All cases
Man Arrested after Series of Attacks on Churches in Rome
October 1, 2016, ItalyPolice arrested a 39-year-old Ghanaian man suspected of attacking several churches in Rome over the previous two days. He is suspected of heavily damaging devotional statues, crucifixes, and candlesticks at the Basilica of Santa Prassede, the Church of San Martino ai Monti, and the Basilicas of San Giovanni de' Fiorentini and San Vitale.
Pro-Government Officials and Media using Anti-Christian Propaganda
October 1, 2016, TurkeyFollowing the failed military coup against President Erdogan the Christians of Turkey are being made scapegoats by government officials and Islamist extremists.
Armed Police Patrol Canterbury Cathedral
September 29, 2016, United KingdomPolice with guns patrol Canterbury Cathedral due to concerns about terror attacks. The extra security is in response to a series of jihadist attacks across Europe, including the murder of French priest, Father Jacques Hamel.
Humanist Association Urges Vote to Remove "God" from Constitution
September 29, 2016, IrelandThe Association calls for the removal of any references to God in the Constitution, and to any clauses that require public officials to swear a religious oath upon taking office.
Multiple Acts of Vandalism in La Mothe-Saint-Héray
September 29, 2016, FranceActs of vandalism were discovered in the church of Saint-Héray late in the afternoon on September 29: Statues of Joan of Arc and the Virgin Mary were damaged, as were a crucifix, a rosary, and prayer books.
Orthodox-Christian Monument Defaced in Bucharest
September 27, 2016, RomaniaAn Orthodox-Christian monument in Piata Unirii ("Union Square") in the form of a large cross, was vandalized with LGBT and anarchist graffiti.
Abortion Activists say Disruption of Mass a "Legitimate Political Act"
September 27, 2016, SpainTwo and a half years after a pro-abortion group burst into the parish of San Miguel in Palma de Mallorca during Mass shouting "take your rosaries out of our ovaries" and shouts in favor of "free abortion," they have refused to come to an agreement with the diocese that would avoid a trial.
Saint-Henri in Neuilly-Plaisance Desecrated and Burglarized
September 26, 2016, FranceDuring the night from September 25 to 26th, one or more individuals broke into the church. Once inside, they stole the collection box containing donations to the church. They opened the tabernacle and threw the consecrated Hosts on the floor.
Italian Television Presenter Attacked Online for Wearing Rosary & Holy Medals
September 25, 2016, ItalyMarina Nalesso, an Italian TV presenter, has been the target of online attacks from secular atheists for wearing on TV a rosary and holy medals, including a St Benedict medal.
Serial Arsonist Set Two Fires in Churches in Millau; Attempted Arson in a Third
September 21, 2016, FranceThe 22-year-old suspect appeared in court on September 21 and a trial will begin on October 12. He is said to be Moroccan national, and already known to authorities for previous fires set in Paris and Millau.
Attempted Arson at the church of Notre-Dame-des-Noues Franconville (Val d'Oise)
September 18, 2016, FranceThe parish priest confirmed that there had been acts of vandalism and arson attempts in this church, probably during the night of September 18th to 19th.
Pristina University Students Demand Demolition of Church
September 16, 2016, KosovoA group of students at Pristina University has demanded that a Serbian Orthodox church on campus be either destroyed or converted into student facilities.
ECtHR Finds Greece Violated Rights of Conscientious Objector
September 15, 2016, GreeceThe case concerned the authorities’ refusal to grant a Jehovah's Witness the status of conscientious objector and to allow him to do alternative civilian work instead of military service. The Court held that this was a violation of Article 9 (freedom of thought, conscience and religion) of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Self-Described Jihadist Violated Restraining Order; Destroyed Church Cross
September 14, 2016, SpainThe man arrested on September 9th for burning images of the Virgin Mary in the Church of Fontellas was arrested again a week later for destroying the cross atop the church of Ribaforada.
Humanist Society Scotland Challenges Parental Opt-Out for Religious Observance in Schools; wants Children to Decide
September 12, 2016, United KingdomThe Humanist Society Scotland (HSS) is seeking judicial review after the Scottish Government rejected calls for a change to the current rules which permit only parents to opt out on their children’s behalf.
Man Arrested for Setting Fire in the Basilica del Gran Poder de Sevilla
September 12, 2016, SpainThe incident occurred in the afternoon of September 12th when an individual alerted authorities in the basilica that he had extinquished a burning cloth of great artistic value in the sanctuary and that moments before he had seen someone set it on fire. Security cameras assisted the police in locating the perpetrator.
Church of San Juan Bautista de Manises Vandalized with Satanic Graffiti
September 9, 2016, SpainUnknown perpetrators painted "666", a swastika, and a pentagram on the facade of the church with red paint.
Moroccan Man Arrested for "Islamist" Attack on Spanish Church
September 8, 2016, SpainA Moroccan man admitted setting a fire that destroyed an ancient altarpiece and beautiful images in the church of Fontellas in Navarre on September 8, the day recognized by Catholics as of the Nativity of the Virgin (the day of the birth of the Virgin Mary).
Hamburg Court Acquits Afghan Charged with Attempted Homicide against Christian Convert
September 5, 2016, GermanyChristian leaders and the Christian Police Union criticized the acquittal, noting that all of the witnesses were Muslims - many of whom helped the accused flee after the incident.
Porch of Church Burnt as Street Fire Spread
September 3, 2016, FranceIn Roubaix, the porch of the church of Sacré-Cœur was destroyed by fire during the night from 2-3 September. Rubbish, including a bench, were burned on the boulevard de Strasbourg and the fire spread to the door of the church.
Arson in Passau Catholic Church
September 1, 2016, GermanyUnknown offenders tried to set the altar of the St. Anton church on fire in the morning of September 1st. They also damaged furniture, painting, and statues according to the police, who call it a case of vandalism.
Pressures on Christian Refugees Continue in Sweden
September 1, 2016, SwedenRefugees who have converted from Islam to Christianity report beatings, threats, bullying, and social exclusion in refugee accommodations.
Four Spanish Bishops Threatened with Prosecution for Criticism of LGBT law
August 31, 2016, SpainThree of the bishops are being threatened with a criminal complaint for having written and published a condemnation of Madrid’s new “Law of Integral Protection against LGTBIphobia and Discrimination for Reasons of Orientation and Sexual Identity.” The fourth bishop is being criminally investigated for expressing support for the statement of the first three.
Security Guidance Sent to UK Churches after Murder of French Priest
August 31, 2016, United KingdomThe organization National Churchwatch issued a new security guidance to every church in the UK in the wake of the murder of French priest Jacques Hamel by Islamist terrorists.
Nurse Fired for Talking about Faith with Patients
August 31, 2016, United KingdomA Christian nurse was fired for "gross misconduct" by the NHS for talking to her patients about her faith and occasionally offering prayer to help them prepare for surgery. Part of her job was to help patients complete a questionnaire, which included a question about religion.
Albanians Threaten to Burn Serbs and their Churches
August 28, 2016, KosovoAttempts by Serbs to mark the religious holiday of Assumption in several towns in Kosovo and Metohija were met with road blocks, threats of burning, rocks, tear gas, and an attack on the car of the deputy director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Dusan Kozarev.
Vandalism and Attempted Arson in Hautmont Church
August 27, 2016, FrancePolice opened an investigation after a bystander reported smelling smoke from the church of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption. Investigators discovered damaged statues, as well as missals, songbooks, and wreaths knocked to the floor. The altar tablecloth was burnt, but the fire did not spread to the rest of the church.
Four Summit Crosses Damaged in the Bavarian Alps
August 27, 2016, GermanyFrom May to August 2016 four wooden summit crosses in the Bad Tölz-Wolfrashausen region were destroyed by unknown perpetrators using an ax.
Nice Deputy Mayor Confirms "Burkini Ban" Also Applies to Nuns' Habits on Beaches
August 26, 2016, FranceRudy Salles defended the ban of the "Burkini" and said that the same ban would apply to Catholic nuns wearing habits on Nice beaches.
Mass Interrupted by Intruder Yelling Insults at Cardinal
August 26, 2016, SpainCardinal Archbishop of Valencia, Antonio Cañizares was offering Mass in Avila dedicated to St. Teresa of Avila when he was interrupted by an individual who entered the church shouting insults at the Cardinal such as “Nazi, thief, Fascist.”
Man Arrested After Threatening to "Kill a Priest" in Ariege
August 25, 2016, FranceA thirty-year-old man was arrested by police after witnesses reported hearing him threaten several times to "kill a priest" and yelling "Allah Akbar." The man claimed it was a joke and was found to have been under the influence of narcotics.
Belgian Police Arrested Teen Pledging to Kill All Christians
August 22, 2016, BelgiumThe 17-year-old boy was filmed declaring in Arabic, “Oh Allah, destroy the odious Christians. Oh Allah kill them all.”
Religious Statues Decapitated
August 19, 2016, LuxembourgA resident of Weilerlach discovered religious statues of Jesus and Joseph decapitated by unknown vandals in a public park. The police are investigating.
Verviers Church Vandalized
August 19, 2016, BelgiumThe last remaining stained glass window in the church of Sainte-Julienne was destroyed on August 19th by stones. A few months earlier the other windows of the church had been similarly damaged, forcing the church to erect protective fences. Costs to restore and repair the damage is estimated to be considerable.
Afghan Christian Attacked by Four Muslim Refugees
August 17, 2016, GermanyAn Afghan refugee (31) who converted from Islam to Christianity was attacked by four Muslim Afghans in Maintal near Frankfurt am Main. They shouted “Allahu Akbar” and said that they were going to kill him.
Catholic Church Vandalized a Week After Board Denied CCTV Permission
August 16, 2016, SwedenAn unknown person threw a rock through the window of the Catholic church in Karlstad a week after the city's administrative board denied permission for the church to install CCTV cameras.
Antitheist Murders Flatmate for her Christian Faith
August 15, 2016, GermanyDaniel E. was sentenced to life in prison on January 30, 2017 for the August 2016 premeditated murder of his Christian flatmate. The self-proclaimed "antitheist" admitted killing her because of his hatred of all religion. The judge said, "He killed her as a representative of her religion because he could not kill all believers.”
Christian Asylum Seeker Attacked for Faith
August 14, 2016, GermanyA young Christian asylum seeker was approached by several men on the street near Berlin and was asked whether he is Christian. When he said yes, he was insulted in Arabic and badly beaten.
Stained Glass Windows Destroyed in Church
August 14, 2016, FranceAt least 40 stones were thrown at four stained glass windows in a church in Delme, possibly using slingshots from outside the church. Damage is estimated to be 20,000 euros. Police are investigating.
Statue of Virgin Mary Beheaded in Alpes de Haute-Provence
August 14, 2016, FranceDuring the weekend of August 14th, a hiker discovered the chapel door forced open and the statue of Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette removed from its display, decapitated, and left outside the building with its head at its feet. Police are investigating.
City Church in Indre-et-Loire Vandalized
August 14, 2016, FranceThe church of Notre Dame in Vouvray was vandalized with black spray paint during the weekend of August 14, 2016 with a message accusing the church of fundamentalism and calling Christianity a sect: "Intégriste Christianize = Secte." An investigation was initiated.
U.S. Baptist Minister Arrested, Convicted Under Missionary Activity Law
August 14, 2016, RussiaDonald Ossewaarde was arrested on August 14th as he conducted a bible study group in his home. He is first foreign missionary to be charged with violating Russia's law banning missionary activity outside officially registered church buildings.
Church Desecrated in Grandate
August 13, 2016, ItalyDuring the night of August 13, 2016, unknown persons forced open the door of the church of San Bartolomeo in the Como province and attempted to break open the tabernacle containing consecrated Hosts, broke the marble lectern, and topped the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, breaking her hands and nose.
Mass of the Assumption Banned by Authorities
August 11, 2016, TurkeyAfter 88 years of closure, the Panagia Sumela Monastery in Trabzon, was reopened in June 2010 and since then, the Turkish authorities had given a license for a yearly Mass to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to celebrate the Mass of the Assumption. This year, the authorization was administratively revoked.
Town Council to Remove Cross from Public Square
August 11, 2016, SpainThe Callosa de Segura town council voted to remove the cross in the plaza of the church of San Martin. Christian legal groups objected, noting that its presence poses no threat to anyone and that it is part of the town's historical and cultural heritage.
Authorities Deny Permission for CCTV for Church
August 10, 2016, SwedenThe Catholic Church of Karlstad has been a repeated victim of attacks: Hate graffiti, inverted crosses glued on its walls, and broken windows. In 2015, Father Martin Ferenc, pastor of the church, filed no fewer than 15 police complaints. The police suggested that he install video surveillance cameras in order to identify the perpetrators. The priest therefore asked the administrative board to authorize their installation. The board rejected the application on the grounds that the church's interest in solving these crimes is outweighed by the individual's interest in not being recorded.
Vandals Tag 14th Century Church Fresco
August 10, 2016, ItalyA "street artist" tagged a fresco in the Basilica di San Lorenzo in Vicenza with black spray paint.
Pastor and Politician Report Abuse of Christian Refugees in Frankfurt
August 8, 2016, GermanyDuring a press conference with Bundestag member Erika Steinbach, Pastor Mahin Mousapour said Christians staying at migrant shelters are being told that they are impure and that they deserve to die for rejecting Islam.
Holy Synod Offices the Victim of Arson Attack by Molotov Cocktails
August 8, 2016, GreeceThe attack occurred at 3.10 a.m. when unidentified assailants, presumed to be anarchists, threw four Molotov cocktails into the yard of a church in central Athens, the Moni Petraki, which houses the central offices of the Church of Greece's Holy Synod. The molotov cocktails detonated, destroying two cars that had been parked outside.
Venice Church the Site of Two Anti-Christian Incidents
August 7, 2016, ItalyFour women wearing headscarves entered the Church of San Zulian, approached the crucifix, and spat on it. They then moved among the tourists undetected. The day before, on July 6, 2016, two young men, described as "Asians," received Communion, and then spat out pieces of the Host onto the ground and fled.