All cases
Man Desecrates Altar by Having Intercourse and Filming Act
November 22, 2023, GermanyOn November 22, a legal procedure was started against a man from Rosenheim who had sexual intercourse with his wife near the altar of a church in Schechen and filmed the act. "In order to respect the religious feelings of the faithful, such a desecration must be remedied by a penitential ceremony in accordance with the liturgical rules," explained a spokesperson for the responsible archdiocese of Munich and Freising.
Keyboard Stolen from Church in Gögginen
November 21, 2023, GermanyAn electric piano has dissapeared from the Protestant Johannis Church in Gǒggingen. The police concluded that the piano must have been stolen between November 10 and November 21. The estimated value of the electric piano is around 5,000 euros. The police are still investigating the situation.
Church in Ichtershausen Vandalized and Robebed
November 20, 2023, GermanyA church in Klostergasse in Ichtershausen, Germany, was forcibly broken into and damaged. Several doors were broken open, rooms were searched and approximately 10,000 euros worth of property damage was caused. Multiple instruments were stolen as well. The crime occurred between November 17 at 3 PM and November 20 at 10:20 AM. The police are still investigating the incident.
Spain: Catholics and Christians Are the most targeted Religion, According to Latest Report
November 20, 2023, SpainThe Observatory for Religious Freedom and Freedom of Conscience (OLRC) in Spain collects, verifies and publishes attacks on religious freedom in the country. The 2023 report shows that attacks have increased in 2022 compared to 2021 by 6.67%, from a total of 195 to 208 cases. Their Annual Report shows that attacks on places of worship have increased by 40% and that 3 out of every 4 attacks have been against Catholics. The OLRC also documented 4 specific cases of violence against believers, all of them being against Catholics.
London City Missionaries attacked
November 20, 2023, United KingdomLondon City Mission leader Graham Miller and his wife were attacked on the streets of south-west London, where they regularly evangelise, after Mr Miller challenged some children for abusing a cafe manager near the railway station.
Ballymoney Church Subject of Arson Attack
November 19, 2023, IrelandThe door to Our Lady and St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Ballymoney was set on fire on the night of November 19. Police were notified shortly after 9:45 pm that the side door of the church was on fire. Officers attended to the fire and were able to extinguish it before significant damage was caused. The police are investigating the incident as a deliberate arson attack.
Basilica in Rouen Vandalised and Robbed
November 15, 2023, FranceThe Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur in Rouen was broken into on November 15. The parish priest, Father Geoffroy de la Tousche, said that a statue was broken, sacred vases were stolen, and the altar was severely damaged. This is not the first case of vandalism in Rouen, as gargoyles had been damaged last year. The priest said that the damage will cost tens of thousands of euros. The police are investigating but the perpetrator has not been found.
UPDATE: Dáil Éireann Passes Abortion 'Buffer Zone' Bill
November 15, 2023, IrelandThe lower house of the Irish Parliament has passed a bill in support of so-called 'buffer zones' around abortion clinics, which will now move to the upper house (Seanad) for consideration. The proposed Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) / Safe Access Zones Bill criminalizes individuals attempting to offer advice or influence pregnant women within 100 meters of an abortion clinic. Repeat offenders could face a fine of €2,500 or up to six months in prison. Churches loced within these zones fear restrictions on church grounds under the propsed bill.
Man threatens priest to burn church
November 15, 2023, SpainNovember 15, a 45-year-old man threatened a parish priest and two other persons with assaulting them and burning down the church in Burgos. In addition, the individual made use of a wooden rod in a threatening way.
Sacred Objects Damaged and Stolen at Cathedral in Königslutter
November 14, 2023, GermanyUnknown perpetrators damaged an altar crucifix and stole a Jesus figure from the Imperial Cathedral in Königslutter on November 14. The individuals entered the cathedral via the main entrance, which was open, and went to the altar area. They removed the crucifix, moved it to a less visible area in the church, and severely damaged it. They also stole a figure of Jesus that was attached to it. The police are investigating the situation, and the perpetrators have not been caught.
Good News: Päivi Räsänen Found Not Guilty of 'Hate Speech' for Quoting the Bible
November 14, 2023, FinlandThe Finnish appeal court has unanimously upheld the 2022 acquittal and dismissed all charges against Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola who had been on trial for having publicly expressed their Christian beliefs. The ruling is considered to be a victory for freedom of religion and expression.
Scandiano Church Vandalized and Statue of Mary Beheaded
November 13, 2023, ItalyA man devastated the church of Santa Maria Assunta in Scandiano, causing thousands of euros worth of damage. He vandalized the walls, furniture, and statues, including breaking off the head of a statue of Mary. The individual destroyed sacred objects and broke open the tabernacle to throw the host on the ground. The police were able to identify the perpetrator. The 53-year-old from Modena was consequently reported for aggravated damage.
LGBT provocation campaign inside Greek Catholic churches in Lviv
November 12, 2023, Ukraine"We call on all gay couples to come to St Andrew's Church and kiss each other, thus reminding those who perform their rites there that they have no power to condemn and punish love." This is how Ukrainian LGBT activist Viktor Pylypenko called on social media for a provocation campaign against the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) after the latter expressed indignation over a video clip that was filmed inside St Andrew's in Lviv in early November showing scenes of homosexual kissing.
Convert beaten up for 'frequenting the church of Christians'
November 12, 2023, ItalyA 28-year-old Tunisian Christian convert was beaten and robbed for 'attending Christian church'. According to media reports, the man was attacked on the evening of November 12, 2023, in the Ponte San Giovanni district of Perugia by some fellow countrymen, while he was walking with a friend. Now the police have issued three pre-trial detention orders for crimes committed with the aggravating circumstance of religious discrimination.
Priest receives online death threats
November 12, 2023, FranceA priest from the Church of Saint-Joseph in Valence, Drôme region, was threatened with death by an Internet user on the social network "Discord" on November 12.
Church in Leinach Defaced Again
November 11, 2023, GermanySt. Laurentius Church in Leinach was defaced for the second time over the weekend of November 11. The side of the church was smeared with silver paint, the slogan written on the wall is illegible. The material damage is estimated to cost 500 euros. About a year ago, unknown perpetrators defaced the steps of the church with black paint. The individuals responsible for either of these crimes have not been caught.
Man Threatens to Explode Church During Mass in Valmontone
November 10, 2023, ItalyAt the church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Piazza Pilozzi in Valmontone, a man entered with a gas cylinder and lighter, threatening to explode the church. The 35-year-old man from Romania insulted and threatened the parish priest, attempting to extort money from him. The police arrived and were able to detain the man. He was taken to a prison in Valletri.
Man Starts a Fire in Confessional of Church in Oropesa del Mar
November 10, 2023, SpainAn individual deliberately started a fire in a confessional at the parish of San Jaime in Oropesa del Mar. The fire was able to be put out and did not injure anyone. The Local Police of Oropesa del Mar were able to identify the man who started the fire and arrest him.
Offensive Graffiti vandalises Church Wall in Munich
November 8, 2023, GermanyOn November 8, a picture was posted on social media of an offensive writing in graffiti on the outside wall of St. Lukas Church in Munich. The writing read: "F*ck your God". Pastor Steve Kennedy Henkel said, "as a church in the city, we are used to vandalism; recently a stone was thrown through the church window after a funeral service." The pastor has replaced the first word of the graffiti, so that it now reads: "I love you! Your God." Pastor Henkel explained: "What would be more natural for us as Christians to respond to hatred with love?" It has not been reported if any police investigation has been launched following this incident.
Man Disrupts Mass shouting “Allah Akbar”
November 8, 2023, FranceOn Sunday, November 5, the mass celebrated at Saint-Éloi Church in Dunkirk was disrupted by an individual who shouted “ Allah Akbar ”. The man was shouting during the “Our Father” prayer and at the end of the mass.