All cases
‘Crucified Cow’ Displayed in Catholic Church by Artist as Comment on Wastefulness
November 23, 2017, BelgiumAn “art” exhibit depicting 500 kg cow nailed to a cross hanging over a basin with 5,000 liters of milk was installed in the small parish church of Saint John the Baptist of Kuttekoven, in the Flemish town of Borgloon. The artist's message was to draw attention to food waste and housing shortages.
Statue of Mother Teresa to be Removed from Skopje
November 23, 2017, OtherThe Minister of Culture Robert Alagjozovski of FYROMacedonia recommended the removal of a statue of Mother Teresa from the center of Skopje. The Balkan city is the birthplace of the Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary who was canonized by Pope Francis in 2016.
"God is Dead" Painted on Landerneau Church
November 19, 2017, FranceDuring the night, vandals sprayed "God is Dead -- Nietzsche" and an inverted cross on the outside of the church of Saint-Houardon in Landerneau.
Spanish Nuns Fined for Restoring Church Organ
November 18, 2017, SpainThe Andalusian government fined a convent of Spanish nuns 170,000 euros for having a priceless church organ repaired without the state's permission. After public outcry, the fine was reduced to 1,1710 euros on December 19, 2017.
Pro-ISIS Group Circulated Image of Beheaded Pope on Poster Called "Christmas Blood"
November 17, 2017, OtherThe pro-ISIS Wafa Media Foundation released a propaganda poster with an image depicting a jihadist standing over the torso of a prisoner in an orange jumpsuit while holding the head of the Pope. Written next to the Pope's head is "Jorge Mario Bergoglio."
ISIS Propaganda Called for Christmas Attack on Vatican
November 16, 2017, OtherDuring the week of November 16th, the pro-IS group Wafa Media Foundation released a propaganda poster depicting a jihadist armed with a rifle driving into St. Peter's Basilica in Rome with a written message warning of a Christmas attack.
Men Entered Convent Demanding Nuns Convert to Islam
November 10, 2017, FranceOn November 10th, two men rang the doorbell of the Carmelite convent of Verdum and asked to "discuss religion" and to tell them how Islam corrects the distortions of Christianity. During Vespers, the men prayed aloud in Arabic and told the nuns if they did not convert to Islam, they would "go to hell."
Art Stolen from Saint-Jacques Church in Dieppe
November 7, 2017, FranceEight works of art were stolen from the St. Jacques Church in Dieppe during the night between the 6th and 7th of November.
Church Vandalized in Brittany
November 6, 2017, FranceThe Saint-Ouen parish church of Plouay was vandalized on November 6, 2018. The central altar stone was moved and and arm was broken off the statue of the Madonna and child and stolen.
Fifth Summit Cross Destroyed in Bavarian Mountains
November 5, 2017, GermanyThe 4-meter-high wooden summit cross on the Kotzen in the Karwendel mountians was vandalized during the weekend of November 5th. Police opened an investigation to determine if the series of incidents were committed by the same person.
Church Crosses Removed from Event Logo; Replaced after Complaints
November 4, 2017, RomaniaThe event logo for "Upgrade My City" in Timisoura, Romania depicted a skyline with church buildings, but with the crosses atop the steeples removed. After complaints, the crosses reappeared on the logos with an apology.
Church Devastated by Vandalism in Bremen-Lesum
October 29, 2017, GermanyUnknown perpetrators caused half a million euros in damage when they vandalized the St. Martini Church by filling two organs with construction foam, emptying a fire extinguisher, and pouring red acrylic paint on the floor in front of the altar and baptismal font.
Statue of the Virgin Mary Vandalized in Noyelles-lès-Seclin
October 28, 2017, FranceThe statue of Notre-Dame-de-Fatima was splashed with used oil during the night of October 27th to 28th. Adolescents confessed to the incident.
Graffiti on Church
October 28, 2017, FranceThe church of L'Ardoise was vandalized with anti-police graffiti by unknown perpetrators. The mayor condemned the act, calling it disrespectful and filed a complaint with the public prosecutor.
Court Rules Student can be Expelled for Quoting Bible on Facebook
October 27, 2017, United KingdomOn October 27, Felix Ngole, a Christian student who was expelled from university after posting on Facebook his support of Biblical teaching on marriage and sexual ethics, lost his case in a judicial review of the university’s decision.
Catholic Pro-Life Student Union President Ousted
October 27, 2017, IrelandStudents Union at University College Dublin, a university founded by Blessed John Henry Newman, voted to remove Katie Ascough, the Catholic pro-life president of their student union. This vote came after Ascough, on legal advice, stopped the Union from publishing information about the cost of abortion and information relating to abortion pills.
Christian Graves Vandalized in Arthon-en-Retz
October 27, 2017, FranceTwo teenagers were arrested for vandalizing at least a dozen graves in the cemetery in Arthon-en-Retz on October 27th. Flowerpots, vases, and crucifixes were broken, and at least one crucifix was planted upside-down in the ground.
Galway: Church Interior Found Devastated
October 26, 2017, IrelandOn the 26th of October, the Holy Trinity Church on Errislannan peninsula in Galway was completely desecrated by vandalism.
French Community Ordered to Remove Cross from Statue of John Paul II
October 25, 2017, FranceOn October 25th the French State Council, the highest administrative court in France, ordered the removal of the cross atop the statue of Pope John Paul II in the community of Ploërmel because the symbol violates French secularism laws.
Secularist Associations Call for Removal of Virgin Mary from Police Medal
October 24, 2017, SpainThe secularist associations Europa Lacia and Movimiento Hacia un Estado Laico (MHUEL) have appealed the 2016 Supreme Court ruling allowing the image of Nuestra Señora María Santísima del Amor to appear on a medal used by the fraternal organization, Jesús el Rico de Málaga, associated with the national police. The prosecutor asked for the appeal to be dismissed.
"Drag Sethlas" Testified about Las Palmas Carnival Performance
October 23, 2017, SpainBorja Casillas, better known as "Drag Sethlas" testified before a judge to respond to a complaint filed by the Spanish Association of Christian Lawyers. He is accused of hurting religious sentiments during his performance at the Drag Gala of the 2017 Carnival of the city in which he dressed both as the Virgin Mary and the crucified Christ.
Sacristy Ransacked in Belgian Church
October 22, 2017, BelgiumDuring the night between October 21st and 22nd, unknown perpetrators broke into the church Saint-Remi de Baulers and ransacked the sacristy. No valuables were taken.
Employment Tribunal Rejected Christian's Appeal
October 22, 2017, United KingdomA Christian who was dismissed as a Magistrate by the Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice, after expressing his view that it was in a child's best interests to be raised by a mother and a father, lost his case in a Employment Tribunal claiming discrimination, harassment and victimization against an NHS Trust after being blocked from returning to his role as a non-executive director.
Catholic Priest Insulted as “Infidel” and “Swine” at Lidl Checkout
October 21, 2017, GermanyA parish priest, dressed in his normal clerical clothing, was verbally attacked in a supermarket in Werl by a man who called him a "pig" and an "infidel" as he shook the priest's shopping cart. The priest called the police, but they told him they wouldn't respond. Publicly insulting a person in Germany can be a criminal offense.
Pakistani Christian Attacked for Displaying Cross, Poppies on Car
October 20, 2017, United KingdomTajamal Amar, a 45-year-old Pakistani Christian man, was beaten and left unconscious outside a restaurant. He reported that he was attacked by a group of Muslims who objected to him displaying a cross in his car and two large red poppies on the front of his car.
Parents' Campaign Forces Church School to Ban Christian Charity Group; Wants Symbols Removed
October 17, 2017, United KingdomAfter a parents' group complained about a Christian charity's "fundamentalist approach" in discussions of sin, St. John's Church of England Primary School in Tunbridge Wells agreed to block CrossTeach from running assemblies or giving lessons. The campaign also demands the removal of crosses, Bibles and clergy from Church of England school assemblies.
German Yoghurt Maker Weideglück Removed Santorini Cross from Packaging
October 11, 2017, GermanyWeideglück's Greek Yoghurt packaging uses an image similar to those used by Nestlé. Carrefour, and Lidl, which depicts the famous blue dome of the Anastasis Church in Santorini, but with the cross removed.
"Allahu Akbar" Graffiti on Church
October 8, 2017, AustriaOver the weekend in Ybbs (district of Melk) graffiti with messages such as "Allahu Akbar" ("God is great"), "Bomb the Kids," and "Bomb the Church" was found in various areas of the town, including on a church. Police began an investigation and offered a reward for information.
Oxford College Student Group Banned Christian Union from "Freshers' Fair"; then Reversed Decision
October 8, 2017, United KingdomA Balliol College student group at Oxford banned the Christian Union from its freshers’ fair on the grounds that it would be "alienating" for students of other religions, and constitute a "micro-aggression." They further claimed that Christianity was used as "an excuse for homophobia and certain forms of neo-colonialism" and that students might feel "unwelcome" if the Christian Union had a stall. After being reprimanded, organizers agreed that the Christian Union could participate in future fairs.
Christian Polish Prayer Initiative called Islamophobic; Controversial
October 7, 2017, PolandThe public prayer event "Rosary to the Borders" was called "a problematic expression of Islamophobia" by the Associated Press and "controversial" by the BBC and other media.
Some UK Schools Have Removed B.C. and A.D. Dating from Religious Education Classes
October 1, 2017, United KingdomB.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini, meaning "in the year of the Lord"), have been replaced with B.C.E., which stands for Before Common Era, and C.E., meaning Common Era. The changes were justified "to show sensitivity to those who are not Christians."
Vandalism of Graves in Metz Cemetery
October 1, 2017, FranceAn unknown perpetrator entered the cemetery during the night of September 30th and October 1st and vandalized 20 graves. Crucifixes were removed from gravestones and thrown to the ground.
Offertory Box Stolen from St. Stephan's Cathedral
September 30, 2017, AustriaIn the early morning hours of September 30th, an unknown burglar entered the door to the northern tower into the cathedral in Vienna. After stealing a donation box, the individual fled. The cathedral is secured by an alarm system with a direct connection to the police station, which was triggered at 5:15 am. Seven police cars and several police dogs arrived to investigate, but were unsuccessful in locating the perpetrator.
Thousands of Pounds Worth of Lead Stolen from Shrewsbury Church
September 30, 2017, United KingdomSt. Mary's church in Shrewsbury was attacked by thieves twice in the span of 4 months in 2017. In July, 23 square meters of lead was stolen, and in Setpember, 14 square meters of lead was stolen. Jessica Robertson, spokeswoman for the Churches Conservation Trust said: "The cost of replacing the lead and repairing the damage to the historic fabric of the building will run into tens of thousands of pounds for our charity. In addition, on both occasions, the popular Battlefield Café was forced to close while the building was secured." This is the eighth church in the Trust's care which has been attacked in 2017 alone.
YouTube Removed Channel of Islam-Critical Priest
September 27, 2017, FranceAfter a third "warning" that his posted videos were "inappropriate" and violated "community rules," YouTube removed priest Guy Pagès's "Islam et Vérité" channel from its content-sharing platform on September 27, 2017 .
Catalonian Separatists say Church is the Enemy
September 26, 2017, SpainAt a press conference held on September 26, 2017 in front of the cathedral in Tarragona, officials from the pro-Catalan independence political party CUP (Candidatura d'Unitat Popular) called the Catholic Church a "power structure to crush" that "discriminates against women and LGBT groups." It has also called for the elimination of aid to Christian schools and removal of a favorable tax status for churches.
Graffiti Found on Seville Church
September 23, 2017, SpainThe Church of Santa Marina, canonical headquarters of la Hermandad de la Resurrección (the Brotherhood of the Resurrection), was vandalized with an upside-down white cross painted on the main door of the church.
"Kill all Christs" Graffiti Painted on Street
September 23, 2017, GermanyThe phrase "Kill all Christs" next to a heart containing "IS" was discovered painted on a street in Bischoffen-Niederweidbach on September 23, 2017. This acronym for Islamic State was also found painted in the same pink color on a road sign.
Muslim Street Prayer Called for Fighting Infidels
September 22, 2017, FranceDuring their Friday prayers, muslims in Clichy gathered in front of the city hall on the street. The imam, who directed this prayer, chanted: "Fight the infidels without exception, as they fight you without exception, and know that Allah is with the pious." (9:36 of the Koran).
Mayor of Castellón Orders Removal and Demolition of Ribalta Park Cross
September 16, 2017, SpainThe decision to remove the cross from Ribalta Park came after a non-binding report by experts who claimed it was a Francoist symbol. The cross was built in 1944 and devoted to fallen soldiers. However in 1979, with the approval of all political parties including the Communist Party, the decision was made to preserve the cross in the park and to eliminate any Francoist connotations. It was then consecrated to the victims of the violence. The Association of Christian Lawyers contends that the effort to remove the cross is because of its Christian meaning, not because of Francoist connotations.
Lipton Removes Crosses from Product Packaging
September 15, 2017, InternationalAfter controversy over the Lidl supermarket group removing crosses from Santorini churches on the packaging of Greek foods, it appears that Lipton, a holding of the Unilever Group, also eliminated crosses from their packaging, including its Russian Earl Grey tea. The illustration is of an Orthodox church, but with the crosses removed from the domes.
Desecration of a Historic Armenian Cathedral in Southeast Turkey
September 15, 2017, TurkeyEighteen months after the Turkish government seized control of the largest Armenian cathedral in the Middle East, secretly taken photographs inside Diyarbakir’s Surp Giragos Armenian Apostolic Church reveal considerable damage to the sanctuary and walls of the now desecrated church in southeast Turkey.
UPDATE: Belgium Wants to Expel Son of "Hate Imam"
September 15, 2017, BelgiumBelgian State Secretary for Migration, Theo Francken, withdrew the right of residence for Souhaib Amaouch, the son of the already-expelled Imam of Dison. Amaouch, now an adult, has been in a youth detention center since August 22, 2016 for inciting hatred against Christians and jihadist propaganda in a video shot in Verviers.
Thirty Graves Vandalized in Moselle Cemetery
September 15, 2017, FranceIn mid-September, the communal cemetery of Montigny-les-Metz in Moselle was vandalized and unknown individuals tore the crucifixes from thirty graves and placed them in a bag which was left in the cemetery.
European Parliament Classifies Laws against Abortion as “Violence Against Women and Girls”
September 12, 2017, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)On September 12, 2017, the European Parliament adopted a parliamentary report which charges “the denial of sexual and reproductive health and rights services, including safe and legal abortion, is a form of violence against women and girls” by a vote of 489 in favor, 114 opposed and 69 abstentions.
Styria: Arson in Church
September 11, 2017, AustriaSeveral confessional doors in the Church of the Holy Family in Kapfenberg (Diocese of Graz-Seckau) were set on fire. Because the fire was quickly discovered by church visitors, a greater degree of damage was avoided. The property damage includes the confessionals, a song book stand, and charred song books. Police were called to investigate.
Man was Attacked for Wearing a Cross in Berlin
September 11, 2017, GermanyThe Berlin police reported that a 23-year-old man from Afghanistan was attacked and injured for wearing chain with a cross on it. He was approached by two men on evening of September 11, 2017 in Neukölln. According to the police report, he stated that the attackers had asked him why he had become a Christian. One of the two perpetrators tore the chain from the man's neck and beat him while the other held him down. The police called the incident "dangerous bodily harm" with a "religious background."
Arson in the Church of Saint Denis d'Hellemmes-Lille
September 10, 2017, FranceA fire was discovered in the late afternoon of September 10, 2017 and appeared to have been intentionally set in three separate places, including the the altar of the church of Saint Denis d'Hellemmes-Lille. The fire brigade came quickly and was able to extinguish the fire. The organ suffered the most damage and is no longer useable. The police opened an investigation.
Desecration in Madrid Church
September 6, 2017, SpainUnknown perpetrators broke into the parish of the Virgin of Bethlehem in Alcalá de Henares during the night of 5th and 6th of September 2017. They looted the altarpiece of the high altar, including the tabernacle containing consecrated Hosts, the ciborium of a chapel and a small monstrance containing a consecrated Host. The attackers threw the consecrated Hosts on the floor. Police were called and a Mass of Reparation was scheduled.
Christian Celebration in Turkish-Cyprus Temporarily Prohibited
September 5, 2017, CyprusThe Cypriot Orthodox Metropolis of Morphou was banned from holding its annual patron saint feast service. The ban was passed at the last minute and the official justification was that it was not possible to guarantee the safety of the Christian celebration because of the simultaneous Muslim festival of Kurban Bairam.