All cases
Wayside Crucifix Demolished in Southern Styria
September 2, 2017, AustriaThe figure of a crucified Jesus Christ was destroyed, left hanging without arms or legs, on a wayside cross on a hiking trail in the district of Harla. The vandalism was discovered during the weekend of September 2, 2017. The priest of the parish of St. Johann im Saggautal expressed the community's shock, noting that offertory boxes had been broken in the past, but this extent of violence against a crucifix is "shockingly new." A complaint was filed by the diocese.
Church Profaned in Layrac: Young People Smoked Shisha on the Altar
August 31, 2017, FranceAfter a report of continuing disorderly conduct in the church of Saint Martin de Layrac, surveillance equipment revealed that a group of young people had been sitting on the altar smoking the lighted shisha with candles during the month of August. The police intervened and the parents were summoned.
Lidl Supermarket Group Removed Crosses from Santorini Churches on Greek Products
August 31, 2017, InternationalThe supermarket chain Lidl promotes its Greek ERIDANOUS products with images of the famous Anastasis Church in Santorini, Greece, complete with its world-renowned blue dome roof. However, the packaging image has photoshopped out the crosses from the tops the orthodox churches. Lidl spokesman said "We are avoiding the use of religious symbols because we do not wish to exclude any religious beliefs," and "We are a company that respects diversity and this is what explains the design of this packaging." The company later apologized, "Our intention has never been to shock. We avoid the use of religious symbols on our packaging to maintain neutrality in all religions. If it has been perceived differently, we apologize to those who may have been shocked."
Jerez Church Vandalized with Graffiti
August 30, 2017, SpainNuestra Señora de Fátima was sprayed with graffiti reading "Pedophiles" and "God is bisexual. She loves everyone."
Court Rules Christian Child Can be Returned to Family
August 29, 2017, United KingdomA Christian five-year-old girl was placed into foster care with a Muslim family in London. Confidential local authority reports suggest that the foster family removed the girl's Christian cross necklace, suggested she learn Arabic, and forbade her from eating pork. In addition, It was alleged that when she had a visit with her biological mother, the girl said that Christmas was “stupid” and European women are “stupid alcoholics”. The court having jurisdiction ruled on August 29, 2017 that the girl should be placed with her grandmother.
Devastating Vandalism in Wieselburg Parish Church
August 28, 2017, AustriaUnknown perpetrators broke into the church, forced open the sacristy door. They caused enormous material damage, including cutting all electrical cables, destroying armchair upholstery, tearing the tabernacle from the altar, destroying the Easter candle, and stealing a few hundred euros in cash. In addition, the vandals poured sand on the church floor and made the sign of a pentagram, according to the police.
Vatican Secretary of State calls Jihadist Video "Worrying"
August 26, 2017, ItalyCardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, told reporters on August 26, 2017 that a day earlier he had seen a video indicating that the pope is a target of an Islamic extremist attack. He said that the Vatican would not increase its already high security measures.
Burglary in Schwadorf Parish
August 23, 2017, AustriaDuring the night of August 23, 2017, burglars broke into the parish church in Schwadorf through a terrace door. After being unable to break into the office, they entered the priest's apartment. According to police, cash and valuables were stolen, including a jewelry box and a clock. Afterwards, the perpetrators sprayed a fire extinguisher on the floor in the entrance of the apartment, in the stairwell of the parish center, and on the ground floor, to obliterate their footprints. The church was equipped with an alarm system, but the priest was not at home at the time of the incident, so no one heard the alarm. A passerby discovered the break-in in the morning and reported it to the police.
Muslim Threatens Journalist: "We are sick of Christians"
August 23, 2017, SpainOn August 23, 2017, in Cañada de la Muerte, one of the most troubled and dangerous districts in Melilla, a Spanish journalist from Antena 3 approached a group of Muslim men. One man was filmed saying: "We are tired of you, the Spaniards and the Christians [..] They have us held here, separated and marginalized." When the journalist pointed out that the man was Spanish himself, he answered: "I am not Spanish, I am Muslim." "We throw stones at the police because they come to bother us. They just want to ask us for documentation ... they annoy us." Another man did not hesitate to justify the Barcelona attacks: "It's normal. We Muslims are sick of you, the Christians." He then threatened, "I myself can take a truck and run over people because I'm tired of living like this. Of not having opportunities because of you."
Arran Denounces Islamophobia but Paints Churches with Graffiti Inciting Violence
August 23, 2017, SpainThe leftist youth organization of the Catalan Pro-Independence movement, Arran, has painted the facades of some Catalonian churches with aggressive messages like "The only church that illuminates is the one that burns" or "against the attacks of the Church, together we are stronger." Jésus Sanz, head of studies of the platform Civic Convivencia, has responded by noting "You do not have to be Catholic, or even a believer, but just a minimally respectful person to condemn the attacks."
Break-in and Vandalism at Erlauf Church
August 21, 2017, AustriaUnknown perpetrators broke into the church in Erlauf sometime during the night of August 20-21, 2017. All the money in the church had been removed on the Sunday after the Mass, but the sacristy was ransacked, with boxes emptied and overturned. It is unclear whether anything was stolen. This was the fourth break-in at the church.
15th Century Image of Saint Paul Destroyed by Vandals
August 18, 2017, SpainUnknown vandals tore down and destroyed the image of Saint Paul from the Gothic doorway of the parish of Andra Mari in Gernika (Guernica), Spain on August 18, 2017. The image, dated from the 15th century, was found broken to pieces. The parish filed a complaint.
Bilbao: Fair Booth Depicts Jesus Christ as Cuts of Meat
August 18, 2017, SpainA poster of a crucified Jesus Christ with his body parts labeled as if they were pieces of meat for sale, with the words "Take and eat, this is my body," was on display in an exhibition called "Vatican Butchers." It was shown in one of the "txosnas" (fair booths of clubs which have music and drinks) during the Semana Grande in Bilbao. The poster was surrounded by pieces of meat and sausages hung from butcher hooks.
No Charges Filed against Porn Makers for Church Sex Film in Tilburg
August 15, 2017, NetherlandsProsecutors rejected a complaint from Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Tilburg after two actors were filmed having sex in the confessional box. The video was posted on a Dutch porn website earlier this year. Dutch authorities said the pornographic film was offensive but there was no longer a blasphemy law in the Netherlands. A reparation Mass was held due to the desecration in the church.
Terror Threat in Lausanne and Geneva
August 13, 2017, SwitzerlandA 28-year-old man planned a terror attack in Lausanne and on a church in Geneva, according to evidence found on his mobile phone.
Wooden Christ Statue Decapitated on Mountaintop
August 7, 2017, AustriaA hand-carved figure of Jesus Christ on a cross was placed at 789 meters on the north side of the Traunstein mountain in Gmunden, Austria by members of the alpine club as a gift to a member. They discovered the statue had been decapitated with a saw when they arrived to present the gift on August 7, 2017. Police are investigating.
Prison Worker Loses Employment Tribunal Appeal over Sermon
August 4, 2017, United KingdomA Christian prison worker has lost his latest appeal in the courts over his discipline by HMP Littlehey. Rev Barry Trayorn who worked as a gardener, but volunteered in the chapel, fell into trouble after delivering a talk to prisoners about homosexuality and sin. Following a complaint, he was disciplined then later resigned. In 2016, an employment tribunal ruled that his employers acted within the law. A judge confirmed in August 2017 that ruling was fair, claiming his words could "legitimise mistreatment of homosexual prisoners." Trayhorn will take his case to the Court of Appeal.
Mosaic of the Virgen del Carmen de Huelin Vandalized
July 31, 2017, SpainThe popular ceramic mosaic of the Virgin Mary and Jesus child located on the beach promenade in the Huelin neighborhood of Malaga was damaged by vandals for the second time in four months and 15 days after having been repaired.
Knife Attacker in Hamburg Wanted to Kill Christians and Young People
July 28, 2017, GermanyOne person died and seven were injured in Hamburg on July 28, 2017 when a 26-year-old Palestinian ("Ahmad A.") attacked people with a knife in a Edeka market in Hamburg-Barmbek. The attacker, who lived in a refugee home, was known by authorities to have been radicalized and said his goal was to "kill Christians and young people" and die as a martyr.
German Greens Created "Anti-Feminist" Wiki; Targeted Christian Public Figures
July 28, 2017, GermanyThe Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, the foundation of the German Green Party, created a website called "Agent*In" that listed individuals and organizations said to be "anti-feminist" in order to better find and combat them. The majority of the persons and organizations listed were Christians or Church organizations. After public criticism, the website was temporarily taken offline.
Statue of Saint Beheaded in Neusiedl am See
July 27, 2017, AustriaUnknown perpetrators broke off and stole the head from a 300-year-old statue of Saint Rosalia in the middle of the main square of the town in Burgenland. Police initiated an investigation after local residents discovered the vandalism on July 27, 2017.
Attempted Arson by Molotov Cocktails at Dresden Church
July 27, 2017, GermanyIn the early morning hours of July 27, 2017, unidentified individuals threw two Molotov cocktails at the evangelical Martin-Luther-Kirche in Dresden resulting in at least 1,000 euros in damage. Police are investigating.
Vandalism in the Cathedral of Ibiza
July 27, 2017, SpainPolice arrested a young man after he struck a tombstone in the cathedral with a hammer and painted the words “Vergonya ke sagna” (Shame that bleeds) in red. The tombstone lists names of those killed at the beginning of the Civil War in 1936. A nun observed the vandalism and told a priest, who with the help of a French tourist, tried to hold the attacker to prevent him from fleeing. After an investigation, the police arrested him for a crime against religious sentiments and disrespect for the deceased.
Sweden to Deport Christian to Iran Despite Danger
July 26, 2017, SwedenSweden has rejected the asylum claim of Iranian Christian actress Aideen Strandsson and will deport her back to Iran, where she likely faces time in an Iranian prison -- or worse. In Iran, where it can be deadly to convert to Christianity, Strandsson kept her conversion largely a secret. But when she came to Sweden, she requested a public baptism. Iranian intelligence most likely is aware of her conversion and she has received threats on social media. Strandsson has said "I don't know what will happen to me, I know the punishment for me in Iran is death," she said. But "I have hope in Jesus, it's just the last hope I have in my life."
Church of Ciplet Vandalized
July 25, 2017, BelgiumUnknown vandals emptied a fire extinguisher and covered benches with toilet paper in the nave of the church of Saint-Maurice de Ciplet. A piece of furniture in a chapel was also destroyed. Nothing was stolen and the police began an investigation.
Equalities Minister Said Churches Should Follow Public Opinion on Gay Marriage
July 23, 2017, United KingdomJustine Greening, who is also Education Secretary, said churches and other religious groups should “keep up” with public opinion on same-sex marriage.
Offensive Grafitti on Church in Brest
July 23, 2017, FranceAn unknown perpetrator sprayed a vulgar message on the door of the church of Saint-Martin de Brest along with an inverted cross.
Theft from Tabernacle in Tintigny
July 23, 2017, BelgiumOn Sunday morning before Mass, Fr. Pierre Jehenson discovered that two ciboriums had been stolen from the tabernacle of the village church of Rossignol.
U.K. May Scrap Single-Faith Schools
July 23, 2017, United KingdomChristian schools may soon be required to ensure that half of their students are from different religious backgrounds, due to concerns that Christian-only schools "heighten community divisions."
Christian Refugees on Lesbos Threatened; Prevented from Seeking Asylum
July 22, 2017, GreeceSeveral clashes broke out around July 22, 2017 at Lesbos Island’s Moria Camp for refugees, with Greek authorities arresting 35 Muslim rioters who threw large rocks at police officers and set fire to tents both inside and outside the bounds of the camp. A disabled Christian was nearly burnt alive while sleeping in one of the shelters. "Christians are being prevented from holding church services, worshiping and praying by their Muslim neighbors. Moreover, reports of tents being burned down, violence, bullying, harassment and severe threats paint a very bleak picture of the quality of life for Christians caught up within the camp," according to the British Pakistani Christian Association.
Planned Attack on Pope in Fatima Foiled
July 21, 2017, PortugalA Moroccan man was expelled from Portugal after police foiled his planned attack on Pope Francis during his visit to Fatima in May 2017.
Bibles Found Burnt in Lonay
July 18, 2017, SwitzerlandA member of the Evangelical Church of Lonay discovered that five bibles had been taken from its festival tent in the middle of the night and burned. Nothing else was taken or damaged.
More than 25 Catholic Pages Blocked by Facebook as "Spam"; Later Restored
July 17, 2017, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)Between the night of July 17 and the morning of July 18, 2017 Facebook unpublished more than 25 Catholic pages in English, Portuguese and Spanish with no explanation to page administrators. After restoring the pages around 1:00 in the morning of July 19th, Facebook gave a statement to ACI Prensa: "The pages were reestablished. The incident was a malfunction of the spam detection mechanism in our platform. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused." In 2016, Facebook came under fire for allegedly censoring trends to news deemed "conservative."
U.K. Foreign Office Agency says Evangelical Christians in the Global South Should “Reinterpret” the Bible
July 17, 2017, United KingdomThe Barnabas Fund has highlighted a Wilton Park (an executive agency of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office) report from 2016 in which it describes biblical sexual morality as 'hateful' and evangelical Christians in prejudicial terms. A key recommendation of the report is "challenging the interpretation of sacred texts."
Political Party Tried to Boycott Inauguration of Virgin Mary Monument
July 15, 2017, SpainParty members of Podemos failed to prevent the inauguration of a monument dedicated to the Virgen del Rocío when they were denied authorization to hold a second protest march.
Man Attacked for Wearing a Cross in Berlin
July 14, 2017, GermanyIn the early morning hours of July 14, 2017, three teenagers attacked a 39-year-old man on a tram who was wearing two wooden Christian crosses on a chain around his neck. They pointed at the necklace and asked in broken German "what's that?" The teenagers, who appeared to be North African, proceeded to taunt him with insults and slapped him in the face repeatedly.
Church Desecrated in Villarreal
July 14, 2017, SpainThe Basilica San Pascual de Villarreal was desecrated on July 14, 2017. One or more perpetrators forced open the tabernacle and stole the ciborium containing consecrated hosts. This act of desecration requires that a Mass of reparation be celebrated according to Canon Law.
Iraqi Man Threatened to Kill Church Members
July 9, 2017, United KingdomZana Hassan interrupted a Sunday afternoon church service in Barnard Castle, County Durham on July 9, 2017 “shouting and swearing.” After being arrested by police, he threatened to “kill all the English,” making references to the war in Iraq. He was later convicted of a racially aggravated offense.
Arson at Church in Luleå
July 5, 2017, SwedenThe Catholic Church in Luleå Sweden was the victim of arson on July 5, 2017. The fire was started at two places outside of the church, one of them being the main entrance of the church. The parish priest, Nelson Mendoza Caserial, is shocked and surprised about the attack. He has stated that the church had not received any prior threats, either to the congregation, the employees, or himself. He lives in a house on the church property and was sleeping when the police alerted him at midnight. "I was really shocked and still shaking. I have not slept a wink since the police came and told us that the church was on fire," he said.
Spanish law on Religious Freedom to Change
June 29, 2017, SpainThe Spanish congress has passed a vote to change the law guaranteeing ideology, religion and freedom of worship in Spain. The Parliamentary Group Spokesman Joan Tarda stated that the law needs to be renewed as the Spanish society today no longer resembles the society of the 1980s and thus needs to be updated. New drafts of the law will have to be submitted prior to the end of the next session.
The Arran Organization Lleida Launches Obscene Campaign Against Bishops
June 27, 2017, SpainThe Catalan separatist youth organization launched a campaign against the Bishop of Solsona, Xavier Novell, and Cardinal Archbishop of Valencia, Antonio Cañizares. Arran distributed a poster with the image of Antonio Cañizares and Xavier Novell practicing anal sex as "denunciation" of the Church's position on homosexuality.
Saying Grace in Christian Kindergarten Prohibited
June 26, 2017, SwedenAn independent religious kindergarten in Umeå, Sweden, was forced to stop saying grace before meals by the county government. The Education Act says that religious elements may be included in education at independent schools, but they must be voluntary in order for the children to participate. The law does not say that the children themselves must agree, but rather that their parents consent on their behalf. The county argued that the children have not made the choice to participate in saying grace and have thus prohibited it. Preschool Director Britt Marie Mårtensson said they replaced grace with "Thank you for the sun and the rain and the food on our table."
University Tagged with Anti-Christian Slogans
June 24, 2017, SpainOne day after incendiary devices were used to start a fire at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, anti-Christian slogans were painted on the walls outside the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos of Madrid. Slogans included "The only church that illuminates is one that burns" and "No more crucifixes."
Swedish Prime Minister: "Priests Should Perform Same-Sex Marriages
June 24, 2017, SwedenSwedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has suggested that all Church of Sweden priests be compelled to perform gay marriages, or "do something else." Currently the Swedish church holds the position that “no priest should be obliged to officiate at the wedding of a same-sex couple.” Löfven said priests who are unable to bless gay marriage are in the wrong vocation and that the Social Democrats are working to ensure that priests "will consecrate everyone."
Renovated Church Vandalized in Seine-et-Marne
June 24, 2017, FranceDuring the night of June 24, 2017 the church Saint-Vincent-et-Saint-Arnould was broken into and vandalized. The church door was broken and the tabernacle in the church was also forced open. A large processional cross was stolen, as was a vacuum cleaner from a professional cleaning company who were preparing the church for its reopening after a year of construction. The police opened an investigation.
La Santina Beheaded
June 24, 2017, SpainOn June 24, 2017, the statue of the Virgen de Covadonga on the pilgrimage route of Chorrón de Villamayor in Piloña (Asturias, Spain) was beheaded by vandals. The statue, known as "La Santina," is an image of the Virgin Mary which forms an integral part of the Asturian tradition and presides over a small cave chapel and is protected by a metal fence. The parish is upset and sees the event as an attack not only on religious sentiments, but also on cultural heritage. The Basilica of Covadonga, next to the sacred cave where pilgrims venerate the statue of La Santina, is a place of worship and pilgrimage for the people of Asturias.
Saint Joan of Arc Statues Vandalized with Political Messages
June 24, 2017, FranceWitnesses discovered on June 24, 2017 that two statues of Saint Joan of Arc at the entrance of her home village of Neufchâteau had been sprayed with "anti-fascist" messages. Police opened an investigation.
University Chapel Attacked with Incendiary Devices
June 23, 2017, SpainThe chapel of the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), the second most important public university in the region and one of the main universities in Spain, was attacked with incendiary devices thrown through a window early in the morning of June 23, 2017. In addition to trying to destroy the chapel, the perpetrators left the slogan "The only church that illuminates is the one that burns" on the walls.,
Nun Assaulted for "Being a Nun"
June 23, 2017, SpainSister Rosario of the Congregación de las Esclavas de la Inmaculada Niña de Granada was attacked on June 23rd. The assailant hit Sister Rosario in the face and said “this is for being a nun” (“esto por ser monja”). The assault caused Sister Rosario a broken nose and swollen face. Sister Rosario was not wearing her habit at the time but was recognized as a religious by the medal she wore. She was returning to the residence after having dropped children off at their school.
Terror Attack on Church in Helsinki Foiled
June 18, 2017, FinlandOn June 18, 2017, Finnish police launched an operation in response to the threat of a terrorist attack on a church in Helsinki. The Temppeliaukio Church is located in the center of Helsinki less than a kilometer from the Finnish parliament and is a popular tourist attraction. The police sent several patrols to the church and the surrounding neighborhood to conduct raids. The following day, concrete barriers were erected to protect the church.