All cases
Youth Gang Attacks Church Pastor in Rochdale
February 28, 2009, United KingdomThe pastor of Zion Baptist Church in Rochdale was attacked by a gang of up to 20 youths. Pastor Dennis Rigg and his brother were making preparations in the church building for their father’s funeral when the group attacked the pastor and shouted out abuse relating to their Christian faith.
(New York Times) Christians Stereotyped by Report
February 26, 2009, OtherIntolerance and discrimination manifests itself also as social exclusion and marginalisation of Christians. Stereotyping by biased media coverage is a familiar tool of furthering marginalisation. The following excursus to the New York Times of Feb. 26th, 09, is just one example.
Oxford Churches Broken Into to ‘Make a Point’ against Church of England
February 24, 2009, United KingdomBetween 15 and 24 February 2009 two churches in the Oxford area were broken into and highly symbolic religious items were desecrated. Local police officers thought the two incidents were linked and were possibly religiously motivated attacks to make a point against the Church of England. In both incidents safes containing communion bread at the churches were forced open, but nothing was stolen in either case. It is estimated that there was £3,000 worth of damage at St James the Great, in West Hanney, and in St Nicholas Church, in East Challow.
(Israel) Intolerance against Christians in Israel
February 20, 2009, OtherBurning of Bibles reported in Israel; mockery of Christians on TV; Catholic bishops speak of a "low profile" form of Christ[ian]ophobia.
Study Reveals Discomfort of Parents on Religious Freedom in Schools
February 16, 2009, France67% of French Catholic parents say that public schools do not respect the freedom of conscience of their children.
Cemetery Targeted For The Third Time in Maine-et-Loire
February 16, 2009, FranceFor the third time in less than a year, the cemetery of Saint-Laurent-des-Autels was vandalized on Sunday, February 14th, 2009. This time, tags were found on graves and on the door of the church. In the cemetery, one could see swastikas on trees.
School Receptionist Faces Dismissal over Prayer Request
February 12, 2009, United KingdomA five-year-old girl was reprimanded for talking about her faith at school and her mother, Jennie Cain, who worked part-time at her daughter’s school, was investigated for professional misconduct and faced disciplinary action. The school has settled out of court.
Christian Bookshop Vandalized
February 12, 2009, TurkeyOn the 7th and 12th of February 2009, two youths vandalized the Soz Kitapevi bookshop of the Turkish Bible Society in the city of Adana. The aggressors are suspected to be Muslim militants.
(BBC) Pro-lifers Portrayed as Murderous Terrorists in Broadcast
February 10, 2009, InternationalBBC repeats the screening of a drama depicting pro life campaigners as murderous terrorists.
Christian Carer Struck Off
February 8, 2009, United KingdomA Christian foster carer has been struck off because she allowed a Muslim child in her care to convert to Christianity.
(Internet) Video Mocks Catholicism
February 3, 2009, InternationalThe film producing company Link TV placed a video online which mocks Catholicism. The short silent video shows a weird priest descreting the Eucharist, a most sacred item for Catholics.
Nurse Suspended for Offering Prayer to a Patient
February 2, 2009, United KingdomA nurse was suspended from work without pay for having asked a patient whether she wanted prayer. The nurse has been reinstated after public protests.
London Homelessness Prevention Officer Suspended for Mentioning Faith
January 29, 2009, United KingdomA homelessness prevention officer with Wandsworth Council has been suspended from work for nearly two months for encouraging a homeless woman with an incurable medical condition to look to God for help.
Church Vandalized in Rugles (Normandy)
January 29, 2009, FranceThe tabernacle was forced opened, the chalice was stolen and some of the hosts were thrown to the ground. The parish priests Florent Babaka and Philippe Besnard reported the incident to the police.
Defamation in Art Exhibition
January 27, 2009, ItalyThe justice department allowed the display of a crucified figure of Christ adorned with a papal tiara, as part of a contemporary art exhibit in Bologna.
30 Graves Damaged in Champlitte
January 27, 2009, FranceAbout 30 graves were damaged, crossse were broken or thrown to the ground. In the chapel next to the cemetery, stain-glass windows were broken and the door was damaged.
Catholic Nun Offended in Sarajevo.
January 21, 2009, Bosnia and HerzegovinaA man forcibly tried to take of a nun’s veil in Sarajevo on January 21st, 2009.
(Scotland) Christian Radio Presenter Sacked
January 11, 2009, United KingdomMuslim Radio sacks Christian presenter after six years of cooperation.
Government Cuts Funding of Christian Foundation on Grounds of Contents
January 10, 2009, NetherlandsThe Dutch goverment ceases its annual 50.000 Euro grant to the Christan Foundation "Onze Weg". The reason is that the foundation teaches that homosexuality can be healed.
Home for Retired Missionaries Loses Funding on Gay Issues in Questionaire
January 9, 2009, United KingdomBrighton Council requests care home for elderly Christians to ask its residents about their sexual orientation and cuts funding when rejected.