All cases

Italy: Teenagers desecrated church, later apologize to avoid police charges

May 31, 2021, Italy

Four teenage girls were caught by the church's CCTV cameras while entering and desecrating the place. The sanctuary Porto di Legnago in Verona, Italy did not press any charges against the perpetrators. The camera caught them entering the church at around 1 p.m., they are seen tearing off the rosary beads from a statue and defacing a board near the entrance of the church. The parish priest, Don Moreno Roncoletta, used his Facebook page to invite the perpetrators to apologise to the church unless they wanted the video footage to be handed over to the police. After being shared more than 1,700 times the perpetrators came forward and apologised to the sanctuary. Father Moreno considers the case closed and is not pressing any charges.

Radical Left Groups Violently Attacked Public Catholic Procession in Paris

May 30, 2021, France

On 30 May, a public Catholic procession in Paris, commemorating the city’s 19th-century martyrs, was violently attacked by several radical left groups. From the beginning on the procession was accompanied by interruptive whistling and booing. Soon the verbal attacks became physically violent. Flags were torn down and even heavy object thrown at them. The perpetrators also started to kick and punch participants of the procession, one elderly man was knocked to the ground suffering serious head injuries that needed to be stitched. The procession was then blocked by around 50 demonstrators and the police asked the believers to take refuge in a near by church until the situation was under control again. The police are investigating.

Twenty Graves Destroyed in the Cemetery La Ronde

May 30, 2021, France

More than 20 graves have been ransacked in the communal cemetery of La Ronbe during the night of 7th and 8th May. The plaques and flowers were destroyed. The police opened an investigation

News article: Scotland: Churches to receive fund for more security

May 29, 2021, United Kingdom

Churches in Scotland are going to profit from a fund that aims to protect places of worship, which are particularly at risk of religiously motivated attacks. The Scottish Government provides a total sum of £500,000 in their Hate Crime Security Fund for security measures. Places of particular risk are eligible for 100 per cent funding. The fund opened in May and is thought to run for two months. Providing support by the end of September. Places of worship can receive up to £20,000 in funding to install security measures. Scotlands parliamentary officer at the Chrisitan public policy charity CARE, Michael Veitch commented: "In recent years, there have been alarming attacks on places of worship in Scotland including churches, synagogues, and mosques. This money will enable congregations to install security measures to act both as a deterrent to criminals and a reassurance to worshippers. Whilst the maximum grant available to individual places of worship is less than in England, the fact that 100 per cent grants are to be provided to the most at-risk settings is especially welcome. We hope that this assistance for places of worship will become a regular feature in Scottish Government budgets.We also call on Ministers to send a strong message that religiously-motivated hatred has no place in modern Scotland including hatred against Christians, which often receives less media coverage."

Vandals Desecrated 'Way of the Cross' in Verona

May 29, 2021, Italy

Vandals have violated the Way of the Cross leading to the Cemetery in Pizzoletta, near Verona. Although the stolen plates are neither valuable nor ancient, they carry religious and ideational value for the community. The act of vandalism and theft happened just a few days after the Way of the Cross has been restored. During the pandemic, the Way of the Cross, which encompasses fourteen stations, had suffered various attacks. It is unclear if the case has been reported to the police.

Attempted Fire and Acts of Vandalism in the Church of Aytré

May 29, 2021, France

In the end of April, the church of Aytré, in Charente-Maritime near La Rochelle has been a victim of an attempted arson. Unknown perpetrators have burnt doilies as well as a box of matches. The motives remain unknown and a complain has been filled to the police

Christian Female Preacher Arrested after Speech at Speakers' Corner

May 28, 2021, United Kingdom

Hatun Tash a Christian and a regular speaker at the Speakers' Corner, has been arrested after questioning the Islamic faith. Police officers who were asked to come in to protect the speaker, decided to arrest Hatun after a mob of Muslims started threatening her. A video released on YouTube shows Mohammad Hijab, the leader of the antagonistic group who threatened Hatun, spreading hate speech against world politicians and Israel, threatening police officers and threatening to kill Jews and Christians. It is unclear why the Police arrested Hatun instead of Hijab.

Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Church in Pisa

May 28, 2021, Italy

Sometime between 27 and 28, May thieves have entered the church of San Michele Degli Scalzi in Italy. They broke into the tabernacle and have taken the sacred hosts. Don Lorenzo, the parish priest, noticed that the closing flap was slightly out of place and when he approached the tabernacle, he saw the theft and reported it to the police. The hosts did not have a material value, however, they have spiritual value for the religious community. Surveillance cameras might have caught the thieves. The Police are investigating.

Court Decides: 6 Children Taken Away from Catholic Parents for Placing them in Catholic Schools

May 27, 2021, France

A French court ruled that 6 of 10 children had to be removed from their parents home because their catholic mother enrolled them on a catholic boarding school. Two of the six children have now been put into a foster family of Muslim descent, who refuses to educate the children in accordance with their Catholic faith, mother Clare says. The children have additionally been taken out of their Catholic boarding schools and put back into state schools. The mother also stated that the foster family tries to change their children believe, by teaching them Muslim prayers and worldviews. A petition to help the family get their children back has been launched.

Pakistani Christian Living in Germany Threatened with Deportation

May 27, 2021, Germany

Faisal Jahangir a Pakistani Christian is facing deportation in Germany, despite being fully integrated. Jahangir lives and works in Germany since 13 years. Despite him facing a great threat of religious persecution in Pakistan, the german authorities remain tough. If he doesn't leave voluntarily, he might face a three-year ban. He is now trying to get a visa through the church.

Newly Proposed Bill in Spain to Criminalise Pro-Life Campaigs Near Abortion Clinics

May 27, 2021, Spain

A bill proposed on May 21 would punish Pro-Life campaigners near abortion clinics. The bill is said to criminalise "harassing women going to clinics for the voluntary interruption of pregnancy." If the bill passes pro-life groups campaigning near abortion clinics could either face a prison sentence of up to one year, or community service of up to 80 Days. In individual cases, an individual could also be barred from the specific location for a minimum of six months and a maximum of three years. A petition to oppose the bill has been launched.

Scottish Pro-Abortion Lobby Demands Nationwide Band of "Harassing"Pro-Life Groups around Abortion Clinics

May 27, 2021, United Kingdom

Campaigners of the 'Back Off Scotland' movement are now demanding 'buffer zones' around abortion clinics, after the numbers of terminations carried out in Scotland in 2020 became the second-highest on record. With a total of 13,815 terminations carried out, the pro-abortion lobby is requesting 'harassment' free access. Campaigners are stating that many women feel intimidated by Pro-Life supporters who gather in front of abortion clinics. The Scottish government is currently considering implementing the buffer zones.

Children: Vandalism in Church leaving 'thousands of Euros' damage

May 26, 2021, Germany

The Church Saint Bartholomew in Pegnitz in Germany has been vandalized. The culprits are children between eight and twelve years of age. The destruction caused by them, includes broken windows and historical altar objects. Police are investigating the incident that happened on May 26, 2021.

Proposed Conversion Therapy Ban Potentially Threatens Religious Freedom

May 26, 2021, United Kingdom

A Proposed conversion therapy ban could cause "an unlawful interference" with several human rights laws protecting the freedom of religious belief and expression, says human rights lawyer P Havers. Everyday Christian activity could also be criminalized says, Havers. The ban would criminalise biblical teaching on human sexuality and gender. The UK government is considering the proposed ban. A decision is expected in Autumn says a MP.

The Motiron Chapel Targeted for the Second Time

May 24, 2021, France

The Motiron Chapel in Val d'Ajol in the Vosges had been twice a victim of vandalism and theft. The first time was in June 2017 when a group of young perpetrators blackened the face of the Virgin with a candle and the second time on 20th May when the trunk of the chapel has been torn off and stolen. The owners filled a complain to the police.

Several Rubbish Bins Set on Fire near Church in Naples

May 23, 2021, Italy

On the night of 22 May, unknown perpetrators are said to have set several rubbish bins on fire in the neighbourhood of Sanità in Naples. It is reported that the rubbish bins were left close to the San Vincenzo Church. The residents in the Sanità neighbourhood have informed the police, who together with the fire brigade were able to contain the fire. "In just a few seconds the air became unbreathable and we were forced to lock ourselves in to prevent the smoke from entering our homes", said one complainer to the police. The police are still investigating.

Christian Therapist tricked by Undercover Journalist and Gay Activist

May 23, 2021, United Kingdom

Lesley Pilkington is a former Christian counsellor that was tricked by an undercover journalist to provide counselling for his "unwanted same-sex attraction". Approached by Strudwick during a Christian conference, the Chrisitan counsellor with over 20 years of experience agreed to help the man. After a few sessions, the man filled a complaint against Lesley to the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) to get her 'struck off'. However, the Appeal Panel lessened the original sanctions against her and reversed much of the original decision.

Church in Munich Threatened with Arson

May 21, 2021, Germany

The Church Saint Wolfgang in the Parish of Haidhausen, Germany has received a threat of arson. Vandals sprayed onto the church walls "The only illuminated Church, is the one, on fire". A slogan often used by anarchist or radical left groups attacking the church. Father Alfons Friedrich discovered the act and reported it immediately to the police. The case might have happened sometime between 16 May and 18 May. This is not the first attack on the Sait Wolfgang Church. It has been reported that in Fall 2019 unknown perpetrators broke into the church and destroyed the churches pipe organ - built in 1907 - causing over 6,000 Euros damage. The Police are investigating, charges against "unknown" have been pressed.

Church in Warsaw Vandalised by Radical Feminists

May 19, 2021, Poland

The Saint Alexander's Church in Warsaw has been vandalized by the Women's Strike group. The perpetrators painted a lightning bolt onto the churches facade, which is the groups' symbol, and poured paint onto the same. A video posted on Twitter shows the extent of the vandalistic act. Inscriptions were also painted on the pavement in front of the church. The attack shows that their primary intention was to disfigure the church located in Warsaw's Trzech Krzyży Square.

The Church of Notre-Dame in Altkirch Damaged and Closed

May 19, 2021, France

On 8 May, the church of Notre-Dame in Altkirch in the Haut-Rhin region, has been damaged. This has not been the first act of vandalism. Due to the repetitive attacks, the church has closed its door to the public until further notice. A complaint has been filled to the police.