All cases
Desecration and Theft In Stephanus Church In Hamm
December 10, 2020, GermanyOn December 12th, the catholic St. Stephen's church in Hamm was target of a second burglary within a few days. Unknown perpetrators broke open a safe in the adjoining room and removed the tabernacle from its original place. Removing the tabernacle is a highly disrespectful act of desecration and hurt the feelings of pastor Christoph Gerdemann and those of many parishioners deeply. The perpetrators had targeted the safe on New Year's Eve, but were unable to open it. Pastor Gerdemann assumes they came back with better tools. The loot was only a small amount of money from the collection of the mass the day before.
Police Concerned Over Letters Sent to Seven Priests Saying "Allah Akbar"
December 9, 2020, FranceAn investigation was initiated after seven priest of Vaucluse received personal letters with the words "Allah Akbar". It was announced on December 9th by the gendermerie, which speaks of a case "taken very seriously". Handwritten letters were personally addressed and sent to the parish where the seven African priests live.
Shadow Minister Resigns After Stating That Registrars Should Have the Right of Conscientious Objection Regarding Gay Marriage
December 7, 2020, United KingdomOn December 7th, the UK shadow minister for faiths, Janet Daby, has resigned from her position. This was due to her statement, regarding the right of registrars to refuse same-sex marriages without being terminated. Janet Daby said that registrars who had a religious objection to same-sex marriage should not be forced to conduct them, as well as someone who has objections to abortions is not forced to carry them out. She sincerely apologized for her misjudged comments, and decided to resign as Shadow Faith Minister.
Nativity Scene in Spain Severely Vandalized
December 7, 2020, SpainOn December 7th, the nativity scene that is placed every year in the Eguzki square in Berriozar became the target of vandalism. Almost all figures were split in half and destroyed by unknown perpetrators. The figures are made out of wood and were freshly painted this year, which means that the budget for the new restoration is very small.
Update: Four Christian Preachers Sue Police After Brutal Arrest and Won the Appeal
December 7, 2020, United KingdomOn December 7th, four christian preachers, known as 'the Bristol Four', are accusing the Avon and Somerset Police for their brutal arrest (assault, false imprisonment and infringement of their Human Rights). Mike Overd, Don Karns, Mike Stockwell and AJ Clarke have made considerable claims against the police. The case raises important concerns about the right to freedom of speech, and the freedom of Christian preachers in the UK to express their religious beliefs and have the right to gather in public.
Vandals Devastated Church in Otwock and Filmed it
December 7, 2020, PolandOn December 7th, six Vandals aged 18 to 20 placed offensive, vulgar inscriptions on the facade of the church, the building of the town hall and the Józef Piłsudski monument in Otwock. The perpetrators recorded their actions on video and photos. They face up to five years in prison.
Suspected Arson At Historic Derbyshire Church
December 5, 2020, United KingdomOn December 12th the ancient church in a village in Derbyshire was on fire. The Fire and Rescue Service of Derbyshire stated that by the time they reached the church, the fire had already caused significant structural damage. A 16-year-old Teenager has been arrested on suspicion of arson. Police are investigating.
Priest Assaulted During Mass in Colmar
December 5, 2020, FranceOn December 5th, in the church of Saint-Paul in Colmar a priest was physically attacked by a man who sat next to the altar. The perpetrator, unknown to the parishioners refused to respond to the priest's request to leave the choir. He threatened and then beat the priest. The police arrived and the man was hospitalized involuntarily at the psychiatric center of Rouffach. The case is being investigated.
Church Vandalism in Migliarino
December 4, 2020, ItalyOn December 4th, unknown perpetrators vandalised the church San Vitale in Migliarino. The parish priest of Fiscaglia found overturned benches, broken windows and a destroyed statue as he entered the church. The police was informed and is investigating.
"Online Attack" on Church Service
December 3, 2020, GermanyThe Berlin church district Tempelhof-Schöneberg has become the target of right-wing extremist "online attacks". These kind of attacks via the Internet are known as zoom bombings. During the online broadcasting of the service on December 3rd, unconstitutional signs and threats were shown and anti-Semitic statements were made. The attackers additionally made an attempt to include their own films and material. All incidents were reported to the State Security Department, which is investigating.
New Bill In Scotland: Saying 'Men Can't Become Women' Could Be Considered A Hate Crime
December 1, 2020, United KingdomOn December 1st, Scotland's Justice Secretary has affirmed that regarding to SNP's hate crime bill, one could be prosecuted for stating that men cannot be woman. The Hate Crime and Public Order Bill (Scotland) was intended to criminalize expressions and attitudes perceived as "abusive" and aimed at "inciting hatred" against particular groups. However, in return it restricts freedom of speech and lacks it's sufficient protection.
Vandals Destroyed A Stained Glass Window In St Nicolas' Church
November 30, 2020, United KingdomOn November 11th, a stone was thrown through the millennium stained glass window of St Nicolas' Church in Shoreham, while a dozen people were working inside the building. No one was injured, but the rock also damaged a pew. Reverent James Grant, Rector at St Nicolas' Church stated that the event had been distressing for members of the church community. “One fails to understand what draw you can have to destroying something like that without a consideration to the pain that causes to other people.” The police is investigating.
Council of State in France Rejects the 30-Person Limit For Religious Celebrations
November 29, 2020, FranceOn November 29th, the Council of State in Francerejects the 30-person limit for religious celebrations. The government's restriction was found to be "disproportionate". In the next three days a new system must be implemented that is more in line with the right to freedom of religion and worship.
Graffiti in a Staircase in Vienna Calls Out To Murder Christians and Glorifies Islamist Terror Attack
November 28, 2020, AustriaOn November 28th, unknown perpetrators tagged a staircase of a Viennese municipal building with threats. The words "Death to Christians", "the house will soon belong to us and than the whole world" and glorifications of the Islamist terror attack in Vienna were smeared on the walls. Moreover, the graffitis said: May "Allah" have "mercy" on the 20-year-old assassin who murdered four people on November 2nd. The police was informed and a complaint was filed. The LVT (State Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Fight against Terrorism) has started investigations.
Church Defenders Attacked by Pro-Abortion Demonstrators
November 28, 2020, PolandOn the 28 of November 2020, during the demonstration of pro-abortion groups in Cracow, a direct attack was made on a group of members of the Self- Defense of the Faithful organization of Lesser Poland. They had decided to protect the local churches from pro-abortion demonstrators who may want to stick posters on the churches, which was attempted, or otherwise harm the churches. Around 14:00, those defending the churches were violently attacked with pepper spray and other objects.
Paint Attack On Pro Femina in Munich
November 26, 2020, GermanyOn November 26th the Pro Femina consulting center in Munich was the target of a paint attack. After the growing political pressure on Pro Femina in the last few weeks, the office building was smeared with pink paint. On the opposite side of the street, posters were hung up with the slogans: "Decriminalize abortion", "My body, my choice" or "Kill fetuses". The police have been informed and a criminal complaint has been filed.
Search Warrant for Publicly Displaying Prints of Bible Verses Found Unlawful by Court
November 25, 2020, GermanyYoung-Ai Park was publicly displaying prints of Bible verses on the walls of her restaurant in Berlin. She was accused of "hate speech" and subjected to a police search and a fine. On November 25th a court in Berlin has upheld the restaurants owner's right to freedom of religion and speech and found the search warrant issued by the district court unlawful.
'Burn the Clergy' Hashtag Tolerated By Twitter Spain
November 25, 2020, SpainOn November 24th, Pope Francis beatified 127 Catholics who were killed in hatred of the faith in Spain in the 20th century. At the same time the hashtag demanding Catholic priests to be burned alive became a trend on Twitter. Tweets with the hashtag #FuegoAlClero, which means "Burn the Clergy" were permitted by Twitter. Some of those tweets included pictures of priests with their heads in flames and others labeled priests as "pedophiles" and "thieves". Although Twitter's current user policy states that the promotion of violence on the basis of religious affiliation is not allowed, these pictures of priests in flames were not removed until the 25th of November.
Pastor in Germany Sentenced For Hate Speech
November 25, 2020, GermanyOn November 25th, the Bremen District Court sentenced the protestant Pastor Olaf Latzel for hate speech. He had made several strongly derogatory statements about homosexuality based on his understanding of the Bible, for which he repeatedly apologised. The pastor has been sentenced to a fine of 8.100 Euro. According to the court, he had incited hatred against homosexuals and intersexuals. Olaf Latzel announced he will not accept the sentence. His lawyer demands an acquittal.
Vandals Smeared a Cross Near the Church in Valseca
November 25, 2020, SpainOn November 11th, the diocese of Segovia reported an act of vandalism against its heritage. Unknown perpetrators smeared the pedestal of a cross next to the door of the parish in Valseca. This is the third act of vandalism against the ecclesiastical patrimony in the last few days.