All cases
Teacher Fired for Sharing Biblical Views; Loses Discrimination Lawsuit
February 2, 2018, United KingdomFollowing a one-day trial, an Employment Tribunal dismissed a discrimination claim by a Christian teacher who was fired for answering students’ questions about her Christian beliefs.
Universities in Germany Excluding Christian Groups
January 28, 2018, GermanyThe climate at Germany's universities has become increasingly anti-religious. The German Student Mission (SMD) collected and documented dozens of cases of discrimination against student-run religious groups, including Christian groups. Discrimination has included denying the groups the use of campus facilities, prohibitions on flyers, and denial of accreditation by student councils. For Christian groups, accreditation has been denied both because "religion has no place on campus" and objections to the groups' moral stances on controversial topics.
Manchester Votes to Ban Pro-Life Protests outside Clinics
January 24, 2018, United KingdomManchester became the second local authority in England to vote to ban pro-life protests and prayer vigils outside clinics. Councillors in the city agreed on January 24th to "take all necessary actions within its powers" to stop what it said was the harassment by protesters against women using the clinics. After this vote, protests would not be banned, but the city will investigate whether a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is warranted.
Professor Threatened Priest and Others in Nice
January 23, 2018, France"Frank C.," a German philosophy professor, made death threats against a priest, a lawyer, a police officer, Christian Estrosi (the mayor of Nice), and magistrates in Nice. He was arrested and remanded for trial in Grasse.
Five U.K. Retailers Accused of Insulting Christianity in Five Months
January 22, 2018, United KingdomFive major U.K. retailers were accused of using advertising or packaging offensive to Christians in as many months. Ocado, an online supermarket, Fortnum & Mason, a luxury goods retailer, the bakery chain Gregg's, Domino's pizza, and Lidl all faced criticism for insulting Christians or Christianity.
Paris March for Life Crowds Underreported by Media
January 21, 2018, FranceFrench media largely ignored the March for Life, and those who reported about it underestimated the number of participants, saying there were "more than a thousand" marchers. Police estimated 8,500 participants, while organizers reported that over 40,000 people marched.
Donation Box Stolen from Church in Mantes-la-Jolie
January 21, 2018, FranceShortly before starting Mass on January 21st, the priest of Saint-Jean-Baptiste church in Mantes-la-Jolie discovered that one or more individuals broke a window and two doors in order to steal the church donation box. The priest filed a complaint with the police.
Arson in Saxony Church
January 21, 2018, GermanyA passerby discovered smoke was rising from the funeral chapel in Annaberg-Buchholz on January 21, 2018. The police and fire departments were called. The police suspected arson and initiated forensic investigations.
Statue of Virgin Mary Beheaded in Växjö
January 19, 2018, SwedenAn unknown perpetrator chopped the head and hands off the statue of the Virgin Mary which stood outside St. Michael's Catholic Church in Växjö.
Afghan Convert ‘Could Face Death’ if Deported from Switzerland
January 18, 2018, SwitzerlandADF International filed an expert brief with the European Court of Human Rights in support of an Afghan citizen who faces deportation from Switzerland. A.A. (anonymized for security reasons) converted from Islam to Christianity and sought asylum, which the Swiss government denied. If returned to Afghanistan, he could face severe social and formal persecution, with punishments ranging from lengthy imprisonment to death.
Antwerp Church Vandalized
January 14, 2018, BelgiumThe Church of St. James (Sint-Jacobskerk) in Antwerp was vandalized sometime during the night between January 14th to January 15th. The church is frequented by the Chaldean brothers in Belgium.
Baptismal Font Stolen from Flavignac Church
January 14, 2018, FranceOn January 14th, church trustees discovered that a baptismal font was missing and presumed stolen on January 14th. The copper font, dating from 1922, object, had been located near the entrance of the church of Flavignac. Church trustees thought it was being repaired, but later discovered that had been stolen. The mayor noted that the theft must have occurred during the day, as the church is closed after 5 p.m. A complaint was lodged with the police.
Pastor excluded from volunteering at prison due to allegations of extremism by Imam
January 11, 2018, United KingdomPastor Paul Song was excluded from volunteering at a prison in Brixton, South London after Muslim Imam accused him of being too radical.
Church Visit Disrupted by a Man yelling "Allah Akbar"
January 10, 2018, FranceDuring a visit of a class from the Dauphiné high school to the church le collégiale Saint-Barnard in Romans-sur-Isère, a 34-year-old man allegedly reproached the female students for how they were dressed, before shouting "Allah Akbar." He also damaged the facade of the church. The man was later arrested.
Statue of Virgin Mary Damaged by Paint and Stones
January 6, 2018, PolandUnknown vandals poured black paint and used stones to damage the statue of the Virgin Mary in the forest shrine in Gdynia. Police began an investigation and parishioners of Wawrzyńca prayed for the "conversion of the hears and minds" of the perpetrators.
Vandalism Trial in Gemonio Postponed Until June
December 31, 2017, ItalyA hearing, which was meant to happen on 27th of April 2022, was postponed until June due to health reason. The hearing relates to a case of vandalism where a group of children sprayed black spray paint on of the fourteen chapels of the Via Sacro in December 31st, 2017. The police examined video footage to identify the suspects who were 14 years or older.
Lons-le-Saunier: Repeated Vandalism and Disturbances in a Church
December 29, 2017, FranceAfter weeks of disturbances and vandalism in the church of Cordeliers, the priest church filed a complaint with the police on December 29th. From the beginning of December, fire extinguishers had been found emptied, excrement found in the pulpit, and games had been played with candles creating a fire risk. Police began a forensic investigation.
Infant Jesus Stolen from Brussels Nativity
December 29, 2017, BelgiumSometime during the night between December 28th and 29th, the nativity scene placed in the Grand Palace in Brussels was vandalized. The figure of the infant Jesus was stolen and the cradle was damaged. The police investigated.
Desecration and Theft of Consecrated Hosts from Spanish Parish
December 26, 2017, SpainDuring the night between 26th to 27th of December the parish church of San Francisco de Sales in Parla, in the Community of Madrid, was desecrated when the tabernacle containing consecrated hosts was stolen.
A Nativity Scene in Alzira Mountain Destroyed
December 25, 2017, SpainOn 25th December, the nativity scene installed on Sunday 17 December on the summit of Alzira's highest mountain, La Ratlla, was vandalised. Unknown perpetrators destroyed several figures and others went missing. The backpack in which the material was stored was empty, and the landmark of the mountain was also torn to pieces. The visitor's book was also damaged and the book was stolen.