All cases
Zaragoza City Council Initiated Proceeding to Claim Public Ownership of Cathedral and Church
March 28, 2017, SpainThe municipal government's proceedings are an attempt to nullify the inmatriculación (entry into the property registry) of La Catedral de San Salvador de Zaragoza, known La Seo and Iglesia de La Magdalena by claiming the buildings are public property. The spokesman for the Archbishop of Zaragoza, José Antonio Calvo, replied that that the city cannot prevail because the Church has owned the buildings since the 12th century.
Muslims Encouraged to Marry Christians to Spread Islam in Spain
March 15, 2017, SpainHundreds of posters were hung around the El Raval neighborhood of Barcelona encouraging Muslim men to take Christian wives, saying that they were permitted and encouraged to marry "honest and chaste women of the Book" (meaning Christians) for the purpose of increasing the population of Muslims in the region. The posters read "Brother, join in alliance with a Spanish woman, teach her that Islam is the only true religion. Islamic law dictates that the fruits of this alliance will follow Islam, which will further strengthen our community." It appears these posters are part of the "right-to-return" movement to "Restore Al-Andalus" -- that is, Muslim Spain.
The Mayor of Zarazoga Prohibits the Traditional Firefighters Mass
March 8, 2017, SpainThe Mayor of Zarazoga and the local coalition government prohibited the Firefighters to continue with their tradition to celebrate Mass in their firehouse for the feast of San Juan de Dios.
Church Funeral Disrupted by Man Shouting Koran Verses and Calling Mourners "Infidels"
February 3, 2017, GermanyA 33-year-old Muslim man from the western Balkans was charged with criminal interference with the exercise of religion after he interrupted a funeral service at the Christuskirche in Schnaittacher, shouting "I curse you and your religion."
NHS does not Record Religious Discrimination
February 2, 2017, United KingdomThe National Health Service has confirmed, in response to a question from a Member of Parliament, that it does not collect information on instances of discrimination against NHS staff on the basis of their faith.
Church Bells in Two Towns Ordered Silenced by Courts
January 22, 2017, SlovakiaAfter a complaint by a resident in Pezinok about the volume of the local church bells, and another complaint by a different resident in Svinna, courts have ordered the church to reduce the volume or silence the bells in each town.
Iranian and Afghan Christian Converts Face Deportation from Germany
January 16, 2017, GermanyGermany’s Ministry for Immigration and Refugees (BAMF) rejected many applications for asylum from Iranian and Afghan converts from Islam to Christianity, following “kangaroo court”-style hearings as to whether the conversions are genuine, according to a Berlin pastor.
Woman Attacked for Reading from Bible
December 28, 2016, AustriaA 22-year-old man from Afghanistan stabbed a Christian woman when he heard her reading from the Bible at a refugee accommodation in Vöcklamarkt (Upper Austria).
UK Considering Secularist Oath of Allegiance to British Values
December 21, 2016, United KingdomThe UK government has proposed that all office holders and employees of the State swear an Oath of Allegiance to British Values that conflicts with traditional Christian teaching about sexuality.
Christian Family Forced to Flee their Home
November 9, 2016, United KingdomA family have been forced to flee their home under armed police guard amid fears for their safety after suffering what they say is eight years of persecution for converting from Islam to Christianity.
Christian Midwife Loses Case Against County Council
November 4, 2016, SwedenSwedish midwife Linda Steen objected to assisting with abortions for reasons of conscience and as a consequence public hospitals denied her employment. She sued the Sörmland county council for violation of her freedom of conscience and religion. After losing the case, she was ordered to pay 1.2 million Swedish krona for the city's legal expenses.
Christian Convert Threatened with Death in French Refugee Camp
November 2, 2016, FranceA Kurdish church leader smuggled to Britain says he received death threats – for having left Islam for Christianity – while living in makeshift camps in northern France. The church leader, who did not wish to be identified, spent nine months living in camps outside the French cities of Calais and Dunkirk. He said that Kurdish Muslims in both camps antagonized him for his Christian faith.
City Council to Vote on Removal of Religious Symbols from Public Spaces
October 26, 2016, SpainIn November, the Madrid City Council is expected to approve a draft "human rights" law which includes the removal of religious symbols from public spaces.
Religiously-Motivated Attacks on 743 Christian Refugees in Germany
October 17, 2016, GermanyThe NGOs AVC (Action on behalf of Persecuted Christians and the Needy), EMG (European Mission Society) as well as ZOCD (Central Council of Oriental Christians in Germany) and Open Doors announced the results of their research on October 17th.
Serbian Orthodox Chapel turned into Public Toilet
October 3, 2016, KosovoA recently repaired and cleaned cemetery chapel was turned into a public toilet and a garbage dump, with many graves overrun with weeds, despite a custodian employed by the Priština municipality.
Pro-Government Officials and Media using Anti-Christian Propaganda
October 1, 2016, TurkeyFollowing the failed military coup against President Erdogan the Christians of Turkey are being made scapegoats by government officials and Islamist extremists.
Armed Police Patrol Canterbury Cathedral
September 29, 2016, United KingdomPolice with guns patrol Canterbury Cathedral due to concerns about terror attacks. The extra security is in response to a series of jihadist attacks across Europe, including the murder of French priest, Father Jacques Hamel.
Humanist Association Urges Vote to Remove "God" from Constitution
September 29, 2016, IrelandThe Association calls for the removal of any references to God in the Constitution, and to any clauses that require public officials to swear a religious oath upon taking office.
Pressures on Christian Refugees Continue in Sweden
September 1, 2016, SwedenRefugees who have converted from Islam to Christianity report beatings, threats, bullying, and social exclusion in refugee accommodations.
Albanians Threaten to Burn Serbs and their Churches
August 28, 2016, KosovoAttempts by Serbs to mark the religious holiday of Assumption in several towns in Kosovo and Metohija were met with road blocks, threats of burning, rocks, tear gas, and an attack on the car of the deputy director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Dusan Kozarev.