All cases
Italy: Church of San Giacomo Defaced
June 15, 2021, ItalyAfter the Church of San Giacomo in the Municipality of Ferrara was defaced with spray-painted tags in mid-June, the Catholic Knights Templar of Italy, in and the managers of the Apollo Cinema have decided to take action and start cleaning the facade of the Church. The historic Church is on the Via del Carbone.
Man Arrested for Torturing 6 Monks Out of Hatred Against the Church
June 14, 2021, AustriaVienna police arrested the main suspect, who is alleged to have robbed and tortured six monks in Vienna-Strebersdorf. The man bound and gagged all his victims and brutally beat them with an iron rod. Five of the victims were seriously injured, while one fought for his life for several months. The suspect, a man of Serbian descent but with a Croatian citizenship, was caught and arrested in Zagreb after a two-year investigation. The suspect admitted that he committed the crime, as a motive he said he hated the church and wanted to avenge the ones hurt by them. He is facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years.
Spanish Court Affirmed: Christian View on Homosexuality is Not 'Hate Speech'
June 14, 2021, SpainSpains highest court, National Audience, withdrew a 6,000 Euros fine that was earlier imposed on the Christian television channel Revelation TV. The cable broadcaster received the fine in September of 2017, after a complaint had been made claiming the programme is "attacking the dignity of LGBT people." High Court Judge Felisa Atienza Rodríguez stated in her ruling that "critiquing ideas or positions" of others is a constitutional right.
Church in Moselle Ransacked by Unknown Group
June 14, 2021, FranceUnknown perpetrators are said to have devastated the interior in the chapel of Our Lady of Deliverance in Moselle on 14 June. It has been reported that a crucifix and statues were toppled over and thrown to the ground as well as flowers and chairs. A resident observed that a van parked in front of the chapel for 15 minutes. A complaint has been lodged and the chapel cleaned.
Excrement Smeared on Church Handles
June 14, 2021, ItalyAn unknown person smeared dung onto the handles of the Church San Carlo in Muggiò on the week of the 14. June. Father Angelo Rivas talked about these incidents, after a week later, the same church was victim of an arson attack.
Gun Fired During Church Service in Dammarie-les-Lys
June 13, 2021, FranceDuring a church service in France, two young people aged 21 are said to have fired several shots. It has been reported that the two perpetrators used a double-barrelled 16-gauge shotgun and a machete. The incident happened 13 June around 8.30 a.m. during a quarrel with evangelical worshippers. Police apprehended the two men who fled the scene and sought refuge in a nearby grocery store. The exact circumstances of the shootings are yet to be determined. No casualty has been reported, police are investigating.
Court in UK Rules: Belief in Biological Sex Protected under Equality Act
June 11, 2021, United KingdomMaya Forstater, a tax consultant, tweeted that biology determines whether one is male or female. As result, she lost her job. An employment tribunal ruled the former tax consultant had not been treated unlawfully as 'gender critical' beliefs were not protected by law. Lawyer Mr Justice Chodhury took the case to court pointing at the Equality Act 2010. In a second Tribunal hearing, the judge ruled that Forstater's view is indeed protected by law.
Church Theft in Krakow Leaves Community in Shock
June 11, 2021, PolandUnknown perpetrators have stolen relics from the Saint Joseph's parish in Krakow. The incident happened between 10 and 11 June. The parish reported the incident and shared it on their social media, stating "the relics of St. Brother Albert were stolen from our Sanctuary! They were located in the altar of the Apostles of Mercy. Please share this news". The priests are asking the public for any information.
Church and Rectory Repeatedly Vandalised, Mayor Refuses to Report Case
June 11, 2021, ItalyA group of teenage boys is alleged to have been repeatedly attacking the parish priest's house, which also functions as the churche's rectory, next to the parish church of Santa Marta. Although the boys have been identified the local mayor refuses to report them. The group of boys keeps vandalising the parish and the parish priests house by throwing rubbish and cans onto the house and removing plasters from the church. The Mayor is planning on setting up signs forbidding the young boys to climb onto public property and vandalism.
Newly Proposed Legislation Would Criminalise Pro-Life Support Around Abortion Clinics
June 11, 2021, SpainA new legislation has been presented to Spain's lower house. The new law would create "buffer zones" around abortion facilities. Proposed on 21 May by the ruling Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) to the Congress of Deputies, the law aims to penalize anyone who “harasses or restricts the freedom of a woman who intends to exercise her right to abortion". The buffer zones would prevent any kind of pro-life campaigning or support in the area. The bill is to be voted upon.
Edinburgh Council Fined for Cancelling Christian Conference over Religious Beliefs of Guest Speaker
June 10, 2021, United KingdomThe city of Edinburgh Council has apologized after violating church rights and paid £25,000 in damages caused by their action. They cancelled a Christian three-day conference after a complaint regarding the religious beliefs held guest speaker Larry Stockstill. A court ruled, that they violated the European Convention on Human Rights, the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010. The council acknowledged that it "failed to meet its equalities duties to Destiny Ministries in terms of the Equality Act 2010 and therefore acted unlawfully."
Christians Afraid of 'Disciplinary Measures' at Polands Universities
June 10, 2021, PolandPolands Government wants to protect Christian values at their Universities. Przemyslaw Czarnek the Minister of Education and Science wants to stop hostilities towards Christians at Universities, especially since the fear of "disciplinary measures because of alleged discrimination against non-Christians" is spreading amongst the Christian Community. The Polish Government wants to guarantee that freedom of speech, teaching and scientific research are maintained. The so-called academic freedom package is to be discussed this week.
Final Ruling Expected in Pro-Life Ads Censorship Case
June 9, 2021, SloveniaIn 2018 a state-owned bus company removed advertisements from the pro-life NGO Zavod ŽIV!M on the grounds of them being "intolerant". Although the NGO signed a contract with the company allowing them to display their ads for several months, the company took them down just after a little more than a week. On the ads the messages "We love Life!", "You are not alone", "Step out of Silence" and "I mourn my child", were accompanied by pictures of a happy family, a grieving mother and a woman holding a pregnancy test. In a first ruling the Slovenian equality body called "Advocate of the Principle of Equality" found the company to have acted discriminately towards the NGO. The company challenged the ruling, an outcome is expected in June.
Teenagers Between 11 and 15 Vandalized Two Churches in Bad Griesbach
June 9, 2021, GermanyFour offenders, ranging from 11 to 15 years old, seriously vandalized the churches of Maria Schutz on Kronberg and the church on Schlossberg. They damaged several candles, the organ, and some church figures; as well as emptying a fire extinguisher in the church. The property damage was around 50,000 euros.
Church Ransacked in France
June 8, 2021, FranceThe roman catholic church of Tasque in the Gers has been ransacked at the end of May after its recent reopening. The church finished restoration works a few days earlier. Tourists visiting the church noticed the damage in early June. Unknown perpetrators have desecrated the altar through inscriptions, they also damaged the chandeliers, as well as furniture and several statues. Locals informed the authorities, it is thought that the local "youths" is to blame for this.
Church Door in Tafalla Vandalised with Cement
June 7, 2021, SpainThe Church of Santa María de Tafalla in Spain has fallen victim to an act of vandalism. Unknown perpetrators have knocked down the fences attached to the parish and thrown a sack of cement over the door of the church. The attack is thought to have taken place sometime between Saturday afternoon and Sunday Morning. Alfredo Ondarra, head of the Tafalla Municipal Police, said that his team is looking for the culprit.
Cemetery Repeatedly Desecrated in France
June 7, 2021, FranceA cemetery in France has been repeatedly vandalised. Unknown perpetrators are said to have stolen different objects and flowers from the graves in Laneuveville-devant-Nancy. The thefts started to occur in May and have since become regular. A complaint has already been filed. The police are investigating.
18 Cemetery Iron Crosses Stolen and Vandalized
June 6, 2021, FranceBetween 6 and 9 June, the cemetery of Genêts was vandalized and looted. A total of 18 cast iron crosses were stolen, and their foot broken. 18 graves were ransacked and 17 cast iron crosses were stolen. The Crosses were broken, cut into pieces and sometimes abandoned on the spot. An investigation of gendarmerie is in progress.
Totem Dedicated to Our Lady in Sorso Destroyed
June 6, 2021, ItalyOn the 6th June it was reported that a Totem with a Marian depiction was vandalized during the night in Sorso‘s Capuchin Street. It belongs to an installation dedicated to Our Lady "Noli Me Tollere", near to the church of Santa Croce. The incident was investigated by law enforcement officials.
Church desecrated in Cork
June 5, 2021, Ireland“The parishioners are deeply disturbed by what happened”. Vandals graffitied a "deeply disturbing" message onto a church in Cork, Ireland. The currently unknown perpetrator was caught on camera while desecrating the Church of the Ascension around one o'clock in the morning. On the CCTV the culprit can be seen entering the premises of the church, vandalising it and also damaging the cars belonging to the priests and their houses. “The community were just coming alight again after the lockdown," Father Walsh stated. He additionally added that the parishioners although shocked are coming together to try and help undo the damage. The police have been informed and are currently investigating.