All cases
Catholic Pro-Life Student Union President Ousted
October 27, 2017, IrelandStudents Union at University College Dublin, a university founded by Blessed John Henry Newman, voted to remove Katie Ascough, the Catholic pro-life president of their student union. This vote came after Ascough, on legal advice, stopped the Union from publishing information about the cost of abortion and information relating to abortion pills.
Christian Graves Vandalized in Arthon-en-Retz
October 27, 2017, FranceTwo teenagers were arrested for vandalizing at least a dozen graves in the cemetery in Arthon-en-Retz on October 27th. Flowerpots, vases, and crucifixes were broken, and at least one crucifix was planted upside-down in the ground.
Galway: Church Interior Found Devastated
October 26, 2017, IrelandOn the 26th of October, the Holy Trinity Church on Errislannan peninsula in Galway was completely desecrated by vandalism.
French Community Ordered to Remove Cross from Statue of John Paul II
October 25, 2017, FranceOn October 25th the French State Council, the highest administrative court in France, ordered the removal of the cross atop the statue of Pope John Paul II in the community of Ploërmel because the symbol violates French secularism laws.
Secularist Associations Call for Removal of Virgin Mary from Police Medal
October 24, 2017, SpainThe secularist associations Europa Lacia and Movimiento Hacia un Estado Laico (MHUEL) have appealed the 2016 Supreme Court ruling allowing the image of Nuestra Señora María Santísima del Amor to appear on a medal used by the fraternal organization, Jesús el Rico de Málaga, associated with the national police. The prosecutor asked for the appeal to be dismissed.
"Drag Sethlas" Testified about Las Palmas Carnival Performance
October 23, 2017, SpainBorja Casillas, better known as "Drag Sethlas" testified before a judge to respond to a complaint filed by the Spanish Association of Christian Lawyers. He is accused of hurting religious sentiments during his performance at the Drag Gala of the 2017 Carnival of the city in which he dressed both as the Virgin Mary and the crucified Christ.
Sacristy Ransacked in Belgian Church
October 22, 2017, BelgiumDuring the night between October 21st and 22nd, unknown perpetrators broke into the church Saint-Remi de Baulers and ransacked the sacristy. No valuables were taken.
Employment Tribunal Rejected Christian's Appeal
October 22, 2017, United KingdomA Christian who was dismissed as a Magistrate by the Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice, after expressing his view that it was in a child's best interests to be raised by a mother and a father, lost his case in a Employment Tribunal claiming discrimination, harassment and victimization against an NHS Trust after being blocked from returning to his role as a non-executive director.
Catholic Priest Insulted as “Infidel” and “Swine” at Lidl Checkout
October 21, 2017, GermanyA parish priest, dressed in his normal clerical clothing, was verbally attacked in a supermarket in Werl by a man who called him a "pig" and an "infidel" as he shook the priest's shopping cart. The priest called the police, but they told him they wouldn't respond. Publicly insulting a person in Germany can be a criminal offense.
Pakistani Christian Attacked for Displaying Cross, Poppies on Car
October 20, 2017, United KingdomTajamal Amar, a 45-year-old Pakistani Christian man, was beaten and left unconscious outside a restaurant. He reported that he was attacked by a group of Muslims who objected to him displaying a cross in his car and two large red poppies on the front of his car.
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 .