All cases
Statue of Christ Child Hanged in Mogliano Veneto
December 29, 2019, ItalyThe statue of the Christ child was discovered removed from the nativity scene in Piazza Berto in Mogliano and hung above the ground with an electric cable around its neck. Plastic cups littered the ground of the crèche.
Electrical Equipment Stolen from Live Nativity Set
December 29, 2019, ItalyThe electrical materials used for a live nativity performance in Canosa di Puglia were stolen on December 29th by unknown thieves.
Christ Child Statue Taken from Crèche; Thrown to the Ground
December 28, 2019, ItalyThe resin figure of Jesus was taken out of the public nativity scene in Parè di Conegliano during the night between December 27th and 28th and thrown to the ground nearby by unknown vandals. Other figures in the scene were toppled and the cradle was stolen.
Paint and Fire Attack on Evangelical Church in Germany
December 27, 2019, GermanyOn December 27th an anonymous group attacked the independent evangelical church TOS Ministries Tübingen in southern Germany. Several masked people simultaneously set a minibus owned by the church on fire and sprayed the entry area of the church with purple paint. According to the police, the attack resulted in damage of 40,000 euros. A group calling itself a "Feminist Autonomous Cell" (“Feministische Autonome Zelle” FAZ) claimed responsibility for the attack a few days later in an online letter.
Elaborate Nativity Scene Damaged by Vandals
December 26, 2019, ItalyThe nativity scene in Valgiano, which was nine meters wide and 8 meters high, with an area of over 30 square meters, most of which is occupied by water, including a central lake, a smaller body of water, and waterfalls was vandalized on December 26th. Unknown perpetrators threw detergent into the water, which may have reacted with chlorine, creating a sea of foam and a pungent smell.
Church Crèche Vandalized Three Times Around Christmas
December 25, 2019, FranceThe nativity scene installed in front of the Notre-Dame church of Dijon was vandalized with litter and garbage bags three times between December 20th and 25th.
Thieves Stole Baby Jesus Statue and Crib on Christmas Day
December 25, 2019, ItalyThieves removed the handmade statue of the Jesus child and wooden cradle on Christmas day at the Don Angelo Frare park near the parish church in Mosnigo.
Ourense Nativity Scene Vandalized Three Times Leading up to Christmas
December 24, 2019, SpainA nativity scene in the city of Ourense was damaged on the morning of December 20th, the Christ child figure was stolen and arms broken on December 23rd, and after being recovered and installed again on December 24th, the figure was stolen again on Christmas Day.
Children's Crèche Scene Destroyed by Vandals
December 24, 2019, ItalyDuring night between December 23 and 24, unidentified vandals entered a park while it was closed and destroyed some of the polystyrene figures in a nativity scene made by elementary school children. They also threw the figures into a pond.
Nativity Scene Vandalized on Christmas Eve
December 24, 2019, ItalyResidents in Ossi, a town a few kilometers from Sassari (Sardinia), woke on Christmas day to discover that the crèche installed by a local group (Pro Loco), in collaboration with the municipal administration, had been vandalized on the town's main street. The statues were torn up, dragged, and abandoned on the street.
Christ Statue Stolen from Crib; Beheaded and Abandoned in Cemetery
December 24, 2019, ItalyA statue of the Christ child, placed in the manger of the nativity scene in front of the parish church of Arbus, in southern Sardinia, was beheaded by vandals. The head was left in front of the municipal cemetery. After it was found, the head was glued back on to the body, but the local community was shocked.
Arsonists Target Set of Live Nativity Performance
December 24, 2019, ItalyAt 10:15 p.m. on December 24th, unknown arsonists set fire to the roof of the set of a live nativity performance in Revine. The scene, made with wooden planks and poles and covered with reeds that volunteers had recovered a few days earlier from nearby lakes, was located in the churchyard of the church of San Matteo. A bottle of alcohol and a pair of building site gloves, tools used by arsonists to set the fire, were found on the ground. Two teams of firefighters from Vittorio Veneto rushed to the scene and managed to tame the fire before it could affect the wooden structure.
Nativity Vandalized on Christmas Eve
December 24, 2019, ItalyMario Seghezzi, the mayor of Martinengo, reported on Facebook that vandals destroyed the nativity scene installed near the parish church: “I am truly sorry for the vile act that took place on Christmas Eve. An act that hurts the serenity, magic, and warmth of Christmas." Because the vandalism was recorded by video surveillance cameras, the mayor expressed hope that the three identified vandals would repair the damage.
Cemetery Vandalized; Crosses Smashed
December 22, 2019, BelgiumMore than a dozen graves at the cemetery next to the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church in Villeroux were vandalized during the night between December 21st and 22nd. Gravestones were knocked over and crosses were smashed.
Burglars Damage Church Door in Geislingen
December 20, 2019, GermanyBurglars damaged the door of the Geislingen church on the 20th of December. The thieves stole a money box that was secured with a chain and broke through the historic door to do so. Not much money was stolen but the property damage was significant.
Anti-Fascists Activists Stole a Baby Jesus in Castellón
December 19, 2019, SpainOn December 19th, the Anti-Fascist Brigades (BAF) claimed responsibility for the theft of a baby Jesus from the Plaza Mayor in Castellón. They posted on Facebook that they demand the release of Catalan politicians who are in prison to return the figure. In the place of the Statuette, they left a yellow ribbon, which is the symbol of the Catalan political leaders.
Researcher Who Lost job for Tweeting ‘Men Cannot Change into Women’ Loses Employment Tribunal
December 18, 2019, United KingdomOn December 18th, a judge in an employment tribunal ruled against Maya Forstater, a tax expert at the Centre for Global Development, who defended her right to say on social media that men cannot become ‘women’ by undergoing gender reassignment treatment. Employment Judge Taylor ruled that her belief that biological sex cannot be changed “did not have the protected characteristic of a philosophical belief.” She had tweeted that “men cannot change into women” as part of an argument about the government’s proposed reforms to the Gender Recognition Act. This was not deemed a "protected belief" under the Equality Act 2010.
Municipal Crèche and Christmas Decorations in Saint-Éloy-des-Mines Vandalized
December 18, 2019, FranceDuring the night from the 17th to 18th of December, the crèche installed on Place Charles-de-Gaulle and Christmas decorations at the town hall were destroyed. The heads of the life-sized figures representing Mary, Joseph and two wise men were cut off, and arms torn off. Garlands and fir trees in front of the town hall were damaged or stolen. “We are still in a Judeo-Christian country," said the mayor, "we can believe it or not, it remains deplorable to attack a crèche and decorations. We do that for the children... they were shocked this morning seeing all this damage."
Toulouse: Living Nativity Disrupted by Activists; Journalist Assaulted
December 15, 2019, FranceThe 2019 edition of the living crèche in Toulouse had to be shortened after the intervention of counter-demonstrators in front of frightened children. Around fifty far-left demonstrators whistled at the choir, chanted blasphemous songs, and insulted participants before coming to blows with some, arguing "that this event was illegal in a secular state."
Blasphemous Photo
December 15, 2019, ItalyAn obscene and insulting poster was discovered on display outside Rome’s Museum of Modern Art. Titled “ECCE HOMO ERECTUS,” the poster portrays Jesus as a pedophile.
Fire in Loire Church During Mass
December 15, 2019, FranceIn Saint-Just-en-Bas (Loire), 300 m² of the roof of the local church went up in flames on Sunday, December 15, during the morning Mass. An official of the commune sounded the alert when he saw an unusual smoke coming from the nave. The church was evacuated and no casualties were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Angolo Terme Nativity Scene Vandalized
December 14, 2019, ItalyOn December 14th, unknown vandals beheaded the statue of St. Joseph, placed the ox and the donkey figures in an obscene position, and threw litter inside the small nativity scene installed by municipal volunteers in Angolo Terme .
Christmas Crèche Hit by Two Sets of Vandals
December 12, 2019, ItalyVideo surveillance captured the images of two sets of vandals attacking the nativity scene installed in the Lecce Piazza Duomo during the early morning hours (1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m.) of December 12th.
Catholic Youth Center in Munich Targeted by Vandals
December 11, 2019, GermanyA few weeks after four churches around Munich were painted with leftist slogans, the Salesianum, a Catholic youth center run by the religious community of Don Bosco, was vandalized with swastikas, SS runes, and "Widerstand Süd," a neo-Nazi network. According to reports, the location was likely not chosen by chance, because the Salesianum also looks after underage refugees.
German Church Windows Targeted by Vandals
December 11, 2019, GermanyThe windows of St. Peter's Church in Hüsten in Germany were damaged by vandals who were caught throwing stones. After witnesses heard the sound of stones hitting the church, police patrol cars caught the perpetrators. An investigation continues
Visit by Saint Nicholas Cancelled by School
December 10, 2019, FranceIn the name of secularism, the director of the Gustave Ansart school group, a public establishment in the commune of Thiant, Academy of Lille, refused to permit a visit from Saint Nicholas inside the school. This departs from a well-established tradition and one eagerly awaited by school children.
Graffiti and Vandalism on Church in Bisceglie
December 9, 2019, ItalyThe outer walls of the parish of Sant'Agostino in Bisceglie were vandalized with spray-painted graffiti during the night between the 8th and 9th of December. According to the parish priest, this is not the first time he has had to go to the police to file a complaint. "I have been asking for help to find a solution for 5 years," he explained.
Laica Europa Issues Statement on "International Secularism Day"
December 9, 2019, SpainEuropa Laica wrote to demand "the denunciation and repeal of the 1979 Agreements with the Holy See, and those of 1992 with other confessions", as well as the "priority of public and secular schools, free of religious indoctrination or of any kind, as a way of overcoming the inequality generated by an educational system in concert with the Catholic school financed by the public treasury." Additionally, the group demands the abolishment of the economic and fiscal privileges enjoyed by the Catholic Church, as well as the promulgation of a "Freedom of Conscience" law.
British Christmas Card Producer under fire for deeply offensive products
December 8, 2019, United KingdomA line of Christmas cards produced by British card company 'Love Layla' caused controversy for including messages mocking some of the deeply held beliefs of the Christian faith. The cards included taglines which call into question the Virgin Mary's miraculous conception, and which refer to Jesus as "a bloke that wore socks with sandals." Speaking to the Daily Mirror, James Mildred, for Christian Action Research and Education (CARE) said, "A lot of Christians will be deeply offended by this sort of thing...It highlights a fundamental hypocrisy that Christianity is seen as fair game to mock, disparage and insult."
Vandals in Action in the Cemetery of Salerno
December 8, 2019, ItalyUnidentified vandals looted some tombstones and graves, in the Cemetery of Salerno. They stole flower boxes, frames, and metal writings on the tombs. It was not the first time the cemetery was the target of vandalism, for which the institutions in charge demand more control of the premises.
Handmade Nativity Figures Damaged by Vandals
December 7, 2019, ItalyDuring the night of December 7th (the night before they were to be displayed), unknown vandals damaged the nativity figures in Palau. The town's inhabitants, along with the artist Mario Spano, known as Marieddu, who spent months making them by hand, were dismayed by the act.
Four Munich Churches Vandalized with Anti-Christian messages
December 6, 2019, GermanyPolice suspect leftist activists were responsible for the vandalism of four Munich-area churches that left parishioners outraged and dismayed. Slogans such as "Burn the churches down" and "Neither God nor master - destroy the patriarchy" were painted on the entrances of the churches resulting in thousands of euros in damage.
Report on Theft and Vandalism in Austrian Churches
December 5, 2019, AustriaCrucifixes and a fountain from a chapel in Alpbach. A gilded statue of the Virgin Mary from the parish church in Kufstein. A baroque monstrance from a church in Pfaffstätten, host bowls in Biedermannsdorf -- these are just a few examples of sacred art objects that were stolen from Austrian churches in 2019.
Man Arrested for Setting Fire at Lyon Church
December 5, 2019, FranceA drunk man was arrested by Lyon police for setting fire to a garbage can placed against the door of the Saint-Georges church. The fire caused extensive to the door and smoke damage inside the church.
Our Lady's Temple Destroyed
December 4, 2019, SpainDuring the night, the small temple, the known as Our Lady of Carmen girl in Almeria, has dawned looted and partially destroyed. The carving of Jesus as a child was stolen, the picture was damaged, and the pedestal had breaks.
European Parliament Speaks Out against Christian Persecution in Algeria
December 2, 2019, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)The European Parliament adopted a resolution which calls "for an end to violations against the freedom of Christians and other religious minorities to worship."
Pastor Sues After Being Forced out of job and Harassed over Pride Tweet
December 1, 2019, United KingdomA Christian pastor and school caretaker, who received abuse and threats for a June 2019 tweet about LGBTQ Pride has taken legal action against the school which he felt forced to leave. His case was heard on Court on January 2022.
Priest's Car Burned in Calabria Arson Attack
November 30, 2019, ItalyThe car owned by the parish priest of Basilica di Maria SS di Monserrato in Vallelonga was destroyed in an arson attack on December 2nd while it was parked near the church. Press reports described the incident as "intimidation" of the priest and shocking to locals. The priest discovered the fire and contacted the fire brigade and police from the Compagnia Serra San Bruno began an arson investigation.
Swastikas Painted on Church in Magdeburg
November 30, 2019, GermanyOn November 30th 2019, unknown perpetrators sprayed two swastikas around the entrance doors of the Sankt-Nicolai-Kirche in Magdeburg. A police spokesman said the symbols were illegal and would be immediately painted over. Police continued to investigate the case, but state security services were likely to take over the investigation.
Swedish Justice Minister Defends Asylum Process for Christian Converts
November 29, 2019, SwedenDuring an interpellation debate in the parliament on November 29th, Justice Minister Morgan Johansson was asked by MP Hans Eklind about an asylum case in which a person who converted from Islam was interviewed by a Muslim officer in veil at the Migration Board. The officer subsequently denied the claim, finding his conversion to be false. Johansson was asked how the government ensures that the Swedish Migration Board fulfills its obligations to legal quality and uniform application of the law where religious views are invoked.
Street Preacher in Norway Attacked
November 27, 2019, NorwayRoar Fløttum was preaching and praying for the sick on a Trondheim street on November 27th when he interacted with four Muslim men. According to Fløttum, the men asked him to come with them to pray for a friend. He agreed and when they got him to a backyard, they pushed him down a cellar staircase, beat him, robbed him, and threatened to kill him if he did not convert to Islam. Police, who have called this a very serious incident, are reviewing street camera footage to identify the perpetrators.
Anarchist Tags on Saint Pierre Church
November 27, 2019, FranceOn November 27th the anarchist acronym "ACAB", which stands for All Cops Are Bastards (all cops are bastards) was sprayed on the wall of the Saint Pierre Church in Mordelles. The tag measured 3 by 1 meters and was erased by the municipal services of the commune of Mordelles.
Advent Songs Removed from School's Year-End Performance
November 26, 2019, SwitzerlandSchool leadership at a Wil elementary school in the Swiss Canton of St. Gallen made the decision to remove the three Advent/Christmas songs from the program of its year-end show, out of "respect for other cultures and religions." Teachers were reportedly "astonished" at the decision and the President of the Coordination of Islamic Organisations in Switzerland, encouraged schools not to change their traditions: "From our point of view, it is very regrettable when Christian songs are no longer sung in a Christian country," he said.
High Court Permanently Bans Protests against "No Outsiders" School Programme
November 26, 2019, United KingdomA High Court judge ruled in favor of an exclusion zone around a school in Birmingham permanent, preventing parents from protesting outside the grounds against the "No Outsiders" primary school programme that teaches about LGBT relationships. Many parents and activists claim the programme contradicts their faith and is not "age appropriate." A temporary exclusion zone was first imposed by the courts in the summer after months of protests outside Anderton Park Primary School by mostly Muslim parents. Birmingham City Council claimed that the order was sought from the courts over safety concerns.
Locals Outraged by Theft of Christkind Figure from Vienna Christmas Market
November 26, 2019, AustriaThe Christkind (Christ child) figure was stolen twice in three days from the Christkindlmarkt (Christmas market) on Enkplatz in Vienna. The original figure was replaced after the first theft. The replacement was then stolen. Now it has been replaced, at least temporarily, with a wooden stake with a woolen cap on top. Locals expressed outrage at the thefts and the priest of the adjacent church offered to receive the figure "discreetly" from anyone who wished to return it.
A Statue of The Christ Child Stolen Twice
November 26, 2019, AustriaOn the 26th of November, the Baby Jesus of the Nativity Scene was reported to be stolen twice. The leader of the 11th District, Paul Stadler, promised to restore a Statue before Christmas. There was no trace of the stolen figures. The Father from the neighbouring parish offered the thieves to give back the statues anonymously in front of the church and to confess if they are interested.
Two Church Burglaries in Rennes
November 25, 2019, FranceNotre-Dame-en-Saint-Melaine Church and Saint-Sauveur Basilica in Rennes were burglarized during the night of November 24th to 25th by unknown thieves. The doors were pried open with crow bars and offertory trunks were broken. The parish priest of Notre-Dame called the incident "ugly and hurtful."
Lourdes Grotto in Avolsheim Vandalized with Fire Extinguisher
November 24, 2019, FranceThe Grotto of Notre-Dame de Lourdes of l'église Saint-Pierre ("Dompeter") in Avolsheim (Bas-Rhin) was found sprayed with the contents of one or more fire extinguishers. Nestled in the middle of the fields, the isolated site is known by many Alsatians as the church is the oldest in Alsace and is on the Pilgram's Way of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostela (Camino de Santiago). In the field adjoining the grotto, large tracks of a vehicle were noted. The police began an investigation.
Sacred Objects Stolen from Church in Lachau
November 23, 2019, FranceOn November 23rd, unknown perpetrators stole sacred objects from the church of Lachau, in the South-Drôme. A chalice, two vases and a ciborium were stolen, according to the observations made by the gendarmes of the Buis-les-Baronnies. The police is investigating.
Three Christian Buildings Recently Vandalized in Maribor
November 22, 2019, SloveniaGraffiti reading "Death to the Clerofascists" (Smrt klerofašistom) was painted on the outside of the Church of St. Mary, Mother of the Church in late October; and on the St. Barbara Chapel on Calvary, Maribor Hill and on the Catholic High School in Maribor in November by unknown vandals. Police opened an investigation.