All cases
UK Schools Potentially Facing Fine for Breach of Free Speech
July 4, 2021, United KingdomFollowing the case of Rev Dr Bernard Randall vs. Trent College, Tory MPs are now seeking to add schools to a programme, which would penalize schools for favouring 'woke over free speech'. In the eye of the 'woke' and 'cancel culture' movements, the government is set to protect free speech and open debate in academia. PM Boris Johnson declared the government's commitment to protect free speech and open debate in academia in May, during the Queen's Speech programme. Similar cases to the one of Rev Dr Randall are supposed to be included in the debate. A vote on the sanctions is expected later this month.
Christian Culture in Turkey under Attack: Government Keeps Silent
July 4, 2021, TurkeyTurkey's Minister for Culture and Tourism has been harshly confronted in parliament by Garo Paylan, an Armenian member of the opposition. The confrontation follows the latest instance of targeted desecration of Christian sites in the Country and Turkey's silence and apparent indifference regarding the repeated desecration of those sites and the erasure of Christian culture. The 18th-century Sup Toros Armenian Church in Kayseri had been heavily damaged in January 2021. Paylan criticised the governments' failure of an action to protect historical and cultural-religious sites officially recognized as such by UNESCO, such as the Hagia Sofia and other churches throughout the Country. He additionally criticised the conversion of Churches to mere venues for tourism, Museums, Hotels and Galleries. An official statement is expected.
Theft of 300-year-old Sacred Object from Saint Brigida Church in Legden
July 4, 2021, GermanyOn 4 July, unknown perpetrators stole an almost 330-year-old historic consecration vessel for oil from the Saint Brigida Church in Legden. The vessel had been used since 1694 at every baptismal mass in the parish and has therefore a high sentimental value. Stolen from the sacristy, the theft took place sometime between 12:30 and 13:10. In addition to the vessel, a large candle has also been stolen. The police are informed and are now looking for witnesses in the case.
Desecration of Sacred Heart Statue in Bas Rain
July 4, 2021, FranceA gold-plated Sacred Heart Statue in Bas Rhin (Alsace), France, has been desecrated with a swastika. The incident was discovered and reported by the parish priest of Molsheim on 4 July. The perpetrators are said to have used a point to engrave the symbol to the high up statue. Deputy Nathalie Dischler commented about an increase in vandalism towards Christian symbols and institutes in the region. Police are investigating.
San Andrés Church in Cordoba Vandalised with Insulting Graffitis
July 3, 2021, SpainThe San Andrés church in Cordoba, has fallen victim to an act of vandalism. The 13th-century Fernandine church is home to the brotherhoods of Esperanza and Buen Suceso. Three sections of the wall have been graffitied with insults and signatures. In 1985 San Andrés was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. Police are investigating to apprehend the culprit(s).
Update Conversion Therapy: Ministers Concerned about Freedom of Religion
July 2, 2021, United KingdomUK's House of Commons discussed the plans to ban conversion therapy in the face of Pride month. In the discussion Dame Angela Eagle urged the government to accept the ban as it is currently written, which includes praying. She stated, "as a minimum, they must introduce a ban on conversion therapy, with no religious exemptions and no loopholes." Other Ministers are concerned about the freedom of religion and consequently the church's role.
Update: School Chaplain Reported to Terrorist Watchdogs Hearing Delayed
July 2, 2021, United KingdomSchool chaplain, Rev Dr Bernard Randall, who was reported to the government's terrorist watchdogs for encouraging children to form their own opinions about their school's new LGBT+ rules while accepting contradicting views had his employment tribunal hearing postponed for over a year. Rev Randall 48, will now have to wait until September 2022 since the Boarding School with an Anglican ethos he was ordained Chaplain of, Trent college, failed to serve their evidence.
Update: Relationship and Sexuality Education in Welsh Schools Sparks Debate around Parent's Rights
July 2, 2021, United KingdomIn Wales the adoption of a new Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) is being discussed. While the Welsh government is considering its adoption, some parents, like Izzy Montague, are raising serious concerns about the protection of children. If accepted RSE will start with the next academic year. Parents and education specialists are raising serious concerns about what its adoption would mean for our society as it is known.
Singing in Churches still Under Restrictions in UK
July 1, 2021, United KingdomOngoing singing restrictions in churches are causing debate in the UK. While the singing ban has been lifted, new restrictions have been implemented. Members of the House of Lords are now getting increasingly frustrated with the seemingly inconsistencies implemented by the Government regarding indoor singing. Gloucester Bishop, Rt Rev Rachel Treweek has now asked the Government for a timetable to be able to return to normal life.
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.