All cases
Message at University: "Christians are like rats. Shoot Accurately"
December 30, 2010, SpainAn increasing wave of violence is experienced by students, faculty and staff who are used to attend mass at the University of Barcelona (UB). The media reported extensively a graffiti found in the university restrooms: "Christians are like rats. Shoot accurately". The students affirmed that messages were left also in their writing desks.
Doctor Must Provide Fertility Treatment Without Regard to Conscientious Objection
December 30, 2010, IrelandDr Boyle runs a fertility treatment service along Catholic guidelines at Galway clinic, which is a Catholic hospital. He was summoned before the Fitness to Practice Committee of the Medical Council in 2010 because he would not accept a cohabiting couple for treatment because of his belief on traditional marriage.
Barcelona City Council Approved Gay Monument in front of the Basilica Sagrada Familia.
December 29, 2010, SpainThe City Hall of Barcelona approved a monument to honor the gay, transsexual and lesbian lifestyle in front of Sagrada Familia, the Barcelona Basilica. The proximity of location as well as the political message in relation to the dedication of the Basilica is troubling to Christians.
Government Representative Verbally Attacks Catholic Church
December 29, 2010, SpainCayo Lara, the General Coordinator of the IU (United Left wing) told media that machismo and gender violence are strongly related to religious education. Lara also referred to the Catholic wedding vows in which partners should be united "until death", as proving "without any need of further discussion" that the Church is in favor of the discrimination of women and treats women as "the property of men."
Turkish-Cypriot Police Raid Christian Church During Christmas Service
December 25, 2010, CyprusPolice officers of the Turkish-Cypriot government entered a Greek-Orthodox Church in Rizokarpaso on December 25th 2010 and forced the priest to stop the Christmas morning liturgy. They coerced the priest and worshippers attending liturgy to leave the church and then locked its doors.
Removal of Nativity Scenes and Christian Contents at Christmas
December 24, 2010, SpainManuel Ángel Rodríguez, City Hall representative of Oviedo, proposed the removal of nativities from any public building, specially schools. In 2009, Juan de Padilla school, in Toledo, suppressed every religious reference to Christmas but «Halloween», a foreign celebration to Spanish tradition, was welcomed. Nativity scenes and Christmas carols were replaced in the Toledo school, while decorated trees and the pagan character of Noel were permitted after two parents had complained about the religious connotation of the shepherds and the angels seen in the traditional manger.
European Commission Omits Christmas in EU School Diary
December 17, 2010, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)The European Commission produced more than three million copies of an EU diary for secondary schools containing no reference to Christian festivals, but including those of Jewish, Hindu, Sikh and Muslim religions.
Pro-Life Manifestation Attacked, One Hospitalised
December 11, 2010, AustriaPeaceful protest of Catholic Youth pro-life Group "Jugend für das Leben“ violently attacked by pro-choice forces. Member hospitalised with concussion.
List of Attacks Against Christian Sexual Orientation Group
December 10, 2010, GermanyAt a meeting on Freedom of Religion of OSCE/ODIHR in Vienna on Dec 9 and 10, the spokesperson of Wüstenstrom, a Christian NGO representing people with unwanted same-sex attractions, summarized a series of intolerance and attacks against them and their work. Find here the full text of his intervention.
A Church Vandalised in Gourin, Brittany
December 5, 2010, FranceA man destroyed much of the furniture of the Church of Gourin, probably on Sunday, December 5th in the afternoon. Benches, the harmonium, flower pots but also the altar, the tabernacle and stain glass windows were the targets.
Mental Health Worker Threatened With Sack After Sharing Opinions About Post-Abortion Syndrome
December 1, 2010, United KingdomChristian Mental Health worker suspended after talking to colleague informally about abortion risks and told „never to do this again“ and reinstated only several weeks later.
Activists Force Spanish Cardinal to Cancel Lecture
December 1, 2010, SpainRadical groups forced the Archdiocese of Madrid to cancel a speech of Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela scheduled to be held at the Autonomous University of Madrid.
Harsh Persecution of Muslims Converted to Christianity
December 1, 2010, United KingdomIn Great Britain many converts from Islam to Christianity are forced to worship in secret at the risk of their own lives according to the report of the French Internet Portal “Observatoire de l’islamisation” which resulted in a report broadcasted 2010 on British TV.
Conservative Party Councillor Gets Suspended After Objecting Gay Talks in a School
November 25, 2010, United KingdomA conservative party councillor in Bristol has been “voluntarily suspended” and asked by the party to meet with homosexualist activists after he objected to appearances by a homosexualist campaigner and actor, Sir Ian McKellen, at local schools.
Public Funds Used in Campaign Against Catholic Church
November 25, 2010, SpainGovernment funded atheist forum at the occasion of the Pope's visit to Barcelona concludes that "there was an increase of conflicts with a religious background, religious leaders used faith to subjugate the world, religious hierarchy attacked democracy, and religion restricted the exercise of freedom of conscience."
"Santo Ángel" School in Albacete Reported For Offering Students the Opportunity to Pray
November 22, 2010, SpainA small group of parents of Santo Angel School reported the School’s Catholic Center to the Ministry of Education of Murcia for "radical ideas” for organizing an optional weekly praying hour.
Catholic School Fined For Not Hiring a Protestant Teacher
November 12, 2010, IrelandA Catholic national school found guilty of ''discrimination'' by Equality Tribunal and fined more than €12,000 for not hiring a Protestant teacher.
Statues of Mary, Mother of Jesus, Covered in Condoms in Art Exhibit
November 10, 2010, AustriaThe lower Austrian main building of government (NÖ-Landhaus) hosts an exhibition which displays Mary, the mother of Jesus, covered in a condom and sperma. This exhibition is funded by public money and approved by governor Erwin Pröll.
Atheist Father Obtains Withdrawal of Crucifix in Bavarian Highschool Despite Other Parent's Protests
November 10, 2010, GermanyAn atheist father obtains the withdrawal of a crucifix in his son’s classroom in Regensburg (Bavaria, Germany) despite the opposition of the majority of parents. Morning prayer was changed to a neutral “Good Morning Circle”.
Political Spokeswoman States That "The Church in Spain is Sustained Tick”
November 10, 2010, SpainIn a session the Government, the spokeswoman of Esquerra Republicana, Joan Ridao, has called the Catholic Church in Spain to be "a kind of sustained, a luxury tick" (“mantenida y garrapata”).
Generalitat Catalana and Government Fund a Forum Against Public Presence of Catholic Church
November 10, 2010, SpainThe Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Equality, the Generalitat of Catalonia, Barcelona City Council and La Caixa funded the Forum Libertat 2010 on the same days on which the historic visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Santiago and Barcelona took place. The Forum advocated the withdrawal of the public presence of the Catholic Church.
“Ortega y Gasset” School in Almendralejo (Badajoz) Forced to Remove Crucifixes From Classrooms
November 9, 2010, SpainThe parents of two students of the public school Ortega y Gasset in Almendralejo (Badajoz) succeeded in their campaign to remove crucifixes from classrooms and prohibit religious ceremonies. The school parent association, who opposes these decisions, called for a protest.
Threats and Attempts of Fire in a Church Near Avignon
November 6, 2010, FranceSaint-John’s parish near Avignon has been the target of a number of threats and intimidations: insulting tags in the church’s walls, feces thrown on the church, a young man even entered the church during mass, urinated and screamed to the parishioners: “we’ll toast you all in fire, you and your church”. A fire was also started in a tree growing against the church, probably in order to burn the church itself. Father Gabriel, the parish priest, regrets and condemns “an increasingly aggressive and violent climate”.
Gay Activists Attack Orthodox Protesters in Moscow
November 3, 2010, RussiaA group of male gay rights activists attacked members of the Orthodox youth movement "Georgievtsy!" outside the Council of Europe office in Moscow, who gathered against the European Court of Human Rights ruling declaring Russia's ban on gay pride marches illegal.
Head of Belgian Catholic Church Could Face Charges of Homophobia For Controversial Speech
November 2, 2010, BelgiumMsgr. Leonard faces accusations of homophobia for expressing controversial positions on the causes of HIV/AIDS.
Faithful Stoned During Mass at Carcassonne
November 2, 2010, FranceThe 150 faithful attending holy mass on Tuesday, November 2nd, in the Church of Saint Jacques du Viguier were the target of two teenagers who entered the church to throw stones on the faithful. An eldery person was slightly injured and a statue of the virgin Mary was damaged.
Code of Conduct Could Target Religion Teachers
November 1, 2010, IrelandThe Teaching Council of Ireland is using a Code of Professional Conduct that could lead to religion teachers being found guilty of “professional misconduct” for teaching core parts of their faith.
Crucifix Desecrated by a Pig’s Head in Bellocq
November 1, 2010, FranceOn the road to Lahontan, in Bellocq, south of Daw, a Calvary scened called Palin, was covered by an entire pig’s head, attached to the wood by a piece of string.
Greek Orthodox Church Struggles to Survive
October 30, 2010, TurkeyThe Greek-Orthodox Church, school, and community in Turkey has been gradually stripped of rights by the Turkish government. European law organizations declare this a violation of human rights.
Tabernacle and Holy Sacrament Desecrated in Billière
October 29, 2010, FranceVandals broke in the XIIth century church of Saint Laurent de Billière, near Pau, on Friday, October 29th. The tabernacle was forced opened and the consecrated hosts scattered on the ground.
University Supports Profane Show Despite of Students and Staff´s Complaints
October 28, 2010, SpainThe Dean of University of Valladolid, Marcos Sacristán, after being warned about the blasphemous content of Leo Bassi´s play, decided to offer the university premises for its performance. Students and staff of University of Valladolid had requested Dean Sacristan to ban the play because of its offensive content.
Mountain Guide Destroys Mountain Top Crosses
October 28, 2010, SwitzerlandThe Swiss mountain guide Patrick Bussard vandalized and destroyed three crosses on tops of mountains in 2010 after he had conducted a petition against religious symbols in public. He faced a fine for property damage and violating freedom of religion in January 2012.
"Free-Thinkers" Take Action Against the Presence of Crosses On Mountaintops
October 24, 2010, SwitzerlandThe "free-thinkers" of Switzerland, the association of people without religious confession (Vereinigung der Konfessionslosen), are campaigning for a ban of religious symbols not only in public institutions, but also all mountain should be cleared of them.
127 Graves Desecrated in Igny-Comblizy
October 23, 2010, France61 headstones were revered and their crosses unsealed and another 66 graves also but less heavily damaged. Graves, headstones, flowerpots and funerary objects were thrown all around the cemetery.
Saint-Louis Church in Brest Tagged
October 21, 2010, FranceAnti-Catholic and Satanic symbols were found on the walls and doors of the church of Saint-Louis in Brest. Elected officials are shocked and say in a written statement: “All places of worship, whatever they are, are places that must be respected.”
Government Representatives Verbally Attack Catholic Church
October 15, 2010, SpainOriol Amorós, the Immigration State Secretary in Cataluña, during a radio interview broadcast by RAC1 declared "Between the Pope and the Iman of Lérida, I have difficulties to make my mind. They are two version of too conservative and retrograde religions."
Lutheran Church in Michalovce Vandalised
October 14, 2010, SlovakiaOn October 14, 2010, the Lutheran Church in Michalovce was found seriously damaged. It had been broken into, possibly by Satanist, who had turned the major cross upside down, burnt the altar vestments, damaged the baptismal font, and wrote insults to God and saints onto the altar.
Steady Increase of Desecrating Acts in French Cemeteries
October 12, 2010, FranceOngoing: A report of the Gendarmerie Nationale underlines the fact that most desecrations since 2005 have been aimed at Christian cemeteries and other Christian places of worship.
Mother Denied to Bury her Executed Son According to her Christian Faith
October 12, 2010, BelarusMother of an executed prisoner cannot pray at her son's tomb. It is unclear whether he had seen a priest before execution.
Call for “Islamic Crusade” Sprayed on Church in Strasbourg
October 12, 2010, FranceThe Catholic church of Saint Florent in Strasbourg was vandalised by Islamists who spray painted the door of the church, calling for an Islamic Crusade. One could read in black marker on both wings of the door: “Jerusalem to the Muslims” and “The Crusade for an Islamic Holy Land.”
Church Sainte Madeleine Tagged in Besançon
October 10, 2010, France“All catho are bastards” and other anti-Catholic symbols were tagged on the church Sainte Madeleine in Besançon. Mgr Lacrampe, bishop of Besançon issued a statement in which he says: "During the night of October 9th to 10th, individuals wrote on the door of the church of Sainte Madeleine in Besançon abusive language against Catholics. I strongly condemn these irresponsible acts which lack of respect towards the public building as well as towards the community to whom it is entrusted. I reaffirm that nothing can justify the hatred of others or contempt for people and their faith."
Theft and Desecration in Bazas’ Cathedral
October 9, 2010, FranceAn unknown number of burglars entered the cathedral, broke-opened the tabernacle and took a 1930 monstrance of brass and wood. They also broke several stained windows. For Father Arnaud, the parish priest, “this attacks the very essence of our faith.” He experienced this burglary as “a sacrilege and a desecration,” he said.
Humanists Campaign to Stop the Noah's Ark Zoo Farm Because it Says that God Created the World
October 7, 2010, United KingdomBHA (British Humanist Association) has called on the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, North Somerset Council, Visit Britain and South West England to shut down the zoo. The secular group claims that the zoo is misleading tens of thousands of visitors annually and ‘threatening public understanding’ by questioning the traditional view of evolution.
MP McCafferty Attempted to Restrict Freedom of Religion and Conscience
October 7, 2010, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)Former British MP Christine McCafferty urged the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to recommend limitations to conscientious objection when it comes to abortion. The draft report contained a limitation of freedom of conscience to individuals. Objecting individuals would have faced restrictions and blacklisting. The draft, aiming at discriminating against Christians, was voted down on October 7th.
Painter Exhibits “Madonna Carrying Hitler Child”
October 6, 2010, ItalyExhibition in Italian city Salemi shows a painting of Madonna holding child Hitler. Jewish and Christian Church leaders have condemned the display.
Polish Minister Excluded From EU-Jury Because of “Homophobic” Statement
October 3, 2010, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)Polish equality minister Elzabieta Radziszewska not asked to be a jury-member for this year’s EU journalism award “Together against Discrimination” after explaining rights of schools with regard to employing homosexual teachers.
No Place of Worship for Christians
September 30, 2010, TurkeyIn a report released in September 2010, the Association of Protestant Churches details the fundamental problems faced by Christians in Turkey. Among them, the place of worship is a troublesome one.
Vandalism in Austrian Church Building
September 29, 2010, AustriaRepeated vandalism including defecation committed by youth in church building in Upper Austria.
Severe Restriction on Conscientious Objection
September 28, 2010, SpainAdministration interprets freedom of conscience so narrowly that only those directly involved in the objected surgical act of abortion are allowed to invoke the right to "conscientious objection".
Chapel Desecrated in Bastia, Corsica
September 26, 2010, FranceThe chapel of the crypt of Notre-Dame de Lourdes, in Bastia, was attacked most likely on Monday, September 27th. The altar was sprayed with urine and statues of the Virgin were plunged into a water vase, head down.