All cases
Ancient Christian Cemetery Desecrated, Human Remains Scattered
June 29, 2022, TurkeyOn June 29, an ancient Christian cemetery was found desecrated by local Christians. The graves were damaged, human remains were found scattered, and funerary objects were discovered tarnished across the cemetery complex. It is believed that the perpetrators acted with a bad intention, considering that June 29 is a day dedicated to "the liturgical memory of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, to whom the cemetery chapel was dedicated upon its construction in 1967". The fact that this location was targeted specifically at this time appears to be with the aim of maximizing the impact on local Christians. The vandalistic case was reported to the police and the local Christians hope that they find the vandals and bring them to justice.
Calls For Buffer Zone at Abortion Clinic in Bournemouth
June 28, 2022, United KingdomThe abortion clinic in Bournemouth has been calling for a buffer zone around the facility, due to the daily vigils outside the clinic that have been taking place over the years, in order to prevent pro-life protesters from approaching the women going to the clinic, as well as the staff that works there. Rachel Clarke, from the mentioned clinic, said "[Bournemouth] is one of the worst-hit clinics in the country". A buffer zone could undermine the freedom of assembly and freedom of speech of pro-life activists.
Catholic Church in Leubsdorf Sprayed with Graffiti
June 28, 2022, GermanyAccording to the Leubsdorf police, between June 23 and 28, unknown vandals daubed and sprayed the catholic church building with black paint graffiti and by smearing it with rowan berries. The police were alerted and are looking for witnesses to help them identify the perpetrators.
Attempted Arson in the Cathedral of Malaga
June 28, 2022, SpainOn the night of the 28th of June, an unknown person attempted to set a fire in the Cathedral of Malaga, by placing flammable liquid in the corners of the old wooden door. Fortunately, it did not produce the outcome desired and did not cause any significant damages thanks to the rapid action of young people who called the emergency services. The only visible damages were on the door jambs, "in which the stone and wood have been blackened". The police opened an investigation and started analyzing the surveillance cameras to find the perpetrator.
Spain: "Trans Law" Approved, Restricts Parental Rights and Free Speech
June 27, 2022, SpainOn the 27th of June, the Spanish Cabinet approved the so-called 'trans law', despite controversy. Now it goes to the Spanish Parliament "where an intense debate is expected". According to the government, the purpose of this law is "to advance in the depathologisation of transsexuality and gender self-determination". The law has been criticized, as it criminalizes content that questions the trans ideology, including anything that might be understood as "conversion therapy", and it undermines parental rights.
Religious Objects Looted from Church of Caniac-du-Causse
June 26, 2022, FranceBetween June 20 and 26, the Reliquary of St. Namphaise was stolen from the church of Caniac-du-Causse, along with several other valuable objects, such as the ciborium containing the consecrated hosts. Father Michel Cambon, Chancellor of the Diocese of Cahors, was the one who noticed the theft and alerted the police, who started investigating. It is the 14th church of the vicinity reported looted, in only a few months.
Anti-Christian Tags on Church, Statue of the Virgin and War Memorial
June 26, 2022, FranceUnknown vandals tagged the walls of the church of Saint-Martin-duTouch, the statue of the Virgin, and the war memorial with insulting writings. On the wall of the bell tower, they wrote "fuck Jesus", and on the Statue of the Virgin obscene writings and signatures were found. Jean-Jacques Bolzan, the neighborhood mayor and deputy mayor of Toulouse said this was a severe attack and commented: "with our CCTV cameras, I hope we can identify the authors of these tags. Of course, we will not stop there".
Man Sets Fire to Church to Prevent His Wife From Making Donations
June 26, 2022, RussiaIn the city of St. Petersburg, on June 26, a man decided to set a fire to the Church of Saint Basil the Great, after having an argument with his wife about the amount of money she donated to this congregation. According to a Russian newspaper "He always worked, they have four children and his wife works in the church. Everything he earned, she took to the temple. That's why they had a conflict".
Evangelical Christian Preacher, Hatun Tash, arrested again at Speakers’ Corner
June 26, 2022, United KingdomThe evangelical Christian preacher and member of the Free Speech Union, Hatun Tash, was arrested on the 26th of June, at Speakers’ Corner. It was her third arrest in two years. Apparently, she was dragged by a group of police officers, who took her to the police station, "strip-searched, interviewed, kept overnight in a cell and then released without charge". She was released the next day, interestingly, on the 150th anniversary of Speakers’ Corner.
Unknown Perpetrator Destroyed a Shrine in Gogołów
June 26, 2022, PolandOn June 26th, an unknown perpetrator destroyed the chapel of Jesus Crucified in Gogołów. The perpetrator smashed the statue of Christ hanging on the cross and destroyed the fence of the shrine.
Priest's Car and House Vandalised
June 26, 2022, FranceThe French Observatory reported that individuals kicked in the bottom of the door of a priest's house. The priest, Abbé Guépin, who lives in the rue d'Allonville, also recalled that on the night of 23 to 24 June, his car was also attacked. The perpetrators broke into the car and stole two bags, one of which contained objects to celebrate a baptism and communion.
Man Arrested for Repeatedly Smashing Stained Glass Windows of Churches in Leipzig Area
June 24, 2022, GermanyA 38-year-old man was arrested in early July after he was linked to the destruction of stained glass windows in an evangelical church in Stötteritz, Leipzig on 24 June - two windows were smashed with cobble stones causing 15,000 euros worth of damage. The police are trying to link him to two other stained-glass windows destroyed in two Leipzig churches, one of which was St Thomas.
Wooden Cross Set on Fire in Riccall Church
June 24, 2022, United KingdomAn arson attack took place at the St. Mary's Church in Riccall on Friday 24. June. A wooden cross that was attached to the front entrance of the church was set on fire and destroyed. Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime, as the religious symbol was directly targeted.
Another Arson Against the St. Nikolai Church in Caldern
June 23, 2022, GermanyOn June 23, unidentified young vandals set fire to the altar bible at the St. Nikolai Church in Caldern. Because of the massive damage caused by the fire, the Church will remain temporarily closed. This is the second time that the church has been targeted by arson.
Update! Sweden: Liberal Party Wants To Ban the Establishment of New Religious Independent Schools
June 22, 2022, SwedenThe Liberal Swedish Party wants to completely ban denominational independent schools, within the framework of the Swedish school system. Previously, they intended to block the opening of new religious schools but now they claim that the existing ones should also be closed in the next term. The chairman of the Christian Free School Council, Jan Rosman, says this "would definitely be a violation of religious freedom".
Church Windows Smashed in Leipzig Once Again
June 22, 2022, GermanyBetween the evening of June 22 and the morning of the 23rd, unknown vandals threw paving stones at a total of three church windows in Leipzig. The total amount of damages is estimated to be around 300 euros. The case was reported to the police and a case was opened to investigate the vandalistic act.
Vandal Caught on Church's Surveillance Camera Damaging a Cross
June 22, 2022, PolandOn June 22, a surveillance camera of the church of St. Andrzej Bobola recorded a man entering the vestibule of the building, damaging the cross, and then leaving the church. The video was sent to the police, who published a picture of the unknown vandal. They opened an investigation to gather evidence and witnesses who might be able to identify the perpetrator.
Statue of Mary Ripped out and Stolen From German Church
June 21, 2022, GermanyThe police announced on the 21st of June, that a statue of the Virgin Mary was stolen from the Church of St. Wenzeslaus in Schönsee, by unknown burglars. The statue was apparently ripped out from its attachment to the wall. It is approximately 100 years old, with 75 centimeters, hand-carved, and worth around 5,000 euros. It is not yet known the exact date and time the crime occurred, but the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office is looking into the case in order to find the culprits.
Theft and Property Damage From Lutheran Church
June 21, 2022, GermanyBetween June 21 and 22, unknown thieves stole a video camera and a microphone from the Lutheran Church. The police were alerted and investigations indicate that the perpetrators allowed themselves to be locked inside the church and then forced open a door to exit the crime scene. The items stolen were worth around 200 euros and the property damage is estimated at around 2000 euros.
Attempted Theft in the Church of Santa Maria Monserrato
June 20, 2022, ItalyUnidentified thieves attempted to rob the church of Santa Maria Monserrato, in Palermo. In order to enter, they unhinged the iron gate, enabling their access to the church. However, for reasons still unknown, they gave up and abandoned the scene. The case was reported to the police and an investigation is underway.