All cases
'Burn the Clergy' Hashtag Tolerated By Twitter Spain
November 25, 2020, SpainOn November 24th, Pope Francis beatified 127 Catholics who were killed in hatred of the faith in Spain in the 20th century. At the same time the hashtag demanding Catholic priests to be burned alive became a trend on Twitter. Tweets with the hashtag #FuegoAlClero, which means "Burn the Clergy" were permitted by Twitter. Some of those tweets included pictures of priests with their heads in flames and others labeled priests as "pedophiles" and "thieves". Although Twitter's current user policy states that the promotion of violence on the basis of religious affiliation is not allowed, these pictures of priests in flames were not removed until the 25th of November.
Pastor in Germany Sentenced For Hate Speech
November 25, 2020, GermanyOn November 25th, the Bremen District Court sentenced the protestant Pastor Olaf Latzel for hate speech. He had made several strongly derogatory statements about homosexuality based on his understanding of the Bible, for which he repeatedly apologised. The pastor has been sentenced to a fine of 8.100 Euro. According to the court, he had incited hatred against homosexuals and intersexuals. Olaf Latzel announced he will not accept the sentence. His lawyer demands an acquittal.
Vandals Smeared a Cross Near the Church in Valseca
November 25, 2020, SpainOn November 11th, the diocese of Segovia reported an act of vandalism against its heritage. Unknown perpetrators smeared the pedestal of a cross next to the door of the parish in Valseca. This is the third act of vandalism against the ecclesiastical patrimony in the last few days.
Desecration of Consecrated Hosts in a Church in Palermo
November 25, 2020, ItalyOn November 25th, a desecration of consecrated hosts took place in a parish in St. Bagheria. The parish priest found the tabernacle broken open and consecrated hosts spread on the ground. The investigations of the Forces of Order are still in progress, in search of those who desecrated the Tabernacle and the hosts, above all to find out more about the motivation and possible bias behind this act. There is a fear that the consecrated hosts, the flesh of Christ for Catholics, is used for Satanic rituals during black masses. This already happened in the past in Sicily.
Defecation Into The Baptismal Font Of St. George's Church
November 24, 2020, GermanyAn unknown perpetrator defecated into the baptismal font of the St. George's church in Saerbeck on January 24th. In doing so, the perpetrator had himself photographed by two others who accompanied him, according to the church's surveillance video. After a complaint by the parish, the police is investigating for disturbance of religious peace. The parish is especially shocked, because of the targeted attack, which was not only a disregard of religious feelings.
False Accusations Against De Ligonnès' Prayer Group
November 23, 2020, FranceIn mid-November, two of the five sons of a 60-year-old man accused a traditionalist prayer group, called 'Eglise de Philadelphine', of abusing their father by exploiting his savings. The prayer group has been targeted by anti-cult groups because of unconfirmed rumors. However, a court in Metz dismissed the charge of abuse of weakness.
More Than 25% of Students in the UK 'Self-Censor' Their Opinions
November 21, 2020, United KingdomAccording to a new survey more than a quarter of students in the UK, 'self-censor' their opinions. They are afraid that their views will collide with the values promoted by the university. 40 percent do not express their opinion because they fear it could ruin their careers. Another sign of a free speech crisis is that 27 percent of students have stated they actively 'hidden' their opinions and further 40 percent restrained their views on ethical or religious affairs. The survey - conducted by Survation on behalf of ADF International, a faith-based legal advocacy organization - discovered that 36 percent, which is more than a third of students have legal opinions which would be considered as unacceptable by their student union. Free speech campaigners linked the dynamics on some campuses to 'Moist re-education campus', which are dominated by 'woke 'orthodoxy' and only the most liberal and Left-wing views are tolerated.
St. Jozafat's Church Exhibition in Poland Destroyed
November 21, 2020, PolandOn November 21st, unknown perpetrators destroyed the "Wyszyński and Wojtyla grammar of life" exhibition displayed on the fence of the St. Jozafat's church in Rejowiec. The exhibition showed photographs and quotations regarding certain values and concepts which form "the grammar of life", the basis of individuals and entire communities. The incident was reported to the police who is investigating.
Church Vandalism Caused Thousands Of Pounds Worth Of Damage
November 21, 2020, United KingdomBetween September 1st and September 20th the primary incident happened at the St Giles' Church in Alderton. Followed by an incident on October 28th at Holy Cross in Sherston. The St Mary's Church in Luckington was twice victim of an assault. First between October 29th and November 6th, and secondly between November 18th and 21st. The leaded windows have been severely damaged and caused a financial damage of several thousand Pounds. .
Attack with Fireworks on Markus Church in Breda
November 19, 2020, NetherlandsOn November 19th an extension of the Protestant Markus Church in Breda was damaged by fireworks. The blast had the force of a hand grenade. It destroyed the facade, blew off doors and broke a number of windows. During the explosion people were inside the church but fortunately in a room on the other side of the building, and no one was injured. Due to the destruction of the outer walls of the extension, a potential risk of collapse was caused. The police is investigating.
Stolen Metal Statute of the virgin and the Child Jesus Solen and Untraceable
November 18, 2020, FranceAlthough the metal statute of the virgin and the child Jesus have been stolen in November during the wave of serial thefts, they remained untraceable. They were installed on a stone base in Craz, a village in the commune of Injoux-Genissiat.
Sacred Objects Stolen from Church in Kuckum
November 17, 2020, GermanyOn November 17th unknown perpetrators broke into the church in Kuckum. It was the second time the church was broken into and various liturgical objects were stolen. A local community offered 1000 Euros as a reward for the replacement of the objects, including the stolen monstrance.
Paint Attack on Pope Monument in Poland
November 17, 2020, PolandUnknown perpetrators vandalized a monument of John Paul II. The figure of the Polish Pope was smeared with red lightning paint, on September 11th. The sign has recently become a symbol of the women's strike, a social rebellion group against the tightening of the abortion ban.
Vandals Destroyed Figures of Fatima Children
November 16, 2020, PolandUnknown perpetrators devastated three figures of praying Fatima Children on November 16th in Mogilno. The vandals used paving stones to smash the figure. One head and two arms were broken off the statues. The caused damage is estimated to be 1.000 PLN. According to the press officer of the District Police Headquater, the police is investigating in this case for offending religious feelings, which is punishable by up to two years imprisonment.
Vandals Smeared Facade of St. Jan Kanty Church in Warsaw
November 15, 2020, PolandOn November 15th the St. Jan Kanty church in Warsaw was smeared with accusations and the lightning symbol. The symbol is known as the sing of the women's strike. The parish was target by activists connected to the women's strike group before. After attempts of breaking into the church during holy mass, the parishioners took action themselves and hired a security guard.
Vandalism Outside San Ambroggio Church
November 15, 2020, ItalyOn November 15th, a bench and a granite fountain were damaged right in front of church Sant'Ambrogio in Buddusò. This act of vandalism, right in front of the church, led to an outrage across the entire town.
Repeated Acts of Vandalism and Theft in Church of Villamarina
November 15, 2020, ItalyPriest Don Mirco Bianchi of the Church in Villamarina wrote on his Facebook page on November 14th, that his church had been destroyed and several things were stolen. He did not post photos or report to the police. It looks like the priest has had several problems with vandalism and threats in the past, due to his moral teachings and posts on Facebook. Some people consider the posts of the Father as a provocation.
Large Christmas Wreath Stolen at St. Catherine's Church
November 14, 2020, United KingdomOn November 14th, a hand-made Christmas Wreath at St. Catherine's Church Bearwood was stolen. The Wreath was placed at the grave of a couple, in commemoration of the upcoming Christmas time. It is a very heavy and large object, so it must have been stolen by more than one person. The police was notified by the relatives, who were heartbroken.
Vandals Tagged Parrish Building with Insulting Graffiti in Ruoti
November 13, 2020, ItalyOn November 13th unknown perpetrators vandalized the church of Ruoti. The walls of the local section of the Democratic Party and the Parrish Building were marked with Swastikas, Celtic crosses and offensive writings. In particular, near the rectory, the phrases "Infamous Priest", "No to pedophilia" and a cross was smeared on two doors and a wall.The incident was reported to the police, who is investigating.
St. Christ the King Church in Gothenburg Devastated by Vandals
November 13, 2020, SwedenThe Church of St. Christ the King in Gothenburg was vandalized and devastated on November 13th. The unknown perpetrators destroyed the altar and threw the candlesticks, vestments and tablecloth on the ground. The pastor, Tobias Unnerstal, believes that the act was intentionally symbolic, trying to show an "eternal Good Friday". They also scattered the songbooks and used the fire extinguisher for the candles inside the chapel. In the same church, the crucifix was already stolen a week before. The police has been informed and they started an investigation.