All cases
Major Wears a Bishop Costume and Mocks Blessings During Carnival Parade
January 25, 2006, SpainThe major of San Sebastian, the socialist Odón Elorza, wore a religious costume for a pagan festivity. The media reported that during the Carnival, Erloza, dressed as a bishop along with three men dressed in female tennis cloth, preceded the parade. Erloza made the sign of the cross imitating the Catholic ritual "blessing" the attendance.
Government Officials Threat to Boycott Spanish Budget to Defund Catholic Church
January 16, 2006, SpainMembers of the socialist party said that they would vote against the National Spanish Budget as long as the government continues the provision of funds to the Catholic Church. During an interview broadcast by the media Ser, MP Victorino Mayoral, a socialist representative, claimed that the Catholic Church funding is "dubious, not to mention unconstitutional". Mayoral says that the secular government of Spain cannot afford the funding of a religious organizations that "revives Franco's times“.
MSP Patrick Harvie Reports Archbishop to the Police for Defending Marriage
January 13, 2006, United KingdomMember of the Scottish Parliament asked Strathclyde Police to investigate remarks made by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow. The Archbishop had defended the institution of marriage in a church service.
Crucifixion Ridiculed by Popstar
January 1, 2006, InternationalPopstar Madonna ridicules the crucifiction on tour in Europe
BBC Spreads Negative Image of Jesus
January 1, 2006, InternationalBBC spreads negative image of Jesus by Series on “The Miracles of Jesus”
Religious Persecution Through Bureaucratic Obstacles
January 1, 2006, Russia(ongoing) Visa difficulties for religious personel; police failure to protect the faithful; administrational obstacles prevent religious services.
Several Cases of Discrimination of and Violence against Christians
January 1, 2006, Turkey(2000-2006) Several instances recorded. Christians faced violence including murders, threats, vandalisations and administrational difficulties.
No Reference to God or Christianity in EU Constitution
January 1, 2006, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)(2003 - 2006) Reference to God or Christianity in EU Constitution denied despite 1 million individual signatures as well as 50 million signatures through organisiational affiliation.
Christian Girls Forced to Attend LGBT Assembly
December 30, 2005, United KingdomA group of Christian Year Nine girls at a school in Stoke Newington were forced to remain in an ‘LGBT History Month – assembly’ despite their parents’ wishes that they should not attend. Parents with objections to Christian assemblies are permitted to withdraw their children. Teachers are also permitted to opt out.
Labor Union Representative Requests the Removal of a Nativity from a Public Building
December 23, 2005, SpainThe Secretary of the Labor Union requested in a written statement the immediate removal of a nativity that has been displayed in the hall of the Council of Education building. The petition was grounded in Article 16 of the Spanish Constitution, which establishes that no creed has official character. Spain has signed many international agreements that guarantee freedom of conscience and freedom of religion.
Family Campaigner Interrogated
December 1, 2005, United KingdomFamily campaigner Lynette Burrows interrogated after radio statement in London.
Satanic Logo of Clothes Production Company
December 1, 2005, SwedenA clothes production company in Stockholm comes out with a satanic logo as active statement against Christianity.
(Internet) Video Glorifies Violence Against Christians
December 1, 2005, InternationalAnimated video glorifies violence against pro-life Christians on Planned Parenthood website.
Mockery of Crown of Thorns by Spanish Politicians
December 1, 2005, SpainA group of Catalan politicians joked about the Passion of Christ in an Official Visit to Israel by taking photographs with a crown of thorns.
Catholic Church Targeted by Government Representatives
July 18, 2005, SpainThe Spanish Socialist Youth political wing (JSE) has requested the government to appoint a commission to review the agreements between Spain and the Holy See. The JSE General Secretary and speaker, Herick Campos, emphasized the need to put the Catholic Church "in its place, without any privileges because the Catholic hierarchy has abused of its condition of majority to influence government affairs, specially in issues related to education and finance".
Spanish Officer Considers Catholic Teaching on Sexuality a Case of "Bad Education"
June 30, 2005, SpainThe official speaker for the PSOE on issues related to Education, Adolfo Navarro, has requested the intervention of the Education Council to reprimand another case of "bad education". The complaint submitted by Navarro refers to some material facilitated by the Ethics Professor of two students from Colegio de Jesus who requested it. The material contains traditional Catholic teachings on sexuality. Navarro says the material "only promotes homophobia and ignorance".
Spanish Minister of Justice Call to End the Privileges of the Catholic Church and Accused It of Supporting Fascism
June 29, 2005, SpainThe Spanish Minister of Justice, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, called to end any state funding of the Catholic Church. According to this high official the Church enjoyed privileges that had their origin in the times where the Catholic creed was the only "official" religion. López Aguilar stated that the Catholic Church was in favour of the Spanish Civil War, and held strong relations with the Franquists.
Calvinist University Sued for Dismissing Student Involved in Homosexual Promotion
June 15, 2005, HungaryKaroli Gaspar Calvinist University in Budapest was sued by the Hatter Support Group for Gays and Lesbians after the University had dismissed a student who was involved in promotion of homosexuality. The university declared that the religious school cannot let, conduct and promote homosexuality, because it is against its morals, beliefs and the way of teaching.
Notre Dame Cathedral Seized, Priest Hurt, Gay Mock Wedding Performed
June 5, 2005, FranceOn Sunday June 5th, priest Monsignor Patrick Jacquin was hurt in Notre Dame Cathedral when about twenty members of the association ‘Act Up’ burst into the cathedral, defying the security personnel, in order to perform a mock marriage of two lesbians.
Conscientious Objection Denied to Public Servants
April 28, 2005, SpainThe Superior Tribunal of Madrid ruled against the right to conscientious objection to registry officers who requested to be exempted, and/or replaced by a colleague, in cases of same-sex marriage. The Tribunal understands that public servants swear full obedience to the law and are to abide by it. "The absolute submission to the law cannot be dismissed nor justified in any case, mostly when a private belief is at stake" confirmed the Tribunal.