All cases

Man Arrested for Stealing Sacred Vessels from Nicosia Chapel

May 6, 2022, Cyprus

A 36-year-old man was arrested on the 6th of May on suspicion of stealing sacred vessels from a schoolyard chapel in Nicosia, Cyprus. Sometime between April 15th and May 3rd, the chapel was broken into and the sacred items were taken. Those investigating the crime found the man.

Window in Schlierstadt Church Smashed

May 6, 2022, Germany

A window of the Catholic church "Sankt Gangolf" in Schlierstadt, was smashed with a stone between May 2nd and 6th. The church was vandalized twice last year but this time, the property damage was around 1000 euros. The police were looking for more information about the perpetrator.

Parental Consent Not Needed for Children Under 16 Years Old to Take Puberty Blockers

May 6, 2022, United Kingdom

On the 6th of May, the Supreme Court of the UK declined to take the Bell v Tavistock case, regarding puberty blockers for teenagers under 16 years old, which means the ruling by the Court of Appeals will currently stand. After the High Court ruled that 13-year-olds were not old enough and needed parental consent to begin hormone blockers; Tavistock appealed in June of 2021 and the Court of Appeals ruled that it was not the High Court's decision to make. Instead, they ruled that parental consent was unnecessary and that clinicians could decide it with their patients. This is a significant concern for Christian parents who would disagree with such treatment.

Anti-Christian and Nazi Tags on Parish Church in Mautern

May 6, 2022, Austria

The outer walls of the parish church in Mautern were sprayed with Nazi symbols on May 6th. Once the police had the relevant details, they were able to identify the perpetrators who were brothers aged 21 and 27 from the Leoben district. The property damage was significant. One graffiti reads "F** Jesus".

Bishop's Car in Kaluga Vandalized

May 6, 2022, Russia

On the night of May 6th, the car of Albert Ratkin, bishop of the Glorification Church in Kaluga, was painted with the "pro-Russian war" letters Z and V, and polyurethane was put in the exhaust pipe and doors. The vandalism was done because the Bishop had a YouTube channel, called "View from Heaven", on which he had posted videos against the war. He said: “I am not speaking with criticism, I am offering some solutions. Not everyone likes it, you see.”

Satanist Profanation of Cementery in Chișinău

May 6, 2022, Moldova

On May 6, 20 crosses and 70 funeral wreaths were set on fire at the St. Lazarus Cemetery in Chișinău, Moldova. Law enforcement officials found evidence of a satanic"ritual" at the site. The following May 13, a 35-year-old man was arrested for the theft of an electric bicycle in the capital - he was linked to these acts of desecration and indicted. He faces up to four years in prison and a fine of over 3,000 euros.

Offering Box in Rain Church Destroyed

May 5, 2022, Germany

On May 6th, a thief broke into the parish church in Rain and stole 100 euros from the offering box there. In the process, the intruder broke open the historic offering box from 1721 with a tool and caused damage that will take around 1000 euros to repair. It was not known who did it but the police in Rain were started an investigation and were looking for more information.

European Parliament Adopts "Hostile" Report on Persecution of Religious Minorities

May 4, 2022, Belgium

A report titled "Persecution of minorities on the grounds of belief or religion," was adopted by the European Parliament in Brussels on May 4th. It has since been called “openly hostile towards religion” by human rights experts since it in places points to religion as a threat and a driver of humanitarian crises. It also failed to mention the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and Africa, but states that "sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), including abortion, are being banned in the name of religion." Although the report had some positive points it did not always refer to religion favorably.

Attempted Arson in Hüttersdorf Church

May 4, 2022, Germany

An unidentified arsonist tried to ignite the doors of a church on Berliner Straße in Hüttersdorf but failed. On May 4th, a witness saw from her place a lighted candle next to the wooden door of the church but before it could cause significant damage, it tipped over and went out. The Lebach Police were looking for people who could provide more information about the incident.

Teenage Girls Vandalize Völklingen Church

May 2, 2022, Germany

In the morning of May 2nd, two 11 year old girls threw candles and song books on the ground in the St. Eligius church in Völklingen, Saarland, and smeared a banana on the wall. They returned in the afternoon and knocked over some displays and commemorative candles. They left before the police arrived but the officers found them at a nearby supermarket; at which point, they were handed over to their mother after some strict words.

Fascist Symbols Painted on Church in Petrinja

May 2, 2022, Croatia

The church of St. Spiridon the Wonderworker in Petrinja was targeted with Ustasha symbols on May 2nd. This graffiti has fascist implications and shows opposition to pluralistic societies. The police were investigating the incident in hopes of finding the perpetrators and stopping further hate crimes in the future.

Sacred Pictures of Saints in Milazzo Ruined with Knife

May 1, 2022, Italy

Pictures in the Madonna del Lume church of Milazzo were ruined by an unknown individual who cut them with a sharp object on the 1st of May. It was a series of ten prints including pictures of the Martyrdom of St. Sebastian, the statue of St. Rita, and one of Madonna del Carmelo. The pictures were slashed through the middle and the mayor of the city said of the act: "This gesture was made by people who disgust me."

Several Thefts of Sacred Objects in Tuscany

May 1, 2022, Italy

In the last weeks of April, there were several thefts of sacred objects from churches in Tuscany. The carabinieri in Florence identified a Romanian individual who was behind most of the crimes as after his home was searched, a number of these items were found including paintings and statues. The police were investigating the crimes to find a possible accomplice.

Extreme leftist Mob Attacks Parishioners and Church in Angers

May 1, 2022, France

On May 1st during a trade union demonstration, a group of leftist activists - also identified as Antifa - attacked parishioners in front of the Notre-Dame des Victoires church in Angers. The group went by the name of "the Angevin Anti-Fascist Network (RAAF)." The parishioners were attending the 11-hour Mass, while others had positioned themselves in front of the church to prevent attacks. The mob still threw paint on the building and squashed eggs on the ground. They shouted "homophobic slogans" and later returned with a banner directed at Catholics that read, "We are here to challenge those who are dedicated to deifying themselves." The police had to intervene to stop further violence.

Burglary at Church in Hamm

May 1, 2022, Germany

Between May 1st and 2nd, burglars broke into the St. Mary's Church in Hamm and stole around 100 euros from the donation box. They forcefully entered through a window and once inside, searched the sacristy and then looked through cupboards which they had violently opened. The property damage was around 500 euros and the police, who were investigating the crime, needed more information.

Property Damage to Church in Dieburg

May 1, 2022, Germany

Unknown people forcefully entered the Dieburg Church on Forsthausstrasse, who were possibly looking for something to steal. Although nothing was taken, the damage inflicted on the church was around 1000 euros as they also tried to break open a door inside the church. The incident was reported to the police.

Martin Luther Bust Destroyed at Höchen Church

April 30, 2022, Germany

A bust of Martin Luther, in front of a church in Höchen, was entirely demolished by an unknown vandal on April 30th. The police were looking for witnesses.

Spanish "TikToker" Attacked on Social Media for Being Catholic

April 30, 2022, Spain

Ignacio “Nacho” Gil Conesa, a well-known Spanish "tikToker", has been attacked by other influencers for being Catholic. He goes by the name Nachter, and a few months before May 1st, he devoted his time solely to making humorous videos about typical things that happen in the house. In an interview with the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, he said "there are other influencers who have attacked me for being catholic," a situation he described as "ridiculous."

Vandals Looted and Damaged to Church in Leipzig

April 30, 2022, Germany

Unknown intruders broke into a church in Leipzig on April 30th and roughly searched through drawers, and cupboards, causing damage to the door of one dresser. The property damage was around 500 euros and they also stole a large amount of money. An investigation of the incident was launched by the police.

Property Damage and Attempted Theft in Pleyben Church

April 30, 2022, France

On April 30th, the volunteers of the Saint-Germain Church in Pleyben, were shocked to find significant amounts of property damage. The front door was damaged and judging by the broken display cases, an attempt was made to steal the religious objects. They did not know who did it.