All cases

Arson Caused Damage of Several Thousand Francs to St.Andrea's Church in Gossau

September 3, 2021, Switzerland

Unknown persons set fire to several objects between 4.45 pm and 6 pm on the 3rd of September. Fortunately, the fire went out by itself. The arson was discovered by the sexton, who smelled smoke when entering the church. He found a singed wooden table with charred objects. According to the St. Gallen cantonal police, property damage amounting to several thousand francs was caused. The Priest of the Church, Andy Givel, expressed surprise and concern regarding the incident.

Chiesa Matrice di Alessandria della Rocca Robbed and Vandalised

September 3, 2021, Italy

According to initial investigations, the robbery took place on the 27th of August, but the parish priest of the church reported the incident to the police only on 3 September. Unknown perpetrators broke into Chiesa Matrice di Alessandria della Rocca and vandalised the tabernacle by stealing the gold and cooper door of the tabernacle. The perpetrators also looted the collection box. The police are investigating.

Church Door Glued Shut in Verín

September 3, 2021, Spain

The door of the Os Remedios church in Verín was glued and wired shut by vandals to prevent the mass for the Virgin being celebrated. The parishioners were disgusted by that act and had to pray outside. A complaint was filed and a locksmith eventually managed to open the door.

New Study in Ireland Reveals: Catholic Students Are most Affected by Bullying

September 2, 2021, Ireland

A recent study by the "National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre" of the University of Dublin proves that Christian students are particularly affected by intolerance and discrimination in secondary schools. The report is based on 214 interviews with religious education teachers from each of Ireland's secondary schools. Half of the surveyed schools recognised bullying because of a students faith as a problem. Teachers expressed their concern about negative stereotyping and exclusion of students with strong beliefs or unpopular opinions. According to the responses in the study, Christians and particularly Catholics have been targeted the most. One teacher noted: "It is now socially accepted in Ireland that Catholics are insulted or belittled."

Saint-François Church in Le Havre Desecrated with Stanic Grafitti

September 2, 2021, France

Graffitis were found on the front door of Saint-François church representing satanic symbols, inverted crosses and also insults against the police. The city council denounced the vandalistic act.

Statue of Saint Timothy Vandalised in Termoli

September 1, 2021, Italy

A vandal damaged the clay statue of Saint Timothy on 1 September, located on the roundabout near the Homonim church. As reported by a witness, the perpetrator seemed restless because he was muttering and accusing.

Church in Tamines Repeatedly Vandalised

September 1, 2021, Belgium

The church of Bachères, in Tamines, was continually vandalized by unknown groups of individuals during the week leading to the 1st of September, according to local residents. They reported the late night activities at the old church and the acts of degradation to the police. These incidents showed a lack of respect for a sight that is sacred for many.

Vandalism and Desecration in the Church of Ca' de Caroli in Scandiano

September 1, 2021, Italy

On 1 September the walls of the church were vandalised and statues, furnishings and liturgical objects destroyed. The Vicar-general rushed to the place of the incident as soon as possible, to evaluate the damages and calm down the community. In the forthcoming weeks, Bishop Massimo Camisasca will visit the church and preside a Holy Mass.

Theft and Vandalism in Church in Corigliano-Rossano

August 31, 2021, Italy

Two men, 18 and 19 years old, have been arrested for theft and damage to property of the Maria Santissima Delle Grazie church in Corigliano-Rossano. They broke a votive lamp, knocked the Santo Rita statue to the floor, and caused damage of around 10,000 euros. They are awaiting trial.

Italian Church Vandalized with Graffiti for the Third Time

August 31, 2021, Italy

The local church of Alatri was defaced for the third time in a couple of months by unknown vandals, this was reported on 31 August. The parish reported the act of vandalism, which was Graffiti with the Italian battle phrase "Avanti Savoia"on the Church "XII Marie". The parish community has already witnessed similar acts of vandalism. The local newspaper calls it "political" graffiti. The vandals have not been identified yet.

Priest Discovers Arson in German Church in Essen

August 30, 2021, Germany

The priest of the Catholic Church of St. Peter and Laurentiusin Essen found the remains of an arson on 30 August. The unknown vandals sprayed disinfectant alcohol on a pile of papers to create a fire, damaging two benches and the floor. The case was reported to the police, which is looking for the suspects.

Grave of Father Profaned in Polish Cementery

August 30, 2021, Poland

During the night to the 30. August, unknown perpetrators profaned the grave of Father Leon Kantorski. He was known for helping oppositionists and helping the Polish-Ukrainian reconciliation. The tomb was found by another member of the St. Christopher Church. The hundred-kilograms-heavy tombstones were removed, probably by several people. Fr. Wojciech Osial suspects that this was done to hurt the parish community and local Catholics, and also that maybe they unsuccessfully tried to steal the slabs. The police were informed and they are investigating the case.

Scotland Plans to Introduce Censorship Zones and Changes in Abortion Law

August 30, 2021, United Kingdom

The Scottish government has recently proposed to create censorship zones outside abortion clinics. These plans are being pushed despite a poll showing that only 21% of the UK population supports the introduction of "censorship zones", while many people in and outside the pro-life movement denounce the risk of censorship zones as a threat to free speech. Other planned changes are increasing the number of hospitals and clinics required to provide late-term abortions and removing in-person consultations prior to the medical procedure, which makes it difficult to assess if a person is seeking an abortion due to abuse or coercion.

Cemetery in Redessan Desecrated for Second time in Two Weeks

August 28, 2021, France

For the second time in two weeks, the cemetery in Redessan has been vandalised. This time it was on the 28th of August. At least twenty graves were damaged, crosses were broken, etc. No graves have been opened and no inscriptions have been found so far. Investigations are ongoing and police are searching the cemetery for evidence.

Nottingham University Refuses to Instal Catholic Priest as new Chaplain because of His Catholic Views

August 27, 2021, United Kingdom

Nottingham University confirmed on 25 August, that they had declined to install Father David Palmer, a priest of the Personal Ordinariate of Our lady of Walsingham, because of "the manner" he commented on his social media site, a university spokesperson said. Palmer was supposed to become the chaplain of both Nottingham University and Nottingham Trent University. While the latter instaled him the former invited Father Palmer to an interview in which he defended his posts about assisted suicide and abortion to go against the Catholic belief. After Bishop Patrick McKinney declined to propose another priest the University accepted to allow Father Palmer to celebrate mass as a "guest Priest".

Church Vandalised and Set on Fire in Behren-lès-Forbach

August 27, 2021, France

On 27 August unknown perpetrators set fire to the protestant church in Behren-lès-Forbach. The fire was started with rubbish and sacred objects found inside the church. Although the fire brigade managed to intervene quickly and got the fire under control promptly, it caused extensive damage, especially in the church's basement. The parish filed a complaint with the local police, who are currently investigating and looking for the perpetrators. Fortunately, no people were harmed, as the fire started outside of church service hours. Behrens Minister of Interior, Gérald Darmanin, as well as parishioners, condemned the incident.

Vandals Damaged Two Statues of the Redeemer in Bari

August 27, 2021, Italy

Between the 26. and 27. August, the two statues in front of the Redentore Church in the Liberta district of Bari were damaged by unknown vandals. The statue of Mary took the most damage. After inspecting the case, the authorities decided to position the security cameras to cover the area. Now, in the public churchyard, the entrance will now also be only allowed with the specific ordinance.

Statues Vandalised outside Church in Bari

August 27, 2021, Italy

In the evening of August 27th, one of the two statues outside the Church of the Redeemer was damaged in a vandalistic attack. Various leaders have decided to take action to prevent such acts in the future such as the repositioning of cameras, the banning of scooters in the area, and the placement of bollards.

Harvard University Elects Atheist as President of Chaplains

August 27, 2021, United States

The new unanimously elected president of the Harvard's organisation of Chaplains, Greg Epstein, is an atheist and humanist. He is also the author of a book called "Good Without God: What Billion Nonreligious People Do Believe" and he has served as a humanist Chaplain since 2005. Epstein says that he doesn't look towards God for answers, instead to personal relationships, sharing the idea that the value of religion relies on their strong community rather than the spiritual connection to God. Evangelical Chaplain Pete Williamson, who voted for Epstein, points out that even if the new president is not aiming to promote Atheism and promotes interfaith cooperation, the media has used a divisive tone that triggered outrage and worry among Christians. Bishop Robert Barron thinks differently as he says: “If a professed atheist counts as a chaplain — which is to say, a leader of religious services in a chapel — then ‘religion’ has quite obviously come to mean nothing at all.”

Doctor David Mackereth Appeals Court Decision

August 26, 2021, United Kingdom

In 2018 Christian A&E doctor David Mackereth was fired from his position because of his deeply held belief that God created humankind male and female. An employment tribunal consequently ruled that Davids belief is not 'worthy of respect in a democratic society' and that the Christian belief is 'incompatible with human dignity'. Supported by the Christian Legal Centre Dr David Mackereth is now appealing the ruling, which legally states that Christians could be discriminated against, as their belief is not protected by the Equality Act. The first hearing is expected to start this autumn, probably in October.