All cases
Parents' Campaign Forces Church School to Ban Christian Charity Group; Wants Symbols Removed
October 17, 2017, United KingdomAfter a parents' group complained about a Christian charity's "fundamentalist approach" in discussions of sin, St. John's Church of England Primary School in Tunbridge Wells agreed to block CrossTeach from running assemblies or giving lessons. The campaign also demands the removal of crosses, Bibles and clergy from Church of England school assemblies.
German Yoghurt Maker Weideglück Removed Santorini Cross from Packaging
October 11, 2017, GermanyWeideglück's Greek Yoghurt packaging uses an image similar to those used by Nestlé. Carrefour, and Lidl, which depicts the famous blue dome of the Anastasis Church in Santorini, but with the cross removed.
"Allahu Akbar" Graffiti on Church
October 8, 2017, AustriaOver the weekend in Ybbs (district of Melk) graffiti with messages such as "Allahu Akbar" ("God is great"), "Bomb the Kids," and "Bomb the Church" was found in various areas of the town, including on a church. Police began an investigation and offered a reward for information.
Oxford College Student Group Banned Christian Union from "Freshers' Fair"; then Reversed Decision
October 8, 2017, United KingdomA Balliol College student group at Oxford banned the Christian Union from its freshers’ fair on the grounds that it would be "alienating" for students of other religions, and constitute a "micro-aggression." They further claimed that Christianity was used as "an excuse for homophobia and certain forms of neo-colonialism" and that students might feel "unwelcome" if the Christian Union had a stall. After being reprimanded, organizers agreed that the Christian Union could participate in future fairs.
Christian Polish Prayer Initiative called Islamophobic; Controversial
October 7, 2017, PolandThe public prayer event "Rosary to the Borders" was called "a problematic expression of Islamophobia" by the Associated Press and "controversial" by the BBC and other media.
Some UK Schools Have Removed B.C. and A.D. Dating from Religious Education Classes
October 1, 2017, United KingdomB.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini, meaning "in the year of the Lord"), have been replaced with B.C.E., which stands for Before Common Era, and C.E., meaning Common Era. The changes were justified "to show sensitivity to those who are not Christians."
Vandalism of Graves in Metz Cemetery
October 1, 2017, FranceAn unknown perpetrator entered the cemetery during the night of September 30th and October 1st and vandalized 20 graves. Crucifixes were removed from gravestones and thrown to the ground.
Offertory Box Stolen from St. Stephan's Cathedral
September 30, 2017, AustriaIn the early morning hours of September 30th, an unknown burglar entered the door to the northern tower into the cathedral in Vienna. After stealing a donation box, the individual fled. The cathedral is secured by an alarm system with a direct connection to the police station, which was triggered at 5:15 am. Seven police cars and several police dogs arrived to investigate, but were unsuccessful in locating the perpetrator.
Thousands of Pounds Worth of Lead Stolen from Shrewsbury Church
September 30, 2017, United KingdomSt. Mary's church in Shrewsbury was attacked by thieves twice in the span of 4 months in 2017. In July, 23 square meters of lead was stolen, and in Setpember, 14 square meters of lead was stolen. Jessica Robertson, spokeswoman for the Churches Conservation Trust said: "The cost of replacing the lead and repairing the damage to the historic fabric of the building will run into tens of thousands of pounds for our charity. In addition, on both occasions, the popular Battlefield Café was forced to close while the building was secured." This is the eighth church in the Trust's care which has been attacked in 2017 alone.
YouTube Removed Channel of Islam-Critical Priest
September 27, 2017, FranceAfter a third "warning" that his posted videos were "inappropriate" and violated "community rules," YouTube removed priest Guy Pagès's "Islam et Vérité" channel from its content-sharing platform on September 27, 2017 .
Catalonian Separatists say Church is the Enemy
September 26, 2017, SpainAt a press conference held on September 26, 2017 in front of the cathedral in Tarragona, officials from the pro-Catalan independence political party CUP (Candidatura d'Unitat Popular) called the Catholic Church a "power structure to crush" that "discriminates against women and LGBT groups." It has also called for the elimination of aid to Christian schools and removal of a favorable tax status for churches.
Graffiti Found on Seville Church
September 23, 2017, SpainThe Church of Santa Marina, canonical headquarters of la Hermandad de la Resurrección (the Brotherhood of the Resurrection), was vandalized with an upside-down white cross painted on the main door of the church.
"Kill all Christs" Graffiti Painted on Street
September 23, 2017, GermanyThe phrase "Kill all Christs" next to a heart containing "IS" was discovered painted on a street in Bischoffen-Niederweidbach on September 23, 2017. This acronym for Islamic State was also found painted in the same pink color on a road sign.
Muslim Street Prayer Called for Fighting Infidels
September 22, 2017, FranceDuring their Friday prayers, muslims in Clichy gathered in front of the city hall on the street. The imam, who directed this prayer, chanted: "Fight the infidels without exception, as they fight you without exception, and know that Allah is with the pious." (9:36 of the Koran).
Mayor of Castellón Orders Removal and Demolition of Ribalta Park Cross
September 16, 2017, SpainThe decision to remove the cross from Ribalta Park came after a non-binding report by experts who claimed it was a Francoist symbol. The cross was built in 1944 and devoted to fallen soldiers. However in 1979, with the approval of all political parties including the Communist Party, the decision was made to preserve the cross in the park and to eliminate any Francoist connotations. It was then consecrated to the victims of the violence. The Association of Christian Lawyers contends that the effort to remove the cross is because of its Christian meaning, not because of Francoist connotations.
Lipton Removes Crosses from Product Packaging
September 15, 2017, InternationalAfter controversy over the Lidl supermarket group removing crosses from Santorini churches on the packaging of Greek foods, it appears that Lipton, a holding of the Unilever Group, also eliminated crosses from their packaging, including its Russian Earl Grey tea. The illustration is of an Orthodox church, but with the crosses removed from the domes.
Desecration of a Historic Armenian Cathedral in Southeast Turkey
September 15, 2017, TurkeyEighteen months after the Turkish government seized control of the largest Armenian cathedral in the Middle East, secretly taken photographs inside Diyarbakir’s Surp Giragos Armenian Apostolic Church reveal considerable damage to the sanctuary and walls of the now desecrated church in southeast Turkey.
UPDATE: Belgium Wants to Expel Son of "Hate Imam"
September 15, 2017, BelgiumBelgian State Secretary for Migration, Theo Francken, withdrew the right of residence for Souhaib Amaouch, the son of the already-expelled Imam of Dison. Amaouch, now an adult, has been in a youth detention center since August 22, 2016 for inciting hatred against Christians and jihadist propaganda in a video shot in Verviers.
Thirty Graves Vandalized in Moselle Cemetery
September 15, 2017, FranceIn mid-September, the communal cemetery of Montigny-les-Metz in Moselle was vandalized and unknown individuals tore the crucifixes from thirty graves and placed them in a bag which was left in the cemetery.
European Parliament Classifies Laws against Abortion as “Violence Against Women and Girls”
September 12, 2017, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)On September 12, 2017, the European Parliament adopted a parliamentary report which charges “the denial of sexual and reproductive health and rights services, including safe and legal abortion, is a form of violence against women and girls” by a vote of 489 in favor, 114 opposed and 69 abstentions.