All cases
State restrictions at Navalny funeral ceremony
March 1, 2024, RussiaRussian authorities have implemented significant restrictions that interfere with Christian Orthodox funeral rituals during Navalny's burial. Many fear further violations of the right to manifest one's religion or belief by hindering the religious funeral ceremony.
Suspected Arson at St Matthew Church
March 1, 2024, GermanyIn the early hours of Friday 1 March, St Matthew's Church in Berlin was the scene of several fires. Police are investigating arson.
Consecrated Hosts and Religious Objects Stolen from Church
March 1, 2024, ItalyIn March 2024, unknown perpetrators broke into the Church of Santa Maria ad Nives in Bovalino Superiore by forcing open a side door. They stole several sacred items, including a reliquary medallion containing a hair of the Virgin Mary and the consecrated Host from the tabernacle. The theft was discovered shortly before Mass, which was then moved to another nearby church.
Theft of liturgical objects from church in Żychlin
March 1, 2024, PolandOn Friday, March 1, during the Stations of the Cross, the parish priest noticed that a lavabo, a liturgical vessel, had disappeared from the church in Żychlin. The lavabo is a jug with a bowl for washing hands during the liturgy. Additionally, a wooden cross with glasses containing fragments of rocks and sand from the Way of the Cross in Jerusalem, which was located on the main altar, was also missing.
Prayer Gathering in Frankfurt attacked
March 1, 2024, GermanyA prayer gathering conducted by "40 days for life" outside an abortion clinic was violently disrupted and the participants were threatened by a group of activists.
40 graves vandalised at cemetery in Fresselines
February 29, 2024, FranceOn February 29, a resident of Fresselines, on his way to the family crypt, discovered the unprecedented vandalism in the Creuse cemetery. Unknown perpetrators had desecrated around 40 graves: between some graves plates had been moved or broken, pots had been thrown to the ground. Some slabs had also been unscrewed and piled up on the ground. Stelae and plaques had been broken or moved.
Pepper spray attack against Christian missionary
February 28, 2024, AustriaOn the afternoon of February 28, Christian missionary Lahzy Mahfonz Hefzalla Girgis has been attacked with pepper spray at Vienna’s central Stephansplatz. While Mr Girgis was having conversation with a Syrian person, two other allegedly Syrian men approached him. One of the Syrian men shouted "Jesus is God" mockingly and sprayed pepper spray into Mr Girgis' eyes. Lahzy Girgis had to be treated in hospital.
Landmark ECJ ruling recognises conversion in subsequent asylum application
February 28, 2024, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)In a landmark ruling the European Court of Justice has decided that a conversion to Christianity after the flight should be recognised as grounds for asylum if the applicant can credibly demonstrate that he has changed his religion out of "inner conviction".
18th century church in Pliego vandalised with graffiti
February 28, 2024, SpainAs reported on February 28, the walls of the Virgen de los Remedios Church in Pliego, Murcia, has been defaced with graffiti. The church, dating back to the 18th century, is a cultural asset. Two young people, one of them a minor, are suspected of the vandalism.
Arson in Carlsberg Church of the Holy Cross
February 26, 2024, GermanyOn February 26, the confessional in the Catholic Church of the Holy Cross was destroyed in a fire. According to the investigating authorities, a statue of a saint and a storage room were also damaged. A fire expert ruled out a technical defect on Friday, March 1, so the criminal investigation department in Neustadt is assuming arson.
Theft and excrement in the church of the Madonna dei Sette Dolori
February 26, 2024, ItalyOn February 26, thieves broke into the church of the Madonna dei Sette Dolori in Vasto and stole offerings from the donation box. The perpetrators furthermore left human excrement on the floor of the church. The parish priest expressed his shock and disgust about this gesture of degradation and disrespect.
Vandalism to Monastery church
February 25, 2024, GermanyUnknown perpetrators damaged the monastery church of Betzdorf. The window panes were smashed either with a stone or another tool. The police are investigating.
Unknown perpetrator sets fire to priest's car
February 25, 2024, ItalyThe car belonging to Father Marcos was destroyed in an arson attack outside the church of Francolise near Caserta. The mayor has condemned this incident on social media.
Vandalism at Salvator Church in Gera
February 25, 2024, GermanyUnknown individuals have vandalised Salvator Church on the Nicolaiberg in Gera by breaking three windows.
Priest physically attacked in Prizren
February 25, 2024, KosovoOn February 25 a Serbian Orthodox priest was physically attacked in Prizen. The attack took place as a bus of pilgrims from central Serbia arrived at a seminary Prizren where they wanted to attend the liturgy. The suspect parked his vehicle nearby and displayed a "KLA" flag on the front of the bus. He then verbally attacked and provoked the pilgrims. The priest, who was also on his way to the liturgy at the seminary, advised the pilgrims not to respond to provocations and to enter the Seminary as soon as possible. At that moment, the suspect physically assaulted the priest by pushing him, bending his arm, and attacking him.
Attempted poisoning of Italian priest during mass
February 24, 2024, ItalyOn 24 February, an unknown person attempted to poison Father Felice Palamara, the parish priest of San Nicola di Pannaconi, by adding bleach to the altar wine. Police suspect the local Mafia behind the attack.
Oratory window shattered by stone for the second time
February 23, 2024, ItalyFor the second time since september a stone shattred the window of Saint Joseph Oratory in Montegrotto.
St John's Church of Uslar vandalised
February 23, 2024, GermanyUnknown perpetrators sprayed painted black letters on the St John's Church of Uslar church wall. The material damage is estimated to be approximately 1000 euros. Police did not report the content of the message.
Geneva Secularity Law: No Public Baptisms for Non-Registered Churches
February 23, 2024, SwitzerlandThe Swiss Federal Court has supported a decision of the canton of Geneva banning baptismal celebrations in Lake Geneva for churches which do not "maintain a relationship with the State". In its ruling published in February 2024, the Court rejected the appeal of two churches, which have been banned from performing baptisms in the lake despite their long tradition of doing so.
Islamist graffiti on stone crosses
February 22, 2024, FranceIslamist graffiti was discovered on roadside “calver” stone crosses saying "Tomorrow this will be the land of Islam". this is not the first time: on Christmas night, Islamist vandals wrote "Allah" on the cross, and the other day they found the inscription "Today is the land of infidels".