All cases
Insulting Writings on Church in Cuneo
March 5, 2022, ItalyThe side of the Santa Maria Della Pieve di Beinette church in the Cuneo area was inscribed with slanderous writings aimed at an individual in the village. The vandal who used this sacred sight to vent their personal feelings showed complete disrespect. The writings have since been removed.
4 Women in Belarus Detained by Police for Praying
March 3, 2022, BelarusFour mothers of soldiers were detained for praying for peace in Ukraine at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. They, along with 100 other soldiers' mothers, were attending the regular evening prayer when the officers followed them into the main Orthodox cathedral of the city and after the service, demanded their documents and then took them for questioning. They were taken to the Central District Police Station and were released four hours later.
MLA's Vote in Support of Abortion Bill Despite Public Opposition
March 2, 2022, United KingdomMLA's in Northern Ireland voted in support of a bill that will create "safe zones" around abortion clinics despite 98 percent of the 6,412 public submissions expressing strong opposition to it. This proposed legislation, from Green Party leader Clare Bailey, will make it illegal to “influenc[e] a [person seeking an abortion], whether directly or indirectly” within “safe access zones” reported the Right to Life News. Christians who hold pro-life views will find it difficult to freely express them under this proposed legislation.
Father Maksym Kozachyna Killed in Ivankiv, Ukraine
March 2, 2022, UkraineFather Maksym Kozachyna, of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, was killed near Ivankiv on March 3rd when the Russian troops were advancing. He was in uniform at the time and an eye witness said he was pulled out of a car and shot. The Russian military has often targeted religious leaders during their invasion.
Arson to Orthodox Church in Temernik
March 2, 2022, RussiaThe Svyato-Vvedensky church in Temernik caught on fire on March 2nd. Church workers said there was a broken window and a cylinder was found inside which led people to the conclusion that it was a deliberate act of arson. Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire within 15 minutes, so thankfully little damage was done.
Perpetrators Despoil and Damage Church in Villach
March 1, 2022, AustriaOn March 1st, unknown perpetrators broke into the Villach parish church and tore off the metal decoration of a picture of the Virgin Mary while also stealing five gold plated candlesticks worth several hundred euros. During the police investigation, two metal bowls from the holy water font were also found near the crime scene.
Man Vandalizes Three Churches in Potenza
February 28, 2022, ItalyA man, who was not yet identified, vandalized the churches of Sant'Anna, Santa Cecilia, and Santa Croce on February 28th. He was seen on a surveillance camera and upon entering the church, he destroyed sacred books, paintings, and vestments with what appeared to be a box cutter. The incidents were being investigated and the churches were advised to close their churches when there is no one there to watch them.
War-Related Tags Graffitied on Russian Church in Nijmegen
February 28, 2022, NetherlandsFor the second time, a Russian church in Nijmegen was targeted with a hateful attack. On February 28th, a black marker was used to write the words "go to hell with the Ukraine" next to the door of the church. It was written with English letters but indicated a Slavic language. A cross was also drawn underneath the text.
Man Spits on Priest in Bordeaux
February 27, 2022, FranceA man, who has been identified by the police and arrested, spat in the face of a priest at the Saint Michel church in Bordeaux. Foreigners had set up stalls inside the church without permission and the police had to intervene. At the exit of the church, a priest was blessing those in the square when a man allegedly spat in his face. The priest has chosen not to press charges due to the church policy of maintaining peace.
Garbage Cans Set Alight at Church in Andernach
February 26, 2022, GermanyFour garbage cans, at the Christ Church in Andernach, where set alight by arsonists on February 26th ruining the bricks underneath and leaving some charred boards. Parts of a recently planted hedge were also burned and a two meter high fence also went up in flames. Andreas Schulte, head of the municipal office said, "This thoughtless vandalism leaves us stunned."
PCSC Bill Causes Freedom of Speech Concern
February 25, 2022, United KingdomCharity and Faith leaders around the UK have raised freedom of speech concerns in regard to Part 3 of the Policing, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts bill (PCSC). This bill empowers police officers to impose conditions or arrest public demonstrators who cause “serious unease, alarm or distress”, or even “inconvenience” to members of the public. Proposed amendments will remove this part of the bill and await final votes on the 28th of February.
Armed Men Storm Church in Violent Manner
February 25, 2022, UkraineArmed men, dressed in military uniforms and balaclavas, broke into the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Mariupol during the administration of a baptism. They physically harmed an employee, a security guard, and the priest; and then took money from the church safe, stole food, and household items. They then concluded their rampage by fleeing in two of the clergies cars. Due to their state of shock, those who observed the act were unable to identify the criminals.
Montpellier Church Vandalised with Tags Inciting Violence
February 25, 2022, FranceThe parish of Sainte-Bernadette in Montpellier has been graffitied with threatening tags directed at the church and Father Benoît on 25. February. The phrases were mainly intifada and anarchist related and included "the only church that illuminates is the one that burns." Father Benoît was distressed by the act and planned to file a complaint.
Church in Niederndodeleber Vandalised
February 24, 2022, GermanyThe church of St. Peter and Paul in Niederndodeleber, Germany was vandalised on February 24. Pastor Martin Zander found "numerous destructions" and smears, reported the Volksstimme as well as paper scattered everywhere. The devastation reflected a lack of respect for religious spaces.
Vases at Alter in Thizy-les-Bourgs Broken
February 24, 2022, FranceSeveral vases at the alter of the Thizy-les-Bourgs church were broken on 24. February. It was not known who committed the act but an investigation was started.
Urn Broken in the Moux-en-Morvan Church
February 24, 2022, FranceAn urn, used for the exchange of payment for lighting candles, was broken in the Moux-en-Morvan church on February 21st. The contents of the urn were also stolen but it was not known who committed the sacrilegious act.
Napoli Church Defaced with Graffiti for the Second Time
February 23, 2022, ItalyAfter being restored for only a few days, the outer wall of the Angevin building at the Saint Marta church in Napoli was once again covered with graffiti. Writings offending the church from the first incident had been painted over but new inscriptions were there to replace them on February 23. The community has been very saddened by this vandalism of the historic church.
Church Tagged with Insults Against Priest
February 23, 2022, FranceDuring the night of February 23rd, unknown vandals spray-painted an insult on the side of a church in Curlu, France. The insult was directed towards the parish priest Sylvain Mansart, who commented: "At least I'm not alone in this problem. (...) We comfort each other". Priests in neighbouring churches have received similar abuse. The local police confirmed these claims and are investigating.
Religious Freedom severely restricted in Donbas region
February 23, 2022, UkraineThe organisation Forum 18 has been monitoring the human rights of Christians and other religious communities in the area of eastern Europe, and they recently published a survey on the situation in the Luhansk region in Ukraine. They state that freedom of religion is severely restricted in the rebel zone occupied by the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), which makes up a third of the Luhansk region. In this area, all Protestant and non-Moscow Patriarchate Orthodox communities are rendered illegal, there are repeated denials of permission to a Catholic priest to live in the region, Evangelical and Catholic literature is being banned and there is an overall fear about discussing these — among other — human rights violations.
16 to 18 Year Old Girls in Spain may no Longer Need Parental Consent to Abort
February 23, 2022, SpainIrene Montero, Spain's equality minister, has told Congress's Equality Commission that 16 to 18 year old girls should be allowed to access abortion without consulting their parents. This would allow for the daughter of Christian parents to complete an abortion without them knowing or being able to advise her on this life changing event. This change has no set date yet but will greatly affect the lives of minor girls if enacted.