All cases
Church Bells in Two Towns Ordered Silenced by Courts
January 22, 2017, SlovakiaAfter a complaint by a resident in Pezinok about the volume of the local church bells, and another complaint by a different resident in Svinna, courts have ordered the church to reduce the volume or silence the bells in each town.
A Statue of the Virgin Mary Attacked and Damaged
January 22, 2017, SpainUnknown people stole the crown of the statue of the Virgin Mary on January 22nd around 6pm. A finger of the figure, as well as an arm of the statue of the Child Jesus, were also broken.
Attack against a Catholic Parish Church
January 22, 2017, SpainThe external walls of the church of San Nicolás de Bari were covered with graffiti messages such as “The only church that illuminates is a burning church” (common anarchist motto during the Spanish Civil War) and “No to obligatory religion”.
Vandals Twice Damage Cemetery near Gurmels
January 21, 2017, SwitzerlandTwice in a week, unknown perpetrators dug up crosses, damaged lanterns, and trampled on graves in a cemetery of the Reformed Church of La Corbaz. The church reported the acts to the police.
Gender-Abortion Whistleblower Ordered to Pay Costs
January 20, 2017, United KingdomAisling Hubert, who began criminal proceedings against two doctors who were filmed offering 'gender-abortion', went to court to challenge £36,000 of the costs that were awarded against her after she tried to bring two 'gender-abortion' doctors to justice. The judge said he could not amend or reduce the costs. Instead a settlement was reached for the amount Aisling has to pay. She now has until 18 August to pay the agreed amount.
Man Fined for Using Altar in Performance Art in Saarbrücken
January 18, 2017, GermanyIn January 2016, Alexander Karle crossed the barrier to the altar of the basilica of Sankt Johann and did push-ups for a video he called "Pressure to perform". An administrative court imposed a fine of EUR 700 for trespassing and disturbance of religious practice. Karle has appealed, citing artistic freedom.
Policing and Crime Bill Proposes to Raise Penalty for "Religiously Aggravated Offense"
January 18, 2017, United KingdomDuring the debate in the House of Lords, the Government was asked what would qualify for a "religiously motivated offense" and whether it could include a Christian preaching the "supreme divinity of Christ." The Government responded that this would be up to prosecutors and courts.
Romanesque Door and Rectory of a Church in Sabadell Destroyed
January 18, 2017, SpainThe Municipal Police of Sabadell investigated several instances of intentional damage in the Sant Pau de Riu-sec church, which dates from the 11th and 12th centuries, as well as in the rectory. The damage affected the original door of the south facade of the church. The arch and one of the windows were also attacked: a protection grid was cut and one of the wooden porticos was broken.
Iranian and Afghan Christian Converts Face Deportation from Germany
January 16, 2017, GermanyGermany’s Ministry for Immigration and Refugees (BAMF) rejected many applications for asylum from Iranian and Afghan converts from Islam to Christianity, following “kangaroo court”-style hearings as to whether the conversions are genuine, according to a Berlin pastor.
Goverment Still Supports Plan to Register & Inspect Sunday Schools
January 11, 2017, United KingdomEducation minister confirmed that the program to regulate "out of school" settings, which could include Sunday school and youth group meetings, remains a government priority. Opponents say that this would leave churches open to complaints if they teach religious principles relating to traditional marriage.
Arson at Emmaüskerk in Amersfoort
January 8, 2017, NetherlandsPolice investigated an early morning fire intentionally set on January 1st in the main entrance of the old wooden church, destroying the doors and leaving the church reeking of smoke. Fortunately, the fire was extinguished before destroying the building. One week later, unknown vandals set fire to the church again on January 8th.
Two Priests Attacked in Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome
January 7, 2017, ItalyA 41-year-old man attacked two priests with a broken glass bottle and both had to be hospitalized. The attacker fled, but was quickly caught by the police. The motive for the attack is unclear.
At Least 30 Tombs Vandalized and Profaned in Finistère
January 7, 2017, FranceSome time in the night of January 6 - 7, at least 30 graves in the cemetery of Brennilis were vandalized, with crosses and crucifixes overturned or broken and headstones toppled. Police are investigating.
Christmas Nativity Set on Fire on Eve of Epiphany Holiday
January 6, 2017, FranceUnknown perpetrators intentionally set fire to the straw at the base of the nativity scene in the Cathedral of Saint-Étienne, burning all of the figures. The Archbishop expressed the pain of the community, saying that the display expresses the heart of the Christian faith.
Church and Christ Figure Vandalized in Madrid
January 5, 2017, SpainOn January 5, 2017, the exterior of the parish of Santa María de Nazaret in Madrid, Spain, was vandalized with graffiti and an figure of Christ was damaged by unknown perpetrators.
25 Year Old Smashed Shrine and Set Fire to Crèche
January 2, 2017, ItalyThe perpetrator, a Gambian with a valid residence permit, broke the glass case containing a statue of the Virgin Mary in the courtyard of the Church of the Madonna del Rosario and then burned the Christmas crèche, completely destroying it. He admitted the act to the police, saying that he was Muslim and wanted to destroy the Christian symbols.
L'Abbaye d'Orval Robbed
January 1, 2017, BelgiumA safe containing 50,000 euros was stolen from the Orval Abbey, a Cistercien-Trappist Monastery famous for a brewery whose profits go to fund social projects. Police are investigating.
New Year's Fireworks Damage Church Roof in Poeldijk
January 1, 2017, NetherlandsIllegal fireworks are the likely cause of damage to the recently restored roof of the Reformed Church in Poeldijk. Witnesses saw two men on the roof setting fireworks, which are illegal. Officials have not determined if the damage was intentional, but the perpetrators have not come forward and police are investigating.
Chapel in St. Radegund Damaged by Vandals
January 1, 2017, AustriaOn New Year's Eve, unknown perpetrators vandalized a chapel, damaging a statue of the Virgin Mary and burned prayer books and wooden objects nearby. Damages are estimated at around 1,000 euros. Police are investigating.
Chapel in Brunau am Inn the Victim of Theft and Vandalism
January 1, 2017, AustriaUnknown perpetrators beheaded a statue of St. Barbara and stole a Christ figure from a cross and several other sacred objects. Damage is estimated at around 5,000 euros. Police are investigating.