All cases
Tabernacle Stolen from Chapel
May 10, 2017, FranceThe tabernacle of the chapel of Collognes has been stolen. This theft is not the first for this small chapel, three years ago the statue of Virgin Mary was stolen and the collection boxes have been emptied several times. The parish is very upset and the local police have opened an investigation. The chapel will remain open to the public as it is on the pilgrimage route of Santiago de Compostela and St. Francis of Assisi and thus has many visitors throughout the year.
Barcelona Church Vandalized
May 9, 2017, SpainA Barcelona church has been vandalized by unknown vandals. The doors were painted with graffiti of the anarchist's A and statements such as “Get your rosaries out of our ovaries” (“Fora els vostres rosaris dels nostres ovaries”). It is estimated that more than 40 churches have been vandalized in Barcelona in recent months.
Attack and Desecration in Catholic Church in Castellón
May 9, 2017, SpainThe parish church of the small town of Teresa - 1 hour by car from Valencia - suffered a robbery and desecration on May 9th after one of the back doors of the temple was forced, the money from the alms was taken and the chalices containing consecrated forms were thrown to the ground.
Man Filmed Attacking Cross in Austria
May 8, 2017, AustriaA group of youths filmed a man as he attacked a life-sized Jesus figure on a cross in the church square of St. Marein. The man, identified by police as a "37-year-old from the Weiz district," first shook the cross to make it fall but when unsuccessful he then proceeded to rip out a wind organ from the ground and hit the cross with it. The man’s rampage continued within the church grounds as he broke the two glass doors of the parish and several flower pots before being arrested. Damage is estimated to be well over €15,000.
Monastery in Alicante Vandalized
May 7, 2017, SpainOn the morning of May 7th the chaplain of the Monastery de la Santa Faz discovered seven intentionally-inverted crosses on the columns of the sanctuary, Satanic symbols on the armored glass case that protects the Santa Faz relics. Additionally, a liturgical prayer book and the diary where the acts of worship are recorded were stolen. Police opened a forensic investigation.
Molotov Cocktail Thrown at Virgin of the Helpless Image
May 2, 2017, SpainA Molotov Cocktail was thrown at the carving of the Virgin of the Desamparados (Virgin of the Forsaken) in the church of Real Convento de Santiago in Vélez-Málaga. The 17th century carving did not burn, but the base, skirt, and mantle were stained by the homemade device containing gasoline. A young man was seen running from the scene and police began an investigation.
Facebook Page Celebrates Arson of Churches
May 1, 2017, SpainA Spanish Facebook page appears to celebrate, and perhaps encourage, church arson by using the anarchistic slogan “The only church that illuminates is the one that burns” (“La única iglesia que ilumina es la que arde”). The Facebook page's profile picture is a burning church. Other photos posted on the page include cartoons mocking Christianity and the Catholic Church.
Defenders of Public Cross of Callosa Threatened
May 1, 2017, SpainResidents of Callosa de Segura opposed the City Council's decision to remove a cross next to the parish church entrance and took turns guarding it to prevent its removal. In response, they became the targets of threatening graffiti. On May 1st, graffiti appeared with a message aimed at the spokesman of the PP parliamentary group Javier Perez: “Javier Perez is dead” (“Javier Perez estas muerto”) and the second read: “A bomb to the cross” (“Una bomba a la cruz”). On May 17, 2017, a high court dismissed Perez's appeal to stop the removal of the cross but the case could still go to the supreme court.
Three Churches Discovered Vandalized in Three Days
May 1, 2017, SpainUnknown perpetrators broke windows and doors, damaged the altar and scattered objects in church of Santa Maria de Vallvidrera. Nothing was stolen. The parish of Sant Ildefons and the Hermitage of Santa Margarida were vandalized with graffiti, the former stating “the only church that illuminates is one that burns” and the latter “neither God nor country, nor King” (“la única iglesia que ilumina es la que arde” and “ni Dios, ni patria, ni Rey”). In the Hermitage of Santa Margarida the assailants also vandalized the interior by destroying vases, candle holders and other decorative items.
Burning Cross Painted on Convent of Cloistered Nuns
April 30, 2017, SpainThe façade of the church of Santa Magdalena at the convent was vandalized with graffiti of an inverted and burning cross. The Palma Police's Hate Crimes Unit took charge of the investigation and said it appeared the purpose of the graffiti was to try to intimidate the Christian community, particularly the religious women who live in the cloistered convent. Evidence appears to indicate that the graffiti was the work an extreme Leftist group.
ISIS Supporter Jailed
April 29, 2017, United KingdomThe ISIS supporter Akeem Samuels has been sentenced to jail for four years by a court in the United Kingdom. Akeem Samuels posted videos on Instagram where he encouraged terror attacks on Christians.
Christian Prison Preacher to Appeal Tribunal Ruling
April 27, 2017, United KingdomA Christian prison worker who felt he had no option but to resign after being disciplined for quoting from the Bible during a prison chapel service, will challenge an Employment Tribunal's ruling that the prison was right to discipline him. In March 2016, the Employment Tribunal ruled that Barry Trayhorn spoke of God's forgiveness in an "insensitive" way which "failed to have regard for the special nature of the congregation in the prison".
The Head of a Jesus Statue Used as a Toilet in Illegal Migrant Camp
April 26, 2017, ItalyDuring an inspection by Regional Councilor for Agriculture of the Northern League, Stefano Mai, of an illegal migrant camp in Ventimiglia, the head of a marble statue of Jesus was found covered with excrement and urine. The head had possibly been taken from a local cemetery and then used as a makeshift toilet. The discovery caused anger and upset in the local community and Councilor Mai publicly denounced the situation.
Expelled Christian Student Wins Right to Face High Court
April 26, 2017, United KingdomFelix Ngole was expelled from the University of Sheffield in 2016 for writing a post on his private Facebook page in which he quoted Leviticus stating that homosexuality was sinful. Deputy High Court Judge James Lewis has allowed Ngole to take his case to the High Court in London and a ruling is expected after a trial this fall.
Statue of St. Paul Decapitated in Luxembourg; Left on Priest's Doorstep
April 25, 2017, LuxembourgA statue of St. Paul near the church in Dalheim was discovered decapitated. The head was later found left on the doorstep of the local priest’s home. The discovery worried the priest, but the mayor decided simply to have the head re-attached onto the statue, rather than initiate an investigation. When asked if he thought the act was a symbolic gesture, the mayor said it could have been just a "random act." The priest said he was "reassured" but if it happened again, he would have to make his own security arrangements.
Virgin and Child Mosaic Vandalized in Málaga
April 24, 2017, SpainThe ceramic image of the Virgen del Carmen de Huelin located on the seafront of a popular neighborhood of Málaga was damaged by vandals who broke the tiles composing the faces of the Virgin Mary and Jesus.
Syrian Women Vandalized Church in Rennes-le-Château
April 23, 2017, FranceOn the morning of April 23rd, a young Syrian women vandalized the church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine. The woman, dressed in a white cloak and face hidden behind a Venetian mask, attacked the holy water font with an ax, decapitated the famous "red devil" (a statue of the demon Asmodeus from the Old Testament), and placed a Quran next to his chopped-off arm. She then lacerated the bas-relief of Mary Magdalene's altar in front of shocked witnesses.
Croatian Theatre Festival Included Play with Jesus Christ Rape Scene
April 22, 2017, CroatiaA theater festival in Split was to include a controversial play which depicts Jesus Christ raping a Muslim woman wearing a hijab. This drew strong condemnation from Croatia's Catholic Church.
Church was Robbed and Vandalized in Onnaing
April 22, 2017, FranceThe sacristy of the church of Sainte-Maria-Goretti was broken into and vandalized. Wall tiles of the sacristy were broken, as well as candles and seats. Mass wine was stolen.
Cemetery Desecrated in Fouchécourt
April 22, 2017, FranceIt is estimated that a dozen graves were desecrated, including Christian graves, and one coffin was opened at a cemetery near Fouchécourt between the 21st and 22nd April 2017. The local community is upset and angry.
Church Vandalized with Graffiti
April 21, 2017, FranceDuring the Easter weekend the Church Saint-Géry in Quévy was vandalized with graffiti. The porch outside the church and sculptures inside the church, as well as the sacristy, were vandalized.
Jehovah’s Witnesses Outlawed in Russia
April 21, 2017, RussiaThe Russian Supreme Court has ruled that Jehovah’s Witnesses are an “extremist” religious group and therefore they have outlawed them. A Jehovah’s Witnesses spokesperson has stated that the group is “greatly disappointed by this development and deeply concerned about how this will affect our religious activity”. A spokesman of a Russian Baptist Evangelical union had defined the de-legalisation of the Jehovah’s Witnesses as an “unreasonable and dangerous step.” The Ministry of Justice “is beginning to distinguish between proper and improper believers. What will prevent these same officials tomorrow from condemning, say, the Evangelical Christians-Baptists, (Orthodox) Old Believers or Catholics? I think this approach is fundamentally wrong”, Vitaly Vlasenko, of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists said.
Repeated Vandalism of Church in Hume
April 19, 2017, FranceThe Parish of Gujan-Le Teich in Hume was vandalized again, after having been previously vandalized in June 2016. This time a motorcycle, which had been left blocking the handicapped rail, was burned during the night and the fire could have easily spread to the chapel.
Arson in Church in Liege
April 19, 2017, BelgiumDuring the Easter holidays, candles were stolen from the Church of Seny in Liege and on April 19th, the Church was damaged by arson from candles set on fire in their plastic packaging.
French Visa denied to Eastern Christians on Ideological Grounds
April 18, 2017, FranceDuring an interview Jean-Jacques Brot, a French official responsible for the mission to host Syrian and Iraqi refugees, admitted that Eastern Christians who apply for visas often have the applications denied by French officials due to “their convictions” or “ideological grounds” (“leurs conviction” or “motifs idéologiques”).
Vandalism in Nantes Church
April 18, 2017, FranceDuring the morning of April 18th, a church employee discovered damage in small chapel in l’Église Sante-Croix. Vases were overturned, the tablecloth of the altar was crumpled, and the crown on the head of the statue of the baby Jesus in the arms of the statue of Our Lady of Bon-Secours was stolen.
Attempted Arson in Church
April 17, 2017, FranceJean-Louis Herbinière, the priest of the parish Saint-Samson in Calvados, discovered an attempted arson in the church. The tablecloth of the altar was blackened and had burn marks.
Cemetery Vandalized During Three Nights in One Week
April 16, 2017, FranceThe first act of vandalism in the cemetery near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Salanque occurred between the 12th and 13th of April, the second act between 13th and 14th of April, whilst the third act of vandalism occurred between the 15th and 16th of April despite the town having organized surveillance. During these attacks, tombstones were broken, vases were shattered, and pictures on the tombstones were ripped apart.
Longford Church Broken into and Tabernacle Stolen
April 16, 2017, United KingdomSt Michael’s Church outside Longford was due to open its doors for Easter Sunday Mass when the break-in was discovered. The church window was broken and the altar was severely damaged. Several items were stolen, including the tabernacle.
Church Vandalized during Easter
April 15, 2017, SpainDuring the morning of the 15th of April, the parish priest of Nuestra Señora del Carrascal discovered acts of vandalism: the facades had been tagged with graffiti, doors within the premises had been broken, and the fire extinguishers had been emptied in several rooms.
Easter Mass Celebration Evacuated in Nice
April 15, 2017, FranceDuring the Easter Mass celebration a man entered the church of Saint-Pierre d'Arène wearing an army jacket and ski gloves, acting in a menacing manner. He excitedly told the congregation "qu'on allait tous y passer" (it will all come to pass). The security forces quickly arrived on site and were able to arrest the man peacefully.
Easter Procession Ended in Turmoil in Sevilla
April 14, 2017, Spain“La Madrugá”, the Easter procession during the night from Maundy Thursday to Good Friday was interrupted and ended in turmoil with 17 people being taken to the hospital and one person was admitted to the ICU for head trauma. Eight people were arrested for the vandalism and the police investigated the connections and potential coordination of the attack on the Easter procession.
Blasphemous Attack against Church on Maundy Thursday
April 14, 2017, FranceDuring Maundy Thursday a young woman enter the Saint-Bruno Church, Bordeaux France, and pulled down her trousers and showed her stomach where she had painted a word in the color red. She then proceeded to proudly post the pictures of this blasphemous attack on her Facebook profile.
Social Worker Discouraged Parents from Christening Son
April 13, 2017, United KingdomA social worker from Kent met with parents who were considering placing their child for adoption and told them the chances of their son being adopted would be hindered if he were “christened into the Christian faith,” after they expressed their wish to have their son baptized.
Complaint Discussed for 2016 Cemetery Desecration
April 13, 2017, FranceIn the summer of 2016, a video circulated on the internet showing a model posing on the graves in a cemetery in Tarn-et-Garonne, France. The local residents discovered this video and filed a complaint with the county council. In January 2017, another video with the same model, the same poses, and the same location was found online and the local residents filed another complaint to the county council. This county council discussed in April 2017 whether to lodge a formal complaint in order to bring the matter before an investigating judge.
Easter Procession Disrupted by Threatening Teenagers
April 13, 2017, FranceOn the evening of April 12th, a religious procession in Toulon was interrupted by three teenagers who threatened the priests and nuns in the procession. One of the teenagers threw his backpack at them and all of them shouted “Allah Akbar”, “Long live Daesh” and “You will all blow up” (“Allah Akbar”, “Vive Daech” and “Vous allez tous sauter”). Once police were called the perpetrators fled the scene.
Cemetery Vandalized and Tombs Destroyed
April 13, 2017, BelgiumIn Ougrée, Belgium more than 50 graves were vandalized, several dozen tombs were destroyed and the crosses on the graves were thrown on the ground. The families of the deceased are upset that such vandalism occurred. This is the second time this month that the cemetery has been attacked.
Swedish Labour Court Rules Against Pro-Life Midwife
April 12, 2017, SwedenThe Swedish Labour Court upheld the judgments of the Discrimination Ombudsman and Tribunal Court in the case of Christian midwife, Ellinor Grimmark, who has been denied jobs at several clinics due to her refusal to carry out abortions and her outspoken stance on the matter.
Pro-Life Philosophy Professor Investigated then Fired from Catholic University
April 11, 2017, BelgiumPhilosophy professor Stéphane Mercier was fired by the Catholic University of Leuven after a student filed a complaint about an essay Mercier wrote in which he argued that abortion is the murder of an innocent life.
Teacher Prohibited from Wearing Cross Necklace
April 11, 2017, GermanySchool officials ordered a Protestant Christian teacher in Berlin to remove her cross necklace when she is in the classroom. Berlin's neutrality law prohibits teachers and civil servants from wearing religious symbols and clothing in public.
Vandalism on Painting of Jesus in Church
April 10, 2017, PolandA 31-year-old male emptied a bottle of black spray paint on a painting of Jesus in a Church in Pila, Poland. Police arrested the man.
Cemetery in Nice Vandalized on Palm Sunday
April 9, 2017, FranceFourteen graves were damaged in the Cimiez cemetery, which borders a Franciscan monastery on a hill in Nice, in the afternoon of Palm Sunday, April 9, 2017. Crosses were broken, funerary books and decorative items were knocked over and broken. The municipality said, “It is with indignation that we condemn these unacceptable acts that call for a firm criminal response. There is no place for these hateful acts. That is why we asked the funeral administration to file a complaint.” According to the city, the individual responsible for these acts may be identified from the CCTV recordings.
Women Attacked after Mass in Brussels
April 9, 2017, BelgiumTwo Polish women were on their way to the bus station to return home after having attended Mass at the church of Notre Dame de la Chapelle on Palm Sunday. As they walked through what was described in media reports as an “the Arab quarter” on their way to the Midi station, they were attacked by a man who cursed at them both in Arabic and French calling them “dirty Christians” and “whores” (“sales chrétiennes” and “putes“). Because the women were carrying palms from the Mass, the man was able to identify them as Christians. One of the women was knocked down and then kicked. She did not sustain any major injuries, but was in pain. The police were called but the attacker fled before they could arrive. The Polish Christian community responded by hiring security for the doors before and after Mass.
Good Friday Procession Cancelled due to Complaint by Secularist Group
April 8, 2017, SpainThe Andalusian Education Inspection cancelled the Good Friday procession for school children in Dos Hermanas due to time pressure for parents and complaint by a secularist group, Sevilla Laica. The parents of the affected children gathered signatures to reverse the decision as the procession is a voluntary activity and their children “were very excited” (“estaban muy ilusionados”).
Demolition of Cross Recommended by Organization in Castellón
April 8, 2017, SpainThe Association of Friends of Ribalta have recommended demolishing the cross in the Ribalta Park as they say that it is a fascist symbol and thus does not comply with the law of historical memory. A petition against the Association of Friends of Ribalta’s claim is circulating. It is not the first time that the cross's existence has been up for debate. In 1979, there was a political vote on the issue and the cross was allowed to remain standing.
Mass Disrupted by Flares
April 8, 2017, SpainA Mass was interrupted in the Cathedral of Bilbao and parishioners had to leave the church as a group of squatters hurled flares inside the Cathedral. Police were called but no one was detained.
Catalan Club Received Complaints for Offensive Show
April 7, 2017, SpainA club in Barcelona received several complaints after its Good Friday show included an actor dressed as Jesus dancing with a cross. Adults who attended the show were offended and started a petition to ensure that the show was not repeated. They called the show “a mockery to the religion of Christianity to its believers and what it really means to celebrate Easter” (“una burla hacia la religión cristiana, hacia sus creyentes ya lo que realmente significa la celebración de Semana Santa”).
Church Vandalized in Blois
April 7, 2017, FranceThe Church of Saint-Saturnin de Vineuil was vandalized sometime between March 8th and March 30th. The Diocese lodged a complaint with the police for "degradation of the property of others on account of religion by means dangerous for people."
Mongolia Magazine Puts "Transgender Jesus" on Cover
April 6, 2017, SpainIn response to the bus campaign of Hazte Oír promoting a traditional view of gender with the slogans "Boys have penises; girls have vulvas. Do not be deceived," Mongolia magazine used an image of a transgender Jesus as its cover image. The magazine cover also has slogans such as “God has a penis” and “God has a vulva” (“Dios tiene pene” and Dios tiene vulva”).
Christmas and Easter School Holidays to Change Names
April 6, 2017, SpainThe Christmas and Easter school holidays will be re-named "first and second period" in the region of Castile and Leon in Spain for the academic year 2017/18 so as to be disassociated with the Christian holidays.