All cases
The Armenian Evangelical Church in Alfortville Targeted Twice in One Week
April 2, 2017, FranceOn April 2, 2017, the Pastor and his wife were awakened by flames that lit up the window of their room above the church. A rubbish bin filled with gasoline had been set on fire in front of the building's door. Firefighters were called and immediately intervened. The fire was brought under control and only the facade and the cross were blackened by the flames. A week earlier, the building had been stoned, destroying the double glazing of the front door. The Pastor noted that stoning incident immediately followed the visit of an Iraqi pastor who came to talk about the situation of the Eastern Christians. Police are investigating.
Site of the Black Madonna Ransacked on Réunion; Cross of the Jubilee Destroyed
April 2, 2017, FranceOn April 2, 2017, a groundskeeper discovered the statue of the Black Madonna Rivière-des-Pluies (la Vierge Noire à la Rivière-des-Pluies) had been thrown to the ground and completely destroyed at a religious site where many faithful go to pray. The Cross of the Jubilee, placed in front of the church, was also vandalized. The priest of the parish expressed shock and disappointment that “people will desecrate holy places” and said that the site would be temporarily closed while the gendarmerie investigated. Parishioners expressed shock, sadness, and anger at the destruction.
Christian Convert Murdered in Front of her Children
April 1, 2017, GermanyA female Afghan Christian convert was stabbed to death by an Afghan asylum seeker in front of her children in front of a supermarket in Prien am Chiemsee. The 29-year old Muslim attacker yelled at Farina S. before stabbing her. He continued to stab her until an off-duty policeman and several witnesses dragged him aside. The woman, who moved to Bavaria six years earlier, died of her wounds. The victim’s family is convinced that the motive for the attack was the 38-year old woman’s religion. The police report: "For us, only facts count. But there is evidence of a religious motive for this act that we are pursuing."
Christian Youth Organizations Will No Longer Work Alongside Public Youth Agencies
March 30, 2017, SwitzerlandTen Swiss Christian youth federations working with 10,000 young people every year will no longer have the support of the public authorities. The decision of the federal government (“Bundesrat”) comes after decades of successful collaboration.
Cross Stolen in Ille-et-Vilaine
March 29, 2017, FranceThe public calvary cross (calvaire) in city of Ille-et-Vilaine was stolen by unknown perpetrators.
Zaragoza City Council Initiated Proceeding to Claim Public Ownership of Cathedral and Church
March 28, 2017, SpainThe municipal government's proceedings are an attempt to nullify the inmatriculación (entry into the property registry) of La Catedral de San Salvador de Zaragoza, known La Seo and Iglesia de La Magdalena by claiming the buildings are public property. The spokesman for the Archbishop of Zaragoza, José Antonio Calvo, replied that that the city cannot prevail because the Church has owned the buildings since the 12th century.
Journalist Calls Bishop Sexist and Homophobic
March 27, 2017, SpainSpanish Journalist Fernando Pérez Monguió published a blog post about the Bishop of Cordoba, Demetrio Fernández, in which he called him "a fanatic and a dangerously sexist and homophobic prelate." He accused the Bishop of having attacked the honor and dignity of homosexuals and women and demanded an apology. Among the writer's complaints were the Bishop's remarks against abortion, homosexuality, and gender ideology -- each of which are consistent with the teaching of the Catholic Church.
RTVE Apologizes to Viewers
March 26, 2017, SpainThe Spanish Radio and Television Network RTVE apologized to viewers for broadcasting the performance of the Gala Drag Queen of Las Palmas. Many viewers were upset as the winning act portrayed the Virgin Mary and during the act transformed into a crucified Christ.
Politicians of Ponferrada Demand Removal of Holy Week Exhibition in School
March 23, 2017, SpainThe Ponferrada en Común (PeC), el Partido Comunista (PCE) e Izquierda Unida (IU) demanded immediate closure of a Holy Week exhibition in a public school by the Confraternity of Jesus of Nazareth (la Real Hermandad Jesús Nazareno). The political groups argued that such an exhibition “should not take place in a public school in a state that is defined as non-denominational.” They also claimed that the display "endangered safety at the school" as it is in a corridor that could be needed in an emergency.
Court Finds Discrimination against Jehovah's Witness
March 22, 2017, SwedenThe Swedish Court of Appeals concluded that a Jehovah's Witness was discriminated against on the basis of his religious convictions by the public Job Center (arbetsförmedlingen).
Thirty-two Graves Desecrated at the Batignolles Cemetery in Paris
March 20, 2017, FranceBetween 16 and 20 March, 2017 during the night, 32 graves - mostly Christian - were excavated and searched. Officials presume the perpetrators were looking for valuables. A thorough inspection of the cemetery of 15,000 graves, on about ten hectares, was carried out. Surveillance of the premises was strengthened.
Anti-Christian Crimes Recorded as "Islamophobia"
March 18, 2017, United KingdomFreedom of Information inquiries made by the Network of Sikh Organisations revealed that the London Metropolitan Police recorded 1,227 incidents of Islamophobic hate crime in 2016, but in 57 of these incidents the victim was not contacted, in 86 the religion of the victim was unknown, and 85 of the reported cases were ‘blank’. 19 Hindus, 11 atheists, 43 Christians and four Sikhs were victims.
Basilica in Valencia Vandalized
March 17, 2017, SpainThe Basilica of the Mare de Deu dels Desamparats was vandalized with offensive graffiti on the walls and black paint thrown on the mosaic of the Virgin Mary over several days, beginning during the night between March 11th and 12th. Citizens, as well as the Archbishop, denounced the acts.
Mother and Son Arrested for Church Theft
March 16, 2017, SwitzerlandPolice in Givisiez arrested a 46-year-old woman and her 27-year-old son for the theft of donation boxes from a chapel in Bulle and two churches in Freiburg.
University Students Want Pro-Life Posters Removed
March 16, 2017, United KingdomAberdeen University students petitioned to have a pro-life poster removed from campus, claiming it was “actively harmful” to women. The Catholic chaplaincy on the campus displayed posters for a 40 Days of Life event, featuring people holding signs and prayer vigils outside the city’s maternity hospital during Lent.
Muslims Encouraged to Marry Christians to Spread Islam in Spain
March 15, 2017, SpainHundreds of posters were hung around the El Raval neighborhood of Barcelona encouraging Muslim men to take Christian wives, saying that they were permitted and encouraged to marry "honest and chaste women of the Book" (meaning Christians) for the purpose of increasing the population of Muslims in the region. The posters read "Brother, join in alliance with a Spanish woman, teach her that Islam is the only true religion. Islamic law dictates that the fruits of this alliance will follow Islam, which will further strengthen our community." It appears these posters are part of the "right-to-return" movement to "Restore Al-Andalus" -- that is, Muslim Spain.
Polish Universities Cancelled Pro-Life Speaker After Protests
March 14, 2017, PolandIn early March, the legal advocacy group Ordo Iuris and several student organizations invited Rebecca Kiessling, an American pro-life speaker, to give speeches at several universities in Poland. While all of the universities had initially agreed to hold the events, they abruptly cancelled the events or modified the format, after leftist groups protested.
Man Arrested for Church Vandalism
March 14, 2017, LuxembourgOfficials were called when smoke was seen coming from the church of Bettembourg. When they arrived they found a man had set fire to flags inside the church and had destroyed statues and other objects. Motive is not clear and an investigation is underway.
Court: Employers May Prohibit Employees from Wearing Religious Symbols
March 14, 2017, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)On March 14, 2017, the European Court of Justice put employers' interest in "neutrality" above employees' exercise of religious freedom in a landmark judgment. The Court ruled that employers can prohibit the visible wearing of any political, philosophical or religious sign in the workplace.
Las Palmas Prosecutor Investigating Performance of Drag Queen as Christ
March 13, 2017, SpainAt the request of the Association of Christian Lawyers, the prosecutor's office initiated a criminal investigation of the performance of a "drag queen" dressed as the Virgin Mary and then as Jesus Christ during the Carnival celebrations. The office stated that because Carnival is so closely related to the Christian observance of the beginning of Lent, the performance was intentionally offensive to religious feelings. The Bishop's Conference called it "blasphemous."
Attempted Arson at Church in Nantes
March 12, 2017, FranceIn the evening of March 12th, firefighters were called to the Church of Saint-Luc after unknown perpetrators set fire to the outside wall of the church using combustible materials they had placed against the outer wall. The fire was described as "intense," but firefighters, police and two CRS buses arrived quickly and were able to subdue the fire and minimize the damage.
Arson in Church in Puget-Ville
March 12, 2017, FranceThe Church of the Immaculate Conception was vandalized and the victim of arson on March 12th. Father Eloi Legrand, calling it a profanation, reported that the altar linen was set on fire, candle wax spread on the altar and throughout the church, and items of devotion were broken and scattered in the church. The gendarmerie have found a small hand print and Father Legrand filed a complaint.
Man Arrested for Theft from Donation Boxes from Lambach Church
March 10, 2017, FranceA 30-year-old man was arrested after police were alerted. He was found with cash and tools used to retrieve money from the boxes: a long rod with double-sided tape.
The Local Police Hate Crime Unit in Palma Investigate Multiple Acts of Vandalism against Churches
March 9, 2017, SpainThe Local Police Hate Crime Unit in Palma is investigating various acts of vandalism committed in recent months against several churches in the Balearic capital.
Government in Valencia Attempted to Stop Religion Lessons in Schools
March 9, 2017, SpainThe Ximo Puig Government in Valencia created obstacles for the hiring of new teachers of religion by introducing new certification requirements. One affected teacher said, "three weeks ago, on the spot and without written notice," the Ministry of Education of the Valencian Community informed the Archbishopric of Valencia that all new teachers of religion must have the CAP (Certificate of Pedagogical Attitude ), or to have completed a Master's Degree in Teacher Training in Secondary Education, Baccalaureate, Vocational Training, and Teaching of Languages. This is in addition to the certificate known as DECA (Document of Ecclesiastical Suitability), provided by the Spanish Episcopal Conference.
Regional Government of Andalucía Cancels School Procession for Holy Week
March 8, 2017, SpainSchool children in Dos Hermanas, Seville, were prohibited from celebrating their usual children's Holy Week procession by the regional government. The government claimed it cancelled the event because of time constraints, but parents of the affected children insist it was cancelled due to a complaint by a secular association.
Leftists in Seville Seeks to Change the Coat of Arms
March 8, 2017, SpainThe Izquierda Unida (United Left) coalition in Seville wishes to change the coat of arms of the city as they say that its image is "not a representation of democracy" in the 21st century. Currently, the coat of arms is an image of King Fernando III, canonized as a saint, flanked by St. Isidore and St. Leander. The word "Mariana" also appears on the shield, added by Franco to represent the city's devotion to the Virgin Mary.
The Mayor of Zarazoga Prohibits the Traditional Firefighters Mass
March 8, 2017, SpainThe Mayor of Zarazoga and the local coalition government prohibited the Firefighters to continue with their tradition to celebrate Mass in their firehouse for the feast of San Juan de Dios.
Columnist Calls Immigration Minister's Crucifix Necklace a Symbol of Xenophobia
March 6, 2017, NorwaySven Egil Omdal, a veteran journalist and editor who currently works as a commentator for newspaper Stavanger Aftenblad, noted that Sylvi Listhaug, Norway’s government minister in charge of immigration and asylum issues, had been wearing a cross necklace much more often than in the past. “Am I claiming that she uses the cross as a political statement to appeal to that strange group who thinks that fear of foreigners is a Christian virtue?” Omdal queried on social media. “Yes, that’s basically what I’m doing.”
Anti-Gender Ideology Campaign Censored
March 3, 2017, SpainHazteOir.org painted a bus to circulate around Madrid with the words "Boys have penises, girls have vaginas. Don't be fooled. If you’re born a man, you’re a man. If you’re a woman, you’ll always be a woman" and publicized a pamphlet it created for parents: "Do you know what they want to teach your child at school? The laws of sexual indoctrination." The Madrid City Council authorized the seizure of the bus without a court order on March 2, 2017.
Primary School Teacher Suspended after Reading Bible Verses to Pupils
March 3, 2017, FranceAfter a group of parents sent a letter of complaint, the school's headmaster suspended the Malicornay teacher. The teacher will remain under suspension pending an investigation into whether he was proselytizing in violation of secularism laws or simply studying the texts with the students. The city's mayor has denounced the suspension as extreme.
Spanish Councilman Officiated Wedding Dressed as a Priest
March 3, 2017, SpainCouncilman Javier Botella of Levatemos El Puerto officiated at a wedding of his childhood friends in a priest costume. He was wearing an F.C. Barcelona scarf as a stole and a black cassock with golden edges. He posted a picture of himself and the newly married couple on Facebook and was immediately criticized for ridiculing the Church and the sacrament of marriage in his public capacity.
Two Street Preachers Convicted of Public Order Offenses
February 28, 2017, United KingdomMichael Overd and Michael Stockwell were convicted on February 28, 2017 after a public prosecutor claimed that quoting parts of the King James Bible in the context of modern British society "must be considered to be abusive and is a criminal matter". After a four-day trial, the men were found guilty under Section 31 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, for using "threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress, thereby, and the offence was religiously aggravated."
Government Announces Compulsory Sex Education
February 28, 2017, United KingdomThe government announced that sex and relationships education will become compulsory in all of England's schools. Relationships education will be compulsory for all pupils from the age of four years, but parents will have the right to withdraw their children from sexual education program. Critics view the law as weakening the influence of parents' right to educate their children about sex and relationships.
Oxford Lecturer Refused to take Christian Convert's Questions about Islam
February 27, 2017, United KingdomA trainee Church of England priest at Oxford University, an Iranian-born convert from Islam, claimed he wasn’t allowed to ask critical questions about Islam during a seminar and has accused the university of discrimination and bias and made a formal complaint.
Polish Prosecutors Investigate Play for Offending Religious Sentiments
February 22, 2017, PolandThe Polish prosecutor's office began an investigation of a theater play that contains a scene of an actress simulating oral sex on the statue of Pope John Paul II, and other sex scenes involving crosses. Another scene hints at murdering a top PiS (Law and Justice) party leader.
General Pharmaceutical Council Launches Guidance on "Religion, Personal Values and Beliefs in Pharmacy Practice"
February 22, 2017, United KingdomIn May 2017, the British Pharmaceutical Council published new professional standards, stating that pharmacists would have to “take responsibility for ensuring that person-centred care is not compromised because of personal values and beliefs.” The previous conscience "opt-out" provisions were removed. Previously, a pharmacist who did not wish to issue an abortifacient drug could refer the patient to another colleague. In June 2017, the Council developed new guidance called “In practice: Guidance on religion, personal values and beliefs.” This guidance made clear that in some circumstances, pharmacists were expected to dispense a drug against his or her conscience.
Elderly Priest Brutally Attacked in Parish Home
February 22, 2017, SpainFr. Arturo López, 77, was brutally beaten by three masked men during an assault on February 22, 2017 at the rectory of Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church in Coslada, a city in Spain's Community of Madrid. The three unidentified men assaulted and tied up Fr. Lopez after they entered his rectory to steal valuables and money.
French Civil Protection Federation Removes Cross from New Logo
February 22, 2017, FranceWhen asked about why the new logo did not contain the cross, the federation's communication director said the removal of the cross in the center of the original logo was a "non-subject" and there was no particular reason for its removal, and that it never had a religious character to begin with.
National Secular Society Proposes Removal of Bishops' Bench from House of Lords
February 21, 2017, United KingdomThe group made the recommendation to a parliamentary inquiry to examine how to reduce the size of the Upper House. The House of Lords currently has more than 850 members, and the Bishops' Bench contains two archbishops and 24 bishops who can vote on legislation.
Granada Bishop Accused of Hate Speech
February 20, 2017, SpainThe Spanish Observatory against LGBTfobia filed a hate speech complaint on February 20, 2017 against Archbishop Francisco Javier Martínez for a homily delivered on February 12, 2017 in which he criticized gender ideology in the education of children. The complaint accused the bishop of promoting "hate speech against LGBT persons."
Parliamentary Group Called for a Ban on Broadcasts of Mass on Public Television
February 20, 2017, SpainA parliamentary group in the Congress of Deputies presented a proposal calling for broadcasts of Mass on public television be prohibited, which they ask to be considered/debated by a commission that oversees RTVE, Spain’s public television station, and its affiliates.
Cemetery Ransacked in Saint-Pol-sur-Mer Cemetery
February 19, 2017, FranceAccording to reports, some time during the night of February 18-19, 2017, unknown perpetrators damaged and scattered around 30 gravestones in a cemetery in the prefect of Dunkirk. Many of the damaged plaques appear to be from Christian graves. Police are investigating.
Religious Statue Prohibited from Front of Church as "Too Religious"
February 16, 2017, FranceAfter complaints by the group Libre Pensées (Free Thought), a statue of Notre Dame de Granitiers commissioned by the Diabète Coeur association, is prohibited from being displayed in the forecourt of the church of Brusvily because it is considered a public place. The Church and State Separation Act of 1905 prohibits the display of religious objects in public places. 72% of readers of a local newspaper objected to this decision.
France Passed Law Banning Pro-Life Websites
February 16, 2017, FranceThe National Assembly passed a law which bans pro-life websites which attempt to discourage women from having abortions if the sites do not openly state “who they are, what they do and what they want.”
Work Begins to Remove Monumental Cross in Sant Carles de la Ràpita
February 16, 2017, SpainAfter the town council decreed that the cross outside the "Torre de Guardiola" fortress was erected in commemoration of General Franco's victory in the Spanish Civil War, it was ordered removed in compliance with the Historical Memory Law of 2007. Critics of this move note that the plaque linking the cross to Franco had already been removed.
Statue Stolen from Christian Grave
February 14, 2017, FranceThe statue known as "La Pleureuse" (the Mourner) was stolen from the cemetery of Saint-Germain-Lembron. Police are investigating.
Humanists Demand Religious Radio Program include Non-Religious Perspectives
February 14, 2017, United KingdomThe British Humanist Association sent a letter to the BBC demanding that its publicly-funded "Thought for the Day" Radio 4 program, which includes reflections from Christians and other faiths, also include non-religious speakers.
Graffiti against Catholic Parish Church in Murcia
February 13, 2017, SpainThe external walls of the parish of San Francisco Javier in Murcia were painted with threatening messages such as "Arderás como en 36" (You will burn like in 36; clear reference to the burning of churches during the Spanish Civil War) and also "Highway to hell".
Gendarmerie du Haut-Rhin Investigated Degradation in Church and Cemetery
February 12, 2017, FranceDuring the night of February 11th and 12th, unknown perpetrators broke a door and vandalized the church of Saint Etienne de Réguisheim and vandalized the nearby cemetery, as well.