All cases

Image of Virgin Mary Burnt in Cordoba

December 4, 2014, Spain

The image of Virgin Mary was completely destroyed by a fire in the chapel of San Sebastian Hospital in Palma del Rio. Evidence suggests that the fire was intentionally caused by arsonist, because nothing else got burnt. However, the mayor reminded people that it may have been the result of an unfortunate accident due to wiring. Many local faithful could not stop tears, because the image, an object of faithful adoration, was one of the oldest in Palma del Rio.

Christmas Market Named “Winter Festival” by Law in Kreuzberg, Berlin

November 30, 2014, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)

Local Parliament in Kreuzberg district of Berlin states that "The district office agrees upon a principle that, there is no permission to be granted for the events of religious communities in the public space". As a result, the previously called "Weihnnachtmarkt" (Christmas market) is from now on to be called "Winterfest" (winter festival).

Organized Campaign Against Building Religious Schools in Madrid

November 28, 2014, Spain

A group of people organized a campaign against building religious schools in Spain and painted slogans "Your education - our destruction” on walls of the church of Santa Monica in Rivas Vaciamadrid. Moreover, some protesters in green jerseys (as a symbol of public schools) broke into the church with praying people to express their opinion. Local right-wing party PP decalred that it was another example of the radical atmosphere in the town.

Topless Protest in the Strasbourg Cathedral against Visit of Pope in the European Parliament

November 25, 2014, France

An activist of the feminist group “Femen” climbed the altar in Strasbourg's cathedral topless and waved the EU flag. The words “Anti-Secular Europe,” were written across her breasts, and “The Pope is Not a Politician” on her back.

Femen Vandalizes a Madrid Cemetery

November 20, 2014, Spain

The cementry of the Martyrs of Paracuellos del Jarama was vandalized by Spanish group Femen which is famous for physical and verbal agression against Christians. Activists carried signs such as "STOP20N” (the expression for not celebrating the date of death of famous Spanish dictator Francisco Franco and supporting his rule). They also wore slogans "No celebrate fascism” and "Stop fascism canonizing” on their bare torsos. People declared Femen's protest as act of an desecration of the sacred place. http://infocatolica.com/?t=noticia&cod=22550&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=NoticasTw&utm_source=infocatolicatw

Abortion Issue Meets Opposition in Sweden

November 14, 2014, Sweden

New Christian Democrat leader Ebba Busch Thor has reiterated her call for the introduction of a conscience clause, which would enable medical staff to refuse to carry out abortions.

Pensioner Dismissed from Red Cross After Protesting Same-sex Marriage

November 1, 2014, United Kingdom

71-years-old Bryan Barkley was dismissed from the British Red Cross after his one-man protest in front of his church holding a placard saying “No same sex marriage” and “No redefinition of marriage”. His views were found incompatible with the principles of impartiality and neutrality of Red Cross.

Anti-Church Exhibit in Madrid Museum

October 29, 2014, Spain

The Spanish museum of modern and contemporary art exhibits a rather peculiar piece: matches with a sign reading “The only church that illuminates is a burning one". This slogan had also been painted by vandals on the walls of the churches all over the country. The matches also say: "Contribute!" and there is a picture of a church in flames on the box of matches.

Islamist Graffiti on a Monastery in Kosovo

October 13, 2014, Kosovo

A graffiti in support of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and the Albanian National Army (AKSh) appeared on the gate of monastery Visoki Decani in Kosovo on 13th October early in the morning. Another such graffiti were found on some of the buildings inside the compound of the medieval monastery protected by UNESCO.

Internat’l Human Trafficking Conference Cancelled Because Organizer Is Christian Abortion Opponent

October 12, 2014, Sweden

An international conference about human rights and human trafficking in Sweden and Europe was cancelled three days before it was supposed to take place by the Uppsala University. The reason was an article published in the Swedish newspaper "Aftonbladet" exposing Scandinavian Human Rights Lawyers, and their President, Mrs. Ruth Nordström, as a defender of unborn life and freedom of conscience.

Arson Attack on the Coptic Orthodox Church in Lichtenberg, Berlin

October 6, 2014, Germany

In the early morning, unknown men pushed and lit a garbage can in front of the entrance of the Church of St. Anthony in Lichtenberg in Berlin. The fire spread to the oak door of the church. Fortunately, firefighters could prevent the fire from spreading. Nevertheless, the entrance area of the church had been badly damaged.

Priest Hospitalized After Attack During Silent Pro-Family Manifestation in Rovereto

October 5, 2014, Italy

On Sunday, 5th of October, silent demonstrations against “gay marriage” took place throughout Italy under the name “standing sentinels” (“Sentinelle in Piedi”). During the gathering in Rovereto a group of anarchists demanded that the Sentinels leave and started to attack them. Two people, a priest and a young woman, had to been taken to hospital.

Church Set on Fire in Berlin

October 4, 2014, Germany

A Coptic church in Berlin was set on fire by yet unknown perpetrators in the early morning hours of October 4th. A dustbin was moved to the main door of the church and set on fire. The fire spread from the dustbin to the historical wooden door which was seriously damaged

Threat to Christians in Graffiti in Vienna

October 1, 2014, Austria

A graffiti on the ground on a popular walkers' and bikers' promenade outside Augarten park reads: "Occupy all churches. We will rise." (Besetzt alle Kirchen. We will rise." This is an outright threat to Christians in Vienna.

Bishop Locked into Parish Hall in Grosswarasdorf

September 30, 2014, Austria

Ägidius Zsifkovics, Austrian bishop of the diocese of Eisenstadt was locked into the parish hall of Grosswarasdorf by yet unidentified perpetrators.

Pharmacy in Neukölln Vandalized for Refusal to Sell “Morning-After-Pill”

September 26, 2014, Germany

In the night from 25th to 26th September a pharmacy in Neukölln was vandalized because of the owner’s refusal to sell the morning after pill. Pharmacist Andreas Kersten refers to reasons of his conscience. The show window and the entrance room were painted all over by red color, the damage amounts to more than 500 Euro.

School Director Criticized for Displaying Madonna at School

September 20, 2014, Croatia

The Director of a primary school was heavily criticized for displaying a 1,2m high statue of Holy Mary in a hall of his school. It is claimed it infringes the principle of state secularity and the separation of state and church.

Cross Removed from Cemetery's Gate

September 20, 2014, Italy

The municipality of Crotone has planned replacement of the entrance gate to a cemetery. At this moment there is a new gate but without a cross, officially not to disturb the sensitivity of Muslims and other non-Christian religions.

Attack on Pro-Life Activist during Anti-Concordat Demonstration in Zagreb

September 20, 2014, Croatia

During an anti-concordat demonstration organized by the non-governmental organization „The Voice of Reason - A Movement for a Secular Croatia“ on the Flower Square in Zagreb, a counter demonstrator was attacked. Mrs. Ružica Ćavar, who is the President of the Croatian Pro-Life Movement, was carrying a poster expressing her opposition. A man attacked and injured Mrs. Ćavar so that she had to be transported to the hospital for medical treatment. The police arrested the attacker.

Attack Against a Nigerian Christian Woman

September 19, 2014, Italy

A Muslim from Mali living in Italy was arrested for a physical attack at a Christian Nigerian woman in Italy. The Nigerian woman had been threatened with death because she was wearing a chain with a cross, later on she was stabbed and needed to be hospitalized with serious injuries.