All cases
Education Minister's Coming Guidelines May Ban Students from Wearing Crucifixes
May 16, 2008, IrelandEducation Minister Caitriona Ruane, a member of the Sinn Fein Party, is importing school uniform policies from London which led to schools being able to ban students from wearing crucifixes and Sikh religious bangles.
Catholic Bishop Before Parliament for Insisting on Crucifixes in Every Classroom and Truly Catholic Sex-Ed
March 14, 2008, United KingdomThe Catholic Bishop of Lancaster UK today gave a spirited response to accusations by secularist MPs in a Commons Committee who accused him of trying to establish religious "fundamentalism" in his schools. Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue told the Committee that schools in his diocese should see it as their prime duty to teach the Catholic faith and to evangelise and that this constituted neither "proselytism" nor "fundamentalism".
Police Tell Christians: "You can’t Preach here, this is a Muslim Area"
February 28, 2008, United KingdomA police community support officer (PCSO) told two church workers in Birmingham, “You can’t preach here, this is a Muslim area”. The incident happened as Arthur Cunningham and Joseph Abraham handed out Christian tracts on Alum Rock Road.
Anglican Bishop Fined £47,345 and Sent to "Re-Education" in Gay Employment Case
February 12, 2008, United KingdomThe Anglican bishop of Hereford has been ordered by a court to undergo "equal opportunities training" and pay a fine of £47,345.00, the equivalent of about Euro 63,540.00, for refusing to hire an active homosexual for a position of trust with young people. The ruling also stated that Hereford diocese staff "involved in recruitment should receive equal opportunities training". "The respondents discriminated against the claimant on the grounds of sexual orientation," said the ruling from the Cardiff Employment Tribunal.
Priest Given Suspended Sentence for Loud Bell
January 11, 2008, GreeceA Greek Orthodox priest was given a suspended 70-day sentence after residents complained he rang his church bell too loudly and too often.
Religious Activity Under Requirement of Government Permit Limits Small Christian Communities
November 18, 2007, SpainThe Parliament of Catalonia has passed a new law that increases the power of the government over religious organizations. Catholic and Evangelical churches, among others, have raised some concerns about the role of the state regulating activities that belong, originally, to religious organization. Under the new law, and from now on, a permit issued by the local City Hall is needed to carry out any religious activity, and the permit could be denied for security and health issues.
Law Upheld which Interferes with Church Affairs
November 14, 2007, Czech RepublicThe Czech Constitutional Court dismissed the proposal by a group of senators to abolish a controversial amendment to the church law that churches say limits their rights.
Catholic Airport Worker Suspended for Displaying a Picture of Jesus
October 10, 2007, United KingdomManchester, England - A Catholic airport worker was suspended for displaying an image of Jesus on a staff room wall after a Muslim colleague made a complaint against him.
Christian Foster Parents Forced to Retire From Fostering Children
October 10, 2007, United KingdomA Christian couple was being forced to retire from fostering needy children on conscientious grounds after the local council imposed rules requiring them to discuss homosexuality with the children.
Students of non-Islamic religions discriminated against in Turkey
October 1, 2007, TurkeyThe European Court for Human Rights requested Turkey to bring its education system and domestic legislation into line with Article 2 of Protocol 1 to the ECHR. What triggered this decision was the discovery that religious culture and ethics classes, mandatory in primary and secondary schools, provided exclusively specific instruction in the guiding principles of the Muslim faith and its rites.
Police Investigate Leaflet Advertising Church’s Easter Services
June 22, 2007, United KingdomChurch worker Julian Hurst, was handing out invitations for his church's Easter service. Police seized the literature after complaint by homosexual man that church should not be allowed to advertise.
Catholic Church Forced to Withdraw from Adoption
April 1, 2007, United KingdomNew gay rights law forces the Catholic Church to pull out of offering adoption services in the UK.
Regulations Barring Religious Schools from Teaching against Homosexuality
March 22, 2007, United KingdomRegulations Barring Religious Schools from Teaching Against Homosexuality Approved Sexual Orientation Regulations Pass House of Lords. Concerned Christians prayed outside of the Houses of Parliament.
Religion Teacher Mobbed At Madrid High School
January 26, 2007, SpainFernando Perez Crespo, teacher of religion at Carlos III High School, filed a formal complaint for mobbing. For the last four years, the schedule for his class had not been respected by the school authorities, parents who had requested religious instruction discovered that their children had been enrolled in other courses instead of Perez Crespo's religion class. At times Mr. Perez Crespo was compelled to use the school bathrooms or the smoking room to for teaching.
Girl Banned From Wearing Cross at School
January 10, 2007, United KingdomA British schoolgirl has been barred from wearing a crucifix necklace in class, the Daily Mail reported.
Christian Prayers Replaced By Quiet Moment
January 1, 2007, United KingdomTotnes Town Council replaced Christian prayers at the start of its meeting with a moment of silence.
Catholic School Vandalized in Pozuelo de Alarcon
October 31, 2006, SpainThe Catholic School Monte Tabor was vandalized just a few days before its inauguration in September 2006. Early in the morning, wearing gloves, four youths broke into the school and caused significant damage to the establishment, estimated in the amount of 20,000 Euro. Doors, windows, desks, and chairs were destroyed, and the walls painted with anti-Catholic expressions, as well as attacks to the PP, the PSOE political opponents.
Catholic Church Targeted by Government Representatives
September 18, 2006, SpainIn July 2005 the 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". This was supported by government leaders in 2006.
Christian Arrested for Distributing Bible Quotes
September 1, 2006, United KingdomStephen Green, 55, national director of the evangelical organization Christian Voice, Christian Arrested for Distributing Bible Quotes Opposing Homosexuality in South Wales, UK.
High-Ranking Politician Disregards Agreement with the Vatican
May 31, 2006, SpainThe Secretary of the State Department of Communications, Fernando Moraleda, declared that the Government will "not pay more attention to the catechism than to the [official] program". Moraleda´s statement came right after the Pope Benedict XVI requested the teaching of religion in the schools be conducted in similar conditions to other subjects and as it has been agreed to in an international treaty signed by Spain and the Vatican. These agreements are mandatory law for Spain. "The Government has a program and it cannot pay attention to the catechism", Moraleda added.