All cases
Fire at the Jeremia Church Suspected Arson
September 24, 2020, GermanyOn the 24th of September, the roof of the Jeremiah Church on Burbacher Weg was set on fire. More than 250 forced from the fire department were on site. "Reaching the fire is made more difficult by the roof construction," the fire department announced. Therefore, it used so-called extinguishing nails. The police are investigating.
Sacred Silver Objects Stolen from St. Clemens Church in Grevenbroich
September 24, 2020, GermanyDuring the night of September 24 to 25, unknown perpetrators broke into the sacristy, forced open a tabernacle and stole the 100 year-old silver objects which had been used for baptisms for decades. The community published pictures, hoping that the meaningful objects would be found. This had been the third break-in since June.
Pro-life Activists Forbidden to Stand in Front of Abortion Clinic in Utrecht
September 24, 2020, NetherlandsPro-life activists of “Schreeuw om Leven”, who offer help to women in front of an abortion clinic in Utrecht, were required to stay in a buffer zone at a distance from the clinic. The Veiligheidsregio (Security Region) Utrecht referred public health and traffic safety as the reasons for the change in regulations, which was communicated on September 24th. As a consequence, the pro-life activists were severely restricted in offering support to visitors of the clinic.
Church Window Damaged With Stones
September 24, 2020, GermanyBetween 24th and 25th September, unknown perpetrators threw stones at the Protestant Church in Oberotterbach. The damage is approximately 1150 Euros. According to witness, a group of children of primary school were seen at the scene of the crime. The police are asking for clues.
Former Lesbian Experiences Discrimination After Leaving LGBT-Lifestyle and Becoming Christian
September 24, 2020, GermanyIn a news article of an interview with a former lesbian, published on 24. September, Teresa Frei (changed name) talks about how in the more than 20 years of lesbian life she endured a lot of discrimination, violence and intolerance. But she says: "no discrimination as a lesbian living woman was as bad as the one which overtook me after I had discarded this way of life. " She recalls being repeatedly criticized and called old-fashioned and arch-conservative. She wrote a book called "Frauen Lieben" (Loving Women) under the false name of Teresa Frei, because she knows under her real name she would be subjected to bullying, and attacks. Teresa believes that her testimony is harmful to the LGBT Lobby agenda, because it doesn't go along with their narrative, but she refuses to accept the prohibition of expression or to have imposed opinions. According to her, there are lobbyists who search the internet for critical information to then publish inflammatory articles to create hatred and silence other people. She talks openly about her biography and wounds that led her to chose a lesbian lifestyle. Teresa also states that being homosexual is not genetically predisposed, and she has firsthand insight on the topic.
Priest Stabbed in Madrid
September 24, 2020, SpainOn the morning of 24 September, Javier Contreras Beorlegui, a priest from the diocese of Getafe was stabbed as he prepared to open the church San Josemaría de Alcorcón. He was stabbed in the upper body and received two cuts on the arm. The incident was witnessed and the police were called. The attacker was then taken to the psychiatric area of Alcorón Hospital and the priest to the hospital.
Pope John Paul II's Blood Relic Stolen from Spoleto Cathedral
September 23, 2020, ItalyOn 23 September, the sacristan discovered the theft of Pope John Paul II's relic, a gold and crystal casing with drops of his blood, which was kept and venerated in the Chapel of the Crucifix of the Cathedral Basilica of Spoleto. The Carabinieri Company of Spoleto began investigations and have identified a perpetrator. Archbishop Renato Boccardo expressed his dismay and called for those responible to return the precious relic.
Priest Threatened with Death and Church Damaged
September 23, 2020, ItalyOn September 23rd, a man broke into the church San Claudio dei Sacramentini, in the Piazza San Silvestro and threatened the parish priest with death with a metal pole. Then, he broke church furnishing and glass, threw the lectern on the floor, and damaged part of the altar. He was arrested by police officers on the spot.
Deportation of Convert Refugee Threatened with Death Penalty in Afghanistan
September 22, 2020, GermanyNaser R. is a refugee who converted to Christianity and threatened with death penalty in Afghanistan because of his conversion. He has been living in Hof since 2016 and visited St. Michael Church. He got baptized in the Church and since then, he became a member of the community. The young man is to be deported to Afghanistan, where he would face the death penalty. The Dean Günter Saalfrank and the honorary refugee commissioner of the Deanery of Hof wants to take action.
Church of Sant’Agata al Collegio Devastated for a Second Time
September 22, 2020, ItalySant'Agata Church was devastated for the second time on September 22nd. The tomb containing the saint's relics was ravaged, the tabernacle was broken, and consecrated hosts were stolen. Representations of the Mother of God were also destroyed. Two men have already been arrested, according to Italian media reports. The Ministry of the Interior promised funds to implement a video surveillance system and improve security measures.
Saint George Church in Lesbos is Desecrated For The Second Time
September 21, 2020, GreeceOn the week the 21, September, the Church of Saint George, in the vicinity of the town Moria in Lesbos, was vandalized for a second time. The Images and furniture have been destroyed by migrants who stayed and camped at the church after the fire broke out in Moria's Refugee Camp. When the group left, there was garbage inside and outside the church, apart from the items being broken.
Arson, Desecration and Profanation of Church in Pérols
September 20, 2020, FranceOn September 20th, a man desecrated the Church of Saint Sixtus II in Pérols. He vandalized equipment, setting fire to song and prayer sheets, a table, part of a pew and a veil. He also tried to set some fabric on fire, but it was fireproof. Then the man grabbed a cross from the altar and threw it to the organ. The man also spit several times on the ground and the priest's deck and urinated and defecated between benches. He was traced, thanks to the cameras in the church, and was arrested by the police because of attempted robbery in Auchan. A police officer recognized the man through a photo published by the priest of the parish.
Theft of Money and Sacred Objects from Parish Office in Martinshöhe
September 20, 2020, GermanyIn the night of 20 to 21 September, unknown perpetrators forcefully open the windows of the Heiliger Bruder Konrad parish house in Martinshöhe and ransacked the parish office. They also tried to break into the church and the sacristy, but they were not successful. Sacred objects and a four-figure sum of money were stolen; the overall property damage reaches five figures.
Vandalism of Church Twice in a Week
September 20, 2020, GermanyIn the past two weeks, vandals have raged in the city church twice. Shoe marks were found on the altar cloth, and this showing that someone walked on it. The Candles and sacrificial lights were smudged and poured out and wax was distributed in the pews. The parish priest has put signs on the doors, asking the population to keep an eye on the town church. Last year in summer the church was also vandalized several times. The pastor warned that, if there is another case, they will file a complaint.
Vandalism of Catholic Church before Holy Mass in Remembrance of Aborted Children
September 19, 2020, GermanyOn the night of 18th to 19th September, the historical church St. Marien am Behnitz and the outer walls of the playground were found vandalized with slogans, like "Abortion is a Human Right. The perpetrators were eventually against Pro-Life movements. The police put charges, although they did not charge any damage to property, because it was pasted wallpaper.
Statue of St. Anthony Demolished
September 18, 2020, ItalyThe bronze Statue of St. Anthony in Milano was demolished on the night of 17th to 18th September. The statue was in front of the sanctuary of St. Anthony of Padua for 88 years. The statue is significantly heavy and, therefore, there must have been three perpetrators involved in the demolition. Churchgoers from the neighborhood suspected that the perpetrators are homeless men who gather at the square and are frequently heavily drunk, but there is no evidence that it was them. The police are investigating.
Increased Number of Thefts, Vandalism and Desecrations Leads to Closure of More Churches
September 18, 2020, FranceOn the occasion of the Heritage Days which took place from 19 to 20 September in Paris, RCF radio in France points out that the increase in theft, vandalism and desecration of churches in France prompts more and more priests to close their churches outside of services. For several months the churches have been attacked through theft of liturgical utensils, relics, desecration and even arson. In 2019, there were more than 1052 incidents registered, including 996 acts of vandalism or graffiti and 56 threats against persons.
Amsterdam Mayor Accused Hillsong Church of Intolerance against Homosexuals
September 18, 2020, NetherlandsAmsterdam mayor Femke Halsema linked the activities of the Hillsong Church with an increasing violence against gays during a council meeting in September and associated them with the promotion of gay healing and conversion therapy. To take action against the church's alleged intolerance, she announced her intention to approach the landlord of the Hillsong Church building. Both Hillsong Church and Christian parties in the council expressed their surprise and disappointment at the unfounded claims.
Mayor "Doesn't Have Time" To Meet the OLRC, Regarding Matters of Religious Freedom in Madrid
September 18, 2020, SpainThe Mayor of Madrid was asked for a meeting by the Observatory of Religious Freedom, based in Spain, to talk about the matter of Religious Freedom and the increase of vandalism against churches in Madrid. The first request was in June, and until September the Mayor did not answer nor did any other consultant confirm a meeting. This was reported by OLRC on September 18th.
Arson to Statue of John the Baptist from the Barock Period
September 17, 2020, GermanyOn 17th September, members of the church found the figure of John the Baptist of the baptismal font from the barock period damaged by a burning candle. The perpetrator placed it on purpose. The police estimates a damage cost of 2000 euros. Police is asking for witnesses.