All cases
Politically-Motivated Vandalism of Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth
July 28, 2020, FranceOn the morning of July 28th parishioners discovered graffiti sprayed on the walls of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth in Vaison-la-Romaine. One tag read "vaut mieux une paire de mères qu’un père de merde" ("better a pair of mothers than a shitty father"). On another side of the cathedral, the word "sorcellerie" ("witchcraft") was painted. The vandalism appeared a day after Monsignor Cattenoz, Archbishop of Avignon, wrote an open letter to the deputies and senators of Vaucluse as well as to the local press denouncing the pending bioethics legislation in France. In his letter (in full below), he noted that if the law passes, "a woman will be able to give one of her fertilized oocytes to her partner, it will be implanted in her uterus so that they will both be mothers, erasing any reference to the importance of a father ... for the growth and life of a child."
Activists Hang Rainbow Flag and Anarchist Bandana on Statue of Christ in front of Warsaw Basilica
July 28, 2020, PolandDuring the night of July 28th activists from the self-described "anarchist-queer" community launched what they termed a "rainbow assault" across Warsaw. They placed a rainbow flag on the statue of Jesus Christ carrying the Cross in front of the Basilica and attached a purple anarchist bandana over Christ's face. Several of Warsaw's other famous monuments were similarly targeted. The activists left cards with a "manifesto" beginning with the phrases "This is an assault! It's a rainbow. It's an attack! We've decided to act." The message went on to say their provocative actions would continue until Polish society accepted them.
Theft and Vandalism in a Cemetery in Thionville
July 27, 2020, FranceBetween the 26th and 27th of July, about 21 bronze statuettes of Christ or the Virgin Mary were torn off and stolen from the Saint-François de Thionville communal cemetery (Moselle). Official said this was "a targeted, premeditated and large-scale operation."
Repeated Vandalism of Virgin and Child Statue in Noirmoutier-en-l'Île
July 27, 2020, FranceUnknown perpetrators vandalized the statue of the Virgin Mary and Jesus during the night of July 27th for the third time -- this time, decapitating the head of the Christ child. In 2018, vandals beheaded both figures on the statue; and in mid-July, (see link below) the pedestal of the statue was vandalized with graffiti.
UPDATE: Volunteer Charged with Nantes Arson
July 26, 2020, FranceOn Sunday, July 26th, the diocesan volunteer who had been questioned and released last week was indicted for the arson of the Nantes cathedral and placed in pre-trial detention.
Graffiti on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Chapel
July 26, 2020, FranceOn the morning of the 26th , the Priest found Graffiti on the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Chapel and the door was painted in red. He posted the image on his Facebook Page.
Vandalism of Church, Cemetery, and Morgue in Günzkofen
July 26, 2020, GermanyDuring the night of Sunday 26th unknown perpetrators severely vandalized the cemetery of the St. Jakobus church and and the enclosed morgue. According to police, the perpetrators broke several windows of the church and the morgue at the cemetery in Günzkofen with grave decorations. In addition, they also tampered with several graves, causing total damage of about 1,000 euros.
Vandalism with Satanic Inscriptions Found on Church Doors in Goleszów
July 26, 2020, Poland"666," a pentagram, an inverted cross, and the phrase "Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer" were painted on the door of the church in Goleszów by unknown perpetrators. The graffiti was noticed on the morning of July 26th by the priest who came to prepare the church for Mass. The police filed a report in this case and are investigating.
Barclays Bank and Online Platforms Closed Christian Charities' Accounts
July 25, 2020, United KingdomTwo Christian organizations that help people “who voluntarily seek change in sexual preference and expression,” have been notified by Barclays Bank that their accounts would be closed. The move by the bank followed a social media campaign demanding that the bank end its professional relationship with Core Issues Trust (CIT) and The International Federation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice (IFTCC), accusing both groups of promoting “conversion therapy.” In recent weeks, the UK government has pledged to ban "conversion therapy." The charities' head, Mike Davidson, disputes the use of the term: “The term ‘conversion therapy’ is being used as a catch-all phrase designed to discredit any help that people may provide to those with mixed sexual attractions who prefer their heterosexual side. This could include a listening ear, formal counselling or spiritual support.”
Vandalism of Wayside Cross in Bining
July 25, 2020, FranceOn July 25th, one of the wayside crosses in Bining (Moselle) was toppled over and smashed. The police are investigating and looking for possible witnesses.
Six Stained Glass Windows Smashed in Nîmes Church
July 24, 2020, FranceShortly before midnight on July 24th, a drunken man attacked the Saint-Baudile church in Nîmes, breaking six stained glass windows using a steel bar nearly two meters long. The man, known to the police, was arrested after being caught in the act.
Proposed Scottish Hate Crime Bill Threatens Freedom of Speech and Worship
July 23, 2020, United KingdomThe Scottish Justice Committee has proposed a new hate crime bill, which extends the current hate crime law covering race, to include other "protected characteristics" such as religion, sexual orientation, and transgender identity. Christian and secular groups have criticized the bill as too broad and subjective, potentially interfering with freedom of speech and worship. The Parliament has accepted to re-draft the Bill, to protect Freedom of Speech. The new amendment should be known in December 2020.
Fires Set in Tyrol Church; Witnesses Sought by Police
July 23, 2020, AustriaWould-be arsonists started a fire in the parish church in Waidring (Kitzbühel district) on July 23rd. According to police, between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m., unknown perpetrators distributed and lit several matchboxes, matches, and candles on the church pews. In addition, they tried to set fire to a hymn book, presumably using matches. Around 5:15 p.m., a witness noticed the smell of fire in the church, but the fire had already gone out. There was a similar incident on Monday, July 20th: according to investigators, burning ignition wicks had been placed on the kneelers of the church pews.
Swastikas, Blasphemies, and Anti-Salvini Graffiti on Asola Church
July 23, 2020, ItalyThe parishioners of the church San Rocco in Asola discovered vandalism on the outside wall of the church, after they left Mass on the morning of July 24th. Unknown perpetrators painted black graffiti on the wall with a swastika symbol, blasphemous phrases, and anti-Salvini insults. The police and the priest of the church were immediately informed and the police filled a report.
Equality Legislation in Malta Threatens Freedom of Religion; Conscience; Expression
July 22, 2020, MaltaProposed Equality Bills 96 and 97 are ostensibly aimed at protecting an extensive group of people from discrimination and cover areas such as schools, public religious symbols, and services and employment. The Bills would make it illegal to discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, age, religious belief, state of health, and other “protected characteristics.” However, many sectors of society, including educators, professionals, business owners, health workers, parents, faith-based groups, and believers are concerned about the laws' overreach.
Convert Stabbed with Knife Outside Grindtorp Church
July 22, 2020, SwedenHossein Hosseini, a young convert from Islam to Christianity, was stabbed with a knife at Grindtorp Church in Täby, in the Stockholm area. According to reports, he has been receiving online death threats for a long time. He says he is "very scared".
Church Site Vandalized Causing 5,000 Euros in Damage
July 21, 2020, GermanyOn July 21st, unknown perpetrators vandalized the entire area surrounding the Protestant city church of Groß-Gerau. Yellow graffiti was sprayed on walls, wooden benches, a parking sign and wall pillars causing an estimated damage of 5,000 Euros. The police ares investigating the incident and asked the public for help identifying the vandals.
Suspicious Fire in Ligugé Abbey
July 21, 2020, FranceA fire was discovered on July 20, 2020, just before midnight, in the building used as a laundry room at the Abbey Saint-Martin de Ligugé. According to firefighters, about 20 of the 100 m2 were destroyed. One person was detained and questioned. No charges have been announced.
"Fake Mass" Filmed and Vandalism in Maccagno
July 21, 2020, ItalyThe police of Maccagno suspect a small group of young people to have entered the church of Our Lady of the Point through a half-opened door during the night of July 21st. They took liturgical vestments from the sacristy and climbed onto the altar to "celebrate Mass" on it. The vandals later moved to the shore of the lake where they, after drinking bottles of beer, left the empty beer carton on the head of the statue of the Virgin Mary. Videos of the "fake Mass" appeared on social media and the police began an investigation.
The Deputy Agnès Thill talks about religious Intolerance in The Parliament (Video)
July 21, 2020, FranceIn a two-minute intervention, the Deputy Agnès Thill calls on the government to protect religious freedom and churches in Nantes. She referred to the latest report on anti-religious acts published by the Ministry of the Interior. Based on the report, 1052 anti-Christian acts, 657 antisemitic acts, and 154 anti-Muslim acts have been committed in 2019. She calls on the protection of secularism and fight against antisemitism, islamophobia, but also all anti-christian acts.