and Wales has been dropped by a Labour MP. The amendment brought in by Dr Rupa Huq sought to introduce censorship zones around abortion clinics nationwide and to penalize pro-Lifers with a prison sentence of up to two years if they continued their service. Huq's Bill failed at the committee stage since the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill have withdrawn from the amendment. UK's Right to Life Group fears the amendment will be tabled again.
Unlawfully Arrested Street Preacher Wins In Court
June 25, 2021, United KingdomDavid McConnell was wrongfully arrested for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and now won in court, he will receive a compensation of £4,500. McConnell claimed for wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and breach of human rights. According to the Christian Institute (CI), Mr McConnell was held for about six hours until a desk sergeant who listened to a recording of McConnell's speech released him without charge. The incident happened in December of 2019, in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, where David McConnell was publicly preaching on the street to a crowd of 50 before the police arrived and arrested him for an alleged “hate-related public order offence” and “for preaching on gay rights and abortion”.
EU Parliament Passed Matić Report Threatening Freedom of Conscience and Parental Rights
June 24, 2021, BelgiumThe majority of the Parliament of the European Union voted in favour of the Matić Report on 24 June, which makes abortion a human right, denies the rights to contentious objection and demands a LGBTQ+ inclusive sex and relationship education. The report formulates the human right of conscientious objection as "denial of medical care". Critics are also concerned about the potential meaning of the adoption of the report for sexual and relationship education at schools, as it would frame abortion as a form of reproductive health for women and normalise LGBTQ+ relationships.These teachings will most likely collide with the Parental Rights of European Christians and the national competency in this policy field of member states.
Cemetery in Saint-Aubind du Cormier Damaged by Unknown Perpetrators
June 23, 2021, FranceUnknown perpetrators damaged the cemetery of the town of Saint-Aubin du Cormier, located east of Rennes. The municipality is now asking the public for information and is requesting any witnesses to come forward. The perpetrators broke several headstones and funeral plaques. It has been reported that the incident must have happened sometime between 23 and 24 June. The police are investigating.
Under Investigation: Pastor Accused of Intolerance against BLM Movement is Facing Trial
June 21, 2021, United KingdomIn Northern Ireland (NI) a pastor is facing prosecution over a video he, himself published. In the said video he is questioning some actions of the supporters of the Black Live Matter (BLM) Movement. The pastor is accused of having stated racist statements. A final decision is expected by the end of June.
Arson at Church in Muggiò: Second Attack in One Week
June 21, 2021, ItalyFor the second time in one week, an unknown person attacked the church of San Carlo in Muggiò. At the first attack, the person smeared dung onto the handles and at the second attack, he set fire to the main wooden door of the church. The incident was caught on cameras, which revealed that the incident happened at around 4.30 a.m. It furthermore reveals that one person is responsible for the small fire that was fortunately extinguished shortly after it started. The attack was reported to the police by Don Angelo Riva, a friend of the parish priest. It is unclear whether the one responsible for the fire is also accountable for the smearing. Police are investigating.
Two More Cemeteries Vandalized and Looted: Police Arrested Suspect
June 21, 2021, FranceIn total, 3 Cemeteries were targeted for vandalism and looting in June in La Manche. First, the cemetery of Genêts, where 18 graves were ransacked. Later on June 11th in Sartilly 5 iron crosses were torn off and on June 17th, 3 graves were degraded in the cemetery of Saint-Jean-Le-Thomas. The police of Sartilly found a suspect on 21. June and found the stolen crosses at his home.
Over 10.000 Euros of Damage after Theft at Church in Chemnitz
June 20, 2021, GermanyUnknown perpetrators entered the Church in Schloßberg in Chemnitz causing an estimated damage of 10.000 Euros. The incident was reported during the morning of June 20. The culprit(s) vandalised different rooms inside the church stealing laptops and money. The police estimates the damages caused to the main entrance door and the rest of the church amount up to 10.000 Euros, which does not include the value of the stolen objects. Police are investigating.
Statues of Our Lady in Szczecin Tagged with Satanic Symbols
June 20, 2021, PolandUnknown perpetrators desecrated the statues of the Virgin Mary and Our Lady of Fatima in Szczecin. The vandals spray painted an inverted cross and a pentagram onto the statues. They were located on a hill in front of the church. The parish asked the public for information on their Facebook account. Police are investigating.
Church in Målilla Heavely Vandalised
June 20, 2021, SwedenA church in Målilla, Hultsfred has been ransacked. The incident caused a destruction of the interior. The unknown perpetrators overturned the churches piano, the sacrilegious cross and the chairs. The incident was discovered on 29 June by the parish pastor Gerth Thorstensson. Apart from the broken furniture pastor Thorstensson also explained that the perpetrators had emptied a fire extinguisher on the instruments and electronics, thus destroying them as well. It was reported that the perpetrators also smashed mirrors and appliances in the churches kitchen and its bathroom, causing a great amount of damage. Police also discovered an attempt of arson as a pile of ashes was found in the children's playroom. Police are looking for the suspects.
Repeated Acts of Vandalism against Church in Colle
June 19, 2021, ItalyThe church of Santa Maria in Colle has again been attacked by vandals. The columns and the walls were tagged with graffiti, the perpetrators are also thought to have tampered with the gas pipe. The desecration was discovered on 19 June by a troop, who came to clean the church and cut the grass. Bottles and cigarettes were found at the scene. Mayor, Elzo Severin, has expressed his wish to sanction these vandals and also issued a criminal complaint. Police are investigating.
Theft of Church in Bells Santa Caterina Destroyed by Earthquake
June 19, 2021, ItalyUnknown perpetrators stole historic bells from the Church of Santa Caterina. Although the church had been destroyed in an earthquake in May 2012, its Concordia bells rested for nine years beside the churchyard. Police are investigating.