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Two Religious Statues Smashed
2025-11-06 | Two religious statues were deliberately broken inside the Church of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption in Montcenis, in what authorities are treating as an act of anti-Christian vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10417
Parish Grounds and Madonna Grotto Vandalised
2025-11-04 | A stone grotto was demolished, statues of the Madonna and Padre Pio were desecrated, and church gardens were destroyed in a targeted act of vandalism at the Church of San Francesco in Francofonte.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10409
Church in Loiret vandalised during Halloween
2025-10-31 | A church in Ouzouer-sous-Bellegarde, Loiret, was vandalised during the night of Halloween, when its door was forced open and the interior damaged, in an incident suggesting deliberate intent
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10378
Bible Set on Fire During Halloween Night
2025-10-31 | A lectionary was set on fire and the sanctuary vandalised in a Halloween-night attack on a Catholic church in northern Italy.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10382
Päivi Räsänen Faces Supreme Court in "Bible Tweet" Case
2025-10-30 | In October 2025, the Finnish Supreme Court heard the case of Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen, who is facing prosecution for alleged “hate speech” after tweeting a Bible verse and questioning how the Lutheran Church could reconcile its support for Helsinki Pride with biblical teaching. Despite two unanimous acquittals, the state prosecutor has pursued a further appeal, extending the case into its seventh year and seeking financial penalties and the removal of her published statements.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10352
Syrian Christian Threatened and Injured in Dutch Reception Center
2025-10-29 | In October 2025, a Syrian Christian asylum seeker was reportedly threatened, injured, and intimidated by Muslim residents at the asylum seekers’ centre (AZC) in Goes, Netherlands. The incident seems to be part of a broader rise in anti-Christian hostility reported in Dutch asylum facilities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10351
French Church Desecrated with Excrement
2025-10-26 | Police launched an investigation after excrement and soiled clothing were discovered inside a church in Châtellerault, part of a broader pattern affecting local Christian sites.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10362
Man Assaulted Nun and Kicked Church Door
2025-10-26 | A man entered the Saint-Pierre Abbey in Moissac, assaulted a nun, threatened a witness, and kicked the church door. A man who published a video of the incident reported receiving threats.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10392
Vandalism Prompts Temporary Closure of Church
2025-10-22 | Repeated acts of vandalism at Heilig Kreuz Church in Hildesheim led to its closure outside of service hours.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10337
Church Façade Defaced with Swastikas and Insults
2025-10-20 | Swastikas and homophobic slurs were spray-painted on the walls of the San Grato church in Cerrione, prompting a police investigation. Local officials spoke of a deeply troubling act of intolerance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10408
Marian Shrine Desecrated by Satanic Vandalism
2025-10-19 | A roadside chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary was desecrated with satanic graffiti and swastikas in Wólka Wybraniecka. The statue was also destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10322
Methodist Church Vandalised Twice, Christian Youth Services Relocated
2025-10-13 | The interior of the Methodist church in Birkenhead was vandalised during two break-ins, resulting in extensive damage to church property. Fire extinguishers were maliciously discharged, and various items were intentionally destroyed, prompting a police investigation and the temporary relocation of youth activities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10345
Man Desecrates St. Peter’s Basilica by Urinating on Altar
2025-10-10 | A man entered St. Peter’s Basilica and urinated on the altar of Confession in front of hundreds of tourists and worshippers, marking the third act of desecration at the site in two years. According to some news reports, the incident happened during the celebration of mass.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10249
Jesuit Church in Straubing Vandalised
2025-10-10 | Unknown individuals forcibly entered the Jesuit Church in Straubing, Germany, overturned pews and damaged interior grilles.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10250
Arson Attack on Evangelical Church in Frenkendorf
2025-10-09 | A 36-year-old Swiss man was arrested after allegedly setting fire to the Evangelical Reformed Church of St. Margaretha in Frenkendorf, Switzerland, damaging pews and interior structures.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10256
Church in Aldingen Defiled After Failed Burglary Attempt
2025-10-05 | After breaking into a Protestant church in Aldingen, Germany, unknown individuals urinated in the sanctuary and caused property damage when no valuables were found.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10234
Viennese Church Evacuated During Mass after Bomb Scare
2025-10-04 | Two fake explosive devices triggered the evacuation of Vienna’s Karlskirche during a Catholic mass being held before the annual March for Life, raising concerns of targeted intimidation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10215
Man Arrested After Spitting on Christ Image in Fuengirola Church
2025-10-02 | A 31-year-old man was arrested for spitting on a crucifix and attempting to damage the altar inside the Church of San José in Fuengirola, Spain, in an incident investigated as a hate crime and offense against religious sentiment.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10258
Church in Neustadt/Wied Vandalised
2025-10-01 | Unkown individuals entered the Church of St. Margarita and caused extensive damage inside. The police issued a statement seeking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10236
Vandalism of Catholic Churches in Munich with White Paint Graffiti
2025-09-29 | In the night between 28 and 29 September 2025, several Catholic church buildings in Munich were vandalised with white paint graffiti, including slogans such as “God is dead”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10200
Glasgow Grandmother Arrested Again For Sign Offering Conversation
2025-09-27 | 75-year-old grandmother and Christian prayer group leader Rose Docherty has been arrested a second time and criminally charged for holding a sign reading “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want” within 200 metres of an abortion facility in Glasgow.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10397
Christian Schools in Slovakia at Risk after School Funding Reform
2025-09-19 | The Slovak government has introduced a proposal to reform state subsidies for private and church schools. Under the new policy, full funding would be limited to schools that meet specific public-service criteria, including enrolling at least 70% of students from local school districts, refraining from charging tuition, and signing contracts as public education providers. Christian leaders and private school associations have raised concerns that the reform could undermine parental rights and threaten the sustainability of faith-based education.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10224
Death Threat Forced Evangelical Church in Kempten to Cancel Public Worship
2025-09-14 | Following a death threat on TikTok, the Tabernacle Church in Kempten moved its worship indoors, citing safety concerns and growing anti-Christian sentiment.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10275
Iraqi Christian Killed in Lyon While Livestreaming Faith
2025-09-10 | A disabled Iraqi Christian who fled ISIS persecution, was fatally stabbed in Lyon while livestreaming his religious testimony on TikTok, prompting outrage and calls for justice amid rising anti-Christian violence in France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10154
Religious statue beheaded in Cathedral
2025-08-31 | In the Trier Cathedral, a renaissance apostle statue was beheaded and its head stolen. The incident prompting an investigation and concern over preservation of religious heritage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10090
Church in Germany Vandalised Twice in 24 Hours.
2025-08-30 | Unidentified vandals flooded the basement and defaced the entrance of Martini Church in Siegen on two consecutive nights, prompting a police investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10092
Excrements Smeared on Church Wall
2025-08-24 | The historic Sant’Antonio al Seggio church in Aversa was vandalised with human excrement near its entrance, prompting public outrage and calls for stronger protection of churches.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10053
Arson Attack at Notre-Dame Church in Saint-Dizier
2025-08-20 | A 20-year-old man has been arrested for attempting to start fires inside Notre-Dame church in Saint-Dizier. Thankfully, the organist was able to extinguish the fires before they could spread further. This is the fourth incident at the church in the last two years, raising safety concerns among the local community.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10048
Churches in Carini Closed Amid Surge in Theft and Vandalism
2025-08-18 | Due to escalating thefts and vandalism, the archpriest of Carini has decided to close all churches when no religious services are scheduled, sparking concern over the loss of sacred community spaces.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10046
Church in Granada vandalised and set on fire
2025-08-17 | On 17 August 2025, a 21-year-old man broke into the Church of Santiago Apóstol in El Pozuelo, Albuñol (Granada), smashing a stained glass window with a hammer. He then proceeded to destroy religious artefacts and set fire to items belonging to the church before locking himself inside.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10034
Two Churches Attacked by Knife-Wielding Man, Disrupting Mass
2025-08-16 | A suspected drug addict armed with a Swiss Army knife desecrated two churches near Paris, terrifying worshippers and resisting arrest.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10033
Christian Bakery Condemned After Refusing to Bake Same-Sex Wedding Cake
2025-08-13 | Sweden’s Equality Ombudsman (DO) has ruled against a small Christian bakery in Stockholm who had declined to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple in 2023. The decision, published on August 13, 2025, acknowledges that the bakery’s refusal was based on religious conviction and falls under the protection of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Nevertheless, the authority concluded that the refusal constituted unlawful discrimination.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10032
Church in Spain Vandalised Ahead of Patron Saint Festivities
2025-08-11 | Just days before the Virgen del Carmen festivities in Rute, the parish of Santa Catalina was vandalised with black paint being spilled across its main entrance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10013
Crucifix Ban in Bavarian School Raises Concerns Over Religious Freedom
2025-08-08 | A recent ruling by the Bavarian Administrative Court has ordered the removal of a crucifix from a state secondary school, finding that its display violates students’ negative freedom of religion and constitutes unlawful state endorsement of Christianity. The judgment, however, diverges from European Court of Human Rights case law (Lautsi v. Italy) and has raised concerns about the narrowing of religious expression in public institutions and the broader implications for religious freedom and state neutrality in education.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10172
Catholic Hospital’s Right to Uphold Its Institutional Religious Freedom
2025-08-08 | The Labour Court of Hamm has affirmed the right of a Catholic hospital in Germany to prohibit a senior gynaecologist from performing procedures that go against its religious mission, both within the hospital and in his private practice.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10227
Priest attacked in Hubová
2025-07-29 | On July 29, a Catholic priest was attacked in his house. According to the mayor of Hubová, the attacker appeared at the parish house and assaulted the priest in the entrance hall with an electric cable. The priest sustained minor injuries to his face and legs, but managed to push the man outside, lock the door behind him and alert the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9969
Vandalism of Wooden Statue
2025-07-29 | On July 29, unknown individuals entered the church, damaged a wooden statue as well as the interior plaster, and then fled without being identified. The damage is estimated at several hundred euros. The motives for the act are still under investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9965
Anti-Christian slogan and satanic symbols on Church in Pesaro
2025-07-27 | During the weekend of July 27, the facade of the Maddalena Church of Pesaro was defaced with the phrase “Clean churches, silent people,” along with a pentagram, which is commonly used as Satanic symbol, and black paint drawings resembling foetuses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9956
Vandalism of Catholic Academy and Church ahead of Award to Bishop Barron
2025-07-27 | In the days leading up to the Josef‑Pieper Prize ceremony in Münster, vandals sprayed slogans on the Franz‑Hitze‑Haus academy and local church and defaced several Christian statues with red paint. State security has since launched an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9960
Armed Robbery Attempted During Mass
2025-07-27 | A masked gunman stormed into the chapel of the Dominican Sisters' institute in Sant'Anastasia, near Naples, during Mass. He attempted to rob the congregation and fired a blank shot into the air.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9977
Pro‑Palestinian Protesters Disrupt Mass at La Madeleine in Paris
2025-07-26 | On the evening of July 26, 2025, pro‑Palestinian activists entered La Madeleine church in Paris during Mass, shouting slogans about the conflict in Gaza, thus interrupting the liturgy.
The rector of the church denounced the demonstration as a violation of sacred ritual, stating he intended to press charges.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9978
Cross sawn up and corpus placed upside down
2025-07-25 | Vandals sawed down a roughly two-metre-high cross outside a church in Bann, desecrated the figure of Christ, and urinated in the sacristy—prompting shock in the local community and an ongoing police investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9959
Historic Chapel in Limbiate Vandalized Overnight
2025-07-25 | Vandals broke into the small chapel at Villa Pusterla in Mombello di Limbiate and destroyed interior fixtures, decapitating the statue of Saint Anthony. Officials confirmed the incident as intentional vandalism and urged improved security.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9976
Arson attack on the Notre-Dame-des-Champs Church in Paris
2025-07-24 | The Church of Notre-Dame-des-Champs in Paris was closed to the public after two fires occurred within 48 hours on July 23 and 24, 2025. One of the fires was confirmed to be of criminal origin. Authorities launched an investigation while restoration has begun on the damaged interior.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9963
Arson at Germany's Largest Wooden Church
2025-07-20 | A fire damaged the facade and roof truss of the Evangelical Marktkirche in Clausthal-Zellerfeld on the night of July 20, 2025, in what officials later determined to be arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9955
Syrian Christian Asylum Seekers under Threat
2025-07-15 | In a recent statement, the Interchurch Foundation warned that discrimination against Syrian Christians in Dutch asylum seeker centres had increased sharply over the past six months. For example, a Christian Syrian mother was threatened with death and told that her family would be targeted. Understandably, such threats have caused serious fear among Christian asylum seekers, some of whom are now hiding their religion to avoid being targeted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9950
Arson and Break-in: Repeated targeting of churches in Sierck-les-Bains
2025-07-13 | On the night of 13 July, the room adjoining the church in Sierck-les-Bains was vandalised. The white plastic door was completely destroyed. A week earlier, two teenagers had been arrested for setting fire to a chapel in the same municipality.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9917
Church desecrated by excrement
2025-07-13 | The Arudy church was desecrated overnight on 13 July, with a large amount of faeces left inside and outside the building. The parish priest intends to file a complaint. He also found urine on the sacristy door and the tablecloth that usually covers the altar thrown over the stools.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9938
Vandalism in Münster church leads to restricted opening hours
2025-07-10 | As reported on 10 July, St. Bonifatius Church in Münster will remain closed outside of services due to a series of troubling acts of vandalism. According to the local pastor, Dr Heike Köhler, the building has repeatedly been defiled with faeces and littered with broken beer bottles. There have also been incidents of arson. Most recently, photographs of baptism candidates were deliberately set on fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9916
Incitement to burn churches and priests
2025-07-09 | On the morning of 9 July, graffiti inciting violence against churches and priests was discovered on a house next to the Basilica of San Domenico in Perugia. The slogan read: "Churches should be burned down, but with the priests inside; otherwise it's not enough". An anarchist and transgender symbol was placed next to the quote.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9912
Vandalism in Velen church
2025-07-08 | Repeated acts of vandalism at St. Andrew's Church in Velen, in the Borken district. The church has been left in a state of disarray, with overturned candles and firecrackers set off next to the high altar. The most recent example: The icon of 'Our Lady of Perpetual Help' was sprayed with wax, and the damage is estimated to be in the mid-three-digit range.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9903
Arson at the pilgrimage chapel in Friedberg
2025-07-08 | Unknown individuals deliberately set multiple small fires inside the Maria Alber chapel in Friedberg-West. On the evening of 8 July, several pieces of partially burned paper, including church leaflets, newspapers and torn pages from the chapel's prayer book, were found under pews and near the candle stands. Parish officials have reported growing unease among community members, as this is not the first arson attack in recent weeks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9942
Hostilities erupt outside church in Langenau
2025-07-07 | Violence by pro-Palestine demonstrators against the congregation of St Martin's Protestant Church in Langenau, in the Alb-Donau district, has escalated. During an unannounced gathering outside the church, two protesters reportedly became physically violent and verbally abusive. Due to the repeated demonstrations becoming increasingly violent, many parishioners have stopped attending services out of fear.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9908
Vandals Wreck Church Hall
2025-07-07 | A Church Hall in Northern Ireland was left in ruins after a nighttime break-in. Windows were smashed, religious texts thrown out, and food smeared across the interior—prompting community outrage and a police investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10109
Altar of church in Lido vandalised
2025-07-06 | Unknown individuals entered the church of Tarquinia Lido, Maria Santissima Stella del mare, and overturned and damaged all the objects on the altar. According to reports, the vandals entered through a window at the back of the church and then targeted the side chapel where the consecrated hosts are kept.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9889
Arson attack in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Helpers Stop Arsonist
2025-07-06 | On the afternoon of Saturday, June 29, 2025, a 28-year-old man allegedly set fire to several altars in the Catholic parish church of St. Martin in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. According to police, the man intentionally ignited altar cloths using a lighter and caused damage estimated in the high four-figure range. Two church visitors extinguished the flames before the fire department arrived and overpowered the suspect, who has been temporarily placed in a psychiatric clinic by court order.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9890
Salsasio church closes to public due to repeated vandalism
2025-07-03 | Following repeated acts of vandalism and harassment of the faithful, the parish of Salsasio has decided to close the church on Via Novara to the public, keeping it open only for religious services. Parish leaders denounced the incidents as showing “contempt for a sacred place and for Christianity,” and expressed serious concern for the safety of the church and its sacred objects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9884
Arsonists Ignite Five Fires in Lavesum’s Antonius Church
2025-07-02 | On Friday, July 2, 2025, unknown individuals set multiple fires inside the Antonius Church in Lavesum, causing significant damage. Among the destroyed items was the canopy (baldachin) above the altar, and church officials suspect arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9883
Sacristan struck down with cross
2025-06-30 | On June 30, a man attacked the sacristan of the Catholic St. Nikolaus parish in Rodgau, using a crucifix as a weapon. The attacker, who is born in Syria and holds Lebanese and German citizenship, initially confronted the church worker after being approached about loud music coming from his parked car. He kicked the sacristy door, punched the sacristan, and then tore a 1.6-meter crucifix from the wall, striking the victim so forcefully that it broke. According to reports, he then tried to use the broken pieces of the figure of Jesus as a stabbing weapon and shouted to a passerby, “Help me kill him.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9876
Crucifix set alight and 40 headstones smashed
2025-06-29 | A large wooden crucifix was set on fire and around 40 headstones were smashed in a serious act of vandalism at St Conval’s Cemetery in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, Scotland, in the early hours of Sunday, June 29, 2025. The Catholic community has expressed deep sorrow over the attack, which Bishop John Keenan described as “destructive violence.” A 39-year-old man has since been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9874
Salerno Church doors smeared with excrements
2025-06-28 | On the morning of June 28, 2025, vandals defaced the Church of Sant’Anna al Porto in Salerno by smearing feces on both the main entrance and sacristy doors. This marked the second consecutive day of such an attack, discovered by Monsignor Claudio Raimondi and several parishioners.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9871
Police investigate Arson at Northampton Church
2025-06-27 | On the evening of June 27, 2025, a fire broke out at St Mary’s Church on Towcester Road in Northampton. Emergency services were called to the scene, and police are treating the incident as arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9866
Vandal attacks parish staff when caught
2025-06-27 | On June 27, a 26-year-old man vandalised the floor of a church in Traunreut with a felt-tip pen and punched a church representative in the face when confronted. The suspect fled the scene but was later temporarily arrested by local police
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9885
Church in Peine target of arson
2025-06-25 | On the morning of 25 June, a Catholic parish church in Peine, Germany, was targeted in an attempted arson attack. The fire, likely started using accelerants, caused minor damage to the entrance door but was quickly extinguished by a church employee before it could spread.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9873
Church in Orne desecrated
2025-06-24 | The tabernacle of the church in Mortagne-au-Perche (Orne) was desecrated on Tuesday, 24 June 2025. The religious building has been temporaily closed and will reopen on Saturday, 28 June for a Mass of Reparation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9880
British Catholic Hospices Face Closure Following Assisted Suicide Vote
2025-06-20 | British Catholic hospices and care homes for the elderly face potential closure after the controversial Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was approved at Third Reading in the House of Commons on 20 June, passing by a narrow majority of just 23 votes.
This bill, if enacted, would compel Catholic palliative care institutions that refuse to participate in assisted suicide on the basis of Christian teachings to either comply or face closure, raising deep concerns over the protection of institutional conscientious objection.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9834
Arson Attack on Evangelical Street Preacher’s Trailer in Gütersloh
2025-06-20 | In the pre-dawn hours of June 20, 2025, unknown assailants set fire to a vehicle trailer belonging to street preacher Henning Heinrich Westrup in Gütersloh, North Rhine‑Westphalia. The trailer, emblazoned with the message “Jesus saves”, suffered extensive damage to its protective tarpaulin and exterior in what authorities are investigating as a deliberate act of arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9830
Liturgical Gospel Book Ripped Apart in St. Ulrich bei Steyr Church
2025-06-19 | Between Monday 17 and Wednesday 19 June 2025, an unknown individual severely damaged a liturgical gospel at St Ulrich's parish church in Steyr, Austria. Parish staff found the Gospel, which had been left open on the side altar, completely vandalised — every single one of its 300 pages had been torn down the middle.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9845
Church in Lingen Suffered Heavy Vandalism
2025-06-18 | On the afternoon of Saturday, June 18, 2025, unidentified individuals broke into the Romanesque-Gothic St. Alexander Church in Lingen-Schepsdorf, leaving a trail of destruction. Several religious statues were vandalised—one completely destroyed, others defaced with melted wax—deeply shocking the local community, especially as this is not an isolated incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9838
New Law on Religious Leadership Risks Criminalising Religious Practice
2025-06-18 | In June 2025, the Romanian Parliament adopted a legislative amendment to the country’s Law on Religious Communities, criminalising the “unauthorised exercise” of clerical or priestly functions. The new provision effectively grants the state and officially recognised religious denominations exclusive authority to determine who may lead religious communities. The amendment raises serious concerns regarding the protection of religious freedom.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10299
Profanation of Church in Provins during Festival
2025-06-14 | During the medieval festival Médiévales, held on 14–15 June 2025, the Collégiale Saint-Quiriace in Provins was desecrated. This Gothic collegiate church, which is a historic landmark in the Diocese of Meaux, was open to both pilgrims and festival exhibitors. However, several stalls displayed occult and neo-pagan items, including books on Satanism, inside the sacred space. Witnesses also reported seeing a shirtless man dressed as a satyr, wearing horns, parading through the nave, alongside erotic imagery placed among the church’s pillars. The local bishop denounced this violation of the church's spiritual dignity.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9832
Arson Attack at Market Drayton’s St Mary’s Church
2025-06-09 | St Mary’s Church in Market Drayton, Shropshire, was the target of a deliberate arson attack. Firefighters from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service were alerted on the morning of 9 June, arriving to find the large oak rear door of the church engulfed in flames. The fire was threatening to spread to nearby curtains and wooden roof timbers. Thanks to their swift emergency response, firefighters contained the fire before it could cause more extensive damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9822
Vandals Cause Extensive Damage to Great Yarmouth Minster Windows
2025-06-09 | According to a BBC article, published on June 9th, the historic Great Yarmouth Minster, the largest parish church in England, was targeted by vandals who hurled stones at its leaded windows, shattering dozens of diamond-shaped panes and severely damaging one large stained-glass window. The attack occurred in broad daylight, while church wardens were still cleaning up earlier damage. During the cleanup, another stone was thrown through a window, prompting staff to run outside and spot two teenage boys fleeing the scene.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9824
Vandalism St. Anna Basilica in Altötting: Pentecost Service Relocated
2025-06-08 | On the night before Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025, a 19-year-old man vandalised the pilgrimage church of St. Anna in Altötting, damaging and soiling numerous sacred objects. Police estimate the resulting property damage to be in the mid-five-figure range. The violent incident disrupted morning Pentecost services.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9811
Church in Sindelfingen Vandalised
2025-06-07 | A church situated on Liebenzeller Straße in Sindelfingen, Baden-Württemberg, was targeted in a spree of vandalism. The damage was discovered later that day, with police confirming that unknown individuals had overturned liturgical furnishings, breaking off several candle holders, removing floral arrangements, plant pots, shelving, and other church fixtures, and relocating them to the building’s entrance vestibule.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9821
Germany: Anti-Christian Hate Crimes rise by 22%
2025-06-06 | The German Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) recorded 337 politically motivated anti-Christian hate crimes for 2024, an increase of 21.66% from 277 crimes in 2023. This represents a continuation of the negative trend observed in the previous year, during which anti-Christian hate crimes increased by 100%.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9804
Desecration of Crucifix in Rudy Raciborskie Forest
2025-06-05 | A wooden roadside crucifix in Rudy Raciborskie, Poland, was deliberately vandalised in a shocking incident. The perpetrators sawed off the arms of the figure of Jesus, turned it upside down and draped rubbish over the desecrated image. Locals say this was timed to coincide with a significant celebration at the nearby sanctuary marking the 25th anniversary of the coronation of Our Lady of Pokorna. Residents described the incident as a deeply symbolic and intentional assault on their place of prayer.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9810
Spanish Evangelicals banned from using funeral chapels
2025-05-31 | In May 2025, the Federation of Evangelical Religious Entities of Spain (FEREDE) filed a formal complaint with the Spanish ombudsman, denouncing discrimination against the evangelical community in Spain, including a ban on using funeral chapels.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9803
Rushmoor Council Withdraws Proposed Ban on Christians Street Preachers
2025-05-31 | In March 2025, Rushmoor Borough Council applied for a court order that would have significantly restricted public expressions of Christian faith—including prayer, singing, and the distribution of religious literature. Following public backlash and engagement with local churches and legal representatives, the Council withdrew the proposed injunction.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10160
Vandals Assault Parishioner And Destroy Church Window During Choir Practice
2025-05-30 | On 30 May, 2025, a choir member was physically assaulted and a historic stained-glass window was broken during an evening rehearsal at St. Mary the Virgin Church in West Derby, Liverpool. This attack deeply shook both the choir members and the wider parish and raises concerns about personal safety in this sacred space.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9805
Chapel and cemetery in Levens damaged by fires
2025-05-26 | The commune of Levens in the Alpes-Maritimes region of southeastern France experienced a series of deliberate fires targeting sacred sites. The Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs and the adjacent cemetery were both affected, with fires being started on the altar cloths in the chapel and in plastic flower pots in front of several graves. These acts of vandalism have left the local community in shock and mourning, particularly as some of the incidents occurred during visits to the cemetery on Mother's Day.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9780
Spanish Court Bans Father From Sharing Faith With His Son
2025-05-26 | Spain’s Constitutional Court has rejected the appeal of an evangelical father seeking to share his religious beliefs with his young son. The Court upheld earlier rulings that prohibit him from taking the child to church or reading the Bible with him, granting the mother exclusive authority over the child’s religious upbringing until the age of twelve.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10111
Catholic cemetery and chapel vandalised
2025-05-21 | The chapel and cemetery in Doorwerth were severely damaged. A statue of Mary was decapitated, a wooden cross bearing a figure of Jesus was smashed, and debris was scattered everywhere. This shocking act has left the faith community in disbelief.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9777
Churches in Zweibrücken Repeatedly Targeted
2025-05-19 | In Zweibrücken, both Protestant and Catholic churches have been repeatedly vandalised, prompting concern among church leaders. Dean Peter Butz and Pastor Wolfgang Emanuel have reported ongoing damage to church buildings, including graffiti, smashed windows and cases of desecration.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9736
Man assaulted in Berlin after revealing Christian faith
2025-05-19 | A 24-year-old man was attacked in Wedding, Berlin, after revealing that he was Christian. On the night of 19 May, he was approached by several individuals who asked him about his religious beliefs. After answering that he was Christian, he was physically assaulted and sustained serious injuries. The authorities are investigating the attack as an anti-Christian hate crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9737
Church repeatedly vandalised
2025-05-18 | In recent weeks, the Catholic Church of St Michael in Ebersbach, has been repeatedly targeted by unknown vandals who have committed acts of arson and desecration. Between 1 and 18 May, intruders started small fires in various locations within the church, including the altar and pews, sometimes using matches and paper. Some of these fires were later extinguished with holy water. The most recent incident, which occurred on Sunday, 18 May, caused several hundred euros' worth of property damage, leaving burnt marks on the carpet near the ambo and signs of tampering throughout the sacred space.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9755
Double arson attacks at Sweden's church
2025-05-15 | In May 2025, the historic wooden church in Älvsbyn, Sweden, fell victim to two suspected arson attacks within a short period of time. The first incident occurred on 11 May, when the remains of a small fire were discovered on the church's porch. The second attack took place shortly before 3 am on 15 May, when a fire was started at the entrance to the church. The police are investigating the attacks as arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9712
Repeated vandalism in Essen - Muslim youths start campaign to protect church
2025-05-15 | The church in Essen-Altendorf is increasingly being plagued by vandalism. The Kreuzeskirche, a historic Protestant church located in the city center, has recently been subjected to vandalism. Unknown perpetrators defaced the church's exterior by spray-painting a skull image on its walls adding to the problem of repeatedly broken windows.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9726
Attempted arson at the Church of Sant'Agnese
2025-05-12 | Early on 12 May 2025, an attempted arson attack was carried out on the small church of Sant’Agnese in Città Sant’Angelo, Abruzzo. The wooden entrance door was set alight using a flammable liquid, but the quick action of local residents and firefighters prevented further damage. This incident followed an act of vandalism just four days earlier, when the glass of a votive shrine in the Crocifisso area was shattered.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9705
Second arson attack on St Mary's Chapel in one year
2025-05-12 | On the evening of 12 May, St Mary's Chapel at St Margaret's Parish Church in Kahl am Main was targeted with arson for the second time this year. A church pew with seat cushions caught fire in a side wing of the building, causing toxic smoke to spread throughout the entire church. Although the flames had largely extinguished themselves by the time firefighters arrived, extensive smoke damage had been caused. The police are now searching for the arsonist.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9706
Priest attacked by youths who threatened to set fire to his church
2025-05-10 | On the evening of 10 May, a group of young people approached the priest of the parish of Montfavet in Avignon and asked to enter the church, saying that they wanted to convert to Christianity. When they went in, they insulted the priest, shouted "Allah Akbar" and declared that they wanted to burn the building down, and then fled.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9694
Repeat Vandalism Hits Church One Year On
2025-05-10 | The Church of Sant’Angelo Magno in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, was targeted by vandals for the second consecutive year. The perpetrators forced their way into the church and caused significant damage. Local residents, alerted by the noise, contacted the parish priest and the police. The swift response of the authorities caused the vandals to flee through the rear of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9717
Church attacked with stones after recent destruction of crib
2025-05-09 | The small countryside church of Madonna di Valverde in Dorgali, Sardinia, was vandalised when unknown individuals broke the door lock and threw stones inside. Although the altar and sacred objects were left untouched, this incident has shocked the local community, especially as it follows a series of similar occurrences in recent months. Just a month earlier, a marble nativity scene on the Carmel Hill was destroyed by hammer blows, a gesture against a religious symbol that shocked the local community.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9697
Desecration of the chapel in the former dormitory
2025-05-01 | Someone broke into the interior of the chapel in historic dormitory in the old town of Mielec. Inside they destroyed and stole valuable liturgical objects and the monstrance. The altar cross was broken into pieces and left outside the chapel. A large amount of candle oil was spilled on the floor, which could point to an attempt at arson. The Curia of the Diocese of Tarnów, considering this scandalous event as an act of profanation, decided to close the chapel temporarily. All services were moved to another parish.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9668
two-metre-high wooden cross cut down
2025-05-01 | In Curancy, Burgundy, on the night of 30 April, a two-metre-high wooden Christian cross was deliberately cut down and stolen from the woods. The vandals used a saw to cut it down and made off with it. Shocked by the incident, the mayor filed a police report, describing the act as 'a direct attack on a symbol of faith'.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9682
Vandals leave trail of destruction in church
2025-04-30 | Vandals broke into the historic church of Pia Opera Pastore in Alcamo, Sicily, causing extensive damage to sacred art, objects and furnishings. Paintings were defaced, religious objects destroyed and the church left in disarray - an attack condemned by local officials as a serious offence against the community and its cultural and religious heritage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9664
Church in Alsace severely vandalised: €10,000 in damage
2025-04-24 | On the night of 24 April, the collegiate church of Saint-Martin in Colmar was vandalised by an intruder who climbed through scaffolding, damaged sacred objects and left the church in disarray. Despite spending almost three hours inside and causing over €10,000 in damage, the perpetrator - who was caught on CCTV and reportedly under the influence of drugs - stole nothing. The incident shocked the local community and raised serious concerns about the protection of religious and cultural heritage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9652
Church closes after attacks on parish staff
2025-04-23 | The parish of Breitenfeld has had to severely restrict access to its church following repeated violent attacks against parish workers and acts of vandalism. An unknown man attacked a parish secretary, pushing her to the ground and kicking her several times. A few days later, a 74-year-old sexton was similarly attacked, suffering injuries so severe that he had to be hospitalised for several days. Vandalism to the church building was also confirmed. As a result, the church is now only open for mass, and there is a police presence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9632
Church and graveyard defaced with blasphemous graffiti
2025-04-18 | On Good Friday, 18 April, St James' Church in Leyland, Lancashire, was vandalised with lewd images and anti-Christian messages. The graffiti included sexually graphic content, explicit blasphemy, and defaced both the church building and at least 40 gravestones in the churchyard with offensive statements such as "God is a lie".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9631
Third attack on chapel in recent months
2025-04-13 | A votive shrine in Lonato del Garda has suffered its third act of vandalism in 3 months. In the latest incident, a wooden crucifix was torn from the wall and thrown away. Previously, a statue of the Madonna had been destroyed and a crucifix depicting Christ had been stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9614
Bible set alight on wooden altar
2025-04-10 | A Bible was set alight with a match in the Protestant church in Groß-Gerau. It was on the wooden altar, but did not burn down completely.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9603
Protestant schools in France excluded from Erasmus+
2025-04-10 | In a written question to the European Commission, Dutch MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen raised concerns over France’s exclusion of private schools—including Protestant and Montessori institutions—from the EU’s Erasmus+ student mobility programme. He questioned how this policy aligns with the programme’s stated commitment to inclusivity for both public and private educational institutions.
In its response on 10 April, the European Commission reaffirmed that Erasmus+ is designed to be inclusive. However, it ultimately placed responsibility on national authorities, stating that France is within its rights to define eligibility criteria for participation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9711
Vandals damage several churches in Odenwald region
2025-04-08 | In the Odenwald region, several churches were attacked by vandals. At a church in Schweinberg, the stucco decoration on the high altar was broken off and thrown to the ground. Vandals also left cigarette butts and damaged collection boxes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9598
Religious statue damaged
2025-04-08 | In Salzgitter-Bad, unknown vandals caused damage to a local church. A statue of Mary, part of a group of holy figures, was removed and the wall damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9599
500-year-old altar damaged
2025-04-07 | On 7 April, a vandal broke into the historic Abbey Church in Öhringen and seriously damaged the church's 500-year-old wooden high altar. The unknown offender broke off and destroyed the sword from a figure of the Apostle Paul and stole a valuable altar cloth.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9596
Fire in church: Police suspect arson
2025-04-06 | Unknown persons have apparently attempted to set fire to the grounds of a church on Harffer Strasse in Neuss-Erfttal. According to initial findings, a wooden flowerpot was set alight inside the church building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9593
Christian woman convicted for holding sign "here to talk if you want"
2025-04-04 | A 63-year-old Christian woman, Livia Tossici-Bolt, has been convicted for breaching a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) by holding a sign that read "here to talk, if you want" near an abortion clinic in Bournemouth. This case raises significant concerns about the impact of such orders on religious freedom and the right to free expression.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9561
Thousands in Damages Every Month
2025-04-04 | Churches in Cologne's city centre, including the iconic Cologne Cathedral, are regularly targeted by vandals, causing thousands of euros in damage each month. Dr Dominik Meiering, the leading priest for Cologne's inner city, expressed concern about the repeated desecration, theft and graffiti, describing it as a serious burden on the Church and a threat to its public mission.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9582
Vandals destroy shrine and cut off arms of Jesus statue
2025-04-03 | Unknown perpetrators desecrated a religious site on the roadside between the villages of Podlesie and Sławno, destroying a statue of the Mary, tearing the body of a Jesus figure from the cross and breaking off its arms and damaging a painting of the Passion. The incident caused outrage among the locals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9586
Church crosses destroyed in Paternò
2025-04-02 | On 2 April 2025, vandals destroyed two large crosses outside the Chiesa Madre in Paternò, Sicily. The attack follows other recent incidents in the same town, including an attempted theft of a sacred painting and verbal abuse during a Christian procession, raising serious concerns about growing hostility towards the local Christian community.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9571
Repeated urine, faeces and riots in Mainz churches
2025-04-01 | In recent weeks, several churches in Mainz have suffered serious acts of vandalism, including the desecration of holy water with urine and the destruction of confessional doors. These incidents have deeply distressed local clergy and parishioners, and have led to discussions about possible church closures to prevent further offences.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9568
Church walls defaced with Swastika
2025-04-01 | Between 30 March and 1 April, unknown persons sprayed graffiti on the walls of St Martin's Church in Hermeskeil. The graffiti included a swastika on the outside of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9575
Man smashes church windows and attacks priest
2025-03-31 | In Volos, Greece, a man vandalised a local church by smashing its windows before attacking a hieromonk, striking him multiple times. The incident has deeply unsettled the local clergy and parishioners.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9566
Finnish Couple Convicted for Private Prayer
2025-03-31 | On 31 March 2025, a Finnish court convicted an elderly Christian couple of “assault” after praying with a young man about issues relating to sexuality. Despite the fact that the prayers were non-coercive and the young man had sought the support and participated in the prayers on his own initiative, the court upheld his claim that the prayers had caused psychological harm. The judgment—believed to be the first of its kind in Finland—has raised concerns about the application of criminal law to religiously motivated pastoral care and its potential implications for freedom of religion or belief.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10248
Desecration of crosses at the sanctuary
2025-03-30 | On the night of 29-30 March, vandals destroyed two crosses near the Sanctuary of St Michael in Aralar, in the Spanish Archdiocese of Pamplona and Tudela. This is the second attack on the site in recent months.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9587
Vandalism in church
2025-03-26 | Unknown individuals entered the church on Wieslocher Straße and caused significant damage. Among other things, a plate of holy water was smashed, a microphone and its stand were knocked over, and the glass panel on the confessional door was broken. The intruders also removed a pipe from the organ and placed it on the altar. The unknown individuals then fled the church undetected.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9535
Man Damages Statue and Sets Fire to Church in Spilt
2025-03-22 | On 22 March 2025, in the church of St. Dominic in Split, a man damaged a statue and then started a fire on the candle stand with a gas lighter which caught fire when it was left on a candle, and the flame spread to the plastic candle holders on the stand. He is also suspected of stealing a metal gas bottle from a cupboard in the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9554
Retired pastor faces trial for public worship service near abortion clinic
2025-03-21 | Clive Johnston, a retired pastor in Northern Ireland is facing trial for holding an open-air Christian service near an abortion clinic, raising serious concerns about the impact of so-called ‘buffer zone’ laws on religious freedom and freedom of expression.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9520
Serious episodes of vandalism: Easter candle soiled with excrement
2025-03-20 | Several churches in the Kraichgau region have recently suffered damage. Kürnbach has been the victim of vandalism twice - someone relieved himself and damaged candles and the altar bible. In Zaisenhausen, six windows were smashed with stones. In Bretten-Büchig the organ was covered with a sticky liquid.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9513
Court dismisses case against Christian preacher prosecuted for criticising Islam
2025-03-14 | On 12 March, a British court found Christian street preacher Karandeep Mamman not guilty of "causing religious harassment, alarm or distress" after he publicly criticised the Koran during a street sermon in January 2023. Listeners also reacted aggressively to him, threatening to beat him up and ''cut his throat'' and only letting him go after police arrived.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9509
Wayside cross damaged
2025-03-13 | Unknown offenders have desecrated a cross on a footpath and cycle path near Haar, east of Munich. The left arm of the crucified Jesus was torn off and half a foot was chopped off.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9504
Serious episode of desecration
2025-03-12 | Unknown assailants broke into the Church of St Paul the Apostle in Borgo Nuovo during the night, ransacked the parish and stole the chalice and the pyx containing the consecrated hosts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9485
Teenagers commit crimes in church
2025-03-10 | In Quedlinburg, a trio of teenagers threw stones at a man at St. Benedict's Church. The church door was damaged. The man also observed one of the teenagers drawing a swastika in the guest book.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9476
Church in Brittany vandalised twice in two weeks
2025-03-10 | Vandalism and burglaries have been reported in Treffiagat-Léchiagat, France. The church of Notre-Dame des Flots has been attacked twice since the beginning of March. The damage to the religious building was shocking to the faithful: smashed candles, torn liturgical books, overturned pews, broken vases and more.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9480
Acid attack on Christian café: 15 attacks since July 2024
2025-03-10 | The Café "Stay" of an evangelical free church in Leipzig has been attacked with butyric acid. The perpetrators probably poured acid into the coffee shop through the keyhole of the entrance door. The owners had to call the fire brigade. The perpetrators are suspected to be left-wing extremists. This is the 15th attack on the Christian café since July 2024.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9495
Altar cloth set on fire
2025-03-08 | Unknown persons set fire to the cloth covering the main altar of the church of San Francesco, the sanctuary of San Nicola Greco. The cause of the crime is still unknown, although there has been a lot of vandalism in the city in recent weeks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9474
Church closed outside service due to repeated vandalism
2025-03-03 | The Parish of the Santissimi Petro e Giacomo Apostoli has decided to close the Church of San Giacomo, in Via Roma, except during liturgical celebrations due to increasing vandalism. The church has repeatedly had flower pots, offerings and stations of the cross stolen, as well as the figure of Jesus from the nativity scene and excrement behind the altar.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9436
Vandals target Baptist Church
2025-03-03 | A Limavady Baptist the church in Northern Ireland has been targeted by vandals who destroyed a sign advertising a children's Sunday School. It was deliberately destroyed—torn up and rendered useless.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9451
Pait attack on Mühlhausen church
2025-03-02 | Vandals sprayed pink paint on the front door, display case and adjacent wall of the Evangelical Free Church in Mühlhausen. The perpetrator then fled the scene.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9439
Desecration: Gave crosses turned upside down
2025-03-02 | Unknown perpetrators dug up seven grave crosses at the Erzhütten cemetery in Germany over the weekend and put them back in the ground upside down. According to police, at least two crosses and one grave were damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9445
Baptist church vandalised with Antifa
2025-02-28 | On 28 February, the Baptist congregation in Székesfehérvár, Hungary, discovered that the facade of their church building had been vandalised with the slogan "God is dead". The graffiti also contained antifa symbols.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9438
Riot in church in Neheim
2025-02-28 | An unknown offender has vandalised the Catholic church of St John the Baptist in Neheim. The man destroyed a cross, broke off the head and arms of a figure of Jesus, knocked over candlesticks and tore and smeared tablecloths on the high altar. He also spilled liquids and scattered books on the floor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9443
Christian Midwife Student Suspended over Expressing Conscientious Objections
2025-02-28 | Sara Spencer, a Christian midwifery student in Scotland, has been suspended from her National Health Service placement for comments she made on a private Facebook forum explaining her conscientious objection to performing abortions. Despite being cleared of any wrongdoing, Spencer's professors at Edinburgh Napier University have continued to warn her against expressing "inappropriate" pro-life views.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9458
Vandalism of Chapel in Olbia
2025-02-26 | On 26 February, the parish priest of Sant'Ignazio da Laconi found the small church of San Vittore in Olbia vandalised. Unknown perpetrators had broken rosaries, altar candlesticks and several other sacred objects. The police are now investigating the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9423
Suspected Arson Attack on Church in Saumur
2025-02-26 | On 26 February, a fire destroyed the 17th century door of the church of Notre-Dame-des-Ardilliers in Saumur (Maine-et-Loire, France). Around thirty firefighters and a dozen vehicles were mobilised to bring the fire under control. Although the cause of the fire is still under investigation, the authorities suspect arson and have launched an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9425
Christian prayer leader first charged under Scotland's buffer zone law
2025-02-24 | Rose Docherty, a 74-year-old Christian and leader of the pro-life prayer group "40 Days for Life", has become the first person to be arrested under Scotland's new abortion 'buffer zone' law for holding a silent vigil near a Glasgow hospital. The law, which criminalises any attempt to 'influence' abortion decisions within 200 metres of a facility, raises fundamental rights concerns. Pro-life groups plan to hold upcoming prayer vigils only outside the buffer zones, but politicians are already pushing for further extensions of the zones.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9419
Nottinghamshire village church severely vandalised
2025-02-23 | The church of St Mary and St Martin in Blyth was severely vandalised, with a stained glass window smashed, an effigy of a knight damaged, a knife plunged into the bell tower door and religious objects desecrated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9613
Roadside cross vandalised in Lublin
2025-02-22 | A 48-year-old man has been arrested for vandalising a roadside cross in Jakubowice Konińskie (near Lublin). The suspect broke the cross and threw it under an oncoming vehicle, just before destroying the candles placed near the monument. The man has now been charged with destruction of public property and insulting religious feelings.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9408
Catholic priest violently beaten in Auxerre
2025-02-22 | On 22 February, a Catholic priest was attacked by two people outside the church of Saint-Eusèbe. The assailants insulted the priest, knocked him to the ground and punched him several times in the face. The priest, who had bruising and oedema on his face, was taken to hospital in a state of shock. Police are searching for the suspects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9418
Santa Faz cross in Alicante vandalised again
2025-02-20 | Two years ago, on carnival night, the cross of the Holy Face, located in a public square near Alicante City Hall, was vandalised by unknown persons. The incident happened again on the same night, 20 February, and the cross was severely damaged. The Town Hall has now promised to install additional security measures to protect this public Christian symbol.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9431
Cross broken: Church in West Keal vandalised
2025-02-17 | Sometime between 14 and 17 February, the Episcopal Church of St Helen in West Keal was robbed and vandalised by unknown offenders. The criminals broke a cross, burned signs, stole a tapestry and caused other damage. The crime has been reported to Lincolnshire Police, who are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9410
Arson attack on church in Nenzing
2025-02-13 | On the evening of 13 February, unknown perpetrators set fire to a pew in the parish church of St. Mauritius in Nenzing. The Nenzing volunteer fire brigade extinguished the fire and ventilated the church, preventing further damage. The police are now investigating and are asking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9385
Vandalism and arson attack on church in Aichach
2025-02-13 | On 13 February, unknown persons vandalised the Catholic church in Gallenbach, a district of Aichach, Bavaria, and set fire to several objects. Although the flames did not spread to the rest of the church, the damage amounted to several thousand euros. The church will remain closed for the next few days as police investigate the attack.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9391
Priest Murdered in Kłobuck Parish Residence
2025-02-13 | Fr. Grzegorz Dymek, a 58-year-old priest, has been killed in the parish residence in Kłobuck, Poland, by a former police officer.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10396
UK Court Backs Christian Teacher After Unfair Dismissal For Sharing Christian Views
2025-02-12 | On February 12, 2025, the UK Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Christian teacher Kristie Higgs, who was fired in 2019 for sharing her concerns about sex education policies and expressed her Christian beliefs about this topic on her private Facebook page. The court confirmed that traditional Christian beliefs on social issues are protected under the Equality Act. The decision marks a major victory for freedom of speech and religion in the UK.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9376
"Your mere presence is causing people harassment"
2025-02-10 | Christian charity volunteer Isabel Vaughan-Spruce has again been targeted by police for standing silently in a buffer zone. This time, police officers told her that her 'mere presence' was causing 'harassment' and therefore prohibited behaviour in the area. Buffer zone laws in the UK continue to allow serious attacks on basic human rights.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9361
Nice Church Attacker Sentenced to Life Without Parole
2025-02-10 | Brahim Aouissaoui, the terrorist who murdered three Christians in Nice’s Notre Dame Basilica in 2020, has been sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. The court confirmed his jihadist ideology and premeditated intent to kill 'infidels'.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9392
Two churches in Wurzen attacked with arson
2025-02-09 | On 9 February, two churches in Wurzen were set on fire by unknown perpetrators. Fortunately, in both cases police officers were able to extinguish the fires before any major damage was done. However, the total damage at both locations is estimated at around 2,000 euros. The police are now investigating the attacks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9354
Two churches in Hamburg attacked
2025-02-08 | On the night of 7-8 February, unknown perpetrators attacked two churches in Hamburg, causing serious damage at both locations. Stones and pyrotechnics were used to vandalise the religious buildings. Police are now investigating whether the incidents are connected.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9365
Arson and vandalism on Marigliano church
2025-02-07 | A 40-year-old man was arrested after a serious attack on a church in Marigliano on 7 February. The man set fire to the church door and destroyed several statues and furnishings in the churchyard. After a rapid investigation, police were able to identify and arrest the suspect.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9355
Arson and vandalism at parish premises in Genoa
2025-02-07 | On 7 February, the police and fire brigade were called to the parish centre next to the church of Santa Maria dei Servi in Genoa. The authorities found a piece of wooden furniture set on fire and several blasphemous phrases and swastikas written on the walls. The police are now investigating the attack.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9356
Church organ vandalised twice in two months
2025-02-06 | After a first episode of vandalism of the organ of the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Bretten-Büchig in December 2024, a similar attack took place earlier this month. In both cases, an unknown perpetrator poured a large amount of liquid over the organ, causing around €6000 worth of damage. The church remained closed for several days after the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9350
Repeated vandalism of roadside chapel in Laudermark
2025-02-06 | On 6 February, unknown offenders vandalised a roadside chapel in Laudermark with polyurethane foam, causing extensive damage. According to the local parish, this is the second time in a short period of time that this public Christian symbol has been vandalised.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9400
French municipality faces legal battle over displaying nativity scene
2025-02-05 | In December 2024, the town of Beaucaire was ordered to remove its nativity scene from the town hall by an administrative court, claiming its display violated secularism laws. Despite the ruling, the mayor refused to comply, resulting in further legal action and the threat of escalating fines. This marks the latest in a series of legal battles over Christian symbols in Beaucaire, which have been ongoing since 2016.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9338
Religious painting vandalised at cultural centre in Dydnia
2025-02-03 | Sometime between 31 January and 3 February, unknown offenders vandalised a historic painting depicting St Michael the Archangel, whose face was covered with yellow and dark brown paint. The painting was on display at the Municipal Cultural Centre in Dydnia.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9397
Man sets fire to door of Milan church
2025-02-02 | On the morning of 2 February, a man set fire to the door of the church of San Martino in Greco in Milan. A passer-by quickly noticed the fire and called the authorities, who quickly put out the threat. Police are now searching for the suspect.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9320
UK imposes VAT on private education: Christian schools forced to close
2025-02-01 | A UK policy change imposing VAT on private school fees came into force in January 2025, forcing schools to pay 20% of tuition fees to the Treasury. Many Christian schools, already operating on tight budgets, face closure or fee increases, reducing parental choice in education. Critics argue that the reform unlawfully discriminates against faith-based education and violates international rights protections.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9327
Decapitated statue of Mary
2025-01-30 | Unknown perpetrators have damaged a statue of the Madonna in a chapel in Wasserburg am Inn in Upper Bavaria.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9318
Christian Prayer App "Hallow" Threatened by EU Regulations
2025-01-30 | The Christian prayer app "Hallow", which reached number one on Apple's App Store in 2024, is now struggling to operate in the EU. CEO Alex Jones has expressed concern that strict regulations are effectively shutting down religious apps, raising concerns about digital religious freedom.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9313
Two arson attacks on church in Jerez
2025-01-26 | On the night of 25 January, an attempt to set fire to one of the entrances to the church of San Miguel in Jerez was quickly smothered by the local population. However, just a few hours later, on the morning of 26 January, another fire was set at another door, this time requiring the intervention of the fire brigade. The police are now investigating both incidents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9299
Polish Petition Aims to Ban Minors From Receiving Confession
2025-01-24 | In October 2024, actor and activist Rafał Betlejewski launched a petition to ban children and teenagers under 18 from receiving the sacrament of confession. After gathering just over 13,000 signatures, the proposal is now being debated in the lower house of the Polish parliament.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9279
Vandals attack Neuenkirchen church during service and desecrate cemetery
2025-01-24 | At around 4.30pm on 24 January 2025, unknown individuals threw two stones through a window of the St Laurentius church in Neuenkirchen during a service. The following day, parishioners discovered that 14 graves in the nearby cemetery had been desecrated. The perpetrators had knocked over grave lamps and bronze vases, and destroyed porcelain figurines and vases with their feet. The police are investigating both attacks on the St Laurentius parish. The damage is estimated at €2,000.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9351
Smear on Christian politicians in Austria
2025-01-24 | In Austria, an official report on 'right-wing extremism' has been heavily criticised for defaming Christian politicians and placing traditional Christian beliefs in the context of 'right-wing extremism'. The Christian politicians named in the report reacted with shock and indignation. One of them, Jan Ledóchowski, whose ancestors were murdered by the Nazis, pointed out the absurdity of associating Catholic positions with right-wing extremism. Christian politician Gudrun Kugler, who the report unfoundedly claims was elected by a 'right-wing milieu', called the report unscientific and trivialised genuine right-wing extremism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9519
Woman set fire to the Holy Scriptures
2025-01-23 | On 23 January, a 43-year-old woman set fire to a Bible in a church in Kępno and threw a vase and candles from the altar.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9275
Another attack on a church in the Sardinia region
2025-01-23 | On the night of 23 January, unknown assailants vandalised the church of San Francesco in Oristano. The Christian community in Sardinia has suffered numerous attacks on religious sites in recent weeks. The police are now investigating all the incidents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9276
Sacrilegious theft in Sarajevo
2025-01-21 | On 21 January, unknown assailants broke into the convent church of the Sisters of Charity of St Vinka in the centre of Sarajevo and stole the vessel monstrance the large consecrated host, scattering the other smaller ones in the sanctuary. Several other items were also stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9277
Facade of convent vandalised with pro-abortion tags
2025-01-20 | On 20 January, the façade of the Grande Bretèche convent, home to the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation, was vandalised with pro-abortion inscriptions in a repeat of a similar attack last year. This is the second year in a row that the convent has been vandalised after hosting a pro-life event.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9292
Islamist Bomb threats to church in Palencia
2025-01-18 | Two Islamist bomb threats against a church via a Telegram group caused great concern and prompted the immediate deployment of security forces in the city of Palencia.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9310
Swiss Federal Court Bans Subsidies for Catholic Girls' school
2025-01-17 | The Federal Court sitting in Lausanne has withdrawn from the Catholic girls' school Saint Katharina of Wil (Canton of Saint-Gall) the possibility of receiving public funds, considering that being Catholic and reserved for girls, it practices "discrimination".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9358
School counsellor sacked for promoting Christian views on marriage
2025-01-16 | Gozen Soydag, who was sacked from a Catholic school in February 2023 for publicly promoting traditional Christian beliefs on marriage, has received news that the court has rejected all her claims. Ms Soydag will appeal the decision as she feels she is being discriminated against because of her faith.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9240
"Low-status" prisoners in Belarus banned from religious practice
2025-01-16 | In a growing assault on religious freedom, several prisoners in Belarus are being denied any contact with religious services or members of the clergy because they are considered 'low status'. The ban even prevents them from possessing religious literature or devotional objects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9266
Figure of Jesus vandalised and thrown in the garbage
2025-01-15 | On the night of 14-15 January, unknown offenders committed an act of vandalism in the cemetery of the Parish of the Nativity of St John the Baptist in Tychy-Cielmice, Poland. The oak cross was destroyed with an axe, and the figure of Jesus was removed from the cross, smashed and thrown into a rubbish bin. The police are now investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9246
UPDATE: £7,500 PROSECUTION COSTS FOR HOLDING BIBLE VERSE SIGN
2025-01-15 | On 15 January 2025, the Crown Court rejected Stephen Green's appeals and confirmed his guilty verdict. The Christian preacher will now have to pay more than £7,500 in fines and prosecution costs for silently holding a Bible verse.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9273
Occult vandalism at Lyndhurst church
2025-01-15 | On 15 January, a severed deer head was found on the porch of St Michael and All Angels Church in Lyndhurst. A similar incident occurred at the same church four years ago.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9309
Teacher Sacked for Christian Beliefs Appeals Tribunal Decision
2025-01-14 | Ben Dybowski, a teaching assistant in Wales, was sacked after expressing his Christian views during a school seminar on diversity. Although the Education Workforce Council found no wrongdoing, an employment tribunal rejected his claim of harassment. He is now appealing the decision, raising concerns about the treatment of Christian teachers in Europe.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9311
Religious Autonomy at Risk: Spain Investigates Dioceses under Trans Equality Law
2025-01-14 | The Spanish Ministry of Equality launched an investigation against seven Catholic dioceses over alleged breaches of the 2023 Trans Equality Law, following a complaint by the Spanish Association Against Conversion Therapies. As the law contains very vague wording—criminalising any “method (...) aimed at modifying the sexual orientation or gender identity” of an individual, even with their consent—it could potentially criminalise Catholic teaching and pastoral care around issues of sexual morality. Sanctions under the law include fines of up to €150,000 and exclusion from public funding.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10279
Second attack on Rennes Basilica within days
2025-01-13 | Following the destruction of a statue of the Virgin Mary a few days ago, unknown perpetrators have again vandalised the Saint-Aubin Basilica in Rennes. This time, a statue of the baby Jesus was found decapitated. The city of Rennes is facing a serious wave of hate crimes against Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9241
Nativity scene destroyed in Persico Dosimo
2025-01-12 | On the night of 11 January, unknown perpetrators seriously damaged a nativity scene in the churchyard of the Dosimo parish church. Several figures were smashed to pieces, a gesture that caused great indignation among the local population.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9207
Church vandalised and statue destroyed in Rennes Basilica
2025-01-12 | Unknown perpetrators have destroyed a statue of Mary in the Saint-Aubin Basilica in Rennes. Attacks on religious symbols are a growing concern in the region.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9215
Repeated vandalism of Salò nativity scene
2025-01-09 | Unknown persons have vandalised the nativity scene set up by the fire brigade for the local community. The vandals not only damaged the nativity scene, but also urinated on the scene and set off a firecracker in the middle of the hay.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9198
Two arson attacks on Valledoria church in 4 days
2025-01-08 | The Church of Christ the King in Valledoria has been attacked twice in a very short period of time. The first arson attack took place during the celebration of mass on 5 January, and the second only a few days later, on 8 January.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9181
Unknown perpetrators vandalise religious figures
2025-01-07 | On the afternoon of 7 January, unknown perpetrators broke into the church of St. Francis Hochdahl in Erkhart. A leg of a religious figure, one of the Three Magi, disappeared and the burglars knocked over several other figures. Police are now investigating and looking for suspects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9179
Priest receives letter threatening parishioners
2025-01-06 | In early January, the priest of the San Giovanni Battista parish in Siniscola received a letter containing threats against two of his parishioners. The case is now being investigated by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9243
Debate over refusal of communion and religious autonomy rights
2025-01-06 | Rubén García de Andrés, mayor of Torrecaballeros, was denied communion by a local priest because of his homosexuality, which he denounced as homophobic. His political party is demanding an apology and threatening legal action. The Diocese of Segovia defended the priest, citing Canon 915, which allows for the denial of communion on moral grounds, and denied any accusations of homophobia. The case raised concerns about the involvement of secular groups in church affairs, which is seen as a potential threat to religious freedom.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9294
Fire set to nativity scene in Ingolstadt
2025-01-05 | A nativity scene was burned and vandalised in the Catholic church of St Pius in Ingolstadt. The parish priest reported that "the stable was thrown over down and one figure was completely burnt".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9184
Figure of the Infant Jesus stolen from nativity scene in Aprilia
2025-01-04 | On 4 January, a figure of the Infant Jesus disappeared from the nativity scene set up by the Agroverde Neighbourhood Committee in a public park. "A gesture that deeply offends the sense of community and the faith of many people," said the committee and further stated: "It is an act of vandalism that demonstrates a total lack of respect for the traditions, symbols and religious feelings of many people."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9194
Nativity scene in front of Roncoferraro church vandalised
2024-12-31 | On the night of New Year's Eve, unknown people destroyed the nativity scene on the square of the Roncoferraro church. The vandals tore to pieces almost all of the particular figures depicting the nativity and scattered the fragments in the surrounding garden. This is not the first time that similar episodes have occurred.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9156
Police prevents terrorist attack on Elche Basilica
2024-12-31 | Spanish police have foiled a terrorist attack just before Christmas. Four suspects aged between 14 and 17 were arrested on 19 December during a raid in the city of Elche. The group is accused of planning an Islamist terrorist attack on a Christian church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9162
Sanctuary vandalised with fireworks in Ribordone
2024-12-31 | On New Year's Eve, unknown vandals caused extensive damage to the exterior walls of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Loreto in Ribordone. Locals are calling for more security measures as this isolated church is frequently vandalised.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9245
Church closed due to vandalism
2024-12-30 | The town church in Lauterbach is closed to visitors due to vandalism. Two unidentified youths smashed two stained glass windows with lead frames. Several items have been stolen in recent incidents, including a Bible and an Easter candle.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9151
Figures stolen and replace with caricatures
2024-12-30 | In the Strzelce district, an unknown person has stolen statues of saints from two roadside shrines and replaced them with strange caricatures. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9154
Two nativity scenes vandalised in Ostiano
2024-12-30 | During the night of 30 to 31 December, someone destroyed two nativity scenes in the town centre of Ostiano and in the churchyard. The statues of the infant Jesus, the sheep and Mary were overturned and the statue of Saint Joseph was destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9157
Three suspects arrested after shooting at Istanbul church association
2024-12-30 | Three suspects have been arrested following a shooting at the Association of Salvation Churches in Istanbul. On 30 December, three gunmen arriving in a commercial vehicle opened fire at the association's building in the Cekmekoy district on the Asian side of Istanbul.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9171
Image of Infant Jesus destroyed in Valencia
2024-12-30 | The Nativity Scene of Cullera, in the Valencian Community, has been vandalised with the destruction of an image of the Infant Jesus.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9295
Arson on previously attacked church in Regnano
2024-12-29 | On 29 December, the back wall of the parish house in Regnano was set on fire. Only two weeks earlier, the door to the bell tower of the church had also been vandalised and destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9196
Religious image attacked
2024-12-28 | Someone smashed the protective glass of the Cristo del Puente image in Ceuta with a rock in a niche in the church on 28 December, and the image had to be moved to another parish.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9141
Statue of Infant Jesus stolen from the nativity scene
2024-12-28 | A figure of the Infant Jesus from the nativity scene on the steps of the church in Levico Terme has been stolen during the night during the night.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9145
Man riots in church
2024-12-28 | In Cologne-Ehrenfeld, a man caused extensive damage to St Joseph's Church, destroying nativity figures and throwing burning candles around the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9150
Vandalism and fireworks set off in church
2024-12-28 | A church in Lilienthal, Germany, was vandalised on 28 December. The offenders entered the unlocked church building and set off fireworks, among other things. They also damaged several organ pipes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9152
Nativity scene in Roque-Gageac set on fire
2024-12-28 | A nativity scene set up by the local council in the village of Dordogne burnt down on the night of Friday 27 to Saturday 28 December. Although investigations are still underway, the mayor strongly suspects that the fire was deliberately set.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9291
Threats Shouted at Pro-Life Demonstrators
2024-12-28 | A group of Christian pro-life demonstrators were threatened and insulted by a group of feminists who approached them in the street. They shouted slogans such as "We must burn the Episcopal Conference for being sexist and patriarchal".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10295
Youths destroy vandalise church and destroy Christmas tree
2024-12-27 | Christmas trees, flower arrangements and a tree to help people remember their loved ones were smashed by a group of teenage girls at St Andrew the Apostle Church in Holt, Norfolk, on 27 December. The church has to be closed except for services.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9142
Cross in Gdańsk set on fire
2024-12-27 | Gdańsk police have arrested a 45-year-old man suspected of setting fire to a wooden cross. As a result of the incident, the painting of Mary hanging on the cross was burnt and the perpetrator also broke the fence surrounding the cross. The total damage was estimated at 10,000 zloty.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9147
A Mural Depicting the Crucified Christ was Spray-Painted with a Swastika
2024-12-27 | In late December 2024, the Cristo del Amor image in Vélez-Málaga was vandalised with a swastika and obscured face, sparking outrage over the desecration of a beloved devotional site.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10294
Theft of tabernacle
2024-12-26 | On 26 December, the tabernacle was stolen from the church of St Joseph parish in Kollnau. The perpetrators, who are still unknown, stole the locked tabernacle from the choir of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9129
Tbilisi church pelted with eggs
2024-12-26 | Unknown people threw eggs at the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, the second oldest in the country. The western facade and the door of the Anchiskhati Cathedral, were smeared with broken eggs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9148
Nativity Scene Vandalized in Canals
2024-12-26 | Figures from the municipal nativity scene in Canals, Valencia, were found toppled and broken in Plaza del Puente del Río, adding to a troubling pattern of attacks on Christian symbols.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10293
Man enters church on Christmas Day shouting “Allah Akbar”
2024-12-25 | On Wednesday 25 December, just before 5pm, a man entered the church of Saint-Louis in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Yvelines) shouting "Allah Akbar".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9126
15-year-old allegedly planned attack on church
2024-12-25 | Police in Brandenburg took a 15-year-old from Zossen into custody on Christmas Day. Security services believe he was planning an attack on a church in Berlin over the Christmas period. The young man was released from police custody due to a lack of evidence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9143
Repeated vandalism: Marian statue desecrated in Mrągowo
2024-12-25 | The desecration of the parish of St Raphael Kalinowski in Mrągowo took place on the night of 25-26 December. An unknown perpetrator entered the church premises and destroyed the statue of Mary in the church chapel. The situation was recorded by the parish camera.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9153
Church soiled with urine and cigarette butts on Christmas Eve
2024-12-24 | On the night of 24 December, in the small church of San Rocco in Malpaga di Orzinuovi, near Brescia, the floor and chairs were covered in cigarette butts and urine. Nothing was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9133
Church wall damaged by explosives
2024-12-24 | On Christmas Eve, 24 December, the church of Sant'Antonio Abate was the target of an act of vandalism. Unknown persons set off fireworks on the side of the sacred building, causing considerable damage. The explosion tore off part of the frame, and debris was found scattered on the ground.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9134
Sacrilegious theft and desecration
2024-12-22 | On December 22 thieves broke into the tabernacle of the church of Miglierina in Viareggio using a drill and a crowbar and stole the consecrated hosts, leaving the pyxes inside. Several liturgical objects and some personal belongings were also stolen. The parish priest does not exclude a Satanic motive.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9144
Church in Waltrop repeatedly hit by vandalism
2024-12-21 | St Peter's Church in Waltrop has been plagued by vandalism: There have been repeated cases of damage, people urinating in the church, leaving faeces or breaking beer bottles. Not only are the church doors currently closed outside of service times, but the nativity scene has also been moved.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9118
Theft of nativity scene figures
2024-12-20 | On 20 December, it was reported that all the figures - Mary, Joseph, animals and the Infant Jesus - were missing from the nativity scene next to the church in Tunbridge, Wales.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9124
Destruction of the Passion Cross in Krosno
2024-12-19 | In the Sanctuary of St John Paul II in Krosno, the Passion Cross and the figure of Jesus Christ hanging from it were desecrated on 19 December. The vandalism was particularly brutal, and the figure was broken into many fragments.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9110
14-year-olds arrested for vandalising cemetery
2024-12-19 | Between 9 and 19 December, a series of acts of vandalism took place at the Central Cemetery in Szczecin. The perpetrators damaged tombstones, demolished graves, spilled wax from lighted candles and smashed them against tombstones. Two 14-year-olds were arrested for desecration.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9119
Cemetery in Migny vandalised with swastikas
2024-12-19 | The town hall of Migny filed a complaint after several swastika inscriptions were found on a monument in the local cemetery on 19 December. The police are now investigating this act of vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9235
Metz Nativity Scene Vandalised: Statues of Mary and Joseph beheaded
2024-12-17 | The figures of Mary and Joseph have been beheaded in a vandalism attack on the nativity scene in front of the Metz train station, the city authorities announced on 17 December. According to the town hall, an investigation is underway to find the perpetrators. A complaint has been lodged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9116
Desecration of graves with satanic symbols: Ritual motives "not ruled out"
2024-12-17 | In Seville town of El Viso del Alcor, the desecration of four coffins in the municipal cemetery on December 17 is being investigated. Authorities and specialists do not rule out ritual motivations. In Spain, an increase in attacks on Christian cemeteries is reported for 2024.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9123
Vandals damage church wall with fire
2024-12-16 | Between 14 and 15 December, unknown persons set fire to the church behind the large chapel on Büscherweg, Kierspe, damaging the back wall of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9109
Vandalism: Withington church spray-painted
2024-12-16 | St Peter's Church in Withington was vandalised on 16 December, with the door and interior sprayed with paint. Police officers described the damage as 'shocking and irreparable'.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9117
Fire at Christian centre, suspected arson by left-wing extremists
2024-12-15 | As reported on 15 December, a pile of rubbish and bulky waste caught fire at the back of a building housing the Bremen police and the local Free Church welfare office. Left-wing extremists claimed responsibility and expressed hostility towards the Pentecostal Church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9087
Nativity figurines disappeared
2024-12-14 | The statues of Mary and the ox disappeared from the nativity scene in front of the church of San Michele Arcangelo and Santa Lucia in Cesa, a hamlet in the municipality of Marciano della Chiana, on December 14.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9088
Desecration of a church with a satanic symbol
2024-12-13 | The church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption in Guercheville (Seine-et-Marne) was the target of vandalism on the night of 13 December. Parishioners in the village raised the alarm after discovering the symbol 666 with an "S" on the front door.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9086
Pastor and Christian community offered protection by police
2024-12-12 | Protestant pastor Ralf Sedlak has been the target of several threats and attacks following a sermon criticising the Hamas attack on Israel in October. The police are now being called in to protect him and his family, as well as to provide security for church services as all members of the congregation face hostility.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9256
Death Threat Graffitied on the Façade of a Chapel
2024-12-10 | A threatening message referencing the DZ Mafia was discovered on the façade of a historic chapel in Marseille. The words said “You are all going to die, DZ Mafia,” raising concerns about a broader pattern of anti-Christian hostility.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10305
Church walls defaced with graffiti
2024-12-09 | Between December 6-9, unknown perpetrators defaced the facade of a facade of the Catholic community center St. Christophorus with graffiti. The white graffiti defaced both the north and west sides of the church building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9076
Figure stolen from nativity scene, damage caused
2024-12-08 | Seven youths were reported in Santa Coloma for trying to steal the figure of the Virgin Mary from the municipal nativity scene at 4am on 8 December, causing damage. They fled after being surprised by the Town Hall guard and the night watchmen, but were identified a short time later in Sant Carles street.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9093
Church window deliberately smashed
2024-12-08 | Between 6am and 8am on December 23, a church window was deliberately smashed, causing damage to the property at a Baptist Church in Poole. An investigation has been launched.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9169
Clergy and Parishioners Threatened with severe Aggression
2024-12-08 | Priests and parishioners at Saint-Joseph Church in Creil were subjected to death threats, attempted arson, and verbal intimidation by drug traffickers operating near the parish.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10306
Minors Devastate Church
2024-12-07 | An 11-year-old and a 16-year-old caused a riot in a church in Bisingen in the Zollernalb district on 7 December, causing property damage of around 3,000 euros. They damaged a vase, antique candlesticks, plants and plant pots, and scattered books on the floor. Sheet music was scattered on the floor, the Advent wreath was knocked over and everything was lying around. The damage is estimated at 3000€, said a police spokesman.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9063
Church walls and a statue of the Virgin Mary vandalised in Moissac
2024-12-07 | On the night of 7 January, unknown persons vandalised the walls of the Catholic church of La Mégère and a public statue of the Virgin Mary. The vandals sprayed several offensive inscriptions on both sites. The police are now investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9220
Church in Bordeaux Vandalised Once Again
2024-12-03 | As reported on December 3, the Saint-Éloi church in Bordeaux suffered significant damage after a burglary and vandalism estimated at 10,000 euros, with a safe broken and stained glass windows behind the high altar damaged. In June, the church was tagged during a feminist march in the Gironde.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9037
Desecration in Naples: Man urinates inside church
2024-12-02 | On 2 December 2024, a case of desecration was reported at the Church of San Ferdinando, located in Piazza Trieste e Trento in Naples. Surveillance footage revealed that a male tourist entered the church, concealed himself behind the interior entrance door of the nativity scene room, and urinated inside the premises. The act was allegedly carried out with the assistance of a female companion, who acted as a lookout.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9040
Church Façade Targeted in Night of Vandalism in Naples
2024-12-01 | On the night of 1–2 December 2024, a group of unidentified vandals caused extensive damage in the Chiaia district of Naples. They threw potted plants and vases at the façade of the Church of Santa Caterina da Siena. T
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9052
Acid instead of wine in the chalice
2024-12-01 | The Sunday mass in the church of Sant'Andrea on 1 December ended in hospital for a priest in the northern Italian community of Zignago - there was acid in the chalice instead of wine. The mass was interrupted and the congregation called the emergency services.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9069
Vandalism of religious symbols in church
2024-11-28 | As reported on 28 November, unknown persons threw the Easter candle against the wall of St Mary's Church in Waltrop, damaged altar objects, tore a prayer book and threw other objects around the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9020
Theft and desecration of Orthodox church in Trento
2024-11-28 | On 28 November 2024, an Orthodox church in Vicolo San Marco, Italy, was broken into and desecrated. The perpetrators stole cash, religious items, and Christmas gifts before defecating in the sacristy. Police are investigating the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9024
Christmas lights inside church damaged
2024-11-27 | Unknown persons have damaged the Christmas tree lights in the Catholic church in Hochstadt am Main. They destroyed candles and the lights.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9035
Theft and desecration of religious statue
2024-11-26 | A 27-year-old man, who stole a statue of Mary from a chapel in the local church in Nowe Worowo, has been charged. He confessed the theft and public desecration of the sacred object.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9014
Threats to Set Fire to Church
2024-11-26 | On 26 November, a 28-year-old Moroccan man damaged the door and part of the furniture of a room in an establishment in Formia that had helped him at the request of the Immaculate Heart of Mary - Don Bosco Church, and threatened to set fire to the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9026
Theft and desecration in the Valdencin church
2024-11-25 | On the morning of 25 November, Father Maykel found the church of Valdencín in Santa Teresa vandalised. The sacristy was badly damaged, €80 of the collection and a silver monstrance were missing and, most devastatingly for the community, the consecrated hosts had been desecrated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9009
Repeated Vandalism in the Saint-Denys basilica in Argenteuil
2024-11-25 | The Saint-Denys basilica has been the target of several acts of vandalism since September. In the latest incident, two youths entered the Argenteuil basilica through a back door shouting "Allah Akbar". Police presence around the building has been increased. In September, the presbytery was damaged by vulgar graffiti. Two months later, a Latin cross at the entrance to the same building was damaged and partially stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9013
Two teens arrested for church vandalism causing £15,000 of damage
2024-11-24 | Two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of causing more than £15,000 of damage to the Grade II listed St Margaret's Church in Bowers Gifford on 24 November. It was the second time in a month that the church had been vandalised.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8999
Cross demolished at Sehnde church
2024-11-24 | In the night of November 24, a grave cross at the Cross Church in Sehnde was desecrated and the lighting of the church was demolished
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9007
"Atheist" spray-painted on San Lorenzo Facade in Seville
2024-11-24 | A large anarchist symbol and the word “Atheist” were spray-painted on the San Lorenzo church façade.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10291
Consecrated Host Theft in Seville School Chapel
2024-11-24 | Unidentified intruders broke into a school chapel, desecrated the tabernacle, and stole a ciborium containing consecrated hosts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10292
46 Tombs Destroyed
2024-11-23 | On the night of 23 November, a massive act of vandalism took place in Krosno Odrzańskie (Lubuskie Province). A total of 46 gravestones were damaged or broken and some graves were opened.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9002
Disturbance of Mass in Esenta
2024-11-23 | During Mass on 23 November in the parish of Saints Marco and Bernardino, Esenta, some boys entered the church shouting repeated blasphemies and insults in the presence of the faithful, and then quickly ran away. For several weeks, vandalism has been reported in the cemetery in the area, where citizens have found various damages to ornaments and decorations in the masonry along the paths.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9015
Church in Châteaulin Vandalised
2024-11-20 | Excrement on the floor, overturned flower vases and dirty tablecloths. This is what members of the Saint-Idunet parish in Châteaulin (Brittany) discovered when they entered their church on 20 November. A Easter candle had also been stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9027
Vandalised church in Bodenwöhr
2024-11-19 | On the weekend of 18-19 November, the Church of St Mary (Marienkirche Blechhammer) in Bodenwöhr was robbed and vandalised by unknown persons. The rosaries on display were stolen or thrown into the holy water basin and the altar candles were thrown to the ground. Various other items were scattered around the church. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9261
Spanish Court Condemns male-only religious brotherhood for refusing woman
2024-11-19 | Spain’s Constitutional Court has ruled against a male-only religious brotherhood for refusing to admit a woman, declaring that the association’s internal statutes violate the Spanish Constitution. While framed as a non-discrimination decision, the judgment raises broader concerns about state intervention in the internal affairs of religious associations—particularly regarding their right to determine membership criteria in accordance with their beliefs and traditions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10119
Fire set in Walldorf Church
2024-11-15 | Unknown persons threw several burning strips of paper into the basement of the Walldorf church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8987
French TV channel fined for presenting abortion as cause of death
2024-11-13 | On 13th November the French Communications Authority (Arcom) fined a television channel €100,000 for presenting abortion as the "first cause of death" during a Catholic programme.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9280
Terrorist arrested for planning attack on Cathedral
2024-11-11 | In July 2024, security forces prevented a planned terrorist attack on the Holy Dormition Cathedral, an Orthodox church in Maikop, Republic of Adygea. The suspect, an 18-year-old supporter of the Islamic State (IS), was arrested before he could carry out the attack. On 11 November, the Maikop City Court extended his pre-trial detention until 11 January 2025.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8952
Statue of Mary destroyed
2024-11-10 | A statue of Mary outside the local cemetery in Pievesestina, Cesena, has been smashed to pieces.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8947
Pepper spray attack during mass in Prato
2024-11-10 | Unknown people entered the church of Santa Maria al Soccorso during Sunday mass and sprayed a pungent substance with pepper spray. The parish priest had to interrupt the service and finish celebrating mass outside. The perpetrators have fled.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8950
Priest dies after being physically attacked by robber
2024-11-09 | A Catholic priest in Poland succumbed to serious injuries in the hospital on November 9 - six days after the physical attack in his parish of St. Albert by the 27-year-old man from Szczytno. The male suspect in this case is in custody, charged with attempted murder. The clergyman was attacked for the purpose of a robbery.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8944
Monk Dies After Attack on a Monastery
2024-11-09 | A 76-year-old friar died of a head injury and six others were injured when beaten with sticks and bottles by a 46-year-old man who jumped over the fence of the Catholic monastery in Gilet, shouting anti-Christian threats and insults. Three victims, aged 57, 66, and 95, were hospitalised with trauma and bruising.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8946
Church forced to close after vandalism with fire extinguisher
2024-11-09 | The church of Saint-Léger has been closed since unknown persons emptied a fire extinguisher inside the building, causing serious damage to the furniture. Following this act, which took place on 9 November, the local mayor immediately expressed his desire to have the church cleaned as soon as possible so that the parishioners could celebrate Christmas in this sacred building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9234
Pilgrims in Navarre Faced Assault and Anti-Christian Insults
2024-11-09 | Latin American pilgrims participating in the Javierada in Navarre faced verbal and physical aggression from nationalist youths, prompting calls for official protection and accountability.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10281
Altar tablecloth set on fire in Schweinfurt church
2024-11-08 | On November 8, a Tablecloth in the evangelical Church "Am Glockenhof" was set on fire in the afternoon. The fire burned the tablecloth and the diary on it. The damage caused is approximately 80 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8948
Fires set in Küssaberg church
2024-11-08 | On 8 November, an unknown perpetrator has set several small fires in a church in Küssaberg (Waldshut district). Witnesses discovered the flames and alerted the emergency services.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8956
Two other churches desecrated
2024-11-08 | The churches of Truyes and Lignières-de-Touraine were desecrated and consecrated hosts were stolen. Four other churches in the diocese of Tours suffered identical events in the same week.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9000
Ban on funeral processions in Manduria
2024-11-08 | The mayor of Manduria, Gregorio Pecoraro, has approved an ordinance banning walking funeral processions. A local councillor is challenging the ban, saying it restricts religious freedom.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9092
Figure of Jesus broken into pieces: Cross in Tarnow Vandalised
2024-11-07 | On the night of November 7, vandals broke a statue of Christ on the missionary cross in front of the church in Tarnow-Klikowa, into small pieces. Also, the statue's head was stolen. The parish priest and the faithful are convinced that it was a deliberate act of desecration.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8965
Nun physically attacked in church
2024-11-04 | A nun was brutally attacked near Largo di Torre Argentina in Rome on 4 November. The nun was violently punched and slapped in the face after trying to push away the attacker, who had approached the tabernacle in a suspicious manner.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8925
Objects and prayer cards set on fire in church
2024-11-04 | Unknown persons have set fire to and damaged objects and prayer cards in a church in Kaufbeuren.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8977
Fire set to Mannheim Church
2024-11-03 | On 3 November, an unknown person set fire to objects inside the Twelve Apostles Church in Mannheim, spreading to the carpet and a wooden table. The fire was extinguished before it spread further into the church building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8924
Tabernacle forced, hosts stolen
2024-11-02 | On the night of 2 November, the church of Saint Ame in Herlies was desecrated. The tabernacle was forced open and hosts were stolen. A mass of reparation was held.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8926
Fire set at the church doors
2024-11-01 | On the night of October 31, a fire damaged the entrance door of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Quartu.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8916
Desecration of Consecrated Hosts in Boffalora sopra Ticino
2024-11-01 | Authorities have opened an investigation after a group of young adults desecrated consecrated hosts in a Boffalora sopra Ticino church
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8958
Fire started inside Steinfeld church
2024-11-01 | Police are looking for a perpetrator after a fire was started in the in St. Leodegar church in Steinfeld. A young man dressed in black had set a flag on fire. Fortunately, the fire did not spread. The damage is estimated around 200€.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8976
"Disturbing vandalism: Joyrider rammed into church gate
2024-11-01 | A person driving a car rammed into the gate leading to St Patrick's Catholic Church in Ahane, causing extensive damage to the gate.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8989
Third arson attack in a month
2024-10-31 | The Multicultural Christian Church of Amsterdam Zuidoost was hit by an explosion, the third attack in a month. At around 1.50am, a person smashed a window of the church and threw powerful fireworks inside, causing an explosion that severely damaged the ceiling and other parts of the building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8917
Attempted arson in the church in Marseburg
2024-10-31 | Police have arrested the suspect in an attempted arson attack on a church in Mersenburg. The man is believed to have set fire to plastic objects in the toilet area.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8918
New UK Buffer Zone Bill restricts silent prayer near abortion clinics
2024-10-31 | On 31 October 2024, Section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023 (POA) came into force, introducing new restrictions on freedom of expression and religion within the so-called 'buffer zones' around abortion clinics in England and Wales.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9312
Sacred objects stolen from church
2024-10-30 | Two wooden and brass crucifixes, a brass incense holder and a diary in the sacristy of the Church of Maria Santissima del Pane in Novoli were stolen on the night of 30 October.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8943
Vandalism and thefts at Vervie cemeteries
2024-10-28 | At the end of October, a grave in the cemetery in Verviers, in the province of Liège, was found to be severely damaged; the stele had been completely overturned. A few days later, crosses were stolen from the cemetery in Trois-Ponts, which is in the same area.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8929
Vandalism at Basildon church
2024-10-28 | An incident of vandalism at St. Margarets Church in Bowers Gifford took place on October 28. The church sustained damage to various parts of the building including the roof, porch and stained-glass window.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8972
Desecration and theft of hosts in Calvados
2024-10-27 | On October 27, the tabernacle of the Notre-Dame de Vire church in Calvados was broken into and the ciboires, as well as the consecrated hosts, stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8932
Prayer books set on fire on the altar
2024-10-27 | On 27 October, someone set fire to a dozen prayer books on the altar of the church of Chamalières-sur-Loire, causing a huge smoke cloud in the building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8933
Two Churches closed due to repeated vandalism
2024-10-26 | Catholic churches of St. Mauritius in Kippenheim and St. Leopold in Mahlberg (Baden-Württemberg) have been closed temporarily closed after multiple incidents of vandalism. The parish reports that the interiors of both churches were defiled with cigarette butts, soot, and wax from candles, some of which were partially burned and left behind.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8928
Satanist tags on three churches
2024-10-26 | On the night of 26 October, three churches in Ternopol, Ukraine, were covered with Satanist tags, most of which read "666".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8934
Vandals burn church doors
2024-10-25 | Unknown assailants have burned the outer door to the Sanctuary of San Miguel de Aralar, after painting a Star of David and the word "Jude" on the door.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8894
Two churches attacked and desecrated in northern France
2024-10-24 | On the same day, two nearby churches in the Pas-de-Calais were robbed and vandalised. At the Saint-Saturnine church of Sains-lès-Marquion, the tabernacle was broken open, the chalice stolen and the consecrated hosts thrown to the ground. Both incidents are being investigated by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9331
Religious statues vandalised
2024-10-23 | Unknown persons have damaged figures of St Bernadette and St Mary in front of the church in Venningen on October 23. A hand was cut off and the heads damaged. The figures are part of an implied Lourdes grotto next to the car park in front of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8903
Minor sets fire to three churches in Bavaria
2024-10-22 | On Ocotber 21 and 22, a chapel and a church in Bavaria were set on fire. The police suspects arson as the cause of the fire. Nobody was injured, but the damage caused is extensive.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8887
"Ave Satan" painted on Church
2024-10-22 | On the night of October 22-23, the inscription "Ave Satan" was painted on the historic wall of the Holy Trinity Church in Kwidzyn. A 44-year-old man, known to local police for other crimes, was detained. However, he did not admit guilt.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8899
Nativity scene set on fire at the Baptist church in Lechlade
2024-10-22 | Between 10pm and 10.30pm on Tuesday 22 October, a shed at Lechlade Baptist Church in Sherbourne Street was set alight. The fire destroyed a Christmas display and caused damage to nearby benches and plants. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9337
Tabernacle damaged and sacristy ransacked in Hambach church
2024-10-21 | Unknown perpetrators broke into St. James Catholic Church in Hambach, damaged the tabernacle and broke off the wooden panelling. They also ransacked the sacristy. Only one music box is missing, but extensive damage has been caused to the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8882
Man went on the rampage in Helfe church
2024-10-20 | A previously unknown man went on the rampage in a church in Helfe on 20 October 2024 - knocked a vase off the table and thrown burning candles on the floor. Witnesses alerted the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8871
Theft and desecration of consecrated hosts
2024-10-20 | On 20 October, someone broke into the church of Saint-Nicolas de Montigny and stole the chalice containing the consecrated host. Other consecrated hosts were scattered on the floor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8974
Theft of consecrated hosts
2024-10-19 | On the night of October 19, the church of Saint-Éloi Matigny in Somme was fractured and desecrated, the cup that contains the hosts has been stolen from the tabernacle.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8935
Vandals draw swastika on church pew
2024-10-17 | On 17 October, unknown persons knocked over candles and threw leaflets in the church of St Stephan in Kissing. A swastika was also drawn on a pew with candle wax.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8873
BRITISH COURT CONDEMNS ARMY VETERAN FOR PRAYING IN HIS THOUGHTS
2024-10-16 | Adam Smith-Connor has been found guilty of praying silently in an abortion 'buffer zone'. The controversial decision confirms serious restrictions on freedom of religion and even thought UK 'buffer zone' legislation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9214
Removal of Cross in Spain Sparks Debate
2024-10-16 | In October 2024, a memorial cross in Neda was removed under Spain’s 'Law of Democratic Memory', which mandates the elimination of symbols linked to Francoism. While the law requires the removal of plaques, some municipalities are dismantling entire crosses—despite a recent court ruling that such removals are unjustified when the crosses no longer bear political meaning.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9346
France: 14 churches burned in 10 months
2024-10-15 | Between January and October 2024, the French Religious Heritage Observatory recorded 14 deliberate arson attacks on French churches. This figure is much higher than in 2023. In response to this situation, proposed legislation and surveillance systems are being considered.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8837
Repeated vandalism and desecration in Lot churches
2024-10-13 | In the Lot region, three churches have been vandalised in recent weeks. The most recent incident occurred at the Saint-Pierre church in Bagnac-sur-Célé on 13 October, when it was seriously desecrated. The Blessed Sacrament was stolen. A statue inside the church was also deliberately overturned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8836
Statue beheaded and replaced with Nazi photos
2024-10-12 | On 27 September, in Witaszyce, an unknown person cut off the head of the statue of Mary in a forest shrine. On October 12, five photos of the faces of Nazi soldiers were placed inside the shrine.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8852
250kg mountain cross disappeared
2024-10-12 | The cross in honour of the mountaineers who died on the summit of Udalatx since 1971 has disappeared and its base has been sawn off, with a small saw and a written message mocking the symbol left on the stump. The cross, which was located between the border of Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia, weighed 250 kilos and was ten metres high.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8967
Christian street preacher injured by assailant and arrested by police
2024-10-10 | Christian pastor Dia Moodley was arrested and detained for 13 hours by Avon and Somerset Police after preaching about Christianity and Islam outside Bristol University during Ramadan in March.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8835
UPDATE: Ireland's "buffer zone" law comes into force
2024-10-10 | In October 2024, Ireland implemented a "buffer zone" law that prohibits any conduct that could "influence" abortion decisions within 100 metres of clinics. The law also restricts speech on private property near public areas, raising concerns about restrictions on religious freedom.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9317
Cemetery vandalised in Leon
2024-10-07 | On 7 October, tombs and statues in the cemetery at Soto and Amio in León were smashed to pieces with sledgehammers. Locals found decorations had been overturned and that the vandals had left behind a statue of Mary holding a decapitated child.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9647
Theft and arson attack on a church in Melrand
2024-10-06 | The region of Melrand, France, has witnessed several attacks on Christian sites in recent years. The most recent occurred on 2 October, when unknown assailants stole several items and started a fire inside the church, which was quickly extinguished.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9270
Man arrested for plotting church attack in Bergamo
2024-10-04 | On 4 October, a 22-year-old Egyptian man was arrested in Bergamo for spreading radical Islamist views on the internet and planning to blow up a church in the centre of Bergamo. Investigations revealed that he was planning to attack priests and other Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9269
Church attacked after postings inciting violence against Christians
2024-10-03 | On the morning of 3 October, a group of masked individuals used climbing equipment to scale the balustrade of St Charles Church in Vienna and remove a banner promoting the March for Life. Left-wing extremist groups are suspected of having damaged the property of the Karlskirche over a long period of time and of having verbally abused and threatened the elderly priest.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8717
Church in Metz burglarised and desecrated
2024-10-02 | The church of Sainte-Famille in Metz was broken into and desecrated during the night of 2 October. Unknown perpetrators broke in through large windows, damaged and stole different objects and desecrated the tabernacle.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8854
FSB detains terrorist accomplices preparing attacks on churches in Ingushetia
2024-09-30 | As reported on September 30 by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), the FSB prevented a terrorist attack on churches and law enforcement officers in Ingushetia. One of the targets of the attacks seems to have been the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Sunzha.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8667
Vandalism of the church
2024-09-27 | On 27 September, an act of desecration took place at the church in Međugorje, in the Ibarski Kolašin area, during the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. Sacred icons were destroyed and the church was damaged by bullets.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8654
Vandalism in Rheydt's St Mary's Church
2024-09-27 | On September 27, unknown perpetrators knocked over the baptismal font of holy water, the ornate bronze dome and the font bowl in St Mary's Church in Mönchengladbach. Wax from the candles was scattered all over the church and flowers were thrown into the rubbish bins.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8659
Head of statue of Mary torn off
2024-09-27 | An unknown perpetrator desecrated Cyranowska shrine at Karol Olszewski Square in Mielec, as reported on September 27. According to a witness to the incident, the glass of the chapel's cavity was broken, a statue of Mary was pulled out and its head was torn off.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8669
Teacher Sanctioned for Using Religious Text in Local Heritage Class
2024-09-27 | A French teacher in Carcassonne was reprimanded for using materials on St. Bernadette Soubirous and Lourdes in an Occitan class, allegedly in breach of neutrality laws. Despite arguing that the content reflected regional heritage, a court upheld the sanction in September 2024, ruling that it violated the principles of secularism in public education.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9344
Church in Neunkirchen devestated
2024-09-26 | As reported on September 26, the protestant church in Neunkirchen has been devastated. Vandals tore up hymn books and destroyed the altar Bible and other property. This is the second incident at the Protestant Johanneskirche in Neunkirchen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8660
Church hit by several attempted arsons
2024-09-26 | As reported on 26 September, the church of Miribel les Echelles in Isère - the church of Miribel les Echelles in Isère, which was deliberately damaged by fire last year, has suffered two further arson attacks. It has since been closed to the public while an investigation is carried out into the perpetrators of these repeated acts of vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8936
Two churches in Gravelines vandalised
2024-09-25 | Two churches in Gravelines, near Dunkirk, were vandalised on 25 September. Sacred objects from the shattered tabernacle were found scattered on the ground.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8655
Two churches desecrated in one day in Gravelines
2024-09-25 | On 25 September, the churches of Saint-Willibrord and Saint-Thomas-Becket were vandalised and are now closed. In both churches, the vandals broke the tabernacle and scattered the consecrated hosts, without stealing anything. The parish priest sees this as a clear sign of deliberate desecration.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9271
Excrement Thrown on Strasbourg Churches
2024-09-25 | Two Catholic churches in Strasbourg were defaced with excrement, prompting condemnation and an active police investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10304
Church Facade vandalised
2024-09-24 | The church of Santa Lucia was vandalised. The first 3 letters of Santa Lucia have been torn off. "We discovered the serious sacrilegious act this morning", said the president of the Guild of Masons of Santa Lucia, Franco Spiga, "after untying part of the writing, they threw it to the ground and tore it to pieces".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8644
UPDATE: Controversial Irish Hate Speech Law Dropped
2024-09-22 | After intense debate, the controversial 'hate speech' bill in Ireland was dropped in September 2024. The proposed legislation was seen as too vague and a serious threat to free speech.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9258
St. Luc Church in Brest Desecrated: Tabernacle set on Fire
2024-09-21 | On Saturday 21 September 2024, a serious act of vandalism took place in the chapel of Saint-Luc church in Brest. The tabernacle on the altar was smashed and then set on fire. As a result, the church will remain closed to the public until 2 October.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8623
Repeated vandalism and smearing of church
2024-09-20 | On the night of 20 September, the façade of the Church of Santo Stefano was defaced with graffiti. The slogans included an anarchist symbol. The church had only reopened a few days earlier following previous incidents of graffiti and vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8542
Repeated vandalism at Chester church
2024-09-20 | Repeated incidents of vandalism at the 700-year-old St Peter's Church in Chester have caused the historic stained glass windows to shatter and necessitated extensive repairs subsequently. Now the St Peter’s Church has submitted an application to Cheshire West and Chester Council to fit stainless steel protective guards to six windows.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8548
Suspected Arson at Coptic Orthodox Church in Bristol
2024-09-20 | A man has been arrested in connection with a fire in a church courtyard. The blaze broke out at St Marina Coptic Orthodox Church, Bristol in early morning on September 20.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8589
Valuable religious artefacts stolen from church
2024-09-19 | Unknown perpetrators broke into the church in Vallset and stole valuable religious artefacts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8807
Church facade and cemetery wall vandalised with paintball
2024-09-18 | A recently renovated church in the community of Wernberg, Austria, was vandalised with paintball bullets. The facade, cemetery wall and forecourt of the church were smeared with a brownish substance. The parish has published pictures showing numerous brown dots.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8546
Church in Wijchen targeted with theft, arson and vandalism
2024-09-15 | On 15 September, two statues of Mary were badly damaged and personal belongings and devotional objects were set on fire in the St Anthony Abbot Church in Wijchen, Gelderland, both in the Marian Chapel and in the nearby Lourdes Grotto.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8532
Fire at Parish of Migliarina
2024-09-14 | On 14 September, the oratory of Migliarina church in Viareggio caught fire. The police suspect arson. The interior of the building was completely destroyed. According to the parish priest, young boys were in the oratory when the fire broke out and had to be evacuated by the fire brigade.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8516
Church vandalised with nationalistic graffiti
2024-09-14 | The facade of the sanctuary of Our Lady of Entrustment in Tarnowiec was painted with blue spray with vulgar inscriptions and symbols associated with nationalistic ideologies.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8520
Altar of Bissendorf church smeared with pentagrams
2024-09-14 | On the night of 14 September, unknown persons smeared inscriptions in the form of pentagrams on the altar, pulpit and doors of St Michael's Church in Bissendorf. They also stole a plate with a chalice and a small figure of an angel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8525
Objects in church damaged with fire
2024-09-13 | On 13 September, unknown perpetrators set fire to and damaged several objects in the church of St John the Baptist. They also tried to open the collection box.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8515
Church in Mill vandalised with fire
2024-09-13 | On 13 September, unknown persons entered the Willibrordus church in Mill, the Netherlands, and set fire to the candle stand by putting paper on the candles, causing a thick layer of candle wax on the floor and leaving the church covered in soot particles.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8521
UPDATE: Deselected Christian candidate sues LibDems for religious discrimination
2024-09-13 | David Campanale, who was deselected as a candidate because of his Christian worldview, is now suing the party for discriminating against him because of his protected religious beliefs. In their defence, the LibDems have reinforced the claim that some Christian beliefs are incompatible with the party's current values.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9217
Two churches vandalised in Lancaster area
2024-09-12 | The Lancaster Police identified two juveniles allegedly involved in the burglary and vandalism of two area churches on September 12.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8508
San Fernando Cemetery Vandalised
2024-09-10 | On 10 September, the San Fernando cemetery in Seville was the scene of vandalism. More than 60 graves were damaged during the night, with crosses and gravestones overturned and even some coffins damaged. Nothing was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8504
Vandals destroy church altar
2024-09-09 | On September 9, the altar of St Mary in the Catholic parish of St. Peter and Paul in Grevenbroich, Germany, was overturned and smashed to pieces. The front part of the church remains closed due to the severe damage caused by the vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8513
Polish cemetery destroyed
2024-09-08 | As reorted on September 8, unknown perpetrators desecrated the memorial site of the victims of Stalinist repressions in the Vitebsk region. This is another case of desecration of Polish memorial sites in Belarus.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8501
Burglars wreak havoc in church in Skara
2024-09-08 | Over the weekend of 7-8 September, unknown assailants broke into the Skånings-Åsaka church in Skara. They smashed the doors, windows and safe. The church's pastor says: "It's a real mess". The whole sacristy was turned upside down.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8503
Man insults faithful during mass
2024-09-08 | On Sunday September 8, a 40-year-old man entered the church in Tarnobrzeg during mass on a bicycle. According to witnesses, he rode several laps in front of the altar while shouting vulgarities in English and making offensive gestures.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8509
Muslim Politician uses Christian images for shooting exercise
2024-09-07 | The Zurich municipal councillor and Bosnian Muslim, Sanija Ameti, published photos of herself using a reproduction of a an image of Mary and Jesus as target practice at a shooting exercise on Instagram on September 7. The pierced heads of Mary and the baby Jesus could be seen on the picture.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8491
Statue of Mary vandalised
2024-09-07 | On September 7, the Statue of Mary at the parish cemetery of St. Bartholomew in Goraj was doused with oil. The attack caused sadness among local parishioners.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8507
Arson Attempt: Marian chapel in Gennep targeted for the third time
2024-09-07 | On September 7, the Mariakapel at the Touwslagersgroes in Gennep, North Limburg, was the target of vandals for the third time in a short period of time.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8533
Bomb threat against Kosice Cathedral
2024-09-06 | A bomb threat was sent by email to the Cathedral of St. Elisabeth in Kosice, Slovakia. It was claimed that explosives were hidden in the premises. Consequently, the church had to be evacuated and was searched by security forces.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8488
Man throws knife at woman and vandalises Sacré-Cœur church in Nice
2024-09-06 | The police arrested a man for defacing the Sacré-Cœur church in Nice on September 6. He smashed several statues and threw a knife at a woman.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8490
Ukrainian Orthodox Church badly damaged in arson attack
2024-09-04 | On the evening of 4 September, the Pokrovsky Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the village of Zeremlya, Zhytomyr region, caught fire. Police are investigating arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8492
Parish house ransacked and sacred objects stolen
2024-09-03 | On the night of September 3, unknown perpetrators broke into the parish house of Corneliastrasse in Unkel through a window and ransacked the premises. They also stole sacred objects from the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8478
Church in Merat targeted with fire and theft
2024-09-03 | On September 3, an attempted theft was noticed at the church of San Giorgio di Pagnano. This is the third time that the church has been targeted within a few months: At the end of May, a wooden candle box was set on fire inside the church. The priest was able to extinguish the fire before it could spread much further. A few weeks later, parcels for the members of the Bezece event disappeared.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8479
Shrine in Otwock vandalised
2024-09-03 | On September 3, unknown vandals destroyed the shrine of "Our Lady of the Immaculate". The shrine was renovated 3 years ago by local people.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8483
Arson Attack on the Immaculate Conception Church in Saint-Omer
2024-09-02 | On the night of 1-2 September, a 39-year-old man set fire to the sacristy of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Saint-Omer. The flames then spread to the naves and then to the whole church. The bell tower and the roof were completely destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8450
Arson Attack on Church of England in Greenisland
2024-09-01 | A large fire broke out on Sunday, 1 September at the Parish Church of the Holy Name in Greenisland, Northern Ireland. Police are treating the fire as arson. To local parish community is shocked by the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8454
Fire set to church in Mazara
2024-09-01 | In the night between September 1 and 2, unknown persons set the fire to the side door of the "Church of the Miracle" which is located in Via Casa Santa, in Mazara. The attack is a worrying sign of the continuation of criminal acts in the town.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8469
Muslim woman enters church and threatens pastor: 'I am here to kill the God of the Jews'
2024-09-01 | On September 1, a Muslim woman entered the evangelical Angel Church in Islington, London, screaming 'Allahu Akbar' and that she was 'here to kill the God of the Jews’. She became more aggressive after she was asked to leave the building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8496
Severe damage caused in church theft
2024-08-30 | On Friday 30 August, unknown persons broke into the sacristy by smashing the glass of one of the two entrance doors to the church in Mercatale di Vernio, Italy. Four chalices and three pyxes worth over 3000 euros were stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8458
Two church arson attacks in St Johnston
2024-08-28 | A 27-year-old man has been charged with a series of alleged arson attacks in St Johnston on 28 August. He is accused of attempting to set fire to three religious buildings, namely the Irish Catholic St Baithins Church, the Protestant Orange Hall and a local Masonic Hall.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8461
Church smeared with hateful graffiti
2024-08-27 | Heggen Church in Buskerud was vandalised. The church is located in Vikersund, where there has been a very tense atmosphere in the last two weeks after a serious incident of violence in the village.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8804
Arson attack on Emmendingen church
2024-08-26 | On 26 August, unknown persons attempted to set fire to the side door of the Lutheran church in Emmendingen. The lower part of the wooden door was damaged. The total damage is estimated at around €3,000.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8415
Arsonists Set Pilgrimage Church Altar on Fire
2024-08-25 | In the night of August 24 to 25, unknown perpetrators tried to set fire to a pilgrim church in Dorschhausen, Bad Wörishofen. They also tried to set fire to the tablecloth on the altar, causing severe damage of several thousand euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8417
Ukraine bans Ukrainian Orthodox Church
2024-08-24 | Ukrainian lawmakers have approved a bill banning the Russian Orthodox Church. The text targets the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) of the Moscow Patriarchate and has raised concerns about the safeguarding of religious freedom in Ukraine. The law requires the UOC to cut all ties with the Russian Orthodox Church or face a process that would lead to its dissolution.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8369
Facade of San Sebastiano targeted by vandals
2024-08-24 | In late August 2024, the façade of the Church of San Sebastiano in Vignanello (province of Viterbo) was vandalised, causing damage to the plasterwork, entrance door, and adjacent oratory gate. The desecration of this 17th-century place of worship has provoked strong reactions from local residents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8408
Several church windows smashed
2024-08-24 | Several church windows at Friedrich-Ebert-Staße were smashed with stones by unknown persons. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8416
Desecration of Greek Orthodox Cemetery
2024-08-24 | On August 24, staff at the Agios Eleftherios cemetery in Istanbul found that the barbed wire fence around the cemetery had been cut, gravestones desecrated, holes dug and the cemetery's guard dogs sedated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8419
IS claims Knife-Stabbing in Solingen was an Attack Against Christians
2024-08-23 | On 23 August 2024, a 26-year-old Syrian man attacked several people at a city festival in Solingen. IS claimed authorship of the attack and announced via Amaq (IS news agency) that it was "directed against Christians." The attack left three people dead and eight wounded.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8407
Vandals Destroy Easter Candle and Smear Altar
2024-08-23 | Between 20 and 28 August 2024, unknown persons entered the Höchheim church and damaged the Easter candle.
They also scribbled on the white altar ceiling with a burnt-out candle cloth. The damage is estimated at around 200 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8424
Serina cemetery: Church and chapels vandalised
2024-08-22 | During the night of 21-22 August, unknown perpetrators ransacked the church of the Sirena cemetery and vandalised up to 5 private chapels on the cemetery of Serina, Bergamo. Pews, religious objects, flower pots, candles and glass were strewn about and partly destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8404
Churches in Switzerland facing a series of break-ins
2024-08-22 | In August 2024, thieves broke into several churches in Frick and stole valuable church ornaments: silver-plated candlesticks. In Wegenstetten, a crucifix was stolen. In Zeiningen, various gold-plated jewels were stolen. The losses were estimated at several tens of thousands of francs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8409
Vandalism Leaves Church in Bra Devastated
2024-08-20 | Serious damage inside the Church of the Assumption in Bra on August 20 has caused deep concern. Unknown persons broke into the building and destroyed the furnishings and furniture. The altarpiece depicting the Assumption of the Mary was damaged with numerous holes, the face of the statue of Mary was smeared with black paint, crucifixes were broken and damaged, the curtain of the canopy over the altar was torn, and the marble and tiles were removed from the floor under the miniature of the Lourdes grotto.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8426
Church Desecrated and Robbed
2024-08-20 | As reported on August 22, unknown perpetrators desecrated the church of Samartín de Güerces and stole objects of great religious and historical value: a chalice, a monstrance; lanterns, crosses and even lamps.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8428
Theft of religious objects and cemetery vandalism
2024-08-20 | In August, someone stole money, keys and the personal belongings, including devotional objects, of a canon from the archpriest at the church of Saints Simon and Jude in Cartigliano. Earlier that month, someone destroyed flowers and vases on several graves in the town's cemetery.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8590
Man stabs Ludlow church door
2024-08-20 | An act of vandalism at the Cathedral of Life church in Ludlow was recorded by police on 20 August. Pastor Cutts said a man had been sitting on the steps of the church, then got up, pulled out a knife and started stabbing the church door. Damage was found on the outside of the door. Ludlow police said the man had been arrested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9155
Virgin of the Star Statue Destroyed and Arson Attempted at Ribatajada Hermitage
2024-08-20 | Vandals shattered a historic statue and tried to set fire to the altar of the Virgen de la Estrella hermitage in Ribatajada, prompting outrage and investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10290
Payout for Christian woman who was fined for silent prayer, but government planing new restrictions
2024-08-19 | A Christian charity volunteer has received a £13,000 payout and an apology from police after claiming her arrest for silently praying outside an abortion clinic was unjust and violated her human rights. While many see this as a victory for religious freedom, the new UK government is planning to introduce national legislation banning prayer outside abortion clinics.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8371
"Allahu Akabar" smeared on Church in Haiger
2024-08-19 | Unknown vandals have smeared the walls of the city church in Haiger. According to police, "Allahu Akbar" was written on the walls.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8411
Bishop's ceremonial chair stolen
2024-08-19 | An ornate historic oak bishop's chair, 100 years old and worth £500, has been stolen from the 13th-century All Saints' Church in Ashwicken between August 19- 23.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8480
Church of Madonna di Portadini vandalised
2024-08-17 | Vandals broke into a local church in Alatri, Italy, and turned it upside down.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8364
Lutheran church in Greiz pelted with stones
2024-08-17 | Unknown persons threw stones at the Lutheran Church in Greiz. The incident is said to have taken place between 10 and 17 August. Lead glass windows were hit and damaged. The police are searching for the perpetrators. The loss is estimate at €4,000.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8367
Vandals wreak havoc in Montecilfone church
2024-08-17 | On the night from August 16 to 17, unknown persons destroyed a statue of Mary and other sacred objects in a chapel of a retirement home in Montecilfone.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8379
Priest stabbed on the street in Ireland
2024-08-16 | On August 16, in the morning an attacker brutally stabbed Fr. Paul Murphy from Waterford on his way to the Defence Force barracks in Galway, where he works as an army chaplain. Soldiers from the barracks had to open fire on the attacker. The priest is now in a serious condition.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8361
Chalices stolen from two churches
2024-08-16 | Two churches in the Lot département suffered thefts of sacred objects on August 16 and 17, in Saint-Jean de Laure and Concots. These are the 4th and 5th thefts since the start of the year 2023 - and the 15th and 16th since the series of thefts began previous year.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8713
Stone cross destroyed by vandals on Christian Feast Day
2024-08-15 | On the night of 15 August (the Catholic Feast Day of the Assumption Mary), vandals destroyed an important stone cross in Tréport, France. The stone cross is more than 400 years old and was declared a historical monument in 1913.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8374
Vandalism at Kassel Church causes extensive damage
2024-08-15 | A safety-glass extension that served as a side entrance to the church was destroyed. Police are searching for the unknown perpetrators. Between the evening of 15 August and the morning of 16 August 2024, unknown perpetrators caused an estimated €8,000 in damage to St Martin’s Church in Kassel. The vandals deliberately shattered a 2 x 3 metre safety-glass panel at a side entrance to the church, likely using a pointed object.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8406
Two churches closed due to increased vandalism
2024-08-14 | Due to repeated acts of vandalism, two churches in Bodenfelde and Uslar have had to close their doors outside of worship hours. The churches have been the target of various attacks, including broken windows, arson and an altar being defaced with swastika graffiti.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8385
Repeated Vandalism at Bertesina Church
2024-08-12 | In August 2024, unknown vandals damaged the Church of Bertesina (Vicenza) by smashing several high-set stained glass windows, likely by throwing stones. The attack was reported in the parish bulletin and occurred shortly after the church had completed the restoration of statues above the main entrance—an effort that had cost €3,500.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8357
Terrorist attack had Church as Primary Target
2024-08-12 | In early 2025, an 18-year-old man was arrested in Eskişehir, Turkey, after carrying out a stabbing attack that injured five people in a local café. According to Turkish media outlet T24, the suspect had initially planned a terrorist attack on a nearby church but changed his target at the last minute, opting instead to attack civilians in a coffeehouse.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8402
Parishioners Shocked after Vandals Smash Statue
2024-08-07 | A statue of Mary outside St Joseph Church in Wembley in the Diocese of Westminster, was smashed into pieces in the night of August 7, leaving behind the empty plinth. The parishioners are shocked. Police presence around the church will be reinforced.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8344
Young man records anti-Christian video inside church
2024-08-06 | A young Muslim man posted a video in Arabic on TikTok that he had recorded in a church in Milan. In the video, he asked an elderly woman if she was a Christian, then wished her death and cursed another woman in the same church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8522
Repeated Cross Vandalism: Figure of Jesus Cut into Pieces
2024-08-05 | On August 5, a cross in the fields of the Polish village Kościuki was vandalised again, following two previous incidents. This time, the vandals also cut up the figure of Jesus, which was attached to the cross, and threw the pieces in the bushes. The local community is shocked about the anti-religious hatred displayed by the act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8334
Theft of consecrated hosts in Porto Recanati
2024-08-05 | On the evening of August 5, unknown persons entered the church of the Most Precious Blood in Porto Recanati and, after forcing the tabernacle, took the hosts that had already been consecrated and were kept inside. During their escape, the thieves abandoned a chalice on the street. The parish priest alerted the police. Nothing else was stolen from the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8339
Christian Activists unlawfully arrested in Paris
2024-08-05 | On August 5, Parisian police arrested six Christians who were on a bus labelled with “Stop attacks on Christians” driving around Paris to bring attention to the Last Supper parody at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony and its anti-Christian message.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8342
French Church vandalised: Tabernacle set on fire
2024-08-04 | In the church of Saint-Pierre in Lège-Cap-Ferret, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the tabernacle was set on fire during the night of August 4. Furthermore, religious materials were smashed on the ground. The church will remain closed during the restoration. The police have started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8327
Pastor attacked while praying for protestors
2024-08-04 | A member of the Baptist church in Middlesborough was attacked by far-right protesters as he prayed alongside a rally on 4 August.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8832
Man sets fire to door of Birštonas church
2024-08-03 | A 22-year-old man poured flammable liquid on the door of the church on the night of 4 August, set fire to it and smashed the glass above the main entrance door with a stone.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8329
Immaculate Conception Statue Destroyed
2024-08-03 | A statue of the Immaculate Conception was found shattered outside a school in Los Palacios just hours before the town’s major religious celebration.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10289
Concerns over Application of French "Abuse of Weakness" Law
2024-08-01 | The trial for “abuse of weakness” of the Catholic Missionary Family of Notre-Dame (FMND) raises concerns about the application of the recently amended French “anti-cult” law. At the trail, the experts solicited by the investigators presented some of basic principles of religious communities, such as the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, or silence and parts of the Catholic catechism, as “means of submission”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8280
Elderly woman attacked and robbed while praying in church
2024-08-01 | On August 1, a 40-year-old man violently pushed an elderly woman who was praying in St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church to the ground, kicked her and took her bag. As a result of the attack, the woman suffered a laceration to her head and was taken to hospital where she was stitched up.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8343
Rengsdorf church vandalised with stones
2024-08-01 | As reported in September 2024, the Catholic Church of St Kastor in Rengsdorf, Rhineland-Palatinate, was again the target of vandalism in early August. In a recent incident, unknown persons threw stones at the church, breaking three large stained glass windows facing the street. A window to the sacristy and a display case were also damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8486
"Distressing" vandalism to church roof
2024-08-01 | The Church of the Holy Trinity and All Saints in Winterton has been badly damaged in what the parish has described as a "disturbing" case of vandalism. Vandals climbed onto the roof and removed parts of it, leaving the stones beside the church. Some services had to be disrupted because of the damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8653
Desecration in Lege
2024-08-01 | This summer in Lège, a parish was desecrated. The tabernacle was broken and the Blessed Sacrament was targeted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9080
Mayor Break-In Causes Severe Damage to Church
2024-07-31 | On July 31, three men broke into a church in Szydłów and caused €700 worth of damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8330
Religious statue beheaded inside Scalini church
2024-07-31 | On July 31, vandals partially forced open the front and outer doors of the sacristy of the church of Scalini, a hamlet of Arsiero, destroyed a plaster statue of St. Anthony holding the Infant Jesus, decapitated both figures, threw furniture on the ground, attempted break into the donation box, broke a stained glass window in the apse, and tore down a microphone.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8337
19 Cemeteries vandalised: Crosses broken off and stolen
2024-07-31 | Between May and July, a gang stole crucifixes and images from 19 cemeteries in the province of Toledo. Those responsible have been arrested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9644
NI Court Prosecutes Man and Woman for Praying in Coleraine "Buffer Zone"
2024-07-30 | In Northern Ireland, a court is set to rule on the case of a woman and a man who were arrested for praying inside an abortion "buffer zone" in October 2023. If found guilty in the current hearing, the woman who pleaded not guilty faces up to six months in prison. The police arrested them without any prior complaints about their presence on the street.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8328
Theft and vandalism in Sant'Antonio Abate
2024-07-30 | On the night of July 30, four young people broke into the Sant'Antonio Abate Church in Incisa Scapaccino, Asti. They broke into the entrance door, destroyed the cribs and sacred furniture, smeared the walls with spray cans and damaged the sound system for the services.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8352
Vandals cut off hands and destroy face of statue
2024-07-28 | On the night of 27-28 July, vandals severely damaged a statue of Mary located at the entrance to the village of Kościuk. The statue's hands were cut off, a hole was punched in its head, its eyes were gouged out and its face destroyed. This was not the first act of vandalism against a religious object in the region.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8332
Arson Suspected Delmenhorst Church: Confessional on Fire
2024-07-26 | On 25 July 2024, a fire was discovered inside the Church of All Saints in Delmenhorst, which the parish priest suspects to be a deliberate act of arson. The fire caused damage in the confessional and forced the temporary closure of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8391
UPDATE: Christian teacher loses High Court appeal after being banned for ‘misgendering’
2024-07-25 | Joshua Sutcliffe, a Christian maths teacher, lost his High Court appeal case after being banned from teaching for "misgendering" a pupil. The judge said that “just because misgendering a transgender pupil might not be unlawful does not mean that it is appropriate conduct for a teacher.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8299
SCOTLAND: MOST EXTREME BUFFER ZONE LAW COMES INTO FORCE
2024-07-25 | On 22 July 2024, Scotland's highly restrictive abortion 'buffer zone' law came into force, creating a 200-metre zone around abortion facilities where it will be an offence to 'influence' the decision of anyone entering the facility. Offences include acts committed on private property if the act “is capable of being seen or heard by another person who is within the safe access zone“.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9209
Vandalism in a historic altar in the St. Andreas Church in Offenburg.
2024-07-24 | On 24 July, a 57-year-old man knocked over a historic altar in the Catholic St Andrew's Church on Fischmarkt. The damage is estimated at tens of thousands of euros. Investigators are still trying to establish the background to the crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8300
New Survey finds Christians in Scotland under pressure
2024-07-23 | According to an opinion poll by the think tank “Logos” published in The Herald on July 23, Christians in Scotland feel “excluded”. More than 70% feel the Scottish Government does not support them and 75% were concerned about abuse against Christian politicians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8282
Teenagers Mocked Catholicism Inside a Church
2024-07-22 | A group of teenagers entered a Catholic Church, disturbed the mass by mocking parts of the liturgy and yelling inside the church, and made fun of hosts, which are sacred objects for Catholics. They recorded everything and uploaded it to social media.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10288
Church of Saint-Paul in Orne defaced with satanic graffiti
2024-07-21 | In the night of Saturday, July 20 to Sunday, July 21, vandals defaced the façade of the church of Saint-Paul in Orne, France, with satanist graffiti. The tags included inverted crosses, pentagrams, and writings such as ‘False God’, ‘Liar’, and the number ‘666’, symbolising the devil. The statues on the façade were also sprayed with red paint, adding to the seriousness of the damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8281
Woman threatens priest with a cutter during mass
2024-07-21 | On Sunday, July 21, a 46-year-old woman was arrested in Tudela, Navarra, after threatening the priest who was officiating the Sunday mass and the congregation with a cutter. According to the Municipal Police of Tudela, the woman not only threatened with the cutter, but also broke the glass of the entrance door of the church by throwing a stone. This act of vandalism increased the level of alarm among those present, who quickly called the authorities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8283
Repeated vandalism Serres church
2024-07-20 | On Saturday, July 20, unknown vandals desecrated the Agios Georgios church in Kato Mitrousi, Serres. The walls, door, windows and the image of Saint George at the gate of the church were desecrated with mud and coffee.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8290
Desecration of the Icon at Tomb of Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte
2024-07-20 | On July 20, an unknown perpetrator desecrated the icon of the Resurrection of Christ on the tomb of the late Bulgarian Patriarch and Sofia Metropolitan Neophyte. Pictures of the icon show severe damages.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8293
Vandalism at St Mary's Church and cemetery in Baldock
2024-07-19 | On 19 July, St Mary's Church and Cemetery in Baldock was vandalised by an unknown offender, with the Rector, Rev Phillipa Maddox, reporting that 'all the windows and doors' of the church hall had been smashed. Several gravestones in the churchyard were also damaged. Police are searching for the culprits.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8310
Damaged of Memorial lamp at the church in Delbrück-Westenholz
2024-07-16 | Between June 28 and July 16, unknown persons destroyed the window of the memorial lamp for the dead in the shadow of the church tower of St Joseph in Delbrück-Westenholz. The parish assumes the destruction was willful and has filed a complaint with the police. This is not the first incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8314
Daughter Taken Away After Parents Object to Puberty Blockers
2024-07-15 | A Swiss couple is taking legal action after their 16-year-old daughter was taken away from the parents and put into a government shelter due to the parents' objection to the daughter's "gender transitioning". The parents also said that doctors have been trying to administer puberty blockers to their daughter without their consent. The case has sent shockwaves around the world and raises severe concerns over the protection of parental rights, including for Christians objecting to the transitioning of their children.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8269
Islamic tags and vandalism in Parisian Notre-Dame-du-Travail Church
2024-07-15 | Between Sunday, July 14 and Monday, July 15, vandals broke into the Parisian Notre-Dame-du-Travail Church, vandalised the building and left a number of Islamic anti-Christian graffiti, like "Submit yourselves to Allah infidels" and a knife planted in the throat of a statue of Mary.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8270
Historic Cross Destroyed on Medieval Bridge in Le Monastère
2024-07-14 | A centuries-old Christian cross atop a bridge in Le Monastère, France, was broken by an unidentified vandal.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10302
Thieves behead Statue of Jesus and Steal Money from Shrine
2024-07-13 | On Saturday, July 13, unknown perpetrators broke into the sanctuary of the Madonna della Grotta, stole over 500 euro and beheaded the statue of the infant Jesus.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8267
Repeated Arson Attack on St. Benedikt church in Eisenharz
2024-07-13 | On July 13, fire was set to the church of St. Benedikt in the Allgäu community of Argenbühl-Eisenharz (close to Isny, Ravensburg district). This is already the second arson attack on the church this year. When the fire brigade arrived three pews were burning brightly, but the fire brigade was able to extinguish the fire quickly. However, according to initial estimates by the Catholic parish, severe damage was caused. The church is completely covered in soot.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8319
Young Christians attacked on Lake Constance while preaching
2024-07-12 | On Wednesday afternoon, July 12, a group of young Christians aged between 16 and 23 were attacked on Lake Constance while they were reading bible verses over a megaphone on a rental boat.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8263
Damage church window in Marktstrasse
2024-07-11 | Between July 7th and 11th, unknown persons damaged a window pane at the church in Marktstrasse. The window was apparently wilfully smashed. A witness noticed the damage, estimated at 300 euros, and called the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8273
Man drives a truck into Austrian free church
2024-07-08 | On Monday evening, July 8, a man drove a truck into the Pentecostal Elim Church in Brunn am Gebirge, Austria. According to the police, this was a deliberate attack. The man confessed that he had acted out of anger, the perpetrator, however, is not known to the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8250
Outdoor Cross Vandalised with Graffiti
2024-07-05 | The legal group "Abogados Cristianos" announced they may pursue legal action after the Ribalta cross in Castellón was attacked again.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10287
Vandalism in the First Parish Unitarian Church
2024-07-04 | On 4 July, a 43-year-old man vandalised a church in Kingston, causing damage estimated at hundreds of thousands of dollars. Police subsequently arrested the man without bail.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8313
"Death to Jews and Christians" graffiti in Croissy-sur-Seine
2024-07-03 | On July 3 at around 11 am, the police discovered anti-police, anti-Semitic and anti-Christian tags in Croissy-sur-Seine (Yvelines, west of Paris). The writings were found on the wall of the Canotiers' underground car park. According to the news, the following slogans are written in metre-high letters: "ACAB", "FLIC = TUEUR", "FREE PALESTINE", and "À MORT LES JUIFS ET LES CHRÉTIENS", inciting to killing police, Jews and Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8248
Act of Vandalism in the church of Markgröningen
2024-07-01 | On Monday, July 1, unknown persons damaged the glass elements of a church window in Markgroeningen (Ludwigsburg district). A witness heard loud glass noises on Monday. According to a statement today, the damage is estimated at around 1,000 euros. An artistically designed window panel was destroyed at the same church in May.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8245
The window of the Church of St. Paul's in Neuötting was damaged with apples
2024-07-01 | Between Friday evening and Monday morning, a previously unknown perpetrator smashed a window pane of St Paul's Abbey Church in Neuötting with apples. "The perpetrator must have entered the garden belonging to the church grounds to do this, as the church was locked at the time," says the police report.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8246
Profanation of a statue of Mary in Żary
2024-06-30 | On the night of June 29 to June 30, an unknown perpetrator damaged both hands of a statue of the Mary, which is located on Zielona Góra Street in Żary. The police are investigating the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8247
Tear gas attack during evangelical church service
2024-06-30 | On Sunday, June 30, a disturbing event shook took place during a church service in Dijon. During the Seventh-Day Adventist Sunday service, which assembled about a hundred faithful at around 11:00 a.m., an unidentified individual entered the building and sprayed the assembly with tear gas. This unexpected attack caused panic and dismay among the participants, nine of whom were injured.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8251
Vandalism of Saint Nizier Church During a Far-Left Protest
2024-06-30 | Several graffitied slogans appeared on the facade of Saint Nizier church in Lyon during a large antifa protest.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10303
Minors set on fire the church hall in Wishaw
2024-06-28 | On June 28, three minors set on fire the church hall in Wishaw. However, firefighters were called immediately, and they managed to extinguish the fire. The parish community is shaken by the incident and the local Bishop expressed his shock.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8321
Secular Belgian court fines Catholic prelates for denying a woman access to deacon training
2024-06-27 | Belgian prelates Archbishop Luc Terlinden of Mechelen-Brussels and former archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels Cardinal Jozef De Kesel were convicted by a Belgian court after they denied a woman entry into a diaconate formation program and ordered to pay compensation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8252
Arson at Methodist church in Doncaster
2024-06-26 | As reported on 26th June, 100 year old Rossington Methodist church in Doncaster has been destroyed due to fire. It is believed to be an arson attack. The church was added to the Local Heritage List last year. It has been closed for worship since 2019.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8228
Consecrated Host Theft
2024-06-26 | Intruders broke into the Sant Oleguer parish church, opened the tabernacle, and stole consecrated hosts in a targeted act of sacrilege.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10286
Statue of Virgin Mary vandalised in Łańcut
2024-06-24 | On June 24, 2024, in Łańcut, a twenty-seven-year-old man devastated a roadside chapel and smashed a statue of Virgin Mary. The man was already arrested by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9289
Attack on Orthodox churches and synagogues in Dagestan
2024-06-23 | On June 23, militant gunmen attacked two churches and two synagogues in Russia’s North Caucasus republic Debrent. While numbers vary with sources, at least 25 people have been killed, including 4 civilians, 19 police officers and one priest, Father Nikolai Kotelnikov, and at least 46 people have been injured. The Church of Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, an Orthodox Church in Derbent, was also set on fire. It was the Pentecost Sunday for the Russian Orthodox Church. The Islamic terrorists allegedly screamed “Allahu Akbar”. These attacks against Christians and Jews happened in the Muslim-predominant Dagestan region of South Russia, bordering Georgia and Azerbaijan.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8200
Attempts to Cancel Faith Conference in Munich
2024-06-23 | From June 20 to 23 the Christian ecumenical conference UNUM24 took place in Munich. Despite the fact that it was a prayer meeting, focussing on common worship and faith, and the organisers highlighted that it was "not a platform for political or social disputes", demonstrations by LGBTIQ activists demanded the cancellation of the event as the Christians participating in the event were assumed to be "anti-LGBTIQ rights". The Third Mayor of the City of Munich, Verena Dietl, from the Social Democrats, even called the event a meeting of "different fundamentally Christian LGBTIQ* hostile actors" and expressed her regrets that she did not have any legal possibility to prevent the event.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8216
Cemetery vandalised: Perpetrators post video on social media
2024-06-23 | On the night of 23 June, the Spanish fiesta of San Juan, young people destroyed all the niches and some religious images in the Valdoviño cemetery ( La Coruña) by kicking them down. They also smashed statues of saints on tombstones and tore off their heads. They recorded their acts of destruction and abuse, including shouts and insults such as "F*** Jesus Christ", and uploaded the video to social networks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9645
Vandalism in Twistetal
2024-06-22 | Sometime between 20th and 22nd June, an unknown perpetrator threw a stone at a window of a church in Twistetal, 3 metres high, damaging the window. The cost of the damage is around 2500 EUR.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8212
Arson in Windischbergerdorf
2024-06-22 | On June 22, the local priest of St. Michael's Church in Windischbergerdorf noticed a pungent smell inside the church. A wooden stand had been set on fire and the Bible was also covered with soot. Earlier, the priest has noticed 3 children riding away from the church on their bikes. The police believe that the fire was arson. The damage is estimated to be around 300 EUR.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8215
Vandalism in Vilstrup: Organ severely damaged
2024-06-22 | On 22nd June, unknown perpetrators damaged the organ of a church in Vilstrup. The organ is no longer functional and the damage is estimated to be around 100,000 krone. Keys were stuck, and there was a bottle of beer next to it. This is not the first time that an incident had happened in this church. In January, 58 designer chairs worth 174,000 krone were stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8221
Vandalism in Völklingen Church
2024-06-21 | Between June 20 and 21, a window of the Church of Reconciliation on Poststrasse in Völklingen was smashed. The damage is estimated to be around 300 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8222
"Debanking" of Christian pro-life organisations
2024-06-20 | As reported on June 12 by CNE, two Christian pro-life organisations in Sweden and the Netherlands, have experienced "debanking".
Mats Selander, who started the pro-life organisation Center for Bioethical Reform in Sweden (CBR-S) was forced to end his 30 year customer relationship with Scandinavian Bank Nordea. The bank subsequently even closed down his private account. He was not given any explanation besides "not enough customer knowledge", despite having disclosed all his transactions. Salender believes it is due to his pro-life views. With increasing regulations, many banks have been shutting down customers for their beliefs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8178
Evangelical church in Rome refused tax exemption, ECtHR dismisses case
2024-06-20 | As reported on June 20, the Supreme Court of Italy has ruled between Breccia di Roma, an evangelical church, and the Italian tax authorities. The authorities had refused to give the Breccia di Roma Church tax-exemption under Italian law, available to all religious places of worship, on the grounds that its premises lacked the “intrinsic characteristics” of a religious building. The Supreme Court backed the decision by the tax authorities. An appeal at the European Court of Human Rights has been dismissed. The case raises massive concerns about discrimination of evangelical churches in Italy.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8190
Arson in Shakhunya
2024-06-20 | As reported on 20th June, a 38 year old man threw a Molotov cocktail on the wall of a church in Shakhunya. The man was detained. He stated that he was drunk and had a conflict with his mother. He is being tried for arson. However, he did not explain why he decided to attack the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8193
Vandalism of Beauvais Cemetery
2024-06-20 | As reported on June 20, several graves were found vandalised in the Tilloy cemetery in Beauvais. Pots were overthrown, flowers were on the ground, plaques were broken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8230
More than 80 crucifix broken off and stolen from cemetery
2024-06-20 | Figures of Jesus were broken off and stolen from more than 80 crosses in the cemetery of Estremera, Madrid, in the night from 19 to 20 June, leaving behind empty stone crosses. The local community is shocked.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9646
Krakow church defaced with hateful graffiti
2024-06-19 | As reported on June 19, the Church of St. Wojciech in Krakow was vandalised with vulgar graffiti, expressing hatred towards the Catholic church, the Vatican, and accusing the clergy of pedophilia. They also destroyed the facade of the church, where Saint Wojciech once used to preach.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8189
Vandalism: Swastikas Drawn in front of church square
2024-06-19 | As reported on 19th June, residents and parishioners of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Isernia (Molise) reported the appearance of swastikas and other Nazi symbols painted on the pavement in front of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8206
Vandalism at Kettuvaara cemetery
2024-06-19 | As reported on June 19, Vandalism occurred at the Kettuvaara Cemetery in Joensuu. Someone broke into the cemetery's maintenance building, broke lanterns and scattered them on graves and left taps running.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8801
Church in Borna Defaced with satanic graffiti
2024-06-17 | On June 17, a church in Borna was found defaced with graffiti in red paint reading "Satan" and "666" in several places. The church pews, a wall and a table cloth were also damaged with red paint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8179
Repeated Vandalism in Berlin
2024-06-17 | On 16th June, the display case of a church in Prenzlauer Berg district of Berlin was smeared with a Star of David. The following night the display case was broken. The display contained a flyer which was stolen. The flyer read "Our cross has no hook - your vote against right-wing extremism."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8192
Arson attack on church in Nowy Sącz
2024-06-16 | On 16 June, the historic 17th-century Church of St Helena in Nowy Sącz was set on fire. The damage is immense, including the loss of a late Renaissance-Baroque altar with paintings from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries and Renaissance works from the 1580s. The tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament, 3 altars and historical paintings had to be removed. The police have arrested one suspect.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8168
Vandalism in Seine-Maritime
2024-06-15 | Around 15th June, the church of Notre-Dame-du-Parc near Dieppe was vandalised. The door leading to the bell tower was completely destroyed with a sledge hammer. The damage is expected to cost around 2000 EUR.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8219
Vandalism in Oudrenne
2024-06-14 | An incident of vandalism in Sainte-Marguerite Church in Oudrenne has been reported on 14th June.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8173
Arson attack on Quintin Basilica
2024-06-13 | On June 13, there was an arson attack on the Notre-Dame-de-Délivrance Basilica in Quintin. The police have confirmed that the fire was deliberate.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8169
ECHR "No right to die" ruling and needs for protecting freedom of conscience
2024-06-13 | On June 13, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), in Dániel Karsai v. Hungary, held that Member States could continue to prohibit assisted suicide. The Court ruled in favour of Hungary that prohibiting euthanasia and assisted suicide was in accordance with the “right to life” under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights and under international law. With some countries limiting the right to freedom of conscience of medical personal objecting to euthanasia objectors to euthanasia, this ruling is of particular importance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8177
Statue of the Virgin Mary Stolen from Historic Hermitage in Ciudad Real
2024-06-13 | Thieves forcibly entered the Ermita de las Virtudes near Santa Cruz de Mudela and stole the statue of Nuestra Señora de las Virtudes, prompting a police investigation and public appeals for its return. The statue did not have any material, but "incommensurable sentimental value" according to the parish.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10285
Fire in Dublin Crypt
2024-06-12 | As reported on June 12, a man broke into the 11th-century church of St. Michael in Dublin and started a fire in the crypt containing 5 medieval mummies. They were damaged beyond repair. The man is now on trial.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8161
Attack on French Catholic Family Association in Lyon
2024-06-12 | The building of the French Federation of Catholic Family Associations (AFC) in Lyon was severely attacked, leaving the place vandalised and daubed with graffiti slogans including "Death to Nazis" and similar insults. "AFC is not part of any political party", AFC underlined in the face of this absurd accusations in a statement published on their website.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8181
Catalonia: Register of conscientious objectors in medical care
2024-06-11 | On June 11, the Government of Catalonia approved the creation of a register of health professionals who object to performing or assisting in abortions for reasons of conscience. According to the official statement, the register will be administrative and electronic, and not public. However, the management of health centres which provide abortion services will be able to access these records. Such a register is feared to lead to situations of discrimination on religious grounds in employment and indirectly violate the right to freedom of conscience of health personnel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8167
UPDATE: UK withdraws prosecution for "withholding money for transitioning"
2024-06-10 | After "feedback from stakeholder" the Crown Prosecution Service has updated its domestic abuse guidance for prosecutors. In the updated version the section on “Transgender and non-binary identifying victims” no longer states that withholding “money for transitioning” may be considered abuse. Furthermore, refusing to use one's children's preferred name or pronoun can only be considered as part of a wider offence of coercive behaviour if there is intent to cause humiliation or distress. For an offence the children must be at least 16 years or older.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6857
Vandalism and Threatening Letters at Gelting Cemetery
2024-06-10 | On 10th June, several graves were found vandalised in the cemetery of the church of St. Benedict in Gelting. Flowers were torn, vases were thrown over, and wooden crosses were pulled out of the ground. Anonymous threatening letters were also sent. Previously, there had been copper, metal and bronze thefts from this cemetery.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8154
Vandalism in Bordeaux Church
2024-06-10 | Around 10 pm on June 10, the Saint Éloi church in Bordeaux was vandalised during a leftist demonstration. The perpetrators threw down plates and cutlery kept for the winter soup kitchen and spray-painted "Death to nationalists" on the church walls.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8159
Vandalism in Poitiers
2024-06-09 | On June 9, the Montierneuf church in Poitiers was found vandalised. The cross was twisted, the altar smashed, vases of flowers were thrown against the walls, a sacred plaque on the altar was unsealed, twelve columns were torn down and the cross from the high altar was thrown on the sidewalk. Furthermore, furniture and sacred objects were damaged. The most symbolic and sacrilegious act for the catholic community remains the degradation of the tabernacle, where the consecrated hosts were kept. It was unsealed from the top.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8144
Christian concert attacked in Bonn
2024-06-09 | On June 9, during a concert inside a church at Bonn's Hofgarten, an unknown person threw a stone from outside, smashing a window and injuring a 55 year old musician. There were around 80 artists performing in the classical concert by Johann Sebastian Bach, St. John's passion "Open heaven for me".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8156
Cross in Lubartów Defaced
2024-06-08 | On 8th June, a cross on a street in Lubartów with the figure of Jesus was found spray-painted with swastikas. The face of the statue was also smeared with white paint. On a bench nearby, graffiti containing "Slava Ukraine JP" was spray-painted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8149
Christian pro-life association attacked for 13th time in three years
2024-06-06 | The headquarters of the Italian Christian pro-life association Pro Vita & Famiglia in Rome was attacked on June 6. A female protestor, a cameraman of an Italian news channel and a candidate for the European Parliament pasted a pro-abortion poster on the building and refused to leave until the police arrived. This had been the 13th attack on this organisation in three years and third only that month.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8145
Fire and theft in Walldürn
2024-06-06 | On June 6, unknown perpetrators entered the protestant church on Schachleiterstrasse in Walldürn and broke open the donation box. They not only emptied the money but also a statue of Christ was found damaged by fire near the groin.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8218
Man sentenced for series of arsons in Pau
2024-06-05 | On June 5, Fataharhman Awad Allah Abdalkrem, a political refugee, was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment for a series of arson attacks in Pau between March and May 2022. He had caused fire to the chaplaincy of the Saint-Pierre Church, from which he also stole a cash box containing 300 euros and a computer.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8142
Verbal harassment during mass
2024-06-04 | During the celebration of the Corpus Christi, a group of young men harassed the faithful with inappropriate insults and shouted "Takbir" (exclamation, which in Arabic means "Allah is great"). Similar Incidents were already happening during previous celebrations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8941
Arson attempt in Tyumen
2024-06-03 | On June 3, a 43-year-old man tried to set fire on the Dmitry Donskoy Church Tyumen. He threw incendiary mixtures and fled on his bicycle, as filmed by an eyewitness. The police have now detained the man. The motives are still unknown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8126
Cathedral evacuated after Bomb Threat
2024-06-03 | On the morning of 3rd June, the Amiens Cathedral was evacuated after receiving a bomb threat over a malicious call. It is presumed to be a hoax.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8134
Vandalism in Freren
2024-06-02 | Sometime between May 31 and June 2, unknown perpetrators caused considerable damage to the staircase of the protestant church St. Andreas und Vitus in Freren. The sandstone slabs on the staircase were destroyed. The damage is estimated to be around 2000 EUR. This is not the first incident in this church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8124
Paintings vandalised in church in Amt Creuzburg
2024-06-02 | Between 1 and 2 June 2024, unknown perpetrators entered a church in Eisenach, Amt Creuzburg, and vandalised two wall paintings. The estimated damage amounts to approximately €1,000.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8141
Multiple vandalism cases from St Gregory’s Church in Suffolk
2024-06-01 | On Saturday, June 1, vandals entered the church of St Gregory’s and smashed the lead-lined windows in multiple places from inside. According to the St Gregory’s parochial church council (PCC), this is not the first incident; last month, vandals broke down the door to gain unauthorized access to the porch.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8285
Vandals urinate into the holy water fountain of Strasbourg church
2024-05-31 | On the morning of May 31, the priest of Saint-Maurice Church in Strasbourg observed that some people had urinated into the holy water fountain near the entrance. This is not the first incident in this church. There have been a series of thefts and other incivilites over several months.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8114
Vandalism of Chapel in Tawern
2024-05-31 | On May 31, unknown perpetrators knocked down two historical statues of saints and the Stations of the Cross in Margarethen Chapel Tawern causing severe damage. The head of the statue of Peter was broken and three reliefs of the Stations of the Cross were torn down from the wall.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8136
Scotland: Most extreme buffer zone law passes first stage
2024-05-30 | The Scottish draft legislation on abortion "buffer zones", which was passed at first stage on April 30, has sparked a debate on the criminalisation of silent prayer in these zones. This bill proposes the creation of a zone extending to 200 meters around abortion clinics in which "influencing" someone in regard to abortion would be illegal. In a parliament debate MSP Jeremy Balfour asked if he would be criminalised for praying at a bus stop inside the zone. He tabled an amendment seeking to exclude silent prayer from the criminal actions within the zone.
MSP Gillian Mackay who introduced the Bill responded to Mr Balfour by saying: "If nobody knows someone is praying, and nothing in their conduct is capable of having the effects on women or staff that this Bill seeks to prevent, then it is unlikely that any offence could be committed. If someone stands silently praying for a long time, deliberately looking at women accessing an abortion clinic, or for example with a sign, then they may be committing an offence."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8101
Fire in Pagnano Church
2024-05-30 | On May 30, a fire broke out in the church of San Giorgio in Pagnano. Fortunately, the damage is minimal, since the fire which had started from a wooden candle holder was immediately extinguished. While the cause of the fire is currently unknown the priest suspects that someone had deliberately started the fire, since the candle holder was only used to store unlit candles and it was empty. Also, no signs of melted wax were found.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8115
Church in Faubourg-Bonnefoy severely vandalised
2024-05-30 | On 30th May, the Immaculate Conception church in Toulouse was heavily vandalised by unknown perpetrators. Several objects, boards and furniture were broken and overturned, causing severe damage. Although the altar is located in a protected area behind bars, it was also overturned and severely damaged. The head of the statue of Virgin Mary was covered with a blue cloth.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8104
Man steals statue of Jesus from church
2024-05-29 | In the early morning of May 29, in the Santissima Addolorata church in Taranto, a man was caught on camera, carrying a statue of Jesus on his shoulder, which he had taken from the church. The police were able to track down the perpetrator, a 28-year-old convicted felon. He had already been under house arrest, during which he had escaped to steal the statue.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8116
Vandalism of altar in Siedliska
2024-05-29 | On May 29 at night, unknown perpetrators destroyed decorations on the altar prepared for the Corpus Christi procession in Siedliska. They also tore down decorative trees attached to the Christian community centre, and damaged the stairs of the building. Furthermore, the contents of two garbage bins were spilt next to the altar.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8120
Historic organ in Mockau vandalised during break-in
2024-05-29 | Sometime between 26th and 29th May, Stephanus Church in Leipzig was vandalised by unknown perpetrators, after breaking-in a side door with multiple security locks. Several pipes from the 19th century organ were ripped off, also damaging the instrument, though some of them have now been found by the police. The fence was also damaged during the break-in.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8102
Chapel defaced with Islamic graffiti
2024-05-29 | On May 29, a chapel at the crossroads of Zagrad and Leše, in the municipality of Prevalje, Slovenia, was found defaced with graffiti. Unknown perpetrators wrote the word "Allah" in big letters with red paint on the walls of the chapel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8103
Man rammed car into Rodez Cathedral shouting "I hate Jesus"
2024-05-28 | As reported on 28th May, a 55 year old Frenchman has been arrested for driving his vehicle into the Cathedral of Rodez in Aveyron region. Fortunately, the SUV got stuck on the stairs leading up to the entrance and did not damage the Cathedral. According to witnesses, he was shouting “I hate Jesus” and “I hate Christianity”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8105
Man rams car into cross and shouts "Allahou Akbar"
2024-05-28 | On May 28 in Loyettes, in the Ain, a man of Turkish origin knocked over a Catholic cross with his van. After shouting "Allahou Akbar", he began to pray at the scene of the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8824
Vandalism in North Yorkshire
2024-05-26 | Between 24th and 26th May, unknown perpetrators smashed 500 year old windows of a church in St. Mary's Church Thirsk.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8125
Vandalism of cemetery in Ville-la-Grand
2024-05-26 | On the night of May 26 to 27, around forty graves were looted at the Ville-la-Grand cemetery near Annemasse and crosses damaged. This is not the first time such an incident has happened. Since september, there has been a series of thefts of bronze statuettes from the cemetery.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8130
Virgin del Carmen Statue and Shrine Damaged for the Fourth Time
2024-05-25 | Vandals broke the shrine and damaged the statue of the Virgin del Carmen in Rincón de la Victoria by throwing stones. The incident was the fourth targeting the religious site and prompted a police investigation and public condemnation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10284
Vandalism in St. Anna Chapel in Altshausen
2024-05-24 | On Friday evening, May 24, an intoxicated man committed an act of vandalism and damaged the St. Anna Chapel in Altshausen. According to the police, the man went on a rampage in the chapel "like a madman". The man smashed objects, flower decorations and destroyed plaster angels. He also tore down a crucifix and ripped off the hand of a statue of a saint. The police arrested a 32-year-old suspect. According to the initial estimate, the damage amounts to 10,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8078
Statue and church vandalised in Diespeck
2024-05-24 | On 24 May 2024, around 6:30 p.m., a 40-year-old man entered the cemetery chapel in Diespeck and damaged a wooden statue of Jesus, breaking off its arm.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8090
Vandalism in the Lutheran church in Diespeck
2024-05-24 | On Saturday, May 25, vandalism was reported at the local Lutheran church. An unknown individual damaged a pew, scattered flyers and brochures, and left waste inside the building. The estimated damage is €100.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8088
Vandalism of statues in Szydłowo
2024-05-24 | Unknown perpetrators have painted defaced statues of Mary and Jesus in a roadside chapel in Szydłowo. In red colour they painted the eyes, nails and mouths. "This is a shameful and blasphemous act. It appears to have been done consciously and boldly during the day.", the local parish priest, Fr. Maruszewski said.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8119
Vandalism in the church of Sant'Angelo Magno
2024-05-20 | On May 20, it was discovered that unknown vandals had broken inside the Church of Sant'Angelo Magno and destroyed candelabras, a crucifix, a statue, sacred vestments, and the 17th-century organ.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8067
Stone Cross Destroyed in Act of Vandalism
2024-05-20 | A historic Christian cross in Órgiva was toppled and broken in a deliberate attack.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10283
Vandals set fire to altar in Dannevoux church
2024-05-19 | On Pentecost, Sunday, May 19, between 9 am and 7.30 pm, in the church of Saint-Hippolyte in Dannevoux (Meuse), an act of vandalism was recorded and caused over €1,500 worth of material damage. According to a news report, fire was set to the altar. Fortunately, it was quickly extinguished with water from the holy water font, thus avoiding potentially dramatic consequences. The fire did, however, cause some damage to the altar. The tablecloth, base and column were partially burnt.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8089
Police accused of pressuring Tory party to unseat Councillor Stevens
2024-05-18 | Media revealed that a police detective allegedly put pressure on the Wellingborough local Tory party to unseat councillor Anthony Stevens after Mr. Stevens had defended the freedom of speech of a Christian street preacher and a Christian councillor. According to reports, the police detective explained that “in her opinion” Mr Steven was “not a fit person to be a councillor” because of his free speech beliefs and used internal information ton put pressure on the local chair of the committee. The incident happened just before the police searched and detained Cllr Stevens for supporting the freedom of speech case of Christian councillor King Lawal on his personal Twitter account in August 2023. The incident has prompted accusations of political interference by police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8047
"Allah" graffiti on Christ Church in Philippsburg
2024-05-17 | Unknown perpetrators daubed the facade of the Protestant Christ Church with the word "Allah" in Arabic language. The words were written with neon pink spray paint on the door and the wall. The town's inhabitants are shocked about the incidents, local media says.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8046
Vandalism at of San Lorenzo
2024-05-16 | In Perugia, unknown perpetrators vandalised the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, forcibly detaching the metal railing in front of the Jubilee Door created by artist Artemio Giovagnoni. The damage occurred on the side of the cathedral and required considerable force, as the railing had been securely fastened to both the travertine column and the pavement.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8050
"Are you here to pray for the lives of unborn children?"
2024-05-16 | Sebastian Vaughan-Spruce was fined on May 16th in Birmingham while standing in a buffer zone near an abortion clinic. Among other things, the police asked him "Are you here to pray for the lives of unborn children?", in order to establish whether he was committing a crime. Sebastian replied that he was not praying silently in his head and further clarified: "I did not approach anyone, I did not speak to anyone, I did not breach anyone's privacy. I simply stood silently." He carried no sign either. The police could not tell him which crime he was committing, but nevertheless asked him to move away and leave the zone. When he inquired why, he was fined for not moving.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8095
Church of the Holy Trinity near Peć vandalised with Islamist graffiti
2024-05-15 | Unknown individuals broke into the Church of the Holy Trinity a village near Peć and vandalised it with graffiti. The messages included “Allah Akbar,” as well as Albanian phrases such as “Remove this church from here,” “Only Muslims are here,” “We don’t want churches, we want mosques,” and “Islam is the only true religion!”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8039
Attempted petrol bomb arson attack on Glasgow Baptist Church
2024-05-15 | On Wednesday, May 15, an unknown perpetrator tried to set fire to Dennistoun Baptist Church in Glasgow with a petrol bomb which exploded in front of the entrance door of the church. Images show the charred pavement in front of the church.
Police received reports of attempts to damage Dennistoun Baptist Church on Finlay Drive at around 10:50 a.m., and an investigation has been launched.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8045
Catholic cemetery in Smorgon vandalised
2024-05-15 | On Wednesday, May 15, unknown perpetrators set fire to a 19th century large brick chapel on the catholic cemetery in the town of Smorgon in Belarus. An image of Jesus and the roof of the chapel was burned. Parishioners are convinced that there was an act of profanation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8053
Arson and Vandalism in Sainte-Thérèse de Poitiers
2024-05-14 | On May 14, benches were gathered in heaps and set on fire in front of the choir in the church of Sainte-Thérèse in Poitiers. Furthermore, a statue of Mary was beheaded by the vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8024
Statue of Padre Pio Vandalised at Church in Pescara
2024-05-13 | On 13 May 2024, residents of the Colle Pineta hill in Pescara discovered that a statue of Padre Pio had been vandalised and thrown onto the asphalt outside the “Santa Famiglia” parish church, resulting in its destruction. The statue had stood near the church entrance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8032
Man armed with knife caught in church
2024-05-13 | On Monday, May 13, a 40-year-old man entered a church in Czaplinek with a knife while a First Communion service for children was taking place. The adult worshippers overpowered the man and called the police. The latter detained him for disrupting the service. According to witnesses, the man was dressed all in black, held a long kitchen knife and was walking towards the priest.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8030
LibDems reported to EHRC for deselecting Christian candidate
2024-05-12 | More than 400 party members filed a complaint with the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission which accuses the Liberal Democrats of deselecting a candidate based on his Christian faith in breach of equality law and having tolerated a “hostile environment” for people of faith. David Campanale, an Anglican believer and award-winning former BBC journalist has been targeted by an activist group within the party who has been lobbying against him because of his Christian believes since his selection as a candidate in 2021. The campaign alleged that he had not sufficiently disclosed his faith during the selection process, which he denies, and complained that a decade earlier he had been a member of the Christian People’s Alliance (CPA).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8036
Islamic graffiti on church wall in Vienna
2024-05-12 | Next to the entrance to the church of St. Anthony of Padua slogans written in black pen appeared on the wall. "Islam will win, with you or without," and "Deen over Dunya" ("Religion over worldly life") are just some of the numerous slogans on the wall. Some of the words have been crossed out or replaced, but the graffiti has not been removed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8021
Stations of the Cross Vandalised in Essen
2024-05-10 | On Friday, 10 May 2024, unknown perpetrators vandalised six stations of the Way of the Cross on the Haniel spoil tip in Bottrop and stole four copper plates. According to the Diocese of Essen, a police report has been filed, and this is not the first time the site has been targeted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8015
Vandalism in Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives
2024-05-09 | On the night of Wednesday, May 8 to Thursday, May 9, Ascension Day, the abbey church of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives was the victim of acts of vandalism. The tabernacle, where the consecrated hosts are kept, was forcefully opened, although nothing was stolen. Mass vestments were also vandalised. The parish priest, Father Donat, immediately lodged a complaint with the gendarmerie. The gendarmerie is investigating the accident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8025
Minors commit Arson and Vandalism at Church
2024-05-08 | Wednesday May 8, minors set fire to the Catheral of Casalmaggiore and vandalised it. The boys broke into the nave on the right side of the church where they broke the stoup into pieces and started a fire with candles. They then entered from the opposite side and went into a storeroom where the electrical panel that operates the lift and installations is located. The perpetrators could be identified thanks to surveillance cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8012
Polish missionaries arrested in Belarus
2024-05-08 | On May 8, two Polish missionaries, Fr Andrzej Yukhnievich, OMI and Fr Pawel Lemekh, OMI were detained at the parish church of Our Lady of Fatima, Šumilina in Belarus for expressing their support to Ukraine. They have been sentenced to 15 days and 10 days in prison, for “subversive activity to the detriment of the Belarussian state”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8135
Repeated Vandalism in St Mary the Virgin church
2024-05-06 | On 6 May 2025, St Mary the Virgin Church on North Shoebury Road in Essex was vandalised for the third time in recent weeks. The attack occurred just days after the church had spent £1,200 repairing damage from a previous incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7995
Fourth Act of Vandalism this year in Notre-Dame church in Livry-Gargan
2024-05-06 | During the night of 5-6 May, the tabernacle in the church of Notre-Dame de Livry-Gargan (Seine-Saint-Denis) was torn from its place and stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7997
Arson attempt in Brive
2024-05-06 | Saint-Sernin church in Brive became the target of two arson attempts on May 3 and May 6. Due to lack of resources to ensure continuous surveillance, the church is now closed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8176
Lutheran church in Plettenberg "devastated" by vandals
2024-05-05 | On Saturday evening, May 5, the police were called to the Lutheran Böhler church in Plettenberg, because a witness had found "people rioting" there. Upon arrival the police found that the door had been smashed in and the wooden panelling was broken. The interior was "a picture of devastation", according to reports. The baptismal font was knocked over, a candelabra was torn down and a window was damaged. The organ on the upper floor was also demolished, as were parts of the roof truss. The damage is estimated by the presbytery to be at least 50,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7991
Host Theft in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Louvroil
2024-05-05 | On Sunday, May 5, a parishioner was preparing the church for mass when they discovered the tabernacle empty. The host was stolen and has not since been found. The community is deeply shocked by this act of desecration.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7998
Vandalism and desecration of the church of La Rivière-Saint-Sauveur
2024-05-05 | Over the weekend of May 4 and 5, an act of vandalism and desecration of the church was revealed in the church of La Rivière-Saint-Sauveur, France. An unknown perpetrator broken stained glass, and traces of fire were present. Above all, left excrement on the stairs leading to the funeral sheet. The volunteers responsible for opening and closing the church were also frightened by these acts, which coincide with the squatting of the building at night for several months.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8017
Evangelical church of San Giuliano attacked after Sunday service
2024-05-05 | On Sunday 5 May, an evangelical church in San Giuliano Milanese in northern Italy was attacked by a man who tried to enter the church premises after shouting anti-Christian phrases, including "Allah Akbar", according to a local newspaper. After an unsuccessful attempt to enter the church, he smashed the window of the church entrance. He was arrested by police following the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8049
Public prayer gathering attacked in Zagreb
2024-05-04 | A monthly public rosary prayer in the main square of Zagreb and 12 other public places in Croatia has been repeatedly attacked by activists from the radical left. Since the politically inactive men have started gathering for rosary prayers in January 2023, aggressive political activists have started demonstrating against them, claiming that the peaceful prayer of the men would "limit women's rights".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8671
Vandals repeatedly target Church of Gesù Liberatore
2024-05-03 | In May 2024, repeated acts of vandalism led to the temporary closure of the oratory at the parish of Gesù Liberatore in Canosa di Puglia (Apulia region). The latest incident involved the deliberate damage of a reinforced plastic cover used to protect the outdoor stage that hosts most parish and summer youth activities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7977
12th century Templar Chapel vandalised
2024-05-03 | In a disturbing act of vandalism, unknown perpetrators broke into the historic chapel of San Giacomo di Ruspaglia, situated between the municipalities of San Giorgio Canavese and San Giusto. The intruders forced open the door, smeared wax on the altar, and threw candles at the interior frescoes, causing visible damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8052
Two attempted arsons in the church of St. Peter and Paul in Oberalting
2024-05-01 | Between 22 April and 1 May, the Catholic Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Oberalting, Bavaria, suffered two arson attacks within a short space of time, in which the church's prayer book was set on fire. The local community is alarmed by these acts of vandalism, which target a sacred space for personal reflection and prayer. The police have opened an investigation into these deliberate acts of arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8005
Fourteen Helpers Church tagged with swastikas
2024-04-30 | Unknown persons have scratched two swastikas and a runic symbol on the façade of Fourteen Helpers Church in Zeitzer Straße in Gera. According to the police, the offence is now being investigated not only for damage to property, but also for the use of anti-constitutional symbols.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7958
Protestant church vandalised with graffiti referring to massacre of Protestants
2024-04-30 | A protestant church in France was vandalised with a graffiti reading “Long live Saint-Barthélemy”. Saint Barthélemy Day refers to the mass massacre of Protestants following 24 August 1572, in which between 15,000 and 30,000 Protestants were murdered in Paris and the provinces because of their faith.
In this light, the graffiti is a particularly troubling display of anti-Protestant hatred.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8037
Sacred objects stolen from Bytom-Szombierki church
2024-04-29 | On the night of Monday 29 to Tuesday 30 April, the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Bytom-Szombierki was broken into. Thieves smashed the tabernacle, stole three tins containing the consecrated hosts and the reliquary of St Faustina, which was placed under the image of the Merciful Jesus. Scattered hosts were found in the choir and outside by the missionary cross.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7951
Arson on St Theresa Church Grounds
2024-04-29 | On 29 April a fire was discovered inside the garages on the grounds of St Theresa’s of the Child of Jesus Church in St Helens. A window of the church was also found to have been smashed.
The Detective Police Inspector, Jimmy Rotheram, commented: "It’s truly shocking that a church, which is such a valued resource and focal point for the community, has been targeted in this way."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7955
Consecrated Hosts stolen from Czestochowa Church
2024-04-28 | Unknown perpetrators broke into the church of Our Lady of Czestochowa and stole the consecrated host, which is considered as an act of desecration by Catholics. Two ciboria with consecrated hosts disappeared from the secure tabernacle, as discovered by parish priest Father Stanislaw Mikos during Sunday Mass.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7961
Arson in the St. Nicholas Church in Plön
2024-04-28 | On Sunday, April 28, unknown perpetrators set fire to a bench in the aisle of St. Nicholas Church. The fire did not spread, but the smoke caused extensive damage. The police are investigating the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8008
Right-wing slogans and swastika daubed on church doors
2024-04-27 | In the village of Hesborn, the parish church and the cemetery chapel were smeared with right-wing slogans and symbols. Early on Saturday morning, April 27, a large swastika was found emblazoned on the church door and "Foreigners out" was written on the door to the cemetery chapel. Police and state security are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7954
Arson in Haren Church
2024-04-27 | Unknown persons set a fire in a church in Haren between April 26 and 27. According to the police, the fire was set in the porch of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (Herz-Jesu-Kirche). Floor tiles were damaged as a result. The fire went out on its own.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7976
Woman desecrates host during mass
2024-04-27 | Saturday April 27, a woman crushed a host and threw it to the ground that she had received during mass at the Church of St Charles Borromeo in Poznań.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8023
Altar Cloth set on Fire in Capri Church
2024-04-26 | On Friday morning, April 26, an unknown perpetrator tried to set fire to the church of San Bernardino Realino in Carpi. After attempting to steal the offering box, he set fire to the tablecloth in the side chapel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7942
Processional Cross stolen from church
2024-04-25 | A processional cross has been stolen from St Mary's Church in Cuckney. The cross was removed from its wooden staff by thieves who entered the church, the police said.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7990
'Fire at the Vatican': Walls of Roman church defaced with graffiti
2024-04-24 | On Wednesday, April 24, the walls of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in San Lorenzo, Rome, were defaced with graffiti, including anti-Christian slogans. 'Fire at the Vatican', 'Freedom to anarchists', 'Trans liberation', 'Get the church out of our pants' and 'Free Palestine' were some of the inscriptions on the walls.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7936
Vandalism in the Appels church
2024-04-23 | On Tuesday evening, April 23, in the church of Appels in Dendermande, an act of vandalism was reported.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7938
Repeated vandalism of chapel in Torfaen
2024-04-23 | The chapel of Bethlehem Church in Blaenavon, in the south of Wales, has become a target of vandalism three times within three weeks. According to media reports, parts of the out buildings at Bethlehem Church have been vandalised and a wall and step were damaged. Furthermore, urine was discovered in the church doorway.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7953
Arson Attack on Salamanca Chapel
2024-04-22 | On Sunday 22nd April, someone tried to set fire to the chapel of the Santísima Vera Cruz. The arsonists used a can of petrol. The parish priest was injured trying to put out the fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7873
Santon Church vandalised
2024-04-22 | According to the media, All Saints Church in Santon Downham, Brandon, was broken into and vandalised sometime between April 17 and 22. In the attack, a window was pulled out of its frame, graffiti was left and a toilet was damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7956
Vandalism: Windows smashed in Bonn Church
2024-04-21 | Since the weekend of April 21, the St. Franziskus church has had smashed windows since the weekend. The management board is shocked.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7865
Vandalism and Fire in Hilders Church
2024-04-21 | On Sunday, April 21, unknown persons entered the Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist during official opening hours, tore flower decorations from the benches, destroyed sacrificial candles and burned paper in several places.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7882
Vandalism and Islamic Graffiti inside Aachen Chapel
2024-04-21 | On Sunday, April 21, Ursula Becker, a member of the parish council at St. Katharina, Aachen, discovered garbage and graffiti in the parish's St. Mary Chapel. Among other things, "Allahu Akbar" was written on the walls and doors. The crime must have happened between 12 and 4 p.m.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7885
Vandalism in St. Nikolaus Church in Dorsten
2024-04-20 | Between 20 and 21 April, unknown persons broke into St Nicholas' Church in Dorsten and left a trail of destruction, according to the local pastor. Among other things, they scattered the consecrated hosts all over the floor. The pastor is shocked by the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7888
Vandalism and Desecration of Church of Santa Maria in Albis
2024-04-20 | On Saturday night, April 20, individuals broke into the church of Sancta Maria in Albis, located in the heart of the village of Breil-sur-Roya.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7889
Door of Santiago Church repeatedly vandalised
2024-04-20 | On Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Jerez, Spain, part of the lower area of the door of Santiago church was torn off in what appeared to be a new act of vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7861
Vandalism: Church glass door smashed
2024-04-17 | Between April 15, and 17, unknown perpetrators smashed the glass door of a church in Bad Homburg. As the time of the offence cannot yet be pinpointed and there is no further information about the perpetrators, the police are asking the public for help.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7857
Attempted arson in the Chamerau church
2024-04-17 | On Wednesday, April 17, unknown perpetrators tried to set fire to two cardboard boxes and a plastic tablecloth in the church in Chamerau. There was minor property damage. According to police, the attempted arson took place during the opening hours of the Chamerau church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7864
Passion Trail Vandalised
2024-04-16 | The Passion Trail set up by the Evangelical Lutheran parish in Hagen-Haspe has been demolished. The path, which was lined with crosses and prayer texts, led along the forest path at Tücking.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7830
Brussels authorities ban event due to “ethically conservative” beliefs on abortion, marriage, and the EU
2024-04-16 | On April 16, Brussels officials issued a police order to ban the entrance to the NatCon conference. The official order to shut down the conference included the reason that its "vision is not only ethically conservative (e.g. hostility to the legalisation of abortion, same-sex unions, etc.) but also focused on the defence of “national sovereignty”, which implies, amongst other things, a “Eurosceptic” attitude”.
In an emergency ruling, Belgium highest court has lifted the ban and declared it unconstitutional.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7831
England's High court backs prayer ritual ban at schools
2024-04-16 | In its judgment on Tuesday, April 16, the High Court of England and Wales dismissed a Muslim pupil's challenge to a ban of 'prayer rituals' at Michaela Community School in Brent, north-west London. The High Court judged that publicly funded schools in England can impose such bans of communal prayer rituals among students. It is not yet clear in how far Christian prayer will be affected by the ban.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7835
Grave of Late Patriarch Neophyte Desecrated
2024-04-15 | The grave of the late Patriarch Neophyte was desecrated in Sofia, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church informed Tuesday morning, April 16.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7827
Youth disturb concert in Cathedral shouting "Allah Akbar"
2024-04-14 | On Sunday, April 14, five adolescents entered the Saint-Etienne Cathedral in Metz during a concert of Bach, one of them interrupting the concert and shouting "Allah Akbar". The teenagers then fled but were found and arrested by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7833
Shouting Man Smashes Objects in Church
2024-04-13 | Shortly after 6 pm, a 41-year-old man started shouting complaining about an alleged theft of a backpack. According to the police, he then entered the church in Via Felice Bellotti, the San Benedetto Monastery, in Milan’s city centre and started to hit commemorative wreaths and a statue, which he threw to the ground. The police intervened against the intoxicated man, who was charged with a criminal offence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7815
Jesus Figure Stolen from Easter Crib
2024-04-13 | In the afternoon of April 13, a statue of Jesus was stolen from the Easter crib in the Consolation Parish in Via XX Settembre in Genoa. The first scene of the Easter crib displayed Jesus entering Jerusalem on the back of a donkey.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7816
Arrest warrant for youths on suspicion of terrorist attack against "Christians and police"
2024-04-12 | The German national security forces have unearthed a terrorist cell of minors in Düsseldorf. According to the newspaper Bild, the youths wanted to attack "Christians ("unbelievers") in churches" and "police officers in police stations" with knives and Molotov cocktails in the name of the ISIS. Arrest warrants have been issued.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7800
Sacred objects stolen from Great Yarmouth Minster upset community
2024-04-12 | Great Yarmouth Minster Church was broken into twice within two weeks, first overnight between March 29 and March 30 and then again on April 12, 2024. Besides stealing money the thieves also broke the windows of the church and took sacred objects, namely the bread and wine which has been blessed and kept reserved and some of the sacred oils. "So many people in Yarmouth feel hurt by the fact that a place they consider special and important to community life has been violated," the church Reverend said.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7851
French priest prosecuted for citing Catholic teaching on homosexuality
2024-04-12 | Following the intervention of a government official, Father Matthieu Raffray was prosecuted for having referred to homosexuality as a sin, citing Catholic teaching on the matter. Despite the closure of the case by the public prosecutor, a new complaint has been filed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9218
Church façade vandalised during mass
2024-04-10 | On April 10, a young man threw several bottles filled with alcohol against the façade of the Catholic Sacred Heart Church in Diez during the church service at around 6 p.m, causing heavy soiling and property damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7779
Theft and Arson in Church
2024-04-10 | At the church of Castelvecchio di Compito in the Lucca region, a 37-year-old man stole objects worth over 10,000 euros from the oratory, which included liturgical objects dating back to the early 19th century such as two candelabra and a wooden canopy. He set fire to the parish premises and fled.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7770
Germany Issues Deportation Order for Iranian Convert
2024-04-10 | The administrative office for foreigners of Central Franconia, Germany, has issued a deportation order for an Iranian convert. According to the media, the lawyer has confirmed the conversion to Christianity of the Iranian asylum seeker. The lawyer also said that his client had been warned by his mother not to return to Iran because otherwise he would be arrested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7785
Arson attack on derelict church in Bishop Auckland
2024-04-10 | On April 10, the derelict St John's Church in Bishop Auckland was set on fire. The police have confirmed they are treating the blaze as arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7787
Vandalism at St. Athanasius Monastery Church
2024-04-09 | The church of St. Athanasius monastery in Tetovo has been broken in, all the windows were broken and serious material damage was done.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7762
Purse stolen During Prayer at Mass
2024-04-08 | During mass on Monday, a pickpocket stole a purse containing about 100 Euro and the woman’s phone in the church of Sant'Aniello Abate in Cosenza. The theft happened while the woman was praying.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7747
Archbishop receives criminal conviction for criticising Russia's war in Ukraine
2024-04-08 | According to the religious freedom watchdog organisation Forum 18, Archbishop Viktor Pivovarov has become the fifth person to receive a criminal conviction for criticising Russia's war in Ukraine from a religious perspective. On April 8, he was found guilty of repeatedly "discrediting" the Russian Armed Forces after condemning the war as "aggressive" and "Satanic" in his sermons.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7818
Religious Statue vandalised
2024-04-08 | Unknown vandals desecrated a Marian shrine in the hamlet of Salvandine in Serle, northern Italy. A citizen found the statue of Mary shattered and broken in two, likely after being struck with stones.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9615
Someone damages Bible in church
2024-04-08 | An unknown perpetrator damaged a Gospel on display in the church of Zapfendorf on Tuesday 8 April. The book was damaged to the value of around 300 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9621
Vandalism at Lourdes Grotto
2024-04-07 | Over the weekend, pedestals of a Lourdes Grotto were destroyed by vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7759
Vandalism at Burgdorf Church
2024-04-07 | In the night from Saturday to Sunday, unknown perpetrators caused damage to two window panes of the St. Pancratius Church in Burgdorf. The damage was estimated at 500 euros. This is another incidence of vandalism after instances in the Novembers of 2022 and 2020.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7781
Window's of St. Martin Church in Bad Orb smashed
2024-04-07 | On the night of April 6 to April 7 several windows of the St. Martins church in Bad Orb were smashed, resulting in a high damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7788
Fire and Vandalism at Roßwein Church
2024-04-06 | On Saturday, April 6, unknown persons set fire to a memorial table of the Church in Roßwein and damaged the donation box.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7829
Minors Set Altar on Fire
2024-04-06 | Two Children, one of them a 12-year-old boy, set a fire to the Serbian Orthodox Church of Our Lady in Feldkirch causing considerable damage. After searching the unlocked donation boxes for cash, they set the cloth at the altar in the back of the church on fire endangering liturgical objects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7726
Vandalism and Theft in Den Bosch Church
2024-04-06 | Burglars broke into St. John's Cathedral in Den Bosch, smashed stained-glass windows, emptied a fire extinguisher inside the building and stole a time capsule intended to be opened in the year 2122.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7806
Arson attack on French Church
2024-04-04 | A fire broke out in the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Agneaux on Thursday afternoon, April 4. According to police investigation's initial findings, the fire was intentional.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7729
Desecration of Mission Cross
2024-04-04 | In the Church of St. Maksymilian Maria Kolbe in Bogatynia, a Mission Cross was chopped down over night.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7731
Swastika Graffiti Smeared at Church Wall
2024-04-04 | A graffiti with the word "memory" and just below Nazi swastika in red were smeared at the wall of Church of Santa Maria in Marrón in the Cantabria region.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7734
Armenian Church Demolished in Nagorno-Karabakh
2024-04-04 | Between December 28, 2023 and April 4, 2024, St. John the Baptist Church (S. Hovhannes Mkrtich) in Nagorno-Karabakh was destroyed, according to Caucasus Heritage Watch, referring to satellite pictures. The church was built in 1818 had been a landmark in Shusha/Shushi.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7856
After Two Fires Church Temporarily Closed
2024-04-03 | Within 24 hours two fires hit the Saint-Serge Church in Angers. On April 2, the altar of the chapel of the Virgin Mary was set on fire. On the next day a fire broke out in front of the Saint-Ambroise statue. A suspect women was spotted and arrested by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7724
Church Smeared with Eggs, Glue and Dog Excrement
2024-04-03 | Rivertown Church in Shotton was subject to vandalism. Eggs were thrown at the rear door. Previously, glue and dog excrement were smeared on the same door. Furthermore, the church has seen damage to both locks and seats inside. In light of the church’s effort in running a community hub, the incident appears very distressing to volunteers and the church community.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7725
Controversy about secular court ruling on dismissal of a nun under canonical procedure
2024-04-03 | In an unusual case, a secular civilian court has issued a ruling against the Vatican’s in-house canonical procedures in the case of the dismissal of a French nun from her order and has sparked discussions on religious autonomy.
On April 3, the Lorient tribunal ruled in favour of a nun who turned to the French court after being removed from a monastery in Brittany. The Vatican replied in a written statement that such a ruling on "internal discipline and membership in a religious institute" would be a "serious violation of the fundamental rights to religious freedom and freedom of association of Catholic faithful."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7808
Church of Villamarina vandalised
2024-04-02 | On April 2, The church of Villamarina in Cesenatico has been targeted by vandals. The incident was captured by surveillance cameras. This is not the first time the parish has been targeted: There have been incidents of vandalism and thefts in the past.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7737
Church starts dialogue project after severe vandalism
2024-04-02 | On April 2, the parish priest of the St. Anthony's Oratory in Porto Mantovano, Trento, found the oratory severely vandalised. Next to smashed locks, broken doors and glass, damaged objects and furniture, there was dirt, a swastika and offensive writings on the floor.
The incident, was only the latest in a series of vandalism attacks on the oratory. The priest therefore reached out to the community for help.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7740
Scottish 'Hate Speech' Bill Could Limit Freedom of Religion
2024-04-01 | The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 came into force on April 1, 2024. The Act could criminalise expressions of religious convictions, religious and human rights groups fear.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7706
Desecration of Jaén Church
2024-04-01 | Residents of the small village of El Centenillo are shocked by the desecration of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in April. Recordings of a couple having sex at the altar have been circulated through various WhatsApp groups. The diocese has condemned these events and is demanding several reparations to replace the damage to this sacred place.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8439
The Valley of the Fallen Under Threat: Expulsion of Monks and Attack on Religious Heritage
2024-04-01 | The Valley of the Fallen, a Catholic monument of reconciliation built after the Spanish Civil War, is facing increasing political pressure from the Spanish government. Plans to evict the Benedictine monks, change the religious identity of the site and even remove the monumental cross raise serious concerns about religious freedom and historical revisionism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9432
Teacher Faces dismissal for Questioning 'Gender Transition' Advice to 8-year-old kid
2024-03-31 | A Christian primary school teacher who questioned Stonewall and Mermaids' recommendations to support a "gender transition" of an 8-year-old student without providing any supporting medical data has lost her job and is the subject of numerous regulatory body inquiries. She has filed a complaint with the Employment Tribunal accusing the school of victimising her for making a complaint, unfair dismissal, and discrimination based on her religion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6824
Liturgical clothings and procession flags stolen from church
2024-03-31 | On March 31, a stole, procession flags and clothing were stolen from the Roman Catholic Church of the Assumption of Mary in Scheinfeld, Germany. The perpetrator was apparently hiding in the confessional during mass before stealing the objects. The man also damaged the confessional, which caused damage of approximately 200 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7700
Man Insults Congregation and Attacks Liturgical Servant During Mass
2024-03-30 | A 38-year-old disrupted the Holy Saturday celebrations at the All Saints parish in Jastrzębie-Zdrój. Entering the altar area, he loudly shouted vulgar words from the pulpit. When being asked to leave the altar stage, he attacked one of the liturgical servants as well as a police officer during arrest.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7714
Thwarted Terrorist Attack on Notre Dame de Paris
2024-03-30 | An Egyptian man with links to ISIS has been arrested over a suspected terrorist attack on the Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris, as became known in the media on March 30. The man was arrested on March 5 by officers from the General Directorate of Internal Security (DGSI).
Thanks to the work of the domestic intelligence services, the terrorist was identified, arrested for "criminal terrorist association" and placed in pre-trial detention.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7703
"Never again!" Banner Stolen from Church Fence
2024-03-30 | In the night from Good Friday to Holy Saturday, unknown perpetrators removed a banner from the fence of St Sebastian's parish and stole it. The campaign slogan: "Never again! - Strong together for democracy and against right-wing extremism!" Investigations are ongoing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7739
Theft and Vandalism in two Portuguese Churches
2024-03-29 | In the night of Good Friday, two churches in the Portuguese towns Golegã and Pombalinho were subjects to theft and vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7697
Good Friday: Altar of Neuhaus church damaged with fire
2024-03-29 | An unknown person damaged the altar in the Catholic Church in Neuhaus an der Pegnitz, Germany, on Good Friday, March 29. According to the police, the perpetrator apparently "held a candle to the altar in such a way that the wood and the altar cloth were damaged". Fortunately, the fire did not spread.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7709
Threats for christians on easter persist
2024-03-28 | France is placing police officers in front of Christian churches during Easter. In response to the recent attack in Moscow, the French police have issued a warning of an elevated risk of terrorism. As a precautionary measure, police officers will be stationed outside every Christian church during the Easter period.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7673
Man vandalises painting and physically assaults staff inside church
2024-03-28 | On March 28 a man entered the church of San Ignazio in Capri and vandalised the painting San Longino with a spray can and a knife. Following a brief altercation with Andrea Saltini and other visiting staff, the vandal physically assaulted the Capri artist. Saltini sustained a superficial wound to the neck, fortunately not inflicted by the knife.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7674
Vandalism at St John's Church Alresford
2024-03-28 | In the night before Maundy Thursday, Easter crosses and the noticeboard of Baptist St John's Church in Alresford were vandalised.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7718
Public cross in Lias broken into pieces
2024-03-26 | In the morning of March 26, the historic public cross in the village Lias, France, was unseated from its pedestal and broken into 4 pieces.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8482
Theft of bell from Chapel in Tulnik
2024-03-23 | A thief stole a bell from the chapel, which belongs to Buk parish near Pleternica. The bell was taken from the cemetery chapel in Tulnik before March 23, according to the police of Požega-Slavonska.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7663
Desecration at hospital chapel in Pozzuoli
2024-03-22 | The 'Santa Maria delle Grazie' in Pozzuoli was the site of a defecation, as reported by Don Giorgio Della Volpe, the parish priest of the hospital chapel. According to him, an individual used the altar cloth to clean himself after defecating in the chapel. The images showed a man defecating on the ground floor of the Phlegrei hospital, between the benches of the sacred place.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7620
ISIS boasts of "killing Christians" in Moscow attack
2024-03-22 | On 22 March, a terrorist attack targeting an event location close to Moscow resulted in the deaths of at least 137 people. Gunmen armed with automatic weapons opened fire during a crowded concert at Crocus City Hall. ISIS statements claiming responsibility for the attack boasted of “killing Christians”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7623
Suspected arson at church of of St Julia
2024-03-21 | On the morning of Thursday, 21 March 2024, a fire broke out in the church of Saint-Agathe and Saint-Julien in the village of Saint-Julia. The canvas burned and when the mayor, Christian Lagente, entered the church at around 10 am, everything was engulfed in smoke. The mayor made the first attempts to extinguish the fire before help arrived.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7605
Threats During Mass in Castellammare di Stabia
2024-03-21 | On Thursday 21 March, the mass in the church of San Marco in Castellammare di Stabia was violently interrupted. A person entered the church and disrupted the religious rite in progress. Witnesses reported that the man pointed his finger at the worshippers, made threatening gun-like gestures and pretended to shoot at them. The worshippers present reacted firmly and stood up to the intruder despite his intimidating behaviour. The man then shouted and left the church, aggressively slamming the doors behind him.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7662
Bust of Christ Vandalised at Rennes Church
2024-03-20 | A bust of Christ was vandalised and the church door damaged in Church of Saint-Germain in Rennes. The vandalism was discovered by the parish priest, Father Philippe Hebert, on March 20. The priest lodged a complaint the next day, investigations are ongoing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7712
Crosses broken off model churches
2024-03-20 | On 20 March, all the crosses of the bronze model of the city of Zagreb were broken off from the small model churches. The bronze model is located near the Zagreb Cathedral.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8858
Desecration of church in Reggino
2024-03-19 | The church of San Giuseppe, in Melito Porto Salvo, in Reggino, was desecrated by unknown individuals. The perpetrators damaged the security cameras, forced entry into the church, stole the consecrated host and scatter the others. Furthermore, a sacred vessel was also taken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7590
Arson in St Benedict Church prevented by employee
2024-03-19 | An unknown person set fire to a seat cushion and a shrub that were placed in the front area of the church in Eisenharz for the upcoming First Communion. The fire was extinguished by an employee, but the pew and shrub were damaged. Fortunately, no one was injured.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7593
Vandalism in three churches
2024-03-19 | On March 19, the church Jana Pawła Street, Konstantynów, was vandalised. The perpetrator kicked a cross, damaged three windows and knocked over tables, pews, and kneelers. The cost of the damage amounts to PLN 5,000.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7627
Organ Damaged in Waltrop Church
2024-03-19 | On Tuesday, March 19, a fire extinguisher was emptied into the pipes of the organ in St Peter's Church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7719
Vandalism at cemetery of protestant cemetery in Schermbeck
2024-03-18 | Between Sunday, March 17, and Monday, March 18, the cemetery of the Protestant parish was vandalised. Silke Knoll from the parish is shocked. She reported that toilets were damaged and flower pots on graves were looted and broken. In addition, toilet paper was scattered across the meadow and gravesites. Water cranes at the watering points were also left on, causing water to run onto the pavements.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7595
Christian artist banned from her own exhibition after expressing concerns about puberty blockers
2024-03-18 | Victoria Culf, a Christian artist, was reported to police and banned from her own exhibition after telling a Watford council worker, back in June 2023, that due to her Christian world view and as a mother she didn’t think children should transition. She is now taking legal action.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7567
Vandal destroys window at Lutheran Church
2024-03-18 | On the morning of Monday, March 18, the Lutheran City Church on Kirchstraße was shaken by an incident. An unknown person threw a stone through a window of the church, causing damage of around 1000 euros. The church organ was playing at the time. No one was injured.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7574
Unknown persons vandalise church in Oberveischede
2024-03-18 | Unknown perpetrators have vandalised St Lucia's Church in the Oberveischede district of Olpe. Candles, prayer books and brochures from the wooden display are strewn across the floor. Even worse was the damage to the holy water font. The massive stone vessel was smashed. The culprit or culprits also stole 60 tea lights. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7575
Vandalism of a cross at a place of worship in Gornja Brijesnica
2024-03-17 | The prayer cross in the village of Gornja Brijesnica, which belongs to Lukavac in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been damaged for the second time in the last three years.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7576
Ten statues and plaques in cemetery of Bovekerke vandalised
2024-03-16 | On March 16, the cemetery surrounding the church of Bovekerke (Koekelare) was vandalised. Approximately a dozen statues, ornaments, flowers, and memorial plaques had been destroyed. The affected graves are not all close together and often involve very old concessions. According to another resident, some crosses have also been removed from the graves.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7559
"This is a Muslim area" smeared on Evangelical Church
2024-03-16 | A radical muslim graffiti was spray-painted on the windows of Southchurch Christian Fellowship Centre on Saturday night, March 16. The graffiti, which read "This is a Muslim area", is now being investigated by Essex Police as racially aggravated criminal damage.
Ms Champion, who discovered the vandalism, said: "To see someone committing such hateful behaviour is so heartbreaking. It makes me very angry. A colleague and I went to the church to remove the worst of it because we didn't want people to feel intimidated when they came to the Sunday service the next morning."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7568
Woman attacked by burglar during mass
2024-03-16 | A woman was attacked by a burglar when entering Saint-Étienne Cathedral for mass on March 16.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7710
Vicar Offers Aid After Church Theft
2024-03-15 | While the choir was practising in the early evening of March 15, various donated items worth £1,000 were stolen from the St Matthew’s Church in Burnley. However, the vicar Father Alex Frost, reaches out to people in need offering help in response to the theft.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7720
Excrements found in St Michael the Church in Marktrodach
2024-03-15 | The pastor of the Protestant church in Marktrodach discovered human excrement behind the altar in the afternoon of March 15. The perpetrator is unknown, but it appears to be a repeat occurrence. The police reported that this was not the first instance of such an act in the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7554
St John's Church in Herford remains closed due to vandalism
2024-03-15 | For the past few months, incidents of vandalism and damages have occurred in the Neuer Markt church in the Herford district. The pews have repeatedly been pushed and knocked over, a curtain has been torn down, a large sign reading 'open church', which is usually located at the back of the church, has been removed and placed on the altar and leaflets removed from their displays and scattered around the room. Furthermore, there have been complaints in the past about unknown individuals leaving their excrement in the church. Although the number of incidents has decreased, faeces are unfortunately still occasionally discovered in the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7560
South Korean pastor arrested for missionary work in Russia
2024-03-15 | Baek Kwang-Soon, a South Korean pastor was detained in Russia on espionage charges after being found to have been working with North Korean fugitives in Vladivostok. According to Lee Seong Gu, head of the Global Love Rice Sharing Foundation, Baek had been doing missionary work and providing clothes, food, and the Gospel to Russian, Thai, and North Korean workers in need. Baek was arrested earlier this year by Russian law enforcement authorities, as reported by Russian state news agency Tass on Monday, March 11.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7642
Statue of Mary damaged by gunshot
2024-03-14 | On 14 March, an unknown person fired a gun at the statue of the Virgin Mary in the Chapel of the Mother of God in the village of Trojanów. Following the attack, the parish organised a Stations of the Cross in reparation for this "heartbreaking act". The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9288
A Statue of the Virgin Mary was Riddled with Bullets
2024-03-14 | A statue of the Virgin Mary overlooking the Notre-Dame-des-Mines chapel in Alès was found riddled with bullets alongside other damage like graffiti and stones thrown at the roof, prompting an investigation and a public fundraising campaign.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10301
Gravestones and a statue of Mary defaced with spray paint
2024-03-12 | In March 2025, a series of vandalism incidents targeting Christian sites were reported in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship of Poland. According to local police spokesperson Marcin Krasucki, the first report came on 12 March from Piotrków Kujawski, where unknown perpetrators spray-painted and damaged nine gravestones in the town’s cemetery. Shortly after, a roadside statue of the Virgin Mary in the village of Jurków was defaced with spray paint and the surrounding fence was damaged. A third report came from the cemetery in Połajewo, where 11 gravestones were similarly vandalised with paint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7577
Vandalism of shrine: Statue of Mary smashed
2024-03-12 | On 12 March 2023, local media reported an act of vandalism against the chapel located in the office building of the Zamrzenica Forest District. An unknown perpetrator vandalised the shrine, destroying flower pots, flowers and candles, and smashing the statue of Mary.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8595
Church and 50 graves desecrated with Islamist slogans
2024-03-11 | During the night of March 11, acts of vandalism were committed in the cemetery of the village Clermont-d'Excideuil. Inscriptions with Islamic references were found on graves, the war memorial, the church door, a calvary memorial, and a fountain. Some of the tags read "France is already Allah's", "Isa will break the cross" and "Submit to Islam". Altogether, more than 50 graves were smeared.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7535
Arson at Catholic Church in Schriesheim
2024-03-11 | Unknown perpetrators set fire to the altar and other items in the Catholic church in Schriesheim. A woman entering the church noticed the smoke and immediately alerted the fire brigade. Commander Oliver Scherer described the church as completely smoky inside, with a visible glow in the altar area. Police are investigating arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7540
Vandalism in Börwang church
2024-03-11 | Unknown perpetrators vandalised a church in Börwang (Oberallgäu district) on Monday, March 11. The police reported that hot candle wax was spread and a swastika was painted on the church wall. The estimated damage is in the three-figure range.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7547
Islamic tags on Notre Dame de Partout chapel
2024-03-10 | On Sunday, March 10, the mayor of Saint-Mesmin discovered that the Notre-Dame-de-Partout chapel in Périgord Vert and the cross facing it were sprayed with graffiti. The tags are reading "the cross will be broken", "convert yourselves" and "Allah". This is only one incident in a series of similar vandalism attacks in the region.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7923
Collegiate Church in Poissy smeared with anti-Christian graffiti
2024-03-09 | On March 9, the inscription 'Jesus NTM', an anti-Christian graffiti, was discovered at the back of the city's main religious building, the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame de Poissy. The inscription stands for 'F*ck your mother' and was found at the back of the 12th-century building, which is classified as a historical monument. The graffiti was believed to have been made the previous night.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7586
Christians violently assaulted at Metz Cathedral after Rosary
2024-03-09 | On Saturday, March 9, a group which was praying the rosary at the Cathedral Saint-Étienne de Metz in response to the inclusion of abortion in the constitution, was violently attacked by members of the Antifa.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7587
Episcopal Palace in Barcelona Defaced with Paint During 8 March Protest
2024-03-08 | Feminists from "Futuro Vegetal" have thrown purple paint at the façade of the Episcopal Palace in Barcelona.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10278
18 churches pelted with eggs during the night
2024-03-07 | The Lindenberg police department has solved a series of acts of vandalism that have kept the communities in the West Allgäu region on tenterhooks over the past few months. A total of 18 church doors and church façades were pelted with eggs by unknown persons during this period. The eggs were often painted black or labelled with red letters and numbers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7519
Objects from church art project stolen and vandalised
2024-03-07 | In recent weeks, unknown persons have stolen or vandalised five works from a church art project at the Heiliggeist Church Bern.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7520
"Palestine" graffiti on Italian Church
2024-03-05 | San Benedetto church in Brindisi was found smeared with red paint. The ancient portal and another entrance of the church were smeared, and "Palestine" was written on the stairs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7513
Priest harassed and attacked
2024-03-05 | An unknown man physically attacked a priest of the Diocese of Bačka of the Serbian Orthodox Church while he was performing regular parish duties on the street in Novi Sad. The perpetrator quickly walked away and escaped.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7526
Priest faces up to three years in prison for criticising Islam
2024-03-05 | As reported by the Catholic News Agency on March 5, Fr. Custodio Ballester, parish priest from Barcelona, and two other individuals received a summons from a provincial court in Spain in February to answer charges of an alleged “hate crime” for criticising Islam. The charges were initially brought in 2020, when Catalonia's public prosecutor claimed that Fr. Ballester's 2016 article entitled 'The impossible dialogue with Islam' met the criteria of a 'hate crime'. If convicted, Ballester faces up to three years in prison and a fine of more than EUR 1,500.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7543
Ahlen church closed due to repeated vandalism
2024-03-04 | Due to repeated vandalism the St Mary church in Ahlen decided to keep its doors shut outside church services. A board on the door indicates: "Currently closed due to vandalism".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7969
Sant Antoni Abat Church smeared with red paint
2024-03-03 | In the early hours of March 3, the walls of the Sant Antoni Abat parish church have been smeared with red paint. The church is declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. The Sa Pobla Local Police have accused a group of six young people of the vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7505
Assault on a priest during a burglary in Battipaglia
2024-03-01 | The rectory of the Church of St Gregory VII in the Sant'Anna district of Battipaglia, in the province of Salerno, has been robbed. The burglars stole precious objects and offerings worth 30,000 euros. They also assaulted the young assistant parish priest who tried to stop them. At least six members of the gang were involved in the robbery, which took place shortly after 8pm on 1 March in the parish priest's house. The priest was rescued and taken to Santa Maria della Speranza hospital in Battipaglia. He suffered only minor injuries and bruises.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7495
Damage to church entrance
2024-03-01 | On March 1, an unknown perpetrator damaged the staircase in front of the Catholic parish in Waldsee, Germany, rendering it unusable for the public.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7509
State restrictions at Navalny funeral ceremony
2024-03-01 | Russian authorities have implemented significant restrictions that interfere with Christian Orthodox funeral rituals during Navalny's burial. Many fear further violations of the right to manifest one's religion or belief by hindering the religious funeral ceremony.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7487
Suspected Arson at St Matthew Church
2024-03-01 | In the early hours of Friday 1 March, St Matthew's Church in Berlin was the scene of several fires. Police are investigating arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7491
Consecrated Hosts and Religious Objects Stolen from Church
2024-03-01 | In March 2024, unknown perpetrators broke into the Church of Santa Maria ad Nives in Bovalino Superiore by forcing open a side door. They stole several sacred items, including a reliquary medallion containing a hair of the Virgin Mary and the consecrated Host from the tabernacle. The theft was discovered shortly before Mass, which was then moved to another nearby church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7493
Theft of liturgical objects from church in Żychlin
2024-03-01 | On Friday, March 1, during the Stations of the Cross, the parish priest noticed that a lavabo, a liturgical vessel, had disappeared from the church in Żychlin. The lavabo is a jug with a bowl for washing hands during the liturgy. Additionally, a wooden cross with glasses containing fragments of rocks and sand from the Way of the Cross in Jerusalem, which was located on the main altar, was also missing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7501
Prayer Gathering in Frankfurt attacked
2024-03-01 | A prayer gathering conducted by "40 days for life" outside an abortion clinic was violently disrupted and the participants were threatened by a group of activists.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7512
40 graves vandalised at cemetery in Fresselines
2024-02-29 | On February 29, a resident of Fresselines, on his way to the family crypt, discovered the unprecedented vandalism in the Creuse cemetery. Unknown perpetrators had desecrated around 40 graves: between some graves plates had been moved or broken, pots had been thrown to the ground. Some slabs had also been unscrewed and piled up on the ground. Stelae and plaques had been broken or moved.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7598
Pepper spray attack against Christian missionary
2024-02-28 | On the afternoon of February 28, Christian missionary Lahzy Mahfonz Hefzalla Girgis has been attacked with pepper spray at Vienna’s central Stephansplatz. While Mr Girgis was having conversation with a Syrian person, two other allegedly Syrian men approached him. One of the Syrian men shouted "Jesus is God" mockingly and sprayed pepper spray into Mr Girgis' eyes. Lahzy Girgis had to be treated in hospital.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7994
Landmark ECJ ruling recognises conversion in subsequent asylum application
2024-02-28 | In a landmark ruling the European Court of Justice has decided that a conversion to Christianity after the flight should be recognised as grounds for asylum if the applicant can credibly demonstrate that he has changed his religion out of "inner conviction".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7486
18th century church in Pliego vandalised with graffiti
2024-02-28 | As reported on February 28, the walls of the Virgen de los Remedios Church in Pliego, Murcia, has been defaced with graffiti. The church, dating back to the 18th century, is a cultural asset. Two young people, one of them a minor, are suspected of the vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7584
Arson in Carlsberg Church of the Holy Cross
2024-02-26 | On February 26, the confessional in the Catholic Church of the Holy Cross was destroyed in a fire. According to the investigating authorities, a statue of a saint and a storage room were also damaged. A fire expert ruled out a technical defect on Friday, March 1, so the criminal investigation department in Neustadt is assuming arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7475
Theft and excrement in the church of the Madonna dei Sette Dolori
2024-02-26 | On February 26, thieves broke into the church of the Madonna dei Sette Dolori in Vasto and stole offerings from the donation box. The perpetrators furthermore left human excrement on the floor of the church. The parish priest expressed his shock and disgust about this gesture of degradation and disrespect.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7478
Vandalism to Monastery church
2024-02-25 | Unknown perpetrators damaged the monastery church of Betzdorf. The window panes were smashed either with a stone or another tool. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7464
Unknown perpetrator sets fire to priest's car
2024-02-25 | The car belonging to Father Marcos was destroyed in an arson attack outside the church of Francolise near Caserta. The mayor has condemned this incident on social media.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7469
Vandalism at Salvator Church in Gera
2024-02-25 | Unknown individuals have vandalised Salvator Church on the Nicolaiberg in Gera by breaking three windows.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7479
Priest physically attacked in Prizren
2024-02-25 | On February 25 a Serbian Orthodox priest was physically attacked in Prizen. The attack took place as a bus of pilgrims from central Serbia arrived at a seminary Prizren where they wanted to attend the liturgy. The suspect parked his vehicle nearby and displayed a "KLA" flag on the front of the bus. He then verbally attacked and provoked the pilgrims. The priest, who was also on his way to the liturgy at the seminary, advised the pilgrims not to respond to provocations and to enter the Seminary as soon as possible. At that moment, the suspect physically assaulted the priest by pushing him, bending his arm, and attacking him.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7525
Attempted poisoning of Italian priest during mass
2024-02-24 | On 24 February, an unknown person attempted to poison Father Felice Palamara, the parish priest of San Nicola di Pannaconi, by adding bleach to the altar wine. Police suspect the local Mafia behind the attack.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7466
Oratory window shattered by stone for the second time
2024-02-23 | For the second time since september a stone shattred the window of Saint Joseph Oratory in Montegrotto.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7456
St John's Church of Uslar vandalised
2024-02-23 | Unknown perpetrators sprayed painted black letters on the St John's Church of Uslar church wall. The material damage is estimated to be approximately 1000 euros. Police did not report the content of the message.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7483
Geneva Secularity Law: No Public Baptisms for Non-Registered Churches
2024-02-23 | The Swiss Federal Court has supported a decision of the canton of Geneva banning baptismal celebrations in Lake Geneva for churches which do not "maintain a relationship with the State". In its ruling published in February 2024, the Court rejected the appeal of two churches, which have been banned from performing baptisms in the lake despite their long tradition of doing so.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8341
Islamist graffiti on stone crosses
2024-02-22 | Islamist graffiti was discovered on roadside “calver” stone crosses saying "Tomorrow this will be the land of Islam". this is not the first time: on Christmas night, Islamist vandals wrote "Allah" on the cross, and the other day they found the inscription "Today is the land of infidels".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7448
Church vandalised with fire extinguisher
2024-02-22 | Between February 17 and 20 Spjellerup Church in the Danish region Sjælland was severely vandalised. The police believe that a perpetrator had emptied two fire extinguishers in the church, targeting the organ and the altar.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7450
Stones thrown at window of priest's office
2024-02-21 | On February 21, a large stone was thrown into the parish office where the parish priest Don Stefano Sgueglia and two others were still working. A few days prior blasphemous writings and words had appeared on one of the entrances of the monastic house.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7453
St. Johann parish church robbed and desecrated
2024-02-20 | Unknown perpetrators broke into the parish church of St. Johann in Tirol, Austria, and stole and damaged religious objects. The figure of Christ was broken off a wooden cross.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7434
Vandalism at the Dreieichenhain castle church
2024-02-20 | Unknown people damaged the church on the Dreieichenhain castle grounds. According to the police's initial assessment, the historic side door was forced open with brute force. At the same time, the perpetrators broke a window to the right of the main entrance. This is not the first time there has been vanalism to the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7436
Pauluskirche painted with "Allahu Akbar"
2024-02-20 | Shortly after an anti-AfD (Alternative for Germany Party) demo took place on the forecourt, “Allahu Akbar” was daubed in Arabic script on the Protestant Pauluskirche in Hamm, Germany. In response to a news inquiry, the Hamm police confirmed the graffiti on February 20. However, no information can yet be provided about the perpetrator's profile. The investigation is ongoing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7441
Taxi Driver Fined for Displaying Bible Verse
2024-02-20 | A taxi driver from the German town of Essen was fined for displaying a small Bible verse sticker on the rear window of his car. The city authorities claim that the Bible verse constitutes "religious advertising", which is illegal on taxis which are regarded as part of the public transport.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7442
Statue of the Virgin Mary Vandalized
2024-02-20 | A statue of the Virgin del Carme in a local chapel of Reus has been vandalised. Vandals broke the statue’s hands, removed its crown, and left it on a balcony after forcing entry into the chapel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10282
Drunken man attacked the attendants of the Church of St. Sergius
2024-02-19 | A drunk man entered the church of St Sergius of Radonezh in Sertolovo and demanded money from the congregation to continue the "banquet". The women politely refused, which infuriated him. He then flew into a rage, almost ripping the door to the church off its hinges. Previously he had attacked the abbot with a knife.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7446
Arson to St. Lambertus Church in Kalterherberg
2024-02-18 | Unknown perpetrators set fire to the parish church of St. Lambertus in Kalterherberg on Sunday. In the rear area of the interior of the church, prayer books, a shelf with parish letters and sheets from the Book of the Dead were set on fire in front of the wall with the memorial plaques. Opposite, at the Marian altar, the burning memorial lights were thrown down and artificial flowers were also lit.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7426
St Stephen and All Martyrs entrance vandalised
2024-02-18 | The stone pinnacles from a church gate were stolen on the weekend of the church's 180th anniversary.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7430
Vandalism to Major Cloister of St. Francis
2024-02-17 | During the night of February 17, the Major Cloister of St. Francis was smeared with spray cans in several places. The monastery has already been targeted several times by vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7417
Vandalism to St. Martinus Church
2024-02-17 | Unknown perpetrators spray painted the St. Martinus Church door with "666", "shame" and a swastika symbols in white paint. Police are currently investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7419
Vandalism at Gutenstetten Church
2024-02-17 | On 17 February, an unknown person entered the local church of Gutenstetten and broke off the figure of Jesus from the cross, thereby damaging the corpus. Some of the church's furnishings were also altered. The church's baptismal font was changed but not damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7423
Attempted Break In leaves 2,000 euros of damage
2024-02-16 | A unknown perpetrator tried to break a window of the Catholic Mariä Himmelfahrt parish church to presumably get into the building. Awakened by the noise, the priest who lived in the house discovered the attempted break-in and spoke to the unknown person, whereupon he immediately fled on foot towards the train station.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7409
"Religion of Lies" Sprayed on Loosdorf Church
2024-02-15 | Unknown perpetrators daubed the walls of the Loosdorf parish church with the words “Religion of Lies”. On another wall vandals had sprayed the words “Sol invictus”, meaning "undefeated sun god".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7406
Four Crosses Defaced with Islamic Graffiti
2024-02-15 | In Dordogne, four large public crucifixes in separate towns were defaced with references to Islam sometime between December 24, 2023 and February 15, 2024. Two of the crosses were located on the side of the road in Saint-Pantaly-d'Excideuil, the two others in Cherveix-Cubas. One cross, built in the 1800s in a village of 146 people, had the word “Islam” and a crescent moon sprayed on it. Another inscription read “Allah”. Yet another cross was spray-painted with, “Today is the land of infidels, tomorrow the land of Islam.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7705
Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli dei Greci Defaced
2024-02-14 | This property listed among the "places of the heart" of the FAI (Italian Environment Fund) is once again targeted by vandals. Writings were made with spray cans appeared on the entrance staircase, as well as meaningless and shameful phrases on the entrance wall and on the door.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7403
Thieves stole baptismal font
2024-02-14 | Someone has stolen a massive silver baptismal font and various silver cups from St Olav's Church in Modum Bad.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8808
Stations of the cross vandalised
2024-02-13 | The stations of the cross, that are usually installed in the forest between the old to the new cemetery of St Stephan's church in Amstetten, Austria, have been vandalised. Some of the wooden crosses were torn out of the ground and destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7397
Vandalism at a Roadside Shrine in Włocławek
2024-02-12 | The roadside shrine in Włocławek has been vandalised for the third time within two weeks. A statue of Mary has been taken out of the shrine and destroyed. The broken pieces were left on the floor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7424
Fire set repeatedly in front of St. Bartholomäus church
2024-02-12 | Fire was set repeatedly in the outdoor area of St. Bartholomäus church in Götzingen. Further, the unknown perpetrators stole, among other things, prayer flyers and sacrificial candles from inside the prayer house and set them on fire on the stairs to the sacristy.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7407
Rioters caused damage in church of St. Ägidius
2024-02-11 | Unknown people rioted in the St. Ägidius Church in Grafing. Several prayer books were thrown to the ground, the microphones at the altar were tampered with and an elaborately decorated Easter candle was broken. The material damage is estimated at around 300 euros. The police are currently investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7387
St. Ägidius Church Vandalised
2024-02-11 | During the night between February 10 and 11, unknown perpetrators vandalized the church of St. Ägidius in Grafing. Several prayer books were thrown to the floor, the microphones on the altar were tampered with and an elaborately decorated Easter candle was broken. The material damage is estimated at around 300 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7398
Vandalism at St. Ulrich Church
2024-02-11 | The parish church of St. Ulrich in Lavanttal was hit by vandals, bells and other objects were hidden around the altar. There is also material damage to report as the microphone system on the altar was destroyed. The incident has already been reported to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7399
Far-left vandals threatening priest in Barcelona
2024-02-10 | On February 10, strangers left a message on the walls of the parish church of the Roman Catholic priest Father Pablo Pich Aguilera which could be translated into Spanish like this: “We are watching you, Pablo. We will abort.” The text is signed by Arran, a youth group of the Catalan separatist left.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7381
Christian Neurologist Cleared after a three-year investigation for 'pro-life values'
2024-02-09 | Rev. Dr. Patrick Pullicino, a neurologist and Catholic priest has been vindicated by the General Medical Council (GMC) after a three-year investigation for allegedly giving a bias opinion due to his 'pro-life values'.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7427
1,000 euros of property damage to Eiterfeld Church
2024-02-08 | Unknown persons went into the St. Franziskus-Xaverius Churchin Eiterfeld and broke open a wooden interior door. “According to current information, nothing was stolen,” the police said. However, the property damage amount to around 1,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7375
Statue of Mary Removed and Stolen For the Second Time
2024-02-08 | A statue of Our Lady of Fatima, placed on a pedestal in front of the Matriz de Areias Church in Ferreira do Zêzere, has been removed from its pedestal and stolen for the second time.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7383
Window of Dettelbach church smashed
2024-02-07 | Between February 6 and 7 a window of Dettelbach church, which is located on a pilgrimage route, was smashed. According to a police report the perpetrator climbed the scaffolding in order to do this. The damage is estimated around 500 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7370
Suspected Arson to the Church of the Heart of Jesus in Vilnius
2024-02-06 | In the Church of the Heart of Jesus, a fire broke out during where the wooden floor was burnt. The police suspect an arson attack. The loss is estimated to be 5,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7365
Police investigation of Christian preacher over 'hate-crime complaints'
2024-02-06 | Metropolitan Police officers have been filmed threatening to arrest a Christian preacher over allegations of a breach of a Public Space Protection Order. A video posted on social media showed a group of at least five officers demanding the names of evangelists due to allegations of a hate crime after they had been preaching and reading from the Bible.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7400
Relics stolen from church of Lonno
2024-02-06 | Sacred objects were stolen from the Sant'Antonio Abate Church of Lonno. On February 2, the parish priest Roberto Zanini found the tabernacle damaged. Upon further inspection he noticed that two sacred oils and two small relics were stolen in addition to the statuette and tabernacle being damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7410
A couple who specialised in stealing from churches convicted
2024-02-05 | A couple who specialised in stealing from churches has now been caught and convicted. In 2014 the couple had stolen various religious objects in broad daylight from dozens of churches in the west of France. Once stolen these sacred items were sent by mail to England before being sold.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7354
Cross of 7th Century Church of Vankasar Removed
2024-02-05 | The cross of the 7th Century Vankasar Church has been found removed on pictures circulating online.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7357
Vandalism in the church of Fontenay-le-Comte
2024-02-05 | On February 5, vandals attacked the church of Notre Dame in Fontenay-le-Comte and broke two statues. The local Catholic community is deeply shocked about these acts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7374
Man spit on cross and handed out blasphemous cards in Białystok Cathedral
2024-02-04 | Shortly before Mass, a man entered Białystok Cathedral and placed cards bearing blasphemous inscriptions on pews, the pulpit, and the altar. Witnesses reported that he also spat on the crucifix and threw the missal to the ground.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7351
St. Joseph Church in Schalke Vandalised
2024-02-04 | In the course of a series of vandalism attacks, the St. Joseph Church in Schalke has also been targeted. The perpetrators threw projectiles through the stained windows destroying four windows, breaking a door and two gates.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7355
LGBT group vandalises Greek Orthodox Church
2024-02-04 | The Church of St. Achillius of Larissa was vandalised on the eve of the reading of the synodal circular of the Orthodox Church of Greece on the bill to legalize gay marriage. Unknown people wrote slogans on the ground and walls directed against the Orthodox faith and Metropolitan Jerome personally.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7359
Vandalism to the cross of St. Hakob Church
2024-02-04 | The cross of St Hakob's Church in the Hekimyan district of Stepanakert, the capital of the Republic of Artsakh, has been removed and the khachkar (cross stone) in the yard is missing. In addition, the tombstone of a monk in the courtyard of St Harutyun Church in Hadrut was desecrated by an Azerbaijani occupier in the historic Dizak area of Hadrut, Artsakh.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7395
Arson Attack on Priest's Car
2024-02-03 | Priest Don Giovanni Rigoli's car was set on fire by an unknown perpetrator. This happened after the celebration of a funeral in the parish church of Santo Stefano.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7348
Tabernacle broken into and consecrated hosts stolen
2024-02-03 | The church in Labastide-Murat, France, has been desecrated. The tabernacle was broken into and the custode containing the consecrated hosts was stolen. Only two weeks earlier, the presbytery had been broken into.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8823
Man breaks statue in Saint Jean-Baptiste church "in the name of Allah"
2024-02-02 | A man entered Saint Jean-Baptiste church and violently attacked the statue of John the Baptist using a crucifix. The statue, made of plaster, was completely broken and the crucifix was badly damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7342
Vandalism to St. Aloysius Church in Iserlohn
2024-02-02 | Unknown perpetrators daubed the wooden main entrance doors of the St. Aloysius Church on Hohler Weg in Iserlohn with graffiti. Also, an outdoor light was damaged and a flower pot was set on fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7360
Consecrated Hosts and Reliquary Stolen
2024-02-01 | At the beginning of February, a reliquary with the consecrated hosts was stolen from the tabernacle of the Mother Church in Locorotondo.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7346
Vandalism at the Sacred Heart Church
2024-01-31 | On January 31, unknown perpetrators entered the Sacred Heart Church in Sorghof, Germany and used candles to burn a hole in the upholstery of a prayer stool. Further, they also destroyed the reading glasses the church had kept there for a churchgoer.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7331
Man turns himself in after spray painting satanist symbols on church
2024-01-31 | A man 32 hands himself into the police after going on a vandalism spree around Markt Schwaben. Spray painting the town hall and elementary school with anti-police and Nazi messages before then painting satanist symbols on a chapel and St. Margaret's Church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7332
Vandalism and Desecration of Eucharist in Church
2024-01-31 | Thieves broke into the Church of Saint Mary of the Carmine in Lecce and stole money, desecrated the Eucharist kept in the tabernacle, and turned various sacred furnishings into corpses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7337
Suspected Arson Attack at St. Walpurgis Church
2024-01-30 | A fire broke out in the altar area of St. Walpurgis Church burning, among other things, the nativity scene. The fire caused damage of estimated 50,000 euros. Investigators have ruled out a technical defect and are assuming arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7330
Statue destroyed inside church
2024-01-30 | Unknown assailants broke into the Madonna del Pilone church and smashed a statue of Mary, which was completely destroyed. They also stole a small amount of money.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7320
Vandals destroy tombstones and chapel of the Secret Army
2024-01-30 | On January 30 vandals destroy tombstones and chapel of the Secret Army in Hoelbeek, Belgium. First the gravestones were smeared twice with black paint. Some time later the door and information columns of the chapel of the Secret Army were also painted black.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7328
Draft Bill seeks to introduce Censorship Zones Around Abortion Clinics
2024-01-29 | Germany's Federal Family Minister, Lisa Paus, has proposed amendments to the Pregnancy Conflict Act ("Schwangerschaftskonfliktgesetz"), which would impose fines up to 5.000 euros fine on anyone committing a "disturbing" or "confusing" action within 100 meters around abortion clinics. Religious freedom organizations fear that this law could lead to 'censorship zones' like in the UK where individuals have been arrested for silent prayer and other peaceful expressions on public streets around abortion clinics.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7306
Statue of the Angel of Cilavenga once again vandalised
2024-01-29 | A statue of the Angel standing behind the parish church of San Pietro Apostolo in Cilavegna has once again been targeted by vandals, who have damaged its right arm. The statue of the Angel of Cilavenga has already been sprayed and stoned several times.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7321
Communist and Anti-Israel Graffiti on Santa Maria della Pietà Church
2024-01-29 | The external wall of the church of Santa Maria della Pieta, in via San Vitale, was daubed with symbols and the writing 'Israel = death', drawn in red paint. The letters "CCCP" and a hammer and sickle in red paint were also left on the wall.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7367
Terrorists Attack on Church in Istanbul Leaves one Dead and several Injured
2024-01-28 | On January 28 at 11.40 local time two masked gunmen walked into a Sunday mass at the Santa Maria Catholic Church in Istanbul's Sariyer district and fired two shots killing a person and leaving several injured. The Islamic State claims responsibility for the attack.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7300
Vandalism and Theft the Sanctuary of the Angels in Cuneo
2024-01-28 | The Sanctuary of the Angels Church has repeatedly been a target of vandalism. Most recently, the statue of the Madonna was found on the ground with its little finger missing. While in the past it was mostly the candles in front of the statue of the Madonna which disappeared, this time a vase of holy water was stolen in the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7310
Satanists leave 1000 Euros in Damage due to Church Vandalism
2024-01-28 | A pentagram was painted on the side entrance door of St. Vitus Church in Blumberg. An external electronic sensor and a lamp have also been damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7312
Woman harassed by Metropolitan Police for Publicly Signing Gospel Songs
2024-01-28 | Harmonie London was performing in London's Oxford Street when a Metropolitan Police special constable told her: “No, miss, you’re not allowed to sing church songs outside of church grounds, by the way”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7368
Religious Statue Vandalised in Košute
2024-01-28 | On January 28, unknown perpetrators smashed the statue of Blessed Alojzije Cardinal Stepinac in front of the parish church in Košute.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8856
Baptismal font and Stations of the Cross stolen
2024-01-27 | During the night of 27-28 January, unknown perpetrators stole the baptismal font and several stations of the cross from the Catholic Liebfrauenkirche in Sinsen, Germany.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7302
Man Set Fire around and inside Bordeaux-Caudéran church
2024-01-27 | On January 27, a man set a fire outside of the church in a bin before going inside the church and trying to set the altar on fire. He also attempted to set fire to a chair. He was quickly stopped by parishioners before the police came and arrested him.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7316
Analysis: Increased anti-Christian vandalism during the Christmas season
2024-01-26 | OIDAC Europe's analysis shows an increase of anti-Christian incidents over Christmas. Next to tightened security due to terrorism threats to some major churches in European cities, a high number of vandalism of nativity scenes in Italy is raising concerns.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7254
Eggs Thrown at Church
2024-01-26 | An unknown perpetrator threw eggs at the entrance doors of a church. This caused property damage and the police are investigating for the offense of disrupting the practice of religion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7308
Vandalism at St. Peter and Paul church Lindenberg
2024-01-26 | An unknown perpetrator threw rotten eggs at the five doors of St. Peter and Paul church Lindenberg. The parish priest said he did not believe that this was simply a joke by youth. This is not the first time the church has been targeted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7335
Church in Saint-Chély-d'Apcher vandalised with red spray paint
2024-01-26 | On the night of Thursday, January 25 to Friday, January 26, 2024, the facades of the church in Saint-Chély-d'Apcher was vandalised with red spray paint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7585
Vandal Targeted Haussy Church: Religious Statues Stolen and Defaced
2024-01-26 | A man was identified after stealing sacred objects and vandalizing a statue inside the Saint-Pierre church in Haussy, France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10300
Church vandalised with spray-painting
2024-01-24 | On the evening of January 24, the church of St Jodok was vandalised. An unknown person painted the façade of the church and the entrance area. A political motivation for the graffiti has been ruled out. Graffiti damage amounts to €1,000. The police are appealing for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7298
Thieves Steal Cross and Statutes from Salford Church
2024-01-22 | A statue of Jesus on a crucifix was stolen from outside a church using an electric saw. Along with a kneeling angel and a kneeling figure of St Bernadette.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7311
Metropolitan Longin attacked in Bancheny
2024-01-22 | On the night of January 22, 2024, an unknown person attacked the Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Longinus of Bancheny, severely striking the bishop in the face. Metropolitan Longin lost consciousness, and surgery was performed on his eyelids.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7361
Basque Protest Group Interrupts Mass and Vandalises Churches
2024-01-21 | Members of "Defentsa Komunitatea", a youth section of the Basque independence and nationalist movement, interrupted a mass throwing leaflets and fake money. During the last weeks some churches in Azpeitia and Beasain, as well as churches in Lasao, Arroa and Aizarna, have also been vandalized by members of that same group.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7358
Vandalism to the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary
2024-01-21 | In the Kalininsky district of St. Petersburg, vandals painted the walls of the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Peter the Great Polytechnic University (SPbPU). The archpriest said that unknown persons painted offensive slogans on the wall of the building. The police are currently investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7385
Church vandalised with anti-Semitic slur
2024-01-19 | On January 19, an anti-Israel tag "F*ck Israel" was discovered on the floor of the New Church of Putten in Gelderland, the Netherlands. On New Year's Eve 2023, the memorial space in the same Veluwe village was also covered with a green star of David and the date "7 October 2023". This was a direct reference to the day when Hamas carried out a major terrorist attack on Israel, killing 1200 people.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7580
Cemetery vandalism
2024-01-16 | On January 16, some hooded men, during the early morning, destroyed the graves and tore off crosses and other religious images from the cemetery of Espinardo, Murcia, in order to steal them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8961
Parish priest in Varapodio physically attacked
2024-01-15 | On January 15, Father Giovanni Rigoli, the parish priest of Varapodio, was attacked and intimidated after a funeral service at the parish church of Santo Stefano.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7507
Vandalism and Desecration of Bible in Ossingen Church
2024-01-14 | Over the weekend of 13-14 January, the Reformed Church in Ossingen (Weinland Mitte) was vandalised. According to local news reports, the perpetrator also tried to set fire to the Bible on display.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7314
Church walls vandalised with Nazi symbols
2024-01-13 | On 13 January 2024, the walls of the Protestant Church of Peace in Świdnica, Lower Silesia, were vandalised and painted with Nazi symbols and slogans insulting Prime Minister Donald Tusk. One suspect has been arrested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9284
Teaching Assistant Wins Legal Case After Being Fired for Street Preaching
2024-01-12 | In March 2022, Andy Nix, 65, was called to the headteacher's office from Temple Moor High School and interrogated about his street preaching in the summer of 2021. This happened after some students complained that his street preaching made them feel "unsafe". He was fired on the spot and had to leave the school premises immediately. Supported by the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), Mr Nix took legal action against the school claiming harassment, discrimination and a breach of his right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion under Article 9 of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR). Now, the school decided to settle the case and pay him £7,000 in compensation instead of going to trial.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7186
UPDATE: Prosecutor Will Take Päivi Räsänen Case to The Supreme Court
2024-01-12 | After the Court of Appeal cleared Päivi Räsänen of all charges in November 2023, the prosecutor has decided to take the case against the Finnish politician to the Supreme Court of Finland. The case started back in 2019 due to do social media postings by Mrs. Räsänen, in which she quoted a bible verse and asked the Finnish Lutheran Church to stop the support of the Helsinki Gay Pride Parade. Part of the charges were also directed against the Lutheran bishop Juhana Pohjola, who published a booklet by Mrs Räsänen about the Christian teaching on marriage and family.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7234
Glass door of Guildford Cathedral smashed to pieces in senseless vandalism act
2024-01-12 | As reported on January 12, vandals have caused considerable damage to the iconic glass panes at Guildford Cathedral. The door, which had sentinel angels engraved by a renowned glass artist, has been smashed. The Cathedral team said they were devastated by a “senseless act of vandalism at a holy place.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7245
Prayer book set on fire in church
2024-01-12 | On January 12, someone set fire to a prayer book in the Weihenlinden church in Germany. Thanks to the quick action of the people who were in the church, the damage was limited to a few pages of the book. Earlier, two children had pointed out a man smoking next to the book of wishes. The police have launched an investigation and are appealing for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7257
Fire set on church of San Matteo
2024-01-09 | On January 9, someone set fire to wooden pallets leaning against the walls of the Salesian Oratory of San Matteo in Messina, Italy. The fire blackened the walls of the church and the pavement. The incident was reported to the police by the oratory's director, Don Gabriele Cardaciatto. "We consider certain behaviours to be absurd and unseemly incivility," said Raffaele Verso, President of the V Municipality of Messina.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7179
St. John Church in Barcelona vandalised by left-wing group
2024-01-09 | On January 9, the church of Saint John in Barcelona, Spain, was vandalised by the left-wing organisation ARRAN. The church is considered a cultural asset of the city. The incident was published in X by and several users called for ARRAN to be fined.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7183
Hosts and sacred objects stolen
2024-01-08 | On January 8, between 2am and 4am, thieves broke into the sanctuary of Beata Vergine dell'Olmo in Portomaggiore, Italy, and stole hosts, sacred objects, video and sound equipment, and damaged the interior of the church. When the parish priest, Don Ugo Berti, went to prepare for the first mass of the day at 6.30am he found the church door open. At first he thought it was an accident, but then he saw that the entrance had been forced open in several places. He quickly alerted the authorities. "I am afraid it was a theft on behalf of Satanists: the hosts could be used to celebrate black masses," the parish priest said.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7175
Arson to Monastery in Stavronikita, Greece
2024-01-08 | On January 8, the Holy Monastery of Stavronikita on Mount Athos suffered an arson attack. A 63-year-old man has been arrested, after being reported by one of the monks as the suspected perpetrator, and he confessed to being involved in the arson attack.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7238
Arson to Church in Pula, Croatia
2024-01-07 | On January 7, unknown perpetrators started a fire in front of the church in Pula. As a witness reported, the vandals placed two burning boards in front of the large wooden door, which was quickly engulfed by the fire. The police have started an investigation and are looking for the perpetrators. The church held a mass on the same day to pray for the ones who committed the act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7173
"God doesn't exist" graffiti sprayed on Mendigorría church
2024-01-06 | On the eve of Epiphany, the church in Mendigorría, Spain, was spray-painted with two graffiti reading "God does not exist".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7174
Windows of St Jame's Church repeatedly smashed
2024-01-05 | The stained galss windows of St James's Church in west London have been repeatedly smashed accross five nights. In total, they have been broken through 16 times. In some cases the panes have been damaged, in others they have been completely destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7236
Man caused £35,000 worth of damage to church windows
2024-01-05 | Over the course of five nights, an individual repeatedly attacked St James' church in London, damaging virtually every panel of the church's window. Some panels have been completely destroyed, others badly damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7388
ISIS issues global call to kill Jews and Christians
2024-01-04 | On Thursday, January 4, the IS militia once again claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Kerman, Iran. It also issued a global call to attack Jews and Christians, particularly in Europe and the US.
In a recorded message, the spokesperson of ISIS, Abu Huzaifa Al-Ansari, urged extremist Islamists to kill "Christians, Jews and their allies in the streets of Europe, the United States and the world." He also specifically called for targeting churches.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7141
Recidivist thief arrested for church burglary
2024-01-04 | In Łomża, Poland, a 28-year-old man was arrested. In December, he "broke the display case of the painting of Our Lady of Częstochowa and stole the decorations from inside".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7146
Cross in Tarnów vandalised
2024-01-04 | A roadside cross with a figure of Christ was found vandalised in Tarnów, Poland. The corpus on the cross has been severely damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7152
Nativity scene in Turin destroyed
2024-01-04 | On January 4, the nativity scene and Christmas tree were destroyed in an act of vandalism in the 5th district of Turin. The president of the district, Enrico Crescimanno, announced that an investigation would be launched to identify the vandals. He also described the act as "a disgraceful gesture against the representation of the Nativity".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7187
Statue of Jesus stolen from Nativity Scene - and Returned
2024-01-04 | On New Year's Eve, the the statue of Infant Jesus was stolen from a nativity shrine on Umberto I Square in Orbassano, near Turin. However, on January 4 the statue reappeared on the steps of St. John the Baptist Parish with a letter of apology: "I apologise for the stupid gesture. Please put it back where it belongs. Thank you".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7189
Arson attack on Lutheran church in Halle
2024-01-03 | On January 3, a Lutheran church in Halle, Germany, was set on fire. The police assume it was an arson attack. "Witnesses became aware of the fire at the entrance to the church and were able to prevent the fire from spreading further", said the police spokesperson. As a result of the arson attack, the entrance door is damaged. The police is investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7113
Statue of Infant Jesus thrown into Garda Lake
2024-01-03 | Vandals attacked a Nativity scene in Salò, Italy. The figure of the Infant Jesus from the Nativity Scene of the local fire brigade was thrown into the Garda Lake between the 2nd and 3rd of January. The friends of the Salò fire brigade comment that "the baby Jesus was uprooted from his cradle and thrown into the waters in front of the site designated to house the Nativity." They also reported that the figure of St Joseph was also replaced.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7201
Cologne Cathedral Terrorist Attack Plot uncovered
2024-01-02 | A plot to bomb Cologne's Catholic cathedral has been uncovered by police. "The attack was to have been carried out with a car packed with explosives," the local media announced. As a result of the plot, five men were arrested between 26 and 31 December, all of them allegedly linked to Islamic extremists. The Cologne police spokesman said that the police would maintain security at the cathedral.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7109
Nativity Scene in Jastrzebie Destroyed
2024-01-02 | Between 1 and 2 January, the Jastrzębie-Zdrój Municipal Police Station received a report concerning devastation of a nativity scene. Four figurines were damaged and another two figurines were stolen and then destroyed by smashing, officers said.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7110
Statue of Jesus stolen from Nativity Scene
2024-01-02 | In the church of Saint-Etienne de Faux-la-Montagne, the figure of the Christ Child was stolen from the crib of the nativity scene. The theft was discovered by the parish priest on 2 January.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7143
Nativity scene Figures beheaded in Florence
2024-01-02 | Every year dozens of nativity scenes are set up along the Via dei Presepi. This Christmas, one of them was found with eight out of ten human figures decapitated, as it was reported by the police on January 2nd. The figures of the animals were also damaged. The incident has been described as a "sacrilegious surgical act". This event was also communicated on social media by the councillor, Susi Giglioli.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7195
Arson attack on St John the Evangelist church
2024-01-01 | Fire was set to St John the Evangelist church in Enfield. Forty firefighters were needed to extinguish the fire. It has been confirmed by the police that this was an arson attack. The fire started by the high altar and damaged stained-glass windows and artefacts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7443
Statue of Jesus from Nativity Scene Beheaded
2024-01-01 | On January 1st, unknown vandals smashed the statue of the Child Jesus in Gorla Maggiore, Italy, in broad daylight. Mayor Pietro Zappamiglio expressed "great sadness and bitterness at what has happened." It is hoped that the vandals were caught on church cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7198
Burglar robs church and damages valuable statue
2024-01-01 | On New Year's Day, a man stole money from a church in Sopot, Poland. During the robbery he broke a valuable figure worth more than 1,000 PLN.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7226
Vandals smash 25 windows at church
2024-01-01 | 25 windows of St John's Church in Salzhausen were damaged by vandals at the beginning of January. Unknown persons had smashed the windows with fist-sized rocks and caused damage of 42,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8591
Sacred objects stolen from Kassel church
2023-12-31 | Sacred objects were stolen from the chapel of the Apostles of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Kassel, Germany, on 31 December, according to police. The thieves also caused damage to the church. The identity of the burglars is unknown and the police are still looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7102
The statue of the Infant Jesus was decapitated in Alliste
2023-12-31 | It was reported that on New Year's Eve, unknown perpetrators vandalised the nativity scene of the parish church of San Quintino in Alliste, targeting the statue of the infant Jesus. The parish priest commented: "An outburst by our children that should make us reflect".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7115
Nativity Scene Vandalised with Blue Paint
2023-12-31 | On January 4, a nativity scene was vandalised with blue paint outside the parish church of Großenbach-Hünfeld, Germany. The local community is shocked about the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7134
Statue of St John of Nepomuk repeatedly vandalised
2023-12-31 | On the night of 31 December to 1 January, unknown perpetrators destroyed a statue of St John of Nepomuk on Odmętowa Street in Kraków. This is the second such incident in a short period of time. A similar incident occurred in April 2023, just before Easter.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7136
Three churches in Bauska broken into
2023-12-31 | Between 30 and 31 December, three churches in Bauska were broken into. As the locks were broken, there was material damage in addition to the stolen goods.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7138
Figure of Jesus stolen from nativity scene
2023-12-31 | The figure of the Infant Jesus has been stolen from the nativity scene in the Church of Christ in Niebull, Germany. The caretaker of the nativity scene, Ursula Mast-Christiansen, is appealing for the baby Jesus to be returned immediately.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7139
Via Crucis vandalised in Mavignola
2023-12-31 | In the night from December 31 to January 1, unknown perpetrators have damaged the stations of the Via Crucis, defacing them and committing severe vandalism. According to the councilor of the Municipality of Pinzolo, Luca Vidi, the statue of Christ was stolen from the first of the stations of the cross. Other stations have been defaced with "unrepeatable slogans" against "the Church, Christianity and the Pope". "Some people are not educated as they should be, and there is no respect for the common heritage, ignoring the fact that it was created with everyone's efforts," the councillor commented.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7149
Statue of Mary Vandalised for the Second Time
2023-12-31 | On New Year's Eve a newly restored statue of Mary has been vandalised for the second time in Dunavecse, Hungary. Unknown perpetrators smashed the head of the statue and trampled its pieces.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7151
Another Nativity scene vandalised in Italy
2023-12-31 | On New Year's Eve, vandals destroyed the nativity scene in Campogalliano, Italy. The crib was built by local volunteers. Unknown vandals destroyed the figures and also damaged a nearby bus station.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7193
Nativity Scene Vandalism: Statue of Infant Jesus destroyed
2023-12-31 | A statue of the infant Jesus of the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie was found destroyed on New Year's Eve. The figure was found with its arm and head cut off. The head is still missing. The village, which has only 198 inhabitants, is wondering who could have done such a thing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7196
Baby Jesus Figure Beheaded and torn into pieces
2023-12-31 | As it was reported at the end of December 2023, the nativity scene in Piazza della Repubblica in Monfalcone, Italy, has been attacked. The statuette of baby Jesus was found decapitated and smashed to pieces. The police are investigating. The mayor, Anna Maria Christi, said that everything is being done to find those responsible.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7197
Cemetery vandalism and thefts: Berlin Police recorded 170 cases in 2023
2023-12-31 | 170 incidents of cemetery vandalism and thefts were recorded for the region of Berlin in 2023. These are the numbers the German Senate Department for the Interior and Sport published on July 29, 2024, responding to a parliamentary enquiry.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8347
Nativity scene destroyed in Rome
2023-12-30 | On December 30, a nativity scene was destroyed in the Setticamini area of Rome, Italy. The crib was built by the citizens. The vandals "destroyed the face of Mary, they broke the hand of Saint Joseph, they tore down all the decorations and scattered them everywhere".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7191
Jesus figure stolen from nativity scene
2023-12-30 | On December 30, the statue of the child Jesus was stolen from the nativity scene on Plaza dela Hispanidad in Cuenca. In a statement, the Consistory lamented that once again this year these acts of vandalism have targeted a heritage "that belongs to everyone".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7939
Angel statue stolen from church
2023-12-29 | On 29 December 2023, an angel statue was stolen from Saint Peter's Church in Sète, France. The theft has been reported to the authorities and the police are investigating. The thief would have stolen the angel during church opening hours.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7137
Figure of Infant Jesus stolen from Church
2023-12-29 | On January 29, Don Severino Bernardini, the parish priest of Sant'Agnese, noticed that the crib was empty: the baby Jesus had been stolen. This is not the first time that this has happened in the parish. Hopefully the priest, who is a man of vision, had another baby figurine in stock. However, Don Severino left a note in the cradle to try and move the thief's heart: "Please take me back to my crib". Although the missing figurine has been replaced, the parish priest hopes that the thief will return the stolen baby Jesus.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7255
Thieves stole 30 crucifixes from cemeteries
2023-12-27 | Through the theft of up to 30 copper or brass crucifixes severe damage was caused in the cemeteries of Pantoja, Seseña and Borox, in the province of Toledo. Three thieves broke into the municipal cemeteries and tore the crucifixes off the tombstones, causing damage amounting to 20,000 euros in the Pantoja cemetery alone.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7941
Arson attack on Maria Namen Church in Vienna
2023-12-26 | On December 26, unknown perpetrators set fire to the entrance of Maria Namen Parish Church in the 16th district of Vienna, Austria. A construction site toilet, which had been placed at the entrance of the church due to current rennovations, has been set on fire and completely melted. Apparently, fire accelerants must have been used. The parish priest, Jesus David Jean Villalobos, suspects arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7237
Baby Jesus Torn into Pieces By Young Vandals
2023-12-26 | In Muggio, Italy, vandals damaged the Nativity scene by destroying first a sheep and later the statue of baby Jesus. The act was caught by the security camera and handed over to the police. Also, the parish priest of the Madonna del Castagno pastoral community, Don Maurizio Tremolada, published a video on his Facebook page showing the young people who entered the hut around 26 December and wrote a letter addressed to those who had destroyed the statue of the baby Jesus. In the letter, he invites the perpetrators to make up for their actions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7199
Aggressive Disruption of Christmas Mass
2023-12-25 | On December 25, 2023, a 50-year-old man disrupted a solemn Christmas mass celebrated in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Koscielny Square in Łódź. The perpetrator interrupted the celebration of the service by behaving aggressively and shouting obscenities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8637
Arrest after prevented terror attack on Cologne's Cathedral
2023-12-24 | A 30-year-old man from Tajikistan has been arrested in connection with the terror warning for Cologne's Cathedral. Shortly before Christmas, the German police had received indications about a planned terrorist attack on the Cathedral. The police presumes an Islamist extremist motive. Cologne's Cathedral has been closed outside church service hours due to security concerns since Christmas.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7167
Nativity scene violently destroyed
2023-12-24 | On Christmas Eve, street cameras caught a group of people damaging the nativity scene on the sqaure of Uboldo. The figures were "furiously kicked, punched and beaten". Someone also sat on the cradle and damaged it. The Major has announced that appropriate action will be taken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7194
18th century crucifix stolen on Christmas Eve
2023-12-24 | On Christmas Eve, someone stole the 18th-century crucifix from St Nokolai's Church in Sweden. The thefts must have happened during the Christmas Eve celebration.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7258
Repeated Thefts of Nativity Figures in Ancenis
2023-12-24 | Repeated thefts of figures from nativity scenes have been reported at Ancenis church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7900
Arrests after Prevented Potential Attack on Cathedral
2023-12-23 | Austria has increased security measures over Christmas due to threats of Islamist terror attacks. The suspected targets should have been Vienna's Cathedral and a few other churches. The Tajik man arrested in Germany was allegedly part of a terrorist group discovered in Vienna. The police is suspecting an Islamist terrorist motive and a connection to the ISIS-K (Islamic State - Khorasan Province). Although the suspect fled, a few other suspected terrorists, namely a man from Chechnya, another Tajik man and a woman from Turkey, were arrested before Christmas. The fugitive was arrested in Germany and is awaiting extradition to Austria.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7168
Church Defaced with Paint just before Christmas
2023-12-23 | On December 23, three juvenile residents vandalised a church in Gostynin, Poland. The walls of the church was spray painted in blue. The tags show insults and possible slogans related to Catholicism. A police investigation was launched and the vandals were identified thanks to the city surveillance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7184
Statue from Nativity Scene Stolen and Church Damaged Before Christmas
2023-12-23 | On the 23rd of December, it was reported that a statuette of the nativity scene in the church of Valdagno was stolen. Now, the crib will be secured behind bars. The thieves stole the statue of a priest holding a monstrance and by doing so they also damaged the door, some pews and the steps to the entrance door, where another statue was ripped off. The police were notified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7218
Nativity scene figures stolen and damaged
2023-12-23 | Between December 23 and 30, three figures were stolen from the nativity scene in St Anthony's Church in Amberg, Germany. In addition, a fourth figure was completely smashed. The police are asking anyone with information to contact them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7249
Desecration of La Piarre Church
2023-12-23 | According to the local diocese, the parish church of La Piarre has been desecrated with the theft of a chalice and the desecration of consecrated hosts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7899
School eliminates Jesus from Christmas play
2023-12-21 | A primary school in Agna, Padua, decided to change its Christmas play by removing Christian references, including the name of Jesus, replaced by Cùcù, and the nativity scene. Teachers said they made the decision to avoid discontent among families of different faiths, but it offended Catholic parents. The play was changed without the parents' knowledge. Some families decided not to send their children to class in protest.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7100
Sculptures Stolen From Church in Rietavas
2023-12-21 | On November 20, three wooden sculptures, included in the register of cultural values, disappeared from the church in Rietavas, Lithuania.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7219
Religious statues and car of priest vandalised
2023-12-21 | On December 21, an unknown perpetrator wrought havoc on the grounds of the church of St. Michael the Archangel in Smorgon. Several religious statues and the priest's car were damaged. The man shouted that the Catholic Church should "get out of here".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7229
Vicious graffiti on church in Budel
2023-12-21 | On December 21, slogans attacking the asylum seekers' centre, a swastika and other symbols were found on the walls of the Church of Our Lady in Budel, North Brabant. On the side wall of the church building, texts were found such as 'azc weg' ('close down the asylum seekers' center'), 'own people first' and 'f*ck the police'. There is also a middle finger on one of the entrances to the church and a picture of the Prophet Muhammad on the church building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7581
Armenian Church of St. Mary in Sweden Vandalized Before Christmas
2023-12-20 | St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Södertälje, Sweden, was the target of a raid on 20 December. Intruders gained access through a window leading to a room used for various ceremonies and stole valuable items with great sentimental value for the community. “We didn’t expect this. We are facing an empty altar before Christmas,” said Alexander Sharoyan, the church’s representative. A police investigation has been initiated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7098
Nativity scene destroyed by fire
2023-12-20 | On December 20, a fire destroyed the nativity scene in the parish church of Brentonico, Rome. A woman raised the alarm when she saw the church was completely filled with smoke. The parish priest, Don Daniele Laghi, suspects arson, as the nativity scene had already vandalised a few weeks ago. The police have opened an investigation to establish the facts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7192
Vandalism of Graveyard of Saint Eunan's Cathedral
2023-12-19 | Between December 19 and January 3, unknown persons broke and pulled down several headstones in the graveyard of Saint Eunan's Cathedral in Raphoe, Ireland. Some were broken, other stones were pulled out of the ground. Local police are appealing to anyone with information about the vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7177
Crosses will not be removed from Bavaria's state buildings
2023-12-19 | A German High Court rejected the claim that the presence of a cross infringes on the religious freedom of the plaintiffs. On December 19, the Federal Administrative Court of Leipzig dismissed a lawsuit against a Bavarian decree (Kreuzerlass) from 2018, which required the display of crosses in public institutions "as an expression of the historical and cultural identity of Bavaria".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7185
Threats against Church in Geesthacht
2023-12-19 | According to the local police, St. Salvatoris parish church in Geesthacht, Germany, received a threatening letter. Due to security concerns, the parish had to cancel several events, including the nativity play. The Christmas church service is going to take place with police protection and restrictions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7273
Vandalism to Bethlehem Church Construction Site in Clamecy
2023-12-19 | The construction site of Bethlehem Church in Clamecy was broken into and vandalised on December 19, 2023. On site, construction equipment was manipulated, diesel siphoned off and some of the keys to the equipment were stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7276
Repeated theft of Jesus figure from nativity scene
2023-12-19 | On December 19, the Jesus figure from the nativity scene in Benimaclet, Valencia, was stolen again, only ten days after it had previously been stolen and replaced by a caricature. This time, the vandals did not only steal the Jesus figure, but have also painted the word "eviction" on the wooden planks protecting the crib.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7943
Woman forced off public street by police while praying
2023-12-18 | Livia Tossici-Bolt, a 63-year old charitable volunteer, has filed a complaint against officers who forced her off a public street where she was peacefully praying and holding a sign. While the officers accused her of breaching the local "buffer zone" legislation, Mrs. Tossici-Bolt was actually not standing within the zone, as video evidence confirms.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7190
Nativity Scene Figures Beheaded
2023-12-17 | In the German town Rüsselsheim all figures of a nativity scene, including the depiction of baby Jesus, Joseph, Mary and the three Wise Men, have been beheaded in an act of vandalism. The damage was discovered on December 17. According to a report, the nativity scene, which was part of a Christmas marked, looked like a battlefield and the figure of Jesus in the manger was found beneath the rubble.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7101
Pectoral Cross of Cardinal Wyszynski Stolen From Pilgrimage Church
2023-12-17 | A pectoral cross donated to the Church in Ortenburg, Germany, by Cardinal Wyszynski was stolen. Unknown perpetrators brok into the case in which it was stored to steal the cross.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7304
Host and sacred objects stolen from the Holy Family Church
2023-12-17 | On December 17, the tabernacle of the Holy Family Church in Łódź was broken into and the host as well as monstrances, chalices, cans, and other items were stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7471
Cumbrae Church's Nativity Scence Vandalised
2023-12-16 | A Christmas nativity scene at Cumbrae Parish Church was vandalised in Millport. Among other damages, the figure of Mary had been beheaded. The church community is shocked about the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7467
Former auxiliary bishop assaulted and seriously injured
2023-12-16 | The former Auxiliary Bishop of Hildesheim, Nikolaus Schwerdtfeger, has been the victim of an attack in his home and is being treated in intensive care.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7472
St Anna church remains closed indefinitely after vandalism and threats
2023-12-15 | St Anne's Church in Stendal has been closed since December due to vandalism and intimidation. As reported on 28 February the church is still not receiving regular visitors and is only open for worship service.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7485
France refuses Iranian Christian convert asylum
2023-12-15 | Ata Fathimaharlooei, an Iranian convert to Christianity, has received a deportation order after his asylum application has been refused in France. A return, however, would be very dangerous as he is threatened with death for apostasy in Iran.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7841
Makovecs Square nativity scene destroyed
2023-12-14 | On December 14, a nativity scene displayed on the main square in Markó, Hungary, was destroyed by unknown persons. The nativity scene, which was awarded the most beautiful in the country in 2020, was found with all the human figures decapitated, while the animal figures were untouched. The incident was reported to the police. Some of the figures appear to have been damaged beyond repair.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7181
Stained glass window of St. Martinus Church damaged
2023-12-14 | On December 14, damage was caused to St. Martinus Church in Böttingen. An unknown perpetrator smashed the stained glass window integrated into the sacristy's concrete glass window, causing damage amounting to around 1,000 euros. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7470
Three Christians Sentenced to Jail for Conscientious Objection to Military Service
2023-12-13 | In the past months, three Protestant Christians have been sentenced to jail for conscientious objections to military service on religious grounds in Ukraine. One of them, Dmytro Zelensky, is imprisoned after his acquittal was reversed by the Ternopil Appeal Court in August 2023. He has been sentenced to three years in prison and is currently preparing his appeal to the High Court.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7265
Church Door vandalised
2023-12-13 | On December 13, the door handle of a church in Marburg was ripped off. The incident has been reported to the police. The damage is estimated at several hundreds of euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7611
Church in Piacenza vandalised
2023-12-11 | On December 11, the Santa Rita church in Piacenza, Italy, was vandalised, resulting in damages of several thousand euros. Among other things, a cross was destroyed and money was stolen from the offering box.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7631
Graffiti on Church in Bareggio, Nativity scene vandalised
2023-12-11 | In Bareggio, the church of the Brughiera has been vandalised by graffiti on the outside walls. The incident came right after a nativity scene on the square of Bareggio was attacked. One figure was destroyed, another broken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7632
French Minister announces dissolution of Catholic movement 'Academia Christiana'
2023-12-10 | The French Minister of Interior, Gérald Darmanin, announced on 10 December that he would present in “the coming weeks” to the Council of Ministers the dissolution of Academia Christiana, a youth-movement of traditional Catholics which since its foundation in 2013 has brought together thousands of young Christians in its training courses and summer schools. According to the minister, the decision was made on the fact that the movement is "inciting hatred and discrimination." Academia Christiana has already announced that they will challenge then ban in court.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7091
Vandalised nativity scene in front of the church of Magenta
2023-12-10 | On December 10, the nativity scene on the churchyard of San Rocco in Magenta, Italy was vandalised. Unknown perpetrators cut off the head and arms and legs of the statue of the child Jesus and damaged that of Mary.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7636
Bomb Threat against Austrian Heiligenkreuz Abbey
2023-12-09 | On December 9, the Austrian Heiligenkreuz Abbey in the district Baden received a bomb threat. The threatening call came shortly before 5 pm. The police confirmed that the threat had an Islamist motive. According to media reports, the aggressor said on the phone: "Convert to Islam, or I will bomb you."
Special police forces promptly searched the public areas of the monastery, but no suspicious items were found on the premises.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7090
Figure of Jesus stolen from Nativity Scene and replaced with caricature
2023-12-09 | On December 12, a figure of the Child Jesus was stolen from a life-sized nativity scene at Benimaclet square, Valencia, just a few hours after the nativity scene was placed there. The unknown perpetrators furthermore replaced the figure with a caricature of Jesus.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7095
Vandalism of Nativity Scene in Tavarede
2023-12-09 | On the night of 9 December, a major act of vandalism took place in Tavarede, including the destruction of a nativity scene and a Christmas tree in Tavarede's church square. Other Christmas decorations in public streets were also vandalised. There was also an attempted break-in at a nearby mortuary, which the mayor believes may have been used to gain access to the church to steal and cause further damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8139
Altar Cross stolen from Chapel in Mulfingen
2023-12-08 | On December 8, the altar cross, worth several hundred Euros, was stolen from the St. Anna Chapel in Mulfingen, Germany. Local Police started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7613
Climate activists vandalise Venice's San Marco Basilica
2023-12-07 | On 7 December, six climate activists defaced St Mark's Basilica of Venice by spraying Nesquik with fire extinguishers on the right side facade and pouring mud on the columns. They then unfurled a banner and a placard with the photos of twelve climate activists who were detained for three days after a roadblock in Fiumicino.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7082
Russian authorities ban Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in occupied Zaporizhzhia region
2023-12-07 | The Russian military-civilian administration in the occupied Zaporizhzhia oblast of Ukraine issued an order banning the activities of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), as well as the Knights of Columbus and Caritas organizations engaged in social service in the occupied territory. All movable and immovable property and land plots of the UGCC will also be seized. The Information Department of the UGCC reports they just become aware of this on December 7, although the document dates December 26, 2022.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7089
Arson destroyed Bethlehem Chruch in Rotterdam
2023-12-06 | On the evening of December 6, a fire broke out in the Bethlehemkerk church building located on Oranjestraat, Rotterdam. The flames quickly spread to the roof, causing it to collapse. The church was almost completely destroyed by the fire. The fire department arrived promptly and was able to prevent the fire from spreading any further. As a precautionary measure, the surrounding houses were temporarily evacuated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7608
Nativity Scene vandalised
2023-12-06 | On the night of December 6, 2023, the nativity scene next to the Church of St. Nicholas on the market square in Stary Fordon in Bydgoszcz was vandalised. Three young men recorded on city surveillance destroyed, among other things, the wooden walls, floor, gates and hinges of the Nativity scene.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8627
Woman breaks pew in Nice church shouting ‘Allah Akbar’
2023-12-06 | According to local reports, a Tunisian woman, Aïcha B., broke a pew in the Gesù church in Nice on December 6, shouting ‘Allah Akbar’. She was arrested and interned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8822
St. Mary's Church Vandalized with anti-Christian Graffiti in Cologne
2023-12-05 | At the beginning of December, for example, the pilgrimage church of St Mary in Kupfergasse in Cologne was the victim of an attack in which the perpetrators left eclectic messages on the walls of the chapel. The smearing included writings such as "666" and "Allah Akbar", most probably non of these related to genuine Satanism or Islamism. However, the use of these slogans and the fact that the perpetrators defaced the chapel walls point to a strong anti-Christian motive.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7231
Door of Church damaged in Greiz
2023-12-05 | On December 5, the door of a church in Greiz, Germany was partly destroyed, resulting in damages of at least a thousand euros. Police started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7652
Church windows vandalised
2023-12-05 | Three teenagers, aged between 15 and 17, were caught by the police, after video footage showed them throwing rocks at windows of a church in Arzignano, Italy. The damages amount to more than 2500 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7694
Thirty statues stolen from nativity scene in Tarent, Italy
2023-12-04 | Thirty statues from a nativity scene, worth several hundred Euros, were stolen from the Madonna delle Grazie church in Tarnet, Italy. The thieves also tried to steal the tabernacle but failed to do so. Police started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7695
Climate Activists interrupt Mass in Turin
2023-12-03 | On Sunday, December 3, a Mass held by Archbishop Roberto Repole was disrupted by climate activists. The protestors from the climate activist group "Extinction Rebellion" disrupted the church service in Turin Cathedral. During the Mass, the activists stood up one at a time, walked to the front, positioned themselves in front of the altar and started to read aloud passages from Pope Francis' "Laudato Si" and "Laudate Deum," both of which discuss climate change. The Archbishop of Turin said: "I am sorry that they decided to take the floor... without first wanting to talk to me and ask if they could intervene... I would have replied that at Mass we often pray for peace... but the Eucharistic celebration is not a suitable time to host public interventions." The Archbishop said that he initially let them speak before asking them to end so they could continue the celebration of the Mass.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7083
Protestant Church in Annweiler Ransacked
2023-12-02 | Between the morning of December 1 and the morning of December 2, unknown perpetrators broke into a Protestant church in Annweiler. The individuals trashed a room inside the church, but did not steal anything. The damage is estimated to cost about 500 euros. Police are still investigating the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7097
Priest's car set on fire in Carapelle
2023-12-02 | The car of Don Claudio Barboni, the parish priest of the Church of the Blessed Mary Virgin of the Rosary in Carapelle, was demolished in a fire the night of December 2. The priest said he noticed the fire from his window at 2 in the morning. The car was parked in front of the rectory in Vico Capua.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7099
Theft and Vandalism at Church in Casale
2023-12-02 | Within one week a church in Casale, Itlay, became both the target of theft and vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7645
Woman Arrested after Rosary Prayer banned in Madrid
2023-12-01 | On November 27, a woman was arrested in Madrid for praying the rosary on the streets. This comes after the Government Delegation banned the public prayer of the rosary that has been taking place in front of the headquarters of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) during the ongoing anti-government protests.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7079
Nativity scene destroyed by two British tourists in Spain
2023-12-01 | December 1, two British tourists were caught in the act of vandalising the Jerez nativity scene in Spain. The Christ Child was the most damaged figure and had to be replaced by another. The two men were also mocking Christian prayer after they were caught. The authorities have opened an investigation against the two British tourists for vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7182
Cross Vandalized in Church in Toulouse
2023-11-30 | On November 30 around 10 AM it was discovered that the Aucamville town church in Toulouse was vandalized. A cross was severely damaged, a vase was broken and the pieces were left on the ground. Two vandals were identified and it was discovered they were intoxicated while performing the acts of vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7086
Sacred Objects stolen from Church in Guttaring
2023-11-30 | On the night of November 20, unknown perpetrators broke into the pilgrimage church in Guttaring. They stole gold crowns, gold and silver chains that were connected to a picture of Mary. Furthermore, the locked altar area was broken into and religious objects were stolen from the altar. The cost of the damage is unknown and the police are investigating the situation further.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7088
UPDATE: ECHR Dismisses Case of Host Desecration in Spain
2023-11-30 | Back in 2018, the Spanish Association of Christian Lawyers lodged an application with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) with the help of the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ), following the theft and host desecration by the “artist” Abel Azcona. Now, the ECHR has declared the application inadmissible.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7147
ECJ rules Public Administrations can ban Religious Symbols at work
2023-11-28 | A judgment by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) from November 28 ruled that a public administration's imposition of strict neutrality to establish a 'neutral administrative environment' by forbidding the use of visible religious symbols can be justified. The Court states that Member States have discretion in designing neutrality policies but must pursue these objectives consistently and reasonably. This concept of 'strict neutrality', which is seen as opposed to visible religious symbols, raises religious freedom concerns.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7081
Statue of Infant Jesus Beheaded in St. Johann Church in Saarbrücken
2023-11-27 | On November 27, unknown perpetrators vandalized the Basilica of St. John the Baptist in Saarbrücken. A statue of Infant Jesus has been beheaded and the statute of Mary, holding the infant, was also damaged. Later on, a 44-year-old woman was identified as the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7074
Destruction of the shrine of Mary
2023-11-27 | On the night of 26 to 27 November 2023, unknown perpetrators vandalised the shrine of Mary in Postoliska, Poland. The vandals destroyed the entire body of the statue of Mary, leaving only the base.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8616
Threats and Disturbance inside Vienna's Cathedral
2023-11-26 | On November 26, a 29-year-old man from Syria disrupted the Sunday Mass in Vienna's St. Stephan Cathedral.
According to media reports, he repeatedly disturbed the liturgy, jumped over the fence around the main alter and screamed loudly.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7073
Church in Odenhausen vandalised
2023-11-25 | On November 25, vandals damaged the downspouts and power cables of the parish church of Odenhausen, Germany. They also tore out headlights so that power cables hung open.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7292
Altar Cross and money stolen from Church in Jülich
2023-11-25 | Between November 25 and December 2, an altar cross and money from an offering box were stolen from the St. Martinus church in Jülich, Germany. The police started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7630
Statue of Mary Damaged and Cross Stolen from Church in Vienna
2023-11-24 | On November 23, Keplerkirche St. Johann in Vienna was vandalized. Witnesses had seen a man who had allegedly tore a statue of the Madonna from an anchorage in the church and stole a wooden cross. Based on the witness statements and video surveillance footage, the police were able to identify the perpetrator. The 29-year-old Syrian man was found near the church and arrested. He will be charged with aggravated damage to property and theft. The stolen cross was returned to the church.
The same perpetrator attacked the Viennese St. Stephan cathedral a few days later (see case from November 26, 2023).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7067
Sacred Objects Stolen from Church in Nürnberg
2023-11-24 | Sacred objects worth over 1800 euros have disappeared from the St Jakob's Protestant Church in Nürnberg. The theft was noticed in autumn by a group of visitors, who realised that the angel statues, which were normally holding religious symbols in their hands, were now standing there empty-handed. The religious symbols which have been stolen are a Christ monogram, a cross and symbols of scourge, crown of thorns, hammer and nails.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7104
Vandalism and theft in Syrian Orthodox church
2023-11-23 | In the night of November 23, the Syrian Orthodox church in Tensta was burgled and vandalised. The police found break marks on a door and broken windows and that some objects had been stolen. On December 8, a suspect was arrested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7984
Bronze Crucifix Stolen from Church Altar
2023-11-23 | During a church service in the church of San Giorgio in Atzara a small bronze crucifix was stolen from the central altar. The object is small but is said to be of great affective value to the community.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7103
Graves Vandalized and Crosses Destroyed in German Cemetery
2023-11-23 | On November 23, the cemetery of Phillipsburg was found devastated. Unknown perpetrators vandalised grave decorations during the night. They tore out crosses, flower vases and figures. A wooden cross was found smashed on the ground.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7107
Man Desecrates Altar by Having Intercourse and Filming Act
2023-11-22 | On November 22, a legal procedure was started against a man from Rosenheim who had sexual intercourse with his wife near the altar of a church in Schechen and filmed the act. "In order to respect the religious feelings of the faithful, such a desecration must be remedied by a penitential ceremony in accordance with the liturgical rules," explained a spokesperson for the responsible archdiocese of Munich and Freising.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7106
Keyboard Stolen from Church in Gögginen
2023-11-21 | An electric piano has dissapeared from the Protestant Johannis Church in Gǒggingen. The police concluded that the piano must have been stolen between November 10 and November 21. The estimated value of the electric piano is around 5,000 euros. The police are still investigating the situation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7076
Church in Ichtershausen Vandalized and Robebed
2023-11-20 | A church in Klostergasse in Ichtershausen, Germany, was forcibly broken into and damaged. Several doors were broken open, rooms were searched and approximately 10,000 euros worth of property damage was caused. Multiple instruments were stolen as well. The crime occurred between November 17 at 3 PM and November 20 at 10:20 AM. The police are still investigating the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7070
Spain: Catholics and Christians Are the most targeted Religion, According to Latest Report
2023-11-20 | The Observatory for Religious Freedom and Freedom of Conscience (OLRC) in Spain collects, verifies and publishes attacks on religious freedom in the country. The 2023 report shows that attacks have increased in 2022 compared to 2021 by 6.67%, from a total of 195 to 208 cases. Their Annual Report shows that attacks on places of worship have increased by 40% and that 3 out of every 4 attacks have been against Catholics. The OLRC also documented 4 specific cases of violence against believers, all of them being against Catholics.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7156
London City Missionaries attacked
2023-11-20 | London City Mission leader Graham Miller and his wife were attacked on the streets of south-west London, where they regularly evangelise, after Mr Miller challenged some children for abusing a cafe manager near the railway station.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8831
Ballymoney Church Subject of Arson Attack
2023-11-19 | The door to Our Lady and St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Ballymoney was set on fire on the night of November 19. Police were notified shortly after 9:45 pm that the side door of the church was on fire. Officers attended to the fire and were able to extinguish it before significant damage was caused. The police are investigating the incident as a deliberate arson attack.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7069
Basilica in Rouen Vandalised and Robbed
2023-11-15 | The Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur in Rouen was broken into on November 15. The parish priest, Father Geoffroy de la Tousche, said that a statue was broken, sacred vases were stolen, and the altar was severely damaged. This is not the first case of vandalism in Rouen, as gargoyles had been damaged last year. The priest said that the damage will cost tens of thousands of euros. The police are investigating but the perpetrator has not been found.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7066
UPDATE: Dáil Éireann Passes Abortion 'Buffer Zone' Bill
2023-11-15 | The lower house of the Irish Parliament has passed a bill in support of so-called 'buffer zones' around abortion clinics, which will now move to the upper house (Seanad) for consideration. The proposed Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) / Safe Access Zones Bill criminalizes individuals attempting to offer advice or influence pregnant women within 100 meters of an abortion clinic. Repeat offenders could face a fine of €2,500 or up to six months in prison. Churches loced within these zones fear restrictions on church grounds under the propsed bill.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7078
Man threatens priest to burn church
2023-11-15 | November 15, a 45-year-old man threatened a parish priest and two other persons with assaulting them and burning down the church in Burgos. In addition, the individual made use of a wooden rod in a threatening way.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7911
Sacred Objects Damaged and Stolen at Cathedral in Königslutter
2023-11-14 | Unknown perpetrators damaged an altar crucifix and stole a Jesus figure from the Imperial Cathedral in Königslutter on November 14. The individuals entered the cathedral via the main entrance, which was open, and went to the altar area. They removed the crucifix, moved it to a less visible area in the church, and severely damaged it. They also stole a figure of Jesus that was attached to it. The police are investigating the situation, and the perpetrators have not been caught.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7064
Good News: Päivi Räsänen Found Not Guilty of 'Hate Speech' for Quoting the Bible
2023-11-14 | The Finnish appeal court has unanimously upheld the 2022 acquittal and dismissed all charges against Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola who had been on trial for having publicly expressed their Christian beliefs. The ruling is considered to be a victory for freedom of religion and expression.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7065
Scandiano Church Vandalized and Statue of Mary Beheaded
2023-11-13 | A man devastated the church of Santa Maria Assunta in Scandiano, causing thousands of euros worth of damage. He vandalized the walls, furniture, and statues, including breaking off the head of a statue of Mary. The individual destroyed sacred objects and broke open the tabernacle to throw the host on the ground. The police were able to identify the perpetrator. The 53-year-old from Modena was consequently reported for aggravated damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7058
LGBT provocation campaign inside Greek Catholic churches in Lviv
2023-11-12 | "We call on all gay couples to come to St Andrew's Church and kiss each other, thus reminding those who perform their rites there that they have no power to condemn and punish love." This is how Ukrainian LGBT activist Viktor Pylypenko called on social media for a provocation campaign against the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) after the latter expressed indignation over a video clip that was filmed inside St Andrew's in Lviv in early November showing scenes of homosexual kissing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7051
Convert beaten up for 'frequenting the church of Christians'
2023-11-12 | A 28-year-old Tunisian Christian convert was beaten and robbed for 'attending Christian church'. According to media reports, the man was attacked on the evening of November 12, 2023, in the Ponte San Giovanni district of Perugia by some fellow countrymen, while he was walking with a friend. Now the police have issued three pre-trial detention orders for crimes committed with the aggravating circumstance of religious discrimination.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7801
Priest receives online death threats
2023-11-12 | A priest from the Church of Saint-Joseph in Valence, Drôme region, was threatened with death by an Internet user on the social network "Discord" on November 12.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7908
Church in Leinach Defaced Again
2023-11-11 | St. Laurentius Church in Leinach was defaced for the second time over the weekend of November 11. The side of the church was smeared with silver paint, the slogan written on the wall is illegible. The material damage is estimated to cost 500 euros. About a year ago, unknown perpetrators defaced the steps of the church with black paint. The individuals responsible for either of these crimes have not been caught.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7059
Man Threatens to Explode Church During Mass in Valmontone
2023-11-10 | At the church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Piazza Pilozzi in Valmontone, a man entered with a gas cylinder and lighter, threatening to explode the church. The 35-year-old man from Romania insulted and threatened the parish priest, attempting to extort money from him. The police arrived and were able to detain the man. He was taken to a prison in Valletri.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7054
Man Starts a Fire in Confessional of Church in Oropesa del Mar
2023-11-10 | An individual deliberately started a fire in a confessional at the parish of San Jaime in Oropesa del Mar. The fire was able to be put out and did not injure anyone. The Local Police of Oropesa del Mar were able to identify the man who started the fire and arrest him.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7056
Offensive Graffiti vandalises Church Wall in Munich
2023-11-08 | On November 8, a picture was posted on social media of an offensive writing in graffiti on the outside wall of St. Lukas Church in Munich. The writing read: "F*ck your God". Pastor Steve Kennedy Henkel said, "as a church in the city, we are used to vandalism; recently a stone was thrown through the church window after a funeral service." The pastor has replaced the first word of the graffiti, so that it now reads: "I love you! Your God." Pastor Henkel explained: "What would be more natural for us as Christians to respond to hatred with love?"
It has not been reported if any police investigation has been launched following this incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7068
Man Disrupts Mass shouting “Allah Akbar”
2023-11-08 | On Sunday, November 5, the mass celebrated at Saint-Éloi Church in Dunkirk was disrupted by an individual who shouted “ Allah Akbar ”. The man was shouting during the “Our Father” prayer and at the end of the mass.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7904
Ethical Review of Euthanasia in Jersey Disregards 'Indirect Conscientious Objection'
2023-11-07 | An ethical review by medical law experts has been conducted in Jersey to assess the implications that the approval of euthanasia, "Assisted Dying" (AD), would have on the island. While noting the necessity of several limitations to euthanasia based on ethical issues, the experts stated that conscientious objection should not be granted to everyone, excluding people not directly involved in the death, such as receptionists or drivers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7052
£10,000 worth of damage through church vandalism
2023-11-07 | At around 4.30pm on Tuesday, November 7, the St Mary’s and All Saints Church in Beaconsfield was heavily vandalised. The damage is estimated at around £10,000.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8064
Christian worker fired after refusing to work during church's Sunday service
2023-11-05 | Former employee of Sainsbury's Jacqueline Rendell is suing the supermarket chain for "unfair dismissal" alleging she was fired for refusing to work on Sunday mornings so she could attend Sunday services at church. She claims the supermarket chain fired her because she refused demands to work every Sunday morning.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7048
Spanish Government Denies Religious Asylum to Chinese Christians
2023-11-05 | Several Chinese Christians have been arriving in Spain since the end of October seeking religious asylum after being denied it in other countries. The lack of response from the Spanish government puts their physical integrity at risk if they are deported to China. Among them is a famous Chinese Catholic actress, Li Yan Li, who has said she would rather die than return to China.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7025
Arson Attack on Church in Vado
2023-11-04 | A fire was started at the church of Santa Maria in Vado on November 4 at around 8:45 AM. It was reported that the perpetrator set fire to a tent set up in the churchyard. From there, the fire then spread to the front door of the church. People in the church noticed and notified the fire department, then used water to start putting out the fire. The firefighters arrived and finished putting out the fire. Smoke filled the interior of the church and an old notice board was destroyed. Police investigated the scene, and the vandal was reportedly caught on surveillance cameras and already identified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7036
Desecration and theft at Quirón hospital chapel
2023-11-04 | The chapel of the Quirón hospital in Torrevieja was desecrated and the tabernacle and chalice were stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7937
Monstrance Stolen from Church in Schophoven
2023-11-03 | A valuable monstrance, among other religious objects, was stolen from St. Barbara Church in Schophoven during the night of November 3. The mayor of Schophoven, Matthias Hahn, entered the church in the morning to find the tabernacle opened. Liturgical objects, including the monstrance, were stolen. Some of the items taken were a goblet spoon, a ciborium, and a drinking cup. A St. Barbara relic fell to the floor and was bent, but not taken. The sacristy door was also broken open, and the wall safe had been removed from the wall and broken into.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7050
Bible Stolen from the Altar of the Church of Ķekava
2023-11-02 | On November 4, the congregation of the Church of Ķekava announced on Facebook that an old Bible had been stolen from the church's altar. The Facebook post said that it could have been taken as early as November 2. The church community is trying to retrieve the Bible, and the thief has not been found.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7047
Church tagged with graffiti: "Traitor Christian"
2023-11-01 | On November 1, 2023, the Saint-Fiacre church in Villers-lès-Nancy was sprayed with graffiti, reading "Traitor Christian". The tags are considered to have a connection with the Israel-Hamas war.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7902
Repeated vandalism of the "White Virgin of Madrid"
2023-10-31 | According to news reports from March 2024, a statue of Mary in Madrid has been repeatedly vandalised. After Halloween, the statue was found with satanic signs on its face.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7511
Man Attacks People Praying outside Abortion Clinic
2023-10-28 | During the prayer initative "40 Days for Life" a man and a woman holding signs and praying outside an abortion clinic in Vienna were attacked by a man. The man snatched the signs, which displayed the picture of a baby, from them and violently broke the signs into pieces. He also took one of the signs and ran away with it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7094
Churches in Alessandria Desecrated
2023-10-28 | In the afternoon of October 28, the Church of San Giovannino was desecrated. A young man entered the presbytery, climbed onto the alter to reach for the crucifix and threw it on the floor, breaking it into several pieces. After that, he removed a crucifix from the wall at the front of the church and broke it. The incident was filmed by security cameras, though the man had put out the candles in the church as to not be recognized.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7028
Scottish MP says she left her party after being 'unwelcome as a Christian'
2023-10-25 | Scottish MP Dr Lisa Cameron shared on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour how she had felt marginalised in the Scottish National Party (SNP) because of her Christian faith and pressured to vote against her convictions. Now defected to the Conservative Party, Dr Cameron voted against the 2020 new abortion regime for Northern Ireland and disagreed with bills which sought to legalise assisted suicide in England and Wales.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7044
Tablecloth on the altar of Saint-Symphorien Church
2023-10-24 | On October 24, the tablecloth on the altar of the Saint-Symphorien Church of Loué, Sarthe, was set on fire. As the alert was given very quickly the local priests were able to extinguish the fire and prevent further damages. Local authorities, however, expressed concern about the symbolism of this incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7912
Historical 16th century crucifix destroyed in Seville
2023-10-22 | The historic crucifix located in the Santa Marta square in Seville was destroyed on the night of October 22nd by unknown perpetrators.
It dated to the 16th century and had a carving of a crucifix on one side and a pietà on the other.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6989
Sacred Objects Stolen from Church in Brenna
2023-10-22 | Unknown perpetrators broke into the church of St. John the Baptist in Brenna on October 22 between 9:00 PM and midnight and stole sacred objects. According to Cieszyn police spokesman Krzysztof Pawlik, the thieves stole a gold-plated chalice and a reliquary.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6987
Christian Hybrid School Forcibly Closed by German Authorities
2023-10-19 | The Dietrich Bonhoeffer International School in Germany was forced to close for the year by German education authorities. The school has been open for 9 years with an award-winning pedagogical model. Germany has banned homeschooling, hybrid schools, and has tightened restrictions on private schools. German authorities wrote to the school that "the immediate enforcement of prohibitions is ordered", preventing students from continuing their schooling there for the rest of the year. The government has also fined the school 600 euros in administrative fees. Authorities stated that the school website was an "advertisement for the impermissible school", and was ordered to be shut down. The school is arguing that Germany is violating national and international human rights law - including parents' rights to educate their children in accordance with their philosophical and religious convictions - with its ban on homeschooling, along with other restrictions on education. An urgency lawsuit to reopen the school is currently pending.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7014
Draft law would ban Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine
2023-10-19 | On October 19, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) voted in favour of a draft law banning all activities of "organisations based in a country waging war against Ukraine". The text targets the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) of the Moscow Patriarchate and has raised concerns about the safeguarding of religious freedom in Ukraine. The UOC said the draft law would be unconstitutional. The text, which has been presented in a first reading, is currently under revision.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7429
Christian Preacher Faces up to Six Months in Prison for Holding Sign with Bible Verse
2023-10-17 | Christian preacher, Stephen Green, 72, was tried in court on October 17, for allegedly having protested against abortion within a 'buffer zone' surrounding MSI Reproductive Choices clinic in Mattock Lane, West London on February 6, 2023. Green was quietly holding a sign with a Bible verse from Psalm 139:13 written on it, which reads: "For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb".
Appearing at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court, Green pleaded not guilty to breaking the public spaces protection order (PSPO). According to the Mail Online, Mr. Green's charge sheet accuses him of "[protesting] by engaging in an act of disapproval or attempted act of disapproval with respect to issues related to abortion services, by written means in that you were holding a large sign displaying the text ‘Psalm 139:13 (...) relating directly or indirectly to the termination of pregnancy."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6975
Theft: Man Steals Monstrance from Church in Woźniki
2023-10-17 | On October 17, a man stole a golden monstrace from a church in Woźniki. A church employee reported the incident to the Lubliniec police after 6 AM. The employee reported that the religious object had been stolen and the scene was investigated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6991
Church of Ladornac desecrated
2023-10-17 | On October 17, the Notre-Dame Church of Ladornac in Dordogne was desecrated. The altar stone and statues were broken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7903
Two churches tagged with Nazi and satanic symbols
2023-10-16 | On October 16, 2023, symbols with Nazi and satanic connotations were found on the churches of Saint-Thomas and Saint-Houardon in Landerneau. According to the parish priest, the churches have already become targets of vandalism before.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7901
Work at church construction site unlawfully obstructed
2023-10-16 | On 16 and 17 October, opponents of the construction of the spiritual centre of Notre Dame des Neiges in Saint Pierre de Colombier broke the law by forcibly entering the construction site by breaking through the fence and unlawfully preventing work from continuing. The religious brothers and sisters and several parishioners defended the site and the machinery, but were attacked by the aggressors. The violence is clearly visible in the available footage. There has been a long history of conflict in the village over the church project.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8377
Criminal Damage Caused to Church in Hereford
2023-10-15 | On October 15, a group vandalized St. Francis Xavier Church in Hereford. A group of youths meddled with the microphone, threw lit candles around the room and spit on the altar. The church priest, Father Thomas, said that security must be tightened because of this incident. Before, the church had been open at any time of the day so churchgoers could come to pray or light a candle. The police are still investigating the situation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7040
Man Sets Fire in a Church in Pescara after being Denied Money from the Priest
2023-10-15 | A 56-year old man from Pescara asked the parish priest for money, but when the priest refused he started a fire near the altar. The incident occurred around 3:30 PM on October 15. The police was notified and found that a wooden bench, placed to the side of the altar, showed clear signs of combustion. The fabric covering the bench and the carpet underneath it were damaged by the flames, but the fire had already been put out by some parishioners.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6974
Islamist tried to murder Christian convert he considered an 'apostate' who 'deserves to die'
2023-10-15 | On April 11, Ahmed Alid, an Islamist extremist, stood trial at Teesside Crown Court, Middlesbrough, for murder of a pensioner and attempted murder of his housemate Javed Nouri, a convert to Christianity. According to the prosecutor, Alid considered Nouri an apostate and “therefore somebody who deserved to die”. The incident happened last October.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7790
Painting of Elijah heavily Damaged with Axe in Krzeszowice
2023-10-14 | On October 14 the Police Station in Krzeszowice was notified about damage to a chapel located in the Krzeszowice commune. A vandal used an axe to damage a historic painting depicting Elijah the Prophet of Carmel. The vandal then left the area on bike.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6977
Religious Statue vandalised
2023-10-14 | On the night of 14-15 October 2023, an unknown perpetrator vandalised the statue of Pope John Paul II in Opatów. The statue's hand holding a cross was broken off.
The incident occurred on the eve of the anniversary of the election of Karol Wojtyla.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8626
Pipes Stolen from Taura Church
2023-10-13 | Several meters of lightning conductors and copper downpipe were dismantled and stolen from a church in Taura, near Torgau. The police department in Leipzig announced that unknown perpetrators had forcibly gained access to the church between 4 pm on October 12 and 11 am on October 13. The exact extent of the property damage and theft damage is currently unknown. The police have started an investigation into this case and are treating the incident as a particularly serious theft.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6972
Second devastation of a Shrine in Gryfino
2023-10-12 | On the night of October 11-12, 2023, unknown perpetrators destroyed the Shrine of Mary in Gryfino. The perpetrators broke the glass of the shrine and also smashed the statue of Mary into pieces. This is already the second act of vandalism against the same chapel this year.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8582
Statue of St. Anthony Stolen from Nowy Sacz Monastery
2023-10-11 | A statue of St. Anthony holding Baby Jesus was stolen from a monastic house in the Nowy Sącz region by a 34-year-old resident. The man was detained by the police two hours after receiving the report. The plaster statue has already returned to the house from which it was taken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6967
Eucharist Stolen from Hospital Chapel in Avola
2023-10-11 | The Eucharist kept in the tabernacle of the chapel of Di Maria Hospital in Avola in the province of Syracuse was stolen on October 11. The Bishop of Noto, Monsignor Salvatore Rumeo, stated, "I learn with deep sorrow and infinite bitterness that a sacrilegious theft was perpetrated today." On October 15 a Mass of Reparation was held, with the consecration of the new particles to be placed in the tabernacle.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6969
Four Pupils Vandalize Church in Noci
2023-10-11 | Four teenage boys heavily vandalized the Church of Carmine in Noci on the morning of October 11. The pupils left their middle school early due to a union meeting of their teachers. They roamed the streets before entering and vandalizing the Church of Carmine. The children were in the church for 30 minutes when they broke off the doors of the tabernacle, tampered with the organ, threw hand sanitizer on the floor, threw waste inside the church, and set fire in the skylight. Luckily the fire did not spread to other parts of the church. The teenagers also damaged the security cameras, but by then the footage of their actions had already been archived. Gregorio Gabriele, custodian and manager of the Church of Carmine, notified the police as soon as he discovered the destruction. The police viewed video footage and caught the boys who committed the acts of vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6971
New Religion Law in Belarus will allow more arbitrariness against Christian churches
2023-10-11 | On October 11 the House of Representatives of Belarus approved the new law on the activities of religious organisations in its first reading. The content of this bill has only recently been made public and although it is still awaiting its second reading before coming into force, the UN and various human rights organisations are warning of the further repression of churches considered "undesirable" that this law will allow. "Mass liquidation of various religious organizations" is expected, reports opposition media.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7071
Priest physically attacked and insulted at gas station
2023-10-10 | An individual claiming to be proud of being the ‘son of a Fellagha’ [Algerian independence fighter] violently assaulted Father Jean Paul Argouarc'h, from Riaumont, because of his ecclesiastical habit, calling him a ‘dirty priest’ at a gas station between Arras and Lens.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8721
Graveyard Vandalized at Peterborough Cathedral
2023-10-09 | Vandals targeted a burial ground at Peterborough Cathedral on October 9 between 6 PM and 7 PM. A metal obelisk was kicked over, grave markers were turned upside down and labels identifying various types of flowers were ripped off. The Cathedral gardening team is attempting to repair the damage, and police have launched an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7034
Christian Secondary School Teacher Fired after Refusing to Teach 8-Year-Old Pupils Gender and Sexual Identities
2023-10-09 | Glawdys Leger, 43, taught modern foreign languages at Bishop Justus Church of England School until May, 2022 when she was fired for refusing to teach her 7 and 8-year-old pupils about gender and sexual identities. The teacher was reported by a student and subsequently fired for "gross misconduct" after an investigation and disciplinary hearing. Shortly after, she received a letter from the Teaching Regulation Agency that allegedly her teaching conduct had been "contrary to fundamental British values in that it lacked tolerance to those with different beliefs." Leger, on the other hand, says that she "cannot, in good conscience, teach or say things I believe are contrary to my faith." Leger's hearing is due to commence in Coventry on October 9, 2023.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6951
Attempted Break-In to Church in Schnaitsee
2023-10-09 | Between October 6 and October 9, an unknown perpetrator tried to pry open the entrance door to the church of St. Magdalena in Schnaitsee. The perpetrator was unable to gain entry to the church. Based on the evidence on site, it can be assumed that a lever tool was used. This damaged both the entrance door and the masonry of the church. The police reported the incident on October 10.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6962
Man from Sopron Tried to Rob Five Churches in One Night
2023-10-09 | The Sopron District Prosecutor's office requested the arrest of a 43-year-old man who tried to break into five churches in one night. One night in September, the unemployed homeless man attempted to break into two small churches in one town, but was unsuccessful. After that, he continued to another village where he was able to pry open the door of the church. He searched through the church but did not steal anything, but damaged two motion detectors and caused approximately HUF 50,000 worth of damage. Following this incident, the man went to the church of another settlement, where he cracked open the window to enter the church and opened the display cases containing cash. He took less than HUF 50,000, but including the vandalism of the church, approximately HUF 100,000 worth of damage was caused. Lastly, the man visited a different church where he broke the window and pried open a cupboard containing donations. He stole HUF 20,000 from this church, but approximately HUF 100,000 in damage was caused. The prosecutor proposed the arrest of the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6978
Man threatens priest with knife during mass
2023-10-09 | On 9 October 2023, a 41-year-old man disrupted the celebration of Holy Mass in St Joseph's Church in Toruń. The perpetrator entered the church during the service with a knife in his hand and began to shout vulgarities at the priests.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8636
Confessional in Kreuzlingen Church put on Fire
2023-10-08 | In St. Ulrich church in Kreuzlingen a confessional was found on fire on October 8. The fire department was able to put out the fire and ventilate the church. The material damage amounts to several thousand francs. The police have ruled out a technical defect and suspect arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6963
Swastika Painted on Front Step of Spangenberg Church
2023-10-08 | A swastika sign was painted on the entrance steps of a Protestant church in Spangenberg. The Homberg criminal police are now investigating the unknown perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6976
Arabic Graffiti on Church Bell Tower in Sacile
2023-10-06 | On the morning of October 6, Don Boris Bandiera, the priest at the Parish of San Odorico in Sacile, found graffiti on the front wall of the church bell tower. He immediately notified the police, who helped him translate the Arabic graffiti writing: "There is no God but Allah." Don Boris stated that this is not the first attack on his church that he has witnessed, but the message of this vandalism left him stunned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6965
Pastor's Car Set on Fire in Mesoraca
2023-10-06 | In the evening of October 6, the pastor of the Evangelical Church of Mesoraca, Giovanni Aiello, was having dinner at a restaurant in Mesoraca when an unknown individual set fire to his car. While Aiello and other guests were inside, someone noticed the flames and alerted everyone. The car was completely destroyed by the flames along with the car parked next to it. Aiello immediately filed a complaint at the Mesoraca police station. Military personnel promptly started investigations to trace the perpetrator of the serious act, examining the video surveillance cameras located in the area. Last December the pastor's mountain home in the Fratta area was also destroyed. "I thought it would end there", he said, but added that after the new attack he is feeling unsafe.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6959
2023: Increasing Vandalism of Finnish Cemeteries
2023-10-06 | In many cities in Finland, there were acts of vandalism, thefts and damages at local cemeteries.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8802
Church in Cleethorpes Set on Fire
2023-10-05 | On October 5, Beaconthorpe Methodist church was set on fire. Firefighters were immediately called to the scene. No one was injured in the fire. Three men have been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the fire and have been released on bail while the investigation continues.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7008
Feldmark Church Vandalized with Graffiti
2023-10-04 | A church on Pothmannstraße in Feldmark, Gelsenkirchen was damaged between September 29 and October 4. The unknown perpetrators damaged a lighting rod and sprayed the church facade with various graffiti of swear words. The building's caretaker noticed the damage on October 4 and notified the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6973
First Arrests in Coleraine over Abortion Clinic Buffer Zone
2023-10-03 | The first arrests in Northern Ireland in relation to the new buffer zones regulation around abortion clinics occurred on the morning of October 3. The individuals arrested were a Catholic man and woman. They were praying outside Causeway Hospital. The woman was praying on her knees with a rosary and they were holding pro-life signs. Officers told them to leave and when they refused they were arrested. They were later released on bail pending further enquiries. The issue was highlighted when a pro-choice activist posted a photo of the pair talking to a police officer on social media. A fellow activist who knew the pair said they had been coming to pray outside the hospital weekly after regulations permitting abortion were introduced in Northern Ireland in March 2020.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6956
Church in Aisch Vandalized
2023-10-03 | The church of St. Johannes in Neustadt an der Aisch was vandalized on October 3. Presumably three young teenagers left a trail of destruction. Pastor Daniel Bittel of the parish of St. Johannes said he encountered the three vandals, but only later realized that they were probably responsible for the destruction. Bottles of wine and beer and flour from the thanksgiving altar had been scattered, nearly all the offering candles had been thrown to the ground, and praise books had been torn to pieces in the front of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6960
Armed raid on Krasnodar church and arrest of clergy following anti-war sermon
2023-10-03 | On 3 October special police units raided the premises of the Holy Intercession Tikhonite Church, a non-Moscow Patriarchate Russian Orthodox Church in Krasnodar Krai, southern Russia. Electronic devices and documents were seized, and the agents, armed with machine guns, arrested and threatened to criminally prosecute Archbishop Viktor Pivovarov and Hieromonk Iona Sigida with "discrediting the Russian Armed Forces" for their anti-war stance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7075
Church on Isle of Portland, Dorset Set on Fire
2023-10-02 | Emergency services were called to St. Peter's Church on Portland on the evening of October 2, 2023 due to a fire in the church. Police have said a local youth is assisting them with enquiries about how the fire began. The fire at the historic site, which is more than 150 years old, is believed to be deliberate. According to the police, security measures will be needed to prevent this kind of anti-social behaviour.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6952
Statue of Mary "hanged"
2023-10-02 | On the night of October 1-2, 2023, a statue of Mary was stolen from the monastic cave on the premises of the House of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Elizabeth in Strzegom and hung on a nearby scaffold like a hanged man.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8625
Live Broadcast Camera Stolen from Church in Dublin
2023-10-01 | On October 1, the camera used for live broadcasts in St. Ann's Church in Dublin was stolen. The camera has not been found, but a hat with a name written on the inside was left at the scene. The vicar of the church, Father Arbuthnot, said "Of course, we completely forgive the man who took the camera - we just want it back." The church uses the camera to stream their services so that the elderly and infirm parishioners can stay connected with the parish life and not become too isolated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6958
Man Broke into 26 Churches in Austria
2023-09-30 | A man who broke into 26 churches in Austria has been tracked down in Hungary. The man is said to have broken doors and windows of churches. He also broke into sacristies and sacrificial boxes to steal cash.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7060
Priest's car set on fire
2023-09-30 | On the night of 30 September, an arson attack destroyed the car of a priest of the French Institut du Christ Roi Souverain Prêtre in the centre of Orleans. The car was reduced to ashes. According to the police, the priest was personally targeted, as reported by the ICRSP.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8825
Swastikas sprayed on the Outside Walls of Church in Sechshelden
2023-09-29 | In the early hours of September 29th somebody sprayed swastikas and other slogans on the outside walls and the door of the Church of Sechshelden. The Police has started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6947
Pro-abortion activists defame and vandalise church
2023-09-28 | On 28 September, a group of pro-abortion protesters smeared the walls of Santa Maria del Remei Church in Barcelona with graffiti and placed their protest signs on the windows of the church, with messages such as "trash church, you are the dictatorship". On October 30, another graffiti was smeared at the church wall (see image).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7895
Pro-Abortion Demonstrators Vandalize Church in Barcelona with Offensive Graffiti and Harass Churchgoers
2023-09-28 | The Spanish Christian Lawyers Foundation has filed a complaint against a pro-abortion organization whose members allegedly harassed people attending Mass and spray-painted offensive slogans on the walls of the church. According to the lawyers, the organization responsible for the harassment and vandalism was the Association of Sexual and Reproductive Rights. On September 28, during a march through the streets of Barcelona, protestors "attacked the parish of Santa María del Remei in the Las Corts neighborhood," according to a statement posted on October 17 on the lawyers' website. The complaint to the judge specifies that "the attackers reproached the parishioners who attended Mass in addition to painting graffiti with statements such as "(piece of) trash church you are a dictatorship" or "abuser priests prohibit abortion."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6984
Update: Removal of statue in France
2023-09-28 | In September 2023, the State Council of France (administrative court) ruled that the statue of the Archangel Saint-Michel in front of the Saint-Michel church in Sables-d'Olonne had to be removed since it was a public square and it violated the 1905 French law on secularism. The parish purchased a plot of land from the town hall near the church building for about 3000 EUR and moved the statue to that private property 13 metres away, with an additional cost of 16000 EUR.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8196
Metal cross blown up in Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijani troops
2023-09-27 | The second tallest metal cross in Europe, a 50-meter cross overlooking Stepanakert, the capital of the ethnic-Armenian Republic of Artsakh, was destroyed during the Azerbaijani military offensive that began on 19 September.
This is only one of many attacks on the Christian religion of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, who are suffering an ethnic cleansing from their native land since the Azerbaijani military offensive.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6994
Azerbaijani soldiers shooting at 13th century Charektar Monastery
2023-09-26 | On 26 September a video released on the internet showed Azerbaijani soldiers shooting at the 13th century Armenian monastery of Charektar in Nagorno-Karabakh. The shots were fired from an armoured personnel carrier and sniper rifles. The attack comes in the context of the ethnic cleansing and military offensive launched on 19 September by Azerbaijan against the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh which is also targeting Armenian Christianity in the region.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6995
Christian Family Faces Prosecution for Homeschooling if Deported Back to Germany
2023-09-25 | A Christian family is asking the Biden administration to intervene in their deportation after they lived in the USA for 15 years seeking asylum from prosecution in Germany. The Romeikes had fled Bissingen, Germany in 2008 after being threatened with prosecution for homeschooling their five children. Homeschooling in Germany is tightly regulated and only allowed under certain circumstances.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6946
Vandals deface church with blasphemous writings
2023-09-25 | During the night of September 25, a group of youth defaced the walls of the parish church Santi Giovanni e Agostino and some facades in la Spezia. According to the media, the slogans included blasphemous writings.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7274
Desecration of the Virgin of Flores Convent Church
2023-09-19 | The Virgen de las Flores Convent Church in Malaga was vandalised. The attack happened in the morning of September 19. In the sanctuary of the Virgen de las Flores Convent they scattered the consecrated hosts on the floor, took the mantle of Mary and the image of Baby Jesus.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7934
Posters defame pro-life campaigners as "religious fundamentalists"
2023-09-17 | In Madrid, around the Isadora center, located in the university district, abortion supporters have placed signs on the streetlights that read: “Attention: Dangerous religious fundamentalists on the loose,” “STOP fanaticism,” “40 Days hating women” or “40 days against human rights”. The slogans were directed against the 40 Days for Life prayer initiative.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7935
Fire in Laupersdorfs church - arsonist charged
2023-09-16 | A 36-year-old Swiss man has been charged with the arson of St Martin's Church in Laupersdorf on 16 September and the burning of several vehicles in Grellingen. The church fire caused immense damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8530
Two Cases of Desecration in Hospital Chapel in Puerto Real
2023-09-14 | On the 14th of September, CNA reported that a hospital chapel in the town of Puerto Real, in the Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta, had recently been desecrated twice. The first time, nothing was stolen but someone moved the tabernacle so that it was out of joint and left a dirty glass in it. The second time, the consecrated hosts were stolen and the veil of the tabernacle was torn off. The police were notified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6943
Hateful Graffiti On Residence of Cardinal of Cologne
2023-09-13 | The official residence of the Cardinal of Cologne, Rainer Maria Woelki, was smeared with hateful graffiti on the September 19. The entrance gate to the archbishop's house was also sprayed with powder from a fire extinguisher.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7228
Court rules against Geneva's ban on religious processions
2023-09-13 | The Swiss Federal Court has ruled in favour of a parish, which has been banned from organising a procession on Corpus Christi by the canton of Geneva. The Court found in its judgment (2C_285/2023) that the ban violates freedom of religion and conscience.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8340
Christ Church in Derry Desecrated
2023-09-12 | Christ Church in Derry was found with multiple broken windows, including a stained glass window. Vases of flowers were knocked over, a decanter used for communion was stolen, and faeces were found smeared on the pages of a psalm book.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6949
Vandalism in Krakow International Airport Chapel
2023-09-12 | On 12 September 2023, a 22-year-old vandalised the chapel in the grounds of Krakow-Balice International Airport. After breaking into the airport chapel, the perpetrator overturned a cross, scattered flowers, pulled a tablecloth from the altar and ripped the tabernacle.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8578
UPDATE: UK Home Secretary Clarifies that "Silent Prayer" is not Unlawful
2023-09-08 | The Home Secretary of the UK has now clarified that “silent prayer, within itself, is not unlawful” in a letter for the police forces across the country. This statement comes in response to many months of controversy over "buffer zones" outside abortion facilities that have led to the arrest of several citizens for praying silently in their minds inside a buffer zone.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6940
Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission: "Azerbaijan Pursues ‘Elimination of the Entire Christian Population and Its Churches’ in Nagorno-Karabakh"
2023-09-06 | As the humanitarian situation of Armenian Christians behind Azerbaijan's blockade in Nagoro-Karabakh becomes critical, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the US Congress conducted a hearing on 6 September to explore the situation. Experts heard by the commission pointed out that Azerbaijan’s actions clearly constituted a genocide, as it is using starvation as a form of ethnic cleansing. Georgetown University adjunct professor David L. Philips argued that the final intention of Azerbaijan is the “elimination of the entire Christian population and its churches.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6936
Church Organ Console Worth 5000 Euro Stolen
2023-09-06 | Between September 4th and 6th, an organ console worth 5000€ was stolen from a church in Detmold. This is not only significant because of the monetary value but it also hinders the ceremonial process of the mass. Local police assumes that there were at lease two people involved in the theft and started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6937
Crosses broken at Besançon cemetery
2023-09-06 | Eight graves have been vandalised in the military section of the Saint Claude cemetery in Besançon, Doubs. Headstones and crosses were broken. The damage was reported on 6 September.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8719
Theft and Desecration of Tabernacle from a Church in Mönchengladbach
2023-09-05 | In the night of September 4th to 5th, unidentified thieves managed to break into the church in Mönchengladbach by entering through a window of the neighbouring building and then using the shared basement. They left with the tabernacle, the golden chalice inside it and two more boxes of unknown content. Since the tabernacle is quite heavy, police expects that more than one person must have been involved in the crime. The exact damage is unknown since it is not clear what the tabernacle and the chalice are made of gold. The local police started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6934
Severe vandalism, desecration and death threats inside a chapel in Pedregalejo, Malaga
2023-09-05 | On September 5 a man broke into the Corpus Christi parish church in Pedregalejo (Malaga) and caused considerable damage to the parish hall while uttering death threats and shouting "God doesn't exist", among other derogatory phrases against the Church. The offender smashed several paintings, including one of Mary, a carving of Christ crucified, a pedestal of Mary, several chairs, a candelabra and some glass.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6935
Gilded Statue Stolen from Church in Denbighshire
2023-09-05 | A 252-year-old statue of a pelican has been stolen from St Dyfnog Church in Llanrhaedr, Denbighshire. The 0.6 meter gilded statue was stolen between August 22 and September 5. The carving, which has been hanging in the church for at least 100 years, was situated next to the altar in the church. The North Wales Police are investigating the theft.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7020
Suspected arson at the Catholic Relief Services
2023-09-04 | At around 4am on 4 September, a fire destroyed the premises of Secours Catholique in the Maison Diocésaine de la Solidarité, next to the church of Sainte Jeanne Antide in Belfort. The police suspect arson and have launched an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8720
UPDATE: Päivi Räsänen Stands Trial Again For Sharing her Christian Worldview
2023-09-01 | During the 31st of August and the 1st September, Finnish Politian Päivi Räsänen and Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola stood trial at the Helsinki Court of Appeal for the charges brought against them of "inciting hatred" against LGBT people. These charges are based upon a Twitter post made by Räsänen in 2019, as well as a pamphlet and a radio interview. Last year, Räsänen and Pohjola were unanimously acquitted of all charges, but due to the appeal by the prosecutor, they stood trial again. The verdict will be announced in November 30th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6939
Church in Bodmin Closed to Visitors after Repeated Vandalism
2023-09-01 | St. Petroc's Church in Bodmin was opened to visitors outside of services but on September 1 the church announced that it has been forced to close because of repeated vandalism. A spokesperson of the church said that it hoped to reopen to visitors in time, and that it was working with the police on the issue.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7003
Church vandalised twice in one month
2023-09-01 | Following an attempted burglary in September in which the entrance gate was damaged, the altarpiece of the Protestant Church of the Redeemer in Fürstenfeldbruck in Bavaria, southern Germany, has now been vandalised.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8769
Religious objects and church bell stolen from chapel in Cordoba
2023-09-01 | The chapel in the Villa Posse district of Cordoba was looted on August. Thieves stole frames and paintings from the sacristy, various objects, the bell and even the lock, as well as electrical equipment.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8773
Youths vandalise cemetery
2023-09-01 | In September, youths vandalised several graves in a cemetery in Surata. They tore up flowers and smashed gravestones, plaques in the cemetery and a statue of Mary in the cemetery chapel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8776
UPDATE: Hieromonk Ioann Kurmoyarov sentenced to three years in jail for oposing war in Ukraine
2023-08-31 | The verdict of the Court against Fr Ioann Kurmoyarov was given on 31 August and has finally sentenced the hieromonk to 3 years in a penal colony accused of disseminating false information about the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6931
Anti-mafia priest attacked
2023-08-29 | Rome's most prominent anti-mafia priest, known for his efforts to rescue young people from the drug trade was attacked during a march against organised crime by a 28-year-old man on a scooter who was found to be carrying a hammer and cleaver.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8820
Glass Door of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna Destroyed with Hammer
2023-08-27 | In the evening of August 27, on the fringes of a Syrian protest, a glass door of the St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna was smashed with a hammer. The police, who were present due to the rally scheduled for the evening, immediately arrested the perpetrator armed with two hammers. The man was taken to the hospital, in case he was suffering from psychosis - the police considered a connection with the demonstration unlikely.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6926
DONE JH: three Romanesque churches covered in tags
2023-08-27 | Three Romanesque churches in the historic centre of Zamora, were covered in tags this summer. On the facade of the church of San Esteban locals found up to 30 graffiti, including upside down crosses, an anti-Christian symbol.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8777
Church break-in: Windows Smashed and Liturgical Objects Stolen
2023-08-26 | On August 26, someone broke the windows of an old church in Helsinki's Oulunkylä in the early hours of the morning and stole silver objects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8800
Six Stone Crosses were broken from the crowns on Budapest's Margaret Bridge
2023-08-25 | On the night of August 24, three men broke 6 stone crosses from de crowns on Margaret Bridge in Budapest. The perpetrators were filmed by CCTV cameras and an investigation has been launched by the police to identify them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6928
Church Hall Targeted by Persistent Vandalism
2023-08-25 | The Loyola Centre in Wishaw, a community church hall adjacent to St Ignatius’s Church, has become the target of ongoing vandalism. Young vandals caused significant damage over the summer of 2023, including throwing stones, rocks, and bricks at the center's windows.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7839
Muslim Man hurls Insults and throws rocks at the windows of a church in Sweden
2023-08-22 | A man targeted a Catholic church in Haninge, near Stockholm, with stones while shouting "Allah Akbar, I'm going to rape Jesus." The video is uploaded by 'Fares Aziz', he posted the video on TikTok. It is not exactly clear when the event took place and how local authorities responded.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6924
Three cars belonging to priests set on fire
2023-08-21 | On August 21, 2023, a 35-year-old man set fire to three cars belonging to priests in Gliwice. The cars were parked near the Church of Christ the King on Okrzei Street and the Parish of the Holy Family on Chorzowska Street. According to the police, the arsons were deliberate.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8646
Statue of Mary stolen
2023-08-21 | A statue of Mary, placed in the niche of the foyer of Saint François-Régis in Saint-Julien Chapteuil in Haute-Loire, was stolen on 21 August.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8711
Vandals set fire to a cross on the summit of Nagy-Szénás mountain
2023-08-20 | Vandals set fire to a wooden cross erected a few years ago in the Nagy-Szénás mountain, near the village of Nagykovácsi. This happened on August 20, when Hungary celebrates its first king St. Stephen I and the State Foundation Day. The burning of the cross, erected on the 550-metre-high peak, has provoked strong anger among the villagers who have already started a fundraising campaign to replace the cross as soon as possible. The perpetrators have not been identified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6929
Medieval Stone Cross Stolen from Church in Lincolnshire
2023-08-19 | A medieval stone cross was taken from St. John The Baptist Church in Great Carlton between 1:45 and 7:30 PM on August 19. The cross had been described as "priceless to the church in historical terms". The police are still searching for information and for the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7026
Organ Stolen From St. Mary's Church
2023-08-19 | On August 19, unknown perpetrators stole an organ from St. Mary's Church, which was open 24/7. Taking advantage of this fact, church employees suspect the theft had been planned in advance, also considering the organ weighs around 50 kg, requiring at least two people to carry it, as well as an adequate vehicle to transport it in. The damage is estimated to amount to around 5,000 euros. The police were alerted and started an investigation into the occurrence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7750
Relics of Saint Agatha stolen from Brescia Church
2023-08-18 | On 18 August, the relics of Saint Agatha were stolen from the reliquary in a church in Brescia, leaving behind a reliquary of much greater commercial value than its sacred contents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8819
Man attacks church in Turin in broad daylight by throwing rocks and insulting Christians
2023-08-17 | On August 17 a foreign man attacked the historic church of Santa Cristina in Turin's Plazza San Carlo in broad daylight. The attack can be seen in a video that is circulating on the Internet. In the video, the man can be heard cursing at the worshippers inside the church, and shouting: 'F****ng Christians'. The perpetrator was arrested by the police and was taken to a hospital, as he injured himself while throwing stones against the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6921
Cyprus: Man harasses priest in Monastery by reciting the Islamic profession of faith
2023-08-17 | On August 17, a video surfaced on the Internet showing a man in the Apostolos Andreas Monastery in the Karpasia peninsula of Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, harassing a priest by reciting the Shahāda (Islamic profession of faith). Legal proceedings have been initiated against the provokator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6930
Belarus: Pastor of the New Life Church Minsk Arrested Again
2023-08-15 | Pastor Viachaslau Hancharenka of the New Life Full Gospel Church in Minsk, was detained together with his son-in-law Illia Budai on the 15th of August. According to the news, 20 armed policemen broke into his house, searched and detained them. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail and his son-in-law to 5 days in jail for resisting the detention.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6920
Church Vandalised in the Saale-Holzland district
2023-08-15 | Unknown people vandalized a church in Dornburg-Camburg, a town located in the Saale-Holzland district.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7766
Saint-Martin de Dunières Church Closes Due To Vandalism
2023-08-15 | The Church of Saint-Martin de Dunières announced on August 15 that it would remain closed, except for services, until further notice. The cause was a series of acts of vandalism which happened in the past two months.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7840
Church windows smashed
2023-08-15 | In mid-August, teenagers smashed four of the non-figurative stained glass windows in the church at Ordonnaz in the Ain department with stones. A parishioner expressed shock about the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8710
Vandal tried to break an icon in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra during service
2023-08-13 | An unidentified individual entered the church of Venerable Agapitos of the Kyiv Caves and struck an icon of Jesus twice with a stone during the Divine Liturgy. The parishioners stopped his actions and called the police, who detained the attacker.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6923
Liturgical Objects stolen from St. Norbert Church
2023-08-13 | Between the 12th and 13th of August, unknown perpetrators robbed St. Norbert Church in Bocholt. They forcibly entered the church through a side entrance and stole a golden chalice a silver host bowl used for the liturgy, a laptop, and a safe from the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7809
Windows at Village Church in Gullane Smashed
2023-08-12 | On the night of August 12, the windows were smashed at the church of St. Adrian's in Gullane. The Rev Simon Metzner stated that there had been reports of youths drinking and smashing bottles in the area. He was unsure of the cost of the damage but stressed that police were looking into the issue.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7017
Repeated Vandalism at Bonn Cathedral
2023-08-12 | On the night of August 12, Bonn Cathedral Basilica again became the target of vandalism and attempted theft during the night, marking it the fourth incident in eight months.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7906
Church Vandalised: "Evil" written on Altar
2023-08-12 | On August 12, the church at Buissenal in Frasnes-lez-Anvaing, Belgium, was vandalised. The perpetrator(s) broke into the church and destroyed the stained glass windows.
The perpetrators used some of the broken candles to 'write' the word 'EVIL' on the altar. Two gravestones in the cemetery were also defaced.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8909
Graves ransacked in Charleroi
2023-08-10 | On August 10, several graves in the Couillet Fiestaux cemetery near Charleroi in the Hainaut region of Belgium have been ransacked, the plaques smashed and the flowers thrown away.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8796
Church and Cemetery Defaced with Anti-Christian Tags
2023-08-09 | During the night of August 9, the church in Villedieu-sur-Indre was tagged with the words ‘ni Dieu ni maître’ (‘neither God nor master’) and an anarchist symbol. In the neighbouring commune of Châtillon, a similar tag was put on the wall of the cemetery the same night.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8707
Graves at Wigston Cemetery repeatedly desecrated
2023-08-09 | Wigston Cemetery, near Leicester, has been the scene of numerous acts of vandalism and even grave desecration. Relatives of the deceased had complained about repeated problems at the cemetery.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8759
Vandals devastated facilities of the Santa Maria Liberatrice parish in Milan
2023-08-08 | On the night of 7-8 August, a group of unidentified vandals entered and destroyed the parish facilities of the Santa Maria Liberatrice parish in Vigentino, Milan.
"The area with all the objects was ransacked, plus two fire extinguishers were emptied. There was white powder everywhere," told one of the founders of the association that is helping to clean and repair the destruction. The carabinieri investigating the case are also voluntarily helping with the clearing clear out of service hours.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6919
UPDATE: Councillor Supporting Christian Councillor's Freedom of Speech Now Faces Criminal Investigation
2023-08-08 | On August 8, Wellingborough Town Councillor Anthony Stevens, 50, was searched in his house in front of his wife and children, taken to the Kettering police station, and heavily questioned, for posting tweets from his personal account supporting the case of Christian Councillor King Lawal. King Lawal faced suspension as a Councillor, investigations and other forms of cancelling and discriminatory treatment for tweeting that "Pride" is a sin in June 2023. Mr Lawal launched a petition, which has been signed by over 26,000 people, calling on the Chairman of the Conservative Party, Greg Hands, to intervene in his behalf. Cllr Stevens shared the petition and tweeted in support of Cllr Lawal saying: ‘If you value free speech please sign and share’. Officers showed Cllr Stevens his tweets and asked him why he supported the petition. Cllr Stevens stated that he is a free speech absolutist and that even if he does not agree with someone, he believes in their right to express their beliefs. Cllr Stevens was released on bail, his mobile phone was seized to be searched for further evidence. He is required to surrender himself at Kettering police station on November 1. He has made a complaint to the Independent Office for Police Conduct regarding his treatment.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6968
Vandals wreak havoc in Milan church
2023-08-08 | Between 7th and 8th August, the church of Santa Maria Liberatrice in Milan was vandalized. The premises were also used as the headquarters of a charity organisation Milano Sospesa. Some of the clothing and blankets they had collected for charity had become unusable.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8155
Destruction of the shrine of the Sorrowful Christ
2023-08-08 | On the night of August 7-8, 2023, unknown perpetrators destroyed the chapel of the Sorrowful Christ in Karczew. The vandals used an axe to destroy the hands and part of the head of the wooden figure of Christ.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8572
Church vandalised with Red paint in Lucca
2023-08-07 | Unknown perpetrators targeted the side entrance of the Basilica of San Paolino in Lucca with red paint. The parish priest Don Lucio Malanca told the newspaper "La Nazione" that they have experienced of repeated acts of vandalism. He said: "Unfortunately, this is not even the most serious act of vandalism suffered by our Lucchese churches and monuments in the historic centre".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6913
Serbian Orthodox church vandalised in Kosovo the night before its commemoration
2023-08-07 | The Office for Kosovo and Metohija of the Government of the Republic of Serbia reported and shared pictures of a vandalic attack that the church of Saint Petka suffered on 7 August. The church is located in the settlement of Suvi Do, close to Mitrovica, and belongs to the Serbian Orthodox Church. The church was attacked the night before its dedication day (temple's glory day).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6917
Vandalism at Angoulême cathedral
2023-08-07 | On 7 August, the cathedral of Angoulême was vandalised: Chests were broken into, looted and even deformed with tools. Candles were thrown to the floor and their burners damaged. Liturgical equipment, such as lecterns, was also damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8714
"World Youth Day" monument in Leiria vandalised with anti-Church inscription
2023-08-06 | On the night of August 6-7, the monument with the letters "Leiria" in the city of the same name in Portugal was vandalized with an anti-Church slogan. The letters were put in commemoration of World Youth Day 2023 in Portugal painted with the colors and the logo of WYD.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6908
"Are you a Christian?" Three Christians assaulted and robbed by gang
2023-08-06 | On Sunday 6 August, a group of friends were attacked by six people in the Vieux-Port, in the 1st arrondissement of Marseille. The attackers asked them if they were Christians and stole their crosses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8728
Recently inaugurated St Anthony statue decapitated and vandalized in Portugal
2023-08-05 | The statue of St Anthony recently inaugurated in Torres Novas was vandalised on August 5. It was found the next morning with the head cut off, the statue of the Infant Jesus destroyed and a carton banner written "God is dead" and "You paedophiles." The damage was valued at €13,000.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6909
"God is Trans" tagged on Religious Panel during World Youth Day
2023-08-05 | On August 5, a tile panel depicting the Ecce Homo (an image of Jesus Christ), the 5th station of the ancient procession of "Nosso Senhor dos Passos," was vandalized with the graffiti "God is trans" in the city of Torres Novas. This panel had recently been restored and blessed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6911
Vandals raid medieval church in Varigotti and destroy several objects
2023-08-05 | Unknown vandals entered San Lorenzo's medieval church in Varigotti on the night of 5-6 August and destroyed several things during the raid. Apart from ransacking the premises, they also stole offerings and other equipment from the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6916
Arson in Großröhrsdorf destroys 300 year old protestant church
2023-08-04 | On August 4, the baroque protestant church of Großröhrsdorf, a small town in Saxony, burned down to the ground. After a week of investigation, the criminal investigation department determined that the cause of the fire was arson and a suspect has already been arrested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6914
Church of Saint Peter desecrated in Désaignes
2023-08-04 | On August 4, the church of Saint Peter of Désaignes, in France, was vandalized on its interior. A crucifix was damaged, leaving the arms of Christ broken, when it was taken down and left near the altar. There were also tags painted with silver paint on two pillars on either side of the altar, representing the male and female symbols. The gendarmerie is conducting an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6915
Statue of Saint Joseph stolen
2023-08-04 | A plaster statue of Saint Joseph was stolen from the abbey church of Saint-Jouin de Marnes in the Deux Sèvres department on 4 August.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8712
Porsche digitally removes Lisbon's landmark Christ statue from advertisement
2023-08-02 | German luxury car brand Porsche digitally removed the statue of Christ the King in Lisbon from an advertisement celebrating 60 years of the Porsche 911 filmed in Portugal and published on 2 August. After the unreasonable removal of the monument caused outrage among Christians, the brand apologised for the "error" and re-published the video with the Christ unedited.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6910
Satanic Symbols sprayed on Church Wall in Graz
2023-08-02 | In the night of 1st to 2nd of August, a church in Graz was vandalised with graffiti. Perpetrators painted inverted crosses on the outside walls of the church. Inverted crosses are known to be anti-Christian, satanic and occultist symbols. The police were notified and have started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6941
St. Oswald's Parish Church Reduces Opening Hours After Vandalism
2023-08-01 | St Oswald's Parish Church in Oswestry has implemented new opening hours in response to reports of vandalism and unacceptable behaviour on its premises. In a Facebook announcement, a church spokesperson expressed regret over the need to reduce the opening hours, citing recent incidents of vandalism and unacceptable behaviour as the driving force behind the decision.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7680
Vandalism at the Church of San Sebastiano
2023-08-01 | On the evening of August 1, unknown perpetrators vandalised the plaster and some masonry parts of the Church of San Sebastiano in Montopoli.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7685
Statue of Mary Damaged in L'Aquila Church
2023-08-01 | In L'Aquila a young man damaged a statue of Mary in the church of San Pio X. According to initial police reports, the young man defaced the statue with a Hebrew tetragram after waiting for the departure of worshippers. He then forcibly pulled the statue from its pedestal, causing damage to its arm and legs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7686
Vandalism Strikes Historic Cleeberg Church
2023-08-01 | A historic village church in Cleeberg, dating back to 1355, has been targeted by vandals, leaving the community in shock. The occurrence, discovered on the evening of August 1, involved the destruction of property and the desecration of religious items, including damages to the Bible on the altar.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7687
Church remains closed after disturbances
2023-07-31 | Between July 30 and July 31, unknown individuals caused disturbances at St. Andrew's Church in Barningham. The perpetrators entered the church and took plants and pots from a funeral service, rolled up a carpet, interfered with the church organ, and discarded wrappers. The church now has to be locked during the day.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7000
Vandals Damage Statues in Chapel in Żuklin
2023-07-31 | In Żuklin, in Kańczuga commune, two religious figures were vandalised by unknown perpetrators. The damage caused to the chapel was noticed by residents who were shocked upon discovering the act of vandalism. The eyes of a statue of Mary and a statue of Jesus were defaced.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7666
Desecration of a painting of the Last Supper
2023-07-31 | On July 31, the Parish priest of the Our Lady Queen of Poland church in Chojnice reported that the Last Supper painting near the church entrance was vandalised. Specifically, one of the Apostles' faces was cut out.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7667
Teenager Sets Fire to Liebfrauenkapelle
2023-07-31 | On the 31st of July, a fire broke out in the Liebfrauenkapelle in Neuhausen, damaging several furnishings. The authorities were promptly alerted by a 78-year-old man who was passing by and had noticed a teenage boy running away.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7681
Theft and vandalism in the Grästorp's Church
2023-07-31 | On July 31, 2023, the perpetrator caused significant damage to a church in Grästorp. The man smashed a window and emptied a fire extinguisher in the church. The damage is estimated at SEK 13,350 (1,400 euro), according to the indictment. At the same time, he and an unknown accomplice committed theft by taking a cassock. The perpetrator was arrested, but denies the offence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7982
Thousands Stolen from Church During Mass in Ferentino
2023-07-30 | On the 30th of July, a group of thieves targeted the church of San Giuseppe in Ferentino (Frosinone), seizing several thousand euros from the sacristy while the parish priest, Don Fabio, was celebrating mass. The perpetrators forcefully entered the sacristy, breaking down its door, and escaped with an estimated loot of three thousand euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7665
Chapel of San Vicente Vandalised Again
2023-07-30 | On the 30th of July, the chapel of San Vicente de O Grove was vandalised once more. Its door was forcibly opened, all the windows in the sacristy were shattered, and a broken flower pot, which did not belong to the chapel, was left there. Parish priest Juan Ventura Martínez filed a complaint with the Civil Guard following the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7668
63-Year-Old Sets two Bibles on Fire on Church Altar
2023-07-30 | On the 30th of July, a 63-year-old man set fire to two Bibles on the altar of a church in the Ravensburg district. Firefighters intervened to restrain the man before the police arrived and arrested him. Due to the firefighter's prompt intervention, the fire did not spread to the church or its furniture.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7678
Cross broken off a chapel
2023-07-30 | The cross of the Saint Maur chapel, a 17th-century building located in the Brotonne forest in Vatteville-la-Rue, was broken by vandals at the end of July 2023. The roof was damaged and the cross broken, probably ‘by stones being thrown’, said Jacques Charron, the local mayor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8700
Patostreamer livestreams criminal action in church
2023-07-30 | On July 30, 2023, Szymon Besser, a well-known live broadcaster broke into the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint John Paul II in Toruń. He recorded the whole incident live and broadcast it on the internet.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8635
Monstrance and Money stolen from Church
2023-07-29 | On July 29, unknown perpetrators broke into the parish church in Fulda and stole the monstrance. They also stole some money.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7126
Severe Vandalism in the Church of Notre-Dame in Lencloitre
2023-07-29 | On July 29, the church of Notre-Dame de Lencloître was the target of acts of vandalism by unknown perpetrators. The vandals broke into the tabernacle, threw the ciborium and hosts to the ground and broke the candles. They also left tendentious drawings on dusty chairs. The parish priest has reported the incident to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7127
Vandalism to Cemetery and Church
2023-07-28 | On July 27, the cemetery in Rimbach has been vandalised. Grave lights were knocked over, holy water containers tore out, flowers were bent over, etc. According to the media, there have already been repeated acts of vandalism and damage to property in the church in Rimbach throughout 2023. Coat hooks were also torn from the church benches, books were thrown into the holy water, wax was poured into the holy water and similar acts were carried out.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7132
Monstrance with Host Stolen from Fulda Parish Church
2023-07-28 | Unknown perpetrators stole a monstrance with a consecrated host from the city parish church. The theft, discovered by the sexton during the church's closing on July 28, involved the breaking of a pane glass to access the sacred item. The case was reported to the police who started investigating it as a serious case of theft.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7679
Church of the Madonna dei Farauli Targeted by Vandals
2023-07-28 | On the 28 of July, the Church of the Madonna dei Farauli in Sternatia was attacked by vandals. An unknown perpetrator(s) threw stones at the window on the entrance door of the church, destroying the glass.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7824
Several religious statues stolen
2023-07-28 | A recent and rather large statue of Mary of Fatima was stolen from the Notre Dame church in Niort, in the Deux-Sèvres diocese of Poitiers, on 28 July. However, this is not an isolated case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8695
6th Vandalism incident at church in Høvik
2023-07-28 | Høvik Church in Bærum has been damaged by vandals several times.
Many stones have been thrown at the church windows and there has also been a break-in at the parish house opposite the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8805
Hermitage in Puente de Génave desecrated
2023-07-27 | One July 27, the San Juan Bautista hermitage in Peñolite, Puente de Génave, was broken into and desecrated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7776
Man uses stolen cross to injure another man
2023-07-27 | On July 27, a man stole a cross and a priest stole from St. Joseph church in Ebersberg, Bavaria. Wearing the stole, he then used the cross to attack another man.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7778
Sweden: Christian Bakery Reported After Declining To do a Homosexual Wedding Cake
2023-07-26 | At the end of July, it was communicated that a Swedish bakery has been reported to the Discrimination Ombudsman after they declined to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. The Christian bakers believe that the person who ordered the cake already knew their religious beliefs and intentionally generated this case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6905
Vandalism at Mariengrotte of St. Martin Church
2023-07-26 | Between July 26 and 28, unknown vandals damaged a statue in Mariengrotte, between the Church of St. Martin and the parish office. A flower vase was also found destroyed and sacrificially candles were found smeared in the church. The police were notified and opened an investigation to find the culprits.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7684
Theft and Vandalism at St. Catherine Church
2023-07-26 | On the night of the 26th of July, unknown perpetrators broke into the Church of St. Catherine in Rożnów, robbing and damaging the property. Offerings from two donation boxes were stolen, and damage was caused to the stained glass window of St. Maksymilian and the baptismal font.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7688
Human excrements left in sacristy after theft
2023-07-26 | On July 29, a thief broke into the Romanian Orthodox church of Stegersbach, Austria, after the evening prayers. Next to stealing 150-200 euros from the donation box, the thief also left human excrements in the sacristy.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7757
Fire at the Church of Santa Maria di Gesù
2023-07-25 | The Maredolce Castle and Park Association in Palermo have taken legal action, filing a complaint for arson in response to the fire at the fifteenth-century Santa Maria di Gesù church, while investigations of the origin of the fire are still ongoing. The blaze, which occurred on July 25th, resulted in the partial destruction of the church, including the loss of its Renaissance ceiling, a fifteenth-century wooden sculpture of Mary and Jesus, and several other artworks. Moreover, the body of Saint Benedict the Moor, venerated in the church, disappeared in the flames.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7682
30 Graves Vandalised in Beringen
2023-07-25 | In July 2023, unknown persons vandalized at least thirty graves in a cemetery in the center of Koersel, in the municipality of Beringen. Objects were also set alight and taken away.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8911
Russian Missile Strikes Holy Transfiguration Cathedral
2023-07-23 | In the early hours of the July 23, a Russian missile struck the central altar of the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, reducing a large part of it to rubble. The building and the three lower floors were partially destroyed, while the interior and icons were significantly damaged. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church called for an immediate, final break of ties with the Russian Orthodox Church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7741
Vandalism and Threats in Lutheran Church in Riga
2023-07-23 | On July 23, a man wearing a face mask entered the Old Lutheran Church of St. Gertrude in Riga and vandalised the church. He damaged a baptismal vessel and an icon, scattered sand, poured water on the vessel and left the church. When entering the church he also threatened the church warden not to call the police or he would physically assault her. The pastor of the parish, Chris Kalnins, also reported that the attacker made death threats against the pastor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7772
Repeated Acts of Vandalism at Domfront Cemetery
2023-07-22 | Acts of vandalism -burning flowers and plantations - were reported during the 3rd week of July at the Saint-Front cemetery in Domfront, Orne. Individuals from the municipality raise their voice following numerous incidents of damage to cemeteries.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8698
Theft and Damage in Villach-Auen church
2023-07-21 | Unknown perpetrators broke open the window of a church in Villach-Auen, Austria. By breaking open a door, they then gained access to the sacristy, rummaged through the cabinets and stole the donation box.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7758
San Fabiano Church in Suna vandalised
2023-07-17 | As reported on July 17, unknown perpetrators vandalised the Church of Saint Fabian and Sebastian in Suna, apparently using a sledgehammer which they swung against the façade of the small church on the Suna lakefront, ruining the plaster.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7879
Austria: Youths wanted to "Shoot all Christians" in their School Class
2023-07-16 | On the 16th of July, two youths stood trial in Leoben on charges of terrorist association and criminal organization. A 16-year-old and a 15-year-old planned a terrorist attack on MS Bruck school, since early 2022. The police found out through their chats that the plans were far advanced. When questioned, the perpetrators confirmed that they "wanted to shoot all the Christians in the class". The boys have now been convicted by law.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6906
Bell Stolen from Berlin Church - Widespread thefts from church properties
2023-07-16 | Unknown persons have stolen a church bell weighing around half a tonne from the premises of the Protestant church in Berlin-Heinersdorf. "This is a very painful loss for me and the congregation," pastor Anne-Kathrin Finke said.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7876
Tabernacle Broken into at St Jacob Church
2023-07-16 | In the night from July 15 to 16, an unknown perpetrator broke into St Jacob church in Schraudenbach. The thief stole valuable objects and broke into the tabernacle of the church. Extensive property damage was caused.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7884
UK: Man has his job offer rescinded after Company learns about his Christian Beliefs
2023-07-14 | Felix Ngole, a Christian social worker, had a job offer by Touchstone Support withdrawn after the company found out that he won a free speech case over his Christian views. He says: “The reasons they gave for withdrawing the job offer were an attack on me and my faith." Ngole is now taking Touchstone to an employment tribunal.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6858
Italian Church Vandalised: Statue Destroyed & Altar Damaged
2023-07-14 | On the 14th of July, the Saint Lucia church in Fondo, Italy, was found vandalised. The altar was damaged and a statue destroyed, with the vandals leaving a bottle of beer in the hands of the statue. The provincial councillor in Trento, Denis Paoli, condemns the attack: “What happened constitutes an intolerable outrage not only for the religious community but for the entire civil society."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6875
20 graves ransacked in Orcenais cemetery
2023-07-14 | On 14 July 2023, some unidentified youths vandalised around twenty graves in the old part the cemetery of Orcenais, in the French Cher department. At least two crosses were smashed, as well as plaques and other objects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8701
Germany: Arson Damages Cloth and Bible in Steinfeld, Second Case This Year
2023-07-13 | On the 13th of July, 2023, an unknown vandal set fire to a cloth laying on a stand in the Roman Catholic church in Steinfeld, Germany. The cloth was completely burned and a Bible damaged, amounting to 300 euros in damage. This is the second case of arson in this church in the last three months.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6881
Paving Slabs Stolen from Historic Church in Llandovery
2023-07-13 | Paving slabs, including a distinctive large blue piece of slate, have been stolen from St. Mary's Church in Llanfair-ar-y-Brun. The church warden discovered the theft on July 13. The vicar, Paul Pritchard, said that replacing the slabs would be difficult, given they already did not have sufficient funds to repair a collapsed wall at the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7018
Two Acts of Vandalisation in Ticino Canton, Italy
2023-07-12 | On the night of Wednesday the 12th of July, the Lourdes-Grotto in the Italian town of Fescoggia was vandalised, with the flowerpots overturned. Giorgio Bazurri, of the parish Fescoggia: "Popular faith is being attacked here, the cultural tradition of those who built these chapels." This is not the only case of vandalism in the area: the face of a statue of Mary the Greina region was also found smeared with black paint recently.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6879
Suspected Arson In Bavarian Church: Altar Cloth Goes Up In Flames
2023-07-11 | On Tuesday afternoon, the 11th of July, an altar cloth on a side altar in the St. Laurentius church was found in flames, with a damage amounting to around 5000 euros. The police have started an investigation. According to their findings, arson cannot be ruled out.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6877
Multiple Crosses Vandalised near Königsbach
2023-07-11 | On the night of July 11 to 12, a cross northeast of Königsbach was taken completely off its socket and broken into three pieces. The cross had already been vandalised earlier in September 2022. Furthermore, another penitential cross in the same area was damaged twice in March 2023.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6880
Christian Activist In Belarus Jailed Again
2023-07-11 | On the 11th of July 2023, Dmitry Dashkevich, a Christian political activist in Belarus who was imprisoned last year, was supposed to be released. However, the authorities unexpectedly arrested him again. Dmitry Dashkevich is a Belarusian activist, he was the leader of the Belarusian democratic movement "Young Front" in 2004-2015. He has been repeatedly detained by the authorities since the early 2000's, already serving two years in prison from 2011-2013.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6884
Repeated Urination in German Church Over The Past 18 Months
2023-07-10 | In the past year, the door of the Saint Joseph church in Stadthagen was smeared with faeces, the holy water font was filled with urine, and now the sanctuary was found urinated as well. Due to these attacks, the church has decided to close its doors to the public during the day, says Father Markus Grabowski: "For months our church has been urinated in, multiple times. We're tired and don't know what else to do but to close."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6878
Far-left activists hinder entrance to church and disrupt mass
2023-07-09 | According to reports by local media and religious groups, 40 far-left activists gathered in front of the church of Saint Pierre de Colombier on Sunday, July 9, shouting anti-Christian slogans and hindering the faithful to attend the morning mass. They furthermore disturbed the mass by playing loud music and shouting in front of the door.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7921
Vandals Smear Seed Oil on Entrance of Church and Convent
2023-07-07 | On the 7th of July, seed oil, which was supposed to be distributed to assisted families by Caritas was found smeared on the entrance of the Purgatoria al Castello church and convent in Carini, near Palermo. The vandals have not been identified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6868
Crucifix Stolen From Altar of Nürnberg Church
2023-07-07 | On Friday,July 7 2023, in Nürnberg, Bavaria, a crucifix worth 200 euros placed on the altar of the Herz-Jesu church was stolen. The robbery happened around 1.30 PM in the afternoon. The police have started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6873
Perpetrators Vandalize German Church: Bible Pages Torn Up
2023-07-07 | In the afternoon of the 7th of July, 2023, the Liebfrauenkirche in Waldshut-Tiengen was found vandalised: the Bible was torn and the Easter candle was damaged. It was used to hit the piano, which damaged the paintwork. The police have started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6891
Man tries to stab priest during mass
2023-07-07 | A middle-aged man assaulted a priest who was distributing communion during mass in the Cathedral of Santiago. He tried to stab him in the neck with a sharp object and punched him with a fist.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7926
Priest attacked while giving communion in Santiago Cathedral
2023-07-07 | On 7 July 2023, a Catholic priest was attacked while giving communion in Santiago de Compostela’s Cathedral.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8781
Two Churches Desecrated in France And Religious Items Stolen
2023-07-05 | The Saint-Martin Church in Avallon was found vandalised on the 5th of July, 2023. The tabernacle which contains the consecrated hosts was damaged and a monstrance and two ciboria (chalices which contain the hosts) were stolen. This is not the first incident of its kind in Avallon: on June 28th, the St-Lazare church was targeted and a pyx containing hosts was stolen. Two complaints have been filed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6864
Hateful Grafitti Damages Church in Germany
2023-07-05 | Unknown vandals smeared the walls of a church in Kirchberg, Böbingen an der Rems, with unreadable graffiti and two Nazi swastikas. The damage was found on the 7th of July, the police are still searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6865
High Court Reinstates Christian Governor Dismissed for Questioning School's Sex-Education Policy
2023-07-05 | A Christian governor and mother who was dismissed for raising concerns with the trans-affirming sex-education policy at her children's primary school has been reinstated by the High Court. The mother, who was granted anonymity by the Court in order to protect her children, reached a legal settlement with the school after being kicked off its Governing Body for pointing to legal errors in its Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) policy. She first raised her concerns with fellow governors in March 2021. She pointed out that the Gateshead School's RSE policy could be unlawful, and shortly later, she was accused by the school managers of opposing their "collective decision." She was removed as governor in June 2022. The High Court recognized that the decision to remove her was unlawful and she was reinstated in August 2023.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6981
Statue vandalised in Rabastens Church
2023-07-05 | On July 5, a statue of Mary was found vandalised in the Notre-Dame-du-Bourg Church in Rabastens. The statue has been sprayed with red paint.
According to France 3, a local resident criticised the lack of reaction from the town's mayor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7914
Arson to Church Damages Altar in France
2023-07-04 | In the early morning of July 4th 2023, a man set fire to the altar of the church Notre Dame de Kerdro in Locmariaquer, France. The fire was quickly brought under control by firefighters and only damaged the altar and some religious furniture. A complaint was filed to the police who arrested a 35-year-old man in connection to the fire. The man is set to be brought before the court in November.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6861
Arson attack on Church in Colle Cannuccio
2023-07-04 | On July 4, the door of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Colle Cannuccio, Italy, was splattered with gasoline and lit on fire. Luckily, the fire did not spread and only the door was damaged as a result. Blasphemous writings and swear words were also painted on the parking lot.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7791
Statues of Jesus and Mary decapitated in Viennese Park
2023-07-03 | Images of Jesus and Mary were beheaded and vandalized in a prayer garden in a district of Vienna, Austria. The prayer garden is considered a spiritual oasis for visitors. The alarm was raised by two bypassers who discovered the devastated prayer garden. The police have been notified and they are conducting investigations to identify the motives and the perpetrators. A video by "Project Telos" shows the devastation of several objects in the garden, and the direct targeting of the statues of Mary and Jesus.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6853
Arson Attack On German Church, Police Are Investigating The Crime
2023-07-03 | In the evening of the 3rd of July, the firemen of the town of Schramberg, Germany, were called out to the church of Saint Maria - Heilig Geist where a stranger had set a table on fire in the back of the church. Dean Rüdiger Kocholl is deeply shocked and worries that the attack may have been planned. On top of setting the table on fire, new signs had been placed on the donation boxes, stating a new purpose for the donated money: for example, for drugs, alcohol and satanism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6871
Arson attack on Altar of church in Limoges
2023-07-03 | The altar of a church in Limoges, France was set on fire. Luckily, the fire was discovered by parishoners who came to the church for prayer and put out before it could spread.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7793
Vandals Destroy Altar Piece in Ansbach with A Knife
2023-07-02 | A canvas painting that served as an altarpiece in the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche in Ansbach was torn by a knife on Monday morning, the 3rd of July, 2023. The picture was made by the Ansbacher artist Georg Friedrich Bischoff (1819-1873). The restoration of the image is estimated to cost 2000-2500 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6862
Severe Vandalism to Church in Rüdesheim am Rhein
2023-07-02 | In the night of July 1st to 2nd the St. Jakobus church in Rheinfeld am Rhein was severely vandalised. The intruders left without stealing anything but caused damages to the amount of 38 500€. Among other things, the intruders damaged an historical window and the church's organ. Police were notified and have started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6942
Religious Objects Stolen in a Series of Robberies in German Churches
2023-07-01 | Multiple religious items were stolen on the night of the 30th of June to the 1st of July, 2023, at the Heilig Kreuz church in Mönchengladbach, Germany. The thieves came in by forcing the door to the church and from the main room there they came into the sacristy by breaking the window. Two individual patens were stolen and one chalice with paten was stolen. The police have started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6872
Blasphemy Uttered by 16-year-old During Festive Mass
2023-07-01 | Amidst several acts of vandalism, perpetrated by young people, a sixteen-year-old was identified as responsible for disturbing a mass by shouting blasphemeous curses at the back of the cathedral during a festive mass. His identification was possible due to the testimonies of those present in the church
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7690
Research Study shows Christian students' Perceptions of religious freedom in UK Universities
2023-06-30 | In a recent study by four universities focusing on religious experiences among university students showed that, although the majority of students perceived a diverse and open atmosphere to different religions, there was still a small percentage (10%) of students that felt pressured to withhold their beliefs. Christian students emerged prominently as one of the most affected religious groups, facing challenges and unique perceptions within secular academic environments.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7093
UK Survey Highlights Christian Students Being Silenced on University Campus
2023-06-30 | A survey by Coventry University has detected varying levels of silencing among Christian students sharing experiences of prejudice and discrimination. Among students of other religions, Christian students stand out as feeling pressured to change their worldview.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7325
Statue of Mary destroyed in Church in Fonzaso
2023-06-30 | On June 1, the statue of Mary was found destroyed in a church in Fonzaso. Perpetrators put the broken statue on the altar of the church. The statue was an important symbol for the church, which is named after the Nativity of Mary and the community is shocked about the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7794
Ireland aproves 'buffer zones' that limit Freedom of Assembly, similar to those in England and Wales
2023-06-29 | On the 29th of June, the Irish Government approved legislation to introduce 100-metre buffer zones around abortion clinics similar to those already in place in Northern Ireland and with the PSPO's and the Public Order bill in England and Wales. In the same way as in the UK, the legislation does not distinguish between harassment and peaceful activism such as silent prayer or mere physical presence inside the buffer zone.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6851
Organ Damaged In German Church
2023-06-29 | Between the 29th of June and the 6th of July the organ in the Herz Jesu church in Völklingen was damaged: tea lights were thrown against the pipes causing dents. The estimated damage is around 4000 euros. The police have started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6876
San Antonio Abate Church smeared with disparaging writings
2023-06-29 | The exterior walls of the church of San Antonio Abate in the Roman suburb Cerveteri were smeared with disparaging writings, as was reported on June 29. The graffiti contained swearwords and the sentence "Nobody dies a virgin."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7654
Church in Marseille Vandalised with Anti-Christian Tags
2023-06-28 | The evangelical church Philadelphia in Marseille was found ransacked on Wednesday, June 28th. The prayer room was destroyed with doors and windows fractured as well. On top of material damage, the tags speak of the anti-Christian nature of the attack: "Jesus is not God" and "Mohammed was the last prophet" were found written on the walls. The pastor has filed a complaint. It is unclear whether the attack is connected to the recent civil unrest in France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6863
New Sex-Ed Legislation in Northern Ireland Threatens Freedom of Religion
2023-06-28 | On the 28th of June, 2023, the UK government voted to introduce a new mandatory curriculum on sex and abortion in Northern Ireland, which includes education on the prevention of early pregnancy and how to access an abortion. This legislation has met with worry about the freedom of conscience and religion in Northern Ireland. Right To Life UK spokesperson Catherine Robinson said: "This legislation will likely put teachers and parents who oppose abortion in a very difficult situation.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6894
Theft of liturgical objects and consecrated hosts from church in Sicily
2023-06-27 | On June 27, thieves broke into the tabernacle of the Church Parrocchiale Maria Santissima Addolorata in Grottasanta district in Siracusa, Sicily, thereby damaged the tabernacle, and stole the pyx with the consecrated hosts, the reliquary with the main host and a crucifix that was next to the altar.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7655
UN Anti-Discrimination report Proposes to limit religious Freedom
2023-06-25 | The so-called SOGI report from the UN, made public on the 15th of June, proposes to limit freedom of conscience and religious freedom, to avoid discrimination against the LGBT community. The National Council of Evangelicals of France (CNEF) expressed worry about the implications of this report in a statement, which has also been supported by the World Evangelical Alliance and the European Evangelical Alliance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6850
Man Commits Series of Thefts in Churches throughout England
2023-06-24 | A man has been arrested after stealing from churches since the 1970s. He raided collection boxes in churches in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Kent and Oxfordshire. Between May and August, the man, identified as Mr Coulthard, stole more than £6,000 in cash from at least three churches. Coulthard, 61, was arrested in Radley, Oxfordshire, in September after a member of the public recognised him as the man caught on CCTV stealing from the village church's collection box in June. Following his arrest, Coulthard confessed to being a repeat church burglar and admitted that he had been stealing from churches since the 1970s.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7002
Azerbaijani government forcibly converts Armenian church into mosque
2023-06-23 | According to the State Service for the Protection of the Historical Environment of the Republic of Artsakh, Azerbaijan is converting the Holy Ascension Church of Berdzor into a mosque. The church in Nagorno-Karabakh was designed by Hrachya Gasparyan, and the construction of the temple was finalised in 1998.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6847
GOOD NEWS: German Court upholds freedom of assembly: prayer group can pray near abortion facility
2023-06-22 | On the 20th of June, the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig ruled that blanket bans against peaceful prayer gatherings near abortion organisations were impermissible. With this ruling, the legal issues end for a local prayer group in Pforzheim, which are challenging the bans since 2019. Germany’s highest administrative court has protected freedom of assembly, but Federal minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus is planning to introduce censorship zones around abortion organisations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6849
Recurrent Vandalism and Damages in Dielheim Church
2023-06-22 | In a large-scale act of vandalism in the St-Cyriak-Kirche in Dielheim, discovered on the 22nd of June, the glass of a candlestick was broken as were numerous candles, the contents of a first-aid kit were scattered on the floor, a holy water font was emptied and self-painted pictures of the first communion soaked with water. The damage is estimated to be around 3000 euros. This current case of vandalism has moved the parish council to go to the police and limit the opening hours of the church. The church has seen smaller acts of vandalism before, including broken windows or candles, but something of this scale hasn't occurred since 2017.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6866
Youth Gang Sprinkle Each Other with Holy Water and Shout "Allah Akbar" in Nice
2023-06-20 | On June 20, in the church of Saint Roch in Nice, a group of young people entered the place and sprinkled themselves with Holy Water and then one of them shouted "Allah Akbar", which can be considered a threat, as this shout is used by Islamists during attacks. The incident was reported to the first deputy mayor responsible for security, Anthony Borré, who said he would take the matter "very seriously".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7277
Pectoral Cross of Benedict XVI Stolen from Church in Traunstein
2023-06-19 | The papal pectoral cross of Pope Benedict XVI was stolen on June 19 during a break-in at the Traunstein city church of St. Oswald. The perpetrator broke open an exhibition display case to steal the cross. Pope Benedict XVI bequeathed the pectoral cross to St. Oswald's Church after his retirement in 2013. The cross holds immense value to the Catholic community in Traunstein, and investigators are still searching for it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6957
Northamptonshire Councillor Cancelled and Suspended for Tweet About Pride
2023-06-19 | Christian Councillor King Lawal, who has been a councillor at North Northamptonshire Unitary Council for two years, was cancelled by seven organizations and suspended by the Conservative party pending an investigation over his tweets. His tweets commented on an LGBT pride parade that included naked men illegally parading through the streets in front of children. On June 19, he tweeted: "When did Pride become a thing to celebrate? Because of Pride Satan fell as an archangel. Pride is not a virtue but a sin." On the same day he posted the tweet, he was contacted by the leader of North Northamptonshire Unitary Council who told him that he was suspended for 21 days pending an investigation. On July 3, a local authority that held a substantial council contract with Cllr Lawal's family business ordered an urgent meeting. The family business was told that unless Cllr Lawal was removed immediately as director, their contract would be withdrawn. Under potentially illegal pressure, Cllr Lawal resigned from his own company. Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, Cllr Lawal instructed his lawyers to prepare legal action alleging multiple violations of his rights to freedom of speech and freedom of religion. On October 26, at a full council meeting, Cllr Lawal was reinstated. After being suspended for 3 months, Cllr Lawal said he was "relieved" but the Conservative party had still not dropped the complaint against him.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6970
Church Windows Smashed in Spiesen-Elversberg
2023-06-18 | unknown perpetrators destroyed several windows of a Catholic church in Spiesen-Elversberg in the Neunkirchen district.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6845
Vandalism: Church window smashed twice
2023-06-17 | During the night of 16 to 17 June, unknown persons smashed the historic stained glass window of the Protestant church in Neuenrade. The time can probably be narrowed down. At around 2.40 a.m. a "considerable impact noise" was heard. The police confirmed at the time that stones, possibly beer bottles, had been thrown at the window. The damage is estimated at 7000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7957
Sacred objects stolen from Yorkshire church
2023-06-17 | Sacred objects stolen from the church of Bilton-in-Ainsty in Yorkshire, England, on July 17, including two patens and a 16th-century cruet, have been recovered and returned to the parish.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8757
Religion Teacher receives Threats
2023-06-15 | On June 15, 2023, insults and threats were directed at one of the religion teachers at Primary School No. 35 in Toruń, who was organising a series of lessons for children under the slogan "Feel the chemistry of Jesus".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8638
Feminist Group Paints over Fresco of Jesus in Church in Geneva
2023-06-14 | A group of women desecrated a fresco of Jesus and the apostles on June 14 at the Plainpalais Church in Geneva. The group, called "The Red Tents", gained access to the chapel of the Plainpalais Church. They used pink and purple paint to add women, draw breasts on a saint, and paint male genitals on the fresco. They also painted symbols of Venus and Mars on Christ's dress.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6985
Ciborium with consecrated hosts stolen
2023-06-14 | On June 14, 2023, a ciborium containing consecrated hosts was stolen from the Notre-Dame church in Rocheservière (Vendée). Parishioners expressed worry over the sacrilegious theft.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7905
Church Guest Book tagged With Satanic Symbols
2023-06-13 | The village church in Hiesfeld has been repeatedly vandalized by unknown perpetrators. According to media reports from June 13, vandals have left satanic and offensive symbols in the parish guest book.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7162
Young People Attack Priest and Utter Anti-Christian insults
2023-06-12 | On June 12th 2023, a "group of young people" attacked Joseph Eid, the rector of the Notre-Dame-du-Liban parish. Shortly after 8 pm a dozen young people allegedly entered the presbytery to retrieve a soccer ball, and were scolded by the priest. The situation seems to have escalated and the priest was violently thrown to the ground, then grabbed by the back of the neck before being helped by witnesses. The assailants then fled, hurling anti-Christian insults.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6846
Forest Shrine near Mielec Vandalised
2023-06-12 | On 12 June 2023, a Marian shrine on a mountain path in Czerwone Wierchy near Mielec was painted with black paint. Religious objects belonging to the shrine were also vandalised.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8613
Mary Figure Beheaded at Church in Braunton
2023-06-11 | Vandals took the head off a statute of Mary which stood outside St. Brannock Catholic Church in Braunton. They threw the torso into the consecrated shallow well and wedged her head into a nearby wall. Mrs. Smith-Bingham, who lives close the the church, stated: "I heard some noise on Sunday (June 11), and when my husband went to look, he noticed this had happened (...).The community should be made aware that a religious hate crime has been reported to the police. There has been petty vandalism in the area for the last 18 months or so, but this is on a different scale." Damage was also caused to the church door, and police are investigating the criminal damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7015
Church of Saint-Cornély in Carnac Vandalized with Graffiti
2023-06-11 | The 17th-century church of Saint-Cornély in Carnac was vandalized by unknown perpetrators between the 10th and 11th of June. The church was tagged with blue lettering on the porch that said "Tout raser comme les menhirs" ("Raze everything like the menhirs"), referencing to another historical heritage that had been vandalized earlier that year.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7154
Priest's Chair Stolen from Church in Cransford
2023-06-10 | Between 8 AM on June 9 and the evening of June 10, a Mendlesham Priest Chair was stolen from St. Peter's Church in Cransford. A spokesperon for Suffolk police said: "Local communities are urged to vigilant of any suspicious activity around churches and report anything of conern to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7001
Valuables Stolen from Church in Bournemouth
2023-06-09 | A number of distinctive items have been stolen from St. Stephen's Church in Bournemouth, with police releasing a CCTV image of a suspect. The man was seen on the camera footage on June 9 at 9:30 AM. It was reported that he stole a silver sanctuary lamp, a decorative gold palm leaf and a statue of Our Lady of Walsingham. A private area of the church was also broken into and a number of items were damaged. The police have not arrested the man and are continuing their search.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7024
New conversion therapy ban in Iceland affects Religious Freedom of parents
2023-06-09 | In line with other European countries, Iceland has approved a ban on conversion therapies for 'sexual orientation,' 'gender expression' and 'gender identity.' The problem arises from the redaction of the new law, that restricts freedom of religion and parental choice. The law does not specify what is considered "conversion therapy", which could lead to the criminalization of harmless spiritual counseling by parents or fellow believers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6842
UPDATE: Maltese Man On Trial For Statements on His Conversion to Christianity
2023-06-09 | Matthew Grech, a maltese 33-year-old Christian, had his first Court trial on Friday 9th of June. He is being prosecuted on the grounds of "breaching the Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression Act" and promoting "conversion therapy". He could face a prison sentence of up to five months and fines from 1,000 to 5,000 Euro. In the program, aired in April 2022, Grech shared his experience as a homosexual and how he found Christianity, which changed his life forever. Grech did not invite or encourage listeners to undergo any form of "conversion therapy".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6848
Many Injured After Car Driver Rammed Through the Corpus Christi Procession in Warsaw
2023-06-08 | On June 8, during the Corpus Christi procession in Ursynów, an Audi driver rammed his car through the procession, hitting and injuring people. The police are investigating the event.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6839
Church of Saint Roch defaced and robbed
2023-06-08 | During the night of 8 to 9 June, the church of Saint Roch in Ajaccio was defaced with obscene tags and religious objects were stolen. Among the stolen objects are a wooden cross covered in gold leaf and a statue of St John the Baptist.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8693
Orthodox Centre in Hincesti devastated by vandals
2023-06-07 | In a vandalism attack on the Orthodox Centre in Hîncești on June 7, furniture, doors, windows, as well as icons and religious textbooks were destroyed. The perpetrators even set some books on fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8405
Devastation of a roadside shrine
2023-06-05 | On the night of January 5-6, 2023, a twenty-two-year-old man vandalised a roadside shrine in Uście Solne in the commune of Szczurowa. The perpetrator took out the statue of the Mary from the niche of the shrine and smashed it on the road surface.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8570
Church in Southern France Desecrated
2023-06-03 | On June 3, the sacristan of the Chuch of Mailhac discovered that the place of worship had been vandalized. Many candles lay broken on the floor, and there are clear signs that someone had tried to open the trunk. The sacristan had already filed a complaint for the destruction of candles in the past. As a consequence of this act, the church has been closed for an indefinite time. The Ginestas gendarmerie was informed on the same day, and a complaint had been filed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6838
Baptist pastor arrested and fined in Brest for preaching on the street
2023-06-02 | On June 2, Vladimir Burshtyn was arrested and taken to trial after having been preaching in the street in Drahichyn the day before. The law enforcers told his wife that the reason for the arrest was the "organisation of mass events". He was fined 555 Belarusian rubles, over a month's average pension in the country.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6841
Thieves Smash Window and Steal Candlestick from Sussex Church
2023-06-02 | A suspect entered St. Mary the Virgin Church in Littlehampton, Sussex the night between June 1 and June 2. Damage was caused to a window and a candlestick was stolen. Officers attended the scene and an investigation is now underway.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7005
Case opened over the the Burning of a Cross in La Coruña
2023-06-01 | On June 1st, the provincial prosecutor's office of La Coruña opened a case over the burning of a cross in La Toleira of Neda, following a complaint by the organisation of Christian Lawyers. The lawyers' organization indicates that BNG (Galician nationalist party) members were responsible for the incident. They are being charged with possible hate crimes, offending religious feelings, offending historical heritage and illegal demonstrations. The Prosecutor's Office is asking the police to identify those involved in the reported act and the person(s) responsible for the fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6833
Mayor tears down memorial cross two days after losing elections
2023-05-31 | The mayor of Barrado, a town in the province of Caceres, tore down the cross dedicated to the 'fallen' of the Spanish Civil War on May 31, after having lost the municipal elections two days before. The politician, a member of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), justifies his decision on the 'Democratic Memory Law' but the foundation Abogados Cristianos considers it an attack on Christians and is considering legal action.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6837
Vandalism with rubbish and excrement at Church in Lucerne
2023-05-30 | On the 30th of May, the online news site Kath.ch reported that the front of St. Luke's Church in Lucerne, had been vandalised by people leaving rubbish and excrement.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6843
Virgin Mary Statue Beheaded in Corsica
2023-05-29 | A statue of Our Lady of Lavasina installed on the seafront of Ajaccio in Corsica was found decapitated on May 29th. The statue was used in processions in the parish of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Ajaccio. This is the fourth act of anti-Christian vandalism on Corsica in recent months. In April, a statuette of the Virgin Mary by Petit Capo beach was found vandalised, as well as a make-shift altar at a scout camp in Vero. A cross in Sisco was also decapitated that month.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6854
French Church Desecrated in Cugnaux Village
2023-05-28 | On Sunday May 28, individuals broke into the church and carried out various acts of vandalism and damage to the place of worship. They tried to set fire to the church, also all the candles were knocked over, a crucifix was damaged and paintings were broken. The mayor, Albert Sanchez, strongly condemned this act of violence. In this context, local representatives called for a peaceful gathering in front of Cugnaux town hall (near the church), on May 31 at 6:30 pm to condemn all acts of violence against places of worship.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6832
Man attacks and insults priest in Wrocław
2023-05-28 | On 28 May 2023, a man of about 30 years of age physically attacked and insulted a priest in Wroclaw. The attack took place in the morning as the priest was returning to the vicarage from the convent of the Albertine Sisters, located near the parish church of St Maurice in Wroclaw.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8537
Church walls smeared during "Equality March"
2023-05-27 | On May 27, 2023, participants of a local "Equality March" taking place in Gdańsk spray-painted inscriptions on the facade of the historic St. Elizabeth Church in Gdańsk.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8611
Free speech and rule of law under threat in Ireland’s new "hate offences" bill
2023-05-26 | On April 26, the lower house of the Irish Parliament passed what could be the most extreme hate speech law in Europe, with critics saying that it is in fact a 'thought crime' bill. The text of the bill makes the possession of material considered 'hateful' against certain groups a crime punishable with jail, and the burden of proof is shifted to the accused, who is expected to prove they didn't intend to use the material to "spread hate".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6815
Attempted Theft and Assaults on three Christians
2023-05-26 | On 26 May 2023, a man was arrested after attempting to steal a chalice, and assaulting three parishioners in the Church of San James Apostle, in the city of Orihuela.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8780
Graveyard and Church Defaced in Blackfairs Walk
2023-05-25 | Vandals targeted the Auld Kirk of Ayr in Blackfriars Walk on the evening of May 25. Grave stones were painted, rude imagery was drawn over stained glass windows and profanity was written on an iron gate. Historic stonework, as well as a welcome sign featuring a picture of King Charles III was vandalized with red spray paint. The incident is being investigated by Ayr Police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7016
Church Painting Damaged through vandalism
2023-05-25 | An oil painting inside the St Gerhard's Church in Heiligenstadt was damaged by unknown perpetrators. According to the Nordhausen police, the crime took place on the 25th of May. The vandals poured the liquid wax of a burning candle from the offering box onto the painting.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7163
Four churches targeted by vandals and thieves and one cemetery vandalised
2023-05-24 | In May 2023, four churches and a cemetery were targeted by vandals and thieves in France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8691
Update: Landmark Case Bans Christian Teacher for Misgendering a Transgender Pupil
2023-05-23 | On May 23rd, a ruling by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) in the UK banned Christian Joshua Sutcliffe from teaching altogether, after he failed to treat his pupils "with dignity and respect" by misgendering a transgender boy. This case is the first of its kind in the UK and has become international news. It goes back to 2017, when the former maths teacher at the Cherwell School in Oxford, said "well done girls" to a group of girls, where one was a transgender boy - and he later apologized. Sutcliffe was later also accused of inappropriately sharing his Christian beliefs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6830
Vandals locked out Priest and Vandalize his Church
2023-05-23 | In Malnia, near Gogolin on May 23rd, unknown perpetrators blocked the door to the rectory to prevent the parish priest from intervening and destroyed a statue of Mary, a statue of St. Anthony, and damaged the interior of the church.
The losses made by the perpetrators were estimated at several thousand zlotys.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6831
Vandalism and Physical Violence in Wolgast Church
2023-05-22 | On May 22, a heavily intoxicated couple caused vandalism and violence in the St. Peter's Church in Wolgast. They couple forcibly cleared the book table and injured a visitor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8083
Santiago Cathedral Defaced with Graffiti
2023-05-20 | The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is an internationally renowned place of pilgrimage. On May 20, a graffiti displaying a penis was smeared on the cathedral’s west façade, which then got covered with a tarpaulin for cleaning purposes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7922
British Man Admits Plotting to Murder Street Evangelist Hatun Tash
2023-05-19 | A 21-year-old British man, Edward Little, has pleaded guilty to preparing to commit acts of terrorism in an attack against the evangelist Hatun Tash in 2022. Little was found carrying £5,000, with which he planned to buy a firearm to kill Hatun Tash at the Speaker's Corner, a place for public debates where she frequently debates and preaches. He refused the allegations at first, but on the May 19, 2023 he admitted to planning the murder back on September 23, 2022.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6828
Vandals Pour Red Paint Inside the Walls of a French Church
2023-05-19 | On May 19, between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m., unknown perpetrators entered the church Notre-Dame des Grâces in Revel without being detected. Once inside, they poured red paint on the walls. A depiction of Christ on the cross, a pyrographed painting of the Virgin and Child, candles and the altar were also vandalized with paint. On a wall, the word "proteste" (unclear form in French) was also written in red. The mayor considers closing the church outside worship hours due to this incident. The same happening had already taken place on May 1st, with the same acts and the word "protest" written on a wall with red paint. Back in 2018, the church in Revel had been attacked with arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6829
Citizen arrested in Madrid for praying in front of an abortion clinic
2023-05-17 | On May 17, a citizen who was silently praying in front of the Dator abortion clinic in Madrid was arrested by the Spanish national police. The arrest comes as a result of the entry into force of the reform of the Spanish Criminal Code last year, which punishes praying in front of abortion clinics as it considers it 'harassment to women.'
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6826
An Exhibition in Memory of John Paul II Vandalized in Gdansk
2023-05-17 | In the Polish city of Gdansk, a Solidarity exhibition dedicated to St John Paul II before the Solidarity building in Gdansk, was vandalized on May 17. The CCTV footage shows five people destroying the exhibition boards with the Holy Father John Paul II. The crime was reported to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7114
Evangelical Church seized in Occupied Ukraine
2023-05-16 | On Tuesday the 16th of April, Russian forces seized the Ukrainian Christian Evangelical Church of the Holy Trinity in Mariupol. According to a US NGO, it is "part of a wider systematic religious persecution campaign in occupied Ukraine." More generally: many Ukrainian pastors said they had been arrested and tortured by Russian soldiers, with one saying that the troops were directed to "kill all the Christian pastors who are not part of the Russian Orthodox Church."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6825
St Cordula Church Closed due to Repetitive Vandalism
2023-05-16 | The Church of St Cordula in Schoten has announced that the doors will be kept closed, due to several cases of vandalism. The place of worship used to be open during the day. In the last vandalism case, candle wax was poured on the floor and smeared on chairs and carpets. A burnt smell shows that paper might also have been burnt.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7120
Vandalism at Haarala cemetery
2023-05-16 | At the end of April, the Puskaradio Facebook group reported that vandalism had been committed at Haarala Cemetery. One post revealed that a hatch of a candle holder had been ripped off one of the gravestones, and similar acts had been committed on other graves.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8803
Bavarian Police Identify Growing Trend of Anti-Christian Hate Crime
2023-05-15 | Churches in Bavaria are targeted by vandals with increased frequency. The Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (LKA) registered 294 cases of damage to property in churches, chapels, or monasteries last year - 23 more than in 2021 (271). According to the information, the trend has been increasing in recent years. In 2019, the LKA still counted 219 cases, and the following year it was 242.
According to a spokesman of the Catholic diocese of Regensburg there are: "For example, figures of saints were destroyed or damaged, people smoked and urinated in church rooms, church walls were smeared or fires were set inside the church."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6822
Vandals Destroy a Shrine and Smash Statues
2023-05-14 | On the night of May 13 to 14, the chapel in the Grotto of the White Mountains in Łaskarzew was vandalised. The statues of the Mary, Saint Bernadette and the image of Merciful Jesus were destroyed in the act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7123
Teacher dismissed for 'hate speech' after being encouraged to share his Christian beliefs
2023-05-12 | A teacher in Wales, Ben Dybowski, was encouraged to express his Christian beliefs at a seminar and was subsequently fired for "hate speech", according to the Daily Mail. The school claims that there is no evidence that his assignment was ended on the basis of his religious beliefs.
The teacher said that he was prompted to share his opinions during a mandatory training session organised by the charity Diverse Cymru to instruct teachers on "workforce diversity practice, unconscious bias and gender awareness." He later commented that: "We were told it was a safe space and encouraged to speak freely."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6823
Organ Pipes Stolen From Sussex Church
2023-05-12 | Organ pipes were stolen and the organ of the St John The Divine Church in Patching, England, was damaged on the night of the May 12 to 13, 2023. The theft is expected to cost thousands of pounds to repair or replace.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6886
Russian Individuals Raid the cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Crimea
2023-05-11 | On May 11th, the Ukrainian newspaper Korrespondent.net reported: "The invaders are removing the property of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, but such actions are not explained in any way and no one was warned about the "raid". Russian occupants are looting and destroying the cathedral of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (PCU) in temporarily occupied Simferopol. The invaders broke down the doors of the temple, destroy and steal the property of the Ukrainian church." One of the leaders of this "raid" is Novikov Evgeny Nikolaevich - "the Moscow bailiff who manages the seizure of the PCU temple in Crimea". The Russian individuals did not explain their actions and no one warned the representatives of the religious community and church officials about the "raid".”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6820
Death threats and Assaults at Bible stall in Vienna
2023-05-09 | Christian missionary Lahzy Mahfonz Hefzalla Girgis has regularly installed a Christian book table in different districts of Vienna, where he distributes bibles to those interested. He reported receiving death threats and being physically assaulted because of his message that “Jesus is God”. On May 5, 2023, his bookstall was surrounded and attacked by a mob and bibles were stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7886
Arson Attack to a Spanish Church in Vitoria
2023-05-09 | Some people have tried to cause a fire in the church of Santa María de los Ángeles. This criminal act occurred on Tuesday, May 9 around 4:00 pm in Vitoria, while the church was closed. Perpetrators sprayed gasoline at the main entrance of the church. The fire burned a billboard and the church entrance, which they left darkened and dirty. The criminals fled, but thanks to the images from the church's security cameras, the police were able to identify them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6821
Man Arrested After He desecrated and vandalized an Austrian Church
2023-05-08 | On the 9th of May, the Police of Salzburg have arrested a man who hurled a bottle of red wine he had brought with full force against the high altar on Monday morning in the parish church of Schwarzach im Pongau. Thus, two altar lights were knocked over and the offering table and brickwork were contaminated by the wine. The man had entered the church loudly ranting and gesticulating aggressively and spat at a statue of Christ. The man - a Czech citizen who is banned from staying in Austria - was filmed in the church by two video cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6814
Perpetrator Tags Church with Graffiti, Among other Vandalic acts
2023-05-05 | On May 5, 2013, graffiti was found on the Church of Lieusaint, in a suburb of Paris. The graffiti, which said: 'Vive l'Islam et la paix" (Long live Islam and Peace) was written in French and a Star of David was drawn. According to a local Muslim association, the scripture, full of mistakes, is unlikely to come from a Muslim. The Mayor strongly condemns this "proof of human stupidity". Last year, statues inside the church had been destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6811
Priest in Pionki assaulted
2023-05-05 | On 5 May 2023, at around 1pm, an unknown man attacked 80-year-old priest Fr. Leon Czerwiński, former parish priest of the Blessed Virgin Mary Queen of Poland in Pionki near Radom.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8536
Public prayer gathering attacked
2023-05-05 | On May 5, 2023, at around 5pm, the participants in a public rosary prayer organised by a pro-life foundation in Elbląg, were attacked. During the meeting, a masked and very aggressive man approached the people praying.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8632
Azerbaijan has demanded the expulsion of the Armenian clergy from the Dadivank monastery in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh
2023-05-04 | In the context of the current blockade by Azerbaijan on the Republic of Artsakh, the ethnic Armenian breakaway state in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, the Armenian Christians are suffering increasing threats and fear for their future.
In one of the latest threats against the Christians living in the region, Azerbaijan has demanded the expulsion of the Armenian clergy from the Dadivank monastery, built in the 9th century and one of the symbols of medieval Armenia.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6805
European Parliament: Outrage over exhibition showing explicitly sexualized Jesus surrounded by apostles
2023-05-04 | An exhibition in the European Parliament showing Jesus surrounded by men dressed in leather as sadomasochistic slaves, apparently homosexuals, has provoked complaints from several MEPs and Christians in Europe.
The author, lesbian Swedish photographer Elisabeth Ohlson, argues the photographs depict Christ supporting homosexual rights.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6809
Street wall Displays insults and Hateful Messages Against Christians
2023-05-02 | A German man who was doing a bicycle tour around the Tollensee Sea in Germany, near Neubrandenburg, came across a wall displaying several hateful or disrespectful messages and insults almost entirely against Christians or Catholic Christians. He posted a picture of the display on his facebook page and informed the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians. Some of the posters on the wall say "F**k off Vatican", "Good that theologians are disappearing on their own", "Catholics are sh*t", among other things.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6808
Arson in Steinfeld Church: Cloth Set Alight, Bible Damaged
2023-05-02 | On May 2, 2023 between 14:00-18:00, a cloth on a stand of Saint Leodegar Church in Steinfeld, Germany, was set on fire, burning the cloth to crisp and damaging the Bible on the stand in the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6885
The church of Affringues targeted by degradation
2023-05-01 | Desecration was noted at the Saint-Léger church in Affringues, just reopened to the public a month ago after seven years of closure. Mass books were torn and candles crushed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8690
UPDATE: Christian Mayoral Candidate Wins Legal Case After Being Fired For alleged "Hate Speech"
2023-04-30 | In 2022, Maureen Martin, who was campaigning to become a mayor in London was sacked by her housing association employer for stating publicly that she believed in marriage between men and women. She was accused of gross misconduct for leading a "discriminatory" campaign. In April 2023, she won substantial damages following a legal challenge against her dismissal by the London & Quadrant Housing Trust (L&Q). She was supported by the NGO Christian Concern.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7159
Public Figure of Jesus vandalised
2023-04-30 | A public figure of Jesus on a cross was severely vandalised in Villalbe, France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7616
Vandalism on Corsica: Scout Camp Chapel and Cross Destroyed
2023-04-29 | An open-air chapel and cross situated on an eight-hectare plot of land in Vero, Corsica, was found completely knocked down and ransacked on April 29 by Father Louis El Rahi. The site was bequeathed to the church by a local resident a few years ago and was relaunched as a scouting site by Father Louis, who celebrated Palm Sunday mass there a few weeks before the incident. This is one of the four acts of anti-Christian vandalism that have occurred in Corsica in recent months. Earlier in April, a statuette of the Virgin Mary in Petit Capo was vandalised and a cross on the Saint Jean pass was decapitated. In May, another statue of the Virgin Mary was found decapitated in Ajaccio.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6855
Cross Vandalised
2023-04-29 | On 29 April 2023, an 18-year-old man destroyed a cross on the grounds of the Roman Catholic parish of St Jadwiga in Chorzów. The perpetrator threw the granite cross from its pedestal and poured red liquid on the figure of Jesus Crucified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8610
Church in Schwaz sprayed with satanic graffiti
2023-04-28 | On April 28 between 12:00 and 5:30 PM, the "Maria Himmelfahrt" parish church in Schwaz was vandalized. An inverted pentagram and the number "666" was sprayed in blue paint on the stone floor and on a confessional. The graffiti on the 500-year-old floor was in front of the altar. The perpetrators have been caught by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7077
Systematic Church Thefts: Thief caught
2023-04-28 | In Ireland, a man was charged for a series of thefts including in several churches between 2020 and 2024. This example points to the growing problem of systematic church thefts and shows that the biggest harm for the religious communities is often not the thefts themselves, but the damage caused through break-ins. Another detrimental effect of these thefts is that parishes which cannot afford constant surveillence increasingly decide to keep their doors locked, which can be a great loss for believers who are thus prevented from frequenting local places of worship.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7860
Cross Vandalized on Sisco, Corsica
2023-04-27 | A cross on the Saint Jean pass in Sisco, Corsica, was found vandalized at the end of April. The nearly two-metre-high cross was placed on the pass more than twenty years ago by the inhabitants of Sisco.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6810
A severe setback for Religious Freedom in Russia: The Russian Federation's Ministry of Justice will permanently close the Sova Center
2023-04-27 | On April 27, the Moscow City Court ruled the liquidation of the Sova Information and Analytical Center, the leading organization monitoring religious liberty violations in the country. This represents a significant blow to the protection of freedom of religion in Russia.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6812
Squatters desecrate church and threaten to damage
2023-04-25 | A group of squatters identifying themselves as artists desecrated the San Roque Church in the town of Farrera. Additionally, they allegedly threatened to cause damage to the church and attempted to coerce people. Subsequently, the Bishopric of Urgel has closed the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7918
Priest in Dobczyce beaten up
2023-04-25 | On 25 April 2023, a 32-year-old man physically attacked a parish priest in Dobczyce.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8535
Jesus figure torn from cross and smashed
2023-04-25 | On the night of 25 April 2023, unknown perpetrators vandalised a roadside cross in the area of the parish of St Michael the Archangel in Ropa. They tore the figure of Jesus from the cross and then smashed it into small pieces that were scattered on the pavement.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8607
Priest attacked outside a church
2023-04-24 | After the Sunday mass on April 24 in Saint-Emilien church, Nantes, a young girl physically attacked an elderly priest of the SSPX fraternity shouting ‘no to the Freemasons’.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8726
(UPDATE?) Man on Trial for Slapping Priest
2023-04-24 | In mid-April 2022, a man was tried in Namur for burning the Belgian flag and slapping a priest during the Te Deum on 14 November 2022. On 24 April 2023, the Criminal Court of Walloon Brabant examined two cases against a resident of Rebecq.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8798
Man sets bible on fire and damages cross
2023-04-23 | As reported on April 23, a man caused extensive damage of 20.000€ to a church in Stockach (Constance district) in April 2023. He damaged a statue, books and stole plates.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8670
Chapel set on fire in Dinant
2023-04-23 | On Sunday night, 23 April, the fire brigade and the police were called to a fire that completely destroyed the chapel dedicated to Saint Joseph in Dinant. Arson is suspected.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8906
Three acts of Vandalism to Churches in a Belgian Village
2023-04-22 | In April 2023, two acts of vandalism were committed in the church of Saint-Rémy de Profondeville (province of Namur): On 22 April, two large statues of Saint Joseph and Saint Anthony were thrown off their pedestals and smashed to the ground. A vase on a side altar was also smashed. A few days earlier, a small statue of the Virgin Mary had been torn from its pedestal and carried away.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6801
Damages at Church in Beccles
2023-04-22 | St. Michael's Church in Beccles was targeted by vandals who damaged stones and moved fences. Suffolk Police said the incident occurred at some point between April 17 and 22. Damage was caused to the stonework, including to the patio terrace slabs, and safety fences were moved that were in position to safeguard and protect an area on the ground where loose stone masonry may fall from the church. The police closed the case pending further investigative opportunities. No arrests were made and no suspects were identified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7009
Protestant Church in Austria Target of Vandalism
2023-04-20 | On Thursday 20th of April, the Protestant Kreuzkirche in Graz was targeted by vandals. The Austrian police were able to catch one of the perpetrators. The witness Christine Pfau was working inside the church when the attack occurred. She was preparing everything for the next service when she heard a sound noice and saw a colored smoke through the windows. The Vandals had smeared the walls, the pillars and the church doors with about 15 spray cans, scraps of smoke and paint bombs and left even more rubbish lying on the floor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6844
Statues stolen from three roadside shrines
2023-04-18 | On April 18, 2023, local media reported the theft of a statue of Mary from a roadside shrine in Szymanów Thefts of figurines from roadside shrines occurred in this region three times in one month (in Mokre, Szymanów and Jusaki-Zarzecka).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8602
St Michael's Church vandalized in Suffolk
2023-04-17 | Between April 17 and 22, the St Michael's Church in Beccles was vandalised. Perpetrators caused damage to the masonry, to the stonework, including to the patio terrace slabs, and safety fences were moved. The Suffolk police was informed and are looking for the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6817
Minsk: Seven people fined for talking about Easter in the Street
2023-04-15 | On April 15, seven young men were fined for talking about Easter in a public street in the city centre of Minsk. The individuals, who were all Protestant, were approached by police and told that they were violating the law by "conducting missionary activities without a permit." The police fined each one about 2 months' average wages, reports Forum 18.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6819
Statue of Mary beheaded in chapel
2023-04-15 | On 15 April 2023, a Baroque statue of the Virgin Mary from a chapel behind the church on Czerniakowska Street in Warsaw was destroyed. The perpetrator ripped the figure from its pedestal and tore off the statue's head.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8601
Baptist Pastor Fined for “illegal missionary work” in Bryansk
2023-04-14 | On April 14, in the Russian city of Bryansk, the Volodarskiy Magistrates' District Court penalized the pastor of the "First Church of Evangelical Christians Baptists of Bryansk" for engaging in "illegal" missionary work. He was charged with "introducing 'modern' ways of communicating in line with 'Western standards'."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6803
Vandalism of a Cross And Jesus Figure Stolen in a small German City
2023-04-14 | On April 14 in Menden, near Dortmund, unknown persons have tampered with the missionary cross on the church square of the Holy Cross Church. They broke off the Jesus figure and stole it. The police is looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6800
Explosives used to steals thousands of pounds of sacred silver
2023-04-14 | Tens of thousands of pounds worth of chalices and sacred items have been stolen from the Lady Saint Mary's Church in Wareham after thefts broke into the church and blew up the safe on April 14. Explosives were used for the break-in and at least 25 pieces of communion silver, including a 450-year-old Elizabethan chalice worth 30,000 pounds, were stolen. The police suspects this gang of thieves has been targeting churches across the UK.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7013
Far-left protesters set fire to Convent of the Jacobins
2023-04-14 | On 14 April, radical far-left anti-government protesters set fire to the 14th century Jacobin monastery in Rennes, France. They also set fire to the police headquarters.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8305
Windows of Chapel in Częstochowa broken
2023-04-14 | On the night of April 13-14, 2023, an unknown perpetrator vandalised one of the chapels on the "Way of the Blood of Christ" in Częstochowa. The vandal smashed the glass in the window and door of the chapel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8600
Sainte Matron Orthodox Church set on Fire
2023-04-13 | On April 13, 3 days before the Orthodox Easter, the Orthodox Church of St. Matrona, in the village of Gouta Mezhigorskaya near Kiev, was set on fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8674
Two churches severely vandalised in Angers region
2023-04-12 | On the April 12, 2023, the rector of the Sainte-Madeleine Church in Angers found his church devastated: seven statues had been beheaded or amputated, the altar was vandalized, and many crosses were too. Mr. Verchère, Mayor of the city, and Mr. Darmanin, Minister of the Interior condemned the degradation. On the 18. April, a 40-year-old with criminal records named Brahim was arrested by the police, he was also taken to a hospital for psychiatric examination.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6796
30 Gravestones Vandalized In Church Cemetery near London
2023-04-12 | Over three nights on April 12, 13, and 14, in Croydon, thirty gravestones have been destroyed with a sledgehammer - some graves were dating back 500 years, at a Grade I listed church. «The church is appealing for witnesses along with police who are trying to find out who took a sledgehammer to the graves. »
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6802
Statuette of Mary Damaged in Ajaccio
2023-04-12 | A statue of Mary, set up eight years ago by the residents of Sevani or Petit Capo beach in Ajaccio was found vandalised on April 12th, 2023. The flowers, the pots which contained them and the candles surrounding the statue were stolen and the statue was tipped aside. This is the first incident in a row of recent anti-Christian vandalisation on Corsica.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6856
Cross Stolen from Church in Burstall
2023-04-11 | A 60-90cm Victorian cross and a 45cm lectern have been stolen from a locked vestry at St Mary's Church, Burstall. The theft took place between 9 and 11 April. No arrests have been made and Suffolk Police are still searching for the stolen items.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6998
Destruction of the papal exhibition in Gdańsk
2023-04-10 | On the night of April 10-11, 2023, a group of young people (two 16-year-olds and one 18-year-old) vandalized an exhibition documenting the relations between "Solidarity" and John Paul II, located at the headquarters of "Solidarity" in Gdańsk. Vandals damaged outdoor boards with infographics about John Paul II.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8643
Belgian Pastor Publicly Defamed and Church Vandalized
2023-04-09 | On the 9th of April, at night, unknown people wrote with white paint "Pa Pedophil" (paedophile pastor) on the evangelical Church of Jemelle. Pastor Grégory Zieleniec received a hateful letter in his mailbox "pedophil en liberté. Il s'agit du pasteur grégory zieleniec" (Free paedophile. This is Pastor Gregory Zieleniec). The Pastor has filed a complaint for insult, vandalism and defamation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6799
Man on Trial for Extortion of a Priest and Theft from a Church
2023-04-09 | Lorenzo Cerquetta, 43, from Recanati, is on trial at the Court of Macerata accused of theft and extortion against the parish priest of the Church of San Flavino. The man from Recanati blackmailed the priest into giving him 200 euros under the threat of setting fire to the church. On April 9, 2023 he furthermore stole 240 euros from the priest's drawer.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7391
Desecration of Cobeña Church
2023-04-09 | In the night of April 8 to 9, burglars desecrated the church of San Cipriano in the Madrid town of Cobeña. The burglars threw the tabernacle of the church to the ground, scattering the hosts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7897
Religious statues stolen from roadside shrine
2023-04-09 | At Easter 2023, an unknown offender stole the statues of Jesus and Mary from the roadside chapel in the village of Mokre (Rossosz commune).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8599
Teacher in Sardinia suspended for 20 days for praying with her students
2023-04-06 | Marisa Francescangeli, a primary school teacher in San Vero Milis (Oristano, Sardinia), has been suspended for 20 days with a pay reduction (from 25 March to 15 April) for having made her students construct a rosary for Christmas and praying an Ave Maria and Our Father with them.
The Oristano school office's decision of suspension was taken after two mothers protested. While other parents defend her, she said she will appeal the decision.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6793
Two men urinate and defecate inside a German Church
2023-04-05 | Two men were arrested on April 5 after having urinated inside of the St. Georg's church of Nördlingen. One perpetrator is 39 years old and the other is 41. The day before, faeces had been found in the same church. In addition, the two men attempted to break the offertory box. As the police searched the suspects' apartments, stolen goods from the previous day were found and seized.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6792
First prison sentence for opposing Ukraine war on religious grounds
2023-04-05 | Mikhail Simonov, a 63-year-old Russian Orthodox Christian, has become the first person to be imprisoned for expressing opposition to Russia's war in Ukraine on religious grounds. Simonov has been accused of disseminating false information about the Russian armed forces "based on political hatred" due to two social media posts in which he criticized Russian attacks on Kiev and Mariupol. One of the posts read "We, Russia, have become godless. Forgive us, Lord!"
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6797
Norwegian city under investigation for denying funding to Christian organisations
2023-04-05 | In the Norwegian city of Klepp, nine council members are conducting investigations into a suspected case of religious discrimination over the funding of Christian organisations. It is suspected that organisations that adhere to the traditional view of marriage appear to be left out of the community grants.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6798
Sacred Objects Stolen From an Italian Church
2023-04-04 | On April 4, intruders broke into the church Santa Caterina da Siena in Coverciano (a suburb of Florence). Sacred objects, including four chalices, and two pyxins (host holders) were stolen. Also, loudspeakers and microphones have been stolen. A parish priest's helper raised the alarm when he noticed that the window of the entrance door had been smashed on Monday morning. Also, a copper gutter was partly torn off the wall. The value of the damage is yet to be estimated. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6788
Shrine vandalised: Statue broken
2023-04-04 | On April 4, 2023, an unknown perpetrator destroyed the shrine of Mary located in Warsaw, located at the intersection of Służewiecka Valley and Wilanowska Avenue. The perpetrator dismantled the statue of Mary and smashed it 50 metres from the chapel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8597
Chapel targeted: Cross broken off
2023-04-04 | On the night of April 4-5, 2023, the chapel of St. John of Nepomuk located at Odmętowa Street in Krakow was targeted by vandals. They tore off the cross held in the hands of the statue of the saint, thereby damaging the hand of the statue.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8598
Vandalism to a Pope John-Paul II Monument in Lodz
2023-04-02 | On the 2nd of April, a Statue of Pope John-Paul II was vandalized: the hands were painted red, the face yellow. The sentence "Maxima Culpa" has been written on the pedestal, which is most probably an allusion to Ekke Overbeek's book accusing the late Pope of having closed the eyes on children-abuse cases.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6790
Statue of Pope John Paul II vandalised
2023-04-02 | On April 2, the 18th anniversary of the Polish pope's death, a statue of him got vandalised in Łódź with Graffiti. At the bottom of the statue the preperator wrote "Maxima Culpa".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8511
Poitiers Cathedral smeared with insulting writings
2023-04-02 | According to the French Observatoire de la Christianophobia, the cathedral of Poitiers has been defaced with insults to the Virgin Mary by a local far-left group.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8585
Statue of St. John Paul II vandalised
2023-04-02 | On 2 April, a statue of St. John Paul II was vandalised in Stalowa Wola. Unknown perpetrators poured red liquid on the Pope's monument in the Basilica of Stalowa Wola.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8624
Church closed after robbery and damage
2023-04-01 | During the night of 1 April, the Sainte-Thérèse church in Metz (France) was robbed and damaged. The Sunday morning service the following day was cancelled. The rector filed a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6778
Two People arrested for having stolen 14 Skulls in a Church Ossuary
2023-04-01 | On the 1. April, two German men were arrested after a random police control for having stolen 14 skulls in a Church Ossuary in Mölbling, Austria. The men said they had taken the skulls because they were interested in mourning and funeral cultures. The 43-year-old driver and his 35-year-old passenger from the Regensburg area said they had never stolen skulls before. The police seized the objects and stated that the two death cult fans would be charged with disturbing the peace of the dead after the investigation was completed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6780
Catholic School Students and Teachers Receive Online Death Threats
2023-03-31 | On the 31. March 2023, pupils and teachers from the Catholic School "Saint-Pierre", in the southern city of Montrond-les-Bains, received a threatening message in the school's intern e-mail box. An unknown person, probably an outsider, threatened pupils of with death with the words "I'm going to cut your throat". An investigation has been opened by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6782
Destruction of John Paul II Image
2023-03-31 | On the night of March 31, 2023, unknown perpetrators destroyed the mural of St. John Paul II in Wrocław on Ostrów Tumski. The Pope's face was covered in red paint, while the rest of the image was not damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8642
Thugs who vandalised seven churches caught
2023-03-27 | The thugs who vandalised six churches in Ile-de-France and another in Grenoble in January 2022 have been charged by a French court. The defendants had stolen money from churches and even consecrated hosts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6770
Parish cemetery vandalised
2023-03-27 | On 27 March 2023, an unknown offender damaged 8 monuments in the necropolis of the cemetery of the parish of St. Andrew the Apostle in Brody Poznańskie.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8596
Nuns Leave Nantes City Centre After Constant Insecurity
2023-03-26 | On 3 March, the newspaper "Le Figaro" published an interview with two nuns who were forced to leave the centre of Nantes because of hostility and insecurity. They are called Sister Agathe and Sister Marie-Anne and they are moving to another place called Reims. The sisters argue that they are exhausted by the insecurity and have been subjected to "blows, spitting and insults".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6732
Church in Cambrai closed due to repeated vandalism
2023-03-25 | The church of Saint-Géry in Cambrai, France, will remain closed to the public Due to repeated vandalism in recent weeks. The volunteers who look after the church are helpless and very shocked by this situation, no longer knowing how to protect this cultural and religious heritage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8568
Theft Poland 2023
2023-03-24 |
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6772
TV-Channel Prohibits News Presenter from Wearing A Cross Pendant
2023-03-24 | The Swiss TV sender SRF has prohibited the moderator Wasiliki Goutziomitros to wear a cross necklace during the program. Ms. Goutziomitros is a presenter on the news program "10 vor 10", and was seen wearing a small cross pendant. Now, the SRF has decided that it violates journalistic guidelines. This has caused a great discussion in Switzerland regarding religious freedom. This news was reported around the 24th of March.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6794
Couple arrested after stealing from eight churches
2023-03-23 | As reported on March 23, a couple was arrested for stealing religious figures in eight churches. They are accused of nine crimes of robbery with force inside churches. According to reports from the region, burglaries in churches are a problem in many small towns.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8284
Minors set fire inside church
2023-03-23 | On the afternoon of 23 March, witnesses found minors attacking the furniture in the church of Saint-Briac, France. The youths had even set fire to some posters on a pillar next to the collection box. The fire brigade and police intervened and the damage was limited.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8584
Religious Objects Stolen
2023-03-22 | On 22 March, religious objects including furnitures and silk liturgical clothes were stolen in a church in Lincolnshire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6765
A Painting of Jesus in the Church of Aléria Has been Stolen
2023-03-21 | On March 21, the City Council of Aléria (Corsica), stated that a painting representing Jesus Christ and exposed in the Village Church had been stolen. The town hall of Aleria posted on its Facebook page about the theft. The municipality of Plaine orientale wrote: "It is a shock in the parish of Aleria, (...) a sacred object has been stolen." A complaint has been filled.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6755
Vienna: Increased Secutity Cameras in Churches
2023-03-21 | A terrorist alert in the city of Vienna on 15. March made it particularly obvious, that religious buildings and communities live in fear of attacks or vandalism. During the 15. March, the police guarded several religious sites and churches in the city, according to possible threats of an Islamist attack identified by the intelligence office. Security cameras have been dispatched in many Viennese churches. Jewish and Muslim communities also have such protections.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6751
Theft and Degradations in a Church in Sádaba
2023-03-21 | On March 21, intruders broke in the church of Sadaba for the second time in the week. The mayor pointed out that the stolen money only had a total amount of under 10 euros. However, the perpetrators made several degradations, including destroying the sacristy's door and throwing several items to the floor, including the clothes from the priests. The mayor expressed his support to the local priest.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6767
Legal Proceedings Opened For Posters in San Sebastian Insulting Catholics
2023-03-21 | "If you abort now, what are we going to f**k in 5 or 6 years?" This is what was depicted in the posters that appeared in March in several bus shelters in San Sebastián, Spain. Apart from the hateful sentence that attacks religious feelings and discriminates Catholics, the posters included the image of an unborn child and the logo of the Spanish Episcopal Conference. The Organisation "Abogados Cristianos" filed a complaint regarding the events and now the courts have asked the Ertaintza (Basque Police) to investigate the authorship of the posters.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6791
Anti-Christian Tags Painted on Cardinal Saliège's Statue in Toulouse
2023-03-19 | On March 19, unknown vandals wrote the anarchist motto "Ni Dieu ni maître" (No God nor master) on the pedestal of Cardinal Saliège's statue in Toulouse. The Cardinal served as archbishop of the city during World War 2 and used all his power to rescue Jews from persecution and later received the title of Righteous Among the Nations. The current archbishop, Guy de Kerimel strongly condemned this degradation which "hurts both Christians and Jews". The degradation occurred precisely eleven years after Mohammed Merah's mass shooting at a Jewish school.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6754
Valuable Silver Sacred Objects stolen from a Rural Church
2023-03-19 | On the night of March 19th, burglars stole valuable silver items in a church from a rural parish in East Devon in Sidmouth. The police are looking for witnesses. On Twitter, pictures show that the objects were chalices, host holders and other tools for the celebration of Mass.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6773
Municipality prevents commemoration prayer in cemetery
2023-03-18 | The City Council of Moncada, near Barcelona, has prevented a religious act in memory of the "Carlists of Valls" from being celebrated in the cemetery. The congregation had to hold the memorial act outside of the cemetery wall, thus breaking a mass tradition that has been celebrated for almost a century.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7892
Church desecrated and burgled
2023-03-18 | During Saturday night, March 18, three churches in the Navarre region were burgled: the parishes of Santacara, Mélida and Murillo el Fruto. In the church of Murillo el Fruto, thieves committed a desecration by opening the tabernacle and throwing away some consecrated hosts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7893
Repeated Break-in at a Catholic Community House in St. Ilgen
2023-03-17 | On March 17, for the second time in the same week, unknown intruders broke into the community house of St. Aegidius. They robbed nothing but perpetrated significant damages. Police officers are looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6747
Man disturbs Mass and is suspected to have stolen a Crucifix in a Parisian Church
2023-03-17 | On March 17, a man loudly disturbed the Mass at the Saint-Hippolyte Church in Paris. He is also suspected to have stolen a Crucifix from a Parisian Church the day before. The crucifix, which was probably taken down during the theft, was found "broken into several pieces" on a nearby street corner, according to the police. The man is already flagged with a "fiche S", which means, the French State regards him as a danger to public safety. He has also been classified as a potential Islamist. He has also been sent to a psychiatric investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6785
Vandalization of Objects representing John-Paul II in a Polish Church
2023-03-14 | On the 14th of March, perpetrators vandalized the Sacred Heart church in Sieradz during the night, targeting stained glass portraits and posters of Pope John-Paul II. The stained glass and a glass door were broken too. The authorities were able to identify and arrest two perpetrators, which were two men in their 20s.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6750
GOOD NEWS: England & Wales Police must defend freedom of expression even if controversial
2023-03-13 | A new code of practice on Non-Crime Hate Incidents (NCHI) introduced to UK Parliament in March clarifyies that simply causing offence is not enough to justify the police including someone's personal information in an NCHI.
This comes in opposition to previous NCHI measures that unlawfully interfered with free speech. For example when the Police logged the personal details of a person in a NCHI record after receiving a complaint about a ‘transphobic’ tweet. This user, Harry Miller, appealed and won the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6757
Catholic hospital Chaplain wins Lawsuit After Being Fired for His Religious Statements
2023-03-13 | In March 2023, Rev. Patrick Pullicino won a legal case, after being dismissed as Chaplain for expressing the traditional teachings of the Church about marriage. This case started in 2019, as Rev. Patrick Pullicino was dismissed as chaplain by the NHS Trust, after answering a question about the Church's teachings on traditional marriage, which was posed by a patient. The patient that pose the question then sent a complaint letter about Rev. Pullicino. Vanessa Ford, the acting chief executive of the South West London and Saint George's Mental Health NHS Trust, answered to the letter by stating that the trust's policy on equality and diversity "takes precedence over religious belief." Rev. Dr Patrick Pullicino, a Catholic chaplain and former professor of neurosciences sued the NHS Trust.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6759
Teenagers disrupt of church service
2023-03-13 | On March 13, 2023, two teenagers disrupted the celebration of a Catholic mass in one of Kielce's churches and posted the recording on the internet. A video posted on TikTok shows the two teenagers betting that one of them would enter the church during Mass and interrupt the service by playing an extremely vulgar song from his mobile phone.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8631
Viennese Catholic Church vandalized with Graffiti
2023-03-12 | On the 12th of March, a person noticed that the side of the church at the Karmelitenplatz in Vienna's second district (Karmelitenchurch) had been vandalised with graffiti in black paint that says "No God" (Kein Gott). It is not sure when the graffiti was made or if it was filed with the police. The vandals also remain unknown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6745
Bordeaux Church Vandalized and tagged with Anti-Christian comments
2023-03-12 | The Church of the Sacred Heart in Bordeaux has recently been vandalized and defaced with offensive graffiti, causing shock among the local community. According to reports from French news outlets, the perpetrators attempted to set fire to the church's door and left hateful messages on the walls, including phrases such as "Thank you Satan" and "devil take me with you". Witnesses have stated that the offenders may have been a group of intoxicated individuals who were present before firefighters arrived at the scene.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6746
Young People Riot Inside Church and Insult worshipers During Mass
2023-03-12 | On the evening of March 12, a group of young individuals caused a disturbance at a church in Munich. They rioted and used offensive language directed against the attendants of the mass. It was reported that the parishioners inside the church also heard a loud noise, and then they noticed the window pane had been broken. The priests and churchgoers were targeted with derogatory comments. The group of young people then left. The police were notified, they had not yet identified the perpetrators and are estimating the costs of the damage to property.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6748
Basilica of La Mercé in Barcelona Tagged with offensive words
2023-03-10 | The Basilica of La Mercé located in Barcelona was vandalized once again. A spokesperson told the news that this had happened before. An unknown suspect has sprayed offensive remarks against the church and God. The newspaper el Debate also reported that they contacted the city council to help wash the words from the affected walls and are hoping to get an answer, since they got ignored the last time something similar happened.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6744
Britain’s largest Scout girls’ organisation told to stop singing to God in new ‘inclusive’ campfire songs
2023-03-10 | As reported by The Telegraph and the Christian Institute, Girlguiding, the UK's national guiding organisation for girls, has come under pressure and criticism after it published a blog post in which the organization argued that in order to make some of its traditional songs "inclusive for everyone," they need be changed to remove "references that have been hurtful to people." Using as an example a song in which references to God were removed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6758
Man disrupts mass, insults priest and vandalises several churches
2023-03-10 | On 10 March, the Paris Prefecture of Police announced that the man suspected of vandalising several Paris churches had been arrested. According to reports, he disrupted a mass in the church of Saint-Vincent, insulting the priest and sacristan, then threw a statue on the ground in the church of Saint-Nicolas des Champs, before being apprehended near the church of Saint-François Xavier, where he also spat.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8577
Man Vandalizes statue and items in the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette Church
2023-03-09 | Limited details are available regarding a recent incident where an individual allegedly vandalized the Notre Dame-de-Lorette Catholic Church in Paris. According to reports from March 9, the perpetrator caused damage to a statue, chairs, and other items within the church and may have targeted other churches as well. An investigation into the matter is currently underway, and additional information is expected to emerge in due course.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6737
Altars and confessional curtains set on fire in church
2023-03-09 | In the late afternoon of Thursday 9 March, deliberately set fires were discovered in the Saints-Pierre-et-Paul church in Eguisheim, Haut Rhin, France. A volunteer noticed the fires on the tablecloths of two altars near the choir and on a confessional curtain. A book of intentions was also burned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8571
A Spanish Senator Sued for Publicly Mocking and Discriminating Against Catholics
2023-03-08 | According to ifamnews, the Spanish Christian Lawyers Foundation has started legal proceedings against Senator Carles Mulet for engaging in acts of harassment against Christians and the affiliated organizations that publicly express their religious beliefs. The lawsuit also claims that Mulet has advocated for the removal of crosses by city councils, particularly in the Valley of the Fallen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6738
Bells Worth £8,000 Stolen from Wragby Church
2023-03-08 | Unkown offenders entered All Saints Church in Wragby and stole eight brass handheld bells, worth around £8,000 in total. The theft occurred between March 1 and March 8. The police are investigating the situation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7030
Vandals Desecrate and Vandalize church and Leave Satanic books on the ground
2023-03-07 | According to Italian news reports, vandals have caused severe damage to the church of Santa Maria Ausiliatrice in the city of La Spezia. The damage involved removing and stealing 15 painted ceramic tiles, vandalizing the baptistery, and stealing the offertory boxes, among other things. It was also reported that pages of sacred texts were scattered on the floor of the sacristy. The perpetrators also left behind satanic books. The police are investigating, but the perpetrators remain unknown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6733
"Buffer Zones" Clause in England and Wales Criminalize Silent Prayer or "Influence" Around Abortion Clinics
2023-03-07 | On March 7, the House of Commons voted to comprehensively introduce buffer zones around abortion clinics to the Public Order Bill for the final time. The clause to the bill was approved by a majority of 299 MPs in favor to 116 against.
Now that the Public Order Bill is set to become law, any form of "influence" around abortion clinics will be criminalised, including silent prayer or consensual conversations, de facto making "thought crime" a reality in the UK. Experts have commented that while harassment and intimidation are already illegal, this law would be a serious attack on freedom of speech and freedom of thought.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6735
Vandalism of religious memorial plaque
2023-03-07 | On the night of March 7, 2023, an unknown perpetrator vandalised a commemorative plaque with the image of St. John Paul II located on the wall of the City and Commune Office in Skała. The vandal painted the commemorative plaque with green spray or paint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8640
German Minister wants buffer zones around abortion clinics
2023-03-06 | Germany prohibits abortion, but under the condition that women receive mandatory counseling, it is not punishable during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It is also not punished in cases of danger for the woman's health or rape. As many politicians ask for its legalization, Lisa Paus, Federal Minister for Family Affairs, expressed her intentions to create buffer zones around abortion clinics, which poses a real thread on freedom of speech and thought if, as in the UK or Spain, they include the prohibition of prayer, for example.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6743
Teenagers Vandalize Church and Steal Offertory Money
2023-03-05 | On the 5th of March, three teenagers broke into a church, severely damaged the organ, vandalized the church, and robbed the money in the offertory box. They are to be judged in April. According to the report, the perpetrators climbed through the balcony, stealing the key to the organ and bending several pipes, they also sprayed the church with a fire extinguisher and unsealed a railing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6779
LGBT-activists disrupt church service
2023-03-05 | On March 5, 2023, a mass in the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Warsaw was interrupted. LGBT-activists dressed in coats in the colours symbolising the LGBT movement, demonstratively prostrated themselves in front of the rails during the liturgy. They lay down on the floor, claiming to symbolise that they were "victims of the Church".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8630
High Level of Anti-Christian Crimes in France Can't be Ignored Anymore: Collective Statement by 20 Personalities
2023-03-03 | The anti-Christian incidents have been rising in France, up to the point that 20 personalities from different organisations and careers have issued a letter to the authorities. The newspaper "Le Figaro" has published a collective statement signed by twenty french personalities asking for a better response against this problem in France and Europe. The article mentions recent news about two nuns who will leave the city of Nantes due to insecurity. The authors state: "If the worrying rise in violence against religions affects all believers, Christianity remains the primary target of anti-religious acts in France as in Europe." The statement asks the European Union to "react and recall that all anti-religious acts must be fought with the same force."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6731
Glass door smashed during parish event
2023-03-03 | On the evening of Sunday, 3 March 2024, unknown individuals shattered the glass door of the room adjoining the BMV Immacolata Parish in Terlizzi, Italy. This room is used by the church for pastoral and catechetical activities. The incident occurred during a meeting between the parish priest, Father Gianni Rafanelli, and young people.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7531
Drunken men interrupt mass and insult priest
2023-03-03 | On March 3, 2023, there was a disruption in the celebration of Holy Mass at the Franciscan Church in Wronki. During the service, two drunken men aged 29 and 40 entered the church and insulted the priest. Police officers were called to the scene.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8629
Church of Saint-Eustache in Paris Desecrated
2023-03-02 | On March 2, the church of Saint-Eustache located in Paris was severely damaged and desecrated, according to media reports. Unknown perpetrators broke the protective glass of the altar with a fire extinguisher. The parish community was shocked and commented: "This altar is at the heart of the church as Christ is at the heart of our gatherings and of the rich life of our parish community." Further damages and motives are still under investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6730
Anti-Christian Tags on the pavement of the church
2023-02-28 | On the last day of February, an act of vandalism and hate crime occurred in the Church of San Giovanni Battista. An Italian news site reported that unknown perpetrators smeared offensive tags and drew symbols on the church's pavement. The symbols were said to be pentagrams, usually used by satanists and an upside-down cross. There was also a stone in front of the church with writings on it. The investigation is ongoing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6728
Statue broken in church of
2023-02-28 | On 28 February, a statue of Saint Anthony of Padua was thrown to the ground and smashed, and candle stands were knocked over In the church of Saint-François Xavier in Paris.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8574
Deacon verbally and physically attached when protesting against Drag Queen children show
2023-02-28 | Revd Calvin Robinson, a deacon in the Free Church of England, was verbally and physically attacked while protesting against a Drag Queen storytelling event for children set to be held at a local library at Lewisham, London.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8866
Update: School Chaplain loses unfair dismissal case over a sermon where he stated biblical teachings
2023-02-27 | Rev Dr. Bernard Randall, the former Trent College chaplain in Derbyshire, has lost his unfair dismissal appeal. He was dismissed and reported to a terrorist watchdog after holding a sermon in which he encouraged students to feel free to make up their own opinions regarding the school's initiative to promote LGBT workshops.
Even though Rev. Bernard expressed himself respectfully and calmly, he was also blacklisted as a safeguarding risk to children by the Church of England (CofE).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6741
Saint-Ambroise Church in Paris vandalised
2023-02-26 | In the night from 25 to 26 of February the church on Saint-Ambroise in Paris was broken into. The doors were found damaged and human excrements were found in front of the altar.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7924
Graffiti smeared on the walls of St. Jacob's Church
2023-02-24 | The St. Jacob's Church in Köthen, Germany was vandalized on February 24 by an unknown perpetrator who smeared graffiti on the front and around the door of the 19th-century church. The police have been notified and are still investigating the motive behind the graffiti.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6724
Brass Lectern Stolen from Hemingstone Church
2023-02-23 | A heavy brass lectern was stolen form St. Gregory's Church in Hemingstone between February 12 and February 23. According to a Suffolk police spokesman, the thieves also attempted to steal a large bronze eagle that sits on top of the lectern from inside the church. It had been moved near to the door of the church and officers believe the burglars planned a second visit to remove it. It has now been taken to a secure location away from the church to prevent it from being stolen. The police said the lectern is a heavy item and would require at least two people to move it. Police are still investigating the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7021
Munich: Hymn Books Set on Fire and Church Vandalised
2023-02-22 | The Parish church of St. Heinrich in München was damaged by arson and vandalism on the 22nd of February, causing shock among the parishioners. While visiting the church, a 60-year-old woman found some hymn books set on fire. Before calling the authorities, the lady and an employee were able to extinguish the fire. The German news portal reported that a church room had also been vandalised, candles had been knocked over and hymn books were scattered on the floor. Someone had even urinated into one of the songbooks. The perpetrators remain unknown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6723
Second Church Desecration in Castellón in one month
2023-02-20 | On 20 February, a serious desecration took place in the parish church of Santa María de Segorbe. The perpetrators desecrated the tabernacle and also stole money from the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8772
Statue of St. Joseph destroyed and fingers were cut off
2023-02-19 | On February 19, 2023, an unknown perpetrator destroyed the statue of St. Joseph located in the parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Piłka in the Czarnkowsko-Trzcianecki district of Drawsko. The perpetrator cut off two fingers from the figure, as reported by asta24 Poland. A resident named Ryszard Jablonowski expressed his feelings towards the situation: "I looked at the statue and, to be honest, I am shocked by what I saw. I'm trying to explain to myself what this is all about." The Priest thinks that the marks on the statue could have been done by using a knife, as well as by cutting off the fingers of the St. Joseph statue.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6722
Arson: 5,000 euros Damage at St. Andreas Catholic Church
2023-02-18 | Between the 18th and 19th of February, it was reported that the display board of the Catholic Church St. Andreas in Elbingerode was set on fire. The fire caused by unknown perpetrators destroyed the display case and the house facade, covering around 2 meters of the wall. The police are investigating and have estimated the costs of the damages at around 5,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6714
Evangelical Church of Veneux-les-Sablons attacked the second time
2023-02-18 | Another report has come that the Evangelical Baptist Church of Veneux-les-Sablons was vandalized for a second time. A member of the Baptist Association posted pictures on her Facebook page that showed damaged windows and broken glasses. The constant reminder for prayer is needed for the church and the volunteers have also tried to secure the premises before the celebration on February 18.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6727
Paint Bomb Attack Defaced Church of St. Lambert's
2023-02-17 | The St. Lambert's Church in Etten-Leur was attacked with paint bombs by unknown vandals. The paint covered the front doors, pillars, stairs and a statue. The report says that the "paint had even run in under the door." The incident was reported on February 17. and it mentioned that the Church had recently finished renovating and is unfortunately ruined again. Secretary Johan Snijders explained how the paint was covering the entrance and has soaked up from the pillars, the perpetrators used multiple colours of paint. Snijders reported that the unknown person "had also left behind all sorts of items: books, candles, a laptop, a bag of jars of paint and even a broken pot of vegetables".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6717
Roadside cross in Goręczyno cut down with an axe
2023-02-17 | On the night of 17 February 2023, an unknown offender used an axe to cut down a roadside cross at a crossroads in Goręczyno and knock it to the ground.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8621
Church windows smashed in Saint-Chéron
2023-02-16 | As reported on February 16, stained glass windows in the church of Saint-Chéron, France, were smashed by vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8564
Chapel at Gdansk´s Airport Vandalised
2023-02-15 | On February 15, 2023, a 27 year-old man committed an act of vandalism in the chapel located on the premises of the Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport. The perpetrator overturned and damaged the furnishings of the chapel and tore pages from the Bible.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8583
Parish Church of Tarouca Vandalised By unknown perpetrators
2023-02-14 | Unknown perpetrators vandalized the Parish Church of Tarouca on February 14. The authorities have investigated the crime and have mentioned that the main churchyard doors were scratched, and the stained glass window was destroyed. The Parish said "We only know that it was an attack against a Monument, art, humanity, faith, and the Parish of Tarouca. And this is a crime!”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6708
Two Catholic priests Expelled from Russia
2023-02-14 | In February 2023, it became known that two Catholic priests had been expelled from Russia. Fr Mark Bakeżinski was the rector of the Catholic parish of Belgorod up until the moment he was arrested and expelled. He had been accused of allegedly "violating public order". Fr Michał Mżyglud was expelled from Novocherkassk, where he served as rector in the parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Both were Polish citizens.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6710
Church raided and desecrated in Ukraine: Windows and a Crucifix destroyed
2023-02-13 | On Friday the 13th, the church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vinnytsia was vandalized and desecrated. The church belongs to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. It was reported that "unknown persons broke almost all the windows, attacked the cross in front of the church with an axe, and broke the legs of the Saviour on Calvary." It was also said that due to the strong force used by the perpetrator throwing the axe and destroying the statue, it also broke other candlelights and other religious objects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6701
Three Cemeteries Vandalised in Belgium
2023-02-13 | In February 2023, the newly renovated Warnant cemetery Villers-le-Bouillet was the target of vandals who have ripped out the new planting and thrown it on the graves. The cemeteries at Oeudeghien and Montrœul-au-Bois (both, in the Hainaut province) were also vandalised.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8908
Statue of Virgin Mary Decapitated and Church Desecrated
2023-02-12 | The church of Saint-Martin located in Choisy-le-Roi was vandalized on the 12th of February. The French news portal has reported the statue of the Virgin Mary was decapitated and desecrated. Quoted "the church of Saint-Martin was vandalized by one or more individuals, according to information from Le Parisien confirmed by the Créteil prosecutor's office."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6703
Saint-Martin d'Orly: Statue beheaded and hosts stolen
2023-02-12 | On February 12, the church of Saint-Martin d'Orly, on the border with Choisy-le-Roi was vandalised. A statue of Mary was beheaded and the consecrated hosts stolen from the tabernacle.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7618
Nativity Scene in Saint Roch Church vandalised
2023-02-12 | The nativity scene of the Saint Roch church in Paris was vandalized on January 12. Although the figures were protected behind bars, somebody pulled the fabric on which the statues were placed and overturned them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8553
Four fires started in Chanteloup les Vignes Church
2023-02-11 | On February 11, around 3 pm. fire was set to the St Roch Church in Chanteloup les Vignes. A parishioner looking after the choir noticed the fire. Three fires had been started on sheets of paper inside the church. Additionally, a larger fire had been set in the toilets.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7931
Devastating Damage to Baroque Church by Arson and Vandalism
2023-02-10 | The historical Baroque "Church of the Cross" in Wissen has been destroyed and desecrated on the 10th of February. The police have identified a 39-year-old perpetrator, who has caused damages worth millions of euros. According to the reports, the man broke open the back door of the church by smashing it with stones, vandalized the religious symbols and set fire to the high altar, which has been completely destroyed. Two firefighter squats were able to stop the fire, they were alarmed as people noticed smoke coming out of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6690
Pastor Devastated After Repeated Vandalism to His Church
2023-02-10 | The Marienkirche in Treuchtlingen has once again been vandalised by unknown perpetrators. On February 10 it was reported that perpetrators broke the windows of the Church, left used socks on an open Bible, as well as a box of cigarettes, and urinated on the corner of the room. Pastor Matthias Fischer was sadly not surprised after witnessing the scene. He expressed his emotions and frustration since there have been several cases of vandalism in the Marienkirche. However, Pastor decided not to report this case this time, as he says he has had much worse.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6715
Tabernacle Desecrated and Stolen
2023-02-09 | The tabernacle of the parish of Lozoyuela-Navas-Sieteiglesias in Madrid was desecrated and stolen. Furthermore, perpetrators ransacked the parish sacristy. It was reported that offerings collected from the parish have also been stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6693
Cross on a child's grave broken down
2023-02-09 | A Celtic cross on the grave of a child near St Mary's Church in High Heskett, Cumbria (England), was broken. According to the police, it was deliberate vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8746
19-year-old Arrested after Video Showing him Burning an Image of the Virgin
2023-02-08 | A video on the internet have been circulating in Astrakhan of a 19-year-old burning a religious shrine, an image of the the Virgin Mary. Later that day, he was arrested and questioned by the police. The person filming behind the camera will also be questioned for the offensive crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6707
Cyrill and Methodius Monument Vandalized in Bautzen
2023-02-07 | In the first week of February 2023, the Dresden-Meißen diocese reported that the statue of Cyril and Methodius, the Apostles to the Slavs, in Bautzen was vandalised.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6688
Threats against Christians sprayed on wall
2023-02-07 | On 7 February, youths were charged for graffiti containing insults and threats against the Christian faith. The slogans also included insults against the police in Terni. It was reported that some witnesses had told the police that several hooded boys could have carried out this type of act. The graffiti was eventually removed and the perpetrators are still being investigated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6689
Sacrilegious theft in church in Altino
2023-02-07 | On 7 February, a sacrilegious act took place in the church of San Rocco in Altino, in the region of Chieti. The thieves not only stole sacred objects such as a reliquary and a handbell, but also a pyx containing consecrated hosts from the tabernacle.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6696
Paris: man arrested for making death threats against priests
2023-02-07 | On February 7, a man was arrested by police in Paris for making death threats against multiple priests. According to a French news site, a staff member from the Saint-Sulpice church alerted the authorities about the suspect. It was also reported that the man had threatened a priest in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés parish. The Paris judicial police are investigating the case, and it was revealed that the man is on an S file for state security related to terrorism and a search file for a temporary ban from French territory. These developments are concerning and raise questions about the motives behind the threats and whether the man acted alone or as part of a larger group.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6734
Man threatens lives of several priests
2023-02-07 | A man subject to an obligation to leave French territory, who is also on the S list for ‘activities linked to terrorism’, was arrested on 7 February for threatening the lives of several priests in the parish of Saint Sulpice.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8725
Church Vandalised Multiple Times in Catanzaro
2023-02-05 | A church in Catanzaro suffered a vandalic attack in early February (reported on the 5th February), causing damages worth 3000 euros. According to the sources, this church has been targeted before. "Dismay and anger. The umpteenth act of vandalism to which the Pistoia neighbourhood church of St. Mary of Hope [in Catanzaro], has been subjected provokes a reaction of indignation" reports Catanzaro Informa quoting Fr. Giorgio Pilò, parish priest of the vandalised church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6695
Parish Centre in Rzeszów marked with hateful inscriptions
2023-02-05 | On 5 February 2023, a centre in the premises of the parish of Blessed Father Jerzy Popiełuszko in Rzeszów, was vandalised and marked with hateful inscriptions. Among the words written on the walls of the building were "You are robbing children" and "Silver Czarnek".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8580
Charity Worker Faces Charges After Sharing About being ex-gay and converting to Christianity
2023-02-03 | Matthew Grech, a 33-year-old charity worker from Malta had a first trial on February 3, after being charged with allegedly promoting 'conversion practices.' The allegations came after Matthew held an online interview with PMnews Malta in which he shared his testimony of becoming a Christian. He talked about his past, saying that he identified as gay in the past and used to be confused regarding his sexuality. Although he never promoted "conversion therapies", the police have pressed criminal charges against him.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6649
UPDATE: Charges Dropped Against UK Woman for Praying Silently
2023-02-01 | Isabel Vaughan-Spruce had been arrested and charged with violating protest policy near an abortion center, as she was standing on the street and praying in her thoughts. UK authorities have now dropped the charges against her, but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) warned that charges could start again in a near future. Vaughan-Spruce has said she wants to seek a clear verdict in court.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6694
Vandalism of roadside shrines
2023-02-01 | In mid-February 2023, two teenagers (17 and 18 years old) stole destroyed two roadside chapels in Puznówka. They also stole the religious statues from the shrines.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8594
Orthodox Church Shelled by Russian Invaders in Oleshky
2023-01-31 | On January 31, it was reported that the Russian invaders have fired on a Church belonging to the Moscow Patriarchate in the town of Oleshky. The attack happened while a funeral was taking place, in which collaborate Zhuravko was being buried. The number of casualties after the incident is still under investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6657
Faou Church vandalised
2023-01-31 | The Faou church was vandalised on Tuesday, January 31 by a group of young people. Consequently, the church will remain closed indefinitely. Exasperation rises in the municipality in the face of repeated incivility.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8554
Cross broken and graves vandalised in Chartres cemetery
2023-01-31 | On 31 January 2023, police officers found that two graves in the Saint-Chéron cemetery in Chartres, France, have been vandalised. A cross had been broken in two places and a granite commemorative plaque shattered.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8555
Dutch Council of State Opinion: "Conversion Therapy" Banns Violate Religious Freedom
2023-01-30 | One year after a group of MPs proposed a Bill in the Netherlands to ban "conversion therapies" (February 2022), the Dutch Council of State declared that the proposed bill would be a violation of religious freedom. The proposed bill aimed to impose a fine of up to 22,500€ and a year of prison for anyone found guilty of offering conversion therapies. But in a recent opinion, the Council announced that there was no clear way to differentiate between actual victims of coercion and participants who chose such a practice voluntarily, emphasizing that intrusive forms of "conversion therapy" and coercion are already prohibited by the existing laws.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6675
House of Lords Passes Buffer Zone Amendment That Turns Prayer into "Thought Crime"
2023-01-30 | On the 30th of January, the House of Lords passed an amendment that introduces fines for citizens found guilty of “influencing any person’s decision to access, provide or facilitate the provision of abortion services” within 150 metres of these service facilities. The amendment made to the Public Order Bill was tabled by Conservative peer Baroness Suggs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6677
Crosses torn down at Dampremy cemetery
2023-01-30 | At the end of January, local residents found the graves in the Dampremy cemetery in a terrible state. They were particularly shocked to find that in one of the alleys the crosses had been torn down, as had some of the inscriptions on the graves.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8792
Suspect detained in the attack and robbery of a Priest in the town of Jaslo
2023-01-29 | In the street of Polskie Czerwonego Krzyża located in Jaslo, Poland, a 37-year-old suspect, has attacked and robbed a Priest who was taking a stroll for Christmas carols. The suspect wearing a hoodie and having a knife has come up to the Priest and has stolen his sachet, which contained a sprinkler, prayer book, holy pictures, and pastoral materials, but with no injuries. With the help of witnesses and shreds of evidence, the police department detained the perpetrator on January 11, 2023. The District Court of Jaslo has given him 3 months of jail time.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6626
Swastika Sprayed Next to the Entrance Door of Church
2023-01-28 | On the afternoon of January 28., a perpetrator sprayed a red swastika symbol on the entrance door of the St. Wendelin Church in Neuses. It was reported that the act of vandalism was discovered right after the mass around 6:15 p.m.. The number 187 was also found next to it. An employee who takes care of the church, Klaus Schmitt, has removed the spray paint off from the wall.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6655
Intended Arson: Two teenagers record themselves While Trying to set Fire To A Church
2023-01-28 | It was reported that two 15-year-old teenage girls have caused a hate crime Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Grodno. They filmed themselves while committing this crime on January 28. It is mentioned that the girls might belong to a gothic subculture "judging from their clothes and appearance at the time they committed their act." The agency has also shared how images of swastikas were on their phones and both have been sentenced for vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6706
Cross stolen from Doncaster church
2023-01-28 | On 28 January, the church in Doncaster, Yorkshire, was broken into and various items stolen, including a brass tray and cross.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8741
Desecration of church in Koziegłowy. A man has been arrested.
2023-01-27 | On January 27 the church of Our Lady of Fatima in Koziegłowy near Poznań was desecrated. The perpetrator was a 41-year-old man who has been arrested. He knocked over a statue of the Virgin Mary, vandalized the manger, left the figure of Jesus in the baptismal font and damaged the church's sound system. The Metropolitan Curia of Poznań has called the faithful for acts of reparation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6686
Cemetery in Świerczyn Severely Vandalised
2023-01-27 | On the night of 3-4 February 2023, unknown perpetrators vandalised the cemetery in Świerczyn in the Leszno district. About 30-40 gravestones were more or less damaged. In some cases slabs were toppled, vases smashed, in others grave elements were completely smashed and crosses knocked over.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8579
Attack against two churches in Algeciras leaves one dead and at least four wounded — terrorist shouted "death to Christians"
2023-01-25 | On the evening of January 25, a jihadist terror attack targeting two Catholic churches took place in Algeciras, Spain. Y. K., a 25-year-old Moroccan, has been arrested as the sole perpetrator of the attack, which he executed with a machete. An altar server was killed, and at least four persons are injured, including a priest in serious condition. Several witnesses indicate that he conducted the attack while shouting "Allah is great" and "death to Christians".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6650
Unknown Vandals Damage Confessionals with Burnt Cigarette Marks
2023-01-25 | On the 25th of January, unknown perpetrators damaged the confessional chairs of a church with cigarette buds. The police have described the damages located in Saalfelden, Austria as willful damage to numerous pews. The investigation is still ongoing to find out the perpetrator(s).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6651
Graffitis and Vandalism Return to Cathedral of la Seo
2023-01-24 | The "la Seo" Cathedral in Zaragoza has been vandalized again, as reported on the 24th of January. The facade of the church was graffitied in several parts of the outer walls with random words, pro-Moroccan slogans, anti-police slogans and anarchist symbols with red and black spray paint. The Church has said they filed a complaint, and the investigations are still going on.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6647
Third Church Attacked With Arson in Paris During one Week
2023-01-24 | Between the 17th and the 25th of January, three Parisian churches have been attacked with arson by unknown perpetrators. Several fires have caused shock and sadness among parishioners in Paris. The last attack was on the Church of Saint-Laurent in the 10th district on the 24th. According to the findings, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the left side of the door.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6652
A Statue of Jesus on the Cross Shot at in Poland
2023-01-23 | During the weekend of January 23 in the village of Krzrpielow, a Crucifix was desecrated. An unknown perpetrator shot the statue of Jesus on the cross that belongs to the Church of the Holy Trinity. The incident was reported to the police, who are treating the case as desecration, due to the lack of respect for religious feelings. The investigation is still ongoing, and the police are asking for help to find the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6645
Perpertrators Smashed Windows of Church of St. Paul
2023-01-23 | On January 23., a witness reported to the police that several young people had destroyed the windows at the Church of St. Paul in Velbert. In a German news website, it said "small stones were used to damage the exterior glazing of the windows of the Bohemian Church." It was also reported that larger stones were found larger surrounding the Church. Fortunately, no persons were harmed. The police are looking for the vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6654
Vandalism of Józefów cemetery
2023-01-23 | On January 23, 2023, a twenty-three-year-old man committed an act of vandalism at the cemetery in Józefów in Biłgoraj County. The perpetrator smashed candles and scattered flowers around several tombstones in the necropolis.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8576
UK: Army Veteran Fined for Praying for His Diseased Son Quietly in His Mind
2023-01-19 | The NGO ADF UK posted a video of two community safety accredited officers in Bournemouth interrogating a veteran who was standing on the street alone, praying in his thoughts. The officers told Adam Smith-Connor that he was praying inside a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) space, for which he was fined. According to the PSPO, certain activities such as acts of "disapproval" towards the abortion facility in the area are prohibited. Adam is at least the second person who was fined for praying silently on the street. He told the officers he was praying for his deceased son, which they considered an "act of disapproval."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6636
Two Anonymous Terror Threats Against Evangelical School in Gelsenkirchen
2023-01-18 | The Protestant comprehensive school located in Gelsenkirchen has been surrounded and interrogated by the police department due to two anonymous shooting threats sent to the school via email on January 18 and 20. In both cases, the building was evacuated and carefully examined, no injuries have taken place. The President of the Westphalian Church, Annette Kurschus, has conveyed her shock about the threats and has asked for prayers and safety for all the teachers and students as well as the school. A suspect is being investigated by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6632
Premises of Sacred Heart church in Gavirate vandalised
2023-01-18 | Broken glass bottles and vases have been smashed in the vicinity and in the courtyard of the Church of the Sacred Heart in Gavirate, Italy. The perpetrators have not yet been found and investigations are continuing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6633
Molotov cocktail thrown against the church of Saint-Martin-des-Champs
2023-01-18 | There have been multiple cases in France, where churches have been targeted for hate crimes, theft or vandalism. The newest incident happened on January 18 near Paris, where the church of Saint-Martin-des-Champs and its front door and facade were partially burned. An unknown perpetrator has thrown an incendiary device, which was reported to be a molotov cocktail, against the front door at around five o'clock in the morning.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6642
Two Arson Attacks on Parisian Church Notre-Dame-de-Fatima
2023-01-17 | On the 17th and the 22nd of January, the church of Notre-Dame-de-Fatima, the 19th district of Paris, was hit twice by unknown arsonists. The Newspaper "Le Parisien" reported that the door of the church was sprayed with a flammable liquid. Then, the perpetrators used newspapers to start a fire, which fortunately did not spread inside the building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6669
Wall of Aya Yorgi Church graffitied with "Islam is the only way"
2023-01-16 | According to Mesopotamia Agency, an unknown perpetrator wrote "Islam is the only way" on the walls of the church's garden. The search for the suspect continues. The Aya Yorgi church was built in 1836 by Nicholas the Cross and is located in the Edirnekapı district of Istanbul.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6635
Christian Receives Jail Sentence for Refusing Military Service on Conscientious Grounds
2023-01-16 | On the 16th of January, 46-year-old Vitaly Alekseenko was given a one-year jail term for refusing the call to the military on conscientious grounds. The Ivano-Frankivsk Appeal Court rejected his appeal against his conviction and has sentenced him to jail starting on the 19th of January. Alekseenko is the fifth known case of court conviction due to conscientious objection, but he is the first one to receive a jail sentence. Alekseenko told Forum 18 that he is "not guilty under the law of God".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6638
Frequent church thefts in Wysowa-Zdroj
2023-01-13 | In a small village in Poland, there has been a series of thefts from churches, and the police have not yet been able to identify the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6621
Priest in Newry devastated his church had six windows and four bathrooms destroyed
2023-01-13 | Near the city of Newry, vandalism occurred at a church on January 13 during the night. The perpetrator broke six windows and four bathrooms that were outside the Church of the Sacred Heart. Father Richard Naughton commented that he was "shocked to the core" and vandalism like this had never happened before. The cost for the reparation of the windows was estimated at thousand pounds. The perpetrator is still on the run. The police department has asked for witnesses to contact them as soon as possible.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6628
Stained Glass Windows Smashed at Church in Cloughoge
2023-01-13 | The Church of the Sacred Heart in Cloughoge was vandalised overnight between January 12 and 13. Police received a report around 9 AM on January 13 that six windows of the church and four outside toilets had been smashed overnight. The stained glass windows require specialist repair which is expected to cost many thousand pounds.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7006
Street Preacher in Scotland wins Case After Being Wrongfully arrested for alleged "Hate Speech"
2023-01-13 | Mr Angus Cameron, the Pastor of Cumnock Baptist Church, has now received £5,500 for his unlawful detention by the Police, as well as £9,400 for the legal costs. Mr Cameron decided to donate all of his compensation to The Christian Institute, an NGO that supported him throughout this legal case. Mr Cameron was handcuffed and arrested by the police back in 2020, for "breach of the peace with homophobic aggravation". He was contacted by the police a few days later and told that he would not be prosecuted, but a non-crime hate incident had been filed. Mr Cameron then sought assistance from the Christian Institute.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7232
Disruption of church service in Warsaw
2023-01-13 | On January 13, 2023, three drunk men disrupted the celebration of evening mass in the Church of Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles in Warsaw. According to eyewitnesses, they entered the church during the service and began cursing and screaming.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8628
Devastation of a shrine in Noskowo
2023-01-12 | On January 12, 2023, local media reported the destruction of the shrine of Mary in Noskowo. Unknown perpetrators tore off and broke the crown on the head of the statue of Mary, and also tore off and abandoned a metal cross on the lawn around the chapel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8573
Insults Tagged on Augsburg Cathedral and other anti-Christian Hate Crimes
2023-01-10 | On the 10th of January, the online news source MK-Online reported a rise in anti-Christian hate speech and vandalism in Bavaria. The most recent incident was red graffiti on the Cathedral of Augsburg that said "F*ck Jesus! He would have wanted it this way". The historical church dates back to Roman times. The reasons behind the perpetrator's actions are still under investigation and the cost of the damaged property lies around a couple of hundred euros. Other cases have been reported in Munich, where the Jesus figure was stolen. In an Augsburg Catholic Church perpetrators threw eggs and left insulting graffiti on the wall against the Word of God.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6607
Saint-Louis Roi Church severely vandalised
2023-01-10 | On January 10, the church of Saint-Louis Roi in Champagne-au-Mont-d'Or, near Lyon, has been severely vandalised. Candles, books and vases have been thrown on the ground. Two large crucifixes were destroyed. The stained glass windows of the choir, a nativity scene and the Way of the cross were also damaged by the vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7622
Arson attacks on St Margaret’s Church in Ilkley
2023-01-10 | On 10 January, an arson attack was reported at St Margaret's Church in Ilkley. It is believed that an umbrella stand in the entrance to the building was set on fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8740
Chapel of St. Julien Desecrated and Vandalized in Morbihan
2023-01-08 | The chapel of St. Julien in Morbihan has been desecrated and vandalised by unknown perpetrators on the 8th of January. The newspaper Le Télégramme revealed that all crosses were turned upside down, a statue of the Virgin Mary was wrapped with red electric lights, an ex-voto was damaged and a fire extinguisher was poured out on the church. According to the mayor of Morbihan, Patrick Le Roux, such acts had not been seen in the past in this city, "It is for me the expression of absolute evil and stupidity," he added. The destruction was found by a parishioner on Sunday afternoon.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6601
Jesus Figure Stolen from Wayside Shrine Crucifix
2023-01-08 | Between the 19th of December and the 8th of January, the wayside shrine in Icking was vandalised. An unknown perpetrator unscrewed the Jesus figure from its cross and took it away. Now, the police have been notified and they are investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6616
5000 Euro Damage: Perpetrators Throw Explosives Towards Church
2023-01-07 | In the city of Halberstadt, a form of pyrotechnics were used to destroy church property at the Lüttgenfeldstraße, amounting to 5,000 euros in damage. Around 3:45 a.m. on January 7, unknown persons threw crafted explosives over the fence of the church and caused damage to a nativity play which was handcrafted with plastic and wood. The explosion also caused damage to the façade of the church and a window. The police are seeking witnesses to find the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6591
1,000 euros Worth of Damage to church in Ottersheim
2023-01-07 | Between the 7th and 9th of January, unknown perpetrators damaged the cupboards of the St. Martinus Church in Ottersheim. The police is running an investigation and looking for the perpetrators. The damaged cupboards amount to about 1000 euros worth.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6605
Church bells stolen
2023-01-07 | Unknown people removed the bell that weighs 800 kilograms from Evangelical Christ Church, Dietzenbach.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8765
Statue of Baby Jesus destroyed and Desecrated At church of St. James
2023-01-06 | During the night on January 6, the statue of Baby Jesus from the Nativity Scene in the St. James Church was vandalized in Brzesko. According to the report, the right hands were cut off, and the statue was destroyed and left at the Jordan park. The pastor of the church commented: "This kind of profanation is not only an expression of stupidity, vandalism or thuggery on the part of some people, but it is first and foremost an attack on our religious feelings."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6604
Arson Attack on Santa Francesca Cabrini Church in Lodi
2023-01-05 | On January 5 in the afternoon, an arsonist set fire to the church of the parish of Santa Francesca Cabrini, in Lodi. The flames destroyed a large part of the entrance door and damaged the side walls. Fire was set to a curtain close to the entrance, and a gospel placed on a lectern. The perpetrator has been caught by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7639
Vandals smash church windows
2023-01-05 | On the night of 4-5 January 2023, unknown perpetrators threw stones at the new Church of Mary of the Christians in Ropa. Protective glass and stained glass in three windows of the presbytery were damaged, and the police are investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8569
Priest violently threatened
2023-01-05 | Accused of threats and aggression against a priest in Tarascon-sur-Ariège, a 58-year-old man appeared on Thursday, January 5, 2023 before the Criminal Court of Foix (Ariège). On two occasions in September and November 2022, in connection with a neighbourhood dispute over a leak in the gutter of the presbytery, the defendant had threatened Father Jean Ngendakuriyo, among other things with the words 'If my son were here, he would have slit your throat and thrown you in the dustbin'.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8724
Vandalism to the San Giacomo Church in Paola
2023-01-04 | In Paola, unknown vandals targeted, among other buildings, the main entrance of San Giacomo church. A few weeks before, the native house of Francis of Paola had been vandalized too. The Provincial Superior of the Order of Minims strongly condemned these acts and called for more security in the town.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6572
Two People Vandalise the St. John's Church in Miltenberg
2023-01-04 | It was reported that two young people vandalised St. John's Church on the 4th of January. They left traces of foam from the fire extinguisher all over the church and special items. The sacristan came to the church right after the incident happened and reported the crime. A cleaning crew tried to remove the foam, textiles and other valuable Paramentes also had to be cleaned. It seems that the Altar Bible has suffered permanent damage. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6603
Vandalism at Catholic Seminary and Diocesan Library
2023-01-04 | Don Sabino Mennuni, the director of the catholic seminary in Andria reported about repeated acts vandalism and harassment at the facilities. According to his report, he was harassed and insulted while cleaning the entrance door of the seminary. The youth who insulted him also deposed garbage at the entrance and urinated on the door.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7653
Deadly Knife Attack Against Ukrainian Priest inside the Church
2023-01-02 | On the morning of January 2, in the Holy Virgin Church in Vinnytsia, an unknown man attacked the priest Anthony Kovtonyuk and cut him on the throat. The unidentified man had entered the church and started turning everything over, so the priest reprimanded him. Then, the perpetrator attacked the priest with his knife, as it was reported by the diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The police came to the scene and apprehended the attacker, who has been arrested. Father Anthony was taken to the emergency services later transferred to the intensive care unit in a Vinnitsia hospital.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6570
Historical Church of St Peter and St Paul in Turin Defaced with Graffiti
2023-01-02 | The Romanesque Church of Saints Peter and Paul located in Chianocco, Turin, has been spray painted by unknown vandals. The perpetrators painted inappropriate or obscene drawings and words on the stone wall of the old church. This was reported on the 2nd of January. In the next days, volunteers will come and help clean up the mess that was left behind. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6625
Cross stolen and vandalised in Deblin
2023-01-02 | On January 2, the police in Dęblin received a report of the theft of a wooden cross that was attached to the wall of one of the churches in Deblin. The police found that two young men, aged 21 and 23, residents of Dęblin, Lubelskie Voivodeship, had taken the cross attached to one of the churches and carried it around the city. They then damaged it, broke off the figure of Jesus, and abandoned it by one of the streets.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7643
Physical attack on an altar boy
2023-01-02 | On 2 January 2023, in Witkowo, a man verbally and physically attacked one of the altar boys accompanying the priest during a pastoral visit.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8534
Cemetery in Nîmes: 96 graves vandalised
2023-01-02 | 96 graves have been vandalised at the Saint-Césaire cemetery in Nîmes. On Monday 2 January, municipal employees observed the theft of bronze and other damage. The police are currently conducting an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8550
Arson Attack on Lessay Abbey
2023-01-02 | Lessay Abbey was hit by an arson attack on 2 January, according to the mayor, Stéphanie Maubé, in a statement seen by BFM Normandie. Two fires broke out in the manger, which was made of wood, straw and a sheet of tarpaulin. The fire was quickly brought under control thanks to the intervention of a parishioner who entered the abbey ‘as the sheets were melting, causing thick smoke, and the straw was catching fire very quickly.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8551
Three nativity scene figures stolen from Freigné chapel
2023-01-02 | On 2 January, three figures from the nativity scene in the Rosaire chapel in Freigné, France, have been stolen. The volunteers from the Bienheureux Noël Pinot parish are shocked.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8561
Lutheran cemetery in Kozakowice Dolne vandalised
2023-01-01 | On January 1, the Lutheran cemetery in Kozakowice Dolne and a small church next to the cemetery, belonging to the Evangelical Augsburg Parish in Goleszów, were vandalised. The tombstones were knocked over, flowers and candles scattered. At the church the façade was damaged and windows were broken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7646
Statue of St. Florian in Lubawka beheaded
2023-01-01 | On the night of 31 December 2022 to 1 January 2023, three young people, a 17-year-old and two 15-year-olds, vandalised the statue of St Florian standing in the clearing at the beginning of the Way of the Cross in Lubawka. The head of the statue was cut off.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8617
Facade of Church defaced with paper bombs by young vandals
2022-12-31 | In the town of Marigliano, the facade of thee church The Lady Most Holy of Mount Carmel was vandalized with paper bombs by young vandals. The perpetrators ruined the facade and caused shock among the residents, who expressed their emotions and anger. The incident was filmed with smartphones and the images were shared on social networks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6623
Three Young Women Set Fire to Church in Ireland
2022-12-30 | The police in North Kerry are investigating an act of vandalism against a church in Ballyduff. Three young women entered the St. Peter and St. Paul church and set fire to the altar cloth. The incident happened on the 30th of December, during the opening hours of the church. Detectives are investigating the motive behind the incident. The altar cloth did not go up in flames, so the damage was not extensive.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6575
Vandals Break Windows and Break Into Church in Germany
2022-12-29 | On the 29th of December around midday, unknown persons broke into a church and removed the fence. They entered by breaking the kitchen window, but they did not cause other damage to the interior. The police has estimated the damages to be of 2,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6574
Nativity Scene Figures Repeatedly Vandalized - One Statue Decapitated and Jesus Stolen
2022-12-29 | On the 29th of December, unknown vandals stole the Baby Jesus of the nativity scene in Waren and beheaded one of the three wisemen figures. The display belongs to a Baptist Church and it has been vandalized many times in the last few years. This last incident included two consecutive nights of vandalism. The municipality is trying to help with the investigation. Apart from the main figures, a sheep and another figure were scattered on the meadow and other figures were knocked over.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6579
Vandals Burn Nativity Scene Figures
2022-12-29 | In the city of Zamora, the locals and neighbours showed shock and sadness towards an attack on a nativity scene, which was reported on the 29th of December. Unknown vandals, suspected to be a young group of people, burned the figures of the Christmas display. Some people commented that the fire looked like a bonfire as vandals were burning religious figures.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6582
Three Church Oratories Vandalized Around Christmas
2022-12-29 | Around the Christmas time, there were several cases of vandalism to oratories in Melegnano. Vandals broke into oratories and destroyed rooms, religious objects, as well as the façade of the Church building. There is an ongoing investigation to find the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6584
Break-in to Church and Vandalism by group of Teenagers
2022-12-29 | At around 3.45 p.m. on the 29th of December, the St Peter’s Church door was busted open by teenagers. Once inside, they damaged a cross, a statue and candles. The suspects are four boys and four girls who were seen by residents running away from the church with dark clothes on and heading toward Claydon High School. The faces are yet to be identified but the police are asking for any cam footage from cars that were there parked near the scene.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6610
Thieves Steal Baby Jesus from Nativity Scene and Ask for "Ransom" Money
2022-12-28 | In the town of Barbera del Valles, thieves "kidnapped" the figure of the baby Jesus from the open-air nativity scene on the 28. December at night. They then posted a video on social media with covered faces and distorted voices demanding a ransom of 10,000 euros for the precious figure. According to Spanish media, the city council of the town expressed the hope that it could be a sort of prank. But this is not the first theft of the small figure from the Nativity scene in the church square.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6577
Catholic Owned Centre Vandalised Twice in Two Weeks
2022-12-28 | In the city of Corticelle, vandals targeted the building adjacent to the Pieve church on the 28th of January. The building is a Catholic-owned centre that belongs to the Amici della Pieve association. The news reported that unknown perpetrators caused major damage by breaking the windows and doors and committing burglary. The police are said to investigate under surveillance cameras since vandals have caused two events within two weeks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6583
Vandals Steal Baby Jesus from Church in Florence
2022-12-28 | On December 28, the surveillance camera showed how unknown suspects stole the statue of the Baby Jesus from the nativity scene. The reports have also mentioned that several young people were hiding the statue of Baby Jesus under their clothes and walking around the city with it. The figure was later found at a restaurant terrace and other acts of vandalism have been investigated previously by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6586
Unknown Persons Riot in Leipzig Church Causing Several Damages
2022-12-27 | Unidentified person(s) have caused several damages inside the Catholic Provost Church of St Trinitatis in Leipzig. On the 27. December in the afternoon, he rioted in the church, threw various books around and damaged the nativity figures. The damage was estimated at a three-digit amount by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6576
Baby Jesus Figure Stolen in Munich Church
2022-12-26 | In the Jesuit Church of St. Michael in Munich, the nativity scene has been ruined and an unknown suspect has stolen the statue of the infant baby Jesus. It was reported that the statue about 25 centimetres tall, was stolen on the second day of Christmas. Father Martin Stark has therefore left a note on the empty crib saying "Here lay our baby Jesus, who is part of our historical nativity scene. Unfortunately it got lost on the 2nd day of Christmas. I ask the one, who probably took it, imploringly to return the figure to us!".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6578
Church Set on Fire While Faithful were Celebrating Mass Inside
2022-12-25 | On the 25. December, while 30 people were celebrating Christmas service in a small wooden church in Rautjärvi, a fire broke out and the faithful had to be quickly evacuated. The historic Evangelical church was completely destroyed by the fire that started at 8.30 am. The criminal commissioner, Mika Salminen said in a press conference that the side doors of the church had been attached with ropes. There is no doubt for the police, that this was a willful attack.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6567
Priest House Broken into and money stolen While He Held Christmas Mass
2022-12-25 | While celebrating mass and Christmas Eve in the village of Alsace, burglars entered the Priests' home and stole money. It was said the burglars might have known the time the masses were since it was posted online. Therefore, the theft was already planned beforehand. The amount of the stolen money is unclear, but it was from donations and collections from the church. The 59-year-old has said it was "traumatic" for him and that the investigation is still ongoing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6580
Break-In and Burglary at Church in Germany
2022-12-25 | On the 25th of December, the police reported that unknown perpetrators broke into the Christuskirche and burgled the interior. Laptops and bread rolls packages were stolen. The vandals entered the church through a window and by breaking the connected doors.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6585
Vandals Destroy glass pane in the Belmonte Sanctuary
2022-12-22 | In Valperga, vandals broke a glass pane of the Belmonte sanctuary, as reported on the 22nd of December. Mayor Sandretto commented that a volunteer who takes care of the place has repaired the damage, as he was the one that noticed it. The attack must have been on the days before.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6562
Birmingham charity worker arrested for praying 'in her mind' near an abortion facility
2022-12-20 | ADF UK reported that a charity volunteer has been arrested and charged with four counts after telling the police that she “might” be praying silently in her mind, after being questioned by them over why she was standing inside an abortion facility’s censorship zone. The arrest and charges took place as authorities consider criminalising prayer near abortion facilities nationwide in the new Public Order Bill.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6555
Church of Norway asked to remove crosses from cemeteries and chapels as Human-Ethical Association finds them 'threatening'
2022-12-19 | In December 2022, the Church of Norway was asked by the local branch of the Human-Ethical Association (HEF) to remove the crosses on chapels and cemeteries as it finds them to be "threatening". The HEF advocates for more "neutrality" in public space.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6549
Satanic Vandalic Attack on a Church in Golino
2022-12-19 | Between the 18th and 18th of December, unknown vandals tagged the walls of the church of San Giorgio in Golino, Canton of Ticino, with satanic and anarchist symbology in black paint. A complaint has already been made by the parish. The damage was noticed by the sacristan the next morning.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6554
Saint-Roch's church in Paris Defaced with Hateful Graffiti
2022-12-19 | On 19 December several tags with insults, anarchist and nazi symbols appeared on several doors of Saint Roch's church in the centre of Paris. "A few days before Christmas, scandalous inscriptions were left on the church of Saint-Roch", wrote the mayor of Paris, Ariel Weil. He commented that a complaint had been lodged at the police and that the cleaning of the building had started.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6564
Vandals Throw Flower Pots Through The Windows of a Church in Egham
2022-12-18 | Between the 18th and 19th of December, an unknown perpetrator destroyed several windows of the St. John of Rochester Catholic church in Egham Hythe. The perpetrator smashed the windows by throwing flower pots through them. The shattered glass spread over the floor and the incident was discovered by a church volunteer, Anne-do Bauchot. She and other church members said they were "heartbroken" by seeing this attack. Also, because of this, the church was not able to hold their traditional Christmas Eve service.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6565
Man Arrested After Destroying Nativity Scene with Hammer
2022-12-17 | A video was uploaded on Youtube on the 17. December of a man that destroys a Nativity Scene with a hammer in the Spanish city of Calahorra. He has already been arrested by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6547
18-year-olds Climb on the Saint-Maclou Church's Roof and shove down Gargoyles
2022-12-17 | On the evening of January 17, it was reported that two 18-year-olds climbed up the roof of the Saint-Maclou Church in Rouen. Once they were there, they pushed down the church's gargoyles. Their motives were unclear and authorities also reported that the men were heavily intoxicated. From the gargoyles that were thrown, at least one was destroyed and several others were damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6631
16th Century Church Looted in Kosovo
2022-12-16 | Amid the new tensions of December 2022 between Serbians and Albanians in Kosovo, it was reported on Serbian news that ethnic Albanians looted several Serbian houses and one church:
"Residents of the village of Bogoševac near Prizren said that Albanians had looted several Serbian houses. The local population lost everything - from equipment to personal belongings. The church of St. Nicholas, built in the 16th century, was also looted.
In 2022, the highest number of attacks on the Serbian population of Kosovo and Metohija was recorded".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6546
Good news: German court rules that the ban on worship services during pandemic was illegal
2022-12-16 | A German court in Minden has declared that the "decision to ban worship services was illegal" as "the measure was 'disproportional', not founded in the law for infection prevention and violated the freedom of religion severely." The case referred to the total ban on public worship passed by the municipal council of Lage, a small town in the state of Lower Saxony, during Easter 2021.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6550
1,000 euros worth of Altar Pieces Stolen
2022-12-16 | Tremithousa Village is located in Cyprus, where there has been a grand theft at the Chapel of the Prophet Elias. It was reported on the 16th of December that the police have started the investigation. Unknown perpetrators have broken into the chapel and have stolen four altarpieces that are worth 1,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6676
Dead animals found near a church
2022-12-16 | The congregation of St Peter's Church in Bramshaw, England, is on the alert after a dead cat was found on the flagpole and a dead fox on the church steps within two weeks of each other. The faithful suspect Satanists.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8736
UPDATE: Spain's Lower House Passes Bill Allowing Abortion for Minors Without Parental Consent
2022-12-15 | After some months of debate, the Congress of Deputies (the national parliament lower house in Madrid) recently passed the new abortion law. This law breaches human rights for parents and medical staff alike, as it allows minor girls 16 and 17 years old to undergo an abortion without parental consent. Also, the freedom of conscience for medical staff is under pressure, as doctors who opt-out from this procedure for conscience reasons will be placed on a list of "conscientious objectors" and removed from the medical committees that decide over a woman's claims of malformation or illness of the foetus that want to abort beyond the limit of the first 14 weeks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6600
Roof of the Lutheran Church of Chemnitz damaged
2022-12-14 | According to the police, on 14. December, unknown perpetrators have probably thrown fireworks at the rooftop of the Luther Church of Chemnitz. This has caused damage to the entrance, the estimated amount is around 7500 euros
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6542
Statues of Joseph and Mary Beheaded in Broad Daylight in Schaffen
2022-12-14 | The statues of Joseph and Mary were found beheaded at the Nativity scene in Schaffen (Diest), on 14 December. It happened in broad daylight, in the afternoon. According to local residents, it is not the first time vandals have struck at the nativity scene.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6543
The ECHR condemns Bulgaria for violating the right to Religious Freedom of Evangelical Christians
2022-12-13 | The European Court of Human Rights has condemned Bulgaria for a 2008 governmental campaign to warn children and families away from Protestant churches. This came after in 2021, Pastor Tonchev and Pastor Kiryakov in Burgas, challenged the government's campaign that labelled Protestant Christians as "sects"and told children at schools that they should not attend such churches.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6551
Arson Attack to Nativity Scene in Strasbourg
2022-12-13 | The nativity scene at the heart of the Christmas market in Illkirch-Graffenstaden, a town near Strasbourg, was destroyed by arson, reports the news site "20 Minutes". The incident was reported on the 13th of December. The police is searching for the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6558
Vandalism to Church Property in Braga
2022-12-12 | The vicinity of the Parish Church of São Francisco, in the parish of Real, in Braga, has been the target of vandalism and graffiti. Also a signboard in São Bento da Porta Aberta was found destroyed on 12 December.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6538
Protestant Pastor arrested in Berdyansk, Ukraine by Russian Forces
2022-12-12 | The Ngo Forum 18 reports that on 12. December, "armed Russian soldiers broke into the home of Serhiy Karpenko, Pastor of the Vefil (Bethel) Protestant Church in Berdyansk." The Russian forces took him away in an unknown direction. The Berdyansk News Online also reported this on its Telegram channel the same day. According to the news channel, local residents said "soldiers had also searched the Church and allegedly found Ukrainian symbols."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6561
110 Year Old Cross Stolen from St. Michael Church in Germany
2022-12-11 | Unknown perpetrators stole the cross from the church of St. Michael in Blumenfeld, as reported on 11. December. It seems that this happened soon after the Advent singing, leaving the dean and the mayor stunned with the theft. The cross, which is more than 110 years old, is estimated to be worth up to 12,000 euros. The police have started an investigation and are looking for witnesses and information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6533
Assault in an Evangelical Church in Caserta: Worshippers Robbed During the Service
2022-12-11 | An armed robbery took place on 11. December night in an evangelical church in Orta di Atella, in the province of Caserta. The six robbers, according to the witnesses, entered the church during the Sunday service with covered faces and, at least two of them, armed with pistols, robbing some of the worshippers present. The whole incident lasted only a few minutes, after which the bandits fled in a car, with the Carabinieri only appearing at the scene later.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6540
Right-Wing Slogans Tagged on Church in Germany
2022-12-11 | The Door of St. Peter's Church in Versmold has been tagged with right-wing extremist slogans by unknown perpetrators. The graffiti shows inciting symbols and slogans, as it was reported on the 11. December. The police of Bielefeld are investigating and trying to identify the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6712
Church Robbed and Vandalised in Portugal
2022-12-10 | The bells of the Church of Santa Marta, in the parish of Benfica do Ribatejo, were stolen and the facilities of the scouts were robbed. The alert for the theft was given this Saturday morning, December 10, but the robbery would have occurred on Thursday or Friday. The bells were stolen from the Church Tower and the robbers caused even more damage. They entered the Scouts' premises and destroyed various Scout materials and even stole several tents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6532
Arson to Church in Calais
2022-12-10 | On 10. December, rooms, doors, and objects at the Notre Dame des Armées Church in Calais were burned during an arson attack. One of the parish members commented that they perceived a"strong burning smell" when they entered the building on that day. Unknown perpetrators had burned the door leading to the sacristy, the room where the priest prepares the celebrations and the floor tile. The police have opened an investigation, they are treating the case as an intensional fire caused by the perpetrator. Fortunately, no injuries were reported and the fire did not affect "valuable objects".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6588
Statue of Saint Margaret stolen
2022-12-10 | The bronze statue of Saint Margaret, which stood opposite the church in Jemelle, was stolen late on the afternoon of 10 December.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8791
"God is Dead, We killed him" Tagged on St. Nikolaus Church and Primary School
2022-12-09 | Between December 9 and the 13th, the buildings of the St. Nikolaus church and an elementary school were smeared with graffiti and anti-Christian slogans in Konz. One writing said, "God is dead, we killed him", while other symbols were tagged such as pentagrams and inverted crosses. The police have proof from the CCTV cameras of two unidentified perpetrators who entered the elementary school grounds and graffitied the walls. However, the persons are yet to be identified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6592
Insults Tagged on Catholic Monument in Valladolid
2022-12-09 | On the night of the 9. December, unknown perpetrators spray-painted insults on the Monument to the Brotherhood of Valladolid in the city of Valladolid. The vandals painted the word "paedophile" on the statue of the brother and "little slut" on the statue of the girl. The monument represents the tradition of the Valladolid Holy Week. The incident has been reported by the police and the cleaning service has been notified. The police is looking for witnesses to identify the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6784
Man Arrested After Physically Attacking Priest
2022-12-08 | A 60-year-old man has been arrested by the police in Medina Sidonia for allegedly assaulting a priest in the church of San Juan de Dios on Thursday 8th of December. According to witnesses, the man attacked the priest with several punches before a funeral was going to take place. He caused him a series of injuries for which the priest had to be treated later at a hospital. The incident occurred at around 16.30 hours. The priest, Fr. Stuart James Chipolina was preparing to officiate at a funeral in the church when, after an argument with the local, the latter punched the priest several times.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6783
Pro-terrorist Graffiti at Church's Door in Sevilla
2022-12-06 | A tag with the words "Gora ET(A)" appeared at the door of San Marcos' parish in Sevilla on December 6. The meaning of the painted slogan in Basque language is "long live ETA", in reference to the Basque separatist organization ETA, classified as a terrorist group by Spain, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and the European Union.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6528
Church of Santa Maria dei Centurelli in Caporciano Vandalised
2022-12-06 | Signs and writing appeared on the façade of the Church of Santa Maria dei Centurelli, in the municipality of Caporciano. The report was made by the Celestinian Movement, which posted photos showing the vandalism. A graffiti on the wall of the church seems to say "thieves", and the information sign outside the church was also defaced with graffiti. The perpetrators remain unknown. The photos were shared on social media by Massimo Alesii and caused indignation. "A serious, very serious fact happened in Centurelli. The appeal is to the local communities... to raise their eyes to the mountains,' wrote Massimo Alesii.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6530
Church in Campania desecrated with excrement in the holy water fonts
2022-12-04 | Urine and excrement were found in the two stoups at the entrance to the Church of Sant'Adiutore in Cervinara. This was revealed during Mass on December 4 by the parish priest of Cervinara, Don Renato Trapani. All the churches in Cervinara are also open at night so that those who want to gather in prayer freely at all hours can do so without restrictions. The priest showed his sorrow, inviting those in the know to come forward to shed light on this episode.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6526
Vandalic Attack to the Oldest Church in Madrid
2022-12-03 | On the night of December 2 to 3, unknown persons defaced the walls of the hermitage of Santa María La Antigua of Carabanchel with graffiti, one of the tags containing the Anarchist Ⓐ and an upside-down cross. This 13th-century Mudéjar temple is the oldest building constructed in Madrid.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6527
Altar cloths set on fire in Bauler church
2022-12-03 | In the period from December 2 to December 3, 2022, the altar cloths were burnt in the parish church in Bauler, according to the Bitburg police department. The perpetrator or perpetrators, who are as to date unknown, lit all the sacrificial candles and then also the altar cloths, some of which burnt down, causing material damage, according to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6534
Raising concerns over Zelensky's green light to ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church activities
2022-12-01 | On 1. December Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he had signed a decision by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC). The decision instructed the government to submit a bill "on the impossibility of religious organizations affiliated with the centres of influence in the Russian Federation to operate in Ukraine" to the Verkhovna Rada. Although this is a political decision conveyed during a war period, the way it is put into practice could gravely affect religious freedom in the country.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6523
Religious Objects and Valuables Stolen from Church in Treviso
2022-12-01 | In late November or early December, the Church of 'Santa Maria della Pieve', in Via Borgo Pieve in Castelfranco Veneto, was targeted. Two glass and brass candle holders, various liturgical booklets and votive candles were stolen, while a copper cover and a holy water stoup were partially damaged in an attempt to steal them. Two persons, also linked to other church thefts in the area of Treviso, have been arrested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6537
Church in Vienna Tagged With Anti-Christian slogan
2022-11-30 | "No God, No State, No Patriarchy" was sprayed on the walls of the Breitenfeld Church in Vienna in a vandalic attack that took place in late November. An eyewitness sent the picture to OIDAC Europe.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6522
Good News: Russian Court Overturns Decision to Mobilise Christian Conscientious Objector to War
2022-11-30 | After the Russian mobilisation for the war in Ukraine was announced in September 2022, Pavel Mushumansky, a young Evangelical Christian, was called to a military unit. He appealed to the court, as he is a conscientious objector to take up arms. The court concluded, that as he had previously completed an alternative civilian service, he could no longer be sent to the active army during mobilisation. The Gatchina City Court of the Leningrad Oblast therefore declared illegal the decision to conscript Pavel Mushumansky.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6548
Pew Research Study: Christians faced harassment in more countries than any other religion worldwide
2022-11-29 | In November 2022, the Pew Research Center published a new worldwide study on harassment and restrictions against religious groups in 2020. According to the findings, government authorities harassed religious groups in 178 countries in 2020 and social groups or individuals harassed religious groups in 164 countries. Both numbers show a slight decline in comparison to 2019. Christians and Muslims, the largest religions in the world, faced harassment in more countries than any other religious group, same as in previous years. The study documented that Christians were harassed in 155 countries, (2019: 153). Muslims were harassed in 145 countries (2019: 147) and Jews faced harassment in 94 countries (2019: 89).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6692
Chaplain receives Apology after being pressured to remove his half-inch cross
2022-11-28 | Derek Timms, a chaplain from Solihull, was told in September at the Marie Curie charity’s Solihull branch, that he must not wear the cross as it might "offend’ and "create barriers" with patients. He was also told that he would face consequences if he did not remove the cross, which was a symbol of his faith but also a memory of his late wife. After receiving legal support, Mr Timms received an "unreserved" apology letter from the Marie Curie charity's regional head office.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6521
400kg Bells Stolen from Church in Gelsenkirchen
2022-11-27 | Between 22 and 27 November, unknown assailants have stolen a 400-kilogram bell from a church in Gelsenkirchen-Scholven. The bell has a diameter of about 75 centimetres and a height of 1.15 metres, according to the police. The bell itself was not in the tower of St. Joseph's Church at the time of the theft. It was was placed in the interior.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6539
Profanation of the Stations of the Cross at the Calvary in Jerzmanowice
2022-11-26 | An act of desecration happened in Jerzmanowice on 26 November. Someone turned the cross on the local Calvary upside down and hung an animal skull on it. This is the second time this year that an unknown perpetrator has destroyed, devastated and profaned this Way of the Cross.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6545
Ukrainian Greek Catholic priests expelled from Russian-occupied Melitopol
2022-11-25 | Fr Petro Krenitsky, parish priest of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Assumption of Saint Anna Church in Melitopol, was detained by Rusian forces on 25 November and then released on the same day. He was later forced to leave to Ukrainian-held territory. A few days later, the remaining Greek-Catholic priest in the city, Fr Oleksandr Bogomaz, was also expelled. There are no Ukrainian Greek-Catholic priests remaining in Melitopol.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6563
“Community Safety Officers” approach woman praying outside the Bournemouth abortion clinic "buffer zone"
2022-11-24 | In November 2022, policemen confronted a woman praying in a public space, on the edge of a "buffer zone" (a 150m neutral zone surrounding abortion clinics in British law). The case raises polemics about "buffer zones" in general.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6518
Vandals Sprayed Blasphemous tag on a crucifix in Italy
2022-11-22 | Unknown perpetrators traced a big blasphemous writing on a votive crucifix at via Chiesa Rossa in Milan. "Now there is no limit to the vandalistic drift, we are seriously concerned. We ask for a stance from the institutions," said vice-president of the coordination of Milan committees, Fabiola Minoletti, quoted by Milano Today.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6378
St Joseph's Church vandalised and desecrated in Cannes
2022-11-22 | On 22. November night, the church of St. Joseph was broken into and desecrated in Cannes. Furniture and drawers were emptied out, donations were stolen, and gasoline was poured all over the walls and floors. The faithful are shocked at the sight of the incident. A mass of reparation is planned for next Friday in the presence of Mgr Nault.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6535
Barbecues, fires and vandalism Outside the Church in Almeria, Spain
2022-11-21 | Neighbors of Almería complain that every morning, the area around the church of San Roque, a parish in Almería, is full of garbage and the remains of the previous night's 'botellón' (parties). Recently, the remains of a bonfire appeared on one of the walls of the parish church of San Roque after a barbecue was made at the place, damaging the facade of the church. This form of damage shows a lack of respect for religious groups.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6377
Two old bells stolen from a church in Italy
2022-11-21 | As reported by the newspaper Libertà Sicilia, on November 8, investigators from Sicily received the report of a crime concerning the theft of two antique bells dating back to the early 1900s, stolen from a church. The investigation allowed the tracing of the first perpetrator.
As a result of the in-depth investigations, the agents were later able to identify two other individuals, responsible for the laundering of brass scrap, (with a total weight of 55 kilograms) of a bell stolen from another church in the Diocese of Netina.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6379
Theft from church in Italy: all the votive gold of St. Rocco stolen in Abruzzo
2022-11-20 | Fr. Nicolas, the rector of the churches of Santa Maria dell'Olmo and San Rocco in Archi, reported that all the guarded votive gold dedicated to Saint Roch had been stolen. This has been reported on the 20th of November. The police have been notified and are conducting investigations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6366
Arson to Wooden Chapel in Lithuania
2022-11-20 | A suspect has been caught on CCTV cameras after a wooden chapel in the Prienai district was set on fire on the 20th November. The chapel was in the churchyard of the Skriaudžiai church. Firefighters could not save the wooden building. Fr. Antanas Mickevičius, parish priest of St. Laurynas parish in Skriaudžiai, suspected that the fire was caused by arson: "There was no electricity, fireplace or candles [in the chapel], nothing like that. It could only be arson" quoted Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT). After investigating, the firefighters believed that the building may have been set on fire after being doused with a flammable liquid.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6376
Drafted 'conversion therapy ban' in Belgium Raises Concerns for Religious Freedom
2022-11-18 | At the end of October, a draft bill was approved by the Council of Ministers to ban so-called "conversion practices" against LGBTQ+ people. The bill was carried out by the Minister of Equality Opportunity Secretary, Sarah Schlitz. The adoption of this specific bill will allow the ban to take effect immediately. While the protection of victims from abuse and manipulative practices is extremely important, the bill could threaten religious freedom, as the Minister affirms she wants to ban "ALL forms of conversion therapies". Given that there is not a clear definition of what counts as "conversion practice", the bill could ban simple prayers and private conversations among Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6367
Thieves steal a valuable chasuble from a church in Germany
2022-11-18 | A chasuble from the 19th century was stolen on Monday 18. from the high altar of the Citykirche in Aachen, where it was exposed in an ongoing art installation. For the parish of St. Francis of Aachen (where the chasuble originally belongs) this theft is a serious loss, emphasized Father Timotheus Eller to Aachener Zeitung.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6383
Man sets fire to a church fence with can of Petrol in Moscow
2022-11-17 | On 17 November a man tried to set fire to the wooden fence of an Orthodox church on Kavkazskiy Bul'var in Moscow. He was arrested nearby by law enforcement officials. He claims that he went for a walk with a can of petrol, then emptied it on the fence for no reason and set it on fire. Pending his trial for "vandalism", he is under house arrest and released under judicial supervision.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6525
Up to 10 years in prison for a couple that stole from more than 20 churches in Poland.
2022-11-16 | Police officers in Poland have detained a married couple who robbed church donation boxes. The couple, from Białystok, stole from more than 20 churches. Among other things, several hundred zlotys and the keys to one of the churches were found in their car.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6361
Two Priests 'Kidnapped' by Russian Forces in Berdyansk
2022-11-16 | The Donetsk Exarchate of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church announced that on 16 November, two priests of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin of Berdyansk, currently under Russian control, were "illegally arrested" by the Rosgvardiya (Russia's National Guard).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6560
Ukraine: Catholic Priests Still Missing After Nine Months
2022-11-16 | On the 16th of November, 2022, two Ukrainian Greek-Catholic priests, Ivan Levytsky and Bohdan Heletta were taken prisoner by Russian troops in Berdjansk, south-east Ukraine, currently under Russian occupation. Since then, nothing has been heard of them. Maksym Rjabucha, auxiliary bishop: "Despite the prayers, protests and efforts of the Catholic Church, there is still no news about them."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6888
Sacrilegious church attack
2022-11-16 | Unknown persons entered the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in Monterone, on the 16th of November. They enacted numerous acts of vandalism, destroying and stealing sacred furnishings and iconography.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8818
A Pile of Books set on Fire inside church Causes Great Damage
2022-11-15 | On 16. November, the church in the small town of Champagnat was severely damaged by fire. 39 firemen were mobilised to secure the building and extinguish the fire, which seems to have been started on a pile of books that were placed beside a wooden confessional. The alert was raised by people attending a funeral, who saw thick smoke coming out of the church. A local volunteer fireman began containing the fire until the fire brigade arrived. They were able to preserve a painting of Christ, but another painting was destroyed, along with the books, a statue and the confessional.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6358
Arson to church in France
2022-11-15 | Plastic objects inside the church have been set on fire and were burned on a candle holder on the 15th of November. The incident was discovered by a parishioner, who had opened the church and left to return a couple of hours later. When she came back, the premises smelled like burning, so she alerted the parish priest. They also notified the police, who realized that plastic objects had been set on fire intentionally by unknown perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6357
Unknown Perpetrators Tagg Church with Insults and Satanic Symbols
2022-11-15 | In November 2022, there was an attack on a Catholic church in Augsburg, in the Oberhausen discritc. Unknown perpetrators threw eggs at the church of St. Peter and Paul and tagged it with graffiti. The graffiti said "F*CK JESUS", it also had a Satanic star and the number "666", which refers to the devil.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6615
Greek football star will appeal prison sentence for Controversial Social Media Post
2022-11-14 | The former football player Vasilios Tsiartas was sentenced this November to 10 months in prison for a comment made on Facebook in 2017 where he stated that “God created Adam and Eve” in response to a bill for the redefinition of gender identity. On his Twitter account, he has stated that he will appeal the sentence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6375
Unknown Perpetrators Set Fire to Church Germany
2022-11-13 | Unknown persons set a fire at the St. Bonifatius church on the 13th of November in Freckenhorst. According to police, the fire did not spread much but it damaged part of the stone floor. The perpetrators also smeared a wall in the church with soot. The police are now looking for information to identify the vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6360
Sacrilegious and probably Satanic attack to Italian Church
2022-11-13 | Unknown persons entered the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in Monterone, on the 16th of November. They enacted numerous acts of vandalism, destroying and stealing sacred furnishings and iconography. In particular, the perpetrators detached and carried away an ancient wooden crucifix later found by police inside a heavily damaged garbage can. According to the sources, the form of desecration and damage indicates that it might have been a satanic motivated attack.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6359
Molotov cocktail Thrown at church in Germany
2022-11-13 | On the 13th November, the door of the Sankt Laurentius church in Langenhorn was set on fire by unknown perpetrators. A video of the crime was uploaded on the internet but it has been removed again. A vandal threw a Molotov Cocktail at the church and posted a video of the flames. The police opened an investigation with the video.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6369
Vandals Smash Stained-Glass Windows of St. Llwchaiarn Church
2022-11-10 | A church in Llanllwchaiarn (near Newtown) is facing a "at least" £30,000 bill after unknown vandals smashed six glass-stained windows. The windows of the St. Llwchaiarn church were protected with a wire mesh, but the vandals were still able to break the glass, apparently with iron rods from an old grave. The incident took place between the 8th and 10th of November.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6372
Man Throws Fireworks at Church during Service
2022-11-08 | During a church service in the Catholic Church of Abtsgmünd, a man threw a firework into the building on the 8th of November. The firecracker remained in the entrance area and burned down there. "Fortunately, it did not explode," commented a police spokesman. No one was injured in the incident, but there were slight burn marks on the carpet. The perpetrator was not identified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6354
Arson and Vandalism to church in Italy
2022-11-08 | Police officers in Cerignola, Foggiano, arrested a 32-year-old immigrant man responsible for damaging the church and setting fire to the door. He also insulted the religious denomination. As he was confronted, he resisted and injured a public official. During a patrol, police officers noticed the flames in front of the main door of the church of San Domenico and the perpetrator running away with a canister probably containing flammable liquid.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6347
Norwegian Christian Prayer channel Blocked by YouTube
2022-11-08 | CNE News reports that YouTube has banned a Norwegian prayer channel called "Kanal 10 'We pray for you'" for allegedly violating the social media guidelines under the category of "online spam, deceptive practices and fraud." Øyvind Rygg, the general manager of Kanal 10, says there are also no economic interests in the program. "We were told last week Monday that if we continued to broadcast the prayer program, YouTube would block us. That means that they are ending our entire channel on YouTube", told Rygg to Dagen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6349
Thief detained for sacrilegious theft from church in Italy
2022-11-07 | On the 7th of November, it was reported that the cross was stolen a few months before from Montesano Cathedral. The cross was taken from the hands of the statue of St. Rita. Now it has been recovered and the thief has been detained.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6344
Arson and theft to church in Orenburg
2022-11-07 | The Investigative Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia "Orskoye" of the Orenburg region completed the investigation of a criminal case on charges of a 31-year-old citizen of the Republic of Tajikistan of stealing money and setting fire to a building of the temple complex of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul of the Orsk diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church in the city of Novotroitsk.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6351
Spain: Man arrested after Insulting and Punching Priest
2022-11-07 | On the 7. November in the city of Granada, a 36-year-old man was arrested for insulting and attacking a priest on the public street during the day. The parish priest, José Gabriel Martín, as waking on the Elvira Street wearing his office clothing and collar, as he was approached by the attacker, who insulted him. The priest entered a bar for refuge, where the attacker followed and punched him in the eye.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6786
Youth Vandalism at Burgdorf Church
2022-11-06 | On Sunday 6th of November, unknown perpetrators caused damage to a window pane of the St. Pancratius Church in Burgdorf. According to witnesses, a group of youths were at the church and then fled. As the police arrived, some remaining youths gave the police some information regarding the ones who fled. The damage was estimated at 1000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6342
Vandals Ransacked Church and Drink Mass Wine in Belgium
2022-11-06 | The church of St. Bavo in Oud-Turnhout was vandalized by intruders that ransacked the back of the sacristy and emptied bottles of mass wine. "With a fire extinguisher, they also made a big hole in the wooden connecting door to the church itself," said Jos Huybreghts, treasurer of the Oud-Turnhout church council. The attack happened between the 5th and 6th of November at night. It seems that the vandals broke in through the back of the church. The police were notified and have started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6343
Thieves Steal money and Break icons of Church in Serbia
2022-11-06 | The Church of St. George in Bor was ransacked, and thieves took the money that the faithful left in boxes under the benches. They also broke several icons in the church. Furthermore, they broke into the church's souvenir shop and took all the money they found there. The police are looking for the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6348
Sacred sculptures Damaged and stolen from church in Germany
2022-11-03 | In the St. Ludwig Church in Munich, six of the sculptures belonging to the 14 stations of the "Way of the Cross" have been damaged or stolen. The sculptures were part of an art installation about the Passion of Jesus. They were set up in the St. Ludwig church in June and on the 16th of September, they were vandalized by unknown perpetrators. Six of the statues were damaged and a couple of days later, on the 28th of September, two of them were ripped off and stolen. The police are investigating
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6337
Graffiti and Vandalism in Two Churches in Leipzig
2022-11-02 | Two places of worship were attacked with graffiti in Leipzig, the St. Thomas Church and at the Russian Church. A grave slab in the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig was vandalized with the words "Death King" written by an unknown vandal on the sculpture from the 19th century. The grave shows Dietrich III, also known as Diezmann.
Also, unknown persons smeared a "Z" on the Russian Church - which was built in memory of the Russian victims of the Battle of the Nations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6324
Arsonists Set Several Fires At the Franciscan church in Austria
2022-11-02 | In a Berchtesgaden Franciscan church, on the 2nd of November, a churchgoer noticed a fire on an offering candlestick. He then discovered that between the candles there was a burning Divine Praise hymnal and floral decorations. She quickly alerted the Father, with whom they managed to extinguish the fire. Two other fires were discovered, which were also started by placing hymn books on burning candles. The fire brigade was called and they ventilated the church. The police were looking for information, they are treating the case as arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6328
Swastica Tagged on Church in Italy
2022-11-02 | On the walls of the Church of San Giuseppe in Intra, unknown vandals painted Swastikas of various sizes and other phrases. The writings are mostly covering the walls facing the entrance. The municipal police are looking for the perpetrators and the curia will see that the inscriptions are removed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6332
Graffiti with Islamic Slogans Smeared on church in Germany
2022-11-02 | A Church in the Gütersloh district in Rheda-Wiedenbrück has been smeared with Islamist slogans. The church had been renovated two years ago. The parish dean, Reinhard Edeler, has expressed anger and sadness at the scene. The incident was reported at the beginning of November. The parish dean has notified the State security services.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6334
Unknown persons vandalize and set fire to church in Germany
2022-11-02 | An employee of the parish had unlocked the 700-year-old house of worship on Wednesday morning (2.11.2022), 8 o'clock. When he returned to the church around 11 a.m., he noticed that several stacks of brochures on a table in the church were on fire. "It was only by chance and the quick and courageous intervention of a church employee that the church in Helmstedt did not go up in flames". The regionalHeute.de news source reported the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6338
UK street preacher found not guilty of "hate speech"
2022-11-02 | Christian Concern reports that Shaun O’Sullivan, a Christian preacher who was arrested for criticising Muhammad and Buddha, has been found not guilty following a court hearing. O’Sullivan was arrested in Swindon Town Centre on 11 March 2020, for alleged ‘hate speech’ and for causing "harassment, alarm and distress."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6352
Russian Orthodox Church vandalized with graffiti in Germany
2022-11-01 | The Russian Orthodox Church in Leipzig was covered with graffiti of Russian propaganda war symbols on Tuesday night (1. November), according to the police. On the entrance door, the [Z] military symbol was drawn with red paint by unidentified perpetrators. The police also found a second illegible graffiti in front of the church, it is unclear if both graffiti are connected. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6321
Vandalism and arson Against church in Belgium
2022-11-01 | The parish church of Our Lady of Lourdes on the Slinkerstraat in Heide-Heuvel was targeted by unknown vandals. The perpetrators shattered a large window, presumably by using a slingshot. They also set a fire at the church premises. The police have been notified and are investigating. The incident was communicated on the 1st of November. According to the news source, this is not the first time the church has been vandalised or targeted by arsonists.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6329
Church Stained Glass Windows and Trees Vandalized in the Netherlands
2022-11-01 | The St Martin's Church in 't Veld has filed another report of vandalism at the police station. Ten shots were fired at the windows on the 27. October. And a couple of days later, vandals snapped in half two prunus trees in the garden near the house of worship. "We have asked the police to make an extra round at the church from time to time anyway, because apparently vandals are targeting us," says church board chairman Hans Glas.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6330
Russian drone attack damages church in Ukraine Causing Death of Priest
2022-11-01 | On the 1. November 2022 at 3 a.m. the World of Life congregation in Poltava suffered under a Russian drone attack. Two church employees managed to escape but the pastor, Vladimir Kurshun, was killed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6339
Theft and Desecration at Carnac Cemeteries
2022-11-01 | On the 1st of November it was reported that over several days, the cemeteries of Carnac have been victims of theft and vandalism. The municipality of Morbihan is raising awareness about this issue. The damages included vandalism to equipment, thefts of watering cans, stolen walkers for people with reduced mobility, padlocks forced open of the cemetery entrance, among others. The graves were also targeted, as flowers were stolen and steles were broken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6392
15th-Century Church Defaced with Graffiti
2022-10-31 | In the city of Loseto, the 15th-century Church of the Santissimo Salvatore was vandalised on the 31st of October, at night. The organisation Retake Bari reported that unknown persons vandalised the church with red spray paint. City councillor Antonio Ciaula said: 'Tomorrow I will personally take action at the competent offices and in the council commissions, to restore the proper decorum to the little church, eliminating a disfigurement that, in addition to defacing the park, painfully marks the hearts and faces of all of us.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6326
Vandals destroy Christian symbols during Halloween in Poland
2022-10-31 | On the night of October 31. to November 1st, a statue of Mary was smashed in the parish of Corpus Christi and St. Mary of Czestochowa in Wierzbice. There was also damage done to the tombstone of a nun. The newspaper reports the statue of the Mother of God was very meaningful for the parishioners. The parish priest, Leszek Bajorski, suspects that youths who were at Halloween parties were responsible for the damage. The case has been reported to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6336
Arson to Church in Russia
2022-10-30 | On Sunday, October 30, the rector of the Church of St. Andrew the First-Called on Vuoksa (Vasilevo village, Priozersky district of Leningrad region) contacted the police. He reported that unknown perpetrators tried to set fire to the structure of a wooden church. The fire burned part of the outer wall of the church. The vandals also broke down the gate to the bridge leading to the temple. The rector of the temple said that he had not had conflicts with anyone.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6325
Vandalism and theft in a church in Chuvashia
2022-10-30 | On the morning of October 30, the police were contacted by of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the village of Churachiki, who discovered the loss of silver jewelry from a casket in a church shop and an opened donation box. The attacker entered the temple by breaking a window.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6331
San Lorenzo Church Defaced in Chiavenna, Italy
2022-10-29 | On the 29th of October, the San Lorenzo Church in Chiavenna was defaced with graffiti. Unknown vandals left inscriptions and markings in red paint in the portico, the oratory and the neighbouring buildings of the religious site. According to the graffiti, it looks like it was perpetrated by the same person or group of persons.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6327
Man Defaced Collegiate Church of San Lorenzo in Italy
2022-10-29 | In Chiavenna, a man defaced the perimeter walls of the Collegiate Church of San Lorenzo and some streets in the town centre. He was tracked down and identified by the Carabinieri of the Operative and Radiomobile Nucleus of the Chiavenna Company. The perpetrator was arrested on the 29th of October by the Carabinieri after he had defaced the walls in Via Bossi and Via Cereria. He was found in possession of several cans of spray paint and various indelible pens of different colours. The man, a Northern European national, admitted to the Carabinieri that on the evening of 29 October he had also defaced the perimeter walls of the Collegiate Church, part of the façade of the San Luigi Oratory and a wall along Via Bottonera using red and black spray paint. He has been reported for the offences of defacing things of historical and artistic interest.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6340
Russian Orthodox Church vandalized in Switzerland
2022-10-28 | The Russian Embassy in Switzerland reported that: “In the early hours of October 28, 2022, unidentified offenders committed an act of vandalism by splattering paint on the entrance to the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in Geneva, which is a parish of the Russian Orthodox Church.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6322
Windows of Protestant church damaged
2022-10-28 | Between the 22. and 28. of October, the windows of the Protestant church in Urspringen were damaged by unknown perpetrators. An employee of the church filed a complaint for damage to property. She had found four small holes in the windows of the church. According to the police, the affected panes are at a height of three metres. The damage amounts to about 500 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6333
Violent Man Vandalises church in Switzerland
2022-10-27 | In the morning of October 27. a man vandalised the church of San Carlo in Lugano. First, holding a vase of flowers, he hit the protective glass of the statue of the Virgin above the altar. Then he used a candleholder to destroy other statues and objects in the church, including decapitating a plaster statue of Padre Pio. The sacristan's wife, assisted by another person, locked the intruder in the church and called the police. The sacristan, who arrived at the church shortly after, tried to stop the intruder, who then attempted to assault him.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6320
Arsonist sets fire to a church in Transcarpathia, Ukraine
2022-10-27 | On October 27 a 61-year-old man set seven buildings on fire, included the local church, in Dyula, a Ukrainian village near the border with Romania with about 1,500 inhabitants. He was later arrested and faces up to 10 years in prison.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6417
Russian Christians face persecution for refusing to be mobilized for the war in Ukraine
2022-10-26 | In Budyonnovsk, Stavropol Territory, the Military Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation intends to open a criminal case against two members of the Evangelical Church of the Holy Trinity for refusing to go to the war for religious reasons. If convicted, they could face prison sentences of up to three years. The two Christians, Sergey Tarasov and Maxim Drozdov were called under the mobilization decree on 24 September. As they objected for religious reasons, the commander refused their appeal.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6319
Perpetrators Vandalise Church, Steal Altar Cross And try to Burn Church
2022-10-25 | On the night of October 25, unknown burglars entered the Evangelical Lutheran Emmaus Church in Leipzig by smashing a window. They damaged parts of the furnishings and the organ room, causing considerable damage mostly to the sanctuary. Among other items, the altar cross was stolen, leaving toilet paper instead. The perpetrators also set fire to the church. The amount of damage could not yet be quantified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6315
Valuable chalices stolen from parish office in Germany
2022-10-25 | In the period from October 25 to October 26, unknown persons broke into the parish office in Neuendorf in the district of Harz by forcibly opening the office door. They subsequently stole a safe containing cash, several chalices and monstrances, with a total value of about 11,000 euros were stolen from the storehouse of the parish office.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6382
Unknown vandals destroyed a crucifix in Ukraine
2022-10-25 | On October 25, unknown vandals broke the crucifix at the entrance to the village of Pryvitiv in the Zhytomyr region and damaged the crucifix, according to the press service of the Zhytomyr diocese. The rector of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (UOC-MP), Fr. Alexander Litvinyuk, said that the cross had been installed by the care and guardianship of the community of this temple, located inside the village.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6418
Several Churches in Leipzig Searched after Bomb threat
2022-10-23 | After an emergency call on Sunday night (23. October), multiple police officers from the Leipzig police department went out on a large-scale operation including explosives experts and sniffer dogs. Someone had made a threat of a bombing a church. A 36-year-old man has been identified and arrested as the main suspect.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6306
Perpetrators Set Container on Fire and Push It Into a Parish Hall Building
2022-10-23 | Unknown persons set a container on fire in front of a church parish hall and pushed the container into the building, burning the entrance and part of the façade. This incident happened in the city of Bielefeld on the 23. October and has shocked the members of the church of St. Nikolas. According to the news, the parish hall of the St. Nikolai Church and the entry of the church would have to remain closed until the end of the year or longer, due to the reparation work. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6312
Unknown Vandals Damage Bible, Candles and Hymn Books in German Church
2022-10-22 | On the 22. October, vandals entered a church in Nidda (Germany) and threw down hymn books, damaged candles and spilt candle wax on the altar and on a Bible. The damage of the church took place during the opening hours in the afternoon and the damage amounts to about 150 Euros. The police in Büdingen are asking for information from witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6309
Unknown Persons try to break into German church Leaving thousands in damage
2022-10-22 | According to the police, unknown perpetrators tried to break open the two doors and three windows of an annexe to a Catholic church in Sontra (Germany) between the 16. and 22. October. They did not get inside the building, but in the process, the perpetrators caused damage of about 3,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6310
Baptismal font stolen from church in Germany
2022-10-22 | The consternation over the theft of a baptismal font from the Apostles' Church in Münster has spread far and wide, reports Westfälische Nachrichten. The baptismal font was stolen on the 22nd of October. Pastor Dr Christoph Nooke has been contacted not only by shocked parishioners and people from Münster, but also by a couple from Lüdinghausen who learned of the crime from Westfälische Nachrichten and now offered to replace the stolen baptismal font.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6311
Church Tagged with Graffiti in Belgium
2022-10-20 | It was reported on the 20. October that the walls of the Sint-Elisabeth Church in Kortrijk were vandalized with crossed-out crosses and the word "F*CK" written with black spray paint. This is not the first time the church has faced vandalism. The pastor of the church, Guido Cooman, said that he is going to file a complaint with the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6302
Entrance Door of San Felice Church Stolen by a Man
2022-10-20 | On October 20., a 49-year-old man was arrested by the military, after he had stolen the entrance door of the Church of San Felice Martire in the centre of the town. The military found the stolen door in the garage of the subject and proceeded to arrest him, which prompted the man to react aggressively and throw objects at them. The man will have to answer for the criminal offence of stealing ecclesiastical cultural property, a specific conduct recently provided for in the Criminal Code.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6307
Stained Glass Windows of Church Broken by Vandals in France
2022-10-19 | Airsoft bullets damaged the stained glass windows of a church in France, as Actu France reported on the 19. October. The windows of the church Saint-Ténénan, in Guerlesquin, show notably significant damages following airsoft shootings.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6291
Russian Orthodox priest attacked in Lisbon
2022-10-19 | The Russian Embassy in Portugal denounced that Fr Sergiy Borsky, of the All Saints Parish of the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church in Lisbon, "has received several threats to his life and physical integrity" and had been criminally attacked.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6297
Destruction of a cross at a forest in Poland
2022-10-18 | On October 18, 2022, local Polish media reported the destruction of a cross in the Rudki forest. An unknown perpetrator cut down a century-old wooden cross located in a forest complex on the edge of Lublin and Krężnica Jareja.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6384
Vandal destroys statue of Pope John Paul II in Poland
2022-10-17 | On the 17. October, the police in Lubasz were notified that an unknown vandal had severely damaged the statue of John Paul II, which was estimated at a loss of PLN 1,500. The 20-year-old perpetrator has been caught by the police and now faces up to 5 years imprisonment for the crime he committed. However, the final punishment will be decided by the court.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6308
Anti-Catholic posters pasted on several churches in Gdansk in an anti-church action
2022-10-16 | On the night of October 16-17, 2022, an organized group hung posters targeting the Catholic Church on the parish grounds of the Church of Our Lady Queen of the Polish Crown in Gdansk. That night, the posters were hung on sixteen buildings and gates of establishments belonging to the Catholic Church. Posters with the same content and graphics were hung on all the facilities: "They all knew and did nothing! The entire clergy is guilty of covering up paedophilia in the Church! Disgrace! We remember! We will hold them accountable!".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6388
Parents were not allowed to view Sex-Education material delivered in schools by external organizations
2022-10-15 | The Christian Institute has reported that parents of children at Hatcham College were denied access to see the Sex-Education lesson slides used by an external NGO. The parents requested access to the slides by the School of Sexuality Education (SoSE), but the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) denied their request, stating it would compromise the sex education provider’s “intellectual property”. This, nevertheless, undermines parental rights, as the parents are not able to raise concern over material being taught to their children that might go against their beliefs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6280
Attempted Arson at church in Germany
2022-10-15 | Police are investigating attempted arson in Ihringen am Kaiserstuhl. Unknown persons have attempted to set fire at the parish church "Assumption of the Virgin Mary" in Wasenweiler in several places.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6288
UK: Prayers and activism banned on buffer zone around Bournemouth abortion clinic
2022-10-14 | A buffer zone was implemented outside the BPAS clinic in Bournemouth in a bid to deter people from praying or standing with pro-life signs outside the clinic. Anyone that fails to accept the decision could incur a fixed penalty notice of £100 or face court action. Buffer zones have been widely discussed, due to their limitation of freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6278
Unknown Perpetrators Vandalise church in Germany
2022-10-14 | The Holy figures of saints were destroyed, a candelabrum and the baptismal font were moved in the Catholic church in Klingenmünster were destroyed by unknown vandals. The statues had broken arms or feet, or were completely destroyed. This happened on the 14th of October, according to the police. The material damage done is estimated by the police at around 2000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6287
Ukraine: Russian Forces Closed Churches and Arrested Pastors in Occupied Territories
2022-10-13 | Russian troops have closed three large evangelical churches in Melitopol and another in Mariupol, Ukraine. Allegedly, Russian soldiers also were told that the only religion to be tolerated would be the Russian Orthodox, according to reports by Release International.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6279
ECHR acquits woman that desecrated a Paris Church simulating an abortion of Christ and Urinating on the Altar
2022-10-13 | The European Court of Human Rights has recently concluded that Eloïse Bouton, a "Femen" member who performed a topless act simulating an abortion of Christ by the Virgin Mary in front of the altar and tabernacle of La Madeleine Church in Paris in 2013, has to be compensated. She had been sentenced by the French court to a one-month suspended prison and 2,000 euro fine for "sexual exhibition". She had also desecrated the altar of the church with urination and anti-Christian slogans and symbolism. With this ruling, a dangerous record of precedents is being created that will only encourage more blasphemous attacks on Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6289
Church Benches Damaged with Fire in Plau, Germany
2022-10-13 | On the 13. October in the evening, a small fire broke out in St. Mary's Church in Plau. Around 30 candles were lit by unknown perpetrators, as the police was notified on Sunday. The candle fire caused a small fire that damaged several benches. Fortunately, the fire extinguished itself when the candle wax burnt out and no one was injured. The police are now investigating on suspicion of attempted arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6292
Court of Justice of the EU rules Private companies can ban Religious Symbols at work
2022-10-13 | In a Press Release on the 13. October, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) stated: “The internal rule of an undertaking prohibiting the visible wearing of religious, philosophical or spiritual signs does not constitute direct discrimination if it is applied to all workers in a general and undifferentiated way.” This means, now companies can prohibit workers to use religious symbols at work, including cross necklaces or headscarves. This will not be considered discrimination against religious groups, as long as it applies to all religions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6295
Arson Causes Destruction of Polish church's Presbytery
2022-10-13 | On the 13. October in Raismes, an arson attack destroyed the presbytery of the Polish church of St. Cecile. The presbytery was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. According to the news, there have been several arson attacks in the city of Raismes since March 2022. The perpetrators have not yet been identified. The mayor of Raismes, America Robin, talks about this frequent vandalism usually perpetrated by young people between 12 and 20 years old.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6395
Vandalism on the surroundings of an Orthodox Church
2022-10-13 | In October 2022, Russian news announced that vandals had smashed down and damaged the vases placed outside of the Orthodox Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God, in Fokino, Bryansk. They reported that a picture of the vandalism was sent to social media groups, where many residents voiced their concerns and feelings of anger towards the act. The police are still searching for the suspects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6660
Russia: Two priests on trial for opposing the war in Ukraine
2022-10-10 | Two Russian Orthodox hieromonks (monks who are also priests in the Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholicism) had criminal cases opened against them for opposing the Russian invasion of Ukraine on religious grounds. Forum 18 is following the cases and reports that Fr Nikandr Pinchuk's first full trial hearing in Sverdlovsk Oblast is due on 17 October, while Fr Ioann Kurmoyarov, who is in pre-trial detention since early June, has his trial on 14 November in St Petersburg.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6276
Repeated Vandalism to a church in Spain
2022-10-10 | The mayor of the municipality of Ponte Caldelas, Andrés Díaz, has denounced through his social networks several acts of vandalism committed in a Chapel of the town. In the photos he posted it can be noticed that the saints of the church have been painted black as well as signatures that the vandals left all over the building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6299
Christian Doctor Faced Pressure After Offering Prayer to Patients
2022-10-09 | In May 2019, Dr. Richard Scott faced an investigation by the NHS England (National Health Service) after several complaints were made about him offering prayer to patients, as he discussed this practice during a BBC Radio 4 interview. Dr. Scott faced an investigation to see if he was fit for practice, but the case has now been settled between Dr. Scott and the NHS, as reported on the news at the beginning of October. He has agreed to attend a course about professional boundaries and at the same time, with no admittance of wrongdoing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6270
Sacrilegous theft in church Italy
2022-10-09 | Monsignor Massimo D'Angelo of the diocese of Chieti, denounced on his Facebook account that a sacrilegious theft had taken place at the chapel of San Rocco in Sambuceto. "This night they stole from the parish by uprooting the security door and removing from the wall the safe with the gold votive gifts of St. Roch and some Chalices" he wrote.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6300
Two Men Disrupt a Mass celebration in Poland
2022-10-09 | On October 9, 2022, a thirty-nine-year-old man disrupted the celebration of evening Mass at St. Francis Church in Zabrze. During the Eucharist in progress there, two men entered the church, with one of them immediately heading toward the altar. Then, in front of the priest celebrating Mass and the gathered faithful, he set off a firecracker. Panic broke out. As a result of the situation, the faithful began to leave the church building in panic. It was determined that no one was hurt as a result of the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6387
Eggs Thrown at the Walls of the Church of the Madonna di Loreto
2022-10-08 | A barrage of eggs was thrown against the façade of the church of the Madonna di Loreto in Borgetto, in the Palermo area. The main façade of the building, which overlooks Via Monastero, was vandalised in several places. This was reported on the 8. October.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6281
Several Baroque Church Windows Damaged by Vandals in Austria
2022-10-08 | Between the 7. and 8. October, unknnown perpetrators threw apples at the hexagonal baroque windows of a collegiate church in Klagenfurt. The police has to quantify the amount of the damage to property.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6298
UK Christians' Right to Freedom of expression Threatened in upcoming Public Order Bill
2022-10-07 | The UK's already controversial Public Order Bill has received an amendment proposal that would criminalize supporting women seeking an abortion within a 150-meter "buffer zone" from an abortion clinic. Apart from the fact that this would open the way for authorities to repress Christian street preachers, this amendment means that prayer or any kind of help inside the "buffer zones" could lead to an up to two-year jail sentence. Laws like this already exist in Northern Ireland since March, and will also be a reality in Scotland in the near future.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6264
40 bronze Virgins stolen from a cemetery in Spain
2022-10-07 | In less than twelve hours the town of A Coruña suffered two robberies in the local cemetery, affecting practically all the inhabitants.
María Cambón, a neighbour who visits the cemetery every day, raised the alarm on the 10th of October, after discovering that someone had taken a number of bronze and copper virgins from the niches. Most of them were behind the glass doors of each tomb, in small chapels. In the afternoon of the same day, a similar robbery happened again. An image of the Virgen del Carmen was found lying on the floor of the cemetery, which the thieves probably left behind. In total, around 40 statues have been stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6271
Vandals Damage Organ of in St. Mary's Church in Italy
2022-10-07 | The church of St. Mary of Jesus in Ritiro was vandalised and the organ was damaged on the 7. October. This incident occurred only 9 months after the last case of vandalism, according to the source. The CCTV cameras show that young persons broke into the building and gravely damaged the electronic organ. They also mimicked the Crucifix and played with some of the furnishings of the altar before running away.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6283
Spanish Observatory for Religious Freedom Takes Legal Action for being Hacked after Releasing Annual Report
2022-10-06 | The Observatory for Religious Freedom and Freedom of Conscience (Observatorio para la Libertad Religiosa y de Conciencia) has reported on its social media that it has denounced the hacking of which they were victims last October 6 during the presentation of the "Report of attacks on religious freedom in Spain 2021".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6412
Belarusian authorities take Minsk's Red Church from Catholics
2022-10-06 | After a fire on September 25, where arson has not been ruled out, media sources reported on October 6 that Belarusian authorities are terminating the Red Church's use agreement with the Roman Catholic parish community of St. Simon and St. Helen. Notice of this has already been received by the church authorities and the parish has been ordered to take all belongings from the temple within a few days.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6269
Minsk authorities close the Catholic school of the Catholic Christian Social Center
2022-10-06 | It was reported on the 6th of October that Minsk authorities closed a religious school at the Catholic Christian Social Center of the city. Police were sent to the centre to check "whether there were any classes there", Radio Svaboda reports. According to Fr. Yuri Sanko, Minsk authorities ordered the social and educational parts to be closed on August the 30th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6275
Continuous acts of vandalism by teenagers against a church in Italy
2022-10-05 | The parish priest Vincenzo Del Mastro, of the "Madonna della Grazia" Church in Andria has spoken up about recurrent and serious vandalism to his church on the 5th of October. He says that in the afternoons and evenings around 20 to 30 teenagers come with electric bikes and invade the area near the main entrance of the church. The priest says that they smoke cigarettes and drugs, are found and damage the flowerbeds. Also, if he tries to reprimand them, they insult him or throw stones at him. They have also defaced the back wall of the church and broke a door. The priest is asking for support from his community.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6258
Report: concerning rise of hate crimes against religious minorities in Turkey
2022-10-04 | A new report on "Hate Crimes Based on Religion, Belief or Nonbelief in Turkey" by the Freedom of Belief Initiative of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee describes the increasing problem of hate incidents against religious minorities in the country. These attacks target Christians, Jews, Alevis (a branch of Shīʿa Islam with some pre-Islamic influences, which is practiced mainly in Turkey), and atheists. The nature of the hate attacks varies between damage to property, threats, violent attacks against individuals, damage to places of worship and cemeteries, harassment, and insults. Some places belonging to religious communities have been repeatedly targeted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6246
Statue of Padre Pio Stolen from church in Italy
2022-10-04 | A statue of Padre Pio that belonged to the church of Santa Marta in Carpignano was stolen by unknown persons. This was reported on the 4th of October, the statue of fibreglass and two vases were stolen from the church. There was no vandalism inside the religious site. The theft was discovered by the woman who cleans the church. The church filed a complaint with the authorities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6259
Cathedral of Lugo Vandalized by Young People and Posted on TikTok
2022-10-04 | A TikTok video shows how a large group of young people vandalize the Cathedral of Lugo – declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2015 – by climbing up and down its facade in a kind of competition. Earlier this year, in March there was another incident of vandalism at the cathedral, as three young men urinated on its facade. The damage done was estimated around 900 Euro by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6261
Scotland: proposed “conversion therapy” ban gravely affects parents' rights and religious freedom
2022-10-04 | A new report was submitted to the Scottish Government on the 4th of October that could criminalize efforts by parents to mentor their children according to their beliefs, with the possibility of losing parental custody. Prayers and private conversations could also be criminalized. The report considers "conversion practices" as "any treatment, practice or effort that aims to change, suppress, and/or eliminate a person's sexual orientation, expression of sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression.".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6290
Vandals Throw Eggs at Church in Germany
2022-10-03 | In the city of Vöhringen, unknown perpetrators threw several eggs at the façade wall of the front side and the main entrance of the church in the Roselfelder Straße between 31 October and 3 November. After it was cleaned, not all residues could be removed, according to the police report, which estimates the damage caused at several hundred euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6368
Priest memorial Plaque vandalized in Italy
2022-10-03 | On the 3rd of October it was reported that unknown persons vandalised the memorial plaque of Don Michele Grella. He was an important parish priest of the San Ciro church. According to the news outlet, the church in Viale Italia has been the target of vandals lately.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6239
Theft of stained glass window in historic church UK
2022-10-03 | On the 1st of October, unknown thieves targeted the St. Nicholas Church in Baddesley Ensor. They have stolen the historic stained glass windows that were at the side of the church. The Warwickshire Police are investigating the case. For now, the windows had to be boarded up.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6240
Extreme Vandalism to Saint-Joseph Chapel in France
2022-10-03 | During the week of the 3rd of October, the Saint-Joseph chapel in Saint-Pol-de-Léon was vandalised by unknown perpetrators. The door was smashed with an axe and the cupboards were searched. The perpetrators also broke windows, dishes and kitchenware. Some electronic devices were stolen and the library was ransacked. On top of that, inside the tabernacle, the vandals smashed crucifixes and other sacred symbols. A case has been filed with the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6397
22-year Old Man Strikes and Spits a Woman Inside the Church
2022-10-02 | On Sunday 2nd October, a 22-year-old man entered the church in Würzburg and lit a zigarrette inside the church. When a 59-year-old woman approached him and reprimanded him for his behaviour, he suddenly struck her and then spat on her. The young man then ran away and is being searched by the police for physical aggression and hurting religious sentiments.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6243
Bleach thrown at an image of the Virgin of the Rosary during a procession in Spain
2022-10-02 | On the Sunday night of October the 2nd, an unidentified person threw bleach from a balcony at the image of the Virgin of the Rosary when the statue was in procession near the Cathedral. The Local Police were immediately informed and are trying to identify the perpetrator of this hate crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6250
A Statue of the Virgin Mary torn down in Spain
2022-10-02 | A statue of the Virgin Mary was thrown into the garden of the parish of San Miguel Arcángel in Las Rozas, Madrid, on the night of the 1st to the 2nd of October. The parish priest, José Antonio Buceta Toro, denounced the act on Sunday morning and informed the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6252
Student threatens to set church on fire in France
2022-10-02 | On the 2nd of October, a student was arrested in Montpellier after threatening to set fire to the church of Saint-François d'Assise. She said that she could not stand the noise of the church bells. The woman is said to have stormed into the church at the time of service (around 11.30 am) and threatened to set fire to the church, referencing what happened at Notre Dame in Paris. Given the aggressive behaviour towards the parish volunteers, she has been banned from entering the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6254
Burglars Steal Chalices of Great Sentimental Value in Emmerich
2022-10-02 | The Holy Spirit Church in Emmerich was targeted by burglars around the 2nd of October. According to the report, they stole chalices that have a low material value but were very important to the parish community. Burglars broke into the sacristy of the Church and opened the safe, from which they took one chalice that belonged to a Pastor who had passed away, Ps Lambert, and three other chalices from 1960s. There is no trace of the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6262
Bleach thrown on the image of Mary
2022-10-02 | On the Sunday night of October the 2nd, an unidentified person threw bleach from a balcony at the image of the Mary of the Rosary when the statue was in procession near the Cathedral in Jaen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8779
Historical silver chalice from the stolen from church in Cambridge
2022-10-01 | Sometime between September 25 and October 1, a silver chalice worth thousands of pounds was stolen from a village church in Cambridgeshire. According to the sources, the chalice is believed to date back to the 16th century. It was kept in the All Saints and St Andrews Church, where thieves broke in and took the chalice from the safe. The police have been notified and are running investigations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6355
Germany: Valuable Candlestick holder and Offerings Stolen from church
2022-10-01 | in the Catholic "Church of our Lady" in Achern, a candlestick with great sentimental and spiritual value for the community was stolen by an unidentified perpetrator. This happened on the 1st of October and the theft was discovered at the time the church was to be locked (5.45pm). The parish secretary, Bernd Müller said that the candlestick was still there one hour before closing. Apart from the missing piece, the room's carpet was covered with white wax stains from the lit candles. The candlestick is worth around 700 euros, but the sentimental value was much higher for the community, it also contains a small box for 50 cents when someone used a candle - probably only amounting to 5-6 euros. It is hard to believe that the thieve took the candlestick for its material cost or the couple of cents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6248
Church attacked with stones in Donegal, Ireland
2022-10-01 | Several windows were smashed in an attack with stones against a 19th-century church in Donegal. The St. Columba Church of Ireland was damaged between the 30. September and the 1. October. Given that the building is a cultural heritage and dear to the community, the incident has caused upset for people in the area. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6255
Irish Human Rights Commission Approves bill for "Safe Access Zones" Outside abortion clinics
2022-09-30 | During the last week of September, the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHREC) announced its submission on the General Scheme of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022 and agreed with the government by supporting the controversial law proposal. This decision was taken despite the concerns for Freedom of speech and Freedom of Assembly that these restrictions pose.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6272
Two Crosses Were Stolen from a Church in St. Petersburg
2022-09-30 | At the end of September, two thieves entered the Church of All Saints of St. Petersburg in Kingisepp, Leningrad oblast, through the bell tower and stole two pectoral crosses placed on the altar.
They were arrested. The youngest was also connected with a theft from a florist. A third protagonist who was on the lookout is also wanted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6425
Two church robbers sentenced to prison in Orenburg, Russia
2022-09-30 | A 48-year-old woman and her daughter-in-law who were arrested after stealing sacred gold objects from a church store on the night of May 10-11 in Orenburg were tried and sentenced to ten months of "colony life", which is the Russian equivalent of semi-liberty. The loot was returned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6430
Statue of Mary vandalised and broken in France
2022-09-30 | During the night of September 30 to October 1, a recently refurbished statue of the Virgin Mary was broken and placed on a pole a little further away, in La Chapelle Thouarault, a township located west of Rennes, near the Hermitage-Mordelles station. The act aroused the indignation of the town hall and local residents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6436
Sacristan Brutally Beaten Up While Praying
2022-09-29 | In the district of Haselbach in Braunau, a sacristan was brutally beaten up during his evening prayers on the 29. September. The perpetrator has been identified as a 26-year-old homeless man from Romania. The perpetrator had asked the 87-year-old sacristan for money, who had given him some help before. This time, the sacristan refused and the young man decided to attack him. The victim was found by witnesses, who saw him severely injured and alerted the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6245
Break-in and theft in Church in Speyer
2022-09-28 | Between September 25 and 28, unknown perpetrators forced open an entrance door of the Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Holy Trinity Church) and thus entered the church building. Inside, cupboards and donation boxes were broken open and an unknown amount of money was stolen from them. The damage to property cannot yet be quantified, reports the local police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6235
Theft in Church in Montecosaro
2022-09-27 | On September 27, a number of brass chalices and two big screens were stolen from the basilica of the Santissima Annunziata di Firenze in Montecosaro. The chalices are sacred objects that are used to celebrate Mass.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6257
Church Wall in Zaragoza Defaced with Insulting Graffiti
2022-09-27 | It was reported on the 27. September that the Municipal Committee of the Aragonese Party (PAR) criticised the vandalism caused to the exterior of the church of La Magdalena in Zaragoza. The exterior wall of the church is covered in graffiti that includes offensive expressions or insults against the clergy.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6385
Belarus: Pentecostal Church Evicted and Worship Banned by Police
2022-09-25 | Belarusian Police banned New Life Church from meeting for dominical worship in the parking lot of the church building from which they had been forcibly evicted. On 25 September officials ordered the Belarussian Police to ban the Sunday meeting and detain anyone who did not leave, while pastors Vyacheslav Goncharenko and Antoni Bokun were detained and fined for having organized the 18 September 2022 service.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6244
16th Century Chalice Stolen from St Andrew's Church in Cambridge
2022-09-25 | Sometime between September 25 and October 1 a 16th-century chalice, engraved with the words “For the Town of Kingston” was stolen from a safe of the All Saints and St Andrew Church in Kingston, Cambridgeshire. A £1,000 reward for information leading to recovery is being offered as the chalice is worth in excess of £10,000 apart from its spiritual value for the community.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7010
Open Letter to Ursula Von Der Leyen: EU Special Envoy of Religious Freedom Position Still Vacant
2022-09-23 | The position of an EU Envoy of Religious Freedom is still vacant. The position was left vacant for 2 years, until it was briefly held by Christos Stylianides from May to September 2021. He left the role, as he was offered a different position only 5 months later. In 2022, it was communicated that Mario Mauro would be confirmed as a new Envoy, but there has not been any further confirmation. On the 23. September 2022, Marco Gombacci wrote an Open Letter to Ursula von der Leyen questioning why the EU is not making the safeguarding of Religious Freedom a priority, given its "indispensable value for defining democracies and states under the rule of law".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6227
Parishioners of the Cathedral of Pskov, Russia, evacuated during service because of a bomb threat
2022-09-23 | On September 23, during a solemn mass with the ostension and adoration of the relics of St. Sergei of Radonezh, the Pskov cathedral had to be evacuated after a bomb threat. The Metropolitan Tikhon of Pskov announced the evacuation after his homily and after the faithful kissed the relics as it had been reported that the cathedral had been mined.
"Dear brothers and sisters, did everyone lay hands on the relics? Well done. We have been informed that the cathedral has been mined. Quietly, everyone comes out... I bless you with the cross, go quickly with God, everyone come out, the Emergencies Ministry is there," said Metropolitan Tikhon.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6420
A man disrupts the mass and intimidates the faithful in Italy
2022-09-23 | A man of foreign origin, and known to the local police for numerous acts of theft, was arrested on September 23 at the Church of St. Michael the Archangel in the Madonna Alta district of Perugia, while threatening the faithful and shouting in the place of worship, during mass. The man is also known for robberies against a church in the city. He has been referred to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6437
Desecration and vandalism of a chapel of the Virgin in Italy
2022-09-22 | During the night of September 22-23, individuals broke the bottom of the door of the Chapel of the Virgin, in Via della Riotta in Novara, in the Italian Piedmont, and removed the Stations of the Cross from the wall to throw the stations into the garden of the chapel. The parish priest, Fr. Massimo Volpatti, filed a complaint and reported the incident on social networks - this small 17th-century chapel has no video surveillance. He also celebrated a mass of reparation and strongly denounced "a profane, serious, sacrilegious act" in the local press.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6439
Two Teenagers Smear The Walls and Door of a Historic Chapel in Konz
2022-09-22 | Two 13-year-olds vandalised and spray-painted a Chapel in Jeuchental, near Konz, on the 20th of September. As quoted by the police "The chapel had been heavily damaged with graffiti on three sides and on the entrance door. Facebook users raised their concerns and commented on the situation. The police has identified the vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6597
Religious building arsonist jailed in Russia
2022-09-21 | On September 21, a building belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church was set on fire in the Lomonosovo district of St. Petersburg. It turned out that the fire was arson. A 20-year-old man was arrested and admitted to the crime - he said that he wanted to set fire to a nearby building where the registers of those who could be mobilized were kept - Russia had decreed a partial mobilization, which has since been completed, to call back 300,000 people who had done their military service - but he was in the wrong building. He was put in jail for two months while awaiting trial.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6429
28-year-old Woman Arrested after Looting Cathedral's Sacristy in Gorizia for Non-Valuable but Scared Objects
2022-09-21 | On September 21, a woman broke into the sacristy of the cathedral of Gorizia, an Italian city in Friuli on the border with Slovenia, with keys stolen last week, and looted it. Nevertheless she was detected by the cathedral's video surveillance and arrested a few hundred meters away. In her bag were chalices, patens, a custode, a baptismal shell and other consecrated objects - but all in non-precious metal. As well as a bag with other keys of the cathedral.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6441
New: Study Reveals 61% people feel Media Perpetrates Faith-Based Stereotypes
2022-09-20 | On the 20. September, a large-scale study was published by the Faith and Media Initiative (FAMI), which looks at the portrayal of faith and religion in the media. The study revealed there is a strong demand across the world for more news and media coverage about faith. It also shows that journalists and editors admit coverage of faith-related topics is rarely encouraged in the industry. The study had 9,000 respondents, including citizens, journalists, and editors from 18 countries and major religions. An important finding was that the general population feels that "media coverage can perpetuate faith-related stereotypes rather than protect against them."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6222
Desecration of Shrine in Moldova
2022-09-20 | A 45-year-old man, was arrested in Chisinau, Moldova, at the end of September for stealing two bronze crosses, as well as a large bust of the deceased, from a tomb in the Saint Lazarus cemetery. He intended to resell them for 40,000 Moldavian lei (around 2,000€) and caused a damage of 8,000 lei on the burial site (400€).
In Moldova the desecration of graves is an aggravating cause - he faces up to three years of prison.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6424
Church in Jaen Vandalized and Hosts Scattered on the Ground
2022-09-19 | The diocese of Jaén reported that on the 19. September, a robbery and a desecration took place in the parish church of Our Lady of Carmen. The perpetrators stole money from the lampstand and broke into the tabernacle. The consecrated hosts were scattered on the floor, which is what struck the community the most. The Bishop of Jaén, Monsignor Sebastián Chico Martínez, condemned the incident and asked all the parishes to worship a prayer of atonement during that week.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6386
Destruction of Shrine in Sokółce
2022-09-18 | On September 18, the Sokolsk police received a report of damage to a shrine in Porajovo. The window of the shrine and the facade of the building were destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6391
Extensive Arson to the chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Liesse in France
2022-09-18 | On September 18th, around 15:30 firefighters intervened after they received a report of flames escaping from the chapel of Our Lady of Liesse in Fleury d'Aude, where several fires were lit. Additionally, the church was vandalised with swastikas that were drawn onto the altar. The gendarmerie are still investigating to find the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6444
Pro-abortion activists disrupt a mass in Switzerland
2022-09-17 | On September 17, 2022, a mass at the Sacred Heart Church in Brig, Switzerland was disrupted by two pro-abortion activists. It was the day before the March for Life in Switzerland, and the sermon of the priest Fr. Edi Arnold was about the protection of life.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6435
Satanist and Anarchist tags at a church in Zurich
2022-09-17 | Satanist tags have been painted on the walls of the Church of the Sacred Heart in Zurich on September 17. On the same day, Bishop Marian Eleganti, former auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Chur, celebrated a mass there as part of the "March for Life", organized on the same day. The act was claimed by the anarchist group barrikade.info, to protest against the "March for Life".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6443
Scotland Politician Disciplined by Party Leaders for defending pro-life Support and Prayer outside hospitals
2022-09-15 | A Scottish politician, John Mason, has been disciplined by party leaders at Holyrood after he showed support for pro-life activism outside hospitals. He was sent a written warning and was accused of causing women “great distress” for his remarks on abortion and buffer zones outside clinics. The news was reported recently on the 15. September.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6215
Legal Expert: Scotland Legislator's Planned Buffer Zones Would Ignore Fundamental Rights
2022-09-14 | Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, has pronounced in favor of the legislation meant to limit pro-life activity around abortion clinics, which could lead to the creation of abortion clinic "buffer zones" across Scotland. The First Minister suggested that pro-life groups could protest in front of the Scottish parliament instead of gathering outside abortion clinics. A legal counsel for ADF UK, Mr. Igunnubole, warns that such laws do not possess a "reasonable excuse" to ignore basic tenets of the rule of law, such as Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5938
A Man Tries to Set Fire to a Church in France
2022-09-14 | On September 14, a man tried to set fire to a pile of chairs in the church of Rothéneuf near Saint Malo in Ille-et-Vilaine, without success. He was arrested the next day after threatening a bank teller in Paramé, a district of Saint Malo located near the train station.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6445
Destruction of chapel in Łabiszynek
2022-09-13 | On September 13, 2022, local Polish media reported on the devastation of chapel furnishings in Łabiszynek. The unknown perpetrator destroyed the door and broke the glass in the windows of the chapel, broke wooden elements necessary for the service and tore off the heads of the figures of saints.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6393
The Mantle of a Virgin Mary Statue of Sevilla Was Attacked with Bleach
2022-09-10 | The Virgen de la Hiniesta, from the parish of San Julian, in Sevilla, suffered an attack on the weekend of the 10th of September. The statue was sprayed with bleach, causing significant damage to the garment. This was reported by the Brotherhood of the Vera Cruz and Charity of Brenes, responsible for the parish, on their social media.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6413
A Man Breaks into a Mass in Spain and Throws the Chalice and Consecrated Forms to the Ground.
2022-09-09 | As reported to "La Voz de Tomelloso" local newspaper by one of the assistants, the Sunday 9th of September an altercation took place during the celebration of the morning Mass in the parish of La Asunción de Tomelloso. An individual burst into the church and, going to the altar, threw the chalice, the ciborium and the consecrated forms to the ground after shaking the celebrant.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6414
The Crown of Our Lady of the Assumption Stolen in Broad Daylight in Cassino
2022-09-08 | On September 8, the crown of the statue of Our Lady of the Assumption was stolen in broad daylight from the co-cathedral of Cassino, in Lazio, which is the only church in the city that remains open apart from Mass celebration.
Previously, two fine altar cloths were stolen from the same church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6450
Satanist Physically Threatened Parishioners and a Priest in St. Petersburg
2022-09-06 | On September 6, a young man was arrested by the St. Petersburg police after he tried to enter into the church of the Venerable John of Kronstadt and threaten the parishioners and the priest with a cane. Both times, the parishioners threw him out before finally calling the police.
To the police, the criminal declared himself a "Satanist" and claimed that "the Devil ordered him to kill a priest". He was arrested and later hospitalized.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6426
Leeds City Council Accuses Street Preachers of Using Hate Speech and Homophobic Language
2022-09-05 | In the city of Leeds, members of society raised concerns, claiming that street preachers in the city center are using hate speech and homophobic language. The local council, together with the Police have now issued a new "code of conduct", in which they tell preachers that they respect their freedom of expression, but also recognise that it may be limited to "prevent disorder or crime".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6221
Fr. Bernard Considered a "Risk to Children" by Church of England for Stating Biblical Teachings
2022-09-04 | Rev Dr. Bernard Randall is a Christian chaplain who was reported to a terrorist watchdog by the school he worked at, after giving a sermon addressing the new LGBT Guidelines and telling his pupils it was ok to make up their own minds, as long as they remain respectful towards other's opinions. He is now facing a high-profile Employment Tribunal hearing and has even been blacklisted as a safeguarding risk to children by the Church of England (CofE). Dr. Randall says he was interrogated and told that refusing to capitulate to the allegation and denying his beliefs made him a risk. The diocese safeguarding team concluded ‘the Church itself is a risk factor.’
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6211
Statue of the Virgin Mary Vandalised in Pailhares
2022-09-04 | During the night of 4. September, the statue of the Virgin Mary in the village of Pailharès was vandalised. The statue was covered with paint and with, among other things, lipstick and underwear around her neck. The village is located between Annonay and Saint-Agreve in the north of the Ardèche.
Mgr. Jean-Louis Balsa, bishop of the diocese of Viviers, wants to put the church back in the heart of the village: "It is inadmissible, we must accept the beliefs of all. It is a fundamental lack of respect for the faithful.
He refuses that the Church suffers from acts of delinquency of this kind and drives the point home: "We should not be despised for our beliefs and victims of fools, we deserve to be respected in our faith."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6456
Vandalism and Theft in a Church in the Orne Region
2022-09-04 | During the night of 4-5. September, individuals let themselves be locked into the church of Saint Martin de l'Aigle in the Orne region of France, where they broke a stained glass window, unsealed and stole a money box and ripped out the locks of the building from the inside.
"A pair of pliers was found on the roof. The thieves also damaged the doors "including the lock on the main door which was ripped off with a crowbar" and another door which was taken off its hinges. This was done from the inside as there is no lock on the outside.
A complaint has been filed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6459
Fire Destroys church in Sweden, Police suspect Arson
2022-09-03 | A big fire in Sjösås "New Church" in Växjö destroyed the building on the 3rd of September. The emergency services were on site with several units, but were not able to save the church. The alarm was raised at 12.30 on Saturday, as heavy smoke was seen coming from the church tower. When the rescue services arrived, the fire had reached the main hall and it had gone through the window panes. Martin Olofsson, team leader at SOS Alarm, said that the fire was fully developed. Fortunately, no one was injured as the church was empty when the fire started. Although the investigations were not finished, the police considers the incident to be arson, as there were no natural causes for the fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6242
Destruction of a Roadside Cross in Kamionek
2022-09-01 | On September 1, local Polish media reported on the destruction of a roadside cross in Kamionek (in the Gogolin Municipality). Unknown perpetrators tore out the marble flower tray placed on the vertical beam of the cross and smashed the candles standing under the cross.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6396
Parish priest beaten by drug addicts in France
2022-08-30 | The priest of the Saint Saturnin Parish in Blois told 'La Tribune de l'Art' that he had been attacked by drug dealers in late August. He said: "At the end of August, I was beaten up by six junkies in the baptistery, and the mayor doesn't care."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6434
Residents Disrupt Mass in a Spanish Town After the priest did not allow a concert inside the church
2022-08-28 | A group of about a hundred residents of Fuentesauco de Fuentidueña made this Sunday a "cacerolada" (disruption with loud noises by banging pots and other objects) at the doors of the church. They were protesting that the pries did not authorize the celebration of a concert of a local orchestra of this town in the parish church. The priest had considered that it was not a performance of church music. Due to the disruption, the priest had to call the police because he could not celebrate Mass normally due to a large crowd of people outside the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6415
Girl in Samara Desecrates Grave by Mimicking a Sexual Act and Insults the Christian Orthodox Faith
2022-08-25 | An 18-year-old girl mimed a sexual act on a grave in a cemetery in Samara, topped by a cross, on 25 August. Before committing the desecration, the girl began by "talking to the dead" and then insulted the Orthodox religion, announcing that she would "commit an act that the Orthodox Church will not forgive her".
The video was posted on social networks where her identity was quickly disclosed. The Samara police announced that they were opening an investigation into the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6467
Man in Russia sets fire to a church and kills the priest
2022-08-24 | On August 24, in Domodedovo, a suburb of Moscow - where one of the city's airports is located, a man killed the parish priest of the village Orthodox church and set it on fire. The motive for the murder and burning was a personal conflict between the victim and the alleged perpetrator. The perpetrator was a former Sunday school teacher of the parish who was dismissed after being inappropriate with one of the parishioners.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6431
Thieves of Church Offering Boxes Desecrate the Tabernacle of a Church in Ceglia
2022-08-23 | On July 23, trunk robbers ransacked the church of Ceglia, breaking into the trunks and the door of the sacristy, but the also desecrated the tabernacle where they spilled the consecrated hosts on the floor. Nevertheless, the thieves abandoned the sacred vessels when they realized that they were made of brass. A mass and prayers of reparation were organized.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6447
Organ Stolen from Church in Omonville la Rogue
2022-08-23 | The liturgical organ of the church of Saint Jean Baptiste in Omonville la Rogue, near the Hague, was dismantled and stolen between 23 and 28 July, along with the sound system - in fact it is a kind of harmonium. The theft is said to have been committed during the church's opening hours. The municipality has filed a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6472
Attempt to Burn Down an Orthodox Church in North Macedonia
2022-08-22 | In the village of Trebište in western North Macedonia unknown persons attempted on 22. August to set fire to the Church of St. Achilles of Larissa, built around 1840 and decorated with frescoes by Dičo Zograf (1819-1872), one of the most famous fresco painters in the Balkans in the 19th century.
Damage was caused by the outbreak the fire inside the church, but it was brought under control.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6465
Door of Romanian Church Found Locked With Chains And A Padlock
2022-08-21 | The parishioners of a Romanian Orthodox Church found the door locked with chains and a padlock on Sunday 21. August. Unknown vandals" had wrapped a chain around the iron knobs of the front door of the St. Roque's church in Valletta, they also locked the chain with a padlock. The president of the community, Fr George-Alexandru Popescu, told the newspaper that he contacted the people of the parish to see if someone had locked the doors in this way, but found out that it was an act of vandalism. Another incident had already happened in November of last year, when vandals poured gasoline on the parvis.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6204
Theft of Altar from Church in Pontelatone
2022-08-21 | Unknown persons stole the altar and a painting from the Chapel of the Church Santa Maria dell'Orazione in Pontelatone. This was announced by the Mayor of Pontelatone, Alfonso Izzo, who recalled how the small local community continues to be the victim of thefts to the detriment of its numerous archaeological and architectural assets. The altar is a specifically sacred object that is necessary to carry out religious services. The practices of the parish is limited due to this theft.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6206
Man Defaces a Church in Toulouse and Insults the Priest
2022-08-21 | A 53-year-old man from Toulouse, damaged a church and insulted the priest on Sunday 21 August. He will be judged on a preliminary admission of guilt in 2023. "He obviously did not like the church," tells France Bleu. The man admitted in police custody to have broken a wooden table in two, a vase and knocked over a candle holder in which a candle was lit, fortunately without starting a fire. The damage was estimated to cost around 1,000 euros. The man is also accused of insulting the priest. Two people present called the police who quickly arrested him.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6476
Church Walls Tagged With Slogans About Sex And Drugs
2022-08-20 | On 21. August, "Grimsby Live" reported that the Willows Community Church in Grimsby had been tagged with slogans about sex and drugs that affected the community. Organizers of the Church repainted the walls within hours after the desecration took place. And the news outlet chose not to publish the pictures of the vandalistic act, due to the nature of the slogans. The police was notified and they will run an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6203
The Organ of a Church in France Vandalised in a Night Attack
2022-08-19 | During the night of August 19 to 20, one or more people broke into the church of Saint-Etienne in Bayonne. "Furniture was damaged and objects belonging to the place of worship were stolen. Various elements are missing: a trunk containing cash donations, or a silver container," recalls Sud Ouest.
Above all, the 19th century organ has been damaged, and the repairs could cost several thousand euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6446
Church of the Addolorata Repeatedly Vandalised
2022-08-19 | On 19 August, the little church of Our Lady of Sorrows in Paderno d'Adda fell once again victim to an act of vandalism. Vandals unhinged the wooden gate and broke the padlock. It is the third time within a few months that a similar crime has occurred.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6201
Painting From the 18th Century worth 50.000 Euros Stolen From Church
2022-08-19 | An unknown perpetrator stole an oil painting from the small church of San Filippo Neri in Terzago di Calvagese della Riviera on 19. August. The painting, which depicts the Virgin Mary, is estimated to be worth 50,000 euros. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6205
Church Stairs in Aub Damaged
2022-08-19 | According to the police, in the night of 19 to 20 in Aub, an unknown perpetrator tore the railing of the church from the anchorage and loosened several stone slabs from the stairs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6207
Sacred Objects Stolen From Two Churches Recovered and Perpetrators Identified
2022-08-18 | Sacred objects had been stolen during the first week of August from the church of San Rocco in Maggianico and the church of San Martino Vescovo in Calolzio. The police of Lecco were able to identify the perpetrators, who were two men, and recovered what had been stolen: a wooden offering box, three metal offertories, a base of a crucifix, a wooden crucifix, and brass plating of the crucifix itself. Although the objects were found, there is damage to the crucifix.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6193
Stolen Virgin Mary Statue Found Damaged at Demolition System
2022-08-18 | A statue of Mary had been stolen from the Lady Chapel in Beckum and was found on the 18th of August. Employees of the Wocklum quarry found the figure, which was badly damaged, in the conveyor system that is used to feed the stones to the sand production. It was a great coincidence that the statue could be rescued, according to the police press officer Wibke Honselmann. "It was supposed to be destroyed in the Wocklum quarry, but the corpus blocked the plant," Honselmann said. Before the unknown perpetrators threw the statue into the pit, the head, hands and feet had been cut off. Police are investigating
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6195
Renovated Wall Of St. James Church Was Soiled By Vandals
2022-08-18 | In the city of Creußen, the recently renovated wall of the St. Jakobus Church was soiled and graffitied. The incident took place on the 12. August and was reported on the 16. August and the police are now looking for witnesses. According to the police, the inner wall of the crypt passage was defiled. The unknown perpetrators were possibly youths who threw moistened earth at the white inner wall. The damage to the property is estimated at around 200 euros due to the time-consuming removal of the graffiti and the re-painting.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6197
Arson by Young Vandals Who Entered Church With Bicycles
2022-08-18 | Teenager vandals entered the Church in Pionca di Vigonza with their bikes and set fire to a Crucifix on the 18. August. One parishioner noticed the smoke coming out of the Church. The Carabinieri has identified two young boys, who committed the arson by placing candles under a Crucifix inside the church. Fortunately, the flames were extinguished within minutes. The police is still investigating to identify other perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6208
50,000 Francs Damage with Biased Graffiti to Five Churches in Basel
2022-08-17 | An unknown perpetrator has vandalised several churches in Basel, as it was reported on the 17. August. Two of the churches that were vandalised were the St. Joseph Church and the Holy Spirit Church. In the St. Joseph Church, there was a message saying "Jesus Christ, Allahu Akbar" in white paint. The Holy Spirit church was severely damaged, as there were numbers and letters scratched into the sandstone and other inscriptions were made with black and red pen. In total there were 5 churches vandalized.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6190
Desecration of Cementery in Lwówek Slaski: Crosses and Graves Destroyed
2022-08-17 | On the night of August 17-18, 2022, unknown perpetrators committed an act of vandalism at the municipal cemetery of Lwówek Slaski. Crosses were broken, pots and flowers scattered. Among others, the grave of a small child was damaged, while a cross on a neighboring tombstone was turned over.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6399
Armed Robbery of a Priest in Zabrze
2022-08-17 | On August 18, a 43-year-old man carried out an armed robbery on a priest of one of the parishes in Zabrze.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6400
'Screaming, Fires, Fights, Graffiti and Litter' at St John's Churchyard in Worcester
2022-08-17 | Residents of Worcester, England, are protesting against the gangs of young offenders who occupy the churchyard around St. John's Church and engage in various forms of depredation, graffiti, attempted arson, defacement, robbery, etc.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6487
Parish of Saint Mary in Santander Desecrated and Robbed by Unknown Perpetrators
2022-08-16 | On the 16. August, the tabernacle of the parish of Santa María Reparadora in Santander was desecrated. The perpetrators stole the ciborium with the consecrated hosts that were reserved inside, as well as the virile of a monstrance. The Diocese of Santander and the National Police confirmed that a group of unidentified individuals desecrated the temple. It seems that at least one parishioner witnessed the incident, seeing how two persons went to the tabernacle, opened it, and took the sacred objects. Fr Antonio Arribas, media delegate of the Diocese, told ACI Prensa that the incident has been reported to the Police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6192
Church of Plampalacios Vandalized With Graffiti
2022-08-16 | On the 16th of August graffiti was discovered on the Romanesque church of the uninhabited village of Plampalacios. The Aínsa-Sobrarbe Town Council reported the case of vandalism. The incident was discovered by the boss of a flight firm that is in the vicinity, Rafael García. Some neighbours reported seeing a group of people coming with a vehicle in the evening of Tuesday. The church had no graffiti before that day.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6199
The Statue of Saint Michael Stolen from the Church of Cause-de-Clérans
2022-08-16 | It has been reported that on the night of 16 to 17 August, individuals entered the church of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption in Cause-de-Clérans to steal the statue of St Michael. They came to the church on foot, taking care to park their vehicle close by so as not to wake the inhabitants of the town. On the way they lost the sword of St Michael and pieces of the plaster of the statue.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6492
Sacrilegious Raid in Mother Church in Castellammare del Golfo
2022-08-15 | On 15. August, the sacred St Nicholas' relic has been stolen from the Mother Church in Castellammare del Golfo, near Trapani. Also missing is the crucifix that was placed in the hands of the statue itself, the cross of the tabernacle was broken and the Synod lamp moved.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6182
Statue of the Virgin stolen from cementery in France
2022-08-15 | On August 15, the Virgin of the cemetery of Guignicourt-sur-Vence was stolen. The statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, which was placed in a niche in 1949, was taken away. The town hall does not despair of finding another one to replace it, according to the local press.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6433
Statue of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Stolen from the Church in Cernay-lès-Reims
2022-08-15 | On 15 August, an 80 cm high, heavy plaster statue of Saint Theresa dating from the 1930s was stolen from the church in Cernay-les-Reims, east of Reims. The theft was reported in the evening.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6485
Three Armed Individuals Robbed Church Presbytery and Threaten Priest During A Ceremony
2022-08-14 | Three armed and masked individuals robbed the presbytery of a church in Gironde during a baptism ceremony on the 14. August. The perpetrators stole a chest that contained the money of a week's collections. As one of the priests found the robbers, one of them pointed his handgun at him while the others fled. The police were immediately alarmed, but they did not manage to arrest the criminals. The amount of damage is around 2000 Euros and the police has opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6185
Church of Buissenal Vandalized with Hateful Message
2022-08-14 | The Church of Buissenal was vandalized on the night of 13. to 14. August by unknown perpetrators. The vandals broke into the building by destroying stained glass windows and left a message on the main altar with the word "EVIL". They also defaced two grave markers in the cemetery.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6188
Church Desecrated With Insulting Tags in Rouen
2022-08-14 | The doors and several sections of the façade of the Saint-Patrice church in Rouen were tagged with insulting slogans and militant symbols on the night of Saturday 13. August. The Diocese released a statement expressing the sadness due to the desecration and announced that the parish has filed a complaint with the police for damage to property. The tags were removed from the historic Church on the 16. August.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6191
Major Theft of Sacred Objects From Waginger Church Discovered
2022-08-13 | In Waging am See, 25 boxes full of stolen sacred objects have been found. This was reported on the 13. of August. The Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (LKA) is currently investigating the stolen goods. It seems that the stolen objects are from the Waging church on the Mühlberg and other churches as well. Ludwig Waldinger, press representative for the LKA commented: "Where did the things come from?" Due to the large number of objects found there, "the whole thing is taking longer than initially thought". A couple of days before it became known that sacred objects were missing from the church in Waching on the Mühlberg. The items were chalices, votive tablets and chasubles.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6186
Church Vandalised in Glodeni
2022-08-13 | On the morning of August 13, the Glodeni police received a call about an act of vandalism in the town's church. Police officers arrived on the scene found that unknown persons had vandalised the building of the chapel property of a church near the old cemetery. According to preliminary information, an icon and a cross with the image of Jesus Christ were damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6421
Vandalism of a Chapel of Our Lady of Fatima in Jablonowo Pomorskie
2022-08-13 | On the night of August 13-14, 2022, unknown perpetrators vandalised the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, located on the grounds of the parish of Christ the King in Jablonowo Pomorskie. The vandal coated the transparent casing of the statue of Our Lady with heated wax and smashed the candles standing in front of the shrine.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6398
Tags in a Church in Lille
2022-08-13 | Tags in English were made during the night of 13 to 14 August on the church of Saint Maurice in Lille. Local media has also expressed indignation with the town hall's silence: "A defaced religious building is always a shock for the religious community attacked. The elected officials of the towns concerned are used to reacting. But for some time now, and particularly in town halls held by left-wing politicians, double standards have been commonplace. A mosque is tagged and the support is immediate. Not so for Catholics.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6483
Anarchist Tags on the Cathedral of Poitiers
2022-08-13 | For two weeks, the walls of Poitiers centre had been regularly attacked by tags, reported Centre Presse on Saturday 13 August. One of those defacements was also found on the Saint-Pierre cathedral. A phenomenon that annoys many inhabitants, who do not hesitate to express themselves on the issue via social networks or in the street.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6471
55-year-old Man Destroys Icon and Cross in Church
2022-08-13 | On August 13., the police were notified that a 55-year-old man allegedly destroyed two items of the church's. These were an icon and a cross. The Moldovan suspect has been detained and the police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6661
Sacred Valuables Stolen From Church in Bad Schönborn
2022-08-12 | Shock at the Catholic Church of St. Lambertus in the Karlsruhe district: thieves stole a safe and valuable sacred objects on 12. August. The priest's personal chalice was also stolen. Estimated amount of damage: 200,000 euros. The theft is specifically tragic because the stolen objects are sacred and necessary to hold religious services. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6177
Church Windows Repeatedly Smashed in Bargebur
2022-08-12 | Unknown persons have repeatedly damaged church windows in Bargebur. Already the previous week, a stone was thrown into a window of the church. This time another eight windows were smashed. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6179
A Statue of a Madonna Mysteriously Disappears on the Border Between Italy and France
2022-08-12 | Located right on the Italian border, above the lake of Bresses in the Mercantour, the 80 cm high statue of the Virgin installed by the Italians has disappeared or was stolen in early August, reported a hiker on Facebook.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6489
Refuge Denied to Iranian Christian Convert in Germany
2022-08-11 | Germany rejected the asylum application made in 2018 by Hassan, a 44-year-old Iranian who converted to Christianity in Iran and was prosecuted for the same reason. When he testified before the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees in Germany, he disclosed that he learned about Christianity in Iran through his brother-in-law, who had been imprisoned for his activities and was then killed for practicing his faith in jail. During the second week of August, the European Court of Human Rights refused to listen to Hassan's case, meaning now he faces the threat of being deported to his home country, where he will likely face imprisonment or death.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6171
Perpetrators Spray-Painted Church of San Benedetto
2022-08-11 | The columns and the flower boxes of the Church of San Benedetto in Livorno have been spray-painted with red tags. Some of the inscriptions that defaced the Church said "No Nazi" and "1312". It is presumed that it is the same vandals that have vandalized a statue of Canapone in the Piazza XX Settembre. A concierge hopes that the security cameras might help identify the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6172
Church of Sant'Antonio Abate Vandalised
2022-08-11 | On 11. August the church of Sant'Antonio Abate was vandalised by unknown perpetrators. They sprayed writings on the walls of the church and excrements were also left on the ground. According to an investigation by the Carabinieri of the local station, the mirrors of some nearby parked cars were also damaged. There are currently no video surveillance cameras in the area.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6178
Church Window Damaged in Neunkirchen
2022-08-11 | Vandals were on the loose in the district of Neukirchen last week. Unknown perpetrators damaged a round-arched window of the church on Bruchstraße on 15. August.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6184
Plaque Honouring War Hero and Candlesticks Stolen From Church
2022-08-09 | For the third time on the year, the village church of Saint Gregory the Great in Morville has been the target of theft and vandalism. This time, the thieves stole a plaque commemorating a war hero, Thomas Hoblyn-Robins (from WWI). This happened on the 9. of August. On the same day two brass candlesticks, one brass vase and two brass candleholders were stolen. The police are asking for witness information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6183
Attempt to Steal from Tabernacle in the Church of St. Lazzaro
2022-08-08 | A 45-year-old man injured his hand while attempting to break into a tabernacle in the church of San Lazzaro in Bologna. The man was identified by the carabinieri thanks to surveillance cameras. On the 8 August, the man tried to open one of the tabernacles of the church of San Lazzaro, but in doing so he injured himself and decided to give up. Returning home, he called the 118 emergency services to get medical attention. After finding the damaged tabernacle, the priest checked the images taken by the church's security cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6162
Church of l'Assumpció Vandalized with Paint Bombs
2022-08-07 | On the 8th of August, the Municipality of Les Borges del Camp posted on Twitter photos and a video of the vandalistic attack on the church during the night. Unknown perpetrators threw pink paint bombs at the church's walls and wooden door.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6160
Swedish Historian Dick Harrison: "Persecuted Christians get no Headlines"
2022-08-07 | The historian Dick Harrison recently wrote a review of a book called "The First Right: Freedom of Religion", written by the deputy secretary general of the Swedish Evangelical Alliance, Jacob Rudenstrand. The historian commented that the book was worth reading and pointed out that the current persecution of Christians "hardly gets any media attention."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6165
Two Men Disrupt Sunday Mass Shouting Obscene Gestures on the Church of San Bartolomé
2022-08-07 | On Sunday 7. August, tthe police in Murcia arrested two men after they attacked the church of San Bartolomé during the celebration of Mass.
The perpetrators, aged 24 and 27, who are originally from Estonia, entered the church shouting and obscene gestures. The parish priest and several parishioners tried to intervene and stop them before they gained access to the tabernacle. The parishioners told the police officers the details of the incident and regretted the lack of respect by these individuals for their faith and the violation of their freedom of worship. The perpetrators have been handed over to the Examining Magistrate's Court on duty.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6175
Around 10 000 Euro Damage, Window Panes Smashed in Evagelical Church
2022-08-06 | Between the 6. and 9. August, unknown perpetrators smashed the window panes of an Evangelical church in Beinum, Salzgitter, by using stones. The police issued a press release about the incident and are investigating. The damage is estimated at around 10 000 Euro.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6168
Attack and theft of Rosary from a Statue of Our Lady in Poland
2022-08-05 | On the night of August 5-6, 2022, an unknown perpetrator profaned the statue of Our Lady of Medjugorie located in the park near St. Joseph Church in Stargard. The vandal damaged the windows and stole the holy rosary held in the hands of the statue of Our Lady.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6156
Town of Picauville Closed All Churches to Visits Due to Previous Acts of Vandalism
2022-08-05 | The town hall of Picauville has taken the decision on the 5th of August that churches will remain closed, due to the high amount of vandalism. Claudine Marie, the second deputy major, commented about recent incidents: "Damage took place on Wednesday 3 or Thursday 4 August. In particular in the church of Amfreville, where the trunk was torn off to take the little money that was inside. This caused some additional damage to the wall where it was hung." Masses and other religious celebrations will still take place.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6164
Catholic Church Vandalized With Graffiti, Bible Desecrated
2022-08-04 | Unknown perpetrators vandalized the Catholic Church of the Good Hirte, using a marker pen to write words and sayings on the pillars and walls inside the church. They further desecrated a Bible, which was open for reading, and a fresco in a side niche. Pastor Gerd Möller said that "the fresco, in particular, will not be easy to restore". According to the Pastor, the attack took place during the morning on August 4 and the damage caused amounts to 10,000 euros. He further added that "the immaterial damage cannot be estimated. A church is a place of encounter with God and prayer. These places are of inestimable value for people who practice their religion". The parish filed a criminal complaint with the police who launched an investigation to find the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6150
Leipzig Church Broken Into and Burgled
2022-08-04 | Between the early afternoon of August 4 and the morning of the 5th, unknown people broke into a church located in the west of Leipzig. They entered through a window and searched several rooms inside the building. The door of one of the offices was forced open and the room was looted. There is not yet any available information regarding the stolen items and the damage caused. The case was reported to the police who launched an investigation, deeming this a case of aggravated theft.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6153
Unknown Perpetrator Cut Off Three Trees on Church Property
2022-08-04 | For no apparent reason three trees in front of the church in Sümmern have been cut off. The cut off trees were lying on the ground, so the reason for the cutting was clearly not theft. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6466
Floor Tiles From Church of the Holy Spirit Stolen
2022-08-03 | On the 3rd of August, it was reported that unknown thieves stole part of the floor tiles from the church of the Holy Spirit in piazza Cirillo in Aversa. The thieves took parts of the floor but left their tools behind. The authorities believe it is unlikely that the criminals wanted to return, as the church is closed to the public and deconsecrated. The carabinieri is investigating with use of security cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6134
Church of San Giovanello and Surrounding Area Repeatedly Vandalized
2022-08-03 | It was reported on the 3rd of August that the church of San Giovannello is being constantly vandalised and spray painted by unknown persons. According to the newspaper, they receive daily complaints and pictures of the church being daubed on every corner by vandals, including the surroundings. The newspaper suggests installing a video surveillance system.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6136
Attempted Break-In Into the Church of Reconciliation
2022-08-03 | German Police are investigating an attempted break-in at the Reconciliation Church in the Bännjerrück district of Kaiserslautern. The event took place on the 3rd of August, as the perpetrators tried to gain access to the church, but did not succeed. Nevertheless, the burglars caused damage estimated to be at least 200 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6138
Canada: 260% Rise in anti-Catholic Hate Crimes, but no Media Coverage
2022-08-03 | The Canadian police released the hate crime data for 2021 on the 3rd of August, showing an alarming rise in anti-religious hate crimes: from 530 cases in 2020 to 884 in 2021. Anti-Catholic hate crimes rose 260%: while there were 43 cases in 2020, it rose to 155 in 2021. Catholics were the second most target group after Jews. Main News Broadcasters reported on these worrying numbers, but although Anti-Catholic motives were the second most targeted religious group and showed the highest rise among all categories, the media only used examples from other groups.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6149
Church Entrance Defaced With Graffiti
2022-08-03 | In Wörth am Main during the first week of August, unknown persons defaced the entrance area of St. Nicholas Church with graffiti. The police have been notified and are asking for information. It seems that the crime was committed between 3 and 4 August. The perpetrators defaced the stone staircase of the main portal with paint. The damage to the property is estimated at around 500 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6174
Russia: Government Pressure on Religious Leaders to Support War
2022-08-02 | The Russian government has been pressuring religious leaders to support Putin's invasion of Ukraine, using tactics such as warning, prosecuting, and fining the believers and leaders who publicly voiced that they oppose the war. From the beginning of the Russian invasion, between February 24 and the 20th of July, 16,380 people were detained for speaking out against the war in public protests, in publications on the internet, and in other demonstrations of protest. Between March 5 and July 14, there were 3,303 cases opened under the new Administrative Code Article 20.3.3, which criminalizes "Public actions aimed at discrediting the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation", and is used to punish any form of "anti-war statements either in public spaces or online".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6130
Unknown Vandals Riot in Church and Set Praise Book on Fire
2022-08-02 | On the 2nd of August afternoon, unknown perpetrator(s) vandalised a church in the Zähringerstraße. The individuals damaged flyers and a praise book with fire, they threw over altar candles and stands and damaged a holy figure. Also, an unknown number of candles were stolen. The police has taken over the investigation of the damage to property and asks for information from witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6140
Vandalised Steps at the Church of Aumetz
2022-08-02 | Steps leading to a secondary exit of the church in Aumetz in Moselle were vandalised - the edge was broken. The vandalic act most probably took place on 2. August.
The town hall has filed a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6460
Religious Objects Looted from Church of St. Mary's Assumption
2022-08-01 | Thieves looted the church of St. Mary's Assumption in Appelhülsen on the 1st of August. They stole three gold-plated metal candle coasters, a copper bird figurine screwed onto the baptismal font, various votive offerings crosses and a metal rod, which was in the hand of a statue of Our Lady. The police in Dülmen are asking for information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6126
Commemorative Plaque For Pastor Oskar Brüsewitz Stolen
2022-08-01 | In the city of Zeitz in front of the church, the memorial plaque for the pastor Oskar Brüsewitz was stolen. The theft was discovered on the 1st of August. The plaque was still attached to the pillar until the 27th of July. According to a witness, a man was seen trying to remove the plaque on the 27th of July in the evening. The witness says the man was disturbed when he was approached. A police investigation is ongoing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6128
Polish Cemetery Desecrated in Piekary Śląskie
2022-07-31 | On the 31 of July, the cemetery in Piekary Slaskie was desecrated by unknown perpetrators. 42 gravestones have been destroyed, the tombstones and crosses were knocked over, and flowers and some crosses were set on fire, according to Łukasz Czepkowski, spokesman for the Baker police. The police are investigating and trying to identify the perpetrators
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6127
Chapel in the Commune of Quistinic Vandalised
2022-07-31 | The Saint-Roch de Kergroix chapel, in the commune of Quistinic in Morbihan, was vandalised on the weekend of 31 July. The two doors of the building were broken into, but no theft was reported in the building. The commune filed a complaint. On the following 2 August, several fires of criminal origin destroyed a hedge in the village of Kerquéré - the mayor recalled the vandalism of the chapel in the local press, where he announced that he would file a complaint following the fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6507
Vandalic attack against church in Maków Mazowiecki
2022-07-30 | On July 30, a woman at St. Joseph's Church in Maków Mazowiecki noticed that a man, most likely under the influence of alcohol, entered the sanctuary. He headed for the side aisle, where there were paintings used in processions, and deliberately kicked them. Under the impact, the paintings fell over. Two of them have damaged frames. The woman tried to stop him, but to no avail; the man left the scene before police officers arrived.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6401
Theft of Relics and a Medieval Statue from a Church in the Manche
2022-07-30 | Relics and a medieval statue probably dating from the 13th century were stolen from the church of Saint-Médard and Saint-Gildard in Crépon in the Manche region in July. On their website, the Friends of the Crépon church give details: "During the month of July 2022, the Crépon church was the target of several thefts perpetrated without breaking and entering and probably in broad daylight. The first targeted relics contained in four reliquaries displayed on secondary altars in the nave and the second a remarkable sculpture, discovered in 2019 during work carried out in the nave of the church, and which was kept in the sacristy, a room which is usually locked."
Relics are sacred objects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6497
"Burn In Hell" Sprayed in the Facade of the Church of Our Lady
2022-07-29 | On the 29. July, the wall of the Church of our Lady in Zurich was found with inscriptions in red paint saying: "Burn in Hell", "Strike Fundamentalists on the Mouth" and an anarchist symbol, along with paint dripped over the staircase. For the time being, the parish staff is not allowed to clean up the graffiti, while the crime is being investigated by the police. The shocked priest said he had never experienced anything like this.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6118
Human Rights Group: Germany's Migration Office Ignores the Persecution of Iranian Christian Converts
2022-07-28 | During a press conference on the 28. July, the "International Gesellschaft für Menschenrechte (IGFM)" reported on the indifference and even bias present in the BAMF (the Migration Office in Germany) in regard to the fate of Iranian Christian converts, who face persecution or even death if deported to Iran. Pastor Dr. Gottfried Martens, an expert on legal practice and deportation procedures recalls how representatives would make fun of the statements of Christian Iranians, he stated that court hearings were "pure gambling". Many Iranian converts shared their hardships and disappointing experiences with the german authorities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6113
Liturgical Organ and Music Equipment Stolen During the Day
2022-07-28 | On 28. July, the Norman councillor discovered that the liturgical organ and the sound equipment of the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste were stolen in Omonville la Rogue. A complaint was filed with the Police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6143
New Report: Christian converts from Islam are unprotected in Europe
2022-07-28 | A new report by the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ) reveals the persecution that European Muslims who convert to Christianity face. It also sheds light on the fact that the rights and freedoms of people who wish to leave the Islam religion are not adequately protected. According to the report "it is difficult and more generally dangerous for a Muslim to leave his religion" in France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6265
Church in Heilbad Heiligenstadt Vandalised in the Middle of the Night
2022-07-28 | Unknown persons vandalised a church in Heilbad Heiligenstadt on 28 July. "Between 1 and 5.30 p.m., unidentified persons vented their destructive rage in the St. Martin's Church on the church square in the old town. The perpetrators had tagged several pillars, spilled candle wax on the floor and broken a glass vase and a basin of the holy water dispenser. The stone staircase was also damaged by the vandals. The police have launched an investigation and an appeal for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6513
Attempted Arson at St. Nicholas Church in Knokke-Heist
2022-07-28 | Destroyed by arson in 2013 already and then rebuilt, the St. Nicholas Church in Westkapelle, a section of the Flemish municipality of Knokke-Heist on the Dutch border, was set on fire on 28. July. Passers-by noticed smoke coming from the church. They went inside and noticed that the candle stand was burnt out. The fire was quickly extinguished and an investigation was launched - which points to vandalism by teenagers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6517
Anti-Christian Taggs Painted on 16th Century Church
2022-07-26 | In Matera, unknown vandals defaced the 16th Century Church of the Immaculate Conception with anti-Christian phrases. The Pisticci administration announced: "This time it is an even more serious act because it has hit one of the symbolic assets of our historical-artistic heritage, certainly among the most beautiful and important in our country." The municipal administration reported the act to the authorities and asked citizens to help in identify the ones responsible. One of the inscriptions said "F*ck your God" or "Son of a *?"
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6109
Tourist Ransacks Basilica of Boulogne-sur-Mer
2022-07-26 | On the 26. July at night, a US-American tourist ransacked the Basilica of Boulogne-sur-Mer. In the pictures posted by the police on Twitter one can see benches were knocked down, statues broken on the ground, the altar was ransacked and other sacred objects were damaged. The man was arrested by the local police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6112
The statue of Our Lady of Beauraing set on fire
2022-07-26 | The statue of Our Lady of Beauraing in Kanfen, a commune in the Moselle region near the Luxembourg border and Dudelange, has been vandalised on 26. July - unknown persons have burnt it. The previous statue in the same oratory was stolen outright, and was made of bronze.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6502
Profanation of a Roadside Shrine in Przemyśl
2022-07-25 | During the night of July 25-26, a shrine with a statue of the Virgin Mary was profaned in the district of Przemyśl, in Poland.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6404
Vandals Damage Monheim Church with Fire
2022-07-24 | On the 24. July, unknown perpetrators set fire to a church in Monheim am Rhein. The incident was discovered by a church employee, who noticed in the evening that all candles were on the altar and behind the altar had been lit. They also found lit pieces of paper and matches on the floor that left burn marks. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6108
Break-In Attempt In Monastery Church
2022-07-24 | According to the police, an attempt was made to break open the entrance door of Schönau Monastery Church between Saturday evening and Sunday morning. As the church door was unlocked on Sunday morning, the damaged lock was found on the floor. However, the unknown perpetrators did not get inside the church. Damage amounting to about 150 euros was caused.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6111
Anti-Christian Symbols Graffitied on Walls of the Catholic Church of St. Bartholomäus
2022-07-24 | The Church of St. Bartholomew in Zeiskam was damaged by unknown perpetrators on the 24. July with anti-Christian and obscene tags. One can see photos of the exterior façade defaced with red paint spray. Some of the symbols are an inverted cross, a star inside a circle (a witchery symbol) and a penis. The St. Bartholomew's Church Foundation has filed a complaint with the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6114
A Man Interrupts The Holy Mass Shouting and Hits A Parishioner
2022-07-24 | On Sunday 24. July, a 25-year-old resident of Chambourcy was arrested after he seriously disrupted a Holy Mass in the church of Saint-Germain, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Yvelines). The man, who happened to be Muslim interrupted the celebration by shouting and calling the parishioners "hypocrites" and "shitty Christians". As a parishioner approached him to ask him to leave, the man hit him with a headbutt and knocked out two of his teeth.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6505
Several attempts of Arson to Church in Mengen
2022-07-23 | On the days around the 23. July, several cases of attempted arson took place in the Liebfrauenkirche in Mengen. Easily combustible objects were set on fire several times inside the church by unidentified perpetrators. According to the police, there was a danger that the fire would spread to the furnishings, but fortunately, the fires went out by themselves. The criminal investigation department in Sigmaringen is looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6101
Perpetrators Desecrate and Rob Saint-François-d'Assise Church
2022-07-23 | The church of Saint-François-d'Assise in Perpignan was desecrated on the 23. July in the afternoon by a group of vandals. The perpetrators ransacked the church and the sacristry, they threw the consecrated hosts to the ground and attempted to set fire to a statue of the Virgin Mary and dried flowers. They also broke the safe and looted the little money that was in the church from offerings and donations. The police is investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6116
Church of Saint Francis of Assisi in Perpignan Desecrated and Profaned
2022-07-23 | A "gang of young people" desecrated the church of Saint Francis of Assisi in Perpignan on 23 July, stealing the ciborium, throwing the consecrated hosts to the ground and attempting to set fire to a statue of the Virgin Mary. A "gang of young people" desecrated the church of Saint Francis of Assisi in Perpignan on 23 July, stealing the ciborium, throwing the consecrated hosts to the ground and attempting to set fire to a statue of the Virgin Mary. On the day of the crime, the church had remained open as usual, but now it is closed outside of services," says Marc Olivier, the parishioner who discovered the scene of desolation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6515
Repeated Arson to Church in Landshut
2022-07-22 | A burning pew with a strong smoke development in the new parish church of St. Margaret in Landshut caused much damage to the church. Since this is not the first incident of this kind in the recent past in the parish church of St. Margaret, and an accident or spontaneous combustion can be ruled out at this point, it must be assumed to all appearances that the fire was caused by arson. The police have started an investigation on the spot.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6095
Attempted Arson in Weißenau Church
2022-07-22 | The Ravensburg Criminal Investigation Department is investigating attempted arson after an unknown person apparently tried to set fire to a wooden door of the church of St. Peter and Paul in Weißenau on 22. July.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6096
Expert Identifies Religious Illiteracy among UK Elected Officials
2022-07-22 | During an interview with the Christian Institute, Dr. James Holt, Chair of the Freedom Declared Foundation, said that there is a lack of religious literacy among some elected officials in the UK. He noted that at the recent International Conference on Freedom of Religion and Belief in London, the issue seemed to be addressed mainly as a foreign policy issue and not a domestic concern. He considers that "much more needs to be done" to counter anti-religious hatred in the UK and secure religious freedom.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6105
Vandals Attack Church of of San Michele in Lucca
2022-07-22 | On the 22nd of July, the church of San Michele in Lucca was attacked by vandals. Someone destroyed a piece made of stone which framed the door on the right side of the church and scattered the pieces on the steps of the church. The parish priest, Don Lucio Malanca lodged a complaint with the police. He also found shattered glass on the floor from a bottle he believes was used to scratch the marble.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6120
Attempted Break-In Into St. Alexander Church
2022-07-22 | Between the 21st and 22nd of July, unknown perpetrators tried to break in into the St. Alexander Church in Wallenhorst but were not successful. The perpetrators tampered with the door lock, an antique stained glass at the side entrance of the church and at the back of the devotional chapel, and left all places damaged. The police are looking for witnesses for more information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6133
A Moroccan man breaks into Zaragoza's Basilica del Pillar shouting "Allah is great"
2022-07-22 | A Moroccan man was arrested in Zaragoza, after breaking into the Basilica del Pilar in Zaragoza shouting: "Allah is great, he is the only true God, yours is false and you are infidels".The young man also threw a copy of the Qurʾan into the church and left then left. He was later arrested by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6416
Theft and Vandalism at the Church of Pleumeur-Gautier
2022-07-21 | The church in Pleumeur-Gautier (Côtes-d'Armor) has been the target of acts of vandalism and theft on the 21st of July. Candles were lit on the altar, which could have caused a fire and other objects were stolen. The mayor, Pierrick Gouronnec, visited the church to see the damages. The Gendarmerie Brigade is currently doing an investigation and the church has been put under increased surveillance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6110
Death Threats Sent to Priest in Sevilla
2022-07-21 | The priest of the municipality of Camas in Sevilla, Pedro José Rodriguez Molina, received a note with death threats on the 21. July. The note said "Ardereis como en el 36" (You will burn like in 36) and "Cloro al clero" (Chlorine to the clergy). The priest posted the note on his social media profile.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6390
Saint Clément Church in Nantes Tagged with LGBT Slogan
2022-07-21 | A tag with a LGBT slogan was drawn on a pillar of the Saint Clément church in Nantes during the night of 21-22 July.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6501
Liturgical Tablecloths Stolen From Church's Altar
2022-07-20 | At the Holy Conception parish in Civitavecchia, a 51-year-old man stole the liturgical tablecloths from the church's altar. The cloths disappeared around the 20th of July, but the thief was tracked down by the police with help of security cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6082
Minors Reported For Several Damages To Churches
2022-07-19 | The doors and windows of the churches in the area of Portomaggiore have been smashed by teenage vandals in the time of April and May. This has been reported on the 19th of July, as the carabinieri identified four minors. The crimes include breaking doors, glass windows, walls and air conditioners. The carabinieri opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6078
Church Window Smashed With Stones in Austria
2022-07-19 | Between July 10 and 19, unknown vandals smashed two windows in the parish of St. Paul in Klein. The perpetrators threw stones at the windows, creating a total of five holes distributed over the panes' surface. The total amount of the property damage has not been assessed yet but, according to the police, it is estimated to be around several thousand euros, since "these are very old and colorful stained glass panes".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6085
Crowns Stolen From Our Lady of Grace Painting
2022-07-19 | In the Church of San Rocco in Santa Croce sull'Arno, the silver crowns that rested on the heads of the image of Our Lady of Grace and the Baby Jesus were stolen by unknown perpetrators. The incident took place on the 19. July and the police are investigating. The vandals also damaged the altar and stained the tablecloth with their footprints.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6088
Unidentified Women Smear the Facade of Church of St. Agostino
2022-07-18 | The facade of St. Agostino's Church, located in via Principi D'Acaja, was smeared with writings by perpetrators who were unaware of the security cameras in the vicinity. Thanks to the surveillance system the police were able to identify those responsible for damaging the church. Federico Battel, the commander of the Municipal Police of Pinerolo, disclosed that "we are talking about some girls, probably adults, from the shooting we recognize the faces well, now we are working to trace the names and surnames. Subsequently, we will proceed to report for damage and the costs of the restoration will also be charged".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6069
Update: Grandmother Fined for Praying on the Street Wins Her Appeal
2022-07-18 | Rosa Lalor, who on the 24th of February of 2021 was fined for praying silently on the public street, and later decided to challenge the sanction, won her appeal. At the time, the police considered that she did not have a "reasonable excuse" to be outside, even though she explained that she was simply "walking and praying" and that daily exercise was allowed. She received a fine of £200 and was then detained in the police car. Rosa Lalor decided to challenge the fine, with the help of ADF UK and won the case in court.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6073
Authorities Confirmed Arson to Church in Lessen
2022-07-18 | On the early evening of July 18, two people attending the church in Leezen noticed smoke building up in the rear area of the church and alerted the authorities. According to the police's preliminary investigations, a box with candles was lit on fire inside the church, deeming this case an "attempted serious arson". However, the extent of the damage caused could not be assessed yet. The police are looking for witnesses who might have seen people acting suspiciously on the church grounds. The arson motive was confirmed later on.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6079
Mayoral Candidate Fired for Voicing Christian Beliefs
2022-07-18 | A Christian mayoral candidate for Lewisham, Maureen Martin, has launched legal action after being sacked for her statement on Christian beliefs about marriage in her election manifesto. She was dismissed by her housing association employer L&Q for "gross misconduct" following three complaints of "hate speech" against her, as she expressed her belief that a marriage between a man and a woman was a "fundamental building block in society" and the "safest environment to raise a child".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6091
Destruction of Crucifix in Płoty
2022-07-18 | Unknown perpetrators have destroyed the missionary crucifix located at the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Sorrows in Płoty. The investigation found that the act of devastation was carried out between July 18 and 20.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6402
Window Smashed with Stone in parish of St. Andreas
2022-07-17 | Unknown persons broke a window of the rectory of St. Andrew's parish on the night of 17 and 18 July. The sexton of the parish noticed the damage early Sunday morning and the stone that was used was found in the room behind it. The damaged window faces the Andreasplatz, but there was no intrusion into the premises. The police started an investigation and are looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6055
Vandalism in St. Martini Cemetery
2022-07-17 | A citizen reported to the police that four benches had been thrown into the pond at St. Martini cemetery in Stadthagen. It is not yet known if the benches were damaged by this act, nor who threw them into the water. The police are investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6056
Repeated Property Damage in the Catholic Church in Dierdorf
2022-07-17 | Between July 16 and 17, a glazed door of a Catholic Church was destroyed by unknown people. During the previous week, another attack took place in the same church, in which unknown perpetrators destroyed a stained glass window. Both cases were reported to the police who opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6067
Three Vandals Break-In in Church, Steal Religious Objects and Ring Church Bells
2022-07-17 | During the night between the 16th and 17th of July, three young people, aged 20, 21, and 25, broke into a church in the Świebodzin Commune, while under the influence of alcohol. They entered the church by breaking the padlock and, inside, stole the chalice, cyborium, and message boxes, worth a little over 400 euros. However, according to the police, after leaving the church building, they left the stolen objects in the bushes and entered the bell tower, rang the bells and hence woke up the town residents. The perpetrators were identified and detained by the police. They were charged with "theft with burglary" and can face up to 10 years in prison.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6086
Group of Young Men Harassed and Humiliated Priest
2022-07-17 | Bishop Halko in the city of Pohoda was attacked by a group of drunken young men, who broke bottles, banged on his cabin, and soaked him with water before other people who laughed at the scene. The incident took place during the night and was reported on 17.07.2022. The priest also recalls that the people shouted at him with insults and hung an LGBT Flag on his cottage. It seems that the group attacked the priest after he had expressed his opinion regarding the LGBT movement on TV.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6217
Walls of Roman Pantheon Sprayed With The Words "Aliens Exist"
2022-07-16 | Unknown vandals sprayed blue paint graffiti on the outer facade of the nearly 1900-year-old Roman Pantheon, where it could be read "aliens exist". As the area outside the Pantheon is not under complete surveillance, the security cameras were not useful to help find the culprits. However, the case was reported to the police who immediately launched an investigation. The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved buildings from Roman antiquity and experts are working on removing the paint from its walls.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6052
Ukraine: Orthodox Priests Tortured By Russian Forces
2022-07-16 | Dymytrij Rudyuk, the Lviv Metropolitan of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OKU), accused the Russian army and the Moscow Patriarch Cyril of being responsible for torturing Ukrainian Orthodox priests. In an interview, he claimed that "the majority of OKU priests had to flee the Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. Those who stayed are often tortured. Five Orthodox priests were shot and a priest-monk was cruelly tortured to death".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6059
Evangelical Church Signs Targeted By Vandals
2022-07-16 | The Protestant Gethsemane Church in Berlin-Prenzlauer-Berg was vandalised (again) by unknown perpetrators. The police announced on Thursday that unknown persons graffitied the display case at the church in Stargarder Straße in the night from 15 to 16 July and damaged several posters on various political topics. The police is looking for witnesses for the investigation. In the past, the church has repeatedly been the target of attacks in which, among other things, posters with political content were destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6087
Two Men Detained For Stealing Sacred Objects from Chapel
2022-07-15 | On July 15, two men, aged 28 and 29, suspected of having broken into a chapel in the Brody commune were detained by the police. In addition to the break-in, they stole liturgical objects worth nearly 500 euros, which the police were able to recover.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6076
Swedish Church Vandalized With Swastikas and Penises
2022-07-15 | During the night between July 15 and 16, unknown perpetrators vandalized Rydboholm's church in Borås with swastikas, penises, and the word 'Hitler'. The security company was the first to notice the graffiti on the church's facade. When Pastor Sven-Erik Olsson arrived at the church, he noticed how much worse the case actually was: "There is graffiti on windows, on doors, flower pots and even on the stone stairs in front of the gate. It's outrageous, it's the whole community's church". The police were alerted and are looking into the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6077
Three Men Vandalize Church and Heavily Beat up Passing Witness
2022-07-15 | On the 15. July during the night, a 60-year-old restaurant chef witnessed how 3 men were vandalizing the St. Augustine Church in the centre of Cagliari and reprimanded the perpetrators to stop throwing bottles at the church. The three men then attacked him, beating him up and spraying pepper spray on him. The victim was taken to the hospital, he had three broken ribs and a chest injury. The police identified one of the perpetrators through the victim`s testimony and surveillance cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6092
Perpetrators Break Into Church in Seguro Damaging Doors
2022-07-14 | On the 14th of July, unknown perpetrators broke into the parish of Seguro. Apparently, the burglars did not steal anything but they damaged the entrance door structures by breaking in.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6050
Lithuanian Orthodox Clergy Asks The State To Stop Interfering In Church Affairs
2022-07-13 | Following the Russian occupation of Ukraine, a group of the clergy of the Lithuanian Orthodox Church started to work to introduce the Patriarchate of Constantinople into the country. The Lithuanian Orthodox Church is recognized as having canonical jurisdiction in Lithuania, which has caused animosity towards Orthodox Christians. Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė and other Lithuanian authorities openly supported this initiative to move the jurisdiction to the Patriarchate of Constantinople. In response to this, the Lithuanian Orthodox clergy and faithful appealed to President Gitanas Nausėda to stop meddling in Church matters.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6064
Several Burglaries of Sacred Objects and Damage in Several Churches
2022-07-12 | Since the end of June, there have been three similar burglaries targeting valuables from churches and chapels, in the Main-Rhön region. In the three cases, the perpetrators broke into the buildings and, according to the police, stole "whatever was possible". They took valuables such as gold-plated candlesticks, host bowls, and cash from the offering boxes. Additionally, and overall, the thieves caused property damage amounting to 2100 euros. Due to the similarities between the cases, the police believe the crimes are related.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6034
Consecrated Hosts and Sacred Objects Stolen From Church of San Giorgio
2022-07-11 | The priest of the church of San Giorgio, Don William Maggioni, discovered on the morning of the 11. July that two pyxes, containing hosts inside, were missing from the tabernacle behind the altar. The burglars also forced the tabernacle of the altar of the Madonna open, which was found empty. In addition, the golden crown of St. Valentine was robbed as well. Don William alerted the police who started an investigation to find the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6038
Windows of Karthaus Monastery Smashed
2022-07-11 | Between July 9 and 10, unknown vandals broke and damaged several windows at the Karthaus monastery. It is suspected that minors threw balls and gravel at the windows, breaking them as a result. The case was reported to the police who are looking for witnesses to identify the perpetrators. The police stated that this kind of damage caused to church buildings is "no trivial offence", and called on parents from the area to talk to their children about it. Since this is not the first vandalistic attack against a church in the vicinity, the police added that they will be more present and vigilant in the area.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6041
Burglary and Break-In into Church
2022-07-11 | On July 11, unknown burglars broke into a church on Meislahnstrasse. After entering the building they broke a room's door and searched it, however it is not yet clear if they stole anything. The police were alerted and are investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6043
Free Evangelical Churches Appeal Against Ban On Baptisms In Public Beaches
2022-07-11 | Two free evangelical churches have appealed to the Geneva Court due to the denial of their requests to perform baptisms on public beaches. On July 8, the Swiss canton of Geneva banned baptisms organized by evangelical churches in Lake Geneva, but the same baptisms are allowed in Vaud, an area that covers the northern shore of the Lake. The Swiss Evangelical Alliance wrote in a media release that they were shocked that Geneva, the human rights capital, would take such a "restrictive and exclusionary approach to religious freedom".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6063
Vandals Destroy Organ, Vandalize and Rob Pilgrimage Church
2022-07-10 | Between the 9. and 10. July, unknown vandals broke into the pilgrimage church "Maria Hilf", in the city of Batzhausen, and stole 30 organ pipes and 16 gold-plated candlesticks. According to the police, the damage caused by the burglary amounts to 24,000 euros. Unfortunately, they did not stop here and caused even greater property damages: they broke the church doors open and ripped out the organ pipes, causing damage that adds up to 40,000 euros. It seems like the organ was in fact destroyed, it is unclear if it is possible to repair it or not.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6019
Window Smashed by Vandals in St. Stephen's Church
2022-07-10 | On July 10, unknown people smashed the window pane of St. Stephen's Church. Traces of blood were found at the scene meaning the perpetrators injured themselves by breaking the window. The motive is not clear since nothing was missing from the church. The case was reported to the police who launched an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6020
Window Smashed in St. Michael's Church
2022-07-10 | Between the morning of July 9 and the morning of the 10th, unknown people broke the ground-level window of St. Michael's Church, causing material damage that amounts to 300 euros. It appears that the frame was kicked with a foot which caused the pane to break. The police was alerted and are now looking for witnesses who might have information on the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6021
Church's Entrance Door and Façade Sprayed with Graffiti
2022-07-10 | On the 10th of July, unknown vandals sprayed the entrance door and a wooden shed of a church with two white paint graffiti inscriptions. The property damage caused has not been assessed yet but the police have been alerted and are looking into the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6022
Church Facade Smeared With Hateful Symbols and Writings
2022-07-10 | During the night of July 10, unknown vandals damaged the facade of the evangelical church in Moers with hateful red tags. The sexton could not make sense of the writings left by the vandals. He believes this act was meant to target the church, although he was "not sure if the perpetrators even knew that this is a Protestant church". The writings included the words "Pontifex" and "F*ck Masonry", among others. The case was reported to the police who handed the investigation over to State Security, due to the possibility of the attack having a political background.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6036
Serbian Orthodox Cemetery Desecrated in Mostar
2022-07-10 | During the night of July 10, an Orthodox cemetery was desecrated in the Bosnian city of Mostar. Writings on the walls of the cemetery contained threats against Serbs, leading them to report fearing for their safety. This attack was reported to the police and to the Ministry of Internal Affairs by Archpriest Nebojša Radić.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6039
Serbian Cemetery in Mostar Tagged with Hateful Graffiti
2022-07-10 | During the night of 9-10 August, unknown perpetrators vandalised the walls of the Serbian cemetery in Vikhovitchi, Mostar, and wrote on them Ustasha symbols and threats in Croatian against Serbs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6478
A Church Window in Vöhringen was Vandalised
2022-07-09 | Between the 9th and 10th of July an individual kicked out a window of the church in Vöhringen, causing €300 of damage. An appeal for witnesses has been launched.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6490
Church in Innsbruck Vandalized by Two Teenage Girls
2022-07-08 | On the 8th of July, two young girls, aged between 12 and 15, vandalized a church located on Innsbruck's Spingeser Strasse. According to the police report, the two "destroyed bibles, candles, and sacrificial box candle jars". They further shattered flower pots, ripped seat cushions from the benches, and threw a statue from a pedestal. The total amount of the damages caused has not been accessed yet, but the case was reported to the police who started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6011
Parish Break-In Attempt Causes Damage to Door
2022-07-08 | On July 8, an unknown burglar tried to break into the Grafenau parish church. A sacristan found this out when he attempted to lock the church door and was not able to because the lock had been damaged. According to the investigations, the burglar tried to pry open the door, eventually succeeding, but he left the scene without taking anything. The police are investigating to find the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6012
Sacred Objects Stolen From Church in Fulda
2022-07-08 | On July 8, unknown thieves broke into the Catholic Church of St. Joseph and searched the rooms inside the building. They stole several sacred objects, "including a crucifix, monstrance, and chalice", causing a still unknown amount of property damage. The case was reported to the police who opened an investigation to find the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6018
Spain: First Fines For Praying Outside Abortion Clinics
2022-07-07 | After the law that criminalizes pro-life activism outside abortion clinics entered into force, the first fines have been issued. One of the fined people was a woman that claims to have received a letter from the Government Delegation, stating that she was fined 600 euros for allegedly "organizing an illegal gathering". A young man also received a fine of 600 euros simply for praying the Rosary on his knees outside an abortion facility. The Christian Lawyers have promptly offered legal assistance to these people, claiming they intend to fight these accusations in court and have no intention of paying the fines.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6032
Radical Left Group Attacks Procession of San Fermín
2022-07-07 | On July 7, during the procession of San Fermín in Pamplona, a group linked to the nationalist radical left, carrying slogans such as "hypocrites out" and "you will go to hell", attacked the procession that was already returning to church. They mainly targeted the politicians, spitting, booing, and using physical violence against the mayor and his entourage. Moreover, the attack also exhibited a Christianophobic character.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6033
Attempted Arson on Church in Montchanin
2022-07-07 | It was a passer-by who saw the smoke coming out of the church. An attempted arson attack on the church in Montchanin, was foiled on 7 July. An investigation has been opened. "The Creusot fire brigade was called to the church in Montchanin late on Thursday morning. The fire had been set in a bookcase. The fire was quickly stopped and fortunately did not spread. The first investigations of the gendarmes assumes that another fire had been set, namely in a flowerpot".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6504
1000 Theft of Electronic Devices From Church
2022-07-06 | Between July 3 and 6, a church located on Landauer Strasse was broken into by unknown thieves. They entered a meeting room and stole electronic devices, causing damages estimated at 1000 euros. The police were alerted and are looking for clues and witnesses to find the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6003
Plants in Churchyard Damaged by Vandals
2022-07-06 | On the 6th of July, the parishioners of the Consolation church noticed the damage caused to some plants in the churchyard and Don Santo Salamone reported the case to a newspaper. Unknown people damaged a small green area that has been under the care of citizens, members of the brotherhood, and the Lycopean parish.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6005
Candle Cylinder Stolen From Church
2022-07-06 | On the 6th of July, when an employee from the church was on his way to lock the building, he noticed that a candle cylinder and its contents from a brass stand were missing from the Basilica of St. Martin. Using the surveillance system he determined that a theft had taken place, but the identity of the perpetrators is still unknown. The case was reported to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6008
Vandals Pour Sugar From Food Donations Into Holy Water
2022-07-05 | Between the evening of July 4 and the morning of July 5, unknown vandals poured a kilo of sugar into the Holy Water font of the Church of St. Joseph. The sugar was taken from the pantry with food donations in Lindlar - the baskets had been put up in the Church for a while so donators can place the food there. This has not been the first distasteful prank taking place in the Church of St. Joseph in recent months. Heinz Otto Höher says, even though nothing was stolen "we want to know who is behind it", now considering installing a surveillance system in the church, to avoid the recurrence of similar cases. Nonetheless, a good thing came out of this bad situation: "After it became known in Kirchdorf, we received numerous food donations that more than compensate for the loss of sugar".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6004
Polish Graves in Belarus Profanated by Belarusian Authorities
2022-07-05 | The headquarters of the Home Army Polish soldiers who died in 1944 was destroyed by Belarusian authorities. None of the 22 crosses that stood on the memorial remain standing. Nasz Dziennik, the government plenipotentiary for Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad, considered this vandalistic act a provocation to escalate the relations between Poland and Belarus, fearing that this might only be a "prelude to further disgusting acts of provocation". He added that the Belarusian regime means to distance itself from the family of European Christian States, but that the desecration of the graves and destruction of the memorial site will be received with equal indignation both by Poles in Belarus and by Belarusians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6006
Destruction of Another Roadside Shrine in Sowina
2022-07-05 | On the night of July 5-6, unknown perpetrators destroyed a roadside shrine located in the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Sowina. In the roadside chapel of Przymiarki, the glass of the enclosure in which the statue of the Virgin Mary is placed was broken. Flower pots were also knocked over.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6403
Wipperfürth: Church Vandalised Several Times within Three Months
2022-07-05 | During the night of 4-5 July, a kilo of sugar "taken" from the donations of the faithful to the solidarity grocery shop of St. Joseph's in Wipperfürth, was emptied into one of the church's holy water fonts.
Parish members report that this is (at least) the third case of vandalism in a few months, the Easter candle and the church's sound system having been damaged in the past.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6510
News: New EU Commissioner for Religious Freedom Appointed
2022-07-04 | The Italian Mario Mauro was appointed the new EU Commissioner for Religious Freedom after the position was vacant for 9 months, ever since the previous Commissioner, Stylianides, resigned. Before Stylianide's appointment, the post was vacant for 10 months, which indicates that it is not a priority for the European Commission. It only attempted to fill the vacancy after some politicians, and other figures pressed the issue.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6061
Pitsmore Christ Church in Burngreave Fell Victim to Suspected Arson, No Services Available
2022-07-04 | Pitsmore Christ Church in Burngreave, a district of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, is no longer able to hold services after being damaged in a fire on the night of 3 to 4 July.
The authorities and the parish consider the fire to be arson. An investigation has been launched.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6493
Theft of Hosts and Sacred Object from Church in Baigts-de-Béarn
2022-07-03 | The parish of Baigts-de-Béarn reports the theft of hosts and a monstrance offered by the Empress Eugénie during the reign of Napoleon III (1851-1870) from the parish during a burglary on the night of 2 to 3 July. The door of the sacristy was broken open and "88 hosts in two boxes" were stolen, among other sacred objects.
It is important to not that the Hosts are the most holy for Catholics because they embody the real presence of Christ. They are often stolen by Satanists to perform satanic rituals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6498
Security fencing shall stop church vandals
2022-07-01 | Due to repeated vandalism and criminal damage the local council has been forced to install fencing and warning signs around All Saints Church in Ridgmont, Bedfordshire. Furthermore, the area around the church is now patrolled by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7992
Historic Crown Stolen From German Church
2022-06-30 | Unknown thieves stole a historic 17th-century crown from a church in Weikersheim. According to the information provided by the police, the thieves also stole two cable drums from the church. The total amount of the valuables stolen is in the five-digit range. It was the 3rd reported theft at the church only in the month of June and the police "are examining a connection between the crimes". In the previous thefts, the unknown perpetrators stole construction equipment and building materials.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5997
2,000 Euros of Property Damage in St. Pantaleon Church
2022-06-29 | On the 29th of June, between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., unknown people entered the church of St. Pantaleon in Walpertshofen and vandalized it. First, they damaged the entrance door of the church and inside tore a tile out of the wall. Then, they ripped out the pages from the hymn and prayer books and scattered them through the church. The vandals continued to damage the church by lighting candles and spreading the wax on the floor and on the pews, in addition to knocking over chairs and flowers. They fled the scene leaving significant property damage behind, which is estimated to amount to 2,000 euros. The case was reported to the police who started an investigation to find the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5995
Ancient Christian Cemetery Desecrated, Human Remains Scattered
2022-06-29 | On June 29, an ancient Christian cemetery was found desecrated by local Christians. The graves were damaged, human remains were found scattered, and funerary objects were discovered tarnished across the cemetery complex. It is believed that the perpetrators acted with a bad intention, considering that June 29 is a day dedicated to "the liturgical memory of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, to whom the cemetery chapel was dedicated upon its construction in 1967". The fact that this location was targeted specifically at this time appears to be with the aim of maximizing the impact on local Christians. The vandalistic case was reported to the police and the local Christians hope that they find the vandals and bring them to justice.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6009
Calls For Buffer Zone at Abortion Clinic in Bournemouth
2022-06-28 | The abortion clinic in Bournemouth has been calling for a buffer zone around the facility, due to the daily vigils outside the clinic that have been taking place over the years, in order to prevent pro-life protesters from approaching the women going to the clinic, as well as the staff that works there. Rachel Clarke, from the mentioned clinic, said "[Bournemouth] is one of the worst-hit clinics in the country". A buffer zone could undermine the freedom of assembly and freedom of speech of pro-life activists.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5989
Catholic Church in Leubsdorf Sprayed with Graffiti
2022-06-28 | According to the Leubsdorf police, between June 23 and 28, unknown vandals daubed and sprayed the catholic church building with black paint graffiti and by smearing it with rowan berries. The police were alerted and are looking for witnesses to help them identify the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5993
Attempted Arson in the Cathedral of Malaga
2022-06-28 | On the night of the 28th of June, an unknown person attempted to set a fire in the Cathedral of Malaga, by placing flammable liquid in the corners of the old wooden door. Fortunately, it did not produce the outcome desired and did not cause any significant damages thanks to the rapid action of young people who called the emergency services. The only visible damages were on the door jambs, "in which the stone and wood have been blackened". The police opened an investigation and started analyzing the surveillance cameras to find the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5996
Spain: "Trans Law" Approved, Restricts Parental Rights and Free Speech
2022-06-27 | On the 27th of June, the Spanish Cabinet approved the so-called 'trans law', despite controversy. Now it goes to the Spanish Parliament "where an intense debate is expected". According to the government, the purpose of this law is "to advance in the depathologisation of transsexuality and gender self-determination". The law has been criticized, as it criminalizes content that questions the trans ideology, including anything that might be understood as "conversion therapy", and it undermines parental rights.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6000
Religious Objects Looted from Church of Caniac-du-Causse
2022-06-26 | Between June 20 and 26, the Reliquary of St. Namphaise was stolen from the church of Caniac-du-Causse, along with several other valuable objects, such as the ciborium containing the consecrated hosts. Father Michel Cambon, Chancellor of the Diocese of Cahors, was the one who noticed the theft and alerted the police, who started investigating. It is the 14th church of the vicinity reported looted, in only a few months.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5983
Anti-Christian Tags on Church, Statue of the Virgin and War Memorial
2022-06-26 | Unknown vandals tagged the walls of the church of Saint-Martin-duTouch, the statue of the Virgin, and the war memorial with insulting writings. On the wall of the bell tower, they wrote "fuck Jesus", and on the Statue of the Virgin obscene writings and signatures were found. Jean-Jacques Bolzan, the neighborhood mayor and deputy mayor of Toulouse said this was a severe attack and commented: "with our CCTV cameras, I hope we can identify the authors of these tags. Of course, we will not stop there".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5985
Man Sets Fire to Church to Prevent His Wife From Making Donations
2022-06-26 | In the city of St. Petersburg, on June 26, a man decided to set a fire to the Church of Saint Basil the Great, after having an argument with his wife about the amount of money she donated to this congregation. According to a Russian newspaper "He always worked, they have four children and his wife works in the church. Everything he earned, she took to the temple. That's why they had a conflict".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5999
Evangelical Christian Preacher, Hatun Tash, arrested again at Speakers’ Corner
2022-06-26 | The evangelical Christian preacher and member of the Free Speech Union, Hatun Tash, was arrested on the 26th of June, at Speakers’ Corner. It was her third arrest in two years. Apparently, she was dragged by a group of police officers, who took her to the police station, "strip-searched, interviewed, kept overnight in a cell and then released without charge". She was released the next day, interestingly, on the 150th anniversary of Speakers’ Corner.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6007
Unknown Perpetrator Destroyed a Shrine in Gogołów
2022-06-26 | On June 26th, an unknown perpetrator destroyed the chapel of Jesus Crucified in Gogołów. The perpetrator smashed the statue of Christ hanging on the cross and destroyed the fence of the shrine.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6410
Priest's Car and House Vandalised
2022-06-26 | The French Observatory reported that individuals kicked in the bottom of the door of a priest's house. The priest, Abbé Guépin, who lives in the rue d'Allonville, also recalled that on the night of 23 to 24 June, his car was also attacked. The perpetrators broke into the car and stole two bags, one of which contained objects to celebrate a baptism and communion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6481
Man Arrested for Repeatedly Smashing Stained Glass Windows of Churches in Leipzig Area
2022-06-24 | A 38-year-old man was arrested in early July after he was linked to the destruction of stained glass windows in an evangelical church in Stötteritz, Leipzig on 24 June - two windows were smashed with cobble stones causing 15,000 euros worth of damage. The police are trying to link him to two other stained-glass windows destroyed in two Leipzig churches, one of which was St Thomas.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6491
Wooden Cross Set on Fire in Riccall Church
2022-06-24 | An arson attack took place at the St. Mary's Church in Riccall on Friday 24. June. A wooden cross that was attached to the front entrance of the church was set on fire and destroyed. Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime, as the religious symbol was directly targeted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6511
Another Arson Against the St. Nikolai Church in Caldern
2022-06-23 | On June 23, unidentified young vandals set fire to the altar bible at the St. Nikolai Church in Caldern. Because of the massive damage caused by the fire, the Church will remain temporarily closed. This is the second time that the church has been targeted by arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6656
Update! Sweden: Liberal Party Wants To Ban the Establishment of New Religious Independent Schools
2022-06-22 | The Liberal Swedish Party wants to completely ban denominational independent schools, within the framework of the Swedish school system. Previously, they intended to block the opening of new religious schools but now they claim that the existing ones should also be closed in the next term. The chairman of the Christian Free School Council, Jan Rosman, says this "would definitely be a violation of religious freedom".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5958
Church Windows Smashed in Leipzig Once Again
2022-06-22 | Between the evening of June 22 and the morning of the 23rd, unknown vandals threw paving stones at a total of three church windows in Leipzig. The total amount of damages is estimated to be around 300 euros. The case was reported to the police and a case was opened to investigate the vandalistic act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5964
Vandal Caught on Church's Surveillance Camera Damaging a Cross
2022-06-22 | On June 22, a surveillance camera of the church of St. Andrzej Bobola recorded a man entering the vestibule of the building, damaging the cross, and then leaving the church. The video was sent to the police, who published a picture of the unknown vandal. They opened an investigation to gather evidence and witnesses who might be able to identify the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5981
Statue of Mary Ripped out and Stolen From German Church
2022-06-21 | The police announced on the 21st of June, that a statue of the Virgin Mary was stolen from the Church of St. Wenzeslaus in Schönsee, by unknown burglars. The statue was apparently ripped out from its attachment to the wall. It is approximately 100 years old, with 75 centimeters, hand-carved, and worth around 5,000 euros. It is not yet known the exact date and time the crime occurred, but the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office is looking into the case in order to find the culprits.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5952
Theft and Property Damage From Lutheran Church
2022-06-21 | Between June 21 and 22, unknown thieves stole a video camera and a microphone from the Lutheran Church. The police were alerted and investigations indicate that the perpetrators allowed themselves to be locked inside the church and then forced open a door to exit the crime scene. The items stolen were worth around 200 euros and the property damage is estimated at around 2000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5965
Attempted Theft in the Church of Santa Maria Monserrato
2022-06-20 | Unidentified thieves attempted to rob the church of Santa Maria Monserrato, in Palermo. In order to enter, they unhinged the iron gate, enabling their access to the church. However, for reasons still unknown, they gave up and abandoned the scene. The case was reported to the police and an investigation is underway.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5951
Bronze Cross Torn Off and Stolen From Fulda Cathedral
2022-06-19 | According to the diocese of Fulda, on the 19th of June, a valuable bronze cross was stolen from the Bonifatius tomb, in the Fulda Cathedral. It appears that the cross was violently torn from its anchorage, which likely damaged it in the process. The theft was reported to the police, which opened an investigation to find the burglars.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5953
Young Boys Caused Fires and Smoke Inside Church
2022-06-18 | On June 18 and 23, two young boys were "playing" with fire in the evangelical church, located on Klosterbergstraße. Fortunately, they didn't cause any considerable damage. On the 18th, they entered the church, in the early evening and it is suspected that they filled the glass candle holders with disinfectant and then lit them on fire. The candle holders withstood the heat, so the fire faded. On June 23, the same young boys went to the church at the end of the afternoon, but on this occasion, they lit a fire under a wooden desk. This time the fire spread a bit, creating a considerable amount of smoke inside the church, but it apparently died on its own. According to preliminary estimates, the material damage caused amounted to several thousand euros. The police were alerted and are now looking for witnesses to identify the young boys.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5980
Attack on Catholic Rectory in Dolice
2022-06-18 | On the night of 18/19. June, there was an attack on the rectory of the Roman Catholic parish of Christ the King in Dolice. The perpetrator destroyed the gates, entrance doors, thermal insulation and facades of the rectory building and garden infrastructure. Death threats were directed toward the priests, and attempts were also made to provoke a riot.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6407
150 Graves desecrated and Crosses Stolen
2022-06-18 | During the night of 17 to 18 of June, the cemetery of Velsy (Eure) was vandalized. Crosses and other objects were stolen from 150 graves, almost the half in the cemetery. The mayor of the village, Annie Lefèvre, and her first deputy Laurent Lucas were on the spot to see the extent of the damage. They have filed a complaint at the gendarmerie.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6509
Church Altar and Organ Smeared With Artificial Snow
2022-06-17 | At the end of June, in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bühren, unknown vandals spreaded artificial snow on the altar, the lectern, the wooden floorboards, and the organ. The parishioners were especially concerned about the organ since it dates back to 1824 and is a listed building. However, a specialist company has examined it and it seems like there is no permanent damage, it will be possible to remove the snow but it will be "at great expense". The guest book was also vandalized with right-wing extremist and unconstitutional symbols. The sheet was removed as the pastor claimed that "such signs have no place in our church". The police were alerted and informed about this vandalistic attack.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6054
Church Doors Glued Together in Marburg
2022-06-16 | On the night between June 15 and 16. June, unidentified vandals glued the locks and the doors of the two entrances to the church of Peter and Paul in Biegenstrasse, blocking its access. A locksmith had to be called to the scene to repair the entrances in order to allow the Corpus Christi service and the procession for this festivity to take place in the church. The police were alerted and started an investigation to find the ones responsible for the vandalistic act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5945
Valuable Objects Stolen from Catholic Church in Germany
2022-06-16 | Between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m., on 16. June, a Catholic Church was broken into by unknown people, who got access to the church through the entrance of the sacristy. They stole several objects, but it has not been clarified yet how many valuables were stolen. Nonetheless, the total damage caused to the property is estimated to be around several thousand euros. The case was reported to the police on the 19th of June, which opened an investigation to find the ones responsible for the burglary.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5946
Satanic Vandalism of Church in Szczecin
2022-06-16 | On the night of June 16-17, an unknown perpetrator committed an act of vandalism on the grounds of the parish of St. James the Apostle in Szczecin. The vandal painted a pentagram symbol on the historic door of the Basilica.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6405
Theft of Money and Religious Objects from Church in Calvi
2022-06-15 | The chapel of Notre-Dame de la Serra was looted during the night of 14 to 15 June in Calvi, in the island of Corsica. The trunks as well as various religious objects (rosaries, pikes) were stolen. The gate, the trunks and the cupboards inside were broken into with a crowbar.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6486
Crucifix Stolen from Calvary in Würselen
2022-06-15 | On 15 June, a cast iron crucifix was stolen from a Calvary in the village of Würselen near Aachen at the intersection of Kaiser and Bissener streets. The police have launched an appeal for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6488
Leaflets in A Church Catch Fire
2022-06-15 | Some leaflets caught fire in the Saint-Jacques church on 15. June during the lunch break in Corne-sur-Loire. The leaflets were located at the entrance of the church building, police are investigating. The fire was quickly brought under control by the fire brigade and did not cause any further damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6503
Jewels and Relics Stolen from a Church in Drogheda
2022-06-14 | A man has been charged with stealing relics and jewels and a crucifix from a monstrance in St Peter's Church in Drogheda, Ireland, on 14 June. The defendant is further accused of damaging the monstrance. He caused 1,000€ worth of damage and is currently in custody.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6462
Catholic Church Vandalized in Helden
2022-06-13 | On June 13, between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. unknown vandals broke into the Catholic Church in Helden, where they vandalized several furnishings and stole the microphone that was on the altar. The property damage is estimated to be in the four-digit euro range. Also, between June 12 and 13, unidentified thieves stole decorations from a grave in the cemetery located behind the church. It is unclear whether these acts were committed by the same perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5928
Loudspeaker stolen from Church in Neustadt
2022-06-13 | On the 13th of June, between 10:00 a.m. and 11 a.m., an unknown thief stole an installed loudspeaker from a church in Neustadt. The theft was reported to the police, who are now looking for the culprit.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5939
17-Year-Old Teenager Guilty of Arson in Church Garden
2022-06-13 | On June 13, a fire was set to a palm tree in the garden of the church of San Leopoldo Mandic, in Padua. The friars reported the case to the police, whose investigations led to the 17-year-old teenager from Ponte San Nicolò, then held responsible for the damage. Fortunately, no significant damage was recorded, apart from that caused to the plant.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5998
Church of Saint Antony of Padua Vandalized
2022-06-12 | During the night, between the 11th and the 12th of June, the church of Sant'Antonio di Padova was the target of an act of vandalism. Unknown people entered the church, by breaking a window, possibly looking to steal money or some valuable items. The vandals did not steal anything, but started drinking inside the church and vandalized it. Consecrated hosts were found scattered on the floor and the tablecloth on the altar had traces of blood. The blood found is suspected to be from one of the thieves who might have been injured while breaking into the church. The case was reported to the police, who started conducting investigations and collected the bloody tablecloth hoping it leads them to the culprits.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5937
Four Ukrainian Churches Harassed and Forced to Close by Russian Soldiers
2022-06-12 | Between June 12 and 16, four Protestant Churches were harassed in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine, by soldiers and officials. Three of the churches are located in the Donetsk region - Central Baptist Church, the Church of Christ the Saviour in Mariupol, and a church in Manhush - and the other one is a church in Vasilievka in the Zaporizhia region. According to Dr. Hyun Sook Foley, representative of the Voice of the Martyrs Korea, officials conducted searches in these churches, demanded to see documents, confiscated equipment, and even forced church members to exit the building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5968
Wooden Eagle lectern stolen from church
2022-06-12 | The wooden eagle lectern was stolen from St Mary's Church in Gunthorpe by unknown perpetrators. The theft is believed to have taken place at some point during the weekend of Saturday, June 11, and Sunday, June 12. The police were able to return the eagle lectern the Church in Gunthorpe.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6506
Windows of a Church in Wolverhampton Smashed with Stones
2022-06-11 | The West Midlands police have released CCTV footage of three people wanted for smashing the windows of Life City Church with stones on 11 and 13 June.
The damage to the church was £1000 and a complaint has been made.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6479
Four Fires Started Inside Church in Binge
2022-06-10 | On the 10th of June a big fire broke out in the Church of Recollects in Binche that consumed most of the church. The authorities detected three separate fires inside the building, which indicates a willful criminal act. The church was no longer in use but it was protected as a historical monument. After the fire, the authorities had to consider demolishing the building, due to its instability.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6461
Break In into Offices of Church and Burgled
2022-06-09 | During the night from the 8th to the 9th of June, unknown people broke into the offices above the church on Main Street. They opened several cabinets inside the office and, from one of them, stole a couple of hundred euros in cash. The police were alerted in the morning and went to the scene to gather evidence. An investigation was opened to find the people responsible for the theft.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5934
Man Arrested for Vandalizing Church in Poland
2022-06-08 | A 26-year-old man was arrested for painting inscriptions on the façade of a church in Złotoryja, as well as some other buildings. He used spray paint and his vandalistic act was recorded by surveillance cameras. He could face up to 5 years in prison.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5893
Statue of Virgin Mary Destroyed in Kluki
2022-06-08 | On the 8th of June, an unknown vandal destroyed a statue of the Virgin Mary at the Kluki commune in Poland. The residents were shocked by the hateful act and recalled other religious sights that had been damaged in the area. No official report had been submitted to the police yet.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5895
EU Commissioner Downplays Massacre of Christians in Nigeria saying it is not Rooted in Religion
2022-06-08 | During a debate on 8. June in the European Parliament, triggered by the massacre of Christians in Nigeria that happened in a Church during a Pentecostal Mass, Commissioner Valdis Dombrovski severely downplayed the attacks by attributing them to "underlying causes beyond faith" such as "scarce resources", and "poor education", "unemployment", among others. These affirmations ignore that the perpetrators belong to the jihadist terrorist organization Boko Haram. Such statements push the narrative away from the issue of the terrible human rights violations of religious freedom in Nigeria, which has already claimed the lives of thousands of Christians in the last years.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5930
Facade of Church in Zlotorya Vandalised
2022-06-08 | The Polish Laboratory for Religious Freedom (Laboratorium Wolności Religijnej) reports that on June 8, an act of vandalism was committed on the façade of one of the churches in downtown Zlotorya. A twenty-six-year-old man placed graffiti on the facade of the church and several other buildings. The perpetrator's act was recorded on city surveillance cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6406
Destruction of the Statue of the Virgin Mary in Belchatow
2022-06-08 | On June 8, Polish local media reported the destruction of a statue of the Virgin Mary at a memorial plaque commemorating the victims of the September 1939 bombing in the Kluki municipality. An unknown perpetrator destroyed the statue of the Virgin Mary, located in the forest, along the DK 74 road from Belchatow toward Kluki.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6409
Blasphemous Mother of God‘s Image Displayed at LGBT+ Pride March
2022-06-07 | At an LGBT+ pride march in Cremona, Italy, participants carried a half-naked mannequin dressed as the "Mother of God". The blasphemous display which took place during the LGBT+ Pride offended many Christians. Bishop of Cremona, Antonio Napolioni commented on the incident: "They do not fulfill any educational role, they do not communicate any values or rights. Their presence is a gesture that serves no one, but it hurts many people."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5888
Church Repeatedly Vandalized and Desecrated by Teenagers
2022-06-07 | Police were working to identify three teenagers, dressed in black, who targeted the Santo Crocifisso in Meda with vandalism and sacrilegious gestures. In this incident, around the 5th of June, they smoked and urinated in the church and then returned days later to knock over some chairs. They were confronted by the volunteers that work there but managed to disappear. The same had happened already in May.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5891
Bible, Cross and Ten Commandments Tablet Stolen from Church in Marseille
2022-06-07 | On the 7th of June, the Church of Saint-Menet in Marseille was broken into and looted by unknown individuals. They forced open a locked drawer of the altar and stole a Bible with a golden cover, a large silver cross, and a tablet of the Ten Commandments. The priest of the church, finding it turned upside down, noticed the theft and alerted the authorities. The scientific police went to the crime scene and opened an investigation to find the culprits.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5929
Former Church Set on Fire in Eckington
2022-06-06 | A large church in Eckington, which has not been used for quite some time, was set on fire by unknown arsonists on the 3rd of June. Residents were told to leave their homes and two fire departments had to be called. Although this church may have been unused, its religious value was still present.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5881
Anti-Christian Graffiti on Historic Church in Potsdam
2022-06-06 | The evangelical Sacrower Heilandskirche in Potsdam was vandalized with large amounts of graffiti on the 6th of June by unknown people. The damage to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which the police were investigating, will cost tens of thousands of euros to repair. The slogans written said "No God; No State; No Patriarchy" and portrayed an anarchist symbol.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5894
9 Men Arrested for Stealing Trunks and Jewels from Churches
2022-06-06 | On the 6th of June it was reported that the Spanish police apprehended a group of 9 men who had been looting over 20 churches in the south of Spain. Some of the cities where they stole trunks, religious objects and jewels from the Saints were Murcia, Alicante and Almería.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6474
Church Billboard Set on Fire in St. Margrethen.
2022-06-05 | An unknown arsonist set fire to the billboard of the Catholic church in St. Margrethen sometime between 12:00 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. on the 5th of June. The fire went out on its own but damage of several hundred francs was caused. The St. Gallen police were looking for witnesses who could provide more information about the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5880
Religious Items Stolen from Bamberg Monastery
2022-06-05 | Thieves, who have not been identified, stole a priest's robe and a monstrance from a monastery in Bamberg. The theft was noticed on the 5th of June and the value of the items is around 15,000 euros. The monstrance, which is used to present the holy Eucharist, is around 75 cm tall and close to 32 cm wide. The Police were investigating the crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5889
Spain: Bishop called Homophobic and Insulted for Defending Life and Family
2022-06-05 | Bishop Santiago Gómez Sierra of Huelva spoke in a Mass on Pentecost Sunday and reminded Catholics of the importance of upholding the values of life and family when they vote in the upcoming election. He said that he was not trying to enforce anything but rather encourage "moral principles" that "should be above the different party strategies because they are issues required by reason, natural law, and true humanism.” For this speech, he was accused by left-leaning media and politicians of being homophobic and attacking "rights won by the left."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5892
Two Statues Vandalised in Warsaw with Blue Paint
2022-06-05 | An unknown perpetrator committed an act of vandalism against the St. Maximilian Kolbe parish in Warsaw. The vandal scrawled blue paint on the statue of St. Maximilian Kolbe and the Papal Cross (from Pope John Paul's II 1st Pilgrimage to Poland), standing on church grounds. The incident occurred on June 5.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6408
Altar Cross Stolen from Church in Jülich-Bourheim
2022-06-04 | During the weekend of the 4th of June, an altar cross was stolen from a church in Jülich-Bourheim by an anonymous person. The cross is made of gilded brass and stands 45 cm high. The police searched the sight for evidence but need more information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5890
Young People Broke Into and Profaned Church in L'Aquila
2022-06-03 | It was reported on June 3rd, that young people entered the monastery of Sand Basilio in L'Aquila, disturbed the sisters sleeping there and profaned the confessional. First, two boys entered the convent and tried to force open the door of an elderly nun. Later during the night, a young man and woman were seen naked, and running from the confessional after allegedly having sex. The cloistered sisters were scared by the incidents and called the carabinieri who then investigated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5877
Vandalism and Theft to Church in Fragagnano
2022-06-03 | The Maria Santissima Immacolata church in Fragagnano, was broken into on during the night of June the 3rd by a 38-year-old Moroccan. The man tried to steal money from the offering box as well as sacred objects, but was caught by the carabinieri who then retrieved the stolen goods. In trying to access these items, he caused a large amount of property damage that will cost around 1,000 euros to repair.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5879
Sacristy of San Giuseppe Church in Grosseto Vandalized
2022-06-02 | On June 2nd, the San Giuseppe Church in Grosseto was vandalized by a person who was caught on camera but has not been identified. A man in his 40s entered the sacristy and upset drawers that contained linen for the altar and objects for worship. He didn't steel anything but smashed a wooden door. This was one of several thefts and vandalism that have happened to churches in this area in recent weeks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5876
Man Arrested for Stealing Relic of Virgin in Spain
2022-06-02 | The Guardia Civil arrested a man that allegedly stole the Rosary of an image of the Virgin in Calañas. The investigation began on 2 June, when a report of the theft was received from the Sister Major of the Brotherhood concerned. The incident occurred when the relic was being exhibited in the left hand of the image of the Virgin of Amargura, in a chapel of the church of Calañas "Santa María de Gracia".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6500
Serial Thefts in Celano Churches
2022-06-01 | On the 1st of June, thefts were recorded in the churches of the Madonna delle Grazie and Madonnina, both of which are in Celano. The thief broke the candelabra to access the offerings which were inside. A few days earlier, thefts also occurred in the churches of San Giovanni Battista, and Sant'Angelo. This series of thefts, which was under investigation, targeted sacred places and has angered the congregations of each.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5869
Door from Enna Church Set on Fire by Unknown Vandals
2022-06-01 | The wooden side door of the Sam Marco church in Enna, was set on fire by unknown vandals on June 1st. The arson greatly upset the people of Enna who hold the church at great value due to its history and religious sacredness. The fire brigade was called to put the fire out and the Carabinieri investigated the crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5872
Men Arrested in Neumarkt for Repeated Theft and Property Damage to Churches
2022-06-01 | On the 1st of June, two Romanian men, aged 42 and 50, were caught red-handed emptying the offering box of the church in Neumarkt. They have "partially" confessed to trying to steal money from 20 churches in Lower Austria. The total damage caused, was estimated to be around 800 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5873
Sacred Items Stolen from Church in Fécamp
2022-06-01 | During the night of June 1st, thieves forced open the door of the abbey church of Sainte-Trinité in Fécamp, and stole a sacred item kept in the sacristy. They took two vials containing "Precious Blood" which is believed to be from Jesus when he was crucified. Bishop of Le Havre, Mgr Jean-Luc Brunin, lamented: "This theft is an unbearable attack on the faith of all people who remember the Salvation obtained by the sacrifice of Christ."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5878
Major Theft of Valuables from Mespelbrunn Church
2022-06-01 | Police were investigating an incident in which unknown intruders forced their way into the Mespelbrunn church. They took several sacred coins and jewelry out of a glass case and then fled. The cost of the property damage was around 500 euros but the precise amount of stolen goods was still being quantified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5904
Church Doors in Gischow Damaged with Inscription by Vandals
2022-06-01 | It was reported on the 1st of June, that the door of the Evangelical Church in the town of Gischow has been damaged, just a couple of days after graffiti on a church in Plau. The inscription was hard to read, but it was carved with a sharp object on the wooden door of the church, causing great damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6411
Increased Vandalism to the Church in Olpe
2022-05-31 | The latest act of vandalism to the Kreuzkapelle in Olpe, which happened on May 31st, damaged the historic door but was only part of the vandalism the chapel has recently experienced. The surrounding area is often littered and people's rubbish is thrown into the nave, as well as benches and windows are broken. The increase in incidents happened after the church lay dormant for many years and then was restored.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5863
Burglars Broke into Neumark Church
2022-05-31 | An initial investigation revealed that the church in Neumark was broken into on the 31st of May. Unknown intruders gained access to the church by breaking a side door. It was not yet known if anything had been stolen but cupboards and doors were opened to search for valuables. The property damage was around 3,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5867
Student Pro-Life Group Launches Petition after Being Rejected from 6 Universities
2022-05-31 | The group "Pro-Life Europe" has launched a petition to be admitted at the University of Regensburg. Since 2020, they have been refused a place in 6 universities in German speaking countries; a serious challenge to freedom of speech. In 2021, the students tried to be accepted as a group at the University of Regensburg to discuss the topic of abortion with scientific approaches. Despite asking three times and complying with the guidelines, they were rejected without reason; while other groups were given full support. Similar opposition was met at other universities including TU Munich, the University of Wuppertal, the University of Augsburg, the Johannes Kepler University , and the University of Vienna which denied them a stand. The organization is not religious, but many belonging students identify as Christians and are representative of religious groups with similar opinions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5871
Books with Anti-Catholic Language Distributed by Castellon City Council
2022-05-31 | A lawsuit filed in October 2021 by the Spanish Foundation of Christian Lawyers to remove books with anti-Catholic language has been dismissed. In the mentioned books, it is possible to find statements such as "The bishop gets it in the ass", "Hookers in the Vatican" and "Allah is not great and Jesus does not love us". The lawsuit called for the reiteration of 32 LGTBI-themed books distributed to 12 public institutes of Castellón and in the center of minors Pi Gros. The books were distributed by the City Council. The Contentious-Administrative Court 1 of Castellón dismissed the case. The Spanish Foundation of Christian Lawyers said they will appeal the judicial decision before the Superior Court of Justice, on the grounds that, in their perspective, "these books violate fundamental rights and incite hatred against all religions".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5960
Vandalism in a Brianza Church
2022-05-30 | In the church of Santa Maria Nascente, in Piazza Della Chiesa, someone entered the nave and threw chairs around the floor, leaving some tipped over. The incident, which expressed hate toward the church, happened on May 30th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5853
Vandals Attack Church Saint Mary's Church in Brianza
2022-05-30 | Two similar attacks have been registered in Brianza and Meda. In one, vandals entered the Sanctuary of the Holy Crucifix Church in Meda on the 30th of May. They threw chairs to the ground and emptied the hand sanitiser gel, that was at the entrance to the building, onto the floor. A brass crucifix was also found folded up. A similar attack happened near this time in the Santa Maria Nascente Church in Brianza.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5854
Salzburg: Van from Catholic Group Graffitied for 7th Time
2022-05-30 | For the 7th time, a vehicle of the Catholic help group "HOME Base" Salzburg, was spray-painted, covering the name, logo, and slogan on the van. This time it happened on the 30th of May. The victims later wrote on Facebook "Thank you, dear 'Antifada' confused neighbors." They also called on the City of Salzburg to do something to prevent such attacks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5857
Church in Przyjaźń Looted, Thief Takes Mass Wine
2022-05-30 | A 27-year-old from the Kartuzy district looted the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Przyjaźń on May 30th. He took two bottles of mass wine from the church, an amplifier and a halogen lamp. After the man was caught by the police and fined PLN 500, the stolen property was all recovered. The value was estimated around PLN 300.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5859
Vandals Ransacked Church interior in Meda
2022-05-30 | Unknown vandals entered the Santo Crocifisso Church in Meda and ransacked the inside on May 30th. They overturned chairs, sprayed disinfectant everywhere, and threw that brass altar cross onto the floor which bent it, causing damage. The local police started an investigation into the crime using video from surveillance cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5861
Window smashed in Sankt Bonifatius Church in Goddelau
2022-05-30 | During a prayer on the 30th of May, a window of the Sankt Bonifatius church in Coddelau was smashed. This was not the first attack the church experience as a year earlier, the tabernacle was stolen. The vandal was not identified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5862
Extensive Vandalism and Desecration to a Schömberg Church
2022-05-29 | The Catholic Church of St. Joseph in Schömberg experienced an extensive vandalistic attack on May 29th. Paper towels were strewn all over the floor and one was used to snuff out the eternal light. The altar cloth was left soiled and crumpled, and evidence suggested that the altar was walked on. The unknown intruder had also urinated in the baptismal font. Those who take care of the church were shocked by the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5855
Attempted Arson at Church Choir in Paris
2022-05-28 | On the 28 of May, an individual tried to set fire to the choir of the church of Sainte Odile in the 17th district of Paris. The mayor of the district, Geoffroy Boulard, posted on Twitter: "I condemn the desecration of the church of St. Odilia with a fire in the choir. The worst avoided thanks to the reaction of the parish staff and the police who quickly arrested the individual. I renew my support to Father Biaggi whom I spoke to on the phone."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6453
Extreme Vandalism and Property Damage to Church in Barrhead
2022-05-27 | In a series of break-ins at the former South and Levern Church, more than £50,000 of damage was caused by unknown vandals. In the latest act of vandalism on the 27th of May, the organ was destroyed and radiators were torn off the walls. Although the church has been closed, it is still a sight that carries religious sentiment for many people.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5848
Norway: Politician Wants to Abolish All Christian Holidays
2022-05-26 | Ane Breivik, a Young Left leader in Norway, wants to dispose of all Christian holidays and mid-week red days, as they are a "relic from another time." She said that most people don't celebrate them anyway and would prefer to take the time off when they want to. She said this near Ascension holiday, which she used as an example of a holiday that could be removed since this year it landed on a Thursday which is inconvenient for many.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5843
Statue of Madonna Taken from Chapel in Maccarese
2022-05-26 | On May 26th, a statue of Madonna was stolen from the Blessed Virgin Mary chapel in Maccarese. The statue is not of great material value, but its spiritual value to the religious community is immense. The Diocese condemned the gesture "In reparation for the offense to the Mother of God and in prayer for the conversion of the hearts of the perpetrators of the crime."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5844
Electric Scooter Entered Basilica During Mass
2022-05-26 | David Moreno, a spokesman for VOX Talavera, requested that the driver of the electric scooter, which entered the Basilica of Our Lady of the Prado in Talavera, be identified and charged. He explained that the "offensive acts like this cannot be allowed," and that the driver should be charged with crimes against religious freedom and disrespect of religious sentiment. He said: "no prank justifies disrespect for a Catholic temple, attacking religious sentiments."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5856
Arson Attack on Church in Nonnenweier
2022-05-26 | On May 26th, on Ascension Day, a pool of disinfectant was set on fire in the Nonnenweier church, and hymn books were thrown around with their pages torn out. The property damage was around 1000 euros but there were no good clues as to who the perpetrators could be. Pastor Christine Egenlauf, expressed her shock and lamented the incident, also mentioning that someone could have been hurt. The police had started investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5875
Small Chapel Destroyed in Marghera, Venice
2022-05-26 | The mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, posted a picture on his Twitter on the 26. May that showed an oratory that had been vandalized in Marghera. The oratory was in Piazzale Giovannacci on the corner with Via Ulloa in Marghera. He also indicated that the perpetrator had been identified by the local Police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6496
Threatening Graffiti Appears on Church That Helps Ucranian Refugees
2022-05-25 | On the 25. of April a newspaper reported that a church in Murcia, in the district of Espinardo, was tagged with threatening graffiti. The Holy Spirit parish has been taking seven Ukrainian refugees since March, two mothers with their daughters and one more woman. The inscriptions seem to be against the Ucranians. Other neighbours reported seeing foreigners throwing stones at the women.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5684
Church Information Board Set Alight and Holy Water Fonts Contaminated
2022-05-25 | On May 25th, the information board of the Church of St. Antonius in Hörstel was set on fire by unknown perpetrators. The sheets of paper hanging there were burned, which damaged the board, and disinfectant was poured into the holy water fonts. The police began an investigation and was asking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5840
Perpetrators Steal Organ Key, Try to Open Sacrificial Box and Soil Statue in Church
2022-05-25 | Between the 21st and 25th of May, unknown intruders broke into the sacristy of the St. Jakobus Church in Sögel. They stole the organ key and hygrometer, but were unsuccessful in an attempt to break open the sacrificial box. The property damage was around 100 euros, and they also soiled a statue. An investigation was started by the police who needed more information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5850
Saint Statues Decapitated and Damaged in Marseille Church
2022-05-25 | A judicial inquiry was opened into an incident on the 25th of May in which four Statues in the Saint-Henri church in Marseille were damaged, two of the statues were decapitated. Father Gabriel Priou, said, “There was no Eucharistic profanation, but the statues have been defaced." He continued, “A fact like this impacts the Christian community because the church is its home.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5868
Church in Perugia Vandalized With Political Graffiti
2022-05-24 | Vandals graffitied the wall of the Church of the Madonna dei Cenciarelli, in Perugia, on May 24th. The inscription read: "Enough with NATO: free and sovereign Italy." The vandals damaged an 18th-century old church to write a political message showing a lack of respect for the religious sight. Apart from that, the stairs of the church were stained with beer and rests of food.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5841
Children from Football Club Threatened with Sanctions if They go to First Communion Ceremony
2022-05-24 | The Castilla-La Mancha Football Federation refused to change the date of a match, forcing the young players from Membrilla's football team to choose between celebrating their first communion or playing the league final. The Federation further threatened them with sanctions, since the parents choose the church instead of submitting to the sports institution.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5961
Paint Bombs Thrown at Church in Tacoronte, Tenerife
2022-05-23 | A few days before the 23rd of May, the façade of the Santa Catalina church in Tacoronte was splashed with red paint by an unknown person. The primary target of the graffiti was a plaque that has been in place since 1938 and bears the name of the founder José Antonio Primo de Rivera on it. Although he was a political figure which could be the motive for the attack, a church has also suffered the consequences and it will take around 3,000 euros to restore.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5816
Vandals Try to Break-In in Church Leaving 3000 Euro Damage
2022-05-23 | Unknown people attempted to break into the church in Melsung on May 23rd and caused significant damage. The tried to open the doors and windows to gain access to the inside of the church but were unsuccessful. The property damage was around 3,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5825
Windows Broken by Teenagers at Ringmer Church
2022-05-23 | The stained glass windows of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Ringmer were broken by youth with catapults and ball bearings on May 23rd. The police identified the culprits and confiscated their catapults. A police spokesperson said: “The youths will subsequently be coming into Lewes Police Station to account for their actions.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5826
Church in Abruzzo Attacked with Stones
2022-05-23 | The façade of the Church of S.Onofrio, connected to the Convent of the Zoccolanti of Raiano, was kicked and stoned by unknown people on May 23rd. The church dates back to the 17th century and is in Abruzzo. A complaint was filed and the carabinieri started an investigation but people were left dismayed and angry.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5832
Red Tags Smeared on Church in Andria
2022-05-23 | The façade of the Church of the Madonna del Carmine in Andria was tagged with red paint on May 23rd. This was not the first of such incidents and the State police immediately began an investigation to find out who painted the graffiti.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5833
Chapel of Our Lady in Legionowo Vandalized
2022-05-23 | Shortly after the statue of the Pope was vandalized in Legionowo, the Chapel of Our Lady at the roundabout near Krasińskiego Street was devastated. The unknown perpetrator broke the glass in front of a figure and bent the cross. The police were investigating the incident to find the criminal who would be charged with offending religious feelings and damage to property.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5836
18 Graves Vandalised at Cemetery and Knocked Down Crosses
2022-05-23 | Between the 22 to 23 May, 18 graves were vandalized or damaged in the cemetery of Rocquemont, a commune located between Rouen and Saint-Saëns. The perpetrators damaged ornamental plaques, decorations and flower pots. A person who lives near the cemetery heard the noise that night and reported it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6457
Newtown Church Windows Vandalized For a Second Time
2022-05-22 | After the windows of the St. David's Church in Newtown were broken the month before, someone returned to break them again on the 22nd of May. The church has not been used for many years but is a historic building and a religious symbol. Paul Williams, a local, said: "This is really sickening yet again. Whoever you are, stop it."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5818
Statistics in Brussels show: 53 Churches Vandalized and 1 Mosque
2022-05-22 | Between 2019 and 2022, 53 cases of church vandalism were recorded in Brussels, while only 1 mosque was vandalized in the same region and time frame. Dominiek Lootens, leader of the Vlaams Belang group in the Brussels Parliament, wrote to Prime Minister Rudi Vervoort and asked him to communicate the extent of the damage, reported "Our Central Europe". The report also pointed out that the media and politics failed to mention these numbers as they refuse to recognize this type of biased discrimination against Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5819
Arson Attack to Catholic Chapel in Newry
2022-05-22 | St Catherine’s Dominican Chapel, a Catholic chapel in Newry, was targeted by arsonists who set religious books and pamphlets on fire. Nobody was hurt, in the incident which happened on the 22nd of May, but the head priest had to put the fire out. A witness said they saw youths running from the scene and it was guessed that they were the arsonists.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5847
Teenage Arsonist Causes 5000 Euro Damage to Church in Spalt
2022-05-21 | During the afternoon on the 21st of May, a fire was noticed in a church in Spalt, that caused 5,000 euros worth of damage. An altar cloth, that was lying on the side altar, caught fire along with a wooden frame that spread the fire to the entrance door. After a police investigation, the fire was thought to be arson and eventually a suspect was arrested. Proceedings were started against the potential teenage arsonist for property damage and disruption of religious practice. The police later confirmed that the fire had been caused by arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5815
Statue of Madonna Stolen from Church in Lodi
2022-05-21 | On the afternoon of May the 21st, a small marble statue of Madonna was stolen from the parish church in Lodi. No sign of a break in was found, so it was concluded that the thief must have waited till soon after mass, and then broken the statue off from near the side of the altar. The carabinieri were notified and carried out an inspection.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5817
Vienna: Historic Karlskirche Smeared with Graffiti (Again)
2022-05-21 | On the 21st of May, the Karlskirche in Vienna was graffitied for the fourth time in 2022. It is not known who did it. According to the Witness who reported these incidents, this is the worst year so far with vandalism and there are damages to the church almost every day.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5824
Thieves Break in and Steal Consecrated Hosts in Guia
2022-05-21 | Hosts were stolen from the Ancient Church of San Gregorio in Valdobbiadene on May 21st. The side door of the church was forced open and then the intruder opened the tabernacle and took the consecrated hosts. Fr Romeo Penon, parish priest of Valdobbiadene, said: "It is a sacrilege, we fear that they are destined for black masses or séances"
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5827
Pope's Monument in Legionowo Vandalized Repeated Times
2022-05-21 | On May 21st, the statue of the Pope in a park in Legionowo was vandalized. Flags of the church, papal, and Ukraine, were stolen from the statue's hands, and the Polish flag, was torn and pressed into the crucifix. This was not the first time the statue has been attacked and the police began an investigation to find out who committed the act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5835
Theft and Vandalism in Ralingen Church
2022-05-21 | Mobile phones that had been collected in the Ralingen church donation box, were stolen on May 21st. Beer was also spilt near the altar which did not cause damage to the altar but tainted the sacred space. Earlier, the pastor noticed several young people who were drinking in the area of the church. The police started an investigation and requested that places of worship be respected.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5846
Orthodox Church seized and raided by armed group
2022-05-21 | A Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ivankov (Kyiv region) was raided by unidentified armed persons. The perpetrators cut down the lock of the church and raided the interior, expelling the parishioners and the priest. When the clergy of the church tried to file a crime report, the police refused to take it seriously. It was the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6452
Graffiti on Santa Maria Church in Palermo
2022-05-20 | Inscriptions painted in black were discovered on the façade of the Santa Maria di Valverde church in Palermo. The incident was reported on May 20th and residents thought it happened during the night but were not sure who did it. The writing was made with spray paint and detracts from the beauty of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5803
Church in Ayrshire Repeatedly Targeted by Vandals
2022-05-20 | The Kilmarnock South Parish Church in Ayrshire, was repeatedly targeted by vandals during May. Over several weeks, doors were smashed and glass was broken by a group of youth who were seen on CCTV. A spokesperson for The Well, an outreach group that organizes events at the church, said: "We are slowly trying to get the place up and running to serve the community but this is just soul destroying."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5807
Sacrilegious Theft in Capergnanica Church
2022-05-20 | A bas-relief of the Madonna with Child was stolen from the altar of the parish church in Capergnanica. The priest, don Andrea Rusconi, thought the sacrilegious theft happened on the 20th of May despite it being reported the next day. The church is typically left open even when there is no mass for the faithful to come and pray.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5811
Church in Schneverdingen Broken Into and Looted
2022-05-20 | During the night on the 20th of May, the Peter and Paul Church in Schneverdingen was broken into by anonymous intruders. They smashed the window to enter the church and then forced open the door from the inside. They didn't steal anything of great value but did take two electronic devices from the parish.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5813
Sacred Objects Stolen from Church in Kropp
2022-05-20 | Between the 15th and 20th of May, a church in Kropp was broken into by unknown intruders who stole various sacred objects as well as an electronic piano. The items taken were a baptismal font, a silver-coloured baptismal font, and two antique candlesticks. The police began a criminal investigation and asked for information from witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5834
European Parliament Votes Down Motion to Debate Christian Persecution
2022-05-20 | On May 20th, there was a motion in the European Parliament to debate the topic of Christian Persecution, and in particular, the case of Deborah Samuel Yabuku, who was murdered in Nigeria after her peers falsely accused her of blasphemy. She had thanked Jesus in a class WhatsApp group for helping her in an exam and was accused of insulting the prophet Mohammad. The motion to discuss this was rejected with 231 votes for, and 244 against, to which some MEPs shouted “shame on you” across the plenary floor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5838
Member of Scottish Parliament Launched Bill for Censorship Zones Around Abortion Clinics
2022-05-20 | Gillian Mackay, an MSP for the Green Party, "initiated a public consultation on the Bill" that would allow a 2-year sentence to be assigned to someone who "attempts to influence or persuade someone seeking an abortion inside censorship zones," reported "RighttoLife" News. Some claim, there has been a rise in incidents outside abortion clinics involving pro-life activists, but Robert Colquhoun, the campaign director for "40 Days for Life", disagreed saying that it was actually just increased media attention that made it seem so. The introduction of such zones would negatively impact Christians who often attend such vigils due to their biblically based pro-life belief.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5839
Theft of Memorial statue from All Saints Church graveyard
2022-05-20 | Between the 16th and 20th May the memorial statue from the All Saints Graveyard was stolen in Glazebury. The police reported that the family that owned the memorial statue was deeply affected and were looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6455
Theft of Sacred Objects from Church in Innsbruck
2022-05-19 | A thief, who was later caught, stole a chalice and a chest of hosts from a church in the Saggen district of Innsbruck. The incident happened on May 18th and the thief was arrested by the police. The stolen goods would be given back to the church after the hearing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5800
Historical 1925 Altar Cross Stolen from Sankt Bonifatius Church in Frankfurt
2022-05-19 | A €3,000 reward was offered on May 19th for whoever could provide information that would lead to the retrieval of a gilded altar cross, dating from 1925, that was stolen in January 2022. The cross is around 60 centimetres high and was stolen from the Catholic church of Sankt Bonifatius in Frankfurt. It was there when the church was consecrated so it is of high emotional value to the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5801
St. Mary's Church in Plau Graffitied With Black Painted Symbols
2022-05-19 | St. Mary's Church in Plau was graffitied with black paint on May 19th by unknown people. Chairman of the association, Harald Kleinert, was shocked to find a black symbol painted on the south entrance door. A complaint was lodged but the parish fears more attacks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5804
Suspected Youth Arrested for Arson at Newtown Church
2022-05-19 | After a fire broke out in one room of the Evangelical Church in Newton, the police arrested one a young suspect. The fire happened on Thursday 19th of May, it was confined to one room and burned a sofa and a chair. The Dyfed-Powys Police commented: “Police are working closely with the church and that there will be a police presence at the site in the short term, with patrols increased in the area beyond that.”
The police have arrested a young vandal on suspicion of arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5810
Church in Bad Rodach Severly Vandalized (Again)
2022-05-19 | The 100-year-old windows of the St. Johannis Church were damaged on May 21st in Bad Rodach. The church has been vandalized in the past but this time was especially severe. Also, the gold-plated light cover and light, of the ambo or "reading chair," was smashed. In addition, the stained glass windows with devotional pictures were broken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5829
Church Arson in Sainte-Croix Church
2022-05-19 | A 54-year-old man was taken into custody on the morning of Monday 23 May 2022 as part of the investigation into the fire at the church in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (Vendée). The fire brigade had intervened on the night of Wednesday 18 to Thursday 19 May to extinguish a fire in the church, which destroyed 2 m² of floor in the oratory. Investigators quickly identified other fires and favoured the idea of arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5830
Vandals set fire to St. Vladimir's Church in Lviv
2022-05-19 | On 19 June in the Sykhiv district of Lviv, the church of St. Prince Vladimir caught fire. According to the sources, a bucket of liquid, a cloth stick, a lighter, a jacket and a cap were found at the scene of the fire. The evidence was seized by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6484
Anarchist and Communist Symbols Tagged on Chapel in Landsberger
2022-05-18 | On May 18th, political symbols were found graffitied on the façade of the Altötting chapel in Landsberg, which is a baroque structure from the mid-19th century. A local resident was out on a morning walk when he saw the defacement which was a large anarchist symbol as well as a hammer and sickle (communist symbol) painted in red. The vandalism was reported to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5792
Repeated Hateful Vandalism in Schöppingen Church
2022-05-18 | Acts of vandalism and disrespect repeatedly took place in the St. Brictius Church in Schöppingen. It was reported on May 18th that vandals had lit prayer notes and placed them under benches, put lighted candles under holy water fonts, and used sacrificial candles to "play football" in the church square. These were only some of the things that were happening and Sexton Andreas Kortüm pleaded with the parishioners to help stop it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5793
Anti-Clerical Activists Disrupt Mass in Wadowice
2022-05-18 | On May 18th, mass was held in the basilica of Wadowice to commemorate the 102nd birthday of Pope John Paul II. During the mass, the anti-clerical initiative "Enough of Silence", organized a protest in which they turned on loudspeaker to disrupt the celebrations. Some in the square tried to stop the protestors and were shocked by their presence saying: "How can you be there? On such a day?"
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5796
Tabernacle Stolen and Hosts Scattered in French Church
2022-05-18 | The tabernacle was stolen from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Amiens on May 18th. The perpetrators entered the church when it was empty and did not only steal the tabernacle but also scattered the consecrated hosts on the floor. The priest only saw the desecration after he was alerted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5802
Statue of Madonna Stolen form Palidoro Church
2022-05-18 | On May 18th, the statue of Madonna that is usually in front of the Santi Filippo e Giacomo church in Palidoro was stolen. The parish priest Don Roberto Leoni reported the incident but it remained unknown who committed the theft. The priest said: "Such a silly, bad gesture, offensive towards the Mother of the Lord and towards all her children, who are not few."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5808
Sacred Objects Stolen from Sacristy of Church in Clamecy
2022-05-18 | Perpetrators forced their way through the front door of the Collégiale Saint-Martin Church in Clamecy on May 18th and then entered the sacristy. When they left, they took with them chalices, a monstrance, and a censor. It was not known who the burglars were.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5809
Vandalism and Several Sacred Objects Stolen from Church in Luneburg
2022-05-17 | During the night of May 17th, unknown perpetrators broke into the St. Michaelis Church in Luneburg and stole two silver wine jugs, a host's tin box and two patrons. While in the church, they broke several doors and the property damage and stolen items amounted to a cost of several thousand euros. They left the church unnoticed and the police were asking the public for information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5799
Civil Agents Mock Catholic Procession on the Streets
2022-05-17 | A video went viral, where a group of agents from the Guardia Civil is seen carrying another officer who pretends to be the Christ of Good Death in Malaga, while they sing El Novio de la Muerte, the traditional anthem of the Spanish Legion. The agents carried the other officer like they were legionnaires on Holy Thursday, in the streets around the Sanctuary of Lourdes, while laughing, joking, and drinking, which has caused some outrage due to the disrespect to religious feelings.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5962
Update: Spanish Bill Proposal to Allow 16-17-Year Old Girls to Get an Abortion Without Parental Consent
2022-05-17 | The government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, formed by the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party and Unidas Podemos, presented a draft bill to allow 16 and 17-year-old girls to get an abortion without parental consent, also removing the mandatory 3-day period of reflection. The Council of Ministers approved it on the 17th of May. The Equality Minister, Irene Montero, stated that "the state guarantees them that the decision about their bodies, their life projects, and their maternity will be theirs". She further added that with this reform "rights will now be guaranteed and extended, and existing obstacles to exercising the right to voluntary termination of pregnancy will be removed". This Bill would be in conflict with parental rights.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5988
Thieves Break into Grosseto Church
2022-05-16 | On May 16th, thieves broke into the S. Maria Goretti church in Grosseto, and stole the offerings. To get in, they broke down the door and then they broke the glass to enter the sacristy. The investigations were ongoing as the damage was significant.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5785
Churches in Venice Graffitied
2022-05-16 | The church of Sant'Antonin a Castello and the basilica of the Santissimo Redentore alla Giudecca, were smeared with graffiti on May 16th. The façade of the Redentore church had red and black paint on it that looked like a mathematical formula. The Patriarchate of Venice said in a press release: "It was learned, with regret, that the facade of the Basilica del Redentore in Giudecca and the church of Sant'Antonin a Castello were targeted by acts of vandalism that damaged buildings that have significant religious, as well as historical and cultural significance, both for Venetians and for visitors."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5787
Statue of Madonna Vandalized in Dortmund Church
2022-05-16 | The wooden statue of Madonna and Child in Dortmund's Propstei Church, once again had wax poured over it from the sacrificial candles on May 16th. The statue is from the 15th century so will now have to be restored in a special workshop. The church was considering using lights without wax to prevent this crime from happening again but they still wanted to keep the church open for all.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5795
Report Shows Discrimination Against Protestant Christians in Turkey
2022-05-16 | A report from 2021 that examined the situation of Protestants in Turkey, revealed the severe levels of discrimination they face. It showed how decades of expulsions, social pressure, and government intolerance have led to a decline in Christian Protestants. It also exposes the challenges they are currently facing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5805
Karlskirche in Vienna Tagged with Graffiti (3rd time in 2022)
2022-05-16 | On the 16th of May, the Karlskirche in Vienna was targeted with graffiti.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5823
Statue of Virgin Mary destroyed and anti-Christian Threats in Madrid
2022-05-16 | During the night of 15 to 16 May, unknown perpetrators destroyed a statue of the Virgin Mary, located in the garden of the house of the Heralds of the Gospel in Sevilla la Nueva, also causing other considerable damages to the property. They insulted and threatened the Heralds, cut off the electricity, and damaged other infrastructures on the property.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5963
Half-Naked Protesters Wear Religious Symbols in Front of Churches
2022-05-16 | The police in Spain had to stop a protest that was taking place at the door of the church "Virgen de la Luz" in Cuenca, in which several half-naked women were wearing religious symbols. This was reported on the 16th of May by the online news "El Debate". Later on, "Abogados Cristianos" opened proceedings against the group for hurting religious feelings, after the same incident took place in other churches.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5972
Church Madonna di Campagna Vandalized
2022-05-15 | The churchyard of Madonna di Campagna in Verbania was vandalized by unknown perpetrators around the 15. of May. The glass of the board where parish news and notices are posted was broken and all the shattered pieces fell on the base.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5783
Vandalism and Theft from Church in Ursini
2022-05-15 | On May 15th, offerings were stolen from the Chiesa di Maria SS. Aiuto dei Cristiani church in the city of Ursini. The unknown vandals broke the glass of the rectory to get access to the offerings which they stole, along with a candlestick which is used to put coins into the offering box. They also tore up the curtain of the confessional. The police have investigated the crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5784
Windows Broken with Stones in Leipzig Church
2022-05-14 | A 38-year-old man, thought to be Croatian, was observed throwing stones at an evangelical Church in Leipzig on May 14th. The police arrested him but not before he had damaged a total of five window panes. An investigation was underway.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5781
Arson and Vandalism at Church in Henstedt-Ulzburg
2022-05-14 | On May 14th, a man and woman broke open the door of the Henstedt-Ulzburger Kreuzkirche and vandalized the inside. They tried to set the carpet in front of the alter on fire, which went out, and they damaged knee cushions and hymnals. The property damage was not yet calculated but the police were notified and wrote a complaint to the Norderstedter detectives who investigated it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5786
Historic "Weather Blessing" Cross Stolen from Church in St.George
2022-05-14 | A weather blessing cross, that is almost 200 years old and very important to the community, was stolen from the St. Gallen Catholic Church in St. George. It stands 45cm tall and was taken on the 14th of May by unknown thieves. Magnus Hächler, administrator of the church said: "It's a painful loss and very annoying."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5806
Panoramic Church Window of Church in Leipzig Destroyed
2022-05-13 | The Catholic provost church Sankt Trinitatis in Leipzig was once again targeted by vandalism after the theft of the tabernacle in April. This time, on May 13th, the 20-meter long by 3 three-meter high church window which has the entire Bible printed on it, was destroyed. The property damage was at least 50,000 to 100,000 euros said provost Gregor Giele of the Catholic New Agency (KNA). Police started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5779
Extensive Destruction of Church Windows in Leipzig
2022-05-13 | Six panes of glass were broken in on May 13th at the Catholic Church Sankt Laurentius in Reudnitz-Thonberg, Leipzig. It was not known who completed the vandalism but an investigation was underway. The property damage was in the four-digit range.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5782
Arson Attack and Theft on Pau Chaplaincy
2022-05-12 | The Chaplaincy in Pau was the victim of an arson attack on the 12th of May. The fire was started on the ground floor of the presbytery of the church of Saint-Pierre and it was obvious that the tabernacle was deliberately targeted as it was charred. The consecrated hosts were not burned but the police also noticed thefts of a computer and some money.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5778
"Fake" Bomb Placed in Potenza Church
2022-05-11 | A suitcase that was thought to contain a bomb, was left in the Church of San Michele Arcangelo in the historic city of Potenza. It was placed there during the afternoon on May 11th and due to the ticking sound that the suitcase emitted, a bomb was suspected to be inside. A police squad was immediately notified but as the investigations were made, no bomb was found as it was supposed to be a bad joke.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5769
Intruders Break into Church in Siegen-Eiserfeld and Ransack the interior
2022-05-11 | Unknown intruders forcibly broke into the church in Siegen-Eiserfeld on May 11th. Once inside, they ransacked several cupboards and using tools from the church inventory forced open locked containers. Nothing was stolen but the property damage was significant.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5772
Insulting Graffiti on Church in Killeshil
2022-05-11 | The outer wall of the St. Paul's Church of Ireland in Killeshil was painted with the words "baby killers" alongside a swastika symbol. The attack was labelled a hate crime by the PSNI who were investigating the incident. Frances Burton, the DUP councillor for the Clogher Valley area said: “It really is soul-destroying for the people involved with that church and it’s something that is so uncalled for."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5776
Antique Windows Smashed in Neunkirchen and Church Vandalized
2022-05-11 | Between May 11th and 12th, intruders broke into the Neunkirchen church on Kirchstrasse by throwing stones through two of the valuable antique stained glass windows. Inside the church, they ransacked cupboards and storage rooms but failed to break open a locked safe. It seemed like they didn't take anything but significant property damage was caused that will cost around 10,000 to repair.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5777
Church Window in Stipshausen Damaged
2022-05-11 | A window in the Catholic Church of Stipshausen was damaged by an unknown vandal on May 11th. Witnesses found a medium-sized hole, which was probably caused by an object in the framed glass. The police were looking for witnesses with more information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5812
Burglars Steal Sacred Objects from Bad Doberan Monastery
2022-05-10 | Thieves broke into the Bad Doberan Monastery on the 10th of May but have not been found. They ransacked the interior of the church and broke open a safe from which they took keys and an unspecified quantity of cash. In addition, they stole some sacred objects which were made of brass or gold and silver plated. The police launched an investigation but have not been able to track either the thieves or the stolen objects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5761
Arson and Desecration in Romsthal Church
2022-05-10 | On May 10th, a church on Kirchstrasse in Romsthal was the victim of an arson attempt. The criminals set fire to several parish letters under a stool and burned some prayer texts near the altar. In addition, they knocked over an offering box, and some candles, and spread the wax over the floor. The fire was out by the time it was discovered and the property damage was around 150 euros but could have been much more. The police were looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5775
Cross and Candlestick Stolen from Church in Addington
2022-05-10 | A cross and candlestick were stolen from the medieval church of St. Mary in Addington on the 10th of May. Reverend Debbie Forman said that the items have "little intrinsic value" but the church is "not the same without them." The church remained open and the hope was that the thief, who was not known, would return them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5790
Church in Rotherham Trashed by Illegal Party
2022-05-10 | On May 10th, vandals broke into the Rotherham Church and trashed the interior. They drank wine and left broken bottles everywhere as well as destroying the church-run nursery which is used to help single mothers with childcare. The incident forced the nursery to close for a week.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5831
Bad Wörishofen Cementery Ransacked by Vandals
2022-05-10 | Unknown vandals have rioted in the cemetery of Bad Wörishof and knocked over a large gravestone. The cemetery caretaker, Frank Stehr, says that the cemetery is the target of thieves and vandals almost every day. He says flowers and grave arrangements or even gravestones are stolen regularly. "Again and again, people come to me and report that they have lost various such objects," he reports. Still, the last incident was unprecedented. "It was vandalism in its purest form," said Stehr.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6428
Family Father Stabbed to Death in Marseille
2022-05-10 | On May 10. 2022, an army doctor was stabbed to death in front of his two children. The 40-year old man was quietly picking up his children from a catholic school in Marseilles, when he was attacked from behind by Mohammed L. (23). The suspect claims he committed this crime "in the name of God".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6451
150 kg Bell Stolen from Baranow Church
2022-05-09 | A bronze bell, weighing 150 kg, was stolen from the Baranow Parish Church on May 9th. The bell has images of the Crucified Christ and Madonna and Child on it and was made in 1853. The parish priest notified the police and appealed to the villagers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5754
Aggravated Theft in Crotone
2022-05-09 | Two burglars entered a church in Crotone on May 9th and after removing the entire offering column, they took it outside, forced it open, and took the coins within. A passerby noticed the unusual activity and immediately notified the Carabinieri arrived on the scene with the State Police who caught the offenders. They were then charged with aggravated theft and taken to the Catanzaro prison.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5774
Relic containing the blood of a Polish priest was stolen from a church
2022-05-09 | The St. Nicholas Church in Boston was the victim of a burglary on the night between the 9th and 10th of May. One of the stolen items was the reliquary containing the blood of Jerzy Popieluszko, a Polish priest who was beatified by the Roman Catholic Church in 2009. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6458
Church in Lomellina Vandalized
2022-05-08 | On May 8th, vandals forced their way into the interior of the Santa Croce church in Lomellina. There, they damaged the the votive candle lighting system and ransacked the priest's office. No valuable appeared to be stolen but extent of the damage had not been properly assessed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5745
Destruction of Tombs and Crosses in Piekary Śląskie Cemetery
2022-05-08 | Around 30 graves were destroyed by unknown vandals in the St. Józef cemetery of Piekary Śląskie on May 8th. Tombstones were pushed over and crosses were broken in an act that showed complete disrespect for a place that is sacred to so many. The crime was investigated with the support of forensic technicians who were trying identify the villains.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5747
Anglican Chapel Severly Vandalised and Mocked
2022-05-08 | St. Mary's church near Saxton, Yorkshire, which is an important listed building, was vandalized by anonymous intruders on May 8th. A volunteer group that takes care of the chapel wrote on Facebook: "A sickening sight this morning...litter, smashed vases, glass everywhere, and worst of all the crosses broken too. To add insult to injury, a note of apology with a fake phone number," was also left there. The chapel stands in an isolated field and has often been a place of refuge.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5748
Arson and Property Damage in Bobingen Church
2022-05-08 | Unknown people entered the Liebfrauen church in Bobingen and damaged several seat cushions and benches. On May 8th, they took the sacrificial candles that were in the church, and after lighting them, used them to burn holes in the furniture. An investigation was launched by the police and the damage was estimated at around 400 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5749
Theft and Vandalism in Ostellato Church
2022-05-08 | When the priests arrived at the Ostellato parish of "Santissimi Pietro e Paolo" on Sunday the 8th of May to prepare mass, they found that intruders had stolen the offerings and some golden objects after forcing their way through the back door during the night. The property damage was around 6,000 euros, which was not covered by insurance. The carabinieri started an investigation and hope to find the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5755
116 Spiritual Sites Destroyed Since Russian Invasion of Ukraine
2022-05-07 | Between February 24th, when Russia first invaded Ukraine, and May 7th, there have been 116 spiritually significant buildings destroyed. 91 of these buildings were Orthodox churches while the rest, were Mosques, Synagogues, Catholic and Protestant churches, and buildings of religious organizations. Most of these ruined sites were in the regions of Donetsk, Kyiv, and Kharkiv. The war in Ukraine has caused a divide, especially in the Christian Orthodox Church which has led Russia to ban the Ukraine Orthodox Church and Ukraine to attempt a similar ban on the Russian Orthodox Church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5757
Two Holy Water Fonts Stolen from Different Cemeteries
2022-05-07 | On the 7th of May, two holy water fonts were stolen. One was stolen from the cemetery in Hittisau and the other was from the cemetery in Egg-Großdorf. It was not known who did it but witnesses were being asked to provide more information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5762
Churchyard in Ruvo di Puglia Vandalized
2022-05-06 | The churchyard of the San Rocco church in Ruvo di Puglia, was vandalized on May 6th by unknown perpetrators. Diesel was sprinkled around which caused damage to the sidewalk and floor. Municipal councilor Mariatiziana Rugliani thought the cameras may be able to help identify who did it. He also said of the incident: "An ignoble act, a meaningless disfigurement to a sacred place and to those who lovingly guard it."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5737
Vandalism to Evangelical Church in Vöcklabruck
2022-05-06 | The evangelical church in Vöcklabruck, Austria, was vandalized on Friday the 6th of May. Three lights on the pathway outside the church were kicked over, and notices, brochures, leaflets, and prayer books were scattered all over the inside of the church. The microphones were damaged and the offering box was broken open from which money was then stolen. The amount of damage was not entirely clear but the police were investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5744
Man Arrested for Stealing Sacred Vessels from Nicosia Chapel
2022-05-06 | A 36-year-old man was arrested on the 6th of May on suspicion of stealing sacred vessels from a schoolyard chapel in Nicosia, Cyprus. Sometime between April 15th and May 3rd, the chapel was broken into and the sacred items were taken. Those investigating the crime found the man.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5746
Window in Schlierstadt Church Smashed
2022-05-06 | A window of the Catholic church "Sankt Gangolf" in Schlierstadt, was smashed with a stone between May 2nd and 6th. The church was vandalized twice last year but this time, the property damage was around 1000 euros. The police were looking for more information about the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5751
Parental Consent Not Needed for Children Under 16 Years Old to Take Puberty Blockers
2022-05-06 | On the 6th of May, the Supreme Court of the UK declined to take the Bell v Tavistock case, regarding puberty blockers for teenagers under 16 years old, which means the ruling by the Court of Appeals will currently stand. After the High Court ruled that 13-year-olds were not old enough and needed parental consent to begin hormone blockers; Tavistock appealed in June of 2021 and the Court of Appeals ruled that it was not the High Court's decision to make. Instead, they ruled that parental consent was unnecessary and that clinicians could decide it with their patients. This is a significant concern for Christian parents who would disagree with such treatment.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5753
Anti-Christian and Nazi Tags on Parish Church in Mautern
2022-05-06 | The outer walls of the parish church in Mautern were sprayed with Nazi symbols on May 6th. Once the police had the relevant details, they were able to identify the perpetrators who were brothers aged 21 and 27 from the Leoben district. The property damage was significant. One graffiti reads "F** Jesus".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5756
Bishop's Car in Kaluga Vandalized
2022-05-06 | On the night of May 6th, the car of Albert Ratkin, bishop of the Glorification Church in Kaluga, was painted with the "pro-Russian war" letters Z and V, and polyurethane was put in the exhaust pipe and doors. The vandalism was done because the Bishop had a YouTube channel, called "View from Heaven", on which he had posted videos against the war. He said: “I am not speaking with criticism, I am offering some solutions. Not everyone likes it, you see.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5765
Satanist Profanation of Cementery in Chișinău
2022-05-06 | On May 6, 20 crosses and 70 funeral wreaths were set on fire at the St. Lazarus Cemetery in Chișinău, Moldova. Law enforcement officials found evidence of a satanic"ritual" at the site.
The following May 13, a 35-year-old man was arrested for the theft of an electric bicycle in the capital - he was linked to these acts of desecration and indicted. He faces up to four years in prison and a fine of over 3,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6423
Offering Box in Rain Church Destroyed
2022-05-05 | On May 6th, a thief broke into the parish church in Rain and stole 100 euros from the offering box there. In the process, the intruder broke open the historic offering box from 1721 with a tool and caused damage that will take around 1000 euros to repair. It was not known who did it but the police in Rain were started an investigation and were looking for more information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5743
European Parliament Adopts "Hostile" Report on Persecution of Religious Minorities
2022-05-04 | A report titled "Persecution of minorities on the grounds of belief or religion," was adopted by the European Parliament in Brussels on May 4th. It has since been called “openly hostile towards religion” by human rights experts since it in places points to religion as a threat and a driver of humanitarian crises. It also failed to mention the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and Africa, but states that "sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), including abortion, are being banned in the name of religion." Although the report had some positive points it did not always refer to religion favorably.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5734
Attempted Arson in Hüttersdorf Church
2022-05-04 | An unidentified arsonist tried to ignite the doors of a church on Berliner Straße in Hüttersdorf but failed. On May 4th, a witness saw from her place a lighted candle next to the wooden door of the church but before it could cause significant damage, it tipped over and went out. The Lebach Police were looking for people who could provide more information about the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5750
Teenage Girls Vandalize Völklingen Church
2022-05-02 | In the morning of May 2nd, two 11 year old girls threw candles and song books on the ground in the St. Eligius church in Völklingen, Saarland, and smeared a banana on the wall. They returned in the afternoon and knocked over some displays and commemorative candles. They left before the police arrived but the officers found them at a nearby supermarket; at which point, they were handed over to their mother after some strict words.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5729
Fascist Symbols Painted on Church in Petrinja
2022-05-02 | The church of St. Spiridon the Wonderworker in Petrinja was targeted with Ustasha symbols on May 2nd. This graffiti has fascist implications and shows opposition to pluralistic societies. The police were investigating the incident in hopes of finding the perpetrators and stopping further hate crimes in the future.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5767
Sacred Pictures of Saints in Milazzo Ruined with Knife
2022-05-01 | Pictures in the Madonna del Lume church of Milazzo were ruined by an unknown individual who cut them with a sharp object on the 1st of May. It was a series of ten prints including pictures of the Martyrdom of St. Sebastian, the statue of St. Rita, and one of Madonna del Carmelo. The pictures were slashed through the middle and the mayor of the city said of the act: "This gesture was made by people who disgust me."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5710
Several Thefts of Sacred Objects in Tuscany
2022-05-01 | In the last weeks of April, there were several thefts of sacred objects from churches in Tuscany. The carabinieri in Florence identified a Romanian individual who was behind most of the crimes as after his home was searched, a number of these items were found including paintings and statues. The police were investigating the crimes to find a possible accomplice.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5711
Extreme leftist Mob Attacks Parishioners and Church in Angers
2022-05-01 | On May 1st during a trade union demonstration, a group of leftist activists - also identified as Antifa - attacked parishioners in front of the Notre-Dame des Victoires church in Angers. The group went by the name of "the Angevin Anti-Fascist Network (RAAF)." The parishioners were attending the 11-hour Mass, while others had positioned themselves in front of the church to prevent attacks. The mob still threw paint on the building and squashed eggs on the ground. They shouted "homophobic slogans" and later returned with a banner directed at Catholics that read, "We are here to challenge those who are dedicated to deifying themselves." The police had to intervene to stop further violence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5723
Burglary at Church in Hamm
2022-05-01 | Between May 1st and 2nd, burglars broke into the St. Mary's Church in Hamm and stole around 100 euros from the donation box. They forcefully entered through a window and once inside, searched the sacristy and then looked through cupboards which they had violently opened. The property damage was around 500 euros and the police, who were investigating the crime, needed more information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5727
Property Damage to Church in Dieburg
2022-05-01 | Unknown people forcefully entered the Dieburg Church on Forsthausstrasse, who were possibly looking for something to steal. Although nothing was taken, the damage inflicted on the church was around 1000 euros as they also tried to break open a door inside the church. The incident was reported to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5728
Martin Luther Bust Destroyed at Höchen Church
2022-04-30 | A bust of Martin Luther, in front of a church in Höchen, was entirely demolished by an unknown vandal on April 30th. The police were looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5712
Spanish "TikToker" Attacked on Social Media for Being Catholic
2022-04-30 | Ignacio “Nacho” Gil Conesa, a well-known Spanish "tikToker", has been attacked by other influencers for being Catholic. He goes by the name Nachter, and a few months before May 1st, he devoted his time solely to making humorous videos about typical things that happen in the house. In an interview with the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, he said "there are other influencers who have attacked me for being catholic," a situation he described as "ridiculous."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5713
Vandals Looted and Damaged to Church in Leipzig
2022-04-30 | Unknown intruders broke into a church in Leipzig on April 30th and roughly searched through drawers, and cupboards, causing damage to the door of one dresser. The property damage was around 500 euros and they also stole a large amount of money. An investigation of the incident was launched by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5721
Property Damage and Attempted Theft in Pleyben Church
2022-04-30 | On April 30th, the volunteers of the Saint-Germain Church in Pleyben, were shocked to find significant amounts of property damage. The front door was damaged and judging by the broken display cases, an attempt was made to steal the religious objects. They did not know who did it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5730
Hands Stolen from Angel Sculpture in Bielefeld Church
2022-04-30 | The hands from the Annunciation Angel sculpture in the Nicolai Church of Bielefeld were stolen sometime between April 30th and May 3rd. The wooden hands were not firmly secured, as they could be easily removed for transport. The community leadership asked for the thief to anonymously return them to the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5735
Historic Church Stained-Glass Window Damaged with Stone
2022-04-30 | The outer protective pane of a historically significant stained glass window of the Evangelical Church of Peace in Manching, was broken with a stone that was thrown at it. The windows were made by Arno Bromberger, who taught at the Academy of Arts in Munich and is famous for his stained glass church windows. The crime happened on April 30th but it was not known who did it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5739
Graffiti on Historical Church in Barcelona
2022-04-29 | The heritage church of Santa Maria del Pi, in the Barri Gòtic of Barcelona, had a large amount of graffiti painted on its façade on April 29th. As well as defacing the church, the graffiti also damaged a medieval shield as it may be difficult to remove the black and pink paint. This marked an increased amount of vandalism in the area.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5714
Vandalism and Arson at St. Nicholas Church
2022-04-29 | The St. Nicholas Church in Swallow was targeted by vandalism on April 29th. Unknown perpetrators, possibly youth, took two picnic benches from the church to a park, set fire to one, and painted the other with obscene language and initials. The church was quite disappointed by the act especially since it took time to repair the damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5715
Theft from Statues in Ischitella Church
2022-04-29 | Thieves stole jeweled necklaces from four statues in the church of Sant ' Eustachio Martire in Ischitella, on of them being the statue of Madonna del Carmine. Although the value of the jewels was not particularly high, the sacrilege, shocked the entire religious community.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5716
Arson attack at Dinslaken Church
2022-04-29 | Unknown arsonists set the Heilig-Geist-Church in Dinslaken Hiesfeld on fire on April 29th. The property damage was not too extensive but the shock of such a hateful attack was great.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5717
Statue of Virgin Stolen from Pau Church
2022-04-29 | A statue of the Virgin Mary was stolen from the Saint-Martin church in Pau on April 29th. People saw the man walking through the streets with the 1.5-meter statue and quickly alerted the police who then arrested him. Father Jean-Jacques Dufau said: “She was perched on one foot, on the right side of the church as you entered. I don't know how [the thief] did it."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5718
Tags and Graffiti on Church in Piozzo
2022-04-28 | On the night of April 28th, a sentence was written in red paint on the Parish Church of Santo Stefano in Piozzo. It read: "The Nazis create poverty to take away freedom." The perpetrator(s) remain(s) unknown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5704
Glindenberg Church Devastated by Vandals
2022-04-28 | The St. Nikolai Church of Glindenberg was devastated on April 28th and had to be closed as a result. The inside of the church was devastated: the altar cross was torn off as well hymn books were left in the streets with their pages torn out. The police were looking for the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5706
Satanic Graffiti and Desecration in Graz Church
2022-04-28 | Satanic graffiti appeared in the St. Vincent church in Graz on the 28th of April. The word Satan, upside-down crosses, and the Antichrist number 666 were painted with red spray paint on the walls and altar of the church. The vandals also sprayed an angel's face red and burnt a bible. The Priest, Wolfgang Pucher commented, "It's just unbelievable."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5708
Jesus and Saint Statues Broken and Chapel Vandalized
2022-04-28 | A chapel near the village of Pokrzywna was the victim of a vandalistic attack that left a statue of Christ ruined. In the past years, this statue has been targeted, but on the 28th of April, both its legs were broken off just below the knee. A statue of Mother Biska was also torn out and thrown into a stream and a small piggy bank was stolen. The crime was reported to the police but due to the absence of security cameras, the perpetrators may be difficult to identify.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5709
Ireland: Couple to go to Jail for Attending Mass During Lockdown
2022-04-28 | Jim Ryan (64), and his wife Ann (59), were both fined €300 for travelling 70km to a Mass on Easter Sunday when there was a 5km limit for non essential travel during lockdown. They have since appealed their sentence but have also said they will go to jail rather then pay. Jim told the Sunday World "I have no intention of paying them a fine for me going to Mass - for doing what I have done my whole life."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5720
Valuable Items Stolen from Church in Villach
2022-04-28 | During the night of May 28th, unknown perpetrators entered the Heiligenkreuzkirche in Villach and stole several items. They took gold-plated candlesticks, the quantity of which was not yet known, as well as a gold-plated lamp. An investigation was started and the amount of damage was still being quantified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5851
Man Steals from Three Churches in Wasilków and Zabłudów
2022-04-27 | The police received several reports in the last weeks of April, of thefts from churches in Wasilków and Zabłudów. In the incidents, the perpetrator had pulled the piggy bank off off the wall of one church and and in the other one, he broke the door off the money box and took around 4000 PLN. He then tried again in the church of Sokólski but the police caught the 37 year old who could be facing up to 10 years in prison.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5700
Church in Zweibruecken Defaced with Obscene Tags
2022-04-27 | A 22-year-old man graffitied the facade of the Alexander Church in Zweibruecken on April 27th with obscene symbols. He tried to escape but the police were quickly alerted to the act, which happened around 19:30 and the man was arrested. He will have to pay around $500 for this crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5701
Windows of Church in Albersdorf Broken
2022-04-27 | On April 27th, it was discovered that three of the windows on the Remigius Church in Albersdorf were damaged by thrown stones. Two had holes in them and one was cracked with the damage amounting to around 3,000 euros. There were no leads to the perpetrators and the police were looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5707
Scottish Ministers Criticized for Seeking Dialogue Between Pro-life and Pro-Choice Groups
2022-04-27 | Scottish ministers said they plan to explore options of mediation with pro-life activists regarding "buffer zones" around abortion clinics. According to minutes from an abortion "buffer zone" meeting in February, the Centre for Good Relations asked for engagement “with all interested parties, not just those who are directly involved with the conflict itself." The ministers were criticized for their plan which aims to understand “the issues and perspective from all sides."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5726
Christian Asylum Seeker Wins on European Court of Human Rights
2022-04-26 | In 2018, a Pakistani national who had converted from Islam to Christianity requested asylum in Switzerland but was rejected by the authorities. Despite them recognizing his conversion, The Federal Administrative Court rejected the request; however, upon taking the case, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled in favor of the applicant. They held that articles 2 and 3 of the ECHR would be violated should he be sent back to Pakistan.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5702
1500 Euro Worth Destruction and Vandalism in Attendorn Cathedral
2022-04-26 | The police were called to investigate a crime in the St. John the Baptist church in Attendorn on April 26th. The church said that the destruction was done to candlesticks, the Agatha altar, a holy water font, parts of a bench, and a disinfectant dispenser. Books and writings were also thrown around. The damage, around 1,500 euros, was thought to have been done by a slim young man, with dark hair, between the ages of 15 and 20.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5691
Man Urinates on Church Trani
2022-04-26 | A man was seen on video, on the 26th of April, urinating in the churchyard of Sant'Agostino in Trani. Judging by the stench, others have done the same thing which eventually causes lasting damage to the walls that then have to be repaired. This man obviously had little respect for this sacred sight.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5693
Church Windows in Newtown Smashed
2022-04-25 | The windows of the St. David's Church in Newtown were smashed by vandals on April 25th. It was not known who did the act and someone who was closely affiliated with the church said it was "absolutely disgusting to see yet again," which implies that vandalism similar to this has already occurred.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5678
Theft and Repeated Vandalism at Grumo Nevano Church
2022-04-25 | A church in Gruma Nevano, dedicated to Madonna del Buon Consiglio, was vandalized on April 25th. Smaller acts of vandalism had been seen for weeks, but this time the lockers were found empty, the walls were painted, and the crucifix was on the floor. The carabinieri investigated the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5681
Teenagers Vandalize Crosses in Novara School
2022-04-25 | During the weekend of the 25th of April, minors broke into a gymnasium in Novara to destroy several crosses and write satanic and blasphemous thing on the walls. The then posted their actions on social media. The culprits have been identified and although some who are 14 years old cannot be charged, their parents can be made to pay the damages. The act also showed a worrying lack of respect for religious symbols by people at such a young age.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5722
Churches Property in Lingen Damaged
2022-04-24 | A wooden box outside the Christ-König-Kirche on Bernhard-Lohmann-Strasse in Lingen, was damaged by unknown perpetrators, who, according to the police, were trying to gain access to the metal cassette within. Nothing was stolen but the property damage amounted to around 500 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5671
Arson to Church in Rheinberg with Box Full of Candles
2022-04-24 | In the afternoon, on 24 April, a 62-year-old man visited the church of St. Peter on Kirchplatz in the city centre. When he entered the church, he smelled something burning and saw a burning box of Easter lights on a table. Quick-witted, he brought the box and the table to the front of the church and extinguished the fire with sparkling water. He then informed the police. The police found more burning tea lights in a large package underneath the candle holder and also extinguished the flames.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5683
Maria Hilf Chapel in Piekary Śląskie Destroyed
2022-04-23 | The Maria Hilf chapel in Piekary Śląskie, was vandalized by a number of youth on April 23rd after they had a party in which alcohol was illegally consumed. They destroyed the surveillance cameras, but not before their faces were caught on camera, and then proceeded to tear tiles off the roof. Using the footage, the police managed to identify the youth who were questioned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5666
Flag Ripped Down from Church in Bellshill
2022-04-23 | A Union Jack, put up to celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubilee, was torn down from the St. Andrew's Free Church in Bellshill. Reverend Jason Lingiah, has labelled the attack an "anti-Protestant sectarian hate crime." The flag was thrown near the wall and left, while the pole was bent.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5680
Insults and Vandalism in Magherafelt Church
2022-04-23 | Three teenagers entered the Magherafelt Catholic church on the 23rd of April and, after verbally insulting the priest, damaged several objects. Officers then arrested three suspects aged 11, 13, and 15, for a number of charges including criminal damage, as they smashed a vase, threw the Bible and other holy books around, and damaged a microphone. They appeared in court, for what the police called a hate crime, and two of them were banned from entering the Magherafelt area while the third still awaits trial.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5682
Catholic Church in Vincenz-Zahn-Weg Broken Into
2022-04-23 | The Catholic church in Vincenz-Zahn-Weg was broken into on the 23rd of April by an unknown person. The amount of money taken was not known but a large amount of property damage was done. The police investigated the incident and asked for witnesses to come forward.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5690
£20,000 Theft from Church in Cambridgeshire
2022-04-23 | Two large bass instruments and a euphonium were stolen from the St. Peters Church in Cambridgeshire on April 23rd. The instruments are worth around £20,000 so it was a significant loss for the church especially since it was not covered by insurance. The Cambridgeshire Constabulary were investigating the crime and needed more information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5794
Spanish Council of the Judiciary: Proposed "Trans Law" Would Violate Human Rights
2022-04-22 | The Spanish General Council of the Judiciary's (CGPJ), warned that the LGBTQ+ draft law proposed by the government would violate the rights of women, parents, and religious persons. The law seeks to allow minors to change their sex after the age of 12 without submitting a medical or psychological report and after the age of 16, parental consent would not be needed. Christian parents would not be able to raise their children in line with their beliefs and women's spaces and women's sports could be jeopardized.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5725
Muslims Group Attacks Coptic Christians in Turin
2022-04-21 | As it was reported on the 21. April, two Coptic Christians, who were smoking in the square in Turin, were approached by a Muslim group who told them it was Ramadan and they should not be smoking. The two men, who were wearing Christian crosses, explained their faith and that they were not Muslim, so this rule did not apply to them. The Muslim group then proceeded to attack the two with kicks and punches but left before the police arrived.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5656
Goblets Stolen from Church in Florence
2022-04-21 | A 66 year old native of Sicily was arrested for stealing two golden goblets form a Florentine church in via di Caciolle. The police were alerted to the theft and managed to recover all the stolen goods as well as catch the man. Thankfully, the pyxes, which are used to hold the consecrated hosts, did not sustain any damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5659
Window Broken and Grass Burned in Mannheim-Käfertal Church
2022-04-21 | Unknown vandals smashed the side window of the church in Mannheim-Käfertal and lit a fire behind the church which burned a 1.5-meter patch of grass. The police started an investigation into the incident and were looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5669
Burger King, UBER and Hera foods Disrespect Catholic Symbols in Advert
2022-04-19 | Spanish Catholics started a petition to boycott Burger King for mocking the Eucharist in an ad campaign during the Holy Week. Billboards included the words "take and eat of it all" which were spoken by Jesus during the last supper added to "which has no meat", to advertise their veggie burger. Burger King has since apologized and said they did not mean to offend anyone and immediately began to withdraw the profanation. But two other firms, UBER and HEURA Foods, also mocked religious sentiments by launching a campaign with the picture of a nun eating a hamburger and saying "This Good Friday, eat meat".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5625
Vandalism and Theft in Grosseto Cathedral
2022-04-19 | The Grosseto Cathedral was raided by a masked man with a hat and gloves who fled with several items. On April 19th, he entered the Cathedral and took a brass candlestick from the altar, and then smashed the glass of the shrine that holds the ex-votos that people offer to Madonna with an awl. Some policemen, who were nearby, ran after him so he dropped the candlestick but held on to the votive offerings of devotional value.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5637
Russian Orthodox Church in Laa an der Thaya Vandalized
2022-04-19 | A Russian Orthodox Church in Laa an der Thaya was graffitied with the tags "Putin Stop" and "No! War" on the 19th of April. This appeared on the entrance pillars to the church which is no place to express political feelings. The Russian Embassy called it a "cowardly action" of "particularly cynical contempt" and said, "We are outraged to the depths of our souls by an act of vandalism in relation to the Orthodox Church."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5651
Picture of Santa Rita Burned by Teenagers in Alassio
2022-04-18 | Two young boys entered the church in Alassio and started a fire in the votive candle box on April 18th. They also burned a picture of Sant Rita and the parish priest who intervened, was at risk of getting burnt.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5621
Statue of Christ Smashed in San Salvo
2022-04-18 | A Statue of Christ in the church of Addolorata in San Salvo, was thrown to the ground and smashed on April 18th. The author of this act of vandalism appeared to use an object to break the statue into tiny pieces. The parish lodged a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5622
Church Door Graffitied Among other incidents of Vandalism
2022-04-18 | On Easter Monday, the door of the Saints Philip and James Church was smeared with inscriptions. but the author is unknown. Mayor, Daniele Biada, put forth a social complaint due to the increased amount of attacks of this nature.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5673
Teenagers Vandalise St. Helen's Church in Cliffe
2022-04-18 | Teenager, thought to be between 11 and 12 years old, broke 7 stained glass windows in St. Helen's church in Cliffe and damaged several roof tiles around the 18 of April. The cost of the damage was extensive and could be in the thousands since the kind of roof tile used was particularly expensive. The children's parents said the actions were "inexcusable" and some even made them apologize to the churchwarden.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5679
Church Near Dieppe Closed after Repeated Acts of Vandalism
2022-04-17 | The church in Arques la Bataille, near Dieppe in the Seine Maritime region, which is open during the day, was closed during the Easter school holidays after two vandalistic incidents, in which young people scattered and lighted candles in the church and climbed up the rostrum, then threw music scores and songbooks from up there. It will still be decided when the church will b opened again.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6468
Brass Crosses and other Items Stolen From Wleń Cemetery
2022-04-16 | Police were informed of the theft of a brass cross from the cemetery of Wleń on the 16th of April. Upon investigation, they found that surrounding graves were also missing letters, crosses, and other elements. They began an investigation and were looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5635
Drunken Men Ruin Church Service in Kłodzko
2022-04-16 | Two drunken men entered a church service in Kłodzko and are now facing five years in prison for offending religious feelings. They threw a cross to the ground, tore a stoup off the wall, and pointed their middle fingers at the priest. The shocked worshipers quickly notified the police who detained the men and found them to be intoxicate.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5636
Children: Insults and Destruction in Potenza Church
2022-04-16 | Three children entered the church of San Michelle on the eve of Easter and while shouting curese, destroyed the brazier intended for the religious service the next day. President of the Basilicata Region, Vito Bardi, addressed the several acts of vandalizm to the historic city center of which this was included. He said, "It is within the family environment that the first and basic rules of civil coexistence are learned, whose value system based on respect, education and responsibility contributes to forming the person."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5667
Man Disrupts Easter Church Service in Athens
2022-04-16 | On Saturday the 16th of April, a man entered an Easter church service in the Church of St Panteleimon and shouted Arabic phrases into a microphone. Video footage showed the priest trying to calm the congregation and the offender was later arrested by the police in Athens.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5668
Swastika Tagged on Façade of Evangelical Church
2022-04-16 | On April 16th, it was discovered that the façade of an Evangelical church in Reims was painted with a swastika and the word "HITLER" in orange spray paint. Pastor Philippe Rosa filed a complaint but was not sure of the reason for the tags. He said: "The prefecture had warned us ... against possible incivility and actions against the churches during this Easter period. Bad luck it fell on us."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5766
Theft of Hosts at Church in Via Monte Massico
2022-04-15 | On April 15th, a 27-year-old broke into the parish of Santa Maria Assunta in Via Monte Massico with the intent of stealing a gold-coloured metal host holder. He was unsuccessful since the parish priest called the carabinieri who blocked the man and retrieved the item.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5614
Theft of Sacred Object in Montesacro Church
2022-04-15 | A 27-year-old man was arrested by the Carabinieri for stealing a gold-coloured host holder from a church in the Montesacro district. The theft happened shortly before the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5623
Repeated Vandalism to Hartlepool Church
2022-04-15 | Over four consecutive nights, ending on April 15th, vandals have visited the St Patrick’s Church in Hartlepool and caused thousand of pounds of damage. They broke around a dozen stained glass windows and left the inside fo the church covered with masonry ruble.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5601
Statue of Mary Destroyed in Krosno
2022-04-15 | A figure of Mary was torn of its pedestal and destroyed at an intersection in the district of Krosno on April 16th. The statue dates back to 1959 and is in the Municipal Heritage Register but it was not known who completed the act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5615
Tabernacle Door Stolen in Schiavonia
2022-04-15 | On Good Friday, someone broke into the church of Schiavonia and stole the wooden door off the tabernacle in the altar of San Gaetano. The door was made between 1700 and 1800 and of cultural heritage. The church was greatly disappointed by this sacrilegious theft.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5624
Valuable Relics Stolen from Church During Holy Week
2022-04-15 | During the Holy Week, anonymous intruders entered Neukirchen beim Heiligen Blut church and broke the glass on a case that contained some relics. They then took a cloth with brooches that contained bones from the saints as well as an angel sculpture from the high alter. The police were looking for witnesses and described the relics as having "inestimable immaterial value."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5634
Crucifix Stolen from San Francesco Church
2022-04-15 | It was discovered on April 20th that the crucifix from the chapel of Sant'Antonio in San Francesco was missing. Upon further investigation, it was realized that the brass item, which is about 70 cm tall, must have been stolen as it could not be found. The parish priest Fr. Gabriele Monnanni lodged a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5652
Hateful Anti-Christian Tags Found on Church in Foix
2022-04-15 | On April 15th, hateful inscriptions were painted on the Saint-Volusien Church in Foix. Phrases such as, "A good church is a church on fire," could be seen. Father Edouard de Laportalière said about the author who was not yet identified, "I recognised this writing already affixed to buildings in the parish that incited people not to believe in the Church. I invite this person to come and meet me, so that we can talk rather than write it on the church because it costs money to erase these messages." The Father said this was the third time the church has been targeted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5653
Way of the Cross Devastated in Jerzmanowice
2022-04-15 | The Way of the Cross on Mount Kalwaria in Jerzmanowice was completely destroyed by unknown persons on April 16th. The larger crosses were cut down with a saw. Their supporting ropes were cut while the smaller ones were smashed with an ax. The head and feet of the Mother of God figure were broken and statues of saints were destroyed. This was only part of the damage which the mayor, Tomasz Gwizdała, described as a profanation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5670
Windows in Shrewsbury Church Smashed During Service
2022-04-15 | During an evensong service in the Shrewsbury church of St. Chad's, vandals smashed the stained glass widows of the church causing £8,000 in damage, and endangered those inside. The incident happened on the 15th of May at a church which often holds large events. Church warden Joanna Hepper said: "This was extremely upsetting for the congregation and could have caused injury."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5887
Artifact Stolen from Church Restoration Sight in Fiuggi
2022-04-14 | While the Collegiate Church of San Pietro was being repaired, a marked truss, that was intended for a museum, was found to be missing. Stills from a webcam were being viewed and Felice D'Amico who was in charge of the work, said they had many clues. The faithful were quite dismayed by this gesture.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5602
Statue of Virgin Mary Beheaded and Head Stolen in Badajoz
2022-04-14 | In Badajoz, municipality of Los Santos de Maimona, thieves cut the head off the Virgin saint in a sanctuary and took it along with her crown. This occurred halfway through the Holy Week and the Guardia Civil and the Police were investigating the "serious act." The chapel was forced to close until the necessary repairs and investigations had been done.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5600
Offensive Graffiti Appeared on Sant Cugat Monastery
2022-04-14 | The Police were investigating the offensive words written on the church of Sant Cugat del Vallès on April 14th. Images showed two men who had written the words "F*** Moses" in Spanish on the wall of the historic building. Work had begun to remove the deeply offensive comments but the police were still uncertain of who committed the act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5599
Easter Procession Attacked in Granada
2022-04-14 | An Easter procession on Holy Thursday had been going for about an hour and a half when objects began to fall on those attending. This occurred while the procession was going through Cuesta del Chapiz but luckily the police were quick to take action and a disaster was prevented. This was the second attack on Easter processions in Spain during the Easter week, both of which showed targeted discrimination of Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5639
Public Cross Vandalized With The Colors of The Republican Flag
2022-04-14 | On the morning of April 14, the cross in Ribalta Park was found vandalized, painted with the colors of the Republican flag. The vandalistic act was perpetrated by the far-left group Antifascist Brigades of Castellón, on the anniversary of the proclamation of the Second Republic in Spain. In July 2021, the City Council of Castellón wanted to remove the cross due to its "Francoist Past", applying the Historical Memory Law, but the Christian Lawyers appealed and the judge of the Contentious- Administrative number 2 of Castellón ruled that no action was to be taken against the monument until the appeal was resolved.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6023
Severe Vandalism at Waldkraiburger Church
2022-04-13 | A number of items were destroyed at the church in Waldkraiburger on April 13th. The vandals, who were not identified, crushed candles, burned hymn books and lit microphones on fire. They even threw sand around the church from a candle bowl but since the incident was still being investigated, the extent of the damage was not known.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5604
Sacrificial Canes Taken from Church in Reichenbach
2022-04-13 | On April 13th, anonymous people broke into the St. Michael Church in Reichenbach and stole several items from the church. They took two large candlesticks that had sacrificial canes attached to them as well as money from a victims box which they had to pry open. Ludwigsstadt police station was requesting information from anyone who knew about the crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5590
Blasphemous Writings on Wall of Donoratico Church
2022-04-13 | The walls of the Santa Maria church of Donoratico were defaced with blasphemous writings on April 13th. Words such as "Don't pray to a Lord, shoot the banker" were written along with various skulls and masks. The priest Don Antony, reported the crime to the Carabinieri but did not know who did it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5592
Stations of Cross Destroyed in Wintersweiler
2022-04-13 | Harald Hofmann, chairman of the parish council, was shocked to find several stations of the Cross destroyed on April 13th. He was not sure who did it but a cross was torn out, the devotional board was knocked over, and boards were taken off a resting bench. The parish had been working on them for months so this was very disappointing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5593
76-year-old Grandmother Arrested for Praying Outside during Lockdown
2022-04-13 | 76-year-old Rosa Lalor was arrested on February 24th, 2021 as she did not have a "reasonable excuse" to be outside at the time. This was despite her explaining to the police officer that she was "walking and praying," and daily exercise was allowed. The officer accused her of not praying in a house of worship and fined her £200 after detaining her in a police car. She challenged this fine and has taken it to court with the help of ADF UK.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5642
Baptists and Other Religious Minorities Face Persecution in Russian - Occupied Ukraine
2022-04-13 | As predicted, religious minorities have experienced increasing persecution in the Russian occupied areas of Ukraine. According to reports, Baptists seemed to be especially targeted by Russian forces. Elijah Brown, general secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, said that in his most recent visit to Ukraine, he was informed that "Baptist leaders needed to evacuate as the security officers had credible information that the invaders intentionally intended to target Baptist pastors in those areas."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5643
Several Sacred Objects Stolen from Aragona Church
2022-04-12 | At some point between last November and March of 2022, chalices, copes, pyxes and stoles were taken from the church of Our Lady of the Rosary in Piazza Umberto I in Aragona. The theft of these sacred objects was investigated by the police but there was little information which makes it difficult to discover who may be the thief and where the items are.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5572
Anti-Catholic Graffiti on Sant Joan Church
2022-04-12 | Anti-Catholic tags appeared on a church in Gràcia, Barcelona on the 12th of April. This time, the Sant Joan Church received the abuse which was, among other things, the words "Church and patriarchy, criminal alliance 8M" scrawled on the wall in black. Councilor of Valents in Gràcia, Jordi Daura, wrote on Twitter: "It is an absolute disgrace the constant lack of respect for the Church by bigots. We will demand that the insults are cleaned up."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5581
St. Mary's Church in Parchim Vandalized
2022-04-12 | The St. Mary's church in Parchim was targeted by an act of vandalism on April 12th. Unknown malefactors broke the organ, smeared the floor with a chalky substance, stole two door keys, and damaged a prayer table. The police investigated the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5583
Three Teenagers Extinguish Arson Fire in Holland
2022-04-12 | Three teenagers aged around 14 discovered a fire at the church on the Brink in Sint Anthonis on the 12th of April. They noticed the smoke when they were passing by the church of Antonius Abbot and went to raise the alarm at a cafe nearby. The boys managed to put out the fire themselves with water buckets before the firebrigade arrived.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6477
Four Figures of Mary Destroyed in Lewniowa
2022-04-11 | To the shock of all, four statues of Mary were destroyed on the 11th of April, three in Lewniowa and one in the neighboring Gnojnik. The statues were quite near the Church of Our Lady and made of concrete so it definitely took considerable force to break them. Artur Seniuk, the mayor of Lewniowa, said: "It is sad, especially that it happened before Easter."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5603
Halstenbek Church Vandalized Again after 3 Days
2022-04-11 | On Friday the 8th of April, the Halstenbek Redeemer Church was vandalized by unknown people who burned pages of the alter Bible, scattered sand everywhere, and stole metal digits from the "song display." Now, just three days later on April 11th, the pastor, Malte Lei, found the church in a similar state. The police were looking for witnesses to to give more details about the incidents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5580
Pro-Abortion and Disrespectful Tags Found on Sarriá Church
2022-04-11 | The façade of the Sant Vicenç de Sarriá church in Barcelona was graffitied with pro-abortion phrases on April 11th. In specific, the words, "out rosaries of our ovaries" were written by the unknown author. Eva Parera, mayor of the Catalan capital said, referring to the perpetrator, "They do not respect anything. Neither life, nor faith, nor public space." and, "These attacks not only do not scare us but reaffirm us in our defense of freedom and truth."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5570
Sacrilegious Theft at Church in Cortona
2022-04-11 | A thief, whose identity remains unknown, stole a rosary held in the hands of a statue of Madonna and took a cross above the statue's head. This took place in the Lower Church of San Marco in Cortona which has no money to replace the stolen items. Andrea Rossi, who is the custodian of the church, hopes that people will leave donations so that the sacred objects can be bought again.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5573
Destructive Church Theft in Siegen-Niederschelden.
2022-04-11 | Between Sunday the 10th of April and Tuesday the 12th, two churches were robbed in Siegen and Niederschelden. It was not known who did it but in both cases, the intruders gained access with force and once inside, searched through drawers and cupboards. The police were investigating the crime to see if anything was stolen and wanted witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5591
Perpetrators Try to Stop Palm Sunday Procession in El Vendrell
2022-04-11 | Five young North Africans in El Vendrell were bothering people during a Palm Sunday procession in hopes that they could prevent the religious event from happening. The local police were notified of the attacks and arrested two 24-year-old individuals who were accused of an attack against the law. The police were searching for the other three.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5626
Statues of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Smashed in Kietrz
2022-04-11 | A statue of the Virgin Mary, and another of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, were destroyed around the the 11th of April. They were from a chapel in Kietrz and Marek Czechowicz, who found them, said it appeared that the Statue of Mary was entirely smashed and that the other one had a brick thrown at it. The police began an investigation and the perpetrator could face up to 2 years in prison.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5654
Finnish Prosecutors Appealed Päivi Räsänen Case
2022-04-10 | After the Helsinki District Court disregarded all charges against the Finnish politician Päivi Räsänen on March 30th, the prosecutor has filed an appeal. Räsänen said “I had hoped that the prosecutors would have settled for this ruling … [But] I am ready to defend freedom of speech and religion in all necessary courts, also in the European Court of Human Rights.” Bishop Juhana Pohjola of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland was also prosecuted for distributing a pamphlet that Räsänen wrote regarding the Bible's views on gender and marriage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5575
Severe Vandalism at Poggio Torriana Church
2022-04-10 | Vandals destroyed multiple objects of the San Vicinio parish in Poggio Torriana on April 10th. They smashed heavy marble benches, broke some glass doors, and cut up several gutters reported parish priest Don Emanuele Giunchi. The church did not have the enough finances to pay for the replacement of the violently broken property which was probably done by people linked to some sect.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5582
Priest and Parish People Attacked in Rome
2022-04-09 | Don Guido Panella, the priest at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Marsala, was physically and verbally attacked by a homeless woman on April 9th. Before this, a homeless man had entered the church and was yelling at everyone until the priest gave him a euro and he left. He then returned with two others, including the woman, and they began shouting at people and the woman even slapped the priest. Two police officers then arrived on the scene at which point the men left but the woman remained and was taken by the carabinieri.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5565
Decorations in Tauberbischofsheim Stolen
2022-04-09 | Shortly before Easter, around the 9. April, decorations for the first communion were stolen in the Tauberbischofsheim church of St. Martin. Those attending the event were shocked when the decorations, which had been placed in front of the altar, were gone. The decorations had a symbolic value for the celebration and the parents were confused as why to these were taken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5665
Tabernacle Stolen from Church in Leipzig
2022-04-08 | The tabernacle was stolen from the Provost Church in Leipzig on April 8th. The shrine was found a short distance from the church with its lock damaged and some of the hosts within were missing or broken. The police were investigating the incident and the leader of the church, Gregor Giele, described the theft as a "bitter experience."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5568
Man Plants Explosive Device during Mass in Toulouse
2022-04-08 | A man was arrested on April 8th for planting an explosive device at the Saint-Etienne cathedral in Toulouse during Mass. The man, who has a criminal record, dropped a package in front of the altar then pushed the sacristan, said something, and left. The explosive was never fired but the congregation was evacuated to make sure no one got injured.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5562
Children: Church Pew Set on Fire in Aalen-Waldhausen
2022-04-08 | A pew in the St. Nicholas church in Aalen-Waldhausen was set on fire on April 8th. It was discovered by a 56-year-old woman who an hour and a half earlier saw three children about eight years old run out of the church. She extinguished the fire with a blanket so the fire brigade, which was notified by the sacristan, was thankfully not needed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5563
Statue of Bishop Vandalized in Marsala
2022-04-08 | The statue of Bishop Pascasino, located in front of the Maria Santissima Bambini church, was damaged by unknown vandals on April 8th. The head of the statue was struck with considerable force as it is split in two parts. The vandals also defaced the statue by placing a floor cleaning rag on top of the bishops head to further insult it. Giuseppe Giacalone, a lawyer who reported the act, said: "Believe me: there are no words or maybe there are and they are all full of anger, indignation, pain, dismay."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5564
Cross Stolen from Church in Mainz
2022-04-08 | On Friday the 8th of April, a cross made of bronze was stolen from an Augustinian church in Mainz. A nun noticed that the cross was missing from the altar and, upon reviewing video, the police were able to recognize a 51 year old man who had previously stolen goods. They were then able to locate the cross, along with three alter candles, and return them to the church. The man was convicted of the theft.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5569
Church in Halstenbek Ransacked
2022-04-08 | The Redeemer church of Halstenbek was the victim of a targeted attack on April 8th that left the church a mess. The rioters destroyed alter candles, scattered sand in the worship place, burned pages of the Bible, and took metal letters from the "song display." Due to the severity of the act, police were investigating and wanted witnesses who might be able to give them information about who committed the crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5574
Twitter Bans Spanish Deputy for Writing "Amen" in Support of the Holy Week
2022-04-08 | Twitter censored the deputy of the VOX party in Spain, Víctor Manuel Sánchez del Real, for writing "Amen" and the cry "Long live Christ the King", in support of the Holy Week. The social network considered that the deputy's publications did not comply with Twitter's rules, by "publishing private information" and demanded that he deleted it in order to unlock his account.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6025
Priest Robbed during Service in Warsaw
2022-04-07 | A priest in Białołęka, Warsaw, was robbed while celebrating mass in an in an act that showed complete disrespect for the religious events of the church. On April 7th, a man and woman entered the church during the service and took the priest's phone. After being contacted, the thieves agreed to return the phone but only for a sum of money. The priest contacted the police who were investigating the crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5550
Church of San Gottardo Tagged with Obscene Symbols
2022-04-07 | The church of San Gottardo in Vittorio Veneto has been once again vandalized in an attack that was described as blasphemous and brutal. The incident was reported on the 7th of April. Unknown perpetrators inscribed Insults and phallic symbols in black on the walls of the sacred temple. Due to the lack of surveillance cameras, those who did it will be hard to find but after this act, the Municipality was considering putting some in.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5551
Update: Two Men Arrested for Theft and Vandalism of Several Churches in Paris
2022-04-06 | Two men were taken into custody by the police on April 6th as they were expected to have committed multiple thefts and sacrilegious acts at Catholic churches in the Paris region. The churches included the Saint-Pierre Church in Bondy and the church of Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois in Romainville, in which the tabernacle and consecrated hosts were vandalized, as well as thefts in the Grenoble Cathedral, and churches located in Val-de-Marne, Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis and Paris. The total damage amounted to several tens of thousand of euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5540
Orthodox Church in Strasbourg Tagged with Letter Z
2022-04-06 | The letter Z was painted several times on the entrance of the Russian Orthodox Church in Strasbourg on April 6th. This letter is a symbol that has been associated with the Russian Army and the attack was obviously hateful. A complaint has been filed and the parish commented: "We mourn what is happening and wish a quick return of peace to Ukrainian land."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5544
Spanish PSOE Law Criminalizes Pro-Life Prayer Groups Outside Abortion Facilities
2022-04-06 | On the 6th of April, the Spanish Senate approved an alteration to the Penal Code, in order to "punish the harassment and intimidation of anti-abortion activists of women who go to clinics to voluntarily interrupt their pregnancy". This modification, which could lead to 3 months up to 1 year of imprisonment, was endorsed by the Socialist Party of Pedro Sánchez, the Prime Minister. It was approved by Congress and enters into force when published in the Official State Gazette.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5970
DIY Abortion Pills Violate Parental Rights in England
2022-04-05 | New DIY abortion laws in the UK, allow for women to have an abortion without seeing a medical professional; but, by simple talking, and then ordering pills over the phone. This raised serious concern for the health of women and the possibility for minors to abort without properly consulting a professional or their parents before starting something that could traumatize their lives. Parental rights are violated in this case, which is especially problematic for Christian parents who would not agree with their child taking such actions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5539
Russian Troops Commit Sacrilege at Chernihiv Cemetery in Ukraine
2022-04-05 | Russian troops vandalised a large cemetery near Mariupol on March 4th by repeatedly driving over crosses and tombstones with tanks. The necropolis is one of the largest in Europe and those who witnessed the event called it sacrilege. The cemetery was entirely destroyed in this unnecessary, sacrilegious, and inhumane destruction.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5538
Statue of Madonna of Fatima Stolen from Cerreto Guidi Church
2022-04-05 | A meter-high painted wooden statue of the Madonna of Fatima, along with a small crucifix, was stolen from the Church of the Company in Cerreto Guidi. The sacrilegious theft happened Tuesday, April 7th and greatly upset the people of the town. The statue was of "great emotional value" to the town said archpriest, Father Alessandro Locatelli, and "the Christian people of Cerreto have been deprived of a dear image." The incident was reported to the local police station.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5552
Molotov cocktail Thrown at Church in Muri-Gümligen
2022-04-05 | The Reformed Church in Muri-Gümligen was attacked with a Molotov cocktail on the night of April 6th. No one was injured but the property damage was high. The intent of the attack is somewhat unclear but since the church was lit up with blue and yellow lights, an anti-Ukraine motive was suggested. Whatever the case, a religious sight that is sacred to many was subjected to a hateful act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5692
"Death to Churches" Written on Church in Murcia
2022-04-05 | The Spanish police posted on Twitter that they identified the perpetrators who vandalised the parish centre in the Saint John district in Murcia. This was communicated on the 5th of April, together with a picture of the crime that shows the inscription "Muerte a las Iglesias" (Death to Churches) in red paint. After searching the vehicle of the perpetrators, they located spray paint cans of the same colour as the graffiti.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6427
Arson at Church in Trinità
2022-04-04 | On April 4th, the Madonnina Church in Trinità was once again vandalised. This time, unknown perpetrators entered the church and set the prayer sheets and offering box alight. In the past, the church has been tagged with graffiti and a nearby bench was defaced. The mayor Ernesta Zucco said: “I wonder what they can have against this modest church. I have no more words but these facts cry out for justice. We really can't take it anymore."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5527
Church in Zell Vandalised
2022-04-04 | The Evangelical church in Zell was vandalised by strangers on April 4th. A large window was smashed by an object of considerable size and shingles were torn off the façade. The Church filled a complaint and the police began an investigation with the hope that some DNA would be left on the shingles.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5528
Church of Sant'Eligio Set Alight
2022-04-04 | The façade of the Church of Sant'Eligio in Napoli was once again scarred by fire on April 4th, less than three months since it happened last. The monumental sight, which youth set fire to, dates back to 1270 and would have experience even worse damage had a fire extinguisher not been nearby. These repeated acts of arson show the youths contempt for the church and its Christian practices.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5530
Severe Damage to Putbus Church During Burglary
2022-04-04 | One or more perpetrators forced their way into the Putbus castle church on April 4th. Although only a double digit amount of money was stolen, about 3,000 euros of property damage was caused when they broke through multiple doors and roughly searched cupboards. An investigation was started by the police into this vandalistic theft.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5697
Church in Vojvodina Vandalised With Threatening Graffiti
2022-04-04 | A church in Novi-Banovitsa in Vojvodina, northern Serbia, was vandalised on 4 August. Unknown persons drew a line in orange paint around the Church of St Basil of Ostrog, built in neo-Byzantine style in 1991, and wrote the word "skulls" in Serbian on the bins at the entrance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6482
2 Churches Vandalized in Sprowston
2022-04-03 | St. Mary and St. Margaret's Church in Sprowston were victims of vandalistic attacks on April 3rd. Police were investigating the act in which the intruders threw toys at the spotlight in the nave, broke eggs inside the building, smashed the organ, and tried to start a fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5611
Two Churches Attacked with Eggs and Vandalism in Sprowston
2022-04-03 | St. Mary and St. Margaret's Church in Sprowston were victims of vandalistic attacks on April 3rd. Police were investigating the act in which the intruders threw toys at the spotlight in the nave, broke eggs inside the building, smashed the organ, and tried to start a fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5612
Serial Church Thief Caught in Pontine
2022-04-03 | A 51 year old man has been arrested for repeated thefts of churches since February, in the area of Pontine. He was caught red handed by the Carabinieri of the Minturno station as he was trying to open the offering box in the San Biagio church which he had stolen from previously. His wife was also charged for assisting him in their repeated and disrespectful thefts from Christian churches.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5525
Window Smashed in Niederselters Church by Teenagers
2022-04-03 | A window, of a church in Niederselters, was smashed by two teenagers who were throwing snowballs at it on April 4th. The damage caused was around 1.000 euros and the police began looking for the perpetrators who were suspected to be boys between 15 and 17 years old.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5529
Church in Messina Graffitied
2022-04-02 | The outer wall of the church of Santa Lucia Vergine e Martire in Messina, was covered with graffiti on March 2nd. Most of the inscriptions targeted the police but a religious sight was used to carry out the offence. Father Giovanni Loppolo was happy to tell how the youth of the church had initiated the restoration project.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5522
Window of Church in Weingarten Broken
2022-04-02 | The windows of the Protestant church in Weingarten were smashed on April 2nd, causing 1,500 Euros worth of damage. The perpetrator was unknown but police investigated the incident and were looking for witnesses. A Facebook user commented on the incident: "People experience in such a place unique moments of life, joy, care, comfort, silence, protection, community, a connection to the Creator since time immemorial. People respect this place regardless of their faith and worldview."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5536
Drunk Russian Man Hits Ukrainian Catholic Priest in Hamburg
2022-04-02 | An intoxicated Russian man has physically attacked the pastor of a Ukrainian Catholic parish in Hamburg on the 2nd of April. According to the report, the man rang de door of the church, and after the priest opened it, he pushed the priest and hit him in the upper body. The priest was able to force the man out of the building and called the police. The Russian man also damaged a fence and a flower bed and stayed sitting on a bench until the police came.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5542
Theft of Religious Objects in Rouillé Church
2022-04-02 | It was only noticed on April 2nd that objects of worship had been stolen from the church in Rouillé, Vienne. The last event there was on March 19th so the theft of ciboriums, chalices, and patens, which had all been locked in the sacristy, could have happened any time. This was one of many similar thefts that have recently happened in the area so churches are considering options to prevent such acts in the future.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5549
100 Candles Stolen from three Holzland Churches
2022-04-02 | Three Holzland churches near Steinkirchen were targeted by theft in April. About 100 hand-decorated candles were stolen, which would have been used for charitable donations. The community of the churches was very disappointed by this act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5657
Pro-Life Catholics Praying Outside Abortion Facilities Faced Abuse
2022-04-02 | On the 2nd of April, young people and families were harassed by activists and feminists, while praying outside the Askabide abortion clinic in San Sebastian. They were praying the rosary on their knees, with a megaphone, under the motto "praying is not a crime" and carried a cross and an image of the Virgin. Tensions started to build up as protesters began harassing, censoring, and insulting the pro-life group. The police from Ertzaintza had to intervene in order to prevent attacks against the people praying.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5979
Orthodox Priest Kidnapped in Cherkassya
2022-04-01 | A priest from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate was kidnapped by unknown persons in the Cherkassya region of Ukraine. A video showed that people broke into the service, and violently took the pastor. Those who tried to stop the kidnappers were also violently dealt with. The exact date of this incident and the well-being of the pastor was unknown but it was thought to have happened in Smela. This showed a continued attack on the Ukrainian Orthodox church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5523
Rampage in Dreis-Brück Church
2022-04-01 | Perpetrators, whose identity is not known, vandalized the parish church in Dreis-Brück on April 1st. They distributed, what was thought to be alcohol, in the gallery, and the tablecloth on the altar was burnt. The police were looking for clues as to who could have done it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5696
Stones Thrown at Image of Christ in Via Merlo
2022-03-31 | Stones were thrown at a picture of Christ in Via Merlo in what could only be described as a hateful act. The incident happened on March 31st and resulted in the glass that was covering the picture getting broken. The vandals also stole candles and flowers and left inscriptions around the sight.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5519
Religious Paintings Stolen in Marian San Nicola Church
2022-03-31 | Two religious paintings and tens of euros were stolen from the Santissima Annunziata church in Marian San Nicola on March 31st. The money was from the offertory which got damaged during the theft. Don Saji, the parish priest, reported the incident to the carabinieri who were investigating it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5520
Update: Conversion Therapy Ban in UK No Longer Covers Transgender People
2022-03-31 | Boris Johnson announced on March 31st that the so-called conversion therapy ban in the UK would no longer cover transgender people but only gay or bisexual people. This was a change from what had been announced a few hours earlier which was that the ban would be dropped entirely and non-legislative methods would be explored. Despite the entire ban not being dropped, this was still good news for the Christian community as this potential legislation would make it difficult if not impossible, for parents and teachers to encourage their children to adopt the Bibles views on gender and marriage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5521
Sacred Objects Stolen from Gleschendorf Church
2022-03-30 | During the night on March 30th, the Gleschendorf Church was robbed by unknown persons. The perpetrators stole valuable communion objects including a 300 year old baptismal bowl. This unfortunate event demonstrated a disrespect for the church and its proceedings.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5514
Church in Satrup Graffitied
2022-03-30 | The Laurentius Church in Satrup was vandalized with paint on March 30th. The façade was covered with phrases written in black paint which expressed contempt for the church and now have to be taken off by a specialist company.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5515
Russian Occupied Crimea Orders Law to ban Ukrainian Orthodox Church
2022-03-30 | Law makers were ordered, by Sergei Aksyonov head of Russian-controlled Crimea, to draft a law banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from the Black Sea Peninsula. The working list was planned to be finished by the end of the week, at which point, it would be adopted by parliament. This reflected the tension which existed for a number of years in the Orthodox Church, but saw a resent rise as the war developed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5516
Update: Finnish Court Upholds Free Speech in Major Trial
2022-03-30 | On March 30th, the Helsinki District Court unanimously dismissed all charges against MP Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola in a major freedom of speech victory. Päivi Räsänen was prosecuted for sharing her faith based beliefs on marriage in a tweet, and Juhana Pohjola had published a pamphlet, by Räsänen containing these beliefs, 17 years earlier. The ruling of this high-profile case stated that “it is not for the district court to interpret biblical concepts," ordered the prosecution to pay the legal costs of 60,000 EUR, and gave the prosecution seven days to appeal.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5517
Sacred Relic Stolen from Church in Brianza
2022-03-30 | On the 30th of April, an antique silver cross was stolen from a church in Barlassina. The cross, which was kept in a small box that was forced open, was of little monetary value which makes the theft particularly sacrilegious. Investigations were underway to find out who committed the theft.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5524
Orthodox Priest Kidnapped in Kherson, Ukraine
2022-03-30 | Sergey Chudinovich, an Orthodox priest from the church of Serhiy Chudynovych in Kherson, was kidnapped on March 30th. Three men, who claimed they were police officers, searched the documents of those present and then drove off with Sergey Chudinovich, who was said to be a well know public figure. He is one of the many religious leaders who has been abducted in Russian occupied areas of Ukraine.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5526
Stone Wall of Notre-Dame des Conches Chapel Vandalised
2022-03-30 | At the end of March, the isolated Notre-Dame des Conches chapel was vandalised by people who attacked the stone wall with a crowbar to gain entry. They were unsuccessful, as they only made a large hole in it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6480
59 Religious Buildings, Mostly Orthodox, have been Damaged by Russian Military
2022-03-28 | Since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 21st, 59 religious buildings have been badly damaged by Russian attacks in 8 different regions. The Ministry of Information Policy and Culture of Ukraine reported that most of these building had been Orthodox Churches while others were synagogues, mosques, and religious education institutions. The Kremlin claims to "protect Orthodoxy" but these statistics tell a different story.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5506
Sacred Objects Stolen from Couhé
2022-03-28 | A ciboria and chalices, both of which were in the sacristy or tabernacle, were stolen from the Couhé church on March 28th. Consecrated hosts were also taken, which implies the perpetrator was targeting the celebration of the Eucharist as hosts can be sold for high prices in some satanic circles. The theft of these objects of worship was a hateful attack on the religious traditions of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5537
Church in Bärenkeller Vandalized
2022-03-27 | The church in Bärenkeller experienced considerable damage on the night of the 27th of March. A window in the basement was damaged and a church pew was ripped right out of the ground. The police are looking for witnesses for the investigation. According to the police, the damage to property is around 500 Euro.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5610
Cross Stolen from St. Michael's Church
2022-03-27 | On March 27th, a cross made of cast bronze was stolen from the crypt of St. Michael's church in Fulda. It was not known who did it but the police were investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5511
Würzburg Church Vandalized with Letter Z
2022-03-27 | The letter Z, a pro-Russian symbol of war, was painted on the Gethsemane Church in Würzburg on March 27th. The congregation responded with a prayer for peace and the parish priest, Anna Bamberger, condemned the act. The perpetrator, who used this place of worship to advocate a war, was not found.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5513
WHO called for Doctors to Act Against Conscience
2022-03-26 | The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for a ban on all limits on abortion as they may violate the rights of "women, girls or other pregnant persons." Among these proposed policies, was one that would limit medical professionals' rights to refuse to take part in abortion for conscientious reasons. These targeted Christian doctors who, for religiously based moral reasons, are unable to assist in an abortion and would face consequences if countries were to act on this guidance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5508
Church Ransacked in Walsum-Aldenrade
2022-03-26 | An unknown thief ransacked several rooms in the church of Walsum-Aldenrade, and stole the money box from the choir community on March 26th. The bathroom window was pried open to gain access to the building but few clues as to who did it have been found. The police were notified and are looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5510
Police Detain Church Burglar in Luban
2022-03-24 | A 22 year old man was detained in Luban for the burglary of a church, and church buildings, on the 24 of March. He damaged the door of the sacristy and broke windows to gain access to the other church buildings where he stole property left there. He was responsible for 11 thefts in all, some unrelated to the church, and was put under police provision and banned from leaving the country.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5505
WEA Called Greece to Provide Religious Classes other than Christian Orthodox
2022-03-23 | In the UN Human Rights council's Universal Periodic Review of Greece on April 23rd, the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), encouraged Greece to provide alternative religious classes for students who were not Orthodox Christians. They said that there should be a class for all major religions in Greece and the Orthodox Christian class should be optional, as should all the other religious classes. This would increase the religious liberty of all denominations but also that of other Christian religions and especially parents of alternative religions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5532
WEA Advocacy Officer Challenged Greece's Proselytism Ban
2022-03-23 | During the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review of Greece on April 23rd, a World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) Advocacy Officer, denounced the Greek law which prohibits proselytization. This law prevents Christian religions or otherwise, from attempting to undermine the religious beliefs of others. Although rarely applied, this law could hinder religious discourse and a Pentecostal was sentenced using this law.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5533
Group of Young People Demolish A Cross in Baracaldo
2022-03-23 | A group of young people demolished the Cabo Quilates Cross in Baracaldo in the early morning of the 23rd of March and uploaded it to social media. Although the major had also decided to demolish the monument under the "Historical Memory Law", he rejected the illegal actions of the group. The Historical Memory Law has been used across Spain to demolish several religious symbols and Christian crosses that were created in the context of the Spanish Civil War.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6789
Precious Items Stolen from St. Nicholas Statue in Bari
2022-03-22 | Unknown thieves broke into the St. Nicholas Basilica of Bari and stole valuable items from the St. Nicolas statue within. They took a book with three silver balls and a cross with some precious stones. From the other hand, they took a golden ring with some stones and an old necklace. This statue has become a symbol of peace in the last weeks, due to the Ukraine war, which made the theft especially malicious. The theft occurred on 22. March.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5486
Devastating Arson to Evangelical Church in Singen
2022-03-22 | An Evangelical church in Singen fell victim to arson and burnt down completely. The damage is estimated to be worth several million euros. The General Attorney took up investigations but the arsonist couldn't be found even after DNA tests were made. There are plans in place to built a new church building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5699
52-year-old Man Vandalizes Church and Sets Several Fires
2022-03-21 | The Catholic church in Ispringer was the victim of an arson attack, as a perpetrator set fires in several spots of the church by using candles and other materials. This was reported on the 21st of March. Fortunately, the police patrol and the fire crew were there very fast and could track the fire before it really started. The damage to property was estimated at about 10,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5609
Pastor Arrested in Mariupol, Ukraine
2022-03-21 | Release International has reported that Alexsander Glushko, the pastor of the Light of the World Evangelical Church of Mariupol, has been arrested by the Russian military. He was believed to have been taken to Dokuchaevsk, which is close to Donetsk, but no further information has been given about his wellbeing. Other pastors homes near Mariupol have been searched and the "hunt for pastors has begun in areas now under Russian control."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5483
No Evidence to Justify Oxford College's Cancellation of Wilberforce Academy
2022-03-21 | An independent investigation found that there was no substantial evidence for Worcester College's apology and cancellation of the Wilberforce Academy in September of 2021. After hosting this Christian youth conference that seeks to uphold free and considerate debate about controversial issues, this Oxford College said it had received "a number of complaints" and would not hold the event next year. Christian Concern inquired about these complaints, which they had heard nothing of, and upon getting little response, instigated their own investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5484
Teenagers try to Set Church on Fire
2022-03-21 | The church of Villa San Martino was the victim of an attempted arson by young teenagers around the 21st of March. The teenagers, who have already been identified, took the hand sanitiser gel at the entrance and spread it all over the church, pews and floor. They then tried to set fire to the gel, thinking it would be flammable. Given that the alcohol percentage was not that high, the fire did not catch up. Still, the layers of blackened gel remained on the floor near the altar. The vandals also looted the offering box.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6432
Pastor Kidnapped by Russian Military in Melitopol, Ukraine
2022-03-19 | Dmitry Bodyu, the American - Ukrainian pastor of the Word of Life Church, was taken from his house in Melitopol, Ukraine by Russian soldiers. His wife Helen explained how 10 soldiers walked into their house, questioned them about their nationality, and then took her husband along with their electronic devices and other documents. This was the second pastor, that we know of, to be abducted by Russian troops.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5507
Statue of Virgin Mary Stolen in Ardennes
2022-03-19 | The bronze statue of the Virgin of Chesnois-Auboncourt (Ardennes), was stolen on March 19 from the entrance to the village, where it had been since 1990. It was fixed to a concrete base with a marble plaque that commemorated Germaine Justin, the donor of the statue. The villagers were disappointed as the statue was beloved by them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5758
Germany: Court Ruled Banning Protests Outside Abortion Centers was Illegal
2022-03-18 | A German court ruled that it was illegal for the city of Frankfurt to create buffer zones around abortion centers where pro-life activists could not demonstrate during certain hours or within certain spatial restrictions. The ruling was reached on March 18th, after the city appealed the initial ruling on March 1st and the administrative court of Kassel confirmed the ruling by denying the appeal. It was the result of a long legal battle instigated by the city of Frankfurt imposing restrictions on the pro-life group "40 Days for Life" when they started a 40-day Lenten prayer gathering in January in front of a counseling center for pregnant women
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5641
Stations of the Cross Vandalized in Wettenhausen
2022-03-18 | Almost all of the Stations of the Cross in Wettenhausen have been violently vandalized by unknown persons on March 18th. The police estimated that the damage was around 150,000 Euros but with the cleanup would probably end up being more. The deliberate attack on sacred Christian symbols demonstrates a complete lack of respect.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5512
Statue of Christ Stolen from Crucifix in L'Escaillère
2022-03-18 | A metal statue of Christ in L'Escaillère was ripped from its crucifix by thieves on March 18th. It was suspected that the act was done because of the rising metal prices and the statue could be sold and melted down. Nevertheless, the symbolic value of the statue of Christ for the community is very high and this theft shows clear disrespect for religious sentiments.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5742
Several Anti-Christian Graffitis on Christian's Homes and Workplaces
2022-03-17 | Around the 8th of March, several Anti-Christian graffitis appeared in Vienna. The home and office of Gerhard Labschütz, a pro-life Catholic, were painted with anti-Christian tags by unknown vandals. The graffitied epithets read: "here lives a Christian fundamentalist" and "abort fundamentalists." Mr Labschütz is also the managing director of the Catholic-based Austrian Cartell Association (ÖCV), the offices that were also targeted by the perpetrators. Similar tags were found outside the offices of two other organisations: "Fairändern" and the "Lebensbewegung" (ÖLB).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5480
Attempted Arson and Theft in Church in Albinatico
2022-03-17 | In the church of San Leopoldo in Albinatico, a candlestick for votive candles, and the offerings donated to the church, were stolen on 17. March. The thief, also inserted some lighted candles in the candlestick next to the special seats where the electric candles are usually put. When the parish priest Don Paolo Monti entered the church, he found that the lit candle was bending over and catching an electrical candle alight which he said could have started a fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5478
St. Bernard Church in Angelmodder Ransacked
2022-03-16 | The sacristy of the St. Bernhard church in Angelmodder was ransacked by unknown vandals who stole and broke sacred objects. The thieves broke through a window made by the famous artist Johannes Schreiter and stole chalices, destroyed a monstrance, and broke into a safe. The damage and theft of these sacred objects was reported to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5469
USCIRF Warns of Religious Repression in Ukraine
2022-03-16 | The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has warned of the religious oppression that Ukraine will experience under Russian control. They have recorded the increasing religious intolerance in Russia over the years and are concerned for the societal consequences that will undoubtedly ensue. Several religious buildings have already been damaged in the shelling along with the arrests of religious leaders and those attending prayer events.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5485
St. Cuthbert's Church Vandalized in Somerset
2022-03-16 | The police were called after the St. Cuthbert's Church in Wells, Somerset was vandalized on March 16th. A door was damaged and glass was broken but no one has been found yet. After viewing some CCTV footage, the police have a man they would like to question.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5509
Insults against Christians Written on Grenoble Chapel
2022-03-16 | The enclosure wall of the Saint-Marie-Saint-Michel Chapel in Grenoble was tagged with hateful messages on March 16th. The inscriptions included the phrase: "Here homophobic racists" with an arrow directed toward the door and where the word "Civitas" was also written. The incident was reported to the police who started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5741
Koekelberg Basilica Vandalized for 15 Days
2022-03-15 | For the past 15 days, the Koekelberg basilica in Belgium has had cobblestones thrown through its windows by young teenagers. Other vandalism and disrespectful acts have been done at this sacred sight in the past but the recent escalation was evident. The director general, Martine Motteux-Abeloos, regrets how little the police have done and will hold talks with other leaders about potentially closing the sight to the public.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5462
English Schools Transition Pupils without Parents Knowledge
2022-03-15 | Robin Walker, Schools Minister in England, told the House of Commons' Education Select Committee that schools would continue to teach LGBTQ+ content. This came in response to Conservative MP Miriam Cates who said "you cannot change sex" and that she often got concerns from parents that their children were being transitioned in school. This posses a problem for Christian parents and children who may disagree with such teachings on a religious basis.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5463
Woman Detained in Moscow for Holding Religious Placard
2022-03-15 | Anastasiya Parshkova was detained but not charged, on March 15th for holding a sign that had: "The 6th commandment: Thou shalt not kill" written on it. She was wearing a headscarf and stood for five minutes outside the Cathedral of Christ the Savior before she was arrested and taken to the Khamovniki police station. She said: "despite my fear, I decided that this must be done."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5763
Two Churches in Gutach and Bleibach Vandalized
2022-03-14 | The Church of St. George and the Church of St. Michael were both targeted by the same perpetrator on March 14. Police said furniture and statues were damaged and garbage was left behind. The police were looking for witnesses who could help them identify the person responsible.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5608
Signatories of Anti-Conversion Therapy Letter in England Face Discrimination
2022-03-14 | Evangelical ministers have faced a severe backlash after signing a letter to Liz Truss which expresses their opposition to the governments upcoming conversion therapy ban. Consequentially, they have had to take down the list of signatures which was published on the Ministers' Consultation Response website for fear of more acts of discrimination happening. It had collected 5,000 signatures from ministers and church leaders.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5460
Denying Someone's Preferred Gender could be Criminalised in Scotland
2022-03-14 | The SNP in Scotland have advocated for legislation that will make it a criminal offence to not "affirm" someone's preferred gender and make it illegal for parents to "refuse to support" their children in taking puberty blockers. This legislation would prevent people from legally holding to their religious beliefs on issues like gender and infringe on parental rights by not allowing parents to educate their children on sexual matters in a way they deem appropriate. The latter would disproportionately affect Christian parents who may have religiously grounded sexual guidelines.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5461
Theft of Sacred Objects in Courcoury
2022-03-14 | The Saint-Martin de Tours church in Courcoury was targeted by a thief who stole consecrated hosts on March 14th. The tabernacle was broken into and a lunula, which contained a large consecrated host, was taken. The Bishop of La Rochelle, Mgr Colomb, commented on, "this act of pure hatred and denounced a very serious sacrilege committed against Christ and against his Church". He called in a "new blow of the spear in the side of Christ." An investigation was launched by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5733
Russian Orthodox Church in Oxford Looted
2022-03-12 | On March 12th, the Russian Orthodox Church of St Nicholas in Oxford was looted by unknown individuals who damaged the holy alter and stole other religious items such as crosses, and altar vessels. They also broke open the church safe and stole a collection of money that was intended for Ukraine. The police were investigating the crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5732
Couple Repeatedly Stole from Church in Main-Kinzig
2022-03-11 | A 34 year old man, was sentenced by the Gelnhausen judges, to two years in prison and 400 hours of community service for committing 34 thefts, 11 of which were from churches. The thefts mainly took place in the Main-Kinzig district and property damage was noticed in some instances. His girlfriend assisted him in 19 of the thefts and was also convicted. The repeated thefts of churches showed zero concern for these sacred places.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5695
Arsonist Burns Church Doors in Lissone
2022-03-10 | The two wooden side doors of the Sacred Heart of Jesus church in Lissone were set alight by an arsonist in the night of March 10th. The attack looked like the work of "Nerone", someone who has done repeated attacks of a similar nature to churches in the area. Necessary investigations were carried out by the Carabinieri the next day.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5458
Russian Priest Arrested after He Condemns Ukraine Invasion
2022-03-09 | Rev. Ioann Burdin, a Russian Orthodox priest, was arrested after he gave a speech that condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine. His speech, given in the Karabanovo village, was said to “discredit(ing) the use of the Armed Forces” reported the BBC. His name was also on a public letter signed by 285 Russian Orthodox priests which called for an end to the war.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5455
Scapular Stolen from Statue of Mary in Bad Steben
2022-03-09 | The scapular (small necklace) was stolen from a statue of Mary in the Queen of Peace parish church in Bad Steben. Dean Andreas Seliger was saddened by the theft and said that if someone wants a scapular, he will give it to them and they "don't have to steal it secretly."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5619
Church in Sant Feliu Seeks Police Protection Due to Repeated Vandalism
2022-03-09 | The Collegiate Church in Sant Feliu has been targeted by repeated acts of vandalism to its porch. Because of this, the church administration has notified the police and asked them to prevent further damage. According to the administration of the church, they will only be able to stop the degradations with help of the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5771
Next Step in Sweden's Ban of Religious Schools
2022-03-08 | The Swedish Minister of Education, Lina Axelsson Kihlblom, announced the next step in the Social Democrat's plan to ban private religious schools. It will impose stricter regulations on schools that require them to report all religious activities and principals will have to pass "democratic conditions" to have their position. These new regulations have been introduced in the "democracy clause" and were justified with the need for "democratic control" of education.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5446
Church Website Suspended for Conversion Therapy Views
2022-03-08 | The website of the Stanley Road Baptist Church in Morecambe, Lancashire was suspended by its host firm Torrix since the pastor signed an anti-conversion therapy letter. This letter was addressed to Liz Truss, whose governmental department will be dealing with proposed legislation to ban conversion therapy. Matt Fletcher, the Torrix proprietor, said he cannot support anything that opposes the LGBTQ+ movement. Rev. Hewitt commented his sadness for this development, but still expressed gratefulness for the working relationship they had with Torrix.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5444
Plans of Irish Government for Abortion Clinic Safe Zone Limits Freedom of Expression
2022-03-08 | Stephen Donnelly, Irish Minister of Health, announced that the government plans to draft legislation regarding safe zones around abortion clinics before the Dáil summer break. This proposed law aims create a 100 meter zone around abortion facilities in which people cannot protest. This will severely restrict peoples freedom to express their beliefs on this issue, especially Christians who tend to hold pro-life views.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5445
Feminists Deface Church in Savoy
2022-03-08 | On March 8th, the façade of the Santissima Annunziata church in Turin, was defaced with anti - Christian graffiti by feminists during National Women's Day. The floor and steps were covered with purple paint that condemned the "patriarchy" of the church. This act showed an apparent ignorance to the role Christianity has played to improve the rights of women.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5454
Vandalism and Arson at Steißlingen Church
2022-03-08 | The church in Steißlingen was vandalized on March 8th. Perpetrators, who were not found, tipped over an assortment of objects, damaged the pulpit and microphone and set fire to some notes. The scope of the damage was not known but the police were investigating it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5558
Church in Montpellier Repeatedly Tagged with Anti-Christian Slogans
2022-03-07 | The St. Bernadette church in Montpellier, has once again been tagged with anti - Christian phrases such as, "the only church that illuminates is the one that burns". There have been a series of vandalistic attacks to this church and churches in the Montpellier area but no one has been identified despite an investigation launched by the national police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5443
Vandalism at Beverwijk Mennonite Church
2022-03-07 | The Beverwijk Mennonite Church was the victim of a vandalistic attack on March 8th. The intruder succeeded in kicking a chandelier from the ceiling but due to the lack of surveillance, was not caught. This location has also become a drug trafficking sight and cameras would help prevent that as well.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5560
Arson Attack on Göppingen Church
2022-03-07 | An unknown arsonist set fire to the side portal of the Oberhofen church in Göppingen on the 7th of March. Pastor Hannes Gaiser said that the door now needs to be secured and that there was some smoke damage inside the church. The extent of the property damage could not be calculated yet as the organ and electrics had not been checked.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5688
Key for Tabernacle of the St. Joseph Hospital Church in Bensheim Stolen
2022-03-06 | During the night of March 6th, burglars force their way into the St. Joseph Hospital Church and stole the key to the tabernacle. To do this, they broke through a wooden door and pushed open the door of the sacristy. The tabernacle holds the sacred hosts which shows this was a targeted act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5442
Burglary at Augustdorf Church
2022-03-06 | Unknown persons broke into the Augustdorf church through a broken window and a kicked in door. Once inside, the violently searched several cupboards to try and find things to steal but were unsuccessful. The police investigated the crime and were looking for more information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5689
Church Windows in Königsborn Broken
2022-03-05 | The windows of the Evangelical parish in Königsborn were broken on May 5th by unknown vandals. This followed a series of attacks on buildings and churches in the area.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5607
Insulting Writings on Church in Cuneo
2022-03-05 | The side of the Santa Maria Della Pieve di Beinette church in the Cuneo area was inscribed with slanderous writings aimed at an individual in the village. The vandal who used this sacred sight to vent their personal feelings showed complete disrespect. The writings have since been removed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5557
4 Women in Belarus Detained by Police for Praying
2022-03-03 | Four mothers of soldiers were detained for praying for peace in Ukraine at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. They, along with 100 other soldiers' mothers, were attending the regular evening prayer when the officers followed them into the main Orthodox cathedral of the city and after the service, demanded their documents and then took them for questioning. They were taken to the Central District Police Station and were released four hours later.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5448
MLA's Vote in Support of Abortion Bill Despite Public Opposition
2022-03-02 | MLA's in Northern Ireland voted in support of a bill that will create "safe zones" around abortion clinics despite 98 percent of the 6,412 public submissions expressing strong opposition to it. This proposed legislation, from Green Party leader Clare Bailey, will make it illegal to “influenc[e] a [person seeking an abortion], whether directly or indirectly” within “safe access zones” reported the Right to Life News. Christians who hold pro-life views will find it difficult to freely express them under this proposed legislation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5453
Father Maksym Kozachyna Killed in Ivankiv, Ukraine
2022-03-02 | Father Maksym Kozachyna, of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, was killed near Ivankiv on March 3rd when the Russian troops were advancing. He was in uniform at the time and an eye witness said he was pulled out of a car and shot. The Russian military has often targeted religious leaders during their invasion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5534
Arson to Orthodox Church in Temernik
2022-03-02 | The Svyato-Vvedensky church in Temernik caught on fire on March 2nd. Church workers said there was a broken window and a cylinder was found inside which led people to the conclusion that it was a deliberate act of arson. Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire within 15 minutes, so thankfully little damage was done.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5731
Perpetrators Despoil and Damage Church in Villach
2022-03-01 | On March 1st, unknown perpetrators broke into the Villach parish church and tore off the metal decoration of a picture of the Virgin Mary while also stealing five gold plated candlesticks worth several hundred euros. During the police investigation, two metal bowls from the holy water font were also found near the crime scene.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5431
Man Vandalizes Three Churches in Potenza
2022-02-28 | A man, who was not yet identified, vandalized the churches of Sant'Anna, Santa Cecilia, and Santa Croce on February 28th. He was seen on a surveillance camera and upon entering the church, he destroyed sacred books, paintings, and vestments with what appeared to be a box cutter. The incidents were being investigated and the churches were advised to close their churches when there is no one there to watch them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5555
War-Related Tags Graffitied on Russian Church in Nijmegen
2022-02-28 | For the second time, a Russian church in Nijmegen was targeted with a hateful attack. On February 28th, a black marker was used to write the words "go to hell with the Ukraine" next to the door of the church. It was written with English letters but indicated a Slavic language. A cross was also drawn underneath the text.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5759
Man Spits on Priest in Bordeaux
2022-02-27 | A man, who has been identified by the police and arrested, spat in the face of a priest at the Saint Michel church in Bordeaux. Foreigners had set up stalls inside the church without permission and the police had to intervene. At the exit of the church, a priest was blessing those in the square when a man allegedly spat in his face. The priest has chosen not to press charges due to the church policy of maintaining peace.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5501
Garbage Cans Set Alight at Church in Andernach
2022-02-26 | Four garbage cans, at the Christ Church in Andernach, where set alight by arsonists on February 26th ruining the bricks underneath and leaving some charred boards. Parts of a recently planted hedge were also burned and a two meter high fence also went up in flames. Andreas Schulte, head of the municipal office said, "This thoughtless vandalism leaves us stunned."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5556
PCSC Bill Causes Freedom of Speech Concern
2022-02-25 | Charity and Faith leaders around the UK have raised freedom of speech concerns in regard to Part 3 of the Policing, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts bill (PCSC). This bill empowers police officers to impose conditions or arrest public demonstrators who cause “serious unease, alarm or distress”, or even “inconvenience” to members of the public. Proposed amendments will remove this part of the bill and await final votes on the 28th of February.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5416
Armed Men Storm Church in Violent Manner
2022-02-25 | Armed men, dressed in military uniforms and balaclavas, broke into the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Mariupol during the administration of a baptism. They physically harmed an employee, a security guard, and the priest; and then took money from the church safe, stole food, and household items. They then concluded their rampage by fleeing in two of the clergies cars. Due to their state of shock, those who observed the act were unable to identify the criminals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5500
Montpellier Church Vandalised with Tags Inciting Violence
2022-02-25 | The parish of Sainte-Bernadette in Montpellier has been graffitied with threatening tags directed at the church and Father Benoît on 25. February. The phrases were mainly intifada and anarchist related and included "the only church that illuminates is the one that burns." Father Benoît was distressed by the act and planned to file a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5502
Church in Niederndodeleber Vandalised
2022-02-24 | The church of St. Peter and Paul in Niederndodeleber, Germany was vandalised on February 24. Pastor Martin Zander found "numerous destructions" and smears, reported the Volksstimme as well as paper scattered everywhere. The devastation reflected a lack of respect for religious spaces.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5449
Vases at Alter in Thizy-les-Bourgs Broken
2022-02-24 | Several vases at the alter of the Thizy-les-Bourgs church were broken on 24. February. It was not known who committed the act but an investigation was started.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5503
Urn Broken in the Moux-en-Morvan Church
2022-02-24 | An urn, used for the exchange of payment for lighting candles, was broken in the Moux-en-Morvan church on February 21st. The contents of the urn were also stolen but it was not known who committed the sacrilegious act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5504
Napoli Church Defaced with Graffiti for the Second Time
2022-02-23 | After being restored for only a few days, the outer wall of the Angevin building at the Saint Marta church in Napoli was once again covered with graffiti. Writings offending the church from the first incident had been painted over but new inscriptions were there to replace them on February 23. The community has been very saddened by this vandalism of the historic church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5414
Church Tagged with Insults Against Priest
2022-02-23 | During the night of February 23rd, unknown vandals spray-painted an insult on the side of a church in Curlu, France. The insult was directed towards the parish priest Sylvain Mansart, who commented: "At least I'm not alone in this problem. (...) We comfort each other". Priests in neighbouring churches have received similar abuse. The local police confirmed these claims and are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5413
Religious Freedom severely restricted in Donbas region
2022-02-23 | The organisation Forum 18 has been monitoring the human rights of Christians and other religious communities in the area of eastern Europe, and they recently published a survey on the situation in the Luhansk region in Ukraine. They state that freedom of religion is severely restricted in the rebel zone occupied by the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), which makes up a third of the Luhansk region. In this area, all Protestant and non-Moscow Patriarchate Orthodox communities are rendered illegal, there are repeated denials of permission to a Catholic priest to live in the region, Evangelical and Catholic literature is being banned and there is an overall fear about discussing these — among other — human rights violations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5415
16 to 18 Year Old Girls in Spain may no Longer Need Parental Consent to Abort
2022-02-23 | Irene Montero, Spain's equality minister, has told Congress's Equality Commission that 16 to 18 year old girls should be allowed to access abortion without consulting their parents. This would allow for the daughter of Christian parents to complete an abortion without them knowing or being able to advise her on this life changing event. This change has no set date yet but will greatly affect the lives of minor girls if enacted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5417
Repeated Abuse and Vandalism to Church in Poinger
2022-02-23 | Anonymous donors of the Seliger parish church in Poinger, have offered a 1000 euro award for information about who has been committing the repeated acts of vandalism in the church. Someone smashed signs in the church and then tried to light them. Pages were also torn from the hymn books to be used as toilet paper. Pastor Philipp Werner said "I'm sad that a church is treated with such disrespect."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5597
Religious Statue Removal to be Decided in French Court
2022-02-22 | Back in 2020, a group called The National Federation for Free Thought requested that The statue of the Virgin Mary, in the village of La Flotte-en-Re France be removed. They claimed it was not in accordance with the separation of church and state. This case has now gone to court and will be decided on March 3rd. The statue was only targeted after it was hit by a car and was later rebuilt identically.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5408
Satanist Tags on Notre-Dame de Coutances Cathedral
2022-02-21 | Satanist inscriptions were found on the façade of the Notre-Dame de Coutances Cathedral on the 21st of February. They were painted in black and included the words "I'm back" with a star after it and the number 666, symbolizing the devil. A complaint has been lodged about this hateful attack.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5498
Chapel Tagged with Anti-Christian Phrases in Les Lèches
2022-02-21 | The chapel of Tresséroux in Les Lèches was tagged with anarchist or radical feminist graffiti on the night of February 21st. Phrases such as: “Neither god nor master nor boss nor husband” and, “destroy the patriarchal and religious state," were written. The mayor was "appalled" by the act and asked for volunteers to help clean it up. This was the first time this chapel has been defiled and a complaint was filed with the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5760
Easter Candle Stolen from Munich Church
2022-02-20 | An Easter candle was stolen from the Apparition of the Lord Catholic church in Blumenau, Munich. The police were searching for the individual who was wearing an orange hooded sweatshirt and black vest, attire often worn by the Harley rider group. The thief caused 100 Euros of damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5451
Man Shouts "Allah Akbar" During Church Service
2022-02-20 | A man, who was Caucasian and possibly Chechen, entered the Saint - Gervais church in Avranches during the morning mass on February 20th. He walked around the building shouting "Allah Akbar" while play rap music with his phone. The authorities were notified and began searching for him.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5497
Police Open Investigation into Theft of Silver Crown from Church
2022-02-20 | The silver crown from the Virgin of the Rosary of Glory was stolen from the Church of San Pablo in Cordoba. The National Police have opened an investigation to clarify the theft.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5554
Property Damage and Theft in St. Gallen Church
2022-02-20 | A church in St. Gallen was targeted by thieves who caused property damage to 1000 Swiss francs in the process of stealing a small amount of cash on the 20th of February. They forced their way through a window and once inside, searched rooms and broke open several containers. The case was recorded by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5648
Theft at Sacred Heart Church in Einswarden
2022-02-19 | In a theft at the Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart, candlesticks and holy water holders were stolen by unknown perpetrators. Located in Einswarden, this church and the surrounding land have been bought by the Coptic Orthodox Church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5406
Consecrated Hosts and Candle Stolen from Church
2022-02-18 | An unknown thief stole a pyx filled with consecrated hosts and a candle from the San Giovanni Battista in Careggi. Don Marco Fantappiè called the police and an inspection was carried out but few conclusions were made. This was not the first attack against this church and Marco Fantappiè was quite distressed at how little help he has received to prevent sacrilegious acts such as this.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5479
Holy Water Font Defiled in Sedelsberg
2022-02-18 | Chips and cigarettes were found in the holy water font at the St. Peter Canisius Church in Sedelsberg. The incident happened on February 18th and the unknown vandal showed complete irreverence for the place which is sacred to many.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5596
Freedom of Conscience endangered by Belgium's Expansion of Euthanasia Law
2022-02-17 | On 17. February, Belgium's Constitutional Court in Brussels advanced amendments that made it illegal for health care institutions to withhold euthanasia on the grounds of faith. This has adversely affected Christian doctors whose faith does not permit this practice. Human Rights experts have expressed concerns over this challenge to freedom of religion and conscience.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5407
TikTok Influencers Desecrate French Church on Viral Video
2022-02-16 | Two TikTok influencers, Benjamin Ledig and "Queen Paul", filmed themselves wearing a crop-top and twerking (dancing sexually) in front of a crucifix at the Parisian church of Saint Paul on February 16th. They later posted this video on social media where it received some 20 million views despite it being repeatedly removed. Ledig claims he did it to protest the "homophobia" of the church while "Queen Paul" apologized for his behaviour.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5412
Anti - Christians Graffiti on Church in Velten
2022-02-16 | The façade of a Protestant church in Velten, was defaced with large amounts of graffiti. Although most of it seemed to be contentless, some phrases read "Satan" or the "Devil is here," giving the act a definite anti - Christian bias. Pastor Reimers has reported the incident and several volunteers have offered to assist with the removal of the paint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5450
Thrown Rocks Broke Churches Stained Glass Windows Landéda
2022-02-16 | The rose stained glass windows of the Saint-Laurent de Tromenec chapel in Landéda were broken by vandals for the second time. Rocks were used to inflict the damage and the openings had to be covered with plexiglass until the glassmaker came. The police compiled a file of these incidents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5499
Crypt of Church in Flers Covered with Red Paint
2022-02-15 | The inside and outside of the Saint-Germain church crypt in Flers, was tagged with red paint and crosses were drawn on 15. February. This was done by an unknown perpetrator who also broke a window to get in, smashed a wheelchair, and knocked a cross to the ground. The sacrilegious crime has been reported and the police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5496
Arson at Entrance of Church in Wangen
2022-02-15 | The wooden staircase in the Evangelical church in Wangen was set on fire by a stranger on February 2nd. It was thought that the arsonist used disinfectant to facilitate the fire but it was still relatively unsuccessful. Pastor Martin Sauer could only shake his head as the material damage, which was manageable, but the emotional damage was devastating. Police were investigating the crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5698
Update: 18 Year Old Accused of Arson Attacks on Several Churches in Derby
2022-02-14 | Johnny Brady, an 18 year old, has been accused of several acts of arson committed in 2020 to several churches and school buildings in Derby, England. The historic church of All Saints was damaged and some schools, including St Mary’s Catholic School, were burned entirely to the ground. He is due to appear in court on March 31.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5492
Teenagers Try to Set fire to a Church
2022-02-13 | In Pesaro, on the 13. February, two teenagers were caught on camera as they tried to cause a fire in the church of San Luigi Gonzaga. They spread hand sanitiser on the ground in front of the altar and then started a fire with a lighter. Luckily the fire went out after around 10 minutes. The parish priest left a sign on the door saying he forgives the boys who did it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5398
A Man Dismantles the Statue of the Madonna
2022-02-13 | A man dismantled the statue of the Madonna in Via di Ponte Galeria, Rome, on the 13. February. The residents who heard the noise alerted the police, who were able to arrest the man on the spot. The man threatened the police and tried to attack them, he was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5399
Unknown Vandals Destroy Holy Water bottles in Laives Church
2022-02-13 | About 20 bottles of holy water, at the Laives parish church, were emptied and scattered around the churchyard on November 13th. These bottles were at the entrance of the nave for people to pick up and leave a donation. The perpetrators of the crime did not only destroy. the bottles, but they also showed complete disrespect for something of religious sentiment and then left a mess at the church property.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5400
Extensive Fire Caused by Arson at Church in Glasgow
2022-02-13 | The Jackson Church of Scotland in Airdrie, a North Lanarkshire town near Glasgow, was deliberately set on fire on the morning of the 13. February. An investigation has been launched by the police, who are treating the fire as arson. According to the police, the fire was started around 3 am and the fire brigade was called around 4 am. The church building will remain closed and services have been suspended, as Kay Gilchrist, the church's reverend announced on the Twitter account of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5401
Statue Outside Church in Boitzenburg Vandalized
2022-02-13 | For the 750th anniversary of the church in Boitzenburg, a woman, with her own money, had a wooden statue of a nun made for outside the church. The figure, which was 1.3 meters high, was found knocked over on February 2nd with its base broken. At first, the culprit was thought to be the recent storm but on further investigation, a white sticky substance was found on it which confirmed the act was done by vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5405
35 Graves Desecrated in the Ciempozuelos Cemetery in Madrid
2022-02-13 | In the beginning of February 2022, 35 graves were desecrated in the Ciempozuelos municipal cemetery. The perpetrators stole status of Christ, crucifixes and other metal and copper funerary elements that adorned the tombstones, while some of them were found broken and trampled.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5487
Swedish Christian Teacher Fired Over Pronoun Dispute
2022-02-11 | A Swedish Christian teacher, Selma Gamaleldin, faced accusations of discrimination for refusing to address a student identifying as 'non-binary' with the gender-neutral pronoun 'hen', due to her personal belief.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7080
Church in Königsbrunn Tagged by Unknown Vandals
2022-02-10 | Unknown perpetrators defaced the courtyard of the church "Maria Unterm Kreuz" in Königsbrunn with several tags on the 10. February. The incident was reported by the police at the weekend, they have estimated the damage caused by the graffiti at about 3,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5403
France: Report finds 38% Rise in Anti-Religious Violence
2022-02-10 | Initial findings of a report were presented on the 10. February by French MPs Ludovic Mendes and Isabelle Florennes. They were ordered by the French Prime Minister Jean Castex to conduct a report on anti-religious attacks in France. The report found a 38% rise in anti-religious violence since 2019. Of the 1.659 anti-religious incidents in 2021, 857 were against Christians, which makes them the most targeted religion in France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5409
3 People Charged with Terrorist Attack Against Orthodox Church
2022-02-10 | Two men and one women were charged with terrorism, endangering life, and damage to property after they threw a Molotov cocktail into the entrance of a Greek Orthodox church. They were expected to be part of a group called Organization Anarchist Action who have done similar attacks in the past. Thankfully this targeted attack caused little damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5481
Crucifix and Commemorative Plaques Stolen from Grave in Gouvix
2022-02-09 | Four commemorative plaques, a funeral medallion, and a crucifix were stolen from the La Fosse-à-Terre cemetery in Gouvix. It was the grave of a young man who's father, Georges Delannée, found the theft and was heartbroken. He said "this rekindles the pain of a father who lost a child who left too early, in the prime of life." The father has filed a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5491
Repeated Vandalism on Eight Churches in Vicinity of Péronne
2022-02-09 | Eight village churches in the vicinity of Péronne were tagged in February and March 2022 - four of them on the night of 9-10 February alone - by an individual who appeared to be blaming the priest for personal reasons.The latter was finally identified and arrested, according to the local press.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6494
Money Stolen and Organ Smashed in Church
2022-02-08 | Unknown vandals broke into St. Mary's Church in Higham Ferres where they stole money from a large glass jar, scattered the prayer candles, and smashed the organ alter. A crowbar found in a hedge the next day was thought to be used for the ransacking. The act showed a complete disregard for the religious objects in the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5482
Russian Church Painted with Z-Symbol
2022-02-08 | The notice board and fence of the Saint Nikolaas of Myra Church in Amsterdam was painted several times with the pro - Russian symbol Z. The incident happened on March 8th and the service had to be cancelled due to security concerns. The Saint Nikolaas of Myra Church is Russian Orthodox but several nationalities including Ukrainians are part of the congregation. The church has raised funds for Ukrainian refugees but has remained neutral toward the war.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5559
Unknown Vandals throw Stones at Church windows in Bernitt
2022-02-08 | Stones were thrown at the church in Bernitt on February 8th. Windows on the house of worship were broken in what could only be called a vandalistic attack that caused over a thousand Euro damage. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5594
Sanctuary in Strassberg Ransacked
2022-02-08 | As it was reported on the 8th of February, unknown perpetrators set a flower basket and several song paper sheets on fire and then spread the smouldering remains throughout the chancel of a church in Strassberg. The perpetrators also damaged the altar in the act. They caused around 100 euros worth of damage and then left with a large altar candle.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5595
Unknown Vandals Overturn the Car of a Priest in Ibiza
2022-02-07 | On February 2nd, the car of priest Pedro Miguel López was overturned in a parking lot beside the church. It was the second time his car had been attacked, but this time, much more damage was done including seriously damaged bodywork. The police were notified of the crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5389
Decapitated Sculpture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in San Fernando
2022-02-06 | In the early hours of February 6th an act of vandalism took place in the town of San Fernando Cádiz. The sculpture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, located in the square of the parish of Nuestra Señora de la Oliva, was decapitated. After the attack the sculpture had to be removed from its usual place. The parish, and some municipal political groups alerted the police and asked the authorities to arrest the offenders and compel them to pay for the damages caused.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5488
Painting of a Church Defaced in Italy
2022-02-05 | A painting that was inside the church of Monterosso Calabro was defaced in the Vibonese area. The work had been donated to the parish by Professor Giuseppe Farina, a renowned artist, in memory of the baptism of his nephew and all the children of the community. The unknown perpetrator scribbled over the name of the nephew that was written on the painting around the 5th of February. The municipal administration, led by Mayor Antonio Giacomo Lampasi, strongly condemned the gesture.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5383
Sacrilegious theft in church in Brescia: Pyx with consecrated hosts stolen
2022-02-05 | The parish priest of Santa Maria Vittoria church in Brescia's Via Cremona reported that someone had stolen a pyx from the church tabernacle on 5 February. According to the priest, this grave incident was done by someone that knew how to move inside the church and where the tabernacle keys were saved.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6697
New Control Mechanism for French Religious Associations to Access Subsidies
2022-02-04 | A current tool has been implemented under the french anti-separatism law, which aims at reinforcing "respect of republican principles." This is the Republican Commitment Contract (CER), which was approved in 2020, and it needs to be signed by all associations, including religious ones, to have access to subsidies. While the National Council of Evangelicals (CNEF) and the Protestant Evangelical Committee for Human Dignity (CPDH) welcome the contract that seeks to uphold freedom of association and freedom of conscience, thought and religion, as well as the fight against violence, they are concerned about the practical application and interpretation of these measures by public authorities or administrations, as "some terms could be misinterpreted."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5357
Church Door Damaged in Poland
2022-02-04 | On the night of 3 to 4 February in Bierutow, unknown perpetrators destroyed the door to the St Joseph the Spouse church in Bierutow. It is possible that the intention was to break into the church. The police are investigating who may be behind the act. The parish posted a picture of the damage on Facebook.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5382
Theft and Vandalism in Ireland Church
2022-02-04 | On February 4th, the police arrested a man who broke into the Sacred Heart Church in Limerick. He smashed the offering box and then stole the money that the faithful had put there as well as breaking some statues.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5386
Online Safety Bill could lead to Censorship of Christian teaching
2022-02-04 | On the 4. February, the UK Government published a press release about strengthening the Online Safety Bill that was drafted back in 2019. While the Bill aims to protect children and internet users from criminal acts, such as sexual harassment, illegal pornography and violence, some MPs are raising concern about other parts of the Bill that could endanger freedom of speech. The drafted Bill could also include the prosecution of what is to be considered "harmful" information and communication, which is a very broad term, and could be used wrongly to target unwanted opinions, such as the conservative Christian teaching.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5395
Hosts Stolen from Fulda Cathedral
2022-02-04 | A 23-year-old stole the consecrated hosts from the Fulda Cathedral on Friday the 4th of February and then after disposing of them, returned the host bowl to the sanctuary. The police managed to arrest him and after they were done, they released him. They continued to investigate the incident for "disturbing the practice of religion," which carries a particularly heavy sentence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5647
Karlskirche in Vienna Vandalized for the Second Time in 2022
2022-02-04 | On the 4th of February, the Karlskirche in Vienna was vandalized by unknown people.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5822
Cyprus, Suspect Detained after Repeated Vandalism and Theft in Church
2022-02-03 | In Cyprus, a 21-year-old Nicosia man was arrested for repeated thefts from churches, and faces accusations "of entering a place of worship with intent to commit a crime, inflicting malicious damage, attempted theft, and burglaries," reported Cyprus Mail. Investigations of the five recorded incidents, which happened between December 21st and January 4th, were ongoing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5387
Update: Pro Life Campaigners Could face a Jail Sentence in Spain
2022-02-03 | New legislation in Spain could mean that people who support or pray in demonstrations outside abortion clinics may be arrested and face a jail sentence of three months to a year. Christians, who are more likely to be involved in this type of protest due to their pro-life convictions, will be targeted if their actions are said to be "offensive, intimidating, or coercive". After being passed in the Congress of Deputies on February 3rd, this bill awaits a vote in the Senate.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5441
School in Flen May Face 10,000 SEK Fine for Prayer
2022-02-01 | The Ålidenskolan kindergarten in Flen may be charged a fine of 10,000 SEK (960 euros) if they continue to do a meal time payer in school. They came under scrutiny after an school inspection accused them for having a religious element to their teaching which is not in line with Swedish regulations. This reflects Sweden's goal to remove all religion from their education system.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5447
Remembrance Chapel for Sailors in Cotentin Vandalised
2022-02-01 | The chapel of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue (Manche) was once again vandalised when flowers and other objects were taken. This chapel was dedicated to lost sailors at sea and is a sacred place for many. It has now been placed under video surveillance to stop such acts happing in the future.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5476
Broken Window and Room Searched in Bad Schoenborn Church
2022-02-01 | The St. Vitrus church was broken into by unknown perpetrators who broke a window and searched rooms. The incident happened on the 2nd of January in Schoenborn.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5677
Clock Hand Stolen from Church in Kranenburg
2022-01-31 | The small hand of a clock on a church in Kranenburg was stolen during the night of the 25th of January by unknown people. The thieves attempted to remove the minute hand as well but failed, and thus damaged it. The emotional value of the clock is great and members of the congregation were very upset by the hands disappearance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5646
Catholic Home in Saint-Brieuc Targeted with Anti-Christian Tags
2022-01-30 | The car and home façade of the Catholic entrepreneur Sébastien Drouin, were painted with anti - Christian tags such an upside down cross and the number 666, know for its Anitchrist connection. He openly expressed his faith and was the radio host of the local Catholic station RCF. Him and his family unfortunately had to pay for their beliefs and Mr. Drouin posted on Twitter: "Where can we be safe?"
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5477
Attempted Attack in the Basilica in Blois
2022-01-29 | A man with typical Muslim attire returned to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Trinité in Blois on 29. January after he had prayed to Mecca and been asked to leave. The churchman was concerned by his behaviour an called the police who searched him. The Koran and a long kitchen knife were found attached to his belt at which point he was taken into custody.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5464
Driver of Pro-Life Van is Physically Attacked
2022-01-28 | The driver of a van that displayed pro-life slogans and images was attacked in Warsaw and the incident was recorded on video. A man threw an object at the vehicle as it stopped by a red light, and when the driver opened the door, he tried to pull him outside and hit him twice, and then he ran away.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5338
Islamist Who Disrupted Funeral Could Have also Painted Swastika on Basilica
2022-01-27 | During a funeral on 27. January, a man entered the Saint - Denys Basilica in Argenteuil, shouted "Allah Akbar," and then fled. Moments later, a swastika was found painted on the outside of the church and the acts were thought to be connected. The incident was reported to the police but no one has been caught.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5473
Church in San Teodoro Damaged by Arson Attack
2022-01-26 | A fire, that broke out in the church of San Teodoro, was suspected to be a deliberate act of arson after the video surveillance was examined. No major damage was noted but the fire started near a statue of Mary and some candles were burned. The deliberate act was being investigated by the Carabinieri.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5459
Swastikas Painted on Church of Melton Mowbray
2022-01-26 | Swastikas and a Star of David were spray - painted on the St. Mary's Church in Melton Mowbray. Police officers were looking into the vandalistic act and labeled it "religious aggravated graffiti." It came a few days before the Holocaust Memorial Day and a member of the church posted online "To desecrate a House of God seems pretty low."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5472
Communist Banner Hanged From Christ Statue in Murcia
2022-01-26 | On the 26th of January, the Christ statue located on top of the castle of the Murcia district, in Monteagudo, was found in the morning with a large banner with the faces of Soviet leaders, Stalin and Lenin, decorated with the communist symbol of the hammer and sickle on a red star and with a text stating: "It is very difficult to destroy someone who is not willing to surrender". The banner was removed by the municipal firefighters on the same morning it was found.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5973
France: Ban on "Conversion Therapy" Does Not Target Abusers but Breaches Parental Rights
2022-01-25 | On January 25, the French National Assembly unanimously approved a "conversion therapy" law, introducing prison sentences and high fines for those convicted of trying to change the sexual orientation or identity of LGBT+ people. Whereas the abusive practices mentioned in the law have never occurred in France, the broadly written law does not mention conversion therapy organizations or possible perpetrators, but it prohibits parents from refusing hormonal therapies or even questioning their children about their doubts about their identity. A Child psychiatrist, Christian Flavigny, warned that this law will hinder any reflection on children in deep distress and disqualify the parent-child bond.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5243
500 Graves in Houdain Desecrated and Robbed
2022-01-25 | In the night of January 1st, 500 graves were robbed and desecrated in the Bois des Tours cemetery, in Houdain. The thieves were after metal objects that they could resell as scrap and the incident was reported to the police. Although they were after monetary gain, the act showed a complete lack of respect for those who were buried there and
the religious objects on their graves.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5471
Nativity Scene Figure and Fundraising Money Stolen
2022-01-24 | The police investigation into the theft of a nativity scene figure from St. Nikolai's Church in Höxter has not yet produced any hot leads. The "Thankful Boy", a fundraising figure, had been dismantled from the nativity scene ensemble and stolen together with the money (more than 100 Euros). The boy belonged to the 150-year-old nativity scene.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5393
A Clinic Training Course calls the Bible and Christianity "racist"
2022-01-23 | As reported by Daily Mail on 23. January, a leading mental health clinic in London, Portman Clinic, told a student therapist during a training course that Christianity is a racist religion and that the Bible can be considered racists because it makes a contrast between "darkness" and "light". Amy Gallagher is a 33-year-old nurse, who is preparing to take legal action against this clinic. She will sue the clinic for discrimination against her as a Christian and a white person, and also due to the distress caused through this experience. A crowdfunding campaign has been started to support her on her legal challenge.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5326
Silver Crucifix Stolen From St.-Lamberti Church
2022-01-23 | On 23. January, people saw a possible suspect stealing a silver crucifix from the St.-Lamberti Church in Oldenburg. The cross, 45 centimetres high and 30 centimetres wide, had stood in the baptistery, an entrance hall of the Protestant church. Besides the cross nothing else was stolen. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5358
Vandals Devastate Church and Mock Priest
2022-01-23 | Due to repeated acts of vandalism in the Church of Ritiro, the parish priest, father Romeo, decided to close the church outside worship hours. He posted on Facebook at the end of January: "Due to repeated acts of vandalism in the church, most recently this morning, the church will be closed from today. It will only open before celebrations or parish activities." The mayor of Messina, Cateno de Luca, has expressed his concern and outrage regarding these incidents and announced he would go to Mass as a sign of solidarity to the priest. The mayor described incidents such as overturned candlesticks on the altar, and trash and cigarette buds found on the floor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5360
Graffiti on Chapel in Piétat by Unknown Vandal
2022-01-23 | The word "Ska" was spray-painted in black on the Notre-Dame de chapel in Piétat, France. Ska, is a music genre that originated in 1950s Jamaica and seems to have no relevance to the chapel. Despite this, it was a deliberate act to deface the side of a religious building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5475
Vandalism of Church Objects in Chaumont
2022-01-23 | Vandalism that occurred in 2021, to the Saint-Jean-Baptiste basilica, was finally reported during the general meeting of the Innovatis Basilica association. Burnt papers were found in the entrance to the church and several urns had been damaged. Some candles had also been stolen and it has been suggested that cameras be installed to prevent such actions in the future.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5489
Greek Ministry Report: Anti-Christian Attacks make up approx. 93% of all Anti-Religious Hate Crimes in 2020
2022-01-22 | Greece’s Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs has released a report showing that between 2015 to 2020 there have been 2,339 incidents of desecration of Greek Orthodox churches. This means these churches are the main target among all religious groups in the country, as they make up approximately 93% of the cases. In 2020 alone, there were 404 attacks against religious spaces: 385 attacks were against Christians, while there were less than 10 attacks to any other religion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5362
Expensive Chalice Stolen from Church in Poland
2022-01-22 | A gold plated chalice worth several thousand zlotys was stolen from St. Martin's Church in Kepno, Poland on February 22nd. The chalice was later found in a dumpster and recovered. Investigators guess there were two thieves but they have not been found.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5394
32 Nativity Figures Stolen from Saint-Pierre Church in Palavas-los-Flots
2022-01-21 | 32 figures were stolen from the nativity scene at the Saint - Pierre church in Palavas - los - Flots on 21. January. Their total value was estimated to be around 300 euros. The visual artist, Marie-Pierre Guilhot, who had compiled the scene was especially saddened by the theft and said: “As a Catholic, you should forgive but here I find it difficult to forgive.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5470
Municipality in Spain Takes Down Cross in Parish Church
2022-01-21 | The mayor of Villagarcía de Arosa began the demolition of the cross of the parish church, in late January 2022. The removal will be undertaken under the Historical Memory Law and will cost more than 1,000 euros, according to the PSOE government team. On social media, the political party VOX wrote: "infamy is being committed. A theft of our history and our faith. The local PSOE allows it with financial help from the Diputación".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5978
Burglary and Theft in Szczytno Church
2022-01-20 | A 25-year-old man, was found inside the basement of a Church in Szczytno by the pastor, on the 20th of January. Upon investigation, it was found that the intruder had broken three widows of the church and had then attempted to steal three items worth a combined value of 5,000 zlotys.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5345
German Evangelical Pastor Receives Death Threats
2022-01-20 | The police in Germany has communicated that a pastor from Herne, Melanie Jansen, who regularly organises peace prayers on Saturdays (parallel to Covid-19 protests), has received death threats. The State Protection Service is now investigating, as the persons from the two incidents until now were unknown. The Evangelical Church in Rhineland has condemned these threats and have expressed solidarity towards this colleague and "sister in Christ".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5348
Vandals Tagged Church Walls and Door with Blasphemous Words
2022-01-20 | In Muggio, the façade of the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Castagno was found covered with blasphemous taggs on the 21st of January. The walls and the entrance door of the church were vandalised by unknown perpetrators, with the words "Dio cane" (Dog God). According to the news outlet "Today", the places of worship in the city had been attacked with arson in recent weeks and in the summer. The community was very affected by this incident and volunteers have cleaned the walls.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5350
Arsonist Burns Church Altar in Germany
2022-01-20 | On 20 January, the Paul Gerhardt Church in Berlin fell victim to an arson attack, destroying the altar, an image of Christ and the organ. Thirty firefighters were needed to extinguish the fire. The Evangelical congregation was shocked by the incident, with Pastor Aljona Hofmann saying: 'It strikes at the heart of the church.' According to a witness, a man left the church in a hurry shortly before the fire started; the church would normally have been closed at this time. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5351
France: Minister of Interior Releases 4 Million Euro Budget to protect Places of Worship
2022-01-20 | The minister of interior in France, Gérald Darmanin, has announced a four million euro budget to secure places of worship after a series of acts of vandalism to churches. In relation to this, the philosopher and historian, Remi Brague, said in an interview that attacking the Catholic Church has become very easy. He also sees it as a way of weakening the whole country and points out that the solution to improve the security of Churches is not only financial. The minister plans to finance video surveillance in particular.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5355
Catholic Church Vandalised with Dog Manure for several Months
2022-01-20 | The police have found a suspect, who might be responsible for the vandalism attacks that endured the Catholic church St. Aegidius for several months since October 2021. The man had smeared dog excrement on the walls of the church or left dog excrement at the entrance of the church almost every week. The pastor Anrul Lourdu commented: "We are speechless and meanwhile also powerless. It is simply undignified, unattractive and inhumane what is happening."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5373
Suspected Arson to Church in Valladolid
2022-01-19 | The church of Our Lady of Fatima in Valladolid has been severely damaged by a fire that was started from outside the church. The investigation indicates that the fire could have been caused by arson. The head of the parish of San José Obrero, Enrique Barrientos, said: "In principle, it seems to have been provoked because the fire went from the outside in. There had been some acts of vandalism in the area." The incident took place on the 19. January in the early morning, and the first one to raise the alarm was the headmaster of a school that is attached to the chapel. The fire damaged a church door, an image of the Virgin and the electronic organ, which was completely burnt.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5349
Police Arrest Man Guilty for Theft of Sacred Obejcts
2022-01-18 | The police of Salerno has captured a man who was guilty of stealing sacred objects from the church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on the 18th of January. The thieve had stolen a silver chalice and monstrance. The police were alerted by Don Biagio, the parish priest who was in the sacristy when the theft took place. The 24-year-old perpetrator was identified with the security cameras and the objects were returned to the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5368
Outer Walls of Church in Napoli Marred by Fire
2022-01-18 | On January 18th, the outer walls of the Sant'Eligio Church in Piazza Mercato, Naples, were blackened by a fire lit by youths from the city. The police quickly arrived at the scene but not before the walls had been damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5456
Church Front Set Alight in Muggiò
2022-01-18 | The doormat of the Santa Giuliana church in Muggiò was set alight by unknow vandals on 18. January. The main doors of the historic 13th century church were blackened by the flames. This act of arson was obviously done in contempt of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5457
Church Bell Tower in Villingen-Schwenningen Defaced
2022-01-18 | The bell tower of a church in Villingen-Schwenningen was defaced by unknown vandals. They sprayed the tower with writing and caused property damage of around 100 Euros on January 18th. The police were looking for more information and wanted witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5589
Arson to Nativity Scene in Church in Dortmund
2022-01-17 | The police assume that the straw on the cot of the Provost Church of St. John the Baptist was set on fire by someone. Arson is suspected. This was reported by "Der Westen". According to the parish website, a visitor to the Catholic church noticed the fire at the cot on Monday and reported it. With the help of a fire extinguisher, the caretaker and sexton were able to prevent the fire from spreading to the Christmas trees and the wooden altar.The nativity scene has now been dismantled. The church remains open, but additional safety measures are being considered.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5353
Entire Music Equipment Stolen from Dresden Church
2022-01-17 | An unknown thief stole the music equipment form the Friedenskirche Church in Dresden-Löbtau. The theft happened on the 17 of January and police say the stolen goods had a value of around 2,000 euros. The equipment is vital for celebrating services.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5645
Man Tears Host into Pieces During Mass
2022-01-16 | On the 16. January, in the parish of Saint-Esprit in Paris during Mass, a man went to receive Communion, but instead, he took the Host and tore it into pieces and threw it to the ground. The Father Simón Fornier de Violeta, one of the parish vicars, was distributing Communion when this man arrived and stretched out his hand. As the priest tried to ask him about this profanation, he replied "For Nadia", and went away. The priest said: "The act was thought out, premeditated." He commented that the man had some injuries in his hands, like "people who consume drugs or drink too much."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5347
Man Arrested for Dismembering Figures of Jesus
2022-01-16 | A 30 year old man was arrest for multiple accounts of property damage around the Märkischer Kreis region on January 16th. The cases included the dismembering of Jesus figurines, stolen statues of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, and damage to wayside crosses. The police suspected it was not a religiously motivated attack but this does not excuse the fact that the objects that were destroyed in a sacrilegious manner, were sacred to Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5587
Burglary of Church in St. Ingbert
2022-01-16 | On January 16th, three men and two women, entered the church of St. Hildegard in St. Ingbert and stole several items after ransacking the inside. Groceries were stolen and some offering sticks, which they tried to break, were shaken to get the coins out. When the police arrived on the scene, the criminals fled but the two women were arrested. A follow up investigation confirmed that the suspects were a gang who had raided several other churches and items, including a gold chalice worth thousands, were found in one of their apartments.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5687
Police Are Investigating Arson to Dundee Church
2022-01-15 | In Dundee, Scotland, the St Luke’s Parish Church was the victim of an arson attack on the 15. January. The crew that extinguished the fire found that someone had set alight rubbish around 4 pm, according to the police. Also, neighbours said there have been issues with teenagers accessing the grounds of the former church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5365
Graffiti in Wertingen Church
2022-01-13 | A severe case of vandalism was recorded at the St. Martin's Church in Wertingen on January 13th. Graffiti and the number 187, meaning murder, were painted all over the wooden paneling and seats. There was even a failed attempt to break open the sacristy door; and the offertory was also damaged, in the adjacent Lourdes Grotto. There was an estimated property damage of around 1,000 Euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5588
Break-In and Property Damage to Church in Niederlinxweiler
2022-01-13 | Unknown intruders destructively gained access to the evangelical church in Niederlinxweiler on January 13th. In their attempt to find and steal valuables from the sacristy, they ransacked rooms and caused a large amount of property damage. The police were looking for witnesses to provide more information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5686
Polish Court Rejects Appeal for LGBTQ Acquittal
2022-01-12 | The Plock court in Poland has finally rejected the prosecutions appeal after three pro-LGBTQ women were acquitted in March of 2021. They had been distributing posters of the Virgin May with a rainbow halo on her head and were prosecuted for "offending religious beliefs." The sentence would have been up to two years but the offence was not deemed severe enough.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5468
Drunk Man Threatens Priest And Tries to Enter Church
2022-01-11 | Around 4 a.m. today, Tuesday 11 January, a 29-year-old young man with multiple past convictions began threatening the parish priest of the Collegiate Church in Moncalieri because he could not get into the church. The parish priest, worried about the possibility of vandalism, called the Carabinieri. When they arrived a few minutes later, the soldiers tried to calm him down, but the man attacked them and continued his fury even at the barracks, where he was taken to formalise his arrest.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5334
Tabernacle Broken in Romainville
2022-01-11 | Vandals wrecked the church of Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois in Romainville on January 11th. The Diocese wrote in a press release, "a trunk was torn off, the tabernacle was fractured, the sound equipment, stolen and the cupboards of the sacristy, stripped of several sacred vases". This act of desecration expressed a total lack of respect for these religious symbols.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5342
Italian Parish Priest Demands Help After Continuous Attacks and Vandalism
2022-01-11 | The parish priest of the church of San Benedetto in Livorno, Don Tomasz Zurek, has said he can't stand anymore the intimidation and vandalism that happens outside his church every night. In the last incident, someone started a fire to a paper that was on the Church door. As he protested the violent acts he has to endure, he was pushed by the vandals. The priest says: "We ask for a permanent presence of the police and, if necessary, also of the army." He has organized a letter, together with people from a shopping centre nearby, also intimidated by the vandals that gather outside the Church at night. This was reported on the 11th of January.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5343
Hundreds of Hosts Stolen from Saint-Pierre Church
2022-01-10 | Thieves broke through the stained-glass windows of the Saint-Pierre Church in Bondy to desecrate the tabernacle and steal hundreds of hosts. This act of desecration showed intense disrespect for some of the most sacred objects in the Catholic church. Father Jocelyn Petitfils explains that the tabernacle is "the most venerable place in the church, where the consecrated hosts are stored”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5332
Attempted Arson at Bakum Church
2022-01-10 | Between the 8th and the 10th of January, unknown perpetrators made an arson attack at the St.-Johannes-Baptist-Church in Bakum. According to the police, the fire was started on a paper and it damaged one table. The fire smoke also damaged the walls. The damage amounts to approx. 200 Euro. The police is now investigating and requesting clues from eye-witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5335
Heavy Flagstones Stolen from Glossop Church
2022-01-10 | Thieves targeted a church in Glossop and stole a number of ancient flagstones from the floor. The theft from the grounds of Glossop Parish Church of All Saints has left the local community saddened. The stolen flagstones were taken from the path outside the west end of the church overnight between Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 January. Tyre tracks were left nearby so it is believed a vehicle was used in the theft of the very heavy stone.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5336
Nativity Scene Statue Stolen from Church in Forbach-Bermersbach
2022-01-10 | A nativity scene figure was stolen from a church in Forbach-Bermersbach (Rastatt district) on 10. January. According to the police, the figure, a "servant with a donation box", was stolen from the unlocked church. The damage is said to be of a non-material and artistic nature; the financial damage cannot yet be quantified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5352
Crucifix Stolen from Church During Funeral
2022-01-10 | A repeat thief stole a wooden crucifix off the condolence table at the Saint-Nicolas de Port Basilica near Dombasle, France. The absence of the liturgical piece was noticed shortly after the funeral had ended and upon viewing the footage from the nearby surveillance cameras, the police identified the thief to be Phillipe Languedoc. He has been in prison for the past 38 years for other offences and now will spend 12 more months behind bars for this crime. The lack of respect for religious sentiments was evident in the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5490
Church Windows Smashed by Unknown Perpetrators
2022-01-09 | On Sunday 9. January, the church in Bouvignes was targeted by unknown vandals. The Stained glass windows were broken, probably through kicking. Father Jean-Baptiste Raty, parish priest of the church, called the action a : "gratuitous vandalism".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5329
Church Walls Tagged by Vandals
2022-01-09 | Unknown criminals spray painted the Garrison Church of St. Casimir the Prince in Katowice. They may face a sentence of up to eight years and will have to restore the stone work to its original state. Multiple walls and some statues of the historic church were defaced.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5330
Theft of Relic from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
2022-01-09 | The relic f John Paul II was stolen from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Paray-leMonial in Burgundy. The relic is a piece of cloth stained with the Pope's blood during an attempted murder in 1981. The theft could have occurred between the 8 and 9 of January, according to the mayor Jean-Marc Nesme. The incident was reported by a churchman who was closing the church, the police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5346
Obscene Phrases Written on Fabriano Church
2022-01-09 | The front facade of the Church of Our Lady of Grace in Via Conce, was defaced with epithets written in spray paint on 1. January. Police examined footage of the surrounding area in search of the vandals but no one has been arrested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5424
Windows of Bouvignes Church Broken
2022-01-09 | On 9. January, the stained glass windows of the Bouvignes church were smashed in. Father Jean-Baptiste Raty labelled the act: "gratuitous vandalism".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5429
Vandal Smashes Church Windows During Mass
2022-01-09 | During Mass, an 18-year-old used a hammer to smash the windows of the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Senica. The man then fled the scene with a city police patrol in pursuit. He used the hammer to fend off one officer but was caught in the end. This incident happened on January 9th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5789
Karlskirche in Vienna Tagged Again by Unknown Vandals
2022-01-08 | On the night of the 7. to 8. January, the historical Karlskirche in Vienna was tagged with red paint by unknown vandals. Among the symbols, there were blasphemous drawings, anarchist and communist symbols. Johannes Pasquali, a Viennese politician, demanded that security cameras be installed to protect the church. These attacks and vandalism have been repetitive for some months.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5379
Statue of the Virgin of Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux Church destroyed
2022-01-08 | In the Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux Church in Strasbourg, the statue of the Virgin was vandalised on the 8th of January. The statue of the Virgin was found destroyed on the ground with its face damaged. A complaint was filed with the police. The parish priest of the church received the news and commented: "It was a parishioner who alerted me. He found the statue of the Virgin demolished, next to its base. He immediately called. I think it was intentional: the way it was positioned, I don't see how the statue could have fallen down by itself. Father Uberall has already announced his intention to file a complaint."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6469
Theft of Money and Consecrated Hosts in Vitry-sur-Seine
2022-01-07 | In the night of January 6th, unknown persons broke into the Saint-Germain church of Vitry-sur-Seine. There, they broke open the three tabernacles and took the ciborium with the consecrated hosts as well as stealing some money donated by the parishioners. The desecration of the hosts showed their malignant intent.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5331
Couple Vandalised Nativity Scene and Cut Off Mary's Hands
2022-01-07 | A couple of 20-year-olds vandalised a Christmas nativity scene in Jasień on the 7. January. The perpetrators damaged the figures in the nativity scene, including cutting off the hands of Mary. They also stole the crosier. They have been charged with "destruction of property", theft and offending religious feelings. They could face up to 5 years in jail, according to polish authorities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5341
Figure of Baby Jesus Destroyed in Diest
2022-01-07 | On the 7. January, the nativity scene on display at the historic Church of St. Suplice in Diest was the victim of vandalism. Unknown perpetrators destroyed the figure of baby Jesus by tearing off his head, one arm and one leg.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5370
Several Thefts at Nativity Scenes in Sint Truiden
2022-01-07 | On January 7th, the baby Jesus was stolen from the nativity scene at the Saint Martin church in Sint Truiden. This was not the first of such thefts as earlier, said sexton Etienne Thomas. He recalls: "one of the brass angels on the main altar was unscrewed and stolen," and before that, some copper candlesticks were taken. These incidents were just part of the repeated vandalism the Saint Martin church has been facing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5423
Evangelical Dean Receives Several Threats For his Views
2022-01-07 | The Dean of the Evangelical Church has received several anonymous threatening letters due to the vaccination campaign in Ulm Minster. These letters criticise vaccinations and the role played by the Dean in it.No one close or familiar to the Dean is considered a suspect, as the details of the letter demonstrated a lack of knowledge regarding the church's internal procedures and even the address the letter was sent to was incorrect.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5425
Statue of the Virgin Mary destroyed in Poland
2022-01-07 | A statue of the Virgin Mary was torn apart and a local chapel destroyed in Sikorzyna, Poland, as reported on the 7th of January. The four perpetrators have been arrested and will be judged accordingly. The Fidei Defensor Monitoring Center for Christianophobia stated that it "will intervene to bring the perpetrators to justice".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5426
Painting of Jesus Broken in Attempted Theft from Sint-Truiden Church
2022-01-07 | Thieves attempted to steal the triptych with pictures of Jesus, that was hanging at the front at Saint Martin's church in Sint-Truiden. The incident was recorded on January 7th but happened several weeks earlier. The triptych is 40 to 50 kilos so once it was detached, the weight became too much for the thieves and the picture fell, broken beyond repair. Although it was not stolen, the image was destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5797
Activists Block Holy Mass at Cathedral in Cologne
2022-01-06 | On the 6. January at the evening, a group of twelve climate activists blocked a mass in the Cathedral of Cologne. The demonstrators wanted to catch Pope Francis' attention, according to Catholic News Agency request. The cathedral wardens attempted to carry out the activists, who sat in the middle of the church between the aisles. Two of them got injured for trying to carry these persons, but no actual violence was used from any side, they were treated by rescue workers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5291
Nativity Figures Stolen by Youth
2022-01-06 | Sixteen and twelve-year-old boys were caught after they took the baby Jesus from a nativity scene in Saarburg and altered some of the other figures during the first week of January. The stolen figure was thrown into the Saar and the youth have been charged with other acts of vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5327
Six Church Statues Decapitated in Poitiers
2022-01-06 | On January 6th, six statues were found decapitated in the church of Sainte-Thérèse in Poitiers. The police have confirmed that the vandalism
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5392
Repetitive Burglary in Church
2022-01-06 | Church on Hiddensee Island was sacked for the second time within only a few weeks. Money was stolen from the donation containers, with a total plundering and property damage estimated at around 600€. Nearly a month before, unknown thieves had broken into the antechamber of the church, stealing the money saved in a wooden donation chest.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5420
Vandals Desecrate Tombstones at Cemetery
2022-01-06 | On January 6th, unknown vandals raided cooper vases and bouquets of flowers were found torn apart on the floor. A second theft was recorded in fifteen days in the Cemetery of Ponticelli. These acts of vandalism were recorded both in the chapel of Sant'Anna and in the municipal hypogeum located in the most recent zone of construction of the Ponticelli Cemetery.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5422
Burglary in the Church of Santa Maria Assunta
2022-01-06 | A theft occurred on the 6. January during the Catholic celebration of the Epiphany of the Lord. Unknown vandals took advantage of the absence of people and broke into the Church of Santa Maria Assunta by breaking the glass of the sacristy. A music box was stolen, commonly used by the city choirs to animate celebrations in the Church. The police were immediately alerted and began the investigations to find the authors of this theft. Both the members of the choir and the parish priest Don Francesco Scarin expressed deep regret for this theft.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5427
UPDATE: Catholic Nurse Wins Discrimination and Harassment Case
2022-01-05 | Mary Onuoha was constructively dismissed in 2020 from the Croydon NHS Trust Hospital in London for wearing a golden cross necklace. She now has won the case against her unfair dismissal for discrimination and harassment, with the help of the Christian Legal Center, as it was communicated on 5. January. The Hospital had said her necklace was "too visible" and posed a ‘risk of injury or infection’, but the ruling found out that other medical staff wore jewellery, religious attire and badges, and that this was "widely tolerated". The ruling declared the dismissal of Mrs Onuoha discriminatory and arbitrary, and recognized her right to religious freedom, such as wearing a cross necklace.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5292
Saarburg Church Heavily Desecrated and Vandalised
2022-01-05 | Unknown vandals broke through the door of the Protestant church on the Schlossberg in Saarburg, Germany, on January 5th. The perpetrators urinated in the church and left vomit and cigarette ashes. This disrespectful act was the second crime in the church after candlesticks had been stolen the previous year.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5419
Theft and Damage of Liturgical Objects in France
2022-01-05 | Sacred objects in the Saint-Symphorien church in Genouilly, were damaged and taken by unknown thieves. They stole the liturgical piece that displays the host, and after breaking through the tabernacle door, took two ciboriums that hold the host. Michel Legendre, the mayor of the commune, plans to file a complaint about this disrespectful act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5439
Arson: Molotov Cocktail Thrown at Church
2022-01-05 | On New Year's Eve, a Molotov cocktail was hurled at Arnhem's Saint Nicholas Church starting a fire. Jan van Schuylenburg, who is a church volunteer, was soon at the scene and put the fire out. There is footage of the cocktail being thrown, which will help with the prosecution, and Jan "think(s) it was an attack".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5440
Repeated Vandalism and Damage at Church in Sint-Truiden
2022-01-05 | The Saint Martin's Church in Sint-Truiden has been continuously targeted by vandalism and theft. Bundles of wipes were torn from the cross and set on fire and a few days earlier, the mass book was thrown and knocked around until it was broken. A few months back, the ribbons of the antique mass book were set on fire but luckily the book was not burnt. Sexton Etienne said: “A church is a public building and it should stay that way... People should be able to come here in complete safety to pray and relax.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5798
Three Statues Defaced and Basilica Vandalised by a Man in Saint-Denis
2022-01-05 | A man came to the basilica of Saint-Denis and used an iron bar to damage three statues on the 5th of January. The rector of the cathedral-basilica said he had filed a complaint on the same day and the vandal was quickly arrested. The 30-year-old man caused several material damages. At first, the man came to the Basilica and was refused access to a space behind the altar, prohibited to the public. He returned a little later, armed with an iron bar, with which he attacked the display cases in which religious objects (crucifixes, statuettes and other trinkets) were exhibited. Then, the man threw three plaster statues to the ground.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6463
Arson to Chapel of the Madonna by Unknown Perpetrators
2022-01-04 | Unknown vandals broke into the chapel of the Madonna in Cima Sappada by breaking the lock, which was reported on the 4th of January. The perpetrators took the tablecloth off the altar and lit a fire inside the chapel by using wooden stacks and the tablecloth. Some passing hikers noticed that the door had been opened and reported the damage to managers of a nearby refuge. Fortunately, the damage was not extensive.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5313
Vandals Tagged Two Churches in Arona
2022-01-04 | On the days prior to the 4th of January, there was a surge of vandalism in Arona. Unknown vandals damaged the main door of the San Rocco Church and the Sacro Cuore Church with graffiti. They painted crosses on the doors. Apart from that, vandals also defaced a sign of a high school.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5314
Church installs Window Protection due to Recurrent Vandalism
2022-01-04 | Due to ongoing vandalism, there are now protective grids at the Luther Church in Fellbach. The damage is thought to have been caused by young people throwing stones.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5320
Unknown Perpetrators Vandalise Church and Steal 2000 Euros
2022-01-03 | On the 3. January, the parish priest, Don Gianluigi Ganabano, found out that thieves had broken into the Church of Santa Maria Immacolata the night before. Around two thousand euros were stolen from the church. The parish priest found the premises ransacked and called the police. The thieves forced open a side door and took possession of some boxes containing offerings.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5323
Unknown Man Punches Priest During Mass
2022-01-03 | A video was posted on the 3rd of January, which shows how a man approached a Greek Catholic priest during Mass and punched him in the arm. The man was wearing a jacket with clearly read "F**k your God" and was rapidly taken away by other men, who reacted to the attack. The incident took place in the church of Pavel Petr Gojdic and Blessed Vasyl Hopko in Bardejov. After the attack, the 26-year-old priest asked the congregation to pray for his aggressor and declared forgiveness for him. The man was detained by the police and could face up to 3 years of prison.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5369
43,000 Signatures Against the Removal of a Catholic Statue in Les Sables d'Olonne
2022-01-03 | Since the decision by the Administrative Court of Nantes to remove the statue of Saint Michel in the town of Les Sables d'Olonne, two online petitions collected over 43,000 signatures against it removal. The statue is on the front of the Saint Michel church and the court wanted it removed withing six months as the said in violated a 1905 law on secularism. The statue has been there for years and the town was determined to not let it go.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5428
Presbyterian Church in Creutzwald Vandalised
2022-01-03 | The Presbyterian church in Creutzwald was severely vandalised by unknown criminals. The lights, various pots, mailbox, and shutter were all damaged by fire crackers and the questioning angel, placed at the top of the crib, was removed of its head and the donations gone. For fear of more acts like this, the church has reduced its visiting hours.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5438
Statue of Saints Destroyed in Marl Church
2022-01-03 | On January 3rd, an intruder entered the Barbara Church in Marl-Hamm and destroyed statues of saints. "When exactly they came in, we unfortunately do not know," said Sister Aloysiana. The doors to the church were not locked and the police were investigating the crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5578
Nativity Scene Vandalised in French Village
2022-01-02 | On the 2nd of January, it was reported that the Christmas Nativity installation which adorned the religious building was vandalised. "I find it unacceptable. Especially as it required a certain amount of effort to reach it, given the height at which it was situated," said Jean-Pierre Quet, the mayor of Artigues-de-Lussac. The work was created some years ago by municipal workers and volunteers: "It was 5 to 6 metres long, with figures and a scrap metal frame. Everything was plugged in. Whoever did this tore it down, they can't do anything with it. It's a purely gratuitous act of vandalism", he said. A complaint was filed to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5306
Teenagers destroy Church of Marguerita Sign
2022-01-02 | After some vandals destroyed the panel of the Church of Santa Margherita which was outside the structure, the Associazione 21, which manages the building, posted a message on their website. They posted it on the 3rd of January, saying that some 11-12-year-old boys kicked and smashed the panel in front of the Church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5324
Bomb Detonates at Greek Church on New Year's Eve
2022-01-01 | An explosion caused by unknown perpetrators occurred outside the Church of St. Paul in Athens at about 12:30 AM on New Year's, as reported by Protothema.gr. The explosion was caused by ten gas canisters placed outside the church, which caused minor material damage, such as blackened spots on the church's facade. A similar event took place in 2018, where two people were wounded. The police are investigating the attack.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5290
Unknown Vandals destroy Statue of Christ
2022-01-01 | On the 1st of January, the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Saint-Porchaire Church, was thrown to the ground and destroyed, according to a witness. An investigation has been opened by the police and two men might have been the perpetrators. There are no suspects for the time being and a complaint has been filed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5309
Statue of Baby Jesus Vandalised in the Netherlands
2022-01-01 | The statue of baby Jesus in the village of Heesh has been victimized by vandalism between Christmas and New Year. According to the report, these attacks on the nativity scene are very common. This time, the head of the statue of Jesus was broken into four pieces, and the cot had a big hole in it. Peter van Moorselaar of De Drie Leliën, who is in charge of taking care of the nativity scene has also shared the crime. He mentioned how the head of the baby Jesus looked as "if vandals had played soccer with it." Even though there were concerns over the price of the damages, Joke Franken and his daughter have restored the statue of baby Jesus.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6718
Lecce: Theft of the Baby Jesus Figure
2021-12-31 | In Lecce, the baby boy from the large nativity scene set up in Piazza del Duomo was stolen, as reported on the 31st of December. Unknown perpetrators stole the statue of baby Jesus during the night. It was placed in the center of the Nativity scene in front of the cathedral church. This apparently happens every year, which affects the people of Lecce and the curia. The police are working to see if there is any footage from security cameras to identify the thieves.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5302
Fire at St. Nicholaus Church on New Year's Eve treated as Arson
2021-12-31 | A big fire broke out in the St. Nicholaus Church in Hofstetten on the evening of the 31. December and it is being investigated for arson. The police were alerted and they, together with firefighters, rushed to the Catholic church to extinguish the fire, which took several brigades. It has left massive damage to the church, including the organ and the interior of the church. The damage is likely to amount to several 100,000 francs. There have been no injuries, but the police is running an investigation and asking for witnesses. According to the interim parish president, Georg Sigfrist, unknown vandals had destroyed the nativity scene inside the church shortly before the fire broke out.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5303
Jewels and Offerings Stolen From Mary Image
2021-12-31 | In Taranto, the jewels and offerings that the parish people left to the icon of "Our Lady of Health" in her shrine have been stolen, as reported on the 31st of December. Monsignor Emanuele Ferro, spokesman for archbishop Filippo Santoro reported this to the media.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5322
Christ Child Theft in Modling Nativity
2021-12-31 | The Christ Child figurine was stolen from a nativity scene in the Herz-Jesu parish in Modling. It was over fifty years old and had little monetary value so the Vicariate Councillor & Pastoral Assistant Alexandra Kommer expects it was done as a prank adding: "Who does something like that?" The police started an investigation to find the thieves.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5430
Vandalism at St. Blasius Parish
2021-12-31 | On New Year's Eve, an unknown hooligan ripped a lamp in the square of the St. Blasius church in Balve out of its concrete base. The church council was offering a 500 euro reward to anyone who could provide information about the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5577
Theft of Figures from Nativity Scene in Enzesfel
2021-12-31 | A bold theft of three kings and some sheep was carried out on on New Years Eve from the "Grödner nativity scene" in the Enzesfeld parish church by a unidentified man. Once video surveillance was viewed, the police saw the theft occur but the absence of the figures was only noticed by pastor Pastor Krzysztof Szczesny on January 7th. The 140 year old scene which is put up every year has had to be dismantled for fear of further thefts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5633
Court Sentences Couple, after Church Vandalism in Somme
2021-12-31 | A couple who severely vandalized a church in Somme on New Years Eve 2021, were sentenced to pay 1,870 euros to the municipality to compensate for the damage. Although intoxicated, the court still found them responsible for the damage caused. They broke down the door of the church and once inside, lit candles, overturned items, and stole several objects including a monstrance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5870
Prohibition of Singing during Covid-19 Pandemic Ruled Unlawful
2021-12-30 | The Contentious-Administrative Chamber of the High Court of Justice of Aragon (TSJA) raised a question of unconstitutionality against the Law and Decree-Law in Aragon for the control of the COVID-19 pandemic, which prohibits singing in places of worship. The magistrates affirmed that singing in places of worship is part of the essential content of the right to Religious Freedom, and therefore unconstitutional.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5287
UPDATE: Woman Assaults and Threatens Priests with Murder
2021-12-30 | The Newspaper "Ultima Hora" reported that a woman, who had been in jail for several assaults and vandalism against Catholic priests and Churches, was released recently. After leaving jail, she went towards several Churches and physically assaulted the priests. She was at Sant Miquel Church, where she attacked the priest Mossèn Antoni Gómez and then headed towards the Sant Felip Nei Church while shouting "I'm going to crucify you. You're going to God." The police was alerted by Mr. Gomez and took her back into custody.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5304
Italy: Nativity Scene Figures Stolen
2021-12-30 | A 59-year-old man has been found guilty of stealing the figures of the Nativity Scene in Paterno, which belonged to the Church of Santa Marguerita. The theft happened between the 29th and 31st of December. After the parish priest filed a complaint, the Carabinieri searched for the perpetrator and found him due to security cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5315
Ongoing Vandalism of Luther Church in Fellbach
2021-12-30 | Due to the continuous vandalism of the Luther Church in Fellbach, protective grids have had to be installed to protect the windows. The damage was suspected to be caused by young people throwing stones. Those involved with the church were appalled that this was happening.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5579
Vandalism to Church Window in Germany
2021-12-28 | Unknown perpetrators damaged a window of the church on the Schulstrasse in Golden-Veert between Monday 27. and Tuesday 28. of December. A parish employee discovered the damage on Tuesday morning finding part of the window pane on the side of the altar broken. The offence was reported to the police, which asked possible witnesses to provide information on the damages done to the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5282
Church Located in Mönchengladbach Vandalised with Satanistic Graffiti
2021-12-28 | Graffiti has been sprayed on the sandstone around the Church of the Sacred Heart in the Bettrath-Hoven district. The words "Satan" and "Hail Satan" were written in green paint on the large wooden doors of the church's main portal and on the façade. A pentagram was also sprayed on the church building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5119
Nativity Arsonist Caught in Indre-et-Loire
2021-12-28 | The fire that started in the nave of the Château-la-Vallière church in Indre-et-Loire on 28. December was first thought to be an accident but later identified as arson. The firemen eventually put out the fire but not before it had burnt most of the nativity scene. A forty-year-old man, who has been convicted of arson in the past, was arrested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5436
Pro-Abortion Demonstrators Chant Anti-Christian Slogans
2021-12-28 | A feminist group, purposefully organized a confrontation with pro-life demonstrators, and then chanted slogans such as "Let's burn the Episcopal Conference!" On December 28th, anti-abortion groups typically organize protests, as it is the feast of the Holy Innocents. This feminist group encouraged supporters to go to the clinic of Dator in Madrid on this same day which is why the incident occurred and police had to intervene to keep the peace.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5586
Vandalism and Theft at German Church
2021-12-27 | On the 27th of December, an unknown burglars entered the Catholic church in Bleidenstadt, and stole several candles, and a donation box with the money still in it. They also destroyed a hymn book and candle jars. The police were notified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5293
Theft of Consecrated Hosts in San Michele's Church in Menna
2021-12-27 | Around the 27. December, the consecrated Hosts of the San Michele Church in Menna were stolen by unknown perpetrators. The mayor of Vasto Francesco Menna denounced the incident: "It is deplorable what happened in the church of San Michele in Vasto, where a pyx with consecrated hosts was stolen." The mayor asked the citizens to collaborate with the investigators to identify the person responsible.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5276
St. Simon and Judas Door Handle smeared with Margarine
2021-12-27 | In Gross Reken, unknown people smeared margarine on the door handle of the church of St. Simon and Judas, leaving the pot of margarine right in front of the church door. The verger noticed the vandalism and the Pastor Thomas Hatwig told the Borkener Zeitung.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5277
Baby Jesus Figure from Nativity Scene Beheaded
2021-12-27 | On the night of 27. to 28. December, the figure of baby Jesus, who is part of the nativity scene located in front of the church of San Filippo Neri in Ciliverghe di Mazzano, was found beheaded. This was reported on Tuesday morning on social networks, which upset the citizens of that town. There is one security camera at the church, but it was not facing towards the place, where the nativity scene was, so it will be hard for the police to identify the perpetrators. The parish priest, Don Roberto Rovaris, commented: "There is no respect, outside of faith, for the ideas of others."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5279
Unknown Perpetrators Vandalise San Paterniano Church
2021-12-27 | On December 27th, the San Paterniano church in Perusa was vandalised by unknown persons. The security cameras show images of an overturned table, and all the objects on it, such as brochures, holy pictures and the offering box, were lying on the floor. Also, the microphone was broken and candlesticks were scattered around. The parish priest, Anton Sascau, is seen in the video with a grieving voice and commenting on this act of vandalism, but he also said he would welcome the responsible person.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5280
Graffiti Threatens Herzkamp Pastor
2021-12-27 | Threatening pictures and slogans were painted against the pastor of Herzkamp. The police have investigated but nobody is suspect yet.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5284
Arson at Church Nativity in Trévières
2021-12-26 | On December 26th, a fire broke out in the Saint Martin church Nativity scene in Trévières. It started near the crib and spread to the surrounding carpet but didn't grow too large despite the vast output of smoke. The investigators said "there is no doubt" as to the origin of the fire and believe it was intentionally started.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5467
Nativity Scene in Huppy Vandalized on Christmas
2021-12-26 | In Huppy, the life-size wood nativity scene in front of the village Church was vandalized by unknown perpetrators. The figures were a tradition for the last 20 years, according to the parish people. The incident was discovered just after Christmas, on the 26. of December. The figures were scattered on the ground and some parts were broken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5924
Several Figures Stolen from Nativity in Cuenca
2021-12-25 | The figures of the Child Jesus and St. Joseph were taken from a Nativity scene in Cuenca, Spain on December 25th. Several of the other surrounding figures were scattered and but it is unknown who did it. The rector of the Seminary of Cuenca, José Antonio Fernández, accurately wrote on Twitter: "This is a hate crime."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5585
Historical Basilica Vandalised Tagged with Graffiti on Christmas
2021-12-25 | The facade of the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Warsaw was defaced with graffiti on the 25th of December. The church is in the centre of Warsaw and has a special place in Polish history. On the outer walls, unknown perpetrators wrote the phrases "Secular State", "Techno will be here", among other tags. As a church, but also because of its historical value, the vandalisation of the church has aroused the indignation of many people. The police are investigating the case, as there were security cameras that recorded the scene.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5273
Perpetrators Steal around 10,000€ in Offerings and Sacred Objects
2021-12-25 | During the celebration of Christmas mass at midnight, unknown thieves broke into the parish house in Piazza San Vittore in Rho, ripped out the safe, loaded it into a van parked in the courtyard and fled unmolested. The safe contained offerings, blessings and a valuable golden crown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5275
Nativiy Figurine Stolen in Locronan
2021-12-25 | On Christmas Eve, Jesus and some other figures from the nativity scene in the church of Saint-Ronan of Locronan, mysteriously disappeared. The carving was a treasure of the village and the parishioners were outraged by this disrespectful act. Antoine Gabriele the mayor of Locronan called it "lamentable" and "despicable".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5283
Stolen Figurine of the Infant Christ Comes Back
2021-12-23 | A church located in Oxfordshire celebrates after the return of Jesus to its nativity scene. The figurine was stolen a week before Christmas from St Mary's Church in Church Green in Witney, with local the police appealing for help on social media, in order to find its whereabouts. The appeal received a huge response, which lead to its return, even though slightly dirtier than before it was taken. Rev Canon Toby Wright told the BBC: "Baby Jesus is safely back and tucked up - it's great news for Christmas." The person who took Baby Jesus is still unidentified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5270
Christian Message for Christmas Censored in Barcelona
2021-12-23 | A Catholic marketing association (ACdP) denounced on the 23rd December, that the three municipal public transport companies operating in Barcelona had censored a Christmas campaign that reminds people about the birth of Jesus as the centre of Christmas. The message that was meant to be displayed throughout the whole country was not visible in Barcelona. The slogan said: "Only one birth has changed the course of history. And it is not yours. Merry Christmas!". It aimed to vindicate the Christian meaning of this holiday with humour. The company Transportes Metropolitanos de Barcelona (TMB) censored the message because the authorities considered it "ideological".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5271
St. Peter's Church Heavily Vandalised on Christmas Eve
2021-12-23 | On the night of December 23rd, a group of unknown people vandalised the St Peter's Church at Upper Arley in Worcestershire. The perpetrators urinated inside the church, damaged pews and a piano with graffiti, tore off a door and stole irreplaceable items. They urinated near the church altar and left the bell tower's doors open, which left the place unprotected against the rain. According to Louvain Beer, treasurer and lay minister at the church, the police did not attend the case until the 27th of December, and now they are investigating it as a hate crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5286
Church Closed After Vandalism Act in La Roche-Maurice
2021-12-23 | Severe acts of vandalism were observed in the Saint -Yves church in La Roche-Maurice on December 23. Christiane Le Goff, the staff member responsible for the church schedule, closed the church the next day. She tells, “The crib was overturned, hydro alcoholic gel was poured on papers and obscene drawings were been made on the register. It's the second time this week”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5433
Pastors Challenge Burgas Government over Discrimination to Non-Eastern-Orthodox Christians
2021-12-22 | Pastor Tochev and Pastor Kiryakov in Burgas, have challenged the local government's campaign to label all non-Eastern Orthodox Christian groups as sects and turn children against them at school. The case goes all the way back to 2008 when the City council of Burgas wrote a letter notifying the schools of the new policy and these two pastors were shocked by the content. Now, there case is being heard at the European court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5584
Theft at the Cherry Tree Nativity in Salerno
2021-12-21 | Unknown people have stolen from the Nativity Scene of the Cherry Tree. The mayor, Gianfranco Valiante, has expressed his disappointment against an act that he considers aberrant just a few days before Christmas "They are also robbing Jesus Christ!"
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5264
Around 2,000€ Stolen from a Convent in Poppi
2021-12-21 | The convent of the Benedictine monks of Camaldoli was the target of theft, at the end of October, while the religious gathered for prayer. About 20 cells were reported raided, with a total amount of missing items around 2,000€. The case is being investigated by the carabinieri of the Bibbiena company.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5265
Anti-Christian Tag on Bouteillerie Cemetery Wall
2021-12-21 | The phrase "F*** Christ the King" was written on the cemetery wall in Bouteillerie on 21. December and had dual meaning since it is located near the Christ the King chapel. This wall has been frequently used by ultra-left taggers to express their extrem opinion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5432
Statue of Virgin Mary Defaced in the Abbaye aux Hommes in Caen
2021-12-21 | On December 21, a small statue of the Virgin Mary holding Jesus was defaced with spray paint. Located in the Abbaye aux Hommes in Caen, Mary was depicted to be vanquishing Satan with her foot on a serpent. This most likely was the cause for the act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5434
Nativiy Scene Vandalised in Fiumicino
2021-12-19 | As it was reported on the 19. December, the parish priest and the faithful of the church of Santa Maria Porto della Salute in Fiumicino found some Nativity scene figures destroyed. The life-size statues made of plaster and fibreglass of a shepherd and a donkey were thrown to the ground. The former had both hands cut off and the donkey had a broken ear. The other statues did not receive damage, as they were fixed to the structure.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5255
Shrine with Figure of Jesus Damaged in Głogów
2021-12-18 | On 18. December, an unknown perpetrator destroyed the shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the parish of Divine Mercy in Głogów. The glass protecting the figure of Christ was found broken in six areas and the figure itself was also damaged. The perpetrator might have used a large stone found in the vicinity. This person also left a broken beer bottle next to the chapel. The police are investigating and looking for the perpetrator(s).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5267
Second Case of Vandalism to the Church of the Holy Cross
2021-12-18 | The small church of the Holy Cross in Mwnt, Cardigan, had been vandalised twice in December, as the Rev John Bennett revealed. The church was damaged first at the beginning of December and the last case happened between the 18th and the 21st of December. The windows od the church were smashed with rocks and the pillar outside the church was damaged. A fundraising appeal was launched to help the small church with reparations, which has had a very positive response.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5269
Special Stones Torn out and Cross Stolen from Altar in Oldenburg Church
2021-12-18 | Parishioners were heart broken when an unknown intruder wrenched some semi-precious stones out of the alter in the Oldenburg Forum Church of St. Peter. The stones, which were taken out on the 18th of December, belonged to a wooden crucifix that had been in place since 1877. In addition, an alter cross decorated with silver was also stolen on the same weekend.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5631
Giant Straw Goat Burned by an Arsonist
2021-12-17 | A giant straw goat, which has become an annual highlight in the Swedish city of Gavle, has been burned by an arsonist. A man, in his 40s, was arrested at the scene after the structure was set on fire, in the early hours of the 17th of December. Every Christmas since 1966, the Gavlebocken (Gavle goat) has been put up in the city's central Castle Square, but it has become a usual target for arsonists and vandals. The Gavlebocken annually draws visitors to Gavle, which is built up the first Sunday of Christian Advent. A big concert accompanied the goat's inauguration at the end of November.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5257
Village in Wales Restored its Nativity after Being Fire-Bombed last year
2021-12-17 | A year after the Nativity scene in a village in Wales was fire-bombed by vandals on Christmas Eve, the community Raglan in Gwent has decided to create a new life-sized Nativity.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5261
Pure Vandalism in a Church in Volkmarsen
2021-12-17 | Between the evening of December 16 and noon of the 18th, an unidentified individual broke into a church on Vikariestrasse in Volkmarsen. The perpetrator forced open and broke the door of the church, causing material damage of about 500€. However, nothing was stolen from the church. The case was reported to the police who began investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5263
Consecrated Hosts Stolen from a Church in Palermo
2021-12-16 | Pyx with hosts stolen in the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, on December 16. Police was alerted but lack of evidence suggests a low probability of finding the perpetrators. Both the parish priest and the community that frequents the church were unsettled by the event, considering the hosts "the treasure" of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5256
Unknown Perpetrator Vandalizes Nativity Scene in Liege
2021-12-16 | On the 16th of December at noon, an individual attacked the nativity scene and the furniture of the church of Saint-Denis in Liege. He also left a message saying: "God is witness". The head of one figure was torn off and another one was destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5926
France 2021: Christians are the Most Targeted Group for Anti-Religious Crimes
2021-12-14 | On the 14. December, the French Government presented its yearly listing of attacks against Christians. There were 1,380 anti-religious attacks between January and October 2021, from which 686 were targeted against Christians. As Father Hugues de Woillemont, spokesman for French Bishops' Conference, said during a press conference on December 14: "The acts listed are very varied, from tags on the wall of a church to the desecration of tabernacles." These numbers only include formal complaints filed by the police, so the dark numbers could be higher.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5240
Biblical Quotes Painted on a Wall in Portstewart Under Suspicion
2021-12-14 | A local council in Northern Ireland has dismissed claims, by an ‘equality expert’, that repainting Bible texts on a local sea wall may be in breach of its equality scheme. The council-owned wall bears the words: “‘The sea is His and He made it’ Psalm 95 v 5”, “Eternity?”, “Jesus said: ‘Ye must be born again’ John c3 v7”, and “‘Christ died for us’ Romans c5 v8”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5259
Mosque Shut down for Inciting Violence against Christians, Jews and Homosexuals
2021-12-14 | A mosque in Beauvais in northern France has been ordered to shut down for six months for hosting preachings that incited hatred "against Christians, homosexuals and jews". According to the prefecture of the Oise department, the mosque was "inciting hatred", "violence" and "apology of jihad". Gérald Darmanin, France's interior minister, announced on December 14th that he had started the procedure for the closure of this mosque.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5289
Sex-Education Guides Mock Virgin Mary and Violate Religious Freedom
2021-12-13 | A Madrid court has ruled on December 13. that the distribution in schools of sex education guides called “Gender Rebel” in Getafe violated the right to religious freedom of Christian children, as it mocks Christian symbols and violates the right of parents to educate their children according to their beliefs. These guides ridiculed the chastity of the Virgin Mary and invite teenagers to masturbate, affirming that it is not a sin. The guides were promoted by the city council, as well as the ministry of equality.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5236
Unknown Perpetrators Smash Windows of Evangelical Church
2021-12-12 | Between 12. December and 14. December, unknown persons damaged several windows of the Evangelical church in Bad Arolsen-Helsen. The perpetrator(s) threw stones at the windows, causing damage of around 1,000 euros. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5239
Update: Charges Against Three Street Preachers Who Preached Against Homosexuality
2021-12-11 | The three street preachers who were arrested on September 21st, due to their comments about homosexuality, faced their first court hearing on the 13 of October. Despite the reason for their arrest, no charges regarding hate speech were brought against them; instead, they were charged with public order offences. The incident is still being investigated and the case was adjourned until June 2022.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5018
Offensive Tags Appear on the Church of St. Philipp Neri
2021-12-11 | In the centre of the city of Malaga. the church of San Felipe Neri, was vandalised on 11. December with offensive tags against the religious institution. These were made with spray paint by unknown vandals and have left the community of faithful very affected. One tag says "Sacrilego tú" (you sacrilegious) was graffitied on a mosaic of Jesus. Another message on the door reads: "Dead paedophiles". It seems that the police was able to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5227
Facebook Censors ACN's Campaign To Help Abused Women
2021-12-11 | On the 11. November, the Catholic Charity "Aid to a Church in Need" (ACN) UK noticed that Facebook had censored its ad campaign on tackling sexual violence against religious-minority women and girls. “Hear Her Cries” was the slogan of the campaign, which launched on 24. November. The campaign aimed to raise concern on a widespread problem in many African and Asian countries: the abduction of Christian girls and women for sexual violence by both armed extremists and militant members of other religious communities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5272
Pastor Sued for Charitable Work During Lockdown: Case Overturned
2021-12-10 | The 47-years-old pastor Chez Dyer was fined over £16,000 for holding a church service for the homeless in a car park during the lockdown in February 2021. Thanks to the support from the Christian Legal Centre her case has been dismissed by a magistrate’s court. She was also told by a magistrate, at a hearing at Nottingham Magistrates Court, that she was cleared from paying the fine and was issued with a defense cost order which means her legal fees will now be paid by the government.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5225
UPDATE: Robertson Trust Admitted to Discriminating Against Christian Organisations
2021-12-10 | In 2019, The Robertson Trust - Scotland’s largest grant-awarding charity - cancelled the bookings of its conference rooms to two evangelical organisations: Stirling Free Church and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. According to the Trust's policy, they are ideologically neutral and did not want to promote any religious belief. Almost a year after the controversy, the foundation has apologized for breaching equality laws for Christians and offered to pay both institutions £20,000 in reparation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5231
Stolen Cross finally found in Brig
2021-12-10 | A cross, which was stolen in early December of 2021 from the Kollegium Spiritus Sanctus in Brig, was finally found in May of 2022. An investigation was launched at the time of the theft but there was no sign of the cross or thief. It was found in a bush where the thief must have hurled it. Pastor Paul Martone said: "It hurts my religious sensibilities and shows disrespect for believers and Christian values."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5736
Burglary and Desecration in Godega Church
2021-12-09 | Unknown intruders broke into the church of Pianzano on December 12th. The parish priest said they forced their way into the cabinet where the holy vessel's were kept but those were not touched. However, some of the Holy Masses were missing and they found the keys to the sacristy as the offerings for the candles were gone. The sacristan of Pianzano found the break in and was disappointed by it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5228
Baby Jesus from Nativity Scene decapitated and broken
2021-12-09 | 24 hours after it was put on public display in the monastery of El Escorial in the town of San Lorenzo, the statue of the baby Jesus was found decapitated and missing an arm. Those in charge of the San Lorenzo Town Hall are restoring the figures so that they can once again be exhibited in public. The nativity scene in El Escorial is made up of 450 figures, made with a wooden frame, painted paper pulp and clothes donated by the people of the village.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5237
Historic Madonna Statue Vandalized in a Church in Dortmund
2021-12-08 | The statue of Madonna in a church in downtown Dortmund was vandalized on December 8th. The unknown perpetrator spattered wax, which had then dried, all over the statue and experts needed to be found to remove it. The statue, which is from 1470, is of great value to the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5222
18-year-old Hits a Priest and Damages a Church
2021-12-08 | Police in Łęczyńska arrested an 18-year-old on December 8th, after hitting a priest in the face and threatening him. The perpetrator was drinking outside the parish of St. Barbara in Łęczna when one of the nuns working in the parish noticed him, as he was behaving noisily and drinking alcohol. She then reported this to the local parish priest, who asked the man to leave. The drunken man hit him in the face and threatened to kill him. He may be imprisoned for up to 5 years for the damage to property.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5223
Immaculate Conception Procession Attacked with Insults and Death Threats
2021-12-08 | On Wednesday 8. December, ten people violently attacked a procession of 30 believers on the occasion of the feast of the Immaculate Conception in Nanterre (Hauts-de-Seine). The Catholics were threatened with phrases like "I swear by the Koran, I will cut your throats" and insulted by being called "Kafirs", which means "infidel". The attackers also threw water and even a torch in their direction. In response to these actions and the threats made, the Minister of the Interior condemned the attacks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5232
100 Nickolas Sacks Stolen from Amstetten Church
2021-12-07 | Unknown malefactors broke into the vicarage of the Herz Jesu Church in Amstetten and stole 100 St. Nicholas Sacks on the 7th December. The sacks, which were intended for the children of the church, were filled with sweets, fruit, and nuts. They youth group had filled the sacks and was quite angered by the theft which showed complete disregard for church property.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5628
Between 70 and 80 Graves Desecrated in Tarnobrzeg
2021-12-07 | The Sobów cemetery in Tarnobrzeg, was vandalized on December 7th. A man who regularly visits the cemetery reported to the police that between 70 and 80 graves have been desecrated: crosses were torn off, broken figures, and the slabs have also been moved. The sight was totally devastated and the author of the crime had no respect for a place.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5219
Pastry Shop Display Nativity Scene Made with Sexual Organs
2021-12-07 | Christian Lawyers has filed a complaint against a pastry shop in Seville for the exhibition of a nativity scene made with male and female sexual organs. The irreverent scene is in sight of everyone and shows disrespect towards Christians. In its complaint, Christian Lawyers states that "the establishment has advertised the nativity scene on its social networks and despite being aware that it has offended a good number of citizens, it has not moved it."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5244
Anonymous Vandal Destroyed Church Garden with a Car
2021-12-06 | The St. John Paul II Church garden in Wojcieszyna, a village near Nowogard, was devastated. The perpetrator smashed the wooden fence, which had been built in the summer, with the car and ruined the grounds of the church. The villagers reported the incident to the police and were trying to get information to identify the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5214
Santa Maria del Galeso Church Graffitied
2021-12-06 | The parish of Santa Maria del Galeso was painted with profanity and the words "Tari is paid" on December 6th. The police were trying to find out who did it by reviewing footage and the priest was saddened by the act. This was not the first time something similar to this had happened to the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5216
Extreme Vandalism to Church caused over 10 thousand Euro Damage
2021-12-04 | On Sunday morning (5. December), the churchgoers found the Johanneskirche in Feuersee completely vandalised. The perpetrator(s) devastated the Protestant church by destroying over 20 windows, breaking open the cupboards, taking the bibles from the shelves and throwing them around, among other things during the night of the 4. December. The damage is estimated at over 10 thousand Euros and the Church has to remain closed for the time being. The police are investigating to find the perpetrator(s).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5213
Church in Cardigan Heavily Vandalized
2021-12-02 | The Church of the Holy Cross in a cove of Mwnt in Cardigan, was vandalized on the 2nd of November by unknown perpetrators. The intruders ransacked the church, smashing windows and damaging property. The church is visited by thousand every year so the act had a significant impact.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5897
Proposal to replace the word "Christmas" with "Holidays" or "Winter Break" raised Concern
2021-12-01 | In the first week of December, an internal document outlining communication guidelines for European Union staff was leaked, which raised concern among the Christian population. In this document, the EU Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli of Malta, proposed replacing the term "Happy Christmas" for "Happy Holidays" or calling Christmas a "winter break" in the name of inclusivity. Among the Christian voices that raised concern, Pope Francis called this action "a fashion of a watered-down secularism" and called it an "anachronism". The document has since been withdrawn.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5234
35,000€ Stolen from a Church in Milan
2021-11-29 | On the night from November 28 to 29, around 35,000€ were robbed from the Church of Santa Ausiliatrice in via della Ferrera, Milan. A woman who works in the secretariat of the church noticed the forced window and the safe wide open and alerted the authorities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5207
Church in Regensburg Terribly Damaged by Vandals
2021-11-29 | On the 29th of November between 11a.m and 7 p.m, an unknown person went on a rampage in the Holy Spirit Parish Church in Regensburg and damaged several sacred objects. The offender stole a cross from the altar, urinated in a corner, broke a chandelier off the altar of Mary, and tipped several lighted candles over. The police were looking for witnesses who can give information about this incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5208
Monument defaced with Anti-Catholic Tags
2021-11-29 | The Online Newssite "Taccuino di Verità" posted on 29. November that the Base of a Monument in Ferrara was tagged with black spray paint. The tags contained offensive inscriptions against the deputy mayor Nicola Lodi and towards priests, saying "Priests eat children". The police will investigate with CCTV footage from the Piazza Ariostea.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5899
Cathedral Entrance Vandalised with Paintings
2021-11-28 | The entrance door to the cathedral of San Steffano in Milazzo has been vandalized with writings and graffiti, leaving it in a deplorable state. The mayor has strongly condemned the acts and ordered police reinforcement of the area to prevent future vandalism. The mayor further claimed: "this cannot be my city", since there seems to be a high degree of tolerance towards this kind of acts, which should be "heavily sanctioned". He recalls that the square in front of the church is often the target of raids and "unthinkable actions" that should be countered.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5193
Relic from St. Joseph Stolen in Macherio
2021-11-28 | In the church of Saints Gervase and Protasius in Macherius, a relic from St. Joseph, placed next to a figure of the saint, was stolen a few days before November 28th. This relic of St. Joseph was a piece of cloth that was kept inside a glass case. The incident was reported to the Carabinieri who are now investigating the matter.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5194
Church windows in Everingen Repeatedly Vandalized
2021-11-28 | The windows of the St. Jacobi church in Everingen, have been repeatedly damaged by unidentified persons. In the space of two weeks, the windows were broken twice by thrown stones, the latest incident was recorded on November 28th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5195
Sacred Painting from 1706 Damaged in Rampage
2021-11-28 | The chapel of St. John the Baptist of via Bergamas in the historic center of Gradisca was vandalized on November 28th. The unknown individual, broke into the church, threw candles on the floor and against the altar, damaged a sacred painting from 1706, and then smeared the walls and a wooden notice board with candle wax. The rampage left the chapel in complete disarray and showed obvious malice toward the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5205
Arson at Church in Boulonnais: A Total of 8 Attacks in One Month
2021-11-27 | On the night of 26th to 27th November around midnight, a fire struck a church in Boulonnais in the town of Le Portel. The church Saint-Pierre Saint-Paul had already been vandalised a couple of days before. The fire started at the back of the religious building in the sacristy where the equipment of the parish priest and volunteers is kept. Nineteen firemen intervened to control the fire, which threatened the whole church. The police arrested a 36-year-old suspect during the night as he was trying to flee, as the police commissioner of Boulogne, Arnaud Jublin, explained. A hearing of the suspect will take place soon.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5203
Anti-Christian Messages in the Church of Mauléon-Licharre
2021-11-27 | The church of Mauléon-Licharre was targeted with anti-religious inscriptions on November 27th. "P Do Fil's Team" and "ABA GZU" (down with Jesus) were written on the side of the church during the night. The gendarmerie started an investigation and the priest of Mauléon said "It's so cowardly."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5221
8,000 Euros of Damage Caused to the Geisinger Church
2021-11-26 | Intruders who entered the Geisinger church didn't steal anything but caused large amounts of damage. On November 26th, they entered through a window and then used large amounts of force to smash through the sacristy door. There was glass and splinters everywhere and the damage incurred would cost 8000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5197
Vandalism At the Sant'Antonio Abate Church
2021-11-26 | Vandals at the church of Sant'Antonio Abate, forced open the church door and damaged the lock in the process on November 26th. They did not steal anything but the vandalism was evident. Investigators were trying to find out more about the crime such as who did it and with what intent.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5199
Arson by Under-Age-Boy at a Church in Toulouse
2021-11-26 | A parishioner of the church of Fronton in Toulouse witnessed on the 26. November how a fire broke out on the altar of the church. Thanks to his quick reaction, the fire was rapidly brought under control. The investigation launched by the police showed that the fire had been set by a minor. The young man has been taken into police custody and will be tried in February 2022.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5218
Church of Santa Maria Magdalena Vandalised Twice in November
2021-11-25 | The parish of St. Mary Magdalene reported an attack that took place on the 23. November in the morning. Police were notified by the parish priest that someone had smashed the windows with a stone in the sacristy and the utility room. The damage was estimated at 1.5 thousand PLN according to the police. This is not the first case in recent days, as on the 14. November, three lanterns and lamps illuminating the facade were destroyed at the same church. The investigation of that case is still running.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5198
Church Door in Poznań Destroyed
2021-11-25 | An unknown man destroyed the door of the St. Jerzy church in Poznań, in late November 2021. It was reported in May of 2022, that the police would drop the case because the video was of too poor quality for the man to be identified. The police thought that he also may be involved in some other case, and could be caught then.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5842
Sussex County Records Highest Number of Crimes in Religious Buildings Outside of London
2021-11-24 | For the second year in a row, only London has experienced more crimes in religious buildings than the county of Sussex. The data, provided by the Sussex Police after the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) requested it, revealed that 367 crimes have been committed at churches in Sussex in the 12 months to August. Of the 367 crimes at churches, cemeteries, and crematoriums, 54 were thefts, 106 cases of criminal damage and 44 cases of violence. This showed how these places of worship are considered easy targets for criminals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5192
Break-in to Church and Liturgical Objects Stolen
2021-11-22 | Thieves entered the parish of San Michele in San Salvi, Florence, on the night from November 22 to 23, and broke into a sacred furniture, stealing two chalices, a monstrance, and other things. The criminals forced their way in through a door, then seized some sacred objects used to celebrate mass. The police started investigating the theft, along with staff from the Forensic Department to find those responsible for the criminal act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5183
Weathercock of St Martin's Church Damaged
2021-11-22 | Between November 19 and 22, an unknown perpetrator damaged the "sun and moon" symbols attached to the weathercock of St Martin's Church in Steinheim an der Murr. The church building on the Kirchplatz was scaffolded and cordoned off due to renovation measures. It is presumed that the unknown perpetrator climbed over the scaffolding up to the church tower. The damage done to the property has yet to be quantified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5191
UK Report: More than 4,000 crimes committed at churches in One Year
2021-11-22 | According to the Countryside Alliance, an organisation that has been reporting on crimes committed at churches across the UK, during a period of 12 months from 2020 to 2021, there have been over 4,000 crimes committed at churches and religious premises. The figures were gathered from 40 of the country's 45 police forces, which revealed there were 4,169 incidents of theft, vandalism, physical assault or burglary across the UK during one year, despite the eight months of lockdown. During the last 4 years, the organisation has documented 30,169 crimes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5366
Two Fires in One Week at St François-de-Sales Church
2021-11-20 | A fire broke out on the 20. November in the afternoon in the sacristy of the St-François-de-Sales church. This is the second fire within a week, which has devastated the parish community. The fire broke out in the sacristy of the Church. This is one of the incidents that happened during a wave of arson attacks and vandalism to churches in the area. A suspect for all the attacks was apprehended on the 27th of November.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5927
Church Wall Found With Red Paintings in Avellino
2021-11-19 | Once again the church of the Rosary has been targeted by vandals. On the morning of November 19, writings in red paint were found on one of the walls of the façade of the church, in Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Both the religious community of the Rosary and the citizens are outraged by this attack which is considered by them a childish act. Investigations are underway and surveillance cameras are being analyzed to find the culprits.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5169
Repeated Thefts in the Cemetery of Vaucluse
2021-11-19 | The recurrent thefts in the Violès cemetery in Vaucluse, near Gigondas, have negatively impacted the inhabitants. The sign on the cemetery gate reads "thefts, more thefts, always thefts!", complaining about the wave of thefts taking place in the Violès cemetery in Vaucluse, near Gigondas. The sign further intends to warn the families to be as vigilant as they can, considering the resurgence of thefts in the cemetery throughout the year. The town council and the directors of the funeral parlour have explained that it is almost a case of plundering, "everything is stolen, anonymous plaques, the most beautiful flower pots, and even artificial compositions".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5176
Christian-Based Youtube Channel Banned
2021-11-18 | YouTube has decided to close "La Contra TV", a channel with a Christian worldview that advocates for values such as life, family, and religious freedom. With nearly 300,000 subscribers, its motto is: "We give news that others hide". "La Contra TV" is considered a highly influential channel, sharing information that tends to be less featured in mainstream media. In 2019, Youtube closed "La Contra TV" for the first time due to alleged "serious or repeated violations of Youtube's policy related to the prohibition of hate speech", and put it back online after the complaints in defence of free speech. In 2021, the channel has been closed again.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5164
Woman Steals Offertory Boxes During Funeral Mass
2021-11-18 | During a funeral mass taking place in the Church of San Martino in Sottomarina, a woman took advantage of the fact that the baskets used to collect the offerings were placed at the sides of the entrance to the church, stole around 1000 Euros, and disappeared. The police immediately initiated the investigations and the money was soon found, but not the woman.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5168
Several Sacred Objects and Tools from San Giuseppe Moscati Church Stolen
2021-11-17 | As reported by Il Mattino, the thieves stole three chalices for the hosts, a laptop computer, a portable video projector, and two pyxes from San Giuseppe Moscati Church. The parish priest, Don Lupo, realized what had happened when he returned to the parish for catechism, noticing that the laptop and video projector were missing. The parish priest filed a complaint with the carabinieri that suspect that the thieves entered the church on the morning of November 17, taking advantage of the parish priest's absence. Deploring this occurrence, Don Lupo said: "We hope that these people will put a hand on their conscience and return what was stolen".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5170
Graffiti on a Church Facade in Schifferstadt
2021-11-17 | The façade and information board of the Catholic church in Schifferstadt was sprayed with paint on November 17th. The author of the vandalism was not known but the police were investigating the crime and looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5180
OSCE Report shows alarming increase of Anti-Christian Hate Crimes
2021-11-16 | On the "International Day for Tolerance", the OSCE released a Hate Crimes Report, which documented 980 descriptive incidents against Christians out of 4008 incidents. Descriptive incidents are the ones documented by civil society organizations, such as the Observatory. There is a larger number of cases when police numbers are counted. The Observatory has drawn attention to the rising trend (70%) of Anti-Christian Hate Crimes since last year, considering that only 8 out of the 136 civil society or international organisations consistently reported crimes with Anti-Christian bias.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5142
Memorial Plaques Vandalized at a Church in Quedgeley
2021-11-16 | Police are looking for vandals responsible for the damage caused to the memorial plaques and flower pots at a church in Quedgeley, on the night of 16th of November. “Plaques were damaged while flowers and flower pots were thrown around outside of St James Church in School Lane,” said a police spokesperson. Police officers spoke to the vicar and church wardens, who expressed interest in working with the vandals once they have been identified, in order to educate them on how their actions impacted the church community.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5174
Church Hall in Ludwigsburg Vandalised
2021-11-15 | Between the night of the 14th and the morning of the 15th of November, an unknown individual broke into the parish hall of the Protestant Church in Neckarweihingen, leaving behind property damage of around 5,000 euros. The case was reported to the police and, according to the investigations, the burglar did not steal anything.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5154
Police Found Man Responsible for Theft of Church Statue and Other Art Pieces
2021-11-15 | The man responsible for a theft in an art gallery in Clermont-Ferrand was arrested on September 14. He had broken the window to get inside the art gallery, leaving behind traces of DNA, which made it easier for the police to track him down. During investigations, police found a figure of St. Anthony, stolen from a church in Montferrand two days earlier. The statue was returned to the church and he was ordered to reimburse the value of the stolen statuette to the owner of the gallery.
On November 15, a court sentenced him to one year in prison for having more than thirty cases of theft on his record.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5175
Two Journalists Insult Christian Singer on Twitter, calling Christians "Disabled"
2021-11-14 | Hateful comments against the Christian singer Sima Magushinova and Christians in general on Twitter, arouse a wave of indignation among the Slovak political class. Many of them publicly defended Sime Martausová and criticized the attitude of the two journalists responsible for the offenses: Petr Tkačenek, commentator of the daily SME and Rada Ondřejíček, author of the Cynical Monster.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5182
Lamps at Church in Łęczna Destroyed
2021-11-14 | Lamps illuminating the façade of the St. Mary Magdalene church in Łęczna were destroyed on the 14th of November. Three lamps were intentionally smashed, which showed hate towards the church. It was not known who did it. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5900
Arbroath church targeted by vandals on Remembrance Sunday
2021-11-14 | On Sunday 14. November, the St John’s Methodist Church in Arbroath was targeted by vandals. Three windows of the church were deliberately smashed. “The act of vandalism was bizarre and upsetting for the congregation gathering on Remembrance Sunday,” said Reverend Baker. Mr. Baker thinks something was used to hit the window repeatedly, rather than an object being thrown at it. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5920
Theft of Tabernacle and Liturgical Objects Cause 15,000€ in Damage in Church
2021-11-13 | Between the 8th and the 12th of November, St. Christopher's Church in Rüsselsheim was robbed. At least two unknown people started by damaging the church window and tearing it out of its mounting. In the church, the thieves stole a handmade tabernacle from the 1960s made of gold-plated brass, weighing about 60 kilograms and worth around 10,000 euros. In addition, the thieves stole host bowls and a custodian from the tabernacle and several hundred euros from the collection. The granite slab on which the tabernacle stood and a border were damaged by the perpetrators' brutal actions. According to initial estimates, the total damage was around 15,000 euros. The case was reported to the police and the investigative team at the Rüsselsheim police station took over the investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5149
Irish Government Proposed to Remove Right to Conscientious Objection for Abortion Procedures
2021-11-13 | The Irish Labour Party has adopted a policy supporting the legalization of abortion up until birth, without any restriction. The Labour Party, which introduced this proposal, further intends to remove the current 3-day waiting period, as well as remove the right of medical professionals to conscientiously refuse to perform an abortion. The proposal was announced and voted on the 13th of November, during their annual party conference.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5163
Catholic Church of Christ the King in Gothenburg Vandalised
2021-11-13 | The Catholic Church of Christ the King and its chapel were vandalized on November 13. Fr. Tobias Unnerstal, the parish Priest of the Christ the King Church, reported the incident to the police. The members of the parish prayed for those responsible for the vandalistic acts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5189
Repeated Theft in Church in Bochum-Langendreer
2021-11-12 | On November 11th, burglars broke into the St. Mary's Church in Bochum-Langendreer, for the third time in just a few weeks, and stole valuable objects. This time, oil vessels, which are used for baptisms, and consecrated hosts, which are used for the Holy Mass, where stolen; both of which have particularly great religious value. Father David Ringel, lamented "I am very surprised that sacred places are not kept sacred and that people do not know that religious feelings are also hurt here."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5140
Break-in and Vandalism at a Church in Lohne
2021-11-12 | On the night of November 12, unknown burglars broke into the church of St. Michael, located in the Franziskusstraße in Lohne. It was unclear whether the burglars were able to steal anything but the property damage amounted to the value of 200 euros. The case was reported to the police who started to investigate.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5141
Holy Figures Stolen from Church in Lower Rhine Wesel
2021-11-12 | Two wooden figures of St. Dominic and St. Catherine of Siena as well as a bronze figure "Mary with Child" were taken from a church in Lower Rhine Wesel on November 12th. "The thieves also took metal crosses,... money from an offertory box, and five metal candlesticks," the police added. The items were of great monetary and spiritual value but it was not known who took them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5627
Several Vandalic Acts Damage the Chapel of Tenimont
2021-11-12 | The newspaper "The Meuse Luxembourg" reported, on the 12th of November, that new acts of vandalism took place in the chapel of Tenimont in October, near the cemetery of Barvaux, in Walloon Luxembourg. According to reports, the chapel was tagged in two places, furniture overturned and degraded, rubbish and beer cans found on the ground. The local press said this is not the first vandalism it has suffered recently.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5178
Man Steals 55 Euros from the Mariahilfe Church in Vienna
2021-11-11 | The Viennese police caught a 40-year-old man in a Church in Vienna-Mariahilf on the morning of the 11th after a burglary. He was temporarily handcuffed and the stolen offertory money was seized, as the Vienna Police Directorate reported in a press release on Friday. According to spokeswoman Barbara Gass, about 55 euros were found on the man. The perpetrator has been imprisoned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5138
Father Adam Świerżewski Dies after being Attacked in Park
2021-11-11 | Maksymilian Adam Świerżewski, from the parish of St. Maximillian Kolbe, was taken to the hospital after being severely beaten in Alexandria Park in Siedlce. Due to the terrible injury, it was not possible to save him and he died at the age of 35 on November 11th. An autopsy was carried out and it was confirmed that he died from several kicks, punches, or hits to the head but his murderer was still unknown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5139
Anti-Christian Tags Painted on the Walls of Christ the King Chapel
2021-11-11 | Messages were painted on the doorway of the Chapel of Christ the King in the Dalby district of Nantes, on the night from the 10th to the 11th of November, with obscene anti-Christian tags. On the same night, the perpetrator(s) also attempted to force the gate by pushing and shaking it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5177
Update: Cardinal Nichols and Metropolitan Police Studying Possibility to Allow Last Sacraments at Crime Scenes
2021-11-10 | Cardinal Vincent Nichols and the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick have started studying the possibility to allow Catholic priests at crime scenes. This proposal was submitted after Sir David Amess, a Catholic MP, was killed during a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea (Essex), on October 15. A Catholic Priest, who was also a personal friend of Sir David's, wanted to give him the Last Sacraments, but the police denied him access. After this event, he realized how important it is, especially for the Catholic community, to ensure that the Last Sacraments is granted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5107
Reliquary Stolen in 2017 Found in an Auction House in France
2021-11-10 | The reliquary stolen in 2017 from the Lower Rhine pilgrimage site of Kevelaer has reappeared in an auction house in France. Thanks to an art collector, who recalled the theft from the Kevelaer Sacrament Chapel, the reliquary was identified. He contacted the head of the "Art and Culture" department in the diocese, Thomas Flammer, and with the help of the police and Interpol, the valuable reliquary was secured in time before being sold in the auction. It is still unclear when it will be returned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5127
Several Church Objects Stolen, Thief caught by 65-years-old Woman
2021-11-10 | On November 11, various items were stolen from the church on Dorfstraße in Bad Gottleuba-Berggießhübel. Apparently, the thieves broke the entrance door open. A 65-year-old woman noticed the burglary and found a man outside the church in the possession of "several tablecloths and two wooden railings". Police officers were alerted and started investigating the man for the burglary, finding several electrical fuses from the church in the suspect's apartment. There is no final damage information so far.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5134
Icon Stolen From St Dunstan's Church in Stepney
2021-11-10 | On the afternoon of November 10, an icon belonging to St. Dunstan's church in Stepney was stolen by a man. The church described it as a "beautiful and much-treasured icon" of St. Dunstan.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5137
Man Tries to Burn Down an Entire Chapel due to his Beliefs
2021-11-08 | A 38-year-old man was arrested while setting fire to the small chapel of St. Anna in Jasienica in the city of Myślenice on the 8. November. The police were alerted and managed to arrive on the scene in time to arrest the man and initiate operations to reduce the fire. The arriving patrol officers noticed that the window glass of the building was broken and the assailant was still inside. "He lit a fire there, expecting the fire to consume this small building." They pulled the man out of the window and handcuffed him. According to the police spokesman, Sebastian Gleń, the perpetrator explained he committed this act due to his beliefs and that his aim was to destroy the chapel completely. He is now awaiting sentencing, which could be up to ten years in prison.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5090
Public School Votes to Remove the Life-Size Wooden Nativity Scene
2021-11-08 | In October, the teaching staff of the Latiorro Primary School in Laudio, voted in favour of removing the life-size wooden Nativity Scene figures, which have been placed outside the center for more than 25 years. The Religion Students built the figures themselves and the decision has caused much controversy among the community.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5097
Three Churches Offertory Boxes Stolen in Burladingen
2021-11-08 | Within the first week of November, the offertory boxes from three churches in the towns of Margrethausen and Burladingen were broken into. One church had the lock forcibly pried open and another had a writing stand broken with 100 euros of damage done, but the amount stolen is unknown. Nothing from the church on Beim Kloster in Margrethausen was stolen but 200 euros of property damage was caused when an attempt was make to pry the lock open. There was an investigation to see if the incidents were related but the perpetrator was unknown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5160
Cemetery of St. Piran in Perranarworthal Church Vandalised
2021-11-08 | The damaged gravestones dating back to the 1800s were found by a working party that maintains the graveyard of the Church. The vandalism is suspected to have taken place sometime between the 2nd and 8th of November. The police started investigating and encouraged anyone who may have information relating to the vandalism to contact them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5162
Anti-Catholic Tags on Saint-Lewis church in Paimboeuf
2021-11-08 | on 8. November, the façade of the Saint-Lewis church in Paimboeuf, west of Nantes was tagged with offensive remarks such as "a good Catholic is on the cross" and "burn the churches". The City owner of the building filed a complaint but no further action has been taken by the town to install security cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5435
Vandalized Church in Marienrachdorf
2021-11-05 | Property damage was done to the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Marienrachdorf on November 5th. The unknown perpetrator painted a pillar in the church, the furnishings, and damaged several holy water bottles and two disinfectant dispensers. The police were looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5086
Church Sprayed with Sexist Symbols During Halloween Weekend
2021-11-02 | Over the weekend, the police recorded an increase in the number of reports of vandalism: graffiti, destruction of public furniture, theft, etc. The walls of a church in Blumberg in Friedhofstraße were sprayed with a sexist symbol and writing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5070
Historic St. John Church Targeted Twice in Two Weeks
2021-11-02 | On November 2nd, the storage shed holding Christmas decorations for the Bromsgrove church of St. John was vandalized. This is the second hateful incident at the church in only two weeks. The incidents caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage which the church cannot afford. The church warden, Neil Cramb said “Basically, this senseless act is going to cost us dearly."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5071
Spanish Politician Compares Catholics with the Taliban
2021-11-02 | Politician Beatriz Bandera posted on Twitter on the 2. November a short video of the Sevillian Holy Week devotees during their yearly procession with the caption "Our Taliban". With this post, she compares faithful Catholics during a peaceful procession with the terrorist group of radical Islamist fundamentalists. Despite the criticism and offence that her commentary has generated, Mrs Bandera has not apologised, "I criticise what I finance with my taxes. Can I? Or not?", she reiterated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5094
Continued Abuse to Grounds of St Peter and St. Paul Church
2021-11-02 | The grounds of the St. Peter and St. Paul Church in Medenbach were the sight of loud music and vandalizm on November 11th. This time, rubbish was strewn around which expressed a general lack of respect. The news report mentions there has been repeated vandalism to this place.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5112
UPDATE: Ban on "Conversion Therapy" in UK "Could Lead to the Prosecution" of Pastors and Church Leaders
2021-11-01 | The Welsh government has admitted that the ban on conversion therapy "could lead to the prosecution of religious leaders". The ban on conversion therapy was announced by the Queen in May this year and was welcomed by the Bench of Bishops in the Church in Wales.
The document presented by the government leaves aside questions such as the possibility to attack religious freedom and claims that conversion therapies cause harm, although it gives "no evidence to justify the claim". Since then, Christian groups have raised concern that the ban could apply for private prayer and conversations, undermining religious freedom. The consultation by the Government will be open until 10. December 2021.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4888
Anti-Christian Graffiti on Statue of Pope John Paul II in Lwówek Śląski
2021-11-01 | The monument to John Paul II, the Polish Pope, was painted with multiple degrading symbols on November 11th. The statue, which is located in Lwówek Śląski, had it eye lids painted, a tear below its eye drawn, and an inverted cross. For some reason, this crime was never reported so the police did not carry out any investigations for suspects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5082
Youth Smoke Shisha in Laichingen Church
2021-11-01 | Several young people turned the Albanskirche in Laichingen into a shisha bar on November 1st and then celebrated with pizza. This was not the first act of its kind in the church and the pastor, who has had enough, has had to close the church for everyone to prevent more property damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5113
St Nicholas Church Vandalised on the Halloween Night
2021-10-31 | On the 31. October at night, the St. Nicholas Church in Immenstadt was damaged by graffiti. The unknown perpetrator(s) sprayed the words "Die Heiligen Geschwister Scholl" (The holy Scholl siblings) in black paint on the wall, causing damage of about 500 euros. The police are running an investigation. On the 31. October, there was increased vandalism in the whole region.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5068
San Gottardo Church Vandalized Again on Halloween Night
2021-10-31 | The church of San Gottardo in Vittorio Venedeto has once again been targeted with spray cans. Located at the bottom of Mount Altare, the church has been vandalized numerous times with various inscriptions. This incident probably occurred on Halloween and was reported to the municipal administration.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5084
Arson by Unknown Perpetrators in Church Premises
2021-10-30 | On the evening of 30. October, a fire broke out in the premises next to the church of Sant'Aniceto in Villar Perosa. Thanks to the Fire Brigade and volunteers, the fire was brought under control and no one was hurt. The parish priest, Don Orlando Aguilar Tobon, suspects that the fire was voluntary because the cleaning ladies noticed the smell of cigarettes and found a disordered room, later he was informed that a fire had broken out from a locked cabinet. A bottle of wine and two glasses were also found in the room.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5135
Arson at Church in Castellon
2021-10-29 | The church of San Vicente Ferrer in Castellón was targeted by an arsonist on October 29th. The façade of the church was marred by a fire which was started by an old bed being left by the church and the set alight.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5054
Repeated Acts of Vandalism at the Church in Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban
2021-10-29 | For several months, the church of Jesus the Worker in Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban was targeted by vile acts and thefts that left the church in a terrible state. This included the thefts of condolence booklets and urine or excrement left in the church. These incivilities have only multiplied, according to the priest, and this has emotionally harmed many people.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5065
Pornographic Video Filmed Behind the Altar of a Church in Bree
2021-10-29 | A video of a couple having sex behind the alter of the Sint-Michielskerk in Bree was shared on a number of social networks and led to a police investigation. The pair have apparently been identified but not officially confirmed. The police commented, "these are criminal offenses. It concerns public indecency and the distribution of pornographic images. We cannot communicate anything further."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5093
Arson and Vandalism at Church in Germany
2021-10-28 | On 28. October at around 7.15 pm., witnesses found that there had been several damages to property in the church in Hellenthal. The organ and other objects were smeared with wax, and a burnt hole was found in the pew, among other things. The damage amounts to a few hundred euros. The damage to the property must have taken place between 10 am and 7 pm. The police opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5061
Man Damaged Crucifix and Dismantled Church for "Religious Reasons"
2021-10-28 | At around 12.30 p.m. on 28. October, the police received a report of damage to property in the evangelical Frauenberg church in Sangerhäuser Straße, Nordhausen. A 25-year-old Afghan man had gone into the church, emptied it for "religious reasons" and broken a Crucifix. The police have filed a complaint of damage to property. The amount of damage is not yet known, but the damaged Crucifix had a high historical value to the community, which will be immediately restored.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5063
Church Walls Vandalized with Graffiti in Leipzig
2021-10-28 | On the 28. October at night, vandals sprayed messages in black paint on the walls of a church in Stötteritz. Some of the tags were also against the police and the damage to property is estimated at around 1,000 euros. The police filed a report are investigating the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5064
Repeated Acts of Vandalism and Theft in the Catholic Church of Reilingen
2021-10-28 | The Catholic in Reillingen suffered of multiple cases of vandalism and also in the year before several thefts. A gilded consecrated cross, was stolen from a pedestal in front of a Virgin Mary statue in Reilingen. A year later, the cross which was from the St. Wendelin church, has been replaced. This theft was after multiple candles and candlesticks were stolen in the preceding months.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5114
Christians Attacked and Insulted while protecting a St.John Paul II Monument
2021-10-27 | On the 27th October 2020, unidentified pro-abortion protesters attacked, with telescopic batons, people defending the monument of St. John Paul II in Wołomin from being devastated during the local Women’s Strike. As a result of the perpetrators’ actions, one person was injured and had to be taken to the hospital.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5252
Statue of the Virgin Mary Desecrated with Feces in Damasławek
2021-10-26 | A statue of the Virgin Mary, located in an outdoor space belonging to the local church, was found with traces of excrement on the pedestal on which it stands. The parish priest Father Grzegorz Iwinński explained how this was the most severe attack the church had experienced. The perpetrator, who was caught on camera, faces up to two years in prison for offending religious freedoms.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5062
France: Vandalism and Tags on Church Walls Related to a Report on Pedophilia
2021-10-26 | On October 26, graffitis were found on the walls of Saint Blandine Church in Lyon. The paintings were related to the CIASE report that contains the number of pedophilia cases that took place in France from 1950 to 2020. The first deputy of the 2nd arrondissement, Jean-Stephane Chaillet, strongly condemned the act on Twitter. The case was reported to the police. A precedent has been also reported in Nantes, where a day after the report was released, tags saying "church of rapists" were painted on the walls of a Catholic high school in downtown Nantes, Saint-Stanislas, and a nearby convent.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5075
Stained Glass and Squared Timber Broken in the Church of Eibenstock
2021-10-26 | Two leaded glass windows and a three meter long squared timber were broken in the town church of Eibenstock. The windows were smashed with stones and the board of the congregation commented "we are simply horrified." The police investigated the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5116
Man Pours Fecal Matter over a Statue of the Virgin Mary
2021-10-26 | It has first been reported that a man had been vandalising a statue of the Virgin Mary by pouring fecal matter over it for several months, the most recent incident being in October 26. in 2021. The last incident was recorded by a security camera, which made it possible to identify the perpetrator. The 57-year-old man has received a one-year sentence of restriction of liberty and has been charged with the costs of the proceedings.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5319
Jehovah’s Witnesses Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison in Russia
2021-10-25 | Rustam Diarov, 48, Yevgeniy Ivanov, 44, and Sergey Klikunov, 46, all Jehovah's Witnesses, were given a sentence of eight year in a Russian prison for "extremist" religious activity. Olga Ivanova, 38, Yevgeniy’s wife, was sentence to 42 months. These sentences are longer than for kidnapping or rape and mark an increased cruelty toward Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia. The sentences have been increasingly longer every year.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5041
Church in Neuburg Vandalised with Graffiti
2021-10-25 | In Neuburg, the Holy Spirit Church on Spitalplatz was smeared with graffiti on the 25. October, as was reported by the police. Between the 25th and 26th, an unknown perpetrator sprayed grey graffiti on a wall in the area of the parish garden. This caused damage amounting to 1000 euros, the police are running an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5056
Hymn Books from Northumberland Church Burned
2021-10-24 | Several hymn books from the Holy Trinity Church in Embleton were stolen on the 24th of October and burned in a nearby cricket ground. Despite this event, Reverend Alison Hardy said that the church would stay open and added: "I'd ask people to appreciate churches for what they are and respect them as a community asset."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5055
Three Attacks to the Reformed Church in Wildegg
2021-10-23 | The Reformed Church in Wildegg has experienced three attacks of vandalism, the last on was recorded on October 23rd. The incidents included the door set on fire, the organ damaged, and a lamp splintered. The church is now considering putting up surveillance cameras as a preventative measure.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5034
Vandalism and Damage in the "Maria Geburt" Church
2021-10-23 | The candles in the "Maria Geburt" church in Elgendorf were damaged on October 10th. Candles in the alter room, which were either burning or unused, were broken and scattered all over the floor. Also, some candles were extinguished and a barrier rope destroyed. The Montabaur Police were looking for more information about this crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5083
Attempted Arson and Vandalism at the Protestant Church in Holzkirchen
2021-10-22 | According to the police of Holzkirchen, between the 22. and 24. October, the Protestant Blessing Church in the Haidstraße was targeted for vandalism. Unknown perpetrators entered the church without any problem, as the place of worship is open every day. They destroyed the disinfectant provided and spread it on the floor of the entrance, it seems that they intended to light a fire because burn matches were found in the church, they also threw the pillows of the chairs around the church. Outside, police found a fireplace consisting of a vehicle tire and small wooden branches, although no fire was lit there.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5050
Crosses Vandalised in the Cemetery of Bouguenais
2021-10-22 | Several crosses were broken in the cemetery of Bouguenais in the southwest of Nantes on October 22nd. About 15 graves were subjected to this vandalism and the broken parts were left on the ground. A complaint was filed and the fingerprints were taken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5074
Vandals Broke Into a Parish and left 2000 Euros worth of Damage
2021-10-21 | Unknown persons broke into a parish hall in Fuldatal-Simmershausen on the evening of the 21st of April. The burglars caused about 2,000 euros worth of damage to property as well as stealing a safe with cash. The Criminal Investigation Department in Kassel was investigating the case and looking for witnesses who could provide clues as to the identity of the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5035
Mallorca: Another Cross Demolished in Spain
2021-10-21 | On 22 October, the town council of Son Servera (Mallorca), which is governed by Natalia Troya, demolished the Cross of the Fallen in the Plaza de la Tercera Edad. There there was no inscription of any kind and the Cross and it had been peacefully part of the town's monuments for decades. There is serious suspicion of illegality hanging over the decision, given that in June an application was registered with the Consell de Mallorca for the Cross to be cataloged as a listed monument, and this file is pending a report which was mandatory to take any action on the monument. The town council used the "Law of Historical Memory", which was passed by the PSOE in the times of President Zapatero.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5040
St. Marien Church in Bochum-Langendreer Looted for the Third Time
2021-10-21 | In Bochum-Langendreer, criminals have been targeting churches for looting, the last time being on the night of 23. to 24. October. The Catholic community of St. Mary's in the former Langendreer station has been the target of three burglaries this year. In February, the parish office behind the church in Marien was devastated. This time the burglars had their sight set on the church. On the night of Wednesday to Thursday (20./21. October), they broke in through the side door and stole a projector, according to the congregation. And on the night of Saturday to Sunday (23./24. October) the main entrance was broken into and the offerings were stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5046
Break-in and Heavy Vandalism at Church in Heessen
2021-10-21 | On November 21st, unknown intruders broke into the St. Stephen's church in Heessen and severely vandalized it. They broke the tabernacle out of its concrete base and used two fire extinguishers to spray foam around all of the rooms, and they also stole some money. The property damage was extremely high and the church had to be closed the next day due to forensic investigations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5664
Statue of the Virgin Mary Vandalised and Replace by a Garden Gnomo
2021-10-20 | At the end of September, a statue of the Virgin Mary of the parish church, placed in a public road in the village of Gironde, was vandalized and destroyed. A garden gnome was placed in its place. A complaint was lodged by the church's maintenance lady. A man had found pieces of the bust in a vineyard, and two days later, the head of the Virgin was placed in front of a school gate. Although the events took place at the end of September, the story first got coverage a month later. The Mayor of Le Pian-sur-Garonne was also very upset by the action, the police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5026
Update! Man who Knocked Down a Public Cross Faces Up To 5 Years Prison
2021-10-20 | On 18. October, a man knocked down a cross on a public road with a saw, while filming himself. He then uploaded the video on the internet. A day later, he was identified. The 31-year-old man ran a website called "Action for the liquidation of road crosses all over Poland", in whose description he motivated the desire to remove them on the grounds that they "disfigure streets and pose a threat to road traffic. He also attacked many believers and the Church. For the destruction of the cross and offensive religious sentiments, the defendant could face up to five years in prison.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5028
A 23-year-old Vandalised a Church in Vienna
2021-10-19 | On 19. October, A 23-year-old man vandalized the church Nepomuk-Kirche in Vienna by damaging the furniture in the church and throwing things to the ground. The young man from Bangladesh was arrested shortly after witnesses saw him and raised the alarm by calling the police at around 8:30 pm. The man told the police that the church would belong to him.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5031
Hateful Messages on the Walls of a Catholic School in Poitiers
2021-10-19 | Threatening posters were put on the a Catholic school in Poitiers on October 19th. The messages accused the school of homophobia and transphobia and contained "hateful" remarks about the "burning" of the Christian Union of Poitiers. A far left motive was suspected for the attack but it was not known for sure.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5076
Cross Removed from a Public Place in Vinalesa
2021-10-19 | The town council from Vinalesa, governed by the Javier Puchol (PSOE-left wing party), demolished a cross-monolith in that was put in place in memory of eight people who were killed in during the civil war in 1936 in the town. Among the eight, was a Catholic priest who was murdered for his beliefs and some from the town saw this demolition has disrespectful to the deceased.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5098
Man Destroys a Cross with a Saw While Filming
2021-10-18 | A 31-year-old man was arrested after he filmed himself while sawing a cross in Zastalowski in Zielona Góra. The perpetrator posted the video of this vandalic act on the Internet. The police started the investigations to find the man, who was later successfully found and arrested. The local authorities have expressed their concern and surprise regarding this violent act. "This is the first time I have encountered such desecration in our city and I hope it will be the last time. We do not know the motives for the attack on the cross, but the incident itself is very heinous," said the Coalition Civica councilor. The secretary of the regional People's Party, Arkadiusz Dąbrowski also commented, "this is an unprecedented act of vandalism. We must respect religious symbols in our country.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5020
Arson to Shrine Dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes in Scotland
2021-10-18 | On October 17, the Carfin Grotto, Scotland's National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, appeared partially burnt and destroyed as unknown perpetrators deliberately made a pile and set it on fire. As Police reported, "Enquiries are ongoing and at an early stage". Meanwhile, the community has launched a micro-funding campaign to help pay the damages due to the lack of economical means. However they are even more concerned about the rise of attacks against religious places, "we hope it is addressed at a national level", said the spokesman, John Mallon.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5053
Over 200 Academics Called Out Bullying by Trans Activists
2021-10-17 | On the 17th of October, over 200 hundred academics from different UK universities sent a letter to the Sunday Times expressing their concern about the bullying and suffering those who held the view that sex matters were receiving. The letter cited statistics from the organization "Sex Matters" and said that the majority of the discrimination came from "trans activist bullies". This type of abuse would be most acutely felt by religious persons and especially Christians who typically hold this view based off the Bible.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5033
Church Break-In and Damage in Hemelingen
2021-10-17 | On the 17th of October, a criminal entered the church in Hemelingen through a window which they broke. The intruder then proceeded to search the rooms for goods and left after causing 1000 euros worth of damage. The police were investigating the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5043
Activists and Student Union Block Pro-life March With Anti-Christian Slogans and Insults
2021-10-16 | On the 16. October, around 2.500 people gathered for the "March for Life" in Vienna, a peaceful protest for the rights of the unborn and women. The participants faced opposition and insults from activists who planned to disrupt the march and create blockades, forcing them to change the route. The call against the pro-life march was made with polarizing language by different organizations, including the ÖH (Österreichische Hochschüler_innenschaft), which is the statutory representation of students' interests, Antifa, and other political groups. They organized a "March for Ass" and displayed anti-Christian slogans such as "abort fundamentalists" or "If Mary had aborted, we would have spared you". Jan Ledochowski, spokesperson for Christian Democracy filed a formal complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5021
Police Investigate Damage to St.Nicholas Church in Gaggenau
2021-10-16 | The side door of the St. Nicholas Church in Gaggenau had significant dents in its copper paneling that were made with large river pebbles. The police were investigating to see if the incident was an act of childish carelessness or deliberate vandalism. Relevant information was needed from witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5115
Substantial Damage to Church Sacristy after Break-In
2021-10-16 | On the morning of the 16th of October, the sacristy of St. Johann Baptist church in Kirchplatz Street was broken into, which was noticed by the sexton of the parish in Refrath the following morning. After a closer examination of the crime scene, the police were able to determine that the adjacent scout house of the parish had also been broken into. It was not possible to say for sure whether anything had been stolen during this incident, but the property damage was substantial. Forensic evidence was collected and a criminal complaint was filed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5157
Christian MP David Amess Stabbed to Death
2021-10-15 | Christian MP David Amess was attending his regular duties in his local circumscription in a Methodist Church in Essex on 15. October, when a 25 years-old British citizen of Somali origin stabbed him to death. Soon after, the killer Ali Harbi Ali was arrested. An Anti-terrorism unit is investigating the case, given that the perpetrator has been identified as a radicalized Islamist. This murder is a direct attack on the Christian beliefs that David Amess represented. Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited the Methodist Church where the incident happened, accompanied by the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, and leader of the Opposition, Keir Starmer. People have been gathering for candlelit vigils in Leigh-on-Sea and have held church services in his memory.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5003
Church Crypt in Bromsgrove Forced Open
2021-10-14 | The historic St. John's Church in Bromsgrove was targeted by unknown vandals on the 14th of October. The door of the crypt was forced open which caused hundreds of pounds of damage but luckily nothing was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5901
Bell Stolen from Ostbevern Cemetery
2021-10-13 | During the weekend of the 9th and 10th of October, visitors of the Ostbevern Cemetery noticed that the bell standing in front of the burial ground was missing and alerted the town hall. It was unscrewed from its suspension and stolen by "brazen thieves". However, according to the Ostbevern municipality, the exact time at which the theft occurred is unknown. A criminal complaint was filed by the municipal administration and the police started an investigation, appealing to citizens to come forward in case they have any information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5147
Theft of Consecrated Hosts in Toledo Chapel
2021-10-11 | On October 11th, thieves took the tabernacle and consecrated hosts from the chapel of the Sisters of "Stella Matutina" in Illescas (Toledo). The desecration was reported and the Guardia Civil started an investigation into it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5605
Cross Destroyed in Peña Lemona
2021-10-11 | Youth from the left-wing Sortu party demolished the Francoist cross of Peña Lemona using jackhammers and pulleys to take down the monument. It stood an impressive 10 meters high and was put in place to commemorate Franco's troops in the Spanish Civil War. This incident marked another religious public symbol that was taken down in Spain.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5606
Vandalized Chapel in St. Gallen Refuses to Close Doors
2021-10-11 | On the 11th of October, a chapel in Rorschacherberg, St. Gallen, was vandalized. The perpetrators took a wooden figure, a window, and a Holy water container, they also left the church in a bad state. This was not considered to be an isolated incident, as three days later there was another incident in a Church nearby. The churches nevertheless have clarified that they will remain open.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5158
Thefts of Consecrated Hosts in the Days Leading Up to Halloween
2021-10-10 | According to a report by ABC, the theft of consecrated Hosts in Spain has been a yearly phenomenon that occurs with special emphasis in the days leading up to halloween. This year, on the 10th of October, the consecrated tabernacle which contains the hosts was stolen from the convent of the Sisters of Maria Stella Matutina in Toledo.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5066
Around 7.000€ Stolen from a Benedictine Convent in Italy
2021-10-09 | The community of the Passionist Fathers of San Giovanni was having dinner when thieves broke into the convent and stole approximately 7,000 Euros, as it was reported on the 10th of October. The thieves must have known the monks' habits because the robbery was carried out without inconvenience. The money was the sum of donations, from tourists who regularly visit the monastery and from couples who get married at the abbey. As the theft became known it came as a surprise because some monks had chosen to remain silent. Police and military forces are still investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5010
Stained Glass from Evangelical Church Destroyed
2021-10-09 | The showcase of the Church of Brothers in Altenburg was destroyed by an intruder who was not identified. The police were investigating the crime and asked for witnesses to come forward to provide information about the property damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5110
Church in Barbourne Broken into for the Second Time
2021-10-08 | Staff discovered that St. George's Church in Barboune was broken into on October 8 and music equipment was stolen. A speaker and a small mixing desk were taken from a cupboard. The items are used for church events and worship that includes music. This is the second time this church has had a break-in, the first time was in August 2021. The police were contacted but no advancements on the investigation have been made.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7042
OXFORD UNIVERSITY SPOKE OUT AGAINST VIOLENT REMOVAL OF PRO-LIFE STAND AT STUDENTS FAIR
2021-10-07 | During the yearly Freshers' Fair at the Oxford University, the stand of the Pro-life group "Oxford Students For Life" (OSFL) was removed by other students and activists, who threw their material into a trash bin and completely removed it from the event. The students also refused to let them reinstall their stand and threatened them with tearing it down again. The group had already been criticized on the internet, as they posted some photos of their stand. The "Oxford Feminist Society" made a statement that the presence of a pro-life organization was a "threat to the safety, health, and autonomy of women", which was backed by the Students Union. The University of Oxford condemned the censorship and harassment of the pro-life group by stating that the university had a long history of protecting free speech.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5001
Windows of Sankt Elisabeth Church in Bonn Broken
2021-10-07 | The windows of the Sankt Elisabeth Church in Bonn were the victim of a vandalistic attack, as they were damaged by unknown persons throwing stones at them. On October 7th, the windows were found broken and the sexton had to pick up the shattered glass.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5546
Former Lutherchurch Desecrated and Looted
2021-10-07 | The former Lutherchurch, which is now used as a social center for volunteer work, was heavily vandalized during the first week of October. The damage was extensive, as many items were stolen, the infrastructure was damaged and perpetrators left human excrement on the Chapel. According to the statement on Facebook, it was not the first time they faced vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5911
France: Psychologist Warns New Draft Law on "Conversion-Therapy" Would Breach Parental Rights
2021-10-06 | The French parliament has unanimously supported the proposed legislation to ban the so-called "conversion therapy". The law would have penalties from prison sentences up to 2 years, to fines that can reach 30,000€ for those to attempt to change someone's sexual orientation. The fines and prison sentences go even higher if the case involves a minor or vulnerable person. While the draft law claims to make illegal abusive practices that have - fortunately - never occurred in France and are already punishable by law, Christians and psychiatrists worry that the real aim of the law is to prohibit any reflection or questioning on the wishes expressed by young people who are insecure about their sexual identity. It would prohibit parents from objecting to the prescription of hormones for young people asking to make a transition or professionals who would recommend psychotherapy to help these people in their struggle. The draft is awaiting to be debated in the upper house of parliament.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5000
Pro-life Activist Faced a Hate Campaign on Social Media
2021-10-06 | Elsa Almeda, an 18-year-old with ties to the VOX political party in Spain, received numerous attacks for expressing her pro-life views on a Spanish television program Tevecat that provides a space for young people with different ideologies to debate current topics. The discussion was around abortion which she likened to murder, an opinion that is based on her Christian values. For this, she received several threats and parts of her speech where quoted completely out of context with the intent of misrepresenting her views and to paint her in a bad light.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5032
Repeated Vandalism and Objects Broken in Kempten Church
2021-10-06 | Apart from church services, the doors of The Assumption of the Virgin Mary church in Kempten have been forced to close. This decision was taken due to the repeated acts of vandalism and broken objects there. The head of the parish community says the scripture stands were overturned, sacrificial candles scattered across the church interior and damaged. The parish has filed a complaint with the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5117
Church in Sankt Mang Closed due to Vandalism
2021-10-06 | The Maria Himmelfahrt church in Sankt Mang was forced to close because of repeated attacks by vandals. The damage included sacrificial candles destroyed and scattered, scripture stands overturned, and the thanksgiving altar looted. A complaint was filed in October.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5662
Temple in Huelva Targeted with Paint Bomb
2021-10-06 | The façade of the Gerizim Evangelical Church in Huelva was splattered with red paint on October 6th. Although the police did not categorize it as a hate crime, the villains chose a religious building to commit the crime, and this should not be disregarded.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5598
Display Bible Defaced at St. Ulrich Church
2021-10-06 | In October the news outlet Allgäuer-Zeitung reported cases of vandalism in the Kempten area. According to the parish priest Aleksander Gajewski, the Bible displayed in the church of St. Ulrich in East-Kempten was defaced with tags. In another Church, the vandalism damage was even greater.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5908
Desecration of Graves at St.Mary's Church in Wexford
2021-10-05 | Three headstones at the graveyard of St.Mary Church have been desecrated after they were vandalised with red graffitis on . The parish prieste, Cllr Michael Sheehan, has expressed his concern and has asked to "anyone who knows any information on this to make it known to the guards and that the full rigors of the law be applied.” He further stated: "I think it’s despicable that anyone would feel so low that they would have to attack a person’s grave. St Mary’s is the site of some really old graves, dating back from centuries gone by."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4984
Nurse Suspended for Wearing a Cross-Necklace Challenges Case of Discrimination
2021-10-05 | Mrs. Onuoha worked at Croydon University Hospital in London for many years as a nurse and has been wearing a golden cross necklace for 40 years without any problems. During the last two years, she started being pressured to remove her cross. Her necklace was considered "too visible" and posed a ‘risk of injury or infection’, despite the jewelry pieces of other medical staff not being criticized. After her repeated refusal, Mrs. Onuoha faced an investigation, was suspended, and relegated to work as a receptionist, and was told not to mention the reason for her relegation. With help of the Christian Legal Center (CLC), she is confronting the Hospital for harassment and discrimination.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4988
Arson at St. Remy's Church
2021-10-04 | In the night of 4 October, the church of Saint-Rémy in the centre of Ottignies fell victim to arson. A carpet, a chair and a panel were set on fire. The incident was quickly brought under control by alerted firefighters. Shortly after the incident, Ottigines police checked a laundromat located in the neighbourhood. There, an intoxicated suspect was identified and arrested. At the time of his arrest, the man born in 1987 and of no known address was in possession of a box of matches. The man, who already had a criminal record, will be brought before the criminal court as part of an accelerated procedure.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4996
Church Bell Stolen from St Matthew's Church in Withernsea
2021-10-04 | St. Matthew's parish community realized on Sunday 10th that the church bell was stolen after it failed to ring at a Sunday service. Apparently the bell was dropped from 9.1m above damaging the cellar doors. The damage is estimated at 8000€. Rev Martin Faulkner "would appreciate the return of its bell to the church grounds with no questions asked", he added that the bell "has a special place in the hearts of the Withernsea community", having been rung every week during Clap for Carers and to commemorate local people who died with Covid".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5008
Church in Badia Vandalised Multiple Times
2021-10-03 | Over the course of a month the church in Badia has been vandalised in various ways: glasses were broken with stone, stones were pulled out of the walls and dog excrements smeared on the facade of the church. The last damage was perpetrated by smashing the windows with stones. Stones falling inside the church also caused damage to the wooden pews. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4980
Sacred Items Stolen from Parish Church in Saint-Léger
2021-10-03 | A complaint was filed by Father Nicola Berthier for the theft of objects of worship form the church in Saint-Léger-sous-Beuvray. On October 3rd, he found the sacristy door forced open and two chalices, a paten, and a ciborium all missing. These are all sacred objects used in mass and their theft is deeply hurtful for the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5077
22-Year-Old Detained for Defacing Church
2021-10-02 | The news reported on 2nd of October that police officers from Wołów detained a 22-year-old man who damaged a cross and the facade of a church. The perpetrator painted symbols and messages insulting religious feelings on the walls and facade of the church. He is now facing a heavy prison sentence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5913
Cross of Church Cemetery in Tempelberg Smeared and Vandalised
2021-10-02 | A large cross that stands in front of the small cemetery at the church in Tempelberg was desecrated. Unknown perpetrators smeared and vandalised the cross. The incident occurred on Germany's Unity Day, which is annually celebrated on 2 October. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4995
Madonna delle Grazie Vandalised in Salza Irpina
2021-10-02 | The front door of a church in Salza Irpina was vandalised with graffiti on 2 October. The mayor of the city, Luigi Cella, has expressed his indignation on social media and hopes to find the perpetrator/s. "A deplorable gesture of vandalism was made against our church Maria Santissima delle Grazie".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4981
Prayer in General Considered a Harmful Form of “Conversion Therapy” by Cooper Report
2021-10-01 | The Cooper Report has been recently published by the Ban Conversion Therapy Legal Forum that was founded at the end of June. The Ban Conversion Therapy Legal Forum is a multidisciplinary group of parliamentarians, academics, barristers, legal professionals and survivors, whose aim is to ban any form of what is by them considered as conversion therapy. The Forum also considers any from of prayer as a harmful practice used for conversion therapy. They further state that an individual cannot consent to any form of conversion therapy. This implies that Christians or people in general, who seek help or guidance when they struggle with their gender identity, would not be allowed to get pastoral help that is not confirming their new gender identity, which the persons are maybe not even sure about yet. The Report further states that the human right of religious freedom is to be seen as inferior in this case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4983
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER CONDEMNS DEATH THREATS AGAINST STUDENTS OF PRO-LIFE ASSOCIATION
2021-10-01 | The pro-life student "Life Society" association from the University of Exeter was the target of a hate campaign aimed to dissolve the group and its activity at the university. A petition among students and an open letter addressed to the university's Students Guild was sent to stop the pro-life group. Additionally, the group got harassed on social media. An online hate campaign was coordinated, to send them negative comments and even death threats, which were reported to the police. Fortunately, the University of Exeter defended the Pro-Life Association and supported their right to freedom of speech.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4998
Study shows Christians are the Most Persecuted Religious Group for 12 Consecutive Years
2021-09-30 | The Pew Research Center has published its last report on religious freedom. The findings show that Christians have been the most persecuted group worldwide for 12 consecutive years. The report analyses the situation, based on government policies and violent incidents in 198 different countries before the Covid-19 pandemic. The report concludes that Christians suffer different kinds of persecution in 153 countries, being the most persecuted group since 2007.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5006
Catholic Monument Defaced During Religious Celebrations
2021-09-30 | In Desenzano di Albino, the bell tower of the shrine of the Madonna della Gamba was defaced with spray-painted tags on the 30th of September, which is during the days of the novena - a patronal feast celebration. The inscription advertised a heroin dealing point. on the Desenzano al Serio parish's social page, they posted a photo of the vandalism and wrote: "We have no words, only so much disappointment and bitterness, given also the festive period for our community. We invite those responsible, caught on camera and caught in the act, to come forward to clean up the damage, otherwise, we will turn the footage over to the authorities."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5902
Twitter Bans Spanish NGO's Account After Post Critical of Euthanasia
2021-09-30 | On June 26, 2021, the "Christian Lawyers" account tweeted: “Euthanasia is being debated in Congress. The Federal Right to Die Association has been financing itself for years with inheritances and legacies of the sick people whom it assists in their last moments. Enough already. #righttolive #euthanasia”. For this post, the social network blocked their account on the 30th of September, claiming the message broke "the rules that prohibit publishing private information". The organization is challenging this censorship.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6071
Priest Discovered Armed Man in Parisian Church
2021-09-29 | A Priest in the Saint-Luc church in the 19. district of Paris was approached by an agitated armed man on 29. August, asking for the time of mass and saying he wants to attend. After answering him, the priest noticed the man was carrying a revolver gun and alerted the police, who later took the suspect into custody near the church. The 28-year-old suspect was found with a loaded gun and had already been known for other offences. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4868
Update: Former Finnish MP Faces Trial for Quoting the Bible
2021-09-29 | Former MP Päivi Räsänen, physician and mother of five is awaiting her hearing for the 22nd of January, 2022. She is being investigated after the Finnish Prosecutor General filed criminal charges against her. One of the reasons is that she published a tweet quoting the Bible. Räsänen could faced a two-year prison sentence or a fine for the tweet.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4928
New Law in Spain Plans to Publicly Publish List of Medical Staff Who Object Abortion
2021-09-29 | The Spanish Ministry of Equality is planning to create a registry of medical doctors, nurses, and staff who object abortion on the grounds of conscientious objection. The intended registry is part of a reform of the abortion law in Spain, passed in 2010. The argument for the proposal is to be able to guarantee the “right to terminate pregnancies” in public hospitals, as in many hospitals abortions are not performed, given the conscientious objections of the staff. Many bishops and experts are strongly criticizing this registry, as such a list can cause discrimination and harm freedom of expression, as well as freedom of conscience.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4975
The Stations of the Cross in Wettemhausen Vandalized
2021-09-28 | The Stations of the Cross were severely vandalized on September 28th in Wettemhausen. Some of the figures were overturned while other had been dismembered. Glass beads had been demolished and the Burgau police were examining the scene for indications of who the perpetrators may have been.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4972
Roof of Church in Frodsham Stolen
2021-09-28 | A "substantial" part of St. Laurence's Church roof has been stolen by a group of thieves. Sergeant Simpson, from the Cheshire Police Rural Crime Team, has written on Facebook: "When someone steals from a listed or protected site, building or monument, its a crime against all of us. They are stealing our shared history", and he added, "the impact on the community can be devastating too, so please keep an eye on our history and report anything suspicious."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4979
Vandals Smash Church Window in Horn-Bad Meinberg
2021-09-27 | Unknown perpetrators smashed the window of the local church in Horn-Bad Meinberg on 27 September. According to the police, the window is located directly above the church door. The damage amounts to around 2.000 Euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4985
Güdesweiler Church Broken into and Raided
2021-09-26 | Unidentified thieves broke a window to get into the Güdesweiler church on March 26th. They took the money from a sacrificial candlestick box and also stole some of the sacrificial candles.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4977
Update: University Revokes its Decision Regarding the Catholic Chaplain
2021-09-25 | Fr Palmer had been declined as a University chaplain due to posts on his Twitter account expressing personal opinions and views regarding abortion and assisted suicide. After the "Free Speech Union" threatened the University for ignoring the 2010 Equality act, Nottingham University recognized Fr Palmer to become the Catholic priest of the University
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4968
Joan of Arc's "Heart" Stolen in Nimes
2021-09-25 | A 19-year-old boy discovered, after he came back from holidays, that a bronze heart containing a reliquary of Joan of Arc had been stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4982
Thieves Steal Sacred Objects of the Laurentius Chapel in Waltrop-Leveringhausen.
2021-09-25 | During the night of the 25th of September, a golden monstrance with the relic of Saint Laurence and a baroque cross were stolen from the altar of the St. Ludgerus parish. On Monday, the parish was surprised to find everything but the monstrance, returned in a bag in the neighboring garden. The intent of this was unknown but it was suggested that the thieves had a guilty conscience. Bernd Brinker, said of the monstrance which was never found, "The ideal value is great for the community, which has cherished and cared for the chapel for decades."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5153
Evangelical Foster Agency Accused of "Discriminatory Policy" Against Homosexual Couples Lost Case
2021-09-24 | The Christian Cornerstone (North East) Adoption and Fostering Agency has lost the case at the Court of Appeal. They were hoping to reverse a ruling that found the agency "discriminatory" for working only with heterosexual couples. Three Court of Appeal judges have found the Foster agency's policy discriminatory, as they find that the basis of the agency's religious beliefs is not enough to justify their policy of only recruiting heterosexual carers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4955
Flags of Evangelical Church in Nagold Repeatedly Vandalised
2021-09-24 | For the fourth time in a row this year, the flags decorating the evangelical church in Nagold have been torn or cut. Among the upset parishioners, an active woman in the community stated that the flags are not cheap and they are paid with everyone's donations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4957
Offering Box Stolen and Sacristy Door Broken in Avoscan Church
2021-09-24 | On September 24th, unknown thieves broke into the church in Avoscan through a broken window. Once inside, they took what was in the offering box, which wasn't much, and then broke the sacristy door to see it there was anything they could take from there. Parish administrator Don Luigino Canal said it was, "More moral than economic damage."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4964
Right-Wing Extremists Storm Pastoral Office in Linz
2021-09-23 | Around 15 hooded men have stormed the office of the Diocese of Linz with leaflets, banners, and a megaphone. The pursuit was to protest against a memorial that will be placed in Linz's city cemetery for the refugees who died in the Mediterranean Sea. The group apparently belongs to the right-wing extremist "Identitäre" (Identitarians).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4953
Oxford College Regrets Hosting a Christian Event
2021-09-22 | The Wilberforce Academy (Christian seminar) has been holding its courses in different Oxford colleges for many years. But this year, the Worcester College, where the seminar was taking place, apologized for having hosted this event "that caused significant distress" as it was published in the student newspaper "The Tab".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4943
Street Preachers Arrested after Preaching the Gospel and on Homosexuality
2021-09-21 | Mr Williamson was preaching on the streets of Dundalk together with two other colleagues, when he was asked by police to stop. The reason was that he was critically preaching about gender ideology and homosexuality, the police considered the content to be a hate crime and that the preaching disrupted the public social order. Together with Robert Ervine and Sean Paul Tully, Ryan Williamson got arrested. The trial is expected on 13 October.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4986
Cemetery Severly Vandalized in Rivière
2021-09-21 | The cemetery of Rivière was ransacked on September 21st but it was not know who did it. A municipal employee found: "Many vases ... thrown to the ground, breaking and cracking the tombstones in places. Flowers were dug up. Crosses were torn off and cut." The gendarmerie was informed of this hateful act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5078
Germany increasingly Denies Asylum to Christian Converts from Islam and Deports them To Muslim Countries where they Face Death
2021-09-20 | Open Doors, an international Christian organisation, which supports persecuted Christians worldwide, has published a report on the current situation of 5.207 Christian converts in Germany. The vast majority of them are denied asylum and many of them are threatened with deportation to conservative Muslim countries where conversion to another religion is considered a crime worthy of death.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4936
Church in Sandhausen Vandalised
2021-09-20 | Unknown perpetrators have vandalized the church of the Holy Trinity and caused several damages: burning a sign, removing the Pascual Candle and damaging it, chairs and cushioins have burn holes, etc. Despite this event, the parish priest still wants to leave the church open for the people so that they can "recharge their batteries and strengthen their faith during this time". He also urged the people to protect the church "by visiting it and thus protect it from further damage". According to the police it seems that the perpetrators were not looking for money, "it was vandalism".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4949
Painting Solen from Church in Zębocin was Later Found
2021-09-20 | A 16th century painting worth 100 zloty was stolen from the St Stanislaus church in Zębocin. The theft was immediately reported to the police who began to search for it. Much to the churches relief, the "Mother of God with Child" painting was found at an auction in Warsaw on September 20th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4956
Several Windows Smashed at Catholic Church in Villmar-Aumenau
2021-09-20 | Starting on September 19th and then continuing for about a week, unknown villains were smashing the windows on the Catholic Church in Villmar-Aumenau. A cleaning person discovered the vandalism and promptly informed the parish who, in term, told the police. An investigation was started and the damage amounts to around 1,000 EUR.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5548
Arson at Church in Mantua
2021-09-19 | On September 19th, the statue of Madonna was scarred by arson in the Santa Caterina church in Mantua. The fire, which was started at the altar, burnt the tablecloth covering the alter and also damaged some sacred furnishings including the statue. Fortunately, the damage was not extensive, but the crime affected the religious community.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4938
Surveillance Camera Caught Two Burglars inside St.Liborio's Church
2021-09-19 | Images from CCTV showed that a car was driving away from the church of San Liborio where religious objects and 5.000 Euros in cash, which was contained in a metal cupboard, were stolen. The two perpetrators, 37 and 46 years-old and with previous convictions, were identified after a quick investigation by the local police station
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4939
Offices of the Swiss Evangelical Alliance Vandalised by Radical LGBTQ+ Groups
2021-09-18 | In the run-up to the March for Life, three different pro-life Evangelical centres have been vandalized in two different cities, Zurich and Emmenbrücke (Lucerne). The perpetrators threw paint and vandalized the offices of the SEA. The attacks were claimed on an anarcho-autonomous pro-LGBTQ information platform. "We condemn this way of acting and reacting but we are trying to continue the dialogue in the public debate, without being intimidated," reacted Daniela Baumann, spokesperson for SEA, accompanied by Evangeliques.info.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4948
Anti-Catholic Graffitis on the Walls of Santa Lucia Chapel
2021-09-18 | On the 18. September, it was reported that the chapel of Santa Lucia and the wall of the rectory of the Rianxeira parish of Asados were vandalised with graffiti and anti-Catholic slogans. The perpetrator or perpetrators of this aggression to the heritage used red paint to leave messages against the Church and the clergy printed on one of the side walls of the church and on the entrance to the rectory, like calling them a "catholic mafia".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5187
Art Festival Against "Religious Censorship" celebrates "Blasphemy Day"
2021-09-17 | "Ceci n'est pas un blasphème" is the title of the festival which claims to celebrate freedom of expression and attack "religious censorship". The festival took place between the 17th and 30th of September, the day on which "Blasphemy Day" is celebrated. The non-profit festival included exhibitions, talks, comedians, to promote anti-clerical art and raise funds to be donated to organizations that provide protection and legal assistance to people persecuted for having said or created blasphemous content. Interestingly, many artists have targeted Christian symbols to create blasphemous images, whereas the countries and cases with severe Blasphemy laws and punishments are Muslim.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4931
Two Arson Attempts in a Church in Waldmünchen
2021-09-17 | An unknown perpetrator seems to have tried twice to set the church in Waldmünchen on fire. The first time by placing a candle on the floor of the closed-off side altar with an advertising leaflet from church on it, shortly after the leaflet caught fire. On the next Saturday he tried it again by throwing a burning paper into the area of the fenced side altar. Fortunately the rest of the church was not damaged and the fire was contained. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4937
24-year-old Man Stabbed to Death While Handing Out Church Leaflets
2021-09-17 | Mohamed Issa Koroma has been stabbed to death, while he was handling out church leaflets. The attacker will be charge with murder and possession of a bladed weapon in public and will appear at Sheffield Crown Court on 22 September. When the police arrived, Mr. Koroma was seriously injured and still alive but shortly died after the attack. “Our investigation into this incident continues at pace and our officers remain at the scene as they conduct their enquiries" said the Detective Chief Inspector Paul Murphy, 31, of South Yorkshire Police. The motive is still unclear.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4940
Fire Extinguisher Used to Damage Church in Louvie-Juzon
2021-09-17 | On the 17th of September, anonymous perpetrators vandalized the church of Louvie-Juzon in France by damaging the furniture and emptying the fire extinguisher over the furniture and floor of the Church. The major, who said being very disappointed, has lodged a formal complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5014
Two More Organizations Vandalized by Activists in Run-Up to March for Life
2021-09-17 | In the run-up to the March for Life, three different pro-life Evangelical centers were vandalized in two different cities, Zurich and Emmenbrücke (Lucerne). The perpetrators painted the offices of the Pro-Life organization in Lucerne with Graffiti between 15-17 September. Also, the organization Zukunft CH foundation was defaced with graffiti. The attacks were claimed on an anarcho-autonomous pro-LGBTQ information platform. "It is worrying that on certain socio-political issues it is obviously no longer possible to express oneself freely without being affected by hatred and vandalism," said the AES, Zukunft CH, and "Pro-Life" in a joint statement issued on September 21.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5907
Church Window Broken by a Group of Young People
2021-09-16 | The parish of Mortizzuolo in Mirandola was vandalized by a group of young people that was gathering next to the church. The group ended up breaking a window of the church. Police are investigating and tracking videocameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4925
Statue of the Virgin Mary Toppled in Warsaw
2021-09-16 | Unknown perpetrators have toppled a statue of the Virgin Mary, which was placed in the garden of the Franciscan Sisters of the Family of Mary convent in Anin, Warsaw. The statue was tied with a telephone cable, which indicates that the vandalism was intentional. According to Father Marek Doszko, pastor of the parish of Our Lady Queen of Poland, where the house is located, the statue fell on soft ground and leaves, so no extensive damage was caused. The profanation took place on the day of the commemoration of the founder of the congregation, St. Zygmunt Szczęsny-Feliński
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4932
Monstrance Stolen from Church in Fourmies
2021-09-16 | On 16 September, the glass door of the chapel of the church of Saint-Pierre was forced open with a crowbar. The perpetrators stole a tin monstrance. "The object was not of great material value, but it had spiritual value. This monstrance was used for Adoration every Friday, reports Abbé Potier. The thieves did not take the lunula, i.e. the glass vessel containing the consecrated host. The object is incomplete and therefore cannot be sold as it is. "I am very hopeful that it will be abandoned somewhere and we will eventually get our hands on it again sooner or later". The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4958
Several Thousand Euros Damage: Stained Glass Window of Church in St. Godard Smashed
2021-09-16 | Unknown perpetrators smashed stones against a stained glass window dating back to the XVI century. The incident took place between the night of the 15. to the 16. September in the Church of St. Godard. The church is well-known for its artistical value and is "very much visited for the Heritage Days" explained Élizabeth Labaye, a municipal councilor in charge of tourism and heritage, she is disappointed by the fact that the church was recently "completely cleaned" and because the damage is estimated at several thousand Euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4960
About Fifty Graves Vandalised in Poitiers Hospital Cemetery
2021-09-16 | A family that was visiting the Hopital des Champs cemetery alerted the police on 16 September, after they found around fifty graves, which were tagged with the symbol of Sidaction. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4961
Church in Szczecin Severely Vandalised
2021-09-15 | A 33-year-old man destroyed a historic 1.5 metre wooden cross, an electric censer and a font in the church vestibule, and assaulted the priest who tried to calm down the attacker. Father Dariusz Olszak was beaten and will undergo surgery for a broken jaw. The man, who already had a criminal record, is awaiting his sentence. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4923
Needs more info: Theft in the Church of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption
2021-09-15 | The sacristy, of the Notre-Dame de l'Assomption church in Sully, was broken into during the night of the 15th of September. The intruder, stole some candlesticks and a chalice but was not caught. The mayor filed a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5015
Rogation Cross in Saussines Vandalized
2021-09-15 | In mid-September, one of the three Rogation Crosses in Saussines, a town northeast of Montpellier on the road to Ales, was vandalized. The perpetrator remains unknown. The act shocked the locals and the faithful.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5079
Statue of the Virgin Mary Attacked with Arson
2021-09-14 | A processional statue of the Virgin Mary in the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Bon Secours in Guingamp was set on fire on 14 September. The fire was extinguished with an extinguisher by the owner of a nearby crêperie. According to a source close to the case: "The initial findings totally confirm it. It is clearly an arson attack. For the moment we have no information on the perpetrator or perpetrators. The investigations will continue. The statue was not completely destroyed, but its clothes were destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4934
Church Vandalised with Anti-Semitic Tags in Perugia
2021-09-13 | Blasmephic tags in red paint were found on the memorial plaque of the great Perugian Bishop Luigi Piastrelli, who was parish priest in St. Agatha's church for almost 70 years, from 1908 to 1975. The plaque is found on the facade of the Church. The residents have expressed shame and indignation, according to the report, and they have also called on the police to launch an investigation with help of security cameras on the area.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4917
Ruins of St. Finian's Church in Esker Vandalized
2021-09-13 | The historic ruins of the St. Finian's Church in Esker were smeared with black paint on September 13th. The structure is of great local significance and had recently undergone restoration work when the defacement occurred. The Councilor considered this act of vandalism a direct insult to the religious sight and those working there.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4927
Three Teenagers Shout Blasphemies During Mass in Sorso
2021-09-12 | Three times in a row, three teenagers entered St.Pantaleon's church during mass was taking place and started shouting blasphemies. After the incident, they just left rapidly. Residents and church parishioners have been asking for more control due to the rise of acts of vandalism. The police seem to ignore the requests.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4916
Fourth Break-In at the Madonna delle Lacrime in Siracusa
2021-09-12 | On the 12th of September, the News Outlet "Siracusa2000" reported that the Shrine of Our Lady of Tears was vandalised twice in the last 48 hours. This is already the 4th case at the same church within a month. The perpetrators entered through an upper window, shattering its stained-glass window, but they did not steal anything. After several thefts, the parish people had taken the offering boxes away.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5905
Theft and Vandalism in Church of Notre Dame de Lourdes
2021-09-11 | The church of Notre Dame de Lourdes in Argenteuil was desecrated and broken into. The thieves forced their way into the church through a small window. Inside the church, they stole the ciborium from the tabernacle and threw the holy hosts on the ground. From there the perpetrators went on to the sacristy where they stole a chalice and a paten. All of the stolen items were made out of silver, which gives a hint of the motive of the theft. The glass cruets and other items of worship were left untouched, although they searched the premises. According to the parish vicar, there have been no other recent burglaries of the church or of churches in the area. A reparation ceremony will take place.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4935
Statue of the Virgin Mary at the L'Immacule Conception Church Destroyed
2021-09-11 | The statue of the Virgin Mary at the Immaculate Conception Church in Bonnencontre was broken into thousand pieces. The major and the parish priest believe it happened on 11th September. In the pictures posted by "Le Bien Pubic" one can also recognize scattered bibles on the floor. A formal complaint has been filed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5013
Blasphemous Graffiti on Church in Palomares
2021-09-11 | Graffitied profanities against God appeared on a church in Palomares neighbourhood of Béjar on September 11th. The neighbors discovered the graffiti which will take a large amount of work to remove. The police investigated the incident but there were no suspects yet.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5617
Offering Box Repeatedly Being Robbed
2021-09-09 | The rector of St Anthony's exposed a warning sign on the church's news table: 'He steals our money, but I want to avoid him trouble'. Repeatedly, the priest had found the box containing the offerings of the faithful robbed several times during the last months. He writes that if the thieve comes again he will reach to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4911
Afghan Faith Minorities, Specially Christians Face Crisis while the "EU Religious Special Envoy" Position Is Vacant
2021-09-08 | Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU seems to be a difficult position. After being two years vacant, Christos Stylianides took up the vacant post and left it after less than five months for another one. Human Rights experts express their concern about how poorly this position is supported and resourced.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4903
Christian Lawyers Appeal Against the Government's Decision to Ban Religious Processions
2021-09-08 | The Organisation of Christian Lawyers has appealed to the courts that the ban the Junta de Castilla y León placed on religious processions to contain the spread of the Covid 19, was not just. The ban was imposed in Castilla y León to prevent the festival of the patron saint, which takes place on September 8th, from happening. Christian Lawyers claims that this ban interferes with the fundamental right of religious liberty.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4913
St David's Church in Hubberston Repeatedly Vandalized
2021-09-07 | The church of St. David and its surroundings continue to be vandalized almost on a daily basis: litter, condoms, sanitary towels, signs of drug use, and human excrement have had to be cleared away by the parishioners, the vast majority of whom are elderly. The latest event affected the church directly where the windows were smashed and graves desecrated. Church members, neighbors, and the police have worked to limit the amount of vandalism. One of the regular church attendants expressed her concern regarding the ongoing vandalism, "The costs and efforts to maintain and continue to preserve these local assets are immense. As a community, we seek to protect our village green and buildings for future generations (...) For almost 900 years it has been cherished and used by thousands of people near and far, as a place of spiritual peace and as a link between generations past and present".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4905
Church Premises Vandalised with Insulting Graffitis Against the Church
2021-09-06 | The famous romanic chapel known as Monsacro has been vandalised with graffitis and messages against the Church. The chapel building was not vansalised but the Way of Sorrows and the boundary markers were tagged with hostile messages.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4897
Burglary in La Bien Aparecida Church
2021-09-06 | The chalice, sacred books, and several candles were stolen from the parish of La Bien Aparecida in Santander on September 6th. The door of the tabernacle was also torn off and the Bishopric pointed out that the perpetrator "did not pursue an economic motive, since the pieces do not have great value for sale, but to commit sacrilege." It happened shortly after the Sunday mass but no thief was found.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4902
Theft of Crucifix in Terlizzi
2021-09-06 | A crucifix was stolen on September 6th from the statue of Sant Rita in the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate church of Terlizzi. The statue has great religious significance and the vandalistic theft upset the church goers. They have invited all to pray that the crucifix gets returned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4910
Two Churches in Siracusa Vandalised
2021-09-05 | The Church of the Mazzarrona and now also the basilica sanctuary of the Madonna delle Lacrime have been the target of thieves and vandals. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4898
Enormous Damage Caused to Vandalised Church in Burgerland
2021-09-05 | The Evangelical Church of Markt Allhau has been vandalised by unknown perpetrators during the night of the 5th to 6th of September. The whole façade of the church was smeared with ketchup, eggs, and bananas while a window was broken with a stone. The incident has been reported to the police and they are investigating. The damage amounts to several thousand euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4901
Third Theft in Madonna delle Lacrime Sanctuary in one Month
2021-09-04 | For the third time in a row, the Madonna Delle Lacrime Sanctuary located in Siracusa has been robbed of its offerings and vandalized. The last incident happened between the 3rd and 4th of September. The thieves seemed to have entered through the side door, shattering its glass, as seen in the photo. Police and forensic personnel are carrying out investigations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4914
Arson Caused Damage of Several Thousand Francs to St.Andrea's Church in Gossau
2021-09-03 | Unknown persons set fire to several objects between 4.45 pm and 6 pm on the 3rd of September. Fortunately, the fire went out by itself. The arson was discovered by the sexton, who smelled smoke when entering the church. He found a singed wooden table with charred objects. According to the St. Gallen cantonal police, property damage amounting to several thousand francs was caused. The Priest of the Church, Andy Givel, expressed surprise and concern regarding the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4896
Chiesa Matrice di Alessandria della Rocca Robbed and Vandalised
2021-09-03 | According to initial investigations, the robbery took place on the 27th of August, but the parish priest of the church reported the incident to the police only on 3 September. Unknown perpetrators broke into Chiesa Matrice di Alessandria della Rocca and vandalised the tabernacle by stealing the gold and cooper door of the tabernacle. The perpetrators also looted the collection box. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4952
Church Door Glued Shut in Verín
2021-09-03 | The door of the Os Remedios church in Verín was glued and wired shut by vandals to prevent the mass for the Virgin being celebrated. The parishioners were disgusted by that act and had to pray outside. A complaint was filed and a locksmith eventually managed to open the door.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5620
New Study in Ireland Reveals: Catholic Students Are most Affected by Bullying
2021-09-02 | A recent study by the "National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre" of the University of Dublin proves that Christian students are particularly affected by intolerance and discrimination in secondary schools. The report is based on 214 interviews with religious education teachers from each of Ireland's secondary schools. Half of the surveyed schools recognised bullying because of a students faith as a problem. Teachers expressed their concern about negative stereotyping and exclusion of students with strong beliefs or unpopular opinions. According to the responses in the study, Christians and particularly Catholics have been targeted the most. One teacher noted: "It is now socially accepted in Ireland that Catholics are insulted or belittled."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4885
Saint-François Church in Le Havre Desecrated with Stanic Grafitti
2021-09-02 | Graffitis were found on the front door of Saint-François church representing satanic symbols, inverted crosses and also insults against the police. The city council denounced the vandalistic act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4890
Statue of Saint Timothy Vandalised in Termoli
2021-09-01 | A vandal damaged the clay statue of Saint Timothy on 1 September, located on the roundabout near the Homonim church. As reported by a witness, the perpetrator seemed restless because he was muttering and accusing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4880
Church in Tamines Repeatedly Vandalised
2021-09-01 | The church of Bachères, in Tamines, was continually vandalized by unknown groups of individuals during the week leading to the 1st of September, according to local residents. They reported the late night activities at the old church and the acts of degradation to the police. These incidents showed a lack of respect for a sight that is sacred for many.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4887
Vandalism and Desecration in the Church of Ca' de Caroli in Scandiano
2021-09-01 | On 1 September the walls of the church were vandalised and statues, furnishings and liturgical objects destroyed. The Vicar-general rushed to the place of the incident as soon as possible, to evaluate the damages and calm down the community. In the forthcoming weeks, Bishop Massimo Camisasca will visit the church and preside a Holy Mass.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4891
Theft and Vandalism in Church in Corigliano-Rossano
2021-08-31 | Two men, 18 and 19 years old, have been arrested for theft and damage to property of the Maria Santissima Delle Grazie church in Corigliano-Rossano. They broke a votive lamp, knocked the Santo Rita statue to the floor, and caused damage of around 10,000 euros. They are awaiting trial.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4882
Italian Church Vandalized with Graffiti for the Third Time
2021-08-31 | The local church of Alatri was defaced for the third time in a couple of months by unknown vandals, this was reported on 31 August. The parish reported the act of vandalism, which was Graffiti with the Italian battle phrase "Avanti Savoia"on the Church "XII Marie". The parish community has already witnessed similar acts of vandalism. The local newspaper calls it "political" graffiti. The vandals have not been identified yet.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4869
Priest Discovers Arson in German Church in Essen
2021-08-30 | The priest of the Catholic Church of St. Peter and Laurentiusin Essen found the remains of an arson on 30 August. The unknown vandals sprayed disinfectant alcohol on a pile of papers to create a fire, damaging two benches and the floor. The case was reported to the police, which is looking for the suspects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4874
Grave of Father Profaned in Polish Cementery
2021-08-30 | During the night to the 30. August, unknown perpetrators profaned the grave of Father Leon Kantorski. He was known for helping oppositionists and helping the Polish-Ukrainian reconciliation. The tomb was found by another member of the St. Christopher Church. The hundred-kilograms-heavy tombstones were removed, probably by several people. Fr. Wojciech Osial suspects that this was done to hurt the parish community and local Catholics, and also that maybe they unsuccessfully tried to steal the slabs. The police were informed and they are investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4875
Scotland Plans to Introduce Censorship Zones and Changes in Abortion Law
2021-08-30 | The Scottish government has recently proposed to create censorship zones outside abortion clinics. These plans are being pushed despite a poll showing that only 21% of the UK population supports the introduction of "censorship zones", while many people in and outside the pro-life movement denounce the risk of censorship zones as a threat to free speech. Other planned changes are increasing the number of hospitals and clinics required to provide late-term abortions and removing in-person consultations prior to the medical procedure, which makes it difficult to assess if a person is seeking an abortion due to abuse or coercion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4876
Cemetery in Redessan Desecrated for Second time in Two Weeks
2021-08-28 | For the second time in two weeks, the cemetery in Redessan has been vandalised. This time it was on the 28th of August. At least twenty graves were damaged, crosses were broken, etc. No graves have been opened and no inscriptions have been found so far. Investigations are ongoing and police are searching the cemetery for evidence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4908
Nottingham University Refuses to Instal Catholic Priest as new Chaplain because of His Catholic Views
2021-08-27 | Nottingham University confirmed on 25 August, that they had declined to install Father David Palmer, a priest of the Personal Ordinariate of Our lady of Walsingham, because of "the manner" he commented on his social media site, a university spokesperson said. Palmer was supposed to become the chaplain of both Nottingham University and Nottingham Trent University. While the latter instaled him the former invited Father Palmer to an interview in which he defended his posts about assisted suicide and abortion to go against the Catholic belief. After Bishop Patrick McKinney declined to propose another priest the University accepted to allow Father Palmer to celebrate mass as a "guest Priest".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4857
Church Vandalised and Set on Fire in Behren-lès-Forbach
2021-08-27 | On 27 August unknown perpetrators set fire to the protestant church in Behren-lès-Forbach. The fire was started with rubbish and sacred objects found inside the church. Although the fire brigade managed to intervene quickly and got the fire under control promptly, it caused extensive damage, especially in the church's basement. The parish filed a complaint with the local police, who are currently investigating and looking for the perpetrators. Fortunately, no people were harmed, as the fire started outside of church service hours. Behrens Minister of Interior, Gérald Darmanin, as well as parishioners, condemned the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4858
Vandals Damaged Two Statues of the Redeemer in Bari
2021-08-27 | Between the 26. and 27. August, the two statues in front of the Redentore Church in the Liberta district of Bari were damaged by unknown vandals. The statue of Mary took the most damage. After inspecting the case, the authorities decided to position the security cameras to cover the area. Now, in the public churchyard, the entrance will now also be only allowed with the specific ordinance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4870
Statues Vandalised outside Church in Bari
2021-08-27 | In the evening of August 27th, one of the two statues outside the Church of the Redeemer was damaged in a vandalistic attack. Various leaders have decided to take action to prevent such acts in the future such as the repositioning of cameras, the banning of scooters in the area, and the placement of bollards.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4883
Harvard University Elects Atheist as President of Chaplains
2021-08-27 | The new unanimously elected president of the Harvard's organisation of Chaplains, Greg Epstein, is an atheist and humanist. He is also the author of a book called "Good Without God: What Billion Nonreligious People Do Believe" and he has served as a humanist Chaplain since 2005. Epstein says that he doesn't look towards God for answers, instead to personal relationships, sharing the idea that the value of religion relies on their strong community rather than the spiritual connection to God. Evangelical Chaplain Pete Williamson, who voted for Epstein, points out that even if the new president is not aiming to promote Atheism and promotes interfaith cooperation, the media has used a divisive tone that triggered outrage and worry among Christians. Bishop Robert Barron thinks differently as he says: “If a professed atheist counts as a chaplain — which is to say, a leader of religious services in a chapel — then ‘religion’ has quite obviously come to mean nothing at all.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4889
Doctor David Mackereth Appeals Court Decision
2021-08-26 | In 2018 Christian A&E doctor David Mackereth was fired from his position because of his deeply held belief that God created humankind male and female. An employment tribunal consequently ruled that Davids belief is not 'worthy of respect in a democratic society' and that the Christian belief is 'incompatible with human dignity'. Supported by the Christian Legal Centre Dr David Mackereth is now appealing the ruling, which legally states that Christians could be discriminated against, as their belief is not protected by the Equality Act. The first hearing is expected to start this autumn, probably in October.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4849
Theft of Sacrilegious Objects in San Felice Church
2021-08-26 | Unknown perpetrators stole offerings and gold objects such as rings and a golden necklace from the San Felice di Tenna parish church in Tramonti. The incident is said to have happened sometime overnight from 25 to 26 August. The culprits must have known that parish priest Father Justin Nnamdi Emeziem left the town to attend a summer camp. Apart from the stolen offerings and a broken offertory box, the military and the police found a damaged statue of the Virgin Mary and gold objects belonging to the statue missing. Police in cooperation with the military is investigating the incident, which was caught by nearby surveillance cameras. An exact amount of the stolen goods has yet to be determined.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4853
Desecration of Graveyard in Zielona Gora
2021-08-26 | A cemetery in Zielona Gora has been desecrated by unknown perpetrators. The destroyed graves belonged to the family of Mariusz Michalski and his wife Małgorzata. They reported the incident to the local police on 22 August. Police found the gravestone overturned broken in four and scattered. As they haven't been to the cemetery for almost a month they do not know when it happened, but the family asked the locals for help. This is not the first case of vandalism in the Zielona Góra cemetery. It keeps happening over and over again, police are currently looking into CCTV while awaiting useful information from the public
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4855
Churchdoor in Germany Damaged by Unknown Perpetrator
2021-08-26 | Unknown perpetrators damaged the door of the Church of Merkenbach between the 26 to 28 of August. These persons caused a dent in the copper fitting on the door, the cost of the damage is undefined. The police have filed the case and they are looking to identify the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4867
Anarchist and Disrespectful Tags on St.Elisabeth's Church Front Door
2021-08-26 | The Catholic Church of St. Elisabeth on the Lammerberg appeared with graffiti on the front door. During the night of August 26, unknown people sprayed "Too loud" on the relief of St. Elisabeth and "Much too loud" on the two bronze doors using blue and green paint. The church caretaker, Gerhard Spiegler, was able to remove the anarchy sign "A" in a circle, which the vandals left on the glass notice box. On the north portal, however, a specialist is needed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5120
Multiple Thefts from Cemetery in Vivonne
2021-08-25 | The municipality of Vivonne has now recruited a guard for their new local cemetery as it had been subjected to various acts of theft and vandalism. The latest incident happened on 25 August where an unknown perpetrator stole flowers from various graves. As the police were informed they asked the public to put GPS chips in their flower pots, as this had helped to capture a flower thieve in a prior case. According to Vivonne's major the public is traumatized by these repeated acts of disrespect to the dead.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4863
Catholic Television Channel Slammed for Airing Pro-Life Film
2021-08-25 | French TV channel C8 aired the American film "Unplanned" on 16 August. After airing the fact-base-movie members of the public, as well as high ranking members of the Government, called the movie a "despicable anti-abortion propaganda tool". C8, which is owned by Catholic French billionaire Vincent Bolloré, is now accused of "obstruction to abortion". Politician Élisabeth Moreno is now aiming to legally prosecute the broadcasting service.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4856
Government Protects Collective Worship in British Schools
2021-08-25 | UK's Minister for the School System, Baroness Berridge, took a clear position regarding collective worship in state-funded schools in England and Wales. Her statement came as a response to the National Secular Society (NSS), who asked the Government in a letter to repeal the law regarding the daily act of collective worship in schools earlier this year. In their statement, they asked to replace collective worship with secular worship, Berridge referred in her statement to the School Standards and Framework Act from 1998, which declares that state-funded schools in England and Wales must conduct acts of collective worship "wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character". Nick Gibb, the Minister for School Standards stated in March that "the department would remind schools of their duties if needed".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4866
Church and Organ Vandalised in Beaucamps-le-Vieux
2021-08-23 | Unknown perpetrators ransacked the church of Beaucamps-le-Vieux on the night of 23 August. They are said to have ripped out the pipes of the church organ and thrown church clothes all over the place. Parish priest Father Daleb Mpassi discovered the heinous act. During the act, a wooden part of the organ pipe got damaged when the culprit(s) twisted and crushed the pipes. According to police, the culprit(s) waited to be locked in the church to commit these crimes as no door was forced open. Father Mpassi filed a complaint with the police, who are currently investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4859
Historical Church Windows in Cambrai Vandalised
2021-08-23 | Police in Cambrai has been called the crime scene where unknown perpetrators damaged a century-old stained glass from the Cambrai Cathedral. The incident happened on 23 August and was reported by the archdiocese. Unknown perpetrators are said to have thrown stones through the stained glass that survived both world wars, as it was built by the end of the 19th century. An investigation is already underway.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4860
Finish Lawmakers Consider Conversion Therapy Ban
2021-08-23 | Lawmaker in Finland have agreed to consider a conversion therapy ban after a citizen initiative received the required 50,000 signatures. The initiative was launched in July by Perttu Jussila and it had since reached 52,721 signatures which meant it would be referred to Parliament. If it would become law, traditional Christian teaching on gender would be challenged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4886
Arson at St. Francis Church Door in Muggiò
2021-08-23 | On the 23. August it was reported that the front door of the St. Francis Church in Muggio was deliberately set alight. This happened only two months after the Church of St. Charles suffered a similar attack. Unknown vandals sprayed an inflammable liquid and set fire to the door. Fr. Marco Oneta discovered the attack on the next morning and informed the police. The flames have damaged the inside of the doorway.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5916
New School Guidance on "Supporting Transgender Young People" in Scotland Violates Human Rights and Is Ideologically Infused, Say Critics
2021-08-21 | Scottish feminists groups and lawyers are siding with the Christian Institute who consider the new guidance introduced by the government as highly questionable and being promoting a dangerous ideology. The document states that some children "are exploring their gender identity in primary school settings", and that they can come out as transgender "at any age". It reads: “If a young person in the school says that they now want to live as a boy although their sex assigned at birth was female, or they now want to live as a girl, although their sex assigned at birth was male, it is important to provide support and listen to what they are saying.”Marion Calder, from For Women Scotland described the new guidance as "really, really worrying". Leading Human Rights Lawyer Aidan O'Neill criticised that this move goes against human rights laws and is additionally a threat to parental rights. The Government has now backtracked from their plans as the Christian Institute threatened them with legal action.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4833
Christian Preacher Arrested for Reading the Bible out Loud in London
2021-08-20 | “Be careful with what you say in future when reading outside”, this was the response a Christian street preacher received one month after he was questioned by the police for reading the Bible aloud in a calm voice and steady tone outside a railway station in London. During his interview, the police tried to determine whether the man's reading was "abusive" and harassing under the public order act. Organisations aiming to protect freedom of speech are concerned about peoples right to freely express themselves in public as the Public Space Protection Orders can easily censor and therefore criminalise normal people on the streets. Changes to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Bill are expected in September.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4846
Priest Brutally Attacked in Bristol by Four Men
2021-08-20 | Father Colin Mason of Sacred Heart Church in Westbury-on-Trym has addressed a complaint letter to the police after the investigation about the attack he suffered was dropped. The incident took place back on 20. August when 60-year old Priest told a group that was renting his church hall for a wedding party that they had gone past the agreed time. Immediately after, he was held by four men, while one man - probably in his late 20's - punched him until he was covered in blood and left him lying on the ground. He said the initial response from the police was very efficient, but he did not hear any news for a month. As he called asking for an update, they told him that the case had been 'filed'.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5042
Church in Gieres Desecrated with Satanistic Graffiti
2021-08-19 | The church of Saint Martin de Gières located east of Grenoble was desecrated on 16 August. Unknown perpetrators smeared satanistic tags on the church. The profanation stated that "God is a fraud", "Satan is great" and that "The only Church that illuminates is the one that burns". The tags were one metre high and sixty wide and paint in black. The police were informed and are investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4827
Statue of Virgin Mary Desecrated in Plouay
2021-08-19 | The shrine of Lourdes in Plouay was vandalized by unknown perpetrators. They have decapitated the statue of the Virgin Mary, sometime overnight from 16 August to 17 August. Built in 1955, the Shrine was a remembrance of the miraculous healing in Lourdes of Marie-Félicité Le Goaller. Another statue was spared, it was the statue of Saint Bernadette. This was not the first vandalistic attack against the site. The police were informed and are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4828
Man Enters Cathedral with Knives and Threatens Guard in Bourges
2021-08-19 | A 39-year-old man tried to enter the cathedral of Bourges armed with secateurs, a penknife and a butcher knife. He is said to have threatened a guard but luckily didn't injure anyone. The incident occurred on 19 August, the police were informed in time who managed to apprehend the homeless man. He is in custody and will have to respond for threatening the guard, insulting police officers and carrying prohibited weapons. Police are investigating and ruled out that the incident was a terror attack6667zzz.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4865
Cross on Baptismal Font Stolen from Trier Church
2021-08-19 | The cross on the brass baptismal font covering was stolen from the St. Antonius Church in Trier. Parishioners were shocked to find that this eye catching piece of their church had disappeared on August 19th. A complaint has now been filed about this vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5547
Church desecrated in Langeac
2021-08-18 | Unknown perpetrator(s) desecrated the church of Saint-Gal in Langeac. The damage was reported on 12 August. They are said to have broken into the church and overturned the altar of celebrations and the objects placed on it. In addition, the police found excrements near the entrance to the place of worship. The police are currently investigating and looking for the culprit.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4830
Polemic Cross of Ribalta Vandalised
2021-08-18 | The Cross located in the Ribalta Park in Castelló has been vandalized with graffiti by unknown perpetrators on the 18. August. The Cross was targeted to be demolished in compliance with the "Historical Memory Law", but the judge has not yet decided on the issue. The message with graffiti said: "Either you knock down the cross, or we will knock it down". This shows bias against religious symbols. The city council has deemed the graffiti unacceptable and has proceeded to remove it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4966
Police Apprehend Suspect of Church Vandalism
2021-08-17 | A man was arrested after urinating in the Sacred Heart Church in Agen. The arrest took place on August 15 after the man unknowingly set off an alarm while entering the church. Police arrived shortly after and apprehended the man who was irritated by what was happening. He is said to have confessed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4832
Notre Dame de Lourdes in Roly Vandalised Again
2021-08-16 | Unknown perpetrators vandalised the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Roly. During the act, a crucifix broke. The incident itself dates back to August 16 and is not the first act of vandalism in the region. In the past two years, the shrine has fallen victim to vandalism several times. In order to maintain the shrine it was decided to install cameras. The police were informed and are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4816
Statue of Father Eternal Vandalized in Trégastel
2021-08-16 | A statue of Father Eternal in Trégastel has been desecrated. The incident happened during the night of 16 August. Unknown perpetrators are said to have painted unpleasant tags onto the 152-year-old statue. Police have been informed and are currently trying to identify the culprit(s).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4862
Bell Stolen from Germana Chapel in Much
2021-08-16 | For the second time, the Germana Chapel in Much was the target of theft. Since this chapel is particularly isolated, the thieves took advantage of it and stole both the bell and its ringing mechanism. The theft occurred somewhere in the second week of August, since on the 10h, a witness heard the bell still ringing, said the police. The police spokesperson, Stefan Birk stated "We assume that the perpetrators climbed a ladder into the eight-meter-high tower of the Germana Chapel and lowered their loot". They further suspect that the thieves intend to sell the bell to a scrap metal dealer as it happened before.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5145
Church and Cemetery Vandalized in Leipzig
2021-08-16 | From the 15th to the 16th of August, unknown vandals graffitied three large black writings on a cemetery wall in Leipzig. In addition, the church's showcase was sprayed with two black symbols (crowns), measuring approximately 125 x 60 centimeters. The damage caused amounted to approximately 1,500 euros, but the police started an investigation to assess the total damage inflicted on the property.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5151
Evangelical Church Vandalized in Hannover
2021-08-15 | Unknown perpetrators destroyed parts of the Evangelical Reformed Church after they broke in on August 8th. The news said they left the rooms vandalized and some objects were stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5122
Statur of the Virgin Mary Desecrated in Massafra
2021-08-14 | A statue of the Virgin Mary was destroyed in Massafra. The incident happened sometime overnight from 13 to 14 of August. A Madonna from Medjugorje, as the statue is also known, was placed outside the Sacro Cuore Church. Massafra's community, as well as parish priest Don Michele Bianco, were shocked by the incident. The latter also informed the police about the incident. According to reports, the police is evaluating video surveillance, which shows two rather young people committing the act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4806
Desecration of Church Garden in Monfalcone
2021-08-14 | On 9 August, currently unknown perpetrators vandalised the garden of the church in Monfalcone. The incident was reported by the San Giuseppe association, which manages the oratory. Their president, Luca Waldner, explained the necessity of keeping the garden closed until the reparation work is completed. According to Waldner, this is just one of many vandalism acts targetting the church and its premises. Police have been informed and are currently investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4807
Street Preacher Arrested for Alleged Hate Speech
2021-08-14 | Street preacher Ryan Williamson from Loughbrickland was arrested for alleged hate speech, while preaching in Larne on 10 August. Subsequently, MP Mr. Wilson expressed on social media that “police probably didn’t handle this very well”, for there is video footage of Williamson preaching and his arrest circulating on social media. Williamson was released 30 minutes later. However, the police are being harshly criticised. Williams stated to have received much support from the local community.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4808
Vandalised Graves in Saint-Jean-de-Muzols (Ardèche)
2021-08-14 | Between 13-14 August, three graves in Saint-Jean-de-Muzols cemetery were vandalised. The incident has been reported to the police, who are now investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4907
Vandalism and Theft at Church in Laskowa
2021-08-13 | Unknown perpetrators vandalised the church of the Most Holy Name of Mary in Laskowa. The incident is said to have happened sometime overnight from 11 to 12 August. It has been reported that the culprit vandalised the church and stole money and parts of the church's furniture. Damage has been estimated to be 2,200 Euros. Police were informed and are currently looking for the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4791
Police Recovers Safe Stolen from Church in Lüdenscheid
2021-08-13 | In the night from 18 to 19 July, an unknown person stole a safe from the church "Queen Mary" in Lüdenscheid. In the latest event, the police managed to find the safe, which was discovered by a passer-by in a near park. The police are now looking for any possible eyewitnesses. The 200-kilos heavy piece will be returned to the church after the investigation comes to an end.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4793
Second Arson This Year Attack against Church in Déols
2021-08-13 | Arsonists once again attacked a church in Déols near Châteauroux. The church was deliberately set on fire in the past already, one recent case dates back to August 8, 2021, in which the altarpiece was destroyed by the fire. In the year 2020, the church has also been subjected to arson, leading the clergy to close the church for reparation works. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4795
Swastikas Tagged on Church in Hénon
2021-08-13 | On 12 August, unknown perpetrators desecrated the church of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul in Hénon with swastikas. The damage was discovered by the sexton, who came to close the church's door. According to the report made, the vandals also damaged the porch of the building. Police have been informed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4805
Graveyards desecrated in Redessan
2021-08-13 | During the night of 13 August, unknown perpetrators vandalised the cemetery of Redessan. The cemetery is located on the road to Saint Gervasy. It was reported that a cross was broken, plaques were smashed and flower pots were thrown over. A complaint was filled with the police who are investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4826
Zaragoza Church Defaced by Gratify
2021-08-13 | The façade of the Zaragoza church of La Magdalena was painted with inscriptions on the 13th of August. The graffiti included anarchist symbols with phrases reading: "Evictions without riots", and "freedom prisoners 27-F." This church has been targeted a number of times and few walls are free of this vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5629
Parish Priest in Vienna Locks Thieve in
2021-08-12 | A priest in Vienna simply locked up an offertory thief in his church. The priest had kept an eye on the suspicious 39-year-old male of Romanian descent, who has allegedly been stealing money from the offertory since July 2021. When he returned on August 10, 2021, the parish priest observed the man's actions through video surveillance and simply locked him up, while he stole again. Without further ado, he informed the police about the thieve. Police are currently investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4783
Toddlers Allowed to Change Gender without Parental Consent
2021-08-12 | Under the new LGBT inclusivity guidelines, children as young as four will be able to change their names and gender at school, without their parents' consent. A 70-pages document authorized by the Scottish government, dictate teachers to ask pupils for their new names and pronouns instead of questioning their 'decision' to transition to living as the other gender. Campaigners fear for the safeguarding of children and the breach of parental rights to protect their children. Scottish lawyer Aiden O'Neill fears that this move could be very illegal and potentially dangerous.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4787
Armin Laschet Publicly Mocked for His Believes, Experts Concerned for Religious Freedom
2021-08-12 | Armin Laschet, the CDU's candidate for the next federal elections, has been attacked in an anti-Catholic video shown at a political election event in early August. In the video, Laschet is seen as a Russian Matryoshka doll that 'hides' several other dolls inside. A voiceover says "whoever votes for Armin Laschet and the CDU, votes for ultra-Catholic Laschet confidants for whom sex before marriage is taboo". Bishops and politicians fear for a wider erosion of freedom of religion in an increasingly secular Europe.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4789
Sacred Hosts Stolen from Church in Houyet
2021-08-12 | A thieve stole an 18th-century silver ciborium and consecrated hosts from a church in Houyet. The police have been informed and are now looking for the perpetrator. It is said that the incident took place on 12 August.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4797
Accused Finish MP Päivi Räsänen Concerned over Religious Freedom of Christians in Europe
2021-08-11 | In 2004 MP Päivi Räsänen co-authored a church pamphlet about human sexuality for which she is additionally prosecuted on the grounds of ethnic aggravation . The other charges raised against her are based upon a TV interview and a social media post she made. If she is found guilty on all three counts she might be facing a prison sentence of up to six years. During a podcast with Jeff King, she told him that her case raises questions about religious freedom in Finland. "If, for example, any of the viewpoints contained in the Bible would be considered sufficient as such to fulfil the criteria for the crime of ethnic aggravation, then the distribution of the Bible, or rendering it available would in principle be considered a crime of ethnic aggravation and thus punishable", she cited a police report on her case.
Talking to King she further stated: "This is also a question, are we allowed to agree with the Bible? Are we allowed to keep Bibles in public and teach what the Bible tells us? I think this is a very, very deep question of freedom of faith and religion."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4779
Church in Remigny Vandalised
2021-08-11 | On the 7th July, the church in Remigny has been attacked again only a couple of days of it re-opening. Unknown perpetrators broke two stained glass windows in the historical church. A complaint has been filed and police are currently searching for the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4798
Police Apprehended Vandals of Cemetery
2021-08-11 | Police arrested two brothers at the age of ten who are said to have desecrated 18 graves in the communal cemetery of Ham-les-Moines. The incident happened on 31 July, however, the police only managed to arrest them in August. It was reported that the police caught them as they were trying to desecrate another graveyard. They were handed over to their parents, who might have to pay for the damage their children made.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4799
Another Act of Vandalism in the Church of Lubliniec
2021-08-10 | An unknown perpetrator has knocked over the candles and the candlestick in the Saint Nicholas' Church in Lubliniec. The incident took place on the morning of August 7, 2021. It was reported by a churchgoer who noticed the broken votive chandelier. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4780
Polish Police Apprehend Man who Desecrated Church in Lubliniec
2021-08-10 | The Police arrested a 39-year-old male, resident of Lubliniec. The man was apprehended on 9 August and is accused of having knocked over and broken a votive candle holder in the Saint Nicholas Church in the city centre. According to a police spokesperson the man admitted to the accusations raised against him. He was charged with the crime and is now facing a punishment of up to five years of imprisonment.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4784
Stolen Crucifix of Church in Vada Recovered
2021-08-10 | A stolen crucifix from the church in Vada was recovered and brought back to its place. The small sacred object was stolen from the altar of the parish of San Leopoldo for unknown reasons. A passerby spotted the gold-plated object in a bush, not far from the parish. Police were informed and the crucifix has now returned to its former place. However, the investigation to find the culprit is still ongoing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4781
Man Steals from Churches and Attacks Parish People
2021-08-10 | An unknown suspect stole a currently unknown amount of money from two churches in Katowice. On August 10., upon his return to one of the churches, he was confronted by the parish priest and a parish employee resulting in them being attacked with a spray bottle of gas. The 50-year-old was caught on CCTV and is now being searched for by the police who was informed by the parish personnel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4821
Statue of the Virgin Mary in Tramoyes Desecrated with Degrading Drawings
2021-08-10 | Unknown perpetrators desecrated the statue of the Virgin Mary in Tramoyes. It is reported that the face of the Virgin was painted with a felt-tip pen, the incident occurred on 10 August. The culprit drew glasses and a moustache onto the statue, which is located near a church. A complaint was filed and the police were notified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4829
Catholic Priest Brutally Murdered in France
2021-08-09 | 60-year-old priest, Olivier Maire, was murdered on 9 August. The alleged murderer is 40-year-old Emmanuel Abayisenga, who is currently under judicial supervision for the alleged burning of the Nantes Cathedral in July 2020. He is said to have turned himself in, to the police after the crime. The crime took place in Mortagne-sur-Sèvre, which is about 60 kilometres from Nantes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4759
Female Street Preacher Wins Legal Challenge
2021-08-09 | Christian street preacher Hazel Lewis, 49, won her legal case after being accused of hate crimes and being falsely arrested by the local police. On 12 February 2020, the preacher was arrested for allegedly making homophobic and racist comments and was held in custody for several hours. Although Lewis provided audio evidence proving her innocence, the police went on to charge her for the accusations made against her. In court Judge Julia Newton ruled in favour of Lewis stating there is "no case to answer".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4760
Update: Police Questioned Man Who Killed Priest in Saint-Laurent sur Sèvre
2021-08-09 | Police are questioning the alleged murderer of 61-year-old French priest Father Olivier Maire. 40-year-old Rwandan immigrant, Emmanuel Abayisenga, claimed to have killed the 61-year-old priest, who took him in and sheltered him, for currently unknown reasons. The incident happened on 9 August in Saint-Laurent-sur-Sèvre. Abayisenga was on bail as he was awaiting his trial for the alleged burning of the Cathedral of Nante in 2020.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4768
Pope Received Threatening Letter Containing Bullets
2021-08-09 | Italian law enforcement is investigating a suspicious envelope addressed to Pope Francis. The letter that contained three bullets, was discovered by postal employees at a mail sorting facility near Milan on 9 August. According to a paramilitary police spokesperson, the envelope had been sent from France and was addressed by hand in pen to “The Pope, Vatican City, St Peter’s Square, Rome”. Apart from the bullets, which police presumes to be for a pistol, the letter contained a message referring to financial operation at the Vatican.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4770
Update: Man Who Sent Letter with Bullets to Pope Francis Identified
2021-08-09 | Italian law enforcement managed to identify the source of the mysterious letter containing three 9 millimetre calibre bullets from the Flobert type, addressed to the Pontiff at the Holy See. The man's identity is said to be already known to the Vatican gendarmes, who are currently coordinating and evaluating the situation. Although identified, police are still working on the individual's whereabouts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4772
Police Apprehend Thieves after Repeated Thefts in Montebelluna Region
2021-08-09 | Police in Montebelluna caught the thieve who was stealing offerings from several churches. A 47-year-old male already known to the police, was charged with aggravated theft for stealing the offerings from different churches in the Montebelluna region. The thefts all happened over a time period of several months. The culprit was caught while leaving another church by a patrol of military officers on 5 August.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4773
MP Calls for Save Zones around Abortion Clinics
2021-08-09 | Stephen Donnelly is "fully committed" to introduce safe access zones at abortion-providing facilities, thereby censoring Pro-life groups. Donnelly's statement followed a publication from the Irish Department of Health, which stated the current public order legislation had abolished plans to deal with anti-abortion protests at clinics and GP surgeries. In 2018 Ireland liberalised legislation surrounding abortion. Christian organisations fear for the freedom of speech in Ireland.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4786
Under Investigation: New Irish Conversation Therapie Bill Poses Problems for Therapists
2021-08-09 | Irish therapists fear for the consequences their work could have in future. A proposal forwarded by Fintan Warfield seeks to amend gender dysphoria to the already existing law banning conversion therapy. His proposal seeks to criminalise “any practice or treatment by any person that seeks to change, suppress and/or eliminate a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression”. Therapists fear that this approach endangers the openness, efficacy and ethics of therapy in areas related with and to gender identity.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4788
Church Vandalised in Casal Velino
2021-08-07 | Unknown perpetrators vandalised the church of San Matteo ad Duo Flumina in Casal Velino. The vandals damaged the altar, causing great sorrow among the community, who worked to maintain the spirit of the little church. According to the local press, the incident dates back to 7 August. A complaint has been filed by a member of the 'I Fedeli di San Matteo' association. The police obtained video surveillance and are currently investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4769
Church Bell Stolen From Gondomar
2021-08-07 | The bell from the Gondomareña parish of San José de Prado was stolen on August 7th. The parish priest filed a complaint but it was not known who did it. The mayor, Francisco Ferreira, said: “We are very upset because, beyond the material value, this is an attack against the cultural heritage of our town."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5630
Hillsong Pastor Expresses 'Shock' about Sex Abuse Concealment Allegations
2021-08-06 | Lead pastor of the global multisite Hillsong Church, Brian Houston, is accused of concealing the sex abuse of his late father Frank Houston, who died in 2004. Australian police officials announced that they were charging the 67-year-old Houston with "concealing child sex offences". Houston expressed his surprise at the allegations raised against him, stating: "These charges have come as a shock to me given how transparent I’ve always been about this matter, I vehemently profess my innocence and will defend these charges, and I welcome the opportunity to set the record straight.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4748
Granite Cross Near Chapel of Pietat in Lamarque-Pontacq Vandalised
2021-08-06 | A cross made of granite with the purpose to surmount the tomb of a clergyman was broken near the chapel of Pietat in Lamarque-Pontacq. The damage was noticed and reported by a local farmer. The chapel of Pietat was built in the 16th century and is a Marian shrine. Masses are regularly performed in the chapel. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4750
Two Cemeteries Vandalized in Pau
2021-08-06 | Two cemeteries were desecrated in Pau. The two cemeteries are the urban cemetery and the Bessières cemetery. An 87-year-old resident noticed that objects are being taken from both cemeteries. The theft was reported to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4751
Update: Italian Homophobia Bill Divides Society and Stipulates Fear
2021-08-06 | The "Zan Bill" is still awaiting a decision from the senate. While it waits for a decision the public keeps to be deeply divided over the matter. Opposers of the bill fear that people holding a different view on lgbt+ issues could be penalised simply by publicly making a cross sign and therefore either face high fines or a prison sentence. The Bill has been approved in the lower house of the parliament in November 2020 but still needs to pass the Senate to become law. It aims to add amongst others sexual orientation and gender identity to the already existing law surrounding hate crimes and discrimination.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4756
Christian Police Officer and Pastor loses Legal Challenge
2021-08-06 | Former police officer, Winston Roderick, took legal action against his colleagues on grounds of religious discrimination. An employment tribunal under Judge Rhian Brace dismissed all of his claims on the grounds of Roderick, who is also a pastor, being too sensitive. According to Judge Brace, the comments were never made. Roderick also filed for two other cases, which were equally dismissed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4757
Update: Fire at Church in Marsala, Suspect Confessed
2021-08-06 | Italian Police apprehended 52-year-old Guiseppe Montalto, the prime suspect in the Marsala Church fire. Montalto allegedly set fire to the altar and the tabernacle of the church of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima. According to a police spokesperson, the suspect confessed to the crime stating "he was the author of the fire and that the insane gesture was the result of a rapture due to personal reasons". The police found that Montalto used a can of petrol to set fire to the church he and his wife frequented regularly. In addition, the police also found two bombs that would have caused devastating damage. He was charged with aggravated arson and is now awaiting his trial.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4761
New Netflix Documentary Slams Christianity
2021-08-06 | Netflix's new documentary 'Pray Away' is filled with lies says, Jefferey McCall, a former Transwoman, who found freedom in Jesus. The documentary premiered on 3 August and focuses on the work of Exodus International, a US-based Christian organisation, which sought to “help people who wished to limit their homosexual desires” in the 1990s and early 2000s. It additionally portrays the experiences of people who went through conversion therapy lead by Exodus International. McCall, who is the founder of Freedom March, states that secular media is equating Christianity and his "freedom marches" with conversion therapy.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4767
Hillsong Church Defamed by BBC Documentary
2021-08-05 | In a recent statement published by the megachurch Hillsong, they accuse BBC of defaming and misrepresenting it. They state that Nick Aldridge the show maker of the documentary 'God Goes Viral' misled them from the very start. The show was supposed to cover how Hillsong grew from a family church to a megachurch frequented by celebrities and especially young people all around the globe. On their Website, they published a statement clarifying the misrepresentation and stating their position in relation to the false allegations raised in the documentary.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4746
Evangelical Church in Marseille Severely Vandalised
2021-08-05 | The Vie et Lumière (Life and Light) evangelical church in Marseille, which is a member of the Evangelical Mission of the Romani of France, was recently vandalised. The church had placed a marquee on their rented space, which has been completely destroyed. A member of the community discovered the burned Bibles, the broken furniture and the broken marquee, which was lacerated with a cutter on the evening of August 4, 2021. That person also informed the police about the vandalism, who are currently investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4762
Church Vandal Caught by Police in Baranówek
2021-08-05 | Police apprehended a 36-year-old man who is the main suspect in a case of vandalism of a church in Baranówek. The man is thought to have painted offensive inscriptions on the wall of Christ the King Church in Baranówek. The incident dates back to early July. Police could point two other offences to the man who is now facing a prison charge of up to five years.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4763
Update: Police Confirms Ansgarii Church Was Deliberately Set on Fire
2021-08-05 | Swedish police confirmed the fire in the Ansgarii church was caused by arson. In course of theirs investigations, the police found petrol cans, which were used to start the fire. This is not the first church burned down in the local area. Residents and the local community are now urging the Swedish Government to better protect places of worship. The police are still looking for the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4765
Clergy Personal Threatened with Death and the Basilica Robbed
2021-08-05 | On 3rd July 2021, the Notre-Dame Basilica in Nice witnessed a robbery attempt by a homeless man. He intended to steal a fifty kilo trunk and threatened the faithful as well as the priest with death. He shouted: "I'll come back and kill you all".
In October 2020, the church has witnessed Islamic attack. A Tunisian migrant threated to slit the throats of three people in the church. He was sentenced to 17 months in prison for the attempted robbery and the threats.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4775
Man Targets Churches for Thefts
2021-08-05 | Footage from a surveillance camera allowed police to identify a man who robbed the offertory box money from the parish of the Elevation of the Holy Cross and Our Lady of the Healing of the Sick in Katowice. The incident took place on 5th of August. Sergeant Łukasz Kloc from the city police confirms that they are currently searching for the individual's whereabouts. At this point of the investigation, police released an image of the perpetrator asking the public for help.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4812
Christian Buildings in Bratislava Tagged with Insults
2021-08-05 | On August 5th, churches and monasteries in the historic city center of Bratislava, were tagged with insults written in red such as “God is Trans”, “Queer revolution is coming”, “and “Queer power." The cost of the damage was considerable and the religious community was very affected. The camera system that is in place was used to try and identify who committed the act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5788
Saint Mary Magdalene's Church in Caldecote Vandalized a Second Time Only a Week Later
2021-08-04 | Less than a week after the Saint Mary Magdalene's Church in Caldecote suffered a thousand pound's worth of damage, it had been vandalised again. The Church, which had recently re-opened after several months of renovation had first been vandalised on 29 July, the second attack followed a couple of days later. Volunteers found several windows were broken and a door seemed to have been forced open. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4739
Update: Suspect in Desecration of Virgin Mary Statue to Face Charges
2021-08-04 | A 50-year-old woman is currently held as the main suspect in the case of desecration and vandalism of a Virgin Mary Statue in Poland. The woman is accused of having stolen a gold-plated crown from a statue in a church in Kościerzyna, Wielu, worth PLN 1,000 (€219). She was charged with theft and is now facing a prison sentence of up to five years. The incident happened on July 8, 2021. The 50-year-old pleaded guilty to the charges raised against her.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4742
Sanctuary Set on Fire in Marsala
2021-08-04 | Unknown perpetrator set the sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Marsala on fire. The incident happened on 4 August, at around 5.30 p.m. Although the fire brigade prevented much damage, the church suffered partial damage to its altar, the gospel book and other furnishings. The police were informed and are now looking for the perpetrator, who was seen fleeing the scene.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4743
Thieves Steal over €3.000 from Presbytery
2021-08-04 | Police arrested three suspects in a case of church theft. The three individuals are accused of breaking into the presbytery of the church of Ligueuil in Touraine on the 27 July. They are said to have searched the premises and escaped with €3.870 in cash. Parish priest Father Rémy Soubrier explained this is the third robbery of this kind.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4752
School Teacher 'Sacked' from School after Stating Christian Views
2021-08-03 | Joshua Sutcliffe, a maths teacher and a Christian pastor, was dismissed from his school in Oxford because he allegedly 'misgendered' a student. He is said to have said "well-done girls" to a group that included a student who identifies as a boy. In a legal challenge, Mr Sutcliffe claims the school has "systematically and maliciously" breached his rights which subsequently forced him to leave his job, for it had become impossible to continue the working relationship. The secondary school he worked in has not commented on the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4738
Update: Suspect Caught for Setting Church Door on Fire
2021-08-03 | Police managed to apprehend a suspect in the case of arson at the Saint Andrew the Apostle Church. The individual identified is the same person who tried the set the church on fire in the previous year. According to parish priest Don Giuseppe the suspect has been committing acts of vandalism towards the church for some time now. Saint Andrew's community is collecting funds for the restoration of the church door.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4741
Christian Missionary Arrested and Banned from Re-Entering Turkey to Return to his Family
2021-08-03 | David Byle has lived in Turkey for 19 years and together with his wife Ulrike raised their five children there. The Christian minister has now been barred from re-entering the country because of his Christian faith. Supported by a legal team he is now taking the issue to the European Court of Human Rights. According to the Turkish government, Byle is a ‘threat to public order and security’ and has therefore been banned from the Country. The family is now residing in Germany until they are all permitted to return home.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4747
Irish Government Once again Restricts Certain Church Services
2021-08-03 | The Irish Government instructed the local parishes to hold communion and confirmation services this month. This newly imposed restriction came as a blow, as the churches were allowed to resume services only in May after a very long period of COVID-19 related restrictions. While five Bishops have now decided to defy the newly imposed restrictions, holding communion and confirmation services anyway, the reformist Association of Catholic Priests in Ireland has criticised the Bishops action.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4758
Ansgarii Church in Vättersnäs Set on Fire
2021-08-03 | An unknown perpetrator burned down the Ansgarii Church in Vättersnäs, Jönköping. The incident happened on 3 August, at around 2 a.m. when residents called the fire brigade. The Ansgarii Church belongs to the Swedish Ecumenical Uniting Church. There were no injuries reported. Police are investigating and treating the incident as a case of arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4764
The Galician Government Removed Monument Dedicated to John Paul II
2021-08-03 | A monument, commemorating the visit of Pope John Paul ll, was removed by the Xunta de Galicia in March of 2021. They removed it because of its deterioration but it has recently become a problem since it doesn't seem to be getting reinstalled. The diocese of Galicia has tried to get in put back and the Christian Lawyers Association were collecting signatures to request its return. They claim that the authorities just wanted it removed and it could have easily been repaired so deterioration is not a sufficient reason.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4892
Church Door Set on Fire in Italy
2021-08-02 | The wooden door of the church of Saint Andrew the Apostle in Capodrise has been set on fire by an unknown perpetrator. The incident happened on the evening of 2 August. Thanks to the quick intervention of the local fire brigade the fire was brought under control and quickly put out. Police are investigating the scene and are looking for the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4737
15 Graves Desecrated in Stains
2021-08-02 | 15 graves were desecrated on the cemetery of Stains. The incident occurred on the night of 31 July to 1 August. The perpetrator(s) knocked over flowers, broke plaques, smashed vaults and broke open tombstones. A complaint was filed with the local police. In the past, the cemetery had been vandalised numerous times, but never to this extend says mayor Azzedine Taïbi.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4753
Church windows Stoned by Unknown Perpetrators
2021-08-02 | Two panes of glass on the façade of the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche church in Bayreuth were damaged by thrown stones. The police were notified and immediately searched for the perpetrator but they could no longer be found. Witnesses suggested the vandal was about 20 years old, slim, and 175 cm tall.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5124
Update: Suspect Appears in Court After Attacking Priest
2021-08-01 | After attacking a priest with a glass bottle in the Saint Mary's Catholic Cathedral in Edinburg, the main suspect appeared in court. The male is accused of assaulting a priest who was praying in the Cathedral at the time of the incident. 31-year-old Jason Irvine has been treated as the main suspect in the case. He has been charged with two counts of assault and is held in custody while expecting a court hearing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4735
Desecration of Statue of the Virgin Mary in Church in Koscierzyna
2021-07-30 | A statue of the Virgin Mary has been desecrated in the church in Kościerzyna. Police managed to detain a 50-year-old female suspect, who is said to have entered the church and tore off the gold-plated crown from the statue of the Virgin Mary. As the main suspect, the woman is being charged with theft and is consequently facing a maximum of five years in prison. 200 Meters from the location of the theft, police found the crown. It was reported that the suspect confessed to the crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4734
Major Theft of Consecrated Vessels in Zagórów
2021-07-30 | Police arrested a 45-year-old man who is said to have stolen from the Roman Catholic Church in Zagórów. The incident dates back to the end of July when it was reported that dozen gold-plated vessels, used for the daily celebration of the Mass, have been stolen. During a search of the suspect's flat, police recovered the stolen chalices, patens and ciboria. The suspect is already known to the police and is now facing a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Until the end of his process, the man was put under police supervision.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4809
Suspect Arrested for Assaulting Priest in Church
2021-07-29 | Scottish police managed to apprehend a 31-year-old man in Cumbria. It is assumed that Jason Irvine is connected to assaulting a priest on July 26, while the same was praying at the Saint Mary's Catholic Cathedral in York Place. Police charged the man with two assaults, they could connect him to. He is now expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4727
Update: Fired CEO Wins Legal Challenge Against Former Employer
2021-07-29 | Former Robertson Trust Fund CEO Kenneth Ferguson was fired because he held traditional Christian views on marriage. In a legal challenge, the Employment Tribunal found that Ferguson was a victim of religious discrimination and unfair dismissal. The consequences of the ruling are not yet revealed. A further hearing is expected to take place in order to determine the amount of compensation the Robertson Trust has to pay Mr Ferguson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4728
Karl's Church in Vienna Repeatedly Vandalised with Graffiti
2021-07-29 | The Karls Church in Vienna has been repeatedly attacked and spray painted by vandals. Figures of the crime statistics show that this is by no means an isolated case since the number of offences of damage to property has increased by 46.7 per cent alone in the last year. After the latest attacks on places of worship, the Vienna People's Party (ÖVP) is requesting security measures to keep places of worship safe.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4729
Saint Mary Magdalene Church in Caldecote Severely Vandalised
2021-07-29 | 10 days after the Saint Mary Magdalene Church in Caldecote reopened it fell victim to vandalism. Windows were smashed, a powder fire extinguisher was emptied inside the church and the decorations were torn off and bleach was thrown over the floor and altar. The incident is said to have happened between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. on 29 of July. Police have been informed and are currently investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4733
Major Acts of Vandalism at Chapel Memorial in Besançon
2021-07-29 | During the night of 29 July to 30 July vandals are said to have caused great damage to the memorial at the Chapelle des Buis. The memorial houses a statue of the Virgin Mary and a crypt, which was built in 1949 in remembrance of 5,500 victims the town lost to the Second World War. Brother Nicholas from the Diocesan Association, who is the owner of the memorial, discovered the destruction and reported it to the local authorities. Acts of vandalism have increased lately, as especially young people come during nighttime to the monument to party and take drugs, stated the local residents. A plan to protect the monument is underway.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4864
Church Burned Down in Glasgow, Possibly by Arsonist
2021-07-28 | Glasgow's St Simon's church fell victim to a devastating fire. Emergency services were called to the location in the morning hours of 28 July. Saint Simon's Catholic Church was the 'spiritual home' of the cities' polish community. Additionally, residents were evacuated or told to keep windows and doors shut. One person had to be rescued from the flames and was given treatment at the scene. Police were informed and are currently investigating the cause of the fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4723
Update: Stabbed Evangelist Hatun Tash Speaks after Attack
2021-07-28 | Hatun Tash, the converted Chrisitan evangelist who was stabbed with a knife during a debate by a Muslim man, spoke out on the attack. Speaking to local newspapers the former Muslim called on the state to enforce better safeguard measures to prevent future attacks. Her attacker unleashed a series of violent stabs at her throat and upper body leaving her with wounds to her face and hands. She called the attack a result of "police inaction" since the aggresor "was not afraid to do this right in front of them."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4724
Church Theft in Poland Leaves Community Shocked
2021-07-28 | Treasuries placed on the pillars in the garrison church in Gniezno were stolen by unknown perpetrators. During the incident, the facade of the historic church was damaged, money is said to have been stolen as well. The incident is thought to have taken place around noon, on 28 July. "Fara Gniezno" the parish's Facebook profile shared the incident stating they had "No words" to the occurrence. The police are investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4730
Update: Arsonist Charged with Glasgow Church Burning
2021-07-28 | Police charged a 24-year-old man with "wilful fire-raising" for setting Saint Simon's Catholic Church on fire. The incident took place on July 28 and damaged the Archdiocese of Glasgow severely. As a result of the fire the churches roof, interior and upper walls were completely destroyed. The church was the 'spiritual home' to the Polish community in Glasgow. Further information was not released by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4811
Priest Physically Attacked with Glass Bottle inside St. Mary's Cathedral
2021-07-27 | Police are looking for a man who attacked a priest with a broken glass bottle inside Saint Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh. The unnamed clergyman was praying alone inside the church when he was approached by a male individual who asked if he was a priest. Upon his "yes" he was attacked with a glass bottle. The occurrence happened at around 9.30 a.m. on the morning of 27 July. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4720
40-Year-Old Man Arrested for Theft of Service Book from Church in Ravenna
2021-07-27 | Italian police arrested a 40-year-old suspect in the case of theft of a missal in a church in Ravenna. The stolen missal was placed on the altar of the church of San Rocco, where a man of Moroccan descent was seen taking it. The theft had been reported to the authorities a couple of days prior to the arrest. Police are still searching for the stolen book. The suspect is being charged among other things with offending a religious denomination.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4725
Cemetery Vandalised in Rendeux
2021-07-27 | Unknown perpetrators damaged various graves in the cemetery in Beffe in the city of Rendeux. It has been reported that vandals knocked over flowers and broke grave markers. The incident dates back to 27 July. A complaint was filed with the police who are currently looking to identify the culprit(s).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4861
Unknown Perpetrator Damaged the Angels from the Pulpit
2021-07-27 | A parishioner of the Martinskirche in Kirchheim found the wings of one of the six plaster angels, which typically sit on the altar of the church, on the ground and broken. The wings had fallen to the floor after some vandal had tried to cut the statue from its base and in the process had dropped it. A complaint was filed but the police had little hope that the perpetrator could be found.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5123
Christian Activist Hatun Tash Stabbed in London
2021-07-26 | 39-year-old Christian activist Hatun Tash has been stabbed several times while speaking at the "Speaker's Corner" in London's Hyde Park. The incident happened on the afternoon of 25 July, during a gathering. She suffered light injuries to her head but was taken to the hospital for care. Police are looking for the culprit who left the knife at the scene before escaping.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4719
Pastor Faces Charges for Granting Church Asylum
2021-07-25 | Pastor Andreas Schlechtweg and his wife Susanne Wittmann-Schlechtweg are facing charges for granting asylum through the church in Bamberg. The pair had granted asylum to a young Irani woman in 2020, who was supposed to be deported to Croatia according to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. On 26 August, they have to respond to the charges raised against them. If found guilty they might be incarcerated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4714
Arson at Church in Finistère
2021-07-25 | Unknown perpetrators set fire to a plastic folder containing sheets of songs and prayers inside a church in Loctudy, Finistère. The incident occurred on 25 July. Further damage was prevented, thanks to the quick intervention of a visitor. According to the parish, no complaint has been filed yet. The first deputy mayor of Loctudy, Sylvain Cosnard, ensured that measures would be taken to protect the church from further attacks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4721
Arson in an Herentals Church
2021-07-25 | The church of Our Lady on Nederrij in Herentals was victim of an arson attack that was luckily noticed soon enough and could be extinguished by fire fighters before too much damage was done. Young people were seen in the area shortly before the fire broke out but no one has been caught yet. Major Peelaerts of the Kempen fire department said: "They are serious facts. The arson on the stairs could have had serious consequences.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5072
Catholic Group Attacked During Demonstration In Nantes
2021-07-24 | A group of Catholic demonstrators has been attacked by people wearing black clothing. The incident happened on 24 July, during an anti-sanitary pass demonstration. Fifteen demonstrators gathered around a Civitas banner, a catholic political movement, to demonstrate against the implementation of the sanitary pass in France. While demonstrating a group of individuals dressed in black, with hidden faces started to attack the demonstrators. It is unclear whether or not the police has been informed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4731
Update: Street Preacher Wins Legal Challenge
2021-07-23 | A court in London ruled in favour of 31-year-old pastor Joshua Sutcliffe. The street preacher was preaching in Camden, North London on Good Friday in April 2020, as he was approached by four police officers, who claimed he is breaching government COVID restrictions and subsequently fined him. "We find the defendant not guilty on all charges. We find that the defendant was outside and that he had a reasonable excuse as he was travelling to his place of work, as a worship leader", ruled the Magistrates Court in London.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4710
Physical Assault to Pro-life Activist, Police Observes Passively
2021-07-23 | A member of a peaceful pro-life display was punched in the face while standing in the streets of Norwich by a woman who did not agree with the content written on one of the posters. The incident, which happened on the 23. July, did not alarm the police officers. When a police officer was asked for his inaction, he responded that the aggression committed was "proportional" to the one displayed by the pro-life group.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4929
Attempted Arson and Vandalism at Church in Dieulefit
2021-07-23 | Acts of vandalism and attempted arson have been committed at the church of Dieulefit. On the morning of 23. July, the mayor, Pierrick Gouronnec, went to the site accompanied by representatives of the parish. The gendarmes came to take the usual samples and noted the damage: candles and enclosure were stolen. In addition, candles were lit on the altar, which could have had serious consequences because they could have caused a fire. This event, which is taken very seriously by the gendarmerie, is currently being investigated, and the church is now under increased surveillance. This is also because the church already fell victim to an arson attack in January of the same year and has been extensively renovated in the last months.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6103
Evangelist Arrested in London for Preaching about Homosexuality and Given Mental Health Evaluation
2021-07-22 | Ryan Schiavo was arrested in London for preaching on the streets that "homosexuality is a sin" or that "churches that have rainbow flags on them are not real churches". A woman who heard him called the police and some minutes later he was arrested. The incident was recorded by a friend of the street preacher.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4921
Teenager Destroyed Church Crucifix
2021-07-21 | Adam K., a 17-year-old was charged with destroying a statue of Christ in the Mikołów district during July. He unscrewed the metal cross, which he then used to smash the statue with, and then threw the shards into the field. Despite his claims that he did it because of alcohol intoxication rather than hate for religion, he has been charged with "insulting religious feelings by publicly defacing an object of religious reverence by destroying it."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5105
Repetead Acts of Vandalism in the Protestant Church of Oberfrohna
2021-07-21 | Extremely often, charges are filed to the police because unknown persons leave damage in the Lutherchurch in Oberfrohna and the Church in Rußdorf. Suspects have already been spotted running away. Christiane Zitzkat, a pastor, commented that the damages happen "every week", and in the summertime more often than in winter.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5131
Crosses Cut Down in Llodio
2021-07-21 | Crosses on the top of the Goikogane and Alpitsu peaks were cut down on the weekend of the19th of June by unknown attackers. Both crosses, located in the Llodio municipality, were cut off at the base. Bishop Elizalde said, “Attacking it, as someone has done in our land, is an attack against oneself and against all humanity.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5644
Desecration of Statue of Virgin Mary in Kraplewo
2021-07-20 | An unknown perpetrator is currently being searched for by polish police. The perpetrator is accused of having desecrated a statue of the Virgin Mary and the destruction of a roadside shrine in Kraplewo near Ostróda. Build in the 1950s the shrine has a cultural and historic meaning for the locals. If identified, the perpetrator is facing up to two years in prison for insulting an object of a religious group or a place intended for the public performance of religious rites.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4701
European Bishops Urge Action to Protect Religious Freedom as Attacks Increase Globally
2021-07-20 | European bishops are urging the European Union to ensure religious freedom is protected in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement released by the Commission of Bishops Conference of the European Union, it can be read that “vulnerable religious communities are experiencing discrimination, intolerance and, in some cases, persecution as victims of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.” The statement followed a meeting of church representatives held on July 15.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4702
Teenagers Accused of Arson at Church in Mauléon-Licharre
2021-07-20 | Police arrested two suspects in the case of damaging the church of Saint Jean Baptiste in Mauléon Licharre in the Atlantic Pyrenees. The incident dates back to 7 July. The suspects are accused of having tried to set fire to the church, by lighting songbooks and throwing them into the church. It is thought that in the course of this action, a statue of the Virgin Mary was damaged. Police are investigating
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4712
Repeated Arson Attacks against Church in Pont-de-Vaux
2021-07-19 | In the course of 72 hours, french authorities were called two times because of a suspected arson inside a church in Pont-de-Vaux. Thanks to the quick interference of the authorities the fires were extinguished without causing much damage. It is suspected that both fires have been deliberately set by currently unknown perpetrators. The church is under surveillance and the police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4713
Unknown Perpetrators Vandalise and Desecrated Cross at Church in Vaguines
2021-07-18 | Unknown perpetrators have desecrated a cross at the church of Vaguines. The incident is thought to have taken place sometime overnight from 18 to 19 July. The perpetrators have spray painted the cross in pink and wrote "Jesus son 2 rape" onto the church wall. Police are investigating since the case has been reported by the town's authorities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4732
Blackpool Transport Has to Apologise and Pay Reparations for Discriminating against Christian Event Organizers, Court Rules
2021-07-16 | After a court ruling, council owned Blackpool Transport has now agreed to pay £109,000 in damages caused to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for banning adverts for an event organised by the same. The public transportation company banned the advertisements after evangelist Franklin Graham, who was an invited guest speaker at the Festival of Hope event, commented upon Islam and homosexuality. Additionally, the transport company offered a public apology and have now implemented clear policies regarding adverts. Franklin Graham is "grateful to God" for this outcome.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4693
Repeated Vandalism in Bad Rappenau Church
2021-07-16 | An unknown intruder knocked the candle off the altar of the Bad Rappenau church and caused other damage on July 7th. Pastor Joachim Bollow, labeled the damage as extreme, which amounted to about 1000 euros in financial costs. There was a similar incident in March.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5663
Update: Christian School Worker Fired for Facebook Post Allowed to Appeal
2021-07-15 | 45-year-old Christian, Kristie Higgs, was fired from her job in 2020 for posting concerns about LGBT+ ideology being implemented in her son's school. The anonymous complaint leading to her being fired stated her post was "homophobic and prejudiced". Mrs Higgs posted the post on her private Facebook page only visible to her family and friends. In an Employment Appeal Tribunal, His Honour Judge (HHJ) Taylor ruled in favour of Mrs Higgs stating: “This appeal potentially raises important issues on the approach to be adopted by the Tribunals to manifestation and expression of beliefs”. Higgs has now appealed her case which will be heard starting on the 27th of February.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4688
Law Allowing Employers to Ban Religious Symbols at Workplace in Germany Confirmed by European Court of Justice
2021-07-15 | The EU's European Court of Justice ruled that employers are allowed to ban visible religious symbols from their businesses, i.e. they are allowed to forbid their employees to wear crosses and headscarves. In its ruling, the Luxembourg-based tribunal stated its member states should weigh up if the ban corresponded to a "genuine need" on the part of the employer, especially since it potentially interferes with the employees' rights to freedom of religion. The case came to court after two Islamic-identifying women in Germany filed legal complaints against their workplaces for interfering with their beliefs. Subsequently, the case was brought in front of the European Court of Justice ruling on the legitimacy of the national legislation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4690
Spanish Medical Body Fears for the Freedom of Conscience
2021-07-14 | “Unacceptable, illegal, and unjust”, that is how a body representing Spain's medical colleges referred to the threat to conscientious objection on abortion made by the states government minister's. In the sight of the adoption of the Matic report, Spain's Equality Minister Irene Montero declared that “the right of physicians to conscientious objection cannot be above women’s right to decide”. Montero requested the General Council of Official Medical Colleges (GCGOM) to respond to her proposed changes. GCGOM, is the governing body representing 52 local medical colleges, on 12 July, they published a statement defending the right to conscientious objection.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4691
Church Vandalised and Almost Set on Fire in Bollengo
2021-07-14 | Unknown perpetrators tried to set fire to the Romanesque church of Santissimi Pietro e Paolo in Bollengo. Mayor Luigi Ricca noted that the police "found traces of flammable liquid in the churchyard. The same group then broke one of the road signs indicating the route of the Via Francigena in the area". Since the modus operandi is similar to the case of church vandalism at the San Silvestro church in Chiaverano from June 2021, the police are suspecting the same group to be responsible. However, Mayor Ricca does not think that it is the same group. Investigations are ongoing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4692
Church in Grüfflingen Desecrated by Vandals
2021-07-13 | Currently unknown perpetrators desecrated a church in Grüfflingen. The incident happened sometime between 13 to 14 July. It had been reported that the culprits desecrated the church walls and the labelling close to the church. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4694
Desecration of Statue of Virgin Mary in Bayeux
2021-07-13 | During the night of 5 to 6 July, currently unknown perpetrators decapitated the statue of the Virgin Mary in Bayeux. The statue is located near the Augustines chapel in Bayeux and had already fallen victim to other acts of vandalism. In 2013 a young man decapitated the statue, while in 2017, the head of the statue was covered in black paint. Although the police managed to recover the head of the statue nearby, the search for the culprit continues.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4699
Historic Relic Stolen from Church in Blaye
2021-07-13 | Unknown perpetrators stole a relic from the church in Blaye. The perpetrators stole a fragment of a rib belonging to Saint Romain, a Gallo-Roman priest who lived in the 4th century, making the rib 1,800 years old. Additionally to the rib, a silver case, containing the rib, has also been taken. The parish and the association for the protection of the church have filed a complaint with the local authorities. They are currently investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4700
Man Detained After Desecrating Church in Istanbul
2021-07-12 | The Surp Takavor Armenian Church in Istanbul has been desecrated. A 14-second video appeared on social media showing three men dancing next to a stone cross atop the church's courtyard gate. It is thought to have happened on 10 July, as the video was released on the evening of 11 July. Turkish authorities detained the three suspects on 12 July, while they were in their homes. An investigation is underway.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4683
Church in Białystok Vandalised by Woman
2021-07-12 | A 64- year old woman is the main suspect in the case of vandalism and theft from the Saint Adalbert's Church in Białystok. On CCTV footage the woman is seen tearing off a statue of Jesus Christ from the church wall and throwing it into a waste bin. The incident happened on 12 June right before the morning mass at 6.30 a.m. Parish priest father Jan Wierzbicki noticed the theft after a trace of glue remained on the plastered wall, where statue once hung. The police managed to recover the torn off statue and als caught the culprit. a 64-year old woman. She is now being charged with insulting religious feelings. The reasons for the act of vandalism are still unknown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4685
Perpetrators Sawed Off the Wooden Cross in the Unnau Forest Church
2021-07-12 | On the 7th of December, the several meters high wooden cross of the Waldkirche church was sawn off by unknown people. Pastor Christof Schmidt and the parish were shocked by this act. The Pastor stated "We are very concerned about this. For us, it feels like an attack on our community because we appreciate this place very much and we like to come here often. We don't know whether the perpetrator wanted to position himself against the Protestant Church or our parish or Christianity or perhaps acted thoughtlessly". The case was reported to the police and the Pastor added that the cut did not look very professional, which might give some indication of who did it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5130
Attempted Arson in Church in Déols
2021-07-11 | Unknown perpetrators are said to have started a fire on 11 June, at the parish church of Saint-Etienne de Déols. The incident must have happened sometime between 3 and 4 p.m. when the church was open to the public. The fire was discovered by visitors to the church, who immediately informed the police and the fire brigade. Little damage was caused thanks to their quick intervention. A special team of investigators are on the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4686
Vandalism and Theft at Church in Henstedt-Ulzburg
2021-07-11 | Unknown perpetrators entered the church in Henstedt-Ulzburg in Segeberg. The incident happened sometime between Sunday (11 July) afternoon and Monday (12 July) morning. Once inside the church, they broke several doors and took every money they could find. The perpetrators caused an estimated damage of 2500 Euros, excluding the stolen money. Police reconstructed the incident, leading them to believe the culprits gained access through a terrace door. The public is asked to forward any information to the local police station in Norderstedt.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4687
Christian MP Jacob Rees-Mogg Attacked on Twitter
2021-07-10 | Twitter allowed politician James Dornan to personally attack his Christian colleague MP Jacob Rees-Mogg. After high profile conservative Mr Rees-Mogg tweeted a video about the upcoming Nationality and Borders Bill, Mr Dornan responded stating: "Hope you remember this the next time you go to confession. You and your cronies are already responsible for the deaths of thousands and you're now happy to see the most desperate people in the world suffer and drown. If your god exists you will undoubtedly rot in hell." Consequently, the post was reported to the Standards Commission for Scotland. The conservative party is now asking for an apology.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4675
Sacristy of Saint-Vaast church in Moreuil Vandalised
2021-07-09 | On 9 July unknown perpetrator(s) vandalised the sacristy of the Saint-Vaast church in Moreuil. The incident must have happened after 7 p.m. A parishioner noticed the damage done to the sacristy the following morning. It has been reported that the perpetrator broke the door to the sacristy courtyard and a window to the sacristy. The incident was reported to the police, who are investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4680
Court Rules in Favor of Employee Fired over Deeply Held Believes
2021-07-08 | 14 years after a Christian employee of the French Public Transport company RATP was dismissed for refusing to use the word "I swear" during an oath-taking procedure, a French High Court ruled in the employee's favour. In 2007, the trainee employee had to take an oath, to be allowed to start her new position, in which she had to say "I swear". She refused to use those words since her religious beliefs contradict them. In high court on 7 July 2021, the court ruled that "it is possible to replace the phrase 'I swear' with a solemn undertaking".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4673
Spain about to Adopt New Abortion Law and Abolishing Conscientious Objection Clause for Health Professionals
2021-07-08 | Spains Minister of Equality, Irene Moreno, announced on 8 July that the Spanish government is considering to fully decriminalize abortion and to end medical professional's right to conscientious objection. Morenos announcement came shortly after the European Union adopted the Matic Report, which labels abortion as a fundamental human right. Spain's medical body as well as the President of the Bioethics Committee slammed that idea and called it "unconstitutional", as the right to conscientious objection is "an individual right" to health professionals. Moreno wants to adopt the changes in the last quarter of 2021.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4703
Cathedral in Łódź Vandalised with Red and White Paint
2021-07-07 | The archcathedral basilica in Łódź was vandalised by an unknown perpetrator, who destroyed the buildings valuable historical door with white paint and the square in front of the church with red hands. CCTV footage reveals the incident happened at around 3 a.m. on 7 July. The police have been informed and are currently looking for one individual, stated police spokeswoman Joanna Kącka.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4672
Catholic Organisations Criticizes Adoption of Matic-Report by European Parliament
2021-07-06 | Catholic groups all over Europe joined together on defending religious freedom. In a joint statement, 14 organisations criticised the adoption of the Matic Report by the European Parliament. The Report formally labelled "Report on the situation of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the EU, in the frame of women’s health", just made abortion a "human right", declared conscientious objection as a "denial of medical care" and undermines Parent's Rights. The Holy See and Bishops all over Europe are deeply saddened by this outcome.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4669
Update: Church Singing Ban in the UK to be lifted
2021-07-05 | Initially, the singing ban in churches throughout England was expected to be lifted in June. Especially because choirs, professional singers and singing in bars and pubs have at that point been allowed to take place. Then on June 15, the English government extended the restrictions for churches only, which are set to come to an end on 19 July. Secretary of health Mr Sajid Javid announced that all restrictions would be eased off stating: "There will be no limits on the number of people who can attend life events like weddings and funerals and there will be no restrictions on communal worship or singing." Prime Minister (PM) Boris Johnson also stated that the usage of masks would become voluntary.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4664
Vandalism at Cemetery in Comblanchien
2021-07-05 | Unknown perpetrators damaged several graves at the cemetery in Comblanchien, France. It is unclear when the act occurred. However, it was reported to the police on 24 June. The culprits have broken some headstones and have torn off, removed or moved flowers and plants. Mayor Didier Toubin has discovered the desecration. A complaint has been lodged. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4677
UK Schools Potentially Facing Fine for Breach of Free Speech
2021-07-04 | Following the case of Rev Dr Bernard Randall vs. Trent College, Tory MPs are now seeking to add schools to a programme, which would penalize schools for favouring 'woke over free speech'. In the eye of the 'woke' and 'cancel culture' movements, the government is set to protect free speech and open debate in academia. PM Boris Johnson declared the government's commitment to protect free speech and open debate in academia in May, during the Queen's Speech programme. Similar cases to the one of Rev Dr Randall are supposed to be included in the debate. A vote on the sanctions is expected later this month.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4662
Christian Culture in Turkey under Attack: Government Keeps Silent
2021-07-04 | Turkey's Minister for Culture and Tourism has been harshly confronted in parliament by Garo Paylan, an Armenian member of the opposition. The confrontation follows the latest instance of targeted desecration of Christian sites in the Country and Turkey's silence and apparent indifference regarding the repeated desecration of those sites and the erasure of Christian culture. The 18th-century Sup Toros Armenian Church in Kayseri had been heavily damaged in January 2021. Paylan criticised the governments' failure of an action to protect historical and cultural-religious sites officially recognized as such by UNESCO, such as the Hagia Sofia and other churches throughout the Country. He additionally criticised the conversion of Churches to mere venues for tourism, Museums, Hotels and Galleries. An official statement is expected.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4670
Theft of 300-year-old Sacred Object from Saint Brigida Church in Legden
2021-07-04 | On 4 July, unknown perpetrators stole an almost 330-year-old historic consecration vessel for oil from the Saint Brigida Church in Legden. The vessel had been used since 1694 at every baptismal mass in the parish and has therefore a high sentimental value. Stolen from the sacristy, the theft took place sometime between 12:30 and 13:10. In addition to the vessel, a large candle has also been stolen. The police are informed and are now looking for witnesses in the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4676
Desecration of Sacred Heart Statue in Bas Rain
2021-07-04 | A gold-plated Sacred Heart Statue in Bas Rhin (Alsace), France, has been desecrated with a swastika. The incident was discovered and reported by the parish priest of Molsheim on 4 July. The perpetrators are said to have used a point to engrave the symbol to the high up statue. Deputy Nathalie Dischler commented about an increase in vandalism towards Christian symbols and institutes in the region. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4678
San Andrés Church in Cordoba Vandalised with Insulting Graffitis
2021-07-03 | The San Andrés church in Cordoba, has fallen victim to an act of vandalism. The 13th-century Fernandine church is home to the brotherhoods of Esperanza and Buen Suceso. Three sections of the wall have been graffitied with insults and signatures. In 1985 San Andrés was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. Police are investigating to apprehend the culprit(s).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4665
Update Conversion Therapy: Ministers Concerned about Freedom of Religion
2021-07-02 | UK's House of Commons discussed the plans to ban conversion therapy in the face of Pride month. In the discussion Dame Angela Eagle urged the government to accept the ban as it is currently written, which includes praying. She stated, "as a minimum, they must introduce a ban on conversion therapy, with no religious exemptions and no loopholes." Other Ministers are concerned about the freedom of religion and consequently the church's role.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4654
Update: School Chaplain Reported to Terrorist Watchdogs Hearing Delayed
2021-07-02 | School chaplain, Rev Dr Bernard Randall, who was reported to the government's terrorist watchdogs for encouraging children to form their own opinions about their school's new LGBT+ rules while accepting contradicting views had his employment tribunal hearing postponed for over a year. Rev Randall 48, will now have to wait until September 2022 since the Boarding School with an Anglican ethos he was ordained Chaplain of, Trent college, failed to serve their evidence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4655
Update: Relationship and Sexuality Education in Welsh Schools Sparks Debate around Parent's Rights
2021-07-02 | In Wales the adoption of a new Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) is being discussed. While the Welsh government is considering its adoption, some parents, like Izzy Montague, are raising serious concerns about the protection of children. If accepted RSE will start with the next academic year. Parents and education specialists are raising serious concerns about what its adoption would mean for our society as it is known.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4661
Singing in Churches still Under Restrictions in UK
2021-07-01 | Ongoing singing restrictions in churches are causing debate in the UK. While the singing ban has been lifted, new restrictions have been implemented. Members of the House of Lords are now getting increasingly frustrated with the seemingly inconsistencies implemented by the Government regarding indoor singing. Gloucester Bishop, Rt Rev Rachel Treweek has now asked the Government for a timetable to be able to return to normal life.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4651
13-Year-Old Boy Hospitalized After Beating Because of Cross Necklace
2021-07-01 | Nikola P., a thirteen-year-old boy, was attacked and beaten by a group of hooligans on his way home and had to receive treatment. The incident happened on the night of July 1st. After his football training, Nikola was on his way home when he was knocked to the ground, beaten, and his neckless with a cross was torn. His father reported the incident to the police office in Kosovo and Metohija. Nikola was hospitalized and had to recover from that gruesome attack.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4652
Street Preacher Takes Up Legal Action Against Police After Arrest and Fine
2021-07-01 | 46-year-old street preacher, Andrew Sathiyavan, got arrested on Easter Sunday 2020 for publicly preaching on the street. Three police officers told him that he was "not allowed" to preach the gospel because he is causing anti-social behaviour and is in breach of current COVID regulations. Mr. Sathiyavan was then arrested and received a fine of £400. Since this is not the first time Mr Sathiyavan has been arrested by the police for street preaching he is now lodging an appeal and will be seeking legal action against the police, who arrested him for preaching, fined him and strip-searched him in Solihull in November of 2020.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4660
Church of San Pedro Vandalized with Satanic Phrases
2021-06-30 | On the morning of June 30, two churches in the town of Daimiel were tagged with anti-Christian phrases, such as "Long Live Satan" and the "666". The church of San Pedro had several graffiti in the access areas to the sacristies. Other windows, doorways and facades on the premises, near the Plaza de España, were also vandalized, as well as the Church of Santa Maria. The case was reported to the Local Police which started an investigation to identify those responsible for these acts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5185
Satanic Graffiti Appears on Church of Santa Maria and Other Places
2021-06-30 | On the morning of June 30, two churches in the town of Daimiel were tagged with anti-Christian phrases, such as "Long Live Satan", the "666" and "Sect of Shit". The church of Santa Maria was target of the tags. But also other doorways and facades near the Plaza de España were vandalized, as well as the Church of San Pedro. The case has been reported to the Local Police which started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5912
Christian Fostercare and Adoption Agency Sues UK
2021-06-29 | Cornerstone Adoption and Fostering Service is appealing a court decision. After the High Court decided the evangelical Christian fostering agency had to change its policy regarding the placement of children with exclusively heterosexual married couples. QC lawyer Aiden O'Neill is now supporting the adoption agency and stated the ruling to be "incoherent". QC lawyer Sir James Eadie, who is representing Ofsted, cannot find such inconsistencies in the Judge's ruling.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4649
Spain: New Transgender Law Passed Council of Ministers
2021-06-29 | On 29 June, the Spanish government voted to approve a draft law about gender self-determination. The approval of the drafted law received opposition since it blurs the concept of biological sex. Another aspect highly criticised in the draft law is the interference with "parental guardianship". Although it passed the Council of Ministers the draft law has yet to pass the parliament to be added to the already existing law surrounding LGBT+. Changes to the draft law could happen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4657
Christian Arrested For 'Importing' Bibles to Norther Cyprus
2021-06-27 | In January 2021, police raided the home of Christian worker Ryan Keating in Northern Cyprus. He is accused of illegally importing more than 20 books related to Christianity, including the Bible. He is expected to appear in court for the first hearing in July. The US Embassy fears for Keating's wellbeing, who pleads not guilty to the charges raised against him.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4647
Christian Politician, Carol Monaghan, Received Death Threats
2021-06-26 | Scottish MP Carol Monaghan and her family had to be shielded in a police car and were brought to a safe house, after she experienced online abuse and a death threat via phone call. In a BBC interview, Monaghan (48) stated she received a series of offensive tweets followed by messages referencing to her murdered colleague MP Jo Cox. Apart from the online abuse Ms Monaghan also had to endure that her constituency office in Patrick was targeted and its windows smashed and office front splattered with ketchup, to appear like blood. Her stalker, 35-year-old Jonathan Bell, confessed in Court to the harassment and is now facing a prison sentence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4642
Censorship Zones Amendment Dropt
2021-06-26 | An amendment aiming to criminalize Pro-Life organisations for offering prayer, assistance and counselling to women outside of abortion clinics across England and Wales has been dropped by a Labour MP. The amendment brought in by Dr Rupa Huq sought to introduce censorship zones around abortion clinics nationwide and to penalize pro-Lifers with a prison sentence of up to two years if they continued their service. Huq's Bill failed at the committee stage since the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill have withdrawn from the amendment. UK's Right to Life Group fears the amendment will be tabled again.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4653
Unlawfully Arrested Street Preacher Wins In Court
2021-06-25 | David McConnell was wrongfully arrested for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and now won in court, he will receive a compensation of £4,500. McConnell claimed for wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and breach of human rights. According to the Christian Institute (CI), Mr McConnell was held for about six hours until a desk sergeant who listened to a recording of McConnell's speech released him without charge. The incident happened in December of 2019, in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, where David McConnell was publicly preaching on the street to a crowd of 50 before the police arrived and arrested him for an alleged “hate-related public order offence” and “for preaching on gay rights and abortion”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4641
EU Parliament Passed Matić Report Threatening Freedom of Conscience and Parental Rights
2021-06-24 | The majority of the Parliament of the European Union voted in favour of the Matić Report on 24 June, which makes abortion a human right, denies the rights to contentious objection and demands a LGBTQ+ inclusive sex and relationship education. The report formulates the human right of conscientious objection as "denial of medical care". Critics are also concerned about the potential meaning of the adoption of the report for sexual and relationship education at schools, as it would frame abortion as a form of reproductive health for women and normalise LGBTQ+ relationships.These teachings will most likely collide with the Parental Rights of European Christians and the national competency in this policy field of member states.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4640
Cemetery in Saint-Aubind du Cormier Damaged by Unknown Perpetrators
2021-06-23 | Unknown perpetrators damaged the cemetery of the town of Saint-Aubin du Cormier, located east of Rennes. The municipality is now asking the public for information and is requesting any witnesses to come forward. The perpetrators broke several headstones and funeral plaques. It has been reported that the incident must have happened sometime between 23 and 24 June. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4644
Under Investigation: Pastor Accused of Intolerance against BLM Movement is Facing Trial
2021-06-21 | In Northern Ireland (NI) a pastor is facing prosecution over a video he, himself published. In the said video he is questioning some actions of the supporters of the Black Live Matter (BLM) Movement. The pastor is accused of having stated racist statements. A final decision is expected by the end of June.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4631
Arson at Church in Muggiò: Second Attack in One Week
2021-06-21 | For the second time in one week, an unknown person attacked the church of San Carlo in Muggiò. At the first attack, the person smeared dung onto the handles and at the second attack, he set fire to the main wooden door of the church. The incident was caught on cameras, which revealed that the incident happened at around 4.30 a.m. It furthermore reveals that one person is responsible for the small fire that was fortunately extinguished shortly after it started. The attack was reported to the police by Don Angelo Riva, a friend of the parish priest. It is unclear whether the one responsible for the fire is also accountable for the smearing. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4634
Two More Cemeteries Vandalized and Looted: Police Arrested Suspect
2021-06-21 | In total, 3 Cemeteries were targeted for vandalism and looting in June in La Manche. First, the cemetery of Genêts, where 18 graves were ransacked. Later on June 11th in Sartilly 5 iron crosses were torn off and on June 17th, 3 graves were degraded in the cemetery of Saint-Jean-Le-Thomas. The police of Sartilly found a suspect on 21. June and found the stolen crosses at his home.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5917
Over 10.000 Euros of Damage after Theft at Church in Chemnitz
2021-06-20 | Unknown perpetrators entered the Church in Schloßberg in Chemnitz causing an estimated damage of 10.000 Euros. The incident was reported during the morning of June 20. The culprit(s) vandalised different rooms inside the church stealing laptops and money. The police estimates the damages caused to the main entrance door and the rest of the church amount up to 10.000 Euros, which does not include the value of the stolen objects. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4638
Statues of Our Lady in Szczecin Tagged with Satanic Symbols
2021-06-20 | Unknown perpetrators desecrated the statues of the Virgin Mary and Our Lady of Fatima in Szczecin. The vandals spray painted an inverted cross and a pentagram onto the statues. They were located on a hill in front of the church. The parish asked the public for information on their Facebook account. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4629
Church in Målilla Heavely Vandalised
2021-06-20 | A church in Målilla, Hultsfred has been ransacked. The incident caused a destruction of the interior. The unknown perpetrators overturned the churches piano, the sacrilegious cross and the chairs. The incident was discovered on 29 June by the parish pastor Gerth Thorstensson. Apart from the broken furniture pastor Thorstensson also explained that the perpetrators had emptied a fire extinguisher on the instruments and electronics, thus destroying them as well. It was reported that the perpetrators also smashed mirrors and appliances in the churches kitchen and its bathroom, causing a great amount of damage. Police also discovered an attempt of arson as a pile of ashes was found in the children's playroom. Police are looking for the suspects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4696
Repeated Acts of Vandalism against Church in Colle
2021-06-19 | The church of Santa Maria in Colle has again been attacked by vandals. The columns and the walls were tagged with graffiti, the perpetrators are also thought to have tampered with the gas pipe. The desecration was discovered on 19 June by a troop, who came to clean the church and cut the grass. Bottles and cigarettes were found at the scene. Mayor, Elzo Severin, has expressed his wish to sanction these vandals and also issued a criminal complaint. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4630
Theft of Church in Bells Santa Caterina Destroyed by Earthquake
2021-06-19 | Unknown perpetrators stole historic bells from the Church of Santa Caterina. Although the church had been destroyed in an earthquake in May 2012, its Concordia bells rested for nine years beside the churchyard. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4626
Suspect Who Set Church in Malestroit on Fire Apprehended
2021-06-18 | French police arrested a suspect in a case of church arson. The individual is accused of setting the scaffolding on the north side of the Saint-Gilles church in Malestroit on fire with petrol cans. The incident happened around 11.30 pm on 18 June. Thanks to 27-year-old Eddy Chabrun's quick intervention the church was saved and no one harmed. The suspect is already known to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4646
Church in Konin Vandalised For the Fourth Time
2021-06-17 | An unknown perpetrator vandalised the church of Saint Maximilian M. Kolbe in Konin. CCTV Footage shows a man entering and vandalising the church, his identity and motives are yet to be discovered. The Diocese of Wloclawek reported the incident to the police on 16 June. The diocese also asked the public to share any information with the police who is currently investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4623
Vatican Criticised for Commenting on New Anti-Discrimination Bill in Italy
2021-06-17 | The Vatican is being accused of having intervened in the lawmaking process of an anti-discrimination law, also known as 'Zan Bill', because of a written note they directed to the Italian ambassador of the Holy See, in which they point out their concern about the bill. In the formal diplomatic note, the Holy See raises the concern upon the bill passing the senate as drafted since it would not only violate the freedoms of the Catholic Church in Italy, as regulated in an agreement of 1929, but it would also force Catholic schools to implement and organise activities on a future national day against homophobia and transphobia. Critics, amongst which are some prominent homosexuals and feminist groups as well as the Catholic Church, point out that the problem is not whether we agree or disagree with those statements it is more about the law interfering and thus preventing religious believers from freely and publicly expressing themselves. The "Zan Bill" has been approved by the lower house in November of 2020 but has yet to pass the Senate committee.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4636
Arson Attack against Orthodox Church in Narva-Jõesuu
2021-06-17 | An arsonist destroyed the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church in Narva-Jõesuu on June 17. The fire damaged the walls and completely destroyed the church's interior. In the course of the fire, the roof collapsed partially. Police have been informed, they suspect arson since the church had been set on fire in February 2020 already, causing damage to the 18th-century icons, its altar and the oak iconostasis. Estonias Firebrigade also suspects arson, since the fire spread so rapidly. The culprit has yet to be identified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4668
Update: 'Gentle Non-Coercive Prayer' To Be Included in Conversion Therapy
2021-06-16 | Former LGBT Government advisor Jayne Ozanne called for "gentle non-coercive prayer" to be included in the planned conversion therapy ban. Ozanne forwarded the inclusion after Right Rev David Walker, the Bishop of Manchester, mentioned that prayer "where there is a level of power imbalance, and a level of force" should be included in the ban. A Human Rights lawyer affirmed that banning "gentle non-coercive prayer" would violate Convention rights. The bill will be discussed in September, following possible legislation next year.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4618
Hateful Tags found on Ljubljana Church
2021-06-16 | The St. Joseph's Church in Ljubljana, was targeted with graffiti on June 16th. The façade and two posters of the Zivim and Rahela's Vineyard Institute, were defaced with writing by an unknown author. The Zivim Institute wrote on Facebook, "Vulgarity and hatred poured on the posters of the Zivim Institute and Rahela's Vineyard, which offer compassionate support and accompaniment to those who are in distress due to an unplanned pregnancy or suffering the consequences of an abortion in the centre of Ljubljana...".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5694
23-year-old Man Charged For Defacing Church in Lubliniec
2021-06-15 | The perpetrator who defaced the facade of the historic Saint Nicholas Church in Lubliniec in early January, was caught. 23-year-old Adam G. does neither admit to having committed the crime nor does he provide a logical explanation for how the bottle with black liquid turned out to be his. In the course of the interrogation, the suspect confessed other crimes, for which he will be charged. The District Prosecutor's Office in Częstochowa is charging Adam G. under Polish penal code Article 108 which consists of damaging a historical monument, which is punishable with a prison sentence of up to eight years. He is additionally being charged for insulting religious feelings, which could add another two years of imprisonment.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4614
UK Government Prolongs Inconsistencies Says Bishop
2021-06-15 | As for Covid restrictions, the UK government announced a four-week extension to England's lockdown regulations. Although the new extension allows churches to stay open, it restricts worship and singing until 19 July. Right Reverend Dame Sarah Mullaly, the Bishop of London, is now pressing the Parliament to reconsider the decision. Retired Rev Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, confronting the House of Lords sees inconsistencies being prolonged instead of actual Covid measures, since singing inside of Pubs is allowed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4617
Italy: Church of San Giacomo Defaced
2021-06-15 | After the Church of San Giacomo in the Municipality of Ferrara was defaced with spray-painted tags in mid-June, the Catholic Knights Templar of Italy, in and the managers of the Apollo Cinema have decided to take action and start cleaning the facade of the Church. The historic Church is on the Via del Carbone.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5898
Man Arrested for Torturing 6 Monks Out of Hatred Against the Church
2021-06-14 | Vienna police arrested the main suspect, who is alleged to have robbed and tortured six monks in Vienna-Strebersdorf. The man bound and gagged all his victims and brutally beat them with an iron rod. Five of the victims were seriously injured, while one fought for his life for several months. The suspect, a man of Serbian descent but with a Croatian citizenship, was caught and arrested in Zagreb after a two-year investigation. The suspect admitted that he committed the crime, as a motive he said he hated the church and wanted to avenge the ones hurt by them. He is facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4605
Spanish Court Affirmed: Christian View on Homosexuality is Not 'Hate Speech'
2021-06-14 | Spains highest court, National Audience, withdrew a 6,000 Euros fine that was earlier imposed on the Christian television channel Revelation TV. The cable broadcaster received the fine in September of 2017, after a complaint had been made claiming the programme is "attacking the dignity of LGBT people." High Court Judge Felisa Atienza Rodríguez stated in her ruling that "critiquing ideas or positions" of others is a constitutional right.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4610
Church in Moselle Ransacked by Unknown Group
2021-06-14 | Unknown perpetrators are said to have devastated the interior in the chapel of Our Lady of Deliverance in Moselle on 14 June. It has been reported that a crucifix and statues were toppled over and thrown to the ground as well as flowers and chairs. A resident observed that a van parked in front of the chapel for 15 minutes. A complaint has been lodged and the chapel cleaned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4622
Excrement Smeared on Church Handles
2021-06-14 | An unknown person smeared dung onto the handles of the Church San Carlo in Muggiò on the week of the 14. June. Father Angelo Rivas talked about these incidents, after a week later, the same church was victim of an arson attack.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5915
Gun Fired During Church Service in Dammarie-les-Lys
2021-06-13 | During a church service in France, two young people aged 21 are said to have fired several shots. It has been reported that the two perpetrators used a double-barrelled 16-gauge shotgun and a machete. The incident happened 13 June around 8.30 a.m. during a quarrel with evangelical worshippers. Police apprehended the two men who fled the scene and sought refuge in a nearby grocery store. The exact circumstances of the shootings are yet to be determined. No casualty has been reported, police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4620
Court in UK Rules: Belief in Biological Sex Protected under Equality Act
2021-06-11 | Maya Forstater, a tax consultant, tweeted that biology determines whether one is male or female. As result, she lost her job. An employment tribunal ruled the former tax consultant had not been treated unlawfully as 'gender critical' beliefs were not protected by law. Lawyer Mr Justice Chodhury took the case to court pointing at the Equality Act 2010. In a second Tribunal hearing, the judge ruled that Forstater's view is indeed protected by law.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4600
Church Theft in Krakow Leaves Community in Shock
2021-06-11 | Unknown perpetrators have stolen relics from the Saint Joseph's parish in Krakow. The incident happened between 10 and 11 June. The parish reported the incident and shared it on their social media, stating "the relics of St. Brother Albert were stolen from our Sanctuary! They were located in the altar of the Apostles of Mercy. Please share this news". The priests are asking the public for any information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4607
Church and Rectory Repeatedly Vandalised, Mayor Refuses to Report Case
2021-06-11 | A group of teenage boys is alleged to have been repeatedly attacking the parish priest's house, which also functions as the churche's rectory, next to the parish church of Santa Marta. Although the boys have been identified the local mayor refuses to report them. The group of boys keeps vandalising the parish and the parish priests house by throwing rubbish and cans onto the house and removing plasters from the church. The Mayor is planning on setting up signs forbidding the young boys to climb onto public property and vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4608
Newly Proposed Legislation Would Criminalise Pro-Life Support Around Abortion Clinics
2021-06-11 | A new legislation has been presented to Spain's lower house. The new law would create "buffer zones" around abortion facilities. Proposed on 21 May by the ruling Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) to the Congress of Deputies, the law aims to penalize anyone who “harasses or restricts the freedom of a woman who intends to exercise her right to abortion". The buffer zones would prevent any kind of pro-life campaigning or support in the area. The bill is to be voted upon.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4611
Edinburgh Council Fined for Cancelling Christian Conference over Religious Beliefs of Guest Speaker
2021-06-10 | The city of Edinburgh Council has apologized after violating church rights and paid £25,000 in damages caused by their action. They cancelled a Christian three-day conference after a complaint regarding the religious beliefs held guest speaker Larry Stockstill. A court ruled, that they violated the European Convention on Human Rights, the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010. The council acknowledged that it "failed to meet its equalities duties to Destiny Ministries in terms of the Equality Act 2010 and therefore acted unlawfully."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4599
Christians Afraid of 'Disciplinary Measures' at Polands Universities
2021-06-10 | Polands Government wants to protect Christian values at their Universities. Przemyslaw Czarnek the Minister of Education and Science wants to stop hostilities towards Christians at Universities, especially since the fear of "disciplinary measures because of alleged discrimination against non-Christians" is spreading amongst the Christian Community. The Polish Government wants to guarantee that freedom of speech, teaching and scientific research are maintained. The so-called academic freedom package is to be discussed this week.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4604
Final Ruling Expected in Pro-Life Ads Censorship Case
2021-06-09 | In 2018 a state-owned bus company removed advertisements from the pro-life NGO Zavod ŽIV!M on the grounds of them being "intolerant". Although the NGO signed a contract with the company allowing them to display their ads for several months, the company took them down just after a little more than a week. On the ads the messages "We love Life!", "You are not alone", "Step out of Silence" and "I mourn my child", were accompanied by pictures of a happy family, a grieving mother and a woman holding a pregnancy test. In a first ruling the Slovenian equality body called "Advocate of the Principle of Equality" found the company to have acted discriminately towards the NGO. The company challenged the ruling, an outcome is expected in June.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4598
Teenagers Between 11 and 15 Vandalized Two Churches in Bad Griesbach
2021-06-09 | Four offenders, ranging from 11 to 15 years old, seriously vandalized the churches of Maria Schutz on Kronberg and the church on Schlossberg. They damaged several candles, the organ, and some church figures; as well as emptying a fire extinguisher in the church. The property damage was around 50,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5129
Church Ransacked in France
2021-06-08 | The roman catholic church of Tasque in the Gers has been ransacked at the end of May after its recent reopening. The church finished restoration works a few days earlier. Tourists visiting the church noticed the damage in early June. Unknown perpetrators have desecrated the altar through inscriptions, they also damaged the chandeliers, as well as furniture and several statues. Locals informed the authorities, it is thought that the local "youths" is to blame for this.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4601
Church Door in Tafalla Vandalised with Cement
2021-06-07 | The Church of Santa María de Tafalla in Spain has fallen victim to an act of vandalism. Unknown perpetrators have knocked down the fences attached to the parish and thrown a sack of cement over the door of the church. The attack is thought to have taken place sometime between Saturday afternoon and Sunday Morning. Alfredo Ondarra, head of the Tafalla Municipal Police, said that his team is looking for the culprit.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4589
Cemetery Repeatedly Desecrated in France
2021-06-07 | A cemetery in France has been repeatedly vandalised. Unknown perpetrators are said to have stolen different objects and flowers from the graves in Laneuveville-devant-Nancy. The thefts started to occur in May and have since become regular. A complaint has already been filed. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4602
18 Cemetery Iron Crosses Stolen and Vandalized
2021-06-06 | Between 6 and 9 June, the cemetery of Genêts was vandalized and looted. A total of 18 cast iron crosses were stolen, and their foot broken. 18 graves were ransacked and 17 cast iron crosses were stolen. The Crosses were broken, cut into pieces and sometimes abandoned on the spot. An investigation of gendarmerie is in progress.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4645
Totem Dedicated to Our Lady in Sorso Destroyed
2021-06-06 | On the 6th June it was reported that a Totem with a Marian depiction was vandalized during the night in Sorso‘s Capuchin Street. It belongs to an installation dedicated to Our Lady "Noli Me Tollere", near to the church of Santa Croce. The incident was investigated by law enforcement officials.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5906
Church desecrated in Cork
2021-06-05 | “The parishioners are deeply disturbed by what happened”. Vandals graffitied a "deeply disturbing" message onto a church in Cork, Ireland. The currently unknown perpetrator was caught on camera while desecrating the Church of the Ascension around one o'clock in the morning. On the CCTV the culprit can be seen entering the premises of the church, vandalising it and also damaging the cars belonging to the priests and their houses. “The community were just coming alight again after the lockdown," Father Walsh stated. He additionally added that the parishioners although shocked are coming together to try and help undo the damage. The police have been informed and are currently investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4587
Fined Overturned for Christian Volunteer Who Helped Homeless During Pandemic
2021-06-04 | 56-year-old Christian volunteer Jan Niedojadlo was fined £60 by Police officers in April 2020 for preaching the gospel and helping homeless people to get food during the Covid 19 lockdown. Despite proving that he was allowed to perform the volunteer service, a police officer gave 'him a ticket' on the ground of him 'being away from home without a valid reason under Covid regulations'. Mr Niedojadlo's case came to court after a group of MPs on the Joint Committee on Human Rights called for all covid fines issued during the pandemic - a total of 85,000 - to be reviewed. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has now ruled in favour of Mr Niedojadlo.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4581
Church Door Set on Fire in Sogliano Cavour
2021-06-03 | The side door of the Mother Church "San Lorenzo Martire" in Sogliano Cavour has been set on fire. It is currently unknown how many individuals were involved in the occurrence. The fire was noticed by a resident at around 5.40 a.m. who also alarmed the fire brigade and the local police. The Insurance has already covered the damage caused by the fire. The Police are now investigating. The parish priest is pressing charges.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4582
15.000 Euros Stolen from Church in Guidonia Montecelio
2021-06-03 | Unknown perpetrators broke into the church of San Luigi Gonzaga and stole 15.000 Euros and a collection of Swarovski crystals. The theft took place in the afternoon of 3 June. The church is located in Guidonia Montecelio in Italy. The parish priest discovered the theft and reported it to the local police. It was discovered that the thieves broke into the rectory of the church located in the priests' flat. The investigators found a block of cement on the spot, which was used to break a French window to get access to the premises. The value of the stolen crystals has not yet been revealed. Charges have been filed by the priest.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4584
Christian Medical Practitioner Facing 'Fitness to Practice' Hearing over Abortion Reversal Treatment
2021-06-02 | Experienced medical consultant Dr Dermot Kearney has now been blocked from providing medical assistance in an abortion reversal treatment while an investigation takes place. Dr Kearney offered his emergency abortion rescue service to numerous woman during the pandemic, who regretted taking the first of the Mifepristone pills. By prescribing the natural hormone progesterone which inhabits the effects of Mifepristone, he helped several women to carry healthy babies. The former President of the Catholic Medical Association in the UK is forced to stop offering the treatment for up to 18 months. Dr Kearney, who is a cardiologist and emergency physician has been told to stop offering the treatment by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS). They urged him to stop after the General Medical Council received a complaint about the treatment, which is not approved by health officials. The investigation against him is ongoing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4576
Church in Albig Vandalised
2021-06-02 | Unknown perpetrators have vandalized the evangelical Church in Albig. The incident happened during the night from 1 to 2 June. The perpetrators have broken the churches' door lock and some trees. Community members and the parish priest can not understand how someone could do this. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4577
Severe Act of Vandalism in Historic Church of Tasque
2021-06-02 | The old church in Tasque has been severely vandalised. The historical Church dates back to the 13th century and was attacked during the Ascension Weekend. The perpetrators broke the chandelier, several sculptures and vases. Police are investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4578
European Parliament to Vote on Establishing Abortion as a 'Human Right'
2021-06-02 | The European Parliament, the EU's law-making body, is to vote on a new report that seeks to manifest abortion as a human right and degrades conscientious objection as "denial of medical care". The report forwarded by Croatian politician Matić is to be voted on at the next plenary session due to take place from 7 to 10 June in Strasbourg. Pro-Life groups see a violation of the established principle of abortion lying in the competence of the member states and not the EU. The European Centre for Law and Justice fear that this could lead member states to put the new report into national legal practice.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4579
Complaint against Ringing of Church Bells in Devon
2021-06-01 | The All Saints Church in Kenton, Devon, could have its chimes silenced. The reason is a complaint from a member of the public. Build in the 14th century the Church's clock currently chimes every quarter of an hour. One new resident in the area has now complained to silence the same.
All Saints Church vicar Rev John Williams admitted to 'The Telegraph' that he is aware that the noise measured by Environmental Health is higher than the current permitted. He added: "While some residents don't mind hearing the clock at night and find it comforting, we are nonetheless required to oblige with the law". The church council is now looking for sponsors to buy a £2,000 mechanism to silence the clock chimes at night. Kenton parish council is now worried that by the time they managed to raise the money the local council could have already silenced the clock.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4567
New Northern Irish Conversion Therapy Ban Could Criminalise Prayer
2021-06-01 | LGBT+ activists are pushing for a nationwide ban of conversion therapies, which would criminalize prayer, preaching, pastoral support and even parenting which opposes the LGBT+ assumptions. Human rights lawyer Jason Coppel urges that this action "would criminalise the legitimate expression of religious beliefs". The Christian Institute "will not hesitate" to take legal action if Northern Ireland's executives introduce "a badly drafted CT ban" which criminalizes "ordinary everyday practices of the church".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4568
Historical Church vandalised in Lützenkirchen
2021-06-01 | Unknown perpetrators defaced an over 300-year-old church in Leverkusen in Germany. The culprits are responsible for graffiti sprayed on the chapel's walls, signs scratched into the bricks, holes drilled into the copper downpipes and traces of fire found on the massive oak door at the chapel's side entrance. Additionally, the vandals have damaged a monument at the Anna Chapel. Karl Georg Emmels, former church council estimates the damage to be several thousand Euros. A reward of 500 Euros for information leading to the culprit has been offered and the police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4594
Vandalism and Attempted Robbery in a Church in Nicotea
2021-06-01 | The little church of Santa Chiara in Nicotera has been vandalized by unknown persons. A hole was found in the wall of the sacristy although the intentions behind these attempts are unclear. As the neighbors explained, "there is nothing to steal here, nothing of particular value". The incident actually took place at the beginning of the summer but it was discovered much later given that the church remains closed most part of the year. The police are carrying on an investigation to track down the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4924
Italy: Teenagers desecrated church, later apologize to avoid police charges
2021-05-31 | Four teenage girls were caught by the church's CCTV cameras while entering and desecrating the place. The sanctuary Porto di Legnago in Verona, Italy did not press any charges against the perpetrators. The camera caught them entering the church at around 1 p.m., they are seen tearing off the rosary beads from a statue and defacing a board near the entrance of the church. The parish priest, Don Moreno Roncoletta, used his Facebook page to invite the perpetrators to apologise to the church unless they wanted the video footage to be handed over to the police. After being shared more than 1,700 times the perpetrators came forward and apologised to the sanctuary. Father Moreno considers the case closed and is not pressing any charges.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4574
Radical Left Groups Violently Attacked Public Catholic Procession in Paris
2021-05-30 | On 30 May, a public Catholic procession in Paris, commemorating the city’s 19th-century martyrs, was violently attacked by several radical left groups. From the beginning on the procession was accompanied by interruptive whistling and booing. Soon the verbal attacks became physically violent. Flags were torn down and even heavy object thrown at them. The perpetrators also started to kick and punch participants of the procession, one elderly man was knocked to the ground suffering serious head injuries that needed to be stitched. The procession was then blocked by around 50 demonstrators and the police asked the believers to take refuge in a near by church until the situation was under control again. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4558
Twenty Graves Destroyed in the Cemetery La Ronde
2021-05-30 | More than 20 graves have been ransacked in the communal cemetery of La Ronbe during the night of 7th and 8th May. The plaques and flowers were destroyed. The police opened an investigation
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4851
News article: Scotland: Churches to receive fund for more security
2021-05-29 | Churches in Scotland are going to profit from a fund that aims to protect places of worship, which are particularly at risk of religiously motivated attacks. The Scottish Government provides a total sum of £500,000 in their Hate Crime Security Fund for security measures. Places of particular risk are eligible for 100 per cent funding. The fund opened in May and is thought to run for two months. Providing support by the end of September. Places of worship can receive up to £20,000 in funding to install security measures. Scotlands parliamentary officer at the Chrisitan public policy charity CARE, Michael Veitch commented: "In recent years, there have been alarming attacks on places of worship in Scotland including churches, synagogues, and mosques. This money will enable congregations to install security measures to act both as a deterrent to criminals and a reassurance to worshippers. Whilst the maximum grant available to individual places of worship is less than in England, the fact that 100 per cent grants are to be provided to the most at-risk settings is especially welcome. We hope that this assistance for places of worship will become a regular feature in Scottish Government budgets.We also call on Ministers to send a strong message that religiously-motivated hatred has no place in modern Scotland including hatred against Christians, which often receives less media coverage."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4562
Vandals Desecrated 'Way of the Cross' in Verona
2021-05-29 | Vandals have violated the Way of the Cross leading to the Cemetery in Pizzoletta, near Verona. Although the stolen plates are neither valuable nor ancient, they carry religious and ideational value for the community. The act of vandalism and theft happened just a few days after the Way of the Cross has been restored. During the pandemic, the Way of the Cross, which encompasses fourteen stations, had suffered various attacks. It is unclear if the case has been reported to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4564
Attempted Fire and Acts of Vandalism in the Church of Aytré
2021-05-29 | In the end of April, the church of Aytré, in Charente-Maritime near La Rochelle has been a victim of an attempted arson. Unknown perpetrators have burnt doilies as well as a box of matches. The motives remain unknown and a complain has been filled to the police
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4840
Christian Female Preacher Arrested after Speech at Speakers' Corner
2021-05-28 | Hatun Tash a Christian and a regular speaker at the Speakers' Corner, has been arrested after questioning the Islamic faith. Police officers who were asked to come in to protect the speaker, decided to arrest Hatun after a mob of Muslims started threatening her. A video released on YouTube shows Mohammad Hijab, the leader of the antagonistic group who threatened Hatun, spreading hate speech against world politicians and Israel, threatening police officers and threatening to kill Jews and Christians. It is unclear why the Police arrested Hatun instead of Hijab.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4559
Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Church in Pisa
2021-05-28 | Sometime between 27 and 28, May thieves have entered the church of San Michele Degli Scalzi in Italy. They broke into the tabernacle and have taken the sacred hosts. Don Lorenzo, the parish priest, noticed that the closing flap was slightly out of place and when he approached the tabernacle, he saw the theft and reported it to the police. The hosts did not have a material value, however, they have spiritual value for the religious community. Surveillance cameras might have caught the thieves. The Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4565
Court Decides: 6 Children Taken Away from Catholic Parents for Placing them in Catholic Schools
2021-05-27 | A French court ruled that 6 of 10 children had to be removed from their parents home because their catholic mother enrolled them on a catholic boarding school. Two of the six children have now been put into a foster family of Muslim descent, who refuses to educate the children in accordance with their Catholic faith, mother Clare says. The children have additionally been taken out of their Catholic boarding schools and put back into state schools. The mother also stated that the foster family tries to change their children believe, by teaching them Muslim prayers and worldviews. A petition to help the family get their children back has been launched.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4553
Pakistani Christian Living in Germany Threatened with Deportation
2021-05-27 | Faisal Jahangir a Pakistani Christian is facing deportation in Germany, despite being fully integrated. Jahangir lives and works in Germany since 13 years. Despite him facing a great threat of religious persecution in Pakistan, the german authorities remain tough.
If he doesn't leave voluntarily, he might face a three-year ban. He is now trying to get a visa through the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4555
Newly Proposed Bill in Spain to Criminalise Pro-Life Campaigs Near Abortion Clinics
2021-05-27 | A bill proposed on May 21 would punish Pro-Life campaigners near abortion clinics. The bill is said to criminalise "harassing women going to clinics for the voluntary interruption of pregnancy." If the bill passes pro-life groups campaigning near abortion clinics could either face a prison sentence of up to one year, or community service of up to 80 Days. In individual cases, an individual could also be barred from the specific location for a minimum of six months and a maximum of three years. A petition to oppose the bill has been launched.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4560
Scottish Pro-Abortion Lobby Demands Nationwide Band of "Harassing"Pro-Life Groups around Abortion Clinics
2021-05-27 | Campaigners of the 'Back Off Scotland' movement are now demanding 'buffer zones' around abortion clinics, after the numbers of terminations carried out in Scotland in 2020 became the second-highest on record. With a total of 13,815 terminations carried out, the pro-abortion lobby is requesting 'harassment' free access. Campaigners are stating that many women feel intimidated by Pro-Life supporters who gather in front of abortion clinics. The Scottish government is currently considering implementing the buffer zones.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4569
Children: Vandalism in Church leaving 'thousands of Euros' damage
2021-05-26 | The Church Saint Bartholomew in Pegnitz in Germany has been vandalized. The culprits are children between eight and twelve years of age. The destruction caused by them, includes broken windows and historical altar objects. Police are investigating the incident that happened on May 26, 2021.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4554
Proposed Conversion Therapy Ban Potentially Threatens Religious Freedom
2021-05-26 | A Proposed conversion therapy ban could cause "an unlawful interference" with several human rights laws protecting the freedom of religious belief and expression, says human rights lawyer P Havers. Everyday Christian activity could also be criminalized says, Havers. The ban would criminalise biblical teaching on human sexuality and gender. The UK government is considering the proposed ban. A decision is expected in Autumn says a MP.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4557
The Motiron Chapel Targeted for the Second Time
2021-05-24 | The Motiron Chapel in Val d'Ajol in the Vosges had been twice a victim of vandalism and theft. The first time was in June 2017 when a group of young perpetrators blackened the face of the Virgin with a candle and the second time on 20th May when the trunk of the chapel has been torn off and stolen. The owners filled a complain to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4852
Several Rubbish Bins Set on Fire near Church in Naples
2021-05-23 | On the night of 22 May, unknown perpetrators are said to have set several rubbish bins on fire in the neighbourhood of Sanità in Naples. It is reported that the rubbish bins were left close to the San Vincenzo Church. The residents in the Sanità neighbourhood have informed the police, who together with the fire brigade were able to contain the fire. "In just a few seconds the air became unbreathable and we were forced to lock ourselves in to prevent the smoke from entering our homes", said one complainer to the police. The police are still investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4543
Christian Therapist tricked by Undercover Journalist and Gay Activist
2021-05-23 | Lesley Pilkington is a former Christian counsellor that was tricked by an undercover journalist to provide counselling for his "unwanted same-sex attraction". Approached by Strudwick during a Christian conference, the Chrisitan counsellor with over 20 years of experience agreed to help the man. After a few sessions, the man filled a complaint against Lesley to the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) to get her 'struck off'. However, the Appeal Panel lessened the original sanctions against her and reversed much of the original decision.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4754
Church in Munich Threatened with Arson
2021-05-21 | The Church Saint Wolfgang in the Parish of Haidhausen, Germany has received a threat of arson. Vandals sprayed onto the church walls "The only illuminated Church, is the one, on fire". A slogan often used by anarchist or radical left groups attacking the church. Father Alfons Friedrich discovered the act and reported it immediately to the police. The case might have happened sometime between 16 May and 18 May. This is not the first attack on the Sait Wolfgang Church. It has been reported that in Fall 2019 unknown perpetrators broke into the church and destroyed the churches pipe organ - built in 1907 - causing over 6,000 Euros damage. The Police are investigating, charges against "unknown" have been pressed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4539
Church in Warsaw Vandalised by Radical Feminists
2021-05-19 | The Saint Alexander's Church in Warsaw has been vandalized by the Women's Strike group. The perpetrators painted a lightning bolt onto the churches facade, which is the groups' symbol, and poured paint onto the same. A video posted on Twitter shows the extent of the vandalistic act. Inscriptions were also painted on the pavement in front of the church. The attack shows that their primary intention was to disfigure the church located in Warsaw's Trzech Krzyży Square.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4529
The Church of Notre-Dame in Altkirch Damaged and Closed
2021-05-19 | On 8 May, the church of Notre-Dame in Altkirch in the Haut-Rhin region, has been damaged. This has not been the first act of vandalism. Due to the repetitive attacks, the church has closed its door to the public until further notice. A complaint has been filled to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4848
Statue of the Virgin Mary Vandalized and Her Belongings Stolen
2021-05-18 | In the early hours of June 18, vandals broke the glass and threw to the ground the Statue of the Virgin in the chapel of Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Salvación. The perpetrators have stolen the crown, the dagger, and a brooch, as well as causing serious damage to the image. The brotherhood regrets what happened, especially because the image had recently been restored. The neighbors and devotees were shocked by this event.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5186
Anti-Catholic Slogans and Vandalism in Glasgow
2021-05-18 | Football Hooligans vandalized the city of Glasgow after a game on the 18th of May. They smashed the windows ft the St Maria Goretti church in Cranial and draped a banner with anti-Catholic slogans was across railings in time for evening mass of another church, which wants to remain unidentified. There were further reports of abusive heckling within church grounds. Two incidents were reported to Police of Scotland.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5921
Man Severely Vandalises Church in Kitzingen
2021-05-16 | A 38-year-old caused a considerable amount of damage in the Saint John Church in Kitzingen. At around midday, the perpetrator is said to have climbed over the boundaries of the altar, where he threw down all the candlesticks which were partially damaged. He is also accused of having damaged the microphone system and the painting of Saint John from Jacques Grassmann with a sharp object. The 2 x 3-metre high altar painting was stabbed various times. The damage is summed to several thousand Euros. Police could identify and arrest the culprit.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4595
Palm Tree Set on Fire in Front of Church Virgin Stella Maris
2021-05-14 | Maristella, Italy. Unknown perpetrators are said to have attacked the church of the Virgin Stella Maris, in the village of Maristella in Alghero. It is reported that the attack happened on the night of 14 May. The perpetrators have allegedly put one of eight palm trees which are located near the entrance of the church on fire. The immediate action of municipal police and firefighters stopped the fire before it could affect the Church. It is also assumed that they destroyed a tablet at the Stella Maris' entrance. A fire in the nearby forest was also reported and brought under control by firefighters. The fire is assumed to have caused a yet unknown sum of damage. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4522
Life Size Cross Stolen in Newcastle
2021-05-13 | A life-size crucifix has been stolen sometime overnight between 12 May and 13 May 2021. The six-foot-high crucifix has been stolen from the All Saints' Church in Gosforth, Newcastle. The crucifix, which has been on display since 1965 "was situated in a consecrated area where many ashes are buried." said Rev Canon Andrew Shipton, from the All Saints' Church. He added, " It was a great shock to find that it had gone and a cause of considerable sadness". The police are asking the public for any information about the crucifix' disappearance and its possible whereabouts. The police are asking the perpetrators to return the crucifix, as it is also of immense sentimental worth.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4521
Trust Fund CEO Fired over Rented Space for Traditional Church.
2021-05-13 | The CEO of Scotland's largest grant-making trust, Kenneth Ferguson, has been fired for allowing the Stirling Free Church to rent Trust premises. Robertson Trusts Chairwoman Shonaig Macpherson is accused of having shammed and humiliated the organisation's CEO, over his link to the Stirling Free Church and their biblical views on marriage. A ruling in the case is expected soon.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4523
Repeated Acts of Vandalism and Desecration in Tailfinger Church
2021-05-13 | The church of Saint Francis on Langenwand has been vandalised multiple times. Unknown perpetrators have entered the church where they graffitied the walls, tore off the barrier tapes to delimit the seats and left cigarette burns on the seat cushions and the kneelers. The altar has also been desecrated when the culprit(s) cleared the sacred goods away. The police have been informed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4597
Catholic MP's Twitter account temporarily suspended for Tweeting "Man can't get pregnant"
2021-05-12 | Catholic MP Francisco J. Contreras in Spain got his Twitter account suspended for 12 hours after posting a Tweet saying that man can't get pregnant since they have neither an ovary nor a uterus. Twitter claimed that tweet to be 'inciting hatred'. Contreras published the tweet in response to an article claiming that a man gave birth to a child. The suspension fueled an already sensitive discussion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4526
Historical Cave Church in Turkey Destroyed
2021-05-11 | The Marta Shimoni Church in Mehri, Turkey has been desecrated by currently unknown perpetrators. Since the Church is built into a cave and thus cannot be destroyed like any other church, the nature of the attack must have been severe. Footage obtained by the International Christian Concern (ICC) Organization shows items and relics inside the Church being destroyed, amongst others pictures of Jesus Christ, rosaries and crosses. It is unknown whether the incident was reported to the police or not.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4524
Historic Statue of the Virgin Mary in Chapel in Uzbornia Forest Destroyed by Vandals
2021-05-09 | On 9 May 2021, unknown perpetrators destroyed a statue of the Virgin Mary. The over 100-year-old statue was ripped from its pedestal and then shattered. The statue was placed in the historical chapel in the Uzbornia forest in Poland which was built in 1880 and renovated in 2013. The city council, Mariusz Zając and other parishioners abhor the act. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4520
School Chaplain Reported to Terrorist Watchdogs after Giving a Sermon on Christian Values Sues School
2021-05-08 | Trent Colleges' school chaplain Reverend Dr Bernard Randall held a sermon at the schools chapel in June 2018, in which he encouraged students to respect and debate upon 'identity beliefs' and 'identity ideology'. Rev Dr Randall was afterwards reported to the governments' anti-terrorist unit 'Prevent' and forced out of his job. The school claimed that the sermon was "harmful to LGBT+" Students, and Rev Dr Randalls views were extremist. The former chaplain is now taking Trent College to court for unfair dismissal, discrimination, harassment and victimization. A hearing is awaited for June 14, 2021.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4517
Doctor wins legal fight over total ban on public worship in Switzerland
2021-05-07 | A swiss Court in Geneva ruled the ban of public worship as unlawful. As safety precautions regarding the spreading of COVID-19, Geneva banned religious services and events except for funerals and weddings with restricted capacity. Although religious gatherings were banned, public gatherings were still allowed to take place. Dr Sommeruga, who was assisted by ADF International took the ban to Court. He is "delighted to celebrate this win for religious freedom".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4519
Bellevue Church Vandalized with anti-Christian Tags Again
2021-05-07 | Similar hateful tags to the ones in January appeared again on the walls of the Church in Bellevue, Fort-de-France. One tag said "Church of the Devil". The incident was reported to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5925
Stolen Baptistery Found in Frankenberg
2021-05-06 | A baptistery stolen from an evangelical church in the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg in Germany has been found. The baptistery from the 17 century has been found and brought back to its rightful place. According to the local authorities, the baptistery made of brass has been stolen from the evangelical church back in March of 2021. The police did not give any information about how they discovered the baptistery due to ongoing investigations. It is to be assumed that since the incident the church has not been able to carry out any baptisms.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4516
Finnish Bishop-Elect Charged for 'Hate Speech' for Editorship of Booklet on Homosexuality in 2004
2021-05-04 | The designated bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, Dr Juhana Pohjola, has been charged for 'incitement to hate speech against a certain group of people' by the Finnish Attorney General's Office. Similarly to the case of Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen, the reason for the charges placed against Dr Pohjola is his editorship of a booklet published by the Luther Foundation Finland (ELMDF) in 2004 and written by Räsänen. Beforehand, all charges have been dropped by the Helsinki Police because they could not identify any broken law by the booklet since same-sex marriage was only legalised in Finland in 2017.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4536
17th century statue of Christ stolen from Saint-Nazaire church
2021-05-03 | The historic statute of Christ, classified as a historical monument since 1949, has been stolen from the church of Saint-François in Saint-Nazaire. The wooden statue, disappeared between 3rd and 10th April 2021. There is a high probability that the statute has been stolen during the opening hours in the middle of the day. A complaint has been filed to the police and an investigation has been underway.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4776
In Only 15 days, the Saint Michel Church Vandalized 3 times
2021-05-02 | On the 2nd May, 6th May and on the weekend, the church of Saint-Matoury has been vandalized. The faithful have found that the perpetrators managed to break into the church from a broken window situated at the back of the church. They found that they stole the tabernacle and partly ransacked the nave.
Later, the church has again been a victim of numerous robberies and thefts. The parish and political authorities condemned these acts and an investigation has been opened.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4841
15th Century Limestone Statue of Saint Jacques Stolen
2021-05-02 | Between the 17 and 19 May, the 50 centimetres high statue of Saint Jacques has been stolen. The 15th century limestone statute has among the historical monuments listed in the supplementary inventory on the 4th of May 1988. It has been in the commune of La Pernelle, in the Manche region. There are worries that the virgin in the grotto and in the church or at the baptismal font could also be stolen. The police of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue or the town hall of La Pernelle are asking for clues and witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4847
Perpetrators Vandalized Churches Along The Pilgrimage Route of Saint James
2021-05-01 | During the night of 30 April to 1 May, unknown perpetrators vandalised two churches, as well as, monuments and streetlamps illuminating the Barbaresco-Tower. Windows of the San Bernardo Chruch were smashed in with stones. The stones also damged the ambo, causing it to fall and break. Another Church along the Pilgrimage route of Saint James was also affected. It has been reported that the perpetrators smashed beer bottles against the walls of the thousand-year-old church of San Giorgio. A few monuments and streetlamps illuminating the Barbaresco-Tower have also been vandalized and damaged through stones. Residents reported the incident and Town-Councillor Laura Gandolfo ordered an immediate investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4511
The Graville Cemetery Vandalized and Religious Objects from the Chapel Broken
2021-05-01 | During the weekend of 1st and 3rd May , ten graves were vandalized in the Graville cemetery in Le Havre. In addition, religious objects on the altar from the chapel of the Virgin Mary have been broken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4842
Church In Schlema Damaged
2021-04-30 | Between 29 to 30 April, unknown perpetrators broke the window of a church in Schlema. According to the police a side entrance door of the church was smashed and an unknown liquid was applied to the facade of the building. The damage amounts up to 2.000 Euros. The police are investigating for damage to property.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4508
Finish MP Charged for Hate Speech After Bible Post on Twitter About Human Sexuality
2021-04-29 | MP Pävi Räsänen is facing three criminal charges for alleged hate speech brought against her by the Finnish Prosecutor General. This is not the first time MP Räsänen is being investigated for hate speech by the police but the first time she is confronted with criminal charges. The medical doctor, mother of five, and grandmother of six is accused of having engaged in “hate speech” for publicly voicing her opinion on marriage and human sexuality in a 2004 pamphlet, for comments made on a 2018 TV show and, most recently, a tweet directed at her church leadership. The Prosecutor General considers that Räsänen's statements are likely to cause intolerance, contempt and hatred towards homosexuals. The charges will be heard later at the Helsinki District Court.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3841
Vandalism In Church In Freiburg
2021-04-27 | An act of vandalism and property damage amounting to several thousand Euros, occurred at a church on Langestraße. Unknown perpetrators broke into the unlocked place of worship and smeared the floors, walls, and furniture with wax. The police were investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4485
The Statue of Saint Gabriel Stolen From a Cemetery in Romans-sur-Isère:
2021-04-27 | By the end March in Romans-sur-Isère, a mother noticed that a large pot of flowers as well as the statute of Saint Gabriel have been stolen from the grave of the 37-age man. Shocked and affected by the act of the theft, the mother reported the incident to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4823
Cemetery In Nowa Wieś Ełcka Vandalised
2021-04-26 | After the cemetery in Nowa Wieś Ełcka was first vandalised and then destroyed by felled trees, it is now to be restored to its original state. The bishop of the parish, Paweł Hause, said: "Destroying the sign of the cross, which is on an old gravestone, by handling it with heavy equipment, overturning it, destroying it and burying it, offends the feelings of all Christians - Catholics, Evangelicals, Orthodox. It was the residents of the village, Catholics, who first pointed out this anti-Christian behaviour. Whatever the perpetrators and those responsible say, there has been a lack of respect for the dead and for the cemetery, which is and should remain holy ground."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4505
Vandalistic Attack In Gussago After Priest Speaks Out
2021-04-26 | The priest's car, the church façade and the surveillance cameras of the church of Gussago, Franciacorta, were vandalised the night before 26 April. The perpetrators were a group of youths who had been celebrating frequently during services, next to the church the days before. After the parish priest Don Adriano Dabellani complained and called the carabinieri, vandalistic acts were perpetrated in the following nights, probably in revenge. The vandals wrote blasphemies on the priest's car, as well as on the façade of the church. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4507
Church Tabernacle Stolen from St. Boniface in Goddelau
2021-04-26 | The pastor of the parish church of St. Boniface in Goddelau, Anton Lucaci, claims that the heart was stolen from the parish after the tabernacle was robbed. The police were alerted and assume that the thieves wanted the metal.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5146
The Church of Saint-Tudy in Loctudy Remained Closed due to Repetitive Acts of Vandalism and Damage
2021-04-25 | From January 2020 onwards, damage of the church of Saint-Tudy in Loctudy have been regularly reported due to the repetitive acts of vandalism. The parishioners complained that on Palm Sunday, the Paschal candle were broken into two and that the curtains have been torn off and the frost, hydroalcoholic as well as confessionals gel were thrown and spilled on the pews of the church. Another act of vandalism occurred on the 17th April when lit and overturned candles were thrown into a trunk. In addition, inside the trunk, banknotes have been partially burnt. Due to these repetitive acts of vandalism and damage, the church will only be opened during mass times. Otherwise, it will remain closed until further notice.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4838
Perpetrators Damaged St. Laurentius Church Lamps
2021-04-24 | The lamps in the St. Laurentius Church in Schramberg-Sulgen were damaged in the on November 24th but the villain is still at large. Two of the lamps were damaged on Tuesday the 23rd and three more received similar treatment outside the building the next day. The cost of the destruction was estimated to be around 1000 euros and the police were in search of more information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5201
Sainte-Thérèse Church In Évreux Subjected To Series Of Degradations
2021-04-23 | On the night of 22 April, the church of Sainte-Thérèse de l'Enfant Jésus in the Nétreville district of Évreux was the victim of a burglary for the seventh time in six months. In the process, a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary was found lying on the floor with large cuts to its head, having been subjected to repeated attempts at destruction in the days before. The other complaints in the intervening period include damage to several entrances to the interior of the church and the theft of numerous religious items. Meanwhile, a suspect has been arrested. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4504
Vandalism On The Steps Of The Church Of San Francesco
2021-04-23 | After the stone capital on the steps of the Marian Sanctuary of San Francesco all'Immacolata in Corso Vittorio Emanuele in Noto was vandalised, the perpetrator has now been identified and reported. The police were able to gather useful clues with the help of images from the video surveillance in the area, which made it possible to establish the identity of the vandal. It is a 33-year-old man already known to the police, who is facing charges of serious damage to historical objects - a Unesco World Heritage Site.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4506
Pastor Arrested In Greater London for Public Preaching on Biblical Marriage
2021-04-23 | Pastor John Sherwood, the pastor of a church in North London, preached a sermon on a public street on 23 April, in which he advocated for the biblical image of the family consisting of a father, mother and children and that marriage can only be between a man and a woman. After a while, some police officers appeared on the scene, approached Pastor Sherwood and stated that three complaints had been received about the sermon. After a lengthy conversation between the pastor and the police officers, the police officers asked him to come down from the steps where he was standing and said that he was now under arrest. The police accusation was that Pastor Sherwood had made homophobic remarks. An officer then took the Bible from the pastor's hand, pulled him off the steps and handcuffed him behind his back. The pastor was arrested for causing alarm and distress under section 5 of the Public Order Act, according to police. The preacher was detained by the police for about 21 hours, and he is still under investigation after his release.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4509
Funerary Objects and Flowers Stolen from Cemeteries in Pleumeur-Bodou
2021-04-22 | In Pleumeur-Bodou in the Côtes d'Armor, a theft act has been committed in the cemeteries. Numerous funerary objects as well as flowers have been stolen. The town hall and the first deputy, Christelle Broudic, condemns these thefts. The police operation will be intensified in order to prevent these criminal acts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4837
Two Vandalistic Acts against Churches in Bad Griesbach
2021-04-19 | Unknown perpetrators committed an act of vandalism in two churches in Bad Griesbach in the District of Rottal. The incidents happened on the weekend of 17 and 18 April. The damage caused by the perpetrators is estimated to be around 5.000 Euros. The Police are investigating, and asking the public for help.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4590
Bust Of St. John Paul II Vandalised In Front Of Polish Church In Paris
2021-04-19 | On 19 April, in front of the Polish Church of the Assumption at 'Concorde' in Paris, the bust of St John Paul II was vandalised . An unknown perpetrator covered the bust with red paint. Father Paweł Witkowski mentioned the great merits and achievements of John Paul II, who "certainly did not deserve such treatment". The case is being investigated by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4491
Vandals Damaged Church In Golasecca for Second Time
2021-04-18 | For the second time in a month, the church of Lazzaretto in Golasecca has been vandalised. This time the perpetrators damaged the door and vandalised the interior. Unknown persons had already broken into the small sacred building on 21 March, at which time the parish priest had filed a complaint with the Carabinieri. The church of Saints Simon and Judas is located in the woods near the village. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4488
Church-Door In Montecatini Set On Fire
2021-04-15 | On the afternoon of 15 April, a fire was set at the door of the church of Saints Jacopo and Filippo in Montecatini Alto. The door was partially destroyed. The fire brigade and the Carabinieri intervened right away. So far, there seem to be no direct witnesses to the arson, which can be safely assumed. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4478
Woman Destroys Consecrated Objects In Church In Düsseldorf
2021-04-12 | A woman vandalised sacred objects in the sanctuary of the Maxkirche in Düsseldorf between 12 and 16 April. The perpetrator threw candles and altar cloths on the floor. The congregation is shocked at the extent of the devastation. The city Deacon, Frank Heidkamp, said: "An adult woman threw candles, candlesticks, floral arrangements, altar cloths and sacrificial candles on the floor during normal opening hours last week and obviously caused this devastation with wanton intent." The case was recorded on a security camera and has already been handed over to the police, who is now investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4477
Vandals Devastate Cemetery In Mosina
2021-04-12 | Vandals attacked the parish cemetery in Mosina during the night of 11 to 12 April. Broken candles and other damages were found. The case was also investigated by the police, who have already arrested one person. The city police also found a vandalised car in a nearby car park.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4486
The Churches of Rides and Marsac Vandalized
2021-04-12 | Over the Easter weekend, form 3 to 5 April, both churches, the church of Rides, in the commune of Cours, and Marsac, in the commune of Laugnac were vandalized. The perpetrators used old stone cross from the cemetery in order to break down the doors of the churches. Both churches are isolated and emptied of all materials for a long time. Locals and rural elected representatives are often faced with this type of vandalism and delinquency by perpetrators who do not respect places of worships.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4777
The Church of Saint-Hilaire in Bouy Damaged by Fire
2021-04-12 | On the 12th of April, particularly around 11am, one of the aisles of the the 12th-13th century church of Saint-Hilaire in Bouy has been set on fire. The origin of the fire remains unknown. The firemen were successful to douse the fire with water.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4824
Unknown Perpetrators Destroy Organ Pipes of Church In Höxter
2021-04-11 | In Höxter, unknown perpetrators vandalised the church of St. Anna on 11 April. Inside the church they destroyed the ornamental organ pipes. The vandals also lit candles, spread matches on the floor and left two notes with inscriptions. The damage to property amounts to 1.000€. The incident was reported to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4476
Two Pastors Arrested After Outdoor Worship Service
2021-04-11 | On April 11 of 2021, two Christian pastors were arrested and detained for over 4 hours during an outdoor worship service, which was interrupted by the police due to Covid-19 regulations. A few dozen people of the Baptist-affiliated “home church” (Kottikirko) gathered on a large and spacious square for their public worship, being the fifth Sunday running that the Christian group gathered in the same place for the same purpose.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6015
Cassino Cemetery Reconsecrated After Red-Light Meetings
2021-04-10 | After red-light parties with prostitutes were held in the Cassino cemetery, the local church officials felt compelled to return sanctity to the desecrated place and rededicate the cemetery. "This rite of reparation", the diocese said, "became necessary as a result of the recent judicial investigation of the management of the municipal cemetery, which revealed serious acts that qualify as desecration of the bodies. In the name of the Church and representing the entire community of Setina, we went to the cemetery, prayed for the deceased buried there and renewed the rite of blessing the cemetery as an act of reparation for the desecration and sacrilege committed."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4503
Church of Fraternité Scerdotale Saint-Pie Tagged with Sickle and Hammer
2021-04-10 | The church of Fraternité Scerdotale Saint-Pie X churches has been vandalized during the night of 9-10 April. More specifically, the gate and the fence have been tagged with sprayed as well as red paint. It has been assumed that the main perpetrators are from the left-wing movement in Nantes since the tags included a sickle and a hammer. In the morning of 10th April, the tags have been removed by the SSPX.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4817
Our Lady Reconciler Chapel and the Church of Saint-Joseph des Nations Broken Into
2021-04-09 | During the night of 8 to 9 April, the Notre-Dame Réconciliatrice chapel in Paris was broken into. The chapel is located 500 metres from the church of Saint-Joseph des Nations which was also a victim of a burglary during the night of 4th to 5th April. The unknown perpetrators stole Easter collections, the large chest containing, two ciboria used at Holy Thursday, and other religious objects. The altar cloth was also stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4815
Desecration of Monastery in Halefka by Illegal Techno Party
2021-04-07 | The Armenian monastery of Saint Magar in the North of Cyprus has been desecrated by an illegal techno party. The party is said to have taken place in March, although a video of the party was only released in April. The Religious Leaders of the Island have now released a statement declaring: “The Religious Leaders of Cyprus condemn this unfortunate act and any misuse, disrespect and desecration of places of worship and cemeteries in Cyprus, irrespective of intention, religion, dogma and denomination".
In their statement, they pointed out that all places of worship and cemeteries, in use or not, are protected against vandalism. They stated furthermore that “disrespecting places of worship and cemeteries creates pain, nurtures mistrust and becomes an obstacle to peaceful coexistence”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4547
An Islamic Attack Planned Against a Church in Montpellier
2021-04-07 | On the 7th of April, the French authorities received information from the Moroccan General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGSI) about a French woman of Moroccan origin who lives in Béziers. This woman was "planning an imminent terrorist operation targeting a church in France." According to the investigations, she lives in Dévèze, a ‘’sensitive’’ district of Béziers, and intended to carry out the act. The investigators found in her flat a sword and mechanism as well as materials to make TATP, which is a powerful explosive. The woman remains in custody.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4778
Arson at Church In Gelsenkirchen
2021-04-05 | The Church of St. Mary's Assumption in Gelsenkirchen-Rotthausen was the victim of an arson attack on the 5th of April in the evening, which is also Easter Monday. The fire brigade was on the scene with 80 emergency personnel. The fire started inside the building and had broken out into the sacristy. From there, the fire spread to the nave and smoke came out of the roof. Right before the fire broke out, witnesses saw young people running out of the church. According to the police, they have had two previous incidents in the same church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4482
Arson to Church In Northern France causes extensive Damage
2021-04-05 | On Easter Monday evening, 5. April, a fire broke out in the listed collegiate church of Saint-Nicolas in Avesnes-Sur-Helpe near Cambrai, causing extensive damage to the church. A man was placed in custody facing 10 years of prison for the arson attack to the church. It seems that the fire was set near the wooden altarpiece, leading to several works being destroyed or damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4483
The Wall Behind the Church Destroyed
2021-04-05 | During the night of Sunday to Monday, the wall of the old cemetery, just behind the church in the street of Rhome, has been destroyed. Anne-Sophie Peureux-Demangelle, the mayor of Lachapelle-sous-Chaux, claims that the wall did not fall down by itself. It was a clear act of vandalism with a tractor. The perpetrators circulated a video on social media particularly Snapchat. They commented: 'We didn't fake it last night'." The town hall has filed a complaint to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4802
Church In Paris Robbed And Desecrated
2021-04-04 | On the night of Easter Sunday, thieves gained entry into the Église Saint-Joseph des Nations church in Paris. They escaped with the proceeds of the collection, two sacred vessels and a consecrated host. According to Aleteia, “the thieves took away the large chest containing the proceeds of Easter collections, three (empty) boxes and two ciboriums that they located by forcing the doors of the tabernacle. The hosts were found on the altar tablecloth, while the large host used for adoration was taken away by the vandals. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4479
Church in Aichach Tagged with Insulting Graffiti "Hypocrite Church = Child Molester" During Easter Week
2021-04-04 | On the night of Easter Sunday, April 4th, unknown perpetrators tagged the facade of the town parish church in Aichach with an insulting and stereotyping slogan. In the morning, the sacristan reported the damage to property to the police. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4473
Unknown Perpetrators Loot Offertory Box Of Church In Corigliano Scalo
2021-04-04 | In the days immediately before Easter, the parish of Saints Leo and Nicholas in the town of Scalo in the Gallo D'Oro area was targeted. During the night, unknown persons broke into the church through a smashed window and stole from the church interior only a few coins that were kept in the offertory. They also broke open a door and stole a loudspeaker. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4484
Plot to bomb church uncovered
2021-04-04 | On April 4, 2021, the 18 year-old woman was arrested in Béziers for planned terrorist attack against the Catholic church of the Notre-Dame de la Reconciliation. She reportedly had connections to the Islamic State a very disturbing profile. She is the third person under 20 to be charged in 2021 in relation to planning an Islamist‑inspired attack.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=8481
Easter Service in Nidda Disrupted By Three Young Men Scanting Islamic Slogans
2021-04-03 | Three unknown, alcoholised young Muslim men have disturbed the Easter Vigil service of the Evangelical Lutheran Church "Zum Heiligen Geist" in Nidda, Central Hesse. According to the church congregation, they repeatedly attacked worshippers (especially children and teenagers) and shouted "There is only one God, and that is Allah" and "Allah is the greatest". The unknown perpetrators had already insulted some of the worshippers outside the church and even filmed them. The perpetrators were asked to leave numerous times, also because they did not wear masks but refused to do so. The State Security Service has started an investigation for disturbing the exercise of religion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4474
Blasphemous Posters on the Door of the Polish House in Bydgoszcz
2021-04-02 | On the 2nd of April posters explicitly attacking the Catholic Church and mocking the holy cross were hung on the door of the Polish House in Bydgoszcz. The Catholic House in Bydgoszcz, also called the Polish House, is a historic public building used as a place of activity by Catholic organisations and associations in Bydgoszcz. The unknown perpetrators also left the blasphemous inscription: "The secret of faith - cars and dollars". The holy cross, The incident was reported by the church authorities to the city police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4471
London Police Abruptly Interrupts Easter Service - Church Complains
2021-04-02 | On charges of violating COVID-19 rules, police in the UK have interrupted up a Good Friday service celebrated at the Roman Catholic Christ the King Church in London. Police also threatened to fine each person sitting in the pews $280. According to the British Independent newspaper, churches are allowed to hold services during the lockdown in England with no limit on the number of parishioners as long as the congregation adheres to social distancing and wears masks. The church rejected the police claims, saying in a statement, "We believe, however, that the police brutally exceeded their powers by issuing their warrant for no good reason, as all government requirements were met."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4487
Vandalism Leaves Statue of 'Extraordinary Historical Value' at Chapel Destroyed
2021-04-01 | A statue of the Virgin Mary of historical value has been destroyed at the Holy Spirit Church in Koszalin in Poland on 1 April. The statue was of exceptional value since it was given to the Parish by a survivor of the Dachau concentration camp and was seen as a shrine of memorial for the ones who did not survive the camp. The chapel in which the statue was standing was also vandalised. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4556
Vandalism in Diersheim Churches
2021-04-01 | On the first of April, the Diersheim church was found with hymn books thrown around and paper lying on the floor with some of it burnt. It was not known who committed the crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5132
Offensive Tags Hanged on Churches in León
2021-04-01 | The churches in León of El Salvador, San Juan, San Pedro de Renueva, Santa Marina and in the Collegiate Church of San Isidoro were all targeted with hateful messages. This included posters put on them with the words "Closed for sexist", "Closed for homophobes", "Expropriators", or "Closed for misogynists." The churches were also taped shut an the police opened an investigation into the matter as it was not known who did it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5649
Polish Anarchists Hung A Vulgar Banner On A Church In Warsaw
2021-03-31 | Far-left groups in Poland are proud to show themselves profaning the Church of the Holy Saviour in the centre of Warsaw on social media. Local anarchists lit flares in front of the entrance to the temple and hung a banner with vulgar inscription on the scaffolding. The assault took place on the afternoon of March 31st. The far-left in Poland seems to enjoys an impunity. This is evidenced by the minimal reaction of the judiciary to the series of provocations, desecrations and attacks carried out against Catholic churches since October 2020. According to the TVP Info portal, the recent attack did not cause any material losses, and no one was physically harmed. Nevertheless, the series of incidents strongly accentuated the symbolic dimension of these acts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4470
Servite Church in Innsbruck Heavily Vandalised
2021-03-31 | Unknown perpetrators vandalized the Servite Church in Tirol's capital Innsbruck. The damage caused has been estimated to be several thousand Euros. According to police reports, the perpetrators destroyed several statues, sacred objects, and contaminated the premises. It is thought to have occurred sometime between 11.25 and 11.55 on the 31st of March. Police were investigating and witnesses were asked to come forward.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4593
Altar Statue Smashed and Parish Documents Burned in Romilly-sur-Seine
2021-03-31 | In the Saint-Martin Church in Romilly-sur-Seine, a plaster statue of the Virgin Mary, located behind the altar, was smashed on the floor on March 31st. Earlier in the week, some parish documents from a display had been burned at the altar. Father Richard Lukaszewski filed a complaint about this vandalism and requested that the local police make more frequent rounds in that area.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5518
Arson at St.Peter Church in Linz
2021-03-28 | On March 28th, the church of St. Peter in Linz was severely damaged by a fire. According to the church's parish priest, the fire was set inside a chapel near the wooden altar. Despite early attempts to extinguish the fire, the wooden altar was destroyed and a statue of the Virgin Mary was damaged. The next day the police reported that a book commemorating the dead, which was lying on a side table, had been purposefully set on fire. Since the fire did not pose a serious threat to any person, the police stated they would only investigating for damage to property. The damage amounts to around €80,000.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4466
Man Sets Fire To Church In Wokingham
2021-03-26 | After a fire broke out at a church in Wokingham on 26 March, the police arrested a 28-year-old man suspected of arson. The police was called at around 3pm after the fire was reported.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4489
Attempted Theft of Sacred Objects from via Catalani Church
2021-03-26 | On March 26th, 34-year-old Moroccan Mohamed Laafar, attempted to steal a chalice, a pyx, and a throne, from the parish of Peata maria Vergine della Pieta, in via Catalani. He would have succeeded, had the carabinieri not been alerted to the suspicious activity at which point they intervened and arrested him. On May 24th of 2022, he was sentenced by the Court of Sciacca Dino Toscano, to 5 months and 10 days imprisonment and a fine of 200 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5780
Church of the Crosses in Foggia Desecrated with Obscene Symbol
2021-03-25 | One of the five chapels of the Church of the Crosses in Foggia was smeared with blue paint. One pillar was defaced with a phallic symbol, now covered by a white cloth. The other pillars were sprayed with conspicuous and incomprehensible signs. Other writings were found on the ground of the chapel and on the pavement. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4461
Orthodox Pastor's Car Smashed with Stones By Vandals In Magenta
2021-03-25 | During the night of March 25th, several young people threw stones at Father Ioan's car. The car was parked in Via Melzi in Magenta, near the church of San Rocco, where the Orthodox community is based. There are yet no clear indicators for the motivation of this crime. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4465
Church in Baden Baden Set on Fire and Smeared with Paint
2021-03-25 | Unknown perpetrators threw a flammable object through a smashed window of a side door into the St. Bernhard Church in Baden-Baden during the night of 25 March. According to the police, heavy smoke developed and spread into the church interior. In addition, the perpetrators smeared a two-by-two-metre sign on the side wall of the church, which, according to the parish priest's interpretation, could represent a Jewish Star of David. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4501
Three Churches Broken into in Val-Doré, Nogent-le-Sec and Jumelles, Statues, Vases and Candlesticks Disappeared
2021-03-25 | During the night of 24-25 March, three churches in the region of Eure, particularly in Val-Doré, Nogent-le-Sec and Jumelles, have been targeted by thieves. Several religious objects such as statues, vases, candleholders, 16th century statue of Saint Christine were stolen. The churches were broken into probably with a crowbar. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4813
201 Gravestones Destroyed At Olsztyn Cemetery - Perpetrator Caught
2021-03-23 | On March 23rd, the municipal police received a report that gravestones had been damaged at the cemetery in Olsztyn. A total of 201 graves were vandalised. A few hours after the report, the police arrested a 38-year-old man. The man confessed the crime of insulting a gravesite in connection with damage to property.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4460
Relic Of St Thérèse Stolen In Clarens
2021-03-23 | On 23 March, the caretaker of the Catholic church in Clarens discovered broken glass and noticed that the piece of cartilage of the parish's patron saint, Saint Theresa of Lisieux, had been stolen from a statue. The chairman of the parish council says: "Materially, there's a bit of a market for relics, but I'm more inclined to think it was sacrilege." The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4502
The Church of Notre Dame du Cierge Vandalized
2021-03-23 | On the 23rd of March, a message on a fire extinguisher was found in order to warn the two teenager perpetrators who set fire to the church of Notre Dame du Cierge in Épinal and emptied the fire extinguishers. One of them has been recognized on the 31st of March and the other on 18th April. The first perpetrator was seen in the church, while the other has been seen while entering the church. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4843
Vandalism and Desecration Of Hospital Chapel In La Rochelle
2021-03-22 | On March 22, the chapel of the Saint-Louis Hospital in La Rochelle got severely vandalised and desecrated. "When I knelt down at the altar to begin my prayer, I noticed that something was wrong," explained the chaplain. He noticed that the altar cloths were stained with a yellow liquid and that in front of one of the side chapels an imposing plaster statue of Christ was "pulverised". Matches and a cigarette butts that were found at the scene indicate that the perpetrators tried to set fire to the chapel. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4462
Catholic Priest in Ireland Fined for Not Restricting Access to Mass
2021-03-22 | A Catholic priest in Ireland has been fined 500 Euros because he did not close the doors to his church while we was celebrating mass, so people would not be able join the church service. Due to government health measures, public religious services in the country have been suspended since 7 October 2020. In a parish newsletter, Father P.J. Hughes wrote: “Next Sunday marks the journey of Holy Week. It is hard to believe that for a second year people cannot come to take part in the ceremonies of Holy Week. Despite the size of the church and the holy place that it is because of the presence of Jesus in the Holy Tabernacle, the church has been deemed a hot spot for the spread of the virus by the gardaí.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4468
Rioters Vandalize Church in Bad Rappenau
2021-03-22 | Unknown persons rioted inside a church in Bad Rappenau on Monday, 22nd of March between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The perpetrators entered the Protestant church on Kirchplatz and knocked over disinfection dispensers, tore up prayer texts and smashed an altar candle, among other things. They also tore down a picture and threw it on the floor. The damage is amounting to several hundred euros, according to the police.
The police called for witnesses testimonies for the investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5919
Vandals Smash Window Of A Church In Catanzaro
2021-03-21 | During the night of March 20th, unknown perpetrators smashed a window of the Church of Santa Maria della Speranza in Catanzaro by throwing stones against it. According to Mayor Sergio Abraham, the vandalism "strikes directly at the heart of the neighbourhood church, which is a landmark for all residents". The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4458
Vandalism At The Sacred Heart Church In Singen
2021-03-21 | Unknown persons destroyed windows at the Sacred Heart Church in Singen probably on the weekend of 19-21 March. Since the windows are leaded glass windows, the destruction causes much more financial damage than normal windows. According to the church's pastor, the vandalism is not an isolated case, as the church has been the victim of repeated attacks recently. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4496
Lazaretto Church Vandalized in Golasseca
2021-03-21 | On the 21st of March, unknown persons entered the small Church of Lazaretto and vandalized its interior. the Parish priest, Fr. Hervé Simeoni, filed a complaint at the police. The Church was attacked a second time in April.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5918
Two Anti-Christian Attacks In Churches In Nice
2021-03-20 | On march 20th, two perpetrators vandalised the interior of a small church in the Saint Isidore district, they also stole several consecrated objects. A few hours later the police arrested the perpetrators with the help of public video recordings. Another incident occurred in parallel at the Basilica of Notre Dame, the church where three Christians were killed by an Islamic Terrorist in October 2020. During this incident a perpetrator, who was later identified and arrested by the police, had praised the terrorist massacre during holy mass.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4459
Rave Party In An Abandoned Armenian Monastery In Cyprus
2021-03-20 | On 20 March, a rave party took place in the Armenian monastery of Sourp Magar in northern Cyprus, which was founded in the 11th century and has been empty since 1974. Although the rave party took place several weeks ago, it only became known this week through a video. The US Ambassador to Cyprus, Judith Garber, condemned the rave party: "The US Embassy strongly condemns the abuse of the Armenian Monastery of Saint Magar. Freedom of worship is a fundamental value and we join religious leaders in calling for all places of worship, whether in use or not, to be protected from abuse, vandalism and desecration."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4481
Perpetrators Rioted Inside Church and Damaged the Organ
2021-03-20 | Unknown perpetrators rioted in St George's Church in Freistett and damaged the valuable organ. On 20 March, unknown persons entered the open church unnoticed and caused damage amounting to several thousand Euros. Individual church brochures, hymn books and pens were scattered on the floor, the lid from the baptismal font was placed on the altar, the permanent candles extinguished, electricity plugs pulled and the confirmation and baptism fish for good wishes torn. "The perpetrators have (also) wilfully damaged the organ," regretted the church's pastor. CCTV was now installed. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4495
Forty Religious Objects Recovered After Theft in Ile de France Region
2021-03-20 | Numerous religious objects such as statues, altar crosses, Stations of the Cross, reliquaries have been stolen between June and November. The police of Seine et Marne found around 40 objects linked to 26 thefts. The statues of St Joseph were found by an elected representative of the commune on an advertisement website. He contacted the seller and informed the police who went to his home in Montreuil and traced the other stolen religious objects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4803
Attempted Arson In Protestant Church In Glonn
2021-03-19 | During the night of March 19th, unknown persons attempted to set fire to the vestibule of the Protestant church in Glonn. According to the police, flyers and other informational leaflets were set on fire. The entrance door, a side table and a carpet were burnt, but the fire did not spread to the whole church. The caused property damage is estimated at about 2.500 Euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4464
Church of Saint-Denis de la Croix Rousse Damaged and Vandalized
2021-03-19 | On the 19th of March, a forty-three-year-old man, known for fifty previous convictions, vandalized the church of Saint Denis in Croix-Rousse in the district of Lyon. The perpetrator climbed on the altar and knocked down the cross. Three days later, he returned to the church and stole the candlestick. The perpetrator was arrested in Place Tobie-Robatel and brought before the public prosecutor’s office.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4814
Saint-Louis Church in La Roche-sur-Yon Tagged by Anarchists
2021-03-19 | On 19 March, the Saint-Louis Church in La Roche-sur-Yon has been tagged by Anarchists. The sentence of ‘’Vive la commune de 1971’’ (long live the 1871 commune) has been tagged in red and signed with an A circled, which is the symbol of the Anarchists. This is not the first time that the church has been targeted. Last March, Saint-Louis Church and the visitation monastery have also been a victim of vandalism with the same anarchist symbol on their wall. An investigation has been opened.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4818
Icons and Walls of Church in Titan Smeared by Radical Left Group
2021-03-18 | The wooden church in Titan, Bucharest was vandalised by a radical Left group during the night of March 18th. Volunteers from the congregation discovered the damage when they opened the church the next morning. The outside walls of the wooden church were tagged with inscriptions such as "BLM" and "Be Gay do crime", which also covered the icons. BLM is short for Black Lives Matter, the movement in the United States. According to spokesperson of the Romanian Patriarchate, Vasile Bănescus, the act is just the latest example in a long line of violent acts dictated and perpetuated by neo-Marxism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4457
Perpetrators Vandalise Church Facade in Kożuchów with Threatening Slogans
2021-03-17 | Unknown perpetrators have vandalised the facade of the parish church in Kożuchów. A threatening slogan in Spanish was tagged on the wall "The only church that lights up is the one that burns". The perpetrators face a sentence of up to five years in prison for destroying property. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4455
Arson and Vandalism In Church In Gödöllő
2021-03-15 | On the evening of March 15th, unknown perpetrators broke into the Greek Orthodox Church of Gödöllő. The perpetrators then set fire to the pews and sprayed an icon with flammable material. Neighbours noticed the fire and immediately alerted the fire brigade. The parish priest described the vandalism as a clearly anti-Christian act and said that damage the vandals caused is estimated to be around 2.5 million HUF. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4456
Church Window Smashed With Beer Bottles In Bielefeld
2021-03-14 | On March 14th, unknown persons smashed a church window and knocked over a barrel of gravel in Bielefeld. Police officers were informed and found a broken window and an overturned barrel with gravel. According to current information, the window was broken with two beer bottles. The police is now looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4454
Vandalism and Theft in the Liebfrau Church in Karlsruhe
2021-03-13 | An unknown perpetrator entered the Church of Our Lady in Karlsruhe, on the morning of March 13, and stole the condolence book of the pastor, who had recently passed away. Inside the church, as the police reported, the unidentified vandal threw the holy water kettle, candles, glasses, and other objects on the ground. Afterward, the perpetrator disappeared from the church without being recognized.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5152
Disturbing Act of Vandalism At Cork Cemetery
2021-03-13 | In the early hours of March 13th, vandals smeared gravestones at a cemetery in Cork. The perpetrators sprayed headstones at St Mary and St John Church in Ballincollig with grafitti. In addition, stones were moved and knocked over. Fianna Fáil councillor Colm Kelleher described the scenes at the cemetery as: "This is someone's family member and for their final resting place to be desecrated in a way like this, it is absolutely disgusting," he said. The police is investigating and confirmed to the Irish Examiner that no arrests have yet been made.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4450
Desecration of 1000-year-old Graveyard on Gorey
2021-03-13 | Police are investigating a startling case concerning the 1000-year-old Clonattin graveyard on the outskirts of Gorey. Various headstones were damaged and graffitied with spray paint by currently unknown perpetrators. The spray paint used is a blue paint commonly used to mark roads. Some of the vandalized headstones are important for the Town's history. The damage may be irreversible.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4546
LGBT Activists Vandalise Church and Insult Virgin Mary
2021-03-12 | A group of LGBT activists is said to have graffitied a Churchwall insulting the Virgin Mary. The occurrence happened on 12 March, at the Franciscan Church at the Prešeren square in Ljubljana. The vandals accused God of raping the Virgin Mary. The Spokesperson of the Slovanian Episcopal Conference Dr Tadej Jakopič said in a statement that they do not tolerate any form of intolerance and defamation of churches and requested the authorities to investigate in that case and to take appropriate action.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4514
Break In to St. John the Baptist Church and Theft of Sacred Objects
2021-03-12 | The Catholic church of St. John the Baptist in Spahnharrenstätte has been the target of burglars. They stole sacred objects and cash.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5150
Stain Glass Windows of Church in Evreux Broken
2021-03-12 | The stain glass windows of the Notre-Dame de Sacquenville church in Evreux (Eure) were broken by unknown vandals. Three of the windows were damaged by rocks and the crime was being investigated. Richard Finix, the mayor of the town, has asked for witnesses to identify the vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5465
Controversial Hate Crime Bill In Scotland Ratified By Parliament
2021-03-11 | On March 11th, the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood resolved the new Hate Crime Bill with the consent of 82 to 32 votes. The bill intends to "make provision about an offense of racially aggravated harassment, to make provision about offenses relating to stir up hatred against a group of persons, to abolish the common law offense of blasphemy and for connected purposes." Critics now fear that due to the new legislation many who do not intend hate speech could be reported to the police because of it. Moreover, it contradicts the freedom of expression which fundamentally belongs to a free democracy.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4448
Feminists Desecrate And Vandalise Saint-Leu-Saint-Gilles Church In Paris
2021-03-10 | On March 10th, a group of anti-capitalist feminists sprayed the church of St. Leu-Saint-Gilles in Paris with the following inscriptions: "Nik tout", "Macron in the middle", "Prisons in flames", "anti-capitalist feminists" or "eat my period on your bolo noodle". The anarchist symbol (a circled A) has also been spray-painted on the walls. The Federation of Young Catholics FIDE commented on their Twitter account: "We will never be silent in the face of the attack, the desecration." This case is one in a series of increased vandalistic attacks against churches and Christian buildings in France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4447
Unknown Perpetrators Vandalise Church Cemetery In London
2021-03-10 | On 10 March, unknown perpetrators vandalised the cemetery of a church in Barnet, knocking over gravestones and breaking them apart. Now additional surveillance cameras are to be installed to deter future perpetrators. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4469
A 46-old-man Urinated on the Altar, Stole the Donation, and Emptied the Communion Wine and Holy Water
2021-03-10 | On the 10th of March, the church of Notre-Dame in Larmot-Plage in Morbihan has been a victim of theft and vandalism. A 46-old-man broke into the door of the sacristy, moved the crucifix, stole the collection money and the keys of the building, emptied the mass wine as well as the holy water, and urinated at the foot of the altar. The town hall filled a complain to the police and the perpetrator has been identified through his DNA and will appear before the court.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4844
Church Walls In Opole Smeared With Satanist Inscriptions
2021-03-09 | On the evening of March 9th, a masked vandal scrawled the words "won" and three sixes on the walls of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Opole-Gosławice. The parish is asking for help in identifying the perpetrators and informs that it will hand the case over to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4467
Debate On Banning "Conversion Therapies" In Westminster Hall
2021-03-08 | MPs in Westminster Hall debated a petition calling for the criminalisation of "conversion therapy" in England and Wales on March 8th. The government has indicated that it considers "conversion therapy" to be extremism. Christians in the UK fear that the criminalisation could restrict religious freedom, which is why the Evangelical Alliance now wrote a letter to the Prime Minister, saying that the ban could "place church leaders at risk of prosecution" but also limit the freedom of people seeking pastoral advise in this matter. It is possible that the LGBT activists deliberately chose a small format in Westminster Hall to avoid opposition in parliament.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4449
Radical Feminists Smear Church In Wuppertal On International Women's Day
2021-03-08 | In reference to International Women's Day on 8 March, unknown perpetrators spray painted the main portal of the Catholic Church of St. Mary's Conception in Wuppertal, criticising the "patriarchal system" and the "unequal treatment of women". Some of the symbols used in the left-wing extremist scene are also found on house fronts and garages in the surroundings. Chaplain Tobias Menke of the Catholic parish community Wuppertaler Westen commented: "Since the wooden parts and fittings of our portal were also sprayed, the removal will be very costly." "This is quite massive damage to property." The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4497
Extreme Feminists Vandalize Churches in Berga
2021-03-08 | On the night of March 8th, the feminist group "Xarxa de les Bruixes" went about the town of Berga, lighting fires and spraying purple paint on various churches. Besides this, they also chanted anti-clerical slogans and even sprayed the word "guilty" on a religious images store which was particularly offensive.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5661
Paint Attack to St Martini's Church by Feminist Activists
2021-03-07 | On the night of the 6th to the 7th of March, vandals painted large parts of the outside walls of St. Martini's church and of the community centre with blue, purple and pink paint. According to the police, images recovered from a surveillance camera show four masked people spraying the exterior walls of the church with fire extinguishers. A feminist group claimed responsibility for the attack, sending an alleged letter of confession, which states that "as long as evangelicals threaten the beautiful life, we will continue to attack them aggressively".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5238
Perpetrators Vandalise Cemetery and Steal Crosses in Dryżykowa
2021-03-05 | Last Friday, March 5th, unknown perpetrators vandalised a cemetery in Dryżykowa, Zawiercie. Decorative crosses from about 30 gravestones and images of Jesus Christ were stolen. According to the spokeswoman of the Zawiercie district police, they have received three reports of vandalism and theft so far. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4442
A Bronze Statue of Saint-Mary Stolen from the Cemetery of Allériot
2021-03-05 | On 5 May, the 19th century bronze statue of the virgin has been stollen from the cemetery of Allériot. Last April, two angels and other statues in the same area have also been stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4819
Easter Services Still Banned In Ireland
2021-03-04 | While supermarkets and hardware stores remained open under security measures during Easter, Christians in Ireland were unable to attend religious services for their biggest celebration, as churches, unlike public transport, were deemed dangerous. The restrictions on religious freedom adopted by the Irish government are those of the greatest magnitude compared to other European states. For violating the ban on worship or visiting churches, believers can be fined or imprisoned for up to six months. ADF International has now challenged the worship ban in court, following a successful challenge to a similar ban in Scotland.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4472
Church in Krakow Profaned and Damaged
2021-03-03 | On the evening of March 2nd, a group of youths attempted to break into the church and desecrate the shrine of Our Lady of Myślenice. After failing to do so, they began vandalising the area around the shrine and damaging the epitaph on the façade with a bottle, which was recorded by CCTV cameras. The spokesman for the Krakow Curia, Father Łukasz Michalczewski, explained that the attack was not random, as the perpetrators recorded the incident with a mobile phone. The case is being investigated by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4441
Repeated Paint Attacks by Pro-Choice Group on Church in Berlin
2021-03-03 | On the night of March 3rd, St Elisabeth's Church in Berlin-Schöneberg was attacked with paint for the third time by pro-choice activists. The perpetrators sprayed slogans with "My body, My choice" on the church walls to the right and left of the main portal. Although the perpetrators are not yet known, the attack is in line with two very similar attacks last year, after which there were letters of confession from a left-wing extremist pro-choice group. For this reason it is assumed that the same group is responsible for the crime occurring this year. The damage amounts to about 4000€, which the parish has to pay for itself. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4444
Intruders Vandalize Church and Attack Priest
2021-03-03 | Paweł S., 21, and Mikołaj K., 19, organized an alcoholic binge on March 3rd, in an old church in Budziwoj. They entered the temple by breaking three windows and while they were there, smashed chairs, benches, and the main and side altars causing damage of 10,000 zloty. Priest, Fr. Mieczysław Lignowski, was alerted by parishioners of the activity, and then tried to prevent the vandals from escaping by blocking the entrance. He was hit several times by Mikołaj, but the police arrived in time to catch the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5312
Vandals Set Fire to Church Door in Corleone
2021-03-01 | On the morning of March 1st, the Church of Sant'Agostino in Corleone was attacked by unknown vandals. The perpetrators set fire to the entrance door of the church. The fire brigade immediately intervened and extinguished the fire to prevent greater damage to the 15th century church. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4437
Perpetrator Filmed Himself Smashing The Statue of Notre-Dame-des-Marais
2021-02-28 | The statue of Notre-Dame-des-Marais in the church of Saint-Sulpice in Fougères was a victim of an act of vandalism. The 62-Kilogram statue, which stands more than three meters high, was thrown to the ground by a man, aged around 50 and believed to be a local resident. He filmed his act in a fifteen-minute video entitled "Divine Justice." He made remarks before the act of vandalism. He said: "No nudity and no idols, we are in the church of Jesus Christ here, so this is all a joke, this statue does not belong in my church." The police in Fougères have opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4801
Unknown Perpetrators Steal Monstrances and Paten From Church In Freiburg
2021-02-27 | Unknown perpetrators stole two monstrances and a paten from the parish church of St. Konrad and Elisabeth in Freiburg during the night of February 26th. According to the police, the perpetrators broke open the outer door and got inside the church, where three religious objects, two valuable monstrances and a gold-plated paten, were stolen. The damage caused by the theft amounts to about 7,000 euros. According to Father Frank Prestel, the theft of the monstrances and the paten had damaged "the heart of the Eucharist" and the crime was part of a series of recent burglaries in churches in the area. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4451
Majority of Hate Crime Victims (42%) Are Catholics
2021-02-26 | Recent figures show that Catholics are the most common victims of religious prejudice and hate crime in Scotland. 42% of religiously motivated hate crimes are perpetrated against Catholics, compared to 26% against Muslims and 10% against Protestants. In contrast, Scottish Government figures show that racially-motivated hate crimes have fallen by 20% between 2014-15 and 2019-20. At the same time, the hate crime rate against transgender persons doubled in number. Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie expressed that hate crime is an "under-reported offence", which means that victims "can be targeted on numerous occasions before they report to our officers".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4433
Arson at the Church of Aranova
2021-02-26 | On February 26th, three youths vandalised the Church of Our Lady of Fatima in Aranova. The three perpetrators entered the church, set fire to the canopy and damaged the lectern. Local politicians described this as a very serious act that desecrated a sacred place of great value for all people who profess the Catholic faith and all those who believe in freedom of worship.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4436
Spain Permits Feminist Marches, While Still Restricting All Forms of Worship Including Easter Celebrations
2021-02-26 | The Spanish authorities still maintain severe restrictions on public meetings and also religious services. In late February it was officially announced that public marches with up to 500 participants will be allowed on the International Women's Day, March 8th, which was demanded by feminist groups.
At the same time, restrictions have already been announced for Holy Week celebrations and other church-related festivals, on the grounds that Holy Week processions are riskier than Women's Day marches. Fr Francisco José Delgado criticised the official decisions, saying that they were not primarily a matter of health policy: "The Ministry of Health advises against these marches, showing this is more about the political confrontation between the political parties in the government than from a real concern for the health of the people, which has been missing in the decisions that have been made since the pandemic started".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4438
Christian NHS Director and Judge Loses His Appeal Against Being Fired Over Expressing His Traditional View On Family
2021-02-26 | Richard Page, NHS director and judge, has lost his appeal after being dismissed and now wants to take his case to the Supreme Court. The Court of Appeal had ruled last Friday that his dismissals were lawful after Page said in a television interview in 2016 that children grow up best with a mother and a father. At the time, Page, who is now 74 and from Kent, was presiding over an adoption case and said he was discriminated against because of his Christian beliefs on parenthood. Since then, he has been fighting decisions to remove him from his positions and is supported by the Christian Legal Centre (CLC).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4440
'No-Protest-Zones' Around Abortion Clinics Demanded in Edinburgh
2021-02-24 | "Buffer zones" around abortion clinics are to be introduced in Edinburgh to prohibit pro-life activists from standing and praying around the clinics. The buffer zones are initiated by a campaign of university students called "Back off Scotland", who got supported by the city council's policy committee. The campaign group repeatedly called for 150-meter "no protest zones" outside the entrance to Chalmers Street Sexual Health Centre after a survey showed that pro-life protests outside the clinic made the majority of women feel uncomfortable. The pro-life activists say their aim is to support women to make a different choice and the wrong allegations towards them are neither supported by Police Scotland, NHS Lothian nor the council itself.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4431
Saint Joseph Chapel In Lille Demolished For New University Building
2021-02-24 | The chapel of the former Jesuit college Saint-Joseph in Lille, which dates back to the 19th century but was not classified as a historical monument, was demolished on 24 February. Previously, the association 'Urgences Patrimoine' had appealed against the decision before the Lille Administrative Court, but was not successful. The chapel is part of a complex that is to be completely redesigned as part of a campus project led by Junia, a major engineering school and member of the university. It envisages 40,000 m2 of teaching space, including 22,000 new rooms and an investment of almost 128 million euros. As part of this, the chapel, which is desanctified, had to be demolished.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4452
Fire Broke out in the Holy Cross Church
2021-02-24 | On 24th February, a fire broke out in the Sainte-Croix church and burnt around 20 square meters. Stained glass windows were also blown out. There were damage to the side entrance and the chapel. The parish suspected arson since neither electricity was installed nor the stored candles were used.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4785
Baeza: Phrases Against Priest Written on Church
2021-02-24 | In February, The facade of the parish church in Baeza was targeted with graffiti that said "priest, you and your bells are worse than the Covid". The priest, Juan Quiles, was surprised by the inscriptions and explained how the bells had always rung without complaints and said "they only ring when necessary." The police of Baeza was notified of the incident and commented, "I think this is something more than an (act of) hooliganism."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5674
Irish Bishop Banned By Twitter For Criticising Euthanasia
2021-02-20 | After criticising the Irish government's plans to legalise euthanasia, Twitter has banned the Irish bishop Kevin Doran on February 20th. In his tweet, he spoke out about the Christian dignity in dying, paradoxically Twitter argues "he violated their rules by promoting (..) suicide or self-harm" because the tweet mentioned the term "Assisted Suicide" in it, which he opposes. According to writer David Quinn, Twitter has turned the bishop down on appeal.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4425
Vandals Smear Church in Warsaw With Red Paint
2021-02-19 | During the night of February 19th, unknown perpetrators sprayed red paint on the doors and walls of the historic St Augustine's Church in Wola, Warsaw. After the police started an investigation in which they also released a video showing the suspect, the police arrested two men in connection with the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4429
Christian Actress Sues After being Fired for Biblical Facebook Post, Court Rules Against Her
2021-02-18 | In March 2019, Christian West End actress, Seyi Omooba, was removed from a leading role in a musical and dropped from her agency for a Facebook post about homosexuality citing the Bible over four years earlier. With representation by the Christian Legal Centre, she launched a legal challenge on September 30th against Leicester Curve Theatre and her agency, Global Artists, for breach of contract and anti-Christian discrimination.On November 25th, the judge rejected arguments from Seyi Omoobas lawyers that the theatre critic, Lloyd Evans should be allowed to give evidence in her claim. The trail of Omooba's religious discrimination and breach of contract claim is scheduled to run for 11 days next February. After the last ruling of the court she was offered a compensation which she reclined arguing that it was disproportional. In its latest decision the court ruled against the actress.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3045
Facebook Page of Core Issues Trust (CIT) Taken Down
2021-02-18 | In February, Facebook permanently deleted the page of Core Issues Trust (CIT) on the grounds that the charity is in breach of its community standards. Since June 2020, LGBT activists have viciously attacked the site and refused to recognise people who previously identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. During this time, Facebook did not respond to the attacks against CIT and its employees, even though their personal safety was at risk. Now Dr. Mike Davidson, CEO of CIT, wrote a statement on the case in which he makes clear to continue to platform "the voices of those who with free conscience express the transformation they experience and the Christian convictions that are important to them and protected by Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4424
Polish Musician on Trial for Desecrating the Virgin Mary
2021-02-18 | Frontman of the extreme metal band 'Behemoth' Nergal is accused of having offended religious sentiment in Poland. He posted a picture in 2019 on his Facebook account where he is stepping on a picture of the Virgin Mary. The case came to court after the conservative groups 'Ordo Iuris' and 'The Patriotic Society' claimed that some people including a Polish politician felt offended by the published photo. In a first hearing earlier this year an unnamed religious expert testified that "treading with a shoe on the image of the Mother of God is an offence against religious feelings". Adam Darski, Nergals formal name, has been found guilty and has to pay a fine of €2.900 plus an additionally €678 as court costs. "The Satanist of Warsaw" as he is named on YouTube, is challenging the guilty verdict and the fine. The case is now expected to proceed to a full trial. According to article 196 of Poland's penal code, Darski is now facing a prison sentence of up to two years, if found guilty in the trial.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4548
Vandals Destroy Statue Of Virgin Mary In Czestochowa
2021-02-17 | During the night of February 17th, unknown perpetrators destroyed the statue of the Virgin Mary in the parish of the first Martyrs of Poland, Czestochowa. The statue which represents the Virgin Mary had its hands cut off and the surrounding area vandalised, flowers and candles were scattered. According to the parish priest, Father Jasionek, the incident was not reported to the police: "I did not report it to the police because I think it is not a material loss but a moral loss and the police will not help us in this matter."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4428
Attempted Arson in Church in Piedimonte Matese
2021-02-17 | On February 17th, three unknown young men tried so set fire to the Madonna delle Grazie church in Piedimonte Matese. The young men were supposedly noticed by a resident who immediately alerted the police. However, the vandals managed to escape. The case is being investigated by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4419
Church in Sligo Attacked With Red Graffiti
2021-02-17 | On February 16th unknown perpetrators attacked a catholic church in Sligo with red graffiti. The incident occurred after politician Tánaiste Leo Varadkar appeared on the Irish RTE programme "Prime Time" in which he claimed that dead babies were buried in a tank in Tuam. Varadkar referred to the mother and child home in Tuam that was run by the church and were it was recently discovered that mothers and babies have been severely abused and even a mass grave for babies were found. Sligo is about a 50-minute drive from Tuam. According to the Irish government, there is no evidence that babies are buried in a tank in Tuam. So far it is not known whether the two cases are related.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4427
Police Forcefully Vacated New Life Church In Minsk
2021-02-17 | On February 17th, the police invaded the New Life Full Gospel Church in the Belarusian capital Minsk. The operation was recorded on video by members of the parish, and there is also footage from the security cameras. Pastor Vyacheslav Goncharenko had not allowed the police and court officials to enter, so the police broke the locks forcefully. The city administration of Minsk, after the church's territory was annexed by the city of Minsk, had already issued an eviction order for 31th December, which the parish apparently did not comply with. The leaders of the Full Gospel Union, the Union of Baptists and the Pentecostal Association of Churches in Belarus defended the New Life Church in a joint statement on the 19th of February.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4432
Shots Fired at parish house of the church of San Fiorano
2021-02-17 | A barrage of shots was heard near the Church of San Fiorano in Villasanta on the 17. February at around 6 pm. The metal pellets were aimed at the door of the parish house. It seems that inside the house people were celebrating the rite of Ashes, but they did not hear the shots. The police have started an investigation. The metal pellets were found on the ground near the entrance door.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5914
Anarchic Spray Paint Attack Against Church in Poznan
2021-02-16 | On the 2nd of February, the police in Poznan was called to a case of vandalism. The front doors to the Church of the Resurrection in the Wilda district was spray painted with anarchic symbols and threats. An unknown perpetrator wrote the vulgar slogan "Kler to hell" in white paint on the church door. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4417
Three Vaults at Moulin Neuf Cemetery Damaged
2021-02-16 | On 16th February, three vaults were desecrated, and two coffins were opened in Dordogne . It has been argued that the main perpetrator is the Satanists group since this act is part of their rites of passage or entry requirement to the group. The families have filed a complaint with the gendarmerie. The public prosecutor opened an investigation for ‘’ violation of the grave and damage.’’ Georges Elizabeth, the mayor of the commune, believes that the perpetrators should be severely punished.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4825
Mock "Procession" in Jerez with a Crucified Doll Disrespects Catholics
2021-02-14 | The Spanish trade union CCOO, mocked the Andalusian Catholics by having a procession with a crucified doll to demand that an Employment Regulation File (ERE) not be made at the Holcim company. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Catholics were not able to do their procession during the Holy Week. To gain attention, the CCOO was willing to disrespect the Holy Week and a religious tradition.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5675
Severe Vandalism at St. Barbara's Church in Warsaw
2021-02-13 | During night of February 14th, unknown perpetrators wreaked devastation on the parish cemetry complex of St. Barbara's Church in Warsaw. Ten inverted crosses were painted on the church doors, pillars and memorial plaques on the church walls. Among other things, memorial plaques of Warsaw insurgents and former parish priests were vandalised. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4418
Perpetrators Desecrated Church in Ljubljana.
2021-02-13 | Vandals desecrated a Church in Rožnik with the picture of the Minister of defence Matej Tonin. The incident was reported to local authorities on 13 February 2021. Tonin describes the incident as a hate crime against Christians. The police are still investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4512
25% of UK Pro-Life Students Attacked at their University New Survey Finds
2021-02-11 | For being pro-life, almost one of four students have been "threatened, abused, alarmed or distressed" at their university. According to a survey by the national student pro-life group, the Alliance of Pro-Life Students (APS), nearly three quarters of pro-life students have been confronted with situations in seminars where they experienced a restriction in freedom of expression. APS Executive Director Madeline Page said: “These statistics are alarming, yet confirm what we already know – pro-life students are being marginalised and silenced at universities. Institutional policies which refuse to allow certain topics to be discussed don’t just damage free speech – they destroy a culture of tolerance and respect on campus, ruining the chance for all students to engage with people of diverse opinions and understandings."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4413
Stolen Crosses And Vandalized Gravestones In Rybna
2021-02-11 | In late January and early February, more than 10 residents of Rybna, Poland complained about the vandalization of crosses and grave monuments of their relatives. Several people found gravestones with broken and stolen crosses and figures of Christ that were torn off crosses and thrown away nearby. People started intervening and reported the matter to the municipality. It was later discovered that the damage was not reported to the police, because according to the municipality, they did not have a report on the matter.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4414
Vandals Damage Church In Lower Silesia
2021-02-10 | In the beginning of February, police officers from Zgorzelec arrested a 26-year-old man suspected of destroying windows and a stained glass window in one of the churches in the district. The man had been drinking near the church and later started to throw stones and empty bottles at the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4415
Vandals Splash Church In Vienna With Paint and Liquid Plaster
2021-02-10 | On the night of February 10th, unknown perpetrators attacked the St. Joseph church on Karmeliterplatz in Vienna with paint and plaster. The doors of the church were splashed with white paint and the staircase below splashed with liquid plaster. This was not the first attack of this kind against the church, as the church has repeatedly been the victim of vandalism since November 2020.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4426
Cross from Tabernacle Stolen in St Gudula's Church
2021-02-10 | On February 10, between 5 pm and 6 pm, thieves stole the tabernacle cross from the high altar of St. Gudula's Church in Rhede. The case was reported to the police, which started searching for information regarding the theft.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5148
Arson at Fulda Cathedral
2021-02-10 | People witnessed a fire at Fulda Cathedral and alerted the police, on the 10th of February. The authorities started to conduct an investigation searching for a suspect. Fortunately, no one was injured but there is no information about the amount of damage caused by the fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5210
Radical Feminists Attacked Austrian Platform For Christian Democracy With Paint
2021-02-08 | On February 8th, radical feminist groups disrupted a solidarity rally, in front of the Polish embassy in Vienna, of the Platform for Christian Democracy. The Platform demands an end to the discrimination against people with disabilities and therefore wanted to demonstrate its support for the new amendment of the Polish abortion law, which denies abortion on the ground of eugenics. After interrupting the march, the perpetrators smeared the Platforms' office walls with radical feminists and insulting slogans, reading "fundamentalists abort them". The Platform filed a complaint at the police who is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4410
Vandals Smash Windows Of Four East Cambridgeshire Churches
2021-02-07 | Between 6-7 February, unknown perpetrators broke into St Peter's Church in Wentworth, St Michael and All Angels Church in Chettisham, St Mary's Church in Ely and St Andrew's Church in Witchford, smashing stained glass windows and breaking vases. Michael Ritcher, churchwarden of Chettisham Parish, said, "They broke two windows to get in - one in the vestry and another in the main church. They've done quite a bit of damage." The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4492
Car of a Priest Severely Vandalised in Glasgow
2021-02-06 | On February 6th, vandals demolished the car of a priest of St James the Great Church in Crookston, Glasgow. In addition to a completely smashed windscreen the car's wing mirrors were also severely damaged. According to a post in the church's Facebook group 2-3 youths have been seen vandalising the car. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4408
Exhibition On John Paul II Vandalised
2021-02-05 | On February 5th, unknown perpetrators destroyed the panels of the exhibition "John Paul II - Pope of Dialogue", prepared by the John Paul II Memorial Centre in Warsaw in cooperation with the Polish Embassy at the Basilica of St John the Baptist in Berlin. John Paul II's face was painted over with red paint. A red lightning bolt - the symbol of the so-called women's strike - was painted on the fence of the neighbouring headquarters of the papal nunciature. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4407
ADF International and Pro-Life Prayer Group Challenge Public Prayer Prohibition at Court
2021-02-03 | In 2019, the local authority of Pforzheim, Germany, prohibited the assemblies of the "40 Days for Life" group that was peacefully and silently praying in front of an abortion advisory center. The group's concern is to pray for women struggling with abortion and for their unborn children and to offer them support. The legal human rights organization ADF International is now challenging the prohibition in court, in order to ensure that the group's fundamental rights to freedom of religion, assembly, and speech will be reinstalled.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4412
Devastation Of Church In Oborniki
2021-02-02 | On February 2nd vandals smeared the walls of the church in Oborniki. The graffiti contained slogans like "Blood on my hands" and accusations against the priest of the parish Father Rydzyk. The local police is investigating and trying to identify the perpetrator(s) by analyzing the surveillance recordings.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4397
Unknown Perpetrators Set Fire in Church in Bischofsreut Twice
2021-02-02 | The first arson attack was on February 2nd, as unknown persons tried start a fire in the gallery of the church in Bischofsreut using paper. This was discovered 3 days later, on February 5th, when unknown perpetrators attacked a second time, this time setting fire to the same place. This resulted in a damage of around 100 Euros. According to the police, between 2.15 and 3.15 p.m., the arsonist(s) were in the church and set fire to a sheet on the floor and several pieces of paper they had found in the building. Before any major damage was done, the perpetrators put out the fire with disinfectant.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4405
Church Closed After Vandals Set Fire to the Pedestal of the Statue of San Vincenzo Next to the Church
2021-02-02 | On February 2nd, unknown persons set fire to the pedestal of the statue of San Vincenzo next to the San Vincenzo Church. San Vincenzo is the patron saint of the San Vincenzo Church in Cremnago. Some of the parish members saw the flames and other witnesses say they saw some boys running away from the church at the time of the crime. The damage to the statue, which was immediately taken to the sacristy, is fortunately not severe. After the incident the church decided to close its doors for a couple of days and only reopen during liturgical celebrations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4406
Christian Conservative Institution in Slovenia Vandalised
2021-02-02 | Vandals graffitied the facade of the Christian conservative institution Zavod Iskreni in Slovenia on the night of 2 February. The perpetrators broke the windows and smeared the entrance door of the institute with swastikas and wrote the word "corruption" on it. Minister of Defence Matej Tonin condemns this vandalism as a "systematic attack on Christian values". The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4513
Parish Office in Bochum devastated by Vandals
2021-02-02 | In February, the parish office behind the church of St. Mary was devastated in Bochum-Langendreer. The Catholic community has been target from vandals repeatedly during 2021.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5910
Church Window Damaged in Schweinheim
2021-02-01 | On February 1st, unknown perpetrators damaged a church window in Schweinheim. Several thousands of Euros of damage are expected. Police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4398
Burglary Leaves Church Unable To Play Music At Funerals
2021-01-31 | On January 31st, a break-in at the St Thomas's Church in Dudley in the Black Country has left the church unable to play music at funerals. There were no historical items taken from the church, but a computer tablet was stolen that implied that the church would no be able to amplify voices or play recorded music at funerals. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4404
Suspect Arrested After Investigation for Vandalism in Church
2021-01-31 | January 31st , a church in the Derry County was vandalised and the police started an investigation. Sectarian slogans and initials of loyalist paramilitary organisations were written on the walls of St Mary's Church in Limavady. According to details provided by the police they were looking for a man during the week of February 7th, when they finally arrested him on that date.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4409
Hate Crime Against St Mary's Church In Limavady
2021-01-30 | On January 31st, the St Mary's Church in Limavady was target of a hate crime. Vandals sprayed the acronyms "UVP" and "UFF" onto the church walls on Irish Green Street and moreover damaged a statue. The Ulster Freedom Fighter (UFF) is known to be a cover name for the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), an umbrella group of various loyalist groups. The UFF is suspected to have killed more than 250 people.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4396
Graffiti and Damage On A Newly Restored Church In Arcisate
2021-01-30 | On January 30th, after finishing restoration works of several months, the restorers of the San Vittore Martire Church in Arcisate discovered a graffiti on the side wall of the church. Additionally, the vandals urinated on the church wall and in the corners. The work was halted for two days over the weekend, but it is likely that these acts took place the night before the weekend because the plaster was still fresh. Measures must now be taken to restore it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4403
Baby Jesus Stolen from Nativity in Riedlingen
2021-01-28 | The wooden Baby Jesus figure was stolen from the nativity scene at the St. Georg church in Riedlingen on September 28th. It was not know who stole the figure which is of great value to the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5618
Church in Bellevue Defaced with Anti-Christian Tags
2021-01-28 | A Bellevue church was tagged with Anti-Chritian slogans, as discovered by the police on the 28th of January. The walls and doors of the Bellevue parish were covered with inscriptions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5923
Attempted Arson On Saint-Paul Church In Montpellier
2021-01-25 | On January 25th, unknown perpetrators attempted to set fire to the Saint-Paul Church located in the district of Mosson. The priest discovered thick smoke coming out of the worship room, which emerged from a wooden table. Ash was found on the table coming from a pile of papers, which indicates that the table was deliberately set on fire. Another indication for a case of arson is an obscene graffiti on a figure of Jesus Christ which was found on the walls of the building. Fire fighters were able to put out the fire but still damage was caused.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4390
Major Theft From Church Collection Boxes in Cork
2021-01-25 | On January 25th, a priest became suspicious, as he found cheques from other parishes in his collection box. Therefore he viewed church CCTV footage and saw a man using a hooked piece of wire to remove envelopes containing cash from a collection box. The police arrested a man for questioning about a series of thefts from churches in east Cork, which involved thousands of Euros in cash being stolen out of collection boxes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4393
Repeated Graffiti Attack On Church In Sabiñánigo
2021-01-24 | On January 24th, the church of Castillo Guarga, in the municipal park of Sabiñánigo was yet again a target of an act of vandalism. The 12th century romanesque window of the church was covered with graffiti. The graffiti has to be removed by a specific cleaning company with special cleaning products due to the porous wall. The police is searching for the unknown perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4395
Historic Church in Stockholm Attacked with Three Molotov Cocktails
2021-01-24 | An 800-year-old church located in Stockholm has been attacked twice within one week. It has been reported by Swedish media that on 12 January, three Molotov cocktails were thrown into the Spånga church. The church located just outside of Tensta and flanked by Rinkeby might have been targeted by Muslims, who form the majority of the population in that area. Four days before said incident two explosives were hurled into the Church, one smashed through the church windows, while another one was thrown at the church gate. The church's pastor recalls, “the alarm was triggered when a window was smashed and flammable liquid thrown at the front gate and one of the windows. However, the fire was quickly put out by the police, who used a powder extinguisher”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4534
San Martino Church In Italy Vandalized
2021-01-22 | In the evening of January 22nd, two young perpetrators broke into the church of San Martino in Rezzato. The vandals completely destroyed the entrance door and pews. The police were informed and a charge was filed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4387
Severe Vandalism and Arson Of A Church In Germany
2021-01-22 | The interior of the Protestant Christ church in Radolfzell was heavily vandalized on January 22nd. The organ bench, the conductor's platform and a wrought-iron door were thrown from the gallery into the church hall. Parts of the sacristy and the kitchen in the parish hall were also destroyed. In addition, there was a fire set in the area of the lighting system, which the fire fighters were able to extinguish. The church had been cleared out due to renovation works and the front door had been left open so that people could say goodbye to the church in it's old form, the pastor explained. The 63-year-old perpetrator was arrested on the spot. The police started investigations for suspected arson and vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4388
Perpetrators Severely Damaged A 300 Years Old Fresco At The St. Nicholas Cathedral in Ljubljana
2021-01-22 | Unknown perpetrators damaged a 300 years old fresco at the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Ljubljana. The damage caused by balloons filled with colours amounts to several thousand euros. The incident happened on the evening of January 22nd. The police are investigating, should the vandals be caught they could face up to eight years in prison. The spokesman of the Episcopal Conference, Dr Tadej Jakopič, explains that the fresco was painted in the second half of the 18th century by Julius Quaglio and restored by Janez Wolf in 1872.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4515
100 Years Old Polish Chapel Destroyed By Vandals
2021-01-21 | On January 21st, vandals destroyed an over 100-year-old chapel in Otwock. The statue of the Virgin Mary was torn off and stolen. Thanks to the efforts of some residents the chapel was renovated and a new statue bought. Because the owners of the chapel are unknown, the police did not take up any investigations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4378
Arson Attack On Church in Spånga
2021-01-20 | On January the 20th, unknown perpetrators threw three Molotov cocktails at the church in Spånga. Windows were smashed, the entrance was damaged but no person was harmed during the attack. Pastor Jerker Alsterlund said, "We have no threat against us but it is a strong symbolic act." The police have cordoned off the area and are investigating for arson. Four days later on January 24th a second arson took place. A window was broken and a small fire with some smoke development was detected by a security company. The incident is currently classified as arson and the police is investigating whether there is a connection between the two attacks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4376
Sacred Items Stolen from Parish in El Chorrillo Neighborhood
2021-01-20 | Anonymous intruders broke into the San Juan de Ávila parish in the neighbourhood of El Chorrillo, on January 20th. They stole the tabernacle and in their haste to leave, dropped a number of ecclesiastical items belonging to the tabernacle in the surrounding area. A complaint was filed with the police. The newspaper reports the faithful were very affected and tried to recover all the parts that had been dropped around the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5685
Cross Removed from Public Space in Spanish City Aguilar
2021-01-19 | The historic cross of the Discalced Carmelite Order was removed by the city of Aguilar de la Frontera on January 19th. The decision to cut down the cross of the Fallen was backed by the Act on Historical Remembrance. The act is concerned with removing symbols of the Franco regime. The leftist mayor Carmen Flores explained that the local Andalusian legislation regulates the public display of elements that glorify Francism and that the opinion of the church is irrelevant. The Spanish Association of Christian Lawyers contested the city council's decision to remove the cross to the administrative court.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4375
ÖCV (Austrian Catholic Cartel Association) Resistance Memorial Smeared by Vandals
2021-01-19 | In the morning hours of January 19th, the ÖCV (Austrian Catholic Cartel Association) house was vandalized. A group of left-wing extremists entered the ÖCV house and smeared several signs in the entrance area with black paint. The plaque at the memorial for the victims and resistance fighters from the rank of the ÖCV was demolished with red paint and elsewhere anarchist symbols were left behind.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4379
Vandals Destroyed A Church In Kaźmierz
2021-01-18 | On January 18th, the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kaźmierz was vandalized. Unknown perpetrators destroyed three stained glass windows in the church and smashed three windows in the sacristy. Priests and parishioners are very upset.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4377
Twenty-Five Graves Vandalized in Saint-Jean d'Assé
2021-01-18 | On 18th January 2021, twenty-five graves in the cemetery of Saint-Jean-d’Assé have been desecrated and vandalized. Crosses and crucifies were broken and other objects were damaged. The unknown perpetrators created two fake graves using broken and vandalized objects that have been stolen from other graves. The mayor, Emmanuel Clément filled a complaint to the police and asked for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4707
Threats to Sacristan and Vandalism at Catholic Peter and Paul Church
2021-01-15 | On January 15th, the sacristan of the Peter and Paul Church in Lahr identified an unknown perpetrator, who had been damaging objects and behaving in a very undignified manner. The priest reported that the holy water vessels were torn from the anchoring, the disinfection bottle was on the floor, and the man defecated inside the church. The sacristan then prohibited the man to return, which led to him becoming abusive and threatening to kill the sacristan and blow up the church. Charges were filed and after a police investigation, the man got arrested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4369
Thirty- Three Graves Vandalized at the Guédéniau cemetery
2021-01-15 | On the 15 of January, around thirty graves in the Guédéniau cemetery in Baugé-en-Ajou were vandalized. The prefect condemned the acts and an investigation was opened by the gendarmerie as to who did it. The prefect said: "I give my full support to the mayor, the residents, and the injured families."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4705
A Man Opposed To Euthanasia Is Ordered To Die Of Hunger And Thirst
2021-01-13 | On November 6th, a middle aged man identified as RS fell into a coma after a heart attack left him with a severe and permanent brain damage. The man's wife and children supported the decision to turn off his life support system so he could die while receiving palliative care. The University Hospital Plymouth in the UK successfully applied for a permission to do so at the court. The patient's mother and sister argued that as a practicing Catholic, the man would refuse to be taken off life support because of his faith. They also claimed in an appeal to an English court, that the man's condition had improved and presented video footage take with a cell phone, showing the patient blinking and crying while they were in the room. The appeal was rejected by the English court and the European Court of Human Rights.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4373
Suspended Pro-Life Midwifery Student in Nottingham University Received Apology
2021-01-13 | Julia Rynkiewicz, a final year midwifery student, was victim to a 4-month long suspension and "fitness to practice" investigation due to her support and involvement with the “Nottingham Students for Life” society, where she served as president. After four months, on the 13. January, the investigation was dismissed by the Committee. As Julia realized she was unfairly targeted for her beliefs, she lodged a complaint with the support of ADF International UK. After the case was settled, Julia received an apology from the university.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5106
Statue of Virgin Mary Decapitated in Leinefelde
2021-01-11 | An unknown vandal cut off the head of the figure of the Virgin Mary outside the Church of St. Maria Magdalena in Leinefelde on January 14th. The parish priest found smashed beer bottles nearby the Stations of the Cross and also reported the incident to the police, who investigated it. The property damage was not quite known yet but would be fixed "as soon as possible."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5298
Chaplain Banned From Prison Work For Revealing Islamic Extremism At The HM Prison in Brixton
2021-01-09 | Christian prison chaplain Paul Song was suspended from work after he has made the incident when a group of Islamic extremists stormed a chapel gathering and hijacked his bible meeting public. After his Sunday Mail interview about the incident he was banned indefinitely from working in London jails. After being punished for whistleblowing and exposing the influence of Muslim gangs at HM Prison Brixton, he is taking legal actions. At the High Court hearing on January 12th the Lawyers will seek a judicial review of the decision.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4361
Suspected Arson at Holy Spirit Church in Vienna
2021-01-09 | The Holy Spirit Church in Vienna has to be completely renovated due to heavy sooting after a fire on January 9th. According to the Archdiocese of Vienna, the "fire event", reported to the police, could have been an arson attack. A box of cushions was burning, which caused a lot of soot. "We suspect that the cushions were set on fire. There are no candles near the scene of the fire and people usually don not smoke in a church." Michael Prüller, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Vienna stated. The church will remain closed indefinitely.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4391
Former Spanish Deputy Encourages Violence and Vandalism to Churches
2021-01-09 | Marga Ferré, Izquierda Unida's former deputy in the Madrid Assembly for two terms, has encouraged young girls to enter churches without clothes and has applauded the demolition of statues. In a chat with six other communist women, this journalist made statements that glorify vandalism against Christian sites, considering it "amusing".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5184
Lutheran Church in Leipzig Attacked with Stones and Paint by Left Extremists
2021-01-06 | The St. Lukas Church in Leipzig was vandalized with paint and stones by left extremists. The portal image was damaged with paint bags and windows were smashed with stones. On January 6th, the left extremist platformed indymedia, which is monitored by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, claimed to be the originator of the attack in an online letter. It stated: "Assembly for Moria - Smash Christian-White Europe. We attacked a Lutheran church in Leipzig to start our Monday campaign for Moria. We attacked with stones and paint". The case and the validity of the letter will be further investigated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4351
Christmas Tree in Vienna Trenched with Gasoline "because it doesn't belong in a Muslim district"
2021-01-01 | On New Year's Eve, around 20-30 adolescents had gathered in Vienna, attacking shops, apartment balconies and other facilities on a public square with explosive pyrotechnical supplies. They also poured a diesel-gasoline mixture over a Christmas tree. Several trash cans flew against windows damaging the surrounding shop windows. "A Christmas tree has no place in a Muslim district, said one of the rioters," a member of the emergency services stated. The rioting mob also attacked the police officers by throwing firecrackers at them and shouting "Allahu Akbar"slogans. Four people were arrested immediately and the local government initiated a new security strategy for the area.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4359
Angel Statues Stolen from Church in Polla
2021-01-01 | Statues of Angels were stolen from the Church of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary in Polla but fortunately have been discovered again and returned. The angels together with an altar from the 18th century were stolen in January 2021. As the angels date back to 1700 they carry a high historical value. The police Unit for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Naples discovered the stolen angels in a private house in the Neapolitan area. It is planned to hand them over during a ceremony on 21 June, to celebrate both, the church's reopening as well as the recovery of the stolen angels.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4628
Graves In Fontainebleau Desecrated With Swastikas
2020-12-28 | In the night of December 28th, about sixty graves in the municipal cemetery of Fontainebleau were desecrated with swastikas. "67 old or recent stelae were vandalised with swastikas in pink, white and silver," said Fontainebleau's LR mayor Frédéric Valletoux. The Jewish cemetery, which is next to the town's main cemetery, was not desecrated, according to the Fontainebleau prosecutor's office, which has launched an investigation into "damage to graves". On Twitter, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said he was "disgusted by the desecration of the cemetery" and stressed that "everything will be done to find the perpetrators of this desecration".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4343
Troublemakers Break Into A Church Proclaiming 'Allah' on the Altar
2020-12-27 | On December 27, unknown perpetrators who broke into a church in Murcia, Spain, climbed onto the altar and were arrested proclaiming 'Allah'. "We tried to get them to leave, but there was no way, and then the police were called. And the police had two patrols here within five minutes," said Silvestre del Amor, a parish priest and witness to what happened. Members of the National Police asked the subjects to show identification, but they had no documents with them. The perpetrators were taken to the police station and charged with a crime against religious feelings.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4348
Burglar arrested In Grantham After an Attack on St Wulfram's Church
2020-12-25 | A man robbed St Wulfram's Church in Grantham on Christmas morning, 25 December, after smashing a historic stained glass window. Lee Gray, who is now under arrest, destroyed items inside the church and then stole cash and the safe which contained valuable books and confidential documents. Among the stolen items was an original manuscript of a book about St Wulfram, the church's patron saint. The broken stained glass window caused £6,500 worth of damage and the church had to spend a further £5,000 replacing the locks. The total cost of the damage and stolen items was £15,229.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4493
In Perpignan: A Convert Couple Deported and will be Sentenced to Death in Iran
2020-12-24 | Ata Fathimaharloei, his wife, Somayeh Hajifoghaha, and their two children converted to Christianity from Islam and sought asylum in France. The Christian refugee family in Pyrenees-Orientales are threatened with deportation and death sentence in their home country.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4345
Nativity Scene Destroyed With Petrol Bomb on Christmas Eve
2020-12-24 | A nativity scene in Raglan, Monmouthshire was destroyed with a petrol bomb on Christmas Eve. The perpetrators are unknown and a reward of £2,500 has been offered to anyone who can trace the culprit. The nativity scene had been installed in a bus shelter to bring joy to families over Christmas. The petrol bomb set the statues of a shepherd, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus on fire, all were completely destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4349
Protestant Mayor Charged for not Willing to Bless Homosexual Couples
2020-12-24 | Franck Meyer, evangelical mayor of a small town in Normandy, Sotteville-sous-le-Val, has now been accused by two LGBT associations. The evangelical mayor, president of the Protestant Committee for Human Dignity (CPDH), declared that he would not bless a marriage "between two men or two women" out of fidelity to his religious convictions. He called for a "conscience clause", as exists in the case of infant baptism or for doctors who oppose abortion, but which does not apply to elected representatives. For the lawyer of the two LGBT associations, Franck Meyer's remarks constitute "discrimination committed by a person with public authority in the course of his functions". Meyer vehemently contradicted this in a press release on 17 December: "I therefore formally deny the accusations of discrimination made against me and consider that they amount to a defamatory denunciation. "
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4446
Arson Attack On Parish In Santiago de Cordoba
2020-12-16 | On December 16th, the main door of the parish at the Ronquillo Briceño street of the brotherhood Los Titulares de las Penas was set on fire. The entrance door, the facade and the pointed arch of the temple were caught by the flames - the fire department had to intervene and extinguish the flames. As a result charred remains were found in the choir of the parish and a dense cloud of black smoke was discovered inside the temple. The brotherhood has publicly condemned this act of vandalism against its canonical seat.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4339
Christian CEO Bullied For His View On Same-Sex Marriage
2020-12-16 | An employment tribunal told on December 16th, that a CEO was exposed to bullying, hostility and harassment because of his christian view on same-sex marriage. Kenneth Ferguson files his former employer, the Robertson Trust for unlawful termination, discrimination and religious harassment. He claims that the Trust's chair, Shonaig Macpherson, became "incandescent with anger" after she found out that the Stirling Free church was hiring a Trust property. Mr Ferguson is an elder and treasurer of the Stirling Free church, which is opposing same-sex marriage and abortion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4340
BBC Equated Conversion Therapy And Group Prayer with Corrective Rape
2020-12-16 | The section of Family & Education on the BBC News website perpetuated misinformation about `conversion therapy‘ for same sex-attraction. The BBC News LGBT Correspondent, Ben Hunte, says, “While some violent practices which may be classed as conversion therapy, such as ‘corrective rape’, are already covered by existing criminal offences, many religious practices, such as ‘group prayer”, are not.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4347
Restoration Works on Church in Cordoba Completed After Arson Attack In December
2020-12-16 | In the early hours of December 16th, an arson attack took place on the main door of the St. James' Church in Córdoba, Spain. The fire damaged the door, facade and pointed arch of the Fernanden temple, forcing the fire fighters to intervene. The Fraternity of as Penas de Santiago publicly condemned this act of vandalism against its canonical seat, as well as the attacks that have recently been perpetrated against the Church and the Fraternities in Andalusia. Now the restoration work of the church's main door ist completed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4416
Man Arrested in Miechów for Disturbing Mass and Insulting the Priest
2020-12-16 | During mass on May 16th, a man entered the the basilica of the Holy Sepulcher in Miechów, threatened to kill two priests with a knife, and demanded money. He had done a similar act three times before, but this time, the police caught and arrested him. He could face up to 12 years in prison.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5248
Cambridge University's Proposed Free Speech Policy Allows the Disrespect of Views You Don't Agree With
2020-12-15 | In its plan to alter the existing statement on freedom of speech, the University of Cambridge said people must be "respectful" of "differing opinions" and "diverse identities".
However, more than 100 scholars and senior staff quickly objected, saying the “authoritarian” proposals could threaten academic freedom. Their amendment to change the phrase ‘respectful` to ‘tolerate’ was voted on by members of the University’s governing body and won “by a landslide”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4337
Church in Bruckmühl Vandalised with Graffiti and Set on Fire
2020-12-15 | On December 15th, unknown perpetrators vandalised the parish Heufeld in Bruckmühl. The Vandals set a fire and tagged the church with spray paint. The estimated property damage is several thousands Euros. The police is investigating and looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4338
Perpetrators Who Stole From Church, Have Now Been Sentenced
2020-12-15 | Four main suspects in a case of robbery from the St. Joseph Church in Puławy have been sentenced to one year in prison. Although the perpetrators were only judged now the theft itself dates back to December 2020. They were found guilty of stealing goods of particular cultural significance. They additionally have to pay a fine of 1,500 PLN which is equivalent to 332,37 Euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4639
Parish Church in Villinger Targeted by Vandals
2020-12-15 | During the month of December, the St. Brother Klaus church in Villinger was targeted by various acts of vandalism. This included heaps of excrement left there, cigarette butts found in the holy water basin, and empty alcohol bottles in the courtyard. The community of St. Brother Klaus has had to contend with it so far but they were forced to turn to the wider community to combat it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5121
Graffiti Spray Painted On Church In Mere
2020-12-10 | On the 10th of December at night, the door of St. Michael Church in Mere has been vandalized by a graffiti. White spray paint was used. The police are calling for witness and clues.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4335
Desecration and Theft In Stephanus Church In Hamm
2020-12-10 | On December 12th, the catholic St. Stephen's church in Hamm was target of a second burglary within a few days. Unknown perpetrators broke open a safe in the adjoining room and removed the tabernacle from its original place. Removing the tabernacle is a highly disrespectful act of desecration and hurt the feelings of pastor Christoph Gerdemann and those of many parishioners deeply. The perpetrators had targeted the safe on New Year's Eve, but were unable to open it. Pastor Gerdemann assumes they came back with better tools. The loot was only a small amount of money from the collection of the mass the day before.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4366
Police Concerned Over Letters Sent to Seven Priests Saying "Allah Akbar"
2020-12-09 | An investigation was initiated after seven priest of Vaucluse received personal letters with the words "Allah Akbar". It was announced on December 9th by the gendermerie, which speaks of a case "taken very seriously". Handwritten letters were personally addressed and sent to the parish where the seven African priests live.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4333
Shadow Minister Resigns After Stating That Registrars Should Have the Right of Conscientious Objection Regarding Gay Marriage
2020-12-07 | On December 7th, the UK shadow minister for faiths, Janet Daby, has resigned from her position. This was due to her statement, regarding the right of registrars to refuse same-sex marriages without being terminated. Janet Daby said that registrars who had a religious objection to same-sex marriage should not be forced to conduct them, as well as someone who has objections to abortions is not forced to carry them out. She sincerely apologized for her misjudged comments, and decided to resign as Shadow Faith Minister.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4325
Nativity Scene in Spain Severely Vandalized
2020-12-07 | On December 7th, the nativity scene that is placed every year in the Eguzki square in Berriozar became the target of vandalism. Almost all figures were split in half and destroyed by unknown perpetrators. The figures are made out of wood and were freshly painted this year, which means that the budget for the new restoration is very small.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4326
Update: Four Christian Preachers Sue Police After Brutal Arrest and Won the Appeal
2020-12-07 | On December 7th, four christian preachers, known as 'the Bristol Four', are accusing the Avon and Somerset Police for their brutal arrest (assault, false imprisonment and infringement of their Human Rights). Mike Overd, Don Karns, Mike Stockwell and AJ Clarke have made considerable claims against the police. The case raises important concerns about the right to freedom of speech, and the freedom of Christian preachers in the UK to express their religious beliefs and have the right to gather in public.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4330
Vandals Devastated Church in Otwock and Filmed it
2020-12-07 | On December 7th, six Vandals aged 18 to 20 placed offensive, vulgar inscriptions on the facade of the church, the building of the town hall and the Józef Piłsudski monument in Otwock. The perpetrators recorded their actions on video and photos. They face up to five years in prison.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4331
Suspected Arson At Historic Derbyshire Church
2020-12-05 | On December 12th the ancient church in a village in Derbyshire was on fire. The Fire and Rescue Service of Derbyshire stated that by the time they reached the church, the fire had already caused significant structural damage. A 16-year-old Teenager has been arrested on suspicion of arson. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4328
Priest Assaulted During Mass in Colmar
2020-12-05 | On December 5th, in the church of Saint-Paul in Colmar a priest was physically attacked by a man who sat next to the altar. The perpetrator, unknown to the parishioners refused to respond to the priest's request to leave the choir. He threatened and then beat the priest. The police arrived and the man was hospitalized involuntarily at the psychiatric center of Rouffach. The case is being investigated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4357
Church Vandalism in Migliarino
2020-12-04 | On December 4th, unknown perpetrators vandalised the church San Vitale in Migliarino. The parish priest of Fiscaglia found overturned benches, broken windows and a destroyed statue as he entered the church. The police was informed and is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4322
"Online Attack" on Church Service
2020-12-03 | The Berlin church district Tempelhof-Schöneberg has become the target of right-wing extremist "online attacks". These kind of attacks via the Internet are known as zoom bombings. During the online broadcasting of the service on December 3rd, unconstitutional signs and threats were shown and anti-Semitic statements were made. The attackers additionally made an attempt to include their own films and material. All incidents were reported to the State Security Department, which is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4321
New Bill In Scotland: Saying 'Men Can't Become Women' Could Be Considered A Hate Crime
2020-12-01 | On December 1st, Scotland's Justice Secretary has affirmed that regarding to SNP's hate crime bill, one could be prosecuted for stating that men cannot be woman. The Hate Crime and Public Order Bill (Scotland) was intended to criminalize expressions and attitudes perceived as "abusive" and aimed at "inciting hatred" against particular groups. However, in return it restricts freedom of speech and lacks it's sufficient protection.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4314
Vandals Destroyed A Stained Glass Window In St Nicolas' Church
2020-11-30 | On November 11th, a stone was thrown through the millennium stained glass window of St Nicolas' Church in Shoreham, while a dozen people were working inside the building. No one was injured, but the rock also damaged a pew. Reverent James Grant, Rector at St Nicolas' Church stated that the event had been distressing for members of the church community. “One fails to understand what draw you can have to destroying something like that without a consideration to the pain that causes to other people.” The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4329
Council of State in France Rejects the 30-Person Limit For Religious Celebrations
2020-11-29 | On November 29th, the Council of State in Francerejects the 30-person limit for religious celebrations. The government's restriction was found to be "disproportionate". In the next three days a new system must be implemented that is more in line with the right to freedom of religion and worship.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4320
Graffiti in a Staircase in Vienna Calls Out To Murder Christians and Glorifies Islamist Terror Attack
2020-11-28 | On November 28th, unknown perpetrators tagged a staircase of a Viennese municipal building with threats. The words "Death to Christians", "the house will soon belong to us and than the whole world" and glorifications of the Islamist terror attack in Vienna were smeared on the walls. Moreover, the graffitis said: May "Allah" have "mercy" on the 20-year-old assassin who murdered four people on November 2nd. The police was informed and a complaint was filed. The LVT (State Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Fight against Terrorism) has started investigations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4312
Church Defenders Attacked by Pro-Abortion Demonstrators
2020-11-28 | On the 28 of November 2020, during the demonstration of pro-abortion groups in Cracow, a direct attack was made on a group of members of the Self- Defense of the Faithful organization of Lesser Poland. They had decided to protect the local churches from pro-abortion demonstrators who may want to stick posters on the churches, which was attempted, or otherwise harm the churches. Around 14:00, those defending the churches were violently attacked with pepper spray and other objects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5253
Paint Attack On Pro Femina in Munich
2020-11-26 | On November 26th the Pro Femina consulting center in Munich was the target of a paint attack. After the growing political pressure on Pro Femina in the last few weeks, the office building was smeared with pink paint. On the opposite side of the street, posters were hung up with the slogans: "Decriminalize abortion", "My body, my choice" or "Kill fetuses". The police have been informed and a criminal complaint has been filed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4323
Search Warrant for Publicly Displaying Prints of Bible Verses Found Unlawful by Court
2020-11-25 | Young-Ai Park was publicly displaying prints of Bible verses on the walls of her restaurant in Berlin. She was accused of "hate speech" and subjected to a police search and a fine. On November 25th a court in Berlin has upheld the restaurants owner's right to freedom of religion and speech and found the search warrant issued by the district court unlawful.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4304
'Burn the Clergy' Hashtag Tolerated By Twitter Spain
2020-11-25 | On 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4305
Pastor in Germany Sentenced For Hate Speech
2020-11-25 | On 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4309
Vandals Smeared a Cross Near the Church in Valseca
2020-11-25 | On 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4316
Desecration of Consecrated Hosts in a Church in Palermo
2020-11-25 | On 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4319
Defecation Into The Baptismal Font Of St. George's Church
2020-11-24 | An 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4389
False Accusations Against De Ligonnès' Prayer Group
2020-11-23 | In 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4283
More Than 25% of Students in the UK 'Self-Censor' Their Opinions
2020-11-21 | According 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4311
St. Jozafat's Church Exhibition in Poland Destroyed
2020-11-21 | On 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4313
Church Vandalism Caused Thousands Of Pounds Worth Of Damage
2020-11-21 | Between 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. .
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4315
Attack with Fireworks on Markus Church in Breda
2020-11-19 | On 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4282
Stolen Metal Statute of the virgin and the Child Jesus Solen and Untraceable
2020-11-18 | Although 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4850
Sacred Objects Stolen from Church in Kuckum
2020-11-17 | On 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4278
Paint Attack on Pope Monument in Poland
2020-11-17 | Unknown 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4270
Vandals Destroyed Figures of Fatima Children
2020-11-16 | Unknown 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4268
Vandals Smeared Facade of St. Jan Kanty Church in Warsaw
2020-11-15 | On 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4262
Vandalism Outside San Ambroggio Church
2020-11-15 | On 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4263
Repeated Acts of Vandalism and Theft in Church of Villamarina
2020-11-15 | Priest 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4264
Large Christmas Wreath Stolen at St. Catherine's Church
2020-11-14 | On 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4266
Vandals Tagged Parrish Building with Insulting Graffiti in Ruoti
2020-11-13 | On 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4257
St. Christ the King Church in Gothenburg Devastated by Vandals
2020-11-13 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4258
Arson Inside Church in Wolfach
2020-11-13 | On the 13th of November, unknown perpetrators started a fire on the altar of the Catholic Church in Wolfach. Investigations show that they might have used matches and a candle from the church. The incident was discovered by a couple who went to visit the church and extinguished the fire and informed the police. The caused damage is estimated to be around 600 Euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4259
Vandals Desecrated Chapel with Spray Paint
2020-11-12 | In Castrovillari, unknown vandals vandalized the chapel of the Madonna dell'Idria during the days before the 12th of November. The vandals smeared the altar with spray paint and the paintings above the altar, they also tagged the walls and some statues. The community was shocked at the sight of the images that circulated on the internet.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4247
Vandals Smeared the Wall of Parish Cemetery
2020-11-12 | An unknown vandal smeared the outside wall of the parish cemetery in Legionowo with an insult to the PiS party and the symbol of the "Women's Strike" organization,the incident occurred on November 12th. It is unknown if the case was reported to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4248
Three Chapels in Ghent Cemetery Vandalized
2020-11-11 | On November 13th unknown perpetrators vandalized three chapels at the cementery in Vroonstalledries in Wondelgem.The police was informed by the secretary of the Church Council, who is calling for the installation of cameras to deter vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4261
A Convert from Islam To Christianity threatened by Islamists
2020-11-11 | Islamists have threatened Magdi Cristiano Allam, a former Muslim who converted to Christianity, by death. Allam wrote on social media: "Yesterday I received a new death sentence: 'I would like to slit your throat ugly shit, Murted’’, which means apostate. He asked the Minister of Interior for protection from the Islamists who live in Italy.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4400
Smashed Window And Attempted Theft in Liebfrauenkirche
2020-11-11 | On November 11th, two men smashed a church window to break into the Liebfrauenkirche in Krefeld. Now two prison sentences have been handed down - a third defendant gets off lightly. They were each sentenced to seven-month prison terms by the local court. The verdict is not final yet.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4394
New Norwegian Hate Speech Law Can Prosecute People for Remarks about LGBTQ made in Private Sphere
2020-11-10 | On the 10th of November, the Parliament of Norway has extended the hate-speech law to transgender and bisexual people, or generally "sexual orientation". People that are found guilty of hate speech could face up to one year in jail for private remarks and up to three years for public comments. This law could be conflicting with the freedom of speech for Christians, who preach the teachings of the bible.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4246
Christian Councillor Removed for Refusing Funds For Pride Event Was Vindicated
2020-11-10 | Mary Douglas, a Christian councillor at Wiltshire, was forced to step down from her role in November 2019, as she expressed her disapproval of the use of public funds to promote the "gay pride" event, as she did not agree with this "ideology and worldview". Accused of homophobia, she had to leave her role, but after an investigation the Wiltshire Council reversed the decision. The council admitted that her removal was an infringement of her "right to freedom of expression".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4251
9-Year-Old Tried to Set Fire to Church Repetitive Times
2020-11-09 | A nine-year-old boy is suspected to have initiated arson attacks in the parish Church in Schwaz on November 5th, 6th and 9th. The objects to be set on fire included a prayer book, notes and boxes. The nine-year-old boy was seen by the police by attempting to light a power cable in the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4249
Illegal Banner Hung on Cross of Mount Giewont
2020-11-08 | A gigantic banner from the "Women's Strike" movement was hung on a cross at the top of Mount Giewont in Zakopane. The photos taken with a drone were posted on the Facebook site of the Women's Strike organization on the 8th of November. The pictures show the several-meter-long cross covered by the banner stating: "domestic violence is not a tradition". The perpetrators had to climb the historic structure, which is forbidden.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4232
Major Theft of Sacred Objects and Altarpiece in Rüsselsheim
2020-11-08 | During the time of November 8th and 12th, unknown thieves broke-in into the St. Christopherus church in Rüsselsheim and caused a damage of around 15.000 Euros. The perpetrators stole the 60 kg handmade tabernacle, made of gold-plated brass. Around a hundred sacred hosts were inside the tabernacle. The thieves took another bowl with hosts and stole several hundred euros from the offerings. The police report did not mention the theft of the consecrated hosts, which are most valuable to the believers, but is investigating the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4260
Swastika and SS Rune Branded on Door of Church in Rackwitz
2020-11-08 | Unknown perpetrators branded a Swastika and SS Rune symbol into the wooden door of the protestant church in the district of Podelwitz. The incident happened on November 8th. The police is investigating. The caused damaged is estimated to be some hundred Euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4281
Church Tagged With Women's Strike Symbol
2020-11-07 | On November 7th, vandals sprayed the "Women's Strike" symbols on the facade of the parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in the small town of Krępa Kościelna. The prosecutor's office in Leipzig investigated the damage caused to the historic monument and the offence of religious feelings. The police already identified the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4229
Desecration and Profanation of Tombs in France Have Increased
2020-11-06 | The devastation of cemeteries in France is an unfortunate ongoing phenomenon. This includes crosses being knocked over, slabs and monuments destroyed, tombs are looted or profaned and symbols and "anti-christian" tags are also common. Dr. Pierre Vermeren, a historian of the Sorbonne University, remarks the increase of these acts in the last 20 years in an interview on November 6th. France has 40,000 active cemeteries. In 2019 alone 1,052 of them were vandalized, explains Dr. Vermeren.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4226
"Christians Into Hell" Tag on St. Andrew's Church in Vienna
2020-11-06 | On November 6th, the gate of the St. Andrew's Church in Vienna was smeared by unknown perpetrators with an anti-Christian inscription: "Christians into hell". According to "Heute" Newspaper, there was a signature from "Antifa 24", an organization that doesn't exist anymore. The spokesman of the police, Markus Dittrich, said that the perpetrator will be charged with serious damage to property and the Office for the Protection of the Constitution is leading an investigation. This occurred in the same week as the terror-attack in Vienna, were four innocent people were killed by a perpetrator pledging allegiance to the Islamic State.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4227
Vandalism and Graffiti on St. Pakratius Church
2020-11-06 | Unknown perpetrators smeared the St. Pankratius Church on Burgdorf between November 6th and November 9th. They left tags on various spots of the facade with a waterproof pen and destroyed a glass element of one of the windows. The police was notified and has estimated a property damage of around 500 Euros. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4243
Walls of Dijon Priory Vandalized by Antifa
2020-11-06 | The Priory of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X in Dijon was tagged with red paint and signed by Antifa. This happened during the night of November 6th. The same act was perpetrated a year ago.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4274
Stained-Glass Window Smashed in Capuchin Church
2020-11-05 | Unknown perpetrators smashed one of the stained-glass windows, as reported by Il Sicilia, from the Capuchin Church of Caltagirone during the night of November 5th. The vandals entered the ruins of the adjacent agricultural institute and raided the Church. The mayor already contacted the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4223
Spain Denies Asylum to Iranian Christian Convert Facing Life-threatening Persecution
2020-11-05 | A 50-year-old Iranian has dealt with hostility for 16 years, since he converted to Christianity from Islam. He fled from Iran, where he was threatened with death by his family and ended up in Barcelona, where he was helped by an evangelical church. His asylum has been rejected three times and now he lives in an unregulated situation since 2018. The hostility and violence towards his Christian faith has also continued in Barcelona, by other Iranians. He tells his story in an interview published on November 5th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4224
Anti-Covid Tags on Church Wall
2020-11-05 | In Vigano, vandals left insulting tags on the walls of the St. Vincent Church, which has just been renovated. The incident happened on November 5th, probably around the curfew time. The writing is anti-Covid and also talks about smoking drugs. The Mayor, Fabio Bertarini was very upset and is thinking about to establish even stricter measures.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4228
Church and Monastery Install Surveillance Cameras due to Repeated Acts of Vandalism
2020-11-04 | Due to repeated acts of vandalism on the grounds of the Monastery and Dutch Reformed Church in Ter Apel, cameras will be installed on one of the entrances to the Monastery, as reported on the 4th of November. The Museum director of the Monastery, Margriet van Klinken explains that the door has been damaged several times. She says that vandals go and hang out by the porch, which is a quiet place and out of sight at night, leaving the door damaged and garbage outside. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4220
French Bishops Appeal to Lift Ban On Churches During 2nd Lockdown
2020-11-03 | The second Lockdown in France restricts people to only leave their homes for essential work or medical reasons. Schools and churches remain open but masses are not allowed to take place after the 1st of November. A group of Bishops and several other religious movements have appealed to the Council of State for the allowance of communal services of 90 minutes. This appeal was rejected on the 7th of November, but Vincent Neymon, President of the French Bishop's Conference will continue to seek an agreement.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4235
Historic Painting Vandalized in Carentan Church
2020-11-03 | Between November 3rd and 5th, the Notre-Dame Church in Carentan was vandalized. A historic painting representing Louis XIII from 1817 was tored open with a knife. A complaint was filed to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4290
Church in Jena Vandalized With Tags Relating to the Terror Attacks in Vienna
2020-11-02 | Unknown perpetrators sprayed the main entrance of the Jena Peace Church with a total of four graffiti in between November 2nd and 3rd. According to the police, these graffiti thematize the current events in Vienna.
In addition, the perpetrators screwed the main entrance door shut and stuck an unknown substance on it before they were able to escape undetected. The police is investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4222
Statue of the Virgin Mary Beheaded and Vandalized
2020-11-02 | A statue of the Virgin Mary, a replica of the Grotto of Lourdes, was found beheaded on November 2nd in Montpezat-de-Quercy. The investigations showed that the perpetrators also threw stones at the statue, causing the destruction. The mayor and the priests have reported the act to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4252
New Covid-19 Lockdown Regulations for Churches in Europe and Religious Freedom
2020-11-01 | In response to the rising number of Covid-19 infections, most European countries have started to announce a new lockdown entering into force in November. The new measures led to a continuing of the discussion about the relevance of the church and the understanding of Freedom of Religion in various countries. After the first lockdown, a number of courts were held discussing the matter of Freedom of Religion, which is reflected in the diversity of new approaches amon European states. France, Belgium, Great Britain and Ireland have banned the celebration of masses, which has stirred up criticism from the churches, demanding proof of the necessity for these measures. Austria, Germany and Spain, as other countries like Poland, did not declare a stop of religious services, arguing that religious freedom is among the essential freedoms to be protected in a liberal democratic society. In these countries the criticism mostly comes from secular societies, claiming that religion is a private issue and should not be given priority over cultural or leisure activities. In Italy the allowance of masses depends on the cities, other European countries allow services although with very strong restrictions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4211
Repeated Longstanding Acts of Vandalism On Church Grounds in Dormagen
2020-11-01 | In Dormagen, the Baptist Church has had several incidents of vandalism, including the one lately on November 1st. The Pastor, Roger Bahr, found the garbage cans in the inner courtyard of the church overturned, spreading the garbage all over the courtyard and the sidewlak lights were kicked. He explains that this is not an isolated incident, and he deals with such acts for several years already. In other cases, vandals have carried benches way, damaged lamps and climbed onto the roof. Pastor Bahr is worried about the need to hire a security guard, which would mean further costs. The incident was reported to the police (again).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4221
Christian Leaders Seek Hearing For Freedom of Religion Following Lockdown's Ban on Churches
2020-11-01 | In the UK, a new lockdown was declared, which closes bars, restaurants and non-essential retail businesses. Churches are also ordered to cease gatherings and worship services. Leaders from different churches signed a pre-action letter to the government to take back the ban on worship services. As the government didn't respond, they now have launched a legal challenge led by Pastor Ade Omooba MBE and with support of the Christian Legal Center.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4230
Various Devotional Objects Stolen From Sacristy
2020-11-01 | During the night of November 1st, unknown thieves broke into the sacristy of the Schönberg church. The worth of the stolen devotional objects like goblets, incense burners, chalices, monstrances and wooden figures sums up to about 20,000 Euros. The police is investigating the incident and the course of events.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4241
Theft and Vandalizm in Church in Nogent
2020-11-01 | A theft in the church of Saint Germain and Saint Eloi in Nogent took place in the week of November 1st. The church was not only looted but also vandalized. All metal objects and the consecrated hosts were stolen. A mass for reparation is to be held.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4272
Tag on Chapel of the Virgin Mary in the Old Cemetery of Nowy Sacz
2020-10-31 | Unknown vandals sprayed a vulgar tag on the wall of the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Cemetery of Nowy Sacz on October 31st. The police is investigating and evaluating an estimate of the damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4207
"Kill A Priest" and Other Insulting Tags on Cemetery Cross
2020-10-31 | In the Cemetery of the Victims of World War II in Gdansk, unknown perpetrators desecrated a cross on October 31st. On one side of the Cross the vandals wrote "Women's Hell" and "Kill a Priest" with white paint, and on the other side the cross was tagged with an insult against the PiS party. The incident was reported to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4205
Profanation of Symbols by Militant Feminists Protesting Against Abortion Law
2020-10-31 | The protestors against the new Abortion Law in Poland have until now vandalized and disrupted several religious places and monuments. They are also putting masks on Mary's face or an asterix above her head, which refer to the insult "Jebác PiS". The councillor of the PiS, Dariusz Matecki, denounced these incidents on his Twitter account on October 31st, also referring to the insults and violent acts against the church and the authorities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4209
Catholic Nun Physically Attacked on Public Transportation
2020-10-31 | In Graz, a catholic nun was attacked in a bus by a 19-year-old man from Afghanistan on October 31st. The 76-year-old nun was on a bus, when she was slapped on her ear by the perpetrator, who tried to flee. The slap was so hard that the hearing aid of the woman fell out, fortunately she did not suffer any injuries. The police arrested the man with the help of the surveillance camera footage of the bus.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4212
Monument for Unborn Children Vandalized in Polish Cemetery
2020-10-31 | Unknown perpetratros vandalized a monument for unborn children at the cemetery of Brzezówka in Cieszyn, during the night of October 31st. Black paint was poured over the monument. The local authorities reported the case to the police from Cieszyn.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4213
Church Tagged With Vulgar and Anti-Church Slogans
2020-10-31 | On the night of October 31st, the Church of Our Lady and St. Michael in Blachownia was tagged with spray-paint by unknown perpetrators. They left five vulgar slogans, anti-church and anti-government tags. On top of that, someone cut the padlocks from the cemetery, which remained closed. The acts were reported to the police, who is running an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4214
Feminist Protesters Interrupt Church Service and Physically Attack Church Members
2020-10-30 | On October 30th the protests and acts of vandalism against the Church continue in Poland. In one incident protesters even acted violently. Two young girls entered the Church "Christ the Savior" in Gdańsk during Communion and disturbed it and were escorted away by a man. This caused a violent reaction and the young women tried to run back in to the church, being forced to stay outside, one of them hit a man on the head with her phone and shouted profanities. According to the witnesses, the other woman tried to kick a man and threatened him with a knife.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4202
Multiple Statues Destroyed in Courtyard of Parish Church
2020-10-30 | During the night of October 30th, unknown vandals entered the courtyard of the parish church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin in Chrzastawa Wielka and destroyed the statues of Our Lady of Fatima and other Saints. The police was informed and the parish informed. The police arrested a 46-year-old perpetrator on the next day.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4203
Posters With Insulting Slogans Hung On the Door of St. Joseph Church
2020-10-30 | The parish of Ciechanow reported on October 30th, that posters were hung on the door of the church of St. Joseph. Slogans saying "If the altar boys got pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament", "My sisters are not incubators", "You have blood on your hands", "Abortion without borders" and "Choice is not compulsion" were displayed together with the symbol of a lightning, which is the "Women's Strike" symbol. The same attacks took place in the cities of Plock, Gostynin and Dzierzenin.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4210
New Figures Show Churches Targeted For Theft and Vandalism
2020-10-30 | According to figures published by Countryside Alliance, a total of 212 crimes were reported against churches in Devon and Cornwall over the last year, reported by Cornwall Live on October 30th. The request of the Freedom of Information Act was made to the Police, which revealed the target of churches for lead thefts, but also vandalism, violence, assault and burglary. The government made a commitment to protect places of worship with a crime action plan 2016-2020, which should provide security measures at places of worship vulnerable to hate crimes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4218
Terrorist Attack On Church in Nice: Three Christians Killed
2020-10-29 | Three Christians were murdered, two were practically beheaded and one stabbed to death inside the Notre Dame Basilica around 9 a.m in Nice on October 29th. The French police has arrested the attacker, who is a Tunisian man called A. Brahim. The victims were the 55-year-old caretaker, Vincent Loqués, a 60-year-old lady that was praying and a 44-year-old woman, mother of three small children. According to the police report, several other people were hurt. The elderly woman and the man were killed inside the Basilica, the younger woman was fatally stabbed, ran away and died in a bar in front of the Basilica.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4192
Attack Against St.Anton Church in Vienna
2020-10-29 | In Vienna, about 30 to 50 young people with a Turkish background entered the church St. Anton on the evening of October 28th. The group rioted and kicked against benches and the confessional while shouting Islamist slogans like "Allahu Akbar". A surveillance camera recorded the scene. Two weeks prior to this incident the church and its surroundings started to be molested by the group. It is belived that the incidnet is connected to the re-publishing of the caricatures of the prophet Mohammed in France. The police is investigating and surveilling the area.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4198
Church Bench Set on Fire in Cologne
2020-10-29 | In the Catholic parish Church in Cologne-Longerich, unknown perpetrators set fire to a bench by pouring the disinfectant over it and then placed a burning cushion on top of it. The arson took place in the afternoon of October 29th. Fortunately the flames didn't spread much, the sexton noticed the incident later. The police started an investigation on suspicion of attempted arson. Witnesses are asked to provide further information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4200
20 Tombstones Vandalized and Desecrated in Polish Cemetery
2020-10-28 | An act of vandalism at the parish cemetery in Luboszyce took place on the night of October 28th. Around 20 tombstones have been devastated by unknown perpetrators. Many crosses and gravestones have been overturned, some graves were opened and the small figures of angels or candles have been smashed. The police investigated the case and later arrested a 34-year-old man.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4197
A Group of Young People Vandalized the Russian Church Garden
2020-10-28 | It was reported on the 28th of October that a group of young people gathered at night in the garden of the Russian Church in Bari. Some of them vandalized it and left the place in a bad state. A citizen witnessed this gathering and reported the incident on Facebook to the mayor Antonio Decaro.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4189
Wooden Church Almost Completely Burned Down
2020-10-28 | In the Kinsky Garden in Prague, the wooden Orthodox Church of St. Michael was almost completely burned down. According to the first information, a fire broke out in the lower part of the wooden structure. However, the fire spread throughout the whole building. The cause is not yet known, and the police is investigating the cause and origin of the fire. The small tower of the church collapsed; the firefighters extinguished the flames.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4190
Convent of the Carmelite is Vandalized with Offensive and Vulgar Slogans
2020-10-28 | In Warsaw, the facade of the Carmelite convent was smeared by unknown vandals. Offensive and vulgar slogans were written on the outer walls, which the nuns renovated for years. The vandalism happened during the night of October 28th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4204
Church in Meriadec Repeatedly Vandalized
2020-10-28 | On October 28th, the church in Meriádec was vandalized again. Unknown vandals shattered the stained-glass windows of the church by throwing stones. The parish committee has decided to file a complaint, as this is not the first time that vandalism has happened. The cost of the repairs are being evaluated and the police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4253
Church Windows Vandalized in Lüdge, Germany
2020-10-27 | During the night of October 27th in Lüdge, unknown vandals damaged several windows of the parish Church St. Marien, situated on one of the main streets of the town. The caused damage is estimated to be 1.500 Euros and the police is asking for further information from witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4199
Abortion Supporters Attack People Defending Church in Poznan
2020-10-27 | On the 27th of October 2020, during the violent demonstrations after the Constitutional Tribunal ruled on eugenic abortion in Poland, several people who were defending a church on Fredry Street in Poznań were attacked. Supporters of abortion had allegedly wanted to vandalize this church but upon finding people defending it, they attacked them with tear gas, wooden rods, and batons. The defenders claim nothing preceded the attack.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5250
Ancient Relics Stolen From St. Wolfgang's Church
2020-10-26 | On October 26th, thousand-year-old relics were stolen from the St. Wolfgang church in Regensburg. The non-material damage is estimated at several thousand Euros, as the relics were the last mortal remains of the Saint. The relics were forcefully taken out of a bulletproof glass and steel case from the grave of St. Wolfgang, which is located in the entrance area of the church. The police is investigating and asking for witnesses. After ongoing investigations, the police says the thieves were professionals and that it looks like a planned act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4184
Revealed Number of Crimes Against Churches and Christian Buildings, Cumbria is the Fourth Lowest Country with 47 Cases In One Year
2020-10-26 | The Countryside Alliance has examined the number of crimes committed against churches or religious buildings, and released the numbers for the last 12 years. In the UK nationwide, 6,000 crime cases have been reported. In Cumbria, which is the fourth lowest country in terms of such crimes, 47 cases have been reported in one year. Last year the Countryside Alliance's also reported 20,000 crimes against churches and religious buildings in the UK in the lapse of 2 years.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4185
Tabernacle and Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Virgen del Mar Parish in Madrid
2020-10-26 | The tabernacle of the Chapel was stolen from the Virgen del Mar parish in Madrid on October 26th in the San Blas neighborhood. The perpetrators also destroyed another tabernacle and took the consecrated Hosts, as the parish published on their Facebook page. The parish priest, Enrique Abánades García, told journalists that the crime has been reported to the police, and he calls the community to grow in love of Christ's blessed sacrament.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4187
Arson on Church Grounds Damages Windows
2020-10-26 | On the grounds of a church in Derry, during the night of October 26th, a pile of rubbish was set on fire by unknown vandals causing damage to several windows of the church. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4231
Pro-Abortion Protestors in Warsaw, Attack Church and Those Defending it
2020-10-26 | On October 26th, mobs of pro-abortion activists threw stones and bottles at the St. Alexander Church in Warsaw and those trying to defend it from the onslaught. At first, the police did nothing but then finally cordoned off the protestors from those defending the church. The protest was instigated by a Constitutional Tribunal ruling which stated that eugenic abortion was not in accordance with the constitution, while the far left, wanted "abortion on demand."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5249
Suspected Arson in the St. Marien Church in Ahlen
2020-10-25 | In the church St. Marien in Ahlen a fire to a pew had to be extinguished by the firemen on Sunday 25th of October. The fire department got the fire under control and ventilated the church, the police was notified. The police is looking for information and is investigation the case. The amount of damage done has still to be estimated. According to a witness, some children sprayed disinfectant on the bench and set it on fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4179
Glass of Church Door Smashed During the Night
2020-10-24 | During the night of October 24th to 25th an eye-witness, woken up by the noise, saw several people gathered in front of the church entrance of Am Widey. On the next day, the police was called in and found that a pane of glass from the door had been smashed. The police is investigating and estimates the damage to be around 500 Euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4180
Side Entrance of Chiesa Madre and la Villa Borsellino Desecrated by Vandals
2020-10-24 | During the weekend of October 24th to 25th, unknown vandals left the Chiesa Madre and la Villa Borsellino with trash, beer bottles and a damaged door. The Archpriest, Mons. Salvatore Salvia expressed his dissaproval and dennounced the act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4182
Christian Leaders Protest Against New Lockdown Regulations Closing Churches
2020-10-23 | The First Minister of Walse, Mark Drakeford announced a new lockdown from the 23rd of October to the 9th of November, which includes the closing of churches. Christian leaders have raised their voice against the regulations made by the Welsh Government. The Christian leaders argue that the regulations are severely interfering with the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and worship, which are protected under Article 9 of the Human Rights Act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4171
St. Pantaleon Church in Cologne Threatened and Vandalized for Planing a Screening of a Pro-life Film
2020-10-23 | The wall of the St. Pantaleon church in Cologne was vandalized with pink graffiti by unknown pro-choice activists stating threats and symbols. It is assumed that this is linked to the churchs' announced screening of the feature film "Unplanned", a pro-life film. The vandalism happened during the night of October 23rd, which was the evening when "Youth for Life" wanted to screen the film in the parish hall. The threatening graffiti reads:" Abortion opponents we will get you all". The event was cancelled because of the current COVID-19 situation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4175
Anti-Abortion Slogans On the Facade of St. Matthew's Church in Warsaw
2020-10-23 | Unknown vandals tagged the Church of St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist in Warsaw with anti-abortion slogans saying: "My body ≠ your religion" and "women's hell" on the facade. The incident occurred during the weekend of October 23rd, when the law for abortion in Poland was amended.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4176
Three Churches Targeted for Looting and Vandalism During the Weekend
2020-10-23 | Unknown perpetrators entered a church in Engelskirchen on the 23rd of October and stole several offering sticks and three money containers. In a church in Lindlar, the vandals forcefully opened another four offering sticks, although they had been empty. In the church St. Laurentius in Lindlar-Hohkeppel, during the weekend unknown perpetrators destroyed several memorial and altar candles, leaving the smashed part in the ground. The police is investigating all three incidents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4181
Vandals Broke Into the Parish Church St. John the Baptist and Stole Consecrated Hosts
2020-10-23 | On October 23rd in Zadar, vandals broke into the parish of St. John the Baptist and stole consecrated hosts. This kind of vandalism and theft is considered a serious desecration, as the parish announced on its Facebook page. Besides the ideational damage church property itself was also high in numbers. The parish fears that the consecrated hosts are used for satanic rituals. Unfortunately, there have been more thefts of this kind during October in the Zadar area.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4206
Repeated Vandalism Against the Wall of a Monastery and Church in Krakow
2020-10-22 | After 4 years the wall of a church in Krakow and the the wall of the Pauline monastery also in Krakow were sprayed with paint on October 22nd. The big inscription can still be read from the opposite side of the river Vistula and it contains a vulgar insult to "J.W." The wall of the Pauline Monastery was vandalized white paint that is meant to upset pedestrians. Four years ago, after the first incident occurred, ivy was plated on the walls to prevent any other acts of vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4169
Recently Restored Wall of Cemetery in Bielsko-Biala Vandalized
2020-10-22 | An unknown perpetrator vandalized the recently restored fragments of the cemetery wall of the Catholic parish of St. Nicholas, in Bielsko-Biała. On the night of October 22nd, an inscription reading "This sh*t can only be washed away by the flood" in black spray-paint, was left on the wall. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4172
Statue of the Virgin Mary Decapitated in Germany
2020-10-22 | On the 22nd of October, a police officer discovered that the statue of the Virgin Mary, of the Jesuits Church in Straubing, was decapitated. The head of the statue laid on the floor between the doors of the church and had a mask on. Inside the church, he found the remaining of the statue, which was toppled over. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4177
Wave of Attacks Against Churches in Poland by Feminist Group's After New Abortion Law Was Passed
2020-10-22 | On October 22nd, the polish Constitutional Tribunal decided that eugenic abortion is unconstitutional. This led to an outrage of the left-wing feminist organization "Women's Strike". among others, which started attacking churches across Poland and interrupting church services. The activists vandalized the facades of many religious buildings by tagging them with vulgar or insulting slogans. Among the attacked churches were the St. Magda Magdalena in Warsaw and the parish church St. Jakub in Warsaw, the St. Vincent de Paul church in Otwock and other Shrines and buildings. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4178
BCC Northern Ireland Launched Biased Program on "Gay Conversion Therapy"
2020-10-22 | As reported by Christian Concern on the 22nd of October, the BBC News Broadcast showed a biased TV Program on the issue of "Gay Conversion Therapy". On September 29th, BBC Northern Ireland featured only LGBT campaigners and gay-affirming psychologist and psychiatrists. The organization Core Issues Trust argued, that the program did not represent the real range of scientific opinions on the controversial topic. There were no interviews with people who had benefited from counseling interventions and left the LGBT lifestyle and also false reports were used without further investigations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4196
Students Seek to Oust Porter Over Views on Gender Ideology
2020-10-22 | The Union of Clare Students (UCS) of the Cambridge Clare University are trying to remove the city councilor Kevin Price, for refusing to vote on a motion that contained a statement affirming that trans-women are women, trans-men are men and non-binary individuals are also non-binary. Price resigned his role to vote as a matter of conscience on the 22nd of October. The UCS considers Price "Unfit" and demand not only a safe environment for trans-people, but also that they feel "celebrated".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4215
Statue of Jesus on the Cross Set on Fire Outside St. Joseph Church
2020-10-21 | The statue of Christ on the Cross already has been vandalized in the past with satanic symbols, during the time of October 21 and 23, it was set on fire. The 31-year-old arsonist of the statue at St. Joseph's Church in Velbert, was found guilty of other arson attacks in the city and was arrested by the police, where he admitted the crimes. In order to cause the massive damage, it looks like the man wrapped the legs of the statue in cloth and then set it on fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4173
Man Arrested for Beheading Two Statues of the Virgin
2020-10-21 | At Pont d'Herault in Suméne and at Montaud, the statues of the Virgin Mary were beheaded by a man. The perpetrator, who destroyed the statue by throwing stones at them, was arrested by the police and has admitted the crimes on the 21st of October.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4255
Man Imprisoned After Two Arson Attacks To Intimidate And Extort Religious Community
2020-10-20 | A man was arrested some days before the 20th October. At the end of August, the 47-year-old set fire to two showcases on the sides of the door of the Collegiate Sant'Ambrogio Church in Omegna. In September, he also attempted an arson attack on the entrance to a parish home, but luckily the flames did not spread. After investigations by the police and using CCTV cameras, the man was identified. The police also says that the man used the arson attacks to intimidate the religious community and demand money. The perpetrator was arrested and taken into custody.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4163
20 Tombs Desecrated in Escalatens
2020-10-20 | On the 20th of October, the police was informed about the desecration of 20 Tombs in the cemetery of Escalatens. The families of the desecrated tombs were notified. The candles, symbols and flowers were scattered and the tombstones were turned over.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4254
Desecration of St Clement Cemetery In Orange With Arabic Inscriptions and Vulgar Gestures
2020-10-20 | On October 20th the police, alarmed by a witness, arrested an individual, known to them, who was desecrating the Saint-Clement cemetery in Orange. Inscriptions in Arabic were found in various places in the chapel. Several grave stones were broken on the ground. A condom and a Koran were found on the altar and the crucifix.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4317
Church of St. Michael the Archangel Was Heavily Desecrated and Looted
2020-10-19 | During the night of October 19th, the parish Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Jelenje was devastated, desecrated and looted. The Pastor has cancelled all masses, because the damage must be repaired, before the church prepares for any further liturgical celebrations. On the photos of the incident it can be seen that the locks of the door, the tabernacle on the altar and safe box were broken open. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4165
Bill Threatening Freedom of Speech and Religion Passes First Reading in the UK
2020-10-19 | A new Bill is being passed rapidly in the United Kingdom, which would require extensive discussion on its moral standards. The Covert Human Intelligence Bill was presented on September 2020, and has already passed the first reading in the House of Lords (19.10.2020). It's regulations for the authorization of criminal activity for public bodies, like the police, to "prevent disorder" presents a threat to freedoms of speech and religion. The line is already very thin between "hate crimes" and "hate incidents" and the new Bill could give space to a targeted surveillance and use of executive power against Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4188
New Crime Wave Against Churches and Religious Buildings in England with an Average of 13 Incidents per Day
2020-10-18 | On October 18th, the Daily Mail wrote an article about the new "crime wave" against churches and cemeteries in England. The crimes include robbery, vandalism, personal attacks and rape. According to the Metropolitan Police around 1,106 crimes happened in religious locations, including 250 cases of violence against individuals, 273 burglaries, 188 arsons and criminal damage and 371 thefts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4147
Man Tried To Tear A Cross Off The Roof Of A Church
2020-10-18 | On October 18th at night, a man was captured on video trying to rip off the Cross on the roof of the Chadwell Health Baptist Church in east London. The video footage then circulated on social media. He was also arrested by the police for suspicion of criminal damage. The cross was recovered, being now in police custody, it will be reinstalled soon. A witness told the Metro News, that the man looked angry and was muttering things about religion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4153
A Bust of Pius XI Torn Down on The Terrace of Pigazzano
2020-10-18 | On October 18th, a Bust of Pius XI was found torn down to the ground and severely damaged on the Terrazza di Pigazzano. The terrace, located in front of the Santa Maria Assunta Church, is closed since 2015 due to restoration works. The terrace has repeatedly been vandalized in the past. The bust is placed at the stairs leading to the Santa Maria Assunta Church, which is also got damaged. A group of young people was identified by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4157
Man Attacks Crucifix and Brutally Beats Up Priest
2020-10-18 | On the18th of October, a 46-year-old man with a criminal record vandalised the parish of San Giovanni Maria Vianney in Rome. He entered the church in the afternoon, while the parish priest was preparing for the celebrations. The man threw himself on the statue of Jesus crucified and started damaging it. As the priest tried to stop him, the perpetrator punched him in the face and pushed him to throw him to the ground, threatening him with death. With the help of a collaborator, he was taken outside, where he kicked the door of the church. As the police arrived he was also violent to the officers, the man was then arrested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4162
Vandalism of Painting with Knife in Cathedral of Freiburg
2020-10-18 | A painting in the St. Nikolaus Cathedral in Freiburg was vandalized on October 18th. The painting with the title "Adoration of the Three Wise Kings" was cut through with a knife. The sacristan, Pierre Ferault, says it is the first time he witnesses such an act of vandalism. The damage is estimated to be between 5000 to 10000 Francs, as the painting is over 150 years old. The police was notified and started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4237
March for Life Interrupted by Counter-Demonstrators Insulting and Stereotyping Christians
2020-10-17 | On October 17th, counter-demonstrators interrupted the March for Life in Vienna by blocking streets, which led to serval changes of the originally planned route. The counter-demonstrators also verbally and physically insulted the participants of the march with vulgar expressions and gestures. They also held up highly insulting banners like:"If Mary would have aborted, we would have been spared of you." Additionally, the counter-demonstrators held up flags against homophobia, stereotyping Christians as homophobic, despite the fact that the march was not about LGBTQ+ issues but the protection of the unborn life.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4159
Repeated Vandalism With Graffiti at Church of San Giacomo
2020-10-17 | The walls of the church of San Giacomo in Tarquinia was tagged with Graffiti the week before October 17th. On October 17th the church walls were tagged again expanding the vandalism. Mayor Giulivi of Tarquinia already ordered to clean the walls and called the incident an "uncivilized act against an entire community." He also want to install CCTV at the church for better surveillance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4144
Unknown Perpetrator Vandalized Church with Graffiti Allegedly Sending Messages as Jesus Christ
2020-10-17 | During the night of Saturday 17th October, an unknown vandal smeared with neon-green paint the exterior walls on the facade of the Church St Maria in Niederhall up to the Bus Station nearby. The messages allegedly would be from Jesus, the Son of God. The damage caused is at least of 12000 Euros for property damage. The police is asking for clues or witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4158
Singer of March for Life Physically Attacked and Robbed
2020-10-17 | The singer Vero, a young Christian women, who sang at the March for Life in Vienna on October 17th, was physically attacked after her performance on stage. On her way home she went to pick up her bicycle and was harassed by two female antifa activists, who grabbed her bicycle and tried to steal it from her, the two perpetrators also kicked the singer's leg. They finally stole the bicycle, after a loud outcry to the surrounding police officers the two activists were caught and charged with theft and physical violence. The police has indicated that the prosecutor will bring this case forward, as a hate crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4183
Smashed Window and Break In at Church is Mosbach
2020-10-16 | During the night of the 17th of October, an unknown vandal broke the window and entered into the Church Christuskirche in Mosbach. He didn't steal anything, but left damage in the amount of 500 Euros because of the broken window. It is suspected that the same person also broke in into the sports place on the same night.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4160
Christian Posters With Bible Verses Outside a Church Torn Off Several Times
2020-10-15 | On the 15th of October, it was reported that the two posters outside the Catholic Church at the Kreuzstrasse in Uster were torn off repeatedly. In the posters reads "God is faithful", "Pay attention to your thoughts" and "Avoiding evil is insight", which are taken from the bible. The campaign is run by an interdenominational Christian association.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4138
Arson in Church of Quarndorn Caused Damage on Exterior Wall and Windows
2020-10-15 | During the night of October 15th, a fire was set at the exterior wall and the windows of St. Paul's church in Quarndorn. The fire damaged the wall and windows but did not spread further. The police is asking for help. A 17-year-old teenager has been arrested as suspect.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4146
Windows Smashed at Church in Kleinkahl
2020-10-15 | On October 15th, a church in Kleinkahl was vandalized during the week. An unknown perpetrator damaged one church window and another window at the rectory of the church throwing stones. The damage is approximately 300 euros. The police is looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4149
Theft and Vandalism in Church of Coswig
2020-10-15 | Unknown perpetrators forcefully broke into a Church in Coswig during the night of October 15th and stole two silver-plated candlesticks, which are estimated to have a value of 5.000 Euros. Apart from the theft the vandalism is estimated to have caused a damage of an additional 2.00 Euros. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4156
Midnight Fire at St. Matthew's Church Treated as Arson
2020-10-15 | In the early morning of October 15th, a rescue team was called because the St. Matthew's Church in Derby was burning. The facade and the shed of the church suffered most of the damage. There have been another three attacks with arson in Derby in October: On the church in Quarndorn and two schools, the police has not yet found any evidence that would link these cases. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4166
Historical Church of San Giacomo Spray-Painted Again
2020-10-14 | On the 14th of October, the wall of the Church San Giacomo in Tarquinia was vandalised again by unknown person with spray paint. The citizens are very outraged and demand the installation of security cameras for this church from the 8th century, which is a historical heritage. The building has already a fence, because of similar problems in the past.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4129
Mayor Prevented the Blessing of a School Bus
2020-10-14 | In the Municipality of Bibiana, the mayor, Fabio Rossetto, prevented the parish priest of the village to bless a new school bus. He said that the vehicle is ‘secular’ and therefore, does not need the consecration. This issue has raised controversy in the town of Turin.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4411
Government Announced Ban on Conversion Therapies
2020-10-14 | As requested by associations for the protection of LGBT groups, the government sought to ban conversion therapies. This has been included in the bill on separatism. Several deputies, including Laurence Vanceunebrock-Mialon, claim that conversion therapies are ‘dangerous’ religious practices.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4420
Priest Stolen During a Funeral Ceremony
2020-10-13 | On Tuesday 13th October, an unknown person stole the Laptop from a priest, who held a funeral at the cemetery Chapel on Annaberg in Rheinberg. The Computer was on a table covered with a notebook inside the Chapel, then the priest went outside with the other guests for the funeral. When he came back, the Computer was missing. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4128
Vandalism at Reformed Church in Voorthuizen
2020-10-13 | On the 11th of October, the Reformed Church in Voorthuizen was vandalised by unknown perpetrators. The CCTV cameras have captured the suspects, and the police is running an investigation and asking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4137
Arson and Vandalism at Saint-Michel's Chapel
2020-10-13 | During the night of October 13th, the Saint-Michel's chapel was vandalised and burnt down by unknown perpetrators. The interior of the church was set on fire, causing damage on the walls. The police of the Flémalle area was alerted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4140
More Churches in England Added to The List "Heritage at Risk" Due To Criminal Attacks On Churches
2020-10-12 | In the Year 2020 until now, 90 places of worship have been added to the "Historic England’s Heritage at Risk" register, while only 69 are being taken off. The organisation says this is a New trend they hope will not become the rule. Almost half of the churches are being added because of crimes and thefts of church roofs, which have increased in recent years.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4122
Church in the Isle of Man Vandalised
2020-10-12 | During the night of October 12th, the Port Erin Methodist Church in the Isle of Man was damaged by unknown vandals. The rear window was broken. The police is investigating and asking the residents for further information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4143
10 Meters of Graffiti With Unconstitutional Symbols on Church Walls
2020-10-11 | During the last days before the 11th October, the Kreuzkirche in Eisenach was smeared with symbols of unconstitutional organizations by unknown perpetrators. The vandals sprayed three walls over a total length of around ten meters. The period of the crime is still unclear, but the criminal investigation department has started investigations to find relevant information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4105
Vandalism with Satanic Symbols on Church in Cyprus
2020-10-11 | On the night of 11. October, unknown perpetrators sprayed icons, crosses and the church doors of the greek-orthodox Church of Mitseros with Satanic symbols like pentagrams and upside-down crosses. The leader of the village community suspects that the perpetrators could be the same as the ones who started a fire in the church one year ago. The investigations by the police are still ongoing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4121
Intended Break-In Into Two Churches
2020-10-11 | During the night of 11th to 12th October, two churches were targeted in Burgstädt and Taura. In Burgstädt, unknown perpetrators damaged the town church by the attempt to break-in. Also, on Friday, it was reported that one door had already been forced without success. The damage made goes up to a thousand euros.
The second church was on the main street in Taura, where also unknown persons tried to break in, leaving a property damage worth several euros. The Police is investigating both cases.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4123
Suspected Arson in Saint-Laon Church
2020-10-11 | On 11th October, a fire broke out the church of Saint-Laon in Thouars. The motives remain unknown. The fire required the intervention of the firemen. Fortunately, the paintings have not been damaged, but the stones were blackened by the smoke. The police opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4136
Burglary inside Church and "Heil Satan" Sprayed On Church Door
2020-10-11 | On the days between 11. and 14. October, a group of unknown persons broke into a church in Altenburg and vandalized it. The vandals forced the back door open to enter, they also broke an intermediate door open. They did not steal anything from the church but they left an inscription saying "Heil Satan" and "666" on the door, referring to the number of the devil. The damage is estimated to be of several thousand Euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4139
Repeated Acts of Vandalism and Desecration at Church of St. Peter and Paul in Steinhofen
2020-10-11 | The parish church of St. Peter and Paul in Steinhofen has been devastated inside and outside several times. During the night of October 11th the church was vandalized again. The exterior wall of the church was smeared with paint, the flowers and a sign were torn out of the ground and glass bottles were smashed in the forecourt of the church. The sacristan discovered the damage the next day. The parish has reported the crime and has publicly asked for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4186
Pride Parade in France Leads to Anti-Christian Attacks
2020-10-10 | On the 10th of October, during the Gay Pride Parade in La Roche sur Yon, anti-Christian attacks took place. The ICES, which is a catholic institute that has been criticized before as homophobic, was guarded by the police, while people held signs saying "Blow up the ICES", depicting Jesus in a rainbow background and other direct statements against the church. The mayor of La Roche sur Yon also attended the parade and did not react to the anti-Christian statements or attacks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4168
Theft of Sacred Objects from Church in Erkelenz
2020-10-10 | In the village of Erkelenz, thieves stole gold-plated sacred objects from a church. The police stated that the objects were probably stolen for ideational reasons, more than for the monetary worth of the two chalices, a chalice bowl for the hosts and a monstrance. The break-in and theft happened between the 10th of October and the first week of November. There is an ongoing investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4238
Burglars Break Into a Church in Naples and Vandalise it
2020-10-09 | On the 9th of October, a group of unknown vandals broke into the church Santa Croce al Mercato and caused a lot of damage. The Carabinieri intervened and the technicians of the municipality are estimate the damage. The entrance fence was opened by force and the marble was unhinged from the seat, some brass knobs that held marble plaques were also stolen. The Carabinieri think it was a vandal raid. Inside the sacristy some books have been damaged and some relics are missing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4101
Vulgar Graffiti Sprayed on the Walls of St. Stephen Chapel
2020-10-09 | In the evening of October 9th, an unknown vandal painted two vulgar inscriptions in front of the chapel of the St. Stephen's parish. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4103
Young Men Stole Laptop and Money From Church Worker
2020-10-09 | On Friday 9th October, some young men distracted a woman who works in the Church in Gütersloh to be able to commit the act of theft. While they were talking to her, two or three went in and out of the parish twice. Afterwards the employee went back to the church and discovered the theft. The police are looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4125
Student in Swedish School Asked to Remove Necklace with Cross for School Photo
2020-10-09 | On October 9th, a 15-year-old boy was asked to remove his necklace with a cross on it for the school photo. The school is unknown to guarantee the anonimity of the boy. Other students at the school were allowed to wear their religious symbols during the photo was taken, like face or hair coverings according to the Muslim religion. The teenager was told, that the cross symbol could be offensive for other students. The headmaster of the school distanced himself from the incident and said the photographer had made a mistake.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4148
French Parliament Debates Extension of Abortion Time Limit and Elimination of Conscientious Objection Clause
2020-10-08 | On October 8th, MEPs have approved the first reading of the proposed changes in abortion law in France. They wish to extend the legal time limit for abortions from 12 to 14 weeks and to eliminate the clause for contentious objection, which allows gynaecologists and obstetricians to reject to perfom an abortion when they consider it murder, or for other moral reasons. The Prime Minister, the President and the Minister of Health object, that the discussion has been one-sided, and demand the recognition of the opinion from the national advisory committee on ethics.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4098
Vandals Smeared Church Facade With Insulting Graffiti
2020-10-08 | On 8 October, the parish of St. Cross in Szczecin was vandalized with paint-bombs and spray-paint by vandals with a LGBT message. They left a logo on the display case with the phrase "Only LGBT", and wrote "You have blood on your hands" on the wall. They also threw paint bombs with the rainbow colors on the wall. Bogna Chalczynska, an extreme-left activist and representative for women, compared these acts to a noble fight of the oppressed Polish people during the Soviet-German occupation. This has caused concern and outrage among the believers who demand respect for their religious buildings.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4152
Attempted Arson at St. Gregory's Church in Kevindale During Funeral Preparations
2020-10-08 | On October 8th two young men forcefully broke into St Gregory's Church in Kevindale by smashing a window of the side chapel. They were caught by the parish priest while they tried to set fire inside the church. The two also caused some other vandalism inside the church. The priest chased the two perpetrators down the road but did not catch them. The vandals broke in during ongoing preparations for a funeral. The community of the church was shocked and demands reparations. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4154
Arson and Vandalism in Barcelona Targeted El Carmen de Vic Church
2020-10-07 | On the 7th October, a man caused five fires in the same morning against furniture, banks and the wooden doors of a Church in Barcelona. The police have arrested the 39-year-old man. The Church El Carmen de Vic dated from the 17th and 18th century. The citizens helped the agents to locate the suspect, who first tried to flee.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4104
Martini Church in Bremen Vandalized Again
2020-10-07 | The Martini Church in Bremen that belonged to the pastor Olaf Latzel was vandalized again, as reported on the 7th of October. It was smeared by unknown perpetrators with anarchic signs and the inscription "Fight Homophobia" on the wall. The Pastor Latzel is seen as an opponent of abortion and homosexuality and a "hate-speaker" by the LGBTI community. The police will investigate. Meanwhile, in November the pastor will stand in court for sedition, because of his teaching about natural family and homosexuality.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4127
Pro-Life Campaigners Banned Outside Abortion Clinic in Manchester
2020-10-07 | On October 7th, a 'buffer zone' was introduced outside the Marie Stopes Abortion Clinic in Manchester. According to the BBC, the people visiting the clinic felt harassed by the pro-life campaigners. On the other side, the campaigners assured the clinic to be peaceful and stand outside with banners. After the case in Fallowfield, Pro-Choice groups seek to get the same PSPO (Public Space Protection Order) for other abortion clinics.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4195
A Pro-Life March Blocked and Disrupted by Left-Wing Extremists
2020-10-07 | More than 300 police officers were deployed to protect the pro-life march and pro-life activists. Left-wing extremists disrupted and blocked the way to prevent the march. Some of them were temporarily arrested and the police had to threaten them with the use of the baton.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4342
Repeated Vandalism and Graffiti on the Church of Mary in Madrid
2020-10-05 | In Madrid, the Church of Santa Maria La Antigua was repeatedly tagged with graffiti that appeared on the walls. Additionally, around the church people have left garbage, which degrades the environment. The church is one of the oldest buildings in Madrid, but it is left in a state of abandonment.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4083
St. Kevin's Church Severely Vandalized
2020-10-05 | On October 5th, the St. Kevin's Church in Bargeddie was severely vandalized by unknown perpetrators. A Jesus statue was found with both arms broken off. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4155
Vandalism of Parochial Empty Container
2020-10-04 | In Foligno, on the night of 3rd to 4th October, unknown vandals smashed the windows and floors of the parochial container near the fractional church. The container was empty, so the act of destruction was suspected to be biased. The carabinieri will check the security cameras for clues.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4086
Gilded Cross Was Stolen From Church in Kastl
2020-10-03 | On the 3rd of October, a gilded cross was stolen from the monastery castle church St. Peter in Kastl. The church remained open during the day. The police is looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4099
Arson Attack With Burning Vehicle to Saint-Pierre Chanel Church
2020-10-03 | In the evening of October 3rd, a group of approximately 10 people, dressed in black and masked, set fire to Saint-Pierre Chanel church in Rillieux-la-Pape, close to Lyon. They pushed a car up to the church wall and set it on fire, which blackened the facade and caused damage to offices and meeting rooms. According to mayor Alexandre Vincendet, the same group had set around 10 cars in town on fire that night in a violent raid.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4079
Break-In And Theft in Church in Stolpen
2020-10-03 | On the night of 3rd to 4th October, unknown persons broke into the Church in Stolpen, through forcing a side door open, and stole the donation money from a wall safe. The safe was also opened by force. They took around 50 euros from the inside. The damage done was estimated at 1000 Euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4085
Statue of an Angel Again Destroyed by Vandals
2020-10-03 | On the weekend of 2 to 4 October, the statuette of an Angel placed in front of the church of the Holy Spirity in Laufenburg, was destroyed by unknown vandals. Only the feet of the angel remained in front of the church, the other pieces are missing. The statue has been vandalised many times before in 2005. It was restored and inaugurated again in 2006. The restored copy was then damaged again. The city has offered 500 Euro for anyone who can give helpful hints about the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4102
Devastating Arson at Catholic Voluntary Academy in Derby
2020-10-03 | On the early morning of the 3rd of October, a fire broke out in the St. Mary's Catholic Voluntary Academy. The firefighters spent most of the day tackling the fire. The Derby City Council was told that there was an alarm at 5am for a break-in, which confirms the case as an arson attack. The fire has devastated the school and the pupils will have to be sent to other schools while reconstruction begins.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4167
Threats Against Pro-Life Supporters and "March For Life" Banned in Switzerland 2019, 2020 and 2021
2020-10-02 | In the city of Zürich, the March for Life was opposed by extreme left activists, as it also occurred in Austria and Germany, which led the local government to ban the march. The march has already been banned in 2019 and also for 2020 and 2021 with no consistent reason. The official reason for the ban are safety concerns for the participants of the march, due to violent counter-protests and possible riots. As an alternative to the march, there would have been a smaller gathering of the pro-life supporters, but the Congress Center Winterthur, where the event would have taken place in a smaller form, has denied access. The organizers of the march announced that they will pursue legal action against this decision.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4174
Court Denied Asylum to Converted Refugees and Increased Risk of Deportation
2020-09-30 | In Germany, the asylum for refugees converted to Christianity has diminished significantly in the last years, according to the Organization Open Doors. The cases vary depending on the federal state and court. In the province of Bayern, the parishes have increasing problems with the state institutions regarding converted. The Administrative Court denies the refugees their decision of their faith being genuine and reject their asylum application. These Christians could face severe sentences including the death sentence for converting to Christianity if they are deported.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4084
Arson Attack Against Church in Vaggeryd
2020-09-29 | During the night of 29 September the Haghults church in Klevshult was set on fire by an unknown perpetrator. A bell tower from the 18th century was completely destroyed and the cemetery was also damaged by the fire. The fire was reported by a witness. Police have started investigations into the arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4062
Acts of Vandalism at the Church of San Niccolò
2020-09-28 | During the night of 27 to 28 September, vandals smeared the walls of the church of San Niccolo in Agliana. The whole facade of the Church was tagged with vulgar inscriptions or images. The police was notified and the church plans to install surveillance cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4059
University of Edinburgh and University of Stirling Accused of Restricting Free Speech by Refusing to Affiliate Pro-Life Societies
2020-09-28 | The Society for the Protection of the Unborn Children (SPUC) and the Alliance of Pro-Life Students (APS) published a report called Free2Speak on September 28, which analyzed campus censorship in Scotland. Each university was scored according to their policies towards pro-life students, societies and outside speakers and the students' experiences. Both Edinburgh and Stirling university were marked as "fails" in the survey because their students' unions refused to affiliate pro-life societies.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4060
Statue of the Virgin Mary Destroyed
2020-09-28 | The statue of Our Lady of the church of the Holy Spirity was damaged by vandals during the night of 29 September. The statue was placed in front of the Chapel. It was thrown to the ground and broken into two pieces. The parish priest reported the incident to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4063
Podcast With Christian Journalist Birgit Kelle Deleted from Spotify
2020-09-28 | The sequence number 61 of the podcast "indubio" was deleted by Spotify, where the journalist Birgit Kelle was invited to speak about her book "Noch Normal? Das lässt sich gendern!" (Still Normal? That can be gendered!), which criticizes the gender movement. Spotify did not give any precise reason for the deletion, it simply said "content policy violations". Birgit Kelle has accused the streaming service of censorship functioning under the umbrella of the theme of "cancel culture". The Podcast "Indubio" has never used hate speech or any form of insulting behavior. The makers of the podcast have also filed a protest to Spotify for the unfair deletion, which was forwarded to the technical support.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4193
Break-in at Church in Marburg
2020-09-27 | On September 27. in the morning, an unknown person gained access to a church in Marburg by force. The burglar was apparently disturbed and fled without looting. The police in Marburg is taking clues from witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4061
Church Doors and Locks Damaged in Zeil
2020-09-27 | Unknown perpetrators caused damage of approximately 1,000€ to a church in Zeil by damaging the sacristy door, the door leading to the church tower, another side door and three locks on the offertory boxes. The incident occurred some time between September 27th and September 28th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4076
Urination and Communist Paroles Scrawled on Church Wall in Vienna
2020-09-25 | The St. Johann Evangelist Church, situated on Keplerplatz in the 10th district of Vienna, has been soiled by what appears to be urination, Austrian newspaper Heute reports on September 25. The unknown perpetrators left a communist message, including the hammer-and-sickle-symbol, on the church wall. The message reads "130 years of May 1st, long live the red flag of the communist party!"
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4043
School Worker Lost Discrimination Case for Her Dismissal After Posting Christian Views on LGBT on Facebook
2020-09-25 | On January 7th 2019, the Farmor's School in Fairford dismissed Mrs Kristie Higgs for committing gross misconduct. The school directive received a complaint about the teacher's posts on her private Facebook disagreeing with LGBT+ agenda (On the 26th October 2018). Mrs. Higgs appealed against the dismissal on January 14th 2019 for discrimination against her religious beliefs. The court concluded on September 25th, that her dismissal was not a discriminating act against her beliefs, but about "gross misconduct" understood by the school directive. During the whole process, Kristie Higgs received commentaries like "Keep your religion out of it" and was called a ‘Pro-Nazi right-wing extremist’. The court ruled against her, even though the government has restricted the Relationships and sex education (RSE) guidelines, to protect religious freedom and although the court acknowledged that Mrs. Higgs behavior was not homophobic or transphobic. Higgs is appealing the court decision.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4044
Newly Proposed Bill to Establish a "Regional Observatory on Christianophobia" in Lazio/Italy
2020-09-25 | Following the increase in acts of violence and vandalism in churches of Rome and the province, regional councillor of Lazio, Laura Corrotti from the Lega party, presented a bill in September to establish a "Regional Observatory on Christianophobia". The aim is to research issues concerning discrimination against the Christian religion and protection of religious freedom, and to document acts of persecution, discrimination, violence and religious intolerance against Christians, which are often labelled as simple acts of vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4078
Fire at the Jeremia Church Suspected Arson
2020-09-24 | On the 24th of September, the roof of the Jeremiah Church on Burbacher Weg was set on fire. More than 250 forced from the fire department were on site. "Reaching the fire is made more difficult by the roof construction," the fire department announced. Therefore, it used so-called extinguishing nails. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4057
Sacred Silver Objects Stolen from St. Clemens Church in Grevenbroich
2020-09-24 | During the night of September 24 to 25, unknown perpetrators broke into the sacristy, forced open a tabernacle and stole the 100 year-old silver objects which had been used for baptisms for decades. The community published pictures, hoping that the meaningful objects would be found. This had been the third break-in since June.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4073
Pro-life Activists Forbidden to Stand in Front of Abortion Clinic in Utrecht
2020-09-24 | Pro-life activists of “Schreeuw om Leven”, who offer help to women in front of an abortion clinic in Utrecht, were required to stay in a buffer zone at a distance from the clinic. The Veiligheidsregio (Security Region) Utrecht referred public health and traffic safety as the reasons for the change in regulations, which was communicated on September 24th. As a consequence, the pro-life activists were severely restricted in offering support to visitors of the clinic.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4095
Church Window Damaged With Stones
2020-09-24 | Between 24th and 25th September, unknown perpetrators threw stones at the Protestant Church in Oberotterbach. The damage is approximately 1150 Euros. According to witness, a group of children of primary school were seen at the scene of the crime. The police are asking for clues.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4126
Former Lesbian Experiences Discrimination After Leaving LGBT-Lifestyle and Becoming Christian
2020-09-24 | In a news article of an interview with a former lesbian, published on 24. September, Teresa Frei (changed name) talks about how in the more than 20 years of lesbian life she endured a lot of discrimination, violence and intolerance. But she says: "no discrimination as a lesbian living woman was as bad as the one which overtook me after I had discarded this way of life. " She recalls being repeatedly criticized and called old-fashioned and arch-conservative. She wrote a book called "Frauen Lieben" (Loving Women) under the false name of Teresa Frei, because she knows under her real name she would be subjected to bullying, and attacks. Teresa believes that her testimony is harmful to the LGBT Lobby agenda, because it doesn't go along with their narrative, but she refuses to accept the prohibition of expression or to have imposed opinions. According to her, there are lobbyists who search the internet for critical information to then publish inflammatory articles to create hatred and silence other people. She talks openly about her biography and wounds that led her to chose a lesbian lifestyle. Teresa also states that being homosexual is not genetically predisposed, and she has firsthand insight on the topic.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4161
Priest Stabbed in Madrid
2020-09-24 | On the morning of 24 September, Javier Contreras Beorlegui, a priest from the diocese of Getafe was stabbed as he prepared to open the church San Josemaría de Alcorcón. He was stabbed in the upper body and received two cuts on the arm. The incident was witnessed and the police were called. The attacker was then taken to the psychiatric area of Alcorón Hospital and the priest to the hospital.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4356
Pope John Paul II's Blood Relic Stolen from Spoleto Cathedral
2020-09-23 | On 23 September, the sacristan discovered the theft of Pope John Paul II's relic, a gold and crystal casing with drops of his blood, which was kept and venerated in the Chapel of the Crucifix of the Cathedral Basilica of Spoleto. The Carabinieri Company of Spoleto began investigations and have identified a perpetrator. Archbishop Renato Boccardo expressed his dismay and called for those responible to return the precious relic.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4046
Priest Threatened with Death and Church Damaged
2020-09-23 | On September 23rd, a man broke into the church San Claudio dei Sacramentini, in the Piazza San Silvestro and threatened the parish priest with death with a metal pole. Then, he broke church furnishing and glass, threw the lectern on the floor, and damaged part of the altar. He was arrested by police officers on the spot.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4047
Deportation of Convert Refugee Threatened with Death Penalty in Afghanistan
2020-09-22 | Naser R. is a refugee who converted to Christianity and threatened with death penalty in Afghanistan because of his conversion. He has been living in Hof since 2016 and visited St. Michael Church. He got baptized in the Church and since then, he became a member of the community. The young man is to be deported to Afghanistan, where he would face the death penalty. The Dean Günter Saalfrank and the honorary refugee commissioner of the Deanery of Hof wants to take action.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3977
Church of Sant’Agata al Collegio Devastated for a Second Time
2020-09-22 | Sant'Agata Church was devastated for the second time on September 22nd. The tomb containing the saint's relics was ravaged, the tabernacle was broken, and consecrated hosts were stolen. Representations of the Mother of God were also destroyed. Two men have already been arrested, according to Italian media reports. The Ministry of the Interior promised funds to implement a video surveillance system and improve security measures.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4042
Saint George Church in Lesbos is Desecrated For The Second Time
2020-09-21 | On the week the 21, September, the Church of Saint George, in the vicinity of the town Moria in Lesbos, was vandalized for a second time. The Images and furniture have been destroyed by migrants who stayed and camped at the church after the fire broke out in Moria's Refugee Camp. When the group left, there was garbage inside and outside the church, apart from the items being broken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3577
Arson, Desecration and Profanation of Church in Pérols
2020-09-20 | On September 20th, a man desecrated the Church of Saint Sixtus II in Pérols. He vandalized equipment, setting fire to song and prayer sheets, a table, part of a pew and a veil. He also tried to set some fabric on fire, but it was fireproof. Then the man grabbed a cross from the altar and threw it to the organ. The man also spit several times on the ground and the priest's deck and urinated and defecated between benches. He was traced, thanks to the cameras in the church, and was arrested by the police because of attempted robbery in Auchan. A police officer recognized the man through a photo published by the priest of the parish.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3976
Theft of Money and Sacred Objects from Parish Office in Martinshöhe
2020-09-20 | In the night of 20 to 21 September, unknown perpetrators forcefully open the windows of the Heiliger Bruder Konrad parish house in Martinshöhe and ransacked the parish office. They also tried to break into the church and the sacristy, but they were not successful. Sacred objects and a four-figure sum of money were stolen; the overall property damage reaches five figures.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4030
Vandalism of Church Twice in a Week
2020-09-20 | In the past two weeks, vandals have raged in the city church twice. Shoe marks were found on the altar cloth, and this showing that someone walked on it. The Candles and sacrificial lights were smudged and poured out and wax was distributed in the pews. The parish priest has put signs on the doors, asking the population to keep an eye on the town church. Last year in summer the church was also vandalized several times. The pastor warned that, if there is another case, they will file a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4067
Vandalism of Catholic Church before Holy Mass in Remembrance of Aborted Children
2020-09-19 | On the night of 18th to 19th September, the historical church St. Marien am Behnitz and the outer walls of the playground were found vandalized with slogans, like "Abortion is a Human Right. The perpetrators were eventually against Pro-Life movements. The police put charges, although they did not charge any damage to property, because it was pasted wallpaper.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3986
Statue of St. Anthony Demolished
2020-09-18 | The bronze Statue of St. Anthony in Milano was demolished on the night of 17th to 18th September. The statue was in front of the sanctuary of St. Anthony of Padua for 88 years.
The statue is significantly heavy and, therefore, there must have been three perpetrators involved in the demolition.
Churchgoers from the neighborhood suspected that the perpetrators are homeless men who gather at the square and are frequently heavily drunk, but there is no evidence that it was them. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3978
Increased Number of Thefts, Vandalism and Desecrations Leads to Closure of More Churches
2020-09-18 | On the occasion of the Heritage Days which took place from 19 to 20 September in Paris, RCF radio in France points out that the increase in theft, vandalism and desecration of churches in France prompts more and more priests to close their churches outside of services. For several months the churches have been attacked through theft of liturgical utensils, relics, desecration and even arson. In 2019, there were more than 1052 incidents registered, including 996 acts of vandalism or graffiti and 56 threats against persons.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4031
Amsterdam Mayor Accused Hillsong Church of Intolerance against Homosexuals
2020-09-18 | Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema linked the activities of the Hillsong Church with an increasing violence against gays during a council meeting in September and associated them with the promotion of gay healing and conversion therapy. To take action against the church's alleged intolerance, she announced her intention to approach the landlord of the Hillsong Church building. Both Hillsong Church and Christian parties in the council expressed their surprise and disappointment at the unfounded claims.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4050
Mayor "Doesn't Have Time" To Meet the OLRC, Regarding Matters of Religious Freedom in Madrid
2020-09-18 | The Mayor of Madrid was asked for a meeting by the Observatory of Religious Freedom, based in Spain, to talk about the matter of Religious Freedom and the increase of vandalism against churches in Madrid. The first request was in June, and until September the Mayor did not answer nor did any other consultant confirm a meeting. This was reported by OLRC on September 18th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4234
Arson to Statue of John the Baptist from the Barock Period
2020-09-17 | On 17th September, members of the church found the figure of John the Baptist of the baptismal font from the barock period damaged by a burning candle. The perpetrator placed it on purpose. The police estimates a damage cost of 2000 euros. Police is asking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3979
The Statue of the Virgin Mary Completely Vandalized
2020-09-17 | With probably an iron bar, the statue of the Virgin, at the Place des Quatre-Grands in Jemeppe, has been demolished.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4381
Increase in Vandalism Against Churches in Northern Ireland
2020-09-16 | In the last three years, there have been more than 400 attacks recorded against churches. In the last five years it sums up to 600 attacks in Northern Ireland. Most of the attacks happened in Belfast. Most of the incidents are attacks with paint bombs and graffitis, but also various forms of vandalism, arson attacks and general damage to church property are recorded.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4041
Unknown Perpetrators Rioted and Set Fire Inside Church
2020-09-16 | Between the 16th and 29th of September, unknown perpetrators vandalized the St. Jürgen Chapel in Wolgast. The police was called, after unknown persons were rioting and setting fires inside the church. They broke a window, damaged the window sills and set fire to several places inside the Church, fortunately the flames did not spread. The caused damage is around 7,600 Euros. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4239
Priest Stabbed to Death Near His Parish in Italy
2020-09-15 | On the 15th September in Como, Roberto Malgesini, a 51-year-old priest was found dead from knife wounds in the vicinity of his parish. He was known for his devotion to the migrants, homeless people, and those who are in difficult situations. The priest was stabbed several times in a street near the Church of St. Rocco, including one to the neck. The attacker, a 53-year-old man from Tunisia, turned himself in to the police. The man suffered from a mental illness and was known by Malgesini. Malgesini had taken care of him in the parish. On the same morning, the priest was going to bring breakfast for the homeless.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3901
Christian Restaurant Owner Accused of Incitement for Displaying Bible Verses about Homosexuality
2020-09-15 | The prosecuting attorney's office in Berlin instituted preliminary proceedings against Park Young-Ai, a 71 year-old Christian who owns a Korean restaurant in the Berlin district Schöneberg. She was accused of incitement for displaying a bible verse critical of homosexuality in the window of her restaurant "Ixthys". She was subject to a house search and has been called to a hearing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4049
Theft from Catholic Church of St Anna
2020-09-11 | September 11th, between 12 and 19:30 hrs, a display case was broken open in the provost church of St. Anna in Schwerin. Unknown perpetrators stole the relic of Saint Ansgar. The perpetrators also broke open two alms boxes in the church. The total damage to property amounts to about 1,400 euros, but the value of the stolen relic has not been quantified. Police opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3899
Inverted Yellow Cross Sprayed on the Door of La Antigua Church in Valladolid
2020-09-10 | A large inverted yellow cross was painted onto the main entrance door of La Antigua Church in Valladolid on September 10th. This is not the first time that the church was vandalized. The perpetrator remains unknown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4037
War Memorial and Church Vandalised in Les Vigneaux
2020-09-10 | On September 10, inhabitants of Les Vigneaux discovered that all of the names on the war memorial had been crossed out with paint. Genitals had been painted on the monument as well as on either side of the church door. Mayor Gilles Pierre lodged a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4053
Damage in the Cemetery and Church of the Madonna del Perpetuo Soccorso
2020-09-09 | A group of young people climbed over the chapel and broke into the cemetery. The damaged the roof and started throwing the shards of tiles on the street. The police traced and identified the underage perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4035
After Facebook Post Pastor Threatened by LGBT Activists with Arson and Physical Assault
2020-09-08 | Since the 8th of August, Pastor Josh Williamson and his wife experienced several threats and verbal abuse by the LGBT community, because of posting his belief about homosexuality on Facebook. Among them are the threats to burn his church, to perform sexual acts and protests in front of his church and physical assault. His image was also used on pornographic content and shared online, among other misleading information about him. In his conversation with the Police, Williamson was told to be careful not to break the law by insulting the LGBT community and being charged for hate speech. The threats towards him and his church were not investigated, neither the acts of defamation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3960
Vandalism in St. Emmeram Church in Spalt
2020-09-08 | On September 8, vandals played with fire on the offertory box, set fire to a large wooden cross and broke a candle on the high altar in St. Emmeram Church in Spalt. The damage amounts to several hundred Euros. The police station in Roth initiated an investigation and asked for information of witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4065
Statue of the Virgin Mary Decapitated in Borgo Sabotino
2020-09-07 | During the night of September 7th unknown perpetrators decapitated the statue of the Virgin Mary, called "Madonnina" by locals, which is situated in Borgo Sabotino in the province of Latina. This was not the first time the statue was vandalized the parish SS Cuore di Gesù states, expressing its deep sorrow over this tragic incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4038
Discrimination Against Christian Academics in State-Led Educational Agency
2020-09-07 | The Observatory of Freedom of Religion (OFRC) in Spain, presented a research project in October 2019, to the National Agency for Evaluation and Prospective Studies (ANEP) under the Ministry of Science and Innovation on a Climate Change topic. The actors involved were the University of Alcalá, the University of Catalonia and researchers of three different universities, from which two have a Christian background. In June 2020 they received a statement that the experience of the members of the research, related to climate change, is doubted and they are afraid of a biased study, given the religious weight of the institutions involved. The OLRC took the case to the Ministry, but it was rejected.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4236
Church Walls Vandalized With Graffiti In Ixelles
2020-09-06 | Graffiti was found on the walls of Sainte-Croix Church which is situated close to Flagey Square in Ixelles. Tags include the phrases "God is gay", "Je suis a transwoman" ("I am a trans woman"), as well as an inverted cross and the number "666".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3897
Figure of Christ Damaged on Roadside Cross in Katowicach
2020-09-06 | Vandals damaged the figure of Christ on a roadside cross, which is situated at the intersection between Szczecińska, Ściegiennego and Krzyżowa road in Katowicach. The damage was reported by Sw. Józefa Robotnika Parish in Józefowcu.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4033
30-Centimeter-Long Dagger Found Stuck on Church Door
2020-09-06 | The Pastor Markus Hasenpusch from the St. John Church in Malchin found a 30-centimeter-long dagger stuck on the door of the church on September 6th. In the door leaf was a 30-centimeter-long dagger with a 17-centimeter large blade. The knife was stuck at a height of 1.60 meters and one centimeter deep in the wood of the church door. The police estimated the damage at 50 euros and is investigating it for " injurious damage to property". The police are investigating and are looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4240
Sainte-Croix Church Tagged and Vandalized
2020-09-06 | The facade of the Sainte-Croix Church, near Place Flagey in Ixelles, was tagged with "God is gay", "I am a transwoman" or the number "666" with an inverted cross.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4380
Theft from the Catholic Parish Church Maria Himmelfahrt in Blieskastel-Aßweiler
2020-09-05 | On the 3rd of September, several sacred objects were stolen from the Catholic parish church Maria Himmelfahrt in Blieskastel-Aßweiler by an unknown perpetrator. The church was unlocked. The objects were a microphone, Bible, altar bells and gong. Police is looking for clues.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4024
Break-in at a Church Office in Nordenham
2020-09-05 | In the night between 5th and 6th September, there was a burglary from a church office in Nordenham. Perpetrators forced their way into the building and stole cash.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4026
"Christians are Always Ridiculed": SRF-"Deville" Caused Displeasure
2020-09-04 | Christians are defamed and ridiculed in the satirical program "Deville". The reopening of churches was called irrelevant and unnecessary by David Koch. He also affirmed, that the Covid-19 pandemic had shown that there was no God. Neither the show nor the satirist found the episode harmful and have not apologized
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4020
Man Arrested For Burglary And Degradation Of A Church
2020-09-03 | On September 3rd in Villeurbanne, the police arrested a 30-year-old homeless man with 62 criminal records who was suspected of committing burglary and degradation of a Christian Church. He was identified through the surveillance cameras and was lately recognized by a witness. He also admitted committing the crimes because of anger towards the religious beliefs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4131
Man Arrested for Threats and Breaking into Church in Villeurbanne
2020-09-03 | On September 3, a homeless man, who had 62 previous convictions, was arrested for burglary in the church building of a protestant community called Transfiguration Église Chrétienne in Villeurbanne. A few days earlier the perpetrator had already appeared the church and threatened people because of their religion. The threats concerned the very church he then broke into. He will be charged with burglary.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4054
Vandals Desecrated Church in Xanthi
2020-09-02 | The Chapel of St. Alexander was desecrated by unknown vandals in Xanthi, Greece, in the first week of September. The vandals scratched the faces of the Saints and Icons. The exact time of vandalism is unknown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4019
Series of Thefts in Churches and Diocesan Office
2020-09-02 | It is not the first time that the Grignan church has witnessed a theft or degradations of the crib. Two years ago, the trunk, contained between 200 and 300 euro, has been stolen.
The church in Châtellerault has been target of thefts for years. On March 4, a 53-old man was filmed breaking the lock on the trunk with a pair of wire cutters and stole the contents of the offerings of the faithful from the church of Saint-Marie d'Ozon.
On 2nd September, two men robbed a diocesan office in Vieux Lyon.
On 30 August, the church of Plounéour-Ménez in Finistère was a victim of an attempted theft. A statue of Saint Thomas was pulled by a robe from the car of three unknown perpetuators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4055
Vandalism and Insults on Catholic School
2020-09-02 | On the night of the 2nd of September, the catholic School Saint-Louis/Saint-Bruno was vandalized with a Nazi Symbol of a Swastika on the wall. There was also the inscription "School of crime". Another swastika was also found on the wall of the elementary school in the same area. The inscriptions were erased before the students arrived and the police came to investigate crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4132
Attempt to Burn Down the Church and a Man was Beaten Up
2020-09-01 | On 28th August at night, there was a riot in Ronneby that caused a devastation in the city. Naem Sufan was beaten in the middle of the riot as he tried to prevent angry protesters from going to the Holy Cross church. The protesters tried to burn the church, but Naem Sufan extinguished the fire with his jacket. He had injuries in his shoulder and neck. Afterwards the rioters went to the city center and threw stones at the police. Riots started after a Koran burning in Malmö. This happened on the same night as a vehicle used for charitable purposes was burned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4011
Vandalism and Burglary in Arzheim Church
2020-09-01 | On the night of Sunday 30th August to Monday, unknown perpetrators broke into the protestant Church St. Aldegundis in Koblenz-Arzheim through the second floor. The basement window was smashed and food and wine from the church were consumed in the cellar.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4015
Congress Center in Winterthur Refused Hosting March for Life Event Fearing Radical Left Violence
2020-09-01 | The congress center "gate27" in Winterthur withdrew the right to hospitality from the Swiss pro-life association "Marsch fürs Läbe", which had planned to host a substitute event for the March of Life on September 19th. An estimated 400 to 1,000 unauthorized counter-protestors were expected to attempt to block the event, causing the police to give out serious warnings about the danger of violent left-wing extremist attacks. The organizers of Marsch fürs Läbe regret the restriction of freedom of speech and assembly caused by left-wing extremist threats and filed a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3940
Break In in Church in Aschaffenburg, Germany
2020-09-01 | During the time between the 1st September and the 7th October, unknown perpetrators broke-in in a Church in Aschaffenburg. They damaged the church. The police is still looking for witnesses and clues.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4100
Sacrilegious Vandals Damaged in Monteu da Po Church
2020-08-31 | On the night from 30th to 31st August, the churchyard of the parish church of Monteu da Po was vandalized. Vandals left pizza boxes, leftovers of food, paper cups in the churchyard, and beer bottles with broken glass in front of the access to the sacred building. The priest Piero Massaglia expressed his desolation and great annoyance since this is not the first time this happens.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4023
Man Attacked Priest During Mass and Torn the Pages of the Bible
2020-08-30 | On the 30th August, during a Sunday Mass in St. Joseph's Church in Berlin, a man attacked a priest and desecrated the church. The witnesses recalled that the man was sitting quietly, until he stood up and spat on the ground. He then walked towards the sanctuary of the church while murmuring anti-religious statements and punched the 61-year-old priest, who was knocked to the ground. The attacker took the Bible afterwards and torn several pages from it. While the brother of the priest tried to aid the victim, he was also knocked down with the Bible. The attacker fled unrecognized and the crime is being investigated by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3842
Attempted Burglary in Church
2020-08-30 | Between Friday night and Saturday morning, unknown persons tried to break into a Catholic Church. They unlocked a glass panel with a cobblestone. The burglars realized afterwards that they would not be able to enter the church any further this way and got away.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4010
Wayside Cross destroyed in Colmar
2020-08-30 | During the night of 30 to 31 August, the wayside cross in rue du Logelbach in the city of Colmar was destroyed. Prior to the attack, plans had already been made to restore the cross and set it up in the presbytery park. The priest of Saint-Joseph parish, François Martz, filed a complaint online.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4056
Statue of Armenian Priest Smeared by Turkish Genocide Deniers in Paris
2020-08-30 | CCAF (Council for Coordination of Armenian Organizations in France) reported on their Facebook page on August 30th, that a statue of the Armenian priest Komitas Vardapet, symbol of the Armenian Genocide, had been smeared with graffiti. The nature of the incident hints at a motive coming from Turkish genocide deniers. The message read "c'est faux", which can be translated as "This is not true". CCAF expressed their concerns regarding this attack on the dignity of the descendants of the victims of the Armenian genocide.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4069
Old Wooden Cross Vandalised in Mount of Calvary
2020-08-30 | On an unknown time before the end of August, unknown vandals removed the arms of the wooden cross, which was placed on Monte della Croce in Carpineti. Another unidentified pilgrim, replaced the damage with a wooden rod and tied it with iron wire. A formal recovery of the Cross was celebrated as part of the San Vitale Fair.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4115
Statue of Saint Thomas Targeted For Attempted Robbery
2020-08-30 | On the 30th pf August, a statue of Saint-Thomas, which was on the porch of the church in Plounéour-Ménez in Finistère, was targeted by robbers or vandals. Three individuals inside a car pulled a rope around the statue to get into into their vehicle, witnesses saw them and scared the perpetrators away. The robbers fled the scene leaving the statue toppled over and damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4133
15 Pieces of Art Stolen from Basilique Saint-Mathurin in Larchant
2020-08-29 | 14 paintings and a statue of Christ on the cross were stolen from Basilique Saint-Mathurin in Larchant. While the financial loss was estimated at 25.000 to 30.000 euros, the community also mourned the loss of heritage. The theft could have taken place between August 20 and 29. La Chapelle-de-la-Reine brigade initiated an investigation, supported by the research department of Fointainebleau police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3843
Anti-Christian Graffiti on Tour de France Course
2020-08-29 | Spectators of the Tour de France race, which started on August 29th in Nice, discovered large anti-Christian messages painted on the road of Col de Glières pass, which was part of the race course. The images consisted of a cross inserted into a large prohibition sign and a slogan saying "Bad religion", accompanied by the painting of a red devil on turquoise background and a message saying "Pleased to meet you."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3848
Cemetery and Village Hall Vandalized in Saint-Urbain
2020-08-29 | During the night from August 29th to 30th, the cemetery and the village hall in Saint-Urbain (département de Finistère) were vandalized. Several crosses on private tombstones were broken, ornamental shells were taken off a monument dedicated to war victims in the community, and windows of the village hall Ti-Kreisker were smashed. Plougastel police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3898
Sacred Objects for Worship Stolen from Five Churches in Jura Region
2020-08-28 | A series of thefts occured in the French region of Jura during the period of August 16th to 28th: A monstrance and a chalice were stolen from both the church in Nevy-sur-Seille and Monteney. In Saint-Etienne Church in Rans, three golden chalices, a small golden ciborium and a silver cup, listed as part of the heritage of sacred arts, were stolen. In addition, a chalice, a ciborium and a paten were missing in Rochefort-sur-Nenon and the collection box in Baume-les-Messieurs was plundered. The police in Dole began investigations and suspected that most of the cases were linked.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3844
Anti-Christian Graffiti on Christian Bookstore in Lyon
2020-08-28 | Employees of the CLC Christian bookstore, situated on the quai Tilsitt in Lyon, found red and white graffiti painted on all of their shop windows in the morning of August 29th. The messages included "Christianity is a sect that succeeded" or "Up there, God doesn't exist". A complaint was filed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3846
The Statue of Christ of The Po Destroyed
2020-08-28 | On the night between 28th and 29th August, the Statue of Christ of the Po was destroyed. The statue was inaugurated in August, made by the sculptor Mario Spadari. The unknown vandals threw stones at it and then destroyed and mutilated it. The local police started an investigation, but there were neither witnesses nor security cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3868
Car Used by Malmö Church for Charitable Causes Burned
2020-08-28 | In the night of August 28, the car used for social welfare causes by Hyllie Church in Malmö was burned down. The car was not in the vicinity of the riot that happened in the same night, however, the perpetrators remain unknown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4028
Dozens of Graffiti on San Maurizio Church in Monza
2020-08-28 | During the night of 28 to 29 August, vandals sprayed dozens of graffiti onto the San Maurizio Church in Monza, including the main portal, the granite pillars and the wall with the commemorative plaque of Monsignore Luigi Talamoni. Experts will be required to restore the damaged decor. The people responsible for Monza Church have filed a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4029
Sold Christian Cemetery Planned to Become Holiday Retreat Area
2020-08-28 | In the North of Poland, in the city of Bialogóra, the cemetery where about 400 Christian believers are buried, is threatened with plans of turning it into a holiday retreat area. Many of the descendants of the buried now live in Lithuania. The community was not warned about the construction plans. The government representatives says they didn't know the history of the property and sold it to a private enterprise, which is continuing their plans in spite of the protest from the community.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4135
Statue of the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus Decapitated
2020-08-27 | On the 27th August, it was reported in the district of Alcara Li Fusi that the terracotta statue of the Madonna was vandalized for a second time. The head of the Madonna and of the Baby Jesus in her arms were both missing, the perpetrators have not been identified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4117
Man Destroyed Angel Statue in Church
2020-08-25 | On the 25. August, a 32-year-old man destroyed the figure of an angel with a stoup in the historic church of the Salesian priests dedicated to St. Joseph in Przemysl. This happened just before Mass, during the adoration service of the Blessed Sacrament. He turned out to be intoxicated by alcohol. Apparently he also was offending the priest verbally.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3839
Thieves Stole Around 500 Euros From Offertory Boxes From Churches
2020-08-25 | On the 25th August, it was reported that in the past month in Grafenwöhr, three churches were ravaged by thieves, who stole the offerings. The empty boxes were found by the respective sacristan. The total amount of money stolen was around 500 Euro. The churches were the Friedenskirche, where the perpetrators used a tool with magnets to fish the coins. The cemetery Church and the old parish Church were also robbed. The sticks were damaged and plucked up. In top of the stolen cash, the churches suffered damage in amount of 450 euros. The police is investigating and asking the parishes to be attentive.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4134
Dubious Acts of Vandalism in Church in Mur-de-Sologne
2020-08-24 | Unknown perpetrators tore two paintings, broke a few vases as well as two statues made from plaster, moved a statue of the Virgin Mary and destroyed its pedestal. They re-arranged chairs in a semi-circle in front of the altar and lit candles, creating the impression of a production of some sort. Investigators suspected vandalism rather than Satanic or anti-religious motives. The village filed a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4070
Opening Hours of Parisian Church Limited Due to Repeated Incidents of Thefts
2020-08-24 | L’Immaculée-Conception parish in the 12th district of Paris announced on August 24th that for the rest of August, they would limit the opening times of their church to a few short periods of time per day. The reason were repeated thefts, concerning some Way of the Cross stations, collection boxes and the sacristy. Therefore, the church felt compelled to open only when they could provide sufficient supervision. Regular opening times will be resumed in September.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4072
Church Guest Book Scrawled with Anti-Christian Messages and then Torn Apart in Buzet-sur-Baïse
2020-08-23 | An unknown perpetrator wrote aggressive anti-Christian messages into a guestbook called "Book of Life", which the church Sainte-Croix in Buzet-sur-Baïse provided for tourists passing through to share their experiences and well-wishes. Two weeks after the incident, on August 23, the perpetrator returned to rip out all the pages of the book and leave some more insults, referring to the church inter alia as a "synagogue of Satan".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3849
Fire and Explosions in Reformed Church in Villmergen
2020-08-22 | The Reformed Church in Villmergen was set on fire and caused extensive property damage. The explosions collapsed a ceiling and the entire house was completely sooty. The cantonal police are at the beginning of the investigation and would consider the incident as arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4018
Islamist Attacker Targeted President of The Synagogue, LGBT Association, and Church in Graz
2020-08-22 | On August 22nd, a 31-year-old man from Syria with Islamist motivations violently attacked the president of the Jewish community in Graz, Elie Rosen, with the leg of a chair. Following his capture, he also admitted vandalism attacks on the synagogue, the facilities of LGBT association RosaLila PantherInnen, and a brothel. He is responsible for smearing several walls in Graz with pro-Palestinian paroles and symbols and spraying symbols on a church. The Austrian media reported that the motives were anti-Semitism, homophobia, and rejection of Austrian society, but did not mention that his anti-Christian motives.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4007
Sant' Agata al Collegio Church in Caltanissetta Devastated
2020-08-22 | Unknown perpetrators broke into Sant'Agata al Colegio Church, one of the oldest churches in Caltanissetta/Silicy, and destroyed candelabra and other furnishings on the night of 22nd of August. It was suspected that they gained access through the adjoining music high school and Scarabelli library. The police started investigations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4009
Twelve Church Windows Broken In Rotenburg, Damage of 20.000 Euros
2020-08-22 | Two young men, aged 17 and 18, smashed 12 elaborately crafted stained glass windows and violently bent the window frames in the church of Rotenburg during the night of 21 to 22 August 21. Damages amount to approximately 20.000 Euros. The aim was deliberate destruction, although the exact motives remained unclear.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4025
Arson in the Church of San Gaspare del Bufalo in Albano Laziale
2020-08-21 | On August 21st the door of the church of San Gaspare del Bufalo in Albano Laziale was first drenched with gasoline and then purposefully set on fire. The church is a dearly held place of worship for many pilgrims, who come to the church every year, as well as for the locals. The priest of the parish and one candidate for the major's office of the city see a clear indication of bias, as the damage was intended to be devastating. They both do not perceive this attack, as a form of vandalism but of brutal arson and destruction. It is also speculated that the crime was instigated by satanist groups but the police is currently investigating in all directions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4052
Cross vandalized in Saint-Aubin-d'Aubigné
2020-08-21 | On August 21st, a local resident provided photos of a broken wayside cross. It was then repaired by the town council. The cross had already been knocked off its pedestal once in 2019.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4071
Vandals Damaged Cemetery, Presbytery and Atrium of San Vicente Church
2020-08-20 | In San Vicente de O Grove, a group of hooligans caused damage to the church atrium, the parish cemetery, and the rectory, which were currently undergoing a rehabilitation to make a youth camp and to receive visitors. The perpetrators had alcoholic drinks in the cemetery.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4014
Stained-Glass Windows of Chruch Vandalized in Grisy-les-Plâtres
2020-08-20 | Unkown perpetrators vandalized the stained-glass windows in the Church of St. Caprais, a monument in Grisy-les-Platres. The exact date of the incident is still unclear- There were six holes, an apple and the broken glass were found on the floor of the building. The Mayor filed a complaint, as for him this was an act of disrespect and aggression to a public good and a local heritage. There will be a fence to protect the glass and restorations will be made.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3855
Arson at the Church of Saint-Pierre in Macon
2020-08-20 | In the morning of August 20th, a fire was set in the church of Saint-Pierre in Macon Downtown. The fire targeted the artificial flowers decorating the side chapels of the building. Witnesses alerted the fire department and tried to controlled the flames by using a tablecloth. Another fire was brought under control on Tuesday, when the church was closed. The parishioners suspect it was started by a group of young people who were seen running away.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3858
Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes and The Staue of Bernadette in Santa Rita Parish Vandalized
2020-08-20 | On the Morning of 20th August, it was reported that the Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, which was in a niche in Via Massarenti in Bologna, was vandalized. The police started investigations to identify the responsible vandals. The Statue was in the parish of Santa Rita. Another statue of Bernadette was also damaged. The parish priest said this was not the first time that this happens.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4114
Saint-Auban Church Vandalized And Soiled With Urine, Excrements And Alcohol
2020-08-19 | On the night of 19th to 20th August, one or more perpetrators broke into the Church of Saint-Auban in Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban. The individuals lighted a dozen candles that were encased in plastic and let them burn on the tablecloth, which covered the altar in the center of the building. There were also cigarette buds, excrement, urine and alcohol found in front of the door of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4016
Graffiti Found Several Times in the Saint Agatha Chapel
2020-08-19 | In the Saint-Agathe Chapel in Saint-Desiré, an inscription referring to a children programme in television was written for several days on the wall. The last time it was painted on the 19th August in red. The municipality decided to file a complaint with the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4081
Repeated Vandalism for Seven Consecutive Days in Lutheran Evangelical Church
2020-08-18 | For seven consecutive days until the 18th August, the Lutheran Evangelical Church in Malmö suffered vandalism. During this time, the statue of Jesus inside the building was destroyed and around thirty windows were smashed with stones. The services were suspended to clean the church and a security company was hired to patrol during the night. The reasons for these attacks are still uncertain, police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3840
The Statue of the Madonna Vandalized
2020-08-18 | A few days before the 18th August, the parish priest Don Franco Nannipieri discovered the act of vandalism in the oratory of the church. The Statue of the Madonna had a plastic basket stuck on her head. They suspect that the vandals were a group of children. The mayor showed his solidarity with the victims and wrote on Facebook about the importance of teaching respect to children.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4116
Muslim Family Beat up Daughter and Shave her Head for Intending to Marry a Christian
2020-08-17 | A 17 year-old girl of Bosnian origin faced pressure from her Muslim family, living in France since 2017, upon announcing her intention of getting married to her 20 year-old Christian boyfriend from Serbia. The two decided to run away together, but returned to her family home in Besançon four days later, on August 17, in the company of the boyfriend's parents, to resolve the issue. The situation escalated: The girl's parents and aunt and uncle beat her up severely and shaved her head. As a result, they are liable to prosecution and face expulsion from France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4022
Vandalism in San Rocco Church in Mede
2020-08-16 | The church of San Rocco in Mede was vandalized on the weekend, while preparations were underway for the celebration of the saint on Sunday evening. There was dirt on the small churchyard, such as bottles and cigarette butts. The vandals managed to get inside because the doors were open to allow for the preparations. They broke some candles and wrote vulgar phrases. Mayor said that it was not the first time such an episode happens.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4002
Theft of Sacred Objects in Church of Saint-Malo-de-Beignon
2020-08-16 | On August 16th, the theft of a chalice and a ciborium was discovered in the church of Saint-Malo-de-Beignon. According to the verger of Saint-Malo-de-Beignon parish, Eugène Duval, hosts were found under the stairs. The doors showed no signs of a forceful entry, so the thefts likely took place in broad daylight, before the doors were closed at night.The act was suspected to have taken place between August 9th and August 15th. Police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4087
Church Vandalised in Saint-Paul-sur-Save on Ascension Day
2020-08-15 | The church in Saint-Paul-sur-Save was vandalised on Ascension Day, August 15th. A crucifix was moved and the tabernacle, fortunately empty, was opened; the side doors of the sacristy were broken down and wardrobes were searched. Police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3853
Hermitage in Alicnate Heavily Damaged, Desecrated and Robbed
2020-08-15 | On 15. August, the Christ Most Holy hermitage in Alicante was robbed and damaged by vandals. According to the parish administrator, the perpetrators stole several religious objects including a ceramic chalice, paten, metal crowns, statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary, and a sword from the Virgin Statue. They smashed through the altar of Saint Joseph and significantly damaged the building. The vandals also looted the drawers of furniture and threw devotional and liturgical books on the floor. The police is still investigating, but even if detained, the police said the vandals would not have received prison charges.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3838
Wayside Cross Stolen and Destroyed in Arcambal
2020-08-15 | In Arcambal, in mid-August, a stone cross was stolen. The cross was part of the small heritage of the village and was located in the commune of Arcambal, in the Lot, at the corner of the castle wall, at the crossroads of the route du Tréboulou and the route de Cahors. It was torn off the wall and stolen. A complaint was filled.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4080
Church Staff in Cheshire Physically Assaulted
2020-08-15 | During an attack in August, one member of staff at a church in Cheshire was bitten and forcefully and inappropriately touched in his private area by an unknown perpetrator. According to a report by the Countryside Alliance the assault was one of 66 crimes to take place in churches in Cheshire. After several complaints, that too little has been done to raise awareness about crimes at churches, an investigation started.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4265
Vandalised Church in St Paul sur Save
2020-08-15 | On August 15th, the Church in St Paul sur Save was target of vandalism. Unknown perpetrators broke open the doors of the sacristy and cabinets were opened and searched. A complaint has been filed by the municipality who owns the building. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4300
Vandalism in Murchante Against The Church and The Mayor
2020-08-14 | On the night from 13th to 14th August, vandals painted the streets and the door of the Church in Murchante with a threat warning against the mayor. The church and the police were insulted. Some writings said, "God is a black female" or "Worship Satan", and called police "parasites". Also, four containers were burned and had to be put out by the firefighters.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3939
Church of Our Lady of Czestochowa Destroyed
2020-08-14 | On August 14th, A 54 year-old man entered the Church of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Rome on the morning, while a lady and the elderly parish priest were cleaning. He then started to destroy objects violently, and could not be stopped by the witnesses until the police intervened. The attack targeted the altar, the painting of Our Lady of Czestochowa, the stoups, crosses and candlesticks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3943
A Group of Drunk Teenagers Destroyed And Desecrated A Statue of Jesus on The Cross
2020-08-14 | On the night of Friday 14th August, a group of drunk young teenagers or even children destroyed the Statue of Jesus on the Cross, recorded it on video, and posted it later on social media. The Statue was on the road between Vindicatico and Monte Pizzo, in Lizzano. On the Video, one hears laughter and curses, while one young man hits the statue with a bat, the statue was also broken into pieces and smashed on the ground. The Carabinieri investigated and tracked down the perpetrators, who were between 19 and 16 years old. They were then denounced. One of the perpetrators wrote a letter of apology. The statue had been recently restored and people reacted badly to the scene.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4113
Damage And Vandalism Against The Metropolitan Church Of Agios Minas
2020-08-13 | On Sunday 9th August, an Algerian threw stones and damaged the stained-glass windows of the Cathedral of Agios Minas in Heraklion. He also damaged a showcase of a library in the Archdiocese of Crete. On 11th August, he returned to the Cathedral armed with a hammer and began to break down a door. The police was able to identify and arrest the man through a video footage. There are various cases of vandalism and theft to churches in Greece..
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3935
A Cross Vandalized in Rivière-Salée
2020-08-11 | The Statue of Christ on the cross has been vandalized before 11th August. The photos of the statue, which lays inside the traffic circle next to the bridge leading to the Trois-Ilets road, were circulating on social media. The statue was repainted in black and an inscription saying "Faith Kills" was also written on it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3871
Chapel of Santo Stefano Desecrated by Vandals
2020-08-11 | A small chapel in the hamlet of Montesardo in Alessandria was vandalized by unknown people. They used spray paint to write vulgar and blasphemous phrases and images such as "Fck church, Fck God" and an anarchist symbol. A Mass of Reparation was held.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3892
Eglise Saint-Pierre Vandalized and Desecrated
2020-08-11 | During the night of 10-11 August, unknown perpetrators broke into the church of Saint-Pierre de Montendre. The large central crucifix was discovered smashed on the ground. Father Bergson Julien was shocked: "I went to open the church at 8.45 this Tuesday morning and found the large cross with Christ in terracotta on the floor, broken vases on the altar, and the tabernacle had disappeared". The tabernacle was later found, but the ciborium and lunula with consecrated hosts it contained were missing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3893
Church of Saint-Michel Vandalized in France
2020-08-11 | On the 11th August in the afternoon, the Church of Saint Michel was desecrated in Verdun-Sur-Garonne. The church was opened during the day. The perpetrators broke the candles and scattered them and crushed them all over the church, the pews were moved and the chairs were upside down. Also, the sheets of paper were scattered. They had inscribed "T" and "X" with tape on the tablecloth of the altar, which suggest that the perpetrators did not finish their profanation. This incident was followed by other similar ones in other churches the next weeks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3932
Man Broke Into Church And Destroyed Hymnal
2020-08-11 | On the 11th of August in Lößnitz, a man broke into the Johanniskirche and destroyed a hymnal. The 37-year-old man first tried to break open the entrance door of the church, then he smashed a window pane and entered the interior of the church. He damaged the hymn and songs book. The employees of the cemetery interrupted the perpetrator and the witnesses called the police. The damage made is estimated to be around 500 euro.The man was arrested and released on Wednesday.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3937
Repetitive Degradation of the Church of Saint Joseph de Audierne
2020-08-10 | On the 10th of August during the night, the Church of Saint Joseph de Audierne was degraded. It is written on the board message on the door that the church will be remain closed due to repetitive vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3872
Increasing Attacks on German Street Preacher
2020-08-10 | Street preacher Henning Heinrich Westrup reported that attacks against him increased in July. He calls on people to repent and follow Jesus Christ in the pedestrian zones in Bielefeld, Dortmund and Gütersloh, among others. He reported that attacks against him by people who reject his message have increased. He said he experienced insults, vulgarities, and threats -- along with an assault in July.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3890
Saint-Pierre Church Desecrated
2020-08-10 | On the evening of 10th August, the side door of the Saint-Pierre Church in Charente-Maritime was forced open. The central cross was broken and thrown to the ground, the tabernacle was torn off, and the ciborium was emptied of the hosts. There have been many church profanations in the city of Charente-Maritime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3941
Man Broke Door of the Cistern of San Jose Church With a Butane Cylinder
2020-08-09 | In the morning of August 9th, a man went to the door of the cistern of the Church San Jose in Granada and threw a butane cylinder against it. He repeated this act several times until he broke it. At first, it was thought he could be mentally ill, but then the police has declared him as guilty.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3886
Cross of St.Joseph Vandalized For a Second Time
2020-08-09 | During the time of 9th August to 11th, the 100-year-old Cross of St. Joseph was smeared and defaced for a second time after a week with the same satanic symbol. The cross had been defaced with an astrological symbol linked to satanism and feminism. The first act was reported on 5th August. The Statue was also lately burned. The suspect for the arson was caught by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3928
Satanic Motivated Profanation of 63 tombs in Lannemezan
2020-08-09 | During the night of August 9th, 63 tombs were vandalized and desecrated in the Lannemezan cemetery in the Hautes-Pyrénées region. Broken crosses and upside down plaques were discovered by family members. The police was alerted by the neighbors who heard the loud noise. A week later, the two young perpetrators were arrested and sentenced to 18 and 12 months in prison. According to their testimony the vandalism was driven by satanic motivations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4058
Wayside Cross Vandalized in Magneville
2020-08-09 | A wayside cross in Magneville/Manche was knocked down, leaving both the cross and the figure of Christ broken into pieces. An observer informed the Observatoire de la Christianophobie on August 9th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4088
Insulting Slogan Written on Doorsteps of Church in Cousances-les-Forges
2020-08-09 | During a walk in Cousances-les-Forges, a visitor noticed an inscription written on the doorsteps of the church with a marker, saying "I am the God of Fuck". He contacted the Observatoire de la Christianophobie on July 31 and provided them with a picture on August 9.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4089
Vandals Defaced Church of Santo Stefano di Macurano
2020-08-09 | On the 9th of August, the medieval Church of Santo Stefano di Macurano, in the countryside of Alessano, was defaced with paint inscriptions on the walls. The phrases were vulgar and blasphemous made with red and black paint insulting the Church and God. The perpetrators were identified through witnesses and security cameras as an Italian man and a German woman.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4112
Many Religious Objects Stolen from Saint-Georges Church of Chavanges
2020-08-08 | On the 8th August, the parish priest of the Church Saint-Georges of Chavanges found that two chalices, five ciboria, and a paten were stolen from the Church. On Monday, they filed a complaint to the gendarmerie in Brienne-le-Château. The objects did not have financial value. Therefore, the bias must have been to vandalize the place of worship. Also, the key to the tabernacle was stolen, so other items may also be missing. The Church usually remains closed at night. Hence, the perpetrators must have broken in.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3870
Two Churches Vandalized On The Same Night
2020-08-08 | During the night of Saturday 8th to Sunday 9th August, two churches were vandalized in Etsaut and Urdos. It was an act of pure vandalism. The priest of the church of Etsaut thinks it was a group of perpetrators.
The mayor filed a complaint to the police since the door was broken open, and the door of the sacristy was damaged too. The cupboards of the sacristy were open, and a small amount of money was stolen. There were no witnesses.
The church of Urdos witnessed a similar scenery. The sacristy was forced open, but this time nothing was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3873
The Interior Of the Onze Lieve Vrouw van Banneux Chapel Demolished
2020-08-08 | On 8th August in the morning, the chapel Onze Lieve Vrouw van Banneux in Bree was vandalized. The interior was almost entirely demolished. Numerous statues were smashed, candle wax was dripped all over, and all the candles were destroyed, the walls and the ceiling were smeared. In 2016, 2014 and 2003 the Chapel was also vandalized.
The local residents had heard the sound of destruction and broken glass, and reported the suspect to the police. It was a man from abroad without papers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3924
Act of Vandalism To The Statue Of St. Joseph
2020-08-08 | On Saturday 8th August, a vandal struck the Statue of St. Joseph in the Madonna della Pace Church in Pantelleria-Tracino. The hand of the saint was damaged. The statue will need a restoration.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3933
A Church Vandalized with Graffiti in Marseille
2020-08-07 | On the 7th August, graffiti were found on the facade of the former church of the Mission de France in rue du Tapis-Vert in Marseille. The Graffiti were probably made at different times.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3874
Three Statues of The Church of Saint-André Destroyed
2020-08-07 | During the last weeks before the 7th August, there were three acts of vandalism in St. Andrew Church in the historic center of Niort. It is suspected that the vandals came during the nights from Thursday to Friday and destroyed several statues of the church. The Statue of the infant Jesus, carried in the arms of St. Anthony was left in a thousand pieces. Some pieces were thrown in a trash can near the monument. The Church remained closed for safety, and the parish filed a complaint to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3926
‘Weapon’ Used to Target Staveley Church
2020-08-07 | Between the night of 7th to 8th August, the windows of the Methodist Church in Staveley were attacked. Small holes were found in the windows. The size indicates that a sort of weapon was used, and witnesses reported sounds of gunfire. Similar holes were also found in the stained-glass windows at St. John the Baptist Church.The Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3950
The Aravaca Hermitage Spray-Painted With Satanic Graffiti on Its Exterior and Church Vandalized
2020-08-06 | On the 6th August, the hermitage of Our Lady of the Good Way in Aravaca spray-painted with satanic graffiti and insults to the Church on its exterior walls. There were poorly painted pentagrams and graffiti with the number 666, associated with the devil in the Bible, and other insults.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3862
Church Windows Damaged by Fire
2020-08-06 | On the 6th August, particularly in the period from Tuesday 8pm to Wednesday 11am, unknown perpetrators damaged the windows of St. Laurentius in Neuenkirchen. In addition, they had set fire to an object.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3863
Excrements found inside Saint-Maclou Cathedral
2020-08-06 | The Saint-Maclou Cathedral in Pontoise was soiled by human excrements three times within a week, French newspaper Le Parisien reported on August 6. The town council and the team responsible for the maintenance of the church began to look for solutions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4091
Image of the Madonna and Crosses Vandalized in A Shrine
2020-08-06 | On the 6th August, in the village of Pescina, the Sactuary was found vandalized. The image of the Madonna was torn to pieces and the crosses were damaged. All along the path to the Shrine, the symbols and flowers were torn off. The police was notified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4118
Christ Decapitated on Wayside Crucifix in Durlangen
2020-08-05 | Unknown perpetrators decapitated a statue of Christ on a large wayside cross standing in Durlangen. The police are uncertain when the incident occurred and have not identified the perpetrators. Damage is estimated to be around 2,000 Euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3829
Vandalism of Christ Statue in Velbert
2020-08-05 | Red paint was discovered sprayed on a statue of Christ on the Cross in front of the Kirche St. Joseph in Velbert on August 5, 2020.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3831
Vandalized Graves in Cemetery of Saveuse
2020-08-04 | About fifteen graves were vandalized on 4th August in the cemetery of the town Saveuse. Vandalism was discovered by a woman who was visiting the cemetery. The police started investigating the scene. Many plaques were broken, the decorations were smashed, and crosses were damaged or displaced.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3876
Church Windows Damaged by Arson Attack
2020-08-04 | On the night of 4th to 5th August, the Church St. Laurentius in Neuenkirchen suffered an arson attack. Through the fire, a wooden window was damaged. The perpetrators placed an object between the window grille and the frame and set fire to it. The police is asking for clues from witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3916
Vandalism and Theft in Pavignano Parish House
2020-08-03 | Unknown perpetrator(s) ransacked two rooms in the parish house of Pavignano, cut open mattresses and stole two TVs and an image of the Virgin Mary. The inside of the rooms left an image of complete destruction. The police opened an investigation and suspected a person from the Biella region to be the perpetrator, as the same person is suspected to have vandalized the church walls with insulting inscriptions against the police only a few days earlier.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3813
Feminists Interrupted a Prayer in Parish Two Days in a Row and Threatened with Death
2020-08-03 | On Monday 3th and Tuesday 4th August, the Parish of San Francisco de Paula was attacked by a group of uniformed teenage girls of extremist ideology. They interrupted the prayers for the victims of Covid-19 and insulted, threatened the parishioners with death and shouted at the ones present, asking them to leave the country. The most present were elderly citizens. They tried to climb up to the altar. The parish priest tried to file a complaint to the police for hate crime, but he was ignored by the agents. Being ignored by the police, he contacted the mother of one of the girls who attacked the parish, who also showed rejection but accepted to talk to her daughter. After media pressure, the police started investigating and filed the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3861
Monument Of a Cross in Front Of The Cemetery Partly Destroyed
2020-08-03 | Between the 3rd and 4th August, in Pujaut, the monument of a cross in front of the cemetery was partly destroyed. A part of the stone pedestal and the cross, that was on top, were destroyed. The mayor of Pujaut wants an explanation for the degradation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4090
Under Investigation: Fire Severely Damages the 13th Century Church of San Martín de Plasencia
2020-08-02 | A large fire caused serious damage during the night of August 2nd inside the iglesia de San Martín de Plasencia, the oldest in the city, and affected a valuable altarpiece by the painter Luis de Morales 'El Divino' from the 16th century and which presides over the main nave.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3807
Severe Arson Attack in St. Martin Church
2020-08-02 | On the 2nd August, Saint Martin Church in Plasencia was severely set on fire. The perpetrators have not yet been identified. The costs of the damage were around 9,000 euros for the drafting of the project and 400,000 for the restoration.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3885
Vandalism of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Gallipoli
2020-08-01 | During the night of August 1st vandals toppled over and smashed a stone holy water stoup in the small arena where religious masses are celebrated outdoors in the summer at the church of the Chiesa della Beata Vergine Maria Regina in Baia Verde di Gallipoli. The priest of the parish, Don Salvatore Leopizzi was immediately informed and saddened by the incident, which was not the first one to happen in his church. A police report was filed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3808
Under Investigation: Fire in Front of Church Saint Maximin in Wülfrath
2020-08-01 | In the early morning hours of August 1st, the Wülfrath fire brigade was called because of a fire on the premises of Saint Maximin Catholic Church endangering the church building, which is currently under construction. The fire was contained after 45 minutes and did not cause any damage to the church. The cause of the fire is unknown and arson has not been ruled out. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3811
Open Air Church Vandalized and Urinated
2020-08-01 | On the 1st to 2nd August, in the small village of Porto San Paolo, the Open-Air Chapel was vandalized. A group of people urinated in the stoup and threw the Statue of the Madonna to the ground. They also damaged a rear window of a car parked nearby.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4119
Arson in Church in Spain Caceres Caused 420,000 Euros Damage
2020-08-01 | In August 2020 some reckless minors set fire to the church of San Martín de Plasencia in Cáceres, Spain. After analysing the damage caused by the fire to the church's roof and altarpiece bishop José Luis Retana, bishop of Plasencia, announced that the restoration will cost 420,000 Euros. Four Spanish institutions have agreed on collaborating to repair the church. The elements most damaged by the fire were the roof and the altarpiece, which was a 16th-century Mannerist style piece by Luis de Morales. Bishop Retana hopes for the restoration to begin as soon as possible so that the church can be reopened in time for a sacred exhibition of Castilla y León in Spring of 2022. It is unknown whether or not the culprits have faced legal consequences.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4616
Stained Glass Window in Saint-Cadou's Chapel Vandalised
2020-08-01 | The chapel, which dates back to the XVI century ,has been vandalised. The perpetrators smash a stained glass window, which was already damaged and restored again in 2018. The costs for another restoration of the ancient window are estimated at 900€.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4906
Window Facade of Saint-Paul Church in Saint-Nazaire Damaged
2020-07-31 | During the night of July 31st the window facade of Saint Paul Church in Saint-Nazaire was severely damaged, apparently collateral damage of a wider outbreak of gun violence occurring throughout the city. Despite the extensive damage the church community gathered to celebrate Mass on Saturday evening.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3810
Vandalism and Theft in Two Schwieberdingen Churches
2020-07-31 | During the night of July 31st, an unknown perpetrator gained access to the Protestant Georgskirche in Schwieberdingen through the sacristy, stole an antique chalice, and went on to smash a crystal window of the main building of the church. Only a few days earlier, the Catholic Church of St. Peter and Paul had been attacked. An unknown person broke open the offertory box as well as the cash box of the prayer candles and stole the small amount of cash contained in it. A police spokeswoman said that no clues to the perpetrator have been found so far. However, she said, one could assume a possible connection between the two crimes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3814
Priests Not Allowed to Give The Sacraments to the Elderly in Residential Homes
2020-07-31 | The Bishop Lopez of Salamanca expressed his concern that the priests were not allowed to entry residential homes of elderly in residential homes. The elders requested the sacraments in the final stage of their lives. The bishop calls for the respect of the Organic Law of Religious Liberty that guarantees religious assistance for every person. He also argues that there are no regulations during the pandemic that impede the exercise of the right to religious assistance in the vicinity of death. Using the example of the Hospitals in Salamanca, he believes with the proper hygienic standards, religious assistance should be allowed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3860
Politically-Motivated Vandalism of Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth
2020-07-28 | On the morning of July 28th parishioners discovered graffiti sprayed on the walls of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth in Vaison-la-Romaine. One tag read "vaut mieux une paire de mères qu’un père de merde" ("better a pair of mothers than a shitty father"). On another side of the cathedral, the word "sorcellerie" ("witchcraft") was painted. The vandalism appeared a day after Monsignor Cattenoz, Archbishop of Avignon, wrote an open letter to the deputies and senators of Vaucluse as well as to the local press denouncing the pending bioethics legislation in France. In his letter (in full below), he noted that if the law passes, "a woman will be able to give one of her fertilized oocytes to her partner, it will be implanted in her uterus so that they will both be mothers, erasing any reference to the importance of a father ... for the growth and life of a child."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3800
Activists Hang Rainbow Flag and Anarchist Bandana on Statue of Christ in front of Warsaw Basilica
2020-07-28 | During the night of July 28th activists from the self-described "anarchist-queer" community launched what they termed a "rainbow assault" across Warsaw. They placed a rainbow flag on the statue of Jesus Christ carrying the Cross in front of the Basilica and attached a purple anarchist bandana over Christ's face. Several of Warsaw's other famous monuments were similarly targeted. The activists left cards with a "manifesto" beginning with the phrases "This is an assault! It's a rainbow. It's an attack! We've decided to act." The message went on to say their provocative actions would continue until Polish society accepted them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3801
Theft and Vandalism in a Cemetery in Thionville
2020-07-27 | Between the 26th and 27th of July, about 21 bronze statuettes of Christ or the Virgin Mary were torn off and stolen from the Saint-François de Thionville communal cemetery (Moselle). Official said this was "a targeted, premeditated and large-scale operation."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3790
Repeated Vandalism of Virgin and Child Statue in Noirmoutier-en-l'Île
2020-07-27 | Unknown perpetrators vandalized the statue of the Virgin Mary and Jesus during the night of July 27th for the third time -- this time, decapitating the head of the Christ child. In 2018, vandals beheaded both figures on the statue; and in mid-July, (see link below) the pedestal of the statue was vandalized with graffiti.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3809
UPDATE: Volunteer Charged with Nantes Arson
2020-07-26 | On Sunday, July 26th, the diocesan volunteer who had been questioned and released last week was indicted for the arson of the Nantes cathedral and placed in pre-trial detention.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3776
Graffiti on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Chapel
2020-07-26 | On the morning of the 26th , the Priest found Graffiti on the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Chapel and the door was painted in red. He posted the image on his Facebook Page.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3778
Vandalism of Church, Cemetery, and Morgue in Günzkofen
2020-07-26 | During the night of Sunday 26th unknown perpetrators severely vandalized the cemetery of the St. Jakobus church and and the enclosed morgue. According to police, the perpetrators broke several windows of the church and the morgue at the cemetery in Günzkofen with grave decorations. In addition, they also tampered with several graves, causing total damage of about 1,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3784
Vandalism with Satanic Inscriptions Found on Church Doors in Goleszów
2020-07-26 | "666," a pentagram, an inverted cross, and the phrase "Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer" were painted on the door of the church in Goleszów by unknown perpetrators. The graffiti was noticed on the morning of July 26th by the priest who came to prepare the church for Mass. The police filed a report in this case and are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3792
Barclays Bank and Online Platforms Closed Christian Charities' Accounts
2020-07-25 | Two Christian organizations that help people “who voluntarily seek change in sexual preference and expression,” have been notified by Barclays Bank that their accounts would be closed. The move by the bank followed a social media campaign demanding that the bank end its professional relationship with Core Issues Trust (CIT) and The International Federation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice (IFTCC), accusing both groups of promoting “conversion therapy.” In recent weeks, the UK government has pledged to ban "conversion therapy." The charities' head, Mike Davidson, disputes the use of the term: “The term ‘conversion therapy’ is being used as a catch-all phrase designed to discredit any help that people may provide to those with mixed sexual attractions who prefer their heterosexual side. This could include a listening ear, formal counselling or spiritual support.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3781
Vandalism of Wayside Cross in Bining
2020-07-25 | On July 25th, one of the wayside crosses in Bining (Moselle) was toppled over and smashed. The police are investigating and looking for possible witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3802
Six Stained Glass Windows Smashed in Nîmes Church
2020-07-24 | Shortly before midnight on July 24th, a drunken man attacked the Saint-Baudile church in Nîmes, breaking six stained glass windows using a steel bar nearly two meters long. The man, known to the police, was arrested after being caught in the act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3777
Proposed Scottish Hate Crime Bill Threatens Freedom of Speech and Worship
2020-07-23 | The Scottish Justice Committee has proposed a new hate crime bill, which extends the current hate crime law covering race, to include other "protected characteristics" such as religion, sexual orientation, and transgender identity. Christian and secular groups have criticized the bill as too broad and subjective, potentially interfering with freedom of speech and worship. The Parliament has accepted to re-draft the Bill, to protect Freedom of Speech. The new amendment should be known in December 2020.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3764
Fires Set in Tyrol Church; Witnesses Sought by Police
2020-07-23 | Would-be arsonists started a fire in the parish church in Waidring (Kitzbühel district) on July 23rd. According to police, between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m., unknown perpetrators distributed and lit several matchboxes, matches, and candles on the church pews. In addition, they tried to set fire to a hymn book, presumably using matches. Around 5:15 p.m., a witness noticed the smell of fire in the church, but the fire had already gone out. There was a similar incident on Monday, July 20th: according to investigators, burning ignition wicks had been placed on the kneelers of the church pews.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3772
Swastikas, Blasphemies, and Anti-Salvini Graffiti on Asola Church
2020-07-23 | The parishioners of the church San Rocco in Asola discovered vandalism on the outside wall of the church, after they left Mass on the morning of July 24th. Unknown perpetrators painted black graffiti on the wall with a swastika symbol, blasphemous phrases, and anti-Salvini insults. The police and the priest of the church were immediately informed and the police filled a report.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3799
Equality Legislation in Malta Threatens Freedom of Religion; Conscience; Expression
2020-07-22 | Proposed Equality Bills 96 and 97 are ostensibly aimed at protecting an extensive group of people from discrimination and cover areas such as schools, public religious symbols, and services and employment. The Bills would make it illegal to discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, age, religious belief, state of health, and other “protected characteristics.” However, many sectors of society, including educators, professionals, business owners, health workers, parents, faith-based groups, and believers are concerned about the laws' overreach.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3742
Convert Stabbed with Knife Outside Grindtorp Church
2020-07-22 | Hossein Hosseini, a young convert from Islam to Christianity, was stabbed with a knife at Grindtorp Church in Täby, in the Stockholm area. According to reports, he has been receiving online death threats for a long time. He says he is "very scared".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3746
Church Site Vandalized Causing 5,000 Euros in Damage
2020-07-21 | On July 21st, unknown perpetrators vandalized the entire area surrounding the Protestant city church of Groß-Gerau. Yellow graffiti was sprayed on walls, wooden benches, a parking sign and wall pillars causing an estimated damage of 5,000 Euros. The police ares investigating the incident and asked the public for help identifying the vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3744
Suspicious Fire in Ligugé Abbey
2020-07-21 | A fire was discovered on July 20, 2020, just before midnight, in the building used as a laundry room at the Abbey Saint-Martin de Ligugé. According to firefighters, about 20 of the 100 m2 were destroyed. One person was detained and questioned. No charges have been announced.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3747
"Fake Mass" Filmed and Vandalism in Maccagno
2020-07-21 | The police of Maccagno suspect a small group of young people to have entered the church of Our Lady of the Point through a half-opened door during the night of July 21st. They took liturgical vestments from the sacristy and climbed onto the altar to "celebrate Mass" on it. The vandals later moved to the shore of the lake where they, after drinking bottles of beer, left the empty beer carton on the head of the statue of the Virgin Mary. Videos of the "fake Mass" appeared on social media and the police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3819
The Deputy Agnès Thill talks about religious Intolerance in The Parliament (Video)
2020-07-21 | In a two-minute intervention, the Deputy Agnès Thill calls on the government to protect religious freedom and churches in Nantes. She referred to the latest report on anti-religious acts published by the Ministry of the Interior. Based on the report, 1052 anti-Christian acts, 657 antisemitic acts, and 154 anti-Muslim acts have been committed in 2019. She calls on the protection of secularism and fight against antisemitism, islamophobia, but also all anti-christian acts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3882
Vandals Smashed Four Windows of the Church of Großweitzschen
2020-07-20 | An employee of the parish of the church of Großweitzschen discovered on July 21st that four stained glass panes of the door on the organ tempore had been smashed the day before. Reports indicate that this is not the first time the church has been the victim of vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3735
Vandalism of Virgin Mary Statue in Alt-Schwallbach Chapel
2020-07-20 | Between July 19th and 20th an unknown perpetrator cut off and stole the hands of the statue of the Virgin Mary in a chapel in Alt-Schwallbach. Local Catholics are shocked, as the vandalism contains a mysterious detail, the vandal supposedly took the cut off hands with him/her, as they could not be found in- or outside the chapel. The police is investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3766
Statue of the Virgin Mary Decapitated in Montaud
2020-07-20 | Unknown perpetrators decapitated a statue of the Virgin Mary in Montaud, an important monument for the local community with valuable symbolism. The mayor of the city Joel Raymond discovered the damage and filed a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3773
Abbess of German Benedictine Convent Charged for Granting Church Asylum
2020-07-20 | The abbess of the German Benedictine convent Maria Frieden in Kirchschletten faced criminal charges for granting church asylum. The trial against Mother Mechthild Thürmer before the Bamberg District Court was scheduled for July 31. The abbess of the monastery in Upper Franconia had taken in an Eritrean woman in fall of 2018, who was to be deported to Italy. She disputed a penalty order for "aiding and abetting an illegal stay", combined with a fine of 2,500 euros, arguing for freedom of conscience.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3786
Anarchist Tags on the Church of Saint Clement in Nantes
2020-07-19 | On July 19th, just a day after the fire at the cathedral in Nantes, the priest of the Fraternité Saint-Pierre serving the Saint-Clément church in Nantes discovered anarchist tags sprayed on the front of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3750
Armed Man Yelling "Allahu Akbar" Heading Toward Church Stopped by Motorist
2020-07-19 | A 38-year-old motorist stopped a man who was heading towards a church in Blanc-Mesnil, armed with a loaded machine gun, shouting "Allahu akbar."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3771
Vandalism of Christ of Calvary on l’Île d’Arz
2020-07-19 | Unknown perpetrators broke the Christ of Calvary of Grèavo on the l’île d’Arz during the night of July 19th to 20th. The Christ figure was knocked off the large public crucifix and broken into several pieces. "A silly act, a sacrilege," reacts Christophe Stener, a local historian and resident. "Human stupidity has no limits. Whether one is a Christian or not, this act is revolting." The gendarmerie are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3775
Window Front of Church in Bad Soden Smashed by Vandals
2020-07-19 | Unknown perpetrators destroyed the glass front of a church in Bad Soden on July 19th. The vandals smashed the glass panes of the Catholic Church in Salinenstraße, causing property damage amounting to several thousand euros. The police are investigating and asked for witness statements.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3782
Arson Investigation after Fire Heavily Damaged Nantes Cathedral
2020-07-18 | In the early morning hours of July 18th, a fire began in the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul cathedral, in the heart of Nantes. Passers-by saw flames behind the rosette window of the cathedral and alerted emergency services a little before 8:00 am. When firefighters arrived, they discovered "a violent fire at the level of the organ located behind the rosette window." Upon further investigation, it appeared that the fire had started in three locations: one fire had started near the organ, while the other two were at the other end of the cathedral.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3725
Theft and Vandalism of Tabernacle in San Giovanni Church
2020-07-18 | During the night of July 18th unknown vandals smashed the tabernacle under the image of Mary in the side altar of San Giovanni church in Trieste. Additionally, two valuable brass candlesticks were stolen. Don Sergio Fransin discovered the vandalism and theft and immediately reported the crime to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3732
Satanists Suspected of Theft and Desecration in St. Johann Baptist Church in Krefeld
2020-07-18 | Unknown perpetrators have stolen the golden door of the tabernacle, a monstrance stance and money from an donation box. The tabernacle door was forcefully torn out and the donation box vandalized and money stolen. The community of St. Johann Baptist Church suspects satanists to be the perpetrators, who use the stolen objects for satanic rituals, because the golden altar cross was not stolen, which speaks against just a monetary motivation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3765
Statue Of Virgin Mary Mutilated at the Miraculous Spring of Our Lady of Banneux
2020-07-17 | Pilgrams to the miraculous spring of our Lady of Banneux discovered the severe mutilation of the statue of the Virgin Mary, which is situated above the spring. It is speculated that the vandalism took place in the week before July 17th. The face of the statue has been particularly mutilated therefore, the statue was replaced by an exact replica.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3723
New Same-Sex Marriage Law in Northern Ireland Threatens Freedom of Conscience
2020-07-17 | The Parliament of Northern Ireland passed a new marriage law for same-sex couples, which has two implications for the church and Christian business owners. The law prohibits private business to deny service to same-sex couples arguing for freedom of conscience. Additionally, the new legislation allows same-sex couples of faith to have religious wedding ceremonies in church or other religious settings if all parties agree.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3726
Church of the Beata Vergine del Soccorso Repeatedly Vandalized
2020-07-16 | The portico of the Church of Beata Vergine del Soccorso, known locally as La Rotonda, is often used as a meeting place for young people in the city of Rovigo, despite an ordinance against it. Several times in the weeks before July 16th, mostly young people illegally climbed onto the historic porch and vandalized it, with a least one of them being caught on security cameras using it as a toilet on May 30th. The local police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3721
Monument of St. John Paul II vandalized in Parisian Church
2020-07-16 | A bust of John Paul II, situated next to the entrance of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, because the permission to build it on the square in front of the church was denied, was severely vandalized by unknown perpetrators. Although the street of Saint Hornore has surveillance, the case has not been reported to the police yet by the parish.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3729
Anarchist Graffiti Targeting Church; City Hall in San Giorgio a Cremano
2020-07-15 | During the night of July 15th, vandals attacked various sites in the city of San Giorgio a Cremano near Naples, including the church of Santa Maria del Principio with graffiti. One tag on the church read "Fuoco al Vaticano." The city hall gate and the headquarters of some political movements were also targeted. The city's mayor, Giorgio Zinno, said the symbols and slogans demonstrated the vandals' anti-Catholic, anti-democratic, and anarchic ideology. The police are investing the case by analyzing the recordings of the public security cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3722
Fire in the Church Mother of Favara Destroys Organ, Paintings and Frescos
2020-07-15 | On July 15th, a fire broke out in the Church Mother of Favara, located at the heart of the city. It is speculated that the fire started at the electrical organ of the church due to a short circuit. The organ, several paintings and frescos were destructed by the fire. Fortunately, the work of the fire man prevented the fire to cause a structural damage to the building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3731
Theft of Relics in the Church of Honfleur
2020-07-15 | On July 15th the church of Saint-Léonard was a victim of theft. Parish priest Pascal Marie discovered that the contents of four relics were stolen. One relic is of special value, as it enshrines the bones of Saint Boniface, which are said to date back to the 8th century. The case was reported to the police. The estimation of the damage is difficult to evaluate because only the bones were stolen and the other valuable objects left behind.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3733
Three Vandalism Incidents at Cemetery of Lézignan-Corbières in July
2020-07-15 | On July 15th, 24th, and 27th the cemetery of Lézignan-Corbières was repeatedly vandalized and various objects were stolen, such as crucifixes, crosses, vases, flowers, decorations, and plaques, . Gravestone plaques were dismantled, damaged, and reassembled elsewhere, and objects were moved. The perpetrators also attempted to open several graves. A police investigation was opened and the cemetery was closed to allow investigators to collect evidence for their investigations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3791
Mayor Publicly Criticised Parish for Holding a Rosary for the Family
2020-07-14 | The parish priest of the Church San Nicola in Lizzano was publicly criticized by the mayor for his prayer on the 14th of July. The priest organized a rosary for the families to ‘’defend the family from the pitfalls that threaten it, including the bill against homophobia.’’
The religious service was interrupted by a group of people holding rainbow flags and are in favor of the bill outside the church. According to the priest, the protesters put posters on the church saying, "God teaches you to hate gays", "God teaches you to discriminate" and similar phrases. While the Carabiniere were called to end the riot outside the church, the mayor defended the protest against the church. In the same respect, the Municipality of Lizzano also distanced itself from the initiative of the Church "We take, firmly, the distance," they wrote in a post published on Facebook.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3719
Statue of the Virgin of the Ribbon Damaged
2020-07-14 | Unknown vandals damaged the sculpture of the Virgin of the Ribbon in the summit of Caro in Roquetes on July 14th. The vandals must have thrown stones at it and broken different parts off of it. The sculpture had recently been restored and the municipality has expressed their condemnation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4306
San Pietro Church in Canazza Vandalized with Paint Bomb for the 5th Time
2020-07-13 | On July 13th, a black paint bomb attack on the granite facade of San Pietro church occurred for the fifth time in two years. After a respite of a year, once again community members of the church again had to remove the damage using solvents to clean the oily back paint. This time, the vandals used twice as much paint than in previous assaults, making removal from the porous granite difficult.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3715
Statue of Virgin and Child Vandalized with Red Graffiti in Noirmoutier-en-l'Île
2020-07-13 | During the night of July 13th and 14th the Marian statue of Noirmoutier-en-l'Île was vandalized with obscene red graffiti. The monument to commemorate the end of a parish mission in 1949 had previously been restored after being decapitated in 2018.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3770
Harassing Graffiti at Saint-Martin Basilica
2020-07-12 | During the night of July 11th, the outside walls of Saint-Martin Basilica in Tours were sprayed with offensive graffiti (a cruder version of "become lesbians"), as well as the familiar anarchic tag "ACAB". The graffiti is clearly visible at the entrance of the basilica and was probably intended for the Benedictine nuns of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre, who serve in the basilica. The police took photos and are investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3712
Church in Linz Receives Threats and Personal Harassment after Media Coverage about alleged COVID-19 Outbreak in "Free Churches"
2020-07-11 | A birthday party amongst members of the Romanian free church "Pfingstgemeinde Himmelstor" was reported to be the source of a COVID-19 outbreak cluster consisting of 234 infected people. The free church Christ Apostolic Church International (CACI) rented their church building in Linz to the Romanian church and after the media reported about the incident and disclosed the address of the venue, CACI received public harassment on the streets and threatening emails. In contrast to the other free church community, CACI did not have any cases of COVID-19 and followed the official government guidelines, as it is member of the officially state recognised society of free churches in Austria, whose other members did not report any positive COVID-19 cases either.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3714
Chuch St. Joseph in Holz Vandalized
2020-07-10 | In the night of July 10th unknown perpetrators forcibly opened the door of the Holzan church of St. Joseph and tore a plant and its roots out of a pot. The perpetrators then threw the plant in front of the church. The police opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3737
Vandalism and Attempted Theft at the Verbanella Church in Castelletto Ticino
2020-07-08 | On July 8th an act of vandalism and attempted theft was discovered in Castelletto Ticino in the Verbanella Church. One stained-glass window was smashed into pieces, which also caused a damage on a statue of St. Anthony of Padua that fell on the ground. The police are investigating the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3703
Desecration of Saint Silas Chapel in Lesvos with Obscene Graffiti
2020-07-08 | In the latest in a series of vandalism and desecration incidents, unidentified perpetrators invaded the Saint Silas Chapel on July 8th, where they desecrated the interior, smashed windows, and sprayed obscene graffiti on the outside walls. The graffiti showed a clear bias against the local residents by writing phrases such as "f&*k you" on the walls. Despite the repeated complaints of residents no further action has been taken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3711
Two Smashed Windows at Rodde Chapel
2020-07-07 | Unknown perpetrators smashed two windows of the chapel of the Josefskirche in Rodde between July 5th and 7th causing at least 500 euros in damage. The police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3710
Monstrance with Relic of Saint Leopold Stolen from Pilgrimage Church Maria Lanzendorf
2020-07-05 | Intruders stole a monstrance with a relic of St. Leopold III, the patron saint of Lower Austria, from the pilgrimage church Maria Lanzendorf, along with a second relic monstrance, as well as other liturgical objects such as chalices and incense boats. According to police reports, the crime was committed during the night of July 5th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3698
Suspicious Fire in the Saint-Paul Church of Corbeil-Essonnes
2020-07-04 | On the 4th of July at 5 o'clock in the morning the St. Paul Church in Corbeil-Essonnes was reported to be burning. The entire roof, interior, and the sacristy of the church were completely destroyed. The police reported that the fire broke out due to a gas leak caused by squatters, but at least one local resident is skeptical about this explanation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3692
Suspicious Fire in Frensdorf Pilgrimage Church
2020-07-04 | Around 6:30 p.m. on July 4th, an employee who entered the pilgrimage church from the back, noticed heavy smoke and fire in the area of a church pew. A candle on the knee pad in front of the bench had set fire to a nylon rope, then the pad caught fire and the flames spread to the entire bench. The woman managed to extinguish the burning seat and backrest; then she called the fire brigade. The Bamberg criminal police took over the further investigation into the cause of the fire which resulted in 2,000 euros in damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3694
Severe Vandalism of 75kg Cross at Weiden Church
2020-07-04 | On July 4th, unknown perpetrator knocked over the 75 kilogram cast iron cross in front of the Heart of Jesus church (Herz Jesu Kirche) in the Upper Palatinate town of Weiden, according to police reports. The cross, which was broken off steel pins, suffered massive damage. Police began an investigation and called for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3697
Attempted Theft in Church in Bad Orb
2020-07-04 | A thief, who had sneaked into the church in Würzburger Straße on the weekend, left the church without any loot. Between July 3rd and 4th, he entered the unlocked church and broke open the wooden door to the sacristy as well as a metal locker. He searched everything and disappeared again.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3699
A Series of Thefts and Vandalism in Churches in the Area of Euskirchen Since July
2020-07-03 | Since the beginning of July, in the district of Euskirchen, there have been several break-ins in churches and vandalism or theft of donation money. The acts happened mostly on weekends. In a near region, also four churches were broken-in. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4092
Life Sentence for IS Supporter's Bomb Plot on St. Paul's Cathedral
2020-07-03 | On July 3rd, Muslim convert Safiyya Amira Shaikh was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 14 years in jail for plotting a bomb attack on St. Paul's Cathedral London and a suicide bomb attack on the nearby underground station. Shaikh admitted the crime and showed no remorse; she wanted to kill as many "kufars" (unbelievers) as possible.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3701
Severe Vandalism of Paintings in the Church Saint-Pierre d’Auxerre
2020-07-03 | On July 3rd, a Facebook page posted photos of paintings in the Church Saint-Pierre d’Auxerre that had been severely vandalized.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3774
Man Arrested in Madrid after Shouting "I'm going to burn you all alive" during Mass
2020-07-03 | On July 3rd, Madrid's municipal police arrested a man after he burst into the San Ramón Nonato parish church in Puente de Vallecas, where a Mass was being celebrated, shouting "murderers, fags, and pedophiles! You should burn, I'm going to burn you all alive!"
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3779
Repeated Cases of Vandalism in Church of Bissendorf-Achelriede
2020-07-02 | In the three weeks between June 11th and July 2nd, the church of Bissendorf-Achelriede was vandalized three times by unknown perpetrators. The first two incidents happened at two buildings belonging to the church, eight windows were smashed and a wall sprayed with graffiti. The last incident occurred in the church and resulted in twenty-eight smashed windows, causing a total estimated damage of over thirteen thousand euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3700
Sacred Heart Statue Unbolted and Stolen in Saint-Jean-Sart
2020-07-02 | Between July 2nd and 3rd the newly-erected Sacred Heart of Jesus statue in the village of Saint-Jean-Sart was unbolted and stolen. The statue had been installed in the middle of June after extensive restoration by a community group. Local residents are shocked by the theft.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3769
Threat of Criminal Sanctions to Churches Because of Covid-19
2020-07-01 | Church leaders launched legal action against the UK government for unnecessary and bizarre Covid-19 Regulations against Churches. Bans with threat of criminal sanctions were imposed on churches while businesses and restaurants were trusted to take their own decisions. Christian leaders find a total lack of understanding on the part of the Government for matters related to religion and Christianity.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3695
Fire in the Youth Centre at the Thomas Morus Church
2020-06-30 | On the evening of June 30th, a fire broke out in the youth centre, which is part of the Thomas Morus Church in Münster. The cause of the fire is still unclear but the investigation department of the police opened a case. No people were harmed during this fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3704
British MP Receives Death Threat after Voting against Abortion Law
2020-06-30 | In June, a British MP received a death threat and other online abuse after voting in accordance with her pro-life convictions. Dr Lisa Cameron, SNP MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow, was sent the threat just days after voting against a pro-abortion bill, which limits support/protest near abortion clinics.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3717
Catalan Priest Attacked With A Glass On The Neck
2020-06-30 | On July 30th in a parish on Consell de Cent Street, a priest came to the aid of an old lady in the church after overhearing an argument between her and an unknown man. The priest confronted the aggressor directly, who then attacked him with a glass and cut his neck. The perpetrator tried to run away but was stopped by a witness. The police arrived and arrested the individual, who has a violent robbery history.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4355
Suspected Arson at San Girolamo Church in Rimini
2020-06-29 | On June 29th, firefighters were called to the San Girolamo Church in the city of Rimini shortly after 3:30 in the afternoon. A pedestrian reported smoke emanating from the storage room of the church building where old furniture and plastic chairs formed the basis for the fire. Fortunately, the firefighting team was able to quell the blaze. A forensics team investigated whether the fire had been intentionally set, noting that nothing indicated that short circuits or similar faults were the cause of the fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3687
La Dominelais Church Ravaged by Fire
2020-06-29 | On Monday, June 29th a fire which began behind the altar of the church of La Dominelais, south of Rennes, caused significant damage. Smoke and heat blackened the walls of the building, which had been renovated some twenty years ago.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3688
Church Fire in Réaumont Investigated
2020-06-29 | Shortly before 7 p.m. on June 29th, the fire brigade was dispatched to a fire in the Réaumont church. The firefighters were able to contain the damage of the fire to the sacristy. The fire produced high volumes of smoke, which caused most of the damage in the sacristy. Fortunately the rest of the church remained intact and no sacred objects were damaged. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the gendarmerie.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3734
Crystal Glass Pyramide Protecting the Statue of Antonfrancesco Farsetti Vandalized
2020-06-28 | On June 28th the crystal glass pyramid, which is supposed to protect the statue Antonfrancesco Farsetti, founder of Ilsa della Donazella, was smashed by unknown vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3788
Repeated Acts of Vandalism and Theft in Bergamo Church
2020-06-27 | In the week before June 27th, the church of Sant’Andrea in Bergamo was the victim of two crimes. The first incident was the vandalism of the liturgical chair which was discovered upside down in the middle of the church and wet with what the priest suspected was urine. The second incident was the theft of the offerings, accomplished by severely damaging the valuable offering boxes. This series of events led to the closure of the church except for Sunday Mass, until funds have been raised to install comprehensive security measures.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3689
Robbers Cause €100 in Damage to Steal €5 from Sulzbach Church
2020-06-26 | Police report that between June 26th and June 28th unknown perpetrators stole money from the offering box of the evangelical Church of Sulzbach. While the damage to the church property was estimated to be one hundred euros, the thieves fled with five euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3696
Fire Devastated Catholic Parish Hall; Apartment
2020-06-26 | AAround 10:30 p.m. on June 26th, the Hemmingen fire brigade was called due to a report of smoke in an apartment. Upon arrival, they discovered that that the adjacent caretaker's apartment in the attic of the Catholic Church of St. George parish hall was on fire. The fire brigade had to put out the fire and prevent it from spreading to the church, which is just a few meters away. According to the Ludwigsburg police, the caretaker's apartment was completely burnt out and is now uninhabitable. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3803
Disturbance in the Church of Oppau in Ludwigshafen Suspect Fled
2020-06-23 | On June 23rd, the priest of the Catholic church in the Oppau district of Lugwigshafen heard a loud noise inside the church around 12:30 p.m. While investing the noise, he discovered a young man fleeing and found several objects in the church toppled over. The damage caused is estimated to be around 500 euros. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3806
Statue of Saint Junípero Serra Vandalized with "Racist"
2020-06-22 | The statue of the Mallorcan friar and saint Junípero Serra in Palma which stands in front of the central convent of Sant Francesc, was vandalized on June 22nd. The word 'racist' was smeared on the base of the monument, and the saint's image was also stained with red paint. The statue was attacked after the Podemos councilor in the Palma City Council, Sonia Vivas, mayor of Social Justice, Feminism and LGTBI, noted the statue of the eighteenth-century Franciscan friar had been attacked in California, USA. She suggested the statue of the saint should be thrown away "peacefully, "calling the saint a symbol of the "oligarchy".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3685
‘Black Madonna’ in Breda defaced
2020-06-22 | On June 22nd, vandals defaced the image of Our Lady of Częstochowa and painted the letters "BLM" at the base in a park chapel in Breda. The image of Our Lady, which is revered by Poles and also known as the 'Black Madonna', was erected in the park in 1954 in thanksgiving for the city’s liberation from the Nazis.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3691
Unknown Perpetrators Destroyed Forest Chapel In Achel
2020-06-22 | On 22 June, vandals destroyed the small forest chapel at the Prinsenloop on the Witteberg in Achel. The facade was thrown out of the window and the statue of the Virgin Mary was completely destroyed and the debris was found near the chapel. Some tiles of the roof and a flowerpot were also smashed. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4382
Theft from Bühl Church
2020-06-19 | A thief caused nearly €200 in damage when he violently tore the offertory box affixed to a table in the Catholic church in Bühl on June 19th. Reports indicate the box only contained a few euros. The Bühl police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3680
Church Devastated, Altar Burned and Crucifix Stolen in Gattinara
2020-06-18 | On the night of 17th to 18th June, unknown vandals targeted the small Church of the Madonna of the Consolation. The vandals forced the door open, stole the Crucifix, set fire to the altar, which also damaged the paintings and decorations, and destroyed the statue of the Madonna. The statue was found outside from the building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4109
The Sanctuary of Carmel of Cesana Brianza Damaged
2020-06-16 | The sanctuary of Carmel of Cesana Brianza has been seriously damaged. The parish of Santi Fermo e Rustico reported the incident on Facebook.
To report the episode, promptly reported to the authorities, is the parish of Saints Fermo and Rustico who on their facebook page reported the incident: "In the evening, numerous underage teenagers gather, leaving dirt and damage. To the children we say: the sanctuary is a place of silence and prayer, do not ruin it with irresponsible behaviour! This is no place to bivouac! We respect the sacredness".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3676
Theft from the Catholic Church
2020-06-16 | On Sunday, June 14th, unknown people broke the sacristy door of a Catholic church in the northern complex. Between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., they entered the church and tampered with the wooden door. Keys were apparently stolen from the room. The property damage is estimated at around 200 euros. Police are looking for clues and witness. Please inform the criminal police in Gießen at 0641 / 7006-2555.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3677
Abortion Allowed up to Birth in Case of Non-Fatal Disability in NI Despite Stormont Assembly Vote
2020-06-15 | Despite the opposition by the Stormont Assembly, Parliament of Northern Ireland, the House of Lords in the UK backed the abortion regulations for Northern Ireland, which were made on the time when the Assembly had collapsed. The regulations permit abortions up to birth in cases of severe non-fatal disability, such as the Down-syndrome. Lord Shinkwin, a Peer in the House of Lords, who also has a disability asked how they could deny life to a human being diagnosed with a non-fatal disability.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3672
Government Proposed to Ban Pro-Life Campaigns In Front Of Abortion Hospitals
2020-06-15 | In Ireland, the Government proposed creating "free access zones", where pro-life campaigners would not be allowed to stand in front of Hospitals and Abortion centers. Pro Life Campaigner Eilis Mulroy criticises the intended introduction of censorship zones. He claims that these exclusion zones go against freedom of speech and peaceful protests. Also, the Pro-Life movement criticizes the absence of meaningful support or interest in providing other alternatives to abortion in the draft Program for the Government.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3673
Vandalism with Excrement in the Capuchin Church in Spoleto
2020-06-14 | The small church of the Minori Cappuccini di Spoleto was discovered vandalized with human excrement on June 14th, the feast of Corpus Christi. The excrement was scattered in several places in the church, including the chapel of the Madonna, on the entrance threshold, and on door handles.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3675
Statues Beheaded in Chapel Sculpture Garden
2020-06-14 | The statue of Saint Anthony in the De Kluize sanctuary in Knutsegem in Velzeke and the statue of Julius Caesar on Romeins Plein were vandalized on the weekend of June 14. Their names were sprayed with graffiti. Additionally, all the statues in the sanctuary sculpture garden behind the chapel of Saint Anthony were beheaded.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3686
The Head of Saint Arnould Detached and Thrown in Ravine
2020-06-14 | The head of the statue of Saint Arnould, patron saint of brewers, erected in Bouillon (province of Luxembourg), was unscrewed and thrown into a ravine during the night between June 13th and 14th. It was badly damaged but not destroyed because vegetation in the ravine broke its fall. A complaint was filed and Bouillon Mayor Patrick Adam was confident the perpetrators would be caught: “Thanks to the cameras that are installed by the municipality and thanks to those of the private ones, we will be able to recover images. We do not want this act to go unpunished.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3707
Attempted Arson at Rennes Cathedral
2020-06-12 | During the night from the 11th to 12th of June, Rennes firefighters intervened to extinguish an intentionally-set fire in front of a door of the Saint-Pierre cathedral in Rennes. A trash bin, placed just in front of the door located at the back of the building, on Rue Saint-Sauveur, was set on fire. According to the first impressions from the investigation, this was a voluntary act because the bin was brought from an adjacent street and deliberately placed outside the door.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3668
Desecration of University Chapel in Santiago de Compostela
2020-06-12 | The chapel of USC (University of Santiago de Compostela) in the South Campus of Santiago was vandalized on July 12th, which led to much damage and the desecration of consecrated hosts. The police are investigating the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3679
Vandalism in Stegaurach Church Caused Damage of 10,000 Euros
2020-06-12 | In the afternoon of June 12th unknown perpetrators vandalized the walls, floor and altar cloth in the Church of Stegaurach with liquid candle wax. They also scratched the faces of several paintings and threw three candles, a holy water box, and a holy water bowl into the Aurach river. The resulting property damage amounts to an estimated 10,000 euros and theft damage of 100 euros. The police investigated and about a week later, two underage girls admitted they had committed the acts "without any particular motivation."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3827
Vandalism on Church Bell Tower in Bordighera
2020-06-12 | On June 12th the bell tower of the small church of Sant'Ampelio in Bordighera, was attacked by vandals who, using red graffiti, wrote the letters D and R. Mayor Vittorio Ingenito was infuriated and stated that this shameful act of vandalism saddened the whole community, as it struck one of the places they all hold most dear and he will "leave no stone unturned" to catch the perpetrators and hold them accountable.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3828
Graves Vandalized in Eure
2020-06-11 | Maintenance workers in a small municipal cemetery in the town of Lieurey discovered that dozen ancient graves had been vandalized. Several of the gravestones had been smashed, and on others, just the crosses were destroyed. According to the police in charge of the investigation, the incident dates back to the end of May or the beginning of June.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3706
Theft and Desecration of the Eucharist in Molfetta
2020-06-11 | The parish priest of San Gennaro in Molfetta, Don Sergio Vitulano, reported that on the morning of June 12th he had noticed the number of consecrated hosts was significantly reduced compared to those placed in the ciborium during the Mass of the previous day. He also reported finding a consecrated host on the ground. The security camera footage revealed that a recognizable woman, observed in the area in the previous days, had entered the church and had taken numerous consecrated Hosts from the tabernacle by hurriedly putting them in her pocket and leaving the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3683
Draft Law on Homophobia and Transphobia Could Criminalize Biblical Teaching
2020-06-10 | The Italian Bishops are speaking against a new legislation proposed against "homotransphobia" by Zan-Scalfarotto, as it could criminalize the Church's teaching on homosexuality and censor the preaching against other sexual pathologies. The Bishops argue that there are already laws that protect every human being from discrimination and violence. The law could lead to "criminalization of opinion".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3674
Theft at the Cathedral St. Sebastian in Magdeburg
2020-06-08 | Around 3:00 a.m. on June 8, 2020, Sister Adelgitt heard banging on the sidewalk in front of St. Sebastian's Cathedral in downtown Magdeburg. Early the next morning it was clear what she had heard. Unknown thieves had stolen two bronze wings from the 'Angel Gate' which stands in front of the 'Gate of Paradise' at the west entrance of the cathedral. Since this is not the first time that parts of the gate were stolen, the remaining sections of the gate have now been secured by welding them together. A few days later, police received a tip from a witness who had found sawn-up bronze pieces near a garden property in the Fermersleber Elbweg between the two Salbker See lakes. They were later identified as the stolen parts. Narcotics were found on an adjacent property.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3815
St. Johannes in Troisdorf Girls Discover Church Fire - Now The Police Investigates
2020-06-08 | Although there is no yet concrete evidence of arson, the police are investigating the fire in the church of St. Johannes. Two girls noticed smoke billowing out of the church and alerted the fire department. Apparently, too many candles had been lit on the metal stand in the vestibule.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3820
Report Shows Increase in Violence Against Christian Believers in Spain
2020-06-08 | The Observatory of Religious Freedom (OLRC) based in Spain, reported a decrease in the attacks towards fundamental rights and an increase in violence against Catholic believers and places of worship (mostly Christian), on June 8th. According to Maria Garcia, President of the OLRC, 80% of the attacks have been directed against Christians. The report also shows political parties like "Podemos", the left party and the PSOE party as clear opposers of religious freedom involved in acts against Christians. The most affected cities are Madrid, Andalucia and Cataluña.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4233
Window Church in Burscheid Smashed For the Second Time
2020-06-06 | On 6th June, the windows of St. Laurentius Church in Burscheid were smashed again. They were already repaired one week after the first attack. There were four fist-sized holes found on the window, the metal frames were bent, and the stones were found inside the church by the opposite wall. The church remained closed, due to another act of vandalism in New Year's Eve, when a drunk man tried to set fire to the nativity scene.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3832
Church Vandalized with Graffiti in Morlaix
2020-06-05 | The group Protège ton Église (Protect your Church) reported vandalism of the exterior walls of the église Saint-Martin in Morlaix during the week of June 5th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3661
Catholic Church Chapel Vandalized in Dijon
2020-06-05 | On the night of the 4th to 5th of June, a Catholic Chapel was vandalized with graffiti by unknown vandals in Dijon. One of the inscriptions says "Death to the Pigs". The same Chapel had already been victim of graffiti and anarchist symbols in February 2019.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3663
Statue of Christ Decapitated and Vandalized
2020-06-05 | In the early morning hours of June 4, unknown individuals assaulted the monument dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in La Roda de Andalucía and broke the face and hands of the image to pieces.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3664
Catholic Seminary Defaced During "Black Lives Matter Vienna" Rally
2020-06-05 | A "Black Lives Matter Vienna" protest on June 5th led to anti-church demonstrations and vandalism at a seminary near the US embassy in Vienna-Alsergrund, according to the seminary director. The outer wall was extensively smeared with graffiti and defaced, and he reported the resulting financial damage to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3835
Saint-Joseph Parish Church Vandalized
2020-06-04 | At the end of the first week of June, broken glass was discovered in a corridor of the parish church of Schœneck caused by the throwing of a large stone of about one kilo against a church window. The projectile had been thrown from outside the church and loosened the metal frame of the masonry. In front of the entrance to the crypt, the impact of a projectile against a window pane caused a crack that spanned its entire length. Another window was broken in the sacristy. Additionally, the large metal entrance gate at the side of the grotto of the Virgin was damaged, and two crossbars were twisted and torn off.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3665
Fire Set in Bockhorst Church
2020-06-04 | Unknown perpetrators set fire to an altar cloth and an organ book in the Maria von der immerwährenden Hilfe (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) church in Bockhorst at around 5:00 p.m. on May 29th. The fire was extinguished promptly by the person who discovered the fire. Property damage of several thousand euros was incurred.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3754
Large Altar Bible Stolen from Church
2020-06-04 | Unknown people stole a large altar bible with a golden cover from the Protestant church on Rüdesheimer Langstraße in Rüdesheim sometime between June 3rd and 4th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3804
Vandalism and Theft at the Church of Heuilley-Cotton
2020-06-03 | Between June 3rd and 4th, one or more people broke into the Saint-Loup church of Heuilley-Cotton to steal the "begging angel" (l'ange quêteur) donation box. It was found outside the church completely broken and emptied of its contents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3666
Statue of the Virgin Mary Destroyed in Cameri
2020-06-03 | On the night of the 3rd to 4th of June, the Statue of the Virgin Mary of the Library of Cameri was destroyed by unknown vandals. The Statue rested on the courtyard of the library, in a niche. The perpetrator took it out and threw it out into the street, breaking it into pieces.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4111
Hildburghäuser Church Set on Fire
2020-05-31 | A child set fire to 47 sites in the cycle path and pilgrim of St. Wigbert church in Häselrieth.
Twenty-five emergency personnel of the fire brigade quickly extinguished the fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3753
Politician Insulted With References to Christianity
2020-05-30 | During the night of the 30th May, posters appeared at bus stops in Warsaw insulting the minister of Health, Łukasz Szumowski, his family, and work. On the posters the minister is portrayed wearing the traditional costume of the Order of Knights of Malta and it says, "The Gospel according to Lukasz Szum". On the posters, there were also charges and slogans against the Minister of Law and Justice about false Covid-19 Statistics and regulations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3907
Devastation and Theft of Crosses in Cemetery in Poland
2020-05-29 | On the 29th of May, the community cemetery of Wieliczka was devastated by a 28-year-old man. He was found on the next morning driving his bike drunk. The police noticed that his bag contained several metal crosses. The crosses were stolen from the cemetery, where he torn off the objects from the gravestones. He was charged with 8 years of prison.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4094
Church Falsely Accused of Spreading COVID-19 Virus
2020-05-28 | After many COVID-19 cases have been detected among the worshipers of the Bremerhavan Pentecostal church, the crisis management team warned of discrimination against believers. However, it was made clear that the infections have been through family and social contacts. The church defended itself and stated having a coherent hygienic procedure. The mayor complained, that the accusation was a discrimination act against believers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3906
Statue of the Virgin Mary Decapitated and Thrown to the Ground
2020-05-28 | On the 28th May, an unknown vandal or vandals decapitated the Statue of the Madonna in the town of Rosta, Turin. The statue was found thrown on the ground and beheaded. The Mayor himself condemned this act of vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4108
Four Graves, Including that of a Priest, Vandalized in Village Cemetery
2020-05-27 | Four graves in the village cemetery of Saint-Pierre-de-Rivière were damaged during the night between May 26th and 27th by unknown vandals. Among those graves was that of Emile Genès, who had returned his native village after a long priestly life in the Paris region.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3654
St. Martin Church Vandalized
2020-05-26 | Rioters vandalized and damaged the church and broken into the parish hall several times. The parish of St.Martin in Obsentrautstadt has invested around 20,000 euros in safety technology such as alarm systems and fire alarm to protect the church and prevent further damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3908
Christians Against the New Biotechnology Law
2020-05-26 | On the 26th of May, a new Biotechnology law was passed to allow an early ultrasound on the foetus, which can show the physical or mental disadvantages of the baby. Also, the donation of eggs has been made legal and the artificial insemination of single women is now allowed at the expense of the state. The Christian Democratic Party was against this law because the early knowledge about the disability of a foetus could lead to discrimination of the child by being aborted. In Norway, abortion is legal up to the week 12 of pregnancy.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3909
Vandalism of Church Sanctuary for Second Time
2020-05-25 | In Cassino, probably during the night of the 23rd May, the sanctuary of Our Lady of the Ascension in San Michele was vandalized for the second time. One of the stone benches had been uprooted and broken in several parts. The community wants to install a video surveillance system.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3911
LGBT Activist Organization Accused Christian Pro-Life Moment of Hate Speech
2020-05-25 | The Pro-Life organisation has been accused of Hate Speech for collecting signatures against the new Homo and Transphobic law. The fear is that Christian institutions, organisations, or Christians themselves, particularly those who are against abortion or homosexual marriage, could be sanctioned up to four years of imprisonment. This could, therefore, lead to restriction of freedom of expression and speech.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3912
Saint-Arthémy Church Vandalized in Coteaux-du-Blanzacais
2020-05-24 | The Saint-Arthémy de Blanzac church in the town of Coteaux-du-Blanzacais was the target of acts of vandalism over the weekend of May 23rd and 24th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3653
Repeated Vandalism of The Figure of Jesus
2020-05-24 | The figure of Jesus in Andujar was vandalized several times. This already happened in 2013, 2017, and in 2019, where it was completely destroyed. In May 2020, it was finally restored by two artists.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3915
Alsace: Two Vandalized Churches in Munster
2020-05-23 | The Catholic and Protestant churches, an ambulance company, the railway station, two banks and a sports complex were vandalized on the night of 22nd to 23rd May in Munster in le Haut-Rhin. Tags such as "Anarchie vaincera" (Anarchy will win) and the number "666" spray-painted in color were found. These damaging acts shocked and dismayed the inhabitants of the peaceful little town nestled in the heart of the Hautes-Vosges mountains. The gendarmerie launched an appeal for witnesses to find the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3652
Church Lights and Room Vandalized
2020-05-22 | On 22nd May, lightning technicians had to visit the Trinity Church in Yarm Road, Stockton, because the lights were not working. Vandals had smashed the church lights, raided it, and put fire to the room, where the tools were stored.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3919
Gironde: 55 Vandalized Graves in a Cemetery in Gujan-Mestras
2020-05-21 | Fifty-five graves in the church cemetery of Gujan-Mestras were damaged by vandals during the evening of May 21st. Crosses and crucifixes were broken, as well as plaques and flower pots. Police opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3585
Calvary Destroyed in Assé-le-Béranger
2020-05-20 | A witness reported to the Observatoire de la Christianophobie on May 20 that the calvary erected in front of the Assé-le-Béranger town hall of Assé-le-Béranger had been broken by a sledgehammer. Some inhabitants of the small village of 450 people interviewed by the witness expressed shock over this act of vandalism which is estimated to have occurred in the previous two weeks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3592
Vandalism at St. Peter and Paul Church
2020-05-20 | On 20th May in the evening, an unknown perpetrator devastated the St. Peter and Paul Church in Mühlburg, Karlsruhe. The unknown perpetrator spilled wax over the Figure of Mary, the wall, and the floor of the church. He also torn flowers from the wall and spread them all over the floor. It also looked like he tried to set fire to a wooden rack. The estimated damage is around a thousand euro. Witnesses are asked to report clues to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3920
Installation of CCTV After Repeated Vandalism At Church
2020-05-20 | After repeated vandalism at St. Mary Magdalene Church in New Milton, the Church will install CCTV Cameras along with the reparation of their windows. In the past, a thanksgiving memorial service was interrupted by teenagers banging on the windows and a stone was thrown through a car's rear window when the teenagers were confronted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3921
Desecration and Theft in Saint-Jean-des-Cordeliers Church
2020-05-19 | On May 19th, desecration and theft were committed in the church of Saint-Jean-des-Cordeliers in Bergerac, Dordogne. The tabernacle and the ciborium were forced and the consecrated hosts inside were stolen. Other valuable objects were left there, so it indicates that this was an act of vandalism. The parish priest filled a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3586
Robbery With Violence In the Church Notre-Dame des Pins
2020-05-16 | A forty-year-old man violently broke into the church of Notre-Dame des Pins in Cannes to steal donations. He also beat up a volunteer.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3587
Saint Boniface Statue Vandalized with Anti-Christian Graffiti
2020-05-16 | Residents of Crediton (Devon) have expressed their disgust after the statue of St. Boniface was targeted by vandals. The graffiti, scrawled across the base of the statue, reads: "God is dead. Pagan justice."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3671
Repeated Arson at Church An Maria Waldrast in Krefeld
2020-05-16 | On May 16th, unknown perpetrators set fire to the memorial altar in the church An Maria Waldrast in Krefeld. Previous arson attempts had been reported to the police in February and March 2020. The police are investigating and suspects an intentional arson. A volunteer at the church discovered the fire and was able to extinguish it with another witness. There was no damage and no one was injured.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3748
Church on Lesbos Island is Trashed And Used as Toilet
2020-05-15 | On the 15th of May, a Facebook User and local from Moria posted images of Saint Catherine Church on Lesbos, which is being used as a bathroom. He reported that the smell inside was terrible, and that the metropolitan of Mytilene is aware of the situation but did not act or deal with it. Volunteers have offered to restore the Church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3648
Vandalisation and Damage to The Church at Montpezat-de-Quercy
2020-05-15 | On the night of Friday 15th to Saturday 16th, several persons entered the small Church of Pilou in Montpezat-de-Quercy. A bar of one of the windows of the sacristy was also loosened so that someone could get in. The candles and other pieces of plastic were burned. The perpetrators also used the cassocks and priestly clothing and put them on the crosses. The police were informed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3649
Theft in the Cathedral of Wiener Neustadt
2020-05-15 | On the first day that the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown was lifted, unknown perpetrators gained access to the Cathedral of Wiener Neustadt on May 15th. They stole a statue known as the "Prager Jesulein," a Jesus statue with a golden crown from 1750, from the Trinity Altar. They then went on to the Mariazeller Altar on the opposite side and stole two crowns from a statue of Mary and Jesus. Both statues were placed inside of glass showcases. The theft did not cause much monetary loss, as the crowns were cheap replicas, but rather a cultural loss. This was not the first theft the church had to endure.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3821
Hate Crime Against St. Mary Catholic Church Church
2020-05-15 | On the night of Friday 15th to Saturday, St. Mary Catholic Church in Ahoghill was attacked with paint thrown in front of the church and across the door. The police is treating the incident as a hate crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3922
Graffiti on Gazzadina Church and the School of Vigo Meano
2020-05-15 | On the night between 15th and 16th May, unknown perpetrators smeared a series of writings in the buildings of Vigo Meano and Gazzadina. The Parish Church of Gazzadina and the School of Vigo Meano were targeted. The wall facing west, and the wall of the sacristy were smeared with spray paint. The police started an investigation using the security cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3923
Smashed Display Window and Graffiti on St. Martini Church
2020-05-15 | On the weekend of 15th and 16th May, unknown perpetrators smeared the showcase of St. Martini parish. They used black paint and left anarchist symbols on it. The police are looking for witnesses to this case and two other vandalism cases occurred on the same weekend. The Martini parish was led by the pastor Olaf Latzel, who was prosecuted in October 2019 for his comments on homosexuality and marriage. The Church had been vandalized several times before.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3925
Thisnes Church Vandalized
2020-05-13 | On the 13th May, the church of Thisnes in Hannut has been victim of several acts of vandalism. Consequently, the church will be equipped with video surveillance systems.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4383
Two Brutal Thefts within 48 Hours in Two Churches in Freising
2020-05-12 | Twice within 48 hours in mid-May, unknown perpetrators committed burglaries in Freising churches. They gained access to the buildings in an extremely brutal manner and caused great damage - but the value of the loot is low, in one case nothing was stolen. In order to gain access to various rooms, the perpetrator(s) also destroyed several window panes, among other things. According to initial estimates, the resulting property damage amounts to around 5,000 euros, disproportionally outweighing the cost of the stolen objects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3796
Covid-19 Regulations Did Not Allow Church Services Compared to Other Services
2020-05-11 | The Christian Democratic Party has filed an appeal with the Council of State to obtain permission to hold services before the end of May. Jean Frédéric Poisson requested the infringement of the fundamental freedom of worship. Small businesses, such as hairdressing salons, were given permission to operate, while religious services were not. He also asked for the re-establishment of worship services in the low-risk departments.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3930
Destruction of the Summit Crucifix of Pic Saint-Loup near Montpellier
2020-05-10 | Between the evening of May 9th and and the morning of May 10th, unidentified vandals cut down the emblematic summit crucifix of Pic Saint-Loup at its base. The iron cross overlooking Montpellier, which weighs 900 kg and is nearly ten meters high, was reportedly detached with a blowtorch or drills and left hanging over the 658 meters from the top of the peak. Inscriptions in red paint reading "Larcins des sorcières hérétiques" (crimes of heretical witches", "Le Pic Laïque" (the secular peak), and "Witch Power" (in English) were left on the pedestal. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3582
Theft Of a Relic at Saint-Antoine in Gers
2020-05-10 | Since Sunday 10th May, the Gendarmes has been investigating the theft of the Relic of Anthony the Great from the church of Saint-Anthony in Gers. The Relic is from the 15th century and is a silver-plated copper reliquary that represents the arm of Saint Anthony, which also contains the ossicles of a finger of the Saint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3595
The Brotherhoods of Cordoba Denounced Unfair Treatment by The Police in a Mass
2020-05-10 | After a Mass was held on Sunday 10th May in the Brotherhood of the Virgen de la Cabeza. The police reported five parishioners who assisted the Mass. The Association of Brotherhoods of Córdoba have expressed their support to the Brotherhood and the organizer of the mass. The Brotherhood denounced an unfair treatment, given that the Mass was legally allowed and the requisites were met.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3632
Parish Priest Fined for Celebrating Mass with Thirty People inside Church
2020-05-10 | On May 10th, municipal police fined the rector of Lloret for saying Mass with about thirty people inside the church. The priest, Martirià Brugada, however, defended his actions and, in fact, finished the Mass with the parishioners outside the church and the windows open.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3633
Theft in the Coptic Orthodox Church St. Athanasius and St. Moritz in Münster-Sarmsheim
2020-05-10 | Unknown perpetrators broke into the Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Athanasius and St. Moriz. According to police reports on May 14th, the incident occurred on May 10th at about 1:30 pm. The police located marks on the front and back doors, where the perpetrators had tried to enter the church. Finally they smashed a roof window and climbed into the church. They ransacked all the rooms, damaged various objects and stole two incense burners.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3797
Man Destroyed Windows of Church And Damaged Wall
2020-05-10 | On the 10th of May at night , the 38-year-old destroyed the windows of stained-glass and damaged the church wall in Sanok. He also destroyed two cars parked between the church and the rectory. He was captured by the witnesses and was held until the police arrived. The man was taken into custody.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3931
Vandalism in Schelklingen
2020-05-10 | Two 16- and one 18-year-old allegedly went on the rampage in Schelklingen over the weekend. They are accused of causing several damages, including 1000 euro damage. Police are looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3938
Vandalism of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church and Priest Insulted During Mass
2020-05-09 | On May 9th and May 15th, a man profaned the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Dabrowa Tarnowska and insulted the priest. He intentionally interrupted the services as well as went to the rectory and insulted one of the priests. The clergy felt earlier unprotected by the police and thought of putting private vigilance. This time the police reacted effectively and following investigation, they arrested the 42 year-old perpetrator. The court will keep him in custody for three months.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3910
The Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc de Menton Chapel Vandalized
2020-05-08 | On Friday 8th May, Dorian Aussel discovered an obscene drawing painted on the freshly painted wall by the front door of the Chapel Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc in Menton. The perpetrators are unknown, but still Dorian Aussel, who is in charge of the Chapel, filed a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3596
The Roof of a Chapel in Urville-Nacqueville Damaged
2020-05-07 | On 7th May, it was noted that the lower part of the stone roof of the Chapel Nacqueville-Haut has been damaged. The chapel was on ongoing reparations. It has also been discovered that the door was forced and someone attempted to break in. Around one square meter of the roof was removed. Three months ago in the same town, the cemetery had been also damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3588
Several Desecrated Churches on The Island of Lesbos
2020-05-07 | Several cases of extreme desecration and vandalization of Greek orthodox Churches have been reported in the last months between March and September 2020, mostly in Moria and the vicinity. These churches include the Church of the Virgin Mary of Tsiradou, The Church of Saint Raphael, The Church of Saint Catherine and the Church of Saint George. The Government of Hungary has given 30 000 Euros to restore the churches on the island of Lesbos.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3589
Cornerstone Adoption and Fostering Service Seeks Judicial Review after Ofsted Downgrade
2020-05-07 | The High Court in Leeds held a judicial review of the watchdog Ofsted’s actions against Cornerstone Adoption and Fostering Service in North East England on the 6th and 7th of May. The Christian fostering agency took the government regulator to court for downgrading Cornerstone’s fostering service from “Good” to “Requires Improvement.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3647
Police Arrested Man after Church Window Smashed With Bias
2020-05-07 | On 7th May in Glasgow, a 53-year-old man smashed the window of a church. The police captured and arrested the man for vandalism attack labelled as "motivated by prejudice".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3936
Desecration and Suspected Theft in Saint-Antoine Chapel in Bourg-en-Bresse
2020-05-06 | In the night of May 6 to 7 during the confinement, unknown perpetrators broke into the Saint-Antoine chapel in Bourg-en-Bresse. The parish priest found consecrated hosts scattered across the floor on the following morning. It was suspected that at least one chalice had been stolen as well.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4068
Desecrated Tombs in the Eastern Cemetery, Crosses Torn Off And Thrown To The Ground
2020-05-06 | On 6. May, the eastern cemetery was found desecrated. Twenty-one wooden crosses were torn down and thrown to the ground. The cemetery was closed due to the Pandemic, which gave the opportunity for the perpetrators to vandalize it. The mayor condemned the desecration and announced that Nice would file a complaint to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3598
Abortion Images Banned After Pro-Life Campaign in Town Square
2020-05-06 | On 6th May, a judge ruled that the display of abortion images was a visual equivalent of "shouting into a person's face", and was, therefore, right to ban it. The pro-life organizer Mr. Hacking was given a community protection notice forbidding him the display of large photos of a fetus. The reasons were that people felt distressed and emotionally, mentally or even physically harmed through the images of the aborted fetus. Mr. Hacking said, that the real victim isn't the viewer who is negatively impacted by the visualization, but rather the unborn child.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3618
Salzburg Catholic Organization Targeted with "Pro Choice" Vandalism
2020-05-05 | The cars belonging to the Catholic initiative, HOME Mission Base Salzburg, were sprayed with "Pro Choice" and the windows were smashed by unknown vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3579
Wooden Cross in Church Courtyard Set on Fire
2020-05-05 | Unknown persons set fire to a three-meter-high wooden cross in the inner courtyard of the parish hall of the Catholic parish Edith Stein in Ludwigshafen during the night from May 4th to 5th. The main pillar was scorched by the fire. The police estimate the damage at 200 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3580
Three Meter Cross is Set on Fire in a Parish House in Ludwigshafen
2020-05-05 | Between Monday 4th May and Tuesday 5th May, unknown individuals set fire to a wooden cross in the courtyard of the parish house of the Catholic parish of Edith-Stein in Ludwigshafen. The cross was three meters high, which was completely burnt and caused damage of around 200 Euro. The police started the investigations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3591
Mayor Decided to Close the Church and Forbids Entry
2020-05-05 | On Sunday 5th April,in the church of Saint-Martin in Menetou Ratel an anti-Catholic incident occurred. A family who wished to enter the church for meditation and prayer was forbidden the entry, as the mayor decided to close the church until further notice .
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3604
Graffiti About Burning the Church on The Parish of Santa María Magdalena
2020-05-05 | On the 5th of May, the façade of the church of St. Mary Magdalene was painted with the graffiti "The only Church that illuminates is the one that burns" and an anarchist symbol. The priest Fr. Lozano found this painting on the wall next morning and posted a video to share his reflection on what happened and the readings that we can extract from them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3638
Cemetery Devastated Several Times in Martinique
2020-05-05 | The days before 5th May, the Riviere-Salée cemetery was repeatedly devastated by unknown vandals. Several vaults were damaged, the locks were forced, the doors were displaced, and the flowers were overturned. There were also bottles and garbage on the ground. The fence surrounding the cemetery was gaping. Therefore, there is a high probability that the perpetrators came during the night. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3947
The Olárizu Cross Painted with Graffiti in Vitoria
2020-05-03 | On the 3rd of May, the Cross of Olarizu was sighted with Graffitis of the symbol of the left political party, the words "feminism", "socialism" and "independence". The Cross had also been severely damaged in 2018, the perpetrators said it belonged to the past.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3637
Theft of All Equipment for Online Church Service in Wermelskirchen
2020-05-03 | Unknown perpetrators stole all of the technical equipment of the Protestant Free Church in Dabringhausen on May 4th, which was vital in times of COVID-19 in order to be able to provide Sunday service online to the church community. The police presumed that the perpetrator must have had a car to transport all of the equipment and probably let him- or herself lock in, in the church on the evening before because no indication for a break-in was found. It is difficult for the church to quickly organize and finance new equipment, so that the online-service is not stopped for too long and also the re-opening of the church for small groups is halted due to police investigations at the church venue.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3795
Arson with Gasoline at Village Church Caused Serious Damage
2020-05-03 | In the village Marais-la-Chapelle, during the night of 2nd to 3rd May, an arson attack took place in the entrance of the Church. The firefighters were called by a resident. There were traces of fuel detected in the findings. The oak door was destroyed and the flower pots melted, the interior of the church was blackened by the smoke, and the electrical structure was damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3957
Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes Destroyed
2020-05-03 | On the 3rd of May, in Munster, some vandals destroyed the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes. A cross has already been vandalised in this town in 2018.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4082
Evangelicals Harassed and workers Discriminated Against
2020-05-03 | The Federation of Evangelical Entities of Spain (FEREDE) has denounced a ‘fierce media harassment’ on faithful as well as pastors in the churches in Torrejón de Ardoz. It has also denounced all forms of discrimination that the workers have been facing for their confession. The data provided by Health on the coronavirus had also denied that the COVID-19 cases are linked to evangelical churches in Torrejón.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4350
Burglary at the Secours Catholique in Vallée-du-Tir
2020-05-02 | In New Caledonia, the Headquarters of the Charity of catholic organization Secours Catholique, was raided during the weekend of 2. and 3. May. The thieves broke down the doors, smashed the walls and ceiling. They stole computers, food and clothing. The attack destroyed 10 years of the association's work. The organization's headquarters were also ransacked for the first time in September 2019.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3599
Chapel of Calvary Burned Down in Hautmont
2020-05-02 | The Chapel of Calvary was burned down during the night of 1st and 2nd May by unknown perpetrators. The same chapel was already vandalized in August 2016.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3601
Smashed Windows of the Church in Frankenau
2020-05-02 | In Frankenau, unknown perpetrators smashed the windows of the Church. The windows were discovered on 2nd May by the women who worked in the herb garden. This was the first case of vandalism in this church. The police is looking for the perpetrators and asking for clues. They suspect that the damage was made by a slingshot and a thick stone.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3929
Crimes Against Churches in Austria
2020-05-02 | The recent attack in December to Church St. Andrä in Graz brought questions about the hostility towards churches in Austria. The Minister of the Interior, Karl Nehammer, affirmed that between 2015 to 2019, 4657 crimes have been committed against religious buildings in Austria. In Styria alone, there have been 608 cases of attacks against churches.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3965
Vandalism and Theft of Sacred Historical Objects
2020-05-01 | Between end of April and the beginning of May, unknown perpetrators entered the small Church of San Francesco d'Assisi in Martirano. They ripped off two sacred objects from the walls and escaped. The sacred objects were of green stone and carved by an unknown sculptor. They weigh around 30 to 40 kilograms each, and dated back to the period between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The carabinieri started investigating the crime. The perpetrators may have placed the stolen objects on the black market. To date, in the area of Martirano, this is the first theft against a sacred building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3904
Statue of the Virgin Mary Decapitated
2020-04-30 | On the 30. April in Bonnieux, a statue of the Virgin Mary was destroyed. Its head was taken off and placed on a metal bar on the fence of the sanctuary.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3581
Priest Threatened With a Knife by an Afghan Man Staying at The Monastery
2020-04-28 | In Strasbourg, on 28. April, a 19-year-old homeless man, who had been welcomed in a monastery during the lockdown, threatened a priest with a knife. The home of the man had been closed due to the pandemic, and he was allowed to stay at the monastery of the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem. When the priest asked him to be more hygienic, the alcoholized man threatened the priest with a knife. The witnesses called the police, and he was arrested and taken into custody
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3603
Vandalism and Graffiti on Church and Chapel
2020-04-28 | On 28th April, the area around the Chapel of our Lady and the Church of the Holy Spirit were devastated by vandals in Landstuhl. The wooden fence was trampled down and the flowers were torn out. The inscription "187" was left there. The outer wall of the church was smeared. The police investigations are ongoing, but so far, there are no references to the incidents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3981
The Parliament of Andalucía Wants to Prohibit the communion in The Masses
2020-04-27 | In the end of April, the Parliament of Andalusia presented a proposal to the Government of Spain to resume the Holy Masses during the Pandemic. However, the proposal calls for the prevention of giving of communion and the Holy Water stoups. On the other side, the Catholic Church has already been developing strategies to resume the Holy Masses and distribute communion safely, which is the true meaning of the Mass.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3639
Suspected Arson in Parrish Church of Wadgassen
2020-04-27 | A suspected arson has been prevented when a churchgoer immediately alerted the fire department. Pastor Peter Leick assumes that the fire was arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3758
Closure of Churches During COVID Lockdown but not Museums and Shops
2020-04-27 | the Government imposed a Stop for Holy Masses, but allows shops and museums to prevail. Bishops and believers all around Italy showed disagreement and expressed their hurt feelings.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3985
Afghan Asylum Seeker Arrested after Threatening to "Slit Christians' Throats"
2020-04-26 | A Muslim migrant from Afghanistan was arrested on April 26th after he made serious threats against the employees of the asylum center in Helchteren. The 24-year-old man also said he wanted to 'slit Christians' throats' and would blow himself up to kill as many Christians as possible. The police had responded to the center earlier in the week when the man refused to wash his hands in compliance with the coronavirus regulations, claiming that there was alcohol in the soap and therefore he would not use it during Ramadan. That incident escalated when the man began coughing and spitting at people around him.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3826
Arson at Historical All Saints Church
2020-04-25 | On Saturday 25th April, unknown perpetrators set fire to the historic Leicester city center All Saints Church, which was hosting a virtual Van Gogh exhibition. The motives remain unclear whether this was an act of vandalism or an attempt to steal a painting of the artist. The fire alarm raised in the morning. A large wooden door at a side entrance was badly damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3989
Theft and Vandalism Leading to Closure of Church During the Week
2020-04-25 | Due to recent theft and vandalism, the Church of the Redeemer congregation in Mannheim's Seckenheim district will remain closed on weekdays.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3991
Break-In, Theft of Nativity Scene, and Vandalism in Church
2020-04-24 | On the night of Friday 24th April, thieves broke into St. Andrew's Church in Congresbury and stole two characters from its Christmas nativity display, Jesus and Mary and damaged wooden crosses. In addition, they snatched one of the three Kings, an ox, and the manager of baby Jesus. They also stole donations and several smaller figures from another nativity set. The thieves were captured on a neighbour's camera, and the incident was reported to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3984
Village Church Vandalized in Northern France
2020-04-23 | The village church of Saint-Remy in Marly-Gomont was found vandalized on April 23rd despite a coronavirus lockdown confining people to their homes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3651
Decapitation of Marian Statue in Sumène
2020-04-23 | Unknown perpetrators decapitated a Marian Statue in Sumène on June 23rd. The attack was allegedly made with a stone that was found next to the statue along with the cut off head. The mayor of the city, Ghislain Pallier, already filled a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3768
Three Armed Policemen Burst Into a Parisian church to Stop a Mass
2020-04-22 | Bishop Aupetit strongly denounced the incident, recalling that the law prohibits "police officers from entering a church with weapons".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3576
Several Acts of Thefts and Vandalism of Churches across Austria
2020-04-20 | Several acts of thefts and vandalism of churches have occurred across Austria
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3823
Armed Policemen Burst Into a Parisian Church And Stop a Mass
2020-04-19 | On Sunday 19th April, three armed policemen burst into the church and ordered the priest to stop the mass.The parish priest of Saint-Andre-de-l'Europe was celebrating a Holy Mass with an Online broadcast for his parishioners in confinement. Inside the Church there were seven people, all involved in the celebration. The parish priests recall that the police is not allowed to enter a church with weapons, according to the law. The police can only intervene in a sanctuary at the request of the parish priest or in case of an emergency. One of the parishioners was also a policeman, who talked to the officers. It seems that a neighbour had alerted the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3605
The Police Ordered the Closure of the Church and the end to Perpetual Adoration
2020-04-19 | On the 19th April, the police ordered the closure of the Church and the end of worship in the parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Sabadell. There were only one or two people present during each adoration, which did not go against the Covid-19 regulations. The bishops started doing arrangements for a reopening of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3643
Desecration of a Church in Mümling-Grümbach
2020-04-18 | On 18th April, "Echo Online" reported that the protestant church in Mümling-Grumbach closed its doors after the discovery of a desecration and vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3996
The Government Prohibits the Procession of the Santa Faz to Bless the City.
2020-04-17 | The Subdelegation of the Government prohibited on the 17th April the Procession of the Santa Faz relic to bless the city, which would have taken place on the 23rd April. The reason was that the act was not covered by the regulations on the state of alarm for the Covid-19 pandemic. The mayor and priests proposed alternatives for celebrating the procession without danger of contagion. However, the Council has not approved it. In other historical pandemics, the celebration had taken place.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3644
Vandalism on Parish House And Urination on the Church of Omegna
2020-04-17 | On the 17th April, an 22-year-old vandal smeared the walls of the parish house in Omegna. On April 18th, the parishioners found urine in the confessional of the parish church, where a man was seen entering by witnesses. The police started investigating both cases, and identified the man through the surveillance cameras. He was responsible for both acts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4164
Arson In St. James Church in Southhampton
2020-04-16 | Arson attack took place in the St. James’ Church in Southhampton. The fire is believed to have started in a toilet area inside the church between 9pm and 8am between the 15th and the 16th of April. After smoke was seen out of a window at around 10.37 o’clock, the firefighters came and put the fire down. The foyer was also full of smoke.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3998
Attack on Church in Lesvos
2020-04-14 | The small church of Agia Aikaterini, which is located on the road leading to the Moria refugee camp in Lesvos, was the target of unknown vandals who caused extensive damage in early April.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3656
Religious Freedom Observatory Denounces Cancellation of Masses
2020-04-13 | The president of the Observatory for Religious Freedom and Conscience (OLRC) sent a letter to the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, asking for "explanations" and showing her "discomfort" about the suspension of Masses in the course of their celebration that has taken place in different parts of Spain during Lent and Holy Week.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3573
Vandalism in Church St. Nicholas
2020-04-13 | On 14th April, the Church St. Nicholas and the Children's playground were found vandalized. The religious newspapers were thrown were thrown away and the slide of the playground was smashed. Mayor asked for witnesses to contact the police and expressed his rejection to this act. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3999
Arson Attack at Christ the King Church in Backnang
2020-04-13 | On Easter Monday in the Christkönigskirche in Backnang, unknown perpetrators entered the church and set it on fire. This happened between 8 and 11 o'clock. They lit the Easter display on a high table and set fire to cloths and a pinboard. A witness was able to extinguish the fire and to prevent a greater damage, according to the police report.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4000
Thieves Broke Into The Sanctuary of Mercy and Attacked Two Parish Priests And Personnel
2020-04-12 | In the early morning of Sunday 12th April, three individuals with covered faces assaulted the parish house of the Santuari de la Misericòrdia in Canet de Mar. The perpetrators entered to a whole on the fence that protects the rectory, trying to enter the ecclesiastical premises through a window. They went then to the quarters and attacked the parish priests Pere and Joan Travessa and the stewardess, who were beaten and thrown to the ground. The attackers asked where the money was stored but didn't get the information and attacked the custodian of the sanctuary and his assistant. This was the second time in less than a year, that catholic temples are attacked in Maresme.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3570
Offensive Graffiti on The Square in Front of Saint Peter Church
2020-04-12 | On Sunday 12th April, an Inscription was found on the square in front of the Church in Osseja. This happened during Easter night, when Christians celebrated the Resurrection of Christ. The inscription says "The Church is not the House of God". The Father Christian Burillo reacted very saddened and said this gesture shows the suffering of the people in the city.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3609
Police Suspended an Open-Air Mass Without the Participation of the Faithful
2020-04-12 | On the 12th of April, the police suspended a Mass being celebrated on the parish courtyard of San Jenaro de Madrid. Although the Mass was being held without the participation of the faithful, it was interrupted by the police and the priests had to be identified. The Madrid City Council stated that the parish had installed without authorization a megaphone outside the building, which had raised "complaints from neighbors".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3641
The Police Evacuated a Holy Mass in San Fernando de Henares
2020-04-12 | On Easter Sunday, the Police evacuated the parish of San Isidoro in Valencia, were nine people and the priest were gathered. They also interrupted the prayer of the Rosary in an act of Eucharistic adoration. The temple had space for 700 people, so the ten people could sit with plenty of space between them, using masks and gloves. The police allowed them to finish the Mass and warned them that if they did not suspend the church services and activities from now on, they would be sanctioned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3646
Vejleå Church in Ishøj Vandalized with Islamist Graffiti
2020-04-12 | On April 12th, the Vejleå Church in Ishøj was vandalized with phrases such as, "We conquer Denmark," and, in Arabic, "There is no God but Allah."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3667
Vandalism in Bizantine Church
2020-04-12 | Vandals spray-painted anarchist slogans on the walls of the Byzantine-era Church of Prophet Elias in Thessaloniki.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4001
Church of England Clergy Banned by Bishop from Ministering to Sick and Dying
2020-04-09 | Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell, the Bishop of Chelmsford, wrote to all Church of England clergy and volunteer hospital chaplains warning them not to minister to any sick or dying hospital patients showing symptoms of the Corona virus. The intention of this effective ban is to reduce the risk of spreading the infection. However, according to Christian Today reporting on 9 April 2020: “The guidance applies only to temporary volunteer chaplains. Full-time NHS chaplains are permitted to continue ministering face to face”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3574
Attempted Arson and Vandalism at Christchurch in Graz-Eggenberg
2020-04-08 | An unknown perpetrator smashed the window of Christ Church in Graz with a stone and then set newspapers on fire and threw them inside the church through the smashed window. Fortunately, the burning newspapers did not cause a fire inside the church. Witnesses saw the incident and reported it to the police, who asked for help in finding the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3751
Anti-COVID Graffiti on Church Wall
2020-04-07 | St. Mary Church, St. Nicholas Church, and the Church of the Holy Spirit have been vandalized with anti-COVID graffiti. The churches in Flensburg have been repeatedly vandalized with letters written in red on the façade. "I find this method of expressing opinions completely inappropriate," says the pastor of St. Mary's parish.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4003
Priest Spoke out About Church Vandalism
2020-04-07 | The Church of St. Edward was found vandalized with graffiti on the 7th April. The Priest of the Church, Father Callum Brown, expressed his concern.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4004
Police Cancelled Rooftop Palm Sunday Mass
2020-04-06 | On Palm Sunday morning, the local police interrupted a Mass celebrated on a rooftop by the priest of the Church of the Paúls in Triana. The members of the community had improvised an altar and lectern. The priest used a speaker to reach the nearest residential blocks. While some residents informed the police saying the rules were being violated, other citizens were angry at the officers for interrupting the Mass. The priests said there were only eight of them on the rooftop, and they all lived in the same house. There was a confrontation between the neighbors supporting the Mass and the ones against it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3571
Priest Fined and Arrested For Processioning a Crucifix Alone
2020-04-06 | On April 6, a the Priest Father Domenico Cirigliano was fined and arrested for 14 days by the police, as he was carrying the miraculous Crucifix from the Church of Blessed Virgin Mary in Rocca Imperiale. He was doing a personal procession through the streets, keeping enough distance from other individuals and his assistant. The Father had told the parishioners he would bless the city in this form of reduced procession. The police reported the act as public departure, not motivated by employment, need or health reasons and had made a demonstration or religious act affecting the streets. In other cities the processions were allowed by the civil authorities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3600
Model Of Basilica Of San Simplicio Di Olbia Vandalized
2020-04-05 | The model of the basilica of San Simplicio in Olbia, a meticulous reconstruction and a symbol of the city, was damaged by vandals. Unknown perpetrators broke the roof and the top of the facade. This incident occurred while the city was on lock-down due to the corona virus. It was not the first time the monument had been vandalized.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3463
Vandalism and Theft in Saint-Laurent Church in Lambezellec During the Lockdown
2020-04-05 | On Sunday 5th April, Father Jean Baptiste Gless noted the degradation and theft at the Church Saint-Laurent of Lambezellec in Brest. The candlesticks and candles were overturned and the lamp of the tabernacle was stolen. The parish priest refuses to close the doors of the church due to the degradation, because he says the perpetrators shall not win, he always leaves the door open in the morning, so that people can meditate and pray. During the Lockdown, the priest also prayed for the people of the town, and he hung a sign on the facade saying "Take care of you all, we pray for you".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3610
Parish Offices of the Church of Amabilina Vandalized
2020-04-04 | Unknown intruders vandalized the parish offices of the San Giovanni Maria Vianney of Amabilina church in Marsala. The printer and the drawer of the photocopier were opened and the electrical wire was cut. Nothing was stolen because money and valuables had been removed while the church remains closed due to corona virus precautions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3465
Golden Cross Stolen from Osnabrück Chruch
2020-04-03 | Sometime during Holy Week unknown perpetrators broke open a glass case in the St. Joseph Church in the Miquelstraße in Osnabrück and stole a golden cross. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3458
The Police Evacuated A Church Even Though the Regulations Allow Mass in Churches
2020-04-03 | On 3. April, the national Police evacuated the church of San Servando y San Germán, in the district La Laguna of Cádiz. The Police said that the security measures for the Covid-19 Pandemic were not being held at the mass. The parish priest wrote afterwards an open letter, assuring that the fifteen parishioners in the Mass were taking the right measures, and that the evacuation was not justified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3572
Hateful and Stigmatised Speech Against Evangelical Christians
2020-04-03 | Following the incident where The Open Doors Church was unfairly accused of spreading the Covid-19 infections, Christians have experienced intolerance and hate-speech all around France. Thierry Le Gall, from the national evangelical Council, mentions that in the last weeks they collected a lot of violent comments on social media, saying that the Christians should be erased or that they should not be in the country. Also, Pastors have received threats through letters and phone calls. Le Gall believes these attacks are because of ignorance about religion, intolerance and a scapegoat mechanism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3611
Window Smashed at Protestant Church
2020-04-01 | An unknown person smashed a window of the evangelischen Gemeinde Mainz-Laubenheim with a stone between April 1st and 2nd. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3459
The Police Reported a Priest Who Was Celebrating Mass With 5 People
2020-03-31 | On the 31. March two police agents knocked on the door of the Church in Valldoreix and said to the priest "It's prohibited to open the Church and you are a murderer." They denounced the priest, although there were only five people present including the priest, and the Mass was celebrated with the regulations and on a legal basis.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3658
Repeated Burglary At Catholic Church
2020-03-30 | On March 30th between 09:00 and 19:45, unknown perpetrators broke into the Catholic church in the Brüder-Grimm-Straße in Vellmar. They opened the door of the sacristy, the organ control panel, the cover of the baptismal font, the safe, and searched several cupboards before fleeing in an unknown direction. The total damage amounts to 1.000 euro. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3448
Fire at Catholic Church in Rohrbach
2020-03-29 | Sunday afternoon unknown perpetrators set fire to the catholic church in the Sudetenstraße in Rohrbach. A stacks of newspapers caught fire at the rear entrance of the church. The firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, so only the church walls and the door were slightly affected. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3420
Police Raids on Italian Churches Raise Religious Freedom Concerns
2020-03-29 | An unclear regulation about churches caused difficulties between churches and police. The Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti of Perugia, president of the Italian bishops' conference, asked the government to clarify these rules. During the Lockdown, the churches were allowed to be opened, but the assistance of a Mass was not declared as a vital necessity. The police raided several Mass being celebrated by small groups of people separated throughout the church and some bishops received reports of hundreds of euros for organising a mass.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3612
Polish Village Shocked over Vandalism in Cemetery
2020-03-28 | During the night between the 28th and 29th of March unknown people vandalized several tombstones, knocked over plaques and crosses, and broke many candles in the parish cemetery in Wysoka, despite the corona virus lockdown measures in Poland. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3440
Vandalism at St. Remigius Church
2020-03-28 | On the afternoon of March 28th, an unknown perpetrator broke into and damaged the organ case of the church Saint Remigius in Ingelheim. Furthermore, one page of the Gospel book, which has been laid out and opened, was set on fire. Just before this criminal incident a witness noticed a "strange" man, who pretended to want to play something on the organ. The police are investigating and searching for more witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3444
Theft of Statue of the Virgin Mary in Dorsten
2020-03-27 | On March 25th a statue of the Virgin Mary was stolen from the St. Antonius church in Dorsten. CCTV captured a couple entering the church and stealing the relic. The police is investigating and asking the public for help to find the statue, as it has a high ideational value for the parish.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4051
Significant Vandalism in St. Michael Kirche
2020-03-26 | Between 6:00 and 7:20 pm on the evening of March 26th, an unknown perpetrator vandalized the St. Michael Kirche on Kämpenstraße in Versmold. A shelf with Easter candles was knocked over, and the candles were scattered throughout the church. A large glass sanctuary lamp with the eternal flame candle was destroyed and a microphone was torn out of the ambo. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3421
Protestant Church In Dreieichenhain Vandalised
2020-03-25 | Between Tuesday evening and Wednesday afternoon, three windows of the Protestant church in the Fahrgasse in Dreieichenhain were damaged by an unknown perpetrator. Two windows had a hole and the glass of the third one was cracked. The damage amounts to 500 euros. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3423
An Angel Statue Vandalised
2020-03-25 | In the night of March 25th, two wooden statues; one of an angel and the other of a woman, were damaged in Kadzidlin. An unknown person cut off the wing of the angel standing by the building of the Municipal Library as well as the upper part of the woman`s figure. The whole damage amounts to 4.000 zlotys. A 43-year-old was caught and admitted the crime using a petrol saw. According to the Criminal Code, the crime committed by the 43-year-old man for unknown reasons is punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3425
Offensive Graffiti on Church Door in Poznań
2020-03-25 | The main entrance door of the church on Dąbrówki Street in Poznań was smeared by an unknown perpetrator during the night of March 24th to March 25th. An anarchist "A" symbol was sprayed on a pillar and the phrase "zdejmij suknię śmieciu" This roughly translates to: "take off your dress, punk" in blue paint was sprayed on the church. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3442
Graffiti On Door Of The Church Saint-Hermeland
2020-03-25 | In the night between March 25th and March 26th, a graffiti with the slogan "Vive le marriage libre" (Long live free marriage) was sprayed on the door of the church of Saint-Hermeland in Loire-Atlantique. The police immediately identified the perpetrator, a well-known militant in anarchist circles.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3449
Anti-Christian Graffiti On The Church of Bouguenais
2020-03-25 | On 25th March in Bouguenais, graffities were discovered on the walls of the city and the entrance of the church with hostile phrases saying "Save a Life, cough up a policeman", "Hang the Priests and Hang the Counts" and "No God, No Father, No Mother".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3602
Vandalism in Cemetery of Wysokie: Broken Crosses and Plates
2020-03-25 | Around the end of March, a 22-year-old perpetrator entered the cemetery in Wysokie and devastated three graves. He destroyed plates, torn off the crosses and broke them and damaged the flacons, he also smashed the candles all over the cemetery. The total damage was estimated to be over 4.700 Zlotys. The police officers arrested the young man. In Niepolomice, the officers detained also a 28-year-old man in Podłęże for a similar crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3905
Church and Oratory Vandalized and Desecrated In Two Consecutive Days
2020-03-24 | On the 24th March, the ancient precious monstrance and a chalice were stolen from the local church in Ariano. The thieves attacked the religious building by smashing the windows and doors, overturning the crucifix and throwing consecrated hosts on the floor. The unknown perpetrators broke in through the side entrance after failing to use the main entrance. The community of Crociara was in shock after this incident.
On the next day 25th March, the municipality of Corbola was also attacked, the sports field was damaged and the Oratory of Corbola was raided. The scene was similar as in Crociara, the windows and doors were broken and burglary took place.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3441
Evangelical Church Dorfkirche Vandalized
2020-03-24 | In the afternoon of March 24th, a 43-year-old man broke into the evangelical church Dorfkirche in the district of Karow in Berlin and destroyed the interior. The man climbed up to the organ loft and shouted incomprehensible words, probably in a foreign language. When the police tried to arrest him he pushed them back, threatened them with a wooden plank and went on vandalizing the church. The police reinforcement was finally able to arrest the man and took him to a psychiatric hospital. The reason for this crime is unknown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3446
The Church in The District of Pankow Vandalized
2020-03-24 | On Tuesday 24th March, a 43-year-old man devastated a Church with wooden slats and hit the police officers. The man first damaged the interior of the building and then went to the organ balcony, and shouted incomprehensible words. When the police approached, he hit them with the wooden slat and continued to destroy the church furniture. The officers called reinforcements and were able to arrest the man and took him to a psychiatric hospital.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3621
Religious Statues Stoned by Vandals
2020-03-23 | Around March 15th, unknown perpetrators stoned the statues of the Virgin Mary and Pope John Paul II placed next to the entrance of the church San Martino in Magnago.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3386
Theft from Church in Mantes-La-Ville
2020-03-23 | While France is subject to lockdown measures related to the coronavirus, thieves stole three video projectors and the money collected during Masses from the safe in the church of Sacré-Cœur in Mantes-la-Ville on March 23rd.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3414
Small thefts from the Church of Mantes-la-Ville During the Confinement
2020-03-23 | On the 23rd of March, unknown thieves stole video projectors and money during the quests. The amount of the theft remains unknown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3623
Two Churches In Laubenheim Vandalised
2020-03-22 | Two window panels and one element at the back window of the protestant church in Laubenheim have been broken. A lead glass element at the Catholic church and a large pane at the community center have been damaged too. The perpetrator had shared the committed crime on Facebook before being arrested by the police. The damage was repaired within two weeks, but the costs were tremendous.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3382
A Historic Chapel in Wachtberg-Werthoven Defaced
2020-03-22 | Around the 20th March, the Jakobus Chapel in the Village of Wachtberg-Werthhoven was defaced with graffiti by unknown vandals. Hate messages like "ACAB" (All Cops Are Bastards) or "Fuck AfD" were written on the walls and the door. There were also combinations of numbers and other signs. The oak door of the Chapel had been repaired by volunteers the year before. The police started investigating, as similar acts took place in neighbouring villages.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3624
Dąbrowa Górnicza Church Desecrated
2020-03-21 | On March 21stM a drunk 41-year-old man broke into the church of Dąbrowa Górnicza and profaned the historic altars of Our Lady of the Angels. The man was stopped by priests and put under arrest by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3380
After Arson In 2015 Luther Church Targeted by Criminals Again
2020-03-21 | In the night between March 21th and March 22th, unknown perpetrators tried to break into the Luther church in Altena. They were able to unhinge the large and heavy oak door, but the criminal act was disturbed by the security alarm. Nothing was stolen, but the police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3389
Fire Set in Saint Anna Church
2020-03-21 | An unknown person set fire to the seat cushion of a wooden prayer bench in the Catholic Church of Saint Anna in Blieskastel-Biesingen. This incident happened between the evening of March 21st and the afternoon of March 22. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3390
Nativity Figures Stolen from a Church
2020-03-21 | Unknown perpetrators broke into the Evangelical church on the Ringstraße in Aldekerk, Kerken through a broken window between the evening of March 21st and the morning of the 22nd. They searched several cupboards and stole two nativity figures, before fleeing in an unknown direction. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3396
Church Window Broken With A Whisky Bottle
2020-03-21 | An unknown perpetrator threw a whisky bottle at a window of the protestant church Mainz-Laubenheim and broke it. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3422
Burglary In Catholic Sacristy in Reichenbach-Steegen
2020-03-21 | Between Saturday 21th evening and Monday 30th morning unknown thieves stole cash and chalices from the sacristy of the Catholic church in Reichenbach-Steegen. The chalices are sacred and used for holding religious services. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3443
Vandalism of Church in Italy Despite Quarantine
2020-03-20 | The coronavirus quarantine did not prevent the vandalism of a church: during the night between March 20th and March 21st, the church of Santa Restituta in Sora was defaced with black and red spray paint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3378
Chick-fil-A Closes its Reading restaurant
2020-03-20 | In October 2019, the American restaurant Chick-fil-A signed a six-month lease and opened a franchise in The Oracle shopping center in Reading. LGBT protesters promptly began a "Get the Chick Out" boycott campaign, due to the company's previous support of a Christian charity which opposed same-sex marriage. The company indicated that the closure was part of its strategy of opening "pilot license locations“ with limited menus in partnership with local organizations to test the waters while expanding.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3461
Smashed Window Of Family Church
2020-03-19 | Between March 19th and March 21thm some children broke the window of the Family church in Youghal into pieces. This act of vandalism is a disappointment for the local community.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3383
Heavy Damage after Break-in at Schwalbach Church
2020-03-19 | At around two in the morning on February 19th, two perpetrators broke into a church in Schwalbach am Taunus and leaving at least 5,000 euros in damage. They destroyed a glass pane in the rear area, pried open the main entrance and broke open several doors and cupboards made out of wood and glass. It was unclear whether anything was stolen. A witness reported observing two men fleeing the church (about 1.70 meters tall, Mediterranean looking and darkly dressed). The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3397
Man Arrested for Norway Church Fires
2020-03-19 | Police arrested and charged a man in his 20s for a church fire in Dombås and attempted arson at a church in Sel. The man admitted criminal charges. "He has stated as a reason for the actions that he was angry and cursed because [he heard that] a Norwegian man set fire to the Koran without the police having done anything about it," Hedmarken district court wrote in the ruling.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3622
Glasgow: Anti-Catholic Words Hurled at Nurse
2020-03-19 | A nurse in Glasgow, was met with the words "f****** Catholic," from the woman she was trying to help. The incident happened at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and was heard of in the Glasgow Sheriff Court.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5017
Swastika Sprayed On Church Walls In Germany
2020-03-18 | A swastika, various words, and symbols were painted on the walls of the Luther church in Oberfrohna with a sharp point pen and red paint spray between March 18th 7:15 am. and March 19th 1.30 pm. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3379
All Saints Church Vandalised
2020-03-18 | Between 4:00 pm on Wednesday and 8.20 am on Thursday, an unknown perpetrator broke into the popular All Saints Church and damaged the interior. Crockery was broken, a leaflet table was turned over, and bandages from a first-aid box were laying all over the floor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3384
Graffitis Sprayed On The Jakobus Chapel
2020-03-18 | In the night of Wednesday, unknown perpetrators sprayed several Graffitis in red and black paint on the walls of Jakobus chapel in Wachtberg-Werthhoven. Combinations of numbers, curious characters, letters like "A.C.A.B." and "Fuck AfD" were sprayed on the walls and on the door of the religious building. The damage is high, and the police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3402
Saint-Laurent Church Stained Glass Windows Smashed
2020-03-17 | On March 17th unknown people threw stones at the stained glass windows of the Saint-Laurent church in Piétrebais and broke them. According to reports, the church's windows have been targeted by vandals during the school holidays over the past four years, resulting in more than 16,000 euros in damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3418
Parent's of 13-year-old Girl Complain to School For Mentoring Their Child Into Thinking She Is Transgender
2020-03-17 | The Parents of the 13-year-old girl accused the school of allowing mentoring sessions with the Head of the LGBT group, trained by Eikon Organization. The girl showed no signs of gender dysphoria until September 2019, and was comfortable in her body.
By November, she had cut her hair and said she identified as a boy. In the school, she was then called by male pronouns and allowed to use men’s bathroom. The parents were not informed about the identity change of their child, until they accidently found out in a meeting. The teaching assistant also gave the teenager a YouTube website of a trans activist, where he showed his mastectomy scars and told how well the operation had gone. The girl was then sent to a psychologist, who also didn't approve the mentoring of the school.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3617
Unjust Stigmatization of Evangelicals in France
2020-03-17 | On Tuesday 17th March, the Prefect of the Grand Est and the Bas Rhin, Josiane Chevalier, questioned on the France Inter Program the responsibility of the Christian Church Open Door in Mulhouse (Haut Rhin) for the propagation of Covid-19.
Her speech offended many evangelicals, who did not accept to be stigmatized by his remarks. She implied that the church meetings were irresponsible, although the last big meeting of Christians happened in February, before the lockdown was announced.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3626
Arson at Historic Church of Saint-Apollinaire
2020-03-16 | On March 16th, unidentified perpetrators set fire to the church Saint-Apollinaire built in the 12th century in Meximieux in eastern France. The fire was extinguished by local firefighters and police arrested the arsonists, but still the church will be closed to the public until further notice.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3373
Unknown Perpetrators Damaged Protestant Church in Usingen
2020-03-16 | Between Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th unknown vandals broke a window on the west side of the Protestant Laurentius church in Usingen. They also damaged two glass doors on the tower portal, but they failed to destroy them completely.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3374
Perpetrator Broke Windows of Oerlinghausen-Helpup Church
2020-03-16 | In the night between Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th, an unknown person broke two windows of the church in Oerlinghausen-Helpup. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3377
Conversion Therapy Now iIlegal In Germany
2020-03-16 | A new law was proposed from the Christian Democrats in February 2020 that prohibits conversion therapy defined as "all therapy carried out on human beings which are aimed at changing or suppressing sexual orientation of self-perceived gender identity". The law is already in use since June 2020.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3404
Arson in the church of Saint-Apollinaire
2020-03-16 | On the 18th March, the Church of Saint-Apollinaire in Meximieux was set on fire. The parish priest used the Facebook page of the parish to report the incident. Unknown vandals set fire to the press table at the back of the collegiate church. The parish priest filled a complain and the perpetrators got quickly arrested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3627
Graffiti Sprayed on Göttschied Church Walls
2020-03-15 | During the night between March 15th and March 16th unknown perpetrators sprayed graffiti on the walls of the Protestant Abteikirche in Göttschied (Idar-Oberstein). Police are investigating
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3370
Theft In Protestant Church
2020-03-15 | On Sunday March 15th, unknown perpetrators broke into the church in the Breitsitterstraße and broke a window and stole 15 euros and five confirmation candles. The damage amounts to 500 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3354
Armenian Genocide Memorial Desecrated
2020-03-15 | The Armenian Genocide Memorial in Lyon, consisting of 36 columns with inscriptions of poems from Gostan Zarian, was vandalized with anarchist and anti-Macron slogans. The monument is in memory of the 500 000 Armenians who were murdered by the "Young Turks" government. This criminal act is a serious offense against the victims and the humanity. The Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations in France called for a surveillance system to prevent any recurrence. The police are investigating and looking for the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3413
Church Set on Fire by 3 Children
2020-03-15 | An attentive witness told the police that he discovered a burning flyer on a wooden bench in the church. The witness managed to successfully extinguish it. Three children, aged between 12 and 13 years, are suspected to be the arsonists. They were subsequently handed over to their respective legal guardians. Police Kelheim does not yet have any concrete information about the damage caused.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3756
Break In and Damage at Church in Meerane
2020-03-14 | Between March 14th and March 21th unknown perpetrators broke into the church am Rotenberg in Meerane. Interestingly nothing was stolen, nevertheless the caused damage amounts to 1000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3388
Arson At Notre-Dame-Souverainaine-Du-Monde Church
2020-03-13 | An arson was committed at the entrance of the church of Notre-Dame-Souverainaine-Du-Monde in France by two young people. They started the fire with petrol before fleeing the crime scene. Neighbours instantly extinguished the fire, which led to minor damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3350
Vandalism and Arson In Acquate Church
2020-03-13 | On March the 14th, the glass of the front door of the church of Acquate in Italy was found broken and the wooden part burned. The perpetrators also knocked an information pillar for tourists on the churchyard over.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3353
Grimmark And Steen Lost Case Of European Court Of Human Rights
2020-03-12 | The European Court of Human Rights had refused to consider the case of two fully trained midwives who had been denied employment in Sweden over their refusal to perform abortions. The midwives, Ellinor Grimmark and Linda Steen, claim that this necessity to carry out abortions was violating their freedom of conscience, dictated by their Christian faith. The European Court announced that the two Swedish cases were inadmissible.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3347
British Supreme Court Rejects Hearing Ms. Dulgheriu`s Case against Prayer Ban
2020-03-12 | When Alina Dulgheriu got pregnant she received help from a now-banned pro-life group in front of an abortion centre. She now fights against a Public Protection Order (PSPO), which prohibits any kind of pro-life activity including peaceful protests, the offer of counseling and silent prayer within 100-meters around an abortion facility in the London Borough of Ealing. But the British Supreme Court has now announced that it will not hear appeal on clinic buffer zone. She is now considering all her options including an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3417
Statue of Virgin Mary Vandalized
2020-03-11 | The statue of the Virgin of the Church of Rio Salso in Tavullia was vandalized with a fake joint and cartridge taped on the figure's mouth and hand on March 11th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3339
Twenty Bronze Candelabra Stolen
2020-03-11 | During November 26th 2019 and March 5th 2020, about twenty bronze candelabra from several churches in Valence, Loriol and Bourg-lès-Valence were stolen by a 25-year-old man from Lorolese. He was arrested on March 10th by the police, admitted the crime and brought before the magistrate from the Valence public prosecutor's office on the morning March 11th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3411
Organization Barnevernet: Children Taken Away From Parents Because of Religious Teaching
2020-03-10 | In Norway 16th November 2015, the Norwegian-Romanian family Bodnariu was forcefully separated, all five children were sent to different foster homes, because of the parents' Christian faith. The school teacher expressed concern to the Child Protection Organization Barnevernet, that the children were taught at home that "God punishes sins". There was no family review or court judgment. The Norwegian Authorities interrogated and intimidated the parents during the process. Two hundred and ten days later, the family could finally be reunited.
There are several cases of forced adoption and family separations in Norway, influenced by the Organization Barnevernet. There have been protests against this organization, which has "destroyed many families" according to the victims. In another family, Merlita and Terje, whose son was taken away for 12 years, won the case against Norway after taking it to the European Court of Human Rights. Norway was convicted to human rights violations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3408
Crimes Against Christians, Jews and Muslims Are on the Rise in Germany
2020-03-09 | Since 2018, the numbers of attacks against Christians have more than doubled, the assaults against Jews have quintupled, and the crimes against Muslims have tripled in Germany.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3328
"8M" Painted On The Walls Of Church San Nicolás
2020-03-09 | On March 9th 2020, a graffiti of "8M" (8th March: women´s Day) was found on one of the walls of the church San Nicolás in Avilés. The painting has been done with chalk.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3334
Virgin Maria Mocked By Graffiti
2020-03-08 | In the evening of March 8th, (women’s day) an insulting graffiti was sprayed under the ceramic altarpiece of the Virgin del Buen Fin on the wall of the church of San Martin. The tag said: "The Virgin Mary would also have had an abortion". The graffiti was removed from the facade of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3345
Vandalism in Güthersloh Church
2020-03-08 | Alerted by loud noises coming from the St. Pankratius church, a witness discovered a vandalized entrance, a broken window, and that the altar cover and a tablecloth had been set on fire. A 62-year-old resident of Güthersloh, was considered a suspect.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3348
Broken Windows Of A Convent
2020-03-08 | Unknown perpetrators broke two windows of the convent in Herzebrock. Furthermore, bus stops at the Postweg and more windows at the Schomäckerstraße were damaged. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3401
Feminist Graffiti On Church Walls In Spain
2020-03-08 | On International Women’s Day (8th of March), the walls of Church San Roque in Sevilla were smeared with feminist graffiti. This criminal act is one of many against this church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3405
"The Virgin Would also have an Abortion" Graffiti on Church
2020-03-08 | On March 8th (International Women`s Day), perpetrators painted the walls of the church of Santa Maria de Sants in Barcelona with a graffiti which says: "The virgin would also have an abortion".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3406
Service Interrupted By Feminist Demonstrators
2020-03-08 | On the Day of the Lady Worker, a group of feminist demonstrators with feminist and anti-church slogans went into the monastery of Sant Cugat during the 12 o`clock service. They disturbed the mass and named the reconstruction a "machismo, sexist and patriarchal institution". Before entering the church, they did a performance in front of the church and put a banner on the walls.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3407
Huge Damage in The Church In Avranches
2020-03-08 | Around 4 p.m. on International Women`s Day, the Saint Gervais Basilica in Avranches was found vandalised. Part of the marble altar in the choir and a statue of St. Andrew were damaged. This incident was not the first criminal act taking place in this church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3412
Vandalism in the Basilica of Saint-Gervais in Avranches
2020-03-08 | On March 8, an unknown perpetrator used one of the church's candelabra to hit the marble altar and a statue in the Basilica of Saint-Gervais in Avranches. The municipal officers took charge of the reparations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3629
Church of Saint Agnes in Barcelona Vandalized by Radical Feminists
2020-03-08 | On the 8th of March (The Women's Day), radical feminists allegedly threw white paint on the doors of the Church of Saint Agnes in Barcelona.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4307
Tibidabo Church and Other Churches in Barcelona Vandalized on March 8th by Radical Feminists
2020-03-08 | The Church of Tibidabo was targeted by radical feminists on the 8th of March. Other churches vandalized on this day were the Sagrada Familia and Saint Agnes, among others. There were phrases displayed against Christians, stating that Christian values are oppressive and blasphemies about the Virgin Mary.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4308
Homeless Man Vandalized German Church
2020-03-07 | During the night between March 6th and 7th, a man broke into the church of Ellenberg in Guxhagen and destroyed the inside of the church. The damage amounted to 10,000 euros. The rioter threw hymn books on the floor and damaged and knocked church pews over. Furthermore the painting above the pulpit was damaged with a pointed object and the carpet was ruined. The alleged perpetrator, a homeless 49-year-old man, was arrested on the morning of March 7th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3330
Theft of Statue of an Angel in Lingolsheim
2020-03-07 | The founder of the Mercy Center and the moderator of the Gallican Apostolic Union, Bishop Raphael Steck, reported a theft of the status of Padre Pio in Lingolsheim. Last year, numerous statutes of angels have also been stolen. There have also been repeated acts of vandalism in 2018.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4301
Bible set on fire in Krefeld Church
2020-03-06 | On March 6th, fires were set in the Catholic church Maria Waldrast in Krefeld. Between 10:00 and 6:00 p.m. someone set fire to a bible under a prayer bench in the nave of the church, as well as the paper displays in the entrance. The damage was minor. A week earlier, someone set a basket on fire in the church. The police began an investigation and sought witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3338
Burglars Smash Stained Glass Window at Leicester Cathedral
2020-03-04 | Sometime between 6 p.m. on March 4th and 7:20 a.m. on March 5th, burglars smashed a stained glass window in the chapel of Christ the King at the eastern end of Leicester Cathedral, next to the room where Richard III is buried at Leicester Cathedral.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3326
Profanation and Theft in Saint-Gault Church
2020-03-04 | In the beginning of March 2020 the church Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais in Quelaines-Saint-Gault became a target of desecration and theft. The tabernacle was opened and the ciborium with the consecrated hosts was stolen. A Mass of reparation was celebrated on March 7th. The police took fingerprints and are searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3447
Theft And Desecration in The Church of Saint Gervais et Saint Protais
2020-03-04 | On the 4th March, the Church of Saint-Gervais et Saint-Protais in Mayenne was desecrated and robbed. The perpetrators forced the door of the tabernacle and inside they opened the ciborium and took the hosts it contained.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3628
Religious Discrimination against Christian Seniors Group by Innsbruck's Social Services
2020-03-04 | A seniors group of Christians from recognised religious communities such as the Catholic Church, the Protestant Church and the Free Churches in Austria (FKÖ) is no longer allowed to use the tax-financed community centre after several years of use. In an e-mail from ISD (Innsbrucker Soziale Dienste), the Christian seniors group was informed that "prayers, devotions, hymns of praise, Bible readings or the like" are no longer permitted in the ISD Community Centre in Wilten with immediate effect. Representatives of political parties and Tyrollean citizens are protesting against this decision accusing of violating religious freedom.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3728
Arson at Swiss Church
2020-03-03 | On the afternoon of March 3rd, an arson attack was committed in the Eusebiuskirche in Grenchen. Fortunately, the fire was discovered before major damage was caused. The police are looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3327
Three Arson Attempts in Church in Germany
2020-03-03 | On March 3rd between 2:00 and 4 pm, a girl and a boy of 14 and 15 years old committed attempted arson in the Maria Magdalena church in Goch. They tried to start three fires: one in the small chapel with a candlestick, another one to a stand for prayer books in the nave and the last one at the back of the high altar. All three fires failed and the crime has been recorded on surveillance cameras, the 15-year-old admitted the act of vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3361
Arson on the Organ Loft of a Church in Grenchen
2020-03-03 | On Tuesday 3rd March, several individuals placed a burning newspaper on the organ loft of the Catholic Church St. Eusebius in Grenchen. The fire was brought under control by the witnesses before the firemen arrived. The flames left damage on the furniture which is estimated on several hundred francs and the smoke filled the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3630
Madrid Municipality Threatens an Evangelical Church with Sanctions for Carrying out alleged Conversion Therapies
2020-03-03 | According to the Spanish Ministry, they will consider imposing "significant sanctions" on an Evangelical church in Madrid that exceeds 20,000 euros. In this church, therapies to cure homosexuality were offered and carried out. Now it is to be examined whether the church has thereby violated the Spanish LGBTQ law. "We will not tolerate any regression in our society and in what we have in our hands, which is to impose sanctions, we will not shake hands, we will not take a step back in the fight against LGTBIphobic behaviour," said Alberto Reyero, Minister of Social Policies.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4353
Orthodox Church on Lesvos Vandalized by Refugees
2020-03-02 | News reports indicate that the Greek Orthodox church of St. George was ransacked on March 2nd. According to witnesses, the vandalism was caused by refugees residing on the island. This news came as tensions ran high due to the arrival of hundreds of refugees and migrants after Turkey "opened the doors" for them to enter Europe.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3320
Christians Women Portrayed as Harassers at Abortion Clinic
2020-03-02 | Media portrayed Christian women as anti-abortion activists and harassers. They are also being targeted on the doorsteps of abortion clinics.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3323
MP Interviewed by Police for Questioning Church Leadership
2020-03-02 | On March 2nd, member of the Finnish Parliament Päivi Räsänen faced a police interrogation because of a tweet she posted in June 2019. The tweet was directed at the leadership of her church and questioned its official sponsorship of the LGBT event “Pride 2019”, accompanied by an image of a bible text.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3325
German Church Closed Outside Services Due To Vandalism
2020-03-02 | Due to several weeks of vandalism and misuse, demonstrated by, for example, red wine stains found between pews in the church of Saint Gallus in Rangendingen, the parish will only be open during church services. Also, food remains and broken glass were found in front of the Church door. Not only the Church was victim of vandalism, the mortuary in the cemetery was also targeted. Similar incidents have also happened in the neighbouring city Steinhofen.
Anyone who has made observations about the incidents should contact the parish office, Father Artur Schreiber, phone 07476/ 13 32, or any police department.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3346
Two Consecutive Profanations Of The Church Of Ennezat
2020-03-02 | In the last days, the church of Ennezat (Puy-de-Dôme) was profaned twice. On March 2nd and the week before, prayer books have been gathered in a corner and set on fire, luckily the damage to the church caused by the fire was not severe. Furthermore, candles were broken, fire extinguisher were damaged and the pampas grass contained in a jar was stolen. The church is closed until further notice. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3410
A Group of Vandals Attacked the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George
2020-03-02 | On 2nd March, the small church of Saint George near the village of Moria on the Island of Lesbos was vandalized by unknown perpetrators. Some locals blamed a group of migrants that live at the nearby camp, claiming that it happened when the police prevented a march of migrants demanding to be transferred to Athens. The perpetrators destroyed icons and furniture. According to the locals, the church has been vandalized several times.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3655
Trémorel Church Vandalized
2020-03-01 | During the night from March 1st to March 2nd, someone broke into and vandalized the church of Trémorel (Côtes-d'Armor). The tabernacle was destroyed and the consecrated hosts were found scattered on the ground.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3332
Smashed Windows at Church in Bergkamen
2020-03-01 | A 18-year-old-man smashed several windows and doors of the church of the Resurrection and the nearby Martin Luther house on March 1st, using stones. He was cought by the police on the same day.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3344
Orange Paint All Over Italian Church
2020-03-01 | The church of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother in Montesilvano was covered in orange paint on March 1st. An unknown perpetrator painted the walls of the church and over the statue of Jesus Christ in front of this religious building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3349
Broken Windows in Leipzig Church
2020-03-01 | On New Years Eve, 25 windows were broken on the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig by thrown stones. If people would have been inside, it could have been quite dangerous said pastor Britta Taddiken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5039
Theft And Desecration n Kędzierzynie Church
2020-02-29 | On February 7th to February 8th 2020, an unknown person broke into a polish church in Kędzierzynie. The monstrance and the mass chalice were stolen and the tabernacle has been opened. Additionally, the Blessed Sacrament and consecrated messages were poured onto the altar. The damage amounts to 10.000 zlotys.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3341
Surveillance Installed to Identify Perpetrators
2020-02-29 | Due to many recent acts of vandalism at churches in Arcene, municipalities have started using video surveillance systems and photo traps for the identification of the perpetrators.The last incident occured in the night between February 29th and March 1st where unknown people damaged the churchyard of San Rocco by leaving alcohol bottles and dirt as food, glasses, shopping bags and cans.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3355
Desecration Of Theresienfeld Church
2020-02-29 | On Saturday 29th, all candles in the church of Theresienfeld were found lit, the altar was covered in food remains, and cigarettes and paper was burned at the entrance of the church. The park bench at the nearby bus stop was also set on fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3356
Remigius Church Damaged
2020-02-28 | On February 28th, a perpetrator lit two candles and placed them placed one on top of and the other under the bench in the church of Remigius in Borken. The candles were discovered and put out at 17:55 by a witness. This led to minor damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3352
Desecration of Tabernacle and Stolen Hosts in Church of San Carlo
2020-02-28 | On the 28th of February, perpetrators desecrated the tabernacle and stole the sacred Hosts from the Church of San Carlo in Pavignano. The police started an investigation. They suspect a satanistic bias, for no things of valor were stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4110
Andancette Cemetery Vandalized
2020-02-26 | Several Christian graves were vandalized in the cemetery of Andancette. A family who went to the grave of a loved one noticed the damage and alerted the gendarmes on Sunday morning. According to the mayor of Andancette, "around fifteen graves have been damaged with crucifixes, gravestones and plaques broken."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3300
Theft and Desecration of Tabernacle in St. Michael Church
2020-02-26 | During the night between February 26th and 27th unknown perpetrators broke into the church Saint Michael in Vöhringen, damaged several doors, opened the tabernacle by force and stole two ciboria filled with consecrated hosts. The financial damage amounts to 20,000 euros and the religious loss is incalculable.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3767
Arson in Gottsunda Church
2020-02-25 | On the 25th February, the facade of the Gottsunda Church in Uppsala was set on fire. The fire is suspected to have been provoked. The police patrol discovered the fire, because the flames were several meters high and they called the rescue services. The church was made of wooden, so it took several damages to the facade and the inside. The fire looks like it was intended and the police is investigating a suspicious car which was captured by the cameras. No suspects have been arrested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3301
Collegiate Church Vandalized in Aveyron
2020-02-25 | On February 25th, an unknown person broke a door handle, attempted to force a display case, overturned statues, and broke the hands of the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in the collegiate church of Notre-Dame de Villefranche-de-Rouergue in Aveyron.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3335
Statue of the Virgin Mary Decapitated
2020-02-24 | In Limerzel, the statue of Notre-Dame de la Salette, dated from 1953, was found beheaded.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4299
Degradation of St. John Bosco Church
2020-02-23 | Unknown vandals damaged the church of St. John Bosco on 23 February. Father Sébastien Petitjean, the parish preist, and Daniel Latta, president of the factory council, visited the site. "We believe that these acts were committed during the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, or even the night before. The damage was done with violence because the stained glass is thick, armed with a metal structure," said the president. Gabriel Muller asked the technical services workers to intervene immediately. "Repairs are underway to restore the church to its original function. We have asked the municipal police and the gendarmerie to investigate. The installed cameras will probably talk. »
The investigation is still ongoing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3304
Cartoon Mocked the Church and the Pope
2020-02-23 | A blasphemous cartoon of the Pope and the Church was published by the Newspaper "El Diario", showing the Pope with a huge bag of money, paying the media.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3316
Satanic Signs At Christ The Redeemer Church
2020-02-23 | An unknown person profaned the church of Christ The Redeemer in Konskie by writing: "You have god 666" (this number is a symbol of Satan in the bible) on the church walls. The inscription has been removed and a penitential service has been held in the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3362
Surveillance System Installed in Church due to Vandalism
2020-02-23 | Due to repeated vandalism, drug-dealing, and abuse of volunteers in the Holy Trinity Church in Exmouth, a surveillance system with seven cameras will be installed as a "necessary security measure."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3369
Saint Louis Cathedral and Statue of Pierre Belain Vandalized with Tags
2020-02-23 | On the night between Sunday, February 24, 2020, to Monday, February 24, 2020, the Saint-Louis Cathedral and the statue of Pierre Belain d'Esnambuc were covered with tags
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4297
Charente-Maritime: the Church of Port-d'Envaux desecrated, vandalized, and looted
2020-02-22 | Parishioners discovered vandalism, desecration, and theft in the Saint-Saturnin-de-Séchaud church in Port d'Envaux on February 22nd. They found the door of the sacristy broken, the door of the tabernacle forced open, consecrated hosts stolen, and the altar of the Virgin Mary damaged. All objects of value were stolen from the sacristy.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3303
Saint Nicolás Cross Set On Fire
2020-02-22 | On February 22th , the Saint Nicolás cross from the 17th century in Avilés was set on fire. Young people poured flammable liquid and then stayed to watch the fire, which was stopped by some neighbours. The police was able to identify the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3367
Catholic Church in Vallendar Vandalised
2020-02-21 | Between noon 21th and the morning of 22th February, the door of the sacristy and a the glass pane of a display case in the church were covered in black paint. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3368
Thieves Violently Broke the Offertory Box in St.Magarethen
2020-02-21 | On 21 February, unknown perpetrators used physical force in order to break the door to the sacristy in a church in St. Margarethen near Wolfsberg. Afterwards they tried to break open the sacrificial offerings box of the candle sacrifice. Their attempt was unsuccessful but caused property damage of currently unknown amount. Probably the same perpetrators tried to break open two offering boxes in a church in the district of Völkermarkt in Wolfsberg. Investigations are being conducted in this regard.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3761
St Vincent de Paul Church in Paris Tagged with Red Paint
2020-02-21 | The Church of St Vincent de Paul in Paris was vandalized with red tags on February 21st. The images were documented on the "Protégé ton Eglise" Facebook page.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4298
Four Young Women Vandalized Church; Set Fire to the Altar
2020-02-20 | National Police reviewed the security cameras of the church of San Pedro de La Felguera to try to locate the four young women who caused at least 600 euros in damage inside the church on February 20th. Video recordings revealed that the young women entered the church, used and stole two of the microphones, sat on the altar, burned candles and set fire to books and the altar cloth.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3317
Attempted Burglary In Protestant Church
2020-02-20 | Between February 20th 12:00 pm and February 24th 09:00 pm, unknown perpetrators tried to break in the Protestant Church in Bahnhofstraße in Wehretal-Reichensachsen without success. The damage amounts to 200 euros and the police is still investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3366
Santa Croce Church Set on Fire
2020-02-20 | In the church of Santa Croce in Abbadia San Salvatore a fire took place in the chapel of the Sacred Heart (left wing of the building), which was put out by the caretaker of the religious building. The confused woman, who has a history with drug addiction, slammed a crucifix to the ground, turned the pews upside down before starting the fire. She was caught and taken to the hospital for necessary treatment.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3381
Saint Gregory Palamas Holy Metropolitan Church Vandalized in Thessaloniki
2020-02-19 | Two young men were arrested and charged with vandalism at the Church of St. Gregory Palamas in Thessaloniki. The 24 and 22-year-olds splattered paint and scattered flyers at the busts in the Metropolitan Courtyard. The young men, members of the Thessaloniki Freedom Initiative, claim they acted in protest against “obscurantism and nationalism.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3306
Pilgrimage Church of Agios Stefanos in Trikala Targeted by Vandals
2020-02-19 | Unknown vandals wrote slogans with indelible spray on the walls outside the church and on the doors. The graffiti includes an anarchy symbol and the words “No Gods.” The church is a place of pilgrimage because it was where Saint Ephraim of Nea Makri was baptized.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3669
Shots fired at stained-glass windows in the church of Herlies
2020-02-19 | On Sunday 16th February, one or more individuals entered the church and, with a pistol or a pellet gun, deliberately shot at the central stained-glass window in the choir of the church, which depicts Jesus Christ, with a pistol or a pellet gun. Three other stained-glass windows were also hit by shotgun pellets.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3308
Broken Church Windows In Dorchester
2020-02-19 | On February 19th and February 21st an unknown person broke the rear windows of The Storehouse Church in Dorchester by throwing stones at them. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3375
Thieves Violently Broke the Offertory Box in St.Kanzian
2020-02-19 | In the night of February 19th 2020 to February 20th, unknown perpetrators violently broke open the outer door to the sacristy of the parish church in St. Kanzian. They tore the offertory box violently from the wall anchorage and tried to break it open, but this was not successful. Afterwards they left the church without any stolen goods.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3760
An Evangelical Church Tagged by Anarchists
2020-02-18 | Over the Weekend of February 15th, an evangelical church in Toulouse was tagged by anarchists, as reported on the Facebook page of the National Union of Evangelical Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3309
Soldier's grave at Northwich church Vandalized
2020-02-18 | On February 18th, an unknown person placed traffic cones on a soldier´s grave inside the churchyard of Saint Helen church in Northwick. The traffic cones have been removed from the grave.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3371
The Church Of Mortagne-Au-Perche Desecrated
2020-02-17 | On February 17th, the tabernacle in the church of Notre-Dame de Mortagne-au-Perche has been found fractured and the ciborium has been emptied and broken. Since then, the church is closed to the public.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3307
Evangelical Pastor Accused Of Spreading The Coronavirus
2020-02-17 | From February 17th to February 21th 2020, evangelical French Christians gathered to pray and fast in the church of La Porte Ouverte in Mulhouse. This gathering was wrongly accused in the French media of being the beginning of contamination and dissemination of the coronavirus, leading to the stigmatization of evangelicals and threats. The pastor of the Evangelical church apologized for not being more informed, but there was no lockdown in place, as this happened at the beginning of the pandemic.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3415
Christian Converts Must Prove Continued Faith or Face Deportation
2020-02-16 | "Kurosh," an Iranian convert to Christianity who received asylum in Germany four years ago, faced a 25,000 euro fine or a prison sentence if he did not respond to a lengthy series of questions about his faith from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). He was also required to provide a certificate from the pastor at his church to demonstrate his commitment to his faith. He reports that he provided all the information requested, but remains in fear that this will happen again. This is the BAMF "Revocation and Withdrawal Procedure."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3296
Saint-Dié Cathedral soiled with Excrement
2020-02-16 | On February 16th, spilled candles, arson attack, and smeared excrement were found by the sacristan in the Saint-Dié cathedral in the Vosges. The parish priest filled a complaint to the police. The city has assigned police officers to monitor the Cathedral.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3297
Iranian Christian Convert Faces Deportation
2020-02-16 | Reza Karkah, an Iranian Christian, faces the prospect of imprisonment, torture and separation from his wife and child after the UK Home Office rejected his application for asylum on the basis that he was ‘fabricating’ his Christian faith.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3298
Daily Damage in Cathedral Prompts Abbot of Saint-Dié to File Complaint
2020-02-16 | The abbot of Saint-Dié lodged a complaint following a series of degradations in his cathedral since the end of January. Incidents included candles being knocked over, fires being started, and excrement deposited in several places in the building. The mayor of the town responded by assigning two police officers to surveil the building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3311
Vandalism of Isle of Man Church
2020-02-15 | Between the afternoon of February 15th and the morning of the 16th, an unknown person or group broke into and vandalized the Christ Church in Laxey. The incident disrupted the Sunday morning services. Police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3393
Paint Bomb Thrown at Catholic Church in Larne
2020-02-15 | During the night between the 15th and 16th of February, an unknown perpetrator threw a paint bomb at St. MacNissi's Parish Church in Larne. The police treated the incident as a sectarian hate crime as they investigated and searched for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3395
"Carnival" Replaced by "Fancy-Dress Party" in Netherlands Public School
2020-02-14 | A primary school in Zevenaar renamed its traditional Carnival celebration as a "fancy dress party" on the initiative of the parents' association. They claimed that Carnival, originally a Catholic festival, would not suit the public nature of the primary school.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3312
Anti-Christian Tags In the Church of Buxerolles
2020-02-14 | In Buxerolles, an anticlerical message was tagged on the parish church Saint-Jacques des Hauts-de-Poitiers. The tag reads "The only church that illuminates is the one that burns." Residents informed the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3313
Burglary from Church Discovered during Funeral
2020-02-13 | The people who opened the Église Saint-Symphorien in Valvignères on February 13th for a funeral discovered signs of a burglary. Evidence of a break-in were found at one of the access doors, and several objects were missing: two chalices, two patens, a monstrance, two ciboriums, two cruets, two holy water fonts, and a baccarat crystal chandelier of significant size and weight. It appeared that the intruders also tried break into the sacristy and forced the door of the tabernacle with a crowbar. It was unclear from reports whether consecrated hosts were stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3310
Violent Burglary in Saint-Charbel Monastery
2020-02-13 | Three masked individuals armed with a crowbar burst into the Saint-Charbel Monastery in Ophain-Bois-Seigneur-Isaac between 2:30 and 3:30 a.m. on February 13th. The intruders detained a monk and forced him to open various doors, including those of a parish office and furniture containing offerings. The identity of the perpetrators and extent of the loss have not been determined. The monastery, run by the Lebanese Maronite Order, is home to refugees hosted by the monks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3314
Graffiti On Church Facade In Forst
2020-02-13 | After repeated vandalism of the church St. Nikolai in Forst, the church has become a target of crime again. In the night of February 13th 2020, unknown perpetrators sprayed several graffitis on the church walls. The parish priest immediately filed a complaint and the police are investigating again.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3391
29-Year-Old Man Confessed to Damaging Roadside Shrines
2020-02-12 | A 29-year-old man who confessed to damaging roadside shrines in Jacinki, Kościernica and Szczeglino between February 12th and 13th faces up to two years in prison. "He confessed to committing these acts. He couldn't explain why he destroyed the shrines," the press officer of the Koszalin police said, noting that statues of the Virgin Mary were destroyed and crosses were broken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3392
The Removal of the Benedictine Monks from the Valley of the Fallen
2020-02-11 | A new law, promoted by José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, intends to start the exhumations of the victims of the Civil War. The regulations also included a "re-signification" of the Valley of the Fallen, turning it into a civil cemetery. This will lead to the extinguish and the expel of the Order of Benedictine Monks, who run the Valley since 1957.
In September, the law has been passed; the Basilica and the Cross will remain on the Valley, but the Benedictine Monks will be expelled.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3293
Repeated Damage and Vandalism in the Cathedral of Saint-Dié-des-Vosges
2020-02-09 | After two weeks of finding broken candles, altar cloths on the ground, urine sprayed here and there and feces left daily in the cathedral of Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, the priest reported the incidents to the police and has considered closing the building to visitors during the day.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3274
Broken Window in Church of St. Maxamilian Kolbe
2020-02-09 | In the early hours between the 8th and 9th of February, the church of St Maximilian Kolbe, in the town of Konin, Poland was vandalized by unknown perpetrators. Konin police spokesman Sebastian Wiśniewski confirmed that it appears that a glass window was broken intentionally and damage is estimated at 5000 zlotys (1170 Euros).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3291
Calls for Calm after Young Men Draped North African Flags from Church Roof
2020-02-09 | A priest filed a complaint against a group of individuals who hung the flags of Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco from the roof of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church in Albi during the afternoon of February 9th. The perpetrators had already removed the flags and fled the scene when the police arrived. While there was minimal damage, the priest said, "I consider this to be a serious fact, an act of distrust. It is an act of disrespect for the place of worship and for Christians. Some people were shocked."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3292
Three Crosses and Candles Have Been Stolen From the Church
2020-02-09 | The parish team of the Saint-Martin Churhc in Bayel noticed the disappearance of several crosses placed on the small altar, the baptismal font and on the harmonium. A crystal cross was completely damaged and placed on the floor behind the altar. Ten devotional candles and five small red nightlights have been stolen. Father Sébastien Alabi Kossi, who is in charge of the Barsuraubois parishes (Bar-sur-Aube, Ville-sur-Terre and Ville-sous-la-Ferté), has decided to file a complaint to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4296
Theft in the Trinity Church in Ranna
2020-02-08 | In only one month, two theft incidents had occurred in the Trinity Church of Contrada Ranna. The thieves have forced a back door to take away six brass candelabra. This was the second attempt to steal what they could not have stolen in the first theft.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3997
Arson in Oetwil am See Church
2020-02-07 | On February 7th, shortly before 5 a.m., heavy smoke came from the Kirche am Chilenrain in Oetwil am See. According to the Zurich cantonal police, the fire caused property damage of several hundred thousand francs. A 41-year-old was arrested on suspicion of setting the fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3294
Nice: Offensive Graffiti on Church Cemetery Wall
2020-02-07 | On February 7, graffiti reading GOD GAY in rainbow colors was discovered on on the wall of the Saint-Barthélemy cemetery which adjoins the church of the same name ( Bon-Pasteur parish) in Nice.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3281
All Scheduled UK Venues Cancel Franklin Graham Tour Events
2020-02-06 | On January 24th, the ACC Liverpool Group announced that it would no longer hold the previously-scheduled Graham Tour Event due to objections from LGBT activists over Graham's past statements about homosexuality. Graham responded by saying “I’m not coming to the UK to speak against anybody, I’m coming to speak for everybody. The Gospel is inclusive. I'm not coming out of hate, I'm coming out of love.” As of February 11th, the other venues that cancelled events were: International Convention Centre Wales in Newport, Glasgow SEC, Sheffield Arena, Arena Birmingham, and Stadium Milton Keynes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3255
Two Holy-Water Fozns Destroyed in Rieti
2020-02-06 | On 6 February in the parish church of San Giovanni Bosco in Rieti was vandalised by unknowns. The two historical marble stacked Holy-Water stoups were intended to be destroyed. One of them was left in parts on the ground, and the marks on the floor show that the vandals tried to move the other without success. The reason for the damage remains unknown. It is not the first time, that this parish has experienced vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3994
Overturned Headstones in Yvorne Cemetery
2020-02-05 | On 5 February, it has been reported that the cemetery of Yvorne was desecrated. Some headstone were overturned in the left part of the cemetery, where the oldest graves were. The police was informed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3279
The Caravan of The Show ``Nicolazic" In Sainte-Anne-d'Auray Burnt Down
2020-02-04 | On Tuesday, February 4, a fire destroyed a caravan installed on the Road to Pont er Groah in Sainte-Anne-d'Auray. Located at the top of the steps, the Théâtre de Verdure hosts the show "1625, the mystery of Saint Anne", a story of a Saint. The caravan was also used as a control room and a reception area for the sound and light teams. An investigation by the police has been opened to determine the origin of the fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3280
Satanic Symbol Painted on Church Wall in Innsbruck
2020-02-04 | On the night between 3 and 4 February, the wall of the church Petrus Canisius in Innsbruck was smeared with graffiti by an unknown person, showing a symbol of the "Church of Satan". The police is asking the public for useful information to identify the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3995
A Church Defaced With Anti-Clerical Tags
2020-02-03 | On Monday February 3rd, the church of Saint-François de Paule in Toulouse, was defaced with anarchist and anti-clerical tags. The vandals smeared the façade of the church with graffiti that contained slogans such as "The only church that illuminates is the one that burns" and "ACAB." The police opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3289
Christian Pharmacist Faces Court Case for Refusing to Sell the Morning-After Pill
2020-02-03 | The now retired German pharmacist, Andreas Kersten, faced court proceedings for refusing to stock or sell the morning after pill. His beliefs and conscience were the reason to not sell a drug that can prevent the implantation of an embryo in the uterus, which would cause the death of an unborn child. He was reported to the Berlin Pharmacists’ Chamber, which took the matter to the Professional Court at the Administrative Court of Berlin. The German court ruled on this issue and upheld the right to act in accordance with his conscience and therefore withdraw from selling the products. The Pharmacists' Chamber appealed against the decision. There are no further developments. (03.02.2020)
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3971
Graffiti on San Dominico Church in Bari
2020-02-03 | In Bari, vandals defaced the church of San Domenico with Grafitti, found on the 3 February. Among the graffities, the priests found vulgar phrases and symbols and blasphemies.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3988
"We Will Burn the Churches" Sprayed on Trento Church
2020-02-02 | At least a dozen young people gathered around the back of the church of San Pietro in Trento late on February 1st, yelling and threatening to use spray paint against the church. After much commotion, the inscription "We will burn the churches" was painted on the wall of the church, along with other graffiti on a nearby building. Police will examine images from the security camera that was installed last year to identify the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3288
Rare Relic of Saint John Henry Newman Stolen from Chapel in Birmingham
2020-02-02 | The relic of British Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801-1890), canonised only last October, was stolen from his chapel in Birmingham. “Sadly, the only piece of bone thought to have been St John Henry’s was stolen from its casket in the Newman Shrine,” read a notice in the Oratory’s February newsletter. The Fathers have appealed for anyone who had seen any suspicious activity to come forward.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3825
Belgium More than 200 Churches and Chapels Attacked Per Year
2020-02-01 | On the 30th of January 2020, La Libre reported that more than 275 churches and chapels in Belgium have been vandalized, according to the latest figures in 2017. There have been assumptions that the acts of vandalism can be higher compared to the neighbourhood country, France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3261
Every Year, More Than 200 Churches and Chapels Vandalized
2020-01-31 | On December 21, a nativity scene in Saive was set on fire. On December 28, Watermael's Christmas crib was ablaze on the Eugène Keym square. This incident has been identified by the police as a ‘criminal act’.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3287
Desecration Of Old Chapel And Third Millenium Cross In Poland
2020-01-31 | A 40-year-old man first profaned a 136-year-old chapel in the forest of Beskid Maly and then vandalized a Third Millennium Cross on the hill of Trzy Lipki. He was arrested on the following day.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3351
Two Fires In A Row In The Church Of Nikolai
2020-01-31 | On January 31th, after there was a fire in the church the day before, a vacationer from Nord Rhein-Westfalen noticed again a fire in the Nikolaikirche in Plön, which damaged the bookcase and parts of the building. Both times two children at the age 10 to 11 years were seen fleeing from the church at the time of the outbreaks. The damage amounts to 5000 euros and it is suspected that the children started the two fires with placing candles at the bookcase, but the police is still investigating and looking for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3363
Smeared Paint on Church Door in Schneeberg
2020-01-30 | On the night of 29th to 30th January, an unknown person graffitied the entrance door of the church with white paint. The graffiti consisted of unclear letters and numbers. The caused damage is estimated at about several hundred euro and the police started the investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3982
Desecration of Tabernacle and Theft in Carrión de los Céspedes
2020-01-29 | Just two days after the desecration and theft from the chapel of the Clinical Hospital of Valencia, a group of thieves attacked the parish of Carrión de los Céspedes in Seville, stealing several religious objects and the gold crowns of the two figures of the Virgin of the Rosary and the Child Jesus that were prepared for a procession on February 1st for the 400th anniversary of the Brotherhood of the Rosary of Carrión.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3324
Freedom of Conscience Research Paper for Wedding Registrars Rejected
2020-01-29 | On Wednesday 29 January, the Finance Committee of Ireland decided to vote against commissioning a research paper on the civil, human and employment rights of registrars who cannot perform same-sex marriages in good conscience. The research was proposed by Jim Allister, who is shocked by the lack of interest in the matter of freedom of conscience for Christians, which is a human right.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3980
Vandalism and Boycott from Airline Towards Chocolate Läderach for Christian Values
2020-01-29 | After ten years of cooperation, Swiss Airlines terminated their cooperation in November 2019 with the chocolate manufacturer Läderach. The reason was their concerns about Läderach belonging to a Christian community. To elaborate, Jürg and Johannes Läderach are members of the board of Christianity for Today (Cft) in Kaltbrunn, Canton St. Gallen. Cft is a supporting organization of the "March for Life", which fights against abortion.The manufacturer was accused of fighting against abortion and homosexuals.
After Swiss boycott of Läderach and great financial loss, they had to dismiss numerous employees, some of whom had been with the company for ten years. The manufacturer has repeatedly subject of massive criticism and vandal attacks on seven of their branches.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3993
Church Window Smashed in Ulzburg
2020-01-28 | On 28 January at night, an unknown person threw a stone against a window of the Kreuzkirche in Ulzburg and smashed it. The janitor who found the damage reported that the stone was specifically thrown against the image of Christ. The police was notified and they are investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3975
Employment Tribunal Judge Investigated after Sarah Kuteh Trial
2020-01-27 | Judge Brian Doyle, the President of the Employment Tribunals in England and Wales, has re-opened an investigation into Employment Judge Martin Kurrein’s conduct during the high-profile trial of Sarah Kuteh in 2017, following a Christian Legal Centre (CLC) complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3322
Judge Investigated For Anti-Christian Bias in Trial Agains Christian Nurse
2020-01-27 | On the 27th January, the investigation of the judge Martin Kurrein for anti-christian bias has been re-opened. The judge approved the dismissal of the nurse Sara Kuteh for talking about her faith to her patients. The trial of Mrs.Kuteh took place in 2017, where the judge was accused of having a hostile treatment to Mrs. Kuteh and her representative and dramatically reduced the time of procedure.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3614
Mission Saint-Luc Vandalized with Tags
2020-01-27 | The building of the Mission Saint-Luc in Brest was vandalized on the 26th of January. The degrading inscriptions were spray painted on the facade. These tags happened after two meetings at the church about the topic of bioethics .
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4295
Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Chapel Moments Before Mass
2020-01-26 | On January 26th, moments before the celebration of the evening Mass, unknown perpetrators removed the monstrance holding the consecrated host, a pyx (a small round container holding a consecrated host), and a ciborium with fifty consecrated hosts inside from the tabernacle of the Chapel of the Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia. The monstrance was later found in the chapel's confessional and dozens of consecrated hosts were discovered scattered on the street.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3319
Police ‘Transphobia’ Investigation Breached The Right to Freedom of Expression
2020-01-25 | On the 25th January, a discussion started after Harry Miller, an ex-policeman, was called by the Humberside Police to check about some complaints about his posts on Twitter. In one Tweet he questioned if transgender women would be real women. The police officer had to "check the thinking", although he had committed no crime. After being reported as a "hate incident", Miller sued the police for breaching free speech. The court declared the intervention of the police "unlawful" in February.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3615
Sacred Objects Stolen From Holy Cross Church in Lana
2020-01-24 | On Friday 24 January, thieves raided the Holy Cross Church in Lana taking several sacred objects from the sacristy. The parish estimates the damage to be several thousand Euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3973
Insulting Graffiti on Saint Birgitta's and Blessed Hemming's Church and Synagogue in Turku
2020-01-24 | On the night of 23 to 24 the St. Brigitta's and Blessed Hemming's Church was spray-painted with slogans stating: "Stop hiding the pedophiles" and "Liars" in black and red paint. This is the second time this year that the church has been attacked with graffiti. The incident was reported to the police.
The next week, the Jewish synagogue in Turku was also vandalised with red paint bombs. The 27th of January is the day of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3974
Chapel Destroyed with Fire Extinguisher
2020-01-22 | On January 22nd, an unknown perpetrator destroyed the prayer room of the Christuskirche in Lüdenscheid using a fire extinguisher. He entered the chapel between 4:00 and 6:00 in the afternoon, when it was open to the general public, and sprayed the contents of the fire extinguisher all over the floor, walls, and furniture. The damage is estimated at approximately 500 euros. The local police are looking for witnesses to this incident, described as a "special case of senseless destructive rage."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3240
Wales: Parents Lose Right to Withdraw Children from Sex Ed
2020-01-21 | Following plans first proposed in a government consultation last year, parents of children attending Welsh schools will no longer have a legal right to withdraw their children from compulsory relationships and sex education (RSE), as well as and religious education (RE) classes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3256
Degradations of the Church of Notre Dame in Le Quesnoy
2020-01-21 | Three people were arrested, after they vandalized the Church Notre Dame de l'Assomption in Le Quesnoy on the 21st of January. The vandals destroyed chairs, turned over crosses and damaged the statue of Christ on the Cross, among other things.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4294
"Parental Pin" Policy Prompts Legal Action and Debate in Spain
2020-01-20 | A new policy aimed at affirming parental authority in Spanish schools in Murcia has made national headlines in the country. The so-called 'Parental Pin' would oblige schools in the autonomous region of Murcia to seek the permission of parents for student participation in extra-curricular activities, including lessons and workshops on LGBT issues given by external speakers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3248
Painting Stolen from La Chappelle-Haute-Grue Church
2020-01-20 | In December 2019, a painting was stolen from La Chappelle-Haute-Grue Church. The mayor of Val-de-Vie, Jean-Paul Saint-Martin, and by Claude Adam de Boever, deputy mayor of La Chapelle-Haute-Grue filed a complaint. The investigation is ongoing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4302
Thirty-Four Security video Installed in Saint-Martin d’Abbat
2020-01-20 | At the end of 2020, thirty-four cameras have been installed in the municipality of Saint-Martin d’Abbat. The cameras have been installed in sixteen main sites to prevent material damages. The sites include the church, the stadium, the city entrances, the garbage sites, and the town center. These cameras would protect the buildings from vandalism or any other type of violence and damages
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4708
Antifascist Grafitti on Le Mans Church
2020-01-19 | Civic group Protège ton église documented graffiti reading "FACHOS NOT WELCOME" sprayed on the church Saint Benoît au Mans during the weekend of January 19th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3222
Eight Churches and Two Schools Hit By Vandalism in Bordeaux over Weekend
2020-01-19 | Eight churches and two Catholic educational establishments were vandalized with graffiti in Bordeaux and Talence during the night between January 18th to 19th. The churches affected were: Notre-Dame, Saint-Eloi, Sainte-Croix, Sainte Eulalie, Saint-Seurin, Sacré-Coeur, and Saint-Paul in Bordeaux, the church of Notre-Dame de Talence and on the Catholic educational establishments of Albert le Grand and Saint-Genès in Bordeaux. The offensive tags, referring to pedophilia in the Church and to the bioethics bill, all had the same signature.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3225
Bus Filled with Catholic Pilgrims Attacked by Masked Protesters
2020-01-19 | A bus filled with Catholics bound for Pontmain was prevented from leaving the diocesan house in Caen by approximately twenty masked people in black holding a banner and shooting paintball pellets at the windshield. A spokesman for the diocese explained that the protestors likely confused the pilgrimage bus for one bound for Paris for a Manif pour Tous demonstration. This was the second time in a few months that a pilgrimage bus was attacked after being mistaken for a Manif pour Tous bus.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3226
Statue of Virgin Mary and Roadside Crucifix Destroyed in Southern Poland
2020-01-17 | Between January 16th and 18th, unidentified perpetrators destroyed a statue of the Virgin Mary in a church in Ściegny and then in Wojanów, a roadside crucifix and figures of angels standing around the cross were destroyed beyond repair.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3241
Theft of Brass Stations of the Cross in Gelsenkirchen
2020-01-17 | Unknown Perpetrators stole a brass relief of the stations of the cross that is part of a 14 piece series, from the church of St. Joseph Scholven.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3798
French Satirist and Radio Station Apologized to LGBT Community, Not Christians
2020-01-15 | After a strong backlash against the France Inter radio station for airing of a song "Jésus est pédé" (an offensive pejorative for male homosexual), performed and written by Frédéric Fromet, both the singer and the station apologized to the LGBT community, despite the majority of complaints coming from Christian listeners.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3223
Defense Lawyer Wants "Devout" Catholics Excluded from Euthanasia Trial
2020-01-14 | Defense counsel for one of the three doctors on trial for unlawfully poisoning an autistic woman via euthanasia has admitted to searching the social media profiles of potential jurors to exclude "devout" Catholics. Walter Van Steenbrugge said he would be a "bad lawyer" if he did not exclude people who were "extremely Catholic," for example if they expressed a Marian devotion or had previously expressed the opinion that euthanasia is murder.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3188
Man Arrested for Vandalism of Launaguet Church
2020-01-14 | A 25-year-old man was arrested on January 14th for his participation in the vandalism of a Catholic church in Launaguet. According to reports, the Saint-Barthélemy church (Toulouse diocese) had been vandalized with Quaranic inscriptions in previous months.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3189
Unknown Individuals Repeatedly Urinate in Church Holy Water
2020-01-14 | Just before Christmas, the Catholic Church Guthirt in Aarburg was forced to withdraw access to holy water in its basins following repeated acts of urination into the water. The deacon, Markus Stohldreier, expressed shock and disappointment at repeated attacks against the parish community."In my 36 years as a theologian, I have never experienced anything comparable." He added, "The perpetrators must have urinated in holy water in broad daylight," because the church is closed at night to prevent vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3194
12-Year-Old Boy Attacked at Paris School for Wearing Cross
2020-01-14 | On January 14th, at the collège Marx-Dormoy, in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, a 12-year-old boy of Serbian origin was brutally attacked for not removing a chain necklace on which a cross hung under his clothes. The website Svi Sribi u Parizu (All Serbs in Paris) reported that the alleged attackers were five other 11-year-old pupils. When he refused to remove it, the alleged attackers surrounded him. One of the boys pushed him to the ground, and all of them started kicking him. The boy was beaten all over his body, resulting in serious injuries to his face and genitals. The attack ended when other pupils screamed for help.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3230
Insulting Graffiti on the Walls of the Church San Isidro
2020-01-14 | On the 14th January, unknown perpetrators vandalised the walls of San Isidro church with insulting graffiti. They described the priests as ("Maricones" a degrading slang word for male homosexuals). The parish priest reported the case and the the police opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3264
Statue of Christ Severely Damaged in Vernole
2020-01-14 | In Vernole on 14 January, criminals seriously damaged the statue of the dead Christ in the Church of the Visitation. The statue is now missing both feet, is detached from the base and was thrown into a corner of the crypt where it was located. The police started investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3966
Hand-Painted Church Window Broken in Gronau
2020-01-13 | In Gronau on the night of 13 to 14 January, a hand-painted window on a church building was smashed by unknown perpetrators. The resulting damage to property is around 600 Euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3969
Catholic Speaker Cancelled at Irish Schools
2020-01-12 | Four talks by US Catholic speaker Jason Evert were cancelled due to pressure by campus LGBT groups and media reports referring to the well-known chastity speaker as "homophobic and anti-contraceptive." Presentations at two Dublin colleges, a Catholic conference called ‘Ignite 2020,’ and a talk at hotel were cancelled. According to reports, the University College Dublin LGBT Society called on the university authorities to stop Mr Evert from speaking, saying in a statement that his proposed visit to the university was “putting the safety of UCD’s LGBTQ+ community at risk” and his words could have “lasting and damaging effects on the mental wellbeing of LGHBTQ+ students.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3187
Man Disrupted Three Church Services; Shouted Threats and "Allahu Akbar"
2020-01-12 | On the morning of January 12, a 33-year-old man from Rhauderfehn with Ivorian nationality disrupted services in three churches in Rhauderfehn and Ostrhauderfehn by shouting and threatening the worshippers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3228
Priest Suggested Using CCTV Cameras after Vandalism in Church of Abbeyleix
2020-01-12 | On the morning of January 12th, between 9am and 9:30am, a new ornate candelabrum was smashed to pieces and then discarded in the nearby cemetery of the Church of the Most Holy Rosary in Abbeyleix, County Laois. A male suspect was charged and faced an appearance before the District Court. The parish priest called for improvement of security systems and suggested the installation of CCTV cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3962
Vandalism of Church in Viersen-Süchteln Two Weekends in a Row
2020-01-12 | During the Weekend of 12 January, unknown perpetrators broke the glass on one of the two showcases in the Evangelical church in Viersen. They also pasted two stickers on the edge. The weekend before the metal gate in the garden of the church had been unhinged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3967
Man Arrested for Setting Fire at Bayonne Church
2020-01-11 | A man suspected of committing the January 11th arson attack on the Saint-Esprit church in Bayonne was arrested the following day. Investigators were able to quickly determine that the fire had been deliberately set and video surveillance images made it possible to identify the suspect who was seen in the images leaving the church a few minutes before the first smoke was visible. The fire, which left no one injured, was brought under control by the firefighters but the suffered extreme smoke damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3179
Crèche Vandalized Near Rouen
2020-01-11 | The religious crèche of the Saint-André church in Mont-Saint-Aignan, near Rouen, was vandalized on January 11, with the decorations overturned and the figures broken. The statue of the baby Jesus was decapitated. After expressing his sadness to the parish and to the parish priest, Monsignor Dominique Lebrun, Archbishop of Rouen, deplored the incident as an "offense against the Christian faith."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3198
Baby Jesus Stolen from Crèche in Lüneburg
2020-01-11 | The Lüneburg police opened an investigation into the theft of the Jesus figure from the church on Friedenstrasse between January 10th and 11th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3250
Church in Milltown Co Kildare Ransacked and Tabernacle Stolen
2020-01-11 | On January 11th, it was discovered that unknown perpetrators had broken into St Brigid's Church in Milltown, county Kildare, and stole the tabernacle, containing the ciborium with Communion hosts, as well as the sacristy safe and a candle shrine. The tabernacle was later found by the police in a nearby field.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4097
Nativity Scene Vandalised in Saint-Hilaire Church in Faye-l’Abbesse
2020-01-11 | On 11 January, the Saint-Hilaire Chruch in Faye-l'Abbesse was found without the baby Jesus statue from the nativity scene. The pieces of the Jesus statue were found again at the back of the church. The body, arms and head were scattered. This adds up to recurring vandalism observed by the gendarmes. There have been looting, the cutting of the organ's power supply wire, the disappearance of the sheep from the nativity scene and the burning of music sheets and the curtains of a confess ional altar and coverings and many more.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3964
Extensive Damage to Church in Jühnsdorf
2020-01-11 | On the 11th January, unknown persons broke into the church of Jühnsdorf and stole a large metal cross, smashed a window, and damaged the organ. The church had been recently restored by the parish community.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3968
Vandalism and Theft in Borgolavezzaro Church
2020-01-10 | Just before 4 pm on January 10th, at least three men entered the church of Santi Bartolomeo e Gaudenzio and broke through the thick glass case of the shrine carved out of a side altar containing the containing the urn of Santa Giuliana, patron saint of the town. Using a crowbar, the thieves also broke the glass of the urn and stole a rosary crown, a gold crucifix, rings, and other valuables worn by the patron saint's mannequin. The figure's left hand was the most damaged, with two destroyed wax fingers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3186
Paint Attack on Catholic Church in Berlin
2020-01-09 | During the night between the 8th and 9th of January 2020 unknown perpetrators vandalized the historic building of St. Elisabeth-Kirche in Berlin-Schöneberg with black and white paint, sprayed the words “Pro Choice” on its entrance doors together with other unidentifiable symbols and glued the parish hall doors closed. A purported confession letter was later posted on the extreme left platform de.indymedia.org, naming a Berlin feminist/left-wing radical alliance as responsible for the vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3182
Nine Statues of the Virgin Mary Attacked in Less than Four Hours in Pyrenees
2020-01-09 | On the morning of January 9th, in the space of 45 minutes, five statues of the Virgin Mary, located in three different churches of Pau (Pyrénées-Atlantiques): Saint-Martin, Saint-Jacques and Notre-Dame, were destroyed. Similar vandalism continued in the churches of the Béarn communes of Lons, Artix, Denguin, and Mourenx, where, each time, a statue of the Virgin was destroyed. A 35-year-old man, described as homeless, was arrested in Mourenx at the end of the day and sent for psychiatric evaluation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3224
Sankt Martin Church in Berlin-Schönefeld Hit with Tar Bomb and Repeated Attacks
2020-01-09 | On January 9th the Sank Martin Church in Berlin-Schönefeld was hit with a tar bomb that was smeared all over the church. It was not the first criminal incident that the church has faced. Offertory boxes were broken open, the holy water basin was soiled with urine, and candle sticks were stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3740
Christ Figures Stolen Twice in Two Weeks in Fabriano
2020-01-07 | The Christ child figure was stolen on Christmas Eve from the nativity in the church of San Giovanni Battista in Fabriano (Ancona). Volunteers purchased a new figure to replace it. The new figure was then stolen from the San Filippo church around Epiphany, but returned a few days later.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3220
Nativity Scene Burned down St. Pankratius
2020-01-07 | On the 7th January, 40 firefighters rushed to St. Pankratius Church to put down a large crib that has been ablaze, which led to enormous property damage. The police are investigating and they do not exclude arson. The police are looking for witnesses and clues to gather more information about the origin of the fire. Witnesses can call the criminal investigation department at 02902-91000.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3952
Children Set A Christmas Nativity Scene On Fire
2020-01-07 | On January 7th two boys aged 11 and 12 set a Christmas nativity scene on fire and almost destroyed the Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation in Vilvoorde. The boys confessed and the case will now be dealt with the youth prosecutor's office.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4284
Theft, Damage, and Madonna Smeared and the Wheels Of The Parish Priest's Car
2020-01-06 | The statute of the Madonna and other religious images were smeared with black pain. The perpetrators also deflated the wheels of the parish priest. They stole bottles of soft drinks disappear from the premises of the patronage, then exploding firecrackers.Some children are being accused of these acts of hooliganism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3949
Live Nativity Play Parody on TV Sparks Outrage
2020-01-05 | Although it was intended to be "funny," the performance shown on the "Viva la vida" television program on the afternoon of January 5th was offensive and disrespectful to viewers. Taking advantage of the fact that that afternoon the typical Three Kings' parade was taking place, the program chose to parody the scene, using their presenters as protagonists. "Shameful" and "it is a lack of respect and humiliation" and "I am a Muslim, but this seems disrespectful to me, it is not necessary to play with the beliefs of Christians to try to be a trending topic" were some of the phrases that appeared on Twitter after "Viva la Vida" published an image of the performance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3176
Third Suspicious Fire in 18 Months at Syrian Orthodox Church
2020-01-05 | On January 5th a fire was discovered in the meeting room of Syrian Orthodox St. Maria’s Church in Norrköping. After firefighters extinguished the fire, investigators classified it as arson. Just a month before, on December 3rd 2019 a similar incident occurred when someone poured gasoline outside the church and lit it. Those two fires were not the first time the building fell victim to a suspected arson attack. In August 2018 police investigated another case. The church assembly has been discussing plans enhance security, including enlisting volunteers take turns guarding the church at night to complement the police patrols and security cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3243
Two Nativity Scenes Burnt in Ivrea
2020-01-04 | Police in Ivrea (near Turin) identified a 46-year-old woman suspected of setting fire to two church nativity scenes: one in the church of San Maurizio and the second in the church of San Salvatore on January 4th. She faces a complaint for damage. The fires not only destroyed the two nativity scenes with plastic statuettes, but in the Church of San Maurizio the fire practically incinerated a painting by Tullio Alemanni, "The Baptism of Jesus," which was located above the baptismal font next to the crèche, in addition to a fresco, also by Alemanni, positioned between the crèche and the baptismal font.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3199
Baby Jesus Figure Stolen from Church Crèche
2020-01-04 | The parish of Sacro Cuore in Trapani reported the theft of the Christ figure from the nativity scene in the church on January 4th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3221
Various Cases of Theft of Christmas Crib Figures Across Germany
2020-01-04 | After Christmas various churches in Germany were victims of theft, specifically the figures of Christmas cribs. On January 4th unknown perpetrators stole the valuable wooden figure of King Melchior from the Christmas crib of the Catholic church St.Maria in Göppingen. Another two thefts occurred , also on January 4th, in the church of Parnhofen and the church of Ganacker, in both cases the perpetrators stole the little Jesus figure out of the Christmas crib. On the same date the Jesus figure of the Christmas crib of the city church of Friedberg was stolen from the altar. Lastly, on March 21st unknown perpetrators smashed a window to gain access to the protestant church of Aldekerk, ransacked two closets and stole two figures of the Christmas crib.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3816
Graffiti on Walls and Door of San Giovannello Church in Campobasso
2020-01-04 | On the 5th January 2020, some vandals defaced the small sixteenth-century church of
of San Giovannello located in the north of Campobasso. Writings, scribbles and profanity were made with a spray can. The area is often subjected with acts of vandalism and abandonment of syringes. The neighbourhood Committee San Giovannello asked for the placement of video surveillance cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3946
Martyr's Cross Smashed At Puente Genil
2020-01-03 | On January 3rd 2020, the cross of the martyr Antonio Baena Castellanos, which represented the genocide of Puente Genil, was thrown on the ground and damaged. Antonio Baena Castellanos was axed to death in July 1936 by the Republicans of Puerto Alegre. During the genocide, 157 victims were killed, 7 churches were completely destroyed and 28 private buildings burned to the ground. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3436
Statue of Virgin Mary Stolen from Saint-Étienne-du-Grès Church
2020-01-02 | A statue of the Virgin Mary was stolen from the church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption in the town of Saint-Étienne-du-Grès on January 2, 2020.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3190
Nativity Scene Repeatedly Vandalized in Alice Castello
2020-01-01 | The nativity scene installed by Alice Castello volunteers was repeatedly vandalized at the end of December and into the new year, with the figures broken and some of the statues beheaded. This was the third year in a row that this installation was attacked by vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3200
Infant Jesus and Cradle Burnt in Manger Scene
2020-01-01 | Inhabitants of Pedemonte were shocked to discover that the figure of the baby Jesus in the nativity scene erected in the Piazza San Rocco church square was burnt on New Year's Eve. Only the charred remains of the figure were left inside the blackened wooden cradle.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3213
Nativity Scene and Church Heilig Geist Set on Fire in Ratingen
2020-01-01 | Allegedly, in the night of new years eve, unknown perpetrators set the nativity scene and the church Heilig Geist in Ratingen on fire by setting fire on different site inside the church. The main cause of the severe damage is the soot that developed during the fire, which forced the parrish priest to close the church temporarily. The police assumes severe arson and is investigating the crime, additionally the state security department was informed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3752
Statue of the Virgin Mary Blown Up in Waldmünchen
2020-01-01 | On New Year's Eve, a 22-year-old man blew up the statue of the Virgin Mary, which was placed in the garden of the parish of St. Stephen of Waldmünchen. The perpetrator also filmed the act. The statue stood on a one-meter-high grotto and was blown up with a banger. Parts of the statue were found within a radius of several meters, additionally a pile of rubble was left in the garden. The statue had a monetary value of 1.000 Euros, but the ideational damage is much bigger, for the grotto was made by a sacristan of the parish 40 years ago. When interrogated, the young man said he did it for the "nice feeling", he got reported by the police, but still walks freely.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3942
Various Nativity Scenes Were Vandalised and Desecrated In Lombardy
2020-01-01 | In the days before and after New Year's Eve, there were several acts of vandalism of nativity scene throughout Lombardy. This included the cities of Lodi, Brescia, Milano, Como, Concorezzo and Fabriano. Most of the vandalism targeted the statues of the infant Jesus, but often the acts were towards the entire crib. In one case the Jesus statue was decapitated, thrown on the trash or destroyed, and the pictures were shared on social media. In other cases excrements were left on the scene and the figures were vandalised or stolen. The teenagers who posted the acts on social media were identified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3948
Nativity Scenes Destroyed and Burned Down in Ypres Saint Martin Church and Neighbourhoods of Marke, Watermael-Boitsfort and Mousset
2020-01-01 | The nativity scene of Ypres Saint Martin Church has been damaged numerous times in the last period. Perpetrators tore the baby Jesus apart as well as smeared the figures of the saints with ketchup. The hat of Joseph disappeared twice, and the dolls were pulled apart. In another neighbourhood, Marke, the baby Jesus has also been stolen from the nativity scene and hung above the tunnel. In Watermael-Boitsfort and Mousset, the nativity scenes were set on fire. The cases have been suspected as arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4385
Theft of Stola and repeated Contamination of Confessional in Church of Alzenau-Hörstein
2020-01-00 | In the church "Mariä Himmelfahrt" in Alzenau-Hörstein, faeces were repeatedly left in the confessional; in addition, a stole was stolen. The suspected perpetrator was caught by chance during a traffic control.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3727
Extremists Set Fire to Christian Journalist’s Car in Berlin
2019-12-31 | On December 31st German pro-life journalist Gunnar Schupelius’s car was destroyed in an arson attack for which the so-called “Autonomous Feminist Cell” claimed responsibility.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3184
Jesus Statue Beheaded in the Crèche of Caprino Veronese
2019-12-31 | Parishioners at the New Year's Day Mass learned from the priest that the statue of Jesus was no longer in the cradle in the nativity scene in Piazza San Marco in Caprino Veronese because it had been decapitated the night before.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3212
Christmas Figures Broken by Vandals on New Year's Eve
2019-12-31 | Statues in the nativity scene in Piazza della Libertà, Lizzanello (Lecce) were vandalized by unknown perpetrators during the night of December 31st. The faces of several of the handmade statues were smashed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3216
Christ Figure Stolen from Nativity on New Year's Eve
2019-12-31 | On New Year's Eve, a man riding a bicycle was filmed by security cameras stopping at the crèche in Lecce's Piazza Duomo and stealing the Christ child figure.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3218
Nativity Scene Dismantled Early Due to Repeated Vandalism
2019-12-30 | Volunteers from the volunteer association Pro Loco of Robbiate were forced to take down the nativity installation prematurely due to repeated vandalism. Vandalism included detaching wooden planks from the hut, dismantling pieces of the roof, and throwing away ornaments and furnishings. The display was dismantled on December 29th instead of January 6th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3209
Four Teenagers Vandalized Christ Child Statue in Nativity Scene
2019-12-29 | Four teenaged boys were identified and referred to the Public Prosecutor at the Juvenile Court of Bresci on allegations that they vandalized the statue of the Christ child in the nativity scene in the piazza outside the basilica in San Benedetto Po. The day after the incident, police found the head and torso of the statue hanging on an iron pole on the opposite side of the piazza. Evidence collected led the police to the four perpetrators, described as Muslims, born in Italy, of Moroccan descent. They reportedly admitted their involvement in the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3202
Statue of Christ Child Hanged in Mogliano Veneto
2019-12-29 | The statue of the Christ child was discovered removed from the nativity scene in Piazza Berto in Mogliano and hung above the ground with an electric cable around its neck. Plastic cups littered the ground of the crèche.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3203
Electrical Equipment Stolen from Live Nativity Set
2019-12-29 | The electrical materials used for a live nativity performance in Canosa di Puglia were stolen on December 29th by unknown thieves.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3219
Christ Child Statue Taken from Crèche; Thrown to the Ground
2019-12-28 | The resin figure of Jesus was taken out of the public nativity scene in Parè di Conegliano during the night between December 27th and 28th and thrown to the ground nearby by unknown vandals. Other figures in the scene were toppled and the cradle was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3204
Paint and Fire Attack on Evangelical Church in Germany
2019-12-27 | On December 27th an anonymous group attacked the independent evangelical church TOS Ministries Tübingen in southern Germany. Several masked people simultaneously set a minibus owned by the church on fire and sprayed the entry area of the church with purple paint. According to the police, the attack resulted in damage of 40,000 euros. A group calling itself a "Feminist Autonomous Cell" (“Feministische Autonome Zelle” FAZ) claimed responsibility for the attack a few days later in an online letter.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3239
Elaborate Nativity Scene Damaged by Vandals
2019-12-26 | The nativity scene in Valgiano, which was nine meters wide and 8 meters high, with an area of over 30 square meters, most of which is occupied by water, including a central lake, a smaller body of water, and waterfalls was vandalized on December 26th. Unknown perpetrators threw detergent into the water, which may have reacted with chlorine, creating a sea of foam and a pungent smell.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3208
Church Crèche Vandalized Three Times Around Christmas
2019-12-25 | The nativity scene installed in front of the Notre-Dame church of Dijon was vandalized with litter and garbage bags three times between December 20th and 25th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3192
Thieves Stole Baby Jesus Statue and Crib on Christmas Day
2019-12-25 | Thieves removed the handmade statue of the Jesus child and wooden cradle on Christmas day at the Don Angelo Frare park near the parish church in Mosnigo.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3211
Ourense Nativity Scene Vandalized Three Times Leading up to Christmas
2019-12-24 | A nativity scene in the city of Ourense was damaged on the morning of December 20th, the Christ child figure was stolen and arms broken on December 23rd, and after being recovered and installed again on December 24th, the figure was stolen again on Christmas Day.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3191
Children's Crèche Scene Destroyed by Vandals
2019-12-24 | During night between December 23 and 24, unidentified vandals entered a park while it was closed and destroyed some of the polystyrene figures in a nativity scene made by elementary school children. They also threw the figures into a pond.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3201
Nativity Scene Vandalized on Christmas Eve
2019-12-24 | Residents in Ossi, a town a few kilometers from Sassari (Sardinia), woke on Christmas day to discover that the crèche installed by a local group (Pro Loco), in collaboration with the municipal administration, had been vandalized on the town's main street. The statues were torn up, dragged, and abandoned on the street.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3206
Christ Statue Stolen from Crib; Beheaded and Abandoned in Cemetery
2019-12-24 | A statue of the Christ child, placed in the manger of the nativity scene in front of the parish church of Arbus, in southern Sardinia, was beheaded by vandals. The head was left in front of the municipal cemetery. After it was found, the head was glued back on to the body, but the local community was shocked.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3207
Arsonists Target Set of Live Nativity Performance
2019-12-24 | At 10:15 p.m. on December 24th, unknown arsonists set fire to the roof of the set of a live nativity performance in Revine. The scene, made with wooden planks and poles and covered with reeds that volunteers had recovered a few days earlier from nearby lakes, was located in the churchyard of the church of San Matteo. A bottle of alcohol and a pair of building site gloves, tools used by arsonists to set the fire, were found on the ground. Two teams of firefighters from Vittorio Veneto rushed to the scene and managed to tame the fire before it could affect the wooden structure.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3210
Nativity Vandalized on Christmas Eve
2019-12-24 | Mario Seghezzi, the mayor of Martinengo, reported on Facebook that vandals destroyed the nativity scene installed near the parish church: “I am truly sorry for the vile act that took place on Christmas Eve. An act that hurts the serenity, magic, and warmth of Christmas." Because the vandalism was recorded by video surveillance cameras, the mayor expressed hope that the three identified vandals would repair the damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3214
Cemetery Vandalized; Crosses Smashed
2019-12-22 | More than a dozen graves at the cemetery next to the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church in Villeroux were vandalized during the night between December 21st and 22nd. Gravestones were knocked over and crosses were smashed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3259
Burglars Damage Church Door in Geislingen
2019-12-20 | Burglars damaged the door of the Geislingen church on the 20th of December. The thieves stole a money box that was secured with a chain and broke through the historic door to do so. Not much money was stolen but the property damage was significant.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5658
Anti-Fascists Activists Stole a Baby Jesus in Castellón
2019-12-19 | On December 19th, the Anti-Fascist Brigades (BAF) claimed responsibility for the theft of a baby Jesus from the Plaza Mayor in Castellón. They posted on Facebook that they demand the release of Catalan politicians who are in prison to return the figure. In the place of the Statuette, they left a yellow ribbon, which is the symbol of the Catalan political leaders.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3554
Researcher Who Lost job for Tweeting ‘Men Cannot Change into Women’ Loses Employment Tribunal
2019-12-18 | On December 18th, a judge in an employment tribunal ruled against Maya Forstater, a tax expert at the Centre for Global Development, who defended her right to say on social media that men cannot become ‘women’ by undergoing gender reassignment treatment. Employment Judge Taylor ruled that her belief that biological sex cannot be changed “did not have the protected characteristic of a philosophical belief.” She had tweeted that “men cannot change into women” as part of an argument about the government’s proposed reforms to the Gender Recognition Act. This was not deemed a "protected belief" under the Equality Act 2010.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3162
Municipal Crèche and Christmas Decorations in Saint-Éloy-des-Mines Vandalized
2019-12-18 | During the night from the 17th to 18th of December, the crèche installed on Place Charles-de-Gaulle and Christmas decorations at the town hall were destroyed. The heads of the life-sized figures representing Mary, Joseph and two wise men were cut off, and arms torn off. Garlands and fir trees in front of the town hall were damaged or stolen. “We are still in a Judeo-Christian country," said the mayor, "we can believe it or not, it remains deplorable to attack a crèche and decorations. We do that for the children... they were shocked this morning seeing all this damage."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3193
Toulouse: Living Nativity Disrupted by Activists; Journalist Assaulted
2019-12-15 | The 2019 edition of the living crèche in Toulouse had to be shortened after the intervention of counter-demonstrators in front of frightened children. Around fifty far-left demonstrators whistled at the choir, chanted blasphemous songs, and insulted participants before coming to blows with some, arguing "that this event was illegal in a secular state."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3154
Blasphemous Photo
2019-12-15 | An obscene and insulting poster was discovered on display outside Rome’s Museum of Modern Art. Titled “ECCE HOMO ERECTUS,” the poster portrays Jesus as a pedophile.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3165
Fire in Loire Church During Mass
2019-12-15 | In Saint-Just-en-Bas (Loire), 300 m² of the roof of the local church went up in flames on Sunday, December 15, during the morning Mass. An official of the commune sounded the alert when he saw an unusual smoke coming from the nave. The church was evacuated and no casualties were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3195
Angolo Terme Nativity Scene Vandalized
2019-12-14 | On December 14th, unknown vandals beheaded the statue of St. Joseph, placed the ox and the donkey figures in an obscene position, and threw litter inside the small nativity scene installed by municipal volunteers in Angolo Terme .
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3205
Christmas Crèche Hit by Two Sets of Vandals
2019-12-12 | Video surveillance captured the images of two sets of vandals attacking the nativity scene installed in the Lecce Piazza Duomo during the early morning hours (1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m.) of December 12th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3217
Catholic Youth Center in Munich Targeted by Vandals
2019-12-11 | A few weeks after four churches around Munich were painted with leftist slogans, the Salesianum, a Catholic youth center run by the religious community of Don Bosco, was vandalized with swastikas, SS runes, and "Widerstand Süd," a neo-Nazi network. According to reports, the location was likely not chosen by chance, because the Salesianum also looks after underage refugees.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3171
German Church Windows Targeted by Vandals
2019-12-11 | The windows of St. Peter's Church in Hüsten in Germany were damaged by vandals who were caught throwing stones. After witnesses heard the sound of stones hitting the church, police patrol cars caught the perpetrators. An investigation continues
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3124
Visit by Saint Nicholas Cancelled by School
2019-12-10 | In the name of secularism, the director of the Gustave Ansart school group, a public establishment in the commune of Thiant, Academy of Lille, refused to permit a visit from Saint Nicholas inside the school. This departs from a well-established tradition and one eagerly awaited by school children.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3163
Graffiti and Vandalism on Church in Bisceglie
2019-12-09 | The outer walls of the parish of Sant'Agostino in Bisceglie were vandalized with spray-painted graffiti during the night between the 8th and 9th of December. According to the parish priest, this is not the first time he has had to go to the police to file a complaint. "I have been asking for help to find a solution for 5 years," he explained.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3123
Laica Europa Issues Statement on "International Secularism Day"
2019-12-09 | Europa Laica wrote to demand "the denunciation and repeal of the 1979 Agreements with the Holy See, and those of 1992 with other confessions", as well as the "priority of public and secular schools, free of religious indoctrination or of any kind, as a way of overcoming the inequality generated by an educational system in concert with the Catholic school financed by the public treasury." Additionally, the group demands the abolishment of the economic and fiscal privileges enjoyed by the Catholic Church, as well as the promulgation of a "Freedom of Conscience" law.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3172
British Christmas Card Producer under fire for deeply offensive products
2019-12-08 | A line of Christmas cards produced by British card company 'Love Layla' caused controversy for including messages mocking some of the deeply held beliefs of the Christian faith. The cards included taglines which call into question the Virgin Mary's miraculous conception, and which refer to Jesus as "a bloke that wore socks with sandals." Speaking to the Daily Mirror, James Mildred, for Christian Action Research and Education (CARE) said, "A lot of Christians will be deeply offended by this sort of thing...It highlights a fundamental hypocrisy that Christianity is seen as fair game to mock, disparage and insult."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3122
Vandals in Action in the Cemetery of Salerno
2019-12-08 | Unidentified vandals looted some tombstones and graves, in the Cemetery of Salerno. They stole flower boxes, frames, and metal writings on the tombs. It was not the first time the cemetery was the target of vandalism, for which the institutions in charge demand more control of the premises.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5266
Handmade Nativity Figures Damaged by Vandals
2019-12-07 | During the night of December 7th (the night before they were to be displayed), unknown vandals damaged the nativity figures in Palau. The town's inhabitants, along with the artist Mario Spano, known as Marieddu, who spent months making them by hand, were dismayed by the act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3215
Four Munich Churches Vandalized with Anti-Christian messages
2019-12-06 | Police suspect leftist activists were responsible for the vandalism of four Munich-area churches that left parishioners outraged and dismayed. Slogans such as "Burn the churches down" and "Neither God nor master - destroy the patriarchy" were painted on the entrances of the churches resulting in thousands of euros in damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3121
Report on Theft and Vandalism in Austrian Churches
2019-12-05 | Crucifixes and a fountain from a chapel in Alpbach. A gilded statue of the Virgin Mary from the parish church in Kufstein. A baroque monstrance from a church in Pfaffstätten, host bowls in Biedermannsdorf -- these are just a few examples of sacred art objects that were stolen from Austrian churches in 2019.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3120
Man Arrested for Setting Fire at Lyon Church
2019-12-05 | A drunk man was arrested by Lyon police for setting fire to a garbage can placed against the door of the Saint-Georges church. The fire caused extensive to the door and smoke damage inside the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3196
Our Lady's Temple Destroyed
2019-12-04 | During the night, the small temple, the known as Our Lady of Carmen girl in Almeria, has dawned looted and partially destroyed. The carving of Jesus as a child was stolen, the picture was damaged, and the pedestal had breaks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3433
European Parliament Speaks Out against Christian Persecution in Algeria
2019-12-02 | The European Parliament adopted a resolution which calls "for an end to violations against the freedom of Christians and other religious minorities to worship."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3111
Pastor Sues After Being Forced out of job and Harassed over Pride Tweet
2019-12-01 | A Christian pastor and school caretaker, who received abuse and threats for a June 2019 tweet about LGBTQ Pride has taken legal action against the school which he felt forced to leave. His case was heard on Court on January 2022.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3106
Priest's Car Burned in Calabria Arson Attack
2019-11-30 | The car owned by the parish priest of Basilica di Maria SS di Monserrato in Vallelonga was destroyed in an arson attack on December 2nd while it was parked near the church. Press reports described the incident as "intimidation" of the priest and shocking to locals. The priest discovered the fire and contacted the fire brigade and police from the Compagnia Serra San Bruno began an arson investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3110
Swastikas Painted on Church in Magdeburg
2019-11-30 | On November 30th 2019, unknown perpetrators sprayed two swastikas around the entrance doors of the Sankt-Nicolai-Kirche in Magdeburg. A police spokesman said the symbols were illegal and would be immediately painted over. Police continued to investigate the case, but state security services were likely to take over the investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3249
Swedish Justice Minister Defends Asylum Process for Christian Converts
2019-11-29 | During an interpellation debate in the parliament on November 29th, Justice Minister Morgan Johansson was asked by MP Hans Eklind about an asylum case in which a person who converted from Islam was interviewed by a Muslim officer in veil at the Migration Board. The officer subsequently denied the claim, finding his conversion to be false. Johansson was asked how the government ensures that the Swedish Migration Board fulfills its obligations to legal quality and uniform application of the law where religious views are invoked.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3114
Street Preacher in Norway Attacked
2019-11-27 | Roar Fløttum was preaching and praying for the sick on a Trondheim street on November 27th when he interacted with four Muslim men. According to Fløttum, the men asked him to come with them to pray for a friend. He agreed and when they got him to a backyard, they pushed him down a cellar staircase, beat him, robbed him, and threatened to kill him if he did not convert to Islam. Police, who have called this a very serious incident, are reviewing street camera footage to identify the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3105
Anarchist Tags on Saint Pierre Church
2019-11-27 | On November 27th the anarchist acronym "ACAB", which stands for All Cops Are Bastards (all cops are bastards) was sprayed on the wall of the Saint Pierre Church in Mordelles. The tag measured 3 by 1 meters and was erased by the municipal services of the commune of Mordelles.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4292
Advent Songs Removed from School's Year-End Performance
2019-11-26 | School leadership at a Wil elementary school in the Swiss Canton of St. Gallen made the decision to remove the three Advent/Christmas songs from the program of its year-end show, out of "respect for other cultures and religions." Teachers were reportedly "astonished" at the decision and the President of the Coordination of Islamic Organisations in Switzerland, encouraged schools not to change their traditions: "From our point of view, it is very regrettable when Christian songs are no longer sung in a Christian country," he said.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3103
High Court Permanently Bans Protests against "No Outsiders" School Programme
2019-11-26 | A High Court judge ruled in favor of an exclusion zone around a school in Birmingham permanent, preventing parents from protesting outside the grounds against the "No Outsiders" primary school programme that teaches about LGBT relationships. Many parents and activists claim the programme contradicts their faith and is not "age appropriate." A temporary exclusion zone was first imposed by the courts in the summer after months of protests outside Anderton Park Primary School by mostly Muslim parents. Birmingham City Council claimed that the order was sought from the courts over safety concerns.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3107
Locals Outraged by Theft of Christkind Figure from Vienna Christmas Market
2019-11-26 | The Christkind (Christ child) figure was stolen twice in three days from the Christkindlmarkt (Christmas market) on Enkplatz in Vienna. The original figure was replaced after the first theft. The replacement was then stolen. Now it has been replaced, at least temporarily, with a wooden stake with a woolen cap on top. Locals expressed outrage at the thefts and the priest of the adjacent church offered to receive the figure "discreetly" from anyone who wished to return it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3112
A Statue of The Christ Child Stolen Twice
2019-11-26 | On the 26th of November, the Baby Jesus of the Nativity Scene was reported to be stolen twice. The leader of the 11th District, Paul Stadler, promised to restore a Statue before Christmas. There was no trace of the stolen figures. The Father from the neighbouring parish offered the thieves to give back the statues anonymously in front of the church and to confess if they are interested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3561
Two Church Burglaries in Rennes
2019-11-25 | Notre-Dame-en-Saint-Melaine Church and Saint-Sauveur Basilica in Rennes were burglarized during the night of November 24th to 25th by unknown thieves. The doors were pried open with crow bars and offertory trunks were broken. The parish priest of Notre-Dame called the incident "ugly and hurtful."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3101
Lourdes Grotto in Avolsheim Vandalized with Fire Extinguisher
2019-11-24 | The Grotto of Notre-Dame de Lourdes of l'église Saint-Pierre ("Dompeter") in Avolsheim (Bas-Rhin) was found sprayed with the contents of one or more fire extinguishers. Nestled in the middle of the fields, the isolated site is known by many Alsatians as the church is the oldest in Alsace and is on the Pilgram's Way of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostela (Camino de Santiago). In the field adjoining the grotto, large tracks of a vehicle were noted. The police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3100
Sacred Objects Stolen from Church in Lachau
2019-11-23 | On November 23rd, unknown perpetrators stole sacred objects from the church of Lachau, in the South-Drôme. A chalice, two vases and a ciborium were stolen, according to the observations made by the gendarmes of the Buis-les-Baronnies. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4303
Three Christian Buildings Recently Vandalized in Maribor
2019-11-22 | Graffiti reading "Death to the Clerofascists" (Smrt klerofašistom) was painted on the outside of the Church of St. Mary, Mother of the Church in late October; and on the St. Barbara Chapel on Calvary, Maribor Hill and on the Catholic High School in Maribor in November by unknown vandals. Police opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3098
Extreme Vandalism in Tarbes Church
2019-11-21 | On the afternoon of November 21st, two men broke a door and entered the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in the Tarbes city center to commit serious vandalism. The unidentified vandals tore up and burned Mass books and then soiled them with human excrement; at least one of them urinated against a wall. A statue of St. John the Baptist was thrown at the pews, a crucifix was toppled and thrown to the ground, and a fire extinguisher was emptied in the church. The organ was opened and microphone wires were torn out. The perpetrators fled when a parishioner entered to pray.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3113
Update: Atheist Parents win Legal Challenge against Christian Assemblies in Church-Run School
2019-11-20 | An atheist couple who launched a High Court challenge because they feel their children are being religiously "indoctrinated" during assemblies have won their judicial review claim. The Burford primary school in the Cotswolds in Oxfordshire is one of 33 schools of the Church of England's Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust (ODST). Although parents were already entitled to withdraw their children from assemblies, even in church-run schools, The Harrises have argued that the school must provide an "inclusive assembly as a meaningful alternative for pupils withdrawn from Christian worship," rather than simply supervision of the children.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3007
French Nun Denied a Place in Retirement Home Due to Religious Habit
2019-11-19 | In October 2018, an elderly nun applied for a place in a retirement home in Vesoul, run by the city's Centre Communal d'Action Sociale (CCAS) in her home prefecture of Haute-Saone. After nine months on the waiting list, on July 2019, her request for housing was accepted, but with one condition: "With due respect for secularism, any ostentatious sign of belonging to a religious community cannot be accepted in order to ensure the serenity of all. Indeed, religion is a private affair and must remain so." The nun was told she could only wear a discreet cross. Having worn her religious habit all of her adult life, she refused to comply and was thus denied a place.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3095
Arrests for Vandalism in Church
2019-11-18 | On November 18th, five young people were arrested for vandalism at the church Saint-Gervais-et-Saint-Protais. Vandalism included urinating in confessionals and holy water stoups, tearing up a book, and attempting to set fire to the altar cloth.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3109
Italian Church Thief Urinated on Altar
2019-11-16 | On the afternoon of November 16th, an unidentified man entered the Trasfigurazione del Signor church in Scorrano while it was empty and stole money from the donation box and a golden necklace from around the neck of a statue of the Virgin Mary. Before leaving the church, he urinated on the altar underneath the crucifix. The incident was captured on video and police are investigating the identity of the individual.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3085
German Church and Pilgrimage Site Targeted by Arsonists Twice in One Week
2019-11-16 | A visitor to the St. Katharina Kirche in Buschhoven discovered that a fire had been set in the church during the early afternoon of November 16th. Local media reports that books and booklets were placed on top of the lit candlesticks in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary, revered by Christians and pilgrims as the "Rosa Mystica." The books caught fire and the church was enveloped in a huge mass of smoke and soot before the fire brigade was able to extinguish the blaze. Earlier in the week, a fire had been set in the same church using the candles but was extinguished before major damage occurred.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3086
Protestant Church Vandalized in Buschhoven
2019-11-16 | The Protestant Versöhnungskirche in Buschhoven was the target of vandalism twice in the same week, with its hymnals and booklets scattered, seat cushions thrown on the floor, candles pushed off the altar, and a small fire lit on a doormat. These incidents coincided with fires having been set at the nearby St. Katharina Kirche.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3088
Christ Figure Burnt in Holy Sepulcher Chapel
2019-11-14 | On morning of November 14th, the hermitage of the Holy Sepulcher in Tauste (Zaragoza) was discovered vandalized and the life-sized statue of the Nazarene Christ burnt. The custodian of the hermitage, Juan Francés, found the remains of a fire when he opened the hermitage and found "everything lying on the ground and on fire.” The city council of Tauste condemned the attack on the hermitage “It was an attack on a religious and cultural symbol of our people. It is not a simple act of vandalism.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3084
Politician Deselected for Christian Views
2019-11-13 | A Catholic Liberal Democrat who was the prospective candidate for Stoke-on-Trent South in the upcoming election was abruptly deselected on the basis that his "values" were not in line with the party. Thirty-six hours after Robert Flello was chosen as the Lib Dem candidate, the party announced in a press release that his candidacy had been revoked. The former Labour MP's views on abortion and marriage were not a secret, as he had been a member of parliament for 12 years.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3118
16th Century Spanish Church spray-painted with anarchist graffiti by militant group
2019-11-13 | The City Council of Segovia has condemned the graffiti on the ruins of the old temple of San Agustin, from the sixteenth century. The group Yesca Segovia, which with several photographs and a video on their Facebook and Twitter profiles claims the attack.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3269
Statue of Our Lady of Fatima Intentionally Set on Fire
2019-11-12 | In the Cathedral of Saint-Luperc in the community of Eauze, the statue of Our Lady of Fatima was intentionally set on fire on November 12th. The mayor suspects the crime was committed by satanists. The statue had been vandalized and stolen before. The police was informed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4291
Satanic and Offensive Graffiti in a Madrid parish
2019-11-11 | The exterior wall of the Madrid parish of Santa Catalina de Alejandría was painted with images and symbols including "Death", an inverted cross, and "666."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3077
Charente-Maritime: Desecration at the Church of Tonnay-Charente
2019-11-11 | The church of Saint-Etienne in Tonnay-Charente was desecrated on November 11th. According to the Bishopric of La Rochelle, the cross of Christ was overturned, the tabernacle was broken, the hosts were scattered on the ground, the lunula containing a host for worship was stolen. The Bishop denounced "the deliberate desire to undermine the integrity of the consecrated hosts."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3079
Nuns at Carmelite Convent in Ireland Verbally Abused by Intruders; Chapel Desecrated
2019-11-11 | Intruders broke into the Star of the Sea Carmelite Nuns monastery in Malahide in the early afternoon of November 11th and verbally abused the elderly resident sisters, sprayed and smeared the walls of convent's chapel with graffiti.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3093
Rocks thrown through Stained Glass Window of Worcester Church
2019-11-11 | 11-12 November 2019. Church Warden left "in tears" after rocks damaged historic details of multiple windows at St Thomas' Church, Worcester.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3094
Arson and Destruction at Churches on Chios
2019-11-10 | Over the weekend of November 9-10, unidentified vandals broke windows and set the Agia Trapeza (altar) on fire, burning sacred items, in the Agios Haralambos Church. According to reports, this was the third church vandalized in Chalkios on the island of Chios within a week. In the Church of Panagia, a window was smashed and oil and candles were stolen and a fire was set in the Church of Agios Petros and Pavlos.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3108
Desecration and Vandalism of Tonnay-Charente Church: Tabernacle Broken Open; Statue Decapitated
2019-11-09 | Just before an evening Mass on November 9th, unidentified vandals entered the Tonnay-Charente church and tore open the tabernacle of the altar of the Virgin Mary, breaking the doors. The consecrated hosts in the ciborium were thrown to the ground and the glass container holding a host consecrated for adoration was stolen. In addition, crosses were reversed and chairs and statues were broken, including one depicting St. Joseph holding the baby Jesus, which was decapitated by the perpetrators. The Bishop said, this was "desecration, not burglary."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3090
Two Fires Set in Lleida Church
2019-11-08 | Unknown perpetrators set fire to an altar in the church of Sant Joan in Lleida (Lérida) on November 7th. The rector, Joan Ramon Ezquerra, reported that a day earlier, three bouquets around the church had also been set on fire. Mass could not be celebrated in the central nave and had to be moved to the chapel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3076
Second investigation: Finnish Christian MP investigated for 2004 pamphlet on homosexuality
2019-11-05 | On November 4th, the Finnish State General Prosecutor issued a press release announcing the launch of a pre-trial investigation into the publication and distribution of the 2004 pamphlet "Mieheksi ja naiseksi hän heidät loi" (in English, “Male and female He created them”), authored by Päivi Räsänen, the Finnish politician investigated by the police for a tweet in June 2019 quoting the Bible on the issue of homosexuality. Although the pamphlet was printed 15 years ago, it will be included in the case against the Christian politician because it is still “available online.” Räsänen, who served in the past as Minister of the Interior of the government of Finland, risks being accused under Section 10 of the Criminal Code of Finland for “ethnic agitation,” a crime punishable with a fine or prison.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3067
Victory for Christian Refugees at European Court of Human Rights
2019-11-05 | Victory in international court bolsters protections for Christians who face life-threatening persecution in home countries.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3082
'Battering Ram' Night-Raid Robbery at French Cathedral
2019-11-04 | A car fitted with a battering ram was driven into the door of the Cathedral Sainte-Marie d'Oloron in southwestern France on November 4th. Once inside the cathedral, thieves entered the chapel and sawed the iron bars protecting sacred and liturgical items. They stole chalices, ciboria, a centuries old nativity scene, and vestments used by the priest for the Mass. Authorities characterized the theft as organized and well-planned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3065
Saint-Florent Hermitage Chapel Vandalized in Oberhaslach
2019-11-03 | A chapel was vandalized on Sunday, November 3 in Oberhaslach near Molsheim. A statue of St. Bernadette in the chapel of the hermitage of St. Florent was beheaded and moved. The gendarmes are calling for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3072
Inflated Condoms and Vandalism in Saint-Vaast Church in Béthune
2019-11-01 | On November 1st, unknown perpetrators vandalised the Saint-Vaast church in Béthune. The Vandals knocked over chairs and inflated condoms. The city will file a complaint and the police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4289
Antique Bell From Old Chapel In Ypres Stolen
2019-10-31 | On the eve of All Saints the bell of an old chapel located on the Saint-Yvon side, in Warneton, was stolen. Because of its historical value it was currently on display in the choir of the Sint-Jan church, in Ypres. The stolen bronze bell dates from 1728 and weighs 25 kilos.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4386
Self-Described Satanist Vandalized 100 Graves in Cognac Cemetery
2019-10-30 | Just before All Saints' Day, about 100 graves were damaged or destroyed in the Breuil cemetery of Cognac. Christian symbols including crucifixes, crosses, and statues of the Virgin Mary and angels were targeted. An 18-year-old self-described Satanist who "hates all religions, especially Catholicism," was arrested by the police. The timing of the incident, given its close proximity to the feast of All Saints and All Souls, shocked local residents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3066
St. Stephen Church Attacked Again
2019-10-28 | St. Stephen Church in Zamora has been once again vandalized. Unknown vandals sprayed graffiti and signatures on the church walls. A few weeks ago, a small fire from burning papers was also set next to the wooden door of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3432
News story Frames Christians Negatively for no Reason
2019-10-28 | The News Site "20 Minutes" included the picture of a Christian gathering to illustrate a survey on the feelings of French women towards the "threat against secularism", published in "Le Journal du Dimanche" on 26 October. The survey showed a majority of people in favor of banning street prayers together with a photograph showing a gathering of Christians, subtitled "Those polled are particularly opposed to prayers in the street". In reality, the survey was conducted to explore the issues of secularity with Islam in France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5100
Parish Church Cemetery Vandalized in Zabrzu-Helence
2019-10-27 | More than 40 graves were vandalized in the cemetery of the Our Lady Mother of the Church (Maryi Panny Matki Kościoła) parish of Zabrzu-Helence during the night between October 26 and 27, just days before Catholics observe All Saints' and All Souls' Days. Granite tombstones were torn down and broken, and wooden crosses were destroyed by unknown vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3064
Theft and Vandalism in Church of Montferrand
2019-10-21 | The police arrested three young persons on October 21st. They had stolen candles and vandalized the church of Notre-Dame de Montferrand. The entrance door was broken and other objects inside were also damaged. The three perpetrators tried to flee but were caught by police officers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4288
"Satan Lives" Painted on Barcelona Church
2019-10-14 | The Spanish Observatory of Religious Freedom reported that "Satan Vive" was discovered written on the door of the church of San Juan Bautista de Gracia in Barcelona in October 2019
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3540
Fire Set in Neapolitan Basilica
2019-10-10 | The parish priest of the Basilica of San Giovanni Maggiore in Naples has condemned the fire set in the church's musician's chapel, known as the Ecce Homo. The fire had spread to the altar when firefighters were able to extinguish it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3058
Fire Set in Witzenhausen Church
2019-10-10 | Police reported that at 3:30 p.m. on October 10th, a fire was found in the the Evangelical Free Church (Christuskirche) in Witzenhausen. Police officers discovered that several sheets of paper were lit in the area of a stairway directly in front of a wooden shelf, with an oily liquid used as an accelerant. The ignited papers went out without spreading and there was only minor damage to property.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3235
Vandals set off firecrackers inside the church of Madonna della Neve
2019-10-09 | Vandals set off firecrackers inside the church of the Madonna della Neve, also known as Madonna della Tosse.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3117
Berlin Pregnancy Counseling Center Ransacked by Activists
2019-10-06 | Radical feminists claimed responsibility for breaking into the Pro Femina crisis pregnancy center in Berlin during the night of October 5-6. They smashed the windows on the third floor, smeared a hallway with paint and butyric acid (a foul smelling chemical) and the slogan "Pro Choice!", and glued closed the locks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3055
Legal Extension of IVF Met with Staunch Opposition in France
2019-10-06 | Tens of thousands of French protestors took to the streets of Paris on October 6th to protest the draft bioethics law which passed the lower house of parliament on September 25th. The bill would, amongst other provisions, allow all women under 43 the right to "medically assisted procreation," including in-vitro fertilization (IVF), regardless of their relationship status, or sexual orientation. Currently, French law only allows access to IVF to heterosexual couples unable to have children through natural means, who are either married, or who have lived together for two years.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3054
Córdoba Church Broken into; Consecrated Hosts Scattered on Altar
2019-10-05 | Before dawn on October 5th, one or more intruders entered the 18th century Chapel of La Rosa in the Córdoba provincial town of Montilla through a side door. Once inside, they found the keys to the tabernacle, opened the pyx inside and scattered several hosts on the altar, according to the Rev. José Félix García, pastor of the parish of Santiago, to which the chapel belongs. Police opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3056
Vandals Desecrated the Chapel of Rosa de Montilla
2019-10-05 | On Saturday morning, one or more individuals entered the Chapel of the Rose in Montilla and desecrated it by spreading the sacred hosts on top of the altar. The case was reported to the police as a crime against religious feelings. The perpetrators entered through a side door, without needing to use the force, then they took the key of the tabernacle and spread the hosts from the ciborium.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3543
Safety Fears for Iranian Convert to Christianity Facing Threat of Deportation
2019-10-04 | An Iranian Christian woman living in the state of Hesse in Germany fears for her life if she is forced to return to Iran, due to strict anti-conversion laws. The woman known as "Mahsa" fled Iran and traveled to Germany in 2015, after an attempted arrest by the religious police for her conversion to Christianity. A recent decision by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) denying her asylum limits Mahsa's options going forward.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3057
Medical Practitioner Fired for Refusing to Adopt Transgender Pronouns
2019-10-03 | Dr David Mackereth has been an A&E doctor for more than 25 years. The Christian lost his job at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for refusing to identify his clients by their chosen gender instead of their biological sex. He stated that the usage of 'transgender pronouns' would go against his conscience as both, a doctor and a Bible-believing Christian. Supported by the legal team of Christian Concern, he took his case to court.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4613
Tribunal Rules Biblical View of Sexes "Incompatible with Human Dignity"
2019-10-02 | A Christian doctor has lost an employment tribunal case, where he alleged that the Department of Work and Pensions breached his freedom of thought, conscience and religion pursuant to the Equality Act. Disability assessor, Dr. David Mackereth claimed discrimination on part of the Department of Work and Pensions for failing to accommodate his refusal to use pronouns which did not correspond with the biological sex of clients. In its decision, the panel stated that Dr. Mackereth's belief that "the Bible teaches us that God made humans male or female" was "incompatible with human dignity."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3051
Medical Professionals Call for Conscience Safeguards if Northern Ireland Liberalizes Abortion Law
2019-09-28 | Northern Ireland Minister received correspondence from more than 700 medical practitioners calling for conscience protections which would allow Christians and conscientious objectors within the profession the statutory right to refuse to participate in abortions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3042
Anti-Catholic Graffiti on Church of San Miguel de Fuencarral
2019-09-27 | On 27. September, the Church of San Miguel de Fuencarral was found spray-painted with anti-Catholic graffiti. In red paint the vandals wrote "Murderers", "Nazis", "Blood Stained", "Fascists" and threatened of burning the church. The police was notified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3544
Marseille Crucifix Vandalized for Fifth Time in Four Months
2019-09-26 | The crucifix monument on the grounds of the Saint-Patrice church in the Croix-Rouge district of Marseille, was found vandalized with red paint on September 26th. It was the fifth time since the middle of May 2019 that the Christ figure had been defaced with red or blue paint. Public employees removed the paint and Marseille public officials denounced the vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3048
Saarland Government Denies Asylum to 400 Assyrian Christians
2019-09-25 | The Saarland Prime Minister Tobias Hans (CDU) rejected the request of the Assyrian Cultural Association Saarlouis allow about 400 Syrian Christians from the conflict-torn region of Northern Syria on the Khabur River to enter Saarland. Despite offers of respite and assistance from the existing Assyrian community in the German federal state, the government said it would only admit five refugees.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3047
Trial Began for 2016 Ramadan Attack on Christian Refugee
2019-09-24 | The trial of a 26-year-old Afghan who was charged with committing serious bodily injury against a Christian convert at the Rottacher Traglufthalle asylum accommodation in 2016 began on September 24th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3040
Italian Court Ruling Opens the Door For Assisted Suicide in Italy
2019-09-24 | After surviving a 2014 car accident which resulted in tetraplegic paralysis and blindness, Italian disc Jockey Fabiano Antoniani (DJ Fabo) traveled to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland to end his life. The subsequent ruling of the Italian Constitutional Court over proceedings made against his accomplice now opens the door for the legalization of assisted suicide in Italy.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3043
Vandals Set Fire to the Door of the San Juan de Dios Convent of Olivenza
2019-09-20 | The Convent of San Juan de Dios de Olivenza was vandalized for the second time in a few days. At the end of August, it suffered a paint attack and on September 20th, it was set on fire. An investigation was opened to try to find out who or who is behind this vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3234
Repeated Vandalism of Eglwysilan Parish Church In Wales
2019-09-16 | Over the last few months, a church in Abertridwr, Wales endured repeated acts of vandalism, resulting in fears that it will have to close to public visits during the week. Damage included a stolen collection box, a damaged and defaced historic visitors book, in use since the 1940s, a flagstone outside the church was removed, and fire extinguishers were sprayed inside the church, causing both damage and financial burden.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3036
Anti-Catholic Inscriptions Painted on Wall of Polish Church
2019-09-16 | Police in Olecko investigated acts of vandalism against the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Poland (kościele Najświętszej Maryi Panny Królowej Polski) where anti-religious phrases such as "Catholicism Deceives" and "Lead us not" (referring to part of the Lord's Prayer) were painted in black on the wall.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3038
Zurich March for Life Disrupted by Violent Counter-Demo
2019-09-14 | The approved rally "March for Life" in Zurich on the afternoon of September 14th was disrupted by an unauthorized counter-demonstration. More than a thousand peaceful participants in the March for Life gathered on the Turbinenplatz to begin the march on an approved route in the city. At the same time, several hundred people -- called by some press reports a Red-Green alliance -- some with prams containing objects to be thrown (including stones and bottles), convened on the Josefswiese to start an unauthorized counter-demonstration parade. As they attempted to stop the counter-demo and prevent a clash with the March for Life, police were attacked with objects, including bottles and stones. Dumpsters were set on fire, a police vehicle was demolished, and firefighters were hindered by the protesters. In response, the police used a water cannon, rubber bullets, and tear gas to deter the protesters. Due to the violence, the police stopped the March for Life temporarily and ultimately shortened the route to prevent an encounter with the counter-demonstrators, some of whom were masked.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3035
Woman Destroyed the Cruz del Arquillo of the City of Seville
2019-09-10 | The City Hall Cross in the Plaza de San Francisco in Seville, was partially destroyed by a woman who broke the horizontal portions of the cross and fled. The city government denounced the act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3257
Marseille Crucifix Vandalized Again
2019-09-09 | For the fourth time since May 2019, the crucifix monument on the grounds of the Saint-Patrice church in hte Croix-Rouge district of Marseille was vandalized on September 9th. As in previous incidents, the Christ figure was defaced with paint. In this instance the vandals used red paint to cover parts of the head and body.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3050
Smashed Window of Protestant Church
2019-09-05 | A cobblestone was used to smash a stained-glass window of the Protestant Church of Kusel in Luitpoldstraße on August 5th between 3 and 4 pm. The damage amounts to 1250 euros. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3539
Church Desecrated with Satanic Tags in Giroussens
2019-09-03 | A secluded church in Giroussens was discovered vandalized with blue graffiti including an inverted cross on the front of the altar. Other images found in Notre-Dame-de-Sept-Fages included goat with horns, an inverted pentagram, and the message behind the altar: "Here an army is born." The mayor expressed anger and filed a police complaint
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3233
Christian Youth Center Vandalized
2019-09-02 | On Sunday morning, the plants were found married and the closets open in the church of St. Fatima. In the kitchen of the Youth Center, food and dishes were thrown on the ground and the pantries were looted and the whole place was left dirty. The police are running an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4013
Religious Statues Damaged in Marseille
2019-08-30 | A Marseille resident reported to l'Observatoire de la Christianophobie that religious statues in various districts of the city had been damaged over several months. Incidents included: the hands severed from a statue of the Virgin Mary, the crown broken from another statue of the Virgin Mary, and the arms broken off a statue of the infant Jesus.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3053
Arson Causes 100,000 Euros in Damage at Wildeshausen Church
2019-08-30 | Unknown perpetrators attempted to set fire to parts of the St.-Peter Kirche in Wildeshausen on August 30th at around 3 p.m. They lit hymn books on the stairs to the organ loft with sacrificial candles, but they did not catch fire. The perpetrators then apparently lit a hymn book and the seat cushion of a row of benches with matches and the candle flame. The cushion burned over the entire length of four meters but fortunately, the wooden benches did not catch fire. Damage from the smoke generated by the burning cushion caused extensive damage to the interior of the church and organ.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3236
Church Equipped With Security Cameras Following Desecration
2019-08-28 | On the 28th August, the Mayor Massimo Paolini announced the installation of surveillance cameras in the Church of Our Lady of the Arc to control security and prevent vandalism, which has been targeting the church in the past months, including trashing and graffiti with satanic motives.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3266
Finnish Politician Investigated for Hate Crime for Sharing Bible Verse
2019-08-27 | The Helsinki Police Department announced it had opened pre-trial investigations into Päivi Räsänen, a Christian Democrat MP, for her criticism of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland's (ELCF) participation in the Helsinki LGBT Pride events in June. She posted a photograph of Romans 1:24-26 from the New Testament on Facebook and wrote "How does the foundation of the church’s teachings, the Bible, fit with elevating sin and shame as reasons for pride?"
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3033
Police Investigate Church Arson in Saint-Amand-sur-Sèvre
2019-08-24 | Criminal investigators were brought on the scene after a suspicious fire began in the wooden library of the Saint-Amand church in Saint-Amand-sur-Sèvre on August 24th. The fire was brought under control by the gendarmes of the community of brigades (COB) of Cerizay-Mauléon dispatched to the site. Sixteen firefighters were also present as well as a team from Gérédis who cut off the electrical power to the building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3238
Youth 'defecates in Spanish church, smears feces on statue, walls'
2019-08-21 | Police announced on August 21st that an 18-year-old man would be charged with defecating in a shrine to the Virgin Mary and then smearing his feces on a statue of Christ and on the walls of the church, Spanish news agencies report. The incident, caught on CCTV, took place on July 26 at the Santuario de la Virgen de la Fuensanta in the Jaén provincial town of Villanueva del Arzobispo.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3027
Fire Set in Front of Rheine Church
2019-08-21 | On August 21, the police were called to the St. Ludgerus-Kirche to investigate a fire. Unknown perpetrators set the newspapers on fire outside a door of the main entrance to the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3237
Vandals Ransacked Carnwadric Church Of Scotland
2019-08-20 | The Carnwadric Church, home to the Rainbow Centre and Carnwadric Win Project, in Scotland was ravaged on August 20th. The church door was found burst open on the next morning. The vandals stole cash boxes and laptops, knocked cabinets over, broke windows, tore TV`s off the walls and wrote the letters "AYT" (maybe a mark of a local young team) on the walls.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3508
Surge in Thefts of Chapel Bells in the Var
2019-08-19 | Two bells classified as Historic Monuments were stolen in early August from chapels in Esparron-de-Pallières and Brue-Auriac, a month after bells stolen from Ginasservis.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3247
''God is Dead'' Sprayed On Church
2019-08-18 | On the night of 17. to 18. August, unknown vandals spray-painted St. Peter Catholic Church in Bad Waldsee with the words "God is Dead" with black paint. The property damage amounts to 200 euros. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3517
Convert Deported From Finland Back to Iran, Where He Was Tortured
2019-08-12 | An Iranian asylum seeker who converted to Christianity was returned to Iran on the 12th of August, after his asylum was rejected. According to the administrative law, he would be allowed to live a moderate Christian life in Iran. The community made a petition for Sardan to be able to stay in Finland, because of fear of persecution, but still he was deported. According to the Information, after the arrival he was arrested by the police, questioned about his faith and tortured until he renounced his Christian faith and returned to Islam. He refused and many attempt are taking place to get him to Finland.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3565
Vandals Smashed Windows Of Holy Trinity Church
2019-08-11 | On August 11th around 22:00 unknown perpetrators threw two large stones through the windows of the church hall at the Holy Trinity church in Kimberley. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3429
Theft and Desecration at Oise Parish
2019-08-09 | The church of Saint-Éloi (parish of the Bienheureuses-Carmélites-de-Compiègne, diocese of Compiegne, Oise) was robbed, vandalized, and desecrated between the 3rd and 9th of August. Sound equipment, a ciborium, an aspergillum (a liturgical implement used to sprinkle holy water), holy water font, and other liturgical objects were stolen. The burglars forced open the tabernacle to steal the ciborium and stole consecrated hosts, as well. "The most essential thing for us is that the tabernacle was forced, and that the Blessed Sacrament, the presence of Christ was touched, stolen. Which is for us a desecration. The real presence of Christ has been stolen. It's something strong," said the communications director of the Oise diocese.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3012
Vandalism And Fire In The Church Of Saint-Mathieu
2019-08-07 | Unknown people vandalized the church of Saint-Mathieu in the Pays d`Iroise on August 7th. Burn marks were found on the altar and at a statue of the Virgin Mary, candles were broken, thrown on the floor and into the holy water tank and a rosary was burned. The church is now closed outside of services. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3480
Major Thefts and Damage at Marquette-lez-Lille Cemetery
2019-08-07 | In Marq-Lambersart on the Weekend of 3rd August, around 225 graves were robbed at the Marquette-Lez-Lille Cemetery. The unknown perpetrators attacked the bronze vases, which were unsealed and stole the bronze crosses from the graves. Also, some graves were damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3489
Suspicious Fire at Virton Rectory
2019-08-05 | During the night between August 4th and 5th 2019 firefighters from three towns intervened to extinguish a major fire in the annex of the rectory next to the Church Saint-Laurant in the Belgian town of Virton. The fire broke out in the small outbuilding adjoining the rectory, where a pile of wood and old planks were stored. The fire quickly spread to the roof of the left part of the rectory and the wall of an adjacent restaurant. The priest had just enough time to save his car, which was in the garage and was soon engulfed in flames.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3245
Liverpool Church Vandalized
2019-08-04 | Six windows were smashed and mysterious graffiti reading "BEAST" was written on the wall of St. Oswald's Roman Catholic Presbytery in Old Swan (Liverpool). Police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3015
Repeated Vandalism at Longford Church; Bishop Calls it "Profoundly Disrespectful"
2019-08-02 | Irish police Gardaí investigated an attempted burglary at the Catholic St. Michael's Church in Shroid, Longford Co. after a passerby reported broken windows to the parish house. Unknown perpetrators smashed a few plain glass windows and a stained glass window depicting the Sacred Heart which was over the altar of the church between July 28th and August 2nd.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3013
German Pastor Says Asylum for Christian Converts Has Become a Pure Gamble"
2019-08-02 | Protestant pastor Dr. Gottfried Martens, who ministers to over 1,600 people in his church, most of them converts and asylum seekers from Iran and Afghanistan, has said that whether someone is granted asylum or not is almost like a "pure gamble." The problem Martens sees in the administrative courts is how judges "verify" the earnestness of an asylum seeker's conversion to Christianity. Some trust a pastor's statement whether written or oral in court, while some ignore it and only focus on the short time they spend with the refugee in court. This fully depends on what kind of judge one gets appointed to, according to Martens, and there is no way to prepare well enough for a court date if there is no general regulation that a minister's statement be taken into account.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3016
Italian Church Vandalized with Excrement
2019-08-01 | During the early morning hours of August 1st, unknown perpetrators vandalized the church of Sant'Antonio in Crebbio, Abbadia Lariana. They smeared excrement on the front door, staircase, lawn, and the cobblestones outside the church. Volunteers immediately began cleaning the heavily soiled area and found a yellow bowl with some dung residue. The parish priest of Abbadia and the community expressed deep shock and outrage. Police opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3006
Thief Targeted Offertory Box
2019-07-30 | An unidentified person pried open the offertory box for candles on July 30th in the St. Pancratius Catholic Church in Körbecke, Möhnesee.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2993
NHS Trust Agreed to Christian Sunday Services after Threat of Legal Action
2019-07-30 | A Christian patient’s request to have Sunday worship services at a medium secure mental health unit in East London have finally been granted after a year-long legal battle with the NHS on the grounds of religious discrimination. As a result of his weekly requests falling on deaf ears, Freddie O'Neil turned to the Christian Legal Centre (CLC) for support. A pre-action letter was then sent to the East London Foundation Trust in October 2018 stating that, as a Christian, Freddie needed to attend Sunday Christian services each week as well as receiving Holy Communion. After a year, and further threats of legal action, the Centre finally began offering weekly Sunday Christian services on Sunday 7 July 2019.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3004
Several Swastikas Painted on Oratory in Ireland
2019-07-30 | Several swastikas were spray-painted on the oratory and a cross in the Comeragh mountains overlooking Clonmel by unknown vandals sometime before July 30th. A team of volunteers of the Holy Year Cross Committee in Clonmel had come up to the site to prepare it for the annual August bank holiday Monday mass when they discovered the graffiti. Gardaí investigated the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3014
Fire in Historic Evangelical Church
2019-07-30 | Construction workers noticed the smell of burning wood and smoke when they arrived at the Nikolaus-Kirchlein ("little church") in Buchenberg, Königsfeld in the Black Forest in the morning of the 30th of July. They alerted firefighters who were able to extinguish the fire before too much damage was done. The more than 800-year-old church remained mostly unscathed, as only one pew was damaged by the fire. Police are estimating a property damage of 5,000 euros and speculate that the fire began in the area of the altar, but an investigation was opened.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3024
Arson at St. Magnus Church at Schussenried Abbey
2019-07-29 | An unknown arsonist set fire to a cloth in the St. Magnus church of the Schussenried Abbey in Bad Schussenried on July 29th. The fire then extended to pictures and a wooden cross nearby. A witness noticed the fire and was able to extinguish it. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2994
The Church in Corlay Was Looted And Vandalized
2019-07-28 | On Sunday 28th July, the Church of Corlay was looted and vandalized by unknown perpetrators. The vandals tore out a sealed trunk from the altar and emptied the contents, they also ripped off a painting and soiled the interior of the church, including the furniture, paving and choir floor, with a chemical fire extinguisher. In the region, there have already been a series of burglaries to churches, including Plélo, Saint-Brieuc, Saint-Quay-Portrieux, Uzel and Merdrignac.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3490
Priest Brutally Assaulted in Szczecin Church
2019-07-28 | A Catholic priest was beaten up just before celebrating Mass by three men in the sacristy of the Basilica of St. John the Baptist in Szczecin. One of the perpetrators apparently used a rosary as a "brass knuckle."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3785
Church Hymnals Set On Fire
2019-07-27 | Unknown perpetrators set a row of hymnals on a shelf on fire in the St. Mauritius Catholic Church in Kippenheim in the early evening of July 27th. Witnesses noticed the fire and notified the police who were able to extinguish the fire and are now investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3000
Four Stations in Way of the Cross in Fatima Vandalized
2019-07-26 | Four of the 14 chapels of the Valinhos Way of the Cross or the Shepherd's Way in Fatima were vandalized with yellow spray paint during the night between July 25th and 26th. The unknown perpetrators sprayed the heads and intimate areas of the figures, along with obscene words. The Shrine of Fatima covered the chapels and will carry out the extensive cleaning work required to remove the paint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2989
Break-in And Theft in Augustdorf Church
2019-07-26 | Unknown burglars forcefully opened a door of a church in Augustdorf and stole the money from the offertory box for candles between July 26th and 27th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2998
Belgian Radio Station Promotes Festival with Provocative Poster
2019-07-26 | "Pure," a Belgian [French-speaking] public service radio station run by the RTBF, promoted a pop music festival with poster campaign with a sexualized image of a man and a woman, dressed with priest's collar and nun's head covering.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3244
Judge Opens Proceedings Against "Pederoclastia" Installation
2019-07-25 | The Spanish Association of Christian Lawyers has sought a court order to shut down an artist’s installation entitled "Pederoclastia" that contains "ornaments used in Catholic worship" and "figures of children in explicitly sexual postures." The Association also said on July 19 that it would file a criminal complaint against artist Fernando Barredo de Valenzuela (who is also the coordinator for Toledo Laica) for offending religious sentiments and inciting hatred, and may take steps against the Círculo de Arte de Toledo for "attacking the feelings of Catholics." On July 25, Toledo’s Court of First Instance No 2 opened a preliminary investigation into the possibility that the case constituted corruption of minors but had not ordered the exhibition to be shut down.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3003
Two Fires Intentionally Set in Autun Church
2019-07-22 | At 4:30 pm on July 22th, a parishioner noticed the smell of smoke emanating from the Notre-Dame church in Autun. When she entered the church, she discovered that two people were already there extinguishing the fire with their feet. The police reportedly found that there were two distinct fires set: one near the altar and the other near prayer chairs. An investigation is under way.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2986
Graffiti on Church in Heiden
2019-07-21 | Unknown vandals vandalized large areas of St. Paulus Protestant Church's exterior in Heiden between July 21st and 22nd. They targeted a park bench, the church wall, six windows, and the surrounding bricks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3001
Man Arrested for Defacing more than 80 Graves with "666" in Church Cemetery
2019-07-21 | A 46-year-old man was charged with spray-painting the number ‘666’ on 87 tombstones in a church cemetery in North Jutland, Denmark. Staff from the Hadsund Church noticed the damage on Sunday morning, July 21st. After an investigation, the man was arrested on July 24th after witnesses came forward. The man, who had been convicted of similar vandalism of a cemetery in 2016, denied responsibility for this incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2992
Bells Stolen Of Two Chapels of Saint-Damase and Penitents
2019-07-20 | During the night of Thursday to Friday, one bell of the chapel of Saint-Damase and another one from the 12th century of the chapel of the Penitents, which was renovated only two years ago, were stolen. Both bells weight at least 300 pounds each. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3482
Arson Suspected in Hyvinkää Old Church
2019-07-19 | In the early hours of July 19th, a passer-by notified the fire department that the warehouse of the Old Church in Hyvinkää was in flames and the church building itself was also on fire. Due to the results of the preliminary investigation, the chief inspector suspected the fire was set intentionally and opened an arson investigation. The wooden church itself remained mostly intact, however, the storage facility housing gardening tools was completely destroyed by the fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3005
Reformation Wall Vandalized with Rainbow Colors in Geneva
2019-07-15 | The monument, known as Reformation Wall, depicting Calvin, Farel, Bèze and Knox was covered in paint with the rainbow colors by unknown vandals on July 15th. The city filed a criminal complaint complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3232
Church and Chapel Vandalized in Quimper Diocese
2019-07-14 | During Sunday Mass on the 14 of July, parishioners learned of vandalism in both the church and chapel of the Saint-Mathieu parish in Pays d'Iroise (diocese of Quimper, Finistère). In the church of Saint-Budoc à Porspoder damage included a vandalized offertory box, cigarettes left in front of the altar of the Blessed Virgin, the door of the sacristy obstructed by the insertion of gravel in the lock, and vomit in the holy water stoups. In the Chapelle Saint-Samson à Landunvez, the most photographed chapel in France, an offertory box was vandalized and a cross thrown in the trash.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2987
Medieval Norfolk Church Torched by Arson
2019-07-12 | On July 12th, firefighters were called to a fire at St. Margaret's Ruined Church in Hopton after a motorbike was set on fire underneath the 13th century building. While the incident was ruled an arson by officials, the investigation was closed in October due to lack of evidence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3052
Repeated Vandalism and Thefts in the Parish Church of Mainz
2019-07-12 | The parish church in Ingelheim has repeatedly been the target of severe vandalism, as reported on the 12th of July 2019. The acts included cigarette ash in the confessional, holy water basins filled with urine, candles lighted on the altar. The church was closed because of this abuse.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5038
Paris: Vandalism in 13th Arrondissement Church
2019-07-11 | An unknown person intentionally set off the alarm in the church of Saint-Hippolyte in Paris around 9:30 am on July 11th and once the church was evacuated, took the opportunity to vandalize the payment terminals for church contributions (Denier de l’Église). As a result, the church restricted its opening hours to afternoons in July and August.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3011
Man Arrested with Cans of Gasoline in Cathedral
2019-07-08 | A man in his thirties was arrested on July 8th at around 7 pm, after he entered the cathedral of Sées with several cans of gasoline. Witnesses apprehended him and handed him over to the police. According to reports, the man, who suffers from psychological problems, was taken to the psychotherapeutic center of Orne for compulsory hospitalization. However no criminal prosecution will be launched against him. According to the public prosecutor, "there is a total absence of discernment. He is totally irresponsible ... No criminal action may be taken."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2990
Two Suspicious Fires in Four Days in Bourg-Achard Church
2019-07-02 | Between June 26th and June 30th, two fires were discovered in the 13th century église Saint-Lô in Bourg-Achard (Eure). According to the police in charge of the investigation, there is a high probability that these two fires were deliberately set.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2991
Spanish teenager given 6 months for death threat against Indian priest
2019-06-26 | A juvenile court has sentenced a 16-year-old boy to six months in custody for racial slurs and for threatening to kill the parish priest, a native of India, in the Malaga provincial town of Benajarafe.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2985
Vandals Decapitate Statue of Archbishop in Ireland
2019-06-26 | Sometime between June 26th and 27th, unknown perpetrators beheaded the marble statue of former archbischop Patrick Leahy that is only a few meters away from the main entrance of the Cathdral of the Assumption in Thurles, County Tipperary, which is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly. The statue was 'an integral part of the heritage and fabric of the town of Thurles' according to superintendent Pat Murphyand and Irish police Gardaí, who are investigating and appealing for witnesses, described it as a 'wanton act of violence' to decapitate it and then steal the head.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3010
Marseille Crucifix Vandalized for Third Time in Two Months
2019-06-26 | The crucifix monument on the grounds of the church of Saint-Patrice in the Croix-Rouge district was discovered defaced with red paint on June 26th. The Christ figure had been previously painted with blue paint twice in May.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3049
Graves defaced with Satanic symbols in Church Cemetery
2019-06-20 | Red "satanic crosses" were sprayed on graves and a church door and the words "God does not love you" were left on a wall at St Andrews Church in Evesham.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3265
Four Arson Attacks Against Four Churches in East London
2019-06-19 | Around the 19th June, four arson attacks occurred in East London. On the 18th of June, the front door of the St. John's Church was set on fire. On the 19th June, the Baptist Church in Leytonstone has been attacked. In a Church in Ramsay Road was the same scene as in the Baptist Church at night of the same day, the church had two arson attacks and was severely damaged. On the 20th June, the police were called to a fire in St Matthew's Church, West Ham. On each church, graffiti was found on the main door with occult symbols and messages including pentagrams, spirals, the number 666 and the word "hell”. On June 25th, a 27-year-old was arrested for suspicion of the arson along with other criminal acts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3270
Satanic Arson Attacks At Four Churches In East London Within Two Days
2019-06-18 | The doors of four churches in East London have been nearly destroyed by criminal attacks. Within two days vandals set fires at the outside of four church doors, including one where a children's playgroup was taking place. Occult symbols and messages like pentagrams, spirals, the number "666" and the word "hell" were written in the doors of each of the four churches. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3426
Evangelical Event Attendees Harshly Ridiculed
2019-06-17 | Many Christians complained about being offended and insulted for their religious faith after verbal attacks by Rudi Fußi on the Austrian talkshow "Fellner! Live: Rudi Fußi vs. Andreas Mölzer" which aired on June 17th on OE24.TV. As a guest on the program, Fußi launched into a tirade calling the estimated 10,000 Christians gathered at an evangelical event “lunatics” and mocking the act of praying for the Republic of Austria and the former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, calling it "completely cuckoo, totally sick" after the show host had introduced the topic.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3017
Explosion Near Syrian Orthodox Church in Södertälje
2019-06-14 | The national bomb protection agency was called in to investigate an explosion at an events hall at the St. Afrem Syrian Orthodox Church in Södertälje in the early morning hours of June 14th. The blast was reportedly strong enough to be heard 100 meters away. The same building, owned by the church, was the target of an explosion in September.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2983
Theft of Virgin Mary Statue in front of Church of Saint-Maurice de Cambes
2019-06-13 | The Virgin of Cambes statue was discovered stolen from outside the Church of the Saint-Maurice de Cambes on June 13th. The inhabitants of the small village of Figeacois, where the statue has been visible since the 19th century, were outraged and upset by the disappearance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3469
Two Statues Degraded in Hombourg-Haut
2019-06-13 | On the night of Friday 13th to Saturday 14th of June, one statue of Saint Barbara and another statue of Saint Christopher were destroyed in Hombourg-Haut near St. Catherine`s Chapel and the cemetery. The statue of Saint Babara was beheaded and the other one was damaged too. The head of the statue is still missing. A complaint was filed and the police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3470
Arson in Vienna Church; Tourist Extinguished Fire with Holy Water
2019-06-12 | A tourist discovered that fires had been set in confessionals in the Dominican church of St. Rotunda during the afternoon of June 12th and extinguished them with holy water. This incident was announced on June 19th, the same day as a series of arson attacks in Graz, including at the city hall, courthouse, district administration building, and the main station. A 45-year-old Iraqi was arrested by police after the fire at the station.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2984
Reliquary Stolen from Portuguese Church
2019-06-11 | On June 11th, unknown thieves targeted the church of the convent of São Domingo in Viana do Castelo (Minho) and stole a gilt metal reliquary containing the bones of Blessed Bartholomew of Braga (Bartolomeu dos Mártires) who was a former Archbishop of Braga and is well known and greatly revered in Portugal. The bishop of Viana do Castelos called the theft an "attack on the feelings" of Catholics. The parish priest of Igreja de São Domingos said the stolen gold-plated reliquary "does not have great commercial value, but what was in it, the bones of Bartolomeu dos Mártires, is of incalculable value."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2980
Priest Stabbed on the way to Mass: Updated
2019-06-10 | A Wroclaw priest, Fr. Ireneusz Bakalarczyk was attacked by a a 56-year-old man and stabbed with a knife on his way to the morning Mass on Pentacost Monday. The attacker, identified as Zygmunt W., was arrested and on June 11th he was brought before a court. News reports indicate that the man confessed to the crime and was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. Prosecutors have not released any details about his motive. A spokesperson from the Archdiocese of Wrocław said there was no indication that Fr. Bakalarczyk was personally targeted, but that the suspect likely intended to attack any "man in a cassock."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2952
CitizenGo Website Hit with Cyber Attack
2019-06-10 | The websites of HazteOir (a Christian advocacy group) and its international platform, CitizenGO, were the victims of a cyber attack on Monday, June 10th. The Spanish hackers were explicit about their ideological reasons for the attack, saying: “Are you enjoying the web attack? Delete all your content... related to LGBT. Delete also the sexist content and the content against abortion. If you don’t do it before the weekend, this will be a war and you will regret it.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2981
Vandalism of a Hundred Graves in Toulouse Cemetery
2019-06-09 | During the night between June 8 and 9, a hundred graves in the Terre-Cabade cemetery, the largest cemetery in Toulouse were damaged by vandals. According to reports, crucifixes and crosses on the graves were broken and scattered, as well as flowers and planters. Jewish and Muslim graves in the cemetery of 300,000 graves were unharmed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3062
Manhole Cover Used to Break Window in Attempt of Theft on Pentecost
2019-06-09 | Unknown offenders unskrewed the outside barring of a window of the Protestant Johannes Church in Tostedt in the night of June 9th, Whitsunday to Whitmonday. They then broke the window by throwing a manhole cover at it, however, they were not able to gain access due to another set of window grills on the inside of the window.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2970
Vandals Destroy Shrine Outside Church on Pentecost
2019-06-09 | Unidentified vandals targeted the St. Josef Catholic Church in Ebingen, Albstadt during the night of June 9th (Whitsunday to Whitmonday). They damaged the shrine outside the church by smashing the glass pane, tore down flowerpots, and destroyed candles. They also smashed the mirror glass in the bathroom which is accessible from the outside with a rock. Property damage amounts to about 100 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2969
Church's Exterior Crucifix Destroyed
2019-06-09 | Unknown vandals damaged the wooden cross in the church yard of the Catholic Church in Harbach during the night of June 9th to 10th by tearing down the corpus (statue of Jesus) and completely destroying it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2975
Statues Destroyed and Attempted Fire in Saint-Jean de la Primaube
2019-06-09 | Unidentified intruders vandalized the church of Saint-Jean de la Primaube in early June. Mass books were burned and the perpetrators tried to set fire to the tabernacle. Moreover, the statue of Mary and a large cross were damaged and the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was beheaded.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3468
Man attacks Altar with Ax During Mass
2019-06-08 | At the beginning of the 7am morning mass on June 8th, a 46-year-old man got out of the crowd, ran to the altar and hit it several times with an ax causing damage in the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Rypin, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. The congregation quickly stopped him and handed him over to the police who had him examined by a doctor. A breathalizer test showed that the in Rypin residing perpetrator was under the influence of alcohol, albeit less than 0.5 pro mille. The doctor decided to transfer him to a psychiatric hospital.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3021
Scottish Local Councils Demand Right to Install "Buffer Zones"
2019-06-07 | Scottish local councils ask for more power to introduce buffer zones around abortion clinics where they see fit without having to appeal to the UK government for permission. This call follows "intimidating" anti-abortion protests outside Glasgow, Larbert and Edinburgh clinics. However, buffer zones such as those would restrict anyone from certain actions such as praying, calmly talking to women about abortion and make them a criminal offense.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3032
Persistent Vandalism of Church in Dierdorf
2019-06-06 | The Protestant Church in Dierdorf im Westerwald has been a target for vandalism for nearly two years. Reports beginning in July 2017 indicate that vandals have smashed windows, burned feminine hygiene products stuck to a wall to damage wall plaster, left graffiti on the walls and doors, knocked over park benches, and littered the area around the church every week. Property damage has reached tens of thousands of euros. The congregation is frustrated and horrified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2948
Fire Set On High Altar in Bad Dürrheim Church
2019-06-05 | Unknown arsonists lit all candles in the Catholic St. Johann Church in Bad Dürrheim on June 5th before setting fire to a flowerpot placed on the 300-year-old wooden high altar with several burning candles. A church visitor noticed the burning candles and the smell of something burning. As she looked for the source, she found that the flowerpot was almost completely burned and the fire had spread to the wooden altar tabletop. Just in time, she extinguished the fire with holy water and reported the incident. A book for pryer requests was also burned a little bit on one side. The immense damage that was done to the altar could not be estimated yet.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2964
Statue of Parisian School's Patron Saint Smashed
2019-06-04 | On June 4th, the statue of Archangel Saint-Michel was found smashed into pieces on the grounds of the lycée-collège Saint-Michel de Picpus, a Catholic secondary school in Paris. Unknown vandals also heavily tagged the school's main entrance. The school had installed the statue of its the patron saint outside the school building after a dedication ceremony at the beginning of the school year.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2941
Arson Suspected in Ankum Catholic Church Fire
2019-06-01 | The fire department in Ankum was called to a smoldering fire in the St. Nikolaus Catholic Church around noon on June 1st. When the team of 33 firefighters in six firetrucks arrived, the Swedish visitors who had initially discovered the two spots of smoldering fire in the church, had already extinguished them out with water. According to police, the church wasn't damaged by the fire and the fire department only had to inspect the site and quickly gave the all-clear. Police suspect arson and began their investigation with the help of the Swedish visitors describing two girls running out of the church just before they themselves entered and the church's surveillance video tapes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2914
Robbery from Esslingen Church
2019-05-31 | Between May 29th and 31st, several unknown perpetrators broke into the Osterfeld Protestant Church in Berkheim, Esslingen. They entered by climbing the porch roof and, once inside, stole three game consoles and eight controllers from the youth room as well as one digital and one SLR camera from a storage room. The value of the stolen goods was estimated at around 1,000 euros and the property damage amounted to around 2,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2913
Vandals Burned Bible and Song Book; Left Feces in Church
2019-05-31 | On May 31st, the Lutheran Nikolaikirche in Caldern was the target of vandals. Sometime between 8:30 am and 1:30 pm, unknown perpetrators entered the church, set fire to the bible and hymn book on the altar, and damaged three large candles. They also broke into a cabinet and a chest, but stole nothing. Finally, they left a pile of feces at the church entrance and another on a bench outside the church. Property damage amounted to approximately 300 euros and it is not yet clear how the perpetrators accessed the church. For the time being, the church will stay closed while investigations are ongoing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2946
Stained Glass Windows Smashed at La Roë Abbey in Mayenne
2019-05-30 | Some time between May 29th and 30th, rocks were thrown at the stained glass windows of the north transept of La Roë Abbey.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2904
Statue Decapitated in front of a Church in Vincennes
2019-05-30 | After the morning Mass on May 30th, parishioners discovered that the statue of a little shepherd praying had been decapitated in front of the Notre-Dame church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2906
Thieves Steal Offertory Donations during Mass in Lourdes
2019-05-30 | During the Ascension Mass on May 30th, two thieves aged between 40 and 50 were caught stealing 1,200 euros and 42 pounds sterling from the offertory boxes in the Sanctuary of Lourdes, in the Hautes-Pyrénées. The Spaniards, known to both French and Spanish police, worked in a coordinated manner for several days, with one on the lookout while the other was stealing the donations. The security services in the sanctuary caught them via surveillance video and handed them over to the police who held them in custody. At the end of their hearings by the investigators, they were released until their scheduled appearance before the Tarbes Criminal Court in October.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2940
Relics of Fatima Saints Stolen During Exhibition on Pilgrimage
2019-05-29 | Two of the relics of the Fatima child saints as well as copies of a crown and golden rosary of the Fatima Virgin Mary statue were stolen from the Gesu Divino Lavoratore Catholic Church in Verona on May 29th while they were being taken around the country on a pilgrimage tour. Although they were only small pieces of cloth which once belonged to the Portuguese sheperd children Jacinta and Francisco Marto, who were canonized in May 2017 by Pope Francis, they are of great value for devout Catholics. Priest Andrea Ronconi said he was “heartbroken and mortified” by the theft and that it probably happened at noontime. Police are looking for the two suspects with who the priest might even have conversed before he locked the church for lunch break.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2934
Crucifix at Church Vandalized Twice in Two Weeks in Marseille
2019-05-29 | A large crucifix with Christ figure in front of the Saint-Patrice church in the Croix-Rouge district of Marseille was vandalized with blue paint on May 29th. According to reports, this is the second such vandalism in 15 days.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2900
Crucifixes Targeted at Cemetery in Montpellier
2019-05-29 | During the night of May 29th to 30th, twelve graves were vandalized in the cemetery Celleneuve in Montpellier (Hérault department). The perpetrators appeared to have specifically targeted crucifixes. The police closed the cemetery on the Ascension holiday to conduct an investigation. Titina Dasylva, deputy mayor in charge of security, expressed her outrage about the incident on Twitter.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2915
Crucifix Destroyed in Płońsk
2019-05-28 | On May 28th, the Catholic Chapel of St. Padre Pio in Płońsk was the target of vandals who desecrated the chapel's crucifix by taking it off the wall and smashing it. According to the parish priest, a parishioner who came to pray in the chapel found the cross on the floor and the ceramic Jesus Christ statue from the cross broken into pieces. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2947
Altar Window Smashed
2019-05-28 | An unidentified vandal smashed the lead glazing of an altar window at the Catholic Church in Büchel in the afternoon of May 28th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2978
Two Thefts from Vienna Churches
2019-05-27 | Witnesses called the police from two different churches in Vienna (Michaelerplatz and Florianigasse) to report thefts from the offertory box in the middle of the day on May 27th. Both suspects were arrested while they were still in and around the church buildings. The police found coins in double-digit total value on each of the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2895
Budapest Kindergarten Teaches Horoscopes; Won't Allow Discussion of God
2019-05-27 | According to a report from the mother of a 5-year-old boy who attends a government-run kindergarten in Budapest, the teacher told her son not to talk about God with other children because there were non-believers in the classroom. However, there have been entire morning programs devoted to learning about astrology/zodiac signs. When the boy's mother complained to the kindergarten director, she was told that the school maintains Christian traditions with the celebration of Christmas and Easter, but that the teacher was correct to stop the discussion of God's existence and to prohibit the children from talking about God.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2899
Graffiti on Church in Kronach
2019-05-26 | On a Sunday afternoon, perpetrators tagged a church in Kronach with the tags "RCS" and "RCG" causing damage estimated at about 500 euros. The graffiti was found on the main entrance door and on a message board.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2896
Corpus Christi Procession Parodied during Gdansk Equality March
2019-05-25 | During the May 25th Tri-City Equality March in Gdansk, which was organized by the LGBT communities, the Catholic tradition of Corpus Christi processions was parodied. A group of people in multicolored costumes with rainbow halos were supposed to imitate the typical attire of a statue of the Virgin Mary. Each of them held on to a ribbon attached to a highly provocative sign depicting a crowned vagina where in Catholic Corpus Christi processions the Blessed Sacrament (a consecrated host) would be. A person dressed in white, imitating a priest, was holding the sign. The city's mayor participated and gave an opening speech at the march, calling it an honor to open the event.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2894
Vandalism of Alpine Church Continues
2019-05-25 | Vandalism such as graffiti and littering has been a recurring problem at the ancient church of Santa Maria in Colle. (Link below to April incident). On May 25th perpetrators struck again. Graffiti in the form of doodles and insults was found on the church walls and quickly removed. In a response to the persistent vandalism, a local historian appealed to everyone to keep the church clean and sacred by emphasizing the value and importance of the place for the community and accentuating that workers once had given their lives to build this church. However, the vandals were little impressed by his appeal and made the church their target as they returned to cover the freshly whitewashed walls of the church with graffiti again that same night.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2897
Arson at Londonderry Catholic Church
2019-05-24 | Police investigated an arson attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Ballymagroarty (Northern Ireland). An outbuilding next to the church was set on fire at around 10:30pm on May 24th. 20 firefighters battled the blaze which spread to the church roof and were able to contain it before it spread to the chapel or parochial house. The parochial house was evacuated. The fire service reported that CCTV cameras filmed two people setting the fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2892
Richmond Council "Buffer Zone" Challenged in Court
2019-05-23 | Legal proceedings were launched in the High Court against Richmond Council to challenge a controversial Public Space Protection Order (“PSPO”) around an abortion clinic on Rosslyn Road that makes it a criminal offense to, among other things, pray or have conversations about abortion. The legal challenge has been brought by Justyna Pasek, who has personally supported women visiting the abortion clinic in Richmond for over five years, offering them alternatives to abortion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2898
Christian Nurse Loses Appeal
2019-05-21 | Sarah Kuteh loses case at Court of Appeal.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2988
Sainte-Anne Chapel in Brest Repeatedly Targeted
2019-05-20 | During the night of May 20th to May 21st, the Chapelle Sainte-Anne in Brest was again the target of vandalism in the form of graffiti. It is not the first time unknown perpetrators have sprayed obscene and blasphemous tags on the wall of the chapel or disturbed Sunday services. The abbot said: "The chapel is regularly targeted by nauseating inscriptions. ...The ideology of their authors is clear. Residents testify to their desolation at seeing hatred spread regularly against this peaceful chapel."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2902
Vandals Burn Statue of Jesus in Großholbach Church
2019-05-19 | Police reported that unknown perpetrators broke in a church window with stones and invaded the interior of the church of the Heiligen Dreifaltigkeit in Großholbach (Westerwald in Rhineland-Palatinate) during the night of May 18th to 19th. Several sacred objects, including statues of saints, were broken. The Jesus figure was removed from the crucifix and burned. The intruders also urinated in the aisle and on several pews.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2888
Fires Set in Nordhausen Church
2019-05-18 | Police announced on May 19th that a tablecloth had been set on fire in the vestibule of St. Blasii's Evangelical church in Nordhausen during the night of May 18th. Fortunately, it did not catch fire completely. There were also traces of fire on a cordon to the church balcony. The professional fire brigade used a thermal imaging camera to scan other areas for evidence of fires. Police are now looking for witnesses who may have seen something suspicious.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2890
Vandalism of Chiesa di Sant’Orso Facade
2019-05-17 | Both sides of the main wooden entrance portal to the church of Sant'Orso were painted with female faces in the Japanese comic style during the night of May 16th to 17th. The vandals also painted the letters A and T next to the faces. Police are reviewing CCTV footage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2891
Etsy Admits Sale of Consecrated Hosts Violated Policy
2019-05-16 | On May 7th, an unknown buyer purchased "nine real Catholic hosts, consecrated by a priest” from a Germany-based Etsy seller for $11.58. The seller, who called himself “AL” and his business “Pentagora,” said the hosts were “to abuse for classic black fairs or black magic purposes.” In response to a petition with over 10,000 signatures demanding the online marketplace ban the sales of consecrated hosts, the company admitted that such a sale was in violation of their policies.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2982
Facebook Censors "Still One of Us" Image; Reverses Decision after Review
2019-05-15 | The Dublin-based Iona Institute for Religion and Society launched a pro-life ad campaign during the week of May 7th, which included billboard signs depicting an unborn child in the womb. Iona extended that campaign to Facebook and paid a promotion fee to bring it to a wider audience. Facebook blurred the image in the ads behind a warning and said that the image comes under the heading of “graphic” or “violent” content. UPDATE: On May 20th, Facebook reversed the decision, saying it was mistakenly categorized as "sensitive content."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2884
Iranian Christian Awaits Trial in Iran after being Deported
2019-05-15 | The Iranian Christian convert Fatemeh Azad's claim for asylum due to conversion to Christianity was rejected by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees and she was deported to Iran. The reason for her rejection was that she did not convince the judge of her genuine conversion. Upon arrival in Iran, she was arrested immediately and released on bail and now she is waiting for her trial which could mean a death sentence because in Iran there is a death penalty for apostasy from Islam.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3019
Vandalism of Church and Walls in Orvieto Medieval Quarter
2019-05-12 | For what was is described as the "umpteenth" time, the walls of the medieval Rupe quarter and the facade of its church, San Giovenale, were vandalized with graffiti which included "blasphemous phrases." Police began an investigation and specialized cleaning teams will be hired to remove the paint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2878
Vandalism in Villeurbanne Church
2019-05-12 | During the night of May 12th, intruders entered the church of Sainte-Famille in Villeurbanne (Rhône) and damaged the holy water stoup, candles, and left trash. The city's urban safety brigade is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2885
Christian Statues Stolen from Cemetery
2019-05-10 | Three metal, meter-high, statues of Christian figures were stolen off their granite pedestals in a family plot in the cemetery of Argenton-les-Vallées (Deux-Sèvres). Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2886
UPDATE: Suspect Arrested for Arson in Equihen-Plage Church Sacristy
2019-05-09 | As a result of a forensic investigation into the origin of a fire that broke out around 6 am on May 5th in the sacristy of the church of Equihen-Plage, a man was arrested on May 9th and sentenced to four and a half years in prison (18 months suspended sentence and three years on probation). The 34-year-old confessed to having set the fire as well as having robbed churches in La Capelle-lès-Boulogne, Wimille, and attempting to rob a church in Boulogne. He said he also had tried to set those churches on fire, but without success. The damage to the Equihen-Plage was extensive, estimated at around 340,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2838
Sussex Church Suffers Repeated Vandalism
2019-05-09 | In the latest in a series of vandalism incidents at the St John the Evangelist church in Copthorne, the Victorian gate memorial to World War I veterans in the churchyard was kicked in and broken. The Churchwarden reported that this was the latest in a string of incidents at the village church. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2846
Activists Block University Christians' Event in Göttingen
2019-05-09 | Activists prevented a planned lecture by the gynecologist Michael Kiworr (Mannheim) on 8 May at the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3575
Break-in and Attempted Burglary in Two Hesse Churches
2019-05-08 | During the afternoon of May 7th, the priest of a Hofheim church caught a man trying to break into the donation box with a tool. The man fled the scene on bicycle. Later, during the night between May 7th and 8th, intruders entered a church in Raunheim (about 65 km away from Hofheim) through a broken basement window. Although it appeared that nothing was stolen, they damaged the locked entrance door as they left.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2880
Theft from Saint-Germain-des-Près in Paris
2019-05-08 | The parish priest of the church of Saint-Germain-des-Près discovered that a gilded metal cross, bronze candlestick, and a candle had been stolen from the church altar by two intruders. The thieves were able to enter the church between 2:10 and 2:30 a.m. without forcing the doors due to construction scaffolding on the building. Police are searching for the two perpetrators filmed by the security cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2877
Christ Figure Broken in Half and Left on Church Altar
2019-05-08 | On May 8th, parishioners at the church of Saint-Martin d'Asson (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) discovered that a crucifix had been dismantled, and the Christ figure it supported broken in two pieces and left on both sides of the altar. A complaint was filed and police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2887
Theft and Desecration of Saint-Germain Church
2019-05-07 | The Saint-Germain church in Brion-prés-Thouet (Deux-Sèvres) was the victim of a theft and desecration. Consecrated hosts and a lunula were stolen. On May 4th, a Mass of reparation was held.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3456
Woman Arrested for Assaults, Threats and Vandalism Against Churches and Priests
2019-05-07 | A 46-year-old woman of Cuban origin was arrested on the 7. May for conducting over 40 altercations and assaults on priests, nuns and faithful of various Catholic parishes in Palma de Mallorca. The arrest took place after she violently stole the figure of a Buddha on 15 April.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5156
Vandalism in Village Church Twice in 10 Days
2019-05-06 | The church of Saint-Genest was vandalized on the afternoon of May 6th, with the Easter candle and other candles dedicated to the Virgin Mary burnt, the organ's power supply damaged, and trash was found. According to reports, this is the second instance of vandalism that the village church in ten days. Police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2841
Repeated Thefts from Churches in Baden-Württemberg
2019-05-06 | Freiburg police are investigating a series of thefts from Catholic churches in Rheinfelden-Nollingen, Schwörstadt, and Bad Säckingen from mid-April to the beginning of May. Offering boxes were pried open and the contents stolen in each of the churches, with the Nollingen church hit twice by thieves.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2847
Winnweiler Church Damaged by Vandals
2019-05-06 | During the period from May 4th to 6th, unknown perpetrators broke the lock at the Herz-Jesu-Kirche in Winnweiler (Rhineland-Palatinate), lit a small campfire on the sandy ground outside the church, and defaced a wall with graffiti. A lightning rod was torn from the wall and the outer facade of the church was damaged. The police in Rockenhausen are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2849
Thüringen Church Vandalized
2019-05-06 | Unknown perpetrators smeared "several numbers, characters and figures in different colors" on the outer wall of the Evangelical Lutheran City Church in Rudolstadt. Police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2850
Rampage in Umbria Church
2019-05-05 | During the night between May 4th and 5th, vandals ransacked the church of San Girolamo in Narni. On Sunday morning the 5th, the priest discovered that statues, benches, and kneelers had been overturned and damaged. Wires were torn from the sound system, furnishings in the sacristy and other rooms were destroyed, and sacred books had been thrown to the ground. As a result of the extensive damage, Mass had to be cancelled. A complaint was filed with the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2835
Graffiti on Toulouse Church
2019-05-05 | Graffiti with the phrase "Allah u Akbar" and a heart was found written on the door of the Notre-Dame-du-Taur church in Toulouse during the evening of May 5th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2842
Hoxel Chapel Window Damaged
2019-05-05 | During the night from May 4th to 5th, unidentified vandals smashed a stained glass window in the chapel in Morbach-Hoxel with a paving stone. Property damage is estimated to be around 2000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2848
Suspicious Fire in Sacristy
2019-05-05 | A suspicious fire broke out in the sacristy of St. Peter`s church in Équihen-Plage on the morning of May 5th. Thick smoke and flames were already coming out of the windows of the religious building when the firefighters arrived. The sacristy was very badly damaged. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3453
Thieves Steal Cross from Altar
2019-05-04 | Sometime between May 3rd and 4th, the intricately carved wooden cross was stolen from the altar of the Peter-Paul-Kirche in Bad Oldesloe. Pastor Diethelm Schark said to enter the sanctuary to steal the wooden cross broke a major taboo and said he hoped the cross would be found and returned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2840
Cross Broken and Trampled at Kwidzyn Cathedral
2019-05-03 | On May 3rd, a priest discovered a destroyed and trampled cross in the porch of the entrance to the church of Saint John the Evangelist in Kwidzyn, as well as a strong smelling liquid poured into the holy water font. Because the incident occurred on the Catholic feast of the Queen of Poland and Poland's Constitution Day holiday, there were many visitors and tourists around the cathedral, making it difficult to identify the perpetrators, according to the priest. The area was not covered by the security cameras in the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2830
Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Deux-Sèvres Church
2019-05-02 | The church of Saint-Germain in Brion-prés-Thouet held a reparation Mass on May 4th after consecrated hosts in a chalice were stolen a few days earlier.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2843
Donation Box Torn from Wall of Church found at Bus Stop
2019-05-02 | Police investigated the theft of an offertory box from a church in Wiehe (Thüringen). On May 2nd, church staff discovered that the donation box had been forcibly torn from the wall. It was later found at a bus stop. A small amount of cash was stolen, but the incident caused property damage of about 100 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2881
Two Vandalism Incidents in Two Days on Catholic Churches in Scotland
2019-04-29 | On Saturday, April 27, anti-Catholic graffiti (“F*** the Pope”) was found spray-painted on a bus shelter outside Holy Family Catholic Church in Mossend. On Monday, April 29, vandals entered St. Simon Catholic Church in Glasgow, the main place of worship for the city's Polish community, and attacked the sanctuary, breaking a statue, overturning candles and a shrine to Our Lady of Częstochowa.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2829
Heavy Damage after Church Break-In
2019-04-29 | Unknown thieves broke into a church on the Luisenring in Mannheim on April 29th. According to police, the perpetrators gained access to the church through a back window during the night of April 29th. They searched the chapel and the sacristy. Doors and containers were broken into with massive force, resulting in property damage of around 10,000 euros throughout the building. Police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2851
Theft from Evangelical Church During Service
2019-04-28 | During the Sunday morning worship service on the 28th of April, an unknown perpetrator stole the offertory box from the evangelischen Kirchengemeinde Spaichingen (Baden-Wüttemberg).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2882
Persistent Vandalism of Alpine Church
2019-04-28 | A year after the restoration of the historic alpine church Santa Maria in Colle and its panoramic churchyard and old cemetery, vandals defiled the walls with with graffiti and scattered garbage around the site again on April 28th. Despite the efforts of the town community and authorities to keep the church and its surroundings a clean and welcoming place, there have been recurring acts of vandalism by unknown perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2905
Disruptions and Security Concerns at Armenian Genocide Commemorations in Germany
2019-04-27 | In Frankfurt am Main, the Diocese of the Armenian Church in Germany and the Central Council of Armenians held a memorial service at the Paulskirche on April 27th for the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Just hours before the event, the keynote speaker was forced to cancel his participation due to acute security concerns. The speaker, Mourad Franck Papazian of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Associations in France, received a warning from French security police that he might become a target for Turkish extremists in Germany. Other incidents included damage of cross stones and threats toward ceremony participants.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2837
Vandalism in the Saint-Rémi Church
2019-04-27 | The church Saint-Rémi (Diocese of Nancy) in Thiaucourt-Regniéville was vandalized on April 27th. A fire extinguisher was emptied and the powder was sprayed all over the church floor and pews. The cleaning costs were about 1,200 euros. After the municipal council meeting, the elected representatives decided to close the church for the public outside the services.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3452
Two Hate Crimes In Two Days In Scotland
2019-04-27 | On April 27th anti-Catholic graffiti saying "F*** the Pope" was sprayed on a bus station outside the Holy Family Catholic Church in Mossed. Only two days later unknown perpetrators broke into the St. Simon Catholic Church in Glasgow, overturned candles and a shrine of Our Lady of Częstochowa and broke the statue. Although only 15 percent of the Scottish population are Catholics, they suffer 57 percent of all religion-motivated hate crimes in Scotland.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3492
Posters of Our Lady of Częstochowa with Rainbow Halo Scattered around Płock Church
2019-04-26 | On the morning of April 27th, parishioners noticed posters of Our Lady of Częstochowa (a sacred image of the Virgin Mary and Child) scattered around the church of St. Maksymilian Kolbe with rainbows replacing the golden halos. The posters were found around litter bins and portable toilets. The spokesman for the Polish Bishops Conference denounced the act and asked for people "regardless of beliefs and personal views, to respect the religious feelings of believers." The incident was also harshly criticized by the Interior Ministry. There were three suspects identified and they will go on trial in November 2020.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2825
Thieves Fled Church after Trying to Steal Donation Box
2019-04-26 | At about 4:30 pm on April 26th, two people entered the Annakirche in Düren (Nordrhein-Westfalen) and immediately noticed two males: One was kneeling in front of the donation and sacrificial candle container trying to cut open the padlock with a bolt cutter. When the witnesses approached the men, they fled the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2883
Bomb Threat Halted Church Commemoration of Armenian Genocide
2019-04-24 | Police evacuated the Lutherkirche in the Bad Cannstadt district of Stuttgart on April 24th shortly before a 7pm commemoration service for the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide was to take place. The pastor of the Armenian Christian community reported that received a warning from police to clear the church after an anonymous bomb threat was received. Police forces blocked off a large area around the church, employing special forces with machine guns and dogs until late in the evening. A police spokesman neither confirmed nor denied that it had been a bomb threat, but called it a "threat situation" and explosives detection dogs were brought in as a precautionary measure. Police authorities are still investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2836
Windows Damaged and Donations Stolen from Lower Saxony Chruch
2019-04-24 | Sometime between April 21st and 24th, unidentified perpetrator(s) broke at least nine windows of a Wilhelmshaven and stole the donation proceeds from the inside the church. Police investigated and looked for witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2852
Private Chapel in Sarzeau Vandalized
2019-04-24 | In the night of April 24th, the chapel on the private property of Madame Walsh de Serrant was vandalized and a statue of the Virgin Mary was destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2938
Easter Mass Disrupted in Trieste
2019-04-21 | During the Easter Mass in the church of San Giovanni, a man who was receiving communion responded to the traditional formula "the Body of Christ" by saying "thanks" and then asking "what part of the body is this?" and began walking away, carrying the consecrated host and denouncing the Catholic religion. Parishioners were shocked and one ordered the man to consume the host before leaving the building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2828
Pentecostal Church Suffers Vandalism Attack on Easter
2019-04-21 | Large rocks were thrown through the windows of the Elim Pentecostal Church on the High Road sometime following the Easter Sunday service. Two stained glass windows and two double-glazed side windows were destroyed. Damage is estimated at £2,000. Pastor Clifford Bedeau reported that it was the first act of vandalism at the church in 15 years.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2845
Fire Destroyed Confessional in Eyguières Church on Easter
2019-04-21 | A fire destroyed the confessional of the Notre-Dame de Grâce church in the late afternoon of Easter Sunday in Eyguières. The suspicious fire started around 4:40 p.m. in the confessional before spreading to a wooden platform to the right of the altar in the 18th century church. An investigation was initiated to determine the cause of the fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3253
Vandalism Attack on Brotherhood House of the Holy Supper (Hermandad de la Santa Cena)
2019-04-21 | On Easter Sunday the façade of the brotherhood house of the Holy Supper was vandalized. The words "Putos Kuras" ("f*cking priests") and the anarchist symbol (an A inside a circle) were painted on the brotherhood house of the Palm Sunday.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3431
Homeless Man Stabbed for Wearing a Cross Necklace in Rome
2019-04-20 | A 44-year-old Georgian man was stabbed in the neck in front of Rome's Termini Station on Easter Eve by a Moroccan man after a dispute about religion on a bus. According to reports, after the victim got off the bus at Termini Station, the aggressor followed him and after noticing the crucifix necklace he was wearing, called the Georgian man a "Italian Catholic Sh*t"and tried to cut his throat with a kitchen knife. The Moroccan man was arrested by police and charged with attempted murder with religious hatred as an aggravating factor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2826
Intrustion into Ennepetal Church
2019-04-19 | Unknown perpetrators broke a window in order to get into the Herz Jesu Catholic Church in Ennepetal sometime between April 19th and 20th. After an investigation, it appeared that nothing was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2907
Statue of Sainte-Barbe Smashed
2019-04-17 | A statue of the patron saint of miners and firefighters was removed from its glass case in a square in front of a church in the small town of Belle-Roche (Cocheren) and smashed to the ground by unknown vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2821
Statue of Virgin Mary Decapitated in Marlhes
2019-04-17 | Residents of the Loire village were stunned to discover the statue of la vierge de Cartaire had been smashed, breaking the chest and decapitating the head. The statue, which sits in a small flower-filled grotto, is made of cast iron with metal reinforcements. Reports indicate that the person or people who committed this act would have had to be well-equipped to break such a strong structure.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2824
Theft from Offertory Box in Euskirchen Church
2019-04-17 | Around noontime on April 17th, unknown thieves emptied the offertory box in the St. Martin Catholic Church in Euskirchen and fled the church unnoticed. The amount stolen cannot be determined.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2908
UK School Employee Challeges Dismissal for Raising Concerns about Sex Education
2019-04-16 | Kristie Higgs, a Christian school worker will challenge a Gloucestershire school academy’s decision to dismiss her for gross misconduct. She was dismissed after she shared two posts on her Facebook page in October 2018 that raised concerns about Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) at another school in the same village - her child’s Church of England primary school. Higgs was told following an investigation and a six hour hearing that she would be dismissed without notice for gross misconduct.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2827
Donation Box in Wittmund Church Broken Into
2019-04-16 | Police are investigating the April 16th theft of an unknown sum of money from a donation box in the Deichkirche in Carolinensiel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2909
Anti-Catholic Graffiti Sprayed on Galicia Church
2019-04-14 | On the morning of Palm Sunday, the priest and parishioners discovered graffiti sprayed on the outside of the Meside (Ourense) church. "Borregos" ("sheep"), "La religión es el opium del pueblo" ("Religion is the opiate of the people"), "Por la república" (For the republic"), a cross in a circle with a line through it, and leftist symbols were among the messages on the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2819
Dillenburg: Vandalism in the Catholic Church
2019-04-14 | On April 14th, between 2 pm and 6 pm, unknown persons vandalized the Herz Jesu Catholic church on Wilhelmsplatz in Dillenburg (in Hesse's Gießen region). They damaged a holy water stoup and candles and scattered leaflets on the floor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2854
Break-in at Church in Herne
2019-04-14 | Between April 14th and 15th, unknown thieves broke into the Protestant Church Baukau in Herne by breaking a window. They tore one donation box from a wall, destroyed another one, and pried open several cupboards and fled with the donations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2911
Sacred Objects and Keys Stolen from Mödling Church
2019-04-13 | Unknown perpetrators stole a chalice, two ciboria, and a monstrance from the tabernacle, as well as all the keys in the sacristy from the parish church in Biedermannsdorf (district of Mödling) on the evening of April 13th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2817
Break-in and Vandalism at El Copo Chapel
2019-04-13 | A chapel attached to the parish of the Sagrada Familia in the El Copo neighborhood of Málaga was broken into during the early morning hours of April 13th. The chapel door, as well as the tabernacle, were forced open and the sacristy was damaged. Nothing was stolen. Police investigated whether it was connected to the theft of ciboria containing consecrated hosts from another Málaga church a few days earlier.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2833
Pro-Life Student Group Challenges Student Union Ban
2019-04-12 | In April 2018, the pro-life student university group Aberdeen Life Ethics Society submitted an application for affiliation to Aberdeen University's Societies Union (AUSA) but was denied due to AUSA's policy which required the union to give “no funding, facilitation, or platform” to any pro-life group and forbids the “unreasonable display” of pro-life material on campus. Aberdeen Life Ethics Society has taken legal action against the University and AUSA claiming unlawful discrimination and the violation of equality rights protected by UK law.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2818
Vandalism in Nienborg Church
2019-04-11 | According to a police press release, unknown perpetrators set a brochure on fire and poured wax on an altar cloth in the church in Nienborg. An investigation was opened.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2815
Burglary of Evangelical Church Sacristy in Ratingen
2019-04-11 | During the night of April 11th, burglars broke into the Evangelische Kirchengemeinde Hösel. They gained access to the inside of the church by prying open two back doors. Once inside, they found a safe about 1.20 x 0.80 m in an adjacent storage room. The safe was completely stolen, but there were no items of great value in it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2856
Ten Intrusions and Thefts of Religious Objects in Vienne
2019-04-11 | The Archbishop of Poitiers announced that there had been an intrusion and theft of religious objects in the churches of Brion and Argenton in Deux-Sèvres. During February and March about ten thefts and attempted thefts of chalices and ciboriums were recorded in the department of Vienne.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3457
Theft of Consecrated Hosts in Málaga
2019-04-10 | On April 10, 2019, the Diocese of Málaga reported the theft of two ciboria containing consecrated hosts from the Iglesia de la Trinidad in Antequera. The diocese noted that apart from the fairly low value of the ciboria stolen, the theft of the hosts was a "desecration of extreme gravity that deeply offends the Catholic faith."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2832
Twitter Blocked Mother Theresa Quote
2019-04-10 | Susan B. Anthony List, a U.S. pro-life organization tweeted a photograph of Mother Theresa and her words: "Abortion is profoundly anti-women. Three quarters of its victims are women: Half the babies and all the mothers.” This tweet was blocked by Twitter for violating the company's “health and pharmaceutical products and services policy.” The tweet was later restored, but Twitter's action prompted U.S. Senator Ted Cruz to question the company's executives about its policies.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2889
Tabernacle Broken and Hosts Stolen from Montluçon Church
2019-04-09 | When the sacristan came to close the church of Saint-Pierre in Montluçon on the evening of April 9th, he discovered that the tabernacle had been broken open and the ciborium containing consecrated hosts had been stolen. Monsignor Laurent Percerou, Bishop of Moulins said "This act, which touches us in the heart of our faith, is a terrible and dramatic act."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2812
Cemetery Restoration Includes System to Obscure Christian Symbols
2019-04-08 | The municipal council of Pieve di Centro in Bologna approved a proposal to install a motorized curtain system in the unconsecrated cemetery chapel to temporarily cover Christian symbols and tombs inside the chapel during ceremonies for non-Christians. The decision generated controversy, with some commentators criticizing the lack of transparency about the project, noting that the public had not been consulted and that construction of another, non-denominational space had not been considered or discussed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2816
Fire Set in Doorway of Evangelical Church in Naples
2019-04-08 | In the early morning hours of April 8th, an unknown arsonist set fire to the door of the church of Nuova Pentecoste Gesù ritorna in Naples. Security cameras captured video of a man removing a bottle containing flammable liquid, sprinkling the liquid in front of the church door, and setting it on fire. The door and facade of the church were damaged, but the fire did not spread to the inside.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2823
Offerings from Several Weeks Stolen from Church Office
2019-04-08 | In the afternoon of April 8th, a man walked into the St. Marien Catholic Church in Bremerhaven and entered the parish office unnoticed. He stole the dark green bag with the collected offerings from several weeks which amounted to 300-500 euros. A witness informed the sexton who only saw the man fleeing towards the town's pedestrian zone.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2912
Vandalism in Parish Hall
2019-04-07 | Vandals ransacked the restrooms in the parish hall of the Catholic church of St. Leodegar Oberschopfheim (Friesenheim) causing an estimated €5,000 in damage. Toilet bowls and the sink were smashed, stall doors pulled from their hinges, and glass from broken windows and bottles was scattered everywhere. Lighting along the passage between the church and the parish hall was also destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2813
Church Door Defaced in Münster
2019-04-07 | During the night of April 6th to 7th, unknown vandals defaced the St. Josef Catholic church. A woman discovered "Pädo" in black lettering and a cross painted on the door of the church. Police investigated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2857
Repeated Vandalism in Coesfeld Church
2019-04-05 | There were several reported incidents of vandalism in and around St.-Johannes-Kirche in Bösensell in late March and early April. A windowpane was smashed and wax was poured on the altar and on the sanctuary (chancel) lamp. Lightning rods were torn from the facade of the church, and tools were used to try to break into the Poor Clares donation box. Brochures, prayer books, and tea lights were scattered around the church, including in the holy water basin. Glass bottles containing holy water were smashed to pieces.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2814
Broken Crosses in Saint-Tropez Cemetery
2019-04-05 | A witness reported that graves in a municipal cemetery in Saint-Tropez had been vandalized. Crosses were toppled and broken. When a guard was asked about the damage, he claimed that the wind must have knocked them over. However, no other items -- including flowers -- were damaged or disturbed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2901
Church of Saint-Etienne Vandalized, Hosts Desecrated in the Vendée
2019-04-04 | According to a statement from the mayor of Bois-de-Céné, on April 4th vandals attempted to force open the wooden door of the tabernacle in the church of Saint-Etienne and when they were unsuccessful, they tore its bottom from the wall to take the consecrated hosts. The hosts were later found on the ground. The perpetrators, who the mayor said "it appears were teenagers" also stole holy water and urinated behind the organ. The municipality condemned the acts and filed a complaint with the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2820
Attempted Break-in at New Apostolic Church in Soltau
2019-04-03 | Between March 31st and April 3rd unknown offenders tried to pry open a side entrance door of the New Apostolic Church in Soltau without success. However, they caused property damage of about 300 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2919
Priest Calls Church Rampage "Spiritual Anarchism"
2019-03-23 | Unknown perpetrators entered the parish church in Leoben sometime between 11am and 2pm on March 23rd and urinated on the altar, dumped out holy water, rearranged candlesticks and pews, tore the wiring for the sound system out of the wall, draped the pew cushions on top of the altar and laid the cordons on top of them. Fifty tea lights which had been placed next to a statue of the Virgin Mary were stolen and thrown into an empty fountain 100 meters from the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2803
Report Calls Swedish Asylum Process for Converts a "Complete Lottery"
2019-03-20 | A study analyzing the asylum claims from 2015-2018 of 619 Afghan converts to Christianity outlined serious shortcomings in the Swedish Migration Board's process. 68% of the converts were denied asylum on the grounds that their conversions were not deemed to be "genuine," despite all of them being baptized members of 76 churches in 64 locations across Sweden. The report noted that the Migration Board emphasized knowledge-based answers to questions and intellectual ability, rather than evidence of belief, religious practice, and involvement in church life.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2801
UK Home Office Rejected Christian's Asylum Claim by Quoting Bible
2019-03-19 | An Iranian man who converted to Christianity after discovering it was a peaceful religion in contrast to Islam had his asylum claim rejected by the Home Office on March 19th. In a rejection letter from the Home Office, passages with violent imagery from the Bible including Matthew, Revelation, and Exodus were used to argue that the claimant's claim about Christianity was false. “These examples are inconsistent with your claim that you converted to Christianity after discovering it is a ‘peaceful religion’ as opposed to Islam, which contained violence and rage,” the letter read. The Home Office later said the letter was "not in accordance with our policy approach to claims based on religious persecution" and agreed to reconsider the application.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2800
Arson Attempted Twice in Senigallia Cathedral
2019-03-19 | An unidentified person set fire to the altar tablecloth in the chapel near the cathedral entrance. At about 8:30 a.m. on March 19th, parishioners and a priest noticed flames and smoke coming from a chapel altar and immediately extinguished the fire. The priest then reviewed surveillance footage and observed a man entering the cathedral and setting fire to linens in a different part of the church, as well. The police were called and began an investigation, noting that there were signs of forced entry on several doors.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2797
Catholic Journalist Questioned by Police for Tweet
2019-03-19 | Caroline Farrow, a Catholic journalist, was investigated under the "malicious communications act" after the founder of a transgender charity accused her of misgendering her daughter in a tweet. Farrow said it is her religious belief that a person cannot change sex.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2879
Fire Deliberately Set in Saint-Sulpice Church in Paris
2019-03-17 | On Sunday, March 17th, the church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris had to be evacuated after a large fire broke out in the entryway. The large wooden door of the southern transept was engulfed in flames and severely damaged, as was the stained glass window above it. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to prevent it from spreading to the rest of the church. On March 18th, investigators announced that the fire was not accidental in origin, but had been deliberately started.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2791
Statue of Jesus Damaged by Vandals in Katowice
2019-03-17 | Sometime during the night of March 16th to 17th, unknown vandals damaged the crucifix outside the church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Koszutka, a district of Katowice (Najświętszego Serca Pana Jezusa w Koszutce). Reports indicate that stones were likely thrown at the statue of Jesus, breaking the legs and arms.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2799
Desecration at Basilica in Charente-Maritime
2019-03-16 | The Basilica of Saint-Eutrope de Saintes in the Charente-Maritime department of southwestern France was desecrated on March 16th when consecrated hosts were stolen by unknown thieves. The diocese announced that a reparation Mass would be held.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2793
Break-ins, Theft, and Desecration in Málaga Churches
2019-03-14 | The diocese of Málaga reported the theft of two ciboria containing consecrated hosts from la Iglesia de la Trinidad en Antequera on March 11th. In a statement, the diocese stressed that this was a "profanation of extreme gravity that deeply offends the Catholic faith." The vicar of the parish called on the thieves to "return the ciboria and repent for the theft." Two days later, in the early morning hours of March 13th, police noticed the entrance to the chapel of the Sagrada Familia in El Copo had been forced open and the sacristy had been damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2802
Counsel for University of Sheffield: Christian Views Should Not be Expressed in Public Forum
2019-03-13 | During the Court of Appeal hearing in the case of Felix Ngole, the University of Sheffield graduate student in social work who was dismissed from the program after he expressed his Christian views about marriage on Facebook, counsel for the university said no social worker should be allowed to express such views.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2834
Offensive Messages Painted on Cathedral of Santiago
2019-03-12 | The Cathedral of Santiago was targeted by vandals during the early morning hours of March 12th. Messages sprayed in black paint on the facade and in various areas of the basilica ranged from anti-Church ("Yo no salí de tu costilla, tú saliste de mi coño" and "Machitos")" to anti-royal ("Guillotina Borbones"), and against the Santiago Abascal party ("Gritaremos hasta quedarnos sin Vox"). The cost to remove the graffiti is unknown, but could be in the tens of thousands of euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2789
Violent Attacks against Pro-Life Prayer Vigils in Manchester and Nottingham
2019-03-12 | Police began a public order offense investigation on March 12th in Manchester after an angry individual screamed obscenities at elderly members of the 40 Days for Life group and sent chairs and leaflets flying outside an abortion clinic. A day earlier, in Nottingham, three people praying outside a medical centre were accosted by a man who swore at them and threw a jug of lumpy yellow liquid at them. Police began an investigation for assault as well as a hate crime motivated by the victims' religious beliefs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2794
Priest Assaulted in Marseille
2019-03-12 | A Dominican priest was with a group of high school students giving coffee to a homeless person when he was grabbed by the throat from behind by a stranger. The man then released the priest and said "I will not shake your hand." The priest was unhurt but shocked by the incident. He reported the incident because he thought he had been targeted because of his religious dress.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2805
Police Investigate Series of Thefts from Churches in Vienne
2019-03-12 | Churches in the region of Vienne were the victims of theft from February 27th to March 12th. A ciborium was stolen from the church of Naintré, candlesticks were stolen from a church in Dangé-Saint-Romain, three chalices and two ciboriums were stolen from a church in L'Isle-Jourdain, and liturgical objects were stolen from churches in Saint-Julien-l'Ars, Morthemer, Chauvigny, and Lussac-les-Chateaux. Police investigated whether these thefts were the work of an organized gang.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2811
Vandalism in Schönau Church
2019-03-12 | The sexton of St-Elisabeth-Kirche Schönau (Wenden) filed a complaint with the police for property damage after discovering several objects were sprayed with wax in the entrance area of the church. The vandals also threw two fist-sized stones into the corndoned-off area of the church, tore up information sheets, and scattered the paper onto the floor. In addition, two hymnals were taken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2861
Strasbourg Church Ransacked
2019-03-11 | When the priest arrived at the church of Saint-Louis-de-la-Robertsau to prepare for the evening Mass, he discovered two fire extinguishers lying on the ground outside the church. When he entered, he found that they had been emptied, with the foam covering the pews and the walls. He then noticed that wax had been spilled on the altar and the Easter candle and wooden statue of Saint Joseph had been knocked over. The altar cloths were ripped, the crown detached from a statue of Christ, and a basin thrown into a confessional. Two weeks after the incident, authorities arrested five teenagers for the act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2804
Desecration at Madrid Parish
2019-03-10 | Some time between March 9th and 10th, unknown persons entered the church of San Rafael Arnáiz (Sanchinarro) and caused extensive damage, including forcing open the tabernacle door and stole the ciborium after throwing consecrated hosts on the floor. According to the priest, the low economic value of the items stolen, coupled with their religious value, suggests that this was a hate crime against Catholics during Holy Week.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2831
Church in Rivas Vaciamadrid Sprayed with Graffiti
2019-03-08 | La Iglesia de Santa Mónica de Rivas Vaciamadrid was vandalized by a radical feminist group with the phrases "Iglesia = muerte” (Church = death), “Muerte al patriarcado” (Death to the patriarchy), and “Pecadora y orgullosa” (Sinner and proud).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2787
International Women's Day Strikers Disrupted Press Conference at Archdiocese
2019-03-08 | More than a dozen strikers disrupted a press conference on the XXIV edición de Las Edades del Hombre at the Archdiocese of Vallodolid, throwing pamphlets and, using megaphones, shouted slogans against religion in education and in favor of abortion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2795
Pro-Abortion Banner Hung by Feminist Activists at Concathedral of Logroño
2019-03-08 | A banner reading "Os beberéis la sangre de nuestros abortos" ("You will drink the blood of our abortions") was discovered hanging on the gate in front of the Concatedral de Santa María de la Redonda in Logroño.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2796
Robbery and Desecration in Charente Church
2019-03-08 | Sometime in the morning of March 8th, between the opening of the church at 8:55 and the first Mass at 9:55, the ciborium containing consecrated hosts and a chalice were stolen from the sacristy cupboard in the church of Saint-Barthélémy in Confolens, Charente. This was the eighth church in the Charente region hit by theft and vandalism since last February.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2809
Theft of Liturgical Objects and Desecration at Saint-Maxime Church
2019-03-08 | A second church in Confolens (Charente) was the victim of burglary on March 8th. The priest discovered on March 9th that the church of Sainte-Maxime had been robbed the day before, at around the same time liturgical objects had been stolen from the church of Saint-Barthélémy in Confolens. Thieves stole two chalices, three ciboriums, one of which contained consecrated hosts and was taken from the tabernacle, a large candlestick, and the ornately-embroidered altar linen from Sainte-Maxime. The priest filed a complaint and estimates a loss of tens of thousands of euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2810
Three Churches in La Coruña Painted with Feminist Graffiti
2019-03-07 | During the "8M" feminist demonstrations, churches in the Castrense, San Jorge, and the church of Santo Tomás were all targeted with graffiti such as "Libres y combativas, 8M," "La iglesia que más ilumina es la que más arde" (The church that illuminates the most is the one that burns the most), and "Pederastas."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2786
Church in Alsace Tagged with Satanic Graffiti; Windows Broken
2019-03-06 | Parishioners of the Catholic church of Reichstett (Bas-Rhin) discovered that one of the century-old stained glass windows, as well as all of the windows of the adjoining restrooms. "666" and "Satan" were found sprayed on the walls. The town's mayor called it an attack on religious freedom.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2807
Anarchist and Communist Graffiti on Public Cross
2019-03-05 | A purple anarchist "A" symbol and a hammer and sickle were sprayed on la Cruz de los Caídos de Revilla de Camargo (Cantabria) by unknown vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2784
Protestant Church Vandalized in Neuwiller-lès-Saverne (Alsace)
2019-03-05 | Vases were broken, papers scattered, and the contents of a garbage bag including soiled diapers was spilled on and around the altar of the church of Neuwiller-lès-Saverne, according to Christian Albecker, president of l'UEPAL (Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2808
Police call Skegness Church Fire Arson
2019-03-05 | St. Matthew's Church was badly damaged by a fire in the early morning hours of March 5th. The Lincolnshire police said it was intentionally set and treated it as an arson investigation. It appears the fire began in the shed adjacent to the church, and was one of several fires set in the town that evening.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2822
Sex Education Guidelines May Interfere with Parents' Rights
2019-03-04 | New "relationships and sex education" (RSE) guidance published on February 25th requires schools to teach primary and secondary school children about LGBT relationships and may not permit parents to opt-out. Parents of primary school children are permitted to withdraw their children from the sex education component of RSE, but the relationships component would be mandatory.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2783
Organ and Stained Glass Windows Heavily Damaged at the Basilica of Saint-Denis
2019-03-03 | The organist of the Basilica Saint-Denis discovered that the doors of the 200-year-old organ had been broken and two stained glass windows had been smashed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2790
Vandals Broke Marble Railing in Gijón Church
2019-03-02 | During the day of March 2nd, unknown perpetrators entered the church of San José in Gijón and tipped over a heavy marble railing, breaking the structure.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2785
Public Crucifix Vandalized in Carinthia
2019-03-02 | An arm from the Christ figure in a countryside crucifix was broken off by unknown vandals. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2792
Altar Set on Fire in Lingenfeld Church
2019-02-28 | Unknown perpetrators attempted to set fire to the altar in the Catholic church in Lingenfeld in the period from the 27th to 28th of February. Police investigated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2862
Church in Hochheim Vandalized
2019-02-27 | Three years after the arson in a confessional in the church St. Peter and Paul in Hochheim, one or more unidentified perpetrators damaged several hymnals, tore pages from the Gospel book on the side altar, and smashed the Easter candle. The stand containing religious literature was destroyed and holy water was dumped out.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2788
Repeated Vandalism of Brechin Cathedral
2019-02-27 | On February 24th, swastikas, names, and arrows were discovered scratched on the stonework of the 800-year old Cathedral of Brechin in Angus, Scotland. A few days later, vandals carved "F*** you Jesus" on the building. Police opened an investigation and a group of juvenile girls were suspected to be responsible for the acts which were described by a church elder as "totally repulsive."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3251
Arrest of Burglar in Hannover After Failed Attempt of Robbery
2019-02-26 | Witnesses called the police after watching a 32-year-old man smashing a window of the Lutheran Kreuzkirche in Hannover-Mitte in the early morning of February 26th. Inside the church the man broke an access door and another two windows and ransacked closets and cabinets. Meanwhile police encircled the church and were able to arrest the intruder who was to be brought before a magistrate. The amount of the property damage is still unclear.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2926
Dublin Church Crypt Desecrated
2019-02-25 | Vandals stole the head from an 800-year-old mummified body, known as “The Crusader” from the crypt of St. Michan's Church in Dublin. The crypt was badly damaged and several of the mummies, including the 400 year old remains of a nun, were desecrated in the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2781
Satanic Desecration in Chapels Near Franciscan Monastery in Katowice
2019-02-23 | Four rosary chapels in the calvary of Panevnicka in Katowice were desecrated by vandals who painted Satanic slogans and pentagrams on the doors and walls, as well as obscene drawings of male genitalia on the statues of holy figures including Jesus. Police as well as parishioners began a search for the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2775
Street Preacher Arrested to "Prevent Breach of the Peace"
2019-02-23 | An elderly man preaching at the Southgate Underground Station was arrested by London police after he refused to leave the area, telling him he was "disturbing people's days" and needed to go away. The police seized the man's Bible despite his pleas not to take it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2776
Christ Figure Beheaded in Saint-Gilles Church
2019-02-23 | On February 23rd, the bas-relief on the altar of the Saint-Gilles church in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie was vandalized, with the Christ figure beheaded.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2777
Arson Confirmed in Hellenthal Church Fire
2019-02-21 | Over 120 firefighters worked for hours to extinguish a fire at the Evangelischen Kirche in Hellenthal on February 21st. The fire began in the half-timbered church annex and spread to the roof of 18th century church. A firewall prevented further damage to the church itself, and the nave and valuable church books were saved. Police estimated damage at several hundred thousand euros and confirmed on February 26, 2019 that the cause of the fire was arson and have continued their investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2780
Vandalism at Montevaccino Church
2019-02-19 | Paving stones were thrown at the windows of the nave of the church of San Leonardo, a crucifix on nearby private property was destroyed, and the lantern for the memorial to the fallen of all wars was smashed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2778
Historic Church Sprayed with Graffiti
2019-02-19 | The 12th century church of Santi Pietro e Paolo Castello Roganzuolo (Treviso) was marred with tags of marijuana leaves, insults to police, and the names of Italian hip-hop artists in green spray paint on the outer walls.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2782
Exclusion Zone Legislation Passed in Ireland
2019-02-18 | At a meeting of Louth County Council on February 18, 2019, a motion to prohibit any pro-life vigils within 500 meters of a hospital or clinic that provides abortion services was passed by a majority vote. Health Minister Simon Harris has called for such exclusion zones throughout Ireland.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2779
Robbery Interrupted at Koblenz Church
2019-02-18 | Burglars were interrupted by a witness who entered the St. Josef Catholic Church in Koblenz in the afternoon of February 18th. One of the perpetrators, a woman, shouted several words upon which a man appeared from one of the adjoining rooms and both hastily left the site. Shortly after, they drove away on a motor scooter and the woman covered the license plate with her helmet. Investigations showed that the man had pried open the door to the adjoining room, however, nothing was missing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2928
Vandals Leave Alvito Church without Electricity
2019-02-17 | Using super glue, unidentified vandals damaged the wires in the electrical meter in the Chiesa di San Simeone Profeta, leaving the church without power and stopping the historic bell tower clock that had recently been restored.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2769
Theft Of Consecrated Host In The parish Of Santa Isabel
2019-02-17 | At noon on Sunday 17th the parish priest discovered the theft of a consecrated host and a carrier containing four consecrated forms for celiacs in the church of Santa Isabel during the celebration of the Eucharist. Shattered pieces of the Blessed Sacrament and the virile were found by the priest in the garden. the theft and desecration was reported on Monday 18th. The police are invetigating and searching for witnesses. Furthermore, the diocesan bishop Amadeo Rodriquez has asked for prayers of reparation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3438
Iraqi Christian Attacked in Berlin for Christian Tattoo
2019-02-16 | A man in Berlin-Neukölln was beaten and threatened with a knife because of his Christian tattoo. The 27-year-old Christian from Iraq was approached by two men and asked about his religious tattoo. They also and demanded that he give a donation to a beggar. When he refused, the men punched him in the face, according to police. When the attacker pulled out a knife, the victim and his companion escaped into a shop and called the police. The police arrested a 24-year old Muslim man. The investigation continues.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2773
Disappearance Of The Terms "Father" And "Mother" From The National Education Forms
2019-02-12 | On the 12th February, the National Assembly in France adopted the new usage of the terms "Parent 1" and "Parent 2" instead of "Mother" and "Father" to reflect diversity in the families. The idea of the new law is to embrace diversity in familiar settings. The deputy Jennifer de Temmerman called the traditional social and family models outdated. This law was criticized by the minister of Education, the deputy Xavier Breton and the movement Manif Pour Tous, calling it "politically correct but not real".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3563
"The only church that illuminates is the one that burns" painted on Seville Church
2019-02-11 | During the night of February 11th, vandals spray painted the Church of San Martin with the words, "The only church that illuminates is the one that burns" ("La unica iglesia que ilumina es la que arde") along with an anarcho-feminist symbol.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3556
Two Churches in Ávila Vandalized with Graffiti
2019-02-10 | "The church that illuminates is the one that burns" and other anarchist and feminist slogans and symbols were painted on two churches in small towns in Ávila. The Diocese of Ávila denounced the acts as attacks not only on the heritage of the small towns, but against mutual respect and religious freedom. A complaint was filed with the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2752
Tabernacle Overthrown in Maisons-Laffitte Church
2019-02-10 | In the late afternoon of February 10th, the priest of Saint-Nicolas de Maisons-Laffitte discovered that the church's tabernacle had been thrown to the ground. The police arrested a 35-year-old man who confessed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2758
Dijon Church Desecrated
2019-02-09 | On February 9th, the church of Notre-Dame de Dijon was desecrated by unidentified perpetrators. The tabernacle was opened, consecrated hosts were scattered, the altar cloth stained, and a missal was torn. A Mass of Reparation was held by the Archbishop.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2737
Thefts from Four Churches in Baden-Württemberg Region in Three Days
2019-02-08 | Between February 6th and 8th, four churches in the Baden-Württemberg region were victims of theft from offertory boxes: two churches in Rheinhausen, a church in Sasbach, and a church in Wyhl. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2763
Christian Cemetery Vandalized in Kamień Krajeński
2019-02-06 | The local cemetery in Kamień Krajeński was devastated by vandals sometime between January 29th and February 6th. Nine tombstones were damaged, crosses were overturned, vases for flowers destroyed, and the arm of a statue of Christ was broken off the grave of a deceased priest. The priest of the local church said it was desecration of a place of worship. Police were alerted and began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2765
Police Investigate Severe Desecration at Notre-Dame des Enfants in Nîmes
2019-02-05 | The prosecutor's office in Nîmes opened an investigation after severe desecration was discovered in the church of Notre-Dame des Enfants. A cross was drawn on a wall with excrement on which pieces of consecrated hosts were stuck. The tabernacle was broken and other consecrated hosts were destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2738
Fire Set in Lavaur Cathedral; Crucified Christ Figure Vandalized
2019-02-05 | On the evening of February 5th, a strong smell of smoke alerted the secretary of the parish of Lavaur to a fire in the cathedral. When the firefighters arrived, only the altar cloth and the crèche had been consumed, but a cross was on the ground, along with a broken candle. The arm of Christ on a cross had also been twisted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2746
Roadside Crucifix Vandalized in Hautes-Pyrénées
2019-02-05 | A wooden crucifix located between Hèches and Avezac-Prat-Lahitte, in the municipality of Labastide, was discovered vandalized on February 5th. The perpetrators cut the cross one meter off the ground and left it there. When it fell, the Christ figure's arm was broken. The mayor ordered an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2747
Saint-Nicolas Church in Houilles Vandalized 3 Times in 7 days
2019-02-04 | On January 29th, a Christ figure carrying a cross was thrown to the ground in the choir of the church of Saint-Nicolas. A few days later, on February 1st, the arms from the figure were broken. On February 4th, a statue of the Virgin and Child was attacked and shattered on the ground.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2745
Theft from Talmont Church
2019-02-03 | The tabernacle was broken and the ciborium containing consecrated hosts was stolen from the church of Saint-Pierre de Talmont (Vendée) on February 3rd.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2748
Consecrated Hosts Thrown inside Tabernacle; Ciborium Stolen
2019-02-03 | Before Sunday Mass on February 3rd, it was discovered that someone had broken into the tabernacle in the chapel of Sainte-Anne in Notre-Dame-et-Saint Junien Church in Lusignan, scattered the hosts, and stolen the ciborium where the hosts were stored. The police were called and began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2749
Churches in the Vendée Repeated Targets of Vandalism
2019-02-03 | Over the course of several months, statues have been pushed to the ground and broken into a thousand pieces, stones have been thrown at the stained glass windows, and the stoups and Christmas crèches have been damaged in two churches, Saint-Gilles and Sainte-Croix, in the parish of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie in the Vendée. Similar damage has occurred in the neighboring town of Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2751
Church Vandalized in Kaiserslautern
2019-02-02 | The church "Am Heiligenhäuschen" was smeared with paint by unknown vandals late in the evening of February 2nd. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2761
Catholic School Vandalized with Graffiti
2019-01-31 | The exterior wall of the colegio de la Trinidad in Vistalegre was painted with vulgar anti-church graffiti. This school, whose interior houses a chapel, belongs to the Diocesan Teaching Foundation of Santos Mártires de Córdoba.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2770
Thieves Stole Ciborium and Hosts from the Church of Madeleine
2019-01-31 | Thieves broke into the Church of Madeleine in Vendôme and stole a wooden tabernacle containing a ciborium and consecrated hosts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3451
Religiously-Motivated Murder of Christian Iraqi in Salzgitter
2019-01-27 | A 33-year-old Syrian man was arrested for the murder of his sister's lover, a 25-year-old Christian Iraqi. The prosecutor said the background of the crime may have been that the victim and accused belong to different religions and probable motive was that the accused, a Muslim, did not approve of his sister living with an "infidel."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2743
Fifteen UK Churches Received Threatening Letters
2019-01-22 | West Midlands police investigated handwritten letters threatening petrol bomb attacks and mass stabbings sent to fifteen churches in the UK from November to January.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2740
Calvary Vandalized in Normandy
2019-01-21 | A public crucifix monument was vandalized with graffiti during the night of January 20-21 in Caen. Symbols included the anarchist "A," slogans in favor of PMA (assisted reproduction) legislation, "Jesus is trans," and a reference to an attack against a Christian pilgrimage tour bus two days earlier in Caen. Also present were stickers of the local libertarian communist union.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3227
Diocesan House of Grenoble Hit with Graffiti; Windows and Doors Damaged
2019-01-19 | On the 14th of January, the Diocesan House of Grenoble hosted a pro-life event which drew a few hundred protesters. Between the 14th and 19th of January, graffiti was sprayed on the outer walls of the house and then between January 19th and 21st, its glass windows and doors were smashed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2750
Church Vandalized with Graffiti
2019-01-18 | Sometime between the 17th and 18th of January, the back wall of the Stephanuskirche was sprayed with graffiti by unknown persons.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2869
St Simeonis Vandalized for Second Time in Two Months
2019-01-17 | A window in the back of the Evangelical church of St. Simeon in Minden was smashed during the night of January 17th by unknown perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2736
Greek Orthodox Church Vandalized in Esslingen
2019-01-17 | An unidentified perpetrator attacked the Greek Orthodox Church, damaging several windows and a glass ornament above the front door. Police opened an investigation
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2870
UPDATE: St. Jacques Church in Grenoble Destroyed by Intentional Fire
2019-01-16 | The church, whose frame was made of wood, was completely destroyed in a fire during the night of January 16th to 17th. When the firefighters arrived on site at 2:30 am, the church was already totally engulfed, and they could only prevent the flames from spreading to neighboring buildings. A hundred people had to be evacuated. The initial investigation indicated that the fire had started with a short circuit in the electrical system, however, an anarcho-libertarian blog post claimed responsibility. On October 7th, prosecutors said accelerants were found in the rubble and the fire would be treated as arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2744
Private Catholic School Sprayed with Graffiti
2019-01-16 | The exterior wall of the colegio de Santa Victoria of the Madres Escolapias, a private Catholic school, was spray painted with phrases such as "Death to Fascism," "School is Jail," as well as an 'anarcho-feminist' symbol.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2771
Attempted Robbery and Fire in Two Bas-Rhin Churches
2019-01-14 | During the afternoon of January 14th, police were called to the church of Saint-Georges after the priest discovered that unknown individuals had tried to break into the donation trunks and attempted to force open the door to the sacristy where objects of worship are stored. An hour later, police and firefighters were called to a fire at the Sainte-Foy church nearby. Police later arrested a man in his late-forties with a lengthy criminal record for setting the Sainte-Foy fire. He was then hospitalized for a psychiatric evaluation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2806
Arson Attempt at Russian Orthodox Church
2019-01-13 | Sometime between January 11th and 12th, an attempt was made to set fire to a wooden wall in the entrance area of the Russian Orthodox Church (Russisch-Orthodoxen Gemeinde des Hl. Gross Martyrers Dimitrios von Thesaloniki) in Schwerin with a candle and oily liquid accelerant. Investigators found a small charred area on the wall of the wooden church because the liquid did not ignite.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2871
UK Court agrees to hear Challenge to Ban on Pro-Life Prayer Outside Abortion Center
2019-01-11 | A British court has ruled that a pro-life activist may challenge a legal decision banning prayer and support for women in crisis pregnancies outside a Marie Stopes clinic.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2734
Molotov Cocktail Thrown at Church
2019-01-10 | "The true martyrs are in the sea" was painted on the wall of the church of San Rocco in Rovereto as the signature of the vandals who threw an incendiary device at the church, setting fire to the door. The attack appears to have been in response to a controversial nativity scene set up to "raise awareness of the tragedy of abortion which condemns children to a real martyrdom."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2753
Christian Man Can't Use "Christ" or "Jesus" on License Plate
2019-01-10 | The Swedish Transport Agency rejected blocked a Christian man’s request to use the word "Kristus" (Swedish for “Christ”) on his license plate, claiming the move could “cause offense” to those opposed to Christianity. When he asked to use the name “Jesus” instead, he was informed that word was blocked, too.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2756
UK Deported Pakistani Christian Threatened by Islamic Extremists
2019-01-09 | Asher Samson, a Pakistani Christian who fought to stay in the UK after allegedly being beaten and repeatedly threatened with execution by Islamic extremists in Pakistan, was deported back to Pakistan on January 9th. Samson, backed by thousands of Christians, attempted to persuade the UK government to allow him to stay after being threatened with execution by Islamic extremists in his home country.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2757
Quickborn: Graffiti on Church
2019-01-09 | Unknown perpetrators vandalized an outer wall of the Quickborn Catholic church Maria - Hilfe der Christen with white spray paint. The lettering extended over a width of about 1.5 meters at a height of about one meter.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2872
Major Damage to Church after Lead Theft
2019-01-09 | Thieves stole the lead roof of All Saints Church, which dates to 1390. During the course of the theft the thieves caused extensive damage to the stone parapet on the roof. The damage was estimated at tens of thousands of pounds.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3258
Profanation At Church Of Barcenaciones
2019-01-03 | On January 3rd 2019 the Blessed Sacrament was profaned in the parish church of Barcenaciones in Cantabria. A holy mass of reparation was held on January 5th in the evening.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3434
Nativity Scene In Callosa De Segura Destroyed
2019-01-01 | On January 1st 2019 unknown people destroyed the nativity scene at the Alto del Aguila in the mountains of Collosa by kicking and throwing it down the hill. The nativity scene was later found 300 meters away from the top of Alto del Aquila, where it was placed by the porter and 300 other people on December 16th. Every year since 1962 the nativity scene is placed there. The porcelain figures and the old crib made out of methacrylate were completely destroyed. The residents of Callosa de Segura are outraged by this criminal act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3437
Two Telephone Bomb Threats against Vienna Cathedral in a Week
2018-12-29 | St. Stephen's Cathedral had to be evacuated twice in one week after anonymous telephone bomb threats by were received.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2742
Anarchist Group Targeted Church with Explosive Device in Athens
2018-12-28 | On December 28th, a police officer and the church caretaker were injured when a small explosive device went off outside the Church of St. Dionysios in the Kolonaki neighborhood of Athens shortly before the Divine Liturgy was scheduled to begin. On January 19th, the anarchist group "the Iconoclastic Sect" claimed responsibility for the attack.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2739
Burglaries in Two Churches in Freren Cause Property Damage of 9,000 Euros
2018-12-28 | Unknown perpetrators broke into a Catholic church and an Evangelical church in Freren, stealing small amounts of money from donation boxes, but causing about 9,000 euros in damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2764
Monks Brutally Attacked during Robbery
2018-12-27 | Six monks were attacked, gagged, and bound during the course of a robbery at the monastery of Maria Immaculata in Vienna on December 27th. Several of the victims were seriously injured and police began a large-scale investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2741
Nativity Scene of Villassar de Mar Attacked and Destroyed
2018-12-25 | On the 25th December, a nativity scene in the municipality of Vilassar de Mar was found destroyed by vandals. The Catholic Tabarnia Twitter account posted a video showing the Baby Jesus with broken arms, a painting on the Virgin Mary, and damage to St. Joseph, the mule, the ox and the shepherds.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3557
Man Arrested for Destruction in Church
2018-12-22 | A 19-year-old man was arrested after causing severe damage to the Apostelkirche in Kaiserslautern on the night of December 22nd. The accused destroyed three glass windows and sprayed the contents of a fire extinguisher in the church. When the police attempted to calm the man, he threatened the officers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2762
PC FINISHED! The Head of The Child Jesus from Nativity Scene Was Torn Off
2018-12-22 | On Saturday morning 22nd December, the new-bought figure of the Baby Jesus from the Nativity Scene of Tordesillas was found beheaded. The vandals also removed the horns of the cow from the nativity scene. There were no witnesses, as it must have happened during the night.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3558
Olárizu Cross Attacked And Significantly Damaged
2018-12-20 | The Olárizu Victorian Cross was seriously damaged after being attacked by a group of unknown people during the night to 20th December. The vandals used a radial attached to some ropes to knock the cross down from the base. There was also a video of the vandals trying to cut the base of the cross. They destroyed the concrete formwork
with a hammer and cut the irons. The police and the fire department went to assess the significant damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3559
Fire and Vandalism in Trier Abbey and Church
2018-12-18 | Intruders entered the Benedictine abbey of St. Matthias through a window during the night of December 18th and ransacked several rooms and the adjacent church, breaking sacred objects, overturning furniture, and setting fire to songbooks and other papers. Police estimated the damage to be in the thousands of euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2767
A Nativity Scene is Attacked and Burned in Cartagena
2018-12-18 | On the night to 18th December, two people set fire to the nativity scene in Santa Lucia, next to the port of Cartagena. The nativity scene had been organized by the neighborhood. There were witnesses who say the vandals threw a fireball in one of the corners where the birthplace was located. The neighbors surprised the vandals, who then run away. The fire caused several damages to the figures.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3553
Strasbourg Christmas Market Shooting Declared Terrorism
2018-12-11 | Prosecutors announced that the attack on a busy Strasbourg Christmas market was an act of terrorism, committed by an Islamist extremist who had previously pledged alliance to ISIL. During the attack, the suspect shouted "Allahu Akbar." Security experts have said that the Christmas market was likely targeted both because it was crowded and its connection to Christianity and Christian symbolism. In response to the deadly attack, other Christmas markets across France implemented extra security measures.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2735
Two Men Arrested for Stealing the Tabernacle from a Hospital Chapel in Vigo
2018-12-10 | The National Police arrested two men for the robbery in the chapel of the Alvaro Cunqueiro Hospital. The alleged thieves stole the tabernacle containing consecrated hosts from the hospital chapel during the night of December 10, and it was a woman who came to pray first thing in the morning that alerted them to the disappearance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3552
Shopping Mall Refused to Display Nativity but Advertised Christmas Market
2018-12-05 | The Thistles Shopping Centre in Stirling, Scotland refused requests from the Legion of St. Mary's Association to display a nativity scene in the mall, saying they "pride themselves on religious neutrality." Despite this official position, the mall heavily advertised a "Christmas Market."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2760
UK Home Office Admits Reason for Underrepresentation of Christian Refugees
2018-12-05 | Christian refugees from the Middle East are widely underrepresented in the United Kingdom. In 2017, 4,832 Syrians were accepted to the UK, however, only 11 were Christians. The Home Office has acknowledged that Christian refugees in the Middle East are “reluctant” to enter the UNHCR refugee camp system, but refuses to state this is because of persecution.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2733
French Mayor Fights State Over Nativity Scene
2018-12-04 | For the second year in a row, Mayor Robert Ménard, former journalist for Reporters Without Borders, installed a nativity scene in the courtyard of the town hall of Béziers. The French government filed a complaint for its removal in the administrative court, claiming the installation violated the law of 1905 on the separation of Church and State.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2732
Doctors Claim their Concerns about Abortion Legislation in Ireland Not Taken Seriously
2018-12-03 | Dozens of its members stormed out of the "Extraordinary General Meeting" of the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) concerning the Irish abortion bill on December 2nd. The members protested that their concerns and objections were not taken seriously and the ICGP “refused to accept members’ motions from the floor.” The spokesperson for the group of approximately 80 doctors, Dr Andrew O'Regan, told the media: "We feel disrespected and not listened to by our own college board."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2731
Church Cellar Deliberately Flooded by Vandals
2018-12-02 | During an advent concert in the parish church of Claußnitz on Sunday, December 2, unknown people turned on a faucet in the boiler room and flooded the cellar with it. "The boiler was totally under water," said Pastor Christian Schmidt. When the damage was discovered, the fire brigade and police were alerted. Two firefighters pumped the approximately 60 centimeters high water out of the basement. The police estimated the damage to be several thousand euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2730
Protests Against Polish Radio Maryja on its Anniversary
2018-12-01 | As Radio Maryja listeners gathered in Toruń to celebrate the radio station's 27th anniversary, a protest against public funding of the station took place a few kilometers away. Organized by a Polish secularist association, a small group protested at the monument of Nicolaus Copernicus.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2724
Statue of Saint Anne Decapitated in Ille-et-Vilaine
2018-12-01 | A statuette of St. Anne with the Virgin Mary in a niche above a first floor window of a private home was removed and beheaded by an unknown vandal during the night of December 1st. The head was placed in front of the doorway of the home.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2759
IS Supporting Refugee Physically Attacks and Threatens Christian Refugee with Death
2018-11-30 | The perpetrator, a radicalized IS supporter, was found guilty of physical attacks and death threats against a Christian refugee, which allegedly happened in the asylum center where both were staying. The charges were stated on the 30th of November 2018.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4170
Anti-Discrimination Law Expanded in Switzerland
2018-11-28 | The Swiss Ständerat (Council of States) passed a law on November 28th adding discrimination based on sexual orientation to the existing criminal law prohibiting discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or religion. A broader version of the legislation, which included "gender identity" was passed by the Nationalrat (National Council) in October. Critics of the law noted that it could restrict freedom of expression and conscience, particularly for those who hold a traditional view of sexuality and marriage. Those who violate the law could face a prison sentence of up to three years.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2719
Vulgar Graffiti Sprayed On The Facade Of Church
2018-11-28 | The parish of San Isidro de la Estación in Cártama, as well as the entrances to the parish hall and the office of Caritas, were spray painted with obscene images and phrases during the night of November 28th. The graffiti outraged the whole town and local police began an official investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2725
Pro-Life Student Group Banned at University in Scotland
2018-11-27 | The Aberdeen University Students' Association (Ausa) prevented the affiliation of the Aberdeen Life Ethics Society, a pro-life student group. This means that the group would not be recognized as an official club of the University and thus would not be eligible to receive any funding for their events. The Ausa has an explicit pro-choice policy supporting "free, safe and legal access to abortion." The Life Ethics Society challenged the ban and accused the Ausa of censorship.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2718
Fabrics on the Balustrades of a Church Set on Fire
2018-11-27 | In the parish church of Brusimpiano, a small Italian village, on the Swiss border, was attacked. So far unknown arsonists, set a plasticized fabric hanging on the church wall on fire. Once it was lit, the fire burned the whole fabric and caused serious damage to the wall behind of it, leaving it blackened.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2720
Repeated Theft from Offertory Box in Hinterzarten
2018-11-26 | In the 'Maria in der Zarten' Catholic Church in Hinterzarten, the offertory box that is locked with a padlock was broken into again on November 26th. The unidentified perpetrators stole an unknown sum of money from it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2954
22 Statues on the Avenue of Saints Destroyed
2018-11-25 | Just three weeks after the the new "Avenue of Saints" in front of the Matki Bożej Śnieżnej Church in Zarzecze was unveiled, 22 of the 23 statues were broken by vandals on November 25th. Only the figure of St. Paul was unharmed. The figures in the Avenue of Saints were dedicated on November 11th on the 100th anniversary of regaining independence by Poland "as an expression of gratitude and an invitation to the saints to our future and our nation," said parish priest Jan Rokosz.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2709
"The Mafia never loses" - Ancient Church Vandalized with Graffiti
2018-11-25 | "The Mafia never loses" (“La mafia non perde mai”) and other graffiti were discovered by the volunteers of the "San Cataldo Baia della Legalità" association in an ancient church by the bay in Terrasini.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2692
Historic Cornwall Church the Target of Arson
2018-11-24 | Firefighters were called to St Mary’s Church in Penzance at around 4am in the early hours of November 24th by the key holder and his wife after the alarm sounded. A bin had been placed in front of the church door and set on fire. Witnesses reported that the fire nearly spread into the interior of the church. Police were given the CCTV footage and began an investigation. Damages are estimated at up to £10,000.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2694
After Repeated Vandalism: Church Forced To Close Its Doors
2018-11-24 | The Stadtkirche St. Georg in Neustadt was the target of vandalism during the night of the 24th of November. The Christmas tree and the loudspeaker system and cable covers on the wall were heavily damaged from having been kicked. In addition, the church was soiled with spilled red wine and cigarette butts. A week before, intruders caused damage in the church, as well. Although an an automatic locking system was installed, due to the vandalism, the church council decided to keep the church locked during the day.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2715
Pro-Lifers Banned as University Group
2018-11-22 | The group "Glasgow Students for Life" were banned from becoming an official group by the Student' Representative Council (SRC) at Glasgow University. As a result, the student group would not have access to funding, meeting rooms, or a stall at the freshers fair. The president of the SRC said the decision had been made because the aims of the society did not align with the values of the council. "Given the SRC’s campaigning on a number of related social issues over the years, including support for the recent Repeal the 8th campaign in Ireland, it would be contrary to our ethos to endorse a society which calls for limited rights for women."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2717
Arson in Funeral Chapel
2018-11-21 | Unknown persons set fire to two benches in the altar room of the funeral chapel in Treysa on November 21st. The benches in the interior of the church were set on fire with paper waste and presumably fire accelerators. The fire caused considerable soot damage, but the building remained intact. The damage was estimated at 500 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2695
Parents Threaten Action against School that Required Children to Participate in Gay Pride Parade
2018-11-20 | In November, several parents of children who were required to participate in a "Proud to be me" pride parade at the Heavers Farm Primary School in South East London threatened legal action. Despite numerous complaints from parents, they were informed that no opt-outs would be allowed. Parents, including Izoduwa Adhedo, reported that they were treated dismissively and victimized following their complaints. "I wasn't even trying to stop the Pride event. I just wanted my child to receive an education, rather than indoctrination," Adhedo said.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2721
War Memorial and Church Defaced in Scotland
2018-11-17 | A church and war memorial were hit by vandals sometime on the 17th of November in Coatbridge. The graffiti included Republican slogans like "RIRA" (Real Irish Republican Army). The incident happened just a week after Armistice Day - the day the Allies and Germany signed the peace treaty ending the First World War.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2671
Persistent Littering and Vandalism in front of Cosenza Church
2018-11-17 | For years, the piazza and steps in front of the church of Santa Teresa in Cosenza have been littered with bottles, glasses, vomit and urine by young people who congregate there in the evenings and on weekends. However, as parishioners stepped past all of the litter and excrement to attend Mass on the weekend of November 17th, they discovered the steps to the church were defaced with graffiti.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2672
Miniature Model of Church Destroyed and Offertory Box Looted
2018-11-15 | A wooden model of the small parish church in Bräunlingen was returned to its place next to the church altar after the damage caused by vandals had been repaired. A few days later, it was hit again by vandalism. The bottom plate of the model was forcibly torn open, the wood was shattered in the back, and part of the electronics were exposed. The offertory box on which the small church stands was looted, leaving only a few coins. Additionally the smaller of the two church towers, which was completely replaced in the past repair, was damaged again.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2670
Prosecutors Believe Hague Stabbing in May Targeted Christians and Jews
2018-11-14 | New information from the prosecutor's office indicates that Malek F., a Syrian asylum seeker charged with 3 counts of attempted murder for stabbings in The Hague on May 5, 2018, was specifically searching for “Christian and Jewish kuffars," Arabic for non-believers. In a recorded conversation with his mother from prison, he said they were similar to “animals or retarded people” and that he was a "soldier of Allah."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2673
Evangelical Church Vandalized
2018-11-14 | The Evangelical church of St. Simeonis in Minden was vandalized during the night on the 11th of November when unknown persons sprayed the southern church door and a wall with graffiti. In 2017, a precious 19th century window was destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2707
Theft and Desecration of Madrid Church
2018-11-13 | On the 13th of November intruders broke into the church of Nuestra Señora de Madrid, desecrated the tabernacle, stole a ciborium, a small monstrance, and other objects from the parish office. The Cardinal Archbishop of Madrid, Carlos Osoro, expressed his pain, his prayers, and his condemnation for this desecration to the whole parish community and will soon hold an act of reparation in the church. The police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2660
Thousands of Euros in Damage Caused by Rocks Thrown at Church Windows
2018-11-13 | On four afternoons in a row, between November 13th and November 17th, unknown perpetrators threw rocks at the stained glass windows of the church of St. Stephanus in Grevenbroich-Elsen. "In total there are 27 holes up to a diameter of ten centimeters and cracks [in the windows]," according to Gerd Reibel, Deputy Chairman of the Church Council. "We estimate the total amount of the damage to be between 3,000 and 4,000 euros," he said. The parish filed a police complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2706
Profanation and Robbery in a Parish Church in Madrid
2018-11-13 | On the 13th November at dawn, the parish of Our Lady of Madrid was vandalized and robbed by vandals. The perpetrators entered by forcing the door open and desecrated the tabernacle and stole the ciborium and a small monstrance, they also took objects from the parish office. The police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3547
British Government Denies Asia Bibi Asylum for Fear of Community Unrest
2018-11-09 | Asia Bibi, who spent eight years on death row in Pakistan, was released from prison after the Supreme Court of Pakistan overturned her sentence for “insulting the Prophet Mohammed.” Her acquittal led to unrest and riots among Pakistan's Muslim hardliners, prompting the government to try to prevent her from leaving the country. Her husband, Ashiq Masih, pleaded to the UK government: “I am requesting the Prime Minister of the UK help us and as far as possible grant us freedom.” The British government reportedly rejected this request for fear of civil unrest.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2648
Church Door Set on Fire
2018-11-09 | On the 9th of November the door of the parish church in Llamas de la Ribera was set on fire, causing severe damage. Police arrested the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2665
Arson in Church; Heavy Damage to Renovated Organ
2018-11-07 | Police determined that a fire set to an organ in the St Franziskus Church in Gummersbach was intentional. The damage done to the organ was estimated to be in the six-figure range. Due to the rapid intervention of the fire department, greater damage was prevented. "Perhaps the whole church could have gone up in flames if the fire had not been discovered so quickly," noted Father Christoph Bersch.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2650
Vandalism in the Church of Sainte Croix
2018-11-07 | A press release of the parish of Port de Bordeaux reported that there were “more then 40 chairs crumbled to pieces, tables and displays thrown over” in the 11th century church of Sainte Croix. Debout France – a local federation – published information about this incident on its Twitter expressing regret saying: “vandalism (…) is more and more frequent within our church.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2653
Historic Forest Church in Badia Tedalda Heavily Damaged by Vandalism
2018-11-06 | Several stained glass windows of the Lama Church were broken by rocks and the door was smashed by an axe. The damage was estimated at several thousand euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2611
Vandalism at Wallyford Church
2018-11-05 | East Lothian (Scotland) Police investigated a case of vandalism at the Wallyford Livingroom Church. Vandals smashed a window by throwing stones.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2652
Vandalism to Parish Church
2018-11-04 | Sometime between November 4th and 7th, unknown perpetrators smashed in a window at the St. Walburgis Church in Menzelen-Ost. The damage was discovered by church staff on the evening of November 7th. The perpetrators threw an object into a glass window with lead glazing with an unknown object.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2647
Parish Church Vandalized
2018-11-02 | Police reported that two teenagers are suspected of having caused at least €3,000 in damage to the Reichertshausen parish church St. Stephanus between August 31st and September 13th. Many statues were damaged: the wing of a dove (representing the holy spirit) was broken, the statue of John the Baptist was damaged, and the head of a statue on the altar was broken off. A foul smelling and foamy liquid was poured into the holy water. The sacristan who discovered all of this damage also found remainders of ashes and crumbs, spilled beverages, a burned prayer book, and the note “F… dich Gott” (“F… you God”) in a book for prayer requests.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2601
Offensive Graffiti and Vandalism in Church
2018-11-02 | Unknown perpetrators sprayed three walls and a prayer bench with offensive graffiti in the St. Benedikt-Kirche in Herbern. The local police spokesperson referred to the act as "antisocial behavior" and suspected "marauding teenagers" committed the vandalism sometime between 11 am and 5 pm on November 2nd.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2610
Shocking Graffiti on Pietà
2018-11-01 | During the night before All Saints Day, the Pietà in front of the parish church St. Georg in Freising was defaced with black graffiti and vulgar sexual images. Just two weeks earlier, church painter Florian Böck had finished restoring the statue of the Mary, Mother of Sorrows (Mater Dolorosa), holding the corpse of Jesus Christ taken from the cross. Böck expressed his anger: “We really need to ask ourselves, who could do something like this?” and said it would be a long process to clean the statue and bring it to the previous status. The damage to the statue which dates back to 1640 was estimated by the police at around 3000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2657
Over 100 Windows Smashed at Church in Ireland
2018-10-31 | Sometime between the 29th and 31st of October, unknown perpetrators broke 104 windows at St Catherine’s Church in Tullamore. The police are investigating, and cannot exclude a targeted crime although the motive remains unclear. Parishioners expect up to €70,000 will be needed to renew the windows and enhance security.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2596
Obscene Vandalism on Salerno Church
2018-10-31 | Vandals sprayed a phallic symbol in foam next to the Madonna on the bronze door of the church of Santa Maria a Mare a Mercatello. The priest, who called the act disrespectful and offensive, reported that this was not the first instance of vandalism, as the churchyard is a frequent target of vandals. Both the priest and the parishioners were upset and discussed closing the churchyard and installing security cameras in the area.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2604
Three Windows of Village Church Destroyed
2018-10-30 | Unknown perpetrators smashed three stained glass windows with stones between the 28th and 30th of October. The Hamminkeln police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2602
Christian Group Ordered to Pay for Extra Security at Oxford Event
2018-10-29 | Oxford students voted to ban Christian Concern from hosting its Wilberforce Academy residential conference at Lady Margaret Hall, calling the group a “real threat to the physical and mental safety of students.” The college, however, said it would permit the group to use its facilities provided that it paid for extra security. A college spokesperson said that Christian Concern's "opposition to abortion, Islam and LGBTQ+" rights would lead to protests so it needed to pay "additional security costs."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2597
"Rainbow Friday" May Violate Polish Constitution and Education Law
2018-10-26 | For the third year in a row, more than 200 schools across Poland participated in "Rainbow Friday," a campaign to celebrate and promote acceptance of LGBT issues. The Ordo Iuris Institute for Legal Culture examined whether such an addition to the school curriculum violated the education law and interfered with the constitutionally protected rights of parents to direct the education of their children. It encouraged parents who objected to their children's participation in the program to inform the schools of their wishes, and to report violations if their children are compelled to attend.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2664
Repeated Incidents of Vandalism at Santiago de Compostela Church
2018-10-24 | At night, the church of Santa Susana in Santiago de Compostela is reportedly frequented by young people who use the dimly lit corners of the church as urinals. Additionally nearly all the windows have been smashed in and graffiti covers the exterior of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2645
Scottish Campaign calls Believers 'Bigots'
2018-10-22 | An anti-hate crime campaign One Scotland, launched in September 2018 by the Scottish police and government, includes a poster directed toward religious believers which reads (in part), “Dear Bigots, you can’t spread your religious hatred here. End of sermon. Yours, Scotland.” Other posters in the campaign were directed toward 'transphobes' and 'homophobes.' Critics of the campaign have noted that it singles out religious believers and calls them bigots without any qualification, and it is based on a political ideology which discriminates against those who hold traditional views.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2636
Second Church Arson in a Month in Heroldsbach
2018-10-21 | For the second time in a month, a fire was set in the St. Michael church in Heroldsbach. A witness noticed the fire around 5:45pm on Sunday, the 21st of October and called the authorities. The fire brigade was able to quickly extinguish the fire and prevent further damage. An intentional fire had been set in the same church on September 16th. The criminal police of Bamberg continued the investigation into both fires and continued to seek witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2595
Burglars in Church Vandalized Sacristy
2018-10-21 | Unidentified perpetrators broke into Saint-Antoine-l'Ermite church, forced open the tabernacle, and threw the ciborium containing consecrated hosts on the ground. The sacristy was vandalized, but the intruders failed to open the safe.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2612
Church the Victim of Theft and Vandalism
2018-10-19 | Several incidents of theft and vandalism took place at the Church of St. Thomas and St. John in Radcliffe. Lead from the roof and railings from the disabled access ramp were stolen and the stonework on the ramp was hammered. Ropes installed to replace the railings were then cut. Garbage and waste was repeatedly dumped on the church property.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3060
Church in Yvelines Desecrated
2018-10-16 | Police were called to the church of Sainte-Julitte de Saint-Cyr-l'Ecole after feces, urine, and a cigarette butt were discovered at the foot of the altar. A police investigation was opened and a complaint will be filed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2589
Man Set Fire to Wooden Church Door
2018-10-13 | The National Police of Gran Canaria arrested a 52-year-old man who intentionally set fire to several points on the wooden door of the parish church of San Bartolomé de Tirajana. The fire was discovered on the 13th of October at around 11:30 p.m. and the police were called. They were able to contain the flames until the arrival of the fire brigade.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2643
Repeated Acts of Vandalism Forces Church to Limit Opening Hours
2018-10-11 | Three incidents within two weeks hit the Church of Ireland Christchurch in Buncrana, County Donegal. As well as the burning of Mass leaflets, a Bible was written on, cigarettes were stubbed out on the carpet, eggs were thrown, and flowers were strewn on the floor. The church, which was open throughout the day, was used as a place of prayer by many people. However, the decision was made to close the church outside service times until security was reviewed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2655
Statues of Saints and the Virgin Mary Smashed, Decapitated, and Stolen in Ticino
2018-10-10 | Since Easter, there have been eight attacks against statues of female saints and the Virgin Mary in the southern canton of Ticino.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2584
Rifle Fire Damaged Stained Glass Windows of Church
2018-10-08 | Mayor René Beausoleil announced at a city council meeting that he had filed a complaint with the gendarmerie after "23 impacts of rifle fire" damaged several stained glass windows in the church of Saint-Laurent in Montfaucon-d’Argonne. The damage was estimated at €16,700. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2588
Dog Excrement left at Church Altar
2018-10-08 | Sometime between 11 am and 6 pm on October 8th, unknown perpetrators entered a church in Eichendorf, opened a holy water container and moved several crosses from the wall onto the floor. In addition, dog waste was deposited on the altar carpet. The damage was estimated €300.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2658
Cross Torn Down in Lesvos
2018-10-07 | A huge cement cross erected over a beach in honor of people who have drowned there was torn down by unknown perpetrators during the night of October 7th. The NGO "Coexistence and Communication in the Aegean" had previously called the cross "offensive" to non-Christian migrants, a symbol of "racism and intolerance," and claimed that it had been placed above the beach to prevent refugees and migrants from swimming there. Local residents reacted with dismay and discussed re-building it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2581
Huge Metal Cross Torn Down
2018-10-07 | Vandals tore down a huge 30 kilo metal memorial cross from the cemetery next to the pilgrimage church in Marienbaum. Father Jeremias Kehren, pastor of the church, expressed the shock of the community and called it an attack on the cemetery and those who mourn there: "The wickedness with which this memorial was desecrated leaves us speechless."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2666
Bremen Cathedral Tagged with Hammer & Sickle; "Anti-Imperialism" Graffiti
2018-10-04 | During the night of October 4th, unknown vandals sprayed "Tot dem deutschen Imperialismus" (Death to German imperialism") and a hammer and sickle symbol in red paint on the Bremen Cathedral. The Otto von Bismarck monument was also hit with red tags. Bremen police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2766
Man Sentenced for intended Theft in Sacristy
2018-10-04 | A man, who broke into the sacristy of the Sant'Amanzio church in Piazza SS, was sentenced to two months in prison on April 22nd. Two nuns had caught him in the act of trying to break open the room where the liturgical vestments are kept. Due to his suspicious actions, they followed him, alerted a police officer, and he was subsequently caught.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5660
Anti-Abortion GPs Argue Against Being Forced to Refer Patients
2018-10-03 | A draft of abortion legislation provided that doctors, nurses, and midwives who have a conscientious objection to abortion must refer their patients to another provider who will perform the abortion. The National Association of GPs (NAGP) voted to "advocate for conscientious objection, without obligation to refer" and for an "opt-in" system, where medical professionals register their willingness to perform the procedure, rather than an "opt-out system.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2573
Diocese of Osma-Soria Reported Two Churches Damaged and Robbed in 15 Days
2018-10-02 | The Diocese of Osma-Soria reported on October 2nd that the church of San Esteban in the town of Masegoso was vandalized, but nothing was stolen. In Soria on September 22nd, thieves entered the hermitage of the Virgin of Ulagares and stole the money donated by the faithful, as well as religious objects of low value and some construction tools. The civil guard began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2582
Elderly Priest Injured by Two Young Men
2018-10-01 | On September 26, 2018 an 81-year-old priest was assaulted by two homeless men he sheltered in his home in Denain. The priest was awakened by noise at around 2:00 in the morning and discovered the men trying to steal his television. The men, who the priest had been sheltering and feeding for a few days, attacked him, threatened him with a kitchen knife, and tied him to his bed. After he shouted, the perpetrators fled but were soon identified and captured by the police. On October 1st, they were each sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2606
Church Vandalized with Satanic Slogans
2018-09-29 | The evangelical Schlosskirche in Winnenden was hit with graffiti between the 29th and 30th of October. The entire west side exterior of the 14th century church was sprayed with slogans like "Satan 666," "666 an die Macht" (666 to the power) and "stay high." The pastor said a special process would be required to remove the paint from the sandstone walls.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2654
Abortion-Specific Conscience Clause Targeted by French Socialists
2018-09-27 | An attack on the freedom of conscience of doctors and medical staff was launched on the 27th of September in the French parliament by socialist senators including former Minster of Families Laurence Rossignol. They want to remove the specific conscience clause for doctors covering abortions, because it is already covered by the Public Health Code.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2663
Second Suspected Arson Within 8 Days; Priest Threatened
2018-09-26 | Unknown perpetrators set the Santi Innocenti Martiri di Montesilvano Church on fire on September 26th. This was the second fire at the church within a week and was committed while investigations into the first fire were underway by the carabinieri and the fire brigade. The entire central nave was enveloped by the fire that traveled along the entire right side to the sacristy and the meeting room. Even the roof collapsed, making the supporting structure completely unusable, according to reports. "There are people who, despite our willingness to meet them, even publicly said they did not want the church. With today's gesture, the work was completed as if they wanted to finish what they had not been able to do last week," said Father Rinaldo, the parish priest.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2679
Ravensburg Church Arsonist Sentenced
2018-09-25 | A 40-year-old unemployed man was sentenced to 7 years in prison on September 25, 2018 for the arson of two churches, St. Jodok in Ravensburg and St. Martin in Schlier. The incidents occurred in March 2018, which we reported at the time. The fire at St. Jodok church in Ravensburg caused at least two million euros in damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2554
Spanish Mayor Disguised Himself as Priest to Perform Civil Wedding
2018-09-23 | The mayor of Ayna (Albacete), Emiliano Rodríguez, disguised himself as a priest to perform a civil wedding ceremony in the town of Castilla-La Mancha. He wore a cassock with a large cross hanging around his neck and carried a small book like a bible in his hands. While the socialist mayor claimed it was a private event not intended to offend anyone, the stunt was widely criticized. The parish priest of Albacete wrote on social media, "As a priest I protest vigorously. Please respect my faith." (Como sacerdote protesto enérgicamente. Por favor, respete mi Fe).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2580
Historic Church Destroyed by Arson - Suspect Arrested
2018-09-23 | Only ruins were left of the Kiihtelysvaara Lutheran Church after a 29-year-old set fire to one of Finland's oldest wooden churches in Joensuu. The arson was discovered in the morning of the 23rd of September.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2678
Summit Cross Vandalized
2018-09-22 | The summit cross on Garlaban hill, loved by the Aubanais people and symbol of the city, was covered with red paint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2689
Finnish Foreign Minister Faced No-Confidence Vote over Pro-Life Views
2018-09-21 | Members of the Finnish Parliament voted 100–60 against a motion of no confidence brought against Catholic Foreign Minister Timo Soini on September 21st. Four opposition parties, the Green League, Left Alliance, Social Democrats and Swedish People’s Party, brought a motion of no confidence over Soini's attendance at pro-life vigil while on an official trip to Canada in May.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2577
Iron Door of Church Set on Fire with Flammable Liquids
2018-09-20 | A fire was set with flammable liquids at the iron entrance door of the church of Santa Domenica in Isola Capo Rizzuto on September 20th, causing blacking of the door and adjacent wall.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2687
Explosion at Banquet Hall of Syrian Orthodox Church in Södertälje
2018-09-19 | Police completed a forensic investigation of an explosion in an events hall owned by the St. Afrem Syrian Orthodox Church. The hall, rented from the church for events such as parties and wedding receptions, was empty at the time of the explosion. Police said the explosion was the result of a homemade incendiary device, but have not identified a perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2587
War Memorial Damaged at Catholic Church
2018-09-18 | Police began an investigation of vandalism at the war memorial at a Catholic church in Bischofsdhron, a few days after a Way of the Cross was damaged nearby. Several stone slabs were knocked out of their foundation causing an estimated €400 in damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2586
Assault on Priest and Attempted Robbery at Bulgarian Monastery
2018-09-18 | Six masked men entered the medieval Rozhen Monastery at about 8:00 pm on September 18th. They assaulted and tied up the priest who was present and began digging into the wall behind the iconostasis in the monastery church with picks and spades. After about 30 minutes, they left the monastery without taking anything except the priest's mobile phone. The priest was reportedly unharmed but shaken by the incident. Security camera footage led to the arrest of some of the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2590
Thousands of Pounds of Damage to Church Windows in Kenilworth
2018-09-18 | An "identified suspect" damaged several windows with rocks at the St. Barnabas Church in Kenilworth on the 18th of September, causing thousands of pounds in damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2675
Neuroscience Professor Investigated for Telling Students Men and Women are Biologically Different
2018-09-17 | Germund Hesslow, a neurophysiology professor at Lund University, is under investigation for "anti-feminism" and "transphobia" for telling his students there are biological differences between men and women.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2579
Arson in Bavarian Church
2018-09-16 | Early in the evening of September 16th, a witness noticed smoke coming from the St. Michael church in Heroldsbach and contacted the authorities. Police discovered burning scraps of paper and initial estimates amounted to at least 2,500 euros in damage. After a criminal investigation, officials concluded that the fire had been intentionally set and asked for assistance from any potential witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2594
State Protection Office Investigates Graffiti on Parish Church
2018-09-16 | In September 2018, in the night before the festivities of St. Hildegard, the slogans “F*ck the Pope” and “Deutschland den Muslimen” (“Germany to the Muslims”) were sprayed on the Parish Church in Eibingen, a district of Rüdesheim. Police and the State Protection Office are now investigating and believe the perpetrators to be German citizens.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2603
Fires Set in Kobern Church
2018-09-16 | The sacristan of St. Lubentius in Kobern discovered that several small fires had been intentionally set in the church. She observed that the altar cloth had been burned at the altar of the Virgin Mary, damaging both the cloth and the altar. A second altar and cloth, as well as the bible on the lectern, were similarly burned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2685
Perpetrator Confesses to Arson of Evangelical Church
2018-09-15 | A 58 year old man confessed to setting a fire that heavily damaged the Johanneskirche am Lendkanal on September 15th. The altar cross, a gift of British soldiers and of great sentimental value, was missing after the fire but later found near the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2617
Pro-Life Charity Banned from Three UK Universities
2018-09-14 | Student Unions in Manchester, Warwick, and Liverpool rejected the Life charity's application to appear at their Freshers' Fairs. The Warwick Students' Union rejected Life because its members "voted to adopt a pro-choice stance." Manchester said the Fair was an inappropriate platform, while Liverpool said the charity would not offer "impartial advice" to students. Life said its displays inform students that help is available if they get pregnant. The charity filed a complaint to the Office for Students (OfS) citing discrimination and restrictions on freedom of speech. It noted that the Chair of OfS had earlier promoted the protection of freedom of speech.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2583
Unknown Vandals Damage Way of the Cross in Morbach
2018-09-14 | Unknown vandals damaged elements of a Way of the Cross leading to the Fatima Chapel in Bischofsdhron sometime between the 12th and 14th of September. They perpetrators pushed three of the thirteen sandstone crosses from their bases and tilted back into the adjacent embankment. The crosses themselves were unharmed, but the bases were heavily damaged. Repairs were estimated at €600. Police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2585
Christian Sued Scouts after being Ousted over Islam Complaint; Settled Case
2018-09-09 | A man from Bristol whose membership to the Scout Association was cancelled took legal action, claiming he has been discriminated against on account of his Christian faith.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2306
Fire in the Church of Santa Maria della Roccella
2018-09-09 | Police began an arson investigation after a fire broke out in a basement of the cloister of the Church of Santa Maria della Roccella. The flames affected some unused materials and various forms of waste that had piled up in a basement of the cloister. The fire brigade intervened and found four LPG tanks near the fire which they removed and secured promptly. Fortunately there was no damage done to the building and no one was hurt.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2571
Burglars Hit Church in Lörrach
2018-09-09 | Police investigated a break-in between September 9th and 10th at the Protestant Church in Lörrach. Unknown perpetrators tried to pry open several doors, finally accessed the church building through an unlocked door. Inside they broke into the sacristy and a storage room, pried open two doors on the upper floor and ransacked several rooms.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2949
Door of Church Burned in Santa Maria di Licodia
2018-09-07 | During the night between the 6th and 7th of September, the door of the church of Madonna del Carmelo was set on fire. In the early morning hours residents became aware of the fire and extinguished it. The police investigated and found that the fire was started by lighting paper and plastic. The perpetrators damaged the base of the door and blackened the upper part. Fortunately, the flames did not spread into the inside of the church. The priest filed a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2568
Parish Church in Gutau Vandalized
2018-09-07 | Unknown perpetrators vandalized the facade of the parish church in Gutau with red and black paint sometime between 6 pm and 10:45 pm on September 7th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2570
President of Czech Republic Sides with Communist Party on Taxation of Church Restitution
2018-09-06 | The president of the Czech Republic, Milos Zeman, wavered from his neutral position and backed the communists and government coalition parties' plan to tax outstanding restitution payments to churches and religious communities whose property had been confiscated during the communist regime. In a TV interview he said is was "angry" to some extent because church institutions have continued to demand compensation and filed complaints against municipalities despite the decisions that were made in the 2013 restitution laws.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2567
Chester Cathedral Damaged by Intruder
2018-09-06 | A man was arrested after four stained-glass windows were smashed and other property was damaged at Chester Cathedral. The incident occurred just after midnight on September 4th and money was stolen from the premises. The damage caused to the cathedral is likely to exceed £10,000. The Cathedral's acting dean said the damage to the four stained-glass windows which date back to 1920 was very upsetting, in particular, the damage caused to a window depicting St. Werburgh, the Patron Saint of Chester.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2575
Police say 'Disgusting Attack' on Manchester Cathedral was Hate Crime
2018-09-06 | Officers are treating the spraying of abusive graffiti onto the wall of the landmark late on September 6th as a "religiously aggravated attack." The language used was "too offensive to be published," according to media sources.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2576
Anarchist Graffiti on Monument to the Virgen del Rocío
2018-09-05 | Sometime in the early morning hours of September 5th, vandals sprayed the anarchist "A" on the well-known monument. After city workers were unable to remove the paint using water, the monument's sculptor himself, Elías Rodríguez Picón, arrived to remove the paint. Local residents and officials expressed their outrage over the incident. Police began an investigation and reviewed security camera footage to identify the perpetrators of vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2561
Chapel Vandalized in Péré
2018-09-03 | Parish announcements and a lectionary were burned in the small chapel Saint-Jean in the district of Péré, the lower town of Saint-Sever. Additionally, the monstrance was broken and a cross was thrown into a confessional. The vandalism occurred on the same day as the school fire of Toulouzette Park school in Saint-Sever. Police investigated a connection between the two incidents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2550
Senior Scottish Judge Criticized Asylum Tribunals for Disregarding Evidence of Christian Conversion
2018-09-03 | An appellate court ordered a rehearing by immigration tribunals after Judge Lord Glennie, one of the appeal judges, found that the asylum judges had disregarded churchgoer's evidence of the Christian conversion of two Iranian asylum seekers who have been attending Tron Church in Glasgow and had been predisposed to rejecting their claims.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2552
Criminal behaviour at two churches in Greiz
2018-09-03 | A 35-year-old tried to pry open the door of the Herz-Jesu-Kirche in Greiz at 22.35 Monday evening. A witness filmed him while doing it. The perpetrator fled the scene but the police was able to track him down and find him at home. He has been charged with attempted burglary. The same evening, at 17.30, several windows were damaged at the church in the Friedhofstraße in Greiz and there was an attempt to set fire to the wooden door. The police has started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2557
Catholic Bookstore Vandalized by Anarchists
2018-09-03 | The Notre-Dame-de-France Catholic bookstore was vandalized during the night from the 2nd to 3rd of September. The perpetrators sprayed the word "FACHOS" ("fascists"), an anarchist A symbol, a communist symbol, and other words onto the windows and facade of the bookstore.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2563
"Jihad" and "Dead" Graffiti Sprayed on Church
2018-09-03 | In the morning of September 3rd church staff discovered that the Alhem Church in Skellefteå had been sprayed with black graffiti, including "Jihad" and "Dead" with a Nazarene symbol for Christians. The police stated in a statement that they took this form of hateful attacks against churches very seriously, and that they do not equate them with regular hip-hop graffiti and so-called "tags."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2677
Graffiti on Valencia Church
2018-09-01 | The facade and windows of the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in la Plaza de Benimaclet were smeared with paint and graffiti and on the sidewalk in front of the church, the anarchist slogan "NI DIOS; NI PATRIA; NI AMOS" was written in paint. Local politicians expressed their regret, saying it was "dirty" and "damaged one of our most emblematic monuments." They also added that they are tired of "uncivil and intolerant people." A councilman in the city of Valencia, Alberto Mendoza, publicly denounced this act of vandalism and called for more security cameras to be put in place.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2553
Repeated Vandalism in Ansbach Churches
2018-08-31 | On the 31st of August, police reported that between August 17th and 30th, 2018 there were several incidents of vandalism in the Kirche St. Ludwig. Confessionals and offering boxes were damaged in the amount of 700 Euros. A church in Eyb was also vandalized between the 20th and the 30th of August. A window was smashed and several meters of copper sheets (window panels, gutters), valued at about 2000 euros, were stolen. The material damage was about 300 euros. The police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2548
Precious objects stolen from the sactristy of Simorre
2018-08-31 | During the night from Thursday to Friday, 31st of August 2018, people broke into the Church of Our Lady of Simorre. The intruders cut the gate leading to the magnificent collection of objects kept in the sacristy using a portable deburring machine. In addition to that they burst the glass behind which rare valuable pieces, some of them dating back to the 16th century, were presented. The burglars were able to steal four 19th century objects before alarms went off and the thieves fled. The incident was reported to the police by the person in charge of opening the church the follwing morning. An inventory of the objects was undertaken and the premises was secured better than before.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2565
Spanish TV Cuts Holy Mass Broadcasts
2018-08-30 | According to reports, RTVE, the Spanish national public radio and television service, will stop airing a weekly Sunday Mass, ending a tradition of almost 40 years. Although it is the most-watched program on the channel, the decision was explained by the government, which presented the proposal in March 2017, as necessary to become a "neutral" public television station that does not favor any belief or religion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2546
Man Arrested for Fires at Methodist Church and Sikh Temple
2018-08-29 | A 49-year-old man was charged on suspicion of arson in connection with two fires that were set in Edinburgh in the early hours of the 28th of August 2018. One fire was set with a petrol bomb at 5am at the Sikh temple Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Sheriff Brae, which is situated in the building of a former church, and the other was set at 7am at the Methodist Church in Junction Place. No one was injured, but the temple suffered smoke damage. The man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday, 30th of August 2018.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2542
Church Saint Giuseppe Timpuni defaced by spray cans
2018-08-29 | The rupestrian church of Saint Giuseppe Timpuni in Modica was defaced in the night by unknown people using spraycans. They thereby caused damage to an ancient building that can hardly be repaired.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2547
Stones Thrown at Lutheran Church
2018-08-29 | Witnesses called the police at about 9pm on August 29, 2018 to report six teenagers throwing stones against the facade and windows of the building of the St. Simeon Lutheran church in Kreuzberg, Berlin. The group fled the scene crying "Allahu akbar!" According to the police the building was damaged. It is not the first time this church has been subjected to such acts. Furthermore, a window was broken the following Sunday.
The chuch is a so-called "Refugee Church" as it has opened its doors to refugees and runs multiple projects to assist them. The police opened an investigation, assigning the department dedicated to politically motivated crimes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2551
Man Sentenced to Prison for Terrorist Threats against Reims Cathedral
2018-08-28 | On the night of the 21st of July 2018 after the light show "Rêve de Couleurs," on the facade of the cathedral, a drunk individual shouted "Allahu Akbar! Long live Daech! I will butcher you!" at all the people he met in front of the cathedral. He further threatened: "I'm going to attack! I'm going to blow up the cathedral!" A passerby who tried to interfere was slapped. The perpetrator has been identified as 19-year-old Tony Brébant from Reims who recently converted to Islam. He was sentenced to fourteen months in prison on the 28th of August 2018.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2540
Image of Madonna Defaced
2018-08-26 | There was an act of vandalism in the small church of Madonna Addolorata di Lopi in the municipality of Castiglione del Lago on August 28th, 2018. The face of the Madonna in a seventeenth-century painting was smeared with black paint. In addition to that, the same paint was used to spray the small squares of the Via Crucis and blasphemous words were written on the walls of the church. The damage done to the painting of the Madonna cannot be repaired. The police were informed about the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2532
Offensive Graffiti on Information Panel of Church
2018-08-26 | Vandals wrote offensive slurs on the information panel on the facade of the church of Grottaglie.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2533
Belgian Minister of Culture calls for Ban on Religious Broadcasting after Bible Reading
2018-08-26 | Verses from Paul's letter to the Ephesians were broadcast on radio and Flemish TV station VRT from a Catholic Mass in the town of Grimbergen. A lay reader quoted Ephesians 5 22-33: "Women, be submissive to your husband as the husband to the Lord. For the man is the head of the woman as Christ is the head of the church." This sparked a row over whether religious broadcasting should be stopped and caused the Belgian Minister of Culture, Sven Gatz to tweet "No outdated, woman-unfriendly statements ... please. What if, for example, an imam would have said this?" He told the newspaper Het Nieuwsbald " The fact that they come from an old book is not an argument for letting them go to our people. This is not of this time, and that it is broadcast on the VRT for the whole of Flanders is already completely crazy."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2559
Mayor Offers Reward to Catch Church Vandals
2018-08-25 | After tourists used black and red spray paint to deface the white wall of the 14th century church Madonna del Soccorso on the island of Ischia, the town's mayor offered a reward to 500 euros for anyone who provides useful information to find those responsible for the vandalism. This incident caused sadness and indignation among the people who live in the village.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2536
Police Investigate Vandalism of Brussels Church
2018-08-25 | The walls of Saint-Antoine de Padoue Church in the district of Forest in Brussels was sprayed with obscene graffiti during the summer holidays between mid-July and mid-August 2018. The house opposite was also vandalized. As of late August, the graffiti remained on the buildings, as the municipality was required to wait for authorization from the police before it could proceed with clean-up.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2544
Córdoba Parish Vandalized with Anarchist Graffiti
2018-08-25 | The phrase "De tumba en tumba y tiro por que toca. Fachas" was discovered written exterior wall of the Iglesia de la Trinidad, along with an anarchist 'A' symbol.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2772
Statue of Virgin Mary Destroyed at the Grotto of Maupas
2018-08-24 | The acts of vandalism were discovered by a visitor who regularly comes to the grotto of Maupas (a replica of the grotto of Lourdes) to light candles. The face of the statue of the Virgin Mary was completely destroyed. The news spread quickly in the village and left many people dismayed and upset. The president of the association Saint-Ours, one of the organizations that manage the cave, has filed a complaint with the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2543
Statue wearing Cross Vandalized
2018-08-24 | A small statue of a woman wearing a cross around her neck carved into a stone wall dating back to the 13th century was defaced. Workers building a bridge discovered the damage, the same day the mayor had ordered protection for the site. The face was completely disfigured and the bust and the cross necklace were marred. The municipality filed a complaint for property damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2556
Fire Set in Mühlheim Church
2018-08-23 | On the 23rd of August, 2018, the chaplain of the church in Mühlheim discovered that unknown perpetrators had moved an umbrella stand into the vestibule of the church and set a fire in it. However, the fire was immediately extinguished and the only damage was to a carpet in the amount of 150 euros. The police opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2528
Robbery at Church of Mondéjar
2018-08-20 | In the early hours of the 20th of August there was a robbery at the church Santa María Magdalena of Mondéjar. The parish priest discovered the theft when he went to the church the next morning to prepare for Mass. The thieves had entered the church through a side door after breaking the lock. They broke three other door locks until they were able to enter the sacristy. They left the sacristy looted and stole more than 400 euros as well as three large sacred artworks of bronze. The artifacts date back to the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century. The civil guard was notified and investigated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2521
Statue of Virgin Mary and Child Decapitated in Noirmoutier
2018-08-19 | During the night of the 18th to 19th of August, the 3.5 meter public statue of the Virgin Mary and Child was decapitated. Residents were shocked and searched the nearby forest for the missing heads but found nothing. Parishioners were dismayed, as the statue has stood in the community since 1949. The priest, who called the incident violent and shocking, filed a complaint with the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2518
At Least Five Pakistani Priests Denied Visas for World Meeting of Families in Ireland
2018-08-19 | Christians from Pakistan and Iraq were denied visas to attend the 2018 World Meeting of Families in Dublin, including at least 5 priests, due to "insufficient connections" to the event. A priest from Karachi received a letter rejecting his application in which the officer said there was "no evidence of a valid reason to travel to Ireland" and that the Catholic priest lacked "sufficient connection" to the World Meeting or to the Pope to justify attendance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2539
Church Facade Defaced with "W l'Islam"
2018-08-18 | The newly renovated wall of the Chiesa del Santissimo Rosario in the center of Avellino was defaced with "W I'Islam" in black paint. The parish priest reported the incident to the police who will investigate whether there were religious or political motives behind this act of vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2520
Church in Badwell Ash Damaged by Pellets
2018-08-18 | During the night between the 17th the 18th of August there was a spate of vandalism in west Suffolk. According to the police, the unknown perpetrator damaged St Mary's Church in the village Badwell Ash and several vehicles in the area. It is believed that the offender used an BB or pellet air rifle to smash the church windows as well as 12 vehicles parked in the village. The police continued their investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2522
Churches Close due to Vandalism
2018-08-17 | Three churches were closed in Euskirchen due to repeated vandalism. The Herz-Jesu-Kirche, the Martinskirche and the Kirche St. Matthias will only be opened for Mass for the rest of the summer holidays as a provisional measure. The altar of St. Martin's church was smeared with dog excrement and urine was found in the stoup for holy water. Parishioners were outraged and stunned by the closure of the churches. These incidents were a change from the regular drug use that the churches had seen for some time.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2513
Church CCTV Damaged by Vandals
2018-08-17 | Vandals damaged a CCTV camera from St. Mark's Parish Church in Raploch just one day after it was installed. The church had been subject to repeated acts of vandalism and a couple of CCTV cameras were installed in order to deter anti-social behavior. While one camera was damaged, the other cameras were already doing their job as they identified those responsible for the incident, enabling the police to trace them and take action.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2519
Tourist Information for Italian Church Destroyed
2018-08-16 | Tourist information that explains the history of the Greek church of Santa Maria degli Angeli was knocked down and torn from the sidewalk. The church has repeatedly been subjected to acts of vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2541
Bishop of Liège Threatened and Robbed at Home
2018-08-15 | During the night between the 14th to the 15th of August, thieves broke into the bishop's home through a toilet window on the ground floor. They assaulted both Bishop Jean-Pierre Delville as well as his godson who was also present in the house. They demanded cash, believing that the money collected from the churches was kept there. Having no cash in the house, the bishop and his godson had to resort to the money the godson had kept saved up for a trip abroad. They further asked for gold and valuable paintings, a Picasso in particular. The bishop gave them three chalices and pointed them towards four pieces of art from the 17th century that decorated the council chamber. After hitting one of the victims and threatening to kill them, they locked the bishop and his godson in a bathroom, where they were found the next morning. The thieves were described as "masked and professional" and explained they needed money to cure the 5-year-old daughter of one of them. They spoke German, as well as an unidentified foreign language and only spoke French poorly. The damage has been estimated to amount to 20 000 euros. An investigation is ongoing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2515
Vue Cinemas Breached Contract by Refusing to Screen 'Voices of the Silenced'
2018-08-15 | After Vue Cinemas cancelled the screening of the film 'Voices of the Silenced' at the last minute in February, the film's producers launched a legal challenge against Vue. In August, Vue agreed to pay a nominal amount for breaching the contract. A spokesperson from Vue has said, however, that they stand by their decision of not screening the movie as it was "in direct conflict with its values." 'Voices of the Silenced' is a film by Christian organization Core Issues Trust about people who have left behind same-sex attraction practices.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2516
Man Arrested for Defacing Church
2018-08-15 | A man was arrested after spraying graffiti on several buildings in Andover including St. Mary's Church where the anarchist symbol was painted on the church door and the number 666 was left in red on the steps outside. The incident is suspected to have taken place some time between the 8th of August and the early hours of the 10th of August.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2517
Leftists Attack Group for Wearing Catholic University T-Shirts
2018-08-14 | On August 18th, national police arrested two members of an extreme left group for assaulting a group of young people because they did not like the T-shirts they wore, namely the shirts of the Catholic University San Antonio de Murcia. The incident occurred in one of the pubs in area of the university a few days earlier. The victims were first insulted, then threatened, and were finally attacked. One of the victims received stitches, suffering an ocular hemorrhage. The 19 and 28-year-old perpetrators from Spain and Brazil were identified by photographs and were already known to the police for their membership in ultra-left groups. They were charged with crimes against fundamental rights (hate crimes) and injuries.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2549
Arson Attack on Church in Rosolini
2018-08-11 | During night from the 10th to the 11th of August a fire was set in the church of Santa Caterina da Siena. The back of the church structure was set on fire and the flames penetrated into the warehouse where plastic caps which were collected for the charity project "Stappiao la speranza" were stored. More than 1,000 kilos of the caps went up in smoke and there was serious damage done to the church. The funds resulting from the project were to be sent to the twin parish Butembo Beni in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The incident left the church perplexed and the Mayor and Prime Minister expressed their solidarity. The incident was reported to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2525
Man Arrested for Vandalism at Guernsey Church
2018-08-10 | An 18-year-old man was arrested for vandalizing St. John's Church in St. Peter Port on Guernsey. The church had been smeared with graffiti and notes with 'obscene' messages of 'religious hate' were left. The incident left the vicar and churchgoers upset. The police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2530
Sacristy Broken into and Robbed in Carville
2018-08-09 | The sacristy of the church of Carville (Calvados) was robbed and various objects were stolen including candle sticks. The wooden door to the sacristy was broken. A complaint was filed with the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2524
Christ Statue Defaced
2018-08-09 | A public statue of Christ in Thonon-les-Bains was vandalized, with its face completely covered with black paint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2529
No Syrian Christian Refugees Admitted in First Quarter 2018; Lord Alton Queries Home Secretary
2018-08-07 | Not a single Christian was among the 1,112 Syrian refugees resettled in the UK in the first three months of 2018. In response to a Freedom of Information request from Barnabas Fund, the UK Home Office released figures on Syrian refugees resettled in the UK for the first quarter of 2018. The UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) recommended 1,358 Syrian refugees for resettlement in the UK of which only 4 were Christians, representing a tiny fraction of just 0.29%. No Yazidis at all were recommended by the UN. The Home Office agreed to resettle 1,112 of these (82%), all of whom were Muslims, and approved no Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2538
Fire Set to Syrian Orthodox Church in Norrköping
2018-08-06 | St. Maria's Syrian Orthodox Church in Norrköping began to burn just after 2am on 6th of August. When rescue services arrived at the scene, there were open flames across the facade of the wooden church. 30 firemen from seven stations were able to get the fire under control by 3.40am. The police came to the conclusion that the fire was the result of arson when a fire dog found a flammable liquid on the scene, which technicians confirmed. The church was heavily damaged and it will take some time for it to be renovated. Members of the church, to which 1100 people belong, were upset and shocked. Police are searching for the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2527
"KISS" Graffiti on Facade of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
2018-08-06 | A 12th century sculpture on the facade of the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela was painted to make the statue look like a member of American rock band KISS. The name "KISS" was also written across the body of the statue. The marble statue was restored the same afternoon and the police started looking for the perpetrator who, if found guilty, would face a fine of between 6,000 and 150,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2534
The chapel Notre-Dame-des Affligés vandalised
2018-08-06 | The chapel had been vandalised before, but not damaged to the same degree it was on August 6th. The broken door was found in the neighbouring pasture, many statues were broken, some even crumbled, the wooden base of the Virgin Mary was damaged, chairs and vases were broken, the interior walls were marred. The police has stated that " in the view of the law, it is more religious desecration than vandalism". They have started an investigation. The door has been repaired by people of good will and put back in its place. Concerning the broken statues, the ARARCO association has been contacted to evaluate the finances necessary to restore the chapel. The people responsible for the church have said that if the amount of finances needed is large, a call for donations will be launched on the internet. Many people affected by this act of vandalism have offered to give them statues and vases to bring the small chapel back to life.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2566
Four Fires Set in Saint-Pierre de Neuilly
2018-08-05 | On the 5th of August Four fires were started in the parish church Saint-Pierre in Neuilly-sur-Seine at about 2:30 in the afternoon. They were noticed by two people who had been waiting for the bus on the Avenue du Roule but had entered the church to cool down. They smelled smoke and found fires at four different locations near the entrance. The passersby rushed to extinguish the flames with water to keep the fire from spreading. Fourteen firemen with three engines were called to the site. The perpetrators had started the fires by setting flames to flyers and a prayer book. They had also left a piece of paper on a candle at the foot of a statue. No material damage was caused. The parish filed a complaint and the police started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2531
Jewelry Dedicated to the Virgin Mary Stolen from Church
2018-08-05 | The Church of Corlo di Formigine was robbed during the night between the 4th and 5th of August. The thieves took advantage of village celebration of the feast of la Madonna della Neve to steal golden chains, bracelets, and rings that had been donated by the faithful as a pledge to the Virgin Mary over the years. The jewelry was kept inside the reliquary which protects the fresco of the Virgin Mary and had been displayed in the church for the occasion of the festival. This act of vandalism has left the community upset.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2535
Figure of Virgin Mary Damaged in Important Marian Shrine
2018-08-03 | The statue of the Virgin Mary in the small Shrine of Our Lady - the Teacher of Young People in Warsaw-Sierkierki was destroyed by vandals some time between August 2nd and 3rd. The perpetrators opened the glass case which protects the statue and damaged the statue. The shrine is important because of the Marian apparitions that appeared in the Siekierki region between 1943 and 1949. Police began an investigation and the parish held a reparation Mass for the vandalism and prayed for the conversion of the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2703
Vandal damages outdoor furniture of church Santa Corce in Villaseta
2018-08-01 | A vandal went on a rampage outside the church of Santa Corce in Villaseta, a district of Agrigento. He broke pots of plants placed around the statue of Padre Pio and other outdoor furniture. He tried to enter the church where dozens of faithful had taken refuge. The vandal himslef hurt himself during his escalation and even left traces of blood scattered on the floor. The parishioners themselves called the police. An investigation was started and footage from surveillance cameras retrieved. The police believe it was a fifty-year-old from the area.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2545
Catholic Politician's Home Targeted with Vandalism
2018-08-01 | Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg's Somerset home was vandalized with graffiti, condoms were hung on a small cross in the garden, and a sex toy covered with a condom was stuck on a car. While the politician has been controversial for his support for Brexit, media reports indicate that police suspect the sexual items were meant to target Rees-Mogg's Catholic faith and opposition to birth control.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2754
Theft from Freto Church
2018-07-30 | Just a few days after a theft from the cathedral in Modena, two people, taking advantage of a deactivated alarm in the small church in Freto (Modena), stole a marble baptismal font. Although the theft was captured on surveillance cameras, the identity of the thieves was unclear. This was not the first theft from the isolated church and the nearby cemetery. The residents of the area were upset by the theft from the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2591
Repeated Vandalism at Chiesa del Calvario
2018-07-30 | For the third summer in a row, unknown vandals broke into the ancient Chiesa del Calvario and destroyed objects. This year, they broke the hands of a 16th century statue of the Madonna and destroyed a second statue. The parish priest said the Catholic community was "horrified by vandalism towards statues of the Madonna, as well as the disfigurement of the heritage of the religious site." He called upon officials to investigate and take action to protect the site.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2624
Man Vandalized Churches, then Fired Gun at Witness
2018-07-30 | A man was observed vandalizing two churches in Krakow with paint by a passerby. When the passerby tried to intervene, the man fled the scene. The man then returned with a gas pistol which he shot at the witness, but the witness was able to overpower the attacker and called the police. The man was charged with possession of an illegal weapon, as well as damage to the churches.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2701
Elda Hospital Chapel Desecrated
2018-07-28 | At about 10pm on Saturday the 28th of July 2018, vandals broke open the tabernacle of the chapel of the Virgen de la Salud Hospital in Elda (Alicante) and stole the ciborium with the consecrated hosts. The ciborium was later found in the parking lot and the consecrated hosts were scattered around the entrance area of the hospital. Some were found lying on the sidewalk and trampled. The parishes in the area held acts of reparation for the desecration and to pray for the conversion of perpetrators. The police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2562
"Offensive" Christian Symbols being Hidden at Funerals in Scotland
2018-07-27 | The Scottish Inspector of Crematoria, Robert Swanson, said in his annual report that demands for the removal of Bibles and crosses by humanists and other minorities are on the rise. The Humanist Society of Scotland has said failure to remove Christian symbols leaves their members “open to discrimination” under the Equality Act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2755
Fire in Church; "Allahu Akbar" Sprayed on Walls
2018-07-25 | A fire was set in the church Saint-Pierre du Matroi in Orléans on the 25th of July. Sheet music was burned, furniture was damaged, and smears of graffiti were found on several walls, including one reading "Allahu Akbar." The fire brigade was able to intervene early enough to prevent further spread of the fire, thus preserving the support structure of the church. The police believe the fire was intentionally set.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2560
Stones Stolen from Statue in Cathedral
2018-07-25 | Unknown thieves, likely taking advantage of renovation works, removed a protective case and stole stones from the pastoral cross on the ancient wooden statue of San Geminiano in the Duomo of Modena. While the stones have very little monetary value, they have tremendous historical value and the statue is sacred to the community because San Geminiano is the patron saint of Modena. The theft has been called 'sacriligious' and offensive to the religious feelings of the church and the entire city. Police began a forensic investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2592
Vandals Ransacked Church; Apologized to Priest
2018-07-23 | In the early hours of July 23rd, two young men broke into the town church of Adrados and destroyed everything they could, causing extensive damage -- up to €30,000. Shelves, books, and even the altar were tipped over, and paintings and figures were badly damaged. The Diocese of León filed a complaint with the Civil Guard, which immediately opened an investigation that focused on several young people who were in the mountain town that night. The perpetrators were identified and they "asked for forgiveness although they are aware of the consequences that resulted from their prank," according to the parish priest.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2640
Robbery of Saint-Pierre d'Equainville
2018-07-21 | During the night between the 20th and the 21st of July 2018 the church Saint-Pierre d'Equainville, in the parish of Beuzeville, was robbed. The offenders entered by the sacristy door and stole everything that was of value: liturgical objects and candle holders. They rummaged through everything and scattered unconsecrated Hosts in the sacristy. Finally, they broke the tabernacle and stole the ciborium filled with consecrated Hosts. A complaint was filed and the police came to investigate.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2526
Desecration and Vandalism in Chiesa di San Clemente in Latera
2018-07-21 | Sometime in the morning of July 21st, vandals entered the San Clemente church and threw holy water to the ground, scattered the cloth and liturgical object from the altar, and left feces underneath the altar table. Police immediately began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2641
Series of Sacred Figures Destroyed in Andria
2018-07-21 | An Italian citizen was arrested after being caught in the act of destroying the glass of the votive chapel of Cristo Redentore. He was also accused of vandalizing a statue of the Virgin Mary and another sacred figure “Madonna of Altomare,” as well as breaking the head, arms, and legs of a public statue of the crucifixion of Jesus. Luigi Mansi, Bishop of Andria said, “The way in which the statue has been destroyed causes in me and in all the priests immense sadness: the head has been torn off, broken legs and arms; only one piece of the body remained attached to the cross.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2649
Statue of Virgin and Child Vandalized in Sulniac, Morbihan
2018-07-20 | The gate protecting the oratory was torn off and the statue was toppled, causing damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2507
University Fired Priest after Rosary of Reparation for Glasglow Pride Parade
2018-07-19 | A Catholic priest in Glasgow has been removed as a university chaplain after hosting a rosary of reparation for the city’s gay pride parade. The July 16 Rosary service was held in response to a gay pride event in the city on July 14. After complaints from LGBT groups, University principal Pamela Gillies announced that “Following due consultation, Father Mark Morris will not return to his chaplaincy role at the university in September,” the BBC reported.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2512
Crucifix in Mountain Hut Vandalized
2018-07-19 | A hiker in Wihr-au-Val in Alsace discovered an act of vandalism in the Krizle wooden hut located at an altitude of 688 m, at the crossroads of five hiking trails. The hiker reported that the carved wooden crucifix with a metal Christ had been desecrated, with the arms and legs broken off.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2629
Theft of Crucifix from Altar
2018-07-19 | The crucifix standing in the middle of the altar of St. Michael's Church in Lüneburg was stolen by unknown persons during the public visiting time of the church between 3 pm and 5 pm. There was a damage of several thousand euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2684
Theft from Church Crypt in Hythe, Kent
2018-07-16 | Thieves broke a lock and stole 21 ancient skulls from the ossuary crypt of St. Leonard's Church in Kent sometime between July 15th and 16th. The church, known as the "church with the bones" houses the largest bone collection in the UK, including 700 year old remains of the people who died in the Battle of Hastings.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2509
Vicar of Oyonnax Parish Assaulted
2018-07-15 | A priest was assaulted after trying to calm a group of young people who were attacking customers who were celebrating the French World Cup victory in an outdoor cafe.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2508
Church Window Vandalized
2018-07-15 | Unknown vandals threw concrete through the window of St James the Great Church causing £500 worth of damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2622
Church Vandalized in Bouloire
2018-07-15 | On the morning of July 15th, the church of Saint-Georges in Bouloire, served by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter ( FSSP ) was discovered vandalized. Father Thomas Leclair reported, "Sunday morning [July 15] we discovered a missal in the holy water, in addition the wooden column on which the trunk for of the sale of the candles was fixed had been broken (surely to steal the trunk), devotional candles were broken, and a liturgical cloth was found partially burned in the hole made in the column. A complaint was lodged with the gendarmerie. Identical acts had been recorded in November 2016 and the town hall had not wished to lodge a complaint."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2628
Fire and Vandalism at Village Church
2018-07-14 | Unknown vandals set a small fire and destroyed several items in the village church in Rigersdorf, prompting local volunteer fire departments to respond with six fire engines. The damage amounted to several hundred euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2623
Man with Knife on Metro screamed "I target all Catholics"
2018-07-14 | A man caused panic in the Paris metro on July 14th when he threatened the passengers with a knife, screaming "I am a Muslim and I target all Catholics." The police took the 23-year-old Egyptian "Emad F." into custody.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2637
Bus Company Pulls Adverts for Franklin Graham Event
2018-07-12 | Bus ads promoting the September 2018 Franklin Graham "Lancashire Festival of Hope" at Winter Gardens Blackpool were pulled in response to criticism from LGBT communities. Graham, like many evangelicals, preaches the biblical definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2502
Graffiti on Pillar of Warsaw Church
2018-07-12 | The pillar of the All Saints Church (Kościół Wszystkich Świętych) was vandalized with graffiti some time between July 12th and 13th. The same church had been vandalized about two weeks earlier and police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2681
Romanesque Church Vandalized
2018-07-11 | The facade of the San Millán church in the city center of Segovia was sprayed with green paint by unknown vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2621
Suspicious Fire at Chêne de la Vierge
2018-07-11 | A fire destroyed the Chêne de la Vierge (the "Oak to the Virgin"), a popular place of pilgrimage and devotion, on July 11th. The tree, which had been covered with statues, crosses, rosaries, and small shrines to the Virgin Mary was ravaged by a fire. The fire was reported to be suspicious because there had been no reports of lightning in the area, and this tree was the only one in the forest to have been burned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2635
300 Year Old Sandstone Crucifix Damaged and Stolen
2018-07-10 | Sometime between July 8th and 10th unknown perpetrators smashed the "Hansenkreuz" with an object heavy enough to break the cross from its base and stole the sandstone crucifix, leaving only fragments behind. The Hansenkreuz had been standing at a crossroads in Dierscheid in the forest area of Kellerberg for 300 years. Police opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2506
Confessionals and a Stoup Vandalized with Ink in Płońsk
2018-07-09 | Police arrested a 59-year-old man after CCTV cameras caught him pouring ink in two confessionals and a stoup (a basin for holy water) in the parish of Michała Archanioła. Damage was estimated at PLN 1,000.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2691
Parish Priest Closed Church after Finding Urine in Holy Water
2018-07-09 | After discovering urine in the holy water in the Chiesa Santa Croce (better known as "Chiesa dei Morti” or "church of the dead") in Canneto Sull'Oglio, the parish priest decided to close the church for a few days. The church is a sacred place for the local community, as the walls of the church have been covered with photos, plaques, and headstones of deceased loved ones since 1630.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2488
Door of Nativity Church burnt
2018-07-09 | The door of the nativity church at Villa Muti in Frascati, near Rome, was burnt.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2491
Vandalism and Desecration at Madrid Church
2018-07-09 | The church of San Bartolomeo in the municipality of Fresnedillas de la Oliva was robbed and desecrated. The intruders tore the tabernacle off the wall and threw it to the ground, left sacred objects scattered on the floor and stole the money from the offering boxes. The sacristy and the catechism rooms were ransacked. The ciborium containing consecrated Hosts was overturned and the contents were scattered on the floor. The incident was reported to the police and the Archbishop of Madrid scheduled a Reparation Mass.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2499
Fire at Base of San Pio da Pietralcina in Frascati
2018-07-08 | Someone set fire to the base of the bronze statue of San Pio da Pietralcina in Frascati, near Rome, which blackened the feet of the statue of the saint. The police started an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2489
Confessionals Burnt in Cathedral
2018-07-08 | A 58-year old man from the area set fire in one of the four confessionals of St. Peter's Cathedral in Frascati, near Rome, by igniting the padded seat. The perpetrator was caught due to the footage of 12 surveillance cameras in the cathedral. The man was described as mentally disturbed and was known for vandalizing places of worship in the past. He was arrested by the local police for arson and damaging a place of worship.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2490
Government Fired Doctor for View that Gender is Determined by Biology
2018-07-08 | Dr David Mackereth was deemed "unfit" to work as an assessor at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) over his refusal to use transgender patient's preferred pronouns because of his view that gender is defined by biology and that God made humans male and female. The Equality Act identifies those undergo or who propose to undergo gender reassignment as part of a protected class. Failure to use preferred pronouns is interpreted as unlawful discrimination.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2494
Priest Assaulted and Spat on during 'Orange Walk'
2018-07-07 | Catholic priest Tom White was spat on twice as he greeting parishioners outside St. Alphonsus' Church after Mass at the same time that an 'Orange Walk,' a procession by a Protestant fraternal order, passed by. He was also hit with a baton and verbally abused. A spokesperson for the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland has said that no one from the parade was involved. Police Scotland, who had been guarding the church but were called away before the parade passed by, began a hate crime investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2497
Church Door Set on Fire and Public Cross Toppled
2018-07-06 | The door of the church Madonna della Cona in Piazza Battisti in Castel Gandolfo was set on fire during the night and the cross which stood in the square was toppled. Although the church has been deconsecrated, city authorities expressed concern about a series of destructive acts directed at Christian churches and symbols in the area.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2484
Graffiti Sprayed on Town Church
2018-07-06 | Vandals sprayed "YNWA", "truth", and "greed" on the historic St. Nicholas Church. The reverend called it "disrespectful" and said people were upset about the damage. She said that although youths had been congregating in the area for some time, and leaving garbage in the churchyard, this was first time they caused damage to the building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2593
Degradations at the Church of la Collégiale Saint-Barnard
2018-07-05 | On the afternoon of July 5th, damage was discovered in the historic Collegiate Church of Saint-Barnard in the old center of Romans-sur-Isère. The cover of the baptismal font had been broken and found on the ground, and the finger of a statue of Saint John the Baptist was also broken. Police investigated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2626
Village and Church Tagged with Graffiti
2018-07-05 | Sometime during the night of July 5th, buildings in the small town of Saint-Alban-d'Ay were targeted with vandalism with anarchist and communist slogans in red and black paint. The church facade was sprayed with offensive slogans and the interior was ransacked.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2627
Religious Flags Torn Down at "Campus of Religions"
2018-07-04 | Unknown vandals tore down the flags of the New Apostolic Church and the Vienna Jewish Community at the construction site for a "Campus of Religions" in the new housing complex 'Seestadt' in Aspern. The campus is supposed to become a place where different religions can coexist and meet each other peacefully. It is not the first time the site has been subject to vandalism. The Israeli flag had been attacked twice before, once at the start of the construction in 2015 and again in May 2018. Religious leaders of different Christian denominations have expressed their outrage about the act. The police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2500
Demand for Apology after President of National Assembly Mentions God
2018-07-03 | A left-wing member of the National Assembly, Franc Trček, demanded an apology from Matej Tonin, the President of the National Assembly, for concluding a speech with the words "Bog živi Slovenijo," which can roughly be translated to "God bless Slovenia." Trček argued that the words violated the constitution of Slovenia which requires a separation of church and state. Tonin responded that he had no intention of apologizing and that the constitution also protects freedom of speech.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2483
Activist Graffiti found on Church Properties in Poland
2018-07-03 | Graffiti was found on several church buildings in the wake of a discussion on stricter abortion legislation by the Polish parliament. The spray-painted slogans included “Behold my body, behold my blood, buzz off”; “women-murderers” and “We remember Rwanda.” The three damaged buildings included the curial offices of the Archdiocese of Warsaw, the rectory of the Church of St. John the Baptist, and the curial offices of the Diocese of Warsaw-Praga.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2478
Statue Vandalized and Satanic Inscriptions Left in Church
2018-07-03 | A priest discovered that statues in the nave of the church of Saint Jean-Baptiste de Bourgoin-Jallieu had been vandalized and that satanic inscriptions were left defacing a prayer book. The police were notified and opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2625
Door Set on Fire and Graffiti in Primary School Church: "I smell Christians"
2018-07-02 | An unknown vandal set fire to the entrance door to the church of the nursery/primary school institute Paul VI in Castel Gandolfo and wrote graffiti reading "I smell Christians" in Norwegian. A complaint was filed and the police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2485
High Court Upholds "Buffer Zones" around Abortion Clinic; Appeal Filed
2018-07-02 | The High Court of England and Wales upheld a “buffer zone” imposed by Ealing Council, west London, around a Marie Stopes abortion clinic. High Court Judge Mark Turner said that Ealing Council in London was justified in creating a 328-foot exclusion zone to prevent any pro-life gathering or speech, including prayer, within 100 meters of the clinic. Two women plan to appeal to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2505
Arson Attempt at Elche Basilica
2018-06-30 | An unknown person attempted to set fire to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Elche while Mass was being celebrated inside. By using paraffin from a chandelier, the perpetrator set a fire between two wooden doors. Fortunately a parishioner noticed the smoke and the flames could be smothered in time.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2470
"Satan Punishes Homophobes" on Wall of Toulouse Chapel
2018-06-30 | Graffiti was discovered on the walls of the Saint-Roch-du-Férétra chapel in Toulouse. Slogans included "Church on fire", "Dirty priest" and "Satan punishes homophobes." An investigation has been started. It is suspected that the slogans were left by LGBT groups and anarchists.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2487
Ex-President of Ireland calls Catholic Teaching on Homosexuality 'Evil'
2018-06-29 | Mary McAleese, the former President of Ireland said that, in her view, the Church's teaching on homosexuality is "evil" and leads to homophobia which has caused people to commit suicide and live in "dark shadows." She said that the behaviour of the church towards the LGBT community was "unchristian" and "worse than uncharitable" and that the only person to change this is the pope.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2474
Repeated Vandalism at Church in Forst
2018-06-29 | St Nikolai, the main church in Forst, was repeatedly vandalized. During several weeks in June 2018 the facade on the side of the church was chipped at until the perpetrators were able to pull away the paint coating. Countless graffiti and a hole in the wall were also found. In addition to that, 18 glass windows which are located in the doors to the tower entrance were smashed. The church was left with uninsured costs to repair the 10 square meteres of facade were estimated at 2,000 euros and a further 300 euros to repair the windows.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2473
Coalition Withdraws CDU Candidate for Constitutional Court Due to Criticism of Sex Ed
2018-06-29 | Just days before the parliamentary vote on the election of a judge to the state constitutional court, the CDU, Greens, FDP and SSW withdrew their nomination of Hamburg lawyer and law professor Christian Winterhoff due to his conservative views on the sexual education of children.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2504
Convictions in Czech Church Arson Case
2018-06-28 | Three young men were convicted of arson for setting fire to the 16th century Božího Těla (Corpus Christi) church in Guty, Třinec. The regional court of Ostrava sentenced them to 9, 8, and 3.5 years in prison for setting fire to the church in August 2017. The Roman Catholic church had been listed as a cultural and historical monument and was among the oldest preserved wooden churches in the Czech Republic. The August 2017 fire caused damage of over 20 million korun. The historical value of the building and its artifacts, however, is not quantifiable.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2469
1 in 10 Gay Christians Report Discrimination by other LGBT People
2018-06-28 | A report by the LGBT-rights organization Stonewall found that nearly 1 in 10 gay Christians have experienced bullying from other LGBT people because of their faith.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2471
Two Fires Set in Neunkirchen Parish
2018-06-27 | An unknown person set fire to the tablecloth on the altar of the "Allerseelen" chapel in the church in Neunkirchen, but went out on its own. The incident was suspected to have happened just after the church opened as the priest noticed it and immediately reported the incident to the police. Two days later, a similar fire was set.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2476
Theft and Vandalism for Weeks in French Cemetery
2018-06-26 | For several weeks, the Vallongue cemetery in the city of Bandol, was repeatedly vandalized and various objects were stolen. Relatives observed with dismay as plants, ceramics, figurines, and other decorative objects were disappearing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2464
Church Suffers Repeated Thefts and Vandalism
2018-06-26 | From the beginning of March until the end of June 2018, the alms box of church of Saint-Thomas-de-Cônac was repeatedly broken and emptied by unknown thieves. Despite new measures to prevent further thefts in the alms box, the perpetrators continued to attempt to get the money. In the end, after having installed a safe on the ground, the constant thefts were replaced with acts of vandalism: candles lit and broken on the floor, trash and papers thrown around, holy water spilled, and indecent comments written in the guestbook.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2465
Fire in Chapel in Kolbermoor
2018-06-25 | On June 25th, unknown perpetrators set fire to a dry flower arrangement that decorated a monument to the fallen in a chapel of the Heilig Dreifaltigkeit church in Kolbermoor. The damage to the property, based on the Bad Aibling police inspection, was around 1500 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2467
Two Statues Destroyed at Church in Perrecy-les-Forges
2018-06-24 | Parishioners discovered two broken statues in the church of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît on Sunday morning, the 24th of June 2018. The statue of St. Paul had been destroyed and another had been decapitated. In addition to that, benches had been overturned, a door had been forced open, and a door lock had been broken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2477
Attack on Seven Iranian Christians in Greek Refugee Camp
2018-06-24 | On June 24th, in the middle of the night, a group of about 30-40 refugees attacked two Christian families along with another Christian man after they returned from a bible-reading. According to International Christian Consulate, "the attackers poured petrol over the cabin where they were meeting, and threatened to set it alight. They beat up the men and held knives to the throats of the two women and children, while telling them, ‘This is a Muslim camp. You have to leave’."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2510
Madonna Image Vandalized in Legano
2018-06-23 | Unknown individuals used red spray paint to vandalize one of the bas-relief images of the Virgin Mary in the votive chapel on corner of one of the walls of the parish of Santa Teresa del Bambin Gesù, between Via Canova and Via Resegone, in Legano.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2463
Madonna of Piazza Europa Burnt
2018-06-23 | During the night of June 23rd, someone set fire to the Madonna in the Piazza Europa in Marino, near Rome, leaving it blackened with soot. Residents expressed outrage, as the statue is a symbol of the community and the police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2486
Fire in Orthodox church in Bosnia Herzigovia
2018-06-23 | A fire was lit inside the church of the Most Holy Mother of God in the high-rise settlement of the suburb Čekrekčije. Most objects of the church, including icons and sacred books were destroyed or burnt. The fire affected part of the roof structure and the main part of the throne was broken. The police has started an investigation. The church had been renovated over a period of two years and was consecrated in September 2017.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2498
Vandals Hit a Church in Radevormwald
2018-06-22 | Unknown people entered the church of St. Marien in Radevormwald on June 22nd and disturbed various items, burned church newspapers in the baptismal font, and destroyed the Easter candle, which in addition to its religious symbolism, also had value of 100 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2468
Isle of Man Cathedral Vandalized
2018-06-21 | On June 21st, police condemned a continuous wave of vandalism against the Peel Cathedral on the Isle of Man. A spokesman for the police said that vandals sprayed graffiti in different places around the cathedral over several days. A week earlier, a prominent sculpture was broken, and the lawn and other objects were damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2461
Arson in Church in Plappeville
2018-06-21 | The church of Sainte-Brigide de Plappeville (Moselle) suffered an arson attack on June 21st at 5:40 p.m. Firefighters reported two fires inside the church. After being arrested in the vicinity, two young men admitted entering the building by breaking some of the windows and setting fire to the altar cloth and the cabinet in which the books were kept.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2466
Gang Robbed Nine Churches in Two Months
2018-06-21 | An organized gang stole from at least nine churches on the Island of Tenerife. The last incident occurred in the town of La Camella in the early hours of June 21, 2018. The perpetrators broke into the church, damaging the entrance door, and stole sacred objects and valuables worth at least 3000 euros. They were discovered by nuns who had been sleeping in rooms next door and had woken up when they heard a loud noise. The perpetrators fled the church and the incident was reported to the police. Local media suspected the robbery was carried out by the same gang that had attacked at least nine religious buildings on the island, including the church of San Mateo in Punta del Hidaglo, where they stole valuables worth 10,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2501
Fire Set in German Church
2018-06-16 | A parishioner found the remains of a fire already extinguished on the carpet of the church of St. Petrus in the town of Kirchweiler. According to the police, the unknown perpetrators set the fire between 8 am and 4:45 pm on June 16th. Material damage affected the carpet, a cloth, and a speaker wire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2450
Four Teenagers Caught Stealing in Church in Clermont-Ferrand
2018-06-16 | Four teenagers were caught by the police inside a church in Clermont-Ferrand stealing the box containing the alms on the night of June 16th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2454
Paint Thrown against Saint-Étienne Church in Mulhouse
2018-06-15 | An unknown person stained the main entrance of the Protestant church of Saint-Étienne in Mulhouse, France with white paint on June 15th in the afternoon.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2452
Polish Supreme Court Rules against Printer; Tribunal Reversed in 2019
2018-06-14 | Poland's Supreme Court ruled against a printer who refused to create a roll-up banner for an LGBT business group because he did not want to "promote" the gay rights movement, citing his Catholic religious beliefs. The Court held that although there may be legally justifiable reasons to refuse services based on religious objections, in this case they did not apply. UPDATE: In June 2019, the Constitutional Tribunal ruled that the law the printer was convicted under was unconstitutional, because punishment for refusing to provide services on the grounds of beliefs interfered with the service providers’ rights to act according to their conscience.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2453
Spain Fined UK Christian Television Broadcaster
2018-06-14 | The National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC) fined Revelation TV, which is based in the UK but broadcasts in Spain, €6,000 after an individual complained to the state agency about comments made by an evangelical pastor during a morning program in September 2017. The CNMC deemed the pastor's comments "homophobic" when he expressed his opinion about transgender issues and whether Christians should move their children from schools when another student identifies as transgender.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2460
Theft and Vandalism in the Church of Bellecombe-Tarendol
2018-06-13 | During the night of June 13th, between 10 pm and 7 am, unknown individuals forced the door of the Bellecombe-Tarendol church, breaking the lock. Once inside, they caused minor damage and stole a golden chalice. In addition, they sprayed the interior of the building with a fire extinguisher to conceal their tracks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2451
Theft in Sant'Antonio Church in Manduria on its Feast's Eve
2018-06-12 | Thieves entered the church of Sant'Antonio in Manduria on June 12th between 11 am and 2 pm and stole an amplifier and part of the sound system from the sacristy, taking advantage of the confusion in the preparation of the patron's local feast the next day.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2447
Theft and Vandalism in the Chapel of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme
2018-06-12 | A painting of the chapel of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme was stolen during the night of June 8th by an unknown person. In addition to the robbery, the grid that protected the chapel was broken and various decorative objects and religious art were damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2448
Asylum-Seeking Christian Family Fears Death in Face of Deportation
2018-06-11 | The Home Office has repeatedly rejected the asylum applications of a Christian family, who have been living in the UK for the past six years. They fear death if forced to return to Pakistan.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2444
Anarcho-Satanist Graffiti at the Basilica of Chaumont
2018-06-11 | On the morning of June 11th, an unknown person sprayed Anarcho-Satanist graffiti on the facade of the Basilica of Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Chaumont (Haute-Marne). Along with the traditional anarchist symbol, the word Satan accompanied by a heart was discovered.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2449
Food Delivery Driver Ripped Cross from Wall of Christian Home
2018-06-11 | A Greek Orthodox Christian, noticed that the Palm Sunday cross which had been hanging outside her front door for many years had been ripped off when she left for work. It was scattered in pieces on her doormat. After reviewing security cameras, the family discovered that a food delivery driver had torn the cross down just before delivering food to the home. The homeowner reported the incident as hate crime and police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2459
Two Flags Stolen from Church in Züsch
2018-06-09 | During the night of June 9th, between 3:00 and 3:30 pm, two flags were stolen from the Züsch parish.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2446
Obscene Graffiti on Facade of Italian Church
2018-06-06 | The Greek church of Santa Maria degli Angeli in the city of Barletta was stained with various graffiti by unknown vandals. Among the graffiti, there were many obscene images and phrases.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2443
Abandoned Church Suffers Gross Desecration
2018-06-06 | A passerby discovered that unknown people had entered the abandoned church of Santa Corona in Garbagnate Milanese desecrated the interior.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2445
Court of Justice of the European Union Redefines “Spouses”
2018-06-05 | The Court of Justice of the European Union issued a judgment in the case of Coman and others ruling that all EU Member States, including those that define marriage as the union of one man and one woman, must recognize same-sex marriage contracted abroad, regarding the right of residence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2458
Man Wields Knife in Berlin Cathedral
2018-06-03 | When a 53-year-old Austrian man became aggressive and started wielding a knife in the Berlin Cathedral, police were called to intervene. The staff of the cathedral, which is also a popular tourist spot, were able to lead all visitors to safety. About a hundred people were in the cathedral at the time.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2436
Bibles Removed from Hospital Rooms
2018-06-03 | The Royal Infirmary of Dumfries and Galloway made the decision to remove Bibles from hospital rooms and social areas upon complaint that Christianity was given "preferential treatment".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2435
Arson Attempt in Sicilian Church
2018-06-03 | On June 3rd at 11 o'clock at night, a man poured gasoline at the entrance to the church of San Giuliano in the Sicilian city of Messina and tried to set fire to the building. Firefighters extinguished the flames that had been partially isolated. The structure of the church was not damaged. Police arrested the alleged perpetrator shortly after in the vicinity of the property.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2440
Window Broken in Church of Hahnenbach
2018-06-02 | Unknown people broke a window of the Evangelical church in Hahnenbach during the early hours of June 2nd. Later, they forced the back door of the building. Apparently nothing was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2439
British MPs Demand "Buffer Zones" Outside Abortion Facilities
2018-06-01 | One hundred sixty-one members of the British Parliament are demanding that Home Secretary Sajid Javid act on a proposal to introduce exclusion or "buffer zones” around abortion facilities, which would ban pro-life prayer, protest, and counseling of women conflicted about abortion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2455
Windows Broken in Jena Church
2018-05-29 | The Stadtkirche Sankt Michael in the city of Jena was subjected to two vandalism attacks in two days. On the night of May 27th, someone threw stones and broke two of the church's stained glass windows. Two days later, on May 29th, someone broke another window in the back of the church. Witnesses observed two teenagers behind the church and police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2438
Fire Inside Büdesheim Church
2018-05-27 | On May 27th, unidentified people entered the church of Büdesheim between 12:00 and 7:00 pm and set fire to a sign hanging in the building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2433
Arson in Parish's Sports Facilities; Graffiti Threatening Parish Priest
2018-05-26 | Around six o'clock in the morning of May 26th, unknown people set fire to the rooms of the secretariat in the sports center of the Maria Madre della Chiesa parish in Casazza, a Brescia neighborhood, completely destroying its interior. In addition, next to one of the rooms affected by the fire, curses and serious insults against the parish priest were written with a blue marker.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2432
Constant Vandalism in Sicilian Church
2018-05-25 | On May 25th, unknown persons entered the Chiesa Gesù Amore Misericordioso church in Canicattì, causing damage, breaking furniture, and staining the building with paint. Reports called this the "umpteenth time" the church had been vandalized because of repeated incidents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2431
Two Men Arrested for Destruction of Historic Crucifix
2018-05-21 | Two men were arrested for chopping the arm off and damaging the torso of an 18th century crucified Christ figure with a machete in front of the St. Dominic church in Nysa.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2699
Man disrupts homily at Pentecost mass in Nantes
2018-05-20 | A man approached the ambo and took the microphone a few minutes into the homily during Pentecost mass and spoke in a foreign language. A few witnesses have reported that the intruder said "Allahu Akbar", the vicar, however, denies it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2479
Cemetery Vandalized in Indre-et-Loire
2018-05-19 | Between thirty and forty graves in the cemetery of La Riche were vandalized early in the evening of May 19th. Damage included smashed crucifixes. The mayor of La Riche called the act "pure vandalism," as no tags or other signs were left by the perpetrators. Families visiting the cemetery on the Pentecost weekend were distressed upon learning of the damage to their loved ones' graves. The city announced its intention to file a complaint, and urged affected families to do the same.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2426
Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes Vandalised
2018-05-18 | Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes situated in the Grotto in Sainte-Gemmes-d'Andigné was broken in half during the night of May 18th to 19th. An investigation was launched immediately and two 17-year-olds confessed to the act of throwing rocks at the statue until it was broken in two. On June 6th they will be heard in the court. Damages amounted to 1000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2430
Arson at the Madonna dell'Aiuto Church
2018-05-17 | During the night of May 17th, unknown persons entered and set fire to the church of Madonna dell'Aiuto in Trecastagni.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2427
Fire in a Lyon Chapel
2018-05-16 | A fire broke out in la Chapelle Saint-Croix in the 6th arrondissement of Lyon in the afternoon of May 16th. It appeared that a fire set in the chapel's confessional started the blaze and three fire trucks were deployed to extinguish the fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2421
Desecration and Theft in the Church of San Giacomo di Monselice
2018-05-14 | On May 14th, witnesses discovered that the tabernacle had been desecrated and two ciboriums containing consecrated Hosts had been stolen from the church of San Giacomo de Monselice. This was the 3rd robbery in the Padua diocese in five months.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2420
Saint André Church in Grenoble Looted
2018-05-13 | Four boxes use to collect donations for the poor and for upkeep of the church were discovered looted in the Saint André church in Grenoble on May 13th. According to the parish priest, the perpetrators emptied the donation boxes and forced the drawers. Losses are estimated at around 600 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2418
Bulgarian Catholics and Protestants Unite to Oppose Proposed Religious Law: Updated
2018-05-13 | Catholic and Protestant communities in Bulgaria have unified their efforts to prevent the adoption of two legislative proposals put before the parliamentary assembly in May 2018. The first, sponsored by the conservative GERB, the Bulgarian Socialist Party, and the ethnic Turkish Movement for Rights and Freedoms, would permit state subsidies only for major religious denominations. The second, tabled by the United Patriots, would require greater oversight of religious activities and financing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2428
Church Vandalized in Lombardy
2018-05-11 | Residents in Solbiate Olona discovered that young people had been repeatedly entering the Chiesa del Sacro Cuore and covering the floor with wax melted from votive candles. The church is loved by members of the community who take responsibility for keeping it clean.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2414
Priest Assaulted during Mass
2018-05-11 | On May 11th, a man entered l’église de la Source à Saint Denis on the French island of Réunion during the celebration of the Mass, walked straight to the altar, and slapped Father Pascal Mussard. Many parishioners rushed to intervene. Police arrived soon after and handcuffed the man. After it was discovered that the perpetrator was "imbalanced" and had fled from a hospital hours earlier, the priest declined to file a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2416
Google Halts Advertising on Irish Abortion Referendum
2018-05-09 | On May 9th, Google announced that it would "pause" all advertising related to the upcoming Irish abortion referendum. The ban applies to all sites associated with the Google brand, including YouTube, and follows Facebook’s decision to ban any ads from advertisers outside of Ireland relating to the referendum. Opponents of the referendum, Pro-Life Campaign, Save the 8th, and the Iona Institute issued a joint statement condemning the tech giant’s decision as “shutting down a free and fair debate” and that it was "scandalous, and is an attempt to rig the referendum.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2411
Jihad Graffiti on Church in Sweden
2018-05-07 | "Jihad" was painted on the outside wall of the church Sankt Olov in Skellefteå by unknown vandals. A representative of Skellefteå's pastorate commented on News Today that "it is obviously regrettable that we can not have our properties in peace." The Swedish national television SVT initially published a photograph of the affected church. Later they chose to eliminate it, indicating that the image was "too sensitive" to show.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2409
Stained Glass Window Broken in Cölbe Church
2018-05-05 | Sometime between April 29th and May 5th, unknown vandals threw stones at the Catholic church on Gartenstraße in Cölbe, breaking one of the large stained glass windows adorning the building. Damage was estimated to exceed 1,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2407
Robbery in the Sacré Chœur of Toulouse
2018-05-05 | On the night between May 5th and 6th, one or more individuals visited the Sacré Chœur Church in Toulouse. Various religious objects were stolen by the thieves, including the chalice and the parterre. An investigation was opened to the local police office.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2413
Six Recent Cases of Vandalism in Bamberg Churches: Witnesses Sought
2018-05-04 | Police are investigating at least six separate acts of vandalism in five churches in Bamberg in a short period. The property damage is estimated at more than 20,000 euros. On May 2nd, unknown people knocked the figure of Saint Joseph from its pedestal in the Convent of Heiliggrab, seriously damaging it. The next day at the convent, a large wooden crucifix was thrown to the ground. Also on May 3rd, two large figures of saints were overturned in St. Ottokirche.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2403
Obscene Graffiti on Swiss Church
2018-05-04 | Unknown people painted a series of graffiti from the Wetzikerstrasse street to the Protestant church of Bäretswil. Some obscene drawings were sprayed with black silver paint at the church, along with the number 187 - the code of the US police for homicide cases - and also the words "F#ck you" and the acronym "Acab" (All Cops Are Bastards). The police of the canton of Zurich wrote in a statement that the damage to property caused by the vandals was estimated at around 10,000 francs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2415
Notre-Dame-du-Bout-du-Pont Closed by Municipal Decision Following Degradations Caused by Fire
2018-05-04 | For fifteen days the church Notre-Dame-du-Bout-du-Pont in Villeneuve-sur-Lot was closed. The decision was due to an incident that happened in the begining of the month. A neighbour saw smoke coming from the church by chance and alerted the police. Security forces arrived immediately on the spot and managed to extinguish the fire themselves with the fire extingusher. They found a candle under the table that serves to deposit prayer books which might have caused the flame. Unfortunately, it burned everything around. "This is obviously not her place and she did not arrive there alone", commented Father Bouchet .The church was recently renewed with many wooden furniture installed which are easily inflamed and suffer deepen damages.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2417
Aggression and Threats againt Members of Association with Christian Values
2018-05-03 | Pedro Mejías, delegate of HazteOír in Cádiz, an association of Christian values for the defense of the rights of the family and of life, was the victim of a violent attack on May 3rd at a bar in Cádiz before a public event.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2402
Church Windows Destroyed in Gronau
2018-04-29 | On April 29th, between 12 noon and 7 p.m., an unknown person intentionally destroyed four windows of the Evangelical Church on Bernhardstraße in Gronau.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2397
Man Arrested for Threatening to Blow Up Cathedral
2018-04-28 | A 38-year old man was arrested after he burst into the Cathédrale Saint-Vincent de Chalon-sur-Saône during the Mass on April 28th, and threatened to blow everything up with a grenade and gestured toward his satchel. He also grabbed a Mass book and shouted "it is the Koran that should be read!" Parishioners promptly called the police and Ahmed X was soon placed in custody. Highly intoxicated, he remained in jail for two days before appearing in court to face charges. Due to 27 previous convictions, including violent offenses, the court ruled that he would be held in jail until his trial at the end of May. He is considered a recidivist under French law and could face enhanced penalties if convicted in this case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2404
Vandal Broke Statue of Saint Anthony of Padua in Bellariva
2018-04-28 | On the morning of April 28th the Franciscan friars in charge of the church of the Cuore Immacolato di Maria in Bellariva discovered that someone had broken the fingers of the statue of Saint Anthony of Padua while friars prayed in a chapel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2395
Destruction of Statue of the Virgin Mary in Loudun
2018-04-27 | At the church of Saint-Pierre in Loudun (Vienne) one or more individuals overturned a statue of the Virgin Mary placed on a pedestal. Pieces of the head of the Virgin were broken and the vase placed beside it was smashed on the ground. Leaflets to write prayer intentions were scattered on the ground. The priest lodged a complaint with the gendarmerie.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2419
Arson Attempt in Kirchheim
2018-04-26 | Police investigated a fire and an arson attempt at the St. Martinus parish church in Kirchheim on April 26th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2394
Church in Guadeloupe Vandalized
2018-04-25 | One or more individuals allegedly broke into L'Eglise Immaculée Conception in Abymes, a village in Guadeloupe in the French Caribbean and vandalized the interior. The vandalism occurred during the night between April 24th and 25th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2388
Church Vandalized in Protest against Gas Pipeline
2018-04-25 | On April 25th unknown people attacked the church of Santa Lucia in Lecce. They threw eggs at the church and painted the windows and walls with black paint. Graffiti on the outer walls of the church included "No peace for Tap's accomplices." (“Nessuna pace per i complici di Tap"). The acronym "Tap" refers to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2389
Repeated Vandalism at Recklinghausen Parish
2018-04-25 | The parish of St. Peter in Recklinghausen has been the victim of repeated acts of vandalism, including people frequently urinating in the church, donation boxes being broken, mulled wine being poured into the holy water, and candles being used by drug addicts to heat their drugs. The church is open to the public every day until 6:00 pm.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2391
Thieves Break Offertory Box in Menden Church
2018-04-25 | On April 25th, between 9:00 a.m. and at 3:30 p.m., unknown people used to a lever to pry open the money box for candle offerings in St. Maria Magdalena (Bösperde) church. The box was damaged and the money it contained was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2392
Fire outside Church in Salzkotten
2018-04-24 | At about 9:00 pm on April 24th, a passerby discovered a burning wastepaper bin at the side entrance of the Marienkirche. Together with another witness, they managed to put out the fire before serious damage occurred. The container was destroyed and matches were found nearby. At the end of March, visitors to the church had discovered and extinguished a prayer book burning inside the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2386
Political Anti-Abortion Graffiti Painted on Two Catholic Churches
2018-04-23 | Carrickmore Chapel in County Tyrone and St. Patrick's Cathedral in County Armagh, both in Northern Ireland, were targeted by vandals. The graffiti specifically mentioned Sinn Fein and its advocacy for repeal of the 8th amendment, ahead of the referendum on the issue in the Republic of Ireland. Police investigated reports of criminal damage to both churches.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2396
Red Paint Poured on Caresana Church Door
2018-04-23 | The door of the small church of San Giorgio in Caresana was stained during the night of April 23rd with blood red paint by unknown people.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2382
More Abortion Clinic "Buffer Zones" Considered by Councils
2018-04-23 | After the Ealing local council voted to ban prayer vigils and protests outside an abortion clinic by issuing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) earlier in April, at least eight councils in the United Kingdom considered implementing abortion clinic "buffer zones."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2457
Repeated Vandalism of Church and Convent in Rimini
2018-04-22 | The convent and church of Sorelle Povere di S. Chiara (Poor Clares) in the Piazzetta of San Bernardino in Rimini has been the victim of repeated vandalism. Most recently, on April 22nd, the glass door of the church was smashed for the fourth time in a few months.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2377
Devastation in Saxony's Oldest Town Church
2018-04-22 | An unidentified person climbed the facade of the Kilianskirche in Bad Lausick, smashed a 4-meter stained glass window, and entered the church sometime between 10:30 pm and 12:30 am during the night of April 21st to 22nd. Once inside, the vandal severely damaged the carved late Gothic altar and pulpit with a sword. A chandelier was shattered onto the ground and a candlestick was damaged. Disastrous damage was avoided after altar candles, deliberately left burning in the wooden tower, went out before causing a fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2387
Reward Offered for Information: Fourth Vandalism Attack on Church in Five Months
2018-04-22 | An unknown person smashed the stained glass windows of St.-Nikolaus-Kirche in Veen between April 19th and 22nd. This is the fourth vandalism attack in less than half a year.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2399
Significant Damage Caused to Two Churches in Chemnitz; Organist Threatened
2018-04-21 | A 24-year-old Pakistani man was arrested on April 21st after a police investigation of significant damage in the Markuskirche in Chemnitz. The asylum seeker allegedly entered the night before and broke candlesticks, destroyed various bronze objects and several candles, and damaged the altar and the pulpit cover. A window was also destroyed and there was damage both in the sanctuary and the basement of the church. Damage was estimated to exceed 10,000 euros. Two days later, on April 23rd, he was again arrested after throwing stones at the windows of the Petrikirche church, causing about 3,000 euros in damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2381
Crosses and Graves Damaged in Steinbach Cemetery
2018-04-21 | Unknown vandals caused damage estimated at several thousand euros over the Easter weekend in a cemetery in Fernwald-Steinbach. At least twelve graves were targeted, with wooden crosses and planted flowers damaged. In some other cases, the perpetrators tore out the gravestones and threw them in an adjacent meadow and on top of other graves. A police investigation was initiated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2853
Church Bell Tower Tagged with Obscene Graffiti
2018-04-20 | Locals discovered obscene graffiti on the bell tower of church of Saint-Vorles in Châtillon-sur-Seine.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2375
Thefts and Damage Resulted in Restricted Visiting Times in Stonehouse Church
2018-04-19 | Unknown vandals entered the kitchen of St Cyr's church in Stonehouse, breaking and damaging a serving hatch and stealing a fire extinguisher. As a result of a series of petty thefts, church managers made the decision to close the building when it is not being used for religious services or other social gatherings.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2369
Church Ransacked in Pfäfers
2018-04-19 | On April 19th, an "emotionally disturbed" man set fire to fabrics and damaged liturgical objects, statues, and the organ in a St. Gallen church, causing more than ten thousand francs of damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2372
Graffiti Threat on Vorarlberg Wall
2018-04-19 | During the 18th or 19th of April, unknown perpetrators vandalized a stone retaining wall in Rankweil with pink paint. Over ten meters, they sprayed the words "Deth (sic) to all Christians!" as well as a pentagram symbol. The retaining wall on Thomas-Lehrer-Weges leads to the Basilica of Rankweil, the pilgrimage church of Our Lady of the Visitation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2374
Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Fribourg Vandalized
2018-04-17 | A few hours after it was installed on Boulevard de Pérolles on April 17th, replica of Rio de Janeiro's famed Christ the Redeemer statue was vandalized by a 24-year-old Syrian asylum seeker.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2373
Window Damaged at Northern Ireland Church; Investigated as Hate Crime
2018-04-17 | Shortly after 10 o'clock on the night of April 17th, the First Presbyterian Church in Newry, Northern Ireland suffered a vandalism attack in which one of its stained glass windows was damaged. The window had been repaired just weeks before this incident after vandals had damaged it earlier in the year.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2380
Pentecostal Church in Rousse Threatened by Municipality Councilors and Media
2018-04-17 | The municipality of Rousse will expel the Third Evangelical Pentecostal Church claiming that it illegally occupies a municipal building. The announcement was made by councilors from the right wing party, International Macedonian Revolutionary Organization. After an inspection launched by the local authorities, it was decided that the place where worship services are held three times a week, would be closed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2385
Christ Figure on Crucifix Destroyed
2018-04-15 | During the weekend of April 14th-15th, unknown persons severely damaged the Christ figure on the Rottmann-Wegekreuz am Reckelsberg.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2379
Vandals Destroy Crossroads Crucifix
2018-04-15 | For the fourth time in the last four years, someone destroyed the crucifix at the Kuckhof crossroads in Allerheiligen. In the most recent incident, the cross was demolished from its base and there was no trace of the figure of Jesus.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2383
Tabernacle in Loire Church Vandalized
2018-04-13 | The tabernacle in the church of Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire, 15 kilometers from Roanne, was vandalized on April 13th. The intruders perhaps expected they would find ciboria and chalices by breaking the marble door of the tabernacle, but long ago liturgical objects of high value were moved to a more secure place. A complaint was lodged with the gendarmerie of Villerest.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2366
Fire Set Behind Altar; Excrement Left in Confessional
2018-04-12 | An intentionally-set fire burned a curtain and part of a chair behind the altar of the church of San Giuseppe in the town of Torre del Lago Puccini on April 12th. Feces was later discovered in the confessional.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2364
Theft in Torás Church
2018-04-11 | A band of thieves entered the church of Santa Quiteria during the night of April 11th, opened the tabernacle and stole a golden chalice containing consecrated Hosts, the most precious item for its religious value. They also destroyed donation boxes and took all the money.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2363
Saint-Rémi-des-Monts church Victim of Burglary
2018-04-11 | The Basilica of Mézières, Saint-Rémi-des-Monts was the victim of several attempts of burglaries on the night of April 11 to 12. The door locks of the sacristy and the reception (where the postcards are sold) were broken, while the trunk of the candles was forced with hammers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2378
UK Council Bans Pro-Life Vigils outside Abortion Clinic
2018-04-10 | A London local council voted unanimously on April 10th to ban pro-life vigils outside a local abortion center that have been taking place without incident for 23 years. The Ealing council voted to use a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to stop pro-life advocates from praying outside the Ealing Marie Stopes abortion clinic and offering help to women as they enter or exit the building. Pro-lifers must now stay 100 meters away from the abortion center. It will be the first "buffer zone" in the United Kingdom.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2456
List of Churches Removed from Granada's Website
2018-04-10 | On April 10th, the municipal government removed the list of churches and parishes that appeared on the City of Granada's on-line resource guide after an IU (United Left) councilman demanded their removal five days earlier. The twenty churches, all Catholic, appeared in a section with the title "Places of Worship." The deputy mayor responsible for communication announced that since the churches do not offer any municipal, public or administrative services, the entire "Places of Worship" section was deleted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2351
Unknown Perpetrators Vandalized Church in Straubing
2018-04-10 | The church of St. Stephan, in the Alburg district of Straubing, suffered various acts of vandalism on April 10th. They threw a figure of a saint from the altar, ripped out a microphone, threw a candle to the ground, spilled holy water, and destroyed an umbrella. They also smoked in the confessional, filling the interior with ashes and extinguishing the butts against the wooden door. The damage to the property was estimated at 3,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2359
BBC Scotland Posts Video Mocking Catholics
2018-04-09 | The Bishop of Paisley criticized BBC Scotland for encouraging anti-Catholic prejudice. It posted a short film entitled ‘Homophobia in 2018, Time for Love’ on its Facebook page which depicts a priest holding a Mini Cheddar in a parody of the Host, and giving it to a woman who makes the sign of the cross, with a voice-over saying, “tastes like cardboard and smells like hate.” Bishop Keenan described the content as “beyond the pale, and unworthy of the BBC as a public service broadcaster.” The Archdiocese of St. Andrew's and Edinburgh also criticized the video for suggesting that Christianity fosters public hatred toward homosexuals. It was also said that "recent government figures on crimes with religious aggravations showed that 57% of these are now directed to Catholics, an increase of 14%.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2398
15th Century Tomb of Fra Angelico Attacked in the Center of Rome
2018-04-08 | The marble tomb of the Italian Renaissance painter Fra Angelico was vandalized in the church of S. Maria sopra Minerva in the center of Rome, one of the most famous churches of the Italian capital. Vandals chipped off several parts of the marble tomb, carved by the fifteenth-century sculptor Isaia da Pisa.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2349
Woman Stabbed Outside Coventry Church after Service
2018-04-08 | A woman in her 30s was stabbed after attending the Eritrean community's Orthodox Easter midnight service at St. Margaret's Church in Coventry early on the morning of April 8th. The mother of three was found with a puncture wound in the abdomen at approximately 3:15 in the morning and taken to the hospital where she was listed in critical condition. The attacker, who reportedly fled on a bicycle, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder the following day.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2350
Intentional Fires in Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais Church in Langon
2018-04-08 | A passerby saw flames coming from the church and rushed in to extinguish the fire. Firefighters arrived quickly and were able to prevent the fire from causing extensive damage. Fires had been set in two different places: one at the candlesticks where the alter of the Virgin is situated, and the other at the entrance where leaflets and informational flyers are displayed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2353
Oil Poured Down Church Steps
2018-04-07 | On April 7th unidentified vandals poured frying oil down the grand stone steps in front of the church of San Giovanni Evangelista in Modica.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2348
Saint-Michel Church in Holque Vandalized
2018-04-07 | Saint-Michel Church in Holque, a small French commune in northern France was vandalized.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2355
Poulseur: Statue of Christ Shattered
2018-04-07 | On the morning of April 7th, the sacristan of the church in Poulseur discovered it had been vandalized. A statue of a crucified Jesus Christ had been taken down from a hook and shattered into pieces. The extensive damage to the statue suggested that the perpetrators climbed onto the choir screen and threw it down to the ground from above. Other vessels with flowers were also knocked down and broken. The damage was reported to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2356
Catholic College Vandalized in Vendée
2018-04-06 | A day before about fifty students from Notre-Dame de l'Esperance College were to leave for a trip to England, they found their trip cancelled. All of the students' identity papers, which had been stored in a locker at school, were discovered cut in half and thrown into a garbage bin.The director of Notre-Dame de l'Esperance College sent a letter to the parents explaining that the trip was canceled and turned to the British Embassy for assistance. Police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2354
Vandalism and Theft at Warmifontaine Church
2018-04-06 | Unidentified perpetrators looted the church of Saint-Martin in Warmifontaine, breaking open the tabernacle with a crowbar, and stealing ciboriums containing consecrated Hosts, chalices, and hand-carved statues.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2362
German Public Broadcaster Replaces Jesus Christ with Easter Bunny
2018-04-06 | A German satire TV recreated the Passion of Jesus Christ with a crucified Easter plush bunny in lieu of Jesus. Photomontages included the toy animal, among other things, on the cross and sitting among the Apostles for the Last Supper. The Christian Media Association KEP immediately filed a complaint to the broadcaster saying that it made "the central religious content of Christianity literally a joke."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2400
Relic Stolen from Saint-Étienne de Toul
2018-04-05 | On April 5th, a student who works as a summer guide of the Toul Cathedral, Saint-Étienne, discovered that pieces of the relic belonging to the first bishop of Toul, St. Gerard, was missing. The relic is about twenty centimeters long and was pulled out from its holster.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2360
Host Desecration in Spain: the Case before the ECHR
2018-04-05 | The Spanish Association of Christian Lawyers – Asociación de Abogados Cristianos – lodged an application with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) with the help of the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ), following the host desecration by the “artist” Abel Azcona.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2578
Fires Set at Three German Churches in Ostholstein District
2018-04-04 | From April 1st to April 4th, fires were set in front of the wooden entrance doors of three churches in Heiligenhafen by unknown perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2339
Church in Vicht Ransacked; Fire Extinguisher Emptied
2018-04-04 | Vandals devastated the interior of the parish church of St. John the Baptist in the village of Vicht (Stolberg District) on April 4th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2341
Sacred Heart Painting in Chiesa Nuova Stolen
2018-04-04 | A painting was discovered stolen out of its frame on April 4th in Santa Maria Church. The painting was 19th century copy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, signed by Pietro Gagliardi. Although the painting was not of significant value, the theft served as a reminder to the parish to increase security.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2371
Deliberate Act of Desecration
2018-04-02 | On Easter Monday, the church of Domois in Fénay was desecrated and ransacked. Intruders shattered doors, broke objects, scattered candles, flowers, tablecloths, and religious symbols, church furniture and other items were destroyed. Tabernacles were opened and consecrated hosts were trampled and scattered all over.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2357
Man Arrested for Graffiti on Churches, Gravestones, and Peace Pagoda
2018-04-02 | After graffiti appeared across Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire from February 21st and April 2nd, police arrested a 34-year-old man in connection with the incidents. Graffiti painted in red included messages such as "Allah reigns" on a church, "kill all white scum" on the famous Willen Peace Pagoda, and "evil white failures" and "rape and replace" on a memorial in a graveyard.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2361
Lighting Stolen from the Cross of the Holy Spirit
2018-04-01 | On April 1st, Easter Sunday, inhabitants of La Treille discovered that the solar panels, battery, and 70 LED lights which illuminated the La Croix Saint Esprit had been stolen. Unknown thieves had to climb 400 meters of rocky terrain to reach the cross. Losses amounted to 1,400 euros. The cross was installed less than a year before and was described as a reassuring "night light" for the 800 inhabitants of the valley. A complaint was filed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2358
Brittany: Tomb of Abbot Perrot Tagged
2018-03-31 | The tomb of Abbot Jean-Marie Perrot, founder of the Breton Catholic movement Bleun-Brug who was murdered by communists in 1943, was toppled and then sprayed with "anti-fascist" graffiti. The incidents coincided with the annual Easter Monday commemoration of the Abbot's death.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2346
Eggs Thrown at Priest's House after Homily
2018-03-31 | Eggs were thrown at the door of a priest's home on Holy Saturday, March 31st, a day after he was criticized by LGBTI groups for a homily in which he questioned whether 'gender ideology' was a biased view of the nature of men and women, and whether it had a scientific basis.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2337
Court Ruled 2015 Desecration of Cemetery was "Anti-Christian" Attack
2018-03-29 | On March 29th, the Court of Appeals in Toulouse ruled that Mohamed B., who desecrated and vandalized 215 graves, knocked down and broke crosses and other Christian symbols in a cemetery in Castres in 2015, was civilly liable for the religiously-motivated act. He had been found not criminally responsible due to mental illness, but on appeal, the court found him personally liable for compensation to AGRIF (Alliance générale contre le racisme et pour le respect de l'identité française et chrétienne).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2336
No Prison for Men Who Entered Convent Demanding Nuns Convert to Islam
2018-03-28 | The two men who entered a Carmelite convent in November 2017 and demanded the nuns to convert to Islam or they would go to hell were released by a Verdun court on March 28th. The court, citing "diminished mental responsibility at the time of the incident" because the intruders had been suffering from "psychiatric disorders," freed the men after a trial.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2342
Great Yarmouth Church Desecrated Days Before Easter
2018-03-27 | A man walked into St Mary’s Catholic Church, set a couple of small fires and attempted to burn the icon taken off the church’s altar. The perpetrator left a Satanic image in the icon's place. The act was recorded by CCTV cameras and police arrested a suspect days later.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2333
Small Fire in Church in Bavaria
2018-03-27 | An unknown person lit a glove filled with matches on a bench in the small church of St. Moritz in the tiny municipality of Mantel. Due to the glove's plastic material, the fire spread to a bench cushion and caused damage to the bench.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2331
Notre-Dame-du-Bourg in Digne-les-Bains Tagged
2018-03-26 | A man was arrested on March 28th for painting satanic symbols ("666") on the cathedral, as well as tags on other buildings in the town between March 26th and 27th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2332
Man Shouted “Allahu Akbar" in the Cathedral of Cambrai
2018-03-25 | Shortly before the Palm Sunday Mass in the cathedral Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, a unidentified man shouted “Allahu Akbar” into the microphone. When approached by a parishioner, he ran away. Notably, the incident happened two days after an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack in southern France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2328
Parents Halt School Procession during Holy Week
2018-03-23 | The parents of a two-year old student objected to the school participating in the Viernes de Dolores (Friday of Sorrows) procession. The Escuela Infantil Sagrada Familia organized the procession from the school to the neighborhood parish on March 23rd as part of the traditional celebrations of the Holy Week. The school council approved the voluntary event, but the Andalusian educational authority cancelled it after the parents complained.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2352
Desecration and Robbery in Bremen Convent; Police Seek Witnesses
2018-03-22 | An unidentified man forced open the tabernacle in the chapel of the convent of Bridgettines in Bremen to take the consecrated Hosts with the liturgical objects that were inside, as well as the relics of the founder of the Order, St. Bridget of Sweden.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2327
Sinn Féin Politician Suspended for Voting against Abortion Referendum
2018-03-21 | Member of the Irish Parliament, Carol Nolan TD was suspended from the left-wing Irish political party Sinn Féin for a period of three months after voting against a bill which would allow a Irish referendum on the Eighth Amendment which effectively bans abortion. Nolan said, "I voted according to my conscience and did not vote in favour of the legislation put before me as it was greatly at odds with my strong pro-life values."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2323
Provocative Play Advertised in Front of Catholic Schools
2018-03-21 | The City Council of Madrid placed an advertising poster for a publicly-funded theatrical performance entitled "The place where the whores pray" (El lugar donde rezan las putas) directly in front of two Catholic schools. The play, performed at the public Teatro Español, was described by promoters as exploring "theater in times of rage."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2326
Canada Summer Jobs Funding Program Becomes Religious Freedom and Conscience Rights Controversy
2018-03-20 | The Canada Summer Jobs program funding application for 2018 requires that applicants sign a statement supporting, among other things, abortion and transgender rights in order to be eligible for funding. Hundreds of applicants, including Christian charities, pro-life groups, and churches have refused to sign the attestation because of the government's positions on moral issues.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2329
Madonna dell'Arco di San Callisto in Trastevere Vandalized
2018-03-19 | The 13th century fresco of the Madonna dell'Arco di San Callisto in Trastevere was tagged with a graffiti artist's signature on March 18th. Locals were outraged to discover a white signature across the beloved image. A suspect was arrested in early April.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2370
Catholic Historian's Facebook Account Suspended Due to Post about Islam
2018-03-19 | Facebook suspended the account of Catholic historian Michael Hesemann for 30 days after he published a post commenting on the negative influence of Islam in the history of Europe and, specifically, in Germany.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2319
Leftist Party Opposed to any Easter Activities at Schools
2018-03-19 | The political party Equo Andalucía demanded that the Junta de Andalucía (Regional Government of Andalusia) exercise extreme vigilance to prevent public schools from organizing and celebrating Easter processions for children during Holy Week. Party leaders reminded the government that they had registered complaints about children's processions the previous year.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2321
Demonstration Against Immigration Law in the Basilica of Saint-Denis
2018-03-18 | Far-left activists and undocumented migrants demonstrated inside the Basilica of Saint-Denis on March 18th to protest the French government’s new asylum law before being forcibly removed by police, resulting in the evening Mass being cancelled.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2314
Woman Fined for Projecting Cross on Church Facade
2018-03-18 | A woman in the community of Callosa de Segura was sanctioned 100 euros per day for projecting the image of a cross on the wall of the church of San Martin.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2309
Acts of Vandalism in a Cemetery in Ardèche
2018-03-17 | On March 17th, locals discovered that 18 graves in the Saint-Romain-d'Ay cemetery had been vandalized, with crosses broken. Complaints were filed and the police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2316
Spanish Actor Refuses to Appear in Court to Answer Religious Charge
2018-03-17 | Spanish actor and activist Willy Toledo announced that he does not intend to appear before a judge to respond to a complaint made by the Spanish Association of Christian Lawyers for having committed an offense "against religious sentiments." Toledo was investigated after he posted a rant in July 2017 against God, the Virgin Mary, and his criticism of a trial against three women who had been charged for their part in a 2014 anti-Christian procession in which the image of the Virgin Mary was replaced by a giant vagina ("el coño insumiso").
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2324
Blood Poured in front of Martinique Church
2018-03-15 | A witness discovered blood poured on the stairs and door of the Eglise de Bellevue in Fort-de-France on the morning of March 15th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2311
Police Discovered Hundreds of Works of Art Stolen from Churches
2018-03-15 | On March 15th, investigators found 100 works of art, from paintings and statues to ciboriums and candlesticks, with a value estimated at 100,000 euros in an apartment in Pas-de-Calais. Following September robbery complaints from two churches in Likques and Sainghin-en-Weppes, a coordinated investigation resulted in the arrest of three art students, two men and a woman, who admitted having stolen the works art from various churches in Hauts-de-France, as well as in Belgium, over a two-year period.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2334
Swedish Social Democrats Seek to Ban all Religious Schools
2018-03-13 | The governing party announced the proposal on March 13, 2018, citing concerns about "systematic gender segregation and opinions that do not belong in Swedish schools." Although no examples of problems in Christian schools were cited, they would be included in the plan. Jewish schools would be exempted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2308
"Allahu Akbar" Shouted in a Crowded Evangelical Church
2018-03-11 | A man burst into the crowded Evangelical Church of Wittenheim in Alsace during the Sunday service and shouted “Allahu Akbar” while mimicking the use of a weapon, frightening the congregation. The man, known to authorities for psychiatric disorders, was detained and sent to a psychiatric hospital.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2330
Christians Assaulted for Protesting Sexually Explicit Ads in the Netherlands
2018-03-11 | Catholic protesters holding a prayer rally were physically harassed, spat on, and assaulted by LGBT activists on March 11th while denouncing retailer Suitsupply's advertising campaign featuring men "groping and kissing" each other.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2338
Fire in Ravensburg Church; Damage Around Two Million Euros
2018-03-10 | On March 10th police and firefighters responded to a massive fire in the 14th-century St. Jodok Church. Firefighters were able to save valuable pieces of art, but the organ was completely destroyed. Initial damage estimates were at least 2 million euros, as the church had been completely renovated in 2010. In addition to that, a fire was also set in St. Martin's church in Schlier, only a few kilometers from Ravensburg. Police received an anonymous message after the incident reading, “More churches will burn.” The arsonist was arrested on March 21st and convicted in September 2018, receiving a seven-year prison sentence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2298
Fire in a Church in Ravensburg
2018-03-10 | A small fire in a church was reported in Ravensburg on the same day as a devastating fire in the St. Jodok Church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2299
Four Crosses Shattered around 16th Century Church
2018-03-10 | Four of the twelve 45 cm stone crosses atop the wall surrounding the Cantabrian church of San Jorge de Penagos, were destroyed during the night of March 10th. The bulletin board of the parish was torn and a window of the sacristy was broken. The sign pointing to the parish house, 2km away from the church, was also damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2313
Decapitated Statue of the Madonna in Sant'Angelo Lodigiano
2018-03-10 | In the morning of March 10th the statue of the Virgin Mary was found decapitated near the oratory of San Rocco at the church of Maria Madre della Chiesa in Sant'Angelo. The statue's head was discovered later, a hundred meters away.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2325
At Least Five Madrid Churches Vandalized during International Women's Day Strike
2018-03-08 | On March 8th, International Women’s Day, the church of Espíritu Santo, the church of San Cristóbal, the Hermitage of San Isidro, the military church of San Andrés, and the church of San Jorge in La Coruña were all defaced with pro-abortion and anti-Catholic graffiti. The vandals identified themselves as feminists who were part of the "8M" women's strike, young communists, or anarchists. Locks on some of the churches were sealed with silicone to prevent the faithful from entering.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2297
Niort: Teenager Stabbed in Notre-Dame Church
2018-03-08 | A 15-year-old boy praying at the church of Notre-Dame in Niort was assaulted around 6:30 p.m. on March 8th. Two hooded men ordered him to undress. When he refused, they stabbed him in the leg with a knife. The injured teen was transported to the Niort hospital by firefighters. No further information about the assailants was given by media reports.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2300
Vandalism Against Seville Church
2018-03-08 | The church of the former convent of Santa Maria de la Paz in Seville, current canonical headquarters of the Catholic brotherhood of la Hermandad de la Sagrada Mortaja (Brotherhood of the Sacred Mortuary), was vandalized by unknown perpetrators with graffiti that read: "Ni Dios ni Amo" (Neither God nor Master).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2312
Statue of Virgin Mary in Champagnat Stolen
2018-03-07 | The statue of Virgin Mary in an oratory in Champagnat was torn from its base and stolen on the eve of International Women's Day. An explanatory note was left by the vandals, saying that Mary did not want to remain behind an iron gate, surrounded by plastic flowers and peeling paint, but wished to "withdraw to meditate on the state of the sacred feminine" and that she would return.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2301
Molotov Cocktail Found in Church Days after Threatening Graffiti Sprayed on Facade
2018-03-06 | On March 6th, a Molotov cocktail was found placed on the ledge of a window in the apse of the central parish San Miguel in Córdoba. The paper wick in the bottle had had been lit, but fortunately did not combust with the explosive materials inside.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2295
Activist says "Burn the Episcopal Conference"
2018-03-06 | On March 6 during the television program Més 324 on the public broadcasting network Catalonia TV3, former CUP politician and activist Bel Olid encouraged participation in the March 8 feminist strike by saying: "Hem de cremar la conferència episcopal per masclista i patriarchal!" (We must burn the Episcopal Conference for machismo and patriarchyl!).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2318
Arson at Saint-Gildas Church in Auray
2018-03-04 | On the afternoon of March 4th, a parishioner discovered thick smoke inside l'église Saint-Gildas. She observed two young women running from the church and immediately contacted the authorities. Firefighters discovered 10 separate fires had been set inside.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2294
Bomb Scare in Bern Church
2018-03-02 | A 21-year-old Afghan man was arrested in Bern on March 2nd after he threatened to blow up the Heiliggeistkirche (Church of the Holy Spirit) near the main train station. Witnesses reported unusual behavior to the police. Upon arrival, police found the man in possession of "suspicious objects" which were later neutralized. The church was evacuated and the area around the church was sealed off for hours.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2293
Local Government to Demolish Cross
2018-03-01 | The tripartite government of the Castellón municipality of Vall d'Uixó formed by PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party), Izquierda Unida (United Left) and Compomís (Coalició Compromís) announced the demolition of the cross in the small Plaza de la Paz (Freedom's Square). The removal was driven by the law of Historical Memory. However, the cross of Vall d'Uixó no longer contains any symbol that refers to the Civil War or the Franco regime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2344
Beloved Priest Murdered in Francophone Parish in Berlin
2018-02-22 | Father Alain-Florent Gandoulou, the head of the Catholic French-Speaking community, was murdered in his office around midnight.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2304
Government Sponsored Festival whose Poster Depicted Church in Flames
2018-02-22 | The Lugo City Hall, governed by PSOE, sponsored a music festival in February 2018 whose promotional poster depicts Christian church in flames. The three-day festival called “A Candeloria” was organized for the 15th consecutive year. All participating musical bands shared in common "combative music" with "corrosive lyrics about the system and its institutions."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2305
Strasbourg Cathedral Tagged
2018-02-22 | A facade and the double door of Strasbourg Cathedral were tagged during the night between February 20th and 21st with the anarchist message “Neither god nor master” ("Ni Dieu, Ni Maître").
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2307
10 Churches in the French Regions of Loire-Atlantique and Morbihan Desecrated
2018-02-21 | During February at least ten churches in the French Region of Morbihan and Loire-Atlantique were desecrated or robbed, according to media reports. After police investigation, two men were arrested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2296
Church Desecrated in Erdeven
2018-02-21 | The tabernacle was desecrated in the church of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul in Erdeven (Morbihan).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2493
"Jesus Magazine" Mocked by French Daily Host
2018-02-20 | On the daily television program Le Quotidien, host Yann Barthès mocked the publication of a magazine called "Jesus" and comedian Vincent Dedienne joined in by singing "I have holes in my hands and in my feet." Eric Célérier, founder of the website Top Chrétien, publicly denounced this by noting that "mocking Jews is anti-Semitism and punishable by law. Mocking Muslims is Islamophobia. But strangely, it seems that making fun of Christians and Jesus is... humor."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2303
City Hall Renovation Eliminates Christian Mosaic
2018-02-20 | Under the pretext of the restoration of the city hall's headquarters, the government of the town of San Fernando in Cadiz decided to remove the mosaic of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that had adorned the main facade of the building since 1941.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2322
Alpes-Maritimes: Mission Cross vandalized in Grasse
2018-02-18 | On the morning of February 18th, municipal services workers discovered that the "Mission Cross" in Grasse had been vandalized during the night. The nearly 500 kg wrought iron cross was bent and the pedestal was deliberately moved into the roadway. The cross, dating from 1894, had been completely renovated by Jean-Marie Rouvier, of the Compagnons du Patrimoine en Pays de Grasse, in June 2016. Mayor Jérôme Viaud condemned the vandalism and launched a police investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2317
Christian Convert Attacked Outside Pentecostal Church
2018-02-11 | A Christian Afghani asylum seeker was attacked after attending a worship service at a Pentecostal church in Karlstad.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2291
Newspaper Publishes Journalist's Vulgar Tirade Against Catholics
2018-02-10 | The on-line journal Público published a writer's insult-and-expletive laden criticism of Catholics, priests, and a Catholic confraternity following a court judgment against a young man for posting an image mocking Jesus Christ on Instagram.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2340
Council Votes in Favor of Buffer Zone around Abortion Clinic
2018-02-07 | In a vote that would create the second so-called "buffer zone" around an abortion clinic in the UK, the Richmond Council voted in favor of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) around a clinic run by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service. If it receives final approval at the next council meeting, the PSPO would make it a crime to hold prayer vigils near the clinic. The broadly-worded PSPO would also prohibit any form of interaction with staff or visitors to the clinic.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2768
Vulgar Graffiti Sprayed on Brzeszcze Church
2018-02-04 | CCTV recorded a man and a woman spraying the door of a church with vulgar messages in English. Police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2696
Teacher Fired for Sharing Biblical Views; Loses Discrimination Lawsuit
2018-02-02 | Following a one-day trial, an Employment Tribunal dismissed a discrimination claim by a Christian teacher who was fired for answering students’ questions about her Christian beliefs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2315
Universities in Germany Excluding Christian Groups
2018-01-28 | The climate at Germany's universities has become increasingly anti-religious. The German Student Mission (SMD) collected and documented dozens of cases of discrimination against student-run religious groups, including Christian groups. Discrimination has included denying the groups the use of campus facilities, prohibitions on flyers, and denial of accreditation by student councils. For Christian groups, accreditation has been denied both because "religion has no place on campus" and objections to the groups' moral stances on controversial topics.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2302
Manchester Votes to Ban Pro-Life Protests outside Clinics
2018-01-24 | Manchester became the second local authority in England to vote to ban pro-life protests and prayer vigils outside clinics. Councillors in the city agreed on January 24th to "take all necessary actions within its powers" to stop what it said was the harassment by protesters against women using the clinics. After this vote, protests would not be banned, but the city will investigate whether a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is warranted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2274
Professor Threatened Priest and Others in Nice
2018-01-23 | "Frank C.," a German philosophy professor, made death threats against a priest, a lawyer, a police officer, Christian Estrosi (the mayor of Nice), and magistrates in Nice. He was arrested and remanded for trial in Grasse.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2280
Five U.K. Retailers Accused of Insulting Christianity in Five Months
2018-01-22 | Five major U.K. retailers were accused of using advertising or packaging offensive to Christians in as many months. Ocado, an online supermarket, Fortnum & Mason, a luxury goods retailer, the bakery chain Gregg's, Domino's pizza, and Lidl all faced criticism for insulting Christians or Christianity.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2271
Paris March for Life Crowds Underreported by Media
2018-01-21 | French media largely ignored the March for Life, and those who reported about it underestimated the number of participants, saying there were "more than a thousand" marchers. Police estimated 8,500 participants, while organizers reported that over 40,000 people marched.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2275
Donation Box Stolen from Church in Mantes-la-Jolie
2018-01-21 | Shortly before starting Mass on January 21st, the priest of Saint-Jean-Baptiste church in Mantes-la-Jolie discovered that one or more individuals broke a window and two doors in order to steal the church donation box. The priest filed a complaint with the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2279
Arson in Saxony Church
2018-01-21 | A passerby discovered smoke was rising from the funeral chapel in Annaberg-Buchholz on January 21, 2018. The police and fire departments were called. The police suspected arson and initiated forensic investigations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2288
Statue of Virgin Mary Beheaded in Växjö
2018-01-19 | An unknown perpetrator chopped the head and hands off the statue of the Virgin Mary which stood outside St. Michael's Catholic Church in Växjö.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2273
Afghan Convert ‘Could Face Death’ if Deported from Switzerland
2018-01-18 | ADF International filed an expert brief with the European Court of Human Rights in support of an Afghan citizen who faces deportation from Switzerland. A.A. (anonymized for security reasons) converted from Islam to Christianity and sought asylum, which the Swiss government denied. If returned to Afghanistan, he could face severe social and formal persecution, with punishments ranging from lengthy imprisonment to death.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2270
Antwerp Church Vandalized
2018-01-14 | The Church of St. James (Sint-Jacobskerk) in Antwerp was vandalized sometime during the night between January 14th to January 15th. The church is frequented by the Chaldean brothers in Belgium.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2276
Baptismal Font Stolen from Flavignac Church
2018-01-14 | On January 14th, church trustees discovered that a baptismal font was missing and presumed stolen on January 14th. The copper font, dating from 1922, object, had been located near the entrance of the church of Flavignac. Church trustees thought it was being repaired, but later discovered that had been stolen. The mayor noted that the theft must have occurred during the day, as the church is closed after 5 p.m. A complaint was lodged with the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2278
Pastor excluded from volunteering at prison due to allegations of extremism by Imam
2018-01-11 | Pastor Paul Song was excluded from volunteering at a prison in Brixton, South London after Muslim Imam accused him of being too radical.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2437
Church Visit Disrupted by a Man yelling "Allah Akbar"
2018-01-10 | During a visit of a class from the Dauphiné high school to the church le collégiale Saint-Barnard in Romans-sur-Isère, a 34-year-old man allegedly reproached the female students for how they were dressed, before shouting "Allah Akbar." He also damaged the facade of the church. The man was later arrested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2277
Statue of Virgin Mary Damaged by Paint and Stones
2018-01-06 | Unknown vandals poured black paint and used stones to damage the statue of the Virgin Mary in the forest shrine in Gdynia. Police began an investigation and parishioners of Wawrzyńca prayed for the "conversion of the hears and minds" of the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2693
Vandalism Trial in Gemonio Postponed Until June
2017-12-31 | A hearing, which was meant to happen on 27th of April 2022, was postponed until June due to health reason. The hearing relates to a case of vandalism where a group of children sprayed black spray paint on of the fourteen chapels of the Via Sacro in December 31st, 2017. The police examined video footage to identify the suspects who were 14 years or older.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5705
Lons-le-Saunier: Repeated Vandalism and Disturbances in a Church
2017-12-29 | After weeks of disturbances and vandalism in the church of Cordeliers, the priest church filed a complaint with the police on December 29th. From the beginning of December, fire extinguishers had been found emptied, excrement found in the pulpit, and games had been played with candles creating a fire risk. Police began a forensic investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2282
Infant Jesus Stolen from Brussels Nativity
2017-12-29 | Sometime during the night between December 28th and 29th, the nativity scene placed in the Grand Palace in Brussels was vandalized. The figure of the infant Jesus was stolen and the cradle was damaged. The police investigated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2281
Desecration and Theft of Consecrated Hosts from Spanish Parish
2017-12-26 | During the night between 26th to 27th of December the parish church of San Francisco de Sales in Parla, in the Community of Madrid, was desecrated when the tabernacle containing consecrated hosts was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2283
A Nativity Scene in Alzira Mountain Destroyed
2017-12-25 | On 25th December, the nativity scene installed on Sunday 17 December on the summit of Alzira's highest mountain, La Ratlla, was vandalised. Unknown perpetrators destroyed several figures and others went missing. The backpack in which the material was stored was empty, and the landmark of the mountain was also torn to pieces. The visitor's book was also damaged and the book was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3555
Pharmacist’s Conscience Rights Appeal Dismissed
2017-12-22 | France's highest administrative court refused to hear the appeal of a pharmacist who was sanctioned for refusing to sell an IUD.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2285
London Assembly Passed Motion to Clarify Police Power in "Buffer Zones"
2017-12-21 | On December 21, 2017 the London Assembly passed a motion calling on the mayor to “clarify the powers available to [police] to arrest and prosecute” pro-life campaigners who pray near abortion clinics, accusing them of “obstruction, intimidation and harassment” and “threatening behavior.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2272
Government Guidance Ensures "Gender Inclusive School Environment"
2017-12-13 | New government guidance by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) encourages schools to “ensure the visibility” of transgender perspectives in the classroom.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2264
Lottery's Advertisement Featured Model Posing as Crucified Jesus
2017-12-13 | German Catholic and Protestant leaders expressed outrage after Sophia Thomalla posed on a cross in lingerie for a lottery company's promotion. The advertising included the slogan "Christmas is now even more beautiful."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2268
Christian Peer Fears Proclaiming Christianity could be a Hate Crime
2017-12-12 | Lord Pearson of Rannoch posed the question to the British government: "Will they confirm unequivocally that a Christian who says that Jesus the only son of the one true God cannot be arrested for hate crime or any other offense?" The government's representative in the House of Lords refused to comment on the question.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2269
Nativity Scene in Boadilla del Monte Vandalized
2017-12-06 | Figures of a nativity scene in Boadilla del Monte were found placed in obscene poses by unknown perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2263
Belgian Red Cross Branches Ordered to Remove Crucifixes
2017-11-29 | The Provincial Committee of the Red Cross in Liège sent an email to all branches in Belgium ordering them to remove all crucifixes from their walls, to appear more secular.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2257
Two Gates Stolen from War Memorial at Church in Mapperley
2017-11-27 | Thieves have stolen two large gates from a war memorial at the Holy Trinity Church in Mapperley. The 1.2 meter gates were taken sometime between 6 PM November 26 and 8:30 AM November 27. Reverend Gill Turner-Callis said "they are the gates which lead to the churchyard and form part of the war memorial for all those who died in the Great Wars." Derbyshire police have investigated the theft from the Mapperley church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7023
‘Crucified Cow’ Displayed in Catholic Church by Artist as Comment on Wastefulness
2017-11-23 | An “art” exhibit depicting 500 kg cow nailed to a cross hanging over a basin with 5,000 liters of milk was installed in the small parish church of Saint John the Baptist of Kuttekoven, in the Flemish town of Borgloon. The artist's message was to draw attention to food waste and housing shortages.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2253
Statue of Mother Teresa to be Removed from Skopje
2017-11-23 | The Minister of Culture Robert Alagjozovski of FYROMacedonia recommended the removal of a statue of Mother Teresa from the center of Skopje. The Balkan city is the birthplace of the Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary who was canonized by Pope Francis in 2016.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2254
"God is Dead" Painted on Landerneau Church
2017-11-19 | During the night, vandals sprayed "God is Dead -- Nietzsche" and an inverted cross on the outside of the church of Saint-Houardon in Landerneau.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2255
Spanish Nuns Fined for Restoring Church Organ
2017-11-18 | The Andalusian government fined a convent of Spanish nuns 170,000 euros for having a priceless church organ repaired without the state's permission. After public outcry, the fine was reduced to 1,1710 euros on December 19, 2017.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2261
Pro-ISIS Group Circulated Image of Beheaded Pope on Poster Called "Christmas Blood"
2017-11-17 | The pro-ISIS Wafa Media Foundation released a propaganda poster with an image depicting a jihadist standing over the torso of a prisoner in an orange jumpsuit while holding the head of the Pope. Written next to the Pope's head is "Jorge Mario Bergoglio."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2252
ISIS Propaganda Called for Christmas Attack on Vatican
2017-11-16 | During the week of November 16th, the pro-IS group Wafa Media Foundation released a propaganda poster depicting a jihadist armed with a rifle driving into St. Peter's Basilica in Rome with a written message warning of a Christmas attack.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2256
Men Entered Convent Demanding Nuns Convert to Islam
2017-11-10 | On November 10th, two men rang the doorbell of the Carmelite convent of Verdum and asked to "discuss religion" and to tell them how Islam corrects the distortions of Christianity. During Vespers, the men prayed aloud in Arabic and told the nuns if they did not convert to Islam, they would "go to hell."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2343
Art Stolen from Saint-Jacques Church in Dieppe
2017-11-07 | Eight works of art were stolen from the St. Jacques Church in Dieppe during the night between the 6th and 7th of November.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2248
Church Vandalized in Brittany
2017-11-06 | The Saint-Ouen parish church of Plouay was vandalized on November 6, 2018. The central altar stone was moved and and arm was broken off the statue of the Madonna and child and stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2287
Fifth Summit Cross Destroyed in Bavarian Mountains
2017-11-05 | The 4-meter-high wooden summit cross on the Kotzen in the Karwendel mountians was vandalized during the weekend of November 5th. Police opened an investigation to determine if the series of incidents were committed by the same person.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2247
Church Crosses Removed from Event Logo; Replaced after Complaints
2017-11-04 | The event logo for "Upgrade My City" in Timisoura, Romania depicted a skyline with church buildings, but with the crosses atop the steeples removed. After complaints, the crosses reappeared on the logos with an apology.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2245
Church Devastated by Vandalism in Bremen-Lesum
2017-10-29 | Unknown perpetrators caused half a million euros in damage when they vandalized the St. Martini Church by filling two organs with construction foam, emptying a fire extinguisher, and pouring red acrylic paint on the floor in front of the altar and baptismal font.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2243
Statue of the Virgin Mary Vandalized in Noyelles-lès-Seclin
2017-10-28 | The statue of Notre-Dame-de-Fatima was splashed with used oil during the night of October 27th to 28th. Adolescents confessed to the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2249
Graffiti on Church
2017-10-28 | The church of L'Ardoise was vandalized with anti-police graffiti by unknown perpetrators. The mayor condemned the act, calling it disrespectful and filed a complaint with the public prosecutor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2310
Court Rules Student can be Expelled for Quoting Bible on Facebook
2017-10-27 | On October 27, Felix Ngole, a Christian student who was expelled from university after posting on Facebook his support of Biblical teaching on marriage and sexual ethics, lost his case in a judicial review of the university’s decision.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2238
Catholic Pro-Life Student Union President Ousted
2017-10-27 | Students Union at University College Dublin, a university founded by Blessed John Henry Newman, voted to remove Katie Ascough, the Catholic pro-life president of their student union. This vote came after Ascough, on legal advice, stopped the Union from publishing information about the cost of abortion and information relating to abortion pills.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2244
Christian Graves Vandalized in Arthon-en-Retz
2017-10-27 | Two teenagers were arrested for vandalizing at least a dozen graves in the cemetery in Arthon-en-Retz on October 27th. Flowerpots, vases, and crucifixes were broken, and at least one crucifix was planted upside-down in the ground.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2250
Galway: Church Interior Found Devastated
2017-10-26 | On the 26th of October, the Holy Trinity Church on Errislannan peninsula in Galway was completely desecrated by vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2290
French Community Ordered to Remove Cross from Statue of John Paul II
2017-10-25 | On October 25th the French State Council, the highest administrative court in France, ordered the removal of the cross atop the statue of Pope John Paul II in the community of Ploërmel because the symbol violates French secularism laws.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2239
Secularist Associations Call for Removal of Virgin Mary from Police Medal
2017-10-24 | The secularist associations Europa Lacia and Movimiento Hacia un Estado Laico (MHUEL) have appealed the 2016 Supreme Court ruling allowing the image of Nuestra Señora María Santísima del Amor to appear on a medal used by the fraternal organization, Jesús el Rico de Málaga, associated with the national police. The prosecutor asked for the appeal to be dismissed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2241
"Drag Sethlas" Testified about Las Palmas Carnival Performance
2017-10-23 | Borja Casillas, better known as "Drag Sethlas" testified before a judge to respond to a complaint filed by the Spanish Association of Christian Lawyers. He is accused of hurting religious sentiments during his performance at the Drag Gala of the 2017 Carnival of the city in which he dressed both as the Virgin Mary and the crucified Christ.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2240
Sacristy Ransacked in Belgian Church
2017-10-22 | During the night between October 21st and 22nd, unknown perpetrators broke into the church Saint-Remi de Baulers and ransacked the sacristy. No valuables were taken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2251
Employment Tribunal Rejected Christian's Appeal
2017-10-22 | A Christian who was dismissed as a Magistrate by the Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice, after expressing his view that it was in a child's best interests to be raised by a mother and a father, lost his case in a Employment Tribunal claiming discrimination, harassment and victimization against an NHS Trust after being blocked from returning to his role as a non-executive director.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2266
Catholic Priest Insulted as “Infidel” and “Swine” at Lidl Checkout
2017-10-21 | A parish priest, dressed in his normal clerical clothing, was verbally attacked in a supermarket in Werl by a man who called him a "pig" and an "infidel" as he shook the priest's shopping cart. The priest called the police, but they told him they wouldn't respond. Publicly insulting a person in Germany can be a criminal offense.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2237
Pakistani Christian Attacked for Displaying Cross, Poppies on Car
2017-10-20 | Tajamal Amar, a 45-year-old Pakistani Christian man, was beaten and left unconscious outside a restaurant. He reported that he was attacked by a group of Muslims who objected to him displaying a cross in his car and two large red poppies on the front of his car.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2242
Parents' Campaign Forces Church School to Ban Christian Charity Group; Wants Symbols Removed
2017-10-17 | After a parents' group complained about a Christian charity's "fundamentalist approach" in discussions of sin, St. John's Church of England Primary School in Tunbridge Wells agreed to block CrossTeach from running assemblies or giving lessons. The campaign also demands the removal of crosses, Bibles and clergy from Church of England school assemblies.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2246
German Yoghurt Maker Weideglück Removed Santorini Cross from Packaging
2017-10-11 | Weideglück's Greek Yoghurt packaging uses an image similar to those used by Nestlé. Carrefour, and Lidl, which depicts the famous blue dome of the Anastasis Church in Santorini, but with the cross removed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2234
"Allahu Akbar" Graffiti on Church
2017-10-08 | Over the weekend in Ybbs (district of Melk) graffiti with messages such as "Allahu Akbar" ("God is great"), "Bomb the Kids," and "Bomb the Church" was found in various areas of the town, including on a church. Police began an investigation and offered a reward for information.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2232
Oxford College Student Group Banned Christian Union from "Freshers' Fair"; then Reversed Decision
2017-10-08 | A Balliol College student group at Oxford banned the Christian Union from its freshers’ fair on the grounds that it would be "alienating" for students of other religions, and constitute a "micro-aggression." They further claimed that Christianity was used as "an excuse for homophobia and certain forms of neo-colonialism" and that students might feel "unwelcome" if the Christian Union had a stall. After being reprimanded, organizers agreed that the Christian Union could participate in future fairs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2233
Christian Polish Prayer Initiative called Islamophobic; Controversial
2017-10-07 | The public prayer event "Rosary to the Borders" was called "a problematic expression of Islamophobia" by the Associated Press and "controversial" by the BBC and other media.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2265
Some UK Schools Have Removed B.C. and A.D. Dating from Religious Education Classes
2017-10-01 | B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini, meaning "in the year of the Lord"), have been replaced with B.C.E., which stands for Before Common Era, and C.E., meaning Common Era. The changes were justified "to show sensitivity to those who are not Christians."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2224
Vandalism of Graves in Metz Cemetery
2017-10-01 | An unknown perpetrator entered the cemetery during the night of September 30th and October 1st and vandalized 20 graves. Crucifixes were removed from gravestones and thrown to the ground.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2225
Offertory Box Stolen from St. Stephan's Cathedral
2017-09-30 | In the early morning hours of September 30th, an unknown burglar entered the door to the northern tower into the cathedral in Vienna. After stealing a donation box, the individual fled. The cathedral is secured by an alarm system with a direct connection to the police station, which was triggered at 5:15 am. Seven police cars and several police dogs arrived to investigate, but were unsuccessful in locating the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2227
Thousands of Pounds Worth of Lead Stolen from Shrewsbury Church
2017-09-30 | St. Mary's church in Shrewsbury was attacked by thieves twice in the span of 4 months in 2017. In July, 23 square meters of lead was stolen, and in Setpember, 14 square meters of lead was stolen. Jessica Robertson, spokeswoman for the Churches Conservation Trust said: "The cost of replacing the lead and repairing the damage to the historic fabric of the building will run into tens of thousands of pounds for our charity. In addition, on both occasions, the popular Battlefield Café was forced to close while the building was secured." This is the eighth church in the Trust's care which has been attacked in 2017 alone.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=7022
YouTube Removed Channel of Islam-Critical Priest
2017-09-27 | After a third "warning" that his posted videos were "inappropriate" and violated "community rules," YouTube removed priest Guy Pagès's "Islam et Vérité" channel from its content-sharing platform on September 27, 2017 .
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2220
Catalonian Separatists say Church is the Enemy
2017-09-26 | At a press conference held on September 26, 2017 in front of the cathedral in Tarragona, officials from the pro-Catalan independence political party CUP (Candidatura d'Unitat Popular) called the Catholic Church a "power structure to crush" that "discriminates against women and LGBT groups." It has also called for the elimination of aid to Christian schools and removal of a favorable tax status for churches.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2228
Graffiti Found on Seville Church
2017-09-23 | The Church of Santa Marina, canonical headquarters of la Hermandad de la Resurrección (the Brotherhood of the Resurrection), was vandalized with an upside-down white cross painted on the main door of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2217
"Kill all Christs" Graffiti Painted on Street
2017-09-23 | The phrase "Kill all Christs" next to a heart containing "IS" was discovered painted on a street in Bischoffen-Niederweidbach on September 23, 2017. This acronym for Islamic State was also found painted in the same pink color on a road sign.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2219
Muslim Street Prayer Called for Fighting Infidels
2017-09-22 | During their Friday prayers, muslims in Clichy gathered in front of the city hall on the street. The imam, who directed this prayer, chanted: "Fight the infidels without exception, as they fight you without exception, and know that Allah is with the pious." (9:36 of the Koran).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2214
Mayor of Castellón Orders Removal and Demolition of Ribalta Park Cross
2017-09-16 | The decision to remove the cross from Ribalta Park came after a non-binding report by experts who claimed it was a Francoist symbol. The cross was built in 1944 and devoted to fallen soldiers. However in 1979, with the approval of all political parties including the Communist Party, the decision was made to preserve the cross in the park and to eliminate any Francoist connotations. It was then consecrated to the victims of the violence. The Association of Christian Lawyers contends that the effort to remove the cross is because of its Christian meaning, not because of Francoist connotations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2223
Lipton Removes Crosses from Product Packaging
2017-09-15 | After controversy over the Lidl supermarket group removing crosses from Santorini churches on the packaging of Greek foods, it appears that Lipton, a holding of the Unilever Group, also eliminated crosses from their packaging, including its Russian Earl Grey tea. The illustration is of an Orthodox church, but with the crosses removed from the domes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2202
Desecration of a Historic Armenian Cathedral in Southeast Turkey
2017-09-15 | Eighteen months after the Turkish government seized control of the largest Armenian cathedral in the Middle East, secretly taken photographs inside Diyarbakir’s Surp Giragos Armenian Apostolic Church reveal considerable damage to the sanctuary and walls of the now desecrated church in southeast Turkey.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2212
UPDATE: Belgium Wants to Expel Son of "Hate Imam"
2017-09-15 | Belgian State Secretary for Migration, Theo Francken, withdrew the right of residence for Souhaib Amaouch, the son of the already-expelled Imam of Dison. Amaouch, now an adult, has been in a youth detention center since August 22, 2016 for inciting hatred against Christians and jihadist propaganda in a video shot in Verviers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2218
Thirty Graves Vandalized in Moselle Cemetery
2017-09-15 | In mid-September, the communal cemetery of Montigny-les-Metz in Moselle was vandalized and unknown individuals tore the crucifixes from thirty graves and placed them in a bag which was left in the cemetery.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2226
European Parliament Classifies Laws against Abortion as “Violence Against Women and Girls”
2017-09-12 | On September 12, 2017, the European Parliament adopted a parliamentary report which charges “the denial of sexual and reproductive health and rights services, including safe and legal abortion, is a form of violence against women and girls” by a vote of 489 in favor, 114 opposed and 69 abstentions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2216
Styria: Arson in Church
2017-09-11 | Several confessional doors in the Church of the Holy Family in Kapfenberg (Diocese of Graz-Seckau) were set on fire. Because the fire was quickly discovered by church visitors, a greater degree of damage was avoided. The property damage includes the confessionals, a song book stand, and charred song books. Police were called to investigate.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2206
Man was Attacked for Wearing a Cross in Berlin
2017-09-11 | The Berlin police reported that a 23-year-old man from Afghanistan was attacked and injured for wearing chain with a cross on it. He was approached by two men on evening of September 11, 2017 in Neukölln. According to the police report, he stated that the attackers had asked him why he had become a Christian. One of the two perpetrators tore the chain from the man's neck and beat him while the other held him down. The police called the incident "dangerous bodily harm" with a "religious background."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2207
Arson in the Church of Saint Denis d'Hellemmes-Lille
2017-09-10 | A fire was discovered in the late afternoon of September 10, 2017 and appeared to have been intentionally set in three separate places, including the the altar of the church of Saint Denis d'Hellemmes-Lille. The fire brigade came quickly and was able to extinguish the fire. The organ suffered the most damage and is no longer useable. The police opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2201
Desecration in Madrid Church
2017-09-06 | Unknown perpetrators broke into the parish of the Virgin of Bethlehem in Alcalá de Henares during the night of 5th and 6th of September 2017. They looted the altarpiece of the high altar, including the tabernacle containing consecrated Hosts, the ciborium of a chapel and a small monstrance containing a consecrated Host. The attackers threw the consecrated Hosts on the floor. Police were called and a Mass of Reparation was scheduled.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2204
Christian Celebration in Turkish-Cyprus Temporarily Prohibited
2017-09-05 | The Cypriot Orthodox Metropolis of Morphou was banned from holding its annual patron saint feast service. The ban was passed at the last minute and the official justification was that it was not possible to guarantee the safety of the Christian celebration because of the simultaneous Muslim festival of Kurban Bairam.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2210
Three Roadside Crucifixes Heavily Damaged in Styria
2017-09-04 | According to police in St. Stefan im Rosental, three roadside Jesus figures were forcibly removed from crosses, demolished, and stolen. Only parts of the figures remained on the crosses. All three cases were reported between August 31st and September 5th, 2017. In total, a loss of several hundred euros was incurred. Police investigated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2209
Nestlé and Carrefour Removed Cross from Greek Yoghurt Packaging
2017-09-04 | The world’s largest food and beverage company Nestlé has removed the Christian cross from its Greek yogurt packaging depicting the famous blue-domed Anastasis Church in Santorini, Greece. Supermarket brands Carrefour Lidl have used similar images.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2235
Wayside Crucifix Demolished in Southern Styria
2017-09-02 | The figure of a crucified Jesus Christ was destroyed, left hanging without arms or legs, on a wayside cross on a hiking trail in the district of Harla. The vandalism was discovered during the weekend of September 2, 2017. The priest of the parish of St. Johann im Saggautal expressed the community's shock, noting that offertory boxes had been broken in the past, but this extent of violence against a crucifix is "shockingly new." A complaint was filed by the diocese.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2213
Church Profaned in Layrac: Young People Smoked Shisha on the Altar
2017-08-31 | After a report of continuing disorderly conduct in the church of Saint Martin de Layrac, surveillance equipment revealed that a group of young people had been sitting on the altar smoking the lighted shisha with candles during the month of August. The police intervened and the parents were summoned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2199
Lidl Supermarket Group Removed Crosses from Santorini Churches on Greek Products
2017-08-31 | The supermarket chain Lidl promotes its Greek ERIDANOUS products with images of the famous Anastasis Church in Santorini, Greece, complete with its world-renowned blue dome roof. However, the packaging image has photoshopped out the crosses from the tops the orthodox churches. Lidl spokesman said "We are avoiding the use of religious symbols because we do not wish to exclude any religious beliefs," and "We are a company that respects diversity and this is what explains the design of this packaging." The company later apologized, "Our intention has never been to shock. We avoid the use of religious symbols on our packaging to maintain neutrality in all religions. If it has been perceived differently, we apologize to those who may have been shocked."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2200
Jerez Church Vandalized with Graffiti
2017-08-30 | Nuestra Señora de Fátima was sprayed with graffiti reading "Pedophiles" and "God is bisexual. She loves everyone."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2203
Court Rules Christian Child Can be Returned to Family
2017-08-29 | A Christian five-year-old girl was placed into foster care with a Muslim family in London. Confidential local authority reports suggest that the foster family removed the girl's Christian cross necklace, suggested she learn Arabic, and forbade her from eating pork. In addition, It was alleged that when she had a visit with her biological mother, the girl said that Christmas was “stupid” and European women are “stupid alcoholics”. The court having jurisdiction ruled on August 29, 2017 that the girl should be placed with her grandmother.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2195
Devastating Vandalism in Wieselburg Parish Church
2017-08-28 | Unknown perpetrators broke into the church, forced open the sacristy door. They caused enormous material damage, including cutting all electrical cables, destroying armchair upholstery, tearing the tabernacle from the altar, destroying the Easter candle, and stealing a few hundred euros in cash. In addition, the vandals poured sand on the church floor and made the sign of a pentagram, according to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2191
Vatican Secretary of State calls Jihadist Video "Worrying"
2017-08-26 | Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, told reporters on August 26, 2017 that a day earlier he had seen a video indicating that the pope is a target of an Islamic extremist attack. He said that the Vatican would not increase its already high security measures.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2194
Burglary in Schwadorf Parish
2017-08-23 | During the night of August 23, 2017, burglars broke into the parish church in Schwadorf through a terrace door. After being unable to break into the office, they entered the priest's apartment. According to police, cash and valuables were stolen, including a jewelry box and a clock. Afterwards, the perpetrators sprayed a fire extinguisher on the floor in the entrance of the apartment, in the stairwell of the parish center, and on the ground floor, to obliterate their footprints. The church was equipped with an alarm system, but the priest was not at home at the time of the incident, so no one heard the alarm. A passerby discovered the break-in in the morning and reported it to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2192
Muslim Threatens Journalist: "We are sick of Christians"
2017-08-23 | On August 23, 2017, in Cañada de la Muerte, one of the most troubled and dangerous districts in Melilla, a Spanish journalist from Antena 3 approached a group of Muslim men. One man was filmed saying: "We are tired of you, the Spaniards and the Christians [..] They have us held here, separated and marginalized." When the journalist pointed out that the man was Spanish himself, he answered: "I am not Spanish, I am Muslim." "We throw stones at the police because they come to bother us. They just want to ask us for documentation ... they annoy us." Another man did not hesitate to justify the Barcelona attacks: "It's normal. We Muslims are sick of you, the Christians." He then threatened, "I myself can take a truck and run over people because I'm tired of living like this. Of not having opportunities because of you."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2197
Arran Denounces Islamophobia but Paints Churches with Graffiti Inciting Violence
2017-08-23 | The leftist youth organization of the Catalan Pro-Independence movement, Arran, has painted the facades of some Catalonian churches with aggressive messages like "The only church that illuminates is the one that burns" or "against the attacks of the Church, together we are stronger." Jésus Sanz, head of studies of the platform Civic Convivencia, has responded by noting "You do not have to be Catholic, or even a believer, but just a minimally respectful person to condemn the attacks."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2198
Break-in and Vandalism at Erlauf Church
2017-08-21 | Unknown perpetrators broke into the church in Erlauf sometime during the night of August 20-21, 2017. All the money in the church had been removed on the Sunday after the Mass, but the sacristy was ransacked, with boxes emptied and overturned. It is unclear whether anything was stolen. This was the fourth break-in at the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2193
15th Century Image of Saint Paul Destroyed by Vandals
2017-08-18 | Unknown vandals tore down and destroyed the image of Saint Paul from the Gothic doorway of the parish of Andra Mari in Gernika (Guernica), Spain on August 18, 2017. The image, dated from the 15th century, was found broken to pieces. The parish filed a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2196
Bilbao: Fair Booth Depicts Jesus Christ as Cuts of Meat
2017-08-18 | A poster of a crucified Jesus Christ with his body parts labeled as if they were pieces of meat for sale, with the words "Take and eat, this is my body," was on display in an exhibition called "Vatican Butchers." It was shown in one of the "txosnas" (fair booths of clubs which have music and drinks) during the Semana Grande in Bilbao. The poster was surrounded by pieces of meat and sausages hung from butcher hooks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2222
No Charges Filed against Porn Makers for Church Sex Film in Tilburg
2017-08-15 | Prosecutors rejected a complaint from Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Tilburg after two actors were filmed having sex in the confessional box.
The video was posted on a Dutch porn website earlier this year. Dutch authorities said the pornographic film was offensive but there was no longer a blasphemy law in the Netherlands. A reparation Mass was held due to the desecration in the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2221
Terror Threat in Lausanne and Geneva
2017-08-13 | A 28-year-old man planned a terror attack in Lausanne and on a church in Geneva, according to evidence found on his mobile phone.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2215
Wooden Christ Statue Decapitated on Mountaintop
2017-08-07 | A hand-carved figure of Jesus Christ on a cross was placed at 789 meters on the north side of the Traunstein mountain in Gmunden, Austria by members of the alpine club as a gift to a member. They discovered the statue had been decapitated with a saw when they arrived to present the gift on August 7, 2017. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2190
Prison Worker Loses Employment Tribunal Appeal over Sermon
2017-08-04 | A Christian prison worker has lost his latest appeal in the courts over his discipline by HMP Littlehey. Rev Barry Trayorn who worked as a gardener, but volunteered in the chapel, fell into trouble after delivering a talk to prisoners about homosexuality and sin. Following a complaint, he was disciplined then later resigned. In 2016, an employment tribunal ruled that his employers acted within the law. A judge confirmed in August 2017 that ruling was fair, claiming his words could "legitimise mistreatment of homosexual prisoners." Trayhorn will take his case to the Court of Appeal.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2189
Mosaic of the Virgen del Carmen de Huelin Vandalized
2017-07-31 | The popular ceramic mosaic of the Virgin Mary and Jesus child located on the beach promenade in the Huelin neighborhood of Malaga was damaged by vandals for the second time in four months and 15 days after having been repaired.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2230
Knife Attacker in Hamburg Wanted to Kill Christians and Young People
2017-07-28 | One person died and seven were injured in Hamburg on July 28, 2017 when a 26-year-old Palestinian ("Ahmad A.") attacked people with a knife in a Edeka market in Hamburg-Barmbek. The attacker, who lived in a refugee home, was known by authorities to have been radicalized and said his goal was to "kill Christians and young people" and die as a martyr.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2205
German Greens Created "Anti-Feminist" Wiki; Targeted Christian Public Figures
2017-07-28 | The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, the foundation of the German Green Party, created a website called "Agent*In" that listed individuals and organizations said to be "anti-feminist" in order to better find and combat them. The majority of the persons and organizations listed were Christians or Church organizations. After public criticism, the website was temporarily taken offline.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2211
Statue of Saint Beheaded in Neusiedl am See
2017-07-27 | Unknown perpetrators broke off and stole the head from a 300-year-old statue of Saint Rosalia in the middle of the main square of the town in Burgenland. Police initiated an investigation after local residents discovered the vandalism on July 27, 2017.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2182
Attempted Arson by Molotov Cocktails at Dresden Church
2017-07-27 | In the early morning hours of July 27, 2017, unidentified individuals threw two Molotov cocktails at the evangelical Martin-Luther-Kirche in Dresden resulting in at least 1,000 euros in damage. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2183
Vandalism in the Cathedral of Ibiza
2017-07-27 | Police arrested a young man after he struck a tombstone in the cathedral with a hammer and painted the words “Vergonya ke sagna” (Shame that bleeds) in red. The tombstone lists names of those killed at the beginning of the Civil War in 1936. A nun observed the vandalism and told a priest, who with the help of a French tourist, tried to hold the attacker to prevent him from fleeing. After an investigation, the police arrested him for a crime against religious sentiments and disrespect for the deceased.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2229
Sweden to Deport Christian to Iran Despite Danger
2017-07-26 | Sweden has rejected the asylum claim of Iranian Christian actress Aideen Strandsson and will deport her back to Iran, where she likely faces time in an Iranian prison -- or worse. In Iran, where it can be deadly to convert to Christianity, Strandsson kept her conversion largely a secret. But when she came to Sweden, she requested a public baptism. Iranian intelligence most likely is aware of her conversion and she has received threats on social media. Strandsson has said "I don't know what will happen to me, I know the punishment for me in Iran is death," she said. But "I have hope in Jesus, it's just the last hope I have in my life."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2186
Church of Ciplet Vandalized
2017-07-25 | Unknown vandals emptied a fire extinguisher and covered benches with toilet paper in the nave of the church of Saint-Maurice de Ciplet. A piece of furniture in a chapel was also destroyed. Nothing was stolen and the police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2175
Equalities Minister Said Churches Should Follow Public Opinion on Gay Marriage
2017-07-23 | Justine Greening, who is also Education Secretary, said churches and other religious groups should “keep up” with public opinion on same-sex marriage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2172
Offensive Grafitti on Church in Brest
2017-07-23 | An unknown perpetrator sprayed a vulgar message on the door of the church of Saint-Martin de Brest along with an inverted cross.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2174
Theft from Tabernacle in Tintigny
2017-07-23 | On Sunday morning before Mass, Fr. Pierre Jehenson discovered that two ciboriums had been stolen from the tabernacle of the village church of Rossignol.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2176
U.K. May Scrap Single-Faith Schools
2017-07-23 | Christian schools may soon be required to ensure that half of their students are from different religious backgrounds, due to concerns that Christian-only schools "heighten community divisions."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2184
Christian Refugees on Lesbos Threatened; Prevented from Seeking Asylum
2017-07-22 | Several clashes broke out around July 22, 2017 at Lesbos Island’s Moria Camp for refugees, with Greek authorities arresting 35 Muslim rioters who threw large rocks at police officers and set fire to tents both inside and outside the bounds of the camp. A disabled Christian was nearly burnt alive while sleeping in one of the shelters. "Christians are being prevented from holding church services, worshiping and praying by their Muslim neighbors. Moreover, reports of tents being burned down, violence, bullying, harassment and severe threats paint a very bleak picture of the quality of life for Christians caught up within the camp," according to the British Pakistani Christian Association.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2511
Planned Attack on Pope in Fatima Foiled
2017-07-21 | A Moroccan man was expelled from Portugal after police foiled his planned attack on Pope Francis during his visit to Fatima in May 2017.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2178
Bibles Found Burnt in Lonay
2017-07-18 | A member of the Evangelical Church of Lonay discovered that five bibles had been taken from its festival tent in the middle of the night and burned. Nothing else was taken or damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2181
More than 25 Catholic Pages Blocked by Facebook as "Spam"; Later Restored
2017-07-17 | Between the night of July 17 and the morning of July 18, 2017 Facebook unpublished more than 25 Catholic pages in English, Portuguese and Spanish with no explanation to page administrators. After restoring the pages around 1:00 in the morning of July 19th, Facebook gave a statement to ACI Prensa: "The pages were reestablished. The incident was a malfunction of the spam detection mechanism in our platform. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused." In 2016, Facebook came under fire for allegedly censoring trends to news deemed "conservative."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2173
U.K. Foreign Office Agency says Evangelical Christians in the Global South Should “Reinterpret” the Bible
2017-07-17 | The Barnabas Fund has highlighted a Wilton Park (an executive agency of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office) report from 2016 in which it describes biblical sexual morality as 'hateful' and evangelical Christians in prejudicial terms. A key recommendation of the report is "challenging the interpretation of sacred texts."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2185
Political Party Tried to Boycott Inauguration of Virgin Mary Monument
2017-07-15 | Party members of Podemos failed to prevent the inauguration of a monument dedicated to the Virgen del Rocío when they were denied authorization to hold a second protest march.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2170
Man Attacked for Wearing a Cross in Berlin
2017-07-14 | In the early morning hours of July 14, 2017, three teenagers attacked a 39-year-old man on a tram who was wearing two wooden Christian crosses on a chain around his neck. They pointed at the necklace and asked in broken German "what's that?" The teenagers, who appeared to be North African, proceeded to taunt him with insults and slapped him in the face repeatedly.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2179
Church Desecrated in Villarreal
2017-07-14 | The Basilica San Pascual de Villarreal was desecrated on July 14, 2017. One or more perpetrators forced open the tabernacle and stole the ciborium containing consecrated hosts. This act of desecration requires that a Mass of reparation be celebrated according to Canon Law.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2180
Iraqi Man Threatened to Kill Church Members
2017-07-09 | Zana Hassan interrupted a Sunday afternoon church service in Barnard Castle, County Durham on July 9, 2017 “shouting and swearing.” After being arrested by police, he threatened to “kill all the English,” making references to the war in Iraq. He was later convicted of a racially aggravated offense.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2171
Arson at Church in Luleå
2017-07-05 | The Catholic Church in Luleå Sweden was the victim of arson on July 5, 2017. The fire was started at two places outside of the church, one of them being the main entrance of the church. The parish priest, Nelson Mendoza Caserial, is shocked and surprised about the attack. He has stated that the church had not received any prior threats, either to the congregation, the employees, or himself. He lives in a house on the church property and was sleeping when the police alerted him at midnight. "I was really shocked and still shaking. I have not slept a wink since the police came and told us that the church was on fire," he said.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2162
Spanish law on Religious Freedom to Change
2017-06-29 | The Spanish congress has passed a vote to change the law guaranteeing ideology, religion and freedom of worship in Spain. The Parliamentary Group Spokesman Joan Tarda stated that the law needs to be renewed as the Spanish society today no longer resembles the society of the 1980s and thus needs to be updated. New drafts of the law will have to be submitted prior to the end of the next session.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2164
The Arran Organization Lleida Launches Obscene Campaign Against Bishops
2017-06-27 | The Catalan separatist youth organization launched a campaign against the Bishop of Solsona, Xavier Novell, and Cardinal Archbishop of Valencia, Antonio Cañizares. Arran distributed a poster with the image of Antonio Cañizares and Xavier Novell practicing anal sex as "denunciation" of the Church's position on homosexuality.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2167
Saying Grace in Christian Kindergarten Prohibited
2017-06-26 | An independent religious kindergarten in Umeå, Sweden, was forced to stop saying grace before meals by the county government. The Education Act says that religious elements may be included in education at independent schools, but they must be voluntary in order for the children to participate. The law does not say that the children themselves must agree, but rather that their parents consent on their behalf. The county argued that the children have not made the choice to participate in saying grace and have thus prohibited it. Preschool Director Britt Marie Mårtensson said they replaced grace with "Thank you for the sun and the rain and the food on our table."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2159
University Tagged with Anti-Christian Slogans
2017-06-24 | One day after incendiary devices were used to start a fire at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, anti-Christian slogans were painted on the walls outside the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos of Madrid. Slogans included "The only church that illuminates is one that burns" and "No more crucifixes."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2154
Swedish Prime Minister: "Priests Should Perform Same-Sex Marriages
2017-06-24 | Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has suggested that all Church of Sweden priests be compelled to perform gay marriages, or "do something else." Currently the Swedish church holds the position that “no priest should be obliged to officiate at the wedding of a same-sex couple.” Löfven said priests who are unable to bless gay marriage are in the wrong vocation and that the Social Democrats are working to ensure that priests "will consecrate everyone."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2158
Renovated Church Vandalized in Seine-et-Marne
2017-06-24 | During the night of June 24, 2017 the church Saint-Vincent-et-Saint-Arnould was broken into and vandalized. The church door was broken and the tabernacle in the church was also forced open. A large processional cross was stolen, as was a vacuum cleaner from a professional cleaning company who were preparing the church for its reopening after a year of construction. The police opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2161
La Santina Beheaded
2017-06-24 | On June 24, 2017, the statue of the Virgen de Covadonga on the pilgrimage route of Chorrón de Villamayor in Piloña (Asturias, Spain) was beheaded by vandals. The statue, known as "La Santina," is an image of the Virgin Mary which forms an integral part of the Asturian tradition and presides over a small cave chapel and is protected by a metal fence. The parish is upset and sees the event as an attack not only on religious sentiments, but also on cultural heritage. The Basilica of Covadonga, next to the sacred cave where pilgrims venerate the statue of La Santina, is a place of worship and pilgrimage for the people of Asturias.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2168
Saint Joan of Arc Statues Vandalized with Political Messages
2017-06-24 | Witnesses discovered on June 24, 2017 that two statues of Saint Joan of Arc at the entrance of her home village of Neufchâteau had been sprayed with "anti-fascist" messages. Police opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2177
University Chapel Attacked with Incendiary Devices
2017-06-23 | The chapel of the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), the second most important public university in the region and one of the main universities in Spain, was attacked with incendiary devices thrown through a window early in the morning of June 23, 2017. In addition to trying to destroy the chapel, the perpetrators left the slogan "The only church that illuminates is the one that burns" on the walls.,
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2153
Nun Assaulted for "Being a Nun"
2017-06-23 | Sister Rosario of the Congregación de las Esclavas de la Inmaculada Niña de Granada was attacked on June 23rd. The assailant hit Sister Rosario in the face and said “this is for being a nun” (“esto por ser monja”). The assault caused Sister Rosario a broken nose and swollen face. Sister Rosario was not wearing her habit at the time but was recognized as a religious by the medal she wore. She was returning to the residence after having dropped children off at their school.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2157
Terror Attack on Church in Helsinki Foiled
2017-06-18 | On June 18, 2017, Finnish police launched an operation in response to the threat of a terrorist attack on a church in Helsinki. The Temppeliaukio Church is located in the center of Helsinki less than a kilometer from the Finnish parliament and is a popular tourist attraction. The police sent several patrols to the church and the surrounding neighborhood to conduct raids. The following day, concrete barriers were erected to protect the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2147
Cemetery Desecrated in Pondrôme
2017-06-18 | During the afternoon on June 18, 2017, the cemetery of Pondrôme in Belgium was vandalized. Unknown vandals entered the cemetery and desecrated several graves, destroyed crosses, plaques and other memorial items on the burial sites. The reaction of the villagers of Pondrôme was one of anger and incomprehension. The Mayor Marc Lejeune filed a complaint with the police after being informed of the vandalism and said citizens should not be quick to assume the vandals came from the Fedasil refugee accommodation, which is next door to the cemetery.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2148
Cathedral Saint-Jean of Besaçon Vandalized with Anarchist Graffiti
2017-06-15 | During the night of June 14-15, 2017 the outer walls of the cathedral were tagged with slogans reading “our lives, our bodies belong to us” and “Down with charity, long live solidarity” (“Nos vies, nos corps nous appartiennent“ and “à bas la charité, vive la solidarité”) . The vandals also painted the anarchistic symbol “A” on front of the door twice.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2138
Church Bulletin Board Set on Fire
2017-06-15 | During the night of June 15th, the bulletin board of the Sacré Cœur church in Roubaix was set on fire. A neighbor of the church saw the flames and contacted the authorities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2150
Church in Tamworth Vandalized
2017-06-14 | Anti-Christian messages were scrawled on three different areas of St. Edythe’s Church, the oldest church in Tamworth by unknown vandals. The ancient doors and walls were tagged with statements such as “Lucifer runs this capitalist ruin,” “God has failed,” and “deliver us to evil.” Reverend Alan Gordon and the church community were devastated that the church was targeted by this vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2145
Photographer and Naked Model Caught in Church
2017-06-13 | A photographer taking pictures of a naked model were caught in the center aisle of the church Saint-Antoine de Compiegne in Oise in front of the altar by two parish members who went to the church to pray the rosary for the Christians of the East.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2140
Break-In and Possible Attempted Robbery of Church in Lyon
2017-06-12 | Unknown perpetrators entered the church of the 5th arrondissement of Lyon during the night of June 11-12th and broke the glass door to the sacristy. Nothing was stolen. The break-in occurred only a month after the crown of the Virgin at the Fourvière Museum was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2139
Ramadan Prayer in front of Virgin Mary Statue
2017-06-10 | Before breaking their daily Ramadan fast, a prayer was held in the Jardines del Triunfo (Gardens of Triumph) in Granada, Spain. This prayer event was sanctioned by City Hall but caused outrage among some Catholics in the area as the Jardines del Triunfo is the site of a cherished statue of Virgin Mary.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2144
Priest Assaulted in Church Sacristy
2017-06-09 | Father Jean-Christophe Genson of the church of Sainte-Dévote in Monaco was assaulted by an unnamed assailant as he prepared for Mass on the evening of June 9, 2017.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2152
Three Acts of Vandalism in Jongieux
2017-06-08 | Several statues of the Virgin Mary were vandalized in the village of Jongieux between June 8-13, 2017.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2146
Mass Desecration of Serbian Orthodox Graves
2017-06-06 | During their annual visit to the Serbian Orthodox Cemetery in Mitrovica Kosovo, relatives discovered that 90 percent of the graves had been desecrated. Tombstones had been destroyed and broken on the ground. The grieving families were shocked and deeply hurt by this destruction and desecration.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2127
Political Campaign Graffiti on Church
2017-06-06 | The church La Chapelle du Rosaire in Saint-Louis was vandalized with political graffiti during the night on June 6th, 2017. The political tags were related to the legislative campaigns in France. The mayor of Saint-Leu has condemned the vandalism and stated that he will ensure that the building is restored.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2128
Journalist "Jokes" about imprisoning Priests
2017-06-06 | The Romanian journalist Ovidiu Eftimie has stated that he “yearns for the years of communist persecution, where the priest were taken to the canal and stranded in jail” (“tânjește după anii de prigoană comunistă, în care preoții erau duși la canal și înfundau pușcăriile”). He has also stated that he would love to become a new Vişinescu and punch the church leaders. The media has characterized these statements as a joke.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2130
Swastika Graffiti Discovered in Cemetery
2017-06-04 | According to a witness, blue swastika graffiti was found on at least four graves in the Causses-et-Veyran Cemetery on June 4, 2017. One of the graves attacked with a swastika was a bas-relief depicting mourners holding Christ after his death on the cross. The grave plaques belonged to the same family, other items from the graveyard were also moved and thrown on the ground.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2141
Spanish Councilor of Culture Hints that Churches Should be Burned
2017-06-04 | Aida Ginestar Pau, town councilor for sport and culture of the Spanish city Alzira in the province of Valencia, attacked the Catholic Church and Christianity on social media. On her Facebook page, the left-wing Podemos politician wrote a post that spoke about the Catholic Church, in which she laughed at the institution and in what could be seen as incitement to violence asked "but are there still churches that have not burned all??" In Valencian: "Jajajaja jajajaja!!!! Però queden esglesies encara?? No les han cremat totes???".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2156
School Holidays Changed to Remove Religious Connection
2017-06-03 | The Ministry of Education in Spain has proposed changing the Carnival and Easter Holidays to a week in late February and May respectively in order to remove the religious connections from the school holidays. This proposal is waiting to be ratified and implemented for the school year 2017/2018.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2126
Man Burst into Church Yelling "Allah is Great"
2017-06-03 | A Muslim man shouting "Allah is great" disrupted a wedding in the Church of San Pablo in the city of Valladolid. He approached the altar with the apparent intention of overthrowing various liturgical objects and assaulting those present, including the priest.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2155
Relic of St John Bosco Stolen
2017-06-02 | The urn containing St John Bosco’s brain was stolen from the Salesian Basilica of Castelnuovo Don Bosco in the Piedmont region of Italy. The Archbishop of Turin, Bishop Cesare Nosiglia, has condemned the theft and urged return of the relic.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2129
Rome Bus Stops the Target of Blasphemous Images
2017-06-01 | Unknown perpetrators placed offensive and obscene posters inside publicity screens of the Roman transport company ATAC on June 1, 2017. One poster, called Immaculata Conceptio - In Vitro was a depiction of the Virgin Mary holding a baby, presumably Jesus Christ, with her hand on another woman's thigh, implying that they were a couple who used in vitro fertilization to conceive the child. Another poster, entitled Ecce Homo Erectus, shows an obscene image of Jesus Christ with a child.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2187
Several Cemeteries Vandalized across France
2017-05-31 | Between May 24th and May 31st, 2017, four cemeteries in France have been vandalized. The cemeteries have had their graves, including Christian graves, desecrated, crosses, vases and grave plaques destroyed to various degrees. Each cemetery has had their own suspects and three people have been identified and questioned by the local police, two cemeteries suspects remain unknown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2131
Orthodox Chapel Vandalized
2017-05-30 | Father Archimandrite Amphilokios of the Orthodox Monastery of Saint Michael in Marseille reported an act of vandalism to the French Observatory. An image of the cross which was mounted on the monastery’s wall was torn. The community reacted by posting a sign condemning the act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2132
Swedish Pro-Life Midwives Fined
2017-05-29 | Ellinor Grimmark and Linda Steen are two pro-life midwives who challenged their employment termination cases in court. Grimmark's case was taken to the Labor Court where she lost the case in April 2017. Due to this loss, she has been ordered pay all the court costs and received an invoice from the Jönköping County in the amount of 1 640 000 Swedish Kronor (€168 634). Linda Steen was denied an appeal in the Labor Court, but she will receive an invoice of 1.2 million Swedish Kronor (€123 391).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2124
Attack Against a Catholic Bishop
2017-05-29 | A Catholic bishop had to be escorted by the police after several dozens of people holding LGTB banners assaulted him at the entrance of the church after a service.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2393
Cemetery Vandalized in Saint-Brès
2017-05-27 | Two teenagers entered the cemetery of Saint-Brès France and destroyed two graves, crosses, statues, and grave plates. The police were called and the two teenagers were identified through surveillance cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2134
Reparation Prayers for Abortion Banned by Hospital Management
2017-05-27 | Prayers in reparation for the victims of abortion have been held in the chapel of the University Hospital (CHUV) in Lausanne on the 13th of every month for the past 10 years, organized by the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX). Pierre-Francois Leyvraz, the CEO of the hospital claimed not to have known about the events when the media contacted him. He informed the SSPX that they would no longer have access to the chapel and that the chapel will be closed on the 13th of each month to prevent the prayer meetings. He noted that abortion is legal and they will not permit people opposed to abortion to meet in the hospital chapel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2135
Cross at General De Gaulle's Grave Vandalized
2017-05-27 | Two unknown perpetrators were seen entering the cemetery of Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises, where General de Gaulle's grave is located. One of the two men was suspected of having climbed on the grave and reversed the cross of the grave. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2136
ISIS Graffiti on Catholic Church in Sweden
2017-05-24 | The Catholic church in Västerås was vandalized in several places with graffiti with the Arabic letter “N,” which stands for Nazarene or Nasrani, the Arabic word for "Christian". In ISIS-controlled areas, this tag has been used in combination with attacks on Christian’s homes and properties. Its use has been used as a signal: convert, pay a tax or be killed. Members of the parish are both frightened and upset about this attack. Cardinal Anders Arborelius has stated that he believes this is the first time a Catholic church has been tagged with ISIS graffiti in Sweden.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2117
Berlin's Left-Wing Politicians Opposed Cross on City Palace
2017-05-20 | The Greens and the Left party objected to plans to put a cross on top of the rebuilt Stadtschloss, the future site of the Humboldt Forum, saying the plan endangers the "open cultural dialogue" intended for the site. The Humboldt Forum is an art and culture museum project.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2123
Medical Director's Dismissal Reversed
2017-05-20 | On May 19, 2017 the Lüneburg labor court ruled that the termination of Medical Clinic Director Markus Fröhling was unjustified. In February 2017, Fröhling was dismissed after publicly voicing his support for the former gynecology chief physician Thomas Börner, who declined to do abortions in his department. This support caused criticism by both the media and politicians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2125
Christian Bookshop in Marseille Vandalized
2017-05-19 | The children’s display case window of the bookshop “La Bible pour tous” (The Bible for All) was found vandalized some time during the night between the 18th and 19th of May with a black paint bomb and graffiti tags reading “neither God nor master” (“Ni Dieu ni maître”), along with the anarchist's "A". The bookstore is adjacent to the church église évangélique Action Biblique Marseille.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2118
Church Vandalized by Graffiti
2017-05-18 | The church of Saint-Joseph was tagged with the slogan “Down with love, long live solidarity” (“à bas la charité, vive la solidarité”). The graffiti was painted with green spray paint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2137
Crown of the Virgin Stolen from the Musée de Fourvière
2017-05-12 | The crown of the Virgin, was stolen from the Museum of Religious Art in Fourviere, shortly before 3:30 am on the night of May 12th. Asking for prayers, the Fourvière Foundation denounced the theft and noted that it was the symbolic value of the crown that made the theft most painful as it was given by families in Lyon to prove their devotion to Notre-Dame de Fourvière.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2151
News Article Used Pro-Life Rally Picture to Illustrate "Religious Extremism"
2017-05-11 | News and email website GMX published an article by journalist Mathias Heim about a recently-published study correlating certain head trauma with religious "fundamentalism." Although the article begins with “The problem of the religious fundamentalists has been a topic in science even prior to IS-Terror”, and never mentions Christians or Christianity, the photograph accompanying the article, with the headline “Injuries in the brain can lead to religious extremism”, depicts a peaceful Christian pro-life demonstration. This clearly negatively stereotypes Christian pro-life activists as "extremists".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2111
Tabernacle Stolen from Chapel
2017-05-10 | The tabernacle of the chapel of Collognes has been stolen. This theft is not the first for this small chapel, three years ago the statue of Virgin Mary was stolen and the collection boxes have been emptied several times. The parish is very upset and the local police have opened an investigation. The chapel will remain open to the public as it is on the pilgrimage route of Santiago de Compostela and St. Francis of Assisi and thus has many visitors throughout the year.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2133
Barcelona Church Vandalized
2017-05-09 | A Barcelona church has been vandalized by unknown vandals. The doors were painted with graffiti of the anarchist's A and statements such as “Get your rosaries out of our ovaries” (“Fora els vostres rosaris dels nostres ovaries”). It is estimated that more than 40 churches have been vandalized in Barcelona in recent months.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2108
Attack and Desecration in Catholic Church in Castellón
2017-05-09 | The parish church of the small town of Teresa - 1 hour by car from Valencia - suffered a robbery and desecration on May 9th after one of the back doors of the temple was forced, the money from the alms was taken and the chalices containing consecrated forms were thrown to the ground.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2423
Man Filmed Attacking Cross in Austria
2017-05-08 | A group of youths filmed a man as he attacked a life-sized Jesus figure on a cross in the church square of St. Marein. The man, identified by police as a "37-year-old from the Weiz district," first shook the cross to make it fall but when unsuccessful he then proceeded to rip out a wind organ from the ground and hit the cross with it. The man’s rampage continued within the church grounds as he broke the two glass doors of the parish and several flower pots before being arrested. Damage is estimated to be well over €15,000.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2107
Monastery in Alicante Vandalized
2017-05-07 | On the morning of May 7th the chaplain of the Monastery de la Santa Faz discovered seven intentionally-inverted crosses on the columns of the sanctuary, Satanic symbols on the armored glass case that protects the Santa Faz relics. Additionally, a liturgical prayer book and the diary where the acts of worship are recorded were stolen. Police opened a forensic investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2109
Molotov Cocktail Thrown at Virgin of the Helpless Image
2017-05-02 | A Molotov Cocktail was thrown at the carving of the Virgin of the Desamparados (Virgin of the Forsaken) in the church of Real Convento de Santiago in Vélez-Málaga. The 17th century carving did not burn, but the base, skirt, and mantle were stained by the homemade device containing gasoline. A young man was seen running from the scene and police began an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2114
Facebook Page Celebrates Arson of Churches
2017-05-01 | A Spanish Facebook page appears to celebrate, and perhaps encourage, church arson by using the anarchistic slogan “The only church that illuminates is the one that burns” (“La única iglesia que ilumina es la que arde”). The Facebook page's profile picture is a burning church. Other photos posted on the page include cartoons mocking Christianity and the Catholic Church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2093
Defenders of Public Cross of Callosa Threatened
2017-05-01 | Residents of Callosa de Segura opposed the City Council's decision to remove a cross next to the parish church entrance and took turns guarding it to prevent its removal. In response, they became the targets of threatening graffiti. On May 1st, graffiti appeared with a message aimed at the spokesman of the PP parliamentary group Javier Perez: “Javier Perez is dead” (“Javier Perez estas muerto”) and the second read: “A bomb to the cross” (“Una bomba a la cruz”). On May 17, 2017, a high court dismissed Perez's appeal to stop the removal of the cross but the case could still go to the supreme court.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2105
Three Churches Discovered Vandalized in Three Days
2017-05-01 | Unknown perpetrators broke windows and doors, damaged the altar and scattered objects in church of Santa Maria de Vallvidrera. Nothing was stolen. The parish of Sant Ildefons and the Hermitage of Santa Margarida were vandalized with graffiti, the former stating “the only church that illuminates is one that burns” and the latter “neither God nor country, nor King” (“la única iglesia que ilumina es la que arde” and “ni Dios, ni patria, ni Rey”). In the Hermitage of Santa Margarida the assailants also vandalized the interior by destroying vases, candle holders and other decorative items.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2115
Burning Cross Painted on Convent of Cloistered Nuns
2017-04-30 | The façade of the church of Santa Magdalena at the convent was vandalized with graffiti of an inverted and burning cross. The Palma Police's Hate Crimes Unit took charge of the investigation and said it appeared the purpose of the graffiti was to try to intimidate the Christian community, particularly the religious women who live in the cloistered convent. Evidence appears to indicate that the graffiti was the work an extreme Leftist group.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2100
ISIS Supporter Jailed
2017-04-29 | The ISIS supporter Akeem Samuels has been sentenced to jail for four years by a court in the United Kingdom. Akeem Samuels posted videos on Instagram where he encouraged terror attacks on Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2113
Christian Prison Preacher to Appeal Tribunal Ruling
2017-04-27 | A Christian prison worker who felt he had no option but to resign after being disciplined for quoting from the Bible during a prison chapel service, will challenge an Employment Tribunal's ruling that the prison was right to discipline him. In March 2016, the Employment Tribunal ruled that Barry Trayhorn spoke of God's forgiveness in an "insensitive" way which "failed to have regard for the special nature of the congregation in the prison".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2121
The Head of a Jesus Statue Used as a Toilet in Illegal Migrant Camp
2017-04-26 | During an inspection by Regional Councilor for Agriculture of the Northern League, Stefano Mai, of an illegal migrant camp in Ventimiglia, the head of a marble statue of Jesus was found covered with excrement and urine. The head had possibly been taken from a local cemetery and then used as a makeshift toilet. The discovery caused anger and upset in the local community and Councilor Mai publicly denounced the situation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2098
Expelled Christian Student Wins Right to Face High Court
2017-04-26 | Felix Ngole was expelled from the University of Sheffield in 2016 for writing a post on his private Facebook page in which he quoted Leviticus stating that homosexuality was sinful. Deputy High Court Judge James Lewis has allowed Ngole to take his case to the High Court in London and a ruling is expected after a trial this fall.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2122
Statue of St. Paul Decapitated in Luxembourg; Left on Priest's Doorstep
2017-04-25 | A statue of St. Paul near the church in Dalheim was discovered decapitated. The head was later found left on the doorstep of the local priest’s home. The discovery worried the priest, but the mayor decided simply to have the head re-attached onto the statue, rather than initiate an investigation. When asked if he thought the act was a symbolic gesture, the mayor said it could have been just a "random act." The priest said he was "reassured" but if it happened again, he would have to make his own security arrangements.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2097
Virgin and Child Mosaic Vandalized in Málaga
2017-04-24 | The ceramic image of the Virgen del Carmen de Huelin located on the seafront of a popular neighborhood of Málaga was damaged by vandals who broke the tiles composing the faces of the Virgin Mary and Jesus.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2231
Syrian Women Vandalized Church in Rennes-le-Château
2017-04-23 | On the morning of April 23rd, a young Syrian women vandalized the church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine. The woman, dressed in a white cloak and face hidden behind a Venetian mask, attacked the holy water font with an ax, decapitated the famous "red devil" (a statue of the demon Asmodeus from the Old Testament), and placed a Quran next to his chopped-off arm. She then lacerated the bas-relief of Mary Magdalene's altar in front of shocked witnesses.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2095
Croatian Theatre Festival Included Play with Jesus Christ Rape Scene
2017-04-22 | A theater festival in Split was to include a controversial play which depicts Jesus Christ raping a Muslim woman wearing a hijab. This drew strong condemnation from Croatia's Catholic Church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2048
Church was Robbed and Vandalized in Onnaing
2017-04-22 | The sacristy of the church of Sainte-Maria-Goretti was broken into and vandalized. Wall tiles of the sacristy were broken, as well as candles and seats. Mass wine was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2055
Cemetery Desecrated in Fouchécourt
2017-04-22 | It is estimated that a dozen graves were desecrated, including Christian graves, and one coffin was opened at a cemetery near Fouchécourt between the 21st and 22nd April 2017. The local community is upset and angry.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2096
Church Vandalized with Graffiti
2017-04-21 | During the Easter weekend the Church Saint-Géry in Quévy was vandalized with graffiti. The porch outside the church and sculptures inside the church, as well as the sacristy, were vandalized.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2057
Jehovah’s Witnesses Outlawed in Russia
2017-04-21 | The Russian Supreme Court has ruled that Jehovah’s Witnesses are an “extremist” religious group and therefore they have outlawed them. A Jehovah’s Witnesses spokesperson has stated that the group is “greatly disappointed by this development and deeply concerned about how this will affect our religious activity”. A spokesman of a Russian Baptist Evangelical union had defined the de-legalisation of the Jehovah’s Witnesses as an “unreasonable and dangerous step.” The Ministry of Justice “is beginning to distinguish between proper and improper believers. What will prevent these same officials tomorrow from condemning, say, the Evangelical Christians-Baptists, (Orthodox) Old Believers or Catholics? I think this approach is fundamentally wrong”, Vitaly Vlasenko, of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists said.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2102
Repeated Vandalism of Church in Hume
2017-04-19 | The Parish of Gujan-Le Teich in Hume was vandalized again, after having been previously vandalized in June 2016. This time a motorcycle, which had been left blocking the handicapped rail, was burned during the night and the fire could have easily spread to the chapel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2070
Arson in Church in Liege
2017-04-19 | During the Easter holidays, candles were stolen from the Church of Seny in Liege and on April 19th, the Church was damaged by arson from candles set on fire in their plastic packaging.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2074
French Visa denied to Eastern Christians on Ideological Grounds
2017-04-18 | During an interview Jean-Jacques Brot, a French official responsible for the mission to host Syrian and Iraqi refugees, admitted that Eastern Christians who apply for visas often have the applications denied by French officials due to “their convictions” or “ideological grounds” (“leurs conviction” or “motifs idéologiques”).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2058
Vandalism in Nantes Church
2017-04-18 | During the morning of April 18th, a church employee discovered damage in small chapel in l’Église Sante-Croix. Vases were overturned, the tablecloth of the altar was crumpled, and the crown on the head of the statue of the baby Jesus in the arms of the statue of Our Lady of Bon-Secours was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2072
Attempted Arson in Church
2017-04-17 | Jean-Louis Herbinière, the priest of the parish Saint-Samson in Calvados, discovered an attempted arson in the church. The tablecloth of the altar was blackened and had burn marks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2094
Cemetery Vandalized During Three Nights in One Week
2017-04-16 | The first act of vandalism in the cemetery near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Salanque occurred between the 12th and 13th of April, the second act between 13th and 14th of April, whilst the third act of vandalism occurred between the 15th and 16th of April despite the town having organized surveillance. During these attacks, tombstones were broken, vases were shattered, and pictures on the tombstones were ripped apart.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2071
Longford Church Broken into and Tabernacle Stolen
2017-04-16 | St Michael’s Church outside Longford was due to open its doors for Easter Sunday Mass when the break-in was discovered. The church window was broken and the altar was severely damaged. Several items were stolen, including the tabernacle.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2073
Church Vandalized during Easter
2017-04-15 | During the morning of the 15th of April, the parish priest of Nuestra Señora del Carrascal discovered acts of vandalism: the facades had been tagged with graffiti, doors within the premises had been broken, and the fire extinguishers had been emptied in several rooms.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2056
Easter Mass Celebration Evacuated in Nice
2017-04-15 | During the Easter Mass celebration a man entered the church of Saint-Pierre d'Arène wearing an army jacket and ski gloves, acting in a menacing manner. He excitedly told the congregation "qu'on allait tous y passer" (it will all come to pass). The security forces quickly arrived on site and were able to arrest the man peacefully.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2064
Easter Procession Ended in Turmoil in Sevilla
2017-04-14 | “La Madrugá”, the Easter procession during the night from Maundy Thursday to Good Friday was interrupted and ended in turmoil with 17 people being taken to the hospital and one person was admitted to the ICU for head trauma. Eight people were arrested for the vandalism and the police investigated the connections and potential coordination of the attack on the Easter procession.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2054
Blasphemous Attack against Church on Maundy Thursday
2017-04-14 | During Maundy Thursday a young woman enter the Saint-Bruno Church, Bordeaux France, and pulled down her trousers and showed her stomach where she had painted a word in the color red. She then proceeded to proudly post the pictures of this blasphemous attack on her Facebook profile.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2066
Social Worker Discouraged Parents from Christening Son
2017-04-13 | A social worker from Kent met with parents who were considering placing their child for adoption and told them the chances of their son being adopted would be hindered if he were “christened into the Christian faith,” after they expressed their wish to have their son baptized.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2042
Complaint Discussed for 2016 Cemetery Desecration
2017-04-13 | In the summer of 2016, a video circulated on the internet showing a model posing on the graves in a cemetery in Tarn-et-Garonne, France. The local residents discovered this video and filed a complaint with the county council. In January 2017, another video with the same model, the same poses, and the same location was found online and the local residents filed another complaint to the county council. This county council discussed in April 2017 whether to lodge a formal complaint in order to bring the matter before an investigating judge.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2062
Easter Procession Disrupted by Threatening Teenagers
2017-04-13 | On the evening of April 12th, a religious procession in Toulon was interrupted by three teenagers who threatened the priests and nuns in the procession. One of the teenagers threw his backpack at them and all of them shouted “Allah Akbar”, “Long live Daesh” and “You will all blow up” (“Allah Akbar”, “Vive Daech” and “Vous allez tous sauter”). Once police were called the perpetrators fled the scene.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2063
Cemetery Vandalized and Tombs Destroyed
2017-04-13 | In Ougrée, Belgium more than 50 graves were vandalized, several dozen tombs were destroyed and the crosses on the graves were thrown on the ground. The families of the deceased are upset that such vandalism occurred. This is the second time this month that the cemetery has been attacked.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2065
Swedish Labour Court Rules Against Pro-Life Midwife
2017-04-12 | The Swedish Labour Court upheld the judgments of the Discrimination Ombudsman and Tribunal Court in the case of Christian midwife, Ellinor Grimmark, who has been denied jobs at several clinics due to her refusal to carry out abortions and her outspoken stance on the matter.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2046
Pro-Life Philosophy Professor Investigated then Fired from Catholic University
2017-04-11 | Philosophy professor Stéphane Mercier was fired by the Catholic University of Leuven after a student filed a complaint about an essay Mercier wrote in which he argued that abortion is the murder of an innocent life.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2045
Teacher Prohibited from Wearing Cross Necklace
2017-04-11 | School officials ordered a Protestant Christian teacher in Berlin to remove her cross necklace when she is in the classroom. Berlin's neutrality law prohibits teachers and civil servants from wearing religious symbols and clothing in public.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2258
Vandalism on Painting of Jesus in Church
2017-04-10 | A 31-year-old male emptied a bottle of black spray paint on a painting of Jesus in a Church in Pila, Poland. Police arrested the man.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2068
Cemetery in Nice Vandalized on Palm Sunday
2017-04-09 | Fourteen graves were damaged in the Cimiez cemetery, which borders a Franciscan monastery on a hill in Nice, in the afternoon of Palm Sunday, April 9, 2017. Crosses were broken, funerary books and decorative items were knocked over and broken. The municipality said, “It is with indignation that we condemn these unacceptable acts that call for a firm criminal response. There is no place for these hateful acts. That is why we asked the funeral administration to file a complaint.” According to the city, the individual responsible for these acts may be identified from the CCTV recordings.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2035
Women Attacked after Mass in Brussels
2017-04-09 | Two Polish women were on their way to the bus station to return home after having attended Mass at the church of Notre Dame de la Chapelle on Palm Sunday. As they walked through what was described in media reports as an “the Arab quarter” on their way to the Midi station, they were attacked by a man who cursed at them both in Arabic and French calling them “dirty Christians” and “whores” (“sales chrétiennes” and “putes“). Because the women were carrying palms from the Mass, the man was able to identify them as Christians. One of the women was knocked down and then kicked. She did not sustain any major injuries, but was in pain. The police were called but the attacker fled before they could arrive. The Polish Christian community responded by hiring security for the doors before and after Mass.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2067
Good Friday Procession Cancelled due to Complaint by Secularist Group
2017-04-08 | The Andalusian Education Inspection cancelled the Good Friday procession for school children in Dos Hermanas due to time pressure for parents and complaint by a secularist group, Sevilla Laica. The parents of the affected children gathered signatures to reverse the decision as the procession is a voluntary activity and their children “were very excited” (“estaban muy ilusionados”).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2069
Demolition of Cross Recommended by Organization in Castellón
2017-04-08 | The Association of Friends of Ribalta have recommended demolishing the cross in the Ribalta Park as they say that it is a fascist symbol and thus does not comply with the law of historical memory. A petition against the Association of Friends of Ribalta’s claim is circulating. It is not the first time that the cross's existence has been up for debate. In 1979, there was a political vote on the issue and the cross was allowed to remain standing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2077
Mass Disrupted by Flares
2017-04-08 | A Mass was interrupted in the Cathedral of Bilbao and parishioners had to leave the church as a group of squatters hurled flares inside the Cathedral. Police were called but no one was detained.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2092
Catalan Club Received Complaints for Offensive Show
2017-04-07 | A club in Barcelona received several complaints after its Good Friday show included an actor dressed as Jesus dancing with a cross. Adults who attended the show were offended and started a petition to ensure that the show was not repeated. They called the show “a mockery to the religion of Christianity to its believers and what it really means to celebrate Easter” (“una burla hacia la religión cristiana, hacia sus creyentes ya lo que realmente significa la celebración de Semana Santa”).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2053
Church Vandalized in Blois
2017-04-07 | The Church of Saint-Saturnin de Vineuil was vandalized sometime between March 8th and March 30th. The Diocese lodged a complaint with the police for "degradation of the property of others on account of religion by means dangerous for people."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2061
Mongolia Magazine Puts "Transgender Jesus" on Cover
2017-04-06 | In response to the bus campaign of Hazte Oír promoting a traditional view of gender with the slogans "Boys have penises; girls have vulvas. Do not be deceived," Mongolia magazine used an image of a transgender Jesus as its cover image. The magazine cover also has slogans such as “God has a penis” and “God has a vulva” (“Dios tiene pene” and Dios tiene vulva”).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2090
Christmas and Easter School Holidays to Change Names
2017-04-06 | The Christmas and Easter school holidays will be re-named "first and second period" in the region of Castile and Leon in Spain for the academic year 2017/18 so as to be disassociated with the Christian holidays.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2091
German Family's Homeschooling Case Filed at European Court of Human Rights
2017-04-06 | The Wunderlich family brought its case against Germany to the European Court of Human Rights in April 2017. In 2013, the Christian parents began homeschooling their children. German authorities took temporary custody of the children and imposed criminal penalties on the parents for not sending their children to school. The European Court of Human Rights will examine whether Germany violated the Wunderlich’s fundamental right of parents to direct the education of their children.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2429
Bulgarian Justice Ministry Proposes Ban on Foreign Financing of Religious Groups
2017-04-04 | The Justice Ministry of Bulgaria has presented a draft bill that would ban foreign countries from financing religious groups in the country, unless an inter-state treaty is in effect. The bill would require that foreign citizens serving as religious workers be fluent in Bulgarian and that no Bulgarian citizen can do the work. This could affect Roman Catholic and Protestant churches, as well as Islam and Judaism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2022
Church Leaders and Prime Minister Criticized National Trust
2017-04-04 | The Church of England accused the National Trust of “airbrushing” Christianity out of Easter festivities, after it renamed “Easter Egg Trail” as the “Great British Egg Hunt.” Cadbury, which sponsors the event, said it wanted the event to appeal to non-Christians, saying: “We invite people from all faiths and none to enjoy our seasonal treats.” The Prime Minister said “[Easter is] a very important festival for the Christian faith for millions across the world. So I think what the National Trust is doing is frankly just ridiculous.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2024
National Police Investigate Hacking of HazteOir.org
2017-04-04 | HazteOir.org, the group behind a Christian anti-gender ideology publicity campaign using a bus, suffered a computer attack on some of its old accounts and social networks on April 4, 2017. The self-identified "cybercriminals" attempted to use the stolen information to blackmail and extort the president of the group on social networks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2026
At Least Four Shrines Vandalized in Saint-Expédit
2017-04-04 | On April 4, 2017 a witness reported the disappearance and decapitation of several religious statuettes in roadside shrines in Saint-Expedit, in the east of Réunion. This comes two days after the devastation of the site of the Black Madonna. In a shrine at the exit of the village of Bois-Blanc, the body, foot, and head of a statuette were left broken and scattered on the altar. The other statues had been taken, but offerings remained untouched. Nearby, at a shrine on the way to Cambourg in Saint-Benoît, four statuettes were decapitated. On the route de la Plaine, the well-known shrine, all statues were missing, and an auditor confirmed that this was also the case in the shrine located in the Jamaican sector in Saint-Denis.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2040
Church Vandalized by Youths
2017-04-04 | In the afternoon of April 4th, two adolescents entered the Church of Saints Pierre-et-Paul, emptied the fire extinguishers and broke several candles.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2060
Motion Filed for Catholic Church to Pay Property Tax
2017-04-04 | The political party "Ahora Getafe" has filed a motion for the Catholic Church and other religious entities to pay property taxes, despite its exemption. Due to the Concordat Agreements of the Spanish State with the Holy See in 1979, the Catholic Church was given a variety of privileges including not having to pay property taxes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2089
Statue of the Virgin of Lourdes of Higuera de la Sierra Found Decapitated
2017-04-03 | On April 3, 2017 neighbors discovered that the head of statue, which sits at the opening of a cave of the Paraje de las Tobas, in the region of the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche, had been removed. The Civil Guard investigated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2027
Verviers Church Targeted with Graffiti
2017-04-03 | The Sainte-Julienne church in Verviers (province of Liège) was sprayed with black paint on the walls and the side door of the building with messages such as: "Welcome to Hell" and "Apocalypsy".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2037
Multiple Attacks against Christian Statues in the Münsterland Region
2017-04-03 | Six statues were vandalized from March 22 - 29, 2017, bringing the total number of incidents to 62 since the end of October 2016.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2044
Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes Decapitated in Spain
2017-04-03 | The statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in a cave of the Paraje de las Tobas, a natural area of the Sierra de Huelva, was decapitated and its hands were broken off. The head was found, but the civil guard continued to search for the hands as well as the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2088
The Armenian Evangelical Church in Alfortville Targeted Twice in One Week
2017-04-02 | On April 2, 2017, the Pastor and his wife were awakened by flames that lit up the window of their room above the church. A rubbish bin filled with gasoline had been set on fire in front of the building's door. Firefighters were called and immediately intervened. The fire was brought under control and only the facade and the cross were blackened by the flames. A week earlier, the building had been stoned, destroying the double glazing of the front door. The Pastor noted that stoning incident immediately followed the visit of an Iraqi pastor who came to talk about the situation of the Eastern Christians. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2036
Site of the Black Madonna Ransacked on Réunion; Cross of the Jubilee Destroyed
2017-04-02 | On April 2, 2017, a groundskeeper discovered the statue of the Black Madonna Rivière-des-Pluies (la Vierge Noire à la Rivière-des-Pluies) had been thrown to the ground and completely destroyed at a religious site where many faithful go to pray. The Cross of the Jubilee, placed in front of the church, was also vandalized. The priest of the parish expressed shock and disappointment that “people will desecrate holy places” and said that the site would be temporarily closed while the gendarmerie investigated. Parishioners expressed shock, sadness, and anger at the destruction.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2039
Christian Convert Murdered in Front of her Children
2017-04-01 | A female Afghan Christian convert was stabbed to death by an Afghan asylum seeker in front of her children in front of a supermarket in Prien am Chiemsee. The 29-year old Muslim attacker yelled at Farina S. before stabbing her. He continued to stab her until an off-duty policeman and several witnesses dragged him aside. The woman, who moved to Bavaria six years earlier, died of her wounds. The victim’s family is convinced that the motive for the attack was the 38-year old woman’s religion. The police report: "For us, only facts count. But there is evidence of a religious motive for this act that we are pursuing."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2112
Christian Youth Organizations Will No Longer Work Alongside Public Youth Agencies
2017-03-30 | Ten Swiss Christian youth federations working with 10,000 young people every year will no longer have the support of the public authorities. The decision of the federal government (“Bundesrat”) comes after decades of successful collaboration.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2047
Cross Stolen in Ille-et-Vilaine
2017-03-29 | The public calvary cross (calvaire) in city of Ille-et-Vilaine was stolen by unknown perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2059
Zaragoza City Council Initiated Proceeding to Claim Public Ownership of Cathedral and Church
2017-03-28 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2103
Journalist Calls Bishop Sexist and Homophobic
2017-03-27 | Spanish Journalist Fernando Pérez Monguió published a blog post about the Bishop of Cordoba, Demetrio Fernández, in which he called him "a fanatic and a dangerously sexist and homophobic prelate." He accused the Bishop of having attacked the honor and dignity of homosexuals and women and demanded an apology. Among the writer's complaints were the Bishop's remarks against abortion, homosexuality, and gender ideology -- each of which are consistent with the teaching of the Catholic Church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2086
RTVE Apologizes to Viewers
2017-03-26 | The Spanish Radio and Television Network RTVE apologized to viewers for broadcasting the performance of the Gala Drag Queen of Las Palmas. Many viewers were upset as the winning act portrayed the Virgin Mary and during the act transformed into a crucified Christ.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2085
Politicians of Ponferrada Demand Removal of Holy Week Exhibition in School
2017-03-23 | The Ponferrada en Común (PeC), el Partido Comunista (PCE) e Izquierda Unida (IU) demanded immediate closure of a Holy Week exhibition in a public school by the Confraternity of Jesus of Nazareth (la Real Hermandad Jesús Nazareno). The political groups argued that such an exhibition “should not take place in a public school in a state that is defined as non-denominational.” They also claimed that the display "endangered safety at the school" as it is in a corridor that could be needed in an emergency.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2084
Court Finds Discrimination against Jehovah's Witness
2017-03-22 | The Swedish Court of Appeals concluded that a Jehovah's Witness was discriminated against on the basis of his religious convictions by the public Job Center (arbetsförmedlingen).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2043
Thirty-two Graves Desecrated at the Batignolles Cemetery in Paris
2017-03-20 | Between 16 and 20 March, 2017 during the night, 32 graves - mostly Christian - were excavated and searched. Officials presume the perpetrators were looking for valuables. A thorough inspection of the cemetery of 15,000 graves, on about ten hectares, was carried out. Surveillance of the premises was strengthened.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2038
Anti-Christian Crimes Recorded as "Islamophobia"
2017-03-18 | Freedom of Information inquiries made by the Network of Sikh Organisations revealed that the London Metropolitan Police recorded 1,227 incidents of Islamophobic hate crime in 2016, but in 57 of these incidents the victim was not contacted, in 86 the religion of the victim was unknown, and 85 of the reported cases were ‘blank’. 19 Hindus, 11 atheists, 43 Christians and four Sikhs were victims.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2025
Basilica in Valencia Vandalized
2017-03-17 | The Basilica of the Mare de Deu dels Desamparats was vandalized with offensive graffiti on the walls and black paint thrown on the mosaic of the Virgin Mary over several days, beginning during the night between March 11th and 12th. Citizens, as well as the Archbishop, denounced the acts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2080
Mother and Son Arrested for Church Theft
2017-03-16 | Police in Givisiez arrested a 46-year-old woman and her 27-year-old son for the theft of donation boxes from a chapel in Bulle and two churches in Freiburg.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2018
University Students Want Pro-Life Posters Removed
2017-03-16 | Aberdeen University students petitioned to have a pro-life poster removed from campus, claiming it was “actively harmful” to women. The Catholic chaplaincy on the campus displayed posters for a 40 Days of Life event, featuring people holding signs and prayer vigils outside the city’s maternity hospital during Lent.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2023
Muslims Encouraged to Marry Christians to Spread Islam in Spain
2017-03-15 | Hundreds 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2101
Polish Universities Cancelled Pro-Life Speaker After Protests
2017-03-14 | In early March, the legal advocacy group Ordo Iuris and several student organizations invited Rebecca Kiessling, an American pro-life speaker, to give speeches at several universities in Poland. While all of the universities had initially agreed to hold the events, they abruptly cancelled the events or modified the format, after leftist groups protested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2016
Man Arrested for Church Vandalism
2017-03-14 | Officials were called when smoke was seen coming from the church of Bettembourg. When they arrived they found a man had set fire to flags inside the church and had destroyed statues and other objects. Motive is not clear and an investigation is underway.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2019
Court: Employers May Prohibit Employees from Wearing Religious Symbols
2017-03-14 | On March 14, 2017, the European Court of Justice put employers' interest in "neutrality" above employees' exercise of religious freedom in a landmark judgment. The Court ruled that employers can prohibit the visible wearing of any political, philosophical or religious sign in the workplace.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2041
Las Palmas Prosecutor Investigating Performance of Drag Queen as Christ
2017-03-13 | At the request of the Association of Christian Lawyers, the prosecutor's office initiated a criminal investigation of the performance of a "drag queen" dressed as the Virgin Mary and then as Jesus Christ during the Carnival celebrations. The office stated that because Carnival is so closely related to the Christian observance of the beginning of Lent, the performance was intentionally offensive to religious feelings. The Bishop's Conference called it "blasphemous."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2017
Attempted Arson at Church in Nantes
2017-03-12 | In the evening of March 12th, firefighters were called to the Church of Saint-Luc after unknown perpetrators set fire to the outside wall of the church using combustible materials they had placed against the outer wall. The fire was described as "intense," but firefighters, police and two CRS buses arrived quickly and were able to subdue the fire and minimize the damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2081
Arson in Church in Puget-Ville
2017-03-12 | The Church of the Immaculate Conception was vandalized and the victim of arson on March 12th. Father Eloi Legrand, calling it a profanation, reported that the altar linen was set on fire, candle wax spread on the altar and throughout the church, and items of devotion were broken and scattered in the church. The gendarmerie have found a small hand print and Father Legrand filed a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2083
Man Arrested for Theft from Donation Boxes from Lambach Church
2017-03-10 | A 30-year-old man was arrested after police were alerted. He was found with cash and tools used to retrieve money from the boxes: a long rod with double-sided tape.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2021
The Local Police Hate Crime Unit in Palma Investigate Multiple Acts of Vandalism against Churches
2017-03-09 | The Local Police Hate Crime Unit in Palma is investigating various acts of vandalism committed in recent months against several churches in the Balearic capital.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2033
Government in Valencia Attempted to Stop Religion Lessons in Schools
2017-03-09 | The Ximo Puig Government in Valencia created obstacles for the hiring of new teachers of religion by introducing new certification requirements. One affected teacher said, "three weeks ago, on the spot and without written notice," the Ministry of Education of the Valencian Community informed the Archbishopric of Valencia that all new teachers of religion must have the CAP (Certificate of Pedagogical Attitude ), or to have completed a Master's Degree in Teacher Training in Secondary Education, Baccalaureate, Vocational Training, and Teaching of Languages. This is in addition to the certificate known as DECA (Document of Ecclesiastical Suitability), provided by the Spanish Episcopal Conference.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2079
Regional Government of Andalucía Cancels School Procession for Holy Week
2017-03-08 | School children in Dos Hermanas, Seville, were prohibited from celebrating their usual children's Holy Week procession by the regional government. The government claimed it cancelled the event because of time constraints, but parents of the affected children insist it was cancelled due to a complaint by a secular association.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2028
Leftists in Seville Seeks to Change the Coat of Arms
2017-03-08 | The Izquierda Unida (United Left) coalition in Seville wishes to change the coat of arms of the city as they say that its image is "not a representation of democracy" in the 21st century. Currently, the coat of arms is an image of King Fernando III, canonized as a saint, flanked by St. Isidore and St. Leander. The word "Mariana" also appears on the shield, added by Franco to represent the city's devotion to the Virgin Mary.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2076
The Mayor of Zarazoga Prohibits the Traditional Firefighters Mass
2017-03-08 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2078
Columnist Calls Immigration Minister's Crucifix Necklace a Symbol of Xenophobia
2017-03-06 | Sven Egil Omdal, a veteran journalist and editor who currently works as a commentator for newspaper Stavanger Aftenblad, noted that Sylvi Listhaug, Norway’s government minister in charge of immigration and asylum issues, had been wearing a cross necklace much more often than in the past. “Am I claiming that she uses the cross as a political statement to appeal to that strange group who thinks that fear of foreigners is a Christian virtue?” Omdal queried on social media. “Yes, that’s basically what I’m doing.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2029
Anti-Gender Ideology Campaign Censored
2017-03-03 | HazteOir.org painted a bus to circulate around Madrid with the words "Boys have penises, girls have vaginas. Don't be fooled. If you’re born a man, you’re a man. If you’re a woman, you’ll always be a woman" and publicized a pamphlet it created for parents: "Do you know what they want to teach your child at school? The laws of sexual indoctrination." The Madrid City Council authorized the seizure of the bus without a court order on March 2, 2017.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2011
Primary School Teacher Suspended after Reading Bible Verses to Pupils
2017-03-03 | After a group of parents sent a letter of complaint, the school's headmaster suspended the Malicornay teacher. The teacher will remain under suspension pending an investigation into whether he was proselytizing in violation of secularism laws or simply studying the texts with the students. The city's mayor has denounced the suspension as extreme.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2015
Spanish Councilman Officiated Wedding Dressed as a Priest
2017-03-03 | Councilman Javier Botella of Levatemos El Puerto officiated at a wedding of his childhood friends in a priest costume. He was wearing an F.C. Barcelona scarf as a stole and a black cassock with golden edges. He posted a picture of himself and the newly married couple on Facebook and was immediately criticized for ridiculing the Church and the sacrament of marriage in his public capacity.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2075
Two Street Preachers Convicted of Public Order Offenses
2017-02-28 | Michael Overd and Michael Stockwell were convicted on February 28, 2017 after a public prosecutor claimed that quoting parts of the King James Bible in the context of modern British society "must be considered to be abusive and is a criminal matter". After a four-day trial, the men were found guilty under Section 31 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, for using "threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress, thereby, and the offence was religiously aggravated."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2004
Government Announces Compulsory Sex Education
2017-02-28 | The government announced that sex and relationships education will become compulsory in all of England's schools. Relationships education will be compulsory for all pupils from the age of four years, but parents will have the right to withdraw their children from sexual education program. Critics view the law as weakening the influence of parents' right to educate their children about sex and relationships.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2010
Oxford Lecturer Refused to take Christian Convert's Questions about Islam
2017-02-27 | A trainee Church of England priest at Oxford University, an Iranian-born convert from Islam, claimed he wasn’t allowed to ask critical questions about Islam during a seminar and has accused the university of discrimination and bias and made a formal complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2030
Polish Prosecutors Investigate Play for Offending Religious Sentiments
2017-02-22 | The Polish prosecutor's office began an investigation of a theater play that contains a scene of an actress simulating oral sex on the statue of Pope John Paul II, and other sex scenes involving crosses. Another scene hints at murdering a top PiS (Law and Justice) party leader.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1992
General Pharmaceutical Council Launches Guidance on "Religion, Personal Values and Beliefs in Pharmacy Practice"
2017-02-22 | In May 2017, the British Pharmaceutical Council published new professional standards, stating that pharmacists would have to “take responsibility for ensuring that person-centred care is not compromised because of personal values and beliefs.” The previous conscience "opt-out" provisions were removed. Previously, a pharmacist who did not wish to issue an abortifacient drug could refer the patient to another colleague. In June 2017, the Council developed new guidance called “In practice: Guidance on religion, personal values and beliefs.” This guidance made clear that in some circumstances, pharmacists were expected to dispense a drug against his or her conscience.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1993
Elderly Priest Brutally Attacked in Parish Home
2017-02-22 | Fr. Arturo López, 77, was brutally beaten by three masked men during an assault on February 22, 2017 at the rectory of Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church in Coslada, a city in Spain's Community of Madrid. The three unidentified men assaulted and tied up Fr. Lopez after they entered his rectory to steal valuables and money.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1995
French Civil Protection Federation Removes Cross from New Logo
2017-02-22 | When asked about why the new logo did not contain the cross, the federation's communication director said the removal of the cross in the center of the original logo was a "non-subject" and there was no particular reason for its removal, and that it never had a religious character to begin with.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1996
National Secular Society Proposes Removal of Bishops' Bench from House of Lords
2017-02-21 | The group made the recommendation to a parliamentary inquiry to examine how to reduce the size of the Upper House. The House of Lords currently has more than 850 members, and the Bishops' Bench contains two archbishops and 24 bishops who can vote on legislation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1994
Granada Bishop Accused of Hate Speech
2017-02-20 | The Spanish Observatory against LGBTfobia filed a hate speech complaint on February 20, 2017 against Archbishop Francisco Javier Martínez for a homily delivered on February 12, 2017 in which he criticized gender ideology in the education of children. The complaint accused the bishop of promoting "hate speech against LGBT persons."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2006
Parliamentary Group Called for a Ban on Broadcasts of Mass on Public Television
2017-02-20 | A parliamentary group in the Congress of Deputies presented a proposal calling for broadcasts of Mass on public television be prohibited, which they ask to be considered/debated by a commission that oversees RTVE, Spain’s public television station, and its affiliates.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2009
Cemetery Ransacked in Saint-Pol-sur-Mer Cemetery
2017-02-19 | According to reports, some time during the night of February 18-19, 2017, unknown perpetrators damaged and scattered around 30 gravestones in a cemetery in the prefect of Dunkirk. Many of the damaged plaques appear to be from Christian graves. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1997
Religious Statue Prohibited from Front of Church as "Too Religious"
2017-02-16 | After complaints by the group Libre Pensées (Free Thought), a statue of Notre Dame de Granitiers commissioned by the Diabète Coeur association, is prohibited from being displayed in the forecourt of the church of Brusvily because it is considered a public place. The Church and State Separation Act of 1905 prohibits the display of religious objects in public places. 72% of readers of a local newspaper objected to this decision.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2000
France Passed Law Banning Pro-Life Websites
2017-02-16 | The National Assembly passed a law which bans pro-life websites which attempt to discourage women from having abortions if the sites do not openly state “who they are, what they do and what they want.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2005
Work Begins to Remove Monumental Cross in Sant Carles de la Ràpita
2017-02-16 | After the town council decreed that the cross outside the "Torre de Guardiola" fortress was erected in commemoration of General Franco's victory in the Spanish Civil War, it was ordered removed in compliance with the Historical Memory Law of 2007. Critics of this move note that the plaque linking the cross to Franco had already been removed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2008
Statue Stolen from Christian Grave
2017-02-14 | The statue known as "La Pleureuse" (the Mourner) was stolen from the cemetery of Saint-Germain-Lembron. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1998
Humanists Demand Religious Radio Program include Non-Religious Perspectives
2017-02-14 | The British Humanist Association sent a letter to the BBC demanding that its publicly-funded "Thought for the Day" Radio 4 program, which includes reflections from Christians and other faiths, also include non-religious speakers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2014
Graffiti against Catholic Parish Church in Murcia
2017-02-13 | The external walls of the parish of San Francisco Javier in Murcia were painted with threatening messages such as "Arderás como en 36" (You will burn like in 36; clear reference to the burning of churches during the Spanish Civil War) and also "Highway to hell".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2422
Gendarmerie du Haut-Rhin Investigated Degradation in Church and Cemetery
2017-02-12 | During the night of February 11th and 12th, unknown perpetrators broke a door and vandalized the church of Saint Etienne de Réguisheim and vandalized the nearby cemetery, as well.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2002
Crucifix Statue Vandalized with Anarchist Graffiti
2017-02-12 | A large statue of Christ on the Cross in a public square in Caen was spraypainted with the words "Ni Dieu; Ni Maitre" (No God; No Master) and the anarchist A symbol.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2003
Historic Church the Victim of Arson
2017-02-12 | The Church of the Ascension in Salford was completely destroyed by a fire which was described as arson by police. It was built in 1869 and had recently undergone a £250,000 restoration with funds raised over three years. CCTV footage reportedly shows a young man running from the church at the time the fire broke out.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2020
Vienna Church Vandalized with Anarchist Graffiti
2017-02-11 | The outside walls of the church of Maria am Gestade was sprayed with the anarchist A symbol and the word "Antifa."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1988
National Theatre's School Performances use Statue of Virgin Mary as Symbol of Extremism
2017-02-09 | The Slovak National Theatre visited schools with a performance about the dangers of extremism, depicting the true story of a Roma family being attacked by skinheads in 2009. Without any explanation, the stage setting includes a statue of the Virgin Mary in front of a swastika symbol. A complaint has been filed on the grounds that this has insulted and defamed the Catholic Church by implying that the Church was somehow complicit in the crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1981
Norwegian Court Ruled Against Catholic Doctor
2017-02-09 | On February 9, 2017, a Norwegian court ruled against Katarzyna Jachimowicz, a Polish Catholic doctor who sued after she was fired for refusing to insert intrauterine devices (IUDs). Jachimowicz v. the Municipality of Sauherad was the first case in Norway in which a medical professional sued over conscience rights.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1991
LGBT Lobby Attempts to Block Lecture by Gay Author; Demanded Apology
2017-02-07 | Two LGBT groups in Barcelona demanded that the Archdiocese prohibit a February 11, 2017 lecture by Philippe Ariño in the parish of Santa Ana on the grounds that the content would be "seriously homophobic" in violation of Catalonia anti-discrimination law. The lecture by a young French Catholic man who is homosexual and advocates celibacy as a means to resist homosexual urges was organized by the Youth Delegation of the Archdiocese. The LGBT groups have also demanded an apology from the Archbishop.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1984
Arson in Private Chapel in Omessa
2017-02-06 | The owner of the chapel of Santa Rita, which he renovated, discovered the door had been forced open, cards and a rosary were left on the altar and set on fire. Luckily, the fire did not spread to the rest of the chapel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1990
Church Funeral Disrupted by Man Shouting Koran Verses and Calling Mourners "Infidels"
2017-02-03 | A 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."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1978
NHS does not Record Religious Discrimination
2017-02-02 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1985
French Ministry of the Interior Reports 949 Anti-Christian Incidents in 2016
2017-02-01 | According to the Ministry of the Interior, 949 anti-Christian incidents - 399 acts of vandalism and 191 cases of theft of worship items - were recorded on the French territory in 2016 but this does not include the hacking of Catholic websites which were said to number 112 by the French Observatory of Christianophobia.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1987
Convent in Avon the Victim of Theft and Desecration
2017-01-31 | Unknown perpetrators broke into the convent of the Carmelites of Avon during the night of January 31, 2017, stole computer equipment, holy objects, and broke open the tabernacle containing consecrated Hosts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2001
Magistrate Disciplined for Refusing to Hear Same Sex Parenting Case
2017-01-30 | The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office ordered Susan Preston to stand down from hearing future family cases, after she declined to sit on a case involving same-sex parenting due to her personal views.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1982
Two Arson Attempts on Village Church in Rochecorbon
2017-01-29 | Two minors were arrested after police discovered they were responsible for two separate fires at the church of Notre-Dame in the parish of Saint-Marin-Saint-Vincent en Vouvrillon. The first fire was set on January 27, 2017, with the curtains of a confessional burnt; the second fire was set in the confessional itself.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1999
Swedish Pro-Life Midwife Publicly Bullied by Journalists
2017-01-28 | On the national Swedish Morning news, a journalist said: ”Those who are against abortion should be aborted. Retroactively.” And everybody in the panel laughed. Just before that, pictures of Christian midwife Ellinor Grimmark and her attorneys were shown on the screen. This occurred during the week Grimmark's lawyers defended her case in the Swedish Labour Court.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1975
Infant Jesus Stolen from Manger in Noyon Cathedral
2017-01-27 | On January 27, 2017 the figure of the infant Jesus was stolen from a crèche in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Noyon on the same day that a funeral Mass for Father Serge Maroun was celebrated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1989
Church Bells in Two Towns Ordered Silenced by Courts
2017-01-22 | After 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1980
A Statue of the Virgin Mary Attacked and Damaged
2017-01-22 | Unknown people stole the crown of the statue of the Virgin Mary on January 22nd around 6pm. A finger of the figure, as well as an arm of the statue of the Child Jesus, were also broken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2401
Attack against a Catholic Parish Church
2017-01-22 | The external walls of the church of San Nicolás de Bari were covered with graffiti messages such as “The only church that illuminates is a burning church” (common anarchist motto during the Spanish Civil War) and “No to obligatory religion”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2408
Vandals Twice Damage Cemetery near Gurmels
2017-01-21 | Twice in a week, unknown perpetrators dug up crosses, damaged lanterns, and trampled on graves in a cemetery of the Reformed Church of La Corbaz. The church reported the acts to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1974
Gender-Abortion Whistleblower Ordered to Pay Costs
2017-01-20 | Aisling Hubert, who began criminal proceedings against two doctors who were filmed offering 'gender-abortion', went to court to challenge £36,000 of the costs that were awarded against her after she tried to bring two 'gender-abortion' doctors to justice. The judge said he could not amend or reduce the costs. Instead a settlement was reached for the amount Aisling has to pay. She now has until 18 August to pay the agreed amount.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2188
Man Fined for Using Altar in Performance Art in Saarbrücken
2017-01-18 | In January 2016, Alexander Karle crossed the barrier to the altar of the basilica of Sankt Johann and did push-ups for a video he called "Pressure to perform". An administrative court imposed a fine of EUR 700 for trespassing and disturbance of religious practice. Karle has appealed, citing artistic freedom.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1973
Policing and Crime Bill Proposes to Raise Penalty for "Religiously Aggravated Offense"
2017-01-18 | During the debate in the House of Lords, the Government was asked what would qualify for a "religiously motivated offense" and whether it could include a Christian preaching the "supreme divinity of Christ." The Government responded that this would be up to prosecutors and courts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1976
Romanesque Door and Rectory of a Church in Sabadell Destroyed
2017-01-18 | The Municipal Police of Sabadell investigated several instances of intentional damage in the Sant Pau de Riu-sec church, which dates from the 11th and 12th centuries, as well as in the rectory. The damage affected the original door of the south facade of the church. The arch and one of the windows were also attacked: a protection grid was cut and one of the wooden porticos was broken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2034
Iranian and Afghan Christian Converts Face Deportation from Germany
2017-01-16 | Germany’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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1979
Goverment Still Supports Plan to Register & Inspect Sunday Schools
2017-01-11 | Education minister confirmed that the program to regulate "out of school" settings, which could include Sunday school and youth group meetings, remains a government priority. Opponents say that this would leave churches open to complaints if they teach religious principles relating to traditional marriage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1977
Arson at Emmaüskerk in Amersfoort
2017-01-08 | Police investigated an early morning fire intentionally set on January 1st in the main entrance of the old wooden church, destroying the doors and leaving the church reeking of smoke. Fortunately, the fire was extinguished before destroying the building. One week later, unknown vandals set fire to the church again on January 8th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1964
Two Priests Attacked in Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome
2017-01-07 | A 41-year-old man attacked two priests with a broken glass bottle and both had to be hospitalized. The attacker fled, but was quickly caught by the police. The motive for the attack is unclear.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1963
At Least 30 Tombs Vandalized and Profaned in Finistère
2017-01-07 | Some time in the night of January 6 - 7, at least 30 graves in the cemetery of Brennilis were vandalized, with crosses and crucifixes overturned or broken and headstones toppled. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2012
Christmas Nativity Set on Fire on Eve of Epiphany Holiday
2017-01-06 | Unknown perpetrators intentionally set fire to the straw at the base of the nativity scene in the Cathedral of Saint-Étienne, burning all of the figures. The Archbishop expressed the pain of the community, saying that the display expresses the heart of the Christian faith.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1969
Church and Christ Figure Vandalized in Madrid
2017-01-05 | On January 5, 2017, the exterior of the parish of Santa María de Nazaret in Madrid, Spain, was vandalized with graffiti and an figure of Christ was damaged by unknown perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2031
25 Year Old Smashed Shrine and Set Fire to Crèche
2017-01-02 | The perpetrator, a Gambian with a valid residence permit, broke the glass case containing a statue of the Virgin Mary in the courtyard of the Church of the Madonna del Rosario and then burned the Christmas crèche, completely destroying it. He admitted the act to the police, saying that he was Muslim and wanted to destroy the Christian symbols.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1970
L'Abbaye d'Orval Robbed
2017-01-01 | A safe containing 50,000 euros was stolen from the Orval Abbey, a Cistercien-Trappist Monastery famous for a brewery whose profits go to fund social projects. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1960
New Year's Fireworks Damage Church Roof in Poeldijk
2017-01-01 | Illegal fireworks are the likely cause of damage to the recently restored roof of the Reformed Church in Poeldijk. Witnesses saw two men on the roof setting fireworks, which are illegal. Officials have not determined if the damage was intentional, but the perpetrators have not come forward and police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1965
Chapel in St. Radegund Damaged by Vandals
2017-01-01 | On New Year's Eve, unknown perpetrators vandalized a chapel, damaging a statue of the Virgin Mary and burned prayer books and wooden objects nearby. Damages are estimated at around 1,000 euros. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1967
Chapel in Brunau am Inn the Victim of Theft and Vandalism
2017-01-01 | Unknown perpetrators beheaded a statue of St. Barbara and stole a Christ figure from a cross and several other sacred objects. Damage is estimated at around 5,000 euros. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1968
Forest Chapel in Auerbach Vandalized
2016-12-31 | Unknown perpetrators broke into the chapel, threw stones at the altar, smashed two glass domes containing statues of the Virgin Mary, and stole and destroyed 22 paintings and murals hung by pilgrims visiting the chapel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1945
Woman Attacked for Reading from Bible
2016-12-28 | A 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).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1944
Man Forcibly Removed after Disrupting Christmas Mass
2016-12-24 | Police removed a man who disrupted the Mass at the Church of Saint-Christophe in Tourcoing after he frightened and disturbed the parishioners.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1958
Orsay Church Vandalized on Christmas
2016-12-24 | The wall of church of Saint-Martin Saint-Laurent d'Orsay was tagged with an anti-consumerism message ("Noël fête du capitalisme") in black paint. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1959
Theft from Sainte-Anne Church in Lanvéoc
2016-12-24 | A statue of an angel was stolen from the manger scene where it had been displayed for the last 80 years. Parishioners are upset and the Mayor called the theft "scandalous" because the angel was part of the town's heritage. A police complaint was filed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1971
Vandals Attack St. Augustine Church in Utrecht
2016-12-23 | In the morning of December 23, 2016 a parish employee discovered the locked doors forced open, bibles torn, and the newly-restored processional cross destroyed. The pastor estimates damages in the thousands of euros. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1962
UK Considering Secularist Oath of Allegiance to British Values
2016-12-21 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1949
Nativity Scene Destroyed by Fire
2016-12-21 | A Nativity scene set up in an old fountain in Wimille was completely destroyed by a fire during the night of December 20-21st. Police are investigating whether it was intentionally set, or a short circuit in the lighting. The city chose not to replace it, in case it was an act of vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1957
Berlin Christmas Market the Target of Terrorist Attack
2016-12-20 | Anis Amri, a 24-year old Tunisian man, stole a truck and intentionally drove it into a crowded Christmas market near the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in West Berlin, leaving 12 dead and more than 50 injured. ISIS claimed responsibility, and the driver pledged allegiance to ISIS, calling on his "Muslim brothers everywhere... Those in Europe, kill the crusader pigs." "Crusaders" refers to Christians in ISIS rhetoric. While in the Italian prison in Sicily, Anis Amri threatened one of his fellow prisoners: “You are Christian and I will cut your head off,” according to Reppublica, which indicates the attacker's pre-existing bias against Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1952
Cathedral in Fort-de-France Vandalized and Burgled Five Times in Seven Days
2016-12-20 | The Cathedral of Saint-Louis was the repeated victim of looting, vandalism, and theft on December 14th, 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th. The Cathedral is being restored and the perpetrators broke recently-renovated windows to gain entry.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1953
Holsbeek Town Council Removed Nativity Scene
2016-12-19 | The Christmas display in the town hall was removed to "avoid offending Muslims living in the area," resulting in protests and objections from citizens, politicians, and some Muslim activists who said it was absurd to say that Muslims are offended by the birth of Jesus.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1950
Vandalism and Fires in Two Churches in Tarn-et-Garonne
2016-12-19 | Police are investigating acts of vandalism and intentional fires set in the Church of Saint-Blaise and the Church of Saint-Michel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1955
Church Desecrated in Crete
2016-12-18 | Unknown perpetrators entered the Orthodox church of the Archangel Michael near Lagoliou, set sacred books on fire in the sanctuary, and sprayed "Allah is great" in Arabic on the walls.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1936
Christian Kindergarten Advent Performance Disrupted by Man Carrying Koran
2016-12-17 | During the children's performance in Schwanenstadt, attended by parents and relatives, a 24-year-old Somali man with a backpack and plastic bag got on stage and began waving the Koran around. When people tried to remove him, he resisted and began shouting "Allah." The police investigated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1956
Christmas Decorations and Crèche Thrown in River
2016-12-17 | During the night of December 17-18th, all of the Christmas decorations installed on a bridge, as well as the handmade wooden crèche arranged at the feet of a statue of the Virgin Mary were thrown into the Seine in Fouchères. A complaint was filed with police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1961
Spanish Court Acquits City Councilor of Infringing on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Convictions
2016-12-16 | Rita Maestre had been fined for removing her top inside a chapel during a protest against the "antidemocratic and chauvinistic" positions of the Catholic Church in 2011. On appeal, that decision was reversed as the court found that "inadequate clothing or certain inappropriate gestures" were "disrespectful but not desecration."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1942
Priest Attacked, Tied Up, and Robbed in Pastoral Center
2016-12-16 | Rutumbu Juvenal, the priest in charge of the parish of Palaiseau, was attacked by two armed men on December 16, 2016 at the church's pastoral center.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1954
Bomb Discovered in Front of Church
2016-12-15 | A parishioner discovered a bomb in a cardboard box against the door of the Saint-André church. Police in Toulouse are investigating and said that the device was capable of a small explosion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1940
Thieves Hit Caorle Cathedral in 3rd Incident in Veneto Region in 10 Days
2016-12-15 | Glass cases protecting sacred statues and images were smashed and the decorative jewels and offerings of the faithful were stolen. Police are investigating the links between this incident and others in the region targeting shrines containing sacred images.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1947
Five Churches Burgled in Three Weeks
2016-12-13 | According to the Bishop of Réunion, five churches have been the target of thieves in the preceding three weeks. The most recent was the church of Sainte-Marie, which was ransacked and money and equipment were stolen. A criminal investigation is underway.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1941
Thieves Steal Gold from Sacred Statue of Our Lady of Pilastrello
2016-12-11 | After several failed attempts since June 2016, thieves managed to sneak into the guarded shrine in Lendinara, smashed a protective glass case, and stole all of the gold on the statue of the "Black Madonna."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1946
Dozens of Christian Statues Destroyed
2016-12-08 | Police in the Münsterland region are investigating the destruction of Christian statues of holy figures since the end of October. One report said "not a day goes by without an attack on a statue. The local Christian community is concerned and upset by the destruction. An anti-religious motive is suspected and the police believe the vandalism is fueled by a "lust for destruction". Estimates suggest the cost of the damage to be a six-figure sum.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1908
Nativity Crib Burned in Church
2016-12-08 | Parishioners praying in the chapel adjacent to the Church of Notre-Dame in Metz smelled smoke and discovered the crib burning inside the church. Police have launched a criminal investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1938
Hindu UKIP Member Racially Harassed for Calling Britain a "Christian Country"
2016-12-07 | Anish Patel, a UKIP member and practising Hindu took to Twitter with a message defending Britain’s Christian identity. In response, Twitter users responded with racist epithets.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1932
Church Requests Security Staff Due to Disruptions, Vandalism
2016-12-07 | The Holy Trinity Church in Kristianstad has been given permission by police to have security guards at church services due to repeated thefts, disruptive and threatening behavior during services, drug and alcohol use in the church, and urination and defecation in the pews.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1939
Student Union Bans Pro-Life Group
2016-12-05 | Pro-life supporters have been banned from setting up an official campus group by the University of Strathclyde Student Union on the grounds that such a group would violate "safe space."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1919
Equalities Watchdog Calls for Review of Catholic Schools Hiring Rules
2016-12-05 | The Equality and Human Rights Commission has told the Scottish government that the Scottish Catholic schools’ legal right to examine teaching staff for religious suitability should be reviewed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1921
Christian Archbishops from Iraq and Syria Denied Visas to UK
2016-12-04 | Despite a formal invitation from Prince Charles to attend a consecration ceremony of Britain's first Syriac Orthodox Cathedral, the Home Office denied the visa applications of Archbishops Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf of Mosul, Timothius Mousa Shamani of St Matthew's in Nineveh valley of northern Iraq, and Selwanos Boutros Alnemeh of Homs and Hama in Syria because they "did not have enough money to support themselves and might not leave the UK."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1918
Court Gives Town Three Months to Remove Statue of Virgin Mary
2016-12-03 | A court has ordered the town of Publier to remove its statue of the Virgin Mary to comply with France's ban on religious symbols in public spaces. Failure to remove it within three months will result in a fine of 100 euros per day.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1917
Leftist Graffiti on Bordeaux Catholic Seminary
2016-12-03 | "Neither God nor master", "I love Satan", "Lesbi Power" and "Antifa" and other slogans were sprayed on the walls of the seminary during the night of December 3, 2016.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1924
Nantes Church Vandalized with Anarchist Graffiti
2016-12-03 | The Church of St. Clement in Nantes was vandalized with the anarchist "A" topped with symbols of both sexes. This sign is supposed to convey the opposition to the male and female genders in their traditional definitions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1925
Thieves Steal Votive Offerings in Treviso Church
2016-12-03 | Unknown perpetrators broke into the Basilica of Motta di Livenza during the night of December 3, 2016, disconnected an alarm, sawed off iron bars, broke a window, and stole votive offerings donated in the past by the faithful of the diocese. They were unable to force open the shrine with the statue of the Madonna. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1948
Madrid Parish Vandalized
2016-12-01 | "You will burn in Hell" (“Arderéis en el infierno”) was sprayed on the parish of Nuestra Señora Reina del Cielo in Madrid by unknown perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1927
Graffiti Damaged Granada Cathedral
2016-11-25 | The Archbishop of Granada filed a complaint after graffiti was painted on the facade of the Metropolitan Curia and the Cathedral, one of the most important cultural sites of the city. The vandalism occurred during the night from the 24 to 25 of November and damaged the original stone of the Cathedral.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1926
Church Ransacked in Northern France
2016-11-25 | Some time in the early afternoon of November 25th, unknown perpetrators started a fire inside the church of Zuydcoote, overturned chairs and benches, smashed statues onto the floor, and destroyed the tabernacle.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1929
School Prohibits Christmas Decorations with Religious Motifs
2016-11-24 | A school in Elche sent a letter to parents saying it needed Christmas decorations for the classrooms, but that they should not have a religious motif, such as a nativity scene.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1937
Easter Poster Depicting Christ Removed from Government Office
2016-11-23 | After a complaint by the Oberservatorio del Laicismo, the Andalusian Employment Office in Granada removed a poster containing an image of Christ promoting Holy Week tourism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1928
Officials Ban Television Commercial to Commemorate World Down Syndrome Day
2016-11-22 | Television officials rejected as "inappropriate" an award-winning video featuring several people with Down syndrome responding to a letter from a frightened woman whose unborn baby had been diagnosed with the disorder.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1920
14th Century Church Vandalized with Red Paint
2016-11-22 | During the night of November 22, 2016, two people threw red paint against the facade and one of the entrances of the parish of Santa Creu, one of the oldest in Palma. Costs to clean the damage is unclear. Perpetrators justified the attack as denouncing the "historical collaboration" of the Catholic Church with fascism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2032
Priest Attacked While Celebrating Mass
2016-11-17 | While he was celebrating Mass in the parish church of Nuestra Señora de Covadonga in Madrid, Fr. Lino Hernando was attacked at the altar by an unknown person who threw him to the ground, kicked and insulted him. The aggressor also threw around consecrated Hosts and other worship items from the altar. The police were immediately alerted and arrested the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1923
Judge Dismisses Charges Against Artist Who Stole Consecrated Hosts
2016-11-16 | Abel Azcona stole more than 240 consecrated hosts from Masses celebrated in the cities of Madrid and Pamplona. He later took nude photos of himself arranging them on a floor to spell the word ‘pederasty.’ He was charged with an offense against laws respecting religious sentiments. However, on November 16, 2016, a judge dismissed the case against Azcona. In his ruling, the judge described the consecrated and stolen hosts as “small white round objects.” He claimed that there had been no desecration of the sacred hosts because according to the Spanish Royal Academy dictionary desecration is defined as “treating something sacred without due respect or using it for profane purposes.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1922
Stolen Tabernacle and Ciborium Found in Cemetery
2016-11-10 | The Bishop of San Sebastián reported that the tabernacle and ciborium containing consecrated Hosts which had been stolen from the chapel earlier in the week had been found in a cemetery. The ciborium was empty.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1930
Christian Couple Blocked from Adopting Foster Children
2016-11-09 | A Christian couple has been blocked from adopting their foster children, after expressing views based on their belief that children should have a mother and a father wherever possible.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1912
Christian Family Forced to Flee their Home
2016-11-09 | A 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1913
State Council Allows "Decorative" Christmas Scenes at Town Halls
2016-11-09 | After a bitter two-year battle over whether decorating town hall entrances with nativity scenes violated rules on secularism, the country’s highest administrative court ruled that as long as the intent behind the installation was "cultural, artistic, or festive" - and not religious proselytism - it was permitted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1914
Threatening Graffiti on the Walls of a Christian School
2016-11-09 | Threatening graffiti was found on the walls of a religious Catholic school (Colegio de San José, Vallecas). The graffiti incited to burn down the school and also said “You will burn like in ‘36” (clear reference to the anti-religious murders and anti-religious arson during the Spanish Civil War).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2116
Summit Cross Destroyed for the Second Time
2016-11-08 | A summit cross on the Austrian-German border, previously chopped with an ax in August, was again destroyed by an unknown perpetrator using an ax.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1909
Desecration in Cemetery Chapel
2016-11-07 | In a letter to members of his diocese on November 9, 2016, Bishop José Ignacio Munilla, Bishop of San Sebastián, denounced "a very grave desecration against the Blessed Sacrament" committed in the cemetery chapel of Polloe. The tabernacle was stolen, as was the ciborium and the consecrated Hosts it contained. The bishop announced a reparation Mass would be celebrated in the same chapel on November 20th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1916
Nantes Church Tagged with Anarchist Grafitti
2016-11-05 | Anarchist messages were drawn on the walls and doors of the Church of Saint-Clément.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1915
French Politician Fined for Using Word from Bible to Describe Homosexuality
2016-11-04 | French politician and former housing minister Christine Boutin was convicted of hate speech on Wednesday by the Court of Appeals of Paris for having called homosexuality an “abomination” in an interview with the political magazine Charles in March 2014.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1911
Christian Midwife Loses Case Against County Council
2016-11-04 | Swedish 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1966
Government of Rincon Prohibits Nativity Scene in Municipal Courtyard
2016-11-04 | The city council gave the reason for the prohibition: "it is the central administrative building, and must respect the non-denominational vision of the State."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1972
Media Campaign Targets Priest for Upholding Church Doctrine
2016-11-03 | The Spanish media network SER launched a media campaign against a Catholic priest for posting a list of sins that preclude parishioners from receiving Communion until they have been confessed, calling the list a throw-back to old times.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1951
Christian Convert Threatened with Death in French Refugee Camp
2016-11-02 | A 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1910
Christian Graves Vandalized on All Saints' Day
2016-10-30 | Families visiting the burial sites of their loved ones in Pécrot were shocked to discover the crosses at the graves were removed and planted upside down in the cemetery.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1935
Minor Arrested for Twice Setting Fires in Church
2016-10-28 | A minor was arrested for setting fires in the church of Saint-Brice-sur-Vienne in August and October.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1934
City Council to Vote on Removal of Religious Symbols from Public Spaces
2016-10-26 | In November, the Madrid City Council is expected to approve a draft "human rights" law which includes the removal of religious symbols from public spaces.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1904
Police Investigate Vandalism of Church
2016-10-26 | During the afternoon of 26 October, 2016 the church of Saint-Paterne in Orléans was vandalized, with objects toppled inside. The police investigated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1933
Priest Attacked by Three Pre-Teens Throwing Stones
2016-10-25 | The Ethiopian vicar, dressed in traditional priest's clothing and wearing a cross around his neck was visiting the town of Raunheim near Frankfurt when three pre-teens threw stones at him while yelling “Allahu Akhbar”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1907
Christian Bakers Lose Appeal
2016-10-24 | The owners of Ashers Baking in Belfast lost their appeal of 2015 discrimination conviction for refusing to bake a cake ordered by homosexual activist Gareth Lee showing two Sesame Street characters and the message: “Support Gay Marriage.” The case was heard by the Supreme Court in May 2018.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1903
Public Art Exhibition Containing Sacreligious Images Cost Madrid 60,000 Euros
2016-10-23 | The exhibition, paid for by taxpayers and with the approval of the mayor, contains violent and pornographic images including a painting depicting a cardinal raping a woman on the altar of a church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1905
Christian parents fear 'gender-confused' daughter will be taken away
2016-10-23 | Christian parents fear their 14-year-old daughter will be taken into foster care unless they allow her to change her female name to a male one.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2442
Thieves Desecrate Church of Santa Maria in Ocaña; Steal Valuable Objects
2016-10-17 | The intruders gained access to the church after breaking a fence and window. They stole consecrated Hosts that were in the tabernacle and stole valuable religious jewelry, left other Hosts and various objects lying on the floor, and vandalized numerous images of virgins and saints.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1902
Religiously-Motivated Attacks on 743 Christian Refugees in Germany
2016-10-17 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1906
Church Vandalized in Gif-sur-Yvette
2016-10-16 | The intrusion was discovered by a member of the parish one hour before the beginning of Sunday Mass. The portrait of the Virgin Mary was removed from its pedestal, the crucifix and other objects of worship were thrown to the ground, according to Michel Bournat, the mayor of Gif-sur-Yvette. A police investigation is underway.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1901
Elderly Priest Attacked in Church; Suffered a Stroke Due to Injuries
2016-10-08 | On the afternoon of October 8, 2016, two young men entered the church of Santa Rita in Vigo and asked to give confession to Father Antonio Rodríguez, age 83. Once alone with him, the two assailants grabbed the priest from behind, threw him to the ground and kicked him all over his body and head. They stole his glasses, wallet, watch, and the money they found in the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2049
Serial Church Arsonist Expelled from Spain; Banned from Schengen for 10 Years
2016-10-07 | Spanish authorities expelled the Moroccan man who admitted setting a fire in a church that destroyed several images of the Virgin Mary and then violating a restraining order by destroying a cross atop another church in September.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1890
Burglary and Attack Stopped by Priest in Seine-Saint-Denis
2016-10-07 | A man broke and entered into the rectory of the church of Sainte-Louise-de-Marillac in the parish of Drancy, ostensibly to commit a theft. He struck the priest in the head with a bottle, but was stopped from committing further assault by the priest, who had previously studied judo.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1891
Christian Nursing Home Ordered to Allow Assisted Suicide on Premises
2016-10-07 | The home, which belongs to The Salvation Army, had previously contested a Swiss law that allows assisted suicide to take place in charitable institutions, if requested by a patient. They challenged the legislation, saying that it conflicted with their religious beliefs and violated their freedom of conscience. Last week, federal judges rejected their complaint and said the only way the care home could avoid complying with the law was by giving up its charitable status.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1898
France Plans to Ban Pro-Life Websites it Judges 'Extremist'
2016-10-06 | Laurence Rossignol, minister of families, children, and women’s rights, has announced that the French government intends to introduce legislation to ban pro-life websites it judges to be 'extremist'. She plans an amendment to the current “Equality and Citizenship” law, which will impose penalties on owners of pro-life sites of 30,000 euro fine (£26,517/ $33,600) and two years in prison.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1889
Serbian Orthodox Chapel turned into Public Toilet
2016-10-03 | A 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1883
Visitors at Estonian National Museum Invited to Kick Image of Virgin Mary
2016-10-03 | The new museum included an exhibit of a virtual image of the Virgin Mary in a glass box. Visitors were invited to kick the display, causing the image to appear to fall to pieces and the word "Reformation" to appear.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1888
Crucifix Marred by Vandals in Arcugnano
2016-10-01 | The crucifix of Lake Fimon, in the Berici hills was defaced with paint for the second time in 10 months.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1876
Man Arrested after Series of Attacks on Churches in Rome
2016-10-01 | Police arrested a 39-year-old Ghanaian man suspected of attacking several churches in Rome over the previous two days. He is suspected of heavily damaging devotional statues, crucifixes, and candlesticks at the Basilica of Santa Prassede, the Church of San Martino ai Monti, and the Basilicas of San Giovanni de' Fiorentini and San Vitale.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1877
Pro-Government Officials and Media using Anti-Christian Propaganda
2016-10-01 | Following the failed military coup against President Erdogan the Christians of Turkey are being made scapegoats by government officials and Islamist extremists.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1894
Armed Police Patrol Canterbury Cathedral
2016-09-29 | Police 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1879
Humanist Association Urges Vote to Remove "God" from Constitution
2016-09-29 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1880
Multiple Acts of Vandalism in La Mothe-Saint-Héray
2016-09-29 | Acts of vandalism were discovered in the church of Saint-Héray late in the afternoon on September 29: Statues of Joan of Arc and the Virgin Mary were damaged, as were a crucifix, a rosary, and prayer books.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1899
Orthodox-Christian Monument Defaced in Bucharest
2016-09-27 | An Orthodox-Christian monument in Piata Unirii ("Union Square") in the form of a large cross, was vandalized with LGBT and anarchist graffiti.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1875
Abortion Activists say Disruption of Mass a "Legitimate Political Act"
2016-09-27 | Two and a half years after a pro-abortion group burst into the parish of San Miguel in Palma de Mallorca during Mass shouting "take your rosaries out of our ovaries" and shouts in favor of "free abortion," they have refused to come to an agreement with the diocese that would avoid a trial.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1882
Saint-Henri in Neuilly-Plaisance Desecrated and Burglarized
2016-09-26 | During the night from September 25 to 26th, one or more individuals broke into the church. Once inside, they stole the collection box containing donations to the church. They opened the tabernacle and threw the consecrated Hosts on the floor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1885
Italian Television Presenter Attacked Online for Wearing Rosary & Holy Medals
2016-09-25 | Marina Nalesso, an Italian TV presenter, has been the target of online attacks from secular atheists for wearing on TV a rosary and holy medals, including a St Benedict medal.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1893
Serial Arsonist Set Two Fires in Churches in Millau; Attempted Arson in a Third
2016-09-21 | The 22-year-old suspect appeared in court on September 21 and a trial will begin on October 12. He is said to be Moroccan national, and already known to authorities for previous fires set in Paris and Millau.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1886
Attempted Arson at the church of Notre-Dame-des-Noues Franconville (Val d'Oise)
2016-09-18 | The parish priest confirmed that there had been acts of vandalism and arson attempts in this church, probably during the night of September 18th to 19th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1887
Pristina University Students Demand Demolition of Church
2016-09-16 | A group of students at Pristina University has demanded that a Serbian Orthodox church on campus be either destroyed or converted into student facilities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1878
ECtHR Finds Greece Violated Rights of Conscientious Objector
2016-09-15 | The case concerned the authorities’ refusal to grant a Jehovah's Witness the status of conscientious objector and to allow him to do alternative civilian work instead of military service. The Court held that this was a violation of Article 9 (freedom of thought, conscience and religion) of the European Convention on Human Rights.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1869
Self-Described Jihadist Violated Restraining Order; Destroyed Church Cross
2016-09-14 | The man arrested on September 9th for burning images of the Virgin Mary in the Church of Fontellas was arrested again a week later for destroying the cross atop the church of Ribaforada.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1872
Humanist Society Scotland Challenges Parental Opt-Out for Religious Observance in Schools; wants Children to Decide
2016-09-12 | The Humanist Society Scotland (HSS) is seeking judicial review after the Scottish Government rejected calls for a change to the current rules which permit only parents to opt out on their children’s behalf.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1881
Man Arrested for Setting Fire in the Basilica del Gran Poder de Sevilla
2016-09-12 | The incident occurred in the afternoon of September 12th when an individual alerted authorities in the basilica that he had extinquished a burning cloth of great artistic value in the sanctuary and that moments before he had seen someone set it on fire. Security cameras assisted the police in locating the perpetrator.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1896
Church of San Juan Bautista de Manises Vandalized with Satanic Graffiti
2016-09-09 | Unknown perpetrators painted "666", a swastika, and a pentagram on the facade of the church with red paint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1897
Moroccan Man Arrested for "Islamist" Attack on Spanish Church
2016-09-08 | A Moroccan man admitted setting a fire that destroyed an ancient altarpiece and beautiful images in the church of Fontellas in Navarre on September 8, the day recognized by Catholics as of the Nativity of the Virgin (the day of the birth of the Virgin Mary).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1861
Hamburg Court Acquits Afghan Charged with Attempted Homicide against Christian Convert
2016-09-05 | Christian leaders and the Christian Police Union criticized the acquittal, noting that all of the witnesses were Muslims - many of whom helped the accused flee after the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1862
Porch of Church Burnt as Street Fire Spread
2016-09-03 | In Roubaix, the porch of the church of Sacré-Cœur was destroyed by fire during the night from 2-3 September. Rubbish, including a bench, were burned on the boulevard de Strasbourg and the fire spread to the door of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1866
Arson in Passau Catholic Church
2016-09-01 | Unknown offenders tried to set the altar of the St. Anton church on fire in the morning of September 1st. They also damaged furniture, painting, and statues according to the police, who call it a case of vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1863
Pressures on Christian Refugees Continue in Sweden
2016-09-01 | Refugees who have converted from Islam to Christianity report beatings, threats, bullying, and social exclusion in refugee accommodations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1871
Four Spanish Bishops Threatened with Prosecution for Criticism of LGBT law
2016-08-31 | Three of the bishops are being threatened with a criminal complaint for having written and published a condemnation of Madrid’s new “Law of Integral Protection against LGTBIphobia and Discrimination for Reasons of Orientation and Sexual Identity.” The fourth bishop is being criminally investigated for expressing support for the statement of the first three.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1859
Security Guidance Sent to UK Churches after Murder of French Priest
2016-08-31 | The organization National Churchwatch issued a new security guidance to every church in the UK in the wake of the murder of French priest Jacques Hamel by Islamist terrorists.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1870
Nurse Fired for Talking about Faith with Patients
2016-08-31 | A Christian nurse was fired for "gross misconduct" by the NHS for talking to her patients about her faith and occasionally offering prayer to help them prepare for surgery. Part of her job was to help patients complete a questionnaire, which included a question about religion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1931
Albanians Threaten to Burn Serbs and their Churches
2016-08-28 | Attempts 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1868
Vandalism and Attempted Arson in Hautmont Church
2016-08-27 | Police opened an investigation after a bystander reported smelling smoke from the church of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption. Investigators discovered damaged statues, as well as missals, songbooks, and wreaths knocked to the floor. The altar tablecloth was burnt, but the fire did not spread to the rest of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1852
Four Summit Crosses Damaged in the Bavarian Alps
2016-08-27 | From May to August 2016 four wooden summit crosses in the Bad Tölz-Wolfrashausen region were destroyed by unknown perpetrators using an ax.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1856
Nice Deputy Mayor Confirms "Burkini Ban" Also Applies to Nuns' Habits on Beaches
2016-08-26 | Rudy Salles defended the ban of the "Burkini" and said that the same ban would apply to Catholic nuns wearing habits on Nice beaches.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1850
Mass Interrupted by Intruder Yelling Insults at Cardinal
2016-08-26 | Cardinal Archbishop of Valencia, Antonio Cañizares was offering Mass in Avila dedicated to St. Teresa of Avila when he was interrupted by an individual who entered the church shouting insults at the Cardinal such as “Nazi, thief, Fascist.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1900
Man Arrested After Threatening to "Kill a Priest" in Ariege
2016-08-25 | A thirty-year-old man was arrested by police after witnesses reported hearing him threaten several times to "kill a priest" and yelling "Allah Akbar." The man claimed it was a joke and was found to have been under the influence of narcotics.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1851
Belgian Police Arrested Teen Pledging to Kill All Christians
2016-08-22 | The 17-year-old boy was filmed declaring in Arabic, “Oh Allah, destroy the odious Christians. Oh Allah kill them all.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1818
Religious Statues Decapitated
2016-08-19 | A resident of Weilerlach discovered religious statues of Jesus and Joseph decapitated by unknown vandals in a public park. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1826
Verviers Church Vandalized
2016-08-19 | The last remaining stained glass window in the church of Sainte-Julienne was destroyed on August 19th by stones. A few months earlier the other windows of the church had been similarly damaged, forcing the church to erect protective fences. Costs to restore and repair the damage is estimated to be considerable.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1853
Afghan Christian Attacked by Four Muslim Refugees
2016-08-17 | An Afghan refugee (31) who converted from Islam to Christianity was attacked by four Muslim Afghans in Maintal near Frankfurt am Main. They shouted “Allahu Akbar” and said that they were going to kill him.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1864
Catholic Church Vandalized a Week After Board Denied CCTV Permission
2016-08-16 | An unknown person threw a rock through the window of the Catholic church in Karlstad a week after the city's administrative board denied permission for the church to install CCTV cameras.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1833
Antitheist Murders Flatmate for her Christian Faith
2016-08-15 | Daniel E. was sentenced to life in prison on January 30, 2017 for the August 2016 premeditated murder of his Christian flatmate. The self-proclaimed "antitheist" admitted killing her because of his hatred of all religion. The judge said, "He killed her as a representative of her religion because he could not kill all believers.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1983
Christian Asylum Seeker Attacked for Faith
2016-08-14 | A young Christian asylum seeker was approached by several men on the street near Berlin and was asked whether he is Christian. When he said yes, he was insulted in Arabic and badly beaten.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1816
Stained Glass Windows Destroyed in Church
2016-08-14 | At least 40 stones were thrown at four stained glass windows in a church in Delme, possibly using slingshots from outside the church. Damage is estimated to be 20,000 euros. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1827
Statue of Virgin Mary Beheaded in Alpes de Haute-Provence
2016-08-14 | During the weekend of August 14th, a hiker discovered the chapel door forced open and the statue of Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette removed from its display, decapitated, and left outside the building with its head at its feet. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1828
City Church in Indre-et-Loire Vandalized
2016-08-14 | The church of Notre Dame in Vouvray was vandalized with black spray paint during the weekend of August 14, 2016 with a message accusing the church of fundamentalism and calling Christianity a sect: "Intégriste Christianize = Secte." An investigation was initiated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1829
U.S. Baptist Minister Arrested, Convicted Under Missionary Activity Law
2016-08-14 | Donald Ossewaarde was arrested on August 14th as he conducted a bible study group in his home. He is first foreign missionary to be charged with violating Russia's law banning missionary activity outside officially registered church buildings.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1854
Church Desecrated in Grandate
2016-08-13 | During the night of August 13, 2016, unknown persons forced open the door of the church of San Bartolomeo in the Como province and attempted to break open the tabernacle containing consecrated Hosts, broke the marble lectern, and topped the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, breaking her hands and nose.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1830
Mass of the Assumption Banned by Authorities
2016-08-11 | After 88 years of closure, the Panagia Sumela Monastery in Trabzon, was reopened in June 2010 and since then, the Turkish authorities had given a license for a yearly Mass to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to celebrate the Mass of the Assumption. This year, the authorization was administratively revoked.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1831
Town Council to Remove Cross from Public Square
2016-08-11 | The Callosa de Segura town council voted to remove the cross in the plaza of the church of San Martin. Christian legal groups objected, noting that its presence poses no threat to anyone and that it is part of the town's historical and cultural heritage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1845
Authorities Deny Permission for CCTV for Church
2016-08-10 | The Catholic Church of Karlstad has been a repeated victim of attacks: Hate graffiti, inverted crosses glued on its walls, and broken windows. In 2015, Father Martin Ferenc, pastor of the church, filed no fewer than 15 police complaints. The police suggested that he install video surveillance cameras in order to identify the perpetrators. The priest therefore asked the administrative board to authorize their installation. The board rejected the application on the grounds that the church's interest in solving these crimes is outweighed by the individual's interest in not being recorded.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1832
Vandals Tag 14th Century Church Fresco
2016-08-10 | A "street artist" tagged a fresco in the Basilica di San Lorenzo in Vicenza with black spray paint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1834
Pastor and Politician Report Abuse of Christian Refugees in Frankfurt
2016-08-08 | During a press conference with Bundestag member Erika Steinbach, Pastor Mahin Mousapour said Christians staying at migrant shelters are being told that they are impure and that they deserve to die for rejecting Islam.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1819
Holy Synod Offices the Victim of Arson Attack by Molotov Cocktails
2016-08-08 | The attack occurred at 3.10 a.m. when unidentified assailants, presumed to be anarchists, threw four Molotov cocktails into the yard of a church in central Athens, the Moni Petraki, which houses the central offices of the Church of Greece's Holy Synod. The molotov cocktails detonated, destroying two cars that had been parked outside.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1835
Venice Church the Site of Two Anti-Christian Incidents
2016-08-07 | Four women wearing headscarves entered the Church of San Zulian, approached the crucifix, and spat on it. They then moved among the tourists undetected.
The day before, on July 6, 2016, two young men, described as "Asians," received Communion, and then spat out pieces of the Host onto the ground and fled.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1810
14-Year-Old Confesses to Setting Fire to Church
2016-08-06 | During the day of August 6, 2016, a 14-year-old intentionally set a fire in the church of San Filippo Neri in Savigliano using candles. The fire spread to the wooden paneling and was finally contained by the use of two fire extinguishers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1837
Christians Forced to Flee Refugee Housing in Schloss Holte-Stukenbrock
2016-08-04 | Fourteen young Christian Iranians fled their accommodations after being threatened with death for months by a group of Muslims living in the tent city.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1793
Anti-Christian Posters Glued to Public Light Posts in Argenteuil
2016-08-03 | The posters read: "The only church that illuminates is one that burns" along with an illustration of a church on fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1794
Anarchist Protesters Disrupt Divine Liturgy
2016-07-31 | A group of about 25 people burst into the church of Saint Gregory Palamas in Thessaloniki, disrupting the Divine Liturgy (Eucharistic service of the Byzantine Rite) throwing leaflets protesting against the expulsion of refugees and migrants. The protesters clashed with those present in the church. Riot police made more than twenty arrests.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1795
Church Clock Vandalized
2016-07-31 | An unknown perpetrator climbed the clock tower of the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Saulcy-sur-Meurthe and twisted the metal hands of the clock, rendering it inoperable.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1838
Satirical Publication Deeply Insults Catholic Church
2016-07-30 | In the wake of the murder of a French priest, the Belgian publication NordPress posted the following (in French): "Pope Francis announced today at the World Youth Day that all priests who die a martyr, like the 84-year-old abbot killed by extremists in his church, will receive 72 altar boys in paradise. A new dogmatic measure for the Catholic Church which aims to compete with the 72 virgins offered to Muslim martyrs."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1797
Italy Expels Two Men for Causing Disturbances in Catholic Churches
2016-07-28 | Italy expelled two Moroccan men who caused disturbances in Catholic churches as part of a wider effort to reduce terrorism threats. The two expelled were a 25-year-old man who smashed a 300-year-old wooden crucifix to the ground inside a Venice church in early July and a 69-year-old man who stormed into a church in 2015 in Trentino and shouted abusive statements about Catholicism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1792
Cross Vandalized in Rosnay
2016-07-28 | The cross and the base of a monument were broken with a sledgehammer and chisel. The opening of the monument was scheduled for three days later. Police investigated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1796
Priest Murdered in French Church Attack
2016-07-26 | Father Jacques Hamel, 84, died after his throat was slit during an attack on the church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray by two armed men.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1782
Church in Jupilles Vandalized
2016-07-26 | Unknown perpetrators broke into the church of Saint-Pierre of Jupilles and ripped the central electronic control panel of the bells from the wall. The box was found on the altar. The Mayor said "It is the symbol of the sacred is affected. There is a will to harm."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1798
Anti-Catholic Graffiti at Church in Besançon
2016-07-26 | The newly-constructed chapel of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X was vandalized with anti-Catholic, anarchist slogans.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1799
Parliamentary Inquiry Finds UK Doctors Risk Losing Jobs For Refusing To Perform Abortion
2016-07-21 | British pro-life doctors and nurses face hostility, loss of advancement, and pressure to perform or refer for abortions despite legislation guaranteeing their right to conscientiously object, according to a parliamentary inquiry.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1791
Statue of Virgin Mary and Jesus Decapitated at 1700 meters in Corsica
2016-07-21 | The mountaintop statue of the Virgin Mary of la fontaine du lac de Ninu holding the infant Jesus was vandalized, with the heads and arms cut off both figures.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1802
Funding for Christian Charity Cut for Encouraging Homosexual Celibacy
2016-07-19 | "Hart van Homo's" (Heart for Gays), a Christian charity that encourages celibacy for gay Christians, lost governmental funding after the ruling party argued that it sent the wrong message.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1813
Desecration at Church in Les Herbiers
2016-07-18 | Four young men broke into the church of Saint-Pierre and overturned benches, broke vases, and emptied a fire extinguisher. They urinated and defecated in the holy water on the altar and on the altar itself.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1800
Street Preacher Arrested for Hate Crime for Quoting Bible to Gay Teenager
2016-07-17 | Gordon Larmour, a Christian evangelist, was charged with behaving in a "threatening or abusive manner aggravated by prejudice relating to sexual orientation" and "assault", after he referred to the Book of Genesis and stated that God created Adam and Eve to produce children in response to a 19-year-old's question about God's views on homosexuality. He spent one night in prison. Six months later, a court in Kilmarnock, Scotland acquitted him of all charges.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1986
Two Churches Targeted during Attempted Coup
2016-07-15 | Two churches in cities in eastern Turkey infamous as the sites of historic killings of Christians were vandalized during the attempted coup on 15 July, 2016.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1812
Church in Toulouse Profaned and Vandalized
2016-07-14 | The church of Saint-Pierre des Chartreux was vandalized: The tabernacle door was torn off and part of the book collection of the prayers of the faithful was burned. Other objects were overturned. A police report was filed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1804
Order of Nuns Fined for Firing Lesbian Teacher
2016-07-14 | An order of nuns was ordered to pay 25,000 Euros to a teacher for discontinuing her employment based on the incompatibility of her sexual orientation with the Catholic school’s ethos.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1814
Arson in Cemetery and Church in Nice a Day Before Bastille Day Attack
2016-07-13 | A fire was set in the cemetery of Caucade in Nice West, where three tombs were blackened. One hour later, a fire was discovered in the church of Saint-Marc and a door was damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1803
Evangelical Church Burned in Calais
2016-07-12 | No casualties were reported, but the damage was considerable: the roof collapsed and the building was destroyed. The cause of the fire is being investigated and arson has not been ruled out.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1784
Man Burst into Church and Smashed Ancient Crucifix to the Ground
2016-07-12 | The young man of North African origin rushed into the church of St. Jeremiah, in Cannaregio, Venice and threw a large crucifix to the floor, heavily damaging the religious artifact.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1805
German Bishops Conference and Protestant Evangelical Church in Germany Issue Joint Statement
2016-07-12 | Cardinal Marx, chair of German Bishops' Conference and Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, head of the Protestant Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), united to condemn the attacks on Christians and other religious minorities in camps.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1821
Arsonist Arrested for Abbey Fire
2016-07-10 | A 42-year old man confessed to setting at least fifteen fires including one that damaged the Abbey Saint-Austremoine in Issoire on July 3. The blaze, which destroyed a confessional, a table and some chairs, was quickly extinguished. The fire caused great upset among the population. The suspect was indicted for "intentional damage by dangerous means to people."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1806
Four Churches Tagged with Offensive Messages
2016-07-10 | The churches of La Motte, Lauren, Loudéac, and Lachèze in the region of Côtes-d'Armor were painted with the word "Pédophile."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1839
Religion Classes in Belgium to be Replaced with Citizenship Classes
2016-07-07 | The country's religious education classes in French-speaking primary and secondary schools will be cut in half in October 2016 and replaced with a weekly hour of citizenship classes, over the objection of students and teachers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1783
Russia's Anti-Terrorism Law Restricts Missionary Activities
2016-07-07 | The new law bans preaching, praying, proselytizing, and disseminating religious materials outside of officially-designated sites, and authorizes fines for these activities conducted in private residences or distributed through mass print, broadcast or online media.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1809
Church Desecrated in Messina
2016-07-03 | The church of Santa Elena was the victim of desecration, theft, and vandalism on July 3rd. The parish priest discovered the tabernacle completely emptied, smashed and detached from the wall. A statue of the Virgin Mary was decapitated, and a ciborium full of consecrated Hosts was stolen, along with an ancient reliquary containing a fragment of the Holy Cross.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1846
Statue of Virgin Mary Decapitated in Vineyard
2016-07-01 | The statue, located on private property in Chadenac and surrounded by a wrought iron fence, was vandalized and its head was broken off.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1840
Belgian Nursing Home Fined €6,000 for Refusing to Allow Euthanasia on Premises
2016-06-30 | Judges in Belgium fined a Catholic nursing home after it prevented doctors from giving a lethal injection to a 74-year-old lung cancer sufferer on its premises.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1781
Lay Association Calls for Mayor's Resignation for Assisting in Catholic Blessing
2016-06-29 | The president of Asturias Laica, Jose Luis Iglesias, has formally requested that the Mayor of Gijon, Carmen Moriyón, resign from office for assisting in the Catholic ritual of the blessing of the waters in the feast of San Pedro, the city’s patron saint, which was celebrated on June 29.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1849
Man Attacked Malmö Church
2016-06-26 | A man broke into St. Paul's Church in central Malmö and vandalized it, including breaking the stained glass windows. According to the police, it will be investigated as a hate crime as they suspect that the man attacked the church because it is a symbol of the Christian faith.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1807
Statue of Saint Petronio Defaced by Vandals
2016-06-26 | The statue, the civil and religious symbol of the city of Bologna, was defaced with "Allah Akbar" painted on the base. The Archdiocese of Bologna condemned the act and police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1841
Christian Convert Attacked at Asylum Home in Halbe
2016-06-25 | Two young Afghan men severely attacked a woman from Iran because she converted from Islam to Christianity, according to police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1857
Co-Workers Found Not Guilty of Religiously Aggravated Offense
2016-06-24 | A York jury heard evidence about sustained bullying of a teenage apprentice, a Catholic, by tying him to a cross in a mock crucifixion, among other acts, during a trial. They found the accused guilty of assault, but not guilty of religiously aggravated assault.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1943
Valencia Cardinal Accused of Hate Speech for Homily Criticizing Gender Ideology Legislation
2016-06-23 | Cardinal Antonio Cañizares was accused of hate speech by the Feminist Platform of Alicante, along with 55 other LGBT organizations. They alleged that his homily was "full of hatred, homophobic and sexist." On June 23, 2016 he was cleared of the charges.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2007
Bonn Basilica Vandalized
2016-06-21 | A 24-year-old man was arrested after he entered the crypt of the shrine to the city patrons Cassius and Florentius and caused extensive damage to the crypt, tabernacle, and the sarcophagus in which the relics of the saints are held.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1842
Arson in Swiss Confessional
2016-06-21 | On July 2, Swiss police arrested a 51-year old suspected of intentionally setting fire to a confessional in the St. Gallon Cathedral.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1867
Large Pentagram and 666 Painted on Church Graveyard
2016-06-19 | A vandal sprayed satanic symbols, a large pentagram, and the number 666 onto the lawn of the graveyard at All Saints Church in Hull, Yorkshire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1780
German Newspaper: Orlando Shooter Could Just as Well Have Been Christian
2016-06-16 | German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung a published commentary on the Orlando shooting in which it said the crime had nothing to do with Islam and everything to do with “homophobia” and that the shooter could just as well have been an Evangelical Christian.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1779
Church of England Accused of Discrimination
2016-06-16 | The Church of England has been accused of discriminating against a lesbian couple by refusing to conduct their wedding.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1817
Two Men Arrested for Vandalizing Cathedral
2016-06-16 | The cathedral Saint-Julien du Mans was spray painted with a dozen messages including "Ni dieu, ni maître", "Anti autorité", "belle porte", and "Le Mans zone pacifiée". Police caught the perpetrators in the act and took them into custody.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1843
Vandals Deface Church in Slovenia
2016-06-15 | A Catholic church in Celje was defaced with satanic words and symbols, resulting in 3,000 euros in damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1778
Beloved Shrine Vandalized
2016-06-15 | The statues of the Virgin of Candelabra and Santo Herman Pedro were beheaded by unknown vandals in a sanctuary in the mountain town of Cabo Blanco in Tenerife.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1847
Christian Converts in Hamburg Threatened
2016-06-14 | Security guards at refugee camps in Hamburg have reportedly told the Christian residents to keep their faith a secret, claiming they cannot protect them if their secret is revealed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1820
Christian Refugees Attacked by Muslims during Ramadan
2016-06-12 | A Christian refugee family of four was attacked by Muslims in their shared refugee accommodations for not participating in Ramadan. The family members were taken to a hospital in Seligenstadt due to their injuries. The mother and two sons were attacked with chairs and one of the sons was struck in the arms with a sharp object. The father suffered from arrhythmia due to the attack. During the attack the radical Muslims stated "Let us kill the unbelieving Christians, punish!" ("Lasst uns die ungläubigen Christen abschlachten, bestrafen!"). Police were able to intervene and the Christian family has been moved to a different refugee accommodation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2143
Two Church Fires in a Weekend in Narón
2016-06-11 | In the early hours of Friday, June 10th to Saturday, June 11, two clearly intentional fires were discovered in two different churches in Narón. Each resulted in significant damage to the religious buildings. Incendiary devices were found in both churches. The fires were investigated by agents of the state security forces, as well as the local Narón police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1848
Holy See Urges OSCE and Council of Europe to Pay Attention to Discrimination Against Christians
2016-06-09 | The Holy See’s Permanent Representative to UN offices in Vienna, Msgr. Janusz Urbanczyk, has urged the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe to pay greater attention to discrimination against Europe’s Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1822
Parliamentary Report Finds Inadequate Assessment of Religion-Based Asylum Claims
2016-06-07 | The All Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief released a 35-page report in which it said the questions used to assess conversion asylum claims demonstrated a "lack of understanding and misperceptions of religion."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1815
Christian Union Banned From Holding Meetings on College Premises
2016-06-07 | A Christian union has been banned from holding meetings on college premises, as a result of the government’s counter-terrorism strategy "Prevent".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1823
Islamists Attack Christian Refugees
2016-06-07 | A group of 30 thirty people, led by a self-proclaimed imam, attacked a Syrian Christian and his roommate at the Rottach-Egern refugee accommodation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1855
Relic of Pope John Paul II Stolen from Cologne Cathedral
2016-06-05 | German police report that unknown perpetrators stole a small piece of fabric with a drop of the Pope's blood.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1775
Christian Refugees in Austria Harassed and Threatened
2016-06-05 | Christian refugees in various accommodation centers in Austria endured abuse at the hands of Muslim fellow refugees, including being forced to wake early in the morning to pray, being told they were impure, having belongings stolen, and instances of physical violence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1874
Court Case begins for Norwegian Doctor Fired for Exercising Right to Conscience
2016-06-01 | Katarzyna Jachimowicz, a Polish family physician working in Norway, became the first medical professional in the country fired because she exercised her conscience rights by refusing to administer abortifacients.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1873
Church the Victim of Two Fires in One Day
2016-05-24 | In Mont-Sainte-Geneviève, two fires significantly damaged an historic church. The first started in the sacristy. The fire fighters had just left the scene after managing to control that fire when another much bigger fire in the church roof was reported.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1788
European Court of Human Rights Finds Turkey Interfered with Freedom of Religion
2016-05-24 | The case concerned the inability of Mersin and Izmir Jehovah's Witnesses in Turkey to obtain an appropriate place to engage in worship due to restrictive laws. The ECtHR held that such restrictions amounted to a direct interference with their freedom of religion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1808
Three Incidents in Churches in the Same Region in Just Two Weeks
2016-05-22 | In a press release Father Benoît Delabre reported that on May 15th the altar in the Church of St. Madeleine-de-l'Île was set on fire in Martigues, about 800 kilometers south of Paris. On the same day, another unknown person desecrated the tabernacle which contained the consecrated hosts in the church at Jonquières in the same region. Additionally, Father Delabre himself was attacked a week later by a man he caught at the church door who appeared to be “trying to steal something.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1790
Green Party a Threat to Religious Liberty in Australia
2016-05-21 | Archbishop Anthony Fisher warned that religious liberty is at stake in Australia's national elections because of the Green's proposed $32 million "Safe Schools" Program which would charge parents, schools, and churches with discrimination if they fail to conform.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1776
Catholic Pensioner Murdered in her Sleep; Left with Crucifix in her Hands
2016-05-19 | A 27-year old Muslim man was found guilty and given a life sentence for the murder of a 70-year-old woman in Bad Friedrichshall on May 19, 2016. After strangling the woman with a telephone cord, Abubaker C. left writing on the wall "It's payback time" and put a cross in the woman's hands. He then stole valuables and fled. The prosecution argued that the murderer's motive was both theft and to kill a "disbeliever".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2013
Catholic Nursing Home to Stand Trial for Denying Active Euthanasia
2016-05-18 | In 2011, after initially agreeing to euthanasia for a 74-year-old cancer patient, a Catholic nursing home denied the physician access to the patient. The patient had to be taken home where she could receive the doctor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1770
Evangelical Church Attacked in Manosque
2016-05-18 | An Assemblies of God church in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azurin was the victim of arson. Bibles and other books inside the church were stacked up and burnt, according to Pastor Alain Denizou.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1785
Catholic and Protestant Churches Protest Exclusion from Population Information
2016-05-17 | Legislation puts an end to a program that helped churches keep track of their local memberships using data provided by the municipal administration.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1769
Christian Refugees Face Discrimination in Austria
2016-05-13 | According to the NGO "Christian Solidarity International" (CSI), Christian refugees are being
repeatedly discriminated against in Austrian refugee centers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1777
Greens Demand Ban on Pro-Life Presentations at Schools
2016-05-12 | In April 2016, members of the Green Party in Austria submitted a Parliamentary Question to evaluate possible actions to stop “pro-life” workshops in religious education.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1773
Vandalism at Catholic School in Nantes
2016-05-11 | Catholic School Notre-Dame de l’Abbaye in Nantes was vandalized twice in two weeks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1772
Arms of Jesus on Crucifix Statue Broken
2016-05-03 | Twice in four weeks, an unknown perpetrator broke the arms off the Jesus figure displayed above hotels along a route frequently used by walkers and cyclists.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1768
106 Catholic Websites Hacked by Tunisian "Cyberjihadists"
2016-04-16 | On April 16th, many Catholics discovered that their parish website’s home page was replaced with messages in English denouncing "terrorism against Muslims” in Burma by Buddhists, and in Palestine by "Zionists" or in Mali by the "French forces." The messages were set against a black background and topped with a Tunisian flag.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1789
Television Presenter Calls Christian a "Homophobe"; Receives No Sanctions
2016-04-12 | Piers Morgan will not face sanctions after asking a Christian who opposed same-sex marriage whether he was a "homophobe".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1824
Pro-Abortion Activist Dresses as Bishop; Hands out Abortion Pills at "Communion"
2016-04-10 | Pro-Abortion activists held a demonstration on April 10 in front of the Polish Embassy in Budapest to protest the tightening of Poland's abortion law.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1771
Turkey Seizes Six Churches as State Property
2016-04-06 | In the region of Diyarbakir, the Turkish government seized huge sections of property, including six churches. One of these is a 1,700 year old Syriac Orthodox Church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1811
Magistrate Removed from Office, Suspended from NHS Trust, for Christian Belief in Traditional Family
2016-03-29 | A Christian magistrate Richard Page has been removed from office by the Lord Chancellor after sharing his personal conviction in a media interview that there is not enough evidence to show that placing children in the care of same-sex couples is in their best interest.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1825
Arson in Calais Church
2016-03-28 | L’église Saint-Pierre suffered deliberate damage during the afternoon of Easter Monday: five separate fires started inside the building while it was open to the public. The abbot has filed a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1753
Several Statues Vandalized over Ten Days in Lyon Churches
2016-03-22 | On March 22nd, several statues of St. Joseph, located in the chapel of Notre-Dame-des-Neiges and the church of Saint-Pothin, were destroyed by vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1755
Attack at Brussels Airport and Metro Killed 32 People; Injured over 300
2016-03-22 | ISIS took responsibility for three coordinated suicide bombings in Brussels: two at Zaventem Airport and one at Maalbeek metro station which killed 32 people from around the world and injured over 300. The Islamic State announced "By the grace of Allah and His gratitude alone, a security detachment from the soldiers of the Caliphate, may Allah dignify it and support it, launched to target Crusader Belgium..."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2052
Vandals Hit a Chapel in Upper Bavaria
2016-03-19 | During the night of March 19, unknown perpetrators entered a small chapel in Obervockling, removed a statue of the Virgin Mary, and set a plastic flower vase, small altar cloths, and some branches on fire inside the chapel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1752
Series of Suspicious Fires in Blois Cathedral
2016-03-18 | Firefighters responded quickly to extinguish the fire, which originated with burning furniture in the Cathédrale Saint-Louis during the afternoon of March 18th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1754
Chapel Vandalized in Mailleroncourt-Charette
2016-03-14 | A small chapel dedicated to St. Léger was the victim of vandalism and attempted theft. Unknown perpetrators broke through the iron doors and dismantled the limestone slab floor, with the apparent intent to steal the materials.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1746
Second Church in Valence Tagged with Graffiti
2016-03-13 | The facade of the church of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Valence was tagged with anarchist slogans in black spray paint and covered with red paint. It is the second such incident over the weekend in Valence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1747
Valence Church Vandalized with Paint
2016-03-12 | The facade of Notre-Dame church in Valence was splashed with red paint and tagged with anarchist graffiti some time between Saturday, March 12th and Sunday, the 13th. The priest discovered the damage before Mass on Sunday.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1748
Theft of Consecrated Host in Andalucia
2016-03-11 | In the afternoon of March 11th, a small container holding the consecrated host was stolen from the Franciscan Monastery in Jaén.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1740
Côte-d'Or Chapel Vandalized
2016-03-11 | The 13th century chapel of Saint-Ambroise of Busserotte-et-Montenaille, in Grancey-le-Château, was found completely ransacked.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1741
Armed Robbery at Upper Austria Church
2016-03-09 | At 2:15 in the afternoon of March 9, 2016, three men entered the rectory of the Catholic parish in Laakirchen of the Linz diocese and, armed with a handgun, demanded cash from the priest and a member of his staff.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1739
Graffiti Attack on Barcelona Church
2016-03-08 | The parish of San Andrés de Palomar was sprayed with the words "Fuego sálvanos de la Iglesia" (Fire: save us from the Church) accompanied by an anarchist symbol.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1733
Ljubljana Cathedral Vandalized with Graffiti
2016-03-08 | The words (translated from Slovenian) "Church get out of my womb" and "RCC (Roman Catholic Church) get out of our vaginas" were sprayed on the wall of the Franciscan church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1735
Activists Attack Church in Lérida
2016-03-07 | The youth organization Arran has taken responsibility for a graffiti attack against a church in the Catalonia region. The wall outside the church was painted lilac and the words "Contra los ataques de la Iglesia. Juntos somos más fuertes" ("Against the attacks of the the Church. Together we are stronger.")
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1732
Paint Bomb Attack at Evangelical Academy in Gießen
2016-03-07 | In the night between March 7-8, the Freien Theologischen Hochschule (FTH) building in Gießen was hit with paint bombs. An anonymous claim of responsibility was published on a left-wing internet platform
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1750
Statue of Pope Benedict XVI Vandalized in Bavaria
2016-03-06 | During the night from March 5-6, unknown perpetrators sprayed the monument to Pope Benedict in front of the St. Oswald church in Traunstein with pink paint. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1731
Christians Harassed by Muslim Security Staff at Berlin Office for Health and Social Affairs
2016-03-02 | Muslim refugees at the regional office complained about having to sit in the waiting room with "impure Christians". Security staff responded by banning the Christians for six months.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1737
Crosses Ordered Removed from District Court in Saarbrücken
2016-03-02 | Stefan Geib, president of the district court in Saarbrücken, announced the removal of crosses from meeting rooms. They are to be replaced by the state seal.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1745
Peaceful Protest in Stuttgart Disrupted by Counter-Demonstrators
2016-02-28 | A peaceful manifestation by 4,500 supporters of Demo für Alle against a proposed education program was disrupted by counter-demonstrators, resulting in clashes with police and 18 people injured, including 3 police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1728
Serbian Orthodox Church Desecrated and Looted in Kosovo
2016-02-28 | On February 28th, Slobodan Djoric, the priest of the Church of the Dormitition of the Most Holy Mother of God in Pejčići, reported to the police that the 17th century church had been the victim of theft and vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1742
Church in Aube Looted
2016-02-28 | The church of Saint-Martin of Dommartin-le-Coq was the victim of a burglary sometime between the 23rd and 27th of February.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1743
Christian Postgraduate Student Expelled for Opposing Gay Marriage
2016-02-27 | A Sheffield University social work postgraduate student, Felix Ngole, was expelled from his course for posting on his Facebook page that homosexual activity is against the teaching of the Bible.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1729
Antifa Admits Attack on Demo für Alle
2016-02-26 | In advance of a planned peaceful demonstration on February 28 in Stuttgart by Christian activists against a new school curriculum emphasizing gender ideology, the radical left group "Antifa" attacked the building owned by a financier of the buses provided for the demonstration.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1727
Church in French Antilles the Victim of Desecration, Theft, and Vandalism
2016-02-24 | During the night between February 23-24, burglars entered the church of Saint-Augustin in the Guadeloupe town of Saint-Claude and destroyed the tabernacle, opened the ciborium and removed the consecrated Hosts, and stole the entire sound system.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1730
Saint-Germain-en-Laye: A Series of Profanations of Shrines in a Forest
2016-02-17 | Seven small religious shrines, little boxes topped by a cross and containing statuettes of saints, have been desecrated for years.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1726
French Mayor Brought before Administrative Tribunal of the League of Human Rights
2016-02-17 | Julien Sanchez, mayor of Beauclaire, was denounced by the League of Human Rights on February 17th for having displayed a creche at the city hall at Christmas time.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1744
Paris Court Acquits Femen
2016-02-16 | A Paris court acquitted members of the radical feminist group Femen who had in November 2012 disrupted Catholic families peacefully protesting in defense of traditional marriage, topless with vulgar anti-church slogans written on their bodies and spraying fire extinguishers at the group.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1724
Iranian Christians Kicked Out of Refugee Home After Being Attacked
2016-02-14 | Six Iranian Christian refugees were told by a security employee of the Tempelhof accommodation that they had an hour to leave because they were trouble-makers. Just days earlier, these six men had been threatened with beatings by 70 radical Muslim refugees for reading the Bible.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1762
Chapel Vandalized in Trévé
2016-02-13 | The chapel of Saint-Pierre, originally dating from the 5th century and which is being restored, was vandalized. Portions of the posts of the portico holding the roof were sawn with chainsaws. Motives are unclear, as there was no wood taken. The mayor is outraged and the police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1725
UPDATE: Afghan Asylum Seeker Indicted for Attempted Homicide
2016-02-10 | The Hamburg prosecutor has indicted a 23-year-old Afghan asylum seeker Mohebolla A. He is said to have attacked and seriously injured a 24-year-old Amir H., an Iranian Christian, with a telescopic baton on 18 October in a shelter.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1715
Longueville Cemetery Crucifixes Vandalized
2016-02-10 | On the evening of Wednesday, February 10, a municipal officer discovered 16 vandalized crucifixes in a cemetery.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1722
Separate Housing for Christian Refugees in Stuttgart Approved
2016-02-10 | Due to frequent reports of abuse, harassment, and assaults against Christian refugees at the hands of their Muslim co-habitatants, the City of Stuttgart has approved new, separate, accommodations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1738
Church Vandalized near Graz
2016-02-08 | Over the weekend of February 6-7, an unknown vandal left graffiti on the parish church in Kalsdorf bei Graz, in Styria. The graffiti included vague symbols and letter combinations, as well as a swastika smeared on the pillar of the church canopy.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1734
Parish Church of Kervignac Vandalized
2016-02-06 | On February 6, 2016, the parish church of Kervignac (Diocese of Vannes) was the victim of vandalism: papers scattered on the floor, an umbrella left in pieces, candles broken, all the confessionals left wide open, flowers thrown to the ground, and the altar cloth left in rags.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1721
Christian Refugee Attacked in Berlin Camp
2016-02-03 | A member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Berlin-Stegliz was attacked because of his Christian faith in the refugee camp where he lives.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1736
Church and Mosque Destroyed in Calais "Jungle"
2016-02-01 | Despite promises to the contrary, officials from the Calais Prefecture bulldozed a church and a mosque in the refugee camp.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1714
Mass at Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes Repeatedly Disrupted
2016-02-01 | According to the parish priest, beginning on January 5th, eggs have been thrown at the windows of the Nancy chapel every evening during the 7pm Mass.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1718
Chapel Vandalized in Lyon
2016-02-01 | On February 1st, an unknown perpetrator broke into the chapel of la Famille Missionnaire de Notre-Dame à Lyon around 5:00pm and vandalized the statue of the Virgin Mary, which was found on the ground with a demolished head.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1719
Historic Bruyères-le-Châtel Church Vandalized; Consecrated Hosts Stolen
2016-01-31 | Unknown perpetrators broke a window, overturned the tabernacle, stole the ciborium containing consecrated Hosts, and sacked the sacristy. The bishop of Evry called it a "rampage." According to a parishioner, this was not the first time the church had been a victim, as graffiti had been found last year. However, this attack was much more serious. "Consecrated Hosts were stolen. For someone who doesn't believe, this probably does not matter much. For [Catholics] it is the most serious. It is the body of Christ. It is Jesus who was attacked." For the bishop of Evry, "this is a real attack against the Catholic Church. It is the symbol of the sacred that has been affected. There is a will to do harm." (Translated from French).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1720
1,700 Year Old Orthodox Church Damaged
2016-01-28 | St. Mary Church, a Syriac Orthodox church, was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, destroying a portion of the wall in the southeastern Turkish city of Diyarbakir.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1712
Police Spokesman Reported Muslims Trying to Expel Christians From Grande-Synthe Camp
2016-01-27 | Forty shots were fired in what was termed a quarrel between rival smuggler gangs at the Grande-Synthe refugee camp near Dunkirk. David Michaux, a CRS anti-riot officer from the Unsa-police union, told Le Figaro: "There is a real problem between Muslims and non-Muslims. Most of the camp's 3,000-odd occupants are Muslim Kurds from Iraq, Iran and Syria but a minority are Christians from Iran." He went on to say "The Muslims are trying to expel the Christians from the camp."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1713
Seville Church the Victim of Burglary
2016-01-24 | Thieves have stolen three silver ciboria, chalices and the contents of collection boxes from the Corpus Christi church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1709
Bouches-du-Rhône Church Hit with Vandalism
2016-01-23 | On the 23rd January, Deputy Mayor Marcel Galli discovered that the Sainte Marie Madeleine de Plan-de-Cuques church (of the Marseille diocese) had been smeared with tar on three facades, with many circles painted on the walls, and large lines were drawn on the ground. The large wooden doors of the entrance to the church and the sacristy, the surface of the front porch, and entrance hall were also damaged by tar.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1702
Bullied Christian Refugees Demand Separate Accommodations
2016-01-20 | Assyrian refugees hope to be housed apart from Muslims in the future camp near Stuttgart due to conflicts and threats.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1704
German Pastor Warns of Dire Situation for Christians in Refugee Camps
2016-01-18 | “The situation in refugee camps, especially in Berlin is very dramatic”, said Pastor Gottfried Martens of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Berlin. Around 1.000 refugees from Iran, Afghanistan and the Arabic world visit his community.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1690
French Pastor Reported Murder of Christian Refugee at Camp Near Dunkirk
2016-01-18 | In a series of emails to a French blog, Pastor Daniel O. described the beatings, stabbings, disappearance, and presumed murder of an Iranian Christian at the Grande-Synthe refugee camp.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1701
Mallorca Gay Men's Chorus Dress as Nuns
2016-01-18 | Mallorca Gay Men's Chorus dressed as nuns in a concert for the celebration of St. Sebastian, patron saint of Palma de Mallorca.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1717
French Crèche the Victim of Vandalism
2016-01-17 | Twenty figurines in the Nativity scene installed in the church of Chamaret were beheaded.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1693
Cantal: Church Robbed of Ciborium and Consecrated Hosts
2016-01-15 | A theft occurred in the Church of Notre Dame de Quézac, sometime between Thursday, January 14th and Friday 15th. A ciborium, a gold sacred vase containing a hundred consecrated Hosts, was stolen from a tabernacle, a small wardrobe. The police have opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1710
Montauban Church Vandalized
2016-01-14 | Saint-Jacques church, located in the city center, was the target of vandalism by unknown perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1700
FIFA Erased a Brazilian Football Player's Reference to the Christian Faith
2016-01-11 | FIFA, the highest institution in the world of football, censored a reference to Jesus by Ballon d’Or candidate Neymar.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1695
Orthodox Priest Reports Harassment of Christians in Refugee Camps
2016-01-11 | Christian refugees are exposed to harassment at the refugee camps in Germany, says Hegumen Daniel (Irbits) father superior of the St. George the Victorious Monastery in Gotschendorf, member of the Integration Committee at the German Federal Chancellery.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1696
Theft and Vandalism at Orthodox Church in Kosovo
2016-01-11 | On January 11, 2016, a member of the St.Demetrios Church in Sušica discovered a broken window and the theft of the trunk for offerings had been stolen. The police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1749
Nantes: Fire in the Basilica of Saint-Nicolas
2016-01-10 | Around 4pm, a parishioner noticed two individuals at a table covered with tablecloth. They left quickly and the parishioner immediately noticed a fire had broken out on the furniture. She extinguished the fire with her shoes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1685
Arson and Desecration at Fontainebleau Church
2016-01-10 | The sixteenth century church Saint-Louis was entirely burnt out, images, including that of the baby Jesus, were desecrated, and the ciborium containing consecrated Hosts was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1686
Seine-et-Marne: A Cross Vandalized in the Forest of Fontainebleau
2016-01-10 | On the same night that an arson fire swept through the church of Saint-Louis of Fontainebleau, a historic cross in the forest was toppled from its base.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1687
Vandalism Sparked Uproar in Morigny-Champigny
2016-01-08 | A Catholic church in Morigny was tagged with grafitti, just days before the Fontainebleau Church was the victim of a serious arson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1697
Controversial Magazine Charlie Hebdo Depicts God as Kalashnikov-Carrying Killer
2016-01-06 | The magazine's cover for the anniversary edition commemorating the attacks one year ago depicts an angry, violent God and contains the headline (translated): "One year later, the assassin is still on the run".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1676
Syrian Muslim Threatens to Kill Christian Woman's Baby
2016-01-06 | In a community shelter for refugees in Ballenstedt (Harz), a Muslim Syrian threatened an Eritrean Christian woman that he would kill her baby while she slept.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1684
Nativity Scene in French Church Vandalized Twice
2016-01-06 | On December 30 and January 6, wax statues in the nativity scene were vandalized. These figures were more than a century old and familiar to the faithful of Sainte-Catherine parish in Le Passage-d’Agen. The abbot of Thibaud de La Serre, the parish priest, and the mayor issued a joint press release to express the town’s dismay and sorrow over the incidents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1698
44 Crucifixes Stolen From Cemetery in Petite-Ile
2016-01-04 | On the morning of January 4, as he opened the cemetery, a guard discovered that many crucifixes had been removed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1677
Another Jesus Nativity Figure Decapitated in Bergamo Region
2016-01-03 | A nativity scene in Treviglio was destroyed and the Jesus statue taken and beheaded by unknown perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1667
French Cathedral Tagged
2016-01-03 | The Cathedral Notre-Dame-de-l’Annonciation in Nancy was spray painted with "Spray for Paris" - a distortion of the message "Pray for Paris".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1679
Floats for Parade of Kings Burned
2016-01-03 | The four floats that would be used in the traditional procession of the Three Kings were found burned on the Sunday before Epiphany in Arriate.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1682
Brussels Christmas Tree Destroyed by Petrol Bomb
2016-01-03 | Youths in Brussels yelled 'Allahu Akbar' as they set fire to a Christmas tree in a public square using a home made petrol bomb.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1723
Attempted Arson in Evangelical Church in Crégy-lès-Meaux
2016-01-02 | Gasoline had been poured inside the church and a half-burnt rag was found on one of the dining chairs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1678
Statue of St. Joseph Decapitated; Finger of Infant Jesus Broken
2016-01-01 | Police are investigating the destruction of Nativity statues in a creche in front of a church in Dorga in the Bergamo region.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1664
Statue of Baby Jesus in Fibbiana Nativity Beheaded; Legs Broken
2016-01-01 | In Piazza S. Rocco, Fibbiana not only was the statue of the infant Jesus broken, but the entire nativity was attacked with firecrackers and fireworks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1665
Refugee's Life Threatened After He Revealed Conversion to Christianity
2016-01-01 | A 19-year-old man told another refugee (18) that he was no longer a Muslim, but had become a Christian. The 18-year-old responded: "Then I will cut your throat. For this, I do not even need permission from IS. "
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1669
Nativity Figure of Infant Jesus "Hanged" with Noose in Pitelli
2015-12-31 | The act was condemned by the Bishop, as well as the President, of the region of Liguria.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1666
Statue of Hand Painted Baby Jesus Destroyed by Firecracker
2015-12-31 | In Villa d'Almè, a group of unknown perpetrators threw a big firecracker into the hut containing the creche where the hand painted statue of the baby Jesus been placed on Christmas Eve.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1670
Norway Begins Adoption Process for 5 Children Seized From Christian Parents
2015-12-31 | Norwegian child services have begun the adoption process for five children who were seized from a Romanian Pentecostal family in November after concerns were expressed about the parents' Christian faith, the family says.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1675
New Year's Eve Mass at Cologne Cathedral Deliberately Disrupted
2015-12-31 | The shelling of the Cologne Cathedral with fireworks and firecrackers on New Year's evening between 6:30 and 7:45 pm was a targeted disruption of the service.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1688
Haut-Rhin Church & Creche Tagged; Infant Jesus Burned
2015-12-31 | The figure of the nearly life-size Christ child was burned in a crib display on December 31 at about 10 pm, while the faces of his parents and a wall of the adjacent Catholic church were tagged with spraypaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1692
Catholic Schoolchildren in Madrid Banned from Three Kings Parade
2015-12-31 | Approximately 800 students at a Catholic school in Madrid’s southern Carabanchel district have been excluded from a local parade by city authorities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1706
Nuremberg Church Target of Firework Attack on New Year's Eve
2015-12-31 | Similar to the attacks on the Cologne Cathedral on New Year's Eve, hundreds of men gathered in front of the Lorenzkirche in Nuremberg and shot firework missiles at its roof.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1751
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Figures Stolen from Villejuif Creche
2015-12-28 | The figure of the infant Jesus was stolen first, and the figures of his parents, Mary and Joseph were stolen the next day, along with the crib and straw.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1680
Suspicious Burning of Nativity Display in Giraumont
2015-12-27 | During the night between December 27th and 28th, the city's nativity display was burned and partially destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1656
Creche Vandalized in Aix-en-Issart
2015-12-27 | Mayor Pierre La Fonte was awakened at 2am by the police, who reported that the creche in a public square had been vandalized.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1657
Religious Statues Spray-Painted at Site Dedicated to the Virgin Mary
2015-12-27 | Several religious statues, among which Jesus Christ was central, as well as a commemorative plaque and the floor were all spray painted red in a grotto altar in Libaux.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1658
Image of St. John the Evangelist Banned from Rochester Train Station
2015-12-27 | Network Rail, partly funded by taxpayer money, argued it was "overtly Christian" and that it would offend "multi-cultural values".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1673
Church of Saint-Martin-sur-Ocre Tagged
2015-12-26 | In Loiret, a church was tagged with vulgar and insulting slogans ("Nique Jesus"), as well as "Allahu Akbar" during the night of December 26-27th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1659
Christians Attacked in Berlin Mitte a Day After Christmas
2015-12-26 | “I am Muslim. What are you?” After asking this question, unidentified Muslim and others beat up five Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1663
Statue of Jesus Destroyed on St. Stephen's Day
2015-12-26 | In Albino, on December 26, 2015, the crib outside the parish church of San Giuliano containing the statue of the infant Jesus was targeted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1767
Fire Completely Destroys City Manger Scene
2015-12-25 | The manger scene in the municipality of Villa del Prado (Madrid) was completely destroyed by a fire on December 25th at 4am.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1660
Two of Thirteen Creche Installations Burned in Masevaux
2015-12-24 | The first creche was damaged by fire on the night of December 22nd and the second, including the ornaments and figures, was completely destroyed by fire on December 24th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1661
Public Nativity Scene Attacked by Vandals in Pamplona
2015-12-24 | On December 24th, the morning of Christmas Eve, vandals toppled and damaged figures in the enormous nativity scene, which is installed every year in a public park.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1662
German Newspaper Refuses to Publish Church's Advertisement
2015-12-20 | The Weser-Kurier in Bremen has refused to publish an advertisement of a local Evangelical church containing a bible passage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1668
Tabernacle Vandalized in French Church
2015-12-18 | Father Louis Villoutreys reported on Twitter that a tabernacle in l’église Saint-Vincent in Naintré was vandalized by unknown perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1653
National Association of Assyrians in Sweden Victim of Arson
2015-12-16 | The association's headquarters in the city of Södertälje was completely destroyed during the night between the 16th to 17th of December.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1654
Berlin Court Reverses Injunctions; Allows Incitement to Violence in the Name of Art
2015-12-15 | In the name of artistic expression, a Berlin court reversed injunctions it had issued and has now permitted the staging of a play ("Fear") which displays photos of pro-family organizers and explicitly incites hatred against them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1674
Men Attempt to Disarm Soldiers Guarding Cathedral in Rome
2015-12-15 | A Palestinian and a Tunisian attempted to disarm soldiers stationed outside Santa Maria Maggiore cathedral while yelling "Allah (God) is great", Rome police said Tuesday.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1716
Theft from Creche in Hauts-de-Seine
2015-12-14 | A statue of the Virgin of Fatima, given to the parish of Sainte-Bernadette de Chaville by the Portuguese community, was stolen on December 14th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1652
UPDATE: Hamburg Police Arrest Refugee for Attempted Manslaughter
2015-12-14 | The Hamburg police arrested the Afghan asylum seeker Amir Mahaballa. He is said to have attacked and seriously injured a 24-year-old Iranian Christian at a refugee camp in October. He sits on remand before trial on the charge of attempted manslaughter.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1683
Knife Attack and Murder in Grande Synthe Camp
2015-12-14 | According to Open Doors France, police are investigating a knife attack by Iraqi migrants against Christian refugees which left several wounded and one 19-year-old man dead.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1763
Creche Vandalized in la Grand-Place de Bruxelles
2015-12-13 | Three people aged 20, 21 and 24 were arrested after they vandalized the manger of the Grand-Place during the night from Saturday to Sunday. In addition to damaging the structure, they stole the figure of the baby Jesus and threw it on the ground.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1647
Church Vandalized in Verviers, in the province of Liege
2015-12-13 | The church Sainte-Julienne, which had previously been tagged with spray paint, was again vandalized as a window was broken by rocks being thrown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1648
Church Bells Destroyed in French Chapel
2015-12-13 | Vandals broke into the locked chapel of Saint-Hervé-Ménez Bré in Pédernec and rang the church bells so hard that one of them is irreparably broken while the other, off-axis from its support, is stuck.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1655
Proposed UK School Regulations May Put Christian Sunday Schools and Summer Camps at Risk
2015-12-13 | Plans for Ofsted to regulate out-of-school settings could burden churches, discourage volunteers and cause unnecessary distress to children, a Conservative MP has warned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1699
Christians Attacked by Guards in Refugee Camps
2015-12-10 | At the end of November five Muslim security employees beat two refugees from Iran for having a bible in their room.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1651
Fire Investigated at Collegiate Church of Saint-Junien
2015-12-07 | Upon his arrival at the church, the priest discovered three small fires in separate parts of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1649
Syrian Arrested on Suspicion of Beating and Threatening 16 Year Old
2015-12-03 | A 26-year-old Syrian, known as "N.N.," was arrested on suspicion of beating and threatening a 16-year-old at an asylum house in Borgholm.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1691
Archbishop Disinvited from Elementary School Pre-Christmas Visit
2015-12-02 | School officials point to respect for the "multicultural character" of their student body as the reason.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1638
Religious Images Prohibited in School Christmas Card Contest
2015-12-02 | The prohibition was imposed by a secular parents' association in Cantabria (Cantabria FAPA) when they announced the annual card-drawing contest.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1639
Website of the Diocese of Bayonne, Lescar and Oloron Hacked
2015-12-01 | According to reports, this was a targeted hacking.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1642
Seventh Cemetery in 18 Months Desecrated by Vandals
2015-12-01 | This time, thirteen crucifixes were torn from their graves and were thrown to the ground, broken, or planted upside down.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1644
Bancourt Mayor Forced to Remove Cross From Town Hall
2015-12-01 | After two residents in the village of 90 inhabitants filed a lawsuit, a court has now ordered the removal of a cross that has been hanging in the town office since 1926.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1645
Christian Refugees are Subjected to Violence and Harassment
2015-11-30 | Violent acts are not only committed by other asylum seekers, but in some cases by security personnel, as well.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1689
Second Ukrainian Orthodox Church Desecrated in Same Town
2015-11-29 | A new church dedicated to Our Lady of Iveron, in the town of Rokitno in the Rovno region (Western Ukraine), was desecrated by vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1640
Cemetery Crucifixes Uprooted and Planted Upside Down
2015-11-29 | Acts of vandalism were discovered on December 1st in the cemetery of Villiers-le-Sec, between Creully and Courseulles-sur-Mer, France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1643
Spanish "Artist" Claims to Have 32 New Consecrated Hosts, Some Stolen by "Fans" during Reparation Mass
2015-11-28 | Abel Azcona announced he has 32 new consecrated Hosts stolen by fans who went to different Masses to get them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1634
Taxpayers Fund Blasphemous Display in Martinique
2015-11-27 | "Yo Mama's Last Supper" is a blasphemous parody of Da Vinci's "Last Supper" in which the artist Renée Cox appears as Jesus Christ with full frontal nudity.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1635
Catalan Radio Station Airs Song that Repeatedly Calls Priests Pedophiles
2015-11-27 | Station has received government funding since 2011.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1637
Church Vandalized; Damage Estimate: € 800
2015-11-25 | Two copper gutter-pipes were stolen from the church of Gironde-sur-Dropt on the night of November 25. The damage is estimated at € 800. A complaint was filed at the police station of La Role and an investigation has been opened.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1641
Spanish Artist Stole and Desecrated over 200 Consecrated Hosts
2015-11-23 | As part of an exhibit, Abel Azcona placed the hosts on the ground in a public art gallery to form the word “Pederasty".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1625
Lord's Prayer Advertisement Produced by JustPray.uk Banned in Cinemas
2015-11-23 | The advertisement shows the Lord’s Prayer being recited by a members of the public ranging from bodybuilders to children.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1627
Church Used to Film Obscene and Offensive Video
2015-11-23 | A musical group called "Les Chrétiens des Alpes" (Christians of the Alps) filmed a YouTube video in the church of Saint-Étienne in Dingy-Saint-Clair, which portrays priests in a sexually vulgar manner.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1630
City Reduces Funding for Holy Week and Refuses to Fund to Corpus Christi
2015-11-23 | The Department of Culture in Palma de Mallorca has reduced municipal funding for events during the week leading up to Easter (known as “Holy Week” or “Semana Santa”, famous for grand processions) to just 3.000 euros, and has not allocated any funding to the important Catholic feast of Corpus Christi (known simply as “Corpus”).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1631
Ukrainian Orthodox Church Plundered and Desecrated
2015-11-22 | The perpetrators stole money from the cash register of the church, and lit fires in five different locations in the building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1628
Thieves Destroyed a Parish Church in Pajarillos, Spain
2015-11-21 | They stole a tabernacle, ciborium, chalices, patens, a candelabrum, and some of the sound equipment from the Church of San Ignatius of Loyola
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1626
Chinese Karaoke will Ring in a Secular Christmas in Madrid
2015-11-20 | The mayor of Madrid announced plans for the city’s commemoration of the Christian holiday, including Greek dancing and Arabic food tasting, among other programming activities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1632
Theft in Small 16th Century Chapel
2015-11-19 | A late 15th century wooden statue of St. Nicolas was stolen from the church of Saint-Léger-sous-Margerie.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1623
Christian Convert Violently Attacked Outside His Home
2015-11-17 | Nissar Hussain, who has helped to promote Christian Concern's Safe Haven initiative to help protect Christians who have converted from Islam, was beaten with a pickaxe handle by two men while on the way to his car in Bradford (United Kingdom).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1622
Norway's Child Welfare Services Removes Five Children from a Pentecostal Christian Couple
2015-11-16 | According to a petition in support of the family which has attracted more than 22,600 signatures, the couple have been charged with "Christian radicalism and indoctrination".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1633
Apartment Owner Refuses to Rent to Employee of Pro-Life Association
2015-11-15 | In November 2015, a theologian who is an employee of ALfA (Aktion Lebensrecht for Alle) wanted to rent an apartment in Augsburg. The owner refused to enter into a lease with the man for the sole reason that he works for ALfA (seen as a fundamentalist association).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1650
Arrests in Counter-Demonstration during Students for Life Procession
2015-11-14 | The march against abortion by more than 100 participants in Innsbruck was disrupted by counter-demonstrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1621
Church Vandalized in Poitiers, France
2015-11-13 | The devastation at the Church of Saint-Cyprian was discovered by a parishioner. A large concrete statue of the Virgin Mary located at the church entrance was thrown to the ground and irreparably broken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1615
Association of French Mayors Recommend Against Nativity Scenes on Public Property
2015-11-13 | The Association issued a "good secular conduct" handbook to local town officials to assist them in their decision-making about the installation of crèche and nativity displays.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1629
Tasmania's Anti-Discrimination Commissioner to Investigate Catholic Church's Marriage Pamphlet
2015-11-12 | Transgender politician, Martine Delaney, lodged an anti-discrimination complaint in September and on November 12, the commissioner announced it will begin investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1614
Public Funds Used for Play Depicting Jesus Christ as Transsexual
2015-11-12 | The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven is part of the Outburst Queer Arts Festival in Belfast, and is advertised with the tagline: “Jesus is a transsexual woman. And it is now she walks the earth.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1620
"Piss Christ" and Sexually Provocative Virgin Mary to be Displayed in Exhibition Sponsored by Italian Government
2015-11-09 | The Lucca Photolux photo exhibition, with the theme "Sacred and Profane", and sponsored by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture and Tourism will run from November 21 to December 13.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1619
Radical Feminists Shout "We Will Burn the Episcopal Conference" at Domestic Violence March
2015-11-07 | Violence advocated at an anti domestic violence rally in Madrid.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1617
Popular German Catholic Blogger Threatened After Reporting About Arson
2015-11-03 | With the title "That was fast," Dr. Bordat wrote on the afternoon of November 3rd that he received an anonymous letter three hours after the publication of his report about the arson against "Demo für Alle". "Don't be a nuisance, you Catholic conservative idiot ... otherwise a fire will soon be delivered to you. Your address is known."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1607
City of Toronto Threatened with Lawsuit after Banning Christian Music Festival
2015-11-03 | The City of Toronto is being threatened with legal action for refusing to grant a Christian group a permit to use a prominent downtown square for its annual musical festival next year, all because the city determined that singing the name of Jesus in the public venue contravenes city policy against “proselytizing.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1609
Two French Evangelicals Convicted for Leaflet on Faith and Homosexuality
2015-11-02 | The correctional court of Angoulême (Bordeaux) convicted two men of “incitement to discrimination against a group of persons because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1612
Spanish Church Vandalized with Arabic Graffiti; Holy Objects Destroyed
2015-11-02 | The unknown perpetrators broke into the Church of our Lady of Carmen in the Spanish town of Rincon de la Victoria, Andalusia, smashed wooden statues of the Virgin Mary and Jesus on the cross, and spray painted "Allah" on the wall.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1613
Serious Arson Attack against "Demo für Alle"
2015-11-01 | The Magdeburg business office of "Demo für Alle", a group which advocates against gender ideology and the sexualization of children, was torched by unknown perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1604
Graves Vandalized in Mazères
2015-11-01 | On All Saints Day, a solemnity celebrated by Catholics and some Protestants, visitors to the Mazères cemetery discovered five graves, including a central cross, sprayed with orange paint with references to "Satanists", among others.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1605
Proposed Mandatory LGBT Education in Scotland Would Violate Parents' Rights & Put Teachers' Jobs in Jeopardy
2015-11-01 | Pro-LGBT group Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) has launched a petition demanding that children as young as five learn about homosexual, bisexual and transgender issues, and this week it addressed the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1610
Prison Minister Fired for Preaching "Homophobic" Bible Verses
2015-10-31 | Reverend Barry Trayhorn, volunteering as a chaplain at a prison for sex offenders, recited verses from Corinthians which include homosexuality in a long list of sins, along with adultery, theft and drunkenness during a service.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1608
Fourth Act of Vandalism Against Notre-Dame-du-Rocher in Saint-Hippolyte (Haut-Rhin)
2015-10-28 | Earlier vandalism led to the replacement of the statue of the Virgin Mary last spring. In mid-September the arms of the statue were broken and glued back together. On October 28, the statute was broken off its base.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1616
Mayor of Valencia Orders Removal of Christian Symbols in Cemetery
2015-10-27 | The mayor of Valencia, Joan Ribó, has ordered municipal management to remove all Christian symbols from the General Cemetery of Valencia
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1618
Desecration at Baden-Baden "Autobahn" Church
2015-10-23 | The altar, tabernacle, and pews of the nationally-known church were desecrated by swastikas and other Nazi symbols carved into the wood, and acid poured onto the stone.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1601
Sweden Seeks to Deport Pakistani Christian Convert
2015-10-22 | The Swedish Migration Board issued a deportation order against Faisel Javaid, concluding that Christians from Pakistan do not need protection because they can just keep their faith a secret.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1600
Christian Convert Attacked in German Refugee Camp
2015-10-20 | A 24-year-old Iranian was beaten with a baton by an Afghan man, who allegedly declared that it was not a sin to kill him, according to police. This attack is now being called attempted homicide by prosecutors.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1599
Christian Converts Harassed at Swedish Asylum Center
2015-10-20 | A Pakistani couple had to leave the shelter in Western Sweden where they were staying after harassment by some of the Muslims in the housing ended with the husband's name sprayed on a wall near their room calling for his death.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1764
UPDATE: No Registry for Faith Leaders in Published UK Counter-Extremism Strategy
2015-10-19 | After a leaked report indicated that the strategy would include the following provision, "pastors, rabbis and other religious leaders will be subject to Government training and security checks and will have to enrol in a 'national register of faith leaders'," the Government's final strategy only calls for "training."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1581
Vandalism at Catholic School in Vienna
2015-10-15 | Graffiti of two "Antifa" signs and one anarchy symbol seen on a pillar of Catholic student parish event centre and dormitory.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1595
Statue of Virgin Mary Decapitated in Aisne
2015-10-15 | The mayor was informed of this vandalism on October 15. The statue, beloved by the citizens of the small town, was erected on Aug. 14, 1960 as act of gratitude for a priest who was in a serious motorcycle accident at that location, but was unhurt.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1602
Statue of Virgin Mary Decapitated in Aisne
2015-10-15 | The mayor was informed of this vandalism on October 15. The statue, beloved by the citizens of the small town, was erected on Aug. 14, 1960 as act of gratitude for a priest who was in a serious motorcycle accident at that location, but was unhurt.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1603
Madrid Church Vandalized
2015-10-14 | The outside of the church of the Virgen del Alba de Alcorcón was vandalized by individuals who soiled the facades and access steps as well as the bulletin boards.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1596
Serious Desecration and Theft at the Chapelle d’Effiat à Montrichard (Loir-et-Cher)
2015-10-14 | On the morning of October 14, the Tabernacle was forced open and the Ciborium containing ten consecrated Hosts was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1598
Assyrian Christians in Gothenburg Threatened: "Convert or Die"
2015-10-13 | Assyrian Christians living in Sweden have been targeted with a string of threatening messages, including demands that they “convert or die.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1594
Fire in French Church Investigated
2015-10-13 | A fire in the church of La Baume-de-Transit in Southern Drôme damaged furniture.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1597
Barcelona Parish Tagged with Abortion Message
2015-10-09 | The vandalism from the 9th of October at the Parroquia del Espírito Santo was reported to El Observatorio para la Libertad Religiosa y de Conciencia.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1593
Case update: Christian Punished for Praying with Colleague Allowed to Appeal
2015-10-08 | A Christian disciplined by an NHS trust for praying with a colleague has won permission to appeal an employment tribunal’s decision against her.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1588
Chapel in Charleroi the Victim of Thieves
2015-10-08 | Thieves dismantled and carried away the metal roof of the Chapel of Saint-Joseph de Charleroi.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1589
French Chapel Sacked by Vandals
2015-10-08 | La Chapelle du Champ Fleuri in Masny, was the victim of desecration: The altar was overturned, the organ in pieces, Communion wafers littered the ground, a statue of the Virgin Mary, venerated by Catholics as the mother of Jesus, was decapitated, and liturgical vestments were burned
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1590
French Church Desecrated and Vandalised
2015-10-04 | Intruders into the church of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul in Blanzy damaged the Tabernacle by attempting to force open the door, damaged the organ, and set fire to the statue of the Virgin Mary.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1591
Arson in Normandy Church
2015-10-02 | L'église Sainte-Croix de Saint-Lô was the victim of arson on Friday, October 2, 2015. The entry display was torched and it took 10 firefighters and 4 fire engines to combat the blaze.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1592
Ukrainian Evangelical Pastor Kidnapped by Militants; Released 4 Days Later
2015-10-01 | The Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith reported that Pastor Taras Sen was taken hostage on 27 September in the city of Sverdlovsk in the Luhansk oblast by armed militants and released on 1 October 2015.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1587
Islamists threaten Christians in German Refugee Camps
2015-09-27 | Christian refugees in German asylum centres are living in constant fear, as the Sunni majority within the migrant population attempts to enforce Sharia law. The situation is so bad that Christians claim they live like “prisoners” in Germany, and some have even returned to Middle East.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1584
Sunni Muslim Threatens to Kill Christian Syrian in Kalmar Accommodation
2015-09-22 | A 26-year-old, who claimed to have fought with jihadist groups in Syria, was arrested by police after threatening to "slaughter" and "cut the throat" of a Christian refugee.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1765
French Church Desecrated
2015-09-19 | In the afternoon of Saturday, September 19, 2015, the church of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul d’Habas (Landes) was badly vandalized. Various liturgical objects were desecrated: the altar was stained by food, crosses inverted, missals torn. The entire church was degraded with scattered flowers, candles, sheets of paper and posters torn. A complaint with the police was filed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1575
Counter-Demonstrators Attempt to Block Berlin’s March for Life
2015-09-19 | More than 7,000 pro-life demonstrators took part in the March for Life 2015 in Berlin. About 300 of a total of 1500 counter-demonstrators attempted to block the march. Between these groups stood as many as 1,000 police officers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1586
All Sacred Objects Stolen from French Chapel
2015-09-18 | A small chapel in Le Brethon, France, was robbed of all of its sacred objects during the week from Monday 14 to Friday, September 18. The few sacred objects it housed have all disappeared, namely, a processional cross, statuettes, votive offerings and all of the crosses. Additionally, a painting of Mary Magdalene, donated by an amateur painter was also stolen. Because of the isolated location of the chapel, and that it is always open to the public, officials have not been able to determine exactly when the theft occurred.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1576
Burnt Confessional Investigated in L'Ile-Bouchard
2015-09-18 | A confessional in the church Saint-Gilles de L’Ile-Bouchard (France) was burned and the organ was damaged on the 18th of September.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1579
British "Values Monitor" Says Opposing Homosexuality Could Be a Crime
2015-09-18 | Voicing criticism of homosexuality “might be breaking the law”, a British values monitor claimed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1582
Swiss Evangelical Party's Office Attacked for Supporting Pro-Life Demonstration
2015-09-16 | The Zurich offices of the Swiss Evangelische Volkspartei (EVP) as well as the Swiss Evangelical Alliance and humanitarian organisations Tearfund and Opportunity were attacked by vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1574
French Church is Victim of Repeated Vandalism
2015-09-16 | L’église Saint-Martin in Sangatte, France is yet again a victim of vandalism. On September 16th, a volunteer at the Blanc-Nez Pentecostal parish returned to Saint-Martin to close the doors for the evening and immediately discovered smoke emerging from the church. She also noticed broken candles littering the ground and that small decorations were taken down. Thick smoke surrounded the altar of wood and marble, and it was apparent that the small fire could have easily spread to the wooden furniture and carpets, completely destroying the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1577
Bremen Church the Victim of Burglary, Desecration and Vandalism
2015-09-15 | Unknown perpetrators broke into the St. Pius Church and stole the tabernacle with consecrated Hosts, offertory boxes, and sprayed fire extinguishing powder all over the inside of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1705
UK Burglars Urinate in Holy Water
2015-09-10 | Burglars broke into a Sunderland church, smashed a window (causing more than £1,000 in damage) and used fire extinguishers to try to break down doors. Although nothing was stolen, someone urinated in the holy water font.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1583
German Left Threatens to Disrupt the "March For Life"
2015-09-08 | The German left political party (Die Linke) is organising to disrupt the annual German "March for Life" for the protection of the unborn, the sick, and the aged that will take place in Berlin on the 19th of September.
In response, the German Association for Christian Culture (Deutsche Vereinigung für eine christliche Kultur) responded that by doing so, Die Linke is threatening to infringe upon the rights to freedom of assembly and expression and noting that the law recognizes the basic human right to life from the moment of conception.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1568
Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis Released from Jail
2015-09-08 | Just hours before a large rally in support of Kim Davis was scheduled to begin, the judge who jailed her for refusing to violate her Christian beliefs ordered her release.
Ms. Davis was jailed on September 3rd for her refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The following day, her deputies began issuing licenses in her absence after five of the six clerks who work for her swore under oath that they could comply with the court’s order to issue them.
Ms. Davis stopped issuing all marriage licenses after the US Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of same-sex marriage, and refused to permit her deputies to do the same, because her name was printed on those licenses, and she said to issue them would violate her conscience.
In his order to release Ms. Davis, the judge warned her not to interfere with her deputies issuing the marriage licenses, or she could risk “sanctions” again. Ms. Davis’s attorney said "Today Kim Davis is a free woman but her conscience did not change ... to get freedom." He noted that Ms. Davis would return to work, but he said she would "not violate her conscience."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1570
Clerk Jailed for Refusing to Issue Same-Sex Marriage Licenses
2015-09-03 | Kim Davis, a county clerk in Kentucky, has been jailed for "contempt of court" after defying a federal court order to issue marriage licenses to homosexual couples.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1558
43 Graves in French Village Damaged and Vandalized
2015-09-03 | On the 3rd of September 2015, the destruction of 43 graves was discovered in the small French village of Montjavoult. Swastikas were spray-painted on 6 of them and crosses were broken off and left on the ground.
Authorities have reason to believe that this act was political in nature, and not just the prank of drunk young people.
The investigation is ongoing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1561
Two Men Arrested for Setting Fire to Lutheran Church in Sweden
2015-09-01 | During the evening of the 26th of August, a Lutheran church Åmåls, Sweden was attacked by arsonists. The perpetrators used at least one Molotov cocktail to set fire to the building, and broke several windows in the church and the parish hall.
The motive for the arson is unclear.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1560
Treasured Statue Stolen from French Church
2015-09-01 | The statue of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, dating from the 15th century, was stolen from the church of Molins-sur-Aube.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1624
Orthodox Church Destroyed by the Albanian Authorities
2015-08-26 | On the 26th of August, local officials destroyed the Orthodox church St. Athanasius, which is located in the village of Dhermi, in southern Albania.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1565
Broken and Desecrated Statue of the Virgin Mary in Reunion, France
2015-08-23 | A Statue of the Virgin Mary has been purposely destroyed, its chest impaled on a spit, and the other pieces of the statue were left in a plastic bag on the side of a road. This event happened next to the chapel Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix a few days before the 23rd of August.
The sight of the destroyed statue has shocked locals, and drivers passing by haven't dared to disturb the broken pieces.
No explanation yet has been given to this act of vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1559
Kindergarten Teacher Fired for Explaining Christmas Story
2015-08-21 | A city-run kindergarten in Vienna has fired a teacher because she “violated the kindergarten’s neutral stance on religion” by explaining that on Christmas, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. This was in response to the children's questions about the holiday.
In the letter informing the teacher of the school board’s decision to fire her, one reads that city-run kindergartens “accompany children of diverse religious faiths as well as without religious faith; therefore the religious meanings of traditional feasts are not mentioned and must instead be replaced by other content (for example during advent by themes such as ‘family’, ‘friendship’, or ‘community’). You have not followed this approach, but instead informed the children several times … about the Christian meaning of Christmas”.
The teacher explains, "I have answered only the questions of the children . . . I am a Christian, but not a religion teacher."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1562
Desecration in Gex and Colloges Churches in Pays de l'Ain France
2015-08-16 | On Sunday, August 16, 2015, a ciborium containing consecrated hosts and chalice were stolen from the church of Gex. The same day, a ciborium, a chalice, and a reliquary, registered in the inventory of Historical Monuments, were stolen from the church of Collonges.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1554
Chapel Vandalized in Nantes, France
2015-08-16 | The outside wall of a chapel of Christ Roi in Nantes was spray painted during the night of the 15th/16th of August. The tag says : "Don't open. Integriste. Inside". The wrongdoers remain unknown.
http://www.christianophobie.fr/breves/nantes-precisions-dun-lecteur-sur-la-chapelle-taguee
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1566
Attempted Arson in Chapel Saint-François of Rennes
2015-08-14 | The chapel Saint-François of Rennes was the victim of an attempted arson during night between August 13 and 14th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1549
Haute-Loire Churches Hit with Burglaries
2015-08-14 | A burglary was committed in the sacristy of the church Sainte-Foy de Bains (Haute-Loire) on August 14, 2015. The criminals stole sacred objects: a chalice and a ciborium.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1567
Anti-Christian Hate Crimes on the Rise in Sweden
2015-08-05 | The sharpest rise is seen among crimes with christianophobic motives, which have tripled in the past five years, according to the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention (Brottsförebyggande rådet – Brå).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1585
40 Christian Tombs Desecrated in French Cemetery
2015-08-03 | On the 3rd of August, local policemen found that 40 graves had been desecrated in a cemetery in the town of Labry, in northeastern France. 35 funeral ornaments, mostly crucifixes and plaques were displaced, and 4 were broken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1548
Chapel Vandalized in Walloon Brabant
2015-08-03 | During the week of the 3rd of August 2015, the small chapel Notre-Dame de Walcourt, which had been restored for free a few years ago by a volunteer, was vandalized with spray paint. The tag represented a person giving a finger to what seems to be a crown. The perpetrators remain unknown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1564
Two Orthodox Religious Murdered in Ukraine
2015-07-30 | A priest and a nun, both members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, were murdered within days of each other in the Ukraine.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1571
UK Schools Watchdog Ignores Bullying of Christian Students
2015-07-30 | Colin Hart, director of the Christian Institute, has said Ofsted and the Department for Education (DfE) have given “inadequate attention” to the “bullying of Christian pupils”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1572
Student Physically Forced to Attend Sex Education
2015-06-22 | In North Rhine-Westphalia, a 10 year old boy was forcefully removed from his home and forced to attend sex education without his parents’ consent.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1774
Santeuil Church Vandalised and Soiled with Faeces in Eure-Et-Loir
2015-06-10 | The Santeuil church was vandalised by unknown perpetrators who burst into each room of the church, destroyed doors, statues and belfry. Additionally, they soiled the church with faeces. The case was reported to the police and investigation decided to examine the DNA in the neighbourhood to find the culprit.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1523
Arson In The Church Of St. Chrysole in Comines
2015-06-06 | The doors to the church of St. Chrystole in Comines was burned as a result of the arson. Thanks to the quick reaction of police and firefighters, the flames did not reach the interior of the church. Local faithful and volunteers were terrified and quickly helped to clean the soot.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1525
The Chapel of Sainte-Bathilde Damaged in Seine-et-Marne
2015-06-04 | The Sainte-Bathilde Chapel was hit by vandals who destroyed statues in the garden behind the shrine. One represented St. Bathilde on which flammable liquid was found. Another statue of St. Therese had been attacked and broken into pieces.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1524
Silent National Christian-Inspired Protest Mocked By Opponents
2015-05-24 | On 24th of May 2015, an Italian network called Sentinelle in piedi ("Standing Watchmen“) organized a protest against the proposed draft laws on "homophobia" and same-sex unions and expressed their dissenting views by standing for an hour in silence at over 100 public squares all over Italy. The reason for that is the belief that new laws, if approved, would curtail freedom of speech for Christians. Opponents used offensive slogans and provocative gestures, including simulating homosexual acts. The participants of the Sentinelle in piedi were partly hindered by the protests. Opponents were mostly LGBT activists.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1526
Arson in the Lutheran Church of Altena
2015-05-19 | A fire caused damages worth thousands of Euros in the Lutheran Church in Altena in Nordhein-Westfalen. Police suspect arson, because all evidences lead to burglary in which the sacristy was broken and ravaged. Without the quick reaction of the firefighters, the church would have been lost. The faithful and local priests felt offended by this horrible act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1518
Baker Found Guilty After Refusing to Bake Cake Supporting Same-Sex Marriage
2015-05-18 | A bakery in Northern Ireland was found guilty of "direct discrimination" after its Christian owner declined to provide a decorated cake with the words 'support gay marriage’. The owner said he could not fulfill the order because it conflicts with his Christian beliefs about marriage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1492
Disruption, Threats, and Insults at a Catholic Procession
2015-05-14 | A group of Muslims disrupted a Catholic procession in the Italian municipality of Conselice which was held in honour of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Reportedly seeing the procession as provocation, the group started to threathen and insult Catholics and claimed that the procession offended Islam. Participants were scared and shocked by this aggression.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1553
Attack at Marriage Referendum Event Causes Life-Threatening Allergic Reaction
2015-05-13 | A 10-year-old girl suffered a severe allergic reaction after an egg attack at a "No-Campaign" event in Meath, Ireland. "Yes-Campaigners" threw objects, including eggs, at people who were expressing opposition to same-sex marriage. "No-Campaign" leader Mr. Manning said that the atmposphere created by "Yes-Campaigners" was "toxic”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1551
Burglary in St. Apostles at Neumarkt in Cologne
2015-05-12 | An unknown perpetrator broke into the church of St. Apostles in Cologne on May 12th, and stole figures of Jesus Christ from the cloister. Moreover, the thief caused damages worth thousands of euros. This theft offended and angered the religious faithful.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1519
Vandalism Spree Against Chapels on the Island of La Reunion
2015-05-12 | Many chapels and other places of worship on the island of La Reunion were devastated with satanic slogans and red Stars of David.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1552
Judge Ordered French Town to Remove the Statue of Saint John Paul II
2015-05-05 | Authorities in the small French town of Ploermal are obliged to remove a statue of Saint John Paul II built in 2006. The reason which was given was the "ostentatious character" of the monument located in the public square, which is in contradiction with the secular principles of the state. This decision shocked local faithful and Mayor Parick Le Diffon vowed to appeal.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1520
Figure of Jesus Christ destroyed by Turkish Muslim
2015-05-03 | A Turkish Muslim armed with a kitchen knife destroyed the figure of Jesus Christ located on the Sendlinger Tor in Munich. Additionally, he attacked eyewitnesses and devastated all vases and flowers which were next to the cross. The case has been reported to the police, but the man was declared as a mentally ill and he has been brought to a psychiatrist. It is not clear whether the act was religiously-motivated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1550
Pro-Marriage Posters Removed
2015-05-01 | Mothers and Fathers Matter, a group that urged people to vote “No” in May’s gay marriage referendum in Ireland, said there was a campaign of harassment and intimidation from those on the “Yes” side of the debate. Posters were torn and removed in Dublin and elsewhere at the beginning of May 2015. Pictures of this act have been celebrated as an "act of bravery" on social media.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1544
Islamic Terrorists Planned Suicide Bombings at St. Peter's Square
2015-04-24 | A terrorist ring based on Sardinia had been planning an attack against the Vatican since 2010, involving two suicide bombings at St. Peter's Square. The network supported itself through illegal migrant trafficking. False work contracts helped facilitate asylum for Pakistani and Afghanistan men posing as migrants. Fake customs declarations and flawed money transactions partly financed the activities. Italian counter-terrorism operatives issued arrest warrants for 18 men and arrested nine of them across Italy.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1513
Play Equates John the Baptist with Islamic Terrorists
2015-04-24 | The regional theater of Graz premiered its version of "Salome” in which John the Baptist is a radical fundamentalist. It claims that there is really no difference between him and Islamic State terrorists.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1514
Attack on Churches Foiled
2015-04-22 | French police arrested an Algerian Muslim man suspected of planning an attack on "one or two churches" near Paris. According to the Paris prosecutor, documents linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State were found at his apartment and a contact in Syria had advised him to target churches.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1509
Hacker Attacks Vatican Website
2015-04-16 | Twice in one week, the Vatican website was partly inaccessible due to attacks from hackers. On Twitter someone named "Turk Hack Team Herakles" claimed responsibility, saying he would continue until the pope apologized for referring to a Turkish genocide against Armenians 100 years ago.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1506
12 Christians Killed by Muslim Migrants
2015-04-16 | Italian police said that 15 Muslim migrants were arrested after they threw 12 Christians overboard on a boat in the Mediterranean Sea on the way to Italy. Migrants from Senegal, the Ivory Coast, Mali, and Guinea were arrested in the Sicilian city of Palermo and charged with multiple counts of aggravated murder, motivated by religious hate.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1508
Castres : Dozens of Christian Tombs Vandalized
2015-04-15 | The Saint-Roch cemetery in Castres (Tarn) was vandalized on 15th April, 2015. Dozens of tombs were ransacked, funerary objects systematically thrown to the ground.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=2345
Tomb Desecration during Easter in Lębork
2015-04-05 | During Easter, unknown perpetrators profanated buried corpses in tombs in the churchyard in Lębork in the district of Pomerania. The bones were taken from their coffins.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1507
Damages to Religious Symbols in Madrid Cemetery
2015-03-30 | The cemetery of Brunete in Madrid was vandalized during the night of March 30th. Tombs, crucifixes, and other religious symbols were either destroyed or damaged. Graffiti was found, which said: “PP (the Conservative Party) is a son of a bitch” As the Spanish Conservative Party is considered by many to be associated with Christianity, local Christians felt personally insulted by the vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1515
Street Preacher Fined, Judge Rules on Appropriateness of Bible Verses in Public
2015-03-24 | Taunton street preacher Mike Overd has been convicted of a Public Order offence for using a particular bible verse in a public conversation with a man who identifies as homosexual. The judge ruled that another bible verse would have been more appropriate and would have prevented the fine.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1517
Blasphemous and Offensive Performance in Bologna
2015-03-13 | During an event in Bologna, organized by the LGBT organization “Circolo Arcigay”, participants took part in obscene and sexually vulgar scenes depicting the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. The city authorities demanded the stop to the events, which were described as "blasphemous and offensive to the dignity of the Christians."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1502
"Congress of Christian Leaders" Called "Congress of Radical Christians" in News Coverage
2015-03-12 | Known for his bias against Christians, Christian Baars, reporter for NRD.de, published an article about a Christian Congress which took place in February 2015 in Hamburg. "Scholz unterstützt Kongress radikaler Christen" (in English, "Scholz supports Congress of Radical Christians") is the title of the article. Olaf Scholz is the First Mayor of Hamburg. Christians considered the article to be biased and insulting.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1512
Vandalism in Saint-Élisabeth Church in Paris
2015-03-11 | An act of vandalism and degradation took place on a work of art behind the choir at the foot of the Cross and St. Mary and St. John in the church of Sainte-Élisabeth-de-Hongrie in Paris. The perpetrators remain unknown. The pastor filed a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1510
Replica of the Lourdes Grotto Vandalized in Delme, Moselle
2015-03-10 | Several acts of vandalism targeted the Lourdes Grotto near the cemetery in Delme. Witness said that benches placed in front of the cave were destroyed. Police were notified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1503
Catholics Insulted by Demonstrators After Mass
2015-03-08 | As they left the church in Saint-Epvre in Nancy after Sunday services. parishioners were confronted with a feminist manifestation taking place right in front of the steps of the church. The activists were shouting hate slogans and vulgarities towards the people leaving the church, including young children.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1504
Employment Tribunal Hears Christian Educator "Rightly" Dismissed for Faith
2015-03-05 | Christian nursery educator, Sarah Mbuyi, was dismissed from her job after "gross misconduct" for saying that marriage is an institution between one man and one woman in conversation with a colleague. In an employment tribunal hearing, witnesses testified that Christian views on the topic should not be expressed in the workplace.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1488
Church Vandalized in Pregny-Chambésy
2015-03-05 | Several statues in the St. Petronilla Catholic Church in Pregny-Chambésy were profanated and damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1511
“Christ” and “Jesus” Considered Abusive by Marks & Spencer
2015-03-01 | A pastor’s wife order for bouquet of spring flowers was blocked when she had tried to use words: "Thank you for your care and practical help for Margaret in her last days... With love from her church family, Christ Church Teddington". She was confronted with an on-screen warning: “Sorry there’s something in your message we can’t write.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1494
Aggression against Pro-Life Activists in Munich
2015-02-28 | The German Christian pro-life group Jugend für das Leben ("Youth for Life") organized a demonstration on the Odeon Square in Munich followed by a Holy Mass at the University Church. The demonstration had previously been registered and approved.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1487
Bremen Cathedral Target in Plans for Islamist Attack
2015-02-28 | Four Islamists from France attempted to commit terrorist attacks in Bremen in the Cathedral of St Peter, a Gothic cathedral adjacent to the Renaissance town hall, in a synagogue, and on a lively square. A massive deployment of police thwarted their plans, but the would-be attackers managed to escape.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1505
Vandalism of Two Churches on the Same Day in Joigny
2015-02-25 | The City of Joigny and Fr. Romain Tavernier, a parish priest, submitted two complaints for acts of vandalism and theft which had taken place in two churches.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1491
Profanation of a Church in Czestochowa
2015-02-24 | Unknown assailants vandalised the church of the Mystery of the Resurrection in Emmaus in Czestochowa. The perpetrators drew satanic signs on the facade of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1498
French Media Misleadingly Calls Christian Cemeteries "Municipal Sites"
2015-02-23 | The French news channel BFMTV reported statistics about problem of the profanation of cemeteries in 2014. In its morning news, it reported that 206 cases were in Christian cemeteries, in Jewish cemeteries there were 6 cases, and in Muslim sites there were 4 cases. By its lunchtime news program, the channel had ceased to mention "Christian" cemeteries, instead, the phrase "municipal" cemeteries was used. References to Jewish and Muslim cemeteries were unchanged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1500
Christian Graves Desecrated in Matoury (French Guiana)
2015-02-19 | Several graves in the cemetery of Matoury, French Guiana (15 km from Cayenne) were intentionally vandalized.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1496
A Statue of the Virgin Mary Desecrated in Châtel
2015-02-19 | Unknown perpetrators have committed various degradations and profanations in the main town of the resort of Châtel in Haute-Savoie. The statue of Our Lady of Skieurs in front of the church was the main target for the vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1497
Dozens of Christian Graves Vandalized in Calvados
2015-02-17 | Christian symbols on graves were vandalized in the cemetery of the town of Tracy-sur-Mer in Calvados. Unknown perpetrators vandalized dozens of crucifixes and displaced them.
The Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve expressed his outrage and promised that "every effort will be made to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of these outrageous acts that violate our values and respect that seals our community".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1483
Church in Delémont Soiled by Offensive Graffiti
2015-02-17 | Inside and outside the Catholic church of Saint-Marcel Delémont was vandalised by offensive graffiti. The perpetrators are suspected to have been anarchists or leftists.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1484
St. John the Baptist Church in Lecce Vandalized With Offensive Graffiti
2015-02-16 | The church of Saint John the Baptist in Lecce was vandalized. A statue of the Virgin Mary was spray painted in red and graffiti saying "God is a transgender" and that "Priests are pedophiles" was painted. Other graffiti clarified that the reason for the attack was the pro-family conference organized the previous week by organizations "Se alla famiglia" and "Alleanza Cattolica". Offending graffiti also attacked a judge and former deputy Minister Alfredo Mantovano, who spoke at the pro-family event.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1482
Statues in Church in Friedrichshafen Severely Vandalized
2015-02-16 | A church was vandalized and desecrated in Friedrichshafen in Baden-Württemberg. The Catholic community of the parish of St. Peter Canisius of the diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart was very much in shock.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1495
French President Condemns the Murder of Christians Without Referring to Their Faith
2015-02-16 | In his statement after the murder of 21 Coptic Christians by Daesh in Libya, President Hollande did not mention the word "Christian" or that these people were killed by Islamic State for their Christian faith at all, but he merely referred to the victims as "Egyptian citizens."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1499
After Numerous Acts of Vandalism Bishop Orders Removal of the Eucharist
2015-02-10 | In a response to the repeated, severe acts of vandalism which have taken place in ten French parishes during the last few weeks, the bishop of Bellay-Ars ordered that the Eucharist should be removed from all parishes and chapels of his diocese.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1478
Abortion Opponents Compared to Jihadists
2015-02-09 | Mona Sahlin, the national coordinator against violent extremism at the Swedish Ministry of Justice, stated during a panel discussion on religion and democracy that Ellinor Grimmark, a Christian midwife who refuses to participate in abortion, was an "extreme religious practitioner who is fighting in a similar way as do the people fighting for the Islamic state.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1485
Series of Desecration and Thefts at Churches
2015-02-08 | Five French churches were the victims of theft, vandalism and desecration within three days at the hands of unknown perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1479
Student Beaten in Dormitory for Christian Faith in Berlin
2015-02-08 | According to the police, a 24-year-old student was first verbally insulted and then severely beaten by two attackers on his way to his student dormitory, solely "because of his Christian faith." During the assault, the offenders put a knife to the student’s throat. Security staff intervened, but the two perpetrators escaped by car.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1481
Graves Devastated in Severan
2015-02-07 | According to the local sources, twenty graves were vandalized in the downtown cemetery of Severan. The unknown perpetrators were exceptionally brutal toward Christian symbols that adorned the graves. Police is investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1477
Arson of Protestant Church in Plauen / Saxony
2015-02-05 | In Stockheim (in the diocese of Augsburg) an arson attack took place in Protestant St. Michael's church. The fire was discovered by the sexton of the church who together with his wife managed to extinguish the fire in the altar area. Despite their efforts, according to the police report, the fire spread to the rest of the church. The couple was taken to the hospital for the observation. According to a police report, there is evidence of intentional vandalism, even though religious motivation has not yet been publicly confirmed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1467
Conscientious Objection At Stake After Five Public Hospitals Refuse to Perform Abortions
2015-01-31 | The Ministry of Health in Croatia vowed to ensure abortion in all public hospitals, regardless of doctors' conscientious objection. According to the Ministry every public hospital must have a team that performs abortions. This policy came as the result of the discovery of five hospitals, in which gynecologists refused to perform abortions based on their right to conscientious objection.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1490
Politician Forced to Withdraw Candidacy Due to Christian Engagement
2015-01-28 | Politician Mark Holleman had to withdraw his candidacy for appointment as the environmental and health officer for Munich, despite being the favored candidate of the City Council, because of his membership in a pro-life group as well as in Christian Solidarity International.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1469
Parents Protesting Against Aggressive Sex Education Attacked by Counter-Demonstration in Hamburg
2015-01-25 | Protesters demonstrated against the "violation of parents’ rights in education" of their children.150 parents were attacked by about 600 left-wing radicals who threw eggs, fireworks and bottles into the crowd of demonstrators. A 15 year-old girl had to be taken to the hospital. Police intervened.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1486
Devastation of St. John's Church in Plauen / Saxony
2015-01-21 | The interior of the Protestant Church of St. John's in Plauen (Saxony) was vandalized with fire extinguisher powder. The total damages are estimated at 10,000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1468
Vandalism in Miesenbacher Chapel in Ruhpolding
2015-01-12 | The Daily "Traunsteiner Tagblatt“ of Bavaria reported on January 12, 2015, an incident of vandalism in the Miesenbacher Kapelle in Ruhpolding (Chiemgau). Vandals threw blessed liturgical candles around and hit a statue of the Virgin Mary with a statue of the baby Jesus, breaking the hands of the Jesus figure.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1501
Desecration of Tabernacle in Chapel in Barbizon
2015-01-10 | An incident of desecration took place in the chapel of Barbizon, near Fontainebleau. Vandals broke open the door of the tabernacle, which is the place where the consecrated wine and host are kept. Both religious items, which carry significant meaning for Catholics, were thrown on the ground. Nothing was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1466
Journalists’ Association Displays Anti-Christian Bias
2015-01-10 | A Croatian journalist was reprimanded by her professional association for calling abortion murder in an online article. While anti-Christian expressions are generally accepted as "a matter of style“, her Christian-inspired opinion was not tolerated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1516
Profanation and Devastation of Statue of Mary in Perugia
2015-01-09 | A statue of the Virgin Mary was vandalized by a group of North-African immigrants with a Muslim background, according to locals. The parish priest of St. Barnaba, Fr. Alessandro Scarda, recounted: “They broke the statue in two pieces, and they then kicked it as if it was a ball. Afterward, they urinated onto the pieces.” The people of the parish gathered the remains of the statue, cleaned and glued them. The small statue was put back at its original location. The parishioners have gathered to pray at the statue after the vandalism. The police are investigating to confirm the identity and the background of the perpetrators. Muslim organizations and public figures have condemned the act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1476
Desecration and Theft of the Church Notre-Dame-des-Marais in Montluel
2015-01-08 | Unknown perpetrators profanated a tabernacle. A chalice and consecrated hosts were stolen.
Police was notified about the devastation, but the perpetrators remain unknown. The following Sunday morning Mass in the church had to be moved to the neighboring town of Dagneux. The Notre-Dame-des-Marais church had to be closed for five days.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1475
Muslim Devastated the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Cles/Trento
2015-01-03 | While entering the church, a Moroccan-origin Muslim was yelling in Arabic phrases from the Koran. Then he destroyed five religious statues and other religious objects in the church causing severe damage. Eventually, the 67 years old male was arrested by the Police and is now facing criminal charges.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1470
Lifesize Calvary Scene Statues Overthrown in Cabourg
2015-01-01 | Lifesize statues of a calvary scene behind a church in Cabourg (Calvados) were vandalized in the night between December 31, 2014 and January 1, 2015. The statues of Mary and St. John were over thrown and found lying on the ground. The statues had been recently renovated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1464
Topless Protester Lifts Baby Jesus From Vatican Nativity Scene
2014-12-25 | A woman of the activist group Femen disrupted the nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. The topless woman had ‘God is a Woman’ written on her torso. She stole a figurine of baby Jesus which had been unveiled by the pope the day before. The woman rushed to the manger in the center of the square, grabbed the Jesus figurine, and raised it above her head while shouting slogans against the Catholic Church. Police intervened.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1460
Devastation of the Nativity Scene in Pecq
2014-12-25 | The Nativity Scene at the parish church of St. Wandrille in Pecq was severely vandalized by unknown perpetrators. The Holy Family and the cradle were stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1471
Church in Aisne Vandalized and Desecrated
2014-12-25 | The Church of St. Hilary of Berry-au-Bac in Aisne was devastated by vandals. The perpetrators have not only stolen valuable things, but also vandalized, defiled and profaned holy items of the church, including the church's tabernacles. The vandals remain unknown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1472
Rioting at Christmas Service at Catholic Church in Rheydt
2014-12-24 | Four children and one teenager rioted at a Christmas service at Our Lady’s Catholic church in Rheydt close to Mönchengladbach. They entered the service and yelled: „Scheiß-Christen“ (shit Christians). Several news outlets reported that the congregation had identified the youth as young Muslims.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1461
Wayside Cross Motersawed by Muslim
2014-12-22 | An old wayside crucifix with corpus was cut down with a motor saw in Groß-Enzersdorf, Lower Austria. A Muslim of Egyptian origin whose property was located close to the cross said that he it had „annoyed him“. The cross had been a destination for pilgrimages for over 60 years.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1462
Services in St. Stephan’s Cathedral Interrupted by Protest
2014-12-08 | When Cardinal Schönborn was about to read the gospel in the liturgy of festivity of December 8th in St. Stephan’s cathedral, a performance artist stepped in front of the altar for a minute of silence dressed in read. Afterwards he marched out of the church together with about 20 activists to hand out leaflets picturing a nacked nun eating icecream to protest celibacy. Police investigate on grounds of a violation of freedom of religious practice.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1459
Image of Virgin Mary Burnt in Cordoba
2014-12-04 | The image of Virgin Mary was completely destroyed by a fire in the chapel of San Sebastian Hospital in Palma del Rio.
Evidence suggests that the fire was intentionally caused by arsonist, because nothing else got burnt. However, the mayor reminded people that it may have been the result of an unfortunate accident due to wiring.
Many local faithful could not stop tears, because the image, an object of faithful adoration, was one of the oldest in Palma del Rio.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1557
Christmas Market Named “Winter Festival” by Law in Kreuzberg, Berlin
2014-11-30 | Local Parliament in Kreuzberg district of Berlin states that "The district office agrees upon a principle that, there is no permission to be granted for the events of religious communities in the public space". As a result, the previously called "Weihnnachtmarkt" (Christmas market) is from now on to be called "Winterfest" (winter festival).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1473
Organized Campaign Against Building Religious Schools in Madrid
2014-11-28 | A group of people organized a campaign against building religious schools in Spain and painted slogans "Your education - our destruction” on walls of the church of Santa Monica in Rivas Vaciamadrid. Moreover, some protesters in green jerseys (as a symbol of public schools) broke into the church with praying people to express their opinion. Local right-wing party PP decalred that it was another example of the radical atmosphere in the town.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1556
Topless Protest in the Strasbourg Cathedral against Visit of Pope in the European Parliament
2014-11-25 | An activist of the feminist group “Femen” climbed the altar in Strasbourg's cathedral topless and waved the EU flag. The words “Anti-Secular Europe,” were written across her breasts, and “The Pope is Not a Politician” on her back.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1452
Femen Vandalizes a Madrid Cemetery
2014-11-20 | The cementry of the Martyrs of Paracuellos del Jarama was vandalized by Spanish group Femen which is famous for physical and verbal agression against Christians. Activists carried signs such as "STOP20N” (the expression for not celebrating the date of death of famous Spanish dictator Francisco Franco and supporting his rule). They also wore slogans "No celebrate fascism” and "Stop fascism canonizing” on their bare torsos. People declared Femen's protest as act of an desecration of the sacred place.
http://infocatolica.com/?t=noticia&cod=22550&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=NoticasTw&utm_source=infocatolicatw
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1555
Abortion Issue Meets Opposition in Sweden
2014-11-14 | New Christian Democrat leader Ebba Busch Thor has reiterated her call for the introduction of a conscience clause, which would enable medical staff to refuse to carry out abortions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1542
Pensioner Dismissed from Red Cross After Protesting Same-sex Marriage
2014-11-01 | 71-years-old Bryan Barkley was dismissed from the British Red Cross after his one-man protest in front of his church holding a placard saying “No same sex marriage” and “No redefinition of marriage”. His views were found incompatible with the principles of impartiality and neutrality of Red Cross.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1454
Anti-Church Exhibit in Madrid Museum
2014-10-29 | The Spanish museum of modern and contemporary art exhibits a rather peculiar piece: matches with a sign reading “The only church that illuminates is a burning one". This slogan had also been painted by vandals on the walls of the churches all over the country. The matches also say: "Contribute!" and there is a picture of a church in flames on the box of matches.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1457
Islamist Graffiti on a Monastery in Kosovo
2014-10-13 | A graffiti in support of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and the Albanian National Army (AKSh) appeared on the gate of monastery Visoki Decani in Kosovo on 13th October early in the morning. Another such graffiti were found on some of the buildings inside the compound of the medieval monastery protected by UNESCO.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1453
Internat’l Human Trafficking Conference Cancelled Because Organizer Is Christian Abortion Opponent
2014-10-12 | An international conference about human rights and human trafficking in Sweden and Europe was cancelled three days before it was supposed to take place by the Uppsala University. The reason was an article published in the Swedish newspaper "Aftonbladet" exposing Scandinavian Human Rights Lawyers, and their President, Mrs. Ruth Nordström, as a defender of unborn life and freedom of conscience.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1456
Arson Attack on the Coptic Orthodox Church in Lichtenberg, Berlin
2014-10-06 | In the early morning, unknown men pushed and lit a garbage can in front of the entrance of the Church of St. Anthony in Lichtenberg in Berlin. The fire spread to the oak door of the church. Fortunately, firefighters could prevent the fire from spreading. Nevertheless, the entrance area of the church had been badly damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1474
Priest Hospitalized After Attack During Silent Pro-Family Manifestation in Rovereto
2014-10-05 | On Sunday, 5th of October, silent demonstrations against “gay marriage” took place throughout Italy under the name “standing sentinels” (“Sentinelle in Piedi”). During the gathering in Rovereto a group of anarchists demanded that the Sentinels leave and started to attack them. Two people, a priest and a young woman, had to been taken to hospital.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1455
Church Set on Fire in Berlin
2014-10-04 | A Coptic church in Berlin was set on fire by yet unknown perpetrators in the early morning hours of October 4th. A dustbin was moved to the main door of the church and set on fire. The fire spread from the dustbin to the historical wooden door which was seriously damaged
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1450
Threat to Christians in Graffiti in Vienna
2014-10-01 | A graffiti on the ground on a popular walkers' and bikers' promenade outside Augarten park reads: "Occupy all churches. We will rise." (Besetzt alle Kirchen. We will rise." This is an outright threat to Christians in Vienna.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1448
Bishop Locked into Parish Hall in Grosswarasdorf
2014-09-30 | Ägidius Zsifkovics, Austrian bishop of the diocese of Eisenstadt was locked into the parish hall of Grosswarasdorf by yet unidentified perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1449
Pharmacy in Neukölln Vandalized for Refusal to Sell “Morning-After-Pill”
2014-09-26 | In the night from 25th to 26th September a pharmacy in Neukölln was vandalized because of the owner’s refusal to sell the morning after pill. Pharmacist Andreas Kersten refers to reasons of his conscience. The show window and the entrance room were painted all over by red color, the damage amounts to more than 500 Euro.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1451
School Director Criticized for Displaying Madonna at School
2014-09-20 | The Director of a primary school was heavily criticized for displaying a 1,2m high statue of Holy Mary in a hall of his school. It is claimed it infringes the principle of state secularity and the separation of state and church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1440
Cross Removed from Cemetery's Gate
2014-09-20 | The municipality of Crotone has planned replacement of the entrance gate to a cemetery. At this moment there is a new gate but without a cross, officially not to disturb the sensitivity of Muslims and other non-Christian religions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1441
Attack on Pro-Life Activist during Anti-Concordat Demonstration in Zagreb
2014-09-20 | During an anti-concordat demonstration organized by the non-governmental organization „The Voice of Reason - A Movement for a Secular Croatia“ on the Flower Square in Zagreb, a counter demonstrator was attacked. Mrs. Ružica Ćavar, who is the President of the Croatian Pro-Life Movement, was carrying a poster expressing her opposition. A man attacked and injured Mrs. Ćavar so that she had to be transported to the hospital for medical treatment. The police arrested the attacker.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1541
Attack Against a Nigerian Christian Woman
2014-09-19 | A Muslim from Mali living in Italy was arrested for a physical attack at a Christian Nigerian woman in Italy. The Nigerian woman had been threatened with death because she was wearing a chain with a cross, later on she was stabbed and needed to be hospitalized with serious injuries.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1442
Attack at a Church in Berlin and at Christians Assembled in March for Life
2014-09-19 | A church in Berlin was seriously damaged because it offered its premises for abortion opponents. Also the Christians peacefully assembled at the so called “March for life” – a pro life manifestation in Berlin became targets of variety of attacks. Several German politicians criticized the event and described attending Christians as "religious fundamentalists".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1444
Pro-Life-Activists Called “Conservative Dirt” by German Left Wing Party
2014-09-17 | The regional council of the Left party in Türingen (Landesvorstand der Linken Thüringens) called the March for life organized every year by the national association of right to life as „an anti-feminist, anti-emancipatory and conservative dirt“.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1447
Devastation And Profanation of the Church of the Ascension
2014-09-14 | Unknown vandals broke into the church of the Ascension on the day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and devastated it. They destroyed Christian symbols and icons and left the inscription „Eat shit, it’s a treat from Zeus“ on the altar. This shocked local faithful, priests from the church and the couple who saw the incident. Locals appealed to the police to catch the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1539
Devastation of the Church Of Saints Helen And Konstantin in Nafplio
2014-09-14 | Unknown vandals broke into the church of Saints Helen and Konstantin in Nafplio and totally devastated the sacristy and the courtyard. They damaged stairs and walls of the building and soiled the backyard. Priests appealed to the police to identify the peretrators and asked people to help them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1540
Vandalism and Death Threats at Church in Leoben
2014-09-02 | The Stadtpfarrkirche, the main city parish church, of Leoben was vandalised and damaged in the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 2nd. The perpetrators ripped apart paintings, and destroyed crosses and candle holders. The altar was displaced despites its heavy weight, and on the altar cross the writing „death to priests“ was smeared.
The parish priest was also personally threatened with the smeared words „Priest go home, otherwise we will burn down your church.“
A woman was identified a few days later who claims that voices told her to vandalize the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1438
Marriage Registrar Dismissed for Refusing to Perform Same-sex Ceremony But Subsequently Reinstated
2014-09-01 | A Christian registrar was dismissed for indicating she would not be willing to perform same-sex marriages. Finally, she was reinstated after a successful appeal in which it was ruled that her employer had failed to take a “balanced view” of her religious beliefs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1458
Vandalism of a Statue of Christ in Krems
2014-08-29 | An unidentified vandal destroyed a Calvary statue of Christ on the Mount of Olives of 200 kg weight in the Piaristen church in Krems. The damage amounts to 5.000 Euro. A similar act of vandalism took place 9 years ago, when a vandal was caught and condemned by court.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1431
Church in Liege Repeatedly Vandalized
2014-08-26 | The Saint-Pierre Church of the Province and the Diocese of Liege in Belgium was vandalized again. Stones were thrown through the windows of the church breaking ten of them. A trunk with candle offerings was also broken again.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1432
St-Pierre Church in Liege Vandalized Again
2014-08-26 | Saint-Pierre Church of the province and the Diocese of Liege in Belgium was vandalized once more. Stones were thrown into the windows of the church and ten of them have been broken. Beside, a trunk with candle offerings was broken into.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1445
Theft of Consecrated Hosts at a Pilgrims’ Hostel in La Roche-sur-Foron
2014-08-17 | The renowned Christian pilgrims’ hostel Benite-Fontaine in La Roche-sur-Foron in France was burglarized during the night from 16th to 17th August 2014. Bottles of communion wine were drunk and the consecrated hosts were stolen from the tabernacle.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1433
Travelodge Removes Bibles from Hotel Rooms in Britain
2014-08-15 | One of biggest hotel chains in Britain, Travelodge, has decided to remove Bibles from the hotel rooms to avoid upsetting non-Christians. Travelodge bases its decision on ‘diversity reasons’ and explains that the country has become increasingly multicultural.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1434
Christian Asylum Seekers Mobbed by Muslim Aslyum Seekers
2014-08-11 | Christians seeking asylum in Germany are reported to suffer anti-Christian attacks in homes for asylum seekers. Victims claim to be verbally abused and beaten by Muslim asylum seekers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1420
Vandalism against Sisters of the Lamb in Béthune
2014-08-09 | On Saturday, 9th August 2014, nuns of the Dominican Congregation the Sisters of the Lamb discovered that a caravan located in their premises that had been provided by a donor for various projects had been seriously vandalised.
All of their tools were scattered on the floor, boxes of nails were overturned, there were several holes drilled in the roof, cabinets were ransacked etc. Books were piled under a bush indicating that the vandals were about to set a fire. Inscriptions on the door (their handwriting) give evidence that the vandals were probably young people.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1436
Muslim Chechens Attack Christian Syrians In Berlin Refugee Camp
2014-08-08 | Around 100 Muslim Chechens have beaten Christian Syrians in a refugee camp in Berlin, Marienfeld. The motivation apparantly was religious hate. Five Syrians had to go to the hospital with serious injuries. 80 police men were finally able to get the situation under control, eight Chechens were allegedly taken to the police station for identification.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1435
Devastation of the Chapel of Saint Andrew in Kimolos
2014-08-01 | Unknown vandals broke into the chapel of Saint Andrew in Kimolos, destroyed Christain symbols and icons and totally damaged the altar of the place.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1538
Burglary And Robbery In The Chapel Of Saint Theodore in Tripoli
2014-07-31 | Unknown vandals broke into the chapel of Saint Theodore in Tripoli and damaged it. Additionally, they stole objects from the altar such as a baptismal font.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1537
(/Northern Ireland) Arson Attack on a Church in North Belfast
2014-07-20 | The Catholic church in Newtownabbey has been a target of several hate crimes already. On July 20th, it was an arson attack. The wooden doors of the church were damaged by flammable liquid.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1421
Doctor Fired in Abortion Incident for Refusal to Perform or Refer
2014-07-08 | A Polish doctor was fired from his position as the director of Holy Family Hospital in Warsaw for refusing to perform an abortion on grounds of his conscience and for not referring the mother to a doctor who would do it. Dr. Chazan was dismissed by the mayor of Warsaw, Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1437
Northern Ireland Bakery Facing Legal Action For Not Support Gay Marriage
2014-07-07 | A bakery is facing legal action for refusing to produce a cake decorated with Sesame Street characters saying ‘support gay marriage’ on grounds of their religious beliefs. While gay marriage is not legal in Northern Ireland, the equality commission demands from the directors of the bakery to „remedy your illegal discrimination“.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1418
Vandalism of Church in Trebes in Languedoc-Roussillon
2014-07-02 | When the sacristan wanted to close the doors of the curch in Saint-Etienne in Trebes, he had the unpleasant surprise to find candles cut into pieces and scattered inside the ecclesia. Other candels were used to burn documents of the church office in the baptismal font. This was not the first time Saint-Etienne had been vandalized.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1419
Vandalism and Theft in Saint Michael's Church in Leuven
2014-07-01 | A Portuguese student destroyed and damaged the interior equipment, among these were counters with leaflets, candles, and he also has thrown two stones at the images of Peter and Paul who were placed in front of the main altar. He also stole money from the poor box.
An eye witness called the police but the young man was able to run away.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1417
US Teacher Documents 300 Cases of Anti-Christian Acts by Gay Activists
2014-07-01 | Robert Oscar Lopez, a teacher for Literature and Classics in Los Angeles, documented 300 cases of overboarding responses of gay activists to opponents. These incidents mainly took place in Europe and the US. Some are directed against Christians, others are more of a political nature. Some cases might seem self-inflicted, many do not.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1422
Police Advice: Record Christian Street Preacher To Sue Them
2014-06-30 | Police advice people to record a Christian street preacher Mr Michael Overd on a video if he makes offensive remarks as some passers-by in High Street were upset when he expressed his views about homosexuality and sex outside marriage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1439
Street Evangelist Tried for Talking about the Live of Mohammed in Taunton
2014-06-27 | Street evangelist, Mike Overd, is being prosecuted for an alleged religious aggravation public order offence. The charges followed a complaint to police in Taunton, that Mike Overd made a comparison between the life of Jesus and the life of Mohammed, allegedly "causing offense."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1489
Pro-Life Christians Insulted by Pro-Choice Demonstrators in Bologna
2014-06-26 | The Christian community “Papa Giovanni XXIII” prays every Tuesday in front of a hospital in Bologna to raise a voice for unborn life. At the same time left wing activists try to counter the manifestation by insulting their religion and singing so loudly that the prayers cannot be heard by others. The attacks happen frequently on Tuesdays when Christians gather to pray in front of a hospital where abortions take place. The insults include: “Go back to your churches!” to “Away, away, with ave Marie” and hurt the feelings of the faithful and violate freedom of assembly.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1415
Anti-Christian Facebook Page Hurts Feelings of Faithful
2014-06-23 | The Facebook page „Virgin Mary should´ve aborted“ covers images of the unborn Jesus as an abortion victim wearing a crown of thorns and blood flowing from his side while the Virgin Mary smokes a marijuana cigar. The content of this page is mostly anti-Christian, as well as pro-abortion. The statements on this page are spreading defamation and hatred against Christians and Christianity.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1410
Vandalism at St. Oswald Church in Traunstein
2014-06-16 | An unknown person vandalised the church where Pope emeritus Benedict XVI celebrated his first mass as a Catholic priest in Traunstein, Germany. The perpetrator destroyed a statue of an angel and took off pieces of the altar. An arm and a foot of the corpus of the crucifix on the tabernacle were also broken off. The motivation of this attack is unknown. The motivation of this attack is unknown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1408
Left Wing Activists Block Registered Pro-Family Demonstration in Vienna
2014-06-14 | On June 14th, approximately 200 left wing activists hindered a pro-family demonstration of about 50 Christians to proceed on the registered route. After the police unsuccessfully tried to persuade the left wing activists to leave, they took their names. Five activists who refused to show their ID were briefly arrested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1405
Vandalism at St. Clement Church in Nantes
2014-06-14 | On 14th June 2014, anonymous vandalists spraypainted the portal of St. Clement inscription: "Help thy neighbor?"
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1409
Nude Women Chained Themselves to Main Altar of Madrid Cathedral
2014-06-13 | Two nude female activists from the radical feminist group FEMEN chained themself to the base of the crucifix at the main altar of the Cathedral of the Almudena in Madrid, Spain to protest against the limitation of abortion law in Madrid. They started chanting „abortion is sacred“ etc.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1406
Sacrilegious Pictures Taken in a Church in Bilbao
2014-06-10 | The model posed for the photographer naked in the interior of the Bilbao church. Many local faithful found it blasphemous and repulsive for the Christian religion. The photographer came to the church without the parish priest’s permission. He claimed that he took the keys from his mother who is responsible for cleaning the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1547
Verbal Attacks on Christianity on Romanian National Television
2014-06-09 | In the Epic Show, a one-man show broadcasted on a Rumanian national television, PRIMA TV, the presenter attacked violently Orthodox Christianity. In his speech he expressed among other things: “You, filthy pieces of s**t, you want to lie to us regarding the existence of a bearded old man who created the world in 6 days and then got tired"….”you teach our children to cast stones and kill homosexuals”….”when you decide to move your corpses and siege our children in schools to teach them the puke of creationism, wait for us to siege you in your sh**y churches to teach you evolutionism with torches in our hands!”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1407
Defamation of and Threat against a Christian Pub in Paris by LGBT Person
2014-06-04 | Defamations and threats were sprayed on a Christian pub in Paris saying: “Today tags, tomorrow bombs” or “Death to holy fuckers”. The claims were signed with LGBT.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1404
Devastation Of Christian Symbols In a Church in Aigion
2014-06-03 | An unknown vandal attacked a church in Aigion and destroyed the miraculous icon of Mother of God. Before the act, he asked prayers to leave him alone with the icon and explained he need to pray in peace. While he was alone, he devastated an image with stones, probably hidden in his pocket. This behaviour shocked local faithful and priests.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1536
Christian Feelings Hurt by Distortion of Last Supper by RAI-2
2014-05-31 | Italian Christians are hurt by the TV Program "LOL" broadcasted by RAI-2 which shows Jesus, his apostles, and a women at a table having a happy banquet meaning to be the last supper, The wedding music suggest that it was about a marriage between Jesus and the woman, but this misunderstanding clears up when Jesus kisses one of his apostels on the mouth. The broadcast is understood to be a promotion of same sex marriage. Many faithful feel strongly about the images of the last supper, and are hurt by this distortion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1416
Notre Dame in Fribourg Vandalized by Minors
2014-05-22 | Two adolescents at the age of 14 and 15 were caught vandalising a Catholic church. They broke the paschal candle, pulled of one station of the cross, painted on the wall a leaf of cannabis and threw cigarette butts and papers around the altar.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1403
Protests Against a Sexual Ethics Congress
2014-05-22 | The association “White cross” (Weißes Kreuz) hosted a congress about sexual ethics between the 22nd and the 24th of May in Kassel, Germany. This congress was a target of strong general criticism, also by the representatives of the city of Kassel. Shortly before the start of the congress, the congress building was vandalized by red color paint as a symbol of disagreement.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1443
St. George and Catharine Church Vandalised in Traunstein
2014-05-20 | An unknown person attacked the St. Georg and Catharine Church in Traunstein, Germany. The invader broke a holy water vessel off the wall with a large stone. The motivation for the attack is unknown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1411
Arson in the Catholic School St. Mary Weg Riquet in Aubagne
2014-05-20 | A fire broke out in a class room during the night of May 20th destroying four classrooms. The Police found out that many fires were set. The attacker is unknown. The St. Mary Weg Riquet School remained closed on the day after.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1412
Basilica of St. Nicolas in Nantes Vandalized Again
2014-05-13 | The Basilica of St. Nicolas in Nantes was again victim of vandalism. The perpetrators wrote on the door satanic and anti-Christian motives. In March obscene graffiti was painted on the same building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1401
Attempted Arson and Vandalism at Notre-Dame de la Plaine in Billere
2014-05-11 | On March 11th the church Notre-Dame de la Plaine in Billère in Southwestern France was vandalised: The diocese of Bayonne, Lescar and Oloron said that „one or more persons burned the altar shrine and the cross in the sanctuary“.
The police confirmed the vandalism and found some feces. The parish priest has filed a complaint and a police investigation is underway.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1400
Bascilia of Saint-Sernin in Toulouse vandalised
2014-05-10 | The Basilica of St. Sernin was graffitied during the night by a group called G2M. The perpetrators sprayed on one of the portals on the court and on the wall of the Basilica.
The CREW G2M is already known in Toulouse since 2010. The Basilica was also sprayed in March.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1399
Left-Wing Local Government Removes Cherished Statue of Jesus
2014-05-09 | A statue of Jesus Christ was removed and damaged by the governing local left-wing Galician nationalist party BNG in San Sadurnino in La Coruna.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1546
Arson Attack on Church in Vorarlberg
2014-05-04 | Unknown offenders started a fire at the entrance of the church in Vorarlberg. At 1:20 am people walking by discovered the flames and were able to extinguish the fire, but the two 52 year-old women had to be brought to the hospital as a precautionary measure. There were suspected injuries of smoke inhalation, however, they were soon discharged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1396
Karlskirche Vandalised in Vienna
2014-05-04 | During the night from Friday to Saturday unknown perpetrators vandalised the world famous Karlskirche in Vienna’s fourth district. The perpetrators threw several bags of paint on the stonework and some statues in front of the church. Also the words „on repression follows resistance“ were smeared on the walls.
The police suspect several perpetrators. The incident was noticed Saturday morning. The damage is severe.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1397
Chain Store Uses Christian Symbol With Offensive Twist
2014-05-03 | The chain store “Camping” (Camper) used a spin off of a traditional Christian symbol to advertise its new shoe line the “Sailing Collection.” As depicted in the picture taken from a storefront in Paris, the traditional image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is depicted with the astronomical sign of Venus in place of the cross. This symbol is often used by feminist movements.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1425
Christian Conscientious Objectors to Morning-After-Pill Barred from Sexual Health Care Diploma
2014-05-01 | British doctors and nurses who refuse to dispense the morning-after pill on grounds of conscience will be unable to receive a specialist diploma in sexual health care.
Guidance issued by the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare states that medical professionals who, for religious reasons, refuse to hand out "emergency" contraception cannot receive the qualification.
The diploma is considered to represent the "gold standard" of sexual health care training.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1402
Anarchist and Feminist Graffiti on Church in Beltinci
2014-05-01 | In the night of the 1st to the 2nd of May, 2014, unknown perpetrators graffitied the church of Saint-Ladislav, in Beltinci, a region in the northeast of Slovenia and close to the country’s border with Hungary. This is the fourth time in recent years that the church has been a victim of such vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1426
Christian Worker in London Claims She was Fired for Refusing to Read Children’s Books About Gay Couples
2014-04-30 | Sarah Mbuyi, 30 year-old nursery worker from north London will bring her case to court as she claims she was fired on the grounds of her religious beliefs because she said that she would have scruples about reading children’s stories involving same-sex couples.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1423
Church of Saint-Michel Vandalised in Locmiquélic (Bretagne)
2014-04-30 | On the 30th of April, in the afternoon, the church of Saint-Michel in Locmiquélic was once again the victim of vandalism. The candles were broken into several pieces and a hymnal was ripped apart. It was reported that adolescents were identified as having committed the crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1427
Muslim Interrupts Religious Remembrance Ceremony in Alfreton, Derbyshire
2014-04-26 | In Derbyshire, England on the 11th of November, 2013, a 52 year-old Muslim man named Mohamed Dar entered New Life Church in Alfreton as the community was holding a remembrance service for English World War I soldiers. He was shouting "turn to Islam" while wearing a scarf tied over his face and a kind of turban on which was written in Arab, “Allah is great.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1424
Disney Excludes the Name of God in Movies
2014-04-25 | In an interview on a National Public Radio program called Fresh Air, one of the Oscar-winning songwriters of Let It Go, from Disney’s film Frozen, said that "one of the only places you have to draw the line at Disney is with religious things, the word God." According to The Guardian, “Lopez went on to say: ‘You can say it in Disney but you can't put it in the movie.’”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1392
Two Catholic Parish Websites Hacked
2014-04-24 | Two Catholic parish websites, the parish of Saint Louis of the French in Madrid, and the parish of Notre Dame de Nazareth in Paris, were both hacked by the same perpetrator. The picture (see below) could be found when one tried to access the website. The site of Saint Louis of the French has been restored. Both website are hosted by the Conference of Bishops of France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1394
Memorial of John Paul II Vandalised in Krakow
2014-04-24 | The monument to John Paul II in Krakow was graffitied with a star of David during the week before the Sunday canonisation of the late pope. The police set up a perimeter while the monument was being cleaned, but rest silent as to the origin of this act of vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1395
Article Questions Whether or Not Government in Ljubljana has Anti-Christian Agenda
2014-04-22 | A group called KUL, founded in 2009 by Christian youth in Slovenia concerned with defending life and fundamental human rights, posted an article on their internet site on the 23rd of April, 2014 called, “Christianophobia: Is Mayor Zoran Janković violating human rights and promoting intolerance against Christians in Slovenia?” after Zoran Janković’s municipality had forbidden a mass to be celebrated for unborn babies at the hospital center of the public university of Ljubljana.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1428
Church in Villers-Cotterêts Robbed
2014-04-21 | On returning from the Easter Vigil, the local priest in Villers-Cotterêts discovered that someone had forced entry into the church. The sacristy was in disarray, and the poor box had been robbed. This box had already been padlocked because of an earlier theft, but the thief still managed to break in, leaving damages amounting to 80 euros. The box had been recently emptied.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1391
Muslim Disrupts Easter Mass
2014-04-20 | In the region of Jura, France, during a celebration of Easter Mass in the community of Notre Dame de Dole, a Muslim entered, and, putting his carpet next to the altar, began to read parts of the Coran and then proceeded to write in Arab in the parish registry. The same man had already disturbed the Palm Sunday liturgy in two different places, so the police had been warned, and when they showed up on the scene on Easter they calmly asked the man to leave.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1390
Insulting and Blasphemous Graffiti Near Entrance to the Chapel of Locmaria
2014-04-20 | Near the entrance to the chapel of Locmaria, which is part of the parish of Carnac, sometime during the night of Holy Saturday to Easter Sunday, graffiti was painted on a public signpost. This graffiti made blasphemous and insulting comments that made reference to Catholic fascists and a homosexual Jesus. The rector, Father Jérôme Sécher, filed a complaint with the local authorities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1393
Attempts to Prevent Palm Sunday Precession in Morbihan
2014-04-19 | The parishioners of the church of Saint-Gildas in l’île d’Houat were the victims of a failed attempt by members of the Association of Freethinkers of France to prevent the Palm Sunday procession. These protestors tried to work within the legal framework, saying that the procession did not have the correct municipal authorisation also claiming that it did not fall within any of the three categories of legal processions. Their attempt failed this year, but the question still remains whether or not such attempts will be successful in future years.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1387
Catholic Lay Blog Attacked
2014-04-18 | The Catholic lay blog “Le Salon Beige” was put out of order by attacks against the server from an unknown source. This happened three times in four days, one time on Good Friday, the other times on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1388
Church Vandalised in Region of Neuchâtel
2014-04-18 | A church in Chaux-de-Fonds in the region of Neuchâtel was vandalised during the night by a man who damaged the organ, destroyed the Easter decorations, and ripped out the speakers. The perpetrator appears to have been mentally unstable and was later escorted to a psychiatric hospital. The church intends to keep its opening hours in spite of the event.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1389
Christian Convert Knifed in Hvalsø
2014-04-11 | A 48-year-old Christian convert seeking asylum in Denmark was knifed several times by an unknown assailant in the kitchen of the Asylum center in Hvalsø. The victim received blows with a knife in the neck, arm, and back. The victim said that he had previously received death threats for having converted from Islam to Christianity, but no safety measures had been taken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1381
Labor Union Mocks Holy Week Procession in Seville
2014-04-11 | The Confederación General de Trabajadores (an anarchist worker’s union) held a procession in Seville in protest of the dismissal of several bus workers at the Damas Bus Company. The procession was also an amalgamation of other groups such as feminists who were protesting a reform of the abortion law. The procession was a mockery of a Holy Week procession and was called the “Blessed Rebellious Pussy (vulgar word for female genitals) Procession and the Holy Entombment of Socio-labor Rights.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1385
Swedish Nurse Fired for Refusing to Assist in Abortion
2014-04-10 | In January 2014 a Swedish nurse has filed a complaint of religious discrimination with Sweden’s equality commission after the hospital where she interned as a midwife sacked her for refusing to assist in abortions. The Ombudsperson for Discrimination concluded that Mrs Grimmark has not been discriminated because her conscientious objection stood against the ”availability of abortion care” and the ”protection of health” of patients requiring abortion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1398
Chapel Saint-François in Rennes Vandalised
2014-04-09 | Unidentified people broke into the Chapel of Saint- François in Rennes on April 9th breaking open the door to the sacristy. They left lying on the floor the vestments, liturgical linens, and other sacred objects. The perpetrator(s) emptied the poor boxes, but most importantly, the tabernacle was opened and the ciborium tampered with.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1382
Children Vandalized a Saint-Laurent de Rozoy-sur-Serre Church
2014-04-09 | Three children at the age between 7 and 11 vandalized the church of Saint-Laurent de Rozoy-sur-Serre in France. They turned the seats of the church, threw objects on the altar and the prayer books scattered on the floor.
The police was able to catch them because of the traces of their shoes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1446
German Father Imprisoned for Opting his Child out of Sex Education
2014-04-07 | On Monday, April 7th, Arthur Wiens was jailed for opting his child out of a sex education class in which nine-year-olds are taught about sexual intercourse with a plush vagina and rubber penis. Wiens spent a week behind bars, and his wife is threatened with a similar punishment.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1384
Left-Wing Radicals Attack Peaceful Prayer Group in Zurich
2014-04-06 | In Zurich, during an initiative called “Yes to the Child,” a pro-life rally was held in which those assembled prayed the rosary and various speeches were given on issues involving the protection of life. The date and location of the rally had not been publically announced, but near the end of the rally left-wing radicals attacked the group, throwing condoms at them. The police were quick to intervene. The spokesman at the rally initiated a prayer to pray for the attackers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1380
Insulting Graffiti at the Vatican on Right Side of Bernini’s Colonnade
2014-04-05 | Bernini’s Colonnade, which had been restored in preparation for the canonisation of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II, was found to have graffiti on the right side with the words, in poor English, “Catalic is Hitler.” Implying that a Catholic is like Hitler.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1379
Attempts to Secularise the Church of Saint Catherine in Brussels
2014-04-04 | A petition has been started by the “Friends of Saint Catherine” in Brussels to counteract the imminent cession of the church of Saint Catherine to the city. To add insult to injury, because the church is commercially very strategically placed, the state wishes to turn this place of worship into a place for selling fruits and vegetables even against the wishes of the locals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1429
Religious Statues Broken in the District of Linz-Land
2014-04-03 | Two saint statues were damaged between Friday, March 28th and Thursday, April 3rd. The statues had been located in a niche in front of the church of Hofkirchen im Traunkreis in the district of Linz-Land. The amount of damages was not officially known. The police have undertaken an investigation and are requesting leads in order to find the culprit(s).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1378
Catholic Church in Târgu Mureş Targeted for Graffiti
2014-04-02 | A Catholic church in Târgu Mureş, Romania, was found with the graffitied image of a swastika cross and suspicions lie with the extremist organisation called Noua Dreaptă (New Right).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1346
Church in Havré Vandalised
2014-04-01 | St. Martin’s Church in Havré became again the victim of vandals who destroyed some of the area around the entrance, tearing off some slate from above the door.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1347
Offensive Representation of the Last Supper on Cover of Music Album
2014-04-01 | The musical group Steel Panther released its new album “All You can Eat” on April 1, 2014. The cover portrays a group of band members in a Last Supper scene among whom are scantily clad women in provocative postures. Underneath is the name of the album, “All You Can Eat”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1368
Local Priest in Trèbes Reproached for Wearing a Cross
2014-04-01 | One of the officials working at a voting station in the town of Trèbes, France, reproached the local parish priest for wearing a cross around his neck saying that it was too ostensible a sign of religious adherence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1375
Catholic Private School Graffitied in Périgueux
2014-03-31 | The Catholic private school Saint-Jean de Périgueux was graffitied with the phrase, “Quand je serai grande, je serai gouine” which means, “When I grow up, I’m going to be a dyke” (a crude way of saying lesbian).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1341
Church in Mayenne Robbed of Hosts
2014-03-31 | The Church of Saint Peter in the community of Bouchamps-lès-Craon in Mayenne was robbed of its ciborium and the Eucharistic hosts inside. The police arrived on scene on Sunday, the 6th of April, and the bishop of Angers intends to celebrate a mass of reparation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1383
Four Churches in Vienna Heavily Vandalised
2014-03-29 | On Saturday, March 29th, St. Stephen’s cathedral, the parish church of Breitenfeld (Josefstadt), the parish church of Neuottakring (Ottakring) as well as the Lazaristenkirche (Neubau) were vandalised. The spokesperson of the diocese said the attacks have never before been so hard.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1325
Film Discussing the Problem of Pornography and Prostitution Canceled in Tours
2014-03-29 | The Cinéma National Populaire (CNP) canceled a showing and debate with the Swiss producer Philippe Decourroux on his DVD "Prostitution et pornographie, enjeu de société?" Which translated means, “Prostitution and Pornography, Concern of Society?” The producer denounced this move as anti-Christian. According to Decourroux, the CNP thought the film to be an attempt of Christian “proselytism”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1340
Glowing Mary Statue Elicits Negative Response
2014-03-28 | A statue of the Virgin Mary belonging to a couple in Jalhay, Belgium began to glow at night and caused such a stir at the couple’s house that Catholic authorities suggested moving it to a church. Not everyone, however, reacted so positively. On the Facebook page of the Radio Télévision Belge Francophone (RTBF) show "C’est vous qui le dites", comments were made such as “Let’s crucify them…that will get rid of their desire to propagate such tricks.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1348
Church of Sacré-Cœur in Lourdes Attacked
2014-03-27 | “Robbers” entered the Church of Sacré-Cœur in Lourdes sometime during the night of March 27-28, 2014 and broke open the poor boxes. More importantly, they broke open the tabernacle and stole the ciborium with the consecrated hosts that it contained. The parish priest responded by organising a prayer session.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1342
Archbishop of Cyprus Described As Homophobic And Racist
2014-03-27 | Cyprus’ Archbishop Chrystostomos expressed his opinion about same-sex relationships at the Council of the Presidents of the Christian Orthodox Church held in Istanbul. He took a position against homosexuality by stating that governments demonstrated a „weakening of moral integrity“ by ensuring equal rights through civil partnership or equal marriage. A local NGO denounced his remarks „homophobic” and „racist”, not allowing for dialogue and respect for the archbishop's opinion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1532
Man Apprehended for Fifteen Acts of Vandalism in Morbihan
2014-03-25 | A series of vandalisms in the region of Morbihan has finally been explained with the arrest of a 34-year-old man who admits to fifteen acts of vandalism since June 2013 including the destruction of religious symbols and several attempts at burning a chapel. He was identified by his DNA and now awaits trial, although, there is some question of his mental balance; apparently he spent some time in a psychiatric hospital.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1349
Doctoral Student in the Netherlands Denied the Right to Thank God in His Thesis
2014-03-25 | Dutch PhD student Jerke de Vries inserted a clause into his doctoral thesis in which he gave thanks to God. At the Wageningen University, religious statements are not allowed in theses unless they are the subject of research. Although De Vries’ thesis advisor was not so strict, the doctoral committee would not allow his thesis to pass unless he removed the phrase, leaving de Vries to cut out the page from over a hundred copies of his thesis which had already been printed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1430
Cemetery Desecrated in Trémuson
2014-03-24 | A local resident saw two men desecrating tombs in the Trémuson graveyard. When the police arrived on scene, they affirmed that flower pots had been moved around and funeral objects broken. The two 27-year-olds were later apprehended and will face a tribunal.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1350
Christian Demonstrations Violently Attacked by Left Wing Radicals in Baden-Württemberg and Cologne
2014-03-23 | A new governmental sex ed curriculum of Baden-Württemberg has caused outrage among Christian parents. Several manifestions suffered serious attacks by left wing activists which were later identified as LGBT activists. Eyewitnesses reported in shock to the Observatory.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1324
Tabernacles in Churches Pouancé and Bouchamp-lès-Craon Robbed of Hosts
2014-03-23 | At the end of March and the beginning of April, two churches were vandalised in France and the consecrated hosts were robbed from the tabernacle. One was the church in Pouancé and the other that in Bouchamp-lès-Craon.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1386
Perpetrators Urinate in Holy Water Vessels in Two Churches in Memmingen
2014-03-22 | Unknown perpetrators urinated into the holy water vessel in the Assumption church and in the St. Josef’s church in Memmingen on Saturday, March 22. They also meddled with different objects in both churches.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1323
Sacré-Cœur in Paris Again Victim of Vandalsim
2014-03-22 | The Sacré-Cœur basilica in Paris, after having been marked with graffiti indicating anarchist origins, was again found graffitied within a few days of the previous vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1344
Public Urinals Installed Against the Church of Saint Catherine in Brussels
2014-03-20 | The City of Brussels installed public urinals on an exterior wall of the church of Saint Catherine in Brussels. A petition has been started to remove them by those who consider it a disgraceful lack of regard for a place of holiness.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1371
Montmartre Basilica of Sacré-Cœur in Paris Graffitied
2014-03-18 | The forecourt and pillars of the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur in Paris were found graffitied with phrases such as “Fire to the chapels,” “Neither God, nor master,” “Fuck tourism,” and “Down with all the authorities.” The last, along with the phrase “Solidarity Monica and Francisco,” could be an indication that the vandalism was committed by an anarchist group. Monica Caballero and Francisco Solar were two militants imprisoned in Spain after the attempted bombing on the Spanish basilica of El Pilar.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1355
St. Peter’s Church in Pléhédel Vandalised
2014-03-16 | A church in Pléhédel, Brittany, was vandalised on Sunday, March 16th. The candles were smashed into the carpet and fire damaged the carpet and the cloth tabernacle altar covering as well as the steps leading up to the altar. It is reported that some youths were spotted at the time.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1367
Christian Claims he was Denied a Job at a Country House Hotel near Colchester on Account of His Faith
2014-03-13 | Graphic designer Jamie Haxby was interviewed for a job at Prested Hall Hotel near Colchester in the United Kingdom. He says his interviewer, Celie Parker, asked him if he was Christian, to which he answered in the affirmative. On looking through his portfolio and seeing that he had done previous work with churches and Christian groups, she commented that she and other members of staff were atheists and that they could never work with a committed Christian. She is also reported to have apologized for wasting Haxby’s time.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1356
Church in Brie-Comte-Robert Robbed of Consecrated Hosts
2014-03-11 | Upon arriving at the church on a Monday morning, one of the priests in charge of serving the parish of Saint-Étienne discovered that the door to the chapel was open and the tabernacle had been robbed. The hosts that had been stolen were consecrated ones, considered by Catholics to be sacred. The tabernacle was the only thing robbed. Police rapidly intervened and dusted the area for fingerprints. The community reacted in a spiritual way, organising a prayer session.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1337
Graffiti on Church of Saint-Sernin in Toulouse
2014-03-11 | Anticlerical graffiti was found on the church of Saint-Sernin in Toulouse. One of the inscriptions read “Fuck the Church.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1361
Propaganda Film Offensive to Christians
2014-03-11 | The short propaganda film, “14 Millions de Cris”, produced by Liza Azuelos, speaks out against forced marriages of under aged children, but turns offensive when it uses the Christian milieu as its setting. Many Christians find it derogatory to portray Christians in this film as forcing their children into early matrimony. This might be more common in Muslim countries, but to place it in a Christian setting in France is an indication of discrimination.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1364
Obscene Graffiti on the Basilica of Saint Nicholas in Nantes
2014-03-09 | Obscene graffiti was found on the church of Saint-Nicolas in Nantes, France. The graffiti, located near the entrance of the church, said “Jesus Fucked.” The media was silent on this subject.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1362
European Femen Activist Rips Bible in Front of Texas State Capitol
2014-03-08 | Ukrainian citizen, French resident, Inna Shevchenko stood outside the Texas state Capitol in Austin to protest abortion laws on March 8th, 2014. She had “Your Bible doesn’t control my vagina” written across her bare chest as she tore out pages of a Bible.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1330
Desacration and Devastation Of The Holy Icons in Pogoni, North Epirus
2014-03-01 | Unknown vandals broke into the Chapel of the Mother of God in Pogoni of North Epirus and devastated and burned Holy Icons and other objects. The act shocked local faithful and priests.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1535
Church in Rennes Target of Shaving Cream Graffiti
2014-02-27 | The church of Saint-Germain in Rennes was the target of vandals who “painted” the words “Raser l’Eglise” with shaving cream onto the exterior wall of the church. The translation of these words is either “Shave the church” or, alternately, “Demolish the church”. The same church had been the victim of vandalism at the beginning of January when its Nativity scene was burned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1365
Government Seems to Discriminate Against Religious Education
2014-02-25 | The failure of the government to provide bursaries for those wishing to teach Religious Education (RE) has been described as “rank discrimination” by a leading RE body. Childcare minister Elizabeth Truss MP confirmed this month that no bursaries would be offered for religious education teachers in training this year. This cut in the bursaries has made it increasingly difficult for those studying to teach RE.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1319
Communist Candidate Wants to See Parish in Bordeaux Disappear
2014-02-24 | Vincent Maurin, a Communist candidate of the Left Front in the city of Bordeaux, not only opposed the opening of a Catholic School in a district of Bordeaux in December but in February the construction of a church in the same area also. A new election propaganda leaflet included a list of changes to be made in Bordeaux under Vincent Maurin, one item being the disappearance of the parish St. Eloi, which he described as a "stronghold of religious fundamentalism". The word "fundamentalism" is printed in red.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1316
Cross Desecrated in Rennes
2014-02-24 | A large cement monument of a cross was covered in graffiti during a left wing “Antifa” event on 8 February. It remained covered in graffiti for weeks despite services clearing up the city in preparation for another event. It seems that desecrated religious buildings and sites do not enjoy the same respect as other parts of the city.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1317
Vandalism and Bulglary in Churches in Crete
2014-02-23 | The churches of Saint Spyridon and Saint Paraskevi were profanated and devastated by unknown vandals. There was also an attempt to burn Christian symbols and object on the altar. Local faithful and priests were shocked and terrified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1534
Desecration of the Chapel of the Olympic Village in Grenoble
2014-02-21 | In the morning when a faithful arrived to prepare the religious services, he found damages to the chapel of the Olympic Village. Furthermore, the ciborium containing the consecrated hosts had been stolen. The intention of the perpetrator is not known.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1318
Member of European Parliament Seeks Exclusion of Christianity
2014-02-20 | Belgian socialist Member of the European Parliament, Veronique De Keyser called in an e-mail to all MEPs and all assistants for “general mobilisation against obscurantism”. With "Obscurantism" she seems to mean Christianity, as she continues to say: “A Europe which is open and respectful of all beliefs and philosophical convictions cannot be one that puts Christian roots to the forefront. This is not Europe! Europe is one of Enlightenment, a Europe of free thinking, a Europe of separation of state and church.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1310
Tabernacle in French Alsace Target of Break-in
2014-02-19 | A chapel in the French city of Mulhouse was broken into, and it appears that the tabernacle was the intended target. Nothing was vandalised, but the lock on the tabernacle shows signs of an attempt to open it. The perpetrators did not succeed, however, the lock is now broken and must be replaced.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1338
Fire in Church of Sainte-Marie in Le Boulou
2014-02-18 | A fire broke out around 10 am in the church of Sainte-Marie Le Boulou. A large figure of Christ which was made of wood and plaster and installed in the entrance of the church caught on fire and was burning for hours. The fire department and police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1311
Hate Mail Received for Disagreeing with Same-Sex Marriage
2014-02-12 | Breda O’Brien, an Irish teacher, journalist and pro-life feminist has been receiving hate mail from people because of an article she wrote disagreeing with same-sex marriage and discussing homophobia and liberal intolerance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1309
Elderly Street Preacher Falsely Arrested and Assaulted by Police
2014-02-11 | 73-year-old Bill Edwards was ordered by a police constable to stop preaching outside the Magistrates Court House in Banbury as some people in the building found his preaching “offensive”. He refused to move and was arrested and charged with assault and breach of peace. In the police station Mr Edwards was grabbed by six officers and pinned to the ground.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1306
Pro-Choice Group Disrupts Catholic Liturgy in Palma
2014-02-09 | A group of 30 young activists interrupted a Catholic service in the Church of Saint Miquel de Palma in Spain, shouting slogans in favour of abortion. They were protesting the government’s plans to change the abortion law, carrying a banner with the slogan "Rosaries out of our ovaries" and chanting "Abortion – free and legal."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1230
Church Statue Vandalised in Beaumont-du-Périgord
2014-02-08 | Two cleaning ladies arrived at the church Sainte-Marie Bastide in Beaumont-du-Périgord, Dordogne, and were shocked to find the statue of Joan of Arc had been vandalised. The base of the statue which was about two meters high had been broken and the statue knocked over.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1307
Catholic Church Told by UN Committee To Change Its Teaching
2014-02-05 | The UN-Committee on the Rights of the Child has asked the Vatican to change its teaching on abortion and homosexuality and on changing the interpretation of a bible verse. The Vatican has responded calling the requests of the UN Committee an interference with Church doctrine and a violation of religious freedom.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1229
Criminal Investigations Opened Against Cardinal For Mentioning Treatment Options for Homosexuals
2014-02-05 | Cardinal Fernando Sebastian of Málaga commented in an interview with the local newspaper SUR that homosexuality “can be normalised with treatment”. Consequently the Málaga Provincial Prosecutor's Office opened criminal investigations against him. His comment was understood to undermine Spanish legislation which protects the fundamental rights of dignity and non-discrimination in Articles 18 and 14 of the Constitution and therefore to constitute a "clear incitement to hatred and discrimination".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1231
Aggressive Left-Wing Activists Interrupt Demonstration of Parents in Stuttgart
2014-02-02 | A protest of parents who were not happy with a new educational plan seeking to implement “sexual diversity education” had to end early due to massive opposition. Protesters were physically attacked and it was felt that the Police failed to protect the parents’ basic right of assembly.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1225
Hate Incident Against Cardinal on Question of Abortion in Madrid
2014-02-02 | When Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco, Archbishop of Madrid and President of the Spanish bishops’ conference, was walking from his vehicle to enter the parish of Santos Justo y Pastor, on Palma street, Madrid, five Femen activists attacked him. With stained red underwear and naked chests they shouted “Abortion is sacred”. The Cardinal, escorted by priests managed to enter the parish but the shouting continued outside as they celebrated the Eucharist.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1232
Mass in Catholic Cathedral in Stockholm Interrupted by Femen
2014-01-30 | Three Femen activists burst into the Catholic Cathedral of Stockholm, during Mass, just as the attendants were singing Salve Regina. The activists were bare-breasted and one had a sign reading: “Catholic Church out of my body” and written on her chest in Spanish, “Abortion is sacred.” Church staff managed to bring them under control. The Feminists told the press that they are not done with the Catholic Church and will continue their attacks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1226
Church Vandalised for the Third Time in January
2014-01-29 | The church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Montceau-les-Mines, France, was vandalised for the third time this month. Dozens of candles were broken and the crib was taken. Clay pots and trees and other items were broken and crushed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1193
Desecration and Vandalism of Church in Charleville-Mézières
2014-01-29 | Dozens of candles were burned and destroyed, three chairs were broken and urine left by vandals in the church of Saint-Remi in Charleville-Mézières. Cans of beer were also left on the floor, curses were written on the guestbook. Obscene drawings were scribbled into the book of prayers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1313
Serious Desecration of Church in Baden-Württemberg
2014-01-27 | On the night of January 27th, a unknown perpetrator broke into the Catholic church, Saint Georges which is located in a district of the city of Freiburg in Breisgau. Using a hammer the perpetrator vandalised the church causing damaged which estimates more than 12,000 euro. The tabernacle was also vandalised and the chalice and consecrated hosts stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1192
Invaluable Relic of Pope John Paul II Stolen from Chapel in the Region of Abruzzo
2014-01-26 | Thieves broke into the church of San Pietro della lenca in the Abruzzo region breaking the protective iron bars and forcing their way in through a window. They left the collection box but took a crucifix and invaluable relic which contains a piece of gauze once soaked in the blood of the late Pope John Paul II.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1190
Chapel Vandalised in Schlierbach, Alsace
2014-01-24 | Vandals attacked the Chapel of Our Lady of the Valley of Tears in Schlierbach and damaged the polygonal roof of the small sanctuary. They ripped off and stole copper plates and other pieces of metal.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1189
Church in Haute-Saône Targeted by Vandalism
2014-01-17 | The Notre-Dame-du-Haut in Haute-Saône, was damaged by vandals who broke a painted window into thousands of pieces. They also damaged the inside of the chapel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1155
Vandalism at Church of St. Francis in Prato
2014-01-17 | Vandals destroyed a marble font in the courtyard and targeted the Cathedral, where they tried to destroy the century pulpit which is located to the left of the main altar as well as the church of San Pier Fiorelli where a statue depicting St. Joseph was destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1274
Church in Historic District of Prato in Tuscany Vandalised
2014-01-17 | A stranger entered the San Pietro church in Prato, Tuscany, and broke a basin and tried unsuccessfully to break another one before fleeing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1312
Cemetery Desecrated in Bavaria
2014-01-15 | A cemetery in the district of Pölting in the city of Neumarkt was desecrated. Crosses of several graves were pulled up and put back in upside down. Police suspect that this was done by young Satanists.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1156
Scottish Secularists Want to Curb Churches’ Role in Education
2014-01-14 | Secularists in Scotland have called on the government to remove religious representatives from education committees. Under the Local Government Act 1973, local authority education committees are required to appoint three representatives from religious organisations and the Edinburgh Secular Society wants to see a change in the law.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1154
Church Vandalised in Gensac
2014-01-14 | The windows of the church of Our Lady in Gensac, France, were reported to have been vandalised.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1158
Church of Saint-Georges in French Guyane Repeatedly Desecrated and Vandalised
2014-01-14 | Intruders entered the church of Saint-Georges through a window. They pulled down and destroyed a large statue of Christ on the cross and stole two electric fans. When the sisters came for Mass in the morning they were shocked at what they found. This is the second time this month that the church has been the victim of vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1314
Midwife Lost Job Because of Her Views on Abortion
2014-01-13 | A Swedish midwife did not get a job she was promised because of her “wrong view” regarding abortion. The woman who worked at Highland Hospital in Eksjoe was promised summer jobs and other temporary positions after completing further training in January 2014. However, after explaining to the department manager that she was not able to perform abortions because of her faith, she was told she was no longer welcome to take the jobs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1157
"Anonymous" Hacks Website of Archdiocese of Granada
2014-01-13 | Internet activists "Anonymous,” known for protests against corruption, censorship and undermining the Catholic values, hacked the website of the Archdiocese of Granada.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1573
Theft and Vandalism in Church in Palaia
2014-01-12 | The parish church of Villa Saletta in Palaia was devastated by vandals who stole alms and damaged consecrated hosts. They also stole a fold chain that hung around the alter of Our Lady and a chalice from the tabernacle.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1273
Deliberate Arson of a Chapel
2014-01-10 | The chapel of Aibre, France was found on fire. Police were called to the scene but the doors had already been damaged by the fire. They investigated and found bits of wood used to start the fire as well as remains of a product used to spread the fire more quickly.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1111
Graffiti on Walls of Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Yecla Murcia
2014-01-09 | Graffiti threatening religious freedoms of Christians was spray painted on the walls of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. The words, “Si no nos dejáis abortar, no os dejaremos rezar” (“If you do not let us have an abortion, we will not let you pray”) were written there in addition to different anarchists symbols.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1233
Street Preacher Arrested for Mentioning "Sexual Sin" in Scotland
2014-01-08 | Tony Miano, a street preacher addressing lunchtime shoppers at Dundee High Street, Scotland, was arrested and held in custody to appear before the Dundee Sheriff Court. He was talking about “sexual sin” including “adultery, promiscuity and homosexual practice”. A woman called the police, who on arrival snatched away the camera of a friend who was filming the preaching and arrested the street preacher.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1090
Church's Main Gate Covered with Graffiti
2014-01-06 | Obscene, Satanist and anti-Christian graffiti was spray painted on the church door of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul in Haute Garonne. The police were notified and collected evidence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1082
Offensive Behaviour of Homosexual Couples During Religious Celebration
2014-01-06 | During the celebration of Epiphany of Christ in Piraeus, a number of homosexual couples started to kissing each other in oscentatious way, trying to show their protest against Christian morals and teaching. Local faithful and prayers declared themselves offended.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1533
Muslims Distribute Intolerant Writings in Basel
2014-01-04 | Every first Saturday of the month, five Muslim men from the Islamic Central Bureau of Switzerland (IZRS) distribute Muslim texts at the Claraplatz in Central Basel. One of the books they distribute, the „Book of Simplified Comment“, suggests to murder Christians and Jews, and to take their money.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1071
Desecration of Altar of Church in Paris
2014-01-04 | A man approached the altar of Saint-Odile Church in Paris and through violent acts desecrated and destroyed the candle holder and hammered down the statue of St Therese of the Child Jesus. He also opened the baptismal fountain and spilled the water used for baptisms. The police were called but they arrived only an hour later after the man had already walked away. Witnesses said that the tall young man looked very determined in his actions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1081
Four Churches in Spain Targeted with Graffiti and Vandalism
2014-01-03 | Four Catholic churches in Malaga, Spain, were targeted with pro-abortion graffiti and vandalism. Some of the slogans read: “Saca tus rosarios de mis ovarios” (Get your rosaries off my ovaries) and “Maria queria abortar” (Mary wanted to abort) as well as "Iglesia = Dictatura" (Church = dictatorship). Vandals also dropped balloons containing red paint, into a church, which burst and damaged a ceramic alter piece depicting the Virgin Mary.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1079
Nativity Scene in Foligno Targeted by Vandals
2014-01-03 | The crib of the Nativity of St. Felicianetto was set on fire. Already several days before, the figure of Baby Jesus had been stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1272
Nativity Scene Vandalised in Hainaut
2014-01-01 | A nativity scene set up in front of a church in Belgium was vandalised overnight. A shepherd was dismembered, the figure representing baby Jesus was lying on the ground and Mary and Joseph had be taken away. A fence which had been erected to protect the scene did not deter the vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1080
Member of Parliament Impersonated a Drunk Priest
2014-01-01 | A member of the Greek Parliament, Vangelis Diamantopoulos, dressed and acted as a drunk priest conducting a burial ceremony for the EU-IMF memorandum at New Year’s carnival in Northern Greece. Archbishop Ieronymos claimed that he was hurt by this behaviour and described the act as foolish.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1531
Crib Scene Destroyed in Badia
2013-12-31 | A crib scene in the village of Badia was destroyed and heads of several of the figures were severed off.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1271
Graffiti on Church of St. Augustine in Trani
2013-12-30 | The front of the Church of St. Augustine in Trani was splattered with paint and the stone lion in the courtyard of the church was spray painted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1270
Tabernacle Stolen at the Hermitage of Pasico Torre Pacheco
2013-12-30 | The Hermitage had to close the doors of its church from December 30th, 2013 to January 11th 2014, due to a theft of the tabernacle on the 30th of December.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1326
Nativity Scene in Church in Hungary Vandalised
2013-12-29 | Vandals destroyed figures of the nativity scene from a Lutheran Church located in Szentendre, Hungary, 20 km north of Budapest. In November, a cross was vandalised in the same church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1078
Series of Anti-Christian Vandalism in North Westfalen
2013-12-28 | More than forty acts of vandalism against Christian sites were recorded between September and December around Ibbenbüren, Saerbeck, Hörstel, Hopsten, Mettingen, Tecklenburg and Rheine. Especially large outdoor crosses and statues were targeted. Police think it is likely that the perpetrator is the same in all the cases.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1065
Vandalism of Nursery of Church in Rennes
2013-12-27 | The nursery of Saint-Germain Rennes was set on fire causing damage to the Church. It was confirmed that the fire was not caused by electric problems.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1074
Nativity Scene Vandalised in Paris
2013-12-27 | The statues of Mary and Joseph were destroyed in St. Séverin Church nativity scene in Paris.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1076
Nativity Scene in Urbino Set on Fire
2013-12-27 | A nativity scene which was part of the "streets of cribs of Urbino" was set on fire. The fire caused immediate devastation and there seemed to be multiple ignition points. In addition, the fire destroyed a lamp post and caused pieces of the entrance ceiling to fall down.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1268
Figure of Baby Jesus Destroyed in Ceranova
2013-12-27 | The figure of Baby Jesus in the manger which was part of a nativity scene in Ceranova was destroyed. The head and the fingers of one hand were broken off. The pieces of the manger and the figures of Mary and Joseph were carried inside to prevent further vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1269
Burning Tires in Front of the Church of Misericordia in Reus
2013-12-26 | Tires were set on fire in front of the church of Misericordia in Reus, but, before the fire could spread further, neighbors telephoned the fire department and then extinguished the fire themselves, and the damage was contained. The front door of the church was slightly damaged, and the façade was affected by the smoke, but otherwise the sanctuary was unharmed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1327
Naked Woman on Cologne's Cathedral Main Altar During Christmas Services
2013-12-25 | 20-year-old Femen activist Josephine Witt jumped onto the altar of Cologne’s Catholic cathedral during Christmas services on December 25th. Her upper body naked and “I am God“ was written on her chest. Security staff removed her, and Cardinal Meisner continued the liturgy. Many people commented critically, saying that Ms Witt would have had other possibilities of voicing her opposition to the Church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1066
Graffiti on Faces of Saints in Church in Foggia
2013-12-25 | Satanic shapes and writings such as “Satan lives”, was painted on the faces of the saints and a statue of Mary in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Foggia.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1266
Christmas Eve Eucharist Interrupted by Feminists in Barcelona
2013-12-24 | A radical group of feminists broke through the midnight mass at the Church of San Felix, Sabadell, Barcelona, with shouts, curses and banners in favour of abortion. They stood at the alter and prevented the priest from continuing celebrating the Eucharist.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1159
Nativity Scene Vandalised in Ancona
2013-12-24 | The nativity of Guasco in Ancona was damaged by vandals who destroyed some figures and severed the arm of one of the shepherds.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1265
Nativity Scene Destroyed in Ello
2013-12-24 | Vandals destroyed a nativity scene in Ello during the midnight church service. The figures were all knocked down and some decapitated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1267
Christmas Advertisement Offensive to Catholics
2013-12-24 | The Croatian telecommunications operator Tele2, in its Christmas advertisement, had a black sheep/goat named Gregor acting as a priest or Church official. For the faithful, this was perceived as a mockery of the Church and its priests.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1357
Aborting to Cancel Christmas Suggested on Facebook
2013-12-23 | A message posted on the facebook page of Femen France calls on “cancelling the birth of Jesus” in order to protest against Christian pro-life campaigns. This message was accompanied by a picture which mimicked a half undressed Mary, the mother of Jesus, having an abortion in front of the Cathedral in Madrid.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1075
Pro-Abortion Activists Disrupt Midnight Mass at the Church of San Félix in Sabadell
2013-12-22 | Roughly 50 pro-abortion activists interrupted Midnight Mass at the church of San Félix in Sabadell. They surrounded the altar shouting and holding up abortion banners. The local authorities were slow to react, and the activists were gone by the time they arrived.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1320
Feminist Desecrates a Church in Paris with a symbolic "abortion" of Christ
2013-12-20 | Femen, a feminist group, mimed an act of an abortion when a topless young women headed to the alter and laid down a piece of veal liver supposed to represent a fetus and then urinated on the steps of the alter of the Church of St. Madeleine in Paris. The words: “344 bitches” were written on her belly; a reference to the manifesto of the 343 women who signed a call for the decriminalisation of abortion and the legalisation of abortion in April 1971. On her back was written : “Christmas is aborted.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1077
Crib Scene Destroyed in Solan
2013-12-20 | A crib scene in the St. Peter's Church was destroyed in Solan. The figures were broken and a hole was made in the bottom of a small pond which was part of the scene.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1264
Bologna Basilica Intruded by Feminists
2013-12-17 | A mob of hooded feminists invaded the Basilica of San Petronio in Bologna, Italy and held a pro-abortion demonstration. They held up a large banner in front of the alter which read: "You Occupy the Counselling Centres - We Invade the Churches" ("Voi occupate Consultori, abbiamo invaso le chiese") and then chanted in chorus: "Get the Church Out of Our Ovaries."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1089
Graffiti on Church in Conegliano
2013-12-17 | Graffiti was spray painted along the front of the Church of Campolongo in Conegliano. One sentence read: "3 canonical vode gnanca a porecan home to Papa Francesco quaquaraqua", meaning “three empty churches cannot accommodate even a poor man. Pope Francis is one who talks nonsense”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1263
Vandals Damage Nativity Scene in Vasto in the Province of Chieti
2013-12-16 | In Vasto vandals caused great damage to a nativity scene by destroying the statue of Mary with a shovel. A strong smell of urine on the scene was reported as well.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1073
LGBT-Friendly Guidelines Limit Freedom of the Press
2013-12-16 | The Italian National Anti-Discrimination Office published guidelines on how to report on LGTB issues. The guidelines restrict freedom of the press and journalists’ freedom of reporting by requiring, amongst other things, that they must positively promote homosexuality and gay marriage and must not speak of “the right of a child to a mother or father, e.g. a male or female role model”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1188
Vandals Damage Nativity Scene in Ravenna
2013-12-13 | In the province of Ravenna, Milano Maritimo, vandals caused great damage to a nativity scene.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1072
Offensive Graffiti on St. Mary’s College in Lyon
2013-12-12 | The Catholic College St. Mary’s, a private institution under contract, run by Marian Fathers was spray painted with insults. Locals suspected that this was done by a left-wing group.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1064
"Not a Christian, but a Free Hungary" Called For by Socialist Leader
2013-12-10 | During the party congress of the leftist Democratic Coalition (DK) of Hungary, former Socialist Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány stated that, in opposition to the present ruling cabinet, they wanted "not a Christian but a free Hungary“. The re-elected chairman of the Democratic Coalition added they did not think "glory belongs to God alone, but to man.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1315
Insults and Incitement to Violence Surround a Pro-Marriage Referendum
2013-12-10 | The Christian position was discredited in the liberal-leftist media, portals and on Facebook, as harmful to society. Media asserted that believers should not be permitted to express their religious beliefs in public. Inciting comments were not always deleted by the portals. Fifty reports were filed with the police due to verbal and physical violence in response to the attitude toward marriage as a union of a woman and a man. Criminal charges have been filed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1374
St. Benedict Church in Munich Spray Painted with Islamic Phrase
2013-12-09 | "Allah is greater" and "Holy war" was spray painted on the doors and the walls of St. Benedict church in Munich. The 30-year-old asylum seeker from Jordan had previously attacked St. Michael’s church in a similar way. The police are active on the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1069
Nativity Scene Destroyed Outside Church in Milano
2013-12-09 | The figures of a nativity scene were seriously damaged and some completely destroyed in Milano Marittima in Milano. All the figures had to be removed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1262
Two Priests Attacked in Paris
2013-12-06 | Two priests were beaten in Paris by five youth after telling them to stop demolishing garbage bins. When the youth did not listen, one of the priests photographed them after which they reacted violently.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1067
Church in Munich Spray Painted with Islamic Phrase
2013-12-06 | The Islamic phrase “Allahu Akbar”, which means “Allah is greater”, was spray painted on the entrance of the Renaissance church of St. Michael in Munich’s pedestrian area by an asylum seeker. The 30-year-old man from Jordan attacked bystanders and was finally arrested by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1068
Several Churches in Augsburg Spray Painted with Islamic Phrases
2013-12-05 | The main gates of several churches in the city center of Augsburg were spray painted with the Islamic Phrase "Allahu Akbar" which means "Allah is greater". Police reported that the cathedral of Augsburg, the Church of St. Maurice and the Protestant Church Ullrich were affected.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1070
Violence Against Peaceful Christian Manifestation
2013-11-30 | A Christian protest against the persecution of Christians was interrupted by Muslims in Cologne. The protesters were shouted at with insults. Microphones and loudspeakers damaged. Some individuals were personally attacked and hit. The police did not respond for a long time exposing the participants to serious risks. Only at the end, after an attack on a cameraman did the police take action.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1088
Arson Attempt in Church in Venice
2013-11-26 | Unknown assailants set fire to the wooden altar and the tabernacle in the Church of the Most Holy Name of Jesus in Venice. The flames did not spread far and the damage was limited. The year before two ceramic figures had been damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1261
Liturgical Objects Destroyed and Fire Set to Chapel in Ozanam
2013-11-25 | Early in the morning the chapel of Saint-Vincent-de-Paul in the region of Ozanam was set on fire. The General vicar of the diocese of Toulouse, Luc Caraguel, was "shocked" and stated: "We first thought it was not an act of vandalism, but only liturgical objects along with books, vestures chalice and crucifix appear to have been deliberately destroyed."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1062
Offensive Graffiti on Church in Imperia
2013-11-25 | The front of the Church of Artallo (fraction of Imperia) was desecrated with offensive graffiti.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1259
Crucifixes Damaged in Churches in Prato
2013-11-25 | Crucifixes in both the Church of St. Bartholomew and the Church of San Pier Fiorelli in Prato were damaged. In the Church of St. Bartholomew, someone climbed on the structure before the crucifix and "shook it until he pulled both arms off, which were attached to the media." This crucifix had survived the bombing in 1944 unscathed, but not this deliberate violent act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1260
Political Slogans Spraypainted on Catholic Church Building
2013-11-23 | Unknown perpetrators spray painted the famous Vienna church "Votivkirche" with political slogans such as "Refugees Welcome?“. This is particularly strange as the parish priest and the archdiocese of Vienna did not ask the police to end a months-long occupation of the church by refugees.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1059
Two Madonna’s Damaged in Imperia
2013-11-22 | Two Madonna statues were beheaded in Imperia, and are irreparably damaged. One was located at the centre for the disabled in the square ISAH De Negri. The other was located in the sanctuary near the church of San Sebastiano Via Agnesi.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1258
Attack on Pro-Life Office
2013-11-20 | Two hooded men attacked the office of the pro life organisation Life House in Cappel Street in Dublin and threw stones and rocks through the window. Youth Defence volunteers were shocked by this accident. It is suspected that the attackers were members of pro-abortion campaigns. The Life Insitute has called for politicians and abortion agencies and organizations to condemn the escalating pro-abortion violence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1529
Statue of Our Lady Knocked Over at Open Air Sanctuary in Nitra
2013-11-19 | Unknown perpetrators have knocked over and severely damaged a statue of Our Lady. Police are investigating for the crime of property damage in the amount of about 1500 Euro.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1061
Church in Vienna Vandalised
2013-11-18 | In the church Our Lady of the Martyrs in Vienna's 15th district, candle holders were stolen and a cross was vandalised.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1060
Offensive Graffiti on Walls of Catholic College
2013-11-17 | The outside walls of St. Mary’s College, a private Catholic institution in Lyon, France, were covered with offensive insults. The spray painters are probably members of a left wing "Antifa” group.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1087
Vandalism and Theft in Shrine in Mirano
2013-11-16 | The Madonna of a shrine at the intersection of two streets in Mirano was destroyed. On the same day, the statue of St. Anthony was stolen as well.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1257
Death Threat Against Catholic Priest Upon Marriage Referendum Endorsement
2013-11-15 | Don Damir Stojić, a Croatian Salesian priest, released a youtube video explaining on the basis of John Paul II's theology of the body why Croatians should support the pro-marriage referendum taking place on December 1st. A youtube user commented with swear words and called on the public to kill Don Damir.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1057
Theft in Church in Rieti
2013-11-14 | The monstrance and relic of St Anthony was stolen from the Church of St. Francis in Rieti.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1255
Explosives Thrown at Church Door in Italy
2013-11-14 | The newly renovated Church of San Donato (LU) was damaged when a lady threw Molotov cocktails against the door of the church. The village had just raised 40,000 Euro to have the church renovated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1256
Figurine Shows Madonna Defecating
2013-11-14 | The Spanish company Caganer developed a caganer figurine (a “crapper”, see below) in the image of the Virgin of Montserrat. The Tarraconense Episcopal Conference expressed their “deep regret” that an image of such a beloved religious symbol should be portrayed in such a way. As well, Fr. Ignasi Fossas, prior of Montserrat, declares that such a representation of the Virgin Mary is in bad taste.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1328
Cross on News Presenter's Neck Forbidden on Offending Islam Claims
2013-11-12 | Siv Kristin Sællmann, one of the best-known news presenters of the Norwegian television was forbidden to wear a small cross around her neck on air in order not to insult Islam.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1480
Video of Sexual Act with Cross Hurts Feelings of Believers
2013-11-08 | An exhibition in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Warsaw displayed a video "Veneration of Christ" in which the artist rubs himself in a blasphemous way against a crucifix, imitating a sexual relationship. The exhibition was showing from September to November 2013. The artist Jacek Markiewicz claims that it was not his wish to vilify any religious feelings. By his own statements he is a non-believer. Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz of Warsaw calls the video a "desecration of the Cross" that exceeds the boundaries of artistic expression and basic ethical standards".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1054
Church Vandalised Causing Considerable Material Damage
2013-11-07 | St. Peter’s Church in Waltrop, Germany was broken into. The door to the sacristy was broken and the interior ransacked. The Police and Crime investigators were at the scene and a report was made.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1086
Vandalism at St. Peter’s Church in Waltrop
2013-11-06 | Considerable damage was caused to St. Peter's Church in Waltrop. The vestry door was broken and the interior devastated. Police are investigating
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1063
Push to Eliminate the Christian Element of the Saint Martin Tradition in Nordrhein-Westfalen and Hessen
2013-11-05 | The Chairman of the Left-wing party in the Nordrhein-Westfalen region, Rüdiger Sagel, suggested to rename the celebration and remove the religious overtones in the local day-care centres. “In many Nordrhein-Westfalen day-care centres there are an increasing number of children from different religions.” ... „”the day-care should be an interdenominational space,” says Sagel, and claims that the day-cares are influencing the children regarding their religion. After a storm of protests, the Left-wing party withdrew the suggestion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1058
Church Covered in Graffiti in Brescia
2013-11-04 | During a night raid the walls of the Church of Santa Maria Calchera in Brescia were covered with inscriptions in red paint. The whole length of the façade was covered.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1254
Vandalism and Desecration at Church of Carmine in Ascoli
2013-10-28 | Vandals entered the Church of the Carmine in Ascoli using scaffolding positioned for restructuring. They removed some crucifixes, holy objects and candles. The walls and furniture were also covered in paint and at the end they tried to celebrate a black mass.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1253
Graffiti on Church of Casorate Sempione
2013-10-26 | The outside walls of the church and churchyard were spray painted with white paint and with a number of sentences. One of these read: "most priests dead" (“più preti morti”). About a month before this happened, a symbol of "A" for anarchy was painted on the walls of the Caritas centre, and there have been acts of vandalism in the same church in the past.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1252
Christian Parents Convicted for Home-schooling, Appeal Rejected
2013-10-24 | On May 22nd the district court sentenced the parents of nine to pay a fine of 700 Euro each for their violation of the compulsory school attendance for all children in Germany. The public prosecution department demanded six months in prison for the married couple due to their repeated offense. An appeal was rejected in October.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1010
Andalusia Discriminates against Teachers of Religion
2013-10-22 | In Andalusia, the Board of Education prohibits teachers of religion to watch students at recess. This is expressly due to the subject matter that they teach and not for economic reasons. The Centre for Religious Liberty and Conscience (OLRC), has asked the Ministry of Education to apologize for this discrimination and to allow teachers of religion to “practice their profession on equal footing with other teachers.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1351
Posters in Tarragona Mock Christians in Reaction to the Beatification of 522 Twentieth Century Christian Martyrs
2013-10-17 | Posters on the streets of Tarragona depicted a lion chasing a priest with the inscription, “An ancient tradition. Blessed be the lions.” This in response to the beatification (the bestowing of the title of “Blessed” by the Catholic Church) of 522 Christian martyrs who were killed in the Twentieth century.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1332
Profanities Shouted at a Parish Commemoration Presided Over by the Archbishop
2013-10-16 | During a commemoration by the Archbishop of the fiftieth anniversary of a parish in Madrid, 20 people gathered outside and shouted profanities. Two people were arrested after they got past the police barrier. They were released the next day.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1335
Vandalism in Church in Galazzano, San Marino
2013-10-15 | Vandals broke a crucifix in a church in Galazzano in San Marino. The church had never experienced vandalism before.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1251
Statue of Our Lady Destroyed in Bordeaux
2013-10-13 | In the night to October 13, a statue of our lady was destroyed in Bordeaux. The statue had been attached about three meters high on a corner of an apartment building at Rue Neuve. The head of the statue could not be found which indicates a hate motivated act.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1050
St. Eulalia, Patroness of Madrid, Secularized
2013-10-10 | An initiative driven by Ignasi Ventura Diaz hopes to reinstate the cross symbol on images of St. Eulalia, patroness of Madrid. Currently, public images of the saint contain a young girl on an eagle instead of the traditional cross upon which the saint was crucified at the age of thirteen. Groups such as e-Christians wish for the City Council to acknowledge the Christian roots of St. Eulalia, currently called “La Laia”, a nickname which also hides the Christian roots of the city’s patroness.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1339
Discrimination Against Religion Teachers on the Canary Islands
2013-10-10 | Religion teachers on the Canary Islands are discriminated against, as they are not allowed to participate in extra activities, such as becoming a cycling coordinator or head teacher. This matter has been brought to court and is still pending. In the meantime, centers may choose according to their individual needs whether or not religion teachers may occupy such positions, but there is still discrimination occurring in some schools since such a decision is arbitrary and depends on the judgment of the inspectors.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1376
Bomb Planted in Catholic Church in Zaragoza
2013-10-03 | A bomb was set inside the Catholic “Basílica del Pilar” in Zaragoza. It exploded close to the organ and benches. The church and the market square in front of the basilica had to be cleared by the police. Local sources suspect an extreme left-wing group behind the bomb attack. These claims are supported by the fact that the words “This is our offering“ and a veiled figure holding a bomb were spray painted on a wall nearby the basilica. This bomb was the first attack on the basilica of Zaragoza since the Spanish Civil War.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1053
Violent Language Used by Feminists and Other Left-Wing Organisations
2013-09-27 | During a pro-choice rally, the coordinator of “Valladolid Women”, a feminist organization, shouted violence inciting words such as “We must burn the Episcopal Conference” outside of a lecture hall in which the Spanish Christian Lawyers Association AEAC was giving a lecture on the persecution of Christians. The Christian Lawyers Association has filed a complaint under the heading of incitement to hatred and violence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1377
Christian Cemetery Vandalised in Villecien, Yonne
2013-09-26 | In Villecien an old Christian cemetery was vandalised in the afternoon of September 26th. 61 graves were vandalised and inscriptions and religious statues were destroyed or removed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1051
Two Statues Destroyed at a Church in Haan
2013-09-25 | During a fair in Haan (North Rhine-Westphalia), unknown perpetrators tore the cross with the figure of Jesus off the church of St. Chrysanthus and Daria, beheaded the figure and took the head away. The perpetrators also tore an arm off the figure of a bishop and threw the arm into the garden of the kindergarten next door. In the last ten years, the figure of Jesus has been destroyed three times.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1083
Statue Vandalised in Church in Sassari
2013-09-25 | The historic statue of Our Lady of Hope (1934) in Sassari was taken down from its stand and broken into pieces.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1250
Church and Bust of Pope Benedict XVI Spray Painted
2013-09-22 | St. Oswald church - the church in which Pope Benedict XVI celebrated his first mass - was spray painted with large letters. Local sources suspect radical left wing forces behind the incident. A bust of the former Pope in front of the main entrance was spray painted twice. In the first case the delinquent was identified, the second case remains unclear.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1047
Dublin Church Bells Silenced After 130 Years
2013-09-21 | Due to complaints, the clock and bells at the Church of St. Bartholomew, Dublin, Ireland are temporarily out of service. The church is required to find a solution to stop the bells from ringing at night, or they will have to be switched off permanently.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1085
Fire Damage in Church in Reggio Emilia
2013-09-21 | The shrine of Our Lady in the church of St. Augustine in Reggio Emilia was set on fire. Fortunately the statue was unharmed but everything around it was destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1249
Vandalised Madonna in Bari
2013-09-10 | The Madonna in the Parish of St Nicholas in Bari was decapitated by vandals. The statue was carved in the rock at the base of a large crucifix and was probably broken by being thrown against the crucifix.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1248
Government Takes Children From Christian Community
2013-09-05 | In the early morning of September 5th, a massive police raid of 100 police and 60 social workers descended on two of the Christian Twelve Tribes Communities of Klosterzimmern and Wörnitz. The police seized 40 children from 16 families and took them away in 25 vans on allegations of physical abuse.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1224
Vandalism in Church in Bologna
2013-09-05 | Vandals broke in half the ceramic statue of the Madonna in Caserme Rosse. This statue had been vandalised two years ago as well.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1247
Berlin Bans Public Christmas Celebrations
2013-09-03 | Berlin politicians and officials of Berlin-Kreuzberg banned the celebration of Christmas in public places or roads, as well as decorations and Christmas fairs, in order not to discriminate against the Muslim minority. A tree may only be placed in specific places, previously assigned by the authorities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1084
Stations of the Cross Vandalised in Traunstein
2013-09-03 | Local faithful discovered grafitti on stations of the cross. Unknown perpetrators had spraypainted "God is dead", "boozing" and an anarchy symbol on the small buildings.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1413
Pope John Paul II Commemoration Monument in Rijeka Thrown into the Sea
2013-09-01 | A monument commemorating the visit by John Paul II to Rijeka, which had been erected in June 2013 on the pier Gat Karoline Riječke, was thrown into the sea by unidentified vandals. Divers from the Rijeka Fire Department pulled it out from a depth of approximately six meters. The incident was recorded by the police who conducted an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1363
Satanist Symbolism on Garage in Traunstein
2013-08-30 | Various acts of vandalism with clear anti-Christian symbolism have been reported in in Traunstein/Southern Germany: The exterior wall of a small church belonging to a parish in Traunstein (in the South of Germany) was spray painted with anti-Christian symbols and had to be repainted. Close by, the pedestal of a St. John Nepomuk figure was disfigured with the painting of a satanist cross. On a private garage, two big satanist crosses and the letters “GOD free“ were spray painted. Local sources suspect radical left wing groups are behind these acts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1045
Christians Hurt by Theatre Performance in Former Church Building
2013-08-30 | Local Christians reported to the Observatory that they felt offended by a play with the title, “Empathy to the Devil” which was performed in a secularised church in the south of Germany. The poster of the event featured a silhouette of the devil. Earlier productions from the same theatre-group have shown a big red cross being used as a hat stand on stage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1049
Church Vandalised Overnight in Loire-Atlantique
2013-08-24 | In the night perpetrators broke down the door and entered the church of Notre Dame in Loire-Atlantique, Bretagne, where they destroyed several more items. A lawsuit was filed and as a consequence the town decided to close and lock the doors of the church, which are normally open.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1146
Exhibition in Church Damaged by Fire in Chatellerault
2013-08-17 | An exhibition of pilgrims financed by the Friends of Santiago de Compostela was on display in the St. Jacques church in Chatellerault, France. Several times someone tried to set the laminated panels of the images on fire using a candle. The panels were covered with burn holes from the candle. Police in Chatellerault have opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1145
Burglary at Church in Wesel
2013-08-15 | Perpetrators broke through a basement window in the rectory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Wesel, Germany. They damaged several doors including the door to the sacristy and stole two boxes of donated money.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1142
Vandalism and Burglary in Church in Lünen
2013-08-14 | Thieves broke through the roof into St. Joseph’s church in Lünen, Germany. All cabinets and boxes were opened. A large cross in the sacristy was thrown on the floor and a chandelier used as a crowbar. Police estimated a damage of at least 8000 euro.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1141
Plan to Ditch God From National Anthem
2013-08-13 | Switzerland is holding a competition to rewrite its national anthem in 2014 because it currently focuses on God. Over £7,000 is being offered as a prize for rewriting the song, which is called the Swiss Psalm. Competitors are asked to include values from the Swiss constitution such as democracy and solidarity.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1039
Government Says No Opt Out Of Performing Abortions for Faith-Based Hospitals
2013-08-12 | The Irish government has told a Catholic hospital that there will be no opting out of the new law legalising abortion, and which requires hospitals to do the procedure. The health minister was responding to comments by a board member of Dublin’s Mater Misericordiae University Hospital that the hospital would not be complying with the new abortion law.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1038
Wooden Cross Stolen From Church in Aushausen
2013-08-12 | A large 150 x 150 cm wooden cross with the figure of Jesus was stolen from the church of St. Andrew in Aushausen, Germany. The cross had been fastened with metal studs on the church wall.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1143
Consultation Centre for Disabled People Vandalised by Left Wing Radicals
2013-08-05 | The Jérôme-Lejeune-Foundation reports that the HIV/Aids – Awareness raising lobby group “Act Up“ has vandalised the foundation’s premises in the night from August 4th to 5th. Doctors and patients of the foundation discovered insulting posters, red colour on doors, windows and walls and condoms lying around in the morning. Prof. Marie-Odile Rhétoré, director of the public consultations, deplored that the sight was shocking for families and their disabled children who came for appointments and support that morning.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1041
Theft and Vandalism in Church in Misson
2013-08-05 | The Basilica of San Vittore in Misson was attacked by a vandal who forced open the side window of the sacristy and entered the church. He ripped the golden door off the golden casket and stole the consecrated Host.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1242
British Gay Couple to Legally Challenge Church for Not Offering Gay Marriage
2013-08-02 | A British homosexual couple feels „forced to take Christians into a court to get them to recognise” them. The Marriage Act contains legal provisions to protect churches which chose not to conduct same-sex weddings from being sued.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1040
Attempted Burglary at a Church in Dorstfeld
2013-08-02 | Police were called to the Barbara Church at Arminiusstraße, Dorstfeld, Germany because of suspicious noises. They discovered a young man on a ladder, leaning under a window of the church. The man was already known to the police as a burglar. The police took him into custody, but had to dismiss him for lack of reasons for detention.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1144
Crucified Chicken Hurts Feelings of Believers
2013-08-01 | Christians in Austria were hurt by the depiction of a crucified chicken as a work of art by Deborah Sengl. The image was displayed in Wiener Neustadt in the late summer, ironically in a former church building.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1042
Church Burned to the Ground in Garbsen
2013-07-30 | A church in Garbsen, Germany was burned down by a group of arsonists from a violent Oriental circle. It is not clear whether it will be possible to retrieve parts of the church. Symbolically, the bronze Christ on the wall behind the altar survived the inferno and still hangs on the wall above the rubble.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1149
Lutheran Church Burnt Down in Hannover
2013-07-29 | In the night from July 29 to 30, the Lutheran church and parish house Willehadikirche in Hannover was set on fire and burned down completely despite the efforts of 150 firemen. The police concluded the following day that it was a case of deliberate arson. Neighbours reported that they saw a group of youth trying to set the church on fire but thought that they had not succeeded.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1026
34 Anti-Life Activists Arrested for Attacks and Violations of Freedom of Assembly against Praying Christians
2013-07-26 | A peaceful prayer-manifestation of young Christians in Salzburg was interrupted by aggressive pro-choice activists who blocked streets and insulted the Christian activists. Police officers had to rearrange the walking route of the march and finally arrested 34 pro-choice activists for the violation of freedom of assembly. Two pro-choice activists also attacked a police officer.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1052
(Austria) Posters and Graffiti on Parish Display Cabinet
2013-07-25 | Two display cabinets attached to a Catholic parish house in Traunstein, Germany were covered with unauthorised posters on July, 23rd 2013. The posters invited to a pro-choice-demonstration in Salzburg. At least forty of the same poster were also plastered illegally in various places in the city of Salzburg, where the demonstration took place on July. This led to the arrest of 34 radically left wing participants and pro-choice-demonstrators. The mentioned display cabinets were also sprayed with the words “No Nazis“ and the surrounding walls were also painted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1046
Theatre Play Mocks Christianity at a Metz Streetfestival
2013-07-25 | The Belgian theatre group Compagnie d’Outre Rue, mocked the Christian faith and the Catholic Church in a public display of their program Petites Prophéties Urbaines. The play featured actors in liturgical clothes who, among other things, celebrated a “mass with snacks”. The Pope, the Church and its most sacred rituals were mocked and made fun of.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1055
Desecration of Madonna in Church in Paratico
2013-07-24 | In the church of Oasi Mamma dell'Amore in Paratico excrement and glass bottles were left at the statue of the Madonna.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1246
Cemetery in Cambrai Looted
2013-07-23 | Inscription plates, angel statues, ornaments, solar lights and flowers were stolen from a cemetery in Solesmes Cambrai. Many objects had high sentimental and financial value. Some of the stolen items were found at a market in the neighbouring town of Cantimpre by families of the deceased. The police were informed and an exhibitor was arrested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1148
Theft and Desecration in Church of Serravalle
2013-07-23 | Thieves broke into the church of Serravalle, stole items, and left excrement and urine beside the altar.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1245
Provocative Graffiti on Church of St. Louis en l‘lle
2013-07-21 | Unidentified perpetrators spray painted the words: “Essayez les orgasmes” (Try Orgasms) on the church of St. Louis, France.
The second phrase was “Omnia sunt Communia”, but written in a wrong way: “Ominia comminia“. It means "Everything in common" which is generally attributed to Thomas Munzer (1488-1527) a leader of the Peasants' War of 1525 in Germany.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1151
Graffiti Spray Painted on Catholic Church in Brussels
2013-07-21 | Three walls of the church of the Holy Trinity d’Ixelles (Elsenes) near Brussels were spray painted with graffiti.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1152
Church Set on Fire Leads to Arrests of Four Young Adults
2013-07-20 | Spanish police arrested four young adults for setting the church of Carmen de Vinaroz in Castellón on fire on July 5th. Sacred images and furniture were severely damaged. Spanish Christians deplore frequent threats, for example spray paintings saying: “the only church which illuminates is a burning church“ or “remember the year 1936“, suggesting a planned repetition of the murder of over 3000 religious people.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1044
Croatian Television Breaks Agreement with Catholic Church
2013-07-19 | Croatian Television (HTV) one-sidedly cancelled the autonomy of its religious program, which had been guaranteed by the Agreement signed in 2000 by HTV and the Croatian Conference of Bishops (in reference to the implementation of the international contract between the Holy See and the Republic of Croatia).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1359
Priest Violently Assaulted in Quimper, Bretagne
2013-07-17 | Father Michel Mazeas, Pastor of the cathedral of Quimper, Bretagne, was attacked by a man at the rectory of Saint Corentin in Rue Toul-al-Laer. He was threatened and received a dozen punches in the face by the stranger. The attacker was arrested by the police, placed in custody and interned in a public mental health facility of Gourmlen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1150
Old Lady Robbed and Killed in Church in Marche-en-Famenne
2013-07-13 | Marie-Thérèse Deflandre, was found lifeless on the floor of the church of Saint-Remacle in Marche-en-Famenne, Belgium. She was found with severe head injuries and taken to hospital in Liege where she died 10 days later. No personal belongings were found with the lady and her credit card was later used by a third party.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1153
Anti-Catholic Performance in Metz
2013-07-12 | For two consecutive days anti-Catholic provocative and sacrilegious performances were held in Metz. They were organized by the city of Metz and “Hop Hop Hop –festivals”, at which the Belgian group Compagnie d'Outre Rue performed their program including a show called “Mass with breadsticks”. During the show, they wore liturgical clothing, used liturgical items and mocked the Pope and the Church under much laughter of the public. The event was organised by the socialist mayor Dominique Gros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1147
European Affairs Minister Forced to Resign
2013-07-11 | Lucinda Creighton, European Affairs Minister of Ireland had to resign after voting against the Government on an amendment to the abortion bill. The so-called “whip” does not permit to deviate from party policy. Mrs. Creighton however felt that she could not compromise on matters of “life and death”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1292
13-Century-Church Vandalised in Grafing
2013-07-07 | Unknown perpetrators entered St. Leornhard church in Grafing, Bavaria, on the weekend of July 6 and 7. They climbed into the locked main hall of the 13th-century church and broke pieces from a number of wooden statues which they burnt on the altar, thereby also damaging the main painting behind the altar. Some relics were stolen and the damage was severe.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1043
Facebook Page Claims “Mary Should´ve Aborted”
2013-07-04 | An anti-Christian page on facebook stated that “Mary should have aborted”. The page was reported to the facebook service who answered that this content does not violate community standards on hate speech.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1027
Street Preacher Arrested For Preaching on Sexual Morality
2013-07-01 | The police arrested a street preacher in Wimbledon under suspicion of offences under the Public Order Act. He had been speaking about sexual immorality in general and the importance to abstain from such practices.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1028
Church in Lille Spray Painted
2013-07-01 | A church in Lille was sprayed with graffiti insulting the Catholic Church and the Catholic political movement “Civitas”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1029
Catholic Bookseller Vandalised for the 27th Time in Bordeaux
2013-06-29 | A Catholic bookseller in Bordeaux became a victim of vandalism for the 27th time. The proprietor said that they had been threatened, offended and the shop window was spat upon. The bookseller has been the object of “attack” of left wing extremists for many years, especially since the debate about gay marriage and the French "Manif pour tous".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1033
Arrest for Setting Two Churches on Fire
2013-06-27 | A young man in Derbyshire, England, was arrested because he is suspected to have set two churches on fire in Allestree and one in Twyford.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1032
Police Brutality Directed Against Pro-Family Demonstrators
2013-06-26 | Tear gas attacks and beatings by the police, arbitrary arrests, solitary confinement, illegal finger print storing, and countless other human rights violations were conducted by the French police against a peaceful mass demonstration opposing government policy on gay marriage and adoption.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1025
Church Vandalised and Robbed in Itzum
2013-06-25 | The church of St. George in Itzum, Germany was vandalised and robbed when gangsters smashed their way through a window into the church. They smashed doors and furniture and ransacked offices. They found the key to the sacristy and vault, and stole the church’s valuables from the safe as well as the studded chalices, communion cups and a gold plated 275 year-old monstrance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1131
Church St. Nicolas du Chardonnet in Paris Vandalised
2013-06-23 | The church of St. Nicolas du Chardonnet in Paris was vandalised in the night of June 22nd when someone spray painted the following words on the wall of the church: “Tantum religio potuit suadere malorum.” meaning “only religion can lead to such evil” or “so much wrong could religion induce." The graffiti was signed with the anarchy logo.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1035
Insurance Company Refuses Youth Ministry on Confessional Grounds
2013-06-22 | The insurance company MAIF (Mutuelle Assurance Automobile des Instituteurs de France – Mutual Automobile Assurance of elementary school teachers of France) refused to cover “Le Foyer de Saint-Martin” (The House of Saint Martin) because the association has confessional roots.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1034
Violent and Anti-Catholic Placard Displayed in Caen
2013-06-22 | A placard by the “Confédération Nationale du Travail“ (National Confederation of Work) was displayed in Caen, France. The placard shows a picture of a woman kicking a priest in his genitalia and the corresponding text says: “Buzz off! My body belongs to me”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1295
Encouragement of Violence Against Christians
2013-06-21 | During anti-Christian manifestations in Germany, the appeal to rape Christians in an exceptionally brutal way and vulgar language was spread. A slogan invented by a punk band who titled a song with it, is gaining popularity. This call to violence is also spreading as a slogan on t-shirts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1014
Vandalism in Church in Messina
2013-06-19 | In the Church of the Good Shepherd in Messina a crucifix was found upside down covered in dirty wax and paint. A Madonna statue was also burned. There were also nails driven into the images, one in the neck of the crucifix. The Satanists also marred the vessel of the sacristy and engraved an inverted cross, swastika and 666 on the table.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1244
Repeated Vandalism of Chapel in Bergheim-Kenten
2013-06-19 | Two volunteers who have been caring for a chapel in Bergheim- Kenten for many years gave up after repeated vandalism when they found the shrine vandalized again, this time smeared with feces.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1294
Attempt to Break into Church in Osterhol
2013-06-17 | During the open hours of Martin Church unidentified perpetrators damaged several doors of different rooms in the church in Osterhol. The damage to the doors was worth several hundred euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1133
Anti-Catholic Graffiti on the Entrance Door of Cathedral of Montpellier
2013-06-16 | In the night of June 16th, an unknown person sprayed anti-Catholic graffiti on the main entrance of the door of the cathedral in Montpellier, France. “Filthy fascist. You have killed Clement…” Clément Meric, a left wing activist, was tragically beaten to death by a skinhead – not Christians – in the beginning of June.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1021
Attempted Burglary at a Church in Duisburg-Marxloh
2013-06-16 | A 11-year-old boy and 24-year-old men entered a church in Duisburg-Marxloh, Germany and attempted to steal metal from the roof. Someone noticed and called the police. The thieves hid in a false ceiling of the church while fire fighters were searching for them. The thieves were finally found.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1134
Anti-Catholic Graffiti on Church in Bourgoin–Jalliieu, Isère
2013-06-15 | Insulting anti-Catholic, anti-France, pro-Islam and pro-Bin Laden graffiti were found on two pillars in the morning of the 15th of June by a member of the church “Saint - Jean – Baptiste” in Bourgoin- Jalliieu. The sign “GIA” suggests to mean “Groupe islamique armé (Islamic armed group)”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1022
Young Man Set Church in Moulins on Fire
2013-06-15 | The police questioned a young man who had been noticed by a witness coming out of the sacristy of the church in Moulins. Inside the sacristy, a fire had started: a bottle of alcohol had been poured over the candles. The witness managed prevent the fire from spreading.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1023
Attempted Burglary in Church in Bad Herrenalb
2013-06-14 | Burglars tried to pry open the door to the monastery in Bad Herrenalb, Germany. After the failed attempt they fled. According to police information, an estimated damage of 100 euro was caused.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1137
Gathering Disturbed by Insults and Shouting in Montpellier
2013-06-13 | A gathering of “Les Veilleurs”, a peaceful manifestation group in favour of the traditional family of was disturbed by shouting from students and radical LGBT activists. Anti-Catholic insults were yelled as “Les Veilleurs” gathered to pray and sing together as they do every Tuesday evening before the prefecture in Montpellier.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1296
Church and Graves Vandalised in Grandvilliers
2013-06-13 | The church and 37 tombs in the village of Grandvilliers were vandalised. The vandals stoned the stained-glass windows of the church and knocked over sepulchral items. They also damaged the signs of the tombs and displaced one tombstone.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1297
Vandalism in Church in Losheim
2013-06-12 | Unidentified perpetrators entered a church in Losheim, Germany, broke several doors and ransacked the sacristy. They also searched the gallery and the bell tower. Nothing was stolen but the damages were substantial.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1135
Anti-Catholic Graffiti on Walls of Catholic School in Nantes
2013-06-11 | The walls inside of the Catholic school in Nantes were spray painted with anti-Catholic graffiti showing obscene images and messages. The different style of writing suggests that at least two people have done this.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1301
German Publicists Suffer Defamatory Statements
2013-06-10 | Berger, chief editor of the gay magazine “Men”, said that some publicits made defamatory statements and should not be allowed on TV any more. He had labeled Gabriele Kuby, a Catholic German publicist and also Martin Lohmann, chief editor of the Catholic television channel K-TV, and Katherina Reiche, member of the German parliament, as “homophobic protagonists” and had demanded: “Homo-haters get out of the talk shows”.
Gabriele Kuby renounced these false accusations and explicitly stated that she is not homophobic and that the term “homo-hater” was invented by the homo-lobby to criminalize critique of the “homosexual movement”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1020
Protestant Assembly Hall Burned Down in Villiers-sur-Marne
2013-06-10 | In the early morning of the 10th of June, the Protestant assembly hall in Villiers-sur-Marne, France, which had room for 200 people, was burned down. An investigation is in progress but it seems that the action of the burning was done voluntarily.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1299
Pope Demeaned by Headline “Junta Buddy Replaces Nazi Boy”
2013-06-10 | The German daily “taz” commented on the inauguration of the pope with the headline “Junta buddy replaces Nazi Boy” (Juntakumpel löst Hitlerjungen ab). After about 50 individual complaints to the German press council it ruled that the headline constituted an offence against the duty to take care (Sorgfaltspflicht). The Central Committee of the German Catholics (ZdK) sharply criticised the statement and the fact that the press council refuses a reprehension concerning the violation of religious feelings. The press council states that “assessments” on the Catholic doctrine such as “Old geezer I. followed old geezer II” are provocative but are covered through the right to freedom of opinion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1304
Graffiti on Cathedral of Limoges
2013-06-08 | Suspected “Antifa”-left wing activists spray painted the words: “Canon Law = Sharia”. Next to the Church on a construction site fence you could read: “To Clement, who was killed by the brown pest.” This is an allusion to the left wing activist Clement Meric, who had been thrashed to death by a skinhead some days before, blaming the Church for the tragedy of Clement’s death.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1300
Cathedral of Nantes Vandalised and Desecrated
2013-06-08 | Perpetrators found their way into the Cathedral and spray painted the altar, walls and floor with provoking symbols like 666 and Nazi slogans.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1303
Anti-Christian Incident at Corpus Christi Procession in Lyon
2013-06-06 | On the feast of Corpus Christi as participants of a procession were splattered with water by someone in the building. The archdiocese of Lyon had organized the procession called “march of the witnesses of the faith”. No one was hurt.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1305
Fake Priest Personality Posts Blasphemous Comments on Facebook Page
2013-06-05 | A group of Hungarian students created the fake priest Monsignor Tibi's facebook page. Msgr. Tibi is a paedophilic alcoholic who posts blasphemous comments. Since its creation the page has become less aggressive. The fake priest lived in a small village between Budapest and the Austrian border until the people from the village complained about the growing negative attention (the facebook page has over 135,000 likes). The creators then moved the figure into a fictional town.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1011
Church in Ostia Covered in Satanic Graffiti
2013-06-05 | During the night the Church of St. Nicholas of Bari in Ostia was covered with satanic graffiti saying, "our dreams are your monsters", "all human beings are dogs","666", as well as inverted crosses and various satanic references.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1243
Doctors are Denied the Right to Conscientious Objection
2013-06-04 | Medical doctors in Norway must be willing to refer their patients to abortion clinics even if this is against their conscience.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1003
Attempted Burglary and Vandalism at Church in Frohngau
2013-06-04 | Burglars broke the door to the sacristy of the church in Frohngau, Germany and rummaged through drawers and cabinets. They also broke open the door leading into the church. Nothing was stolen but there was property damage amounting to about 400 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1136
Minister Calls Contribution of Church “Inacceptable and Dispensable” in Public Debate
2013-06-04 | In the public debate on stepchild adoption for homosexual couples, Mrs. Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek, minister for women’s affairs, calls the contribution of the Catholic Church “inacceptable and dispensable”. In German: “Die Wortmeldungen aus Kirchenkreisen sind in diesem Zusammenhang inakzeptabel und entbehrlich."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1298
Threats and Damage at a Church Building in Slavonski Brod
2013-06-04 | In the territory of the Holy Spirit Parish in Slavonski Brod is a building for liturgical use dedicated to the Blessed Mother Teresa upon which material damage was inflicted. In front of the building on a stone the size of an egg, the message “I’m going to kill you” was written in various forms. Previously no one had threatened the priest and vicar. The incident was recorded by the police and an investigation and report were made.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1366
Monastery Raided by Masked Gunmen
2013-06-03 | The Salvatorian monastery of Hörbranz in the Austrian federal state of Vorarlberg was raided by masked gunmen. A monk was threatened at gunpoint. The two men, allegedly in their 30’s, escaped with several thousands of Euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1004
On-going Vandalism, Burglary and Spray Painted Insults in Thomasberg
2013-06-02 | Early in June vandals entered St. Joseph’s church in Thomasberg, Germany, stole the altar cross and some money and then broke candles for the offertory and damaged the icon of Mary. Several days later it was discovered that the organ had been damaged and candles burned. In mid-June the offertory candles were found to have all been burned down and matches were distributed throughout the church. At the end of June the Church door and showcase were painted with the words: "Kirche ist scheiße, Türken auch - wir wollen euch das Geld klauen.” - “Church is shit, Turks also - we want to steal your money."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1132
Graffiti on Façade and Square of the Basilica Saint-Sernin in Toulouse
2013-06-02 | On the feast of Corpus Christi, the façade and the square of the basilica Saint-Sernin in Toulouse were spray painted with anti- Catholic graffiti saying “Death to Catholics”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1302
Saint Louis Church in La Roche Sur Yon Spray-painted with Anti-Christian Slogans
2013-06-01 | A wall of Saint Louis Church was spray-painted with blasphemous graffiti saying “Jésus la Tepue” (Jesus the slut). There was also graffiti found on the pedestal of the statue of the Virgin Mary, reading: “666 Satan reviendra. (Satan will return).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1002
Conscientious Objection Undermined in Ireland's Proposed Abortion Law
2013-06-01 | The Irish Cabinet has reached a consensus on the draft of the "Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013". The law prohibits objections on the basis of one’s conscience: “no institution, organisation or third party shall refuse to provide a lawful termination of pregnancy to a woman on grounds of conscientious objection”. Apart from this clause, the law that will regulate abortion in Ireland is rather restrictive compared to the legislation concerning abortion of other European countries.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1012
French Minister of Education Wants to Replace Catholicism
2013-05-31 | The French minister Vincent Peillon wants to replace the Catholic faith by a “Republican religion”. “It is time to change that morality and spirituality have been determined by the Catholic Church”, a land of freedom would never be established when involving the Catholic Church, he said.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1024
Witness Reports of Online Mobbing for Christian Positions
2013-05-29 | A letter to the editor by kath.net user „trierer“ about what he experienced in a German online discussion forum sheds light on the exclusion of Christians and Christians values from the public.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1000
Parish Priest Discovers Desecration in Santa Chantal Church in Dijon
2013-05-29 | After presiding over a funeral, a Parish Priest was shocked to discover a heap of excrement behind the altar of Our Lady at the entrance to the sacristy. In addition, a prayer book in the back of the church was torn and smeared into. He decided that they can no longer leave the church open during the day but will have to keep it closed for protection.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1001
Stickers Spread in Angers Saying "Catholicism – Enough Annoyance"
2013-05-29 | Citizens of the French city of Angers are confronted with stickers on traffic signs saying: “CATHO RAS-LE-BOL” (=Catholicism – enough annoyance). The credit is claimed by a group called “Comité anti-Catholique Angevin” (= anti-Catholic committee of Angers).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1018
Repeated Urination in the Entrance Area of Church in Traunstein
2013-05-29 | The second entrance of the church of St. George and Katharina in the city centre of Traunstein has been repeatedly used as toilet facility a local source reported. In one case our source caught an adolescent by over-hearing the adolescent bragging to his friend about having urinated into the church on various occasions before.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1048
Church Broken Into in Garevac
2013-05-27 | Between the 22nd and the 23rd of May 2012, a church was broken into in Garevac, Bosnia-Herzegovina. The perpetrator(s) stole chalices which were used for Holy Communion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1117
Catholic Church in Esbjerg Vandalised
2013-05-26 | On May 26 the crucifix in front of the church of Esbjerg in Jutland was vandalised for the second time. In the early morning a man of 25 to 30 years passing by the church with a companion, jumped into its front yard and broke the legs of the Jesus figure on the cross. The first time the crucifix has been attacked was at Easter 2012 when the figure of Jesus was torn from the cross.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1007
References to Christmas to be Removed in Asturias
2013-05-22 | The Asturian regional government has sent a circular to schools asking for all references to Christmas to be removed from the school calendar and replaced with “winter holidays”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=997
Music Video to David Bowie’s Song The Next Day Insults Christians’ Religious Feelings
2013-05-22 | The video presented Bowie singing in an outfit representing Jesus. The scene takes place in a dark and bloody brothel. It begins with a priest entering the brothel after having beaten down a beggar. The priest then seduces a nun inside the brothel while Bowie performs. In the end the nun’s hands develop stigmata.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=998
(Northern Ireland) Young Business Man Troubled for Not Printing Sexually Explicit Magazine
2013-05-22 | Mr Williamson from Portadown in Northern Ireland, faces court proceedings for refusing to print materials of a gay magazine. He says the website of MyGayZine contained explicit images, and he wasn’t prepared to print that kind of material whether homosexual or heterosexual.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=999
Pharmacists Do Not Enjoy an Explicit Right to Conscientious Objection
2013-05-21 | In Austria, pharmacists do not enjoy an explicit right to conscientious objection.
The so called “morning after pill” may be obtained either by prescription or in case
of emergency without a prescription. Besides other functions, the taking of the morning
after pill may result in an early abortion. The Austrian criminal code contains a conscience
clause for medical staff with regard to abortion. But for pharmacists there is no
such clause. It is therefore unclear, whether pharmacists have a right to conscientious
objection or not. The professional representation of pharmacists says there isn’t. This body argues that there is a legal obligation to contract; and that not delivering would
be an act of non-assistance to a person in danger. Therefore, pharmacists or employees
of pharmacies do not dare to withhold the abortifacient drug for conscientious reasons.
It is necessary to introduce a law in Austria which explicitly recognises the freedom of
conscience of pharmacists.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=956
Duty of Referral Creates Conscience Dilemma for Pharmacists
2013-05-21 | In 2007, a law was passed requiring a pharmacist to sell any type of legal drugs. This position was modified in a pharmaceutical law on the 15th of October 2010. Article 32 now states that without prejudice of the rights of the patient, the continuity of the caring and the execution of the order, the pharmacist has the right to refuse delivery according to his conscience and refer the client immediately to another pharmacist, where the drug will be available, otherwise he needs to deliver the drug himself. Even though these changes constitute an improvement, the duty to refer to someone else who will make the objectionable drug available, is problematic to the objector.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=957
Registrars and Wedding Place Owners Not Allowed to Opt Out of Gay Civil Ceremonies
2013-05-21 | Registrars of birth, marriages and deaths are not entitled to refer to their conscience to refuse to register a gay marriage as a civil act. Owners of wedding locations cannot opt out of facilitating gay marriages in their places.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=958
Pharmacists Conscientious Objection Limited
2013-05-21 | As of November 2011 the so-called “emergency pill” no longer needed a prescription making Postinor-2 and Escapelle available for women over the age of 16. The Czech Pharmaceutics Chamber published a “recommended policy” discussing the ethical view on the issue: “Due to the pill’s effects, some pharmacist might have personal reservations to sell it. Those pharmacists whose consciences do not allow to sell abortifacients can deny selling the pill only in such situation when there is not a problem for the buyer to get the pill from another pharmacist. If there is no possibility for the buyer to purchase the pill from another pharmacist in reasonable time and distance, the pharmacist is obliged to sell the pill no matter what his conscience requires.”
A group of pharmacists signed a petition against this restriction of their freedom of
conscience.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=959
Conscientious Objection Impeded for French Medical Doctors and Students
2013-05-21 | The French law says: “A doctor is never required to perform an abortion (...). No midwife, nurse or physician assistant, whoever he is, can be forced to participate in an abortion.” But the reality is different: the organisation of the hospitals, the lack of staff, the schedules of the surgery departments and the pressure on the medical staff make a refusal on the grounds of freedom of conscience difficult.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=960
No Conscientious Objection for Pharmacists
2013-05-21 | In French law conscientious objection for pharmacists is merely non-existent. Pharmacists are compelled to stock and sell the so-called “morning-after” or abortion pill. Moreover, in France, in the case of ‘passive euthanasia’ (i.e. a voluntary interruption of treatment), the physician has the right to be replaced by another doctor , but nothing in the law mentions the case of the other medical professionals, including nurses who often find themselves in very difficult situations. The prospects are not good: the very principle of conscientious objection is at risk. Eva Joly, French member of the European Parliament, recently said: "I am absolutely for France to abolish the clause of conscientious objection for doctors."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=961
Pharmacists Forced to Sell "Morning-After-Pill" Despite Conscientious Objection
2013-05-21 | The code of conduct for pharmacists requires that all pharmacists sell everything that is lawfully available in the state. This includes the so-called ‘morning after pill’. The Irish constitution has strong religious freedom protections, but if a pharmacist is unwilling to sell the morning after pill he would have to take his employer to court and plead for his constitutional rights. This could be very expensive and therefore most pharmacists with an objection to abortifacients in practice either sell them or quit their job.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=962
Civil Registrars Forced to Officiate Same Sex Ceremonies
2013-05-21 | A civil registrar could go to jail for up to six months for refusing to officiate at the ceremony of, for example, a same-sex couple. While churches are not forced to actually perform such ceremonies directly, they might face fines if they refuse to rent out halls for same-sex couples who wanted to use it for their reception following a civil partnership.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=963
Marriage Commissioners in Amsterdam Evaluated on Support for Same-Sex Marriage
2013-05-21 | Marriage commissioners in a district of Amsterdam must undergo annual evaluations to ensure they support same-sex “marriage” after it was revealed that two commissioners had refused to officiate at the ceremonies. Since 2007, the government in Amsterdam’s Nieuw-West district has only employed commissioners who agree to perform same-sex “marriages,” and officials apparently believed the district was free of “conscientious objectors.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=964
Statutory Protection of Freedom of Conscience for Pharmacists Missing
2013-05-21 | Pharmaceutical Law requires public pharmacies to provide medical products and medical devices in the quantity and range needed by the local population. The current law does not provide for the possibility to refuse sale of drugs except in very specific cases, eg. in doubt of authenticity of the prescription. It is found that the type of drug or pharmacological properties do not constitute grounds for refusal. State authorities may revoke the license to operate a pharmacy if the pharmacy does not comply to these demands. There is a list of cases in which pharmacist can refuse to sell the drug. In order to ensure real respect for freedom of conscience, the relevant statutory provisions protecting the right to conscientious objection should be introduced in the Pharmaceutical Law.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=965
No Explicit Provision for Conscientious Objection
2013-05-21 | While the abortion law in Poland is rather restrictive, it does not contain an explicit provision for “conscientious objection” to any of the medical staff involved in legal abortion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=966
Conscientious Objection Defined Too Narrowly
2013-05-21 | The Act on Sexual and Reproductive Health N° 2/2010 regulates the wilful interruption of pregnancy. It grants a right to conscientious objection only to those health professionals who are required to participate directly in an abortion procedure. (Article 12 §2, Article 19).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=967
Registrars Not Allowed to Refuse to Conduct Same-Sex Ceremonies
2013-05-21 | Registrars are not allowed to refuse to conduct same-sex union procedures or ceremonies. Caso Judge (Juez de Paz) of the town of Pinto was forced to resign because he refused to officiate homosexual unions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=968
No Conscientious Objection of Health Care Workers
2013-05-21 | There is no conscientious objection for health care workers in Sweden, in fact there is a total absence of legal statutes that protects the freedom of conscience for health care workers, midwifes, nurses, physicians, medical students or pharmacists. Health care workers, who are reprimanded, repositioned or put at disadvantage for refusing to perform procedures such as abortions, claim that their rights under article 9 of the Convention in compliance with the European Council resolution are infringed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=969
Conscientious Objection Clause Routinely Challenged
2013-05-21 | Section 4 of the Abortion Act 1967 provides a conscientious objection to participation in abortion procedures. However, the scope of this conscientious objection clause is routinely being challenged. In 2012, the General Medical Council released its Draft Guidance on Personal Beliefs and Medical Practice, which stated that doctors must “be prepared to set aside their personal beliefs” in relation to a variety of controversial areas, including prescribing contraceptives – including the abortifacient morning-after-pill, referring women for abortions and performing “gender reassignment surgery.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=970
No Conscientious Objection with Regard to Affirming Homosexuality in the Workplace
2013-05-21 | There have been a number of cases in the past few years that have followed a similar pattern in that no exemption will be made where a Christian has a conscientious objection in the workplace because he or she cannot endorse, condone or approve homosexual conduct.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=971
Overly Strict Hate Speech Legislation
2013-05-21 | Hate speech laws are very strict in France. Since the law of December 8th, 2004,
any discrimination in speech against homosexuals is forbidden. Christians for example are unable to publically say that having a same-sex relationship is a sin. The consequence is that nobody criticizes homosexuality in itself on TV, radio or in newspapers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=972
Hate Speech Legislation Curbing on Freedom of Expression
2013-05-21 | Swedish penal law contains the crime “agitation against a national or ethnic group,” a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 2 years in prison. The Swedish government charged four activists who wanted to “start a debate about the lack of objectivity in the education in Swedish schools” by distributing leaflets on the "homosexual agenda".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=973
"Insulting Speech Laws" Cause Legal Problems for Christians
2013-05-21 | According to section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, it is criminal offence to use “insulting words or behaviour” which is “likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.” Originally enacted to combat football hooliganism, this provision has led to the arrest and prosecution of many Christian street preachers in recent years.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=974
Stalking Law Used Against Freedom of Assembly of Pro-Life Christians
2013-05-21 | Anti-stalking legislation is used against side-walk counselling or picketing. On
October 25th, 2011, the state court of Graz, Styria, upheld a judgement of the first instance condemning pro-life side-walk counsellors to pay fines on the grounds of “stalking.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=975
Freedom of Assembly Limited by Court Order in Germany
2013-05-21 | Christian-inspired non-governmental pro-life organisations often express their faith and their convictions by protesting in front of abortion clinics, or by simply standing in front of clinics or counselling centres in order to offer conversation and alternatives. In the German cities Freiburg and Munich, this activity has been severely limited. Local courts have given in to the pressure by the targeted locations, which could have been mainly financial ones. Courts have restricted the form of manifestation as well as established a geographical ban. Appeals are on-going.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=976
Hostile Climate With Regard to Religion esp. Christianity
2013-05-21 | Anti-religion groups have created a climate hostile to frank discourse. Besides defamation campaigns and negative stereotyping, hate incidents have come to the Observatory’s notice. Activists physically prevented a professor to enter an auditorium to voice deviating views. Anti-religion slogans and images are often used in hurtful manners, such as the public destruction of crosses, the image of Jesus as a crucified pig, or slogans such as “We are here to hurt your feelings” or “If Mary had had an abortion, we would have been spared people like you”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=977
Pro-Life Manifestations Frequently Prohibited
2013-05-21 | Law 93-121 of January, 27th, 1993, so- called “loi Neiertz” made it a specific offense
to obstruct abortions. Therefore manifestations in front of hospitals are frequently
not permitted. A well-known doctor and embryologist, Xavier Dor, was condemned
and sentenced to prison several times because he prayed together with a few others in
front of a hospital and obstructed legal abortions. At 83, his latest trial is on-going.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=978
Public Funding Restricted for Organisations with Christian Convictions
2013-05-21 | Organisations may base their work on whatever beliefs or convictions - but to receive public funding, they must not object to current legislation. This creates a problem for Christian organisations especially with regard to objecting to medical procedures.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=979
Freedom of Association Limited to So-Called Non-Discriminatory Activities
2013-05-21 | The law states that “the public authorities shall not provide any assistance to associations in the case where the admission process or its operations discriminate on grounds of birth, race, sex, religion, opinion or any other condition or personal or social circumstance.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=980
(EU) Non-Discriminatory Hiring Laws Shown to be Problematic
2013-05-21 | In transposition of EU – law, Austria has adopted strict non-discrimination legislation in the employment sector. When a Christian religious official was looking for a secretary, his legal advisor asked the equal treatment commission before publishing a job advertisement: would it be permissible to reject a headscarf-wearing Muslim woman? The answer was no.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=981
Lutheran Church Forced to Conduct Same-Sex Union Ceremonies
2013-05-21 | The parliament of Denmark voted to force the established Evangelical Lutheran Church to perform same-sex “marriage” ceremonies inside their sanctuaries, although one-third of all the denomination’s priests say they will not participate in such rituals. The Danish parliament voted by an overwhelming 85-24 margin to compel churches to carry out unions for same-sex couples that are identical to heterosexual marriage celebrations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=982
Businesses Forced to Deliver Services Against Their Will
2013-05-21 | Without exception, businesses are required under the Equal Status Act to offer goods and services to anyone who asks for them and the business cannot ‘discriminate’ on the basis of sexual orientation, marital status, etc. While churches are not forced to perform same-sex ceremonies, they might face fines if they do not rent out halls for receptions following a civil partnership ceremony.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=983
Public-Private Partnerships Based on the Principle of Non-Discrimination
2013-05-21 | Public bodies have to break up contracts if a violation of the principle of non-discrimination is established on the basis of the personal convictions of a private partner. A communal administration will therefore not be allowed to maintain a rental contract with a private house, used for civil marriages, if the owner of the house is found to object to an actual request for a same-sex marriage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=984
Equality Act 2010 Causes Closure of Christian Businesses
2013-05-21 | The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination on several grounds, including sexual orientation, in the area of the provision of goods and services. While there is a vital exemption to the general prohibition against discrimination for religious organisations when providing goods or services, this can only be relied upon in limited circumstances and is not wide enough to cover many situations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=985
Christianity Portrayed as Judgmental and Dishonest in Government Educational Materials
2013-05-21 | The report “Combattre l’homophobie – pour une école ouverte à la diversité” of the public administration in charge for the French-speaking educational system, imposes on public and private kindergartens from first enrolment until the end of secondary education to address homosexuality, stating that religion stigmatises. The report specifically addresses the Christian tradition as judgmental (mentioning Saint Paul, Saint Augustine, Saint Thomas Aquinas) and in an ambiguous analysis says that at certain times, the Catholic Church, and even popes, have performed homosexual rituals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=986
No Parental Consent with Regard to Abortion
2013-05-21 | Parental consent with regard to abortion virtually does not exist. There is no legal requirement to inform the parents of a minor wanting abortion. However, if the minor needs full anaesthesia, the parents will need to give their consent.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=987
State Claims Political Correctness in Schools
2013-05-21 | The state is very strict with regard to political correctness in schools. It is very difficult for Christian teachers to debate with their pupils about abortion. One of the most striking cases was Philippe Hisnard, a French Catholic teacher who was revoked and suspended from teaching because he organised a debate about abortion in a class of “civic education”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=988
Home-schooling Prohibited
2013-05-21 | “Home-schooling” is prohibited. Parents’ rights are commonly understood to include the right to choose the form of education of one’s children, including the possibility of non-institutional education, such as so-called home-schooling. Germany, however, allows home-schooling only in the most exceptional circumstances. In general, parents do not have the option to home-school their children. Offenders have to pay fines, and occasionally prison sentences are pronounced.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=989
Home-schooling Severely Limited
2013-05-21 | Home-schooling is severely limited in Slovakia. In fact, it is allowed only for pupils of 1st - 4th class in basic schools, for disabled children, or for children in custody and who are not able to go to school for longer than two months for health reasons. Permission for “individual education” must be granted by the director of the district school of the pupil. Another major problem is that the person who teaches the pupils must have a pedagogical university qualification. As a consequence, home-schooling is very rare in Slovakia.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=990
State Educational Programme Angers Christian Parents
2013-05-21 | Spanish educational law includes a set of mandatory subjects under the generic category of Education for Citizenship which are indoctrinatory and violates the rights of parents. The Education for Citizenship curriculum is mandatory for primary and secondary education (children ages 10-16), and must be implemented into all Spanish schools (public and private).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=991
Home-schooling Practically Prohibited
2013-05-21 | According to the Education Act (2010:800) home-schooling is practically forbidden in Sweden. Home-schooling is allowed only when exceptional circumstances apply, which is hardly ever granted. According to the preparatory work of the government bill, permissions should be granted with great restraint, stating explicitly that religious and philosophical reasons are not to be considered as exceptional circumstances.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=992
No Opt Out of Sex Education
2013-05-21 | In 2011, the Swedish Educational Broadcasting Company, a public service company (UR), launched a sex education campaign in Swedish schools, called “Putting sex on the map” (co-produced by RFSU, a member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation), targeting children of lower secondary school age. Parents objected to the content of the materials, including explicit images and sex scenes, and scientific information, including physical and psychological risks of early sex debut and many sexual partners or abortion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=993
No Parental Consent Necessary for Minors' Abortion
2013-05-21 | There is no parental consent with regard to abortion. Much attention was drawn to a case where an eleven-year-old girl had undergone two abortions in a very short period of time without parental consent. The Parliamentary Ombudsman held that it had gone too far and concluded that “it is obvious that a child of this age (11 years) does not have the maturity to consider the consequences of an abortion by herself.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=994
Province of Asturias Decides to Eliminate Religious Terms in Schools
2013-05-20 | The region’s education minister Doña Ana González Rodríguez asked the schools to remove the words Christmas and Easter from their calendars.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1009
Vandalism Forces Churches in Breckerfeld to Install Security Cameras
2013-05-18 | In a Catholic church in Breckerfeld, vandals left cigarette butts on benches and in the holy water, chewing gum on the organ and broke the Easter candle. A similar incident happened to the Protestant community in Breckerfeld. Both churches are accustomed to leaving the church unlocked so that people can enter at any time to pray or visit. In order to keep out the vandals they have decided to install surveillance cameras and tighten security measures by locking the organ and the loft of the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1139
Anti-Christian Graffiti at Pro Life Manifestation
2013-05-12 | On May 12th, about 30,000 people held a manifestation in favour of the protection of life in Rome. Graffiti on the way of the manifestation said: "All Catholics are Bastards." "The only Church which illuminates is a burning church." A cross turned upside down and the number 666 (for Christians an anti-Christian symbol) were spray-painted as well.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=996
Altar in Catholic Church Set on Fire in Valence, Drôme
2013-05-10 | The altar of the church of Saint-Jean in Valence (Drôme) was purposefully set on fire on May 10. Parish priest Dominique Fornerod deplores the incident and ask the parishioners to pray for the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=995
Socialist Youth Organisation Uses Image of Crucified Woman
2013-05-09 | The words, “You’re entitled to your life. You have the right to decide” were used on the poster of a Spanish socialist youth organization, Galician Socialist Youths, along with a picture of a crucified woman in order to advocate for abortion. As a sacred symbol to Christians, using the crucifix in such a way is perceived by many Christians as a mockery of the Christian faith.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1331
Mother Forces Primary School to Remove Crucifixes
2013-05-07 | At a primary school in Vienna crucifixes had to be taken off the walls because a mother felt that they were a “religious paternalism”. This was possible when it turned out that less than half of the pupils are registered as Christians. For the first time since National Socialism crucifixes were banned from class rooms.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1293
Church Building Ransacked in Wolfsburg
2013-05-06 | Unidentified perpetrators broke into the Holy Spirit church building at Vorsfelde-Wendschott and ransacked several rooms. All the cabinets were searched and the lamp in the entry way was smashed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1140
Robbery in the Church in Marburg
2013-05-05 | A small amount of money was stolen by unidentified thieves from the church in Marburg, Germany. In early May the thieves stole two loudspeakers from the same church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1138
Graves Vandalised at in Crni Potok
2013-05-05 | Unknown perpetrators vandalised an Orthodox cemetery in the village of Crni Potok, not far from Topusko. At this cemetery, 17 tombstones were damaged, numerous crosses were uprooted and parts of tombs were smashed. A criminal complaint was filed with the police for disturbing the peace of the deceased.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1360
Anti-Christian Graffiti on Cathedral of St Pölten
2013-05-01 | Unknown perpetrators spray painted "We do not want your crosses" on the outside wall of the Catholic Cathedral of St. Pölten in the night to May 1st. The graffiti included crossed-out signs in cross-shapes, a swastika and a so-called Kruckenkreuz (an Austrian historic sign for the right-wing government between 1934-38). Next to a clearly anti-Christian message, the Christian cross was unfairly paired with the Nazi swastika.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=955
Condom Present as Eucharist on Festival Stage
2013-05-01 | At the annual “First of May” concert on Piazza San Giovanni in Rome the lead singer of the band “Management Post Operatorio” lifted a condom with both hands simulating the consecration of the Eucharist. While doing so, he said: “Take this all of you, and use it” before continuing with his song “Pornobisogno”. The concert was also broadcasted on Italian Television. The organisers of the “First of May” dissociated themselves from this incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1016
Vandalism to Church in Riedlhütte
2013-04-29 | Significant damage was done to the church of Riedlhütte in Germany. The microphones in the church were damaged and thrown into the holy water, a statue of Jesus on the altar was damaged and the four crosses in the church entrance were damaged. The total damage is estimated at 1,200 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1127
Three Teenagers Broke Into Church in Crailsheim
2013-04-26 | Three teenagers broke into a church in Crailsheim, German with the intention of stealing money. They broke through a window and the door of the office. A resident heard the noise and called the police who arrested the teenagers. They caused an estimated damage of 1000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1122
Explosives Sent to Church Officials Wrapped in Sex Toys
2013-04-25 | Bombs wrapped in sex toys were sent to two different Catholic officials, the Bishop of Pamplona and a director of a Legionaries of Christ school in Madrid. The apparent perpetrator was the anarchist group calling themselves the Anticlerical Group for the Promotion of the Use of Sex Toys. Although the first bomb did not explode, the second detonated, injuring a postal worker.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1322
Common Greeting with Reference to God Discouraged in Department of Health
2013-04-24 | In the course of a debate on the health care reform in the National Assembly of Austria, the spokesman of physicians of the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ), Andreas Karlsböck criticised Health Minister Alois Stöger of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) because he had discouraged or even prohibited the use of the common German greeting “Grüß Gott” (a greeting which literally means “Greet God”) in the Department of Health.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1056
Numerous Human Rights Violations Against Pro-Family Demonstrators
2013-04-23 | The recent attacks on pro-family mass-demonstrations included: tear gas against children, overbearing police force, unconstitutional state action and human rights violations, death threats against organisers on social media and stabbing of a protester, as well as violations of freedom of assembly.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=930
Archbishop of Brussels Andre Leonard Attacked
2013-04-23 | Four activists of the feminist group Femen disturbed a conference at the university of Brussels. The topless women interrupted Archbishop André-Joseph Léonard's speech by throwing water out of Lourdes bottles at him. Screaming loudly they held up a poster "Stop Homophobia". On their bare chests they had written blasphemous comments.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=931
Burglary in St. John’s Church in Rostock
2013-04-23 | Unidentified perpetrators broke into the St. John's church by forcing their way through a window. Almost every interior door was damaged. The offices were raided and cupboards and containers ransacked. Computer accessories worth several hundred euros were stolen. The case was taken over by the Crime police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1121
Vandalism in St. Peter's Church in Wesel
2013-04-23 | Vandals brutally damaged the parish church of St. Peter’s church in Wesel, Germany. They broke their way in and once inside broke more doors, ransacked the cupboards and drawers in the sacristy and tried to open two safes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1123
Burglary at Church in Dettelbach
2013-04-23 | A church in Dettelbach, Germany, was broken into by unidentified perpetrators who stole a case of sacred objects. They entered by breaking the door of the sacristy and then tried to open a safe that was in a closet but they did not succeed. It is believed that the perpetrators escaped through the cemetery because one of the stolen items was found there. The damage caused is of an estimated 1,500 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1124
Home-schooling Prohibition Challenged at European Court of Human Rights
2013-04-22 | Alliance Defending Freedom and the Home School Legal Defence Association have asked the European Court of Human Rights to hear the case of a Swedish family heavily fined for home-schooling their daughter. Although the 13-year-old girl flourished in her home-schooling environment, local Swedish authorities fined her family the equivalent of more than $28,000.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=933
Homosexual Activists David Berger Claims "Gay Haters Get Out of Talk Shows"
2013-04-21 | In an appeal to the media in Germany, Mr Berger, writer and theologian, claims that people critical of the homosexual life style must not be allowed to voice their thoughts in talk shows any more. In the name of human dignity and human rights, critics ought to be silenced.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=932
Burglary Attempt in Two Churches
2013-04-19 | A youth attempted to break a safe in the St. James’ church in Saterland, Germany. He tried to escape but in his haste he caused an accident so the police caught him. It turned out he had broken into the St. Jacob’s church as well.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1125
Femen Releases Anti-Christian Image on Facebook
2013-04-16 | The anti-Christian campaign group Femen released a painting on their Facebook page on April 16. The painting is modelled after "La tentation de saint Antoine" and shows a naked Femen activist crucified, saying "Femen" instead of "Inri" on the inscription.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=928
Attempted Burglary in St. George’s Church in Neustadt
2013-04-16 | An unidentified perpetrator tried to break into the St. George’s church through the door of the sacristy. He used a screwdriver which left visible marks on the door. His attempt of burglary failed but the door was damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1126
Church in Hauture in Fos-sur-Mer Vandalised
2013-04-15 | During the night from April 14th, 2013, a Church in Hauture in Fos-sur-Mer was broken into by vandals. They broke into a window to get inside the church. After forcing open the tabernacle and finding nothing inside they stole money from the donation box for the candles. They left the church after defecating onto the organ, using the altar cloth for wiping.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1015
LGBT Activists Calls for Murder of Catholic Campaigner
2013-04-14 | At a radical LGBT manifestation in Lyon on Sunday, April 14, a participant held up a sign saying "Keep calm and kill Frigide Barjot". Comedian Barjot was the main person behind the pro-family mass demonstrations in France opposing same sex marriage and adoption.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=929
Ban on Christian Teacher from Deptford Green School in London
2013-04-12 | A classroom ban on a Christian school teacher who condemned the “homosexual lifestyle” in front of year 11 pupils aged 15 and 16, has been upheld by the High Court. Science teacher, Robert Haye’s appeal against the decision to ban him indefinitely was rejected by the judge. After telling his class that the way homosexual people lived was a “sin”, according to the bible, he was sacked and prohibited from teaching at any school.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1308
Christian Worker Bullied by Muslims at Work
2013-04-11 | After defending a Christian colleague at work last year, some of Mrs. Halawi's Muslim colleagues complained to managers with unsubstantiated claims about her conduct. As a result, the management removed her ‘airside pass’ without properly considering her side of the story. This meant she was unable to keep working at the airport. Mrs. Halawi said that she had frequently been bullied by her Muslim colleagues for her Christians faith.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=920
Appeal Against Acquittal of Musician Javier Krahe Denied by Courts
2013-04-11 | The Thomas More Law Center appealed the acquittal of musician Javier Krahe, a verdict delivered the previous year, and were denied by the Spanish court. The charge was derision of religious beliefs and offense against religious feelings as Krahe had previously made a video entitled “How to Cook a Crucifix” in which a crucifix was buttered and then put into an oven. The court decided that such behavior was within the limits of artistic freedom and denied that the charge could be upheld.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1333
(Northern Ireland) Printing Firm to be Sued for Refusing to Print Gay Magazine
2013-04-05 | The Christian owner of a printing firm in Northern Ireland faced being hauled to court over his refusal to print a gay magazine. Nick Williamson says printing the material would go against his religious beliefs. But the editor of MyGayZine, Danny Toner, approached a solicitor and referred the matter to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=918
Graffiti and Desecration to Church in Caorso
2013-04-01 | In the night of Easter Sunday graffiti was spray painted in the churchyard of Santa Maria Assunta in Caorso. Drawings were made of satanic pentagrams with lots of red candles at both ends. A wafer was stuck on the door with the words "Animate vacuum" (empty soul).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1241
Catholic Parish Targeted by Government
2013-03-29 | As a consequence of a “foreign agents“ law that was signed by President Vladimir Putin last year, Russia caused headlines with its persistent attempt to crack down foreign funded non-governmental organisations such as Human Rights Watch and Transparency International. Now the latest reports state that the government has started targeting churches as well, e.g. fining a Catholic parish in Nowotscherkassk for 450,000 Rubles (11,200 Euros).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=921
Reproach of Police Misconduct at Pro-Family-Manifestation
2013-03-25 | French Christians launched a petition for the resignation of Manuel Valls, French Minister of the Interior, and Bernard Boucault, Prefect of Police, and to sanction all police staff who committed abuses against the peaceful demonstrators at the Pro-Family-demonstration "Manif pour tous" in Paris on Sunday 24th of March. According to the organisers, the number of protesters had been greatly underestimated by the police, and in order to try to contain the actual 1,4 million the police employed unnecessary forceful measures.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=926
Palm Sunday Services Interrupted by LGBT Activists
2013-03-24 | Demonstrators for LGBT causes disrupted the Palm Sunday service on the 24th of March at the Cathedral in Metz, France. They were calling out slander, waving rainbow flags demanding that the bishop withdrew his support of the pro-family demonstration in Paris. The protesters were members of CNT and individuals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=923
Saint-Jean Cathedral of Lyon Broken Into
2013-03-23 | On Saturday, March the 23rd, around 6.30 pm, an Iranian citizen aged 28, was arrested and taken into custody. He had broken into the Saint-Jean Cathedral of Lyon and seriously damaged the astronomical clock with an iron bar.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=922
Church of Saint-Similien Nantes Vandalised
2013-03-23 | The church of Saint-Similien Nantes was vandalised on the night of the 23rd of March. Someone hid in the confessional on Friday night and then desecrated the stoup and vandalised the organ. An ermine chasuble, the organ bench and the light of the tabernacle were stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=924
20 Graves Desecrated in Elne-Cemetery in Pyrenees-Orientales
2013-03-22 | During the night of March 22nd more than 20 graves were desecrated in the Elne-Cemetery in Pyrenees-Orientales. This happened before in 2008 when 248 graves were vandalised, almost all of them Christian tombs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=925
Christian Youth Foundation in Dordrecht Accuses Local Government of Anti-Christian Repression
2013-03-22 | A Christian foundation for working with youth surprisingly lost its license to serve coffee and soda on the grounds that the youth centre was a gastronomical enterprise running on deficit and other permits would be necessary for non-profit activities. This was perceived as a governmental anti-Christian repression and is now debated in court.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=927
Theft and Desecration in Church in Termoli
2013-03-21 | Two youth entered the Church of St. Timothy in Termoli. One pretended to pray and when they were left alone made profane and sacrilegious gestures before stealing wafers and other sacred objects from the tabernacle. The theft was carried out on March 21 which corresponds to the satanic calendar as the "Second night of Tregenda”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1240
Catholic Bookstore Vandalised Once Again
2013-03-15 | Another Catholic bookshop (“Notre-Dame-de-France”) was trashed on the 15th of March in Paris. The windows were broken and books thrown on the floor. There have been 26 reports of similar incidents over the past year.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=910
Pro-Life Women Attacked By Pro-Abortion Men at Manifestation
2013-03-15 | Male pro-abortion protesters physically attacked several pro-life women, pushing and kicking them, during a rally on March 10th in Warsaw. The pro-lifers were part of the organisation Fundacja Pro and were carrying a controversial banner of a woman who died during an abortion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=913
Catholic Bookstore Vandalised in Paris
2013-03-15 | The window of a Catholic bookshop, Our Lady of France (former "Bookstore Petit Pont ") was smashed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1120
Attempted Arson at Saint-Nicolas Church in Fribourg
2013-03-11 | On March 11th at around 7pm, the cantonal police were called to the scene at Saint-Nicolas in Fribourg, as an employee restrained two individuals who tried to hang a banner in the cathedral. They had also poured gasoline into the stoup to set it on fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=907
Coffins Opened and Graves Desecrated
2013-03-06 | Unknown perpetrator(s) damaged two graves and opened the coffins. The damage was detected by a member of the family of one of the deceased. At an old concrete tomb of an unknown owner, the tombstone was moved and the coffin was opened, and there was another case involving the desecration of an earthen grave. Some of the earth that had covered the coffin, which was apparently opened, had caved in. Around the grave were scattered bones. The incident was recorded by the police who performed an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1370
Church Vandalised in Lecce
2013-03-03 | Vandals entered the St. Michael's Parish Centre in Lecce and set fire to a holy book that was on the lectern. Fortunately the fire was put out before more damage was done.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1239
Magazine Defames Benedict XVI and His Secretary
2013-03-02 | Due to the Pope's resignation, in a caricature on its title page, the German magazine, Titanic, implied Pope Emeritus Benedict and his secretary, Archbishop Gänswein to be engaging in homosexual sex, uttering "Finally - sex!". This hurts religious feelings of the faithful, defames both and deepens a negative stereotype against church hierarchy.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=909
Magazine Caricatures Conclave as Group Sex
2013-02-28 | The French Magazine Charlie Hebdo comments on the election of the new Catholic Pontiff with a caricature on its title page showing the cardinals having group sex and calling their sexual climax the descendence of the Holy Spirit. The faithful perceive this as hurtful and intolerant to their religious convictions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=908
Magazine Front Page Caricature Upsets Christians
2013-02-27 | On the occasion of the resignation of pope Benedict XVI and the conclave in which a new pope ought to be elected, the French magazine, Charlie Hebdo, featured a caricature on its front cover which shows the cardinals engaging in group sex. The words suggest that it is their sexual pleasure which the cardinals mockingly call the Holy Spirit.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=901
Church Burglarised and Desecrated in Oberhausem
2013-02-27 | Unidentified criminals burglarised and vandalised the Catholic church St. Josef in Oberhausem, North Rhine Westphalia. The act included desecration of the tabernacle, the altar and a relic. Several precious stones were taken and the registry was left in disarray.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=906
Vandalism and Burglary in St. Joseph’s Church in Oberhausen
2013-02-27 | The church of St. Joseph’s in Oberhausen, Germany was broken into by a burglar who after a failed attempt to enter through a window broke the door to the sacristy. He smashed an old alter relic when trying to open the next door into the church. The police were called and came with their tracking dogs but they lost the trail. All the cabinets in the church were broken and the contents dumped on the ground. Microphone and sound cables were torn out and on his way out the burglar stole gems.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1128
Church Vandalised in Gummersbach, Hessen
2013-02-22 | Around 12 pm on the 22nd of February unknown perpetrators broke into the parish of Gummersbach, Hessen and stole the offertory. They pried it off the wall with scissors which seriously damaged the sacral space.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=905
Church Vandalised and Burglarised in Lünen
2013-02-21 | In the night of the 21st of February the registry of the St-Marys church of Lünen was broken into and gravely damaged. The place was left in disarray and the offertory was emptied.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=904
Vandalism and Burglary in the Church of St. Mary in Lünen
2013-02-21 | Unidentified perpetrators broke into St Mary's Church in Lünen, Germany. They also vandalised the youth centre and the parish centre. Much damage was done but hardly anything stolen. In the youth centre one of the billiard tables was badly damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1130
Nail Bomb Placed in Almudena Cathedral in Madrid
2013-02-20 | A nail bomb was found in the Almudena Cathedral by a priest who reported seeing a suspicious looking bag on leaving the confessional. The Cathedral was evacuated before anyone was hurt by the home-made device, and the police were able to deactivate it without any damage being done.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1321
Offertory of Catholic Church in Dieringhausen Stolen
2013-02-19 | Using a scissor a perpetrator pried the offertory off the wall of the Catholic Church on Dieringhauser street in Gummersbach. He also took the container and its contents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1129
Satanic Graffiti on Church in Urbino Duomo
2013-02-17 | Inverted crosses and 666 were found on two doors of the church. The three doors were dented as well, one whose neoclassical façade was rebuilt by Valadier in 1801, following a strong earthquake in 1789.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1238
Church in Orléans Twice the Target of Vandals
2013-02-14 | The church of Saint-Paterne in Orléans, France, became twice the victim of vandalism. Sometime during the night of the 11th to 12th of February, three of its poor boxes were pillaged, and then again from the night of the 14th to 15th of February, the door of the tabernacle was forced open and the ciborium emptied of its contents, the hosts spread over the floor. A covering was taken, but not the ciborium. In addition, the church Notre-Dame des Miracles, also in Orléans, was robbed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1358
T-Shirt Company in Pamplona Prints Derisive Cartoon Picturing a Catholic Bishop
2013-02-13 | The Spanish T-shirt company Kukuxumusu, known for its humorous T-shirt designs picturing cartoon animals such as sheep and bulls, printed a shirt with a bull dressed in Catholic bishop’s clothing flanked by two sheep, one of whom he is suspiciously touching. The other sheep is pulling up the “bishop’s”garment to reveal a devil’s tail. Many found this both offensive to their faith and a needless mockery of the serious matter of pedophilia.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1336
Anti-Pope Protests in Notre Dame Cathedral
2013-02-12 | Female activists undress and shout anti-pope slogans to comment the resignation of Pope Benedict XYI in the Paris Cathedral of Notre. Toplessly, they hammered at bells and shouted "Crisis of faith,", “Pope no more!”
“Bye-bye Benedict!”, “No more homophobe!” and "In gay we trust!".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=899
Polish Erasmus Student Arrested in Cadiz for Destroying a Crucifix
2013-02-12 | A twenty-four year old Polish Erasmus student in Cadiz was arrested after purportedly entering a church and throwing a crucifix to the ground, breaking the arms and legs off of the eighteenth century religious piece. A church official tried to detain the youth, but he escaped and was later apprehended by police to await trial.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1334
Catholics Insulted by Depiction of Key Shrine Lourdes
2013-02-11 | French Catholics were insulted by an historically inaccurate article published in the French weekly, Le Point, on the 155th Anniversary of the pilgrimage site, Lourdes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=914
YouTube Video Calls For Violence Against Priests
2013-02-10 | On February 10th a youtube video was uploaded by user „Porco Dio“ containing several blasphemous pictures and comments such as "God Swine", "Our Lady the Pig",
"Bastards in white" (referring to priests) and
“I would like to cook a nice plate of mixed things with that saint Joseph". They also ridicule the Lord’s Prayer.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1187
Anti-Christian Counter Manifestation to Pro Life Activity
2013-02-09 | During a prayer meeting in front of the abortion clinic of the l’Hôpital Tenon in Paris, pro-lifers were confronted with a counter demonstration of the group “Hâter la République” (“Rush the Republic”) which held up posters depicting Jesus carrying the cross comparing the cross to an UID, a contraceptive loop. It said: “Jesus too… had a loop!”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1017
Graffiti on Walls of Church in Vigasio
2013-02-09 | Two young girls entered the church and using black spray paint made a smiling devil who "hates the Vatican”, a slanderous stylized crucifix and wrote insults in English.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1237
University Assistant Professor Loses Job Due to Opposition to “Gay Marriage”
2013-02-07 | A Cologne university professor lost his job because he had spoken for Christian values and against “gay” marriages in a TV appearance. The university claimed that such views were not to be tolerated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1019
Vandalism and Arson in Two Churches in Cusio
2013-02-06 | Within two days there were 4 arson attacks and 6 cases of vandalism in the parish of Saint Catherine and Saint Audenzio Pettenasco. The fire did not spread through the buildings but curtains were burnt and the wooden upper part of the entrance that supports the choir and a precious organ were damaged. A hammer was used to destroy the gate of the Shrine of Our Lady of Bocciolo, an awl was used on other doors and insults were written against the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1236
Church of Saint-Germain de Charonne in Paris Marked with Graffiti
2013-02-06 | The Church of Saint-Germain de Charonne in Paris was marked with the words, “The only church that illuminates is the one that burns.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1345
Christian Graves Vandalised in Bages D’Aude
2013-02-04 | Right before All Hallows Eve three tombs in the cemetery of Banges D’Aude were vandalised, with their decorations and flowers destroyed. A complaint was placed with the Gendarmerie.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=873
Burglars and Fire at Catholic Church in Dorsten
2013-02-04 | Burglars targeted the Catholic church of St. Boniface in Dorsten. They stole several items as well as cash and set the community centre on fire. According to the police the damages amount to several hundred thousand euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=902
Church Vandalised in Lyon
2013-02-01 | At the parish the Name of Jesus in Lyon the parish priest discovered on February 1st that the facade had been vandalised with the statue of Jeremiah removed from its niche and beheaded on the floor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=865
Graffiti Threatens Christians in Ljubljana
2013-02-01 | Unknown perpetrators sprayed on a wall of a shopping center on one of the thoroughfares in Ljubljana on 1 February 2013 a graffiti threatening Christians with violence. “Kristjani – klali smo vas 1945 – klali vas bomo 2013” - “Christians – we slaughtered you in 1945 – we shall slaughter you in 2013”, was sprayed in large letters on a wall.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=900
Schoolchild Punished for Refusing to Memorise a Verse of the Koran
2013-01-29 | A child at a Catholic school in France was punished for refusing to memorise a verse of the Koran in January 2013. At the school of Notre Dame de St Mihiel in the Meuse, Lorraine, a pupil refused to memorise a verse of the Koran as a part of a class on Islam. Two mothers arranged a meeting with the teacher to explain their disagreement with the punishment. Instead of removing the punishment or allowing the student to opt-out of the class the school director informed the mother of the punished child that she considers removing the child from the school.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=862
Protestant Church in Amberg Devastated
2013-01-29 | In Amberg, Hochsauerlandkreis, on the 29th of January the sacred space of the Protestant Resurrection Church was devastated and chalices for communion were stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=934
Professor in Zagreb Makes Offensive Catholic Comment
2013-01-29 | During a visit by Mrs. Judith Reisman to the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Zagreb on January 29, 2013, the dean of this faculty, Prof. Dr. Nenad Zakošek, said, among other things: “If anyone indoctrinated them (students), then it is the Catholic Church.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1369
New Mandatory Sex Ed Programme Violates Rights of Parents
2013-01-27 | Christian parents are outraged over the contents of the governments new sex ed. programme. The government insisted and made opting out illegal, until the constitutional court found that the contents were against the law.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=861
Anti-Christian Images and Posters at Pro-Gay Marriage Rally in Paris
2013-01-27 | The French gay activist lobby groups hosted a pro-gay marriage on the 27th of January. Unlike the pro-family rally of the 13th of January, whose posters and messages focused on images or phrases that reminded onlookers of the traditional family and of children’s need for a mother and father, the 27th of January demonstration signs were largely aimed at insulting Christians and the Pope. Some signs were calling for the “Pope to tie his own fallopian tubes.” Others called the Virgin Mary the first “surrogate mother”, while still others stated that gays were "less likely to harm children than priests".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=864
Poster Depicts a Lesbian Virgin Mary Couple
2013-01-17 | A poster advertisement for the play "Fine Dead Girls" contained an image with two Blessed Virgins embracing each other as lesbians. The play took place in the Zagreb theater Gavela. The poster was withdrawn after protests.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1372
British Airways Banned Employee from Wearing a Cross, ECHR Confirms a Violation of Freedom of Religion
2013-01-15 | (October 2006 - January 2013)In October 2006 an employee, Ms Eweida, was banned from wearing a cross on a necklace by British Airways, UK. Court ruling in January 2008 upheld prohibition for Christians, but not for other religions' symbols. On January 15th, 2013, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Ms Eweida's rights had been violated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=12
Christian Counsellors Freedom of Conscience Trumped by Rights of Homosexuals
2013-01-15 | The rights of homosexual couples trumped those of Christians, according to a ruling of the Employment Appeal Tribunal. The European Court of Human Rights dismissed the Christian applicant Gary McFarlane and left the balancing out of rights to national appreciation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=152
Registrar’s Wish Not to Register Homosexual Unions Rejected
2013-01-15 | Lillian Ladele, a Christian registrar, was disciplined because of her stance on civil partnerships. The European Court of Human Rights dismissed Ladele’s application on January 15th, 2013 and left the balancing out of rights to the national authorities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=172
Christian Nurse Loses Battle to Wear Crucifix at Work
2013-01-15 | The Employment Tribunal found ‘No Discrimination’ despite the ruling that a Christian nurse cannot wear a cross for religious reasons though a Muslim can wear a hijab for religious reasons. On January 15th, 2013, the European Court of Human Rights confirmed that the hospital could make such policies - if justified by health and safety reasons.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=268
ECHR Decides Against Freedom of Religion in Three Cases, in Favour of One
2013-01-15 | On January 15th, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in the four UK Freedom of Religion cases: one was ruled in favour and three against. The decision of the Court is not yet final and can be appealed to the Grand Chamber of the Court.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=859
Protestant Churches Vandalised and Burglarised in Hessen
2013-01-15 | In Rödermark (Hessen) and the district of Offenbach Protestant churches were targeted by vandals. Altar clothes, bibles and other things were stolen. Due to these incidents, the targeted churches remain closed during the night.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=903
Church Vandalised in Duren
2013-01-14 | In Duren (NRW) the St. Cyriac Church was completely defiled and the tabernacle desecrated. The damage was so grave that the church was pronounced unfit for service.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=935
Topless Feminists Protest Against Vatican's Policy on Gay Adoption
2013-01-13 | When Pope Benedict XVI gave his weekly Sunday address on January 13, 2013, on St. Peter's Square, four women of the Ukrainian feminist group Femen took off their shirts to reveal the slogan they had written on their bare skin, "In Gay We Trust". This took place while the pope lead the Angelus prayer. The women screamed "Homophobes shut up" as they were taken away from St Peter's square by the Italian police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=858
Bishop of Trieste Barricaded After Reiterating Church Teaching on Homosexuality in Church Newspaper
2013-01-12 | In the January edition of the Diocesan newspaper, the Bishop of Trieste had published an article restating the Church’s teaching on homosexual unions. Because of this, on the 12th of January about two hundred homosexual activist demonstrated in front of his home effectively barricading him in for the afternoon.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=863
French Government to “Dissolve Religious Pathology” and “Excesses” in the Church
2013-01-06 | Instead of tackling the enormous number of anti-Christian vandalisms, President Hollande announced 'the National Observatory of Secularism' to come into being this year, tasked with closely monitoring religious organisations for any potential 'excesses'. French Interior Minister Manuel Valls highlighted various Catholic organisations, stating that "All excesses are being minutely registered in case we have to consider dissolving it."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=887
Thousands Petition to Keep Chapels Open at Complutense University in Madrid
2013-01-04 | Tens of thousands petitioned Jose Carrillo, the rector of Complutense University asking that the agreement with the Archdiocese of Madrid be adhered to and that the closing of university chapels be stopped. According to a spokesman for the religious-liberty organization MasLibres, Miguel Vidal, the “rector has argued that the university is not trying to shut down chapels, but to revise its agreement with the archdiocese.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1329
TV Host Suspended for Critical Show on Government's Sex Ed Programme
2013-01-01 | Ms Karolina Vidović-Krišto, a well-respected journalist with HRT/HTV, was the editor and host of a popular program “Slika Hrvatske”, produced specifically for Croatians living overseas. She was suspended after editing and hosting a show which criticised the government's sex ed programme on December 29, 2012.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=860
Minister of Science, Education and Sports Recommendation not in Keeping with Legal Regulations
2013-01-01 | The Recommendation by the Minister of Science, Education and Sports, Mr. Ž. Jovanović, on conducting religious instruction in elementary schools during the first and last hours of the day (as of April 3, 2012), is still in force. This Recommendation discriminates against the regular nature of religious instruction which was agreed upon in international contracts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1373
Chanting Naked Man Caught in Zagreb Cathedral
2012-12-31 | On the 31st of December 2012, a naked man was caught chanting: „Sex in Schools!“ in the Cathedral of Zagreb, Croatia. This was reported by the Apostolic Nunciature in Croatia.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1098
Vandalised Churches in Austria in 2012
2012-12-31 | Numerous cases of vandalism against churches and church buildings took place in Austria in 2012. Find here a non-exhaustive list of recorded incidents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1227
Burglary of Churches in Austria in 2012
2012-12-31 | Numerous cases of burglary of churches and church buildings took place in Austria in 2012. Find here a non-exhaustive list of recorded incidents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1228
Long List of Hate Crimes Against Christians in 2012 Reported by the Holy See
2012-12-31 | The Holy See reported numerous hate crimes against Christians in Germany in 2012 to OSCE/ODIHR. View the locations and dates here.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1279
Long List of Hate Crimes Against Christians in 2012 Reported by the Holy See
2012-12-31 | The Holy See reported numerous hate crimes against Christians in Hungary in 2012 to OSCE/ODIHR. View the locations and dates here.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1280
Long List of Hate Crimes Against Christians in 2012 Reported by the Holy See
2012-12-31 | The Holy See reported numerous hate crimes against Christians in Italy in 2012 to OSCE/ODIHR. View the locations and dates here.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1281
High Court Rules No Right for Christians to Decline Sunday Work
2012-12-30 | A new ruling by a High Court judge says that Christians have no right to decline working on Sunday as it is not a “core component” of their beliefs, considering that „many Christians work on Sundays".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=851
University Professor in Austria Calls for Death Penalty for Pope
2012-12-28 | During Christmas holidays 2012, Austrialian born Richard Parncutt, professor for music sciences at the Karl-Franzens-Universität in Graz, issued the official University website to call for death penalty for the pope as a punishment for opposing artifical birth control and condoms. The university deleted the comments and summoned Prof. Parncutt to a disciplinary meeting: “Safeguarding human rights belong to the most important principles of the University of Graz.” The professor apologized.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=885
Reported Attacks Against Places of Worship in Germany
2012-12-27 | In 2012 the Holy See reported attacks against places of worship in the following places of Germany:
• 19 May 2012 Bürstadt (Idstein)
• 19 May 2012 Bispingen (Walsrode)
• 23 May 2012 Petersberg (Osthessen)
• 26 June 2012 Flensburg
• 23 June 2012 Bergtheide. (Lübeck)
• 23 June 2012 Bad Herrenalb
• 17 June 2012 Krefeld
• 12 June 2012 Haltingen. (Weil am Rhein)
• July 2012 Münster-Gremmendorf (Westfalen)
• 31 July 2012 Engelsdorf (Sachsen)
• 17 July 2012 Meiningen
• 14 July 2012 Euskirchen
• 6 July 2012 Eckernförde
• 16 August 2012 Bötzingen (Freiburg)
• 28 August 2012 Cochem (Mosel)
• 30 August 2012 Altkreis Norden (Aurich)
• 4 September 2012 Hirschhorn (Odenwald)
• 7 September 2012 Ihringen (Breisach)
• 7 September 2012 Bad Langensalza (Thüringen).
• 7 September 2012 Aurich (Niedersachsen)
• 9 September 2012 Mirskofen (Landshut)
• 10 September 2012 Weimar-Niederweimar
• 18 September 2012 Cochem (Mosel)
• 21 September 2012 Neuhausen (Pforzheim)
• 15 October 2012 Leidingen (Saarland)
• 4 November 2012 Ahlbeck (Vorpommern)
• 5 November 2012 Bielefeld
• 5 November 2012 Schöntal (Heilbronn)
• 10 November 2012 Lübeck
• 11 November 2012 Brandenburg (Havel)
• 13 November 2012 Schmalegg (Ravensburg)
• 15 November 2012 Märkische Heide
• 17 November 2012 Thüringen
• 21 November 2012 Groß Leuthen (Lausitz)
• 27 November 2012 Mainz.
• 27 November 2012 Daaden (Siegen)
• 29 November 2012 Gotha
• 4 December 2012 München
• 15 December 2012 Drensteinfurt (NRW)
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1197
Reported Damage to Properties in Hungary
2012-12-27 | In 2012 the Holy See reported damaged to property in the following places in Hungary:
10 January 2012 Pécs
27 January 2012 Mezőfalva
04 March 2012 Pécs, Rácváros
22 March 2012 Pécs
08 April 2012 Pécs
27 June 2012 Pécs, Parrochia San Francesco
04 September 2012 Piliscsaba Klotildliget
08 December 2012 Sárbogárd
16 December 2012 Németkér
20 December 2012 Újpetre
23 December 2012 Simontornya
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1198
Reported Cases of Damage to Property in Italy
2012-12-27 | The Holy See reported damage to property in the following places in 2012:
12 February 2012 Terrasini (diocesi di Monreale)
22 February 2012 in provincia di Trento
02 March 2012 Cinisi (diocesi di Monreale)
31 May 2012 nel quartiere di La Gogna, fra
10 August 2012 Trinitapoli in Puglia
19 November 2012 di Milazzo (Messina)
22 December 2012 Termoli
23 December 2012 Villagrazia di Carini (Monreale)
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1201
Reported Cases of Desecration to Graves in Italy
2012-12-27 | The Holy See reported cases of desecration of graves on the following dates in Italy in 2012:
19 March 2012
22 March 2012
19 April 2012
20 June 2012
19 September 2012
24 September 2012
28 November 2012
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1202
Nativity Scene Statues Decapitated in Frejus
2012-12-26 | In front of the Tourist information office in Frejus, France, the wooden nativity scene of the local parish, suffered severe vandalism. During a night of the Christmas season the statues of Mary and Joseph were decapitated. The perpetrators and their motives were not clarified by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=852
People in Turkey Threatened by Plain-Clothes Police
2012-12-26 | People in the Denizli, Diyarbakir, Sinop and Hatay provinces attending worship services were being threatened and warned about further participation by plain-clothes policemen. The Police also requested information about other people attending.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1222
Pride Parade Hurts Christians' Religious Feelings
2012-12-25 | During the Ljubljana Gay Pride Parade 2012 the protestors for „a proud LGBT community“ carried signs which hurt the religious feelings of Christians: One image satirically said "let us return to the middle ages" showing a pope-like figure cutting apart a rainbow flag. The other one read: "even Jesus had two fathers".
Furthermore, the Observatory was told by the organizers of the Iskreni Festival (clf. a pro family event), that Slovenian LGBT lobby organisations attacked their work massively. They tried to pressure benefactors of the festival into seizing any financial support due to the Iskreni Festival's pro life and pro family orientation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1006
Muslims Shout Abuse at Christians Queueing for Christmas Services
2012-12-24 | Muslims protested in front of St Paul’s Cathedral, London, on Christmas Eve 2012 while Christians were lining up to enter the Cathedral for services. One person reported to the Observatory: “We have been adversely affected, distressed, and inconvenienced because of the nature, loudness, and closeness of this verbal outpour of hatred and abuse abuse. None of the Christians who were peacefully waiting in line to attend a Christmas celebration provoked the verbal abuse that we were forced to endure. At one point a Muslim male was loudly shouting abuse at us from a distance of about four meters.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=890
Three Churches Set on Fire in Amstetten
2012-12-23 | On December 23, three churches were set on fire in the small town of Amstetten, lower Austria. One of the churches was severely damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=850
Evangelical Church in Bremen Vandalized
2012-12-22 | Two days before the Christmas, the evangelical church in Bremen Tenever was vandalized in a way, that the Christmas celebrations could not take place in the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=936
Nativity Scene Burnt Down in a Church in Savoy
2012-12-18 | The nativity scene at the Church of Barby in Savoy was set on fire on Tuesday, December 18th, between 7 and 8 in the evening. The sacristan reported that it is not the first instance of attack the Church has experienced. The day after several parents and children of the parish set up a new nativity scene.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=849
Youth Demand the Handing Over of a Priest "to be Burnt" at Catholic School in Merida
2012-12-17 | During the morning of the 17th of December ten youths between the ages of 15 and 17 entered the Salesian School ‘Maria Auxiliadora’ in the outskirts of Merida, Spain. After assaulting the groundskeeper who had tried to stop their entrance, they made their way to the classrooms demanding the priests be handed over to be burnt and accusing the teachers of fascism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=868
Vandalism of Christian Wayside Shrine in St-Germain-en-Laye
2012-12-16 | The French Observatoire de l’Christianophobie was notified of an act of vandalism against a statue of St Genevieve in St-Germain-en-Laye the 16th of December. The glass encasement of the image of the Saint was destroyed leaving the statue somewhat damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=848
Series of Thievery in Austrian Churches
2012-12-15 | Since summer 2012 a series of thefts has been going on in Austrian churches around Melk. Figurines have been taken and in mid-December images have been cut out from flags used for processions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=845
Insults and Removal Claims for Crucifix in Federal German Minister for Consumer Protection
2012-12-15 | Calls to remove the cross from the Federal German Minister for Consumer Protection argue that the public display of the crucifix was no surprise in an arm-exporting country - "because the crucifix was a pungent glorification of violence and an learning tool towards anti-Semitism."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=888
Protestant Church in Drensteinfurt Vandalized
2012-12-15 | On 15th December 2012 the Protestant church in Drensteinfurt (NRW) was broken into. The altar and the place for the commemoration of the dead were desecrated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=937
Church Desecrated by Burglars in Drensteinfurt
2012-12-15 | On the 15th of December 2012, Burglars broke into an Evangelical church building in Drensteinfurt (Nordrhein-Westfalen), Germany and desecrated the interior. This was reported by the Apostolic Nunciature of Germany.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1105
Catholic Intellectual Threatened For Opposing Gay Adoption on TV
2012-12-12 | Following his appearance in a talkshow opposing homosexual adoption on German public service television, Martin Lohman, a Catholic intellectual has received severe threats via Email. He was sent an anonymous email stating the following: "I am homosexual, I have AIDS and I live in Bonn and I am now set on giving the gift of my immune disease to you, too. Should you feel a little prick of a needle soon, then that was most likely me with my needle."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=846
Homeschooling Parents Portrayed as Sectarian Fundamentalists by Spiegel TV
2012-12-12 | Homeschooling family experiences negative stereotyping by Spiegel TV documentary: “We were not only a little disappointed and upset when we saw the outcome, which offends our Christian convictions and does not give unbiased information about the subject matter. My wife is called the 'chief inquisitor'. The reporter suggests that our children are victims, socially isolated children, controlled by their stubborn fundamental-Christian parents."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=889
German Christian Rights' Activist Heavily Insulted And Threatened After Opposing Gay Adoption on TV
2012-12-10 | In the German public service broadcaster ARD’s talk show “Tough but Fair” (“Hart aber Fair”), on Monday, December 3rd, the question whether homosexual couples should be allowed to adopt children was debated. Women’s and Family Rights activist Birgit Kelle argued that children need a mother and a father. Following her appearance on the show, a journalist of the said ARD commented on his twitter account: “I think she is a witch. Witches get burned.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=847
Desecrations at Saint Rambert, Lyon
2012-12-10 | One or more unknown persons broke into the Church of St Rambert in Lyon, France, and proceeded to damage the tabernacle, desecrating the Eucharist. Several liturgical objects were stolen and the altar damaged. In response, the parish priest convened an evening of prayer.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=866
Sign of the Cross Forbidden to Pupils by History Teacher in Narbonne
2012-12-07 | On a school trip to the nearby Cathedral of Saint-Jus, students of the local school Therese Leon Blum where warned against making the sign of the cross upon entering the Cathedral. As a punishment, the teacher mentioned three hours of after-hours at school. One of the parents wrote to the council to complaint but did not receive a response.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=869
Sacred Heart Church in Bielefeld Depredated
2012-12-05 | In Bielefeld the sacred Heart Church was depredated. The tabernacle on the high altar was broken into and consecrated hosts were defiled.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=942
Orthodox Church Vandalised in Munich
2012-12-04 | In Munich on 4th December 2012, an Orthodox church was desecrated, icons destroyed and the devotional profaned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=938
Orthodox Church in Munich Desecrated
2012-12-04 | The Apostolic Nunciature of Germany reported that on the 4th of December 2012, unknown perpetrators defiled an Orthodox church in Munich, Germany. Icons were desecrated and devotional objects profaned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1106
Desecration of Greek-Orthodox Church in Munich
2012-12-04 | On December 4th, a unknown man locked himself into the little Greek-Orthodox church in Salvatorstraße. The man destroyed the glass window of an icon of Marie and stole the items that were left there by thankful believers. Later he escaped through the sacristy.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1174
Two Figures Destroyed at Church in Venice
2012-12-04 | Vandals destroyed two ceramic figures representing St. Francis and St. Clare. The figures were displayed in the wall of the church of the Sacred Name of Jesus.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1235
Reported Attacks Against Places of Worship in Italy
2012-12-03 | The Holy See reported attacks against places of worship in the following places in Italy
27 June 2012 Teramo
16 August 2012 Foggia
08 September 2012 Gonnosfanadiga in Sardegna
18 October 2012 Oristano
15 November 2012 Luino (in provincia di Varese)
29 November 2012
3 December 2012 S. Chiara (Venezia)
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1203
Restitution of Property to Catholic Church in Czech Republic Accompanied with Dirt Campaign Against the Church
2012-11-29 | A controversial campaign by the oppositional Social Democrats directed against the Church Property Restitution Bill has turned into a major brawl with Czech Catholics and other churches.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=802
Parish Church in Gotha Broken Into
2012-11-29 | In Gotha the parish church was broken into. The sacred space was defiled and the organ destroyed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=939
EU Attempted to Remove Christian Symbols of Commemorative Coin
2012-11-29 | The National Bank of Slovakia announced that the European Commission, the union’s executive arm, had ordered it to remove halos and crosses from special commemorative euro coins. The European Union finally gave in- the coins are to be minted as planned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1013
Chapel of Regional Pilgrimage Site Vandalized
2012-11-29 | The chapel Notre-Dame de la Roche in the area of Rhône, which is a regional pilgrimage site, was vandalized and profaned in November 2012. The chapel was restored in May 2013.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1030
Church in Gotha Defiled
2012-11-29 | On the 29th of November 2012, the inside of a church in Gotha, Germany, was desecrated. The perpetrator(s) also vandalised the Organ. This was reported by the Apostolic Nunciature of Germany.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1107
Desecration of Graves in Germany
2012-11-29 | Between July and November the Holy See reported cases of desecration to graves in the following places:
·27 July 2012 Herzberg
·26 October 2012 Duisburg (NRW)
·9 November 2012 Unterrath (Düsseldorf).
·13 November 2012 Güdesweiler (Saarland)
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1196
Parish House of Church in Daaden Broken Into
2012-11-27 | In Daaden on the 27th of Nov 2012 the parsonage of the church was devastated and a relique of St. Georg stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=940
Church of St. Alban Desecrated in Mainz
2012-11-27 | On the 27th of November 2012, St. Alban’s church in Mainz was broken into and defiled. The perpetrator went into the sacristy and mindlessly hit everything he saw. This was reported by the Apostolic Nunciature of Germany.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1108
Church in Daaden Broken Into and Defiled
2012-11-27 | On the 27th of November 2012, a Church in Daaden (Siegen) was broken into. The perpetrators desecrated the rectory, vandalised the church, and stole a relief of St. George, which is feared to be destroyed. This was reported by the Apostolic Nunciature of Germany.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1110
Parish Building Set on Fire in Latvia
2012-11-23 | The adjoining building of a parish in Madona was set on fire on November 23rd 2012, the perpetrator was not found.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1205
Church Broken Into in Globarice
2012-11-22 | Between the 22nd and the 23rd of November, 2012, a church was broken into in Globarice, Bosnia-Herzegovina. The perpetrator(s) stole money, a chalice with consecrated hosts, and a monstrance with consecrated hosts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1118
(Scotland) Artist Depicts Pope as a Nazi-Pedophile
2012-11-20 | Dutch artist Jeff van Weereld's piece “The Holy Truth“ on display in Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, Scotland in November 2012, depicts the pope aroused, wearing a swastika shaped cross, and with his hands on two young boys.
The artist claims to reflect „four facts“ of the Church: “There is high incidence of paedophilia, the pope did spend a good part of his formative years in the Hitlerjugend and the Wehrmacht, the church is friendly to the outside, but not necessarily within the hierarchy and they do tend to cover up things.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=872
Brussels Bans Annual Christmas Tree Display As It May Offend Muslims
2012-11-19 | Government officials in Brussels banned the Christmas tree in the city center out of concerns that the local Muslim population might find it “offensive.” An “electronic winter tree,” will take the place of the traditional Christmas Tree and Nativity scene at the city center of Grand Place. Citizens protested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=840
New Legislation on Gay Marriage Might Get Teachers Fired
2012-11-18 | The British Parliamentary Undersecretary of State, Liz Truss, states she was not able to rule out the possibility that teachers refusing to use stories or textbooks favoring same sex- marriage face disciplinary consequences.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=853
Anti-Christian Slogans Interrupt a Symposium for Life in Biarritz
2012-11-18 | Attendants at the Symposium for Life held in Biarritz, following the 18th of November demonstration against same-sex marriage by Civitas, was interrupted by an anti-Christian demonstration. With signs saying “yes, yes to sodomy, no, no, no to the inquisition” held by men in nuns habits and women with devils horns the aim was one of offending. Worsening matters was the biased coverage by the press that failed to report on the anti-Christian nature of the demonstration.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=897
TV Team Produces Satire on Church in Cathedral Without Permission
2012-11-16 | In mid-November an episode of the satiric television serial “Wir Staatskünstler” (We official state artists) was filmed in the Catholic Cathedral of St Pölten without permission. Three actors working for the Austrian public service broadcaster ORF (state TV) were dressed up similarly to the group “Pussy Riot”, entered the church, imitated Islamic prayer moves and called upon “mother heaven”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=844
Church Vandalised in Switzerland
2012-11-16 | A church in Hägendorf was broken into on November 16 2012. Statues of two Saints were set on fire. That did not succeed the vandals poured oil on the altar and set the apostle candles on fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1214
Church in Märkische Heide Broken Into and Desecrated
2012-11-15 | On the 15th of November 2012, thieves in Märkische Heide, Germany, stole the key to a church building, entered the church, and desecrated holy items. This was reported by the Apostolic Nunciature of Germany.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1109
Proposed EU Commissionar Faces Opposition for Holding Christian Views
2012-11-13 | A consortium of homosexualist, secular humanist and abortion groups campaigned against the appointment of the Maltese Dr. Tonio Borg as the new EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner. The objection, they said, was nothing more than that Dr. Borg was a Catholic, with “staunchly conservative and outdated” views on homosexuality, divorce and abortion. The campaign failed soon thereafter.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=838
Desecration of Graves in Güdesweiler
2012-11-13 | On the 13th of November 2012, a Christian cemetery in Güdesweiler, Germany, was vandalised by unknown perpetrators. This was reported by the Apostolic Nunciature in Germany.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1101
(Scotland) Cardinal O´Brien Declared “Bigot of the Year”
2012-11-12 | Christian believers and other people in Britain are expressing outrage after the country’s leading homosexualist lobby group declared the Cardinal Archbishop of Edinburgh, Keith O’Brien, “Bigot of the Year” for his opposition to “gay marriage”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=891
Woman Verbally Harassed in Turkey
2012-11-12 | On November 12th, 2012 in Batman, a woman who was participating in the worship services was verbally harassed and threatened about attending such meetings .
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1221
Church of St. James in Lübeck Broken Into
2012-11-10 | The Church of St. James in Lübeck has been broken into. The donations for the poorest were stolen and the sacred space profaned. This is the 10th noted case of a church desecration in Lübeck this year.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=941
Desecration of Graves in Unterrath
2012-11-09 | The Apostolic Nunciature of Germany reported that on the 9th of November 2012, dozens of graves in a Christian cemetery in Unterrath (Düsseldorf), Germany were desecrated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1102
Church and Adjoining Building Vandalised in Latvia
2012-11-08 | On November 8th 2012, the windows of a church in Cesvaine were broken and the doors to the adjoining building demolished. The information stand was knocked over and the some lights pulled down.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1206
Caricature of Holy Trinity in Journal Hurts Feelings of Christians
2012-11-07 | In an attempt to support a bill legalising same-sex “marriage” the journal Charlie Hebdo published the 7th of November a front page image that depicted the three persons of the Holy Trinity engaging in homosexual intercourse. The caricature transcends any standards of decency. It does not respect religious feelings in a way that one might speak of hate incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=841
Secularists Condemn Churches Involvement in Public Life
2012-11-05 | The Grand Society of France (the largest among Masonic organizations in France) declared that "... churches are restricted only to the spiritual sphere, and not to interfere legitimate public debate leading to evolution and progress of civil rights."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=892
Catholic Church in Heilbronn Defiled
2012-11-05 | In Schöntal (Heilbronn) the sacred space of the Catholic Church was defiled and there was an attempted burglary in the sacristy.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=943
Chapel Spraypainted with Insults in Haßfurt
2012-11-02 | A gothic chapel, a protected heritage monument which had just been renovated, was vandalised by graffiti in Haßfurt. The words which were spraypainted onto the chapels walls read things like "F...king sick child abusers" and "I serve Satan".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=835
(Scotland) National Secular Society Pressured Highlands Council to Drop Prayers
2012-10-31 | The Highlands Council Scotland had the tradition of incorporating a prayer in its agenda before each meeting. However, during the summer the National Secular Society wrote a letter to the Council demanding it remove prayer from its formal agenda or it would face legal action. The Council has now dropped prayer from its formal agenda.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=876
Church Burglarized in Saint–Lys
2012-10-28 | Unidentified individuals broke into the parish church in Saint-Lys on the 28th of October. The incident was discovered by the parish priest when opening the church for church services. Upon initial investigation it has been reported that the priest's chair, two stools, a desk, a lectern, and an altar cloth were stolen. In addition, the pews in the church were dislocated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=871
House Owner Sentenced For Not Selling to a Homosexual Couple
2012-10-27 | A man was condemned because he refused to sell a house to a same-sex couple. The 69-year-old was sentenced to pay 800 Euro to the court and 300 Euro each to the same-sex-couple in damages, plus the legal fees.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=919
Left Wing Politicial Youth Insults Jesus
2012-10-26 | In a newspaper of the "Young Greens" of Austrian region Vorarlberger depicts Jesus with a funny smile as a gay man holding a sign "gay Jesus". While the magazine gives explicit instructions for sexual behaviour of youth, it also recommends to wear three knotes in a belt, signifying "wealth, unchastity and disobedience" mocking the evangelical counsels of Christian tradition.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=916
Desecration of Graves in Duisburg
2012-10-26 | On the 26th of October 2012, thieves in Duisburg (Nordrhein-Westfalen), Germany, desecrated over one hundred graves and scavenged for metal. This was reported by the Apostolic Nunciature of Germany.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1103
Two Churches Desecrated in the Bretagne
2012-10-24 | At St. Cornelcy the crucifix that sits above the Tabernacle was broken in half. In August, the altar at Locmaria-Plage had been painted with satanic symbols.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=875
Christian B&B Owners Fined for Denying a Room to a Homosexual Couple
2012-10-22 | Christian bed and breakfast owners Mike and Susanne Wilkinson lost a lawsuit on their married-couples-only policy and were fined over 3.500 pounds for denying a double room to a homosexual couple. The Wilkinson's Bed&Breakfast is located in their own house where they live with their children. The courts apply a "zero tolerance" policy on grounds of "unlawful discrimination".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=193
Reported Attacks Against Places of Worship in Hungary
2012-10-22 | in 2012 the Holy See reported on attacks against places of worship in the following places:
23 March 2012 Szakadát
20 April 2012 Tatabánya-Bánhida
21 May 2012 Kápolnásnyék
02 July 2012 Pécs, Rácváros
21 August 2012 Pusztaszabolcs
25 August 2012 Pécs –Postavölgy
06 October 2012 Kékesd
06 October 2012 Szabadbattyán
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1199
A Fire in the Church of Notre-Dame-aux-Neiges
2012-10-19 | On October 19 the sacristy of the Church of Notre-Dame-auy-Neiges was vandalised. The damages were extensive as the fires were lit inside the church after the sacristy was vandalised.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=870
Burglars Concentrate on Churches in Thüringen
2012-10-18 | In many counties of Thüringen churches have been broken into by burglars who have caused damage while trying to steal money and religious images and statues.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1160
Green Party Parliamentary Group Seeks to Disestablish Christian Institute for Youth and Society
2012-10-17 | The Christian community The Reichenberg Fellowship and its German Institute for Youth and Society have become the object of a parliamentary inquiry that the parliamentary group of the Green Party has directed at the state government of the German state of Hessen on October 19.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=843
Mourners Insulted at Catholic Cemetery in Sarajevo
2012-10-16 | On the 16th of October, 2012, a group of mourners were blocked from putting down a gravestone at a Catholic cemetery in Sarajevo. The perpetrators did not let them pass and insulted them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1119
Russian Orthodox Cathedral Vandalised in Geneva
2012-10-14 | Between the hours of 23 and 6 between the 13th and 14th of October unidentified individuals spray painted the facade of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Geneva. This was discovered at 10 Monday morning when Archbishop Michel arrived to open the church for the day. He said that is was the first time in the churches 150 year history that it was attacked.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=883
Disturbance in Cologne Cathedral by Supporters of the Russian Punk-Band “Pussy Riot”
2012-10-13 | Three masked fans of the Russian punk-band “Pussy Riot” disrupted the Sunday Mass in Cologne’s Cathedral as a sign of solidarity to members of the punk-band who had been convicted of causing disturbances in a church in earlier this year.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=787
Parish Church of St. Francis of Sales, Marseille, Set on Fire
2012-10-11 | In the neighbourhood of Vaudan two arsonist entered the Church of St Francis of Sales and set the altar vestments on fire causing considerable damage. The two unnamed individual have been detained.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=879
Ban on Distribution of Bibles at Public Schools in Berlin
2012-10-10 | The International Gideons are known for distributing pocket Bibles for free - mostly at schools, hospitals, hotels and medical practices. They were denied to further distribute Bibles at public schools in Berlin by the ministry of education and cultural affairs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=830
Church Set on Fire in Lithuania
2012-10-10 | On October 10th 2012, a church in Stalgenai
was set on fire. The fire was extinguished in time to save the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1213
Arson at a Church in Marseille
2012-10-09 | On October 9, fire was set to the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in the district of Vauban (VI). Two doilies at the entrance of the church placed on two small tables were burned, causing severe damage. Two individuals have been arrested and placed in custody in connection with this investigation of "arson." Allegedly it was not their first time of setting fire to the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=893
Pro-Life Offices Vandalised
2012-10-08 | The Vienna offices of Human Life International (HLI) were attacked and damaged during a World Prayer Congress for Life held on October 4th – 8th. During the attack the glass entrance door was broken and jars filled with black paint were through at the building, some of them making it an in and smearing computers inside. The front door of a building in which participants stayed over night was barricaded putting the people into significant risk.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=884
Two Churches Vandalised in Mayenne
2012-10-07 | Two churches were vandalised in Mayenne in Meslay-du-Maine and Bignon-du-Maine on October 7, 2012. "There have been destructions of statues inside buildings, other ones were thrown down and taken away," said Lt. Col. Alain Lantz, commander of the gendarmerie company Laval.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=814
Church at Marmoutier Abbey Vandalised and Burglarised
2012-10-07 | On the night of the 7th of October the Church of St Etienne at Marmoutier Abbey, Alsace, France was broken into. The burglars stole seven challises and spread hosts on the floor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=877
Hostile Graffiti on Church in Vienna
2012-10-06 | Unknown perpetrators have spraypainted the Catholic church Kirche Am Hof, which is one of the main Vienna churches in the inner city.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=812
Exhibition in Belgrade Hurts Religious Feelings
2012-10-06 | Under the title "Ecce Homo", the Centar za kulturnu the dekontaminaciju (“Centre for Cultural Decontamination”) displayed an exhibition of Swedish photographer Elisabeth Ohlson despite protests. The exhibition shows Jesus Christ in sexual orgies, such as in an image of the last supper with women dressed up and place in sexually explicit manners. Jesus, who holds up the Eucharist, wears black high heals under his white dress.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=816
A Dozen Graves Vandalised in Royan
2012-10-06 | In the cemetery of Tilleuls Royan a dozen graves were targeted by vandals, probably on the night from October 5th to 6th. Memorial plates and flower pots were broken. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=855
German Parents Lose Custody of Their Children for Homeschooling
2012-10-05 | A district court in Darmstadt, Germany has revoked custody of four children from their parents and ordered it turned over to the Jugendamt, Germany’s child protective agency.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=813
Christian Graves Vandalised in a Cemetery of Landes
2012-10-05 | A dozen Christian graves were vandalized in the village of Moustey (Landes). The incident occurred in the night of Thursday, October 4 to Friday, October 5. A dozen headstones were damaged and knocked over. Plates and funerary equipment was damaged, motocross tires left deep scars and damages on the ground along walkways and on the central cross.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=817
Desecration of Two Churches in Soissons
2012-10-04 | On October 4, two churches were broken into, robbed, and desecrated in Soissons. In the church of Sainte-Eugénie, the presbytery and the door were broken open, the tabernacle was opened, papers and money was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=815
70 Christian Graves Desecrated near Albi
2012-10-04 | Seventy graves were damaged at a small cemetery adjacent to a Catholic church. An investigation was opened after the discovery in Albi on October 4th. Seventy crosses were overturned and laid on the ground, 16 of them were broken, and funerary objects were vandalized in the cemetery in the area Fonlabour. The desecration was not signed nor claimed, said the departmental director of public safety (DDSP), the Commissioner Pierre-Marc Panazio, an AFP correspondent.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=820
Church in Lithuania Set on Fire a Second Time
2012-10-04 | A church was set on fire and burned to the ground on October 4 2012. This was the same church where an attempt at burning the church was made in September 2012.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1211
Vandalism in Lithuanian Church
2012-10-04 | On October 4th 2012 vandals broke the windows of a church in Raudondvaris and damaged a statue inside the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1212
Pro-Life Activists Continuously Attacked
2012-10-03 | Pro-Life activists continuously suffer attacks from radical groups, including physical attacks and property damages; as well as negative stereotyping by the media; and an infringement on freedom of assembly and expression by a ban mile.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=785
A Newly Restored Chapel Vandalised in Nice
2012-10-03 | The chapel of Saint-Jacques de Nice, which had been vandalised in June, was again targeted. After breaking into the door, the perpetrators attacked the statues that decorated the interior of the church building. Several of them were "beheaded". The deputy mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, immediately denounced the act of vandalism in a statement through an act of "unfair, incredible and malicious act committed in the heart of a place of worship."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=818
Traditional Bible Reading Marathon Not Permitted in Paris
2012-10-01 | Evangelical Protestants who have organized an annual "Marathon of the Bible" with over 500 participants reading and sharing in Paris since 2003, did not obtain the permission to hold a session in 2012.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=856
Religious Radio Programme Arbitrarily Cancelled
2012-10-01 | For twenty years Croatia’s national radio station (HRT) had, through an agreement with the Bishop’s Conference, broadcast a five minute programme, “Praised be Jesus Christ” edited by the local archdiocese. This agreement was ended by the HRT: it cancelled the programme without warning or explanation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=878
Vatican and Several Cathedrals Virtually „Occupied“ in App
2012-09-29 | In the augmented reality app „Junaio“, several of the world’s large cathedrals are decorated with a banner displaying the text “Abortion Pills, A Gift From God” and instructions how to do an abortion yourself with a medicine called misoprostol.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=784
Christian Pro-Life Group Legally Threatened by Abortion Giant
2012-09-28 | Maria Stopes International (MSI), one of the biggest abortion providers worldwide located in the UK, threatened to take legal action against a pregnancy pro-life center (Good Counsel) for distributing and providing some information about the negative effects of abortion on mental health.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=792
Christians Threatened in Muslim-Christian Area in Bulgaria
2012-09-27 | “Christians are threatened” said a resident of the Roma neighborhood in Iztok, a suburb in Pazardjik (Bulgaria) in the television program "Fatherland Front" (Otechestven front) with Martin Karbovski.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=831
St. Oswald in Traunstein Vandalized Again
2012-09-26 | The St. Oswald Church in Traunstein, Germany was presumably spray painted by the Antifascist
group “ANTIFA”. In this church, Pope emeritus Benedict XVI celebrated his first mass as a priest. The motivation for this attack is unknown.
Several objects were spraypainted including a bust of Pope emeritus Benedict XVI. The bust had been vandalised two times already before.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1414
National Pro-Life-Manifestation Attacked by Radical Left Wing Groups
2012-09-23 | Every year in September, a national pro-life-manifestation - the March for Life takes place in Berlin. Radical groups disturb the peaceful marchers each year - with methods ranging from insults and hurtful chanting, to blocking of roads or venues, to property damage or physical violence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=805
A Catholic Bookstore Vandalised in Bordeaux
2012-09-23 | The Catholic bookstore located in front of the church of St. Eloi was vandalized on September 22-23. The store has been vandalised for the 26th time. The window was partly destroyed. For several years, the store has been the target of many attackes. This however, does not seem to impress the public authorities, the town hall or the mainstream media nor prompt them to take action.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=819
Attempted Fire in Church in Lithuania
2012-09-23 | On September 23rd, 2012 someone made an unsuccessful attempt to set a church in Kulautuva on fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1210
A Church Stained With Muslim Signs in the Rhône
2012-09-21 | On the night of Friday 21 to Saturday 22 September the church of the city of Chassieu was sprayed with orange colour with the signs - "Islam is gaining momentum”, the name of terrorist and the new idol of suburbs "M.MERAH."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=834
Pharmacists' Freedom of Conscience Uncertain
2012-09-19 | While the law does not protect the freedom of conscience for German pharmacists, a letter from the ministry, dated 1986 upholds it. Legally, the letter is not binding. The uncertainty of whether this letter would be followed by today’s courts constitutes a difficulty in the ethical considerations and the freedom of acting according to one’s conscience of pharmacists in Germany.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=773
„Homeschooling“ Still Prohibited
2012-09-19 | Parents rights are commonly understood to include the right to chose the form of education of one’s children, including the possibility of non-institutional education, such as the so-called homeschooling. Not so in Germany.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=775
Compulsory Sex Ed Problematic for Christian Families
2012-09-19 | Germany’s strict federal laws on compulsory school attendance do not allow any opt out with regard to sexual education.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=776
Disrespectful Fashion Show Promotion
2012-09-19 | The Lithuanian fashion label Robert Kalinkin promotes the fashion show of his new spring/summer collection 2013 on October 10th entitled “Jesus Mary” with disrespectful posters in Vilnius obviously transgressing the boundaries of good taste.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=799
Christian Bed & Breakfast Owners Report Torrent of Hateful Messages
2012-09-19 | The Christian owners of a bed and breakfast in Britain, Mike and Susanne Wilkinson, have received countless hate-filled messages in the wake of refusing to give a homosexual couple a double room.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=800
Prime Minister Thinks Teachers Should Not Be Allowed to Teach that Homosexual Behavior Was a Sin
2012-09-16 | Prime minister David Cameron thinks that faith schools should not be allowed to teach that homosexuality is a sin, according to a quote featured by the Daily Mail.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=774
Catholic Bishop Insulted in Newspaper
2012-09-15 | The Bishop of Sisak, Mons. Vlado Kosic, was verbally attacked in the Croatian Newspaper “Jutarnij List” on the 15th of September 2012. The Apostolic Nunciature of Croatia reported that he was called a “Nazi Bishop” in an article written by Jurica Pavcic.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1099
Graves Desecrated in Val d’Oise
2012-09-14 | In September 2012 the Apostolic Nunciature in France reported that 21 graves were desecrated by unknown perpetrator(s) in Goussainville, Val d’Oise, France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1093
Teachers and Others Threatened With Dismissal if They Didn’t Endorse Gay Marriage
2012-09-12 | If gay marriage is legalized, teachers and others could be forced out of their jobs if they fail to endorse such unions, a top lawyer says. Parents would have no right to insist that their children are withdrawn from school lessons across the curriculum that approve of same-sex marriage. Chaplains who work in the NHS or the Armed Forces could be dismissed if they preach that marriage is between a man and a woman.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=824
Christian Councillor was Expelled from Green Party because of her Views on Gay Marriage
2012-09-10 | A councillor for the Green Party, Christina Summers, a Christian, who disagrees with her party’s support for redefining marriage should be “expelled”, an internal disciplinary panel has said. She has responded by saying the decision is a “typical symptom of prejudice, blatant prejudice”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=791
Bomb Threat Against the Cathedral of Zagreb
2012-09-10 | The Chief Editor of a Catholic Magazine, Mons. Miklenic, received a threat by email on the 10th of September 2012. The email stated that a bomb would be placed in the Cathedral of Zagreb, and “everyone will jump in the air”. This was reported by the Apostolic Nunciature in Croatia.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1100
Church in Landshut Borken Into
2012-09-09 | On the 09.09.2012 in Mirskofen (Landshut) someone desecrated the sacred space of the church and the sacristy was broken into.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=944
Local Church Defiled in Breisach
2012-09-07 | In Ihringen (Breisach) the holy sacred space of the local church was defiled by feces and other clear signs of vandalism and aggression against Christianity.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=945
Money Stolen from a Church Donations Box
2012-09-07 | Thieves entered through a window into the Church on the market of Bad Langensalza. They pried open a donation box and stole a large amount of money.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1161
CoE PACE Proposal Might Endanger Parents' Rights to Religious Education
2012-09-06 | French member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe proposed a report on the protection of children against 'sectarian drifts' which possibly collides with the parents' right to religious education of their choice.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=772
Greenpeace Activists Harass Crossroads Walkers
2012-09-06 | Participants in Spain’s first annual Crossroads walk, a Christian-inspired cross-country march for the right to life, were confronted with a group of angry Greenpeace activists, who were peeved by the walkers’ pro-life position, and suffered insults, severe threats of violence and graffiti on their RV.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=854
British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg’s Advisor Calls Same-Sex Marriage Opponents “Bigots”
2012-09-04 | A former senior advisor to Nick Clegg says supporters of traditional marriage are “bigots” and Mr Clegg should have said so too in a speech but changed it after public furor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=801
Evangelical Church Desecrated in Odenwald
2012-09-04 | In Hirschhorn (Odenwald) on the 4th Sept. 2012 the Evangelical church was desecrated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=946
Vandalism and Theft in Werdener Dom in Essen
2012-09-03 | Perpetrators broke into the cathedral of Werden in Essen and stole the donation boxes creating several thousand euros worth of damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1162
Movie of Austrian Producer “Paradise: Faith” with Blasphemous Content
2012-09-02 | The movie “Paradise: Faith”, shown at the film festival in Venice, scandalized the audience because of a masturbation scene using a cross.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=790
Teacher Flunks High School Student for Saying that Homosexuality is an “Abnormal Orientation"
2012-09-01 | During a biology class a Swedish high school student spoke up and called homosexuality an “abnormal sexual orientation”. As a result of this comment the teacher flunked the student. The reasoning of the teacher is that it is the task of the educational system to teach pupils respect for all sexual orientations. The opposing view of the student doesn’t correspond to the curriculum’s goal.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=788
Churches in Occupied Cyprus Plundered
2012-09-01 | Numerous churches in the Turkish occupied area of Cyprus were profaned and turned into storage rooms, museums and mosques.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=798
Local Council in Broue Orders Removal of Cross at Cemetery
2012-08-30 | The City of Broue ordered the removal of a cross at the entrance to the city cemetery at the instigation of a counsellor, saying that "the cemetery is a public building; there should be no religious symbols." This was done "in the name of tolerance."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=797
Ad For Mountain Tourism Conceals Summit Cross
2012-08-30 | Due to increased tourism from Middle Eastern countries, the management of the Zugspitze Railway in Bavaria produced an advertisement leaflet of the mountain “Zugspitze” without an image of the summit cross. Churches protested.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1463
Boys Life Support Unit Switched Off Against The Wish of Christian Parents
2012-08-29 | The Judge of London’s Royal Court of Justice ruled on August 10th that the life support system of an 8-year- old boy may be switched off by team of doctors, ignoring parents’ wish to keep him alive.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=794
Desecrations of Cross and Chapel in the Bretagne
2012-08-26 | In the night of August 22nd to 23rd, a desecration took place in the garden of the Abbey of Saint-Jacut-sur-Mer (Bretagne): a cross has been stolen. On the night of August 25th to 26th, the chapel of Locmaria Carnac was desecrated and the number 6 had been tagged on the walls.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=796
Burglaries in Churches and Parish Buildings
2012-08-24 | The parish building in Klotten and Pommern and the sacristy of the church in Bremm were broken into by burglars looking for money.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1164
Vandalism in Naklo
2012-08-22 | On 22nd August 2012 unknown perpetrators desecrated a chapel of Saint Anthony in Naklo, Slovenia. They wrote the word "Satan" on the floor and words like "You worship the wrong God" on one of the frescos with a black grafitti. On another fresco they drew a cross turned upside down.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=771
Jewels of Image of Mary Stolen at Sanctuary in Rijeka
2012-08-21 | On August 21, 2012, the Holy See National Contact Point of the Apostolic Nunciature in Croatia reported that in the sanctuary of the Madonna of Trsat, Rijeka, golden jewels of the image of Mary, the mother of Jesus were stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1095
Burglars in Church Sacristy in Treis
2012-08-20 | An unidentified perpetrator broke into the sacristy of a Church in Treis and attempted to steal money. The police did not release the amount of the damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1163
Vandalism at the Cemetery in Spišské Vlachy
2012-08-16 | On August 16 six graves had their graves stones displaces, vases and candleholders broken by unknown intruders. This was discovered by a town employee who notified the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=881
Catholic Church in Bötzingen Broken Into and Defiled
2012-08-16 | In Bötzingen (Freiburg) on the 16th of August one or perhaps more perpetrators broke into the Catholic Church on the main street in Bötzingen, destroying the decorations around the church. The perpetrators also defiled the sacred space by urinating and splashed holy water on an open torn up bible. More damage has also been detected in several pipes of the organ.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=948
A Blasphemous Jesus Caricature Disturbs Religious Feelings of Christians in Kassel
2012-08-10 | A large publicity poster at the entrance to a cultural center in Kassel shows the caricature of Jesus on the Cross including an offensive caption which caused strong indignation among Christians living in Kassel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=786
Chapel of Saint-Sébastien Set on Fire
2012-08-08 | The chapel of Saint-Sébastien in the region of le Gard, France, suffered an arson attack which partially destroyed the wooden part of the altar. This was not the first attack on the chapel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1343
NGO Calls for Withdrawal of Recognition for Russian-Orthodox Church in Austria
2012-08-06 | The Austrian Initiative “Religion is a private matter” seeks to deprive the Russian-orthodox Church in Vienna of its legal personality because of its involvement in the “Pussy Riot” case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=780
Desecration of Graves in Lithuania
2012-08-06 | On August 6th, 2012, graves in Balbieriškis were vandalised.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1207
Pro-Life Advocates Arrested for Displaying Abortion Posters
2012-08-02 | Mariusz Dzierżawski, founder of the Warsaw-based PRO Foundation – Right to Life, and a fellow PRO Foundation member were arrested by the local governmental authorities during an approved anti-abortion rally at the entrance of the Woodstock Festival held in the western Polish city of Kostrzyn.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=808
Church in Sachsen Broken Into
2012-07-31 | In Angel (Sachsen), the church of St. Pancras was desecrated, sacred chalices and alms for the poorest were stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=949
Demonstrations Against New Church in Turkey
2012-07-28 | On July 28th, 2012 there were demonstrations against a newly opened church in Denizli. The church did not shut down but security matters were increased and no one got hurt.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1223
Westphalian Church St Ida Broken Into
2012-07-27 | In Münster-Gremmendorf (Westphalia) the church of St. Ida was desecrated. Sacred vestments were thrown into the gutter, the sacred space was desecrated and the Sacristy broken into. Donations for the poor stolen as well.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=947
Christian Cemetery Devastated
2012-07-27 | In Herzberg a Christian cemetery and place for the exhibition of the dead was devastated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=950
Desecration of Graves in Herzberg
2012-07-27 | On the 27th of July 2012, graves and mourning areas in Herzberg, Germany were desecrated. This was reported by the Apostolic Nunciature of Germany.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1104
Violence and Damages in Aggressive Disruption of a Pro-Life Manifestation
2012-07-24 | More than 80 pro-abortion-activists attacked the pro-life manifestation “1000 Crosses-March” organized by the Youth for Life and Human Life International in Salzburg-City. Blockages, insults and windows smashed kept a large number of police busy.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=778
Entertainer Madonna Creates Negative Stereotypes of Christians at Current World Tour
2012-07-17 | American entertainer Madonna tours the world with her show MDNA. The song and video “Nobody Knows Me,” which is part of Madonna’s MDNA Tour, defames Christians and creates anti-Christian stereotypes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=769
Left NGO Calls for Violence Against Christians
2012-07-17 | The Salzburg-based NGO „Infoladen“ calls for violence against Christians when expressing pro-life views. In July they called for a counter-demonstration against a pro-life manifestation. „Let’s make their 1000-crosses-manifestation a disaster!“ and „Sink the 1000 crosses!“ are some of the slogans on their website.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=770
Burglary in Church of the Holy Cross in Meiningen
2012-07-12 | Unidentified perpetrators broke into the church of the Holy Cross through a broken window. They stole a donation box with a few euros. Police are investigating.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1165
Bosnian Government Fails to Offer Aid to Thousands of Catholics Wanting to Return
2012-07-10 | A significant number of Catholic refugee families plan to come back to Bosnia- Herzegovina, but the Bosnian Government does not offer assistance in rebuilding their houses and restoring infrastructure. 800 families have turned to the Catholic Church for help. Bishop Franjo Komarica of Banja Luka declared that it is actually the task of the government to provide support. He complained about the lack of political will on the part of the government and the international community to enable Catholics to return to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=760
Graves Desecrated in Ardennes
2012-07-09 | In July 2012 the Apostolic Nunciature of France reported that 40 graves were desecrated by (an) unknown perpetrator(s) in Saint-Etienne-à-Arnes in Ardennes, France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1092
Plundered Donation Boxes in Churches in Euskirchen
2012-07-08 | Burglars forced their way into churches in Kirspenich, Schönau and Nemmenich and plundered the donation boxes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1166
Desecration of Church in Eckerförde, Offertory Box Robbed
2012-07-06 | A robber broke into the church in Eckerförde and stole the money being collected for the poor out of the offertory boxes. He left an apologetic message in the visitors book.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1175
Party Proposes Explicit Ban of Conscientious Objection for Registrars with regard to Gay Marriage
2012-07-04 | The liberal party VVD (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie) tabled a proposal in the second chamber of the parliament to prohibit the use of conscientious objection for registrars with regard to conducting gay marriages. There seems to be a majority in the parliament to support this proposal. The topic is expected to be debated until the end of the year 2012.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=758
Legislative Proposal Seeks to Limit Conscientious Objection for Registrars
2012-07-04 | On the 4th of July 2012 an amendment of the law on public officers was proposed by the members Koser Kaya and Van Hijum to the Dutch Parliament: It calls for the dismissal of registrars for marriages, births and deaths who refuse to perform same-sex marriages on conscientious grounds - if not sufficient other tasks could be found for him or her. The proposal also seeks to establish a mandatory training of students studying to be a registrar on performing same-sex marriages.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=768
Church Leaders in Turkey Face Harassment
2012-07-03 | Church leaders in the Diriliş church of Konak were repeatedly verbally harassed and were attacked by teenagers with eggs. When the teens threatened one of the leaders with a gun, the parents were informed and the attacks stopped.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1220
German Magazine Shows Pope with large Urine Stains
2012-07-02 | The German Magazine "Titanic" presents the pope as a senile for incontinent person by depicting him in a fotomontage with a large urine stain on his white clothes while giving a blessing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=750
Christian on Trial for Reaching Out to Woman on the Way to Abortion
2012-06-30 | A French retired doctor faced police investigation for trial because of giving a woman who intended an abortion knitted baby shoes and a medallion. In France “moral and psychological pressure” seen as an “hindrance of abortion” is punishable.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1031
Left MPs File Complaint Against Cross in Polish Parliament
2012-06-28 | About 10 MPs of the anti-clerical “Palikot Movement” seek to enforce the removal of the Cross in the Polish Parliament by legal proceedings at the Administrative Court.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=832
Burglars Caught in the Act in the Church of Holy Spirit in Flensburg
2012-06-25 | Two young men, 18 and 22 years old, known to police from past attempted burglaries in St. Nicolas church and the church of St. Mary; were caught in the act of burglary in the Holy Spirit church. They cracked several donation boxes and stole the coins.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1167
Catholic Church Broken Into and Desecrated in Lübeck
2012-06-23 | In Bergtheide (Lübeck) the Catholic church has been broken into, the Altar was completely desecrated. Donations for the poorest were stolen and sacred artifacts defiled and partly destroyed. Church had to be ritually cleansed and blessed anew.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=951
Vandalism and Burglary in Catholic Church of St. Bernard in Bad Herrenalb
2012-06-22 | Unknown perpetrators broke into the church of St. Bernard and caused serious property damage. A candlestick was dragged from the side chapel and used to break the offertory box and the money inside was stolen. The money box under the statue of Saint Anthony was torn out of the wall. Many doors were damaged and the cupboards in the sacristy were opened, searched and turned upside down.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1168
„Youth Defense“ Posters Devastated and Sprayed With Offensive Graffiti
2012-06-21 | Posters of an Irish organisation that opposes legalisation of abortion „Youth Defense“ were devastated and sprayed upon with offensive graffiti all around Dublin. The posters were covered with paint and torn down and the video of that act appeared in social media.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1530
Homeschooling Restricted in Austria
2012-06-19 | Several English – speaking Christian families who home educate their children in Austria have come under pressure by the Austrian school authorities for educating their children in English. They have been fined and threatened with the children being taken away – even though there are schools in Austria which teach exclusively in English.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=745
Writing on Church Walls in Lithuania
2012-06-17 | June 17th 2012, the walls of a church in Vilnius were spray painted with writing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1208
Christian Manifestation Attacked by Homosexual Activists
2012-06-16 | About 70 Christians demonstrated in a prayerful and peaceful walk against the Vienna "Gay pride parade" in Vienna on June 16th. They were attacked by counterdemonstration of activists for a homosexual agenda.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=746
Danish Church Obliged to Perform Same Sex ‘Marriages’
2012-06-15 | The Evangelical Lutheran Church is forced to marry same sex couples after vote of Danish Parliament.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=789
Christian GP Called Guilty of “Malpractice” for Sharing his Faith
2012-06-14 | The General Medical Council’s Investigation Committee has reprimanded a Christian doctor for sharing his faith with a patient at the end of a private consultation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=795
Protestant Church Vandalised For a Second Time In This Year
2012-06-12 | In Haltingen in Weil am Rhein, for the second time this year, a Protestant church was desecrated - the police expressed their surprise as there is not much to gain by breaking into a church. According to the police, there must be other motives than robbery as statistically this has not happened as much in others houses of prayer, such as mosques or synagogues.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=952
Reported Cases of Verbal Assaults in Italy
2012-06-12 | The Holy See reported three cases of verbal assaults against Christians in Italy on the following dates:
23 January 2012
February 2012
12 June 2012
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1204
Graves Plundered in Osijek
2012-06-03 | The Apostolic Nunciature of Croatia reported that over an unknown period of time, graves were plundered by chapel workers in Osijek, Croatia.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1097
Catholic NGO Defamed By Government Report, Confirmed by Court
2012-06-01 | Georges Fenech, the president of the interministerial mission MIVILUDES, an acronym for Mission interministérielle de vigilance et de lutte contre les dérives sectaires (Interministerial Mission for Monitoring and Combatting Cultic Deviances), appointed to this position by François Fillon in 2008 and renewed in 2011, was convicted by the Paris criminal court on June 1, 2012 for public defamation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=743
Vienna Church St. Johann the Evangelist Vandalised
2012-06-01 | On June 1, an unknown person entered the parish church of St. Johann Evangelist on Keplerplatz and destroyed several windows in the second entrance doors located inside the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=842
Burglars Steal Monstrance and Altar Cross from Church in Krefeld
2012-05-30 | Unidentified perpetrators broke into the parish office of the Church of Our Lady. There they took a key of the church opposite which they entered and ransacked. They caused damage in the church sacristy, broke a cabinet and stole a monstrance and an altar cross.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1169
Windows Broken at Catholic School Centre
2012-05-27 | Windows were broken by someone throwing stones at them in the gym of the Catholic School Centre in Travnik, Bosnia-Herzegovina, between the 27th and the 28th of May 2012.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1113
Conscientious Objection Loses Ground
2012-05-24 | Medical Student, Carolin, 24: “I had to do an internship in a gynecology department, and I can tell you that when there is only one nurse for the whole department, you better forget about your conscientious objection.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=740
Law Society Revokes Christian Debate Over Marriage
2012-05-23 | The Law Society has revoked the booking of a Christian conférence on marriage to be held by Christian Concern and other organisations because it considered it "contrary to its ‘diversity’ Policy".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=741
Burglary in the Church of St. John in Petersberg
2012-05-20 | A unknown perpetrator broke through a window into the Petersburg church of St. John. All the rooms were searched and eventually he fled with only five Euros from the church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1170
St. Martin's Church in Bürstadt Desecrated
2012-05-19 | In Bürstadt (Idstein) the St. Martin's Church was desecrated. The offertory for the poor was torn down and the holy sanctuary desecrated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=953
Local Church in Bispingen Desecrated
2012-05-19 | In Bispingen (Walsrode) the local church was desecrated. There were anti-Christian graffiti sprayed across the walls and satanic symbols drawn on the dais in the sanctuary. Also, the outer wall was ruined.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=954
Bishop Banned from Official City Events in Alcala
2012-05-18 | The city council of Alcala adopted a motion banning bishop Juan Antonia Reig Pla from official city events. The motion answers the bishop's remarks criticizing homosexual lifestyle.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=742
Christian Blogger Under Investigation by Gov’t Ad Authority for Running Pro-Marriage Ad
2012-05-18 | A prominent British Christian conservative blogger is under attack from a government agency, at the behest of a homosexualist activist group, for supporting the defence of traditional marriage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=825
Statue of Jesus Beaten and Beheaded
2012-05-12 | A 2-meter-tall statue of Jesus was attacked at a cemetory in Pausa/Saxony. The vandals beheaded the statue and hit the head until it broke into pieces. They left with the face. Pastor Frank Pierel is shocked and saddened and reports that such attacks take place rather frequently in his area. The material damage amounts to 3000 Euro.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=731
Church Broken Into in Dolina
2012-05-12 | Between the 12th and 13th of May 2012, someone broke into a church in Dolina, Banja Luka, Bosnia-Herzegovina. While doing so, the perpetrator(s) caused significant damage to the front door.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1116
Cross Put on Fire in Strunjan
2012-05-10 | On Thursday, the 10th of May, Dean Verzel, together with a few adherents, set the XVIIth century votive cross of Strujan on fire. The artist Dean Verzel and photographer Goran Bertok carried out the same act 10 years ago but were acquitted in court.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=739
Church Set on Fire in Lithuania
2012-05-09 | On May 9th 2012, a church in Pastuva was set on fire and burned to the ground.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1209
Christian Graves Vandlised in Canohès
2012-05-04 | Four Chrisitan graves were vandalised and tagged with anti-Christian wordings the cemetery of Canohès in the Easter Pyrenees.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=733
Doctor Sacked For Emailing Prayer Loses Court Battle
2012-05-03 | Christian doctor who was sacked for emailing a prayer to his colleagues has lost his clam for unfair dismissal, after an Employment Tribunal ruled that there was “no need” for religious references to be made at work.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=738
Irish Legislative Proposal: 5-Year Prison for Not Breaking the Confessional Seal
2012-04-30 | The Irish Justice Minister has introduced a 5-year prison sentences for priests who fail to report sex abuse of minors if they hear about it in the confessional.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=708
Catholic Schools Under Attack for Upholding Marriage
2012-04-26 | Secular campaigners have launched an attack on the Roman Catholic Church for urging its secondary schools to back the current legal definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=737
Court Upholds Homeschooling-Ban Rendering Religious Convictions Irrelevant
2012-04-25 | Reformed-baptist parents, who wanted to homeschool their three children, lost in the regional administrational court of Baden-Würtemberg in Mannheim. The parents wanted to homeschool to protect their children from a form of „emancipation“ they did not favor, as well as in order to teach them Christian sexual ethics.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=702
Catholic Bishop to be Charged of ‘Inciting Hate’
2012-04-19 | Homosexual activists lobby for the proscecution of Bishop Juan Antonio Reig Pla of Alcala de Henares for preaching the Catholic Church’s position on homosexual acts. An international group of Catholic doctors defends the bishop.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=735
Catholics Refused Access to Museum in Rennes
2012-04-18 | The Conservatory of Public Schools in refuses entrance to pupils from private Catholic schools. Director Jean-Louis Robert said: “This museum is for pupils of state schools only. We refuse that children from Catholic schools go to this museum. It’s our right and that’s how it is.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=704
Church Set on Fire and Vandalised in Clouzeaux
2012-04-18 | The Church of the 'Bon Pasteur' was visited by vandals who tried to put it on fire after having done much damages.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=734
Christian Adverts Censored in London by Mayor
2012-04-13 | Boris Johnson, the Conservative Party mayor of London, ordered bus advertisements for overcoming same-sex attraction to be stopped. The campaign had been cleared by the Advertising Authority, and was designed to be an answer to a pro-homosexual campaign.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=705
French Anti-Sect Governmental Mission Raids in Catholic Communities
2012-04-13 | Since the presidency of MIVILUDES (Interministerial Mission of Vigilance and Fight against Sectarian Drifts) by Georges Fenech, several small Catholic communities have increasingly been targeted, the last one being "Amour and Miséricorde" (Love and Mercy).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=744
Vandalism in a Church in Haute-Savoie
2012-04-07 | On Good Saturday, just a few hours before the Easter Vigil, three men entered the Church of Cruseilles (Haute-Savoie) and set fire to leaflets, prayer and singing books. An altar’s tablecoth was also burnt and the main altar damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=700
Homosexual Lobby Campaign Offensive Towards Christianity
2012-04-07 | The LGBT association “Arc-enCiel Wallonie” runs a campaign based on 33 different pro-LGBT T-shirts. Among various messages, three of them offend Christianity: “Jesus too had two dads”, “Marie, first surrogate mother” and “GOD made me gay” (two first ones originally in French: “Jésus aussi avait deux papas”, “Marie première mère porteuse”).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=701
Church Leader Threatened and Abused in Turkey
2012-04-07 | On April 7th, 2012 in Istambul, four men requested to enter a church. When the church leader told them to come back the next day because it was too late in the day, they threatened to kill him unless he recited the Muslim creed. Then they hit him and fled the place, the church later installed security systems.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1215
Christian Club Reproached by Anti-Discrimination Authority
2012-04-06 | The Catholic Schützenverein voted in March 450 to 28 to not to allow homosexual or lesbian „kings“ or „queens“ to preside activities together with their partners. The German federal anti-discrimination commission screened this decision and declared it to be in disrespect of the law.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=674
Blasphemous Exhibition in Neufchâtel
2012-04-04 | "Would Christ have been Gay?" is the name of the exhibition in Neufchâtel, displayed from March 29th to May 12th in the 'Galerie C' of Neufchâtel (Switzerland). The four artist argue that they wanted to explore - through art - the question of Christ’s sexuality.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=713
Pop Star Madonna Profanes Christian Faith
2012-03-28 | It is not the first time the pop star Madonna uses the bashing of Catholicism as a base for the writing of her lyrics. “Girl Gone Wild” begins with the first few lines of the Roman-Catholic Act of Contrition as it shows the 53-year-old singer in black tight pants and stiletto heels while surrounded by topless men.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=673
Churches Tagged in Couvin
2012-03-26 | The doors of seven churches of Couvin, in the diocese of Namur, Belgium, were targeted by vandals. The front door of the church of Couvin was marked in white paint saying "Religion is the opium of the people".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=706
European Championship: Bibles and Crosses Forbidden
2012-03-23 | The 14th edition of the European Championship Euro 2012, organized by the European Union of Football Associations (UEFA), will take place from June 8th to July 1st, 2012 in Poland and in the Ukraine. The leaders of the Polish Football Association have indicated the certain objects that will be forbidden to spectators in stadiums. Among these objects, crosses and Bibles are stated as part of the category of "racist and xenophobic materials, based on political and religious propaganda."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=707
Cemetery Vandalised in Suhopole
2012-03-20 | On the 20th of March 2012 the Apostolic Nunciature in Croatia reported that a cemetery in the city of Suhopole, Croatia, had been vandalised.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1096
Christians Insulted After Religious Service in Bordeaux
2012-03-18 | About fifteen people came to St Eloi’s church to insult parishioners at the end of Sunday Mass. It is not the first time this Catholic church is targeted by anti-Christian acts, as it had already been covered whith tags and anti-Christian posters.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=672
Church Property Damaged in Pozor
2012-03-18 | On the 18th of March, 2012, a church in Pozor, Bosnia Herzegovina, noticed that some of its inventory had been damaged, as well as some of its money stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1115
Radical Left Calls for Burning of Churches
2012-03-16 | An online call to “see churches burning” was published as a “Christmas wish” in 2011 by a group of leftwing extremists called 'Antifa Freiburg'. “We will not give up hope that there will be a miracle and we can warm ourselves next year at the glow of burning churches.” Prosecution investigated but dropped the case.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=651
Mockery of the Last Supper on French Television
2012-03-16 | The French Channel Direct8 has streamed a new episode of the show "Very bad blagues" called "When one’s an apostle" ("Quand on est apôtre") which mocks the last supper.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=670
Young Boy Under Threat for Wearing a Cross
2012-03-16 | A 12-year-old boy, Hussein, witnessed his Christian faith by wearing a silver cross necklace in school. Muslim classmates taunted and spat on him. When the boy threatened to report one of the bullies, the bully's father threatened to "kill him". He says he also received a beating by his religion teacher.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=732
New York Times Ad Calls Catholic Church "Autocratic, Woman-Hating, Sex-perverting Old Boys Club"
2012-03-13 | Catholics and non-Catholics alike have reacted to a viciously anti-Catholic full-page advertisement in Friday’s New York Times. The ‘Freedom From Religion Foundation’s ad, which takes the form of a letter to a “liberal Catholic”, asks “Cafeteria” Catholics, “Why are you propping up the pillars of a tyrannical and autocratic, woman-hating, sex-perverting, antediluvian Old Boys Club?” The Freedom from Religious Foundation is led by Annie Laurie Gaylor and her husband, Dan Barker. Gaylor is author of the book, Abortion Is a Blessing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=654
Bishop of Karpasia Prevented from Entering Occupied Area in Northern Cyprus
2012-03-13 | A new provocative action was carried out by the occupying regime in Cyprus when Bishop of Karpasia Mr. Christoforos was not allowed to enter the occupied area from the barricade of Astromeritis village. Later, he was also prohibited to go into one area of Agios Dometios. The bishop was stopped without explanation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=754
Celebrity Suggests "Homophobic" Clergy Should be Jailed
2012-03-12 | The celebrity singer Will Young has suggested that clergy should be put in jail for speaking out too strongly against same-sex marriage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=669
Destroy All Christian Church, Muslim Leaders Says
2012-03-12 | The most influential leader in the Muslim world issued a fatwa to destroy Christian churches. Response to this call is also possible in European countries.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=671
Gay Activist Disrupts Mass With Video Cam
2012-03-11 | A homosexual activist disrupted a Mass held in a parish in Teignmouth, Devon, with a video camera last week as a priest prepared to read a letter from the country’s bishops conference opposing government efforts to legalize same-sex “marriage.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=668
Nun Physically Assaulted in Sarajevo
2012-03-11 | A nun was physically assaulted in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, on the 11th of March 2012,the Apostolic Nunciature in Bosnia-Herzegovina reported. While she was walking down the street, an attacker punched her and she fell to the ground.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1112
Church of Herblay Targeted by Criminal Fire
2012-03-08 | The Church of St. Martin, in Herblay, was the target of an arson attack on Thursday, March 8th, 2011. The fire was started in three different areas of the church but was stopped in time by a parishioner.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=652
Vatican Website Hacked by Anti-Catholic Group
2012-03-07 | Hackers claiming ties to the group Anonymous are taking credit after the Vatican website went down Wednesday. They displayed the following message: “Anonymous decided today to besiege your site in response to the doctrine, to the liturgies, to the absurd and anachronistic concepts that your for-profit organization spreads around the world."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=641
Left Wing NGO Attacks Christian Information Event on Gender Mainstreaming
2012-03-07 | Left wing radicals in an NGO called "Antifa Action Heilbronn" protested against the event “Gender Mainstreaming- Overthrow of the Value System - the Secret Revolution”, organized by the Christian Democratic Union and called it a “provocation”. On their webpage the radical group smears the speaker of the event, Gabriele Kuby, who is committed to Christian values, calling her a "reactionary, antifeminist and homophobic agitator" and denoting the “Forum for German Catholics” as “collecting pool right wing activists”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=667
Owner of Christian Bookshop in Turkey Verbally Harassed
2012-03-07 | Workers of a bookshop in Adana were being threatened and harassed by a man on March 7th 2012. The bookshop was forced to increased their security measures.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1219
Negative Stereotyping on Belgian Television
2012-03-06 | The Belgian TV series “A tort ou à raison” drawn up by Marc Uyttendaele, repeatedly streams negative stereotypings of Catholics. The first episode, “l’affaire Sainte-Maxime” stages tendentiously a case of pedophilia in a Catholic high school; another episode “la plume empoisonnée” depicts how a fanatic Catholic woman forces her son to become a Catholic priest.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=644
Christian Church Targeted in Turkey
2012-03-04 | On Sunday, March 4, police notified the pastor of Samsun Agape Church that someone had attacked the church building. The attacker kicked in the church door to get inside. He also damaged the church sign before being detained by police and a neighbor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=729
Relic of St Laurence O'Toole Stolen
2012-03-03 | The 12th Century preserved heart of the Patron Saint of Dublin, Saint Laurence O'Toole, has been stolen from Christ Church Cathedral.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=710
Homeschooling Association Leader Feels Forced to Move to Finnland
2012-03-02 | Jonas Himmelstrand, who is president of the Swedish Association for Home Education (ROHUS), has left the country saying, “the safety of my family could no longer be guaranteed,” and that the government of the town of Uppsala was “threatening” him.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=709
Government: Christians Have No Right to Wear Cross at Work
2012-03-01 | The UK Government submitted to the European Court of Human Rights that the applicants' wearing of a visible cross or Crucifix was not a manifestation of their religion or belief within the meaning of Article 9, and, in any event, the restriction on the applicants' wearing of a visible cross or Crucifix was not an "interference" with their rights protected by Article 9.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=650
(Scotland) No Right to Conscientious Objection for Midwives
2012-02-29 | In January 2012, Scotland's largest health board was taken to court by two Catholic nurses from Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, Mary Doogan and Connie Wood, who were denied conscientious objection with regard to abortion procedures. Judgment was handed down on February 29th: the midwives have been told that they must accept the decision of their hospital management and that they must oversee other midwives performing abortions. In January 2013, they took the case to the European Court of Human Rights. The UK supreme court upheld the judgement in December 2014.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=533
Constant Vandalism against Christian Churches
2012-02-29 | In Duisburg a group of migrant youths, aged between 10 and 14, keeps destroying the windows of Catholic and Protestant churches, disturbing services (eg. with firecrackers), write hate slogans on the church wall and insult the clergy. So far the police had only investigated one of the numerous cases of vandalism directed against churches in the area.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=653
Pharmacists' Objection of Conscience Still Curtailed
2012-02-29 | An improvement of the national health service law in February 2012 did not fully grant conscientious objection to pharmacists: The law still compels the objecting pharmacists to find a willing employee of the same pharmacy or another pharmacist to sell the "morning-after-pill".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=874
Homeschooling Severely Limited, Proposal of Relaxation Rejected
2012-02-29 | To educate one's children privately at home is understood to be a human right of parents. The state is called upon to ensure the quality of the home education. In Slovakia, the so-called homeschooling is severaly limited. Such a law jeopardizes especially Christians families, as practically it is often Christians who wish to homeschool their children.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=896
Christian Therapist Faces Expulsion for Views on Homosexuality
2012-02-29 | A Christian psychotherapist is the subject of a professional conduct inquiry in London for supporting therapy for those with unwanted feelings of same-sex attraction. The dispute arose as, in response to a question, Dr Davidson had said: “yes, I do believe homosexuality is a sin.” Commentators speak of a "worrying trend where the door to practising professional therapy is being closed to people with Christian sexual ethics."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=898
Catholic Schools Singled Out and Targeted for Distributing Faith-Based Moral Literature
2012-02-27 | An Christian booklet has been distributed to students in some Catholic schools in Lancashire, UK. Its comments on homosexuality raised the discontent of UK’s largest trades union, who says that the government is allowing “homophobia” to be promoted in religious schools.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=711
Church in Turkey Vandalised
2012-02-25 | On February 25th 2012 a man vandalised the agape church in Samsun. He was soon identified, confessed and was released.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1218
Christians Compared to Radical Muslims
2012-02-23 | Trevor Phillips, the head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), has ignited public controversy by comparing Christians who do not believe that homosexuals should be allowed to adopt children to “Muslims who demand the introduction of Sharia Courts”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=676
High Court Bans Prayers At Formal Council Meetings, Government Responds in Favor of Religion
2012-02-21 | The UK Government has written to all local councils in England, telling them that new laws restore their power to hold prayers at official meetings after the High Court had ruled that local councils have no lawful power to hold prayers during official business. The court case was initiated by the National Secular Society and a local atheist ex-councillor who sued Bideford Town Council in Devon for conducting prayers, a custom that had been in place since the 17th century.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=602
MP Receives Death Threat After Backing Traditional Marriage
2012-02-21 | David Burrowes, Conservative MP for Enfield Southgate, revealed at the launch of Coalition for Marriage (C4M) in London that he has received a death threat and hate mail after speaking out in support of traditional marriage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=626
Punk Band Perform in Moscow Orthodox Cathedral
2012-02-21 | On February 21, five members of the Punk Band Pussy Riot performed on the altar of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow for a few minutes. Beside a political oppositional message, they sang a song that contained unflattering characteristics of the clergy of the temple, as well as the Russian Patriarch, Kirill. The women were wearing colored masks. Church officials called their actions blasphemy, sacrilege, an insult to religious feelings.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=643
Cemetery Vandalised in Boué
2012-02-20 | Up to 100 graves were the target of vandals in the cemetery of Boué. Ornaments, crosses, plaques and flower pots and vases were broken. The cemetery had to be closed for the police’s investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=599
Exhibit "Obscenity" Targets Christianity and Shocks Believers
2012-02-16 | A photo exhibit at the Fresh Gallery in Madrid displays pictures by Bruce LaBruce displays intolerance against Christian symbols, deepens negative stereotypes and disregards feelings of believers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=604
Church Vandalised and Holy Sacrament Descrated in Châtillon
2012-02-15 | On Wednesday, February 8th, 2012, at about 1:30 p.m., the chapel of Saint Joseph in Châtillon was vandalized and the Holy Sacrament stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=603
Church in Tuzla Broken Into
2012-02-15 | Between the 15th and 16th of February 2012, a church in Tuzla, Bosnia-Herzegovina, was broken into. The cross was thrown down, and prayer and song books for the service were torn.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1114
Spanish Bioethicist Calls for Black-List of Conscientious Objectors
2012-02-13 | Maria Casado, who holds the UNESCO Chair of Bioethics at the University of Barcelona calls for a national registry of doctors who will not perform abortions, in order to “improve” women’s access to “pregnancy termination.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=580
‘Intolerant’ Campaign Against Tory MP Over Gay Marriage
2012-02-13 | Tory MP, David Burrowes, is facing an ‘intolerant’ campaign against him because of his opposition to homosexual marriage. The campaign is led by the treasurer of his local Conservative association, Phillip Dawson, who is homosexual.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=598
European Court of Human Rights Problematic Decision for Freedom of Religion
2012-02-13 | On January 31st 2012, the third section of the European Court of Human Rights issued a judgment in the case of Sindicatul Păstorul cel bun c. Roumanie whereby it determined that the refusal of the Orthodox Church to register a trade union established within itself was contrary to freedom of association guaranteed by Article 11 of the European Convention of Human Rights. This interferes with the internal organization of a religious institution. The Romanian Orthodox Church has publicly expressed its wish that the matter is now referred to the Grand Chamber for a new trial.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=642
Mockery of Christian Worship
2012-02-13 | A commercial advertising Red Bull broadcast on Mediaset mocked Christian confession and worship.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1290
Hinckley United Reform Church Windows Vandalised
2012-02-12 | The Reverend Malcolm Clarke, minister at Hinckley United Reform Church, said two large "historic inscribed" windows had been completely smashed. The minister said he was shocked and saddened by the attack: "I feel sad and let down," Mr Clarke said.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=591
Guesthouse Owners Fined for Married-Couples-Only-Policy
2012-02-10 | The Christian owners of a guesthouse who restrict double rooms to married couples have been ordered to pay £3,600 in damages to a homosexual couple in January 2011. Their appeal was lost in February 2012. In November 2013 they were forced to sell their B&B.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=257
Secularists Lobby to Remove NHS Chaplains
2012-02-10 | Secularists campaign to ban the use of National Health Service money to fund hospital chaplains.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=597
Fines for Criticising Homosexuality OK for European Court of Human Rights
2012-02-09 | A Swedish law foreseeing prison sentences for criticising the homosexualist agenda in public was upheld by the European Court of Human Rights which has ruled that there it was not in violation of freedom of expression. Four people were fined for a distributing leaflets.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=601
Graves Desecrated in Albi
2012-02-08 | On the 8th of February 2012 the Apostolic Nunciature in France reported that 70 graves were desecrated in a Catholic cemetery in Albi, France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1094
Archbishop of York Receives Racist and Threatening Emails
2012-02-06 | The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu received racist and threatening messages just days after he voiced his support for traditional marriage, sparking a police hate crime investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=588
Church of Épiais Completely Ruined by Criminal Fire
2012-02-04 | The church of Épinais had just been restored when it was completely destroyed during the night from February 4th to 5th, 2012. Five young men were arrested by the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=712
Blasphemous Exhibition in Nantes
2012-02-04 | An art exhibit displaying disrespectful and mocking statues of the Virgin Mary opened in the Galery Albane in Nantes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=730
Cemetery in Istres Vandalised
2012-02-03 | On the 3rd of February 2012, the Apostolic Nunciature in France reported that a cemetery in Istres, France, was vandalised.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1091
Church in Turkey Shut Down After Church Leader Threatened
2012-02-03 | In the middle of the night of February 3rd, 2012 someone banged on the door of the house of the church leader of Cesme Lütuf’s and tried to get in. The scared man called the police but the perpetrator was not caught. The leader was scared for his life after having also been threatened over the internet so he shut down the church and left town.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1216
Irish Bishop Investigated After Upsetting Humanist in Homily
2012-02-02 | Bishop Philip Boyce of the Raphoe diocese in northwestern Ireland was investigated by the police for “hate crime” after arguing that the Catholic Church in Ireland is under attack from “aggressive secularism”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=584
Catholics to be Singled Out by Proposal to "Screen" Civil Servants with Regard to "Church Deference"
2012-02-01 | A proposal that senior civil servants which are likely to deal with the Catholic Church should be "screened" to ensure they do not show "inappropriate deference" to the church is to be debated at Labour's national conference.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=582
Labour Party Calls for Prohibition of Enrollment Policies Based on Religion in Catholic Schools
2012-02-01 | According to an Irish Labor party proposal to be discussed in April, ‘Catholics first’ policy in state-funded Catholic schools is illegal, discriminatory and should be abolished.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=583
Discrimination Against Christian Communities in Bosnia-Herzegovina
2012-02-01 | Almost 20 years after the war in the Balkans, there is still discrimination against Christians, especially Catholic Christians, in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Cardinal Puljic, Archbishop of Sarajevo pointed out the situation of Christians in his country during a visit to the international headquarters of the Catholic pastoral charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=585
University Motion Orders Human-Life-Defending Groups to Invite Pro-Abortion Speakers
2012-01-31 | The students’ union of University College in London has passed a motion to officially make the campus “pro-choice” and to impose a “restriction of freedom of speech”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=587
Ad For Pizza Mocks Christianity
2012-01-28 | Katpédélé, a Lithuanian Pizza Company, uses anti-Christian add mocking the last supper and disposing satanic number 666.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=586
Pro-Abortion Attack Pro-Life Activists at Barcelona Hospital
2012-01-27 | Peaceful pro-life protesters against abortions at Barcelona Catholic hospital were attacked by pro-abortion counter-demonstrators, some of whom reportedly threw rocks and trash and shouted obscene insults.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=579
Blasphemious Theater Play at Thalia Theater in Hamburg
2012-01-25 | The play "Golgotha Picnic" by Rodrigo Garcia contains "sedition, blasphemy and pornography", say Christian viewers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=535
Blasphemous Theater Play at Teatro Franco Parenti, Milan
2012-01-24 | Christian groups protested against the performance of a blasphemous theater play by Romeo Castellucci called “On the Concept of the Face, Regarding the Son of God”. The director of the Vatican press office, P. Federico Lombardi, and Italian sociologist Massimo Introvigne drew attention to the case and called to strong but calm and prayerful reaction of the Christian community.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=536
Nuns Report Increase of Verbal Abuse and Discrimination
2012-01-23 | Nuns wearing habits are being subjected to verbal abuse in public more frequently in Bosnia-Herzegovina, say local Franciscan Sisters.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=590
Blasphemous TV Show
2012-01-23 | During the TV show "Big Brother" a participant made blasphemous remarks and for this he was disqualified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1291
Roman Catholic Firemen Disciplined for Refusal to Attend Rally Which Mocked their Faith
2012-01-21 | A group of nine firemen from Glasgow, including several Roman Catholics, were disciplined by their employers for refusing to march in a ‘gay pride’ rally. Strathclyde Fire Board apologized after legal steps were taken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=647
Mayor Who Criticised Halloween Punished
2012-01-11 | A church-going former mayor in Warwickshire who declined to take part in a Halloween event has been found in breach of equality rules for upsetting pagans.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=534
No Conscientious Objection for Pharmacists Selling Abortion Pill
2012-01-10 | French pharmacists are required by law to sell the „morning after pill“ which causes an early abortion. The absence of conscientious objection is a violation of freedom of religion and conscience.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=508
Pro-Abortion Activists Spread False Claim That Bishop Said It Was OK to Rape a Woman Who Had an Abortion
2012-01-10 | Pro-abortion forces on the internet are engaged in an ongoing campaign accusing a Spanish bishop of legitimizing rape during a sermon denouncing the killing of the unborn.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=521
Liberal Politician Calls for Even Harsher Penalities of Restrictive Homeschooling Laws
2012-01-10 | The Swedish liberal party politician Lotta Edholm called for even harsher penalties for homeschooling and for a change to the country’s social services law so that the government can take children away from home-schooling families more easily by allowing social workers to do so.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=524
Church in Aplerbeck Broken Into, Offertory Boxes Robbed
2012-01-09 | On January 9th the protestant church in Aplerbeck was broken into. The offertory boxes were robbed and the money, which was meant for a good cause, was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1176
Anti-Christian Threats to Observatory
2012-01-05 | The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians receives threats and anti-Christian messages such as: "Set the church on fire, keep the fire blazing, Christianity will soon fall!"
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=518
Attempted Burglary and Vandalism in Görlitz
2012-01-05 | Burglars tried to break into the Görglitz Peterskirche. They broke an ornamental glass window and the damage adds up to at least 1000€ even though nothing was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1177
Vandalism Against a Church in the North of Duisburg
2012-01-04 | A Church in Duisburg was badly vandalised on New Year's Eve by unknown perpetrators who used stones and fireworks. Many windows were broken including those with security glass. Fireworks were fired through the holes made in the windows. Damage to property was a minimum of 15 000 Euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1172
Church Vandalised in Starzach-Börstingen
2012-01-04 | A stranger broke into the Catholic church in Starzach-Börstingen and vandalised the organ, the Easter candle and much more.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1179
Handmade Cribs Vandalised in Mittelhessem
2012-01-03 | In Mittelhessen, 14 of a collection of 44 handmade cribs were vandalised. The initiator of this exhibition estimates the material damage to about 500€ but the ultimate damage is boundless.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1178
Catholic TV Channel Ignored in License Distribution
2012-01-01 | The Polish National Broadcasting Council (NBC) did not include a major Catholic TV channel in their distribution of crucial Digital terrestrial television multiplex licenses but accepted rather unknown commercial networks. Polish Christian groups as well as human rights activists are very concerned.
This is a particularily important decision, as the technical future of the individual channels depends on it. For TV Trwam it is especially crucial, as the channel generates the funding for a widespread radio channel, standing and falling with the TV channel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=520
Holy Items Stolen From Several Places
2011-12-31 | Several thefts of the Eucharist, for Catholic a most holy item, have been reported in Italy. People fear sacriledgeous use of the Eucharist.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=723
Vandalism in Riccione Done to John Paul II Memorial
2011-12-31 | A monument in memory of pope Jean-Paul II was damaged by vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=726
21 Hate Crimes against Christians Documented in 2011
2011-12-31 | The representation of the Catholic Church in Finland reported to OSCE a total of 21 hate crimes directed against Christians in the year 2011.
The hate crimes range from insult and threat to vandalism and physical assault.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=917
Seven Hate Crimes Against Christians in 2011
2011-12-31 | The Holy See reported 7 hate crimes against Christians in Denmark in 2011 to OSCE/ODIHR.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1277
24 Hate Crimes Against Christians in 2011
2011-12-31 | The Holy See reported 24 hate crimes against Christians in Finland in 2011 to OSCE/ODIHR.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1278
Clinton: "Religious Believes are an Obstacle to Human Rights"
2011-12-30 | Religious believes are an obstacle to human rights, says US Secretary of State Mrs Hillary Clinton in a major foreign policy address in December 2011 in Geneva before United Nations delegates. Clinton identified "deeply-held … religious beliefs" as among "the obstacles standing in the way of protecting the human rights of LGBT [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender] people."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=703
(Scotland) Christian Principal Sacked from Multicultural College
2011-12-30 | A principal, Malory Nye, and his wife have been sacked from the Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education in Dundee, Scotland, whose stated aim is to promote multiculturalism because they are white Christians, they claim. ‘We were sacked for being white and Christian', claim principal and his wife dismissed from Dubai-backed 'multicultural' college."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=826
Series of Church Burglaries in Niedersachsen
2011-12-30 | There were several break-ins in churches all over Niedersachsen. The Burglaries are mostly aimed at the offertory boxes and the contained money, the damage depends on the amount of money that was found in the boxes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1180
Strangers Vandalise Catholic Church in Bonn
2011-12-30 | The Sankt Augustin church in Bonn was vandalised by strangers who broke a glass door and moved one of the massive offertory boxes. They couldn’t steal anything but the damage of property is worth about 1000€.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1182
Reported Cases of Hate Crime in Denmark
2011-12-30 | The Holy See reported seven hate crimes against Christians in 2011.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1194
Reported Hate Crimes in Finland
2011-12-30 | The Holy See reported 24 hate crimes against Christians in 2011.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1195
Vandalism in the Church of Saint Ottilia in Börstingen
2011-12-29 | A unknown perpetrator entered the church of St. Otilia in Börstingen and caused damage. At the organ he took a pipe about 70 centimetres high, pressed it into the other organ pipes and damaged a number of other organ pipes. He tore out several ornamental pins from the Easter candle and damaged it with a knife as well.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1173
Church Broken Into and Offertory Boxes Emptied
2011-12-29 | A church in Hilden was broken into, the burglars emptied two offertory boxes and broke two glass windows to get in. It is not known how much money was in the boxes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1183
Vandalism at World Famous Rome Basilica S. Maria Maggiore
2011-12-28 | Vandals purposely damaged the main entrance of S. Maria Maggiore’s basilica.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=727
Church and Graveyard Vandalised
2011-12-27 | Churches and graveyards around Gießen were vandalised. Someone painted symbols on gravestones and church doors and windows were covered in orange paint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1185
Anti-Christian Sculpture Displayed in Art Gallery
2011-12-25 | An anonymous artist donated a stone bust of a cardinal with his face covered in pixels to a gallery in Liverpool. The sculpture implies that Church officials are criminals. "...it’s easy to forget the true meaning of Christianity - the lies, the corruption, the abuse," says the producer. Reyahn King, the art gallery's director is "thrilled".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=496
Christians Physically Assaulted at Christmas
2011-12-25 | In Zavidovici, numerous cases of physical assaults on older Catholics were reported on Christmas day.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=678
Vandalism at Christmas in Naples
2011-12-25 | The chapel of the church "Nostra Signora della Speranza" in Villaricca (Naples) was target by vandals during Christmas night.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=722
Vandalism on Christmas Eve in Bible Garden in Loeffingen
2011-12-25 | The Bible Garden in Loeffingen was totally devastated by a unknown perpetrator. The garden and the plants were completely ruined.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1171
Business Leader Says "Christians who Defend Marriage are Evil"
2011-12-20 | “I’m…campaigning against evil Christians (that’s not all Christians, just bad ones) who think that gay people should not lead happy lives and get married to their same-sex partners,” said Nick Lansley, TESCO Head of Research and Development for the Tesco website.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=495
Dead Animals Buried in Graveyard
2011-12-14 | A member of the St Vincent Parish in Lenne found a dead cat in a family members grave when she went to tidy it. The cat had been buried right beneath the dirt with only the feet sticking out. Several weeks later half a chicken was found buried in another grave.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1184
73-Year-Old Priest Beaten and Attacked
2011-12-10 | On December 10th, 2011, 73-year-old Roman-Catholic priest, Fr. Stanislaw Wysocki, was attacked and beaten in Suwalki, and was hospitalized. Despite police proceedings, the perpetrators were not identified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=756
Church in Wesseling Covered with Graffiti
2011-12-07 | On December 7th 2011 the St.Germanus church in Wesseling was vandalised. Neo-Nazi symbols were sprayed in golden acrylic paint all over the doors.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1181
Attacks against Gender-Mainstreaming Information Event at Student Fraternity
2011-12-06 | German writer Gabriele Kuby spoke at the student organisation KDSTV Saarland in Jena on December 6th on the issue of Gender Mainstreaming. Due to her critical take on current developments in this regard, the association “Diversity Life” (“Vielfalt Leben”) convened about 30-40 demonstrators who gathered in the stairway of the building, yelling, knocking at the doors, throwing eggs. The police had to clear the building. “Diversity life” had been supported by the working group “Queer Paradies” as well as by the “coordinating body of the city programme of Jena and contact office of the round table for democracy” (“KoKont”).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=666
Pro-Condom Campaign Takes Image of the Mother of Jesus Hostage and Symbolically Drowns Her
2011-12-05 | "Jugend gegen AIDS" (Youth against AIDS), a Hamburg based youth organization, launched a campaign in support of the use of condoms and against Catholic policy targeting Mary, the mother of Jesus. In a video, a statute of Mary is taken hostage and placed in glass tank. A pipe is connected to the Virgin´s eye, and every time a Facebook user "likes" the campaign web site on the social media, a drop of water falls from Her eye, and increases the level of the water in the tank where the Virgin has been placed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=490
Sexual Education Class Violates Parents' Rights
2011-12-04 | Hungarian parents of an 11-year-old reported that in December 2011 their daughter came back from school having experienced the following: a female university student had come to their public school in a village near Budapest to provide sexual education to the children. The young woman who was alone with the children for this class, showed them slides of male and female genitals and put a condom on a cucumber and encouraged the children to touch it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1005
Study Reveals: Christians are a minorty at the BBC
2011-12-03 | A diversity survey conducted internally by the BBC revealed that only 22.5 of its employees are Christians. In a country where the majority of the population identified themselves as Christians, the fact that the BBC staff do not constitute a fair representation of the public constitute a factor that needs to be corrected, said BBC veteran Roger Bolton.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=493
High Court Action Against Council Prayers Under Way
2011-11-30 | The National Secular Society uses courts to stop Bideford Town Council from keeping prayers on its agenda.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=283
Churches Vandalised in Bayeux and Bessin
2011-11-30 | A wave of crime and vandalism hit several parishes in the area of Bayeux and Bessin. Notre-Dame du Bessin, Saint-Loup Hors and Manoir churches have suffered material damage whereas in the parish of Port en Bessin a chalice was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=492
Theater Play Advertisement Portrays Jesus as King of Lies and Meaninglessness
2011-11-30 | "Die Präsidentinnen" - "The female presidents" is a theater play by Werner Schwab, first shown in Vienna. In November 2011 it was restaged in Cologne. It is a play about the "lies of life", disappointed hopes and meaninglessness. The advertizement poster of the restaged performance shows a crucifix hanging on a toilet. For Christians, this implies that Jesus Christ was the king of lies and ought to be flushed down the toilet in the cleansing process. This is offensive and hurtful to Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=517
Children DVD Stripped of Christian Christmas-related Content
2011-11-29 | Produced by „Hit Entertainment“, the TV episode “Keeping up with James” based on Reveren Wilbert Audry´s books was stripped of every reference to Christmas. The Christmas season is called winter holidays, and the Christmas tree is named the holiday tree. On the DVD narrator Michael Angelis tells viewers: “You’ll always see a tree with decorations during the winter holidays.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=470
Trespassing and Thefts in Kostajnica
2011-11-29 | Burglars broke into the church of Kostajnica and stole various objects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=687
Consistent Harassment of Christian Employee by Muslim Colleagues
2011-11-27 | Nouhad Halawi claimed she and other Christian colleagues at Heathrow Airport's World Duty Free shop are victims of a hate campaign run by fundamentalist Muslims. According to Halawi, she suffered consistent pressure and threats because of her beliefs, and for wearing a necklace cross.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=463
Homeschooling Parents in Fear of Loosing Custody Over Children
2011-11-25 | Local and state education officials have threatened to take the Dudek family’s children to school by force, according to a letter to the parents Jürgen and Rosemarie Dudek.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=827
Statue of Christ Beheaded in North of France
2011-11-24 | The statue of the Christ of the small village of Wasnes-au-Bac (Nord) was beheaded by one or several vandals, probably during the night from Tuesday, November 15th to Wednesday, November 16th. The mayor of the village, Jules Cornet is particularly shocked as the statue had been restored just fifteen days before.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=699
Aggressive Campaign to Remove Theology Department at University of Granada
2011-11-23 | The Association in Defense of Public and Laity Universities has asked the Dean of the University of Granada in a letter to dissolve the Theology Department which recently opened. The radically secularist group says on their website that "the creation of the Theology Studies Department is a violation of the neutrality and laity principles consecrated in the Spanish Constitution; it is an attack at the university because it undermines the independence and accuracy of the rational and critical thinking, because it puts theology at the same level as science, even though it has not other fundament that the faith itself. With the institution of a Theology Department the university moves forward into Catholicism, and thereby backwards to medieval times and national-socialism [dictatorship]."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=471
Vandalism in a Church in Sarano (Treviso)
2011-11-20 | Vandals broke in Santa Lucia’s church in Sarano, stole the church offerings as well as three patens and a robe. They also threw the Eucharstic hosts to the flour and damaged the sacristy.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=724
Prefecture Prohibits Pro-Life Manifestation, Allows Left Wing Counter Protests
2011-11-19 | The French Christian pro life group "SOS Tout-petits" registered a manifestation against abortion to take place on Nov 19th in front of the Paris Hospital Tenon. Even though the request for the permit came in due time, the prefecture withdrew the permission last minute. Reasons given were that the manifestation could be a disturbance of the public order and safety could not be guaranteed. At the same time, pro-choice groups which had organized a counter manifestation, and who had violently attacked the pro-life group during previous manifestations were allowed to hold their manifestation by walking around the hospital.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=469
Five Christian Icons Vandalised on a Week of Anti-Christian Raids in Dax (Landes)
2011-11-18 | Three images of Mary and two crucifixes were vandalised in the city of Dax between November 10th and 18th. The statue of Mary located in Pontonx church was covered from the top to the bottom with red paint; the face of a Virgin located at the Saugnac-y-Cambran junction was covered with red as well; and the Virgin of Buglose´s face was covered with black paint. One of the vandalized crucifixes was painted in red and the arms cut off, while the one located inside Rion-des-Landes church was covered with red paint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=491
Clothing Company Ad Disrespects Christians Through the Image of the Pope
2011-11-17 | An advertisment campaign of the clothing company Benetton featured the Pope kissing intensely the Islamic Shek of the Al-Azhar Mosque on the lips. The campaign is called UnHate and claims to stand for peace in the world. The image of the pope kissing the imam implies that the Pope would currently "hate" the Imam, or be intolerant towards Muslims. After many protests, Benetton removed the photo montage off their website. It seems however, that the provocation - as well as the removal - was planned as a PR campaign from the beginning.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=436
Vulgar Poster at Corcega University
2011-11-17 | A second year art student used a blasphemous image to promote his exhibition «Histoire d'une absence» at Corte University, in Corcega. Fellow students and students association complained to the University Dean Pascal Ottavi for the blasphemoous image that shows a rosary tied around a male sexual organ.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=460
Heated Debate on Anti-Christian Theater Play Portrays Christians Negatively
2011-11-16 | The Golgota Picnic (Golgotha Picnic), a provacative anti-Christian play written by the Argentine-born author Rodrigo Garcia, has drawn the anger of French Christians who protested outside the Garonne Theatre in Toulouse. While the theater's manager, Jacky Ohayon, insisted the play be harmless and ran previously in Spain "with no trouble", Catholic Bishop Dominique Rey of Frejus-Toulon said that "Garcia's play shows Christ as 'madman, dog, pyromaniac, messiah of Aids, devil-whore, no better than a terrorist'."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=437
Catholic Cemetery of Sussargues Vandalised
2011-11-12 | The cemetery of the village of Sussargues in France has been vandalised. The perpetrator(s) damaged about thirty graves and memorials. Crucifix were broken or turned upside down, statuettes of the Virgin Mary were planted head in the ground. Satanists tags are visible on many graves.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=537
Church Desecrated in Vauréal
2011-11-12 | The church of Sainte-Claire of Vauréal has been desecrated and Christian symbols specifically attacked. A city councilor criticizes the lack of response of governmental institutions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=538
Vandalism Against Wayside Crosses and Corpusses
2011-11-07 | In the Swiss village of St. Pantaleon-Nuglar, unknown perpetrators have attacked Christian images several times. Corpusses were pulled off crosses, taken away or destroyed. One corpus was hung on a tree. Now, the image of a naked woman was sprayed on a cross which had formally been vandalised and stripped of the corpus. A charge against unknown persons was submitted by by the private owner of the wayside cross.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=452
Radical Feminists Undressed as Protest on St. Peter Square
2011-11-06 | Three radical feminists undressed at St. Peter Square in Vatican City right after the Pope´s traditional Sunday blessing to the pilgrims gathering there on November 6th. One of the women, identified as Oleksandra Shevchenko, leader of the responsible non-governmental organisation Femen, took off her jacket uncovering a transparent blouse under the balcony of the pope while holding a sign with the phrase "Freedom for Women". According to the media reports, she screamed "We are free" and bit into a cross. When the police came, she took off her blouse, and even her trousers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=494
Vandalism at St. Georg Church in Munich
2011-11-05 | For several years local youth have been vandalizing St. Georg Church in Munich. They took tiles off the roof, sprayed graffiti on the outside walls, urinated into the holy water vessels and set fire at the local graveyard. The attacks were ongoing in November 2011. Some of the youth are known to the parish priest, who does not reported them to the police. One of the youth stated in a TV interview with blurred image that he was Moslem and felt uncomfortable with the majority denomination. The priest says that many youth are aggressive towards the Church due to emotional neglect they suffer at home.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=415
Police Force Necessary to Protect Pro Life Activists from Left Wing Mob
2011-11-03 | Police in Zurich, Switzerland were forced to use water cannons and tear gas against anti-life protesters who tried to disrupt a recent March for Life of about a thousand pro-life supporters marching through the streets of the Swiss capital.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=451
Blasphemous Christmas Movie Screens at European Cinemas
2011-11-01 | The Warner Bros production "A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas", profanes Christian symbols and traditions. It contains sacrilegious humor, graphic non-marital and aberrant sexual activity, full nudity, a benign view of drug use, about a half-dozen instances of profanity and pervasive rough and crude language."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=435
(Scotland) Former Leader Becomes Victim of Religious Discrimination
2011-10-31 | Former Scottish National Party leader Gordon Wilson has said a “lynch mob” booted him off the board of Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) because of his support for traditional marriage after Mr Wilson had responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on redefining marriage, saying that he was opposed to the idea.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=465
Blasphemous Play Hurts Feelings of Christians
2011-10-31 | At the Dublin Grand Canal Theatre „Jerry Springer: The Opera“ was screened in the country for the first time on October 31th, 2011. Christians protested outside the theatre before the performance, several people walked out during the show.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=468
Vandalism at Cemetery in Niedereschach
2011-10-30 | On the night of October 30th, vandals raged on the graveyard of Niedereschach, damaging graves, memorial candles, statues of Mary and of angels, flowers, and jardinières. They also pulled out wooden crosses of fresh graves and lined them up upside down which could indicate a satanic background.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=426
Vandalism at Cemetery in Westerkappeln
2011-10-28 | Several cases of vandalism were recorded on the graveyard in Westerkappeln between October 26th and October 28th, including the use of graveyard lanterns as foot balls.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=430
Pro-Life Side-Walk Counsellors Condemned by Court
2011-10-25 | On October 25th, the state court of Graz, Styria, upheld a judgement of the first instance condemning pro-life side-walk counsellors to payments between 350 and 6200 Euro.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=382
Vandalism at Graveyard of Ostbevern
2011-10-25 | In Ostbevern, strangers knocked off the nose, feet, and part of the knee of a figure of Christ located on the graveyard. This is not the first time that the statue suffered from vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=427
Demotion and 40% Pay Cut After Critizing Gay Marriage on Facebook
2011-10-24 | Adrian Smith (Christian, 54, father of two) of Manchester was demoted by his employer Trafford Council and Trafford Housing Trust after making a comment regarding the controversial plans of the ministers that could allow same-sex couples by law to „marry“ in Church although the Church of England refuses to participate.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=381
Anti-Discrimination Legislation Interferes with Religious Freedom
2011-10-24 | A senior Christian religious official looking for a secretary, asked the Austrian equal treatment commission before publishing a job advertisement: would it be permissable to reject a headscarf-wearing Muslim woman? The answer was no.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=915
Vandalism of Church in Kallenhardt
2011-10-22 | An attempt of arson occured on October 22nd at the church of Kallenhardt. As a consequence, the church, which was freely accessible for prayer and recollection, had to remain closed for a longer period of time.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=423
Vandalism of Cemetery in Mülheim
2011-10-22 | Strangers ravaged on the graveyard of Styrum in Mülheim and damaged 30 graves in the night from Oct 22 to 23.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=425
Statue of Mary Stolen in Nord-Pas de Calais
2011-10-21 | It was very difficult for the inhabitants of Agnez-les-Duisans to realize that the Statue of Mary holding baby Jesus had disappeared and its emplacement had been very much damaged. The police is enquiring.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=697
Double Standards in UK Foreign Aid: Indifference to Rights of Christians
2011-10-20 | The former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe pointed out the UK government's double standards in its threats to cut aid to countries which persecute gay people while turning a blind eye to persecution against Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=581
"Black Block" Manifestation Assaults a Church
2011-10-20 | During a "Black Block", a left wing militant manifestation in Rome, an unknown number of people entered the parish of Santi Marcellino e Pietro al Laterano and destroyed the crucifix and a statue of the Virgin Mary of Lourdes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=728
(Scotland) Christmas Snubbed by Government
2011-10-19 | The Scottish Government failed to mention Christmas in its “Winter Festivals” programme. In an official news release the Government mentions St Andrew’s Day eleven times, Hogmanay five times and Burns Night several times. But Christmas is not mentioned at all.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=467
Anarchist Damage Lateran Basilica in Rome
2011-10-16 | A small group of anarchist targeted the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome. Various damages were detected, including the destruction of a statue of Mary.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=698
"Occupy Rome" Activists Destroyed Sacred Icons During Demonstration
2011-10-15 | A group of youth who were marching as part of the anti-capitalist movement "Occupy Rome", detoured from the main stream of the parade, and made their way into Saints Marcellino and Pietro Parish, located between Labicana and Merulana streets. The youth, with their heads covered and handing sticks, broke into the parish house and took the statue of the Immaculate Conception and a crucifix. They carried the sacred icons outside the parish premises to the street, where both were destroyed and the debriefs left on the street.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=385
Vandalism at Immaculate Conception Church in Vohwinkel
2011-10-12 | On October 12th unknown perpetraters vandalized the parish church of the Immaculate Conception in Vohwinkel. They damaged valuable pieces of art: a sword was pulled off a statue and attached to a crucifix, and a branch of a seven-branched candelabrum was torn off.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=420
Vandalism in Presbytery in Rüthen-Menzel
2011-10-12 | Strangers set fire to the entrance door of the presbytery by means of petrol in Rüthen on Oct 12th. The fire had already made its way under the door and set the tapestry on fire when it was discovered and extinguished. Police asked the public for help.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=424
Recurring Vandalism at Cemetery in Essen
2011-10-11 | Recurring instances of vandalism at Essen cemetery amount to 30 000 Euros in damage. The acts of vandalism include the stealing of vases, the removal of letters on graveyards, the ignition of over 50 compost containers in the time period of a few weeks. Several relatives of those whose graves had been attacked were under significant emotional distress.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=432
Two Local Councils in South East England Told to Stop Holding Prayers at the Beginning of Council Meetings
2011-10-11 | Crowborough Town Council and Mayfield Parish Council - both in East Sussex - have both been warned that prayers "should not be part of a council meeting". The warning comes from the Sussex Association of Local Councils, which is responsible for local government in the area.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=453
Ongoing Outside Pressure on Ireland to Legalize Abortion
2011-10-11 | At a UN meeting, delegates from Britain, Denmark, Spain and other countries called for Ireland to legalize abortion - with Denmark calling for legislation to allow for abortion on demand, constituting pressure seeking to undermine the Christian convictions of the majority of the Irish population.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=456
City Halts Construction of Catholic Church With Legal Hardships
2011-10-06 | The archbishop of Moscow, Msgr. Paolo Pezzi has critized the city of Pskow (North-West Russia) to discriminate against the Catholic Church by denying the prolongation of a building permit.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=378
BBC Guidelines Suggest to Replace BC and AD with "Religiously Neutral" Terms
2011-10-05 | BBC’s new guidelines of religious impartiality contain the suggestion to use religiously “neutral” terms instead of “BC” and “AD” during discussions of history on air.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=454
Physical Assaults Against Christians in Nîmes
2011-10-02 | A crowd of about one thousand people had gathered at the sanctuary of Our Lady of Santa-Cruz in Nîmes, for the annual procession organized by the ‘Joyeuse Union Don Bosco’ every year since 1982. But when they went back to their personal cars, several of them were surrounded, insulted and stoned by groups of violent youths.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=690
Police Visits Christian Cafe for Display of Bible Passages
2011-09-30 | UK, Blackpool: Jamie Murray, Salt & Light Coffee House's owner, has been visited by the Lancashire Police and threatened for the display of Bible versicles on a TV screen inside his property. The police told Murray that the Bible passages use offensive, insulting words, and this constitutes a violation of Section 5 of the Public Order Act. The officers warned Murray that if he didn’t stop, he could be prosecuted for hate speech. The coffee house TV screen connected to a DVD displays images with no soundtrack from "Watchword Bible", which contents verses from the New Testament.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=372
Left Wing Extremists Violently End Pro-Life Rally in Düsseldorf
2011-09-30 | Left-wing extremists prevented a pro-life group from showing a short movie about the development of the human embryo on the square in front of Düsseldorf’s main railway station.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=377
Church of Langrune-sur-Mer Vandalised
2011-09-30 | The Church of Saint Martin in Langrune-sur-Mer (Calvados), a XIIIth century church, was targeted by vandals. Many damages were caused: flowers on the ground, flower pots smashed, prayer books ripped, candles broken into pieces... The police have also found signs that the vandals had the intention to put the church on fire but had not succeeded.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=694
Singer Sinead O'Connor Says She'd Shoot the Pope If He Came to Ireland
2011-09-29 | The popular Irish singer, Sinead O'Connor used social media to warn the Pope that if he comes to Ireland, there "would be a bloodbath". The singer posted the threat on her Twitter account after a poll was conducted on whether the Pope should visit Ireland. Previously, in 1992 during a TV show, O'Connor tore a photo of John Paul II into pieces and called him evil.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=373
Graffiti Insults Christians in Vienna's First District
2011-09-29 | In Postgasse, a fancy Vienna downtown street, a graffiti was placed on a residential house saying: "Pig Christians destroy the world", signed with a anarchy symbol.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=387
Pro-family Groups Discriminated Against by PayPal Services
2011-09-29 | Homosexualist websites are boasting of victory in an ongoing campaign to induce PayPal, one of the world’s largest payment processing companies, to eliminate pro-family Christians from its service.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=457
Marketing Campaign for Canal+ Series Smashes Holy Images
2011-09-29 | „Borgia“ TV series produced by the French TV channel "Canal+" in association with EOS Entertainment and distributed by Beta Film GmbH, used holy symbols for promotional advertisements in a profane way.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=507
Paint Bomb on Welcome Poster for Pope's Visit
2011-09-19 | In the night from the 18th to the 19th of September, unknown perpetrators cast a paint bomb on a welcome poster at a Church in Berlin.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=369
Vandalism at Cemetery in Schönau
2011-09-17 | A 16 year-old admitted being responsible for the desecration of numerous graves in Schönau on the 17th of September. He had knocked over memorial candles and gravestones, and had pulled out a wooden cross and destroyed it.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=429
Pro Life Manifestation Attacked
2011-09-17 | The Christian pro life group "SOS Tout Petits" was attacked by pro-choice and anti-Christian activists during a manifestation in front of the Paris Hospital Tenon while praying peacefully.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=464
Prayer Banned From Public Spaces
2011-09-16 | France banned prayers from the streets beginning September 16th, 2011. The measure mainly aims to target Muslims and their Friday prayers. In support of the new regulation the French Minister, Claude Gueant, affirmed that prayers on the street are unacceptable in a secular country such as France, and police force would be used in case of disobedience. Marine Le Pen, a right-wing French representative, speaking of Muslim prayer meetings, described prayers on the street as a "Nazi occupation". The consequences of a regulation also undermines freedom of religion of Christians, with regard to traditional Catholic processions as well as street evangelisations and outdoor liturgies. It is unclear to the Observatory, whether there will be exceptions granted to such initiatives under the new law.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=374
Major Social Media Sites ‘Actively’ Censor Christian Content
2011-09-15 | A new study has found that Google and other major social media sites such as Facebook have “actively” censored Christian and conservative viewpoints. The report examined the policies and practices of several major Internet-interactive “new media” communications platforms and service providers, including Apple and its iTunes App Store, Facebook, Google, and others.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=370
(Jersey) Post Refuses to Deliver ‘Offensive’ Bible CD
2011-09-15 | Postal workers in Jersey refused to deliver audio recordings of St Mark’s Gospel after deeming it “offensive material”. Several churches clubbed together to pay for 45,000 CDs to be produced to mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. A copy of the recording was due to be delivered to every household on the Channel Island of Jersey. But church leaders were left reeling after Jersey Post claimed that the CDs could offend people and refused to deliver them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=466
Anonymous Caller Threatens School for Displaying Welcome Poster for Pope
2011-09-14 | A welcome poster for pope Benedict XVI upon his visit to Germany in September 2011 was removed in Fürstenwalde (Oder-Spree) after an anonymous caller said that „something would happen, if the posters were not immediately removed.“
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=366
Catholic Cemetery of Buxy Wrecked
2011-09-13 | Twenty graves and tombstones have been desecrated in the small village of Buxy in Burgundy. The 2,000 residents of Buxy and their mayor are shocked and incredulous, the police has opened an investigation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=539
Smearings on a Catholic Church in Dijon
2011-09-13 | The Saint-Michel Catholic church of Dijon has been smeared on during the night on September 13th. The mayor’s office quickly responded by clearing out the inscriptions. One could see a scored of cross and read «No Gods, no Masters».
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=540
Catholic Newspapers Site Hacked; Anti-Christian Message Displayed
2011-09-12 | The homepage of the Irish Catholic website was hacked and replaced with a blue and white screen which read “Site off-line. You. Got. Taken”. The hacker’s message went on to say “And wish you to continue beliveing [sic] in your false religion”. and: "Gotta love false hope."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=362
Christian Think Tank Receives Threatening Phone Call
2011-09-11 | The Dublin based Christian Think Tank Iona Institute received a threatening phone call in September: The anonymous caller said the Institute was “scum”, that its director “David Quinn should be castrated and hung up on O’Connell Street”, that they had “the nerve to portray your “f**king religion”, and that the people at the Institute were “filth”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=356
Legal Proposal Endangers Freedom of Religion by Seeking to Interfere with the Seal of Confession
2011-09-11 | The Irish Government is „set on passing a law that will require priests to break the seal of confession if they hear about child abuse in the confessional.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=357
Moslem Protester: "Jihad to Christian Extremists"
2011-09-11 | On a protest against the USA and the UK in London on September 11, a group of Muslims marched through London. A sign was carried which read "Jihad to Christian Extremists".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=360
Call for Ban on Church Marriage if Churches Would Not Perfom Same-Sex Unions As Well
2011-09-08 | A member of U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron’s government is calling for a ban on marriages at Christian churches if they refuse to also perform same-sex unions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=458
Doctors Should Refer Patients for Euthanasia: New Dutch Guidelines
2011-09-08 | According to new guidelines from the Dutch national doctors association, doctors with moral objections to euthanasia have “a moral and professional duty” to refer patients to another doctor willing to euthanize them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=459
Destruction of Crosses as Protest Against the Visit of the Pope
2011-09-07 | A radical atheist group called „What the f...“ released a video on youtube in which crosses are being destroyed with much violence and hatred.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=367
Poznan Medical University Breaks Previous Agreement to Host Reparative Therapy Conference
2011-09-06 | A reparative therapy conference, which aims to help people who struggle with same sex attraction, was denied to use of the Medical School Foundation (UM) facilities in Poznan, Poland. The conference, featuring psychologist Dr. Joseph Nicolosi of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH), received criticisms from Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza, and it was after them that UM decided not to host the event. Gazeta Wyborcza highlighted that the American Psychological Association (APA) has concerns about the effects of treatment for same-sex attraction.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=352
US Officials Call Catholic Church Source of Spreading “Homophobia” in Poland
2011-09-06 | American embassy officials under the Obama administration complained that the Catholic Church teaching is a major source of “homophobia” in the heavily Catholic country, according to private cables published by Wikileaks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=461
Christian Debt Counselling Charity Excluded from Support Network for Offering Prayer to Clients
2011-09-05 | ‚Advice UK’, the largest support network for free advice centres in the UK, has pushed out a Christian debt counselling charity from its membership for offering to pray with clients suffering from debt problems.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=455
MP Calls for Churches to be Stripped of Licences for Refusing to Marry Gays
2011-09-02 | Churches which refuse to conduct gay marriages should be stripped of their licence, according to Member of Parliament Mike Weatherley of Hove.
While marriage between people of the same sex is not legal in the UK but civil partnerships were introduced in 2005 to give couples the same legal protection as if they were wed.
Mr Weatherley said according to „The Argus“: “As long as religious groups can refuse to preside over ceremonies for same-sex couples there will be inequality. “Until we untangle unions and religion in this country we will struggle to find a fair arrangement.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=355
Theater Play Hurts Feelings of Christians
2011-09-01 | Several French theaters have scheduled Romeo Castellucci's play "Sur le concept du visage du fils de Dieu" (On the concept of the face of the son of God) or "Golgotha picnic" to be on their stage this year. The play "Sur le concept du visage du fils de Dieu" depicts in the 2nd act a group of children throwing grenades onto a large image of Jesus displayed in the back of the stage. After Jesus is "stoned", the 3rd act shows the same image on Jesus being torn apart while the words "you are (not) my Shepherd" are displayed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=353
Blasphemious Play Shown in French Theaters
2011-08-31 | „Golgotha Picnic“, a theater play written by Rodrigo García, abuses mercylessly Christian icons and Bible passages in brings them in the proximities of terror and barbarism. Christ is called "el diablo puto" (the f... evil); money notes are placed at the Jesus' side wound; burger bread covers the floor as a parody of the multiplication of the loaves; and a piano player, totally naked, ridicules the “Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross” by Haydn.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=363
Campaign Against Catholic Church's Tax Exemption
2011-08-31 | A political campaign supported by a social media campaign advocated the removal of the tax exemption granted to the Catholic Church. The supporters of the proposal claim that the Church money would help Italy to overcome its financial crisis, and would therefore make other governmental spenditure cuts unnecessary. The Catholic Church properties are exempted from tax because of the community service they provide and the social function church buildings serve. In the fall of 2011, the issue was dropped.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=509
Politican Plans to Sue Physicians for Offering Therapy for People Struggling With Unwanted Same-Sex Attraction
2011-08-29 | Volker Beck, member of the German Bundestag (parliament) and speaker on human rights issues of the Green party, has launched an initiative to engage the German Medical Association against the German Union of Catholic Physicians (BKÄ). On their website, the BKÄ provides informations about therapeutic options in case of unwanted same-sex attraction.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=354
Crucifixion Group Defaced in Wassenberg-Myhl
2011-08-25 | On August 21st a crucifixion group was defaced with black paint in Wassenberg-Myhl by strangers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=422
(Northern Ireland) Gay March Signs Offend Christians
2011-08-24 | Belfast's Gay March 2011 was (again) marked by anti-Christian offensive signs. One sign read: “Jesus had two dads (and he turned out just fine)”. Another protester bore a placard that said “Jesus protect me from your followers”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=359
UK Employee Suspended Upon Display of Cross
2011-08-20 | A UK Christian electrician who won a fight with his employer over his right to display a small Palm leaf cross in his van is now saying that the company has reneged on its agreement.
64-year-old Colin Atkinson was asked by his employers, Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) in West Yorkshire, to remove the cross after an anonymous complaint from a WDH tenant.
The company threatened Atkinson with disciplinary action when he refused, but backed down when their threats prompted a public outcry and criticism from prominent religious leaders, including the former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=304
Local Government Eliminates Traditional Barbeceue at Ascension Day During the Time of Ramadan in Novara
2011-08-20 | In the first year after the centre-left’s victory at local elections, local politicians decided to prohibit the traditional Ascencion Day barbeceue – at which „Crostine“ and „Salamelle“ (special Italian sausages) have been indispensable for decades.
The reason was that Ascension Day took place during Ramadan. Not to offend the Muslim minority, the local government decided to serve only water melon instead of the traditional barbeceue.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=364
Immigrant Club Calls For Removal of the Cross in the Swiss Flag
2011-08-19 | The Swiss club of immigrants Secondos Plus demands that the Swiss Cross be removed from the flag of Switzerland because it "didn't correspond anymore to the multicultural Switzerland of today." As alternative, they suggest to go back to the national flag of 1799 which contains green, red and yellow stripes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=444
Violent Counter Demonstrators Attack Youth at World Youth Day in Madrid
2011-08-17 | A demonstration against the Catholic Church and the visit of the pope during the major Catholic event of World Youth Day, resulted in the young Christian visitors be booed, spat and shouted at. Several World Youth Day participates were physically attacked, one had to be treated in hospital for being kicked in the stomach. Eight anti-pope demonstrators were jailed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=365
Hospital Attempted to Force Christian Nurses to Commit Abortions and Backs Down
2011-08-15 | A hospital in London that recently attempted to force two Christian nurses to commit abortions has backed down after legal threats using the Equality Act to protect the nurses pro-life beliefs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=386
New Guidelines from the General Pharmaceutical Council Threaten Freedom of Conscience
2011-08-15 | New guidelines issued by the UK pharmaceutical
regulatory board tends towards stripping pharmacists of their right to conscientious objection with regard to refusing the sale of the morning-after pill, an abortive device.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=393
Church Set on Fire by Vandals in Begijnendijk
2011-08-14 | Vandals started a devastating fire in the parish church of Saint-Lucie in Begijnendijk (Flemish Brabant). They entered the church through a window and put fire to the curtains and chairs. The damage is significant and the church was closed for several weeks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=646
Catholic Care Forced to Close or Allow Gay Adoption after Tribunal Decision
2011-08-09 | On May 31st, 2011, Catholic Care of the Diocese of Leeds has applied for leave to appeal the latest decision against it in the long-running case sparked by the Charity Commission’s refusal to allow it to prevent gay couples from using its adoption service. The appeal was granted in August 2011.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=315
Masked Vandals Attack Pro-Life Office in Austria
2011-08-08 | The office of Johannes Bucher, the European Regional Director of Human Life International’s (HLI), was attacked after a pro-life march in Salzburg, Austria. The office suffered seven broken windows, causing thousands of Euros in damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=361
Cemetery Vandalized in Champniers
2011-07-30 | The cemetery of Champniers and its surroundings were vandalized at the end of July 2011. Crosses were tossed, and statues of Marie damaged, flower pots thrown to the ground.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=696
Norway Killer Anders Breivik Wrongly Labelled a "Christian Fundamentalist"
2011-07-29 | Shortly after his ruthless murder of at least 76 innocent men, women, and children Anders Breivik has been called a “Christian fundamentalist,” “Christian terrorist,” and “Christian extremist.” The media picked up the solitary, premature and unjust comment of a police officer right after the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=344
Vandalism at St. Ann's in Ascheberg
2011-07-28 | Unknown perpetrators urinated into a Holy Water vessel of St. Ann Catholic church, in Ascheberg. They also damaged organ pipes, several apostle statues and a censer. The damage amounts to several thousand Euros. The police has not yet convicted the vandals and does not rule out that they are a gang of teenagers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=416
Christian Media Ad Banned By Authorities
2011-07-27 | The media group Premier Christian Radio's advertizment on the marginalization of Christians in the workplace was banned by the Radio Advertising Clearance Centre (RACC) for being “politically motivated”. Even though the ad was modified and redone several times, RACC upheld the ban.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=399
Swastika on a Church Door in Bessans
2011-07-27 | The Church of Saint Jean Baptiste of Bessans (Savoie) was vandalized in the night from July 26th to July 27th. Swastika were painted on the door of the church and "Adolf Hitler" written on the church steps. The vandals apparently tried to break open the door but did not succeed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=695
Militant Left Wing Activism Against Peaceful Pro Life Manifestation
2011-07-24 | The left wing radicals praised themselves for their actions by saying: "Over 50 emancipated people were present to block and disturb and they were not affraid of nervious cops. They prevented stupid prayers and managed to disrupt the pro life manifestion in a way that it had to be ended early. During almost the entire pro life manifestion, they made their feminist viewpoints clear by shouting paroles. They showed that militant resistance against anti-emanzipatory conditions and ass-holes is possible.“
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=384
Church Vandalised in Saint-Jouin-Bruneval
2011-07-16 | The church of Saint-Jouin-Bruneval in the Seine Maritime department of Normandy has been vandalised during the night from Saturday 15th to Sunday 16th of July. An unknown number of person came through the door of the church tower, descended a ladder and took a choir bench to break down the door of the sacristy which they completely wrenched. They tumbled the candles and the candle-holders and then ripped off a wooden chest near the main altar. Finally, they broke open the offertory-box were to take its contents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=541
French Daily Smashes Jesus Christ and Christianity
2011-07-16 | French daily „Liberation“ smashes Christianity by depicting Jesus as a loser, drug user and egocentric. The French Catholic bishops’ conference issued a statement in support of freedom of expression but saying that this requires respect of the one it actually offends. The bishops also mention that Christians always forgive.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=759
Parents' Rights at Stake as Schools Minister Gives Green Light to Explicit Sex Ed in Science Lessons
2011-07-12 | SPUC - director blogs of new developments in the field of education: "Parents of primary-school children from across the country are furious that Nick Gibb, the schools minister, has told Parliament that schools can teach children, including in primary school, about sex in science lessons." The problem is that parents cannot withdraw their children from sience - and contents might be unacceptable for many parents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=358
Ban on Faith-Based Pregnancy Conflict Counselling in Freiburg and Mannheim
2011-06-30 | In Freiburg, the Agency for Public Order restricted access around the entrance area of Pro Familia (an organisation which offers pregnancy conflict counseling including the option of abortion) for counsellors of the faith-based nonprofit association „Centre of Life - Helpers of God’s Precious Infants“ (Lebenszentrum - Helfer für Gottes kostbare Kinder e.V.) The aim of the associaton is to encourage and support expecting mothers in conflict to give birth to their child by offering differents kinds of support.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=375
Vandalism at St. John's in Heidelberg
2011-06-30 | Unknown perpetrators ravaged in the church of St. John’s in Heidelberg on June 1st. Police confirmed that they sloshed around drinks on the altar and in the area of the organ, put meatballs in the organ pipes and dog dirt on the clavier.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=417
Cemetery of Saint-Lys Desecrated
2011-06-30 | The cemetery of La Moutonne of Saint-Lys in the department of Haute-Garonne has been vandalized in the night from Thursday to Friday, June 30th, 2011. Memorial plaques were lying on the ground, damaged. A bench of the cemetery had been split into pieces, urn compartments had been opened and no less than twenty graves had received stroke of large stones flung against them, thus breaking plaques, ceramics and flower pots.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=542
Vandalism in the Cemetery of Belleville-sur-Meuse
2011-06-30 | Fifteen Christian graves were damaged in the cemetery of Belleville-sur-Meuse and many crosses and statues broken into pieces. Ashes of three deceased have been scattered. Several crosses, marbles and plaques were broken into pieces and scattered on the ground. Statues of Christ were wrenched and let to lay on the floor.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=543
Closing of Churches After Vandalism Acts
2011-06-22 | The churches of Rieux-Minervois and of Toucy had to be closed after several acts of vandalism and thefts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=545
Church Service Disturbed By Activists
2011-06-05 | In the parish St. Giuseppe Calasanzio (Milan) activists wanted to harass a priest for his views on homosexuality. They interrupted mass, carrying banners, shouting and josteling. The case was responded to the Turin Sociologist Massimo Introvigne, representative of OSCE for, amongst others, combatting intolerance and discrimination against Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=380
Christian-Inspired Polish Abortion Law Targeted by International Institutions
2011-06-03 | Poland's life-protecting abortion law, which is inspired by its strong Christian identity, is under attack by international and supranational bodies. This disrespect of national sovereignty targets Christian aspects and is therefore a case of intolerance against Christians in the area of morals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=338
Conscientious Objection in Peril for Amsterdam Marriage Commissioners
2011-06-02 | Marriage commissioners in a district of Amsterdam will be forced to undergo annual evaluations to ensure they support same-sex “marriage” after revelations that two commissioners had refused to officiate at the ceremonies. Since 2007, the government in Amsterdam’s Nieuw-West district has only employed commissioners who agree to perform same-sex “marriages,” and officials apparently believed the district was free of “conscientious objectors.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=332
BBC Survey: Viewers Think Broadcaster is Anti-Christian
2011-06-01 | The BBC is widely regarded as displaying an anti-Christian attitude in its programming, according to the Corporation’s own research.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=331
Christian Counsellor Suspended For Reparative Therapy Suggestion
2011-05-31 | (ongoing) Lesley Pilkington was suspended by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (“BACP”) for giving therapy to a homosexual man (an under-cover freelance journalist) who pretended to be a Christian wishing to stop practicing homosexuality. A key witness has been threatened by homosexual activists, causing hearing to be adjourned.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=258
Medical Doctor Reprimanded for Talking about Christianity to a Patient Despite Consent
2011-05-31 | Richard Scott, a MD with a 28-year spotless work record, has been given a disciplinary call for sharing his faith with a patient.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=328
Sidewalk Counselling Prohibited in Munich
2011-05-31 | The local authorities in Munich (Kreisverwaltungsreferat, KVR) have prohibited all pro life activity in front of Germany’s biggest abortion clinic (Dr. Friedrich Stapf, 4000 abortions per year) and called the so-called side-walk counselling a serious impropriety („grobe Ungehörigkeit“) to be punished by a fine of 500 €.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=376
Catholic Church Blamed for Unemployment
2011-05-31 | Cayo Lara, General Coordinator of the United Left party has
blamed the Catholic Church for 400,000 Spanish citizens currently unemployed. According to Lara the Catholic Church received public funds amounted in 10.000 millions of euros per year, money that could be used to create job positions for those without a jobs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=388
Legal Proposal Seeks to Deny Public Funding to Schools that Separate Boys from Girls
2011-05-31 | With the approval of the Council of Ministers of Spain, the State Department of Education, submitted a motion to the Congress to deny public funds to schools that teach their students in gender-separated classrooms. This method of education has been applied mostly by Christian school in Spain. The same was previously attempted in the regions of Asturias, Cantabria, and Andalucía.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=446
Personal Experiences of Marginalisation in the Area of Government Funding
2011-05-31 | Evangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes in the area of government funding.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=528
Socialist Party Member and Government Representative Slams Christianity on Facebook
2011-05-26 | Sandra Yagüe, member of the PSOE and second in command to the City Hall of Azuqueca de Henares, one of the largest cities in the district of Guadalajara, has created a Facebook page to called "public sinners wishing excommunication". On this page she displays profane and pornographic materials using the images of Jesus and the Virgin Mary in disturbing contexts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=392
200-year-old Greek Orthodox Chapel Demolished “By Accident” in Northern Cyprus
2011-05-26 | The 200-year-old Greek Orthodox Chapel of Saint Thekla in the village of Vokolida, Cyprus was demolished, allegedly by accident. The demolition was condemned publicly by the Turkish Cypriot authorities and two individuals were arrested for destroying the church and a promise was made to rebuild it. Nevertheless, due to several reasons, this has not yet been performed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=751
Vandalism at Cemetery in Velen
2011-05-21 | Unknown perpetrators knocked over gravestones and pulled out plants in a cemetery located in Velen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=431
Trespassing and Theft in Lukavac
2011-05-18 | Burglars broke into the church of Lukavac and stole various objects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=686
(Scotland) Artist Plans to Set Jesus´ Head on Fire
2011-05-16 | “Holy smoke” is the expression the Scottish media has used in reference to David Mach´s claim to set on fire the head of Jesus in the name of art. The artist plans to burn a head of Jesus made with matchsticks outside the City Art Centre of Edinburgh, which is hosting this religious-themed exhibit with taxpayers money in celebration of the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible. The exhibit will run from 30 July to 16 October. Mach, who described himself as a non believer, says he wants to use religious themes to "expose the hypocrisies of the contemporary world".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=318
School Children Targeted by Pro-Euthanasia Video
2011-05-16 | 14-year-old UK students enrolled in GCSE (general certificate of secondary education) philosophy courses are being taught about euthanasia by viewing a video featuring Dr Philip Nitschke, a notorious assisted suicide campaigner and euthanasia fanatic. Nitschke, the Australian founder and director of the euthanasia group “Exit International”, known internationally as “Dr Death”, presents in a video a machine which delivers lethal injections.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=320
Anti-Pope-Campaign Sues Pope at International Tribunal
2011-05-16 | The campaign “Calling the Pope to Account” sued Pope Benedict XVI at the International Criminal Court in The Hague for crimes against humanity. The charges are: “the preservation and leadership of a worldwide totalitarian regime of coercion, which subjugates its members with terrifying and health-endangering threats; the adherence to a fatal forbiddance of the use of condoms, even when the danger of HIV-AIDS infection exists; and the establishment and maintenance of a worldwide system of cover-up of the sexual crimes committed by Catholic priests and their preferential treatment, which aids and abets ever new crimes”. The campaign is supported by posters and a book publication.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=321
Landowner at Pilgrims' Route Prohibits Priests to Enter Property
2011-05-14 | One of the routes to the main Austrian Catholic Shrine, MariaZell, located in the Austrian mountains, leads through the forest of Mr. Josef Rothwangl. In May 2011, Mr. Rothwangl put up a sign prohibiting priests to enter his property when accompanying children or youth. He says that he was a victim of abuse by Catholic priests himself, when he was a student at a Catholic high school. It is not clear, whether such a prohibition is legally permitted or not. The social effects are in any case problematic: The measure defames and stereotypes priests by implying that all Catholic priests are child abusers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=327
Atheist Demonstration Incites Violence and Hatred Against Christians
2011-05-13 | On 13th of May 2011 in Madrid, a group of atheist demonstrated „against religion“ mocking religious symbols of Christians. While such a manifestation is everyone’s freedom of expression, it is important to pay attention to the feelings of believers as well as to offer a contribution to the public debate instead of spreading hatred and intolerance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=368
Attempt of Arson at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Elmar
2011-05-13 | An attempt of arson was noticed by a neighbour at Immaculate Heart of Mary church in Elmar on May 13th. Stranger(s) tried to set fire to several items in the church, including curtains, carpets and cushions. Locals extinguished the fire with water. The damaged amounts to about 2000 €.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=428
Parliament Votes to Campaign to Force Health Professionals to Perform Abortions in the Council of Europe Member States
2011-05-11 | The Swedish Parliament voted to campaign against a European resolution, which reiterates the right to conscientious objection for health professionals who do not want to perform abortions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=316
Attacks on the Parish Church of Navalcarnero, Madrid
2011-05-10 | The parish church of “Nuestra Señora de la Asunción” suffered great damage on Sunday May 8, as several religious images made of plaster were destroyed. Local police arrested the assailant, a 35-year-old male local resident, who had made previous threats toward the church. As stated by Pastor Marcos Fermin, this is not only a financial problem for him - but bears also great emotional pain.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=323
Vandalism at the “Diálogo” Library in Madrid
2011-05-10 | The Diálogo library in Madrid suffered serious damage as an unidentified pertpetrators smashed the window in which books related to the beatification of Pope Juan Pablo II were displayed. The library is well-known for specializing in religious subjects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=326
Vandalism at Church in Anschar
2011-05-07 | Vandals broke into the church of Anschar on May 7th, damaged several objects in the main church, threw down a crucifix and paintings in the sacristy, and tore everything out of the closets. Nothing was stolen, but fixing will be expensive. A new alarm system will be installed shortly to prevent any further attack. The incident was reported to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=421
Stage Play “Me Cago en Dios” – “I shit on God”
2011-04-30 | The Spanish play “Me Cago en Dios” was shown in Madrid in 2004. It caused public uproar due to its radical anti-religious contents. It was subsequently shown in Lisbon and in 2011 in New York City.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=329
Image of the Virgin Mary Removed Because Official Visit
2011-04-30 | The image of the Virgen del Pilar, patron of the Spanish Civil Guard, has been removed from its original location in Aranjuez. The image was placed years ago at the students´cafeteria inside the Spanish Civil Guard Academy. The removal was due to the visit of the Ministry of Interior and vice president of the socialist political party (PSOE), Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba. The order came from one of Rubalcaba´s close collaborators because "it was not appropriate to see the image while the officer was having a wine of honor" there.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=394
Saint Statues Beheaded in Burgos
2011-04-30 | The sculptures of St. Peter and St. Laurent located outside the gate of San Esteban Church in Burgos were beheaded. The Church was built during the XIII century in a Gothic style; the sculpture of St. Peter had been restore six years ago while St. Laurent's image had been under renovation 12 years ago. The decapitation took place on the night of Good Friday.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=412
Vandalism at Nathan-Söderblom Church in Reinbeck
2011-04-30 | A gang of about 20 youth has been rampaging repeatedly around the Nathan-Söderblom church in Reinbeck in the spring of 2011, including the urination into a work of art that represents the grave of Christ. Police and social service have not been able to calm down those involved, and are considering hiring a social worker to find a remedy.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=689
Anti-Chapel Demonstrators Distrupts Mass Services on Campus
2011-04-29 | A group of 40 youths, dressed in black, with their faces hidden, and holding signs against the Catholic Church, marched in support of the violent attack that took place at the Somosaguas Chapel in Barcelona.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=390
Socialist Youth Political Movement Promotes Elimination of Religious Symbols and Funding Cuts to Church
2011-04-28 | Socialist Youth of Spain (Juventudes Socialistas de España - JSE), part of the PSOE political wing, has started an electoral platform that supports the removal of every religious symbol from public schools, and the progressive reduction of funds including the elimination of schools that receive taxpayers' money but are run privately (which are mostly confessional schools). Among other proposals the JSE supports free distribution of condoms, the day-after pill, indoctrination on abortion, and free sex change surgery.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=389
Church Vandalised in Bonneval (Eure-et-Loir)
2011-04-27 | The church of Bonneval has been vandalised on Holy Thursday. According to Father François Muchery, the damage was quite substantial: on the prayer book one can see obscene drawings and words, statues have been damaged and urinated on and candles were smashed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=714
Statue of the Virgin Marie Beheaded in La-Roche-Sur-Yon
2011-04-24 | On the night of Sunday, April 24th, around 3:00 am, the statue of the Virgin Mary located behind the church of the Sacred Heart of La Roche-sur-Yon has been beheaded and then thrown on the ground. It’s head was transported to the other side of the park.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=544
Church Vandalised in Echirolles
2011-04-24 | The church of Saint-Jean-Bosco of Echirolles has been victim of desecration. The main Crucifix was found broken on the floor. Missals had been flung to the ground and benches damaged and turned over. Apparently, the perpetrators had entered the church by forcing a side door. No theft has been reported.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=546
Flash Mob Disturbs Good Friday Procession
2011-04-22 | A flash mob intended to protest against a law prohibiting dancing events on certain holidays interfered with the Good Friday procession of the Croatian Catholic community in Frankfurt/Main.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=314
Catholic Church Vandalised on Good Thursday
2011-04-21 | Two men armed with swords and knives broke into a Catholic Church in Adana last Thursday. After learning that the priest was not in the church, the 26 year old aggressors proceeded to vandalise the property.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=305
Trespassing and Damages in Aladinici (Mostar)
2011-04-21 | Vandals broke into the mission church of Aladinici and cause substantial damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=685
Church in Adana, Turkey Vandalised
2011-04-21 | On 21 April 2011 two men broke into a Catholic church and completely destroyed three statues. They also left marks on the altar, smashed window panes and threw flowerpots around.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1217
Art Exhibit Displays Demeaning Image Called “Piss Christ“
2011-04-20 | Piss Christ is a photograph by Andres Serrano which shows a crucifix submerged in yellow liquid. Serrano, an American artist, has declared that the amber liquid is his own urine. Piss Christ has been displayed since the beginning of April at the art gallery “Collection Lambert” in Avignon.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=303
Church in Altavista Vandalised
2011-04-20 | Father-Claret Parish, located in Altavista (Lanzarote), was vandalised by burglars. According to the media, the criminals broke into the church searching for money. Once they realised no money was there, they vandalised the property, causing significant damage. Before they left, they threw away the vase containing the holy communion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=411
Court Interferes in Church Self-Administration in Hiring Decision
2011-04-20 | The Spanish Constitutional Tribunal ruled that Catechism teacher Resurrección Galera Navarro whose working contract was not renewed after marrying a divorced man and not informing her employer, she was dismissed unlawfully. Employer Ferrer Guardia Catholic School in Almeria was sentenced to pay compensation. Acknowledging the human dimension of this incident, it is in any case necessary that religious institutions are able to establish their own rules and ethos.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=450
Medical Doctor Denied the Right to Conscientious Objection by Court
2011-04-19 | A Spanish general practitioner from Antequera who opposes abortion was denied the right to claim conscientious objection in cases of abortion. The MD argues that his beliefs conflict with abortion advice or referral to women seeking pregnancy termination.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=319
Fire Set to Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
2011-04-19 | On April 19, 2011 hundred of tourists were evacuated from one of the most popular places of worship in the world, the Sagrada Familia Basilica, in Barcelona. A fire was intentionally started at the sacristy, and a 65 year old man was arrested in possession of a lighter and pieces of fabrics that could have been used to set the fire. No major damage was reported to Gaudi´s masterpiece. The fire burnt for about 45 minutes according to El Pais newspaper. While the fire was set up intentionally, the reasons for the attack remain unknown. Media reported the man to be “gravely disturbed”. It is clear whether the fire setting was an intentional attack against Christianit or not.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=322
Church Vandalised at Aulnay-Sous-Bois
2011-04-18 | The church of Saint-Jean of Aulnay-Sous-Bois has been twice vandalised in April. The parish priest and the numerous catholic community are chocked before such acts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=547
Vandalism in Christian Cemetery of Zavidovici
2011-04-17 | Christian graves and tombstones were vandalized in Zavidovici on April 17th, 2011.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=681
Profane Painting Displayed at the Beginning of the Holy Week
2011-04-15 | As part of the Casus Belli art exhibition, the painting "Cristo das Rías Baixas" attributed to Manuel Moldes, has been displayed on one of the walls in Santiago de Compostela. The mural size artwork shows a crucified body, up side down, and totally naked. The exhibition is supported by the City Mayor of Compostela, while the city celebrates the 800th anniversary of the Cathedral and the beginning of the Holy Week. The Archdioceses of Santiago expressed its disappointment because the painting offends the religious sentiments.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=395
Advertisement Campaign Displays the Holy Eucharist to Promote Condom Use
2011-04-14 | A media campaign to raise awareness on HIV uses the Holy Eucharist, a priest, and excerpt from mass to promote the use of condoms. Displaying an image of a priest giving communion, the add employs phrases like “Holy condom you take away the AIDS of the world.” Another phrase used in this add is: “Do not be given communion (Hostia), use a condom”. The word Hostia means communion in Spanish, but hostia can also be used with a pejorative meaning in Spanish.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=311
Assault on the Church of Santa Maria Magdalena de Ciempozuelos (Madrid)
2011-04-14 | On a Thursday morning a group of vandals broke into the Church of Santa Maria Magdalena, destroying the altar shrine and the crown of the Virgin. The church suffered great damage, and the content of the collection box was stolen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=324
Vandalism at Nathan-Söderblom Church in Reinbek
2011-04-14 | A gang of about 20 youth has been rampaging repeatedly around the Nathan-Söderblom church in Reinbek in the spring of 2011, including the urination into a work of art that represents the grave of Christ. Police and social service have not been able to calm down those involved, and are considering to hire a social worker to find a remedy.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=419
Film Trailer Displays A Gay Christ
2011-04-13 | “The Pink Wall”, a film by Enrique del Pozo and Julian Lara, depicts the situation of gays during Franco´s era in Spain and presents Christ crucified to a pink wall, made up with eye shadow and lipstick, wrapped in a gay flag around his hips. At the top of the cross the letters “INRI” have been replaced with “LGTB” (lesbian, gay, transsexual and bisexual). The film was presented on April 13th, 2011 in Madrid.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=312
Belgian Archbishop Hit in Face with Cream Pies
2011-04-06 | The head of Belgium's Roman Catholic Church, Archbishop Andre-Joseph Leonard, was hit four times by custard pies at the Catholic University of Louvain while people were cheering.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=300
Atheists Announce Public Campaign Against Catholics
2011-04-05 | In a broadcasting interview by ELA radio, in Madrid, a group of people who identified themselves as “representatives of different atheist groups”, expressed openly that their goals are to “punish” the Catholic belief, and to “damage” the views of Catholics. They praised the burning of churches in 1936, and they expressed their intention to “welcome” the Pope “as he deserves”, during the announced visit to Madrid in the summer of 2011.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=291
Atheist Procession on Holy Thursday
2011-04-05 | A neighbour organization of Madrid's ambassadors’ district (Barrio de los Embajadores) and surrounding areas called for an “atheist procession”. The procession is scheduled to take place on the night of Holy Thursday departing from Plaza de Lavapies (wash feet square), and it will run parallel to the Way of the Cross, the Christian procession. According to the organizers’ web site – Atheists from Madrid (Ateos de Madrid) - the procession goal is to raise awareness against the "social and moral hypocrisy that conveys the Catholic Holy Week”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=292
Church Tagged in Vannes
2011-04-04 | Four young men attacked the church Saint-Pie-X in Vannes, insulting believers and claiming to denounce «fundamentalism». They underlined the «political» nature of their behavior and claimed to defend «anti-clerical values».
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=548
Teacher Regularly Mocked Christianity in Class
2011-04-02 | A secondary grammar school teacher in Innsbruck regularly mocks and denounces Christian faith in class. The supervisory school authority has now reprimanded him.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=298
Teacher Dismissed for Showing a Film About Abortion
2011-03-31 | A French history teacher was permanently dismissed for showing his students a video on abortion and talking about French abortion law.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=275
German Mother Jailed for Refusing Government Sex-Ed
2011-03-31 | Irene Wiens, mother of twelve, served a 43-day jail sentence in Germany for refusing to enroll her children in sex-ed classes, deemed by her husband and herself to teach a permissive view of human sexuality. An appeal to the European Court of Human Rights has been filed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=297
iPhone Christian Applications Removed
2011-03-31 | Apple suppresses diversity of belief by shutting down two Christian iPhone applications claiming that the were “offensive to large groups of people”, and the support of traditional marriage, family, and life “expose[d] a group to harm” and delivered “hate speech”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=299
300 Academic Signatures in Support of Removing Chapels from Campuses
2011-03-31 | Professors and authorities of several Spanish public universities have signed a document supporting the anti-chapel students´ movement. After a violent incident took place at Somosaguas Chapel located on Computense University campus, in Madrid, the professors affirmed in the document that "the presence of chapels and other symbols of religion power has no relation with the freedom of religion but with a Catholic Church privilege; and the time to end such [privileges] has arrived".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=397
Trespassing and Damages in Ovcarevo
2011-03-31 | Vandals broke into the mission church of Ovcarevo and caused serious damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=684
Equality and Human Rights Commission Says Children Could Be “Infected” by Christian Beliefs
2011-03-31 | The Commission which intervened in Johns v. Derby City Council argued that Christians who object to homosexual behavior or same-sex relationships should not be allowed to foster children by warning that the court that children placed with Christian parents could become “infected” with Christian beliefs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=736
Missionaries Seen as a Threat to the Integrity of the Country
2011-03-31 | Missionaries and evangelists in Turkey are perceived as a real threat to both the integrity of the country and to the Muslim religion. Therefore, evangelism is regarded with suspicion and evangelists are sometimes arrested. Non-Muslim religious communities reported that they are personally being attacked. Attacks against churches and cemeteries take place as well.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=767
Church Vandalised and Set on Fire in Pézenas
2011-03-29 | Three young men entered the church of Saint-Martin of Conas at approximately 8:00 p.m. They broke a stained window, set fire in the sacristy, broke crosses, statues, benches and chairs and damaged the main altar. The damage which was discovered the next morning, are estimated to a cost of 50 to 100.000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=549
Restrictions on Training of Clergy in Turkey Remain
2011-03-29 | Individual religious communities in Turkey are restricted in their training of clergy. The Turkish legislation does not provide for private higher religious education for minorities and such opportunities are inexistent in the public education system.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=763
Easter Holidays Renamed to "Trimester Break" in School Calendar
2011-03-26 | The traditional school break during Easter was renamed: the Education Council of Castilla-La Mancha decided to call the Easter holidays "break between trimesters". A similar proposal was suggested in Barcelona but it did not succeed as the original name was considered to be not only linked to Christianity, but also to the traditions and the history of the region.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=408
Play against Catholics at Barcelona Theatre
2011-03-24 | The Cataluña National Theatre (TNC) in Barcelona is showing “Gang Band” from March 24th to April 17th 2011, during Lenten time. The plot describes the environment of a gay bar during the Pope’s visit to Barcelona. The play uses quotations from the Bible and the characters mock Christian traditional roles and beliefs. The TNC receives public funds to support culture and arts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=294
Anti-Chapel Demonstration in Valencia Called For But Failed
2011-03-24 | After anti-chapel demonstrations had taken place at Computense University in Madrid and Barcelona University, students of the University of Valencia called to march against chapel service at the Valencia School of Medicine. At the end, the rally did not take place.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=295
Member of Parliament Requests the Removal of Painting with a Cross from the Parliament
2011-03-24 | The representative of the "Left United", MP Antonio Juan Romero Losana, supported the request made by secularist campaigner Manuel Navarro to remove the crucifix located in the sessions room at the Almeria Parliament. Romero Losana affirmed: "the presence of the cross bothers me". The painting referred to was done by Romero Losada and displays a cross. It is displayed in the local parliament because it constitutes a part of the historic heritage of Almería and has high artistic value.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=396
Fire Set to Catholic Church in Barcelona
2011-03-23 | During the night of March 22th, early morning of March 23th, 2011, a group of radical feminists started a fire at the doors of San Vicenç Church, in the Sarriá neighbourhood, in Barcelona. According to the priest Manuel Valls this was the fifth attack against the church in the last three years.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=301
Non-Muslim Religious Communities in Turkey Face Obstacles in Using Places of Worship
2011-03-20 | Non-Muslim religious communities living in Turkey report difficulties opening, maintaining, and operating houses of worship. These groups may not build new churches because of the often arbitrary refusals to issue construction permits for places of worship. The reason behind this discriminatory behaviour is the fact that all unofficial meetings for religious minorities are considered potentially subversive.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=766
More Than 50 Graves Desecrated in Séjalan
2011-03-19 | More than fifty graves have been vandalized: funeral ornaments, flower pots and crucifix have been broken. Windows were damaged and tagged with the satanic number «666».
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=550
(Italy) European Court of Human Rights' Ban on Crucifixes in Public Schools Overturned
2011-03-18 | The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) had ruled on November 3rd, 2009, that the display of crucifixes in public schools restricted religious freedom. "The compulsory display of a symbol of a given confession in premises used by the public authorities ... restricted the right of parents to educate their children in conformity with their convictions." The judgment was overturned on March 18th, 2011.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=161
Italian School Rejects Cardinal’s Visit
2011-03-17 | An Italian school from Genova, Pertini-Diaz, rejected Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco’s visit. The spokesperson for Pertini-Diaz expressed concerns about the pastoral purpose of the visit, and the security staff that the cardinal would bring along with him. The Pertini-Diaz school would however welcome a non-pastoral visit.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=296
Vandalism in Madrid Church
2011-03-15 | The Ascensión del Señor Church, located in the Madrid suburb of Carabanchel, a working class neighborhood, has suffered the loss of their most precious sacred items, the chalice with the Eucharist and the Holy Oils. The Church, build 60 years ago in a poor vicinity, has no item of value, and "the burglars knew about it", affirms Francisco Pérez, the church Pastor. Fr. Perez adds: "They only took the most precious treasure for our community, the body of Christ".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=406
University Chapel Desecration at Complutense University in Madrid
2011-03-11 | On March 11, 2011, Paula Nieto, the President of the Students Union at the Complutense University in Madrid, reported incidents at the Moncloa campus law school chapel in a radio interview. According to Nieto, several students locked themselves in the chapel, smoked weed and drank beer, while making statements against the Catholic Church. Nieto argues the attacks come from an ultra-left student group named Contrapoder.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=302
Desecration of University Chapel
2011-03-10 | At Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) a group of 50 young people stormed the chapel of the Somosaguas university campus to protest against the Catholic Church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=287
Way of the Cross Vandalised in Castilla y Léon
2011-03-10 | The way of the Cross of the calvary of Bercianos de Aliste in the diocese of Zamora (Spain) was vandalised. Three ancient granite crosses were highly damaged. Father Lorenzo Martin, parish priest of San Mamed was shocked and filed a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=692
Pharmacy Does Not Sell “Morning-After-Pill” - Windows Shattered
2011-03-08 | The windows of a pharmacy in Berlin’s Neukölln district were shattered because the owner does not sell the so called “morning-after-pill” due to his catholic convictions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=290
Attempt to Silence Catholic Teacher
2011-03-07 | Catholic catechism teacher of a Zagreb primary school was accused of homophobia for staying in line with the Catholic Church teachings during catechism classes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=282
Government Requires Foster Parents to Affirm Homosexuality Rules UK High Court
2011-02-28 | Experienced foster parents lose rights to foster due to religious beliefs on homosexuality. Appeal to High Court lost.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=261
Trespassing and Thefts in Tarcin
2011-02-28 | On February 28th, 2011, an unknown number of people broke in the parish house of Tarcin and stole various objects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=680
Christian Grave Vandalised in Montecastello
2011-02-28 | A marble grave stone was destroyed and the tomb opened.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=725
Intolerance Against Christians in Serbia from 2008 to 2011: List of Incidents
2011-02-28 | Report on Religious Freedom Issues in Serbia: Read here a list of incidents of intolerance against Christians from November 2008 to February 2011.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=895
Tabernacle and Holy Communion Stolen in Moral de Hornuez
2011-02-27 | Media reports that the tabernacle containing the Holy Communion was stolen from San Cristóbal Parish in Moral de Hornuez (Segovia).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=410
"Get Bishops Out Of Our Law-Making" Demands Journalist
2011-02-25 | Under the headline: “Get bishops out of our law-making”, journalist Mr. Hari hit out at the bishops for voting against measures within the highly controversial Equality Bill and for their stance on end-of-life issues.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=279
Reporter Calls Church Homophobic Talking About the European Soccer Championship
2011-02-23 | Homosexual Polish soccer fans are demanding that a separate seating section be created at the 2012 European Soccer Championship in Poland; they claim that gays and lesbians might otherwise be subjected to harassment and violence. Associated Press Sports Editor, Ms. Terry Taylor, reported about this plea with the following comment: "Homophobia also remains deeply embedded in Poland because of the legacy of communism which treated homosexuality as a taboo and the teachings of the church in the predominantly Roman Catholic country."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=273
Christian Property Damaged in Sarajevo
2011-02-23 | On February 23rd, 2011 it was reported that someone had broken into a Christian parish house of Sarajevo and stolen property. A few days later, on February 28th, the same facts occurred in a Christian monastery of Sarajevo.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=679
Thefts in Sarajevo’s Cathedral
2011-02-23 | An unknown number of people broke in the Cathedral of Sarajevo, stole various objects and damaged the interior of the Christian place of worship.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=683
Universidad de Valladolid Bars Access to Chapel: "Whoever Wants to Pray, Go To the Field”
2011-02-22 | Due to “security reasons”, a glass panel has been set up in order to prevent any worshippers from entering the chapel of the University of Valladolid. The Christian student union “AJIO” met with the president of the university in order to express frustration over such a barrier. Their complaints were not heard, however, as the only answer received from the faculty remains, “God is everywhere. Go away to pray in the field.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=325
Church of Briosne-les-Sables Vandalised
2011-02-22 | The small church of Briosne-les-Sables was vandalized; the door was broken opened and the altar was damaged. Claude Trouillet, mayor of Briosne-les-Sables and the parish priest Father Jean-Marc have filed a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=693
Statue of Mary, Mother of Jesus, Destroyed in Church
2011-02-20 | Unknown perpetrators have destroyed a statue of the Virgin Mary by pulling it from the altar in a church in Schaan / Liechtenstein.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=289
Chapel of Caubin Vandalised
2011-02-19 | The Chapel of Caubin, a XIIth century Historical Monument was the target of vandalism on Saturday, February 19th. Three windows were broken open with stones, lanterns and projector destroyed and crosses of the cemetery broken into pieces.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=551
Communion Vessels Stolen From Church in Majadahonda
2011-02-18 | After a fire was set at the doors of Santa Catalina Mártir Church in Majadahonda on December 25th, 2010, the tabernacle containing two communion vessels was stolen in February 2011. The perpetrators used a lever to commit the crime, and took advantage of the fact that the Chuch doors remain open for prayers and meetings.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=409
Voice in Favor of Stopping Prayers at House of Commons Proceedings
2011-02-15 | A Conservative MP has said the House of Commons should stop saying prayers at the start of its proceedings. The contentious proposal could, Jo Johnson MP said, “save three or four minutes every day” and would better reflect the UK.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=278
Christian Drug Expert Sacked from Government Advisory Panel Over Gay Dispute
2011-02-14 | The Christian General Practitioner (GP) was sacked as a Government drugs adviser because he co-wrote a study linking homosexuality to paedophilia. In June 2011 he announced to take legal action to answer “increasing attempts” to marginalise Christians in public life.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=272
Cemetery Vandalised in Alès
2011-02-12 | Ten to twelve graves were desecrated in the cimetery of Silhol in Alès. Stone crosses were broken and thrown to the floor. Funeral ornaments were destroyed and the door of a tomb was damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=552
Christians Flee After Verbal Attacks and Threats
2011-02-10 | A Christian family of Kakanj suffered repeated verbal attacks and threats. They finally decided to leave their home as the pressure was becoming unbearable.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=688
One of the World's Oldest Monasteries Expropriated
2011-01-31 | The lands surrounding the Syrian-orthodox monastery of Mor Gabriel, near Midyat in South-Eastern Turkey, have been expropriated by Turkey’s supreme court. According to the verdict, the treasury of Turkey has a right to claim the lands.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=265
Suspension of Catholic Services at the University of Barcelona Due to Protests by Secular Students
2011-01-31 | At the University of Barcelona protests by a group of secular students against the Catholic liturgical service on campus, including the interruption of the service, led to a cancelation of the weekly Wednesday Mass - until the University would be able to guarantee the safety of attending students.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=269
EU High Representative Lady Ashton Deems Condemnation of Christian Persecution Politically Incorrect
2011-01-31 | EU Foreign Ministers rejected a draft resolution condemning the atrocities against Christian minorities in Egypt and Iraq, as they could not agree on the word ‘Christian’ in their draft statement in an effort to remain "politically correct."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=270
Religion Teacher Forced to Remove a Crucifix and an Icon
2011-01-30 | A Catholic religion teacher was forced to remove a cross and an icon from a wall of a shared office in a secondary school in Zújar, Spain because two teachers said they were "offended" by them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=264
Christian Pro Life Activist Sentenced for Expressing His Opinion
2011-01-25 | Mr. Günther Annen demonstrated in front of the abortion clinic of Dr. Karl-Heinz Jordan twice in August 2010, displaying a sign which said: „Why does Dr. Karl-Heinz Jordan kill unborn children?“ He was sentenced for insult to a penalty of 1500 € by the Darnstadt public prosecutor's office on Jan. 25, 2011.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=407
European Parliament Attacks Lithuanian Legislative Proposal Curbing Homosexualist Propaganda
2011-01-19 | The European Parliament has issued a condemnation of a Lithuanian bill that seeks to prohibit the “public promotion of homosexual relations.” The bill proposes fines of between €580 and €2,900; it has not yet been passed by the Plenary of the Lithuanian Parliament and is still under review.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=267
Stoning of a Church
2011-01-17 | On January 17th, 2011, the church of Blagan-Buna (Mostar) was attacked with stones and its windows crashed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=682
Church Partially Burned, Religious Symbols Put on Fire
2011-01-16 | A Christian Church building in Hérouville-Saint-Clair, the outskirts of Caen, was vandalized at about 6 am on a Sunday morning. The Church of St. Francis, partially burned, cannot not accommodate the faithful until rebuild.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=334
Vandalism at St. Barbara's in Peißenberg
2011-01-13 | A group of teenagers was causing great damage in the parish church of St. Barbara in Peißenberg over a longer period of time. They tossed down lamps, lit numerous candles and burnt death cards, rumpled altar cloths and stuffed them into the holy water vessel; they threw altar candles around in the church, and wrote with chalk on the church’s door.
The sacristan had to dump 40 liters of holy water twice, and clean the distribution vessel, in which the youth had urinated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=418
Pope Mocked in Controversial Cartoon
2011-01-10 | A satirical cartoon depicting Pope Benedict XVI was shown in Italy’s public television RAI2. In the cartoon, the Pope says about Silvio Berlusconi since he “likes minors, he can always become a priest”. This caused quite an uproar as it was considered as defamatory.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=288
Threats by Islamists against Coptic Churches in Europe
2011-01-06 | Christian Copts in Europe, particularly in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy, celebrated Christmas on January 6th under special police protection.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=251
Church Shattered and Partially Burned
2011-01-01 | On Saturday January 1st between 12 a.m. and 3 p.m. the church of Montfermeil was severely damaged and partially burned. According to sources, a group of individuals forced and broke the door to the place of worship with the help of a car. They then set fire to a bunch of paper that was inside the church. Thus, three additional rooms, including the room used for worship of children, were damaged and must now be rebuilt.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=333
Vandalism Against The Church of Aiguefonde
2011-01-01 | The parish church Sainte Claire of Aiguefonde (Tarn) was victim of series of vandalism attacks. Given the amount of the damage, the church will have to be completely restored in order to prevent the window and vault from collapsing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=691
EU Seemingly Pressured Moldova Into Strong Anti-Discrimination Legislation
2010-12-31 | The Council of the European Union proposed a visa liberalisation action plan for Moldova without much room for negotiations about the conditions: in a unilateral document, it was required to accept policies which would potentially infringe on the freedom of conscience or expression as well as that of religious institutions and organisations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=757
Parish Several Times Severly Attacked by Muslim Youth
2010-12-30 | Faithful of the parish St John in Avignon are being annoyed, often during the mass service, by insults and agressions, thefts, attempts of arson, and even a car bomb left by Muslim youth. The little community of Christians in a city which hosts an arabic-moslem majority begins to feel afraid of praying together. The parish priest understands that there is a "startling code of silence both for media and politics about the issue".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=441
Message at University: "Christians are like rats. Shoot Accurately"
2010-12-30 | An increasing wave of violence is experienced by students, faculty and staff who are used to attend mass at the University of Barcelona (UB). The media reported extensively a graffiti found in the university restrooms: "Christians are like rats. Shoot accurately". The students affirmed that messages were left also in their writing desks.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=472
Doctor Must Provide Fertility Treatment Without Regard to Conscientious Objection
2010-12-30 | Dr Boyle runs a fertility treatment service along Catholic guidelines at Galway clinic, which is a Catholic hospital. He was summoned before the Fitness to Practice Committee of the Medical Council in 2010 because he would not accept a cohabiting couple for treatment because of his belief on traditional marriage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=675
Barcelona City Council Approved Gay Monument in front of the Basilica Sagrada Familia.
2010-12-29 | The City Hall of Barcelona approved a monument to honor the gay, transsexual and lesbian lifestyle in front of Sagrada Familia, the Barcelona Basilica. The proximity of location as well as the political message in relation to the dedication of the Basilica is troubling to Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=475
Government Representative Verbally Attacks Catholic Church
2010-12-29 | Cayo Lara, the General Coordinator of the IU (United Left wing) told media that machismo and gender violence are strongly related to religious education. Lara also referred to the Catholic wedding vows in which partners should be united "until death", as proving "without any need of further discussion" that the Church is in favor of the discrimination of women and treats women as "the property of men."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=476
Turkish-Cypriot Police Raid Christian Church During Christmas Service
2010-12-25 | Police officers of the Turkish-Cypriot government entered a Greek-Orthodox Church in Rizokarpaso on December 25th 2010 and forced the priest to stop the Christmas morning liturgy. They coerced the priest and worshippers attending liturgy to leave the church and then locked its doors.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=250
Removal of Nativity Scenes and Christian Contents at Christmas
2010-12-24 | Manuel Ángel Rodríguez, City Hall representative of Oviedo, proposed the removal of nativities from any public building, specially schools. In 2009, Juan de Padilla school, in Toledo, suppressed every religious reference to Christmas but «Halloween», a foreign celebration to Spanish tradition, was welcomed. Nativity scenes and Christmas carols were replaced in the Toledo school, while decorated trees and the pagan character of Noel were permitted after two parents had complained about the religious connotation of the shepherds and the angels seen in the traditional manger.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=487
European Commission Omits Christmas in EU School Diary
2010-12-17 | The European Commission produced more than three million copies of an EU diary for secondary schools containing no reference to Christian festivals, but including those of Jewish, Hindu, Sikh and Muslim religions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=248
Pro-Life Manifestation Attacked, One Hospitalised
2010-12-11 | Peaceful protest of Catholic Youth pro-life Group "Jugend für das Leben“ violently attacked by pro-choice forces. Member hospitalised with concussion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=247
List of Attacks Against Christian Sexual Orientation Group
2010-12-10 | At a meeting on Freedom of Religion of OSCE/ODIHR in Vienna on Dec 9 and 10, the spokesperson of Wüstenstrom, a Christian NGO representing people with unwanted same-sex attractions, summarized a series of intolerance and attacks against them and their work. Find here the full text of his intervention.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=249
A Church Vandalised in Gourin, Brittany
2010-12-05 | A man destroyed much of the furniture of the Church of Gourin, probably on Sunday, December 5th in the afternoon. Benches, the harmonium, flower pots but also the altar, the tabernacle and stain glass windows were the targets.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=564
Mental Health Worker Threatened With Sack After Sharing Opinions About Post-Abortion Syndrome
2010-12-01 | Christian Mental Health worker suspended after talking to colleague informally about abortion risks and told „never to do this again“ and reinstated only several weeks later.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=253
Activists Force Spanish Cardinal to Cancel Lecture
2010-12-01 | Radical groups forced the Archdiocese of Madrid to cancel a speech of Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela scheduled to be held at the Autonomous University of Madrid.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=262
Harsh Persecution of Muslims Converted to Christianity
2010-12-01 | In Great Britain many converts from Islam to Christianity are forced to worship in secret at the risk of their own lives according to the report of the French Internet Portal “Observatoire de l’islamisation” which resulted in a report broadcasted 2010 on British TV.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=829
Conservative Party Councillor Gets Suspended After Objecting Gay Talks in a School
2010-11-25 | A conservative party councillor in Bristol has been “voluntarily suspended” and asked by the party to meet with homosexualist activists after he objected to appearances by a homosexualist campaigner and actor, Sir Ian McKellen, at local schools.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=263
Public Funds Used in Campaign Against Catholic Church
2010-11-25 | Government funded atheist forum at the occasion of the Pope's visit to Barcelona concludes that "there was an increase of conflicts with a religious background, religious leaders used faith to subjugate the world, religious hierarchy attacked democracy, and religion restricted the exercise of freedom of conscience."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=516
"Santo Ángel" School in Albacete Reported For Offering Students the Opportunity to Pray
2010-11-22 | A small group of parents of Santo Angel School reported the School’s Catholic Center to the Ministry of Education of Murcia for "radical ideas” for organizing an optional weekly praying hour.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=343
Catholic School Fined For Not Hiring a Protestant Teacher
2010-11-12 | A Catholic national school found guilty of ''discrimination'' by Equality Tribunal and fined more than €12,000 for not hiring a Protestant teacher.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=259
Statues of Mary, Mother of Jesus, Covered in Condoms in Art Exhibit
2010-11-10 | The lower Austrian main building of government (NÖ-Landhaus) hosts an exhibition which displays Mary, the mother of Jesus, covered in a condom and sperma. This exhibition is funded by public money and approved by governor Erwin Pröll.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=239
Atheist Father Obtains Withdrawal of Crucifix in Bavarian Highschool Despite Other Parent's Protests
2010-11-10 | An atheist father obtains the withdrawal of a crucifix in his son’s classroom in Regensburg (Bavaria, Germany) despite the opposition of the majority of parents. Morning prayer was changed to a neutral “Good Morning Circle”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=254
Political Spokeswoman States That "The Church in Spain is Sustained Tick”
2010-11-10 | In a session the Government, the spokeswoman of Esquerra Republicana, Joan Ridao, has called the Catholic Church in Spain to be "a kind of sustained, a luxury tick" (“mantenida y garrapata”).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=341
Generalitat Catalana and Government Fund a Forum Against Public Presence of Catholic Church
2010-11-10 | The Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Equality, the Generalitat of Catalonia, Barcelona City Council and La Caixa funded the Forum Libertat 2010 on the same days on which the historic visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Santiago and Barcelona took place. The Forum advocated the withdrawal of the public presence of the Catholic Church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=342
“Ortega y Gasset” School in Almendralejo (Badajoz) Forced to Remove Crucifixes From Classrooms
2010-11-09 | The parents of two students of the public school Ortega y Gasset in Almendralejo (Badajoz) succeeded in their campaign to remove crucifixes from classrooms and prohibit religious ceremonies. The school parent association, who opposes these decisions, called for a protest.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=339
Threats and Attempts of Fire in a Church Near Avignon
2010-11-06 | Saint-John’s parish near Avignon has been the target of a number of threats and intimidations: insulting tags in the church’s walls, feces thrown on the church, a young man even entered the church during mass, urinated and screamed to the parishioners: “we’ll toast you all in fire, you and your church”. A fire was also started in a tree growing against the church, probably in order to burn the church itself. Father Gabriel, the parish priest, regrets and condemns “an increasingly aggressive and violent climate”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=565
Gay Activists Attack Orthodox Protesters in Moscow
2010-11-03 | A group of male gay rights activists attacked members of the Orthodox youth movement "Georgievtsy!" outside the Council of Europe office in Moscow, who gathered against the European Court of Human Rights ruling declaring Russia's ban on gay pride marches illegal.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=371
Head of Belgian Catholic Church Could Face Charges of Homophobia For Controversial Speech
2010-11-02 | Msgr. Leonard faces accusations of homophobia for expressing controversial positions on the causes of HIV/AIDS.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=238
Faithful Stoned During Mass at Carcassonne
2010-11-02 | The 150 faithful attending holy mass on Tuesday, November 2nd, in the Church of Saint Jacques du Viguier were the target of two teenagers who entered the church to throw stones on the faithful. An eldery person was slightly injured and a statue of the virgin Mary was damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=589
Code of Conduct Could Target Religion Teachers
2010-11-01 | The Teaching Council of Ireland is using a Code of Professional Conduct that could lead to religion teachers being found guilty of “professional misconduct” for teaching core parts of their faith.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=255
Crucifix Desecrated by a Pig’s Head in Bellocq
2010-11-01 | On the road to Lahontan, in Bellocq, south of Daw, a Calvary scened called Palin, was covered by an entire pig’s head, attached to the wood by a piece of string.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=566
Greek Orthodox Church Struggles to Survive
2010-10-30 | The Greek-Orthodox Church, school, and community in Turkey has been gradually stripped of rights by the Turkish government. European law organizations declare this a violation of human rights.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=313
Tabernacle and Holy Sacrament Desecrated in Billière
2010-10-29 | Vandals broke in the XIIth century church of Saint Laurent de Billière, near Pau, on Friday, October 29th. The tabernacle was forced opened and the consecrated hosts scattered on the ground.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=567
University Supports Profane Show Despite of Students and Staff´s Complaints
2010-10-28 | The Dean of University of Valladolid, Marcos Sacristán, after being warned about the blasphemous content of Leo Bassi´s play, decided to offer the university premises for its performance. Students and staff of University of Valladolid had requested Dean Sacristan to ban the play because of its offensive content.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=462
Mountain Guide Destroys Mountain Top Crosses
2010-10-28 | The Swiss mountain guide Patrick Bussard vandalized and destroyed three crosses on tops of mountains in 2010 after he had conducted a petition against religious symbols in public. He faced a fine for property damage and violating freedom of religion in January 2012.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=522
"Free-Thinkers" Take Action Against the Presence of Crosses On Mountaintops
2010-10-24 | The "free-thinkers" of Switzerland, the association of people without religious confession (Vereinigung der Konfessionslosen), are campaigning for a ban of religious symbols not only in public institutions, but also all mountain should be cleared of them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=256
127 Graves Desecrated in Igny-Comblizy
2010-10-23 | 61 headstones were revered and their crosses unsealed and another 66 graves also but less heavily damaged. Graves, headstones, flowerpots and funerary objects were thrown all around the cemetery.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=568
Saint-Louis Church in Brest Tagged
2010-10-21 | Anti-Catholic and Satanic symbols were found on the walls and doors of the church of Saint-Louis in Brest. Elected officials are shocked and say in a written statement: “All places of worship, whatever they are, are places that must be respected.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=569
Government Representatives Verbally Attack Catholic Church
2010-10-15 | Oriol Amorós, the Immigration State Secretary in Cataluña, during a radio interview broadcast by RAC1 declared "Between the Pope and the Iman of Lérida, I have difficulties to make my mind. They are two version of too conservative and retrograde religions."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=477
Lutheran Church in Michalovce Vandalised
2010-10-14 | On October 14, 2010, the Lutheran Church in Michalovce was found seriously damaged. It had been broken into, possibly by Satanist, who had turned the major cross upside down, burnt the altar vestments, damaged the baptismal font, and wrote insults to God and saints onto the altar.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=882
Steady Increase of Desecrating Acts in French Cemeteries
2010-10-12 | Ongoing: A report of the Gendarmerie Nationale underlines the fact that most desecrations since 2005 have been aimed at Christian cemeteries and other Christian places of worship.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=233
Mother Denied to Bury her Executed Son According to her Christian Faith
2010-10-12 | Mother of an executed prisoner cannot pray at her son's tomb. It is unclear whether he had seen a priest before execution.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=235
Call for “Islamic Crusade” Sprayed on Church in Strasbourg
2010-10-12 | The Catholic church of Saint Florent in Strasbourg was vandalised by Islamists who spray painted the door of the church, calling for an Islamic Crusade. One could read in black marker on both wings of the door: “Jerusalem to the Muslims” and “The Crusade for an Islamic Holy Land.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=570
Church Sainte Madeleine Tagged in Besançon
2010-10-10 | “All catho are bastards” and other anti-Catholic symbols were tagged on the church Sainte Madeleine in Besançon. Mgr Lacrampe, bishop of Besançon issued a statement in which he says: "During the night of October 9th to 10th, individuals wrote on the door of the church of Sainte Madeleine in Besançon abusive language against Catholics. I strongly condemn these irresponsible acts which lack of respect towards the public building as well as towards the community to whom it is entrusted. I reaffirm that nothing can justify the hatred of others or contempt for people and their faith."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=571
Theft and Desecration in Bazas’ Cathedral
2010-10-09 | An unknown number of burglars entered the cathedral, broke-opened the tabernacle and took a 1930 monstrance of brass and wood. They also broke several stained windows. For Father Arnaud, the parish priest, “this attacks the very essence of our faith.” He experienced this burglary as “a sacrilege and a desecration,” he said.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=572
Humanists Campaign to Stop the Noah's Ark Zoo Farm Because it Says that God Created the World
2010-10-07 | BHA (British Humanist Association) has called on the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, North Somerset Council, Visit Britain and South West England to shut down the zoo. The secular group claims that the zoo is misleading tens of thousands of visitors annually and ‘threatening public understanding’ by questioning the traditional view of evolution.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=229
MP McCafferty Attempted to Restrict Freedom of Religion and Conscience
2010-10-07 | Former British MP Christine McCafferty urged the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to recommend limitations to conscientious objection when it comes to abortion. The draft report contained a limitation of freedom of conscience to individuals. Objecting individuals would have faced restrictions and blacklisting. The draft, aiming at discriminating against Christians, was voted down on October 7th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=234
Painter Exhibits “Madonna Carrying Hitler Child”
2010-10-06 | Exhibition in Italian city Salemi shows a painting of Madonna holding child Hitler. Jewish and Christian Church leaders have condemned the display.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=227
Polish Minister Excluded From EU-Jury Because of “Homophobic” Statement
2010-10-03 | Polish equality minister Elzabieta Radziszewska not asked to be a jury-member for this year’s EU journalism award “Together against Discrimination” after explaining rights of schools with regard to employing homosexual teachers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=226
No Place of Worship for Christians
2010-09-30 | In a report released in September 2010, the Association of Protestant Churches details the fundamental problems faced by Christians in Turkey. Among them, the place of worship is a troublesome one.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=308
Vandalism in Austrian Church Building
2010-09-29 | Repeated vandalism including defecation committed by youth in church building in Upper Austria.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=225
Severe Restriction on Conscientious Objection
2010-09-28 | Administration interprets freedom of conscience so narrowly that only those directly involved in the objected surgical act of abortion are allowed to invoke the right to "conscientious objection".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=236
Chapel Desecrated in Bastia, Corsica
2010-09-26 | The chapel of the crypt of Notre-Dame de Lourdes, in Bastia, was attacked most likely on Monday, September 27th. The altar was sprayed with urine and statues of the Virgin were plunged into a water vase, head down.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=573
20 Graves Damaged in Frontenay-Rohan-Rohan
2010-09-21 | About twenty graves were desecrated, tombstones and memorial plaques scattered in the Catholic cemetery of Frontenay-Rohan-Rohan.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=574
(Excursus) Muslim Wipes Website of Lawyer Who Helped Convert
2010-09-15 | Mr. Stemberger, a US lawyer who successfully defended Rifqa Bary, a teenage Christian convert from Islam, has had his organisation’s website destroyed by a Muslim hacker. Obscene message stating intent left on site.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=223
Summary of Anti-Christian Incidents in Occupied Cyprus
2010-09-10 | The U.S. House of Representatives deplores: the inability of Orthodox Christians, clergy and other religious communities to access and hold services at their place of worship and cemeteries in the north; the disrepair of churches and cemeteries and the preservation of religious heritage (iconography, mosaics, and other religious symbols); the lack of schools and perspectives for young people in the north.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=749
Attacks on Pro Life Activists
2010-09-07 | Ongoing attacks against sidewalk-counseling pro life activists in Vienna filmed and published online.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=221
(Scotland) BBC Displays "Consistent Anti-Christian institutional Bias"
2010-09-05 | Scottish Cardinal O'Brien says that detailed research into BBC news coverage of Christianity revealed a consistent anti-Christian institutional bias.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=222
Statue of the Mary Removed At School in Malaga
2010-09-03 | A statue of the Virgin of Fuensanta (local patron) at the Carazony college in Malaga was removed in September at the request of parents. Another group of parents launched a campaign to ask for it to be reinstated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=336
Church Vandalised in Juniville
2010-08-26 | During the night of August 26th to 27th, the church of Juniville has been attacked and vandalised: candles were thrown on the ground, the tabernacle was broken and posters were torn and burned on the ground.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=575
Parliament Attempt to Undermine Religion from the Public Square
2010-08-24 | The political parties Esquerra Republicana, Izquierda Unida, and Iniciativa per Catalunya Verds, requested Parliament to pass a law to remove any religious sign and faith-related traditions -specially those related to Catholicism-, from the public square.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=473
Cemetery Vandalised in Laon
2010-08-22 | During the night of Saturday 21st to Sunday 22nd of August, about fifty graves in the German military cemetery of Laon were vandalised. Crosses were extracted from the ground or completely broken.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=576
Pro Life Abortion Protestors Arrested
2010-08-10 | Two Christian pro-life protesters were arrested twice by Police in Brighton and await the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service to see if they will face a Criminal Prosecution.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=224
Cemetery Vandalised in Hénin-Beaumont
2010-08-08 | Fifteen graves and a Catholic chapel have been targeted. A cross was destroyed. Among the graves vandalised, three vaults were particularly damaged. The doors of three grave buildings were broken open and their windows broken. On other graves, funerary objects such as crosses or flowers pots were broken and scattered all around the cemetery.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=577
The Ecumenical Patriarch in Turkey Cannot Use His Ecclesiastical Title
2010-08-01 | Patriarch Bartholomew leads 250 million Orthodox Greeks worldwide. The community in Turkey has dwindled to a few thousand. The Turkish government refuses to recognize the title Ecumenical Patriarch, or Bartholomew's role as an international religious leader. A journalist from CBS asked Bartholomew about his feelings, he said that he felt “crucified” by the difficulties he faces every day in Turkey.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=764
Oxford University Lecturer Discriminated Against After Converting to Christianity
2010-07-29 | Dr Tali Argov overlooked for promotion, stripped of her privileges and ill-treated at social gatherings, after converting from Judaism to Christianity.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=217
Conscience Rights of Health Care Workers Violated
2010-07-28 | Spain’s government is systematically violating the conscience rights of health care workers on abortion, says a group of legal experts that is now taking action to restore those rights.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=345
Severe Restrictions on Homeschooling
2010-07-28 | Sweden’s parliament gave a crushing blow to parental rights passing a law that makes homeschooling legal only in “extraordinary circumstances.” The law excludes religious or philosophical convictions as legitimate reasons for home education.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=523
Church of Pouan-les-Vallées Wrecked
2010-07-27 | The XIIIth and XVIth century’s church of Saint-Pierre-les-Vallées in Pouan was wrecked in the night of July 26th. An employee noticed the knocked over Cross in the church’s courtyard. As he went to inspect the rest of the church, he saw the disastrous state of the church: crucifixes overturned, glass chandeliers smashed to pieces on the pavement, stations of the Cross burnt, an altar overthrown and the ogive vault overlooking the high altar very damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=578
Church Wrecked in Limoux
2010-07-24 | In the parish Church of Limoux, the chandeliers, the statue and the crucifix which decorated the tabernacle were overthrown and vandalized. They laid on the ground, bent or broken, when the acts were discovered. Behind the altar, the nativity scene and the chapel of the Virgin Mary were wrecked. The church is open continuously, visitors discovered the damage in the beginning of the afternoon and called the police. The police had to close the church for the afternoon but it could be reopened for a scheduled evening concert.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=555
Church Desecrated in Echillais
2010-07-18 | On Monday July 21st, the sacristan of the medieval church of Echillais discovered that the church had be stained, desecrated and that the vandals had probably entered in it with there scooters.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=556
Street Dedicated to Anti-Christian War Criminal
2010-07-07 | The City of Santa Pau in Girona dedicated a street to the former mayor Joan Pinsach, who commanded the execution of priests in 1936 during the Civil War, as approved by mayor Esther Badosa.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=335
Lower House of Irish Government Passes Civil Partnership Bill
2010-07-05 | Lead politicians backing the bill refuse to allow a conscience clause; opposition parties claim that the objections of Christians are being ignored.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=214
Playboy Magazine Displays Photos of Jesus Christ With Topless Models
2010-07-01 | Playboy’s Portuguese edition after it publishes photos depicting Jesus Christ among topless Playboy models, allegedly in a tribute to author Jose Sarmago.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=216
100,000 Euro Fine For Christian Broadcaster
2010-07-01 | Spain's government fined the Christian television network 100,000 euros for running a series of advertisements in favor of the family and opposing homosexual lifestyle.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=218
Police Raid Office of Catholic Church Officials
2010-06-24 | Belgian officials search the offices of the Catholic Church in Belgium. The raid has been condemned by the Pope and investigation is underway to determine its lawfulness.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=213
English Footballer Prevented From Mentioning Religion
2010-06-17 | A Football Association official prevented a prominent footballer for England’s World Cup team from talking about his Christian faith to reporters during a press conference.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=211
Case Against Turkish Christians Ongoing Despite Lack of Evidence
2010-06-11 | Turkish attorneys now in fourth year of prosecuting two Christians for allegedly slandering Islam; despite the lack of any concrete evidence to support their claims, Turkish courts are continuing prosecution.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=197
Police Tell Christian that it’s a Crime to Say Homosexuality is a Sin
2010-06-08 | A moderate Christian preacher, Andy Robertson, was wrongly told by a police officer Gainsborough, Lincolnshire that it is a crime to publicly express the religious belief that homosexual conduct is sinful.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=243
Christianity Marginalised in Religious Education Courses in English Schools
2010-06-06 | English schools failing to teach pupils about basic Christian beliefs in religious education lessons, according to a new report by education “watchdog”, Ofsted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=201
Catholic Bishop Murdered in Turkey
2010-06-03 | Catholic bishop Luigi Padovese was fatally stabbed in his home in Turkey. Driver confessed to the murder, yet motive remains unclear.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=196
Longstanding Tradition of Army's Corpus Christi Procession Ended
2010-05-31 | The Corpus Christi procession, a landmark celebration that takes place in Toledo, Spain, every year was modified to comply with a new regulation issued by the Defense State Department. While traditionally the army rendered honors to the Catholic holy symbol the Eucharist (which was granted under a special provision of the Army’s legal code), Carme Chacón, the Minister of Defense, modified the Code to end the long standing tradition of the army’s involvement in the Corpus Christi celebration.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=503
Personal Experiences of Marginalisation at the Workplace
2010-05-29 | Evangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes at the workplace with a special focus on the medical profession.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=532
Personal Experiences of Marginalisation in the Area of Education
2010-05-28 | Evangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes with regard to education.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=526
Personal Experiences of Marginalisation in the Media
2010-05-28 | Evangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes with regard to the media.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=527
Personal Experiences of Marginalisation with Regard to Hiring Venues
2010-05-28 | Evangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes with regard to hiring venues.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=529
Personal Experiences of Marginalisation with Regard to Hiring Venues
2010-05-28 | Evangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes with regard to hiring venues.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=530
Personal Experiences of Repression of Religious Symbols and Public Prayer
2010-05-28 | Evangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes with regard to religious symbols and prayer in public.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=531
Personal Experiences of Marginalisation in the Area of Adoption and Fostering
2010-05-26 | Evangelical Premier Media conducted a survey called "Freedom of the Cross Consultations" in May 2010. 12 % of the respondants answered that they had experienced discrimination personally, another 10% that they knew someone who had. Read here some quotes with regard to "Adoption and Fostering".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=525
Christian Cemetery Vandalised
2010-05-14 | Acts of vandalism in cemetery target Christian graves in particular.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=205
Church Burglarised and Vandalised
2010-05-13 | Unidentified criminals burglarised and vandalised a Catholic church in Switzerland. The act included desecration of the Eucharist and of the Bible.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=204
Blessed Sacrament Chapel Vandalised in Salindres
2010-05-13 | An unknown individual vandalized the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament of the church of Saint André de Salindres and urinated in the chapel.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=557
Church Compared to Mafia in European Parliament
2010-05-12 | In a meeting on child abuse, European Parliament Platform for Secularism says that Roman Catholic Church is protecting criminals and that its behavior is comparable to that of the Sicilian Mafia.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=195
Street Preacher Arrested for Comment on Homosexuality as a Sin
2010-05-12 | Street Preacher Dale McAlpine was arrested after stating to a passersby that homosexuality was a sin. After seven hours in a police cell, McAlpine was released. (video footage available!)
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=206
Several Attacks on Churches Recorded
2010-05-01 | The renowned daily reports on a noticeable rise in quality and quantity of attacks against Church buildings.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=219
Christian Password Cause for Bullying
2010-04-29 | “In the workplace, just having a Christian related password on my computer, got me into
trouble - I was insulted by management. This was the start of ongoing bullying,” says an respondent who wishes to remain anonymous.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=553
28-Year-Old Postal Employee Dismissed For Refusing to Distribute Sex-Flyers
2010-04-21 | The postal worker Emmanuel N. was fired because he refused to distribute erotic flyers on the grounds of his Christian faith.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=823
Anti-theist authors call for Pope’s Arrest
2010-04-20 | Dawkins and Hitchens are accusing Pope Benedict of committing crimes against humanity and calling for his arrest when he sets foot on British soil in the fall.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=207
Birth Place of Josef Ratzinger Vandalised
2010-04-13 | In the night of April 13th the birthplace of Josef Ratzinger, now Benedict XVI, was vandalised. The house in Marktl am Inn was sprayed on with "insulting contents".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=220
Magazine Cover Page Blasphemes Image of Christ
2010-04-09 | German Magazine sparks outrage by portraying profane image mocking Catholic Church and blaspheming image of Christ on the crucifix.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=209
Parents Arrested After Refusing Their Children's Participation in a Sex Ed Play
2010-04-08 | Christian parents arrested and imprisoned up to 40 days when they refused to allow their children to participate in a mandatory sexual education program.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=210
Church in Nizna Village Vandalised During Easter Holiday
2010-04-06 | Spray-painters tagged the church in the Nižná village with rude writings and fascist signs on April 6, at the time of the most important Christian festivities.
The writings were about one meter high in size and in black colour. The vandals also damaged the near-by standing monument. A similar incident had taken place during Christmas the year before.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=880
New Educational Program Spreads Secularist Ideas: 55.000 Parents Opt Out
2010-04-01 | 375 Christian parents lodge complaint with European Court of Human Rights as the mandatory school curriculum is antithetical to their moral convictions. After five years of public debate and much engagement on the side of the parents, the subject was abolished on Jan 31, 2012.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=237
(International) New York Times With Anti-Christian Bias
2010-03-26 | The New York Times set firmly on Pope Benedict in its front page coverage of the fallout of the sex abuse crisis in the Catholic Church. Poor journalism with anti-Christian bias.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=189
Attempt to Legally Qualify Catholic Church as Criminal Organisation
2010-03-25 | Vienna-based lawyer Georg Zanger wants to sue leading members of the Catholic Church on grounds of membership in a criminal organisation (§ 278a StGB, Austrian Code of Penal Law).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=177
Obligatory Classes Offending Christian Parents at ECtHR
2010-03-25 | Over 300 parents and children filed a lawsuit with the European Court of Human Rights on the grounds that Spain’s compulsory “Education in Citizenship” classes promote sexual promiscuity and abortion and provide materials that mock Christianity. In 2012, the Spanish government stopped the programme.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=198
Non-Muslim Communities Face Problems with Obtaining Legal Personality
2010-03-25 | Various non-Muslim organised religious groups continue to deal with difficulties in Turkish society that seems to refuse to them the right to legal personality. The main implications of this problematic situation lie in their property rights, their access to justice and their ability to raise funds.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=761
(International) Media Bias Against Christianity
2010-03-24 | Catholic League presents several examples of media bias against Christians in the United States, mainly around sex abuse scandals. US media is also widely in use in Europe.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=171
Anti-Christian Graffiti on Church Wall
2010-03-23 | A day after a pro-life manifestation had taken place in Plaza Nueva, Seville, a graffiti was found on one of the walls of San Román Church. The graffiti displayed the phrase: "Put your rosary away from our ovaries". The church wall was cleaned on the same day after a public outcry on intolerance and vandalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=504
(Scotland) Street Preacher Arrested and Fined £1000 In Glasgow After Night in Jail
2010-03-19 | A street preacher has been arrested and fined £1000 in Glasgow for telling passersby, in answer to a direct question, that homosexual activity is a sin. He was sentenced for “homophobic remarks…aggravated by religious prejudice.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=190
Church Left In Ruins After Fire in Westry
2010-03-19 | A 19th century Cambridgeshire church has been gutted following a massive fire, reportedly started when yobs set Bibles and prayer books alight. The horrific fire in Westry, near March, left the village church in tatters with only the external brickwork remaining.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=593
Theft and Tabernacle Desecrated in Quimper
2010-03-18 | The church of Sainte Clair of Quimper was burglarized on the night of Thursday, March 18th, 2010. The tabernacle was also desecrated. Burglars broke into the church; all the furniture were forced-open, the liturgical cloths thrown to the ground and every room was carefully searched including the bell tower. But in the end, visitors left with only a CD player and a microphone.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=558
Church Vandalised in Arras
2010-03-16 | The Bible was thrown to the ground, tiles were broken, benches overturned, flower pots broken in the parish church of Arras. It is not the first time damage was noted in this church. This case of vandalism deeply shocked Father Berthe, who evokes the "lack of respect while the good news of Jesus' love is a source of hope for everyone."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=559
Company Sued After Refusing to Serve a Gay Promotion
2010-03-10 | A Dutch marketing company was sued after refusing to print bath towels that supposed to be an advertistment for promoting homosexual behaviour. The company had declared on their website that they are not interested in orders that are conflicting with their Christian beliefs and morals. Invoking the Equal Treatment Commission (ETC), the company was accused of not fulfilling a service that was beneficial for the general public and discrimination against certain social groups.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1527
Secularists Attempt to Ban Catholic Services from European Parliament
2010-02-28 | A group of socialists, communists, liberals and greens, headed by Dutch liberal Sophie in’t Veld and German green Franziska Brantner seek to ban the Catholic Service which has been in place in Strasbourg for 11 years.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=176
Crosses Removed From Hospital Walls and Thrown Into Trash Bags
2010-02-25 | Twelve crosses were removed from the walls of the surgery unit of the public hospital of Bad Soden, Germany, in February, while patients were watching.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=168
Desecration of Christian Churches on the Rise
2010-02-25 | Graffiti on church walls, destruction of religious art, and desecration of objects of worship becoming increasingly commonplace in France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=203
Gay Service Disruption and Priest Sued over Communion Refusal
2010-02-24 | Openly homosexual activists disrupt Catholic services for refusing Holy Communion to open homosexuals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=166
Sex-Ed Bill Passed in House of Commons Forcing Schools to Promote Homosexuality, Abortion. Later On Dropped
2010-02-24 | Controversial sex ed bill passed in the house of commons and only later turned down as a legislative project. Under the bill, schools, both religious and secular, would have had to give children information on homosexual relationships as well as artificial contraception and abortion, including on how to obtain abortions and contraceptives. Catholic and Anglican schools would have been required to promote abortion, contraception, “civil partnerships” and homosexuality as “normal and harmless.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=167
Fire Set in Famous Vienna Catholic Church
2010-02-19 | Two glass doors were broken and fire set on the altar under the tabernacle. Fire did not spread and was extinguished by itself.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=159
Street Preacher Arrested Over Comments About Homosexual Activity
2010-02-19 | A district judge has thrown out the case against another street preacher, Paul Shaw, who was arrested on February 19 in Colchester over comments he made about homosexual activity.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=191
Cemetery Desecrated in Oxelaëre
2010-02-18 | 47 graves were vandalized in Oxelaëre, in Northern France. They were all Christian graves and many of them were tagged with swastika, injurious words and various grafiti. Mayor Stéphane Dieusaert exclaims: "It is pathetic."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=560
Mother Jailed Upon Taking Son Out of Sex Ed
2010-02-17 | A mother of eight was detained on February 17th to spend eight days in a prison. She had refused to send her nine-year-old-son to school on grounds of her objection to sex education.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=164
IPPF Stereotypes Catholic Church
2010-02-17 | According to pro-contraception and pro-abortion NGO International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Catholics are indistinguishable from Islamists: “Fundamentalist and other religious groups—the Catholic Church and madrasas (Islamic schools) for example—have imposed tremendous barriers that prevent young people, particularly, from obtaining information and services related to sex and reproduction.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=165
Provocation of Christians in Front of Church by Gay Activists
2010-02-15 | Gay activists plan mass kissing provocation in front of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. Counterdemonstrations led to new location while a few remained there.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=169
Catholic Foster Care Forced to Close due to Bill on Gay Marriage
2010-02-01 | Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Washington has ended its foster-care program and will end its adoption program as well. At issue was the right of the archdiocese to reject gay marriage and remain a city contractor; a bill legalizing same-sex marriage recently passed in the District.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=163
Non-Muslim Identity Card Holders in Turkey Face Discriminatory Practices
2010-02-01 | Personal documents of Turkish citizens include information on religion, leaving potential for discriminatory practices. Examples include reports of harassment by local officials of persons who converted from Islam to other religions and wanted to change their ID cards.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=765
Arson in Church in Bourges
2010-01-29 | The fire was set in the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, near the choir, in the middle of previously stacked chairs. Firefighters quickly controlled the fire, but a significant amount of smoke spread into the building. The fire fortunately did not damage the walls and paintings in the chapel. For the police officers as well as for the parish priest, Father Massip, the fire was with no doubt of intentional origin.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=561
Graves Vandalised in Calvados
2010-01-28 | Thirty-six graves were targeted in the cemetery of Biéville-Beuville, in Calvados, near Caen. Many crosses were reversed and funeral ornaments wrecked.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=562
The United States grants Asylum to German Home Schooling Family
2010-01-28 | “Because of a substantiated fear of persecution”, an American judge on immigration matters argued, the United States is granting political Asylum to a German couple and their children, who are fleeing from compulsory education in Germany.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=803
On-Air Insult in Talkshow
2010-01-19 | “A child's life can be destroyed by two things: Christianity and pornography".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=158
Cemetery Vandalised in Croissy-sur-Seine
2010-01-17 | The cemetery of Croissy-sur-Seine was desecrated on Wednesday, January 17th. Crosses were broken and headstones were wrecked. No mention of the incident was made in the media.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=563
Wearing of Cross Prohibited, Scarves Allowed
2010-01-14 | “I work for the local NHS Trust and female nurses are not allowed to wear a small necklace with a cross. But it seems unfair that Muslim women are allowed to cover their heads with scarves,” says a respondent who wishes to remain anonymous.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=554
Report Published: 84 Pages of Incidents of Marginalisation of Christians
2009-12-31 | The Christian Institute published a report called "Marginalising Christians", cataloguing numerous cases of Christians being sidelined by public bodies, popular media, employers and facing barriers to public funding.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=170
Vandalism in Bushat, Shkodër
2009-12-31 | Violation of the Catholic Cemetery; desecration of graves, as well as, the demolition of a cross in Bushat, Shkodër, were reported. Police did not apprehend the perpetrators.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=173
Countless Numbers of Desecrations in 2009
2009-12-31 | Countless Christian Churches and cemeteries desecrated and vandalized in 2009. Find here a selected overview.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=175
Graffiti on Church Buildings
2009-12-31 | Graffiti on several church buildings, presumably by satanic groups: Two incidents were reported to the police in 2008, one in 2009.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=185
Hate Crimes Against Christians 2009
2009-12-31 | Find here a list of cases for the year 2009 which was brought to our attention .
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=188
Polish Catholic Magazine Fined for Anti-Abortion Editorial
2009-12-31 | In 2009 the Roman Catholic Polish magazine, Gosc Niedzielny (Sunday Visitor) was fined nearly €25,000 for an anti-abortion editorial.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=781
Churches and Cemeteries Vandalized
2009-12-27 | In 2008 and 2009 several isolation cases of vandalizing of churches took place in various parts of Lithuania. These cases include on breaking into churches and vandalizing cemeteries, presumably by satanic groups.
Some cases were reported to the police.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=186
Hooliganism and Murder of Orthodox Priest in Russian Podolsk District
2009-12-22 | The orthodox archpriest was shot dead by criminals after he admonished them for hooliganism. The killers came to the church and defecated in the hallway. The priest asked them to stop their acting and was shot to death.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=837
Christmas Wordings Substituted
2009-12-21 | Christmas wordings were substituted by non-religious phrases on countless occasions. Phrases range from “seasonal greetings” to “may your celebration be under a good star” to "white seasons songs" in all European countries. A very interesting report has reached us from an employee of a global corporation based in Switzerland.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=153
Christian Teacher Sacked From Her Job For Offering To Pray For Sick Girl
2009-12-21 | ‘I feel if I had spoken about almost any other topic I would have been fine but Christianity is seen as a no-go area. It felt as if I was being treated as a criminal. It is like a bad dream that had come true,’ says sacked teacher Olive Jones.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=156
Due Diligence Omitted in Anti-Christian Newspiece
2009-12-16 | Due diligence omitted in questionable article in German daily Die Zeit wrongly accusing Christians of being in favour of radical law in Uganda. Complaint to Press Council lodged by professor of journalism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=154
Eight Christian Fathers Jailed for Removing Children from Sex-Ed Class
2009-12-11 | Eight families in Salzkotten, Germany, have suffered heavy fines and now their fathers have been sentenced to prison, because they have refused to send their elementary school-age children to mandatory sexual education classes. State wants “to prevent parallel societies.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=150
Several Acts of Vandalism in Derventa.
2009-12-10 | Several acts of vandalism against the church of Derventa were reported in December 2009. Vandals attempted to break in the church, destroyed windows, damaged the cemetery and destroyed lights and decorations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=721
Draft Bill In Discussion Banning Religion From Public Life
2009-12-09 | The advent season is used by Belgian anti-religious politicians to propose ban of religious symbols on objects serving a public function and a ban on religious traditions of public life.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=148
Christian Couple Arrested After Offending Muslim Woman
2009-12-09 | A Christian hotelier couple who expressed their Christian beliefs to Muslim guest during a discussion of religion were subsequently arrested for disrupting public order. Charges were later dismissed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=212
Gay Students Disrupt Lecture At Cologne University
2009-12-07 | Homosexual students disrupted a lecture of Protestant philosopher Prof. Edith Düsing at Cologne University. The students made noise and used kissing and banners due to her support of a manifesto in May 2009 protesting the cancellation of an academic lecture at a psychology congress on grounds of the speakers’ research on healing homosexuality.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=149
International Social Survey Program Finds Intolerance Against Christians in Turkey
2009-12-01 | The International Social Survey Program - a 45-nation academic group - finds that nearly 40 percent of population has negative view of Christians. 49 percent of those surveyed said they would either "absolutely" or "most likely" not support a political party that accepted people from another religion. No non-Muslim religious gathering in Turkey is completely "risk free."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=146
Family Pays Fine for Home Schooling their Children for Religious Reasons
2009-11-27 | A couple from northern Hessen (Germany) had to pay a fine to the extent of 120 € for taking their children out of school for religious reasons. The district Court of Kassel charged the 48-year-old man and his 43-year-old wife with 60 daily rates of 1€ in an appellate decision. In the previous contested judgment of June 2008 they were supposed to go to jail for three months, even though the attorney admitted that the children are well educated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=804
Hate Crimes Against Christians Up 25%
2009-11-26 | New FBI statistics on hate crimes show a nine percent increase in crimes against religious groups in 2008 and an almost 25 percent increase in reported hate crimes against Catholics.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=155
EU Commission Demands UK Abolish Religious Freedom Rights
2009-11-24 | EU-equal opportunities-commissioner Vladimir Spidla has said that absolutely no exemptions can be allowed in anti-discrimination laws, even for religious conscience. In a letter to the British government, the EU has demanded that Britain abolish laws protecting religious freedom rights with regards to "sexual orientation."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=151
Left Persists With Plans to Defund Catholic Church
2009-11-24 | United Left (IU) and Initiative for a Green Catalonia (ICV) proposed an amendment to the National Spanish Budget to deprive the Catholic Church of state funding, remove the tax deduction of volunteer contributions of citizens, and end the benefits on value-added-tax and property tax.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=505
Defamation of Christ in Awareness Ad
2009-11-19 | The Women’s Telephone Association of Milan launched an awareness campaign on violence against women featuring a semi-nude woman in the position of the crucifixion, with the slogan: “Who pays for the sins of men?”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=179
Protestant Chapel Set on Fire
2009-11-16 | Chapel set on fire in the night from November 15th to 16th in Over (Hamburg). Damage caused is estimated over 100,000 Euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=147
(Scotland) Christian References Removed from Christmas
2009-11-13 | Scotland town eliminated all references to Christmas, an address by a Christian minister, and the traditional nativity from its annual holiday celebration.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=199
Boys Knifed and Beaten as They Offer Christian Flyers
2009-11-12 | Police investigating the brutal assault of two teenage boys in Canterbury in November who say they may have been attacked because they were delivering Christian leaflets.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=634
Taxpayer-Funded Play Offends Christians
2009-11-05 | Scottish gay/transsexual festival "Glasgay!" featured the play "Jesus, Queen of Heaven" in which Jesus is a transsexual woman. Taxpayer money involved. Christian protestors named "homophobic".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=280
Christian Woman Investigated by Police on Grounds of Her Views
2009-11-02 | Christian woman of Norwich complained about a gay pride march in letter to police upon which she was investigated on hate crime.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=145
Judge Suspended and Fined for Delaying Adoption in a case of Homosexual Parents
2009-10-30 | Judge Fernando Calamita sentenced to 10 years of occupational ban and fined for delaying the adoption of a little girl by the lesbian partner of her mother as a form of conscientious objection.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=95
Orthodox Priest Beaten
2009-10-30 | Aleksejs Ribakovs, Orthodox Priest, was beaten and forced to move to another city to protect his family. One of the suspects was caught and identified as a young Muslim who proclaimed to hate Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=157
Prayers No Longer Said To Begin Somerset Council Meetings
2009-10-30 | A Somerset Parish Council ended a 115-year tradition of saying Christian prayers at the beginning of its meeting after receiving a complaint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=285
Church Silenced Over Muslim Neighbor's Noise Complaint
2009-10-28 | A church in London has seen congregation numbers dwindle from 100 to 30 since the local council subjected it to noise restrictions following a complaint from a Muslim neighbour.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=648
Poll indicates Intolerance Against Christians Living in Turkey
2009-10-25 | A large percentage of Turkish residents report that Christians are unwelcome in both the public and private sectors.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=202
(/Italy) European Court of Human Rights Violates Freedom of Religion
2009-10-20 | Professor Luigi Lombardi Vallauri's teaching contract was not prolonged by the Catholic University of Milano after he taught things like the gospel was the “most frightening message ever made known to mankind” and that “Jesus was through and through a bad human being”. On October 20th, the Court ruled that this was a violation of his freedom of opinion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=162
Physical Assault Against Catholics
2009-10-10 | Catholics were stoned while participating to a Mass at the cemetery chapel of Donji Vajuf.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=720
Pornographic Images Placed in Hymnal and Books Damaged in Church
2009-10-05 | Unknown perpetrators placed several pornographic images in the hymnal books of two Tyrolean Churches, and glued various Jewish and Nazi symbols on the front cover.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=806
Church Vandalized in Saint-Brieuc
2009-10-03 | The church of Notre-Dame d’Espérance in Siant-Brieux (Côtes d’Armor) was targeted by vandals on Saturday, October 3rd, 2009. Chairs were broken and thrown to the ground, trash was spread in the church and stain glass windows were broken by throwing stones and chairs at them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=612
Left Wing Radicals Throw Pro-Life Symbols Into River
2009-10-01 | Large white crosses carried by pro life manifestations through the city of Berlin. Several of the crosses were stolen by members of left wing associations and were thrown into a nearby river.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=142
15 Graves Vandalized in Châteauroux
2009-09-27 | About 15 graves were vandalized in the cemetery of Cré near Châteauroux (Indre). Headstones were tipped or broken and funeral ornaments were wrecked.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=613
Military Cemetery of Nompatelize Vandalized
2009-09-26 | Vandals broke or extracted numerous white crosses of the military cemetery of Nompatelize (Vosges). The Maire of Nompatelize, Didier Barret, furious, says: “What distinguishes men from animals is the respect for the dead. Those who did this are stupid, I don’t even know if they were aware of their actions. I wish they will once know the price of the blood shed for their peace and freedom.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=614
Christian Cemetery Desecrated in Istanbul
2009-09-22 | Large-scale vandalism of a Christian cemetery recalls decades of suffering by Orthodox Christians in Turkey.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=208
Catholic Nun Insulted in Tuzla.
2009-09-21 | A group of Catholic nuns were openly insulted in Tuzla on August 21st, 2009.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=719
Church of Halluin Vandalized
2009-09-17 | On Thursday, September 17th, 2009, in the evening, a man entered the church of Saint-Hilaire to vandalize the statue of the Virgin Mary. The statue fell on the ground and broke into pieces.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=615
In Angers at the Festival Accroche-Coeur the Church is Mocked and the Population is Scandalized
2009-09-13 | On September 11th, 12th and 13th was set in the French town of Angers the 11th annual Festival of the Accroche-Coeur. Its theme was “Angels and Demons”, a theme which led to half-naked angels and demons parades, erotic shows and short plays imitating and fooling a Catholic Mass. The Christian Democratic Party said he was “deeply shocked” by the erotic displays; the mayor himself, Jean-Claude Antonini left the show without giving his final speech.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=600
Anti-Christian Slogans at Anti-Life Demonstration
2009-09-12 | Anti-Christian slogans such as “There is no God” and “If Mary had had an abortion, we would have been spared from you!” shouted at anti-life demo in Vienna.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=141
South Wales Church Damaged by Vandals
2009-09-10 | A Christian church in South Wales was targeted by vandals who smashed its newly restored stained glass windows. Worshippers were forced to cancel services in order to fix damages.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=192
70 Graves Wrecked near Dunkerque
2009-09-07 | 70 graves were wrecked in the cemetery of Coudekerque-Branche. Memorial plaques, funeral ornaments and urns were found broken into pieces and laying on the ground. Rocks were also thrown on numerous graves, thus damaging them. David Bailleul, the mayor of Coudekerque-Branche, condems these “obnoxious, unacceptable and scandalous acts”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=616
Charity Drops ‘Church’ Name to Get Public Funding
2009-08-29 | A charity in Scotland decided to drop the word ‘church’ from its title, saying that it creates “unnecessary barriers” to accessing public funding. The chairman of Perth-based Churches Action for the Homeless (CATH) said he had been told “off the record” that their perceived religious identity made it more difficult for them to receive grants. Trustees asked the charity’s supporters to suggest a new “fully inclusive” name for the group.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=639
10.000€ of Damage in Church of Juniville (Ardennes)
2009-08-28 | In July and in August 2009, the church of Juniville was targeted several times by vandals who broke stained glass windows by throwing rocks at them. The costs of the fixing was estimated at about 10 000€.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=619
Church Targeted by Vandals in Communay
2009-08-26 | The Xth century church of Communay was targeted by vandals during the night of August, 24th, 2009. Two crosses were unhooked and thrown to the ground. Candals and singing books were found all over the church and flower pots were thrown against a stain-glass window.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=617
Church Vandalised in Maubeuge
2009-08-26 | The church of the Sacred-Heart of Maubeuge was the target of degradations. A parishioner put an and to the damage when he entered the church at approximately 6:30 p.m., thus putting to flight three young men. The three had left a devotional note to Allah.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=618
Mobbing of Christians at Islamic School
2009-08-18 | Christians treated as second class teachers; pupils taught that “Christianity would be abolished in the end, all other religions would disappear and everybody will convert to Islam” at school in Amsterdam, and that “only Muslims can after all be good people.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=143
Christian Family Called Names and Spat on
2009-08-15 | Harrassed Christian family sends report to the observatory
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=140
Manchester Street Preacher Questioned by Police
2009-08-15 | Freedom of speech is being challenged in the case of Miguel Hayworth, a Christian street preacher in Manchester, UK who was silenced by police after publicly reading a passage from the Bible discussing homosexuality.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=240
(Scotland) Bible Defaced In Art Exhibition
2009-08-11 | Obscene and offensive messages have been scrawled over a Bible at a taxpayer-funded exhibition in Glasgow.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=136
Council Puts up Christmas Lights in August to Cater All Faiths
2009-08-08 | Residents of Milnrow, Lancashire, were surprised to see council workers installing Christmas lights in August 2009, 127 days before Christmas Day. Rochdale Borough Council said the lights would be used to celebrate a number of festivals, starting with the Muslim feast of Eid in September. Other ‘holy days’ over the period between August and Christmas include Hindu Diwali celebrations in October, the Jewish feast of Hanukkah in December and even Yule, the pagan celebration of the winter solstice. The Council’s decision attracted derision from the national press and Milnrow residents. One local labelled the move “ludicrous” and said: “A worker told me they had to be up in time for all the religious festivals, but most of the lights refer to the Christian Christmas.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=649
Pop-Singer Madonna Offends Polish Catholics With Images, Contents and a Date
2009-08-02 | Pop-singer Madonna performed on August 15, the main Marian feast day of Polish Catholics, in Warsaw with for Christians offensive lyrics and images. Ads included sentences such as “There is no room for two queens in that country.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=144
Paediatrician Dismissed For Christian Views And Reinstated Upon Public Outcry
2009-07-30 | Experienced community paediatrician dismissed from adoption panel over Christian views has been reinstated upon public outcry.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=134
Severe Vandalism During Historical Commemoration
2009-07-27 | Around twenty churches were vandalized on the night of July 26th in commemoration of the centenary of the „Tragic Week“ (a series of blood sheding fights between the Spanish army and the working classes) in Barcelona.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=506
Christian Murdered Because of Faith
2009-07-20 | German entrepreneur murdered in Istanbul most likely because of hatred towards Christians. CNN-Turk and Agence France Press quote the murderer to have stated in an interrogation that he had aimed at "killing Christians".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=135
Repetitive Violence and Vandalism Against a Church in Toulon
2009-07-01 | The church of the Sacred-Heart of Toulon has been for the past two years the target of malevolent acts. Urine was found in the baptismal font, a church responsible was seriously assaulted, the tabernacle was vandalized and many thefts and degradation are to be deplored. The church had to be kept closed for several weeks in 2009.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=620
A Priest Threatened And Assaulted In Toul
2009-07-01 | Father Noël became a victim of intimidation and threats in Toul over the course of a year. He finally decided to leave the district of la Croix de Metz in Toul.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=621
Civil Partnership Bill Passed to Committee Stage, Threatening Freedom of Conscience for Christians
2009-06-26 | A new Irish initiative that would grant rights to homosexual couples contains no conscience clause and lays out fines and potential prison sentences for registrars who refuse to carry out same-sex civil partnerships. Concerns from church leaders disregarded as Bill passes Second Stage consideration.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=194
Homeschooled Child Seized by Swedish Government
2009-06-25 | Seven-year-old taken away from his family by Swedish authorities at Arlanda International Airport in Stockholm, for being home educated, although home education was legal in Sweden at that time.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=276
Good Samaritan Church Has Windows Smashed
2009-06-23 | The Belfast church which had offered refuge to Romanian immigrants after a racisst attack was itself attacked.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=595
Gay Pride Parade demeans Christianity
2009-06-19 | Gay Pride parade in Rome depicts crosses with sex items, ridicules the suffering Jesus by live imitations and carries anti-Catholic flags.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=127
First Communion Ritual Ousted of Meaning by Secular Flowering Festival
2009-05-30 | The City Major of Rivas-Vaciamadrid, José Masa, announced that he was going to organize a celebration for children between the ages of 8 to 10 similar to the religious first communion upon the request of the community. The festivities would be called "fiestas del florecimiento" (flowering festival). "It would be a 'laity first communion'; but I do not want to call it this way because then, the right wing blames me for the celebration of laity baptisms and marriages using Catholic Church rituals", he clarified.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=433
Freedom of Speech Impeded / Anti-Christian Slogans on Posters
2009-05-24 | German Gay and Lesbian Association in opposition to two speeches on Psychotherapy congress on whether sexual orientation could be changed if wished for. Speeches had to be delivered with police protection. Anti-Christian counter-demonstration portrayed Jesus as a pig nailed to the cross and used slogans such as: “We are here to hurt your feelings.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=128
Consecrated Host Imitation Attached to Issue of Belgian Magazine
2009-05-19 | Belgian magazine attached altar host imitations to May issue. Cover shows nun in sexy lace blouse saying “Holy shit!”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=126
Equality Bill Feared to Limit Freedom of Religion for Churches in Employment Issues
2009-05-19 | A new Equality Bill which would have forced Churches to employ practicing homosexuals or transsexuals as youth workers was amended and retained existing employment exceptions for the purposes of religion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=133
Movie Fosters Anti-Christian Stereotypes
2009-05-15 | “Angels & Demons”, a film adaptation of Dan Brown's novel of the same name released on May 15, 2009, is filled with historical inaccuracies and anti-Christian stereotypes.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=131
Basilica Desecrated
2009-05-12 | Half a dozen swastikas found tagged on several columns in the basilica of Saint Denis, Paris.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=121
A Medal Established by the Queen Withdrawn as “too Christian”
2009-05-12 | The “Trinity Cross of the Order of Trinity” has been replaced by an “Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago” - a featuring a sun, stars, water and a map of the islands - as it was considered as offensive for non - Christians inhabitants.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=123
A Cemetery Vandalized in Varilhes
2009-05-09 | During the night from Thursday 7th to Friday 8th, one or several individuals broke in the cemetery of Varilhes and vandalized numerous graves. Flower pots were broken, flower and funeral ornaments thrown in the alleys and graves were unsealed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=622
Parliament Liberals Table Anti-Pope Amendment
2009-05-07 | Liberal Group in the European Parliament tabled an amendment to the Annual Report on Human Rights in the World condemning Pope Benedict XVI's anti-condom statement.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=124
Community Ruling Forbids Any Religious Symbols
2009-05-06 | A community ruling forbids any religious symbols, such as the crucifix, including on cemetery grounds, on May 6, 2009, in Lugo di Romagna.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=178
Hospital Bans Paintings of Churches
2009-05-05 | A London hospital informed local artists who contributed paintings for its decoration were informed that any depiction but that of churches was welcome. The reason given was to be mindful of other religions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=125
Nurse Fired For Religious Advise In a Role Play Training
2009-05-01 | Anand Rao, a nurse with over 40-years of experience, has been sacked after he suggested two people playing patients might go to Church and pray during a role play session on a training course.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=132
Congressmen Support a Motion to Condemn Benedict XVI´s Statements Made in Africa
2009-04-30 | The Catalonia Green Initiative (ICV), a left political fraction in the Spanish Congress, presented a motion to condemn Pope Benedict Statements made in Africa regarding HIV and the use of preservatives. The motion which was led by Joan Herrera and received the support of two members of the Popular Party (PP), Ana Pastor and Celia Villalobos.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=519
Up to 100 Graves Wrecked in Montbron
2009-04-30 | Tombstones were tipped over, crosses broken, plaques and ornaments wrecked, flower pots put into pieces: a shocking sigh for the inhabitants. “I was disgusted to discover that,” says Gwenhaël François, mayor of Montbron.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=623
Fire Set to Church in Clermont-Ferrand
2009-04-28 | Saint Joseph’s church of Clermont-Ferrand was partially destroyed by fire set to it on purpose. The fire started at 11:55 a.m. on Saturday, April 25th, and was mastered by the firemen only at 5 p.m. Philippe Kloeckner, the parish priest, explained that he had reported to the police a first attempt of fire against the church on Friday April 24th.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=624
Parliament Issues Formal Protest against Pope's Statement on Condoms
2009-04-27 | The Belgian Chamber and Senate overwhelmingly approve of two decisions that formally condemn the pope for having stated that the distribution of condoms will not help to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. The pope’s position is called a “crime against humanity."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=114
Defamation of Christianity on Television
2009-04-27 | Television program ANNOZERO openly insults Christianity by showing satirical vignettes of the Way of the Cross.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=182
Cemetery Desecrated
2009-04-27 | On the 27th of April 2009, the cemetery di Vezzo in the Comune della Provincia di Verbano Cusio Ossola was desecrated.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=184
(BBC) Christianity Slated on British Television
2009-04-01 | Christianity is being targeted on British television. The popular TV soap Coronation Street featured a series of outspoken attacks on the Christian faith. Numerous TV series and broadcasts present Christianity as ridiculous and absurd.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=120
Violent acts at ProLife-Demonstration in Münster and Infringments on Freedom of Assembly and Expression
2009-03-31 | In March 2009, more than 100 participants of an unannounced counter-demonstration partially blocked a pro-life organisations, the so called 1000-crosses-march, in Muenster (Münster). The chairman of the pro-life organisation Euro pro Life, Wolfgang Hering, responsible for the march, had been surrounded by a large number of tourblemakers. Only under threat of coercive measures by the police, he was released by the attackers.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=777
Parents ‘Face Action’ for Withdrawing their Children from ‘LGBT History Month’ Lessons
2009-03-30 | A group of Christian and Muslim parents who kept their children away from controversial lessons about homosexuality were reportedly facing legal action by the council involved.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=628
Reverend Assaulted After Discussions with Muslims
2009-03-30 | A Christian minister was brutally attacked in London by three men who ripped off his cross, stole his Bible and threatened to break his legs. Metropolitan Police treated the case as a ‘faith hate’ assault.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=631
(Academic Community) Liberal Harvard Scholar in Public Cross-Fire for Agreeing with Pope
2009-03-29 | Liberal Harvard scholar Edward Green strongly attacked in public for agreeing with Pope in saying that the distribution of condoms will not prevent the spread of HIV/Aids.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=116
Archbishop’s Homeless Charity Suspends Christian for Answering Questions about His Faith
2009-03-27 | An employee at a Christian ‘homeless’ charity, whose Patron is the Archbishop of Canterbury, was suspended for answering questions about his faith to a colleague at work.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=112
Crucifix Veiled in Condom in Art Exhibition
2009-03-27 | An Exposition at Museo Pan di Napoli showed the crucifix veiled in a condom.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=181
Several Acts of Vandalism Against Sarajevo’s Cathedral.
2009-03-25 | From March 22nd to March 25th, vandals repeatedly destroyed windows of the Cathedral of Sarajevo.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=717
Vandalism in Banja Luka
2009-03-18 | Vandals broke in the church of Banja Luka, destroyed stained glass windows, and stole holy objects.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=715
Theft in Sarajevo’s Cathedral
2009-03-18 | Vandals broke in the cathedral of Sarajevo and stole the chalices and other liturgical appointments.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=716
St Mary’s Church in Heworth Raided
2009-03-14 | St Mary’s Church in Heworth has been once more targeted by thieves and vandals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=596
Christian Party Office Vandalized after Publishing Add
2009-02-28 | The Christian Party office was vandalized days after the party launched a bus advertising campaign with the slogan, “There definitely is a God. So join the Christian party and enjoy your life.” The ad was a response to widespread atheist ads which carried the slogan, “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” The Metropolitan Police investigated the vandalism as a ‘religious hate crime’.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=636
Youth Gang Attacks Church Pastor in Rochdale
2009-02-28 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=637
(New York Times) Christians Stereotyped by Report
2009-02-26 | Intolerance 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=105
Oxford Churches Broken Into to ‘Make a Point’ against Church of England
2009-02-24 | Between 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=635
(Israel) Intolerance against Christians in Israel
2009-02-20 | Burning of Bibles reported in Israel; mockery of Christians on TV; Catholic bishops speak of a "low profile" form of Christ[ian]ophobia.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=104
Study Reveals Discomfort of Parents on Religious Freedom in Schools
2009-02-16 | 67% of French Catholic parents say that public schools do not respect the freedom of conscience of their children.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=103
Cemetery Targeted For The Third Time in Maine-et-Loire
2009-02-16 | For 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=625
School Receptionist Faces Dismissal over Prayer Request
2009-02-12 | A 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=100
Christian Bookshop Vandalized
2009-02-12 | On 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=307
(BBC) Pro-lifers Portrayed as Murderous Terrorists in Broadcast
2009-02-10 | BBC repeats the screening of a drama depicting pro life campaigners as murderous terrorists.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=102
Christian Carer Struck Off
2009-02-08 | A Christian foster carer has been struck off because she allowed a Muslim child in her care to convert to Christianity.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=99
(Internet) Video Mocks Catholicism
2009-02-03 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=97
Nurse Suspended for Offering Prayer to a Patient
2009-02-02 | A nurse was suspended from work without pay for having asked a patient whether she wanted prayer. The nurse has been reinstated after public protests.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=98
London Homelessness Prevention Officer Suspended for Mentioning Faith
2009-01-29 | A 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=108
Church Vandalized in Rugles (Normandy)
2009-01-29 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=609
Defamation in Art Exhibition
2009-01-27 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=180
30 Graves Damaged in Champlitte
2009-01-27 | About 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=610
Catholic Nun Offended in Sarajevo.
2009-01-21 | A man forcibly tried to take of a nun’s veil in Sarajevo on January 21st, 2009.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=718
(Scotland) Christian Radio Presenter Sacked
2009-01-11 | Muslim Radio sacks Christian presenter after six years of cooperation.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=101
Government Cuts Funding of Christian Foundation on Grounds of Contents
2009-01-10 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=106
Home for Retired Missionaries Loses Funding on Gay Issues in Questionaire
2009-01-09 | Brighton Council requests care home for elderly Christians to ask its residents about their sexual orientation and cuts funding when rejected.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=129
(California) Catholic Church Vandalized by Gays
2009-01-05 | A Catholic Church in San Francisco was vandalized by gays as a response to a public vote on gay marriage
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=96
Christian Teacher Suspended For Disagreeing With Gay Issues At Training
2009-01-02 | Christian teacher suspended pending a disciplinary investigation after disagreeing with and complaining about the way a staff training session promoted homosexuality.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=115
Profanation of Cemeteries
2009-01-01 | Several cases are reported on profanations of cemeteries as well as desecrations of churches and Christian holy objects in France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=122
Alternative Synod of Bulgarian Orthodox Church Troubled by Government
2009-01-01 | The Bulgarian government confiscated church properties with police force and violence. European Court of Human Rights rules in favor of Alternative Synod of Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=286
Text Book Promotes Religious Discrimination
2008-12-31 | A mandatory school text book on the History of Turkish Republican Reforms and Atatürkism for 13-year-old students encourages religious discrimination in Turkey. The book explains missionary activity “as a threat to national unity," annihilating national and cultural values through converting people to another religion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=310
Overview of 266 Cases of Anti-Christian Vandalism in 2008
2008-12-31 | According to the French Internal Affairs Department 266 acts of vandalism targeted Christian sites in 2008. Please find a list of examples here.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=605
Evangelicals Defamed by Government Agency
2008-12-29 | The governmental agency ‘Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung’ (Federal Central Unit of Political Education) defames evangelicals as hostile to constitution.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=93
(/Scotland) Kirk Minister Battered on Christmas Day
2008-12-25 | A Church of Scotland minister was attacked by a gang of youths on Christmas Day. Reverend Gordon MacKenzie was taking a walk when he was jumped on from behind by a trio of youths he had just passed. He was knocked to the ground by blows about the head and body, then kicked and punched as he was lying on the floor. Revd MacKenzie required hospital treatment for a broken nose, a broken tooth and various injuries to the hand, face and body.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=633
Christmas References Banned in Oxford
2008-12-24 | References to Christmas were banned in Oxford and Christmas festivities renamed "Winter Light celebrations" to be "more inclusive. Protests come from Christians, Muslims, and Jews.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=110
Church Set On Fire for the Third Time in Hamburg
2008-12-21 | Offenders set fire to a church; the third one in two months. The sacristy of the church St. Bernard was completely burned out.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1186
Aramaic Christians Under Great Pressure
2008-12-19 | Aramaic Lawyer David Gelen reveals in an interview with German daily, "Die Welt," the pressures Turkish authorities have placed on the Christian Aramaic minorities.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=107
Fire Set in Catholic Church
2008-12-11 | A Greek-Melkite parish was set on fire the night of Friday 12 December. Pastor could quickly contain and limit the damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=94
Muslim Converts to Christianity Live in Fear
2008-12-02 | Several reports prove fear of Muslim converts to Christianity in Europe.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=91
Court Orders the Removal of Crucifixes from a School
2008-11-27 | The European Public Laity Association (Asociación Estatal Europa Laica) has requested a court order to remove crucifixes and religious symbols from Macías Picavea school in Valladolid. The Administrative Tribunal 2 of Valladolid agreed with the plaintiffs, and issued an order to take away every religious symbol from classrooms and common-use rooms. The Tribunal said that religious symbols violated the fundamental rights of equality and freedom of conscience as enshrined in articles 14 and 16.1 of the Spanish Constitution. The Tribunal has not made any mention to the fact that religious symbols placed outside a church also have a civil, historic, and cultural value.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=448
(Michigan) Gays Storm Church
2008-11-12 | A band of about 30 gays stormed a church in Lansing, Michigan. shouting “Jesus was a homo”, etc. The church was vandalized, obscenities were shouted and worshippers were confronted.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=89
No Plaque for Catholic Saint on House of Birth
2008-11-01 | Saint Maravillas de Jesus was born in a house which is now the local Spanish parliament of Valladoid. A plaque with a commemorative inscription was declined on behalf of left wing parties.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=118
Two Jesuit Priests in Moscow Found Brutally Murdered in their Apartment
2008-10-28 | Two Jesuit priests were murdered brutally in Moscow. Jesuit Fathers Otto Messmer, 47, and Victor Betancourt, 42, were found dead late Oct. 28 in their Moscow apartment.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=90
Religion Professor Under Cancer Therapy Suffers Discrimination
2008-10-18 | Francisco Javier Romero, a religion professor in Sevilla on sick leave because of cancer treatment, claimed discrimination with regard to finding a substitute teacher by a more difficult procedure. When he asked why he was given a different treatment respect to other professors on sick leave, he was told "because you are a Catholic Religion teacher".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=440
New Law Curbs Religious Elements in Schools
2008-10-15 | (2008/2009) Sweden curbs the influence of religion in private confessional schools in a move to "prevent the spread of fundamentalism". Law entered into force in the beginning of 2009.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=65
(Internet) Host Desecration Videos Online
2008-09-30 | Several videos have been put online showing the Eucharistic Host, most sacred for Catholics, being desecrated by being stepped on, burned, stapled, smoked and nailed to a stick.
After severe protests, YouTube removed the videos on Oct 2nd.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=80
Counterdemonstrations Disturbed Silent pro Life Vigil in Berlin
2008-09-30 | People with pro life convictions from all over Germany met on September 20th for a manifestation in Berlin. Their silent manifestation was interrupted by about 50 demonstrators throwing confetti unto them and chanting slogans such as: “If Mary had had an abortion, we would have been spared you guys!”, and “Communism instead of Jesus Christ”. During a religious service, two women denuded themselves and showed on the upper parts of their bodies a reversed cross.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=83
Christians Arrested During Prayer
2008-09-27 | Soldiers arrested a priest and more than 20 Christians in a Turkish Province during prayer. The Christian community wanted to hold a religious service in this region. When the Christians started to distribute sweets to the children and Bibles to the adults the security forces intervened and arrested them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=807
Writer and BBC Guest is Not Longer Welcome by the Media Corporation
2008-09-25 | Rev Graham P Taylor, author of the best-seller Shadowmancer, sometimes called the new C. S. Lewis, said the BBC does not welcome him anymore because he could be seen as promoting Christianity. Taylor, a parish priest who signed a £3.5 million contract to publish Shadowmancer claims that the relationship with the BBC went well "until they realised that there were religious allegories in my stories".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=497
Pro Choice Poster Calls for Violence against Catholics and Pro Lifers
2008-09-23 | Posters were placed illegally all over the city of Salzburg calling for violence against people praying in front of an abortion clinic. The posters displayed a panda kicking Andreas Laun, the auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Salzburg. In bold letters the posters stated: “Kick opponents of abortion (off the sidewalk)”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=79
Christian Sexual Education Jeopardized by Government
2008-09-16 | The government of Austria reinforces guidelines for sexual education that jeopardize the teaching of authentic Christian sexual values. The guidelines extend to classes of religious education.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=86
College Removes Christmas and Easter from Calendar
2008-09-16 | Yorkshire Coast College renamed its school breaks without reference to Christian holidays in an effort to ensure diversity- Christmas and Easter no longer appear on the college’s calendar.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=200
Street Preacher Asked to Stop Activity
2008-09-15 | The St Edmundsbury Borough Council told open air preacher, Brian Dee, who had been preaching in the marketplace in Bury St Edmunds for over 10 years, that he was not allowed, under a local bye-law aimed at reducing litter, to distribute tracts. A strongly worded letter was sent to the Council warning that Mr Dee had a right to preach and distribute tracts and if the Council continued to interfere with his rights legal action would be taken. The Council backed down conceding that there was no evidence that Mr Dee had caused a litter problem and accepted that he could continue preaching and distributing tracts.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=640
Amnesty International Supports Anti-Catholic Bigotry During Gay Pride Belfast
2008-09-11 | Amnesty International participated this year in the homosexualist movement's efforts to insult and vilify the Catholic Church during the Belfast gay pride festival in August. Amnesty's Belfast director has admitted that the group was using the Belfast Pride event to caricature the Cardinal Archbishop of Riga, Janis Pujats, who has spoken out strongly against the homosexualist movement's efforts in Latvia.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=85
Trades Union Congress Calls for Christian to Be Sacked from Equality and Human Right Commission
2008-09-10 | The Trades Union Congress (TUC), a federation of trade unions in the United Kingdom, has issued a call for the removal of a Christian Equality and Human Rights Commissioner. Joel Edwards is the director of the Evangelical Alliance and a figure loathed by homosexualist activists for his forthright calls for a re-insertion of Christian morals in public life and defence of the rights of Christians who oppose the homosexualist political agenda.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=84
Christian Children Must Attend Islamic Religious Education
2008-09-01 | (Ongoing) In Turkey, Christian children must attend Islamic religious education.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=87
Birmingham Street Preacher Awarded £4,250 in Damages After Being Wrongly Arrested and Handcuffed by Police
2008-09-01 | In summer 2008 Anthony Rollins, a street preacher in Birmingham, was arrested after expressing the Bible’s teaching on same-sex relationships. On December 8th 2010, he was awarded £4,250 in damages.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=242
Franciscan Monks Cruely Beaten
2008-08-28 | Unidentified hooded men attacked four Franciscan monks in their monastary in Turin. All four were hospitalized.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=88
Town Hall Members Asked to Fast During Ramadan
2008-08-07 | The members of Tower Hamlets Council in East London received an email asking them to observe restrictions implemented during Ramadan. Among these measures, Town Hall meetings were reduced and prayers were included in the evening in observance of the "holy month".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=499
Comedian Insults Pope
2008-08-01 | At a Rome rally a comedian insults pope saying in 20 years he would be in hell tormented by homosexual deamons.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=111
BBC Screens Show In Which Radical Christians Behead a Moderate Muslim
2008-07-24 | „Bonekickers“, a BBC TV production which that claims to be fact –based ("History comes alive," says the promotional campaign) deals with a group of radical Christians whose goal is to clean England of immigrants.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=500
Schoolboys Forced to Pray to Allah
2008-07-22 | Two pupils from Alsager High School in Cheshire were punished after they refused to pray to Allah. The 7-grade class kids were urged by their religious education teacher Alison Phillips to take part in a Muslim prayer. Prayer mats were given to them, and the pupils were told to kneel down following the Muslim ritual. They were also told to wear Muslim headwear during the lesson.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=498
Police Officer Discriminated Against for Traditional Values
2008-07-09 | PC Graham Cogman has taken his police force to an Employment Tribunal on grounds of harassment because of his traditional Christian values after a series of complaints and investigations suggesting he is ‘homophobic’ – something he strenuously denies. He says that the ‘over the top’ promotion of homosexual rights within Norfolk Police makes being a Christian policeman, or an officer with traditional family values, extremely difficult, unless a person is prepared to ignore his or her conscience.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=821
Iris Robinson MP investigated by police for using the Bible’s language about homosexuality
2008-06-30 | Police investigated Northern Ireland MP Iris Robinson for expressing her religious beliefs about homosexuality on a BBC radio show. Officers from the ‘serious crime branch’ of the Police Service of Northern Ireland held interviews about the incident.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=246
TV Program Mocks Catholic Church
2008-05-30 | The Spanish TV channel "La Sexta" broadcasted the program “Salvados por la Iglesia” (Saved by the Church), hosted by Jordi Evole. Evole, knows as "el follonero" (the troublemaker), makes fun of the Pope for allegedly wearing Prada; the canonization process; and the Wednesday General Audience hosted by the Pope in the Vatican.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=391
Abortion Supporters Disturb Church Service and Cause Turmoil
2008-05-30 | A group of women gathered in front of Santa María del Pi Church in Barcelona for a pro-choice manifestation. Five of them entered the Church, interrupted the service, and in front of the mass attendees chained themselves to one of the church altars for "free and unrestricted abortions".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=400
Vicar Beaten By Youth in ‘Faith Hate’ Attack
2008-05-30 | A parish priest was beaten up by three youths who hurled religious abuse during the attack. The assault took place in the churchyard of St Matthew’s Church in Bethnal Green, East London. Reverend Kevin Scully was left with two black eyes and a
cut nose, and only escaped more serious injury because a member of the public intervened.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=632
Sacrilegious Parade Takes Places in Anticipation of Corpus Christi Procession
2008-05-28 | The Toledo City Hall council representative in charge of community events, Carmen Jiménez Martín, authorized a profane parade the day before of the traditional and highly celebrated Corpus Christi procession. The theater company Morboria used grotesque characters and dressed them in religious gowns; women dressed as prostitutes were marching next to other participants dressed as saints; and a puppet represented the Virgin Mary. Sacred symbols were part of the profane decoration.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=449
Formal Complaint for Government Participation in Catholic Funeral of Former President
2008-05-20 | Representatives of the United Left (Izquierda Unida Republicana) of Asturias released a public announcement where they condemned the participation of civil servants in the funeral in Madrid by „not being able to distinguish public functions from private life.“ They requested that a laity protocol be applied in the future.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=445
Atheist Complaint Against Catholic Service Announcements at Barajas Airport
2008-05-20 | The International Atheist Federation complained to President Rodriguez Zapatero requesting the immediate ending of the announcement of Roman Catholic services at Barajas airport, in Madrid.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=447
Education Minister's Coming Guidelines May Ban Students from Wearing Crucifixes
2008-05-16 | Education 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=75
Christian Youth Festival violently disturbed by Anti-Christian Forces
2008-05-04 | The Christian Youth Festival “Christival” experienced tremendous opposition on site. 15.000 peaceful youth disturb by socalled “anti-sexistic alliance” under the name of “No Christival” shouting slogans such as “Masturbation instead of Evangelization” or “Never again Jesus”.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=76
Socialist Party Initiative Aims to Change The Name of Pius XII Street in Sevilla
2008-04-25 | The City Hall of Sevilla, run by the PSOE socialist party, has announced its intention to change the names of some streets associated with Franco and his regime. The proposal is a consequence of the Historical Memory Law that allows the removal of names and signs related to Franco's times. One of them is now considered to be Pope Pius XII and a street named after him. In the PSOE words, the Pope is a "francoist character", well-known as the "Nazi Pope".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=403
BBC Screens Anti-Christian Series
2008-04-24 | EastEnders, a BBC soap opera based on the life of Lucas Aaron Johnson, a pastor played by Don Giler, portrays Johnson as a twisted Christian preacher with strong religious convictions committing terrible crimes. The executive producer Diederick Santer said about the character: "Lucas is doing the Lord's work".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=501
Pro-Life Politician Pelted with Bottles and Eggs
2008-04-02 | An Italian pro-life politician was pelted with eggs and bottles during an April 2 campaign appearance in Bologna. At least 15 people were injured.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=74
Church Service Stormed, Pastor Beaten
2008-04-02 | Pentecostal service stormed by perpetrators, pastor beaten, parishioners threatened with pistols held to their heads.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=109
Socialist Pupils Association Encourages Members to Vandalize Churches
2008-03-20 | In a newsletter Austrian "Aktion Kritischer Schüler" (Socialist Pupils Association) encourages members to take the occasion of the international day against racism (March 21st) to vandalize churches.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=72
Christian Youth Festival in Germany Under Attack
2008-03-19 | January/March 2008: “Christival” – a large Christian youth festival is protested by “anti-sexistic forces” due to its “conservative” contents such as its opositon to pre-marital sex and abortion. Organisers currently discuss with police how to protect participants and the festival.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=73
University Bans Ethics Seminar Due to Christian Contents
2008-03-18 | The Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) in Munich withdraws recognition from "Management Ethics on a Christian Foundation" seminar because of its Christian content. It is said to violate “political correctness” and to have too little reference to the curriculum of business and administration ethics.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=78
Anglican Priest Beaten up in 'Faith Hate' Incident
2008-03-17 | Anglican priest, Canon Michael Ainsworth, beaten up and insulted in 'faith hate' incident in his own churchyard by Asian youths.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=71
Catholic Bishop Before Parliament for Insisting on Crucifixes in Every Classroom and Truly Catholic Sex-Ed
2008-03-14 | The 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".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=70
Spanish Officials’ Discourse Shows Increasing Hostility Against Christians
2008-02-29 | The Observatory for the Freedom of Religion and Conscience (OLRC) issued a report quoting “100 reasons to be alert” about the attacks against Christianity by Spanish officials. The author affirms that the increasing hostility against Christians aims to eliminate religious expressions from the public square.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=317
Police Tell Christians: "You can’t Preach here, this is a Muslim Area"
2008-02-28 | A 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=245
Christian Magistrate Loses Conscientious Objection Appeal
2008-02-26 | A Christian magistrate lost his second and final appeal in a suit in which he claimed his employer had discriminated against him because of his religious conviction that adoptive children ought not to be placed with homosexuals.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=68
Anglican Bishop Fined £47,345 and Sent to "Re-Education" in Gay Employment Case
2008-02-12 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=58
Council of Devon Revokes Civil Ceremonies License of Christian Earl Due to Refusal to Host Gay Ceremonies
2008-02-07 | As a result of refusing by the Earl of Devon to allow a homosexual couple to hold a civil partnership ceremony, the local Council revoked the licence for hosting all civil ceremonies in the Castle. The Earl of Devon is a devout Christian, who lives with his family in the event location at stake in Powderham Castle.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1493
(Internet) Anti-Christian Games Available on the Internet
2008-01-28 | Molleindustra, Italian artists and engineers, designes video games fostering hatred of Christians and religion in general. User says: Religious hate has never been so much fun.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=117
Pope's Visit to University Cancelled
2008-01-17 | Pope's visit to University La Sapienzia was cancelled because of anti-Catholic protests and false accusations that the Pope is not supportive of scientific discovery
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=52
Socialists Attack Catholic Church in Wake of Pro-Family Demonstration
2008-01-12 | Spanish socialists lashing out at the Catholic Church, accusing it of hypocrisy and of attempting to intervene in the political process.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=51
Priest Given Suspended Sentence for Loud Bell
2008-01-11 | A Greek Orthodox priest was given a suspended 70-day sentence after residents complained he rang his church bell too loudly and too often.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=63
Gallery Offends Christians
2008-01-06 | The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead displays statue of Christ with erect penis by gay Chinese-born artist Koh.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=57
Roman Catholic Priests Beaten and Robbed
2008-01-05 | In Austria two individual incidents were reported in January in which a Roman Catholic Parish Priest was attacked, brutally beaten and robbed. It is unknown if the perpetrators picked the priests as victims on grounds of their faith.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=53
(Internet) Pledge Demeans Cross
2008-01-03 | On a website for pledge exchange a members offers the following: "I will post the next public person to bang on about "Christianophobia" a couple of planks of wood and a packet of nails but only if 20 other people will do the same."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=49
Christianophobic TV Series
2008-01-01 | Most expensive Turkish TV series ever produced now shown in cinemas. The "bad guy" is Christian.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=46
Countless Vandal Attacks Against Churches
2008-01-01 | In 2007 one out of every three Anglican churches suffered a vandal attack at some point during the year. Theft, arson and malicious damage is a problem for churches. Claims cost £1.8 million in total, a significant amount for petty crime. The average cost of these claims was around £900. These statistics don’t even take into account the smaller attacks which churches don’t report to their insurer because the damage is minor. It is therefore likely that many more thousands of churches suffer malicious damage every year.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=592
Overview of Anti-Christian Vandalism in France in 2007
2007-12-31 | Many acts of vandalism have occured in France in 2007. Please find here a list of examples of various incidents against Christian sites.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=606
Attack on Orthodox Priest Foiled by Police
2007-12-30 | An attack on an Orthodox priest was foiled by Turkish police. The suspect confessed that he had been influenced by the portrayal of Christian missionaries in the TV series “The Valley of the Wolves”, where young Turkish people were depicted as being deceived and bribed for converting to Christianity.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=92
Fire Set to Catholic Chapel
2007-12-24 | Intentional fire was set at a Catholic chapel in the Cossack village of Leningradskaya, the Krasnodar Region. The motivation of the attack and its perpetrators remain unknown but it could be religious hate.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=64
Christian Symbols Targeted rather than Religious Symbols in General
2007-12-18 | The war on Christian Christmas symbols wages in many countries. Interestingly, it seems not to be about religion in general. It seems to be against Christian symbols. Find here a collection of cases from the United States.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=47
War on Christmas and Its Symbols
2007-12-17 | Catholic League in the U.S. collected several instances of where Christmas symbols were banned, removed or mistreated in the United States. In Europe, similar instances took place.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=48
Catholic Priest Attacked and Stabbed
2007-12-17 | A Catholic priest was hospitalized Sunday after being stabbed, the latest in a string of attacks on Christians in Turkey. Police said they had detained the suspected attacker.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=67
(Internet) Hate CD Sold on Ebay
2007-11-27 | German "Black Attakk" CEO Karsten Jakob sells four CDs on Ebay which contain hateful language against Christ.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=43
Sidewalk Counsellors Violently Harrassed
2007-11-27 | Prolife sidewalk counsellors praying in front of an abortion clinic were violently harrassed and sexually assaulted by people allegedly hired by the owner of the clinic, Dr. Christian Fiala, in Vienna, Austria.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=44
Clown Interrupted Mass and Destroyed Baptismal Font
2007-11-22 | A 36 year old man, wearing a clown costume,
entered into the Corpus Christi Parish in Granada during mass and interrupted it. Right after, he destroyed the Baptismal Font with a wrench. The media reported that regulars to the parish had noticed the aggressor in the adjacent areas of the church in the days before the attack.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=404
Biennale of Contemporary Art Displays Profaned Jesus Crucified Hanging from Lingerie
2007-11-22 | The Sevilla Biennale of Contemporary Art presented an artwork of German-born Josephine Meckseper intended to merge the concepts of sex and the religious symbolism of Holy Week. Meckseper displays Jesus Christ hanging from lingerie. Christians were offended, but Pablo Suarez, the Museums General Director in Andalucia highlighted freedom of expression without censorship. The Biennale is mostly funded with taxpayers' money.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=513
Religious Activity Under Requirement of Government Permit Limits Small Christian Communities
2007-11-18 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=434
(Scotland) Word "Lord" Removed from Prayer as Offensive
2007-11-15 | The word "Lord" was removed from a primary school grace before meals after one parent complained the mention was offensive. Contrary complaints of other parents lead to a subsequent reinstatement of the term.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=50
Law Upheld which Interferes with Church Affairs
2007-11-14 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=62
Blasphemous Images in Weekly Magazine
2007-11-13 | "Humo", a Belgian Dutch-speaking weekly that is known for its liberal and satirical opinions, published a representation of a man urinating in a chalice with the accompanying text: "And Jesus changed wine into urine". Our sources report that this was not the first time "Humo" published blasphemous representations.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=54
Report of Think Tank Suggests to Downgrade Christmas
2007-11-01 | Christmas should be downgraded in favour of festivals from other religions to improve race relations, says a report of the Institute for Public Policy Research, a Labour Think Tank.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=60
Syriac Priest Abducted
2007-11-01 | A priest from the Syriac Christian community has been kidnapped in southeast Turkey.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=66
Ringing of Church Bells Prohibited
2007-11-01 | Local authorities prohibited the ringing of church bells for noise reasons in Tilburg, Holland. A court verdict annihilated the decision in November.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=69
Catholic Airport Worker Suspended for Displaying a Picture of Jesus
2007-10-10 | Manchester, 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=61
Christian Foster Parents Forced to Retire From Fostering Children
2007-10-10 | A 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=271
Students of non-Islamic religions discriminated against in Turkey
2007-10-01 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=762
Blasphemous and Hurtful Art Funded by and Displayed on Ibiza
2007-09-30 | The art exhibition "Vamos a Ibiza" (Let's go to Ibiza) by artist Ivo Hendriks shows John Paul II having passive homosexual sex, and Jesus Christ on the way of the cross while a character – half man, half woman - holds a penis to his mouth. The exhibition was authorized and funded by the Ibiza local authorities, and it took place inside the former L'Hospitalet church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=484
Defaming Art Funded by and Displayed in Madrid
2007-09-26 | Madrid City Hall and Madrid Community co-sponsored a comic exhibition which shows the Pope consuming pornography, having sex with nuns, and sheep, produced by Italian artist Federico Solmi. Madrid’s mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón is the chairman of the exhibition. The general coordinator, Armando Unsaín, said that "it might be possible that the content of the exhibition offended a minority, but no further consideration should be given to the complaints. We live in a democratic society, and the Church has not been unpolluted to deserve no criticisms."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=485
Verbal Assult Reported in Hungary
2007-09-14 | The Holy See reported one case of verbal assault in Hungary on 14 September 2007.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1200
Anti-Christian Exhibition With Public Funding
2007-09-13 | The exhibit attacks monotheism, and blames it for all wars; extols the divine Elvis Presley as the new atheist god; and traces a parallel between totalitarianism (Communism, Nazism, etc) and its leaders (Stalin, Mao, Kim II Sung, Mussolini, Hitler) and the hierarchy of the Church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=479
Violence and Damages to Orthodox Church
2007-08-20 | Four unidentified people allegedly broke into the Orthodox Church in a mixed settlement in Bugojno. They set a table and the priests’ robes on fire, and proceeded to desecrate the church. Two individuals were prosecuted for the latter event and sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment with a two-year suspended sentence. The Bugojno Municipal Assembly agreed to compensate the Church for the damage and installed video surveillance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=664
Desecration of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Békéscsaba
2007-07-27 | The Romanian Orthodox church in Békéscsaba suffered an arson attack in the evening of July 24 by unknown people.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1036
Orthodox Churches Attacked by Molotov Cocktails or Stoned
2007-07-20 | On July 20th, in Kozarac, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Orthodox Church was stoned and the windows of the church were broken. In another incident on October 19th, a Serbian Orthodox church in Gjilan/Gnjilane, Kosovo was attacked with Molotov cocktails, but the interior of the church was not damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=665
Gay Parade Supporters and Participants Mock Christian Beliefs
2007-06-30 | Before and during the Gay Pride Parade Christianity was mocked by Spanish actors Pablo Puyol, Carlos Fuentes, Mariola Fuentes and Pepón Nieto who addressed the gay community encouraging them to "do as much as possible to gain eternal damnation", and "to got a step further on the way to hell". Participants wore bishops' outfits and carried anti-Christian signs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=405
Police Investigate Leaflet Advertising Church’s Easter Services
2007-06-22 | Church 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=244
Public Funds for Blasphemous Book
2007-05-31 | The regional governming authority of Extremadura funded with public funds the book „Sanctorum e In Breedin“ containing photographs displaying pornographic images together with Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, and other Catholic sacred symbols. St. Roque is shown having an erection while holding his dog; Archangel Gabriel's picture displays the angel in sexual climax; extrements are shown over the chalice in substitution of Holy Communion; Jesus Christ is depicted as a transsexual; San Juan de la Cruz is shown having oral sex; and so on.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=481
Blasphemious and Hurtful Art Funded by and Displayed in Valencia
2007-05-31 | "Art" in Valencia: Piece "Jaula de Canarios" (Canaries Cage) shows an image of God covered with birds excrement. Another piece shows nuns dancing with members of the military force; and another one displays Jesus and the Virgin Mary being "cooked" in a pan. Sacred images have been beheaded, and the original heads replaced with Disney's characters.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=482
Traditional Patronal Festival Stripped of Original Christian Meaning
2007-05-26 | Representatives of Esquerra Unida and ERPV at the Sueca City Hall, Valencia, decided to suppress the religious connotation of the traditional festival that honors the Virgin of Sales. The proposal seeks to strip it of any religious meaning disregarding its Catholic origins. The representatives decided to run the festival under a new dedication, the "Rice Festival".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=478
Three Christians, Employees of a Christian Publishing, Tortured, Stabbed and Killed
2007-04-18 | Three Christians tortured, stabbed, and killed in Turkey. Four of the five men detained, confessed having committed the crime for nationalist and religious reasons.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=77
Bishop in Court for Criticing Homosexual Behaviour
2007-04-15 | In April 2007 André-Mutien Léonard, then the Roman Catholic bishop of Namur gave an interview in the weekly magazine Télé Moustique, where he was asked his opinion on homosexuality. In his answer he referred to Sigmund Freud and deduced that homosexuality was essentially psychological in nature. The court cleared the bishop - but the fact that he went through trial is of great concern.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=783
Catholic Church Forced to Withdraw from Adoption
2007-04-01 | New gay rights law forces the Catholic Church to pull out of offering adoption services in the UK.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=119
Church Attacked in Kosovo
2007-03-30 | In Dean/Decane, Kosovo, the wall of one of the Serbian-Orthodox church’s most revered sites, a 14th-century monastery, was damaged by an anti-tank missile. On 4 May, the Kosovo police service said they had identified a suspect, but no arrest was made.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=660
Community Metal Cross Broken and Dragged Away
2007-03-30 | In Prozor, Bosnia and Herzegovina, four people broke down a metal cross that belonged to the Catholic community from a nearby village, and dragged it a few hundred meters away. The four defendants signed a plea agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office in Mostar, admitting their guilt. Three defendants were sentenced to two months’ imprisonment with a probation period of one year, and one defendant got a sentence of three months’ imprisonment.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=661
Regulations Barring Religious Schools from Teaching against Homosexuality
2007-03-22 | Regulations Barring Religious Schools from Teaching Against Homosexuality Approved Sexual Orientation Regulations Pass House of Lords. Concerned Christians prayed outside of the Houses of Parliament.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=59
Turkish-Origin Youth Gang Bullies Protestant Parish
2007-03-21 | A Turkish youth disturbed Protestant church services for weeks at a time by making noise in front of church windows in Oberstenfeld (Baden-Wurttemberg).
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=810
Catalog Containing Anti-Christian and Hurtful Images Funded by City
2007-03-15 | The City Hall of Leida issued with public funds a catalog in support of a cartoon exhibition showing the evolution of homosexuals groups over the time. The catalog contained pornographic drawings were mixed with Christians symbols; (an artwork of Nazario Luque Vera). The mayor of Leida, Xavier Sàez, was requested to apologize and to stop the further distribution of the catalog but denied any wrongdoing.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=480
Orthodox Churches in Process of Rebuilding Vandalized and Robbed in Kosovo-Metohija
2007-01-30 | A roof surface of almost 50 square meters of lead roofing was stolen from the Serbian Orthodox Church consecrated to Our Lady in Prizren which is in process of rebuilding after the devastation of Albanian mass riots in 2004.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=833
Religion Teacher Mobbed At Madrid High School
2007-01-26 | Fernando 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=488
Girl Banned From Wearing Cross at School
2007-01-10 | A British schoolgirl has been barred from wearing a crucifix necklace in class, the Daily Mail reported.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=828
Christian Prayers Replaced By Quiet Moment
2007-01-01 | Totnes Town Council replaced Christian prayers at the start of its meeting with a moment of silence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=284
Overview of Anti-Christian Vandalism in 2006
2006-12-31 | Acording to National Sources, 172 acts of vandalism against all religions have occured in France in 2006. A large number of those were perpetrated against Christian places of worship. Please find in the following an exemplary list of indicidents.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=607
Repeated Attacks Against the Orthodox Church in Kosovo
2006-12-31 | Christian sites, ministres and believers have been targeted by various attacks in Kosovo during the year 2006. Here is a non-exhaustive list of these actions:
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=655
Scottish Registrars Blackmailed for Rejecting Same-Sex Unions
2006-12-30 | The Western Isles Council´s registrars have received hate mail and death threats because they refused, on moral grounds, to conduct civil partnership ceremonies. The registrars said that same sex unions would be conducted in fulfilment of the law, but no wedding-alike ceremony would be provided. Gay groups fired back indicating they would follow a human rights suit against the council to ensure gay couples on the Isles the same „rights“ as those elsewhere.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=398
Madrid Restaurant Fined for Refusing to Host Gay Wedding Reception
2006-12-29 | The La Favorita restaurant in Madrid has been fined 12,000 € by the City Hall for refusing to serve a gay wedding party, according to the El Mundo newspaper. The council considers that the owners have committed a ‘serious infraction’ and is guilty of discrimination.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=839
Christmas Mass Interrupted in Montpellier
2006-12-25 | The bishop of Montpellier, Mgr Thomazeau, was celebrating midnight Christmas Mass in his cathedral when he was interrupted by ten individuals who entered uttering insults, yelling, and manifesting in various ways their hostility to the Christian faith; some were naked to accentuate the provocation. The police had to intervene in order to drive them out. The mayor showed great indignation and the faithful were very shocked by such behavior.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=608
Orthodox Priest Was Killed With His Family
2006-12-02 | The priest Andrei Nikolaev, his wife and three children have died after their house was set on fire in the village Pryamukhino, Tver region.
This was not the first time someone tried to disserve the family or the church. Several months before the accident, the priest informed police and asked for help and protection. He even addressed the media for help but nobody answered. The killer doused the house with gasoline and set on fire.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=836
Church Targeted by Molotov Cocktails
2006-11-04 | The Odemis Love Protestant Church in Odemis, near Izmir, was attacked with Molotov cocktails. The church, where the pastor and his family lived, had been the target of stone-throwing and harassment in the months prior to the event.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=658
Catholic School Vandalized in Pozuelo de Alarcon
2006-10-31 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=489
Gay Association Demeans Bible in Ad
2006-10-18 | Gay Police Association places ad in The Independent with a photograph of a bible next to a pool of blood.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=24
Tourism Office Suggests to “Avoid Religious Symbols in Holiday Apartments”
2006-10-17 | According to the reports of www.kath.net, the business manager of the Office of Tourism in the municipality of Schruns/Tschagguns in Southern Tyrol, Manuel Bitschnau, asked landlords of 300 holiday apartments to remove religious symbols. This was done in the course of a program of “improvement” in the tourism sector. The reason he gave: people of religions other than Christian could feel offended.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=811
Official Seat of Ecumenical Patriarchate Attacked by Grenade
2006-10-06 | The official seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate suffered an attack in Istanbul on October 6th and was damaged by a grenade.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=677
Creationism Debate comes with Defamation of Christians
2006-10-02 | Wolfgang Baake, general secretary of Christian Media Association (Christlichen Medienverbundes KEP) Germany, calls the reporting and public discussion of evolution vs. intelligent design vs. creationism “defamation” of Christians.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=160
(BBC) Internal Memo Admits Anti-Christian Bias
2006-10-01 | The British Broadcasting Corporation has admitted to a marked bias against Christianity among the network’s executives and key anchors.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=34
Blasphemous Theater Play “La Revelación” Performed in Different Spanish Theaters
2006-09-30 | Stage play “The Revelation” of author Leo Bassi ridicules the Christian faith, by portraying God as illogical and blood thirsty, believers as cruel, and the Church as power hungry.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=28
Catholic Church Targeted by Government Representatives
2006-09-18 | In 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=439
Paint Bomb Attack on Pope’s Birthplace
2006-09-10 | One day before the visit of Pope Benedict XVI. in his hometown Marktl (Bavaria), unknown perpetrators threw two paint bombs unto the front of his birthplace at about 5 o’clock in the morning. The building had just been completely renovated. After the attack, the lower part of the facade had to be completely redone. The perpetrators were not found.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=379
Birth Place of Pope Benedict XVI Vandalized
2006-09-10 | On Sept 10th, unknown perperators vandalized the birth place of Josef Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, in Marktl in Germany, by throwing colour on the newly restaurated front walls.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=502
Christian Arrested for Distributing Bible Quotes
2006-09-01 | Stephen Green, 55, national director of the evangelical organization Christian Voice, Christian Arrested for Distributing Bible Quotes Opposing Homosexuality in South Wales, UK.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=20
Parish Vandalized in Valencia
2006-08-31 | The parish Asunción de Nuestra Señora, located in the Benimaclet neighborhood of Valencia, was vandalized and the walls painted with anti-Christian messages and images. The parish priest Juan Luis Orquín pointed out that anarchists and gays group have been attacking the Church on regular basis. The priest added that local authorities have not taken any measure to reduce the harassment and the threat to the church. The local newspaper El Levante reported that before the arrival of Benedict XVI to Valencia, a fire was started at the parish doors and the damage caused is still visible.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=511
Anti-Christian Parade and Art Exhibit During Catholic World Family Forum in Valencia
2006-06-30 | On June 24th a LGBT parade targeted Valencia Cathedral where a priestly ordination mass was taking place. Protesters, holding anti-Christian signs and dressed in profane attire, were joined by the Secretary of Social Affairs, Pedro Zerolo. During the same days, an art exhibit was hosted at the University of Valencia. In order to mock the Catholic Church and sacred art, icons were used for profane images.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=512
Fire-raising on Catholic School and Chapel
2006-06-23 | Fire-raising on Catholic School and Chapel in Montpellier, France.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=9
Christian Symbol Forbidden to Students
2006-06-01 | Students Barred From Wearing Christian Chastity Symbol in Millais School, West Sussex; UK.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=14
High-Ranking Politician Disregards Agreement with the Vatican
2006-05-31 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=401
Crucifixes and Religious Symbols Removed from San Juan de la Cruz School in Jaen
2006-05-31 | After receiving a formal claim from the Ombudsman Jose Chamizo, the Council of Andalucia requested the Department of Education to remove crucifixes and other religious symbols from San Juan de la Cruz of Baeza school in Jaén. According to the media, only one parent had complaint to the Ombudsman to remove the crucifixes displayed in the classrooms.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=510
Anti-Christian Controversy About a Catholic Becoming Equality Minister
2006-05-09 | Ruth Kelly, a devout Roman Catholic was made Minister for Women and Equality. Gay rights campaigners reacted with disbelief and stirred up a worrying debate whether a Catholic was fit for such a government position.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=755
Anti-abortion Campaigner Jailed
2006-05-01 | Anti-abortion campaigner jailed for sending abortion photo and video to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, Norfolk, UK. He was subsequently denied urgently needed hip treatment.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=11
(MTV) Cartoon Demeans Vatican
2006-05-01 | MTV Cartoon Series Popetown demeans and ridicules Vatican.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=27
Christian Church Leader Imprisoned for Organizing Bible Study
2006-03-30 | Sergei Shavtsov was arrested and jailed for 10 days for organizing a meeting on Christian history and Bible issues without an official permit.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=277
Christian Couple Interrogated on Their Christian Convictions
2006-03-19 | The retired couple Joe and Helen Roberts were interrogated by police officers after they complained about their local council's gay rights policy on the grounds of their Christian belief that homosexual practices are morally wrong.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=130
Painting Ridicules Catholic Solemn Service In Saint-Armand-Montrond
2006-03-16 | A painting by Amador Castaner which was displayed for the wine fair of Saint-Amand-Montrond (Cher) angried parish priest Jean-François Breton and the inhabitants. In a scene of holy mass, the people’s cheeks were reddened by drinks and they were waiting for more – namely to receive the blood of Christ (the wine). A woman kneeling at the foot of a priest offered him a rather bald chest. The offending paiting was finally masked.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=611
Woman Beaten Up - Accused of ‘Christianizing’ Muslim Girl
2006-03-08 | A Muslim woman was attacked and beaten in her shop. The attacker accused the woman of “Christianizing” his daughter. The perpetrator was arrested and was tried on charges of willful infliction of injury. He was punished with a fine.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=657
War Memorial Cross Removed
2006-03-01 | War Memorial Cross was removed in Baarsjesweg, Amsterdam, after Moslems in the neighborhood said that it “disturbed” them. After protests of war veterans it was subsequently reinstalled.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=13
Christian TV-Spot Forbidden
2006-03-01 | Christian media agency CAT is forbidden to show a TV-Spot for advertising their magazine, Baden, Switzerland
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=22
Muslim Anti-Christian Protest – Scary Images
2006-03-01 | Muslim anti-Christian protest took place in London in front of several European embassies and is portrayed on photos which were taken during a demonstration against the Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=137
Christian Women Attacked in Serbia
2006-02-15 | On 15 February, a man locked two female devotees inside a building near Belgrade. He then started destroying their religious literature and attempted to drag them into the cellar. One of the two victims managed to escape and subsequently called the police, who rescued the other.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=659
Sculpture Presents Christ with a Missile
2006-02-10 | Sculpture shows Christ with a Missile instructing Second World War German soldiers in Ferran Cano Art Gallery in Madrid.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=29
Catholic Priest Shot Dead in Trazbon
2006-02-05 | In the northern city of Trabzon, a 61-year-old Catholic priest was shot dead while praying in his church. The 16-year-old perpetrator, who was arrested shortly after the shooting, shouted a religious slogan to justify his actions, and allegedly made a confession to the police that indicated the religious motivation behind the attack. The killing was strongly and publicly condemned by the government, including by the interior minister.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=656
Jesus Ridiculed in Music Clip
2006-02-01 | Jesus Christ is ridiculed in a Musical Video Clip on TV Channel Telecinco and the Internet
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=26
(TV) South Park “Bloody Mary” Episode
2006-02-01 | An episode of the cartoon series “South Park” shows irreverent treatment of Catholic symbols.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=30
State TV Censures Critical Comment
2006-02-01 | Austrian public broadcast ORF deletes a polite comment from an online debate which criticises the mainstream. Vienna, Austria.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=45
Major Wears a Bishop Costume and Mocks Blessings During Carnival Parade
2006-01-25 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=515
Government Officials Threat to Boycott Spanish Budget to Defund Catholic Church
2006-01-16 | Members 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“.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=514
MSP Patrick Harvie Reports Archbishop to the Police for Defending Marriage
2006-01-13 | Member 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=230
Crucifixion Ridiculed by Popstar
2006-01-01 | Popstar Madonna ridicules the crucifiction on tour in Europe
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=21
BBC Spreads Negative Image of Jesus
2006-01-01 | BBC spreads negative image of Jesus by Series on “The Miracles of Jesus”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=25
Religious Persecution Through Bureaucratic Obstacles
2006-01-01 | (ongoing) Visa difficulties for religious personel; police failure to protect the faithful; administrational obstacles prevent religious services.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=37
Several Cases of Discrimination of and Violence against Christians
2006-01-01 | (2000-2006) Several instances recorded. Christians faced violence including murders, threats, vandalisations and administrational difficulties.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=38
No Reference to God or Christianity in EU Constitution
2006-01-01 | (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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=55
Christian Girls Forced to Attend LGBT Assembly
2005-12-30 | A 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=629
Labor Union Representative Requests the Removal of a Nativity from a Public Building
2005-12-23 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=350
Family Campaigner Interrogated
2005-12-01 | Family campaigner Lynette Burrows interrogated after radio statement in London.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=19
Satanic Logo of Clothes Production Company
2005-12-01 | A clothes production company in Stockholm comes out with a satanic logo as active statement against Christianity.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=23
(Internet) Video Glorifies Violence Against Christians
2005-12-01 | Animated video glorifies violence against pro-life Christians on Planned Parenthood website.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=31
Mockery of Crown of Thorns by Spanish Politicians
2005-12-01 | A group of Catalan politicians joked about the Passion of Christ in an Official Visit to Israel by taking photographs with a crown of thorns.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=32
Catholic Church Targeted by Government Representatives
2005-07-18 | 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".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=438
Spanish Officer Considers Catholic Teaching on Sexuality a Case of "Bad Education"
2005-06-30 | The 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".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=346
Spanish Minister of Justice Call to End the Privileges of the Catholic Church and Accused It of Supporting Fascism
2005-06-29 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=347
Calvinist University Sued for Dismissing Student Involved in Homosexual Promotion
2005-06-15 | Karoli 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1528
Notre Dame Cathedral Seized, Priest Hurt, Gay Mock Wedding Performed
2005-06-05 | On 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=330
Conscientious Objection Denied to Public Servants
2005-04-28 | The 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.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=486
Converts to Christianity Assaulted
2005-02-01 | Convert family from Islam to Christianity assaulted in Bradford.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=41
Spanish Officer Calls the Catholic Church a "Public Enemy"
2005-01-30 | The former Spanish ambassador to the Holy See, Gonzalo Puente Ojea, affirmed that the Catholic Church is a public enemy nowadays. In the view of Puente Ojea, the Church is used to a privilege treatment and its bellicose tone towards the Spanish government is part of a power game.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=351
Member of Parliament Sued for "Homophobic Insults"
2005-01-26 | French member of parliament, Christian Vanneste, sentenced to payments for "homophobic insults"; three years later acquitted by last juridical instance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=18
Christianophobic Opera Aired on BBC
2005-01-08 | “Jerry Springer the Opera” was screened by the BBC on January 8th and attracted a record number of complaints of over 55,000 from the public as it contained contemptuous, scurrilous and ludicrous references to the Christian Faith.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=56
European Parliament Declines Plegded Support of € 1,5 Million for World Youth Day
2004-12-15 | On December 15th 2004 the European Union rejected funding for the upcoming 2005 World Youth Day (WYD) during the second reading of the 2005 budget.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=809
TV Gag against Christian Symbols
2004-12-01 | TV Channel Canal Plus Gag "How to Cook a Crucifix" demeans Christian Symbols.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=33
High Government Official Recommends Catholic School to Remove Crucifixes and Avoid Prayers
2004-11-27 | The inspector recommended to a Catholic school to remove crucifixes and other religious symbols from the classrooms as well as ceasing morning prayers and other expressions of faith.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=337
Practicing Catholic Rejected as a Member of the European Commission
2004-10-01 | Rocco Buttiglione was dismissed by the European Institutions as EU Commissioner because of his Catholic convictions.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=17
Greek Orthodox Church Damaged by Bomb Explosion
2004-08-01 | Greek Orthodox Church in Northern Cyprus was damaged by bomb explosion in Cyprus conflict.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6
Orthodox Cathedral Turned into Public Toilet
2004-04-19 | The Orthodox cathedral of Christ the Savior in Pristina, still under construction, with its consecrated foundations and cross, where Holy Liturgy was periodically served before the war while it was still under construction, has been turned into a public toilet, while the property around the church has become the squatting ground of Roma emigrants from the Republic of Albania.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1892
Christian Student Union Reported to Police for Hosting Speaker With Traditional Biblical View on Homosexuality
2004-02-26 | The Christian Union of the University of
Cambridge was reported to the police after the distribution of 12,000 copies of St John's gospel to students and the lecture given by Phillip Jensen, the Dean of St. Andrew´s Cathedral, in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional biblical view on homosexuality.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=413
Staff Sacked after Refusing Sunday Work
2004-02-01 | Staff sacked after refusing Sunday work.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=40
Christian Groups Listed as "Dangerous Sects"
2004-01-01 | (1996 - 2005) Legal developments put religious freedom at risk. Christian groups listed as dangerous sects. State power to interfere with religious exercise established by law.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=35
Police Investigate Anglican Bishop Because He Said Some Homosexuals Changed to Heterosexuality
2003-11-12 | The Bishop of Chester was investigated by the Cheshire constabulary in November 2003 after he told his local newspaper of research showing that some homosexuals re-orientated to heterosexuality. The police passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service who decided not to prosecute.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=231
Pastor Charged for Preaching on Homosexuality
2003-06-20 | Pastor Ake Green charged with committing a "hate crime" for preaching a sermon on homosexuality in Borghold.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=16
Catholic Nun Used for Condom Campaign
2003-03-28 | Image of Catholic nun used for pro condom campaign in Toulouse.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=15
Two Council Workers Threatened with Dismissal for Participating in Homosexual Adoption
2003-03-25 | The Sefton (North West of England) Council workers, Norah Ellis and Dawn Jackson, refused to take part in adoptions for gay parents as not compatible with the Christian concept of family. As a consequence they have been threatened with dismissal for not doing their job.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=822
Christianophobic Exhibit in Moscow
2003-01-14 | Visitors are shocked by christianophobic exhibit in Andrei Sakharov Museum in Moscow as it shows Jesus and Mary in humiliating positions. Intention of organizers described as exposing hypocrisy of religion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=113
Christian Minority Rights Threatened
2003-01-01 | (2000-2003) Christian minority rights are at stake in Kosovo. Churches were attacked and destroyed. The denial of Jesus was demanded from youth at gunpoint.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=36
Law Criminalizes Elements of Christianity
2002-12-31 | New law prohibits criticism of homosexuality and makes biblical applications to today a criminal offence.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=138
Call for Head Teacher to be Suspended for Defending a Christian View of Marriage
2002-06-05 | A highly respected comprehensive school head teacher, Bill Beales, faced calls for his suspension after he told pupils that Christians were being “placed on trial” for defending their beliefs on marriage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=627
Preacher Arrested For Public Order Offence
2002-04-01 | (October 2001-April 2002) Evangelical preacher arrested and fined for displaying a sign in public saying ‘Stop Immorality’.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=139
Religious Sister Cruelly Murdered in Satanic Ritual
2000-06-06 | In the night of June 6th, 2000 in the Italian town of Chiavenna in the Lombardy, Sister Maria Laura Mainetti was murdered by three teenage girls in a ritual act of satanism.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=266
Catholic Priest Falsely Accused of Participation in Satanic Rites
2000-05-01 | Father Giorgio Govoni, 59, pastor of Staggia di San Prospero Church in the province of Modena, Italy, was accused of being a member of a group of pedophiles who engaged in sexually violent and harmful acts with minors, including participation in satanic rites in the Massa Finalese Cemetery. He was cleared after his death by the court of second instance.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=748
Church Vandalized After Anti-Gay Homily in Newcastle
1999-10-28 | Jesmond Parish Church in Newcastle upon Tyne was covered
with obscene phrases and pornographic graffiti after Rev. Holloway preached about homosexuality in the teachings of the Bible. The graffiti included drawings of men having sex, and insulting expressions such as "Holloway Out", "Bigot" and "Down with Holloway".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=414
Pastor Jailed for Expression of Pro-Life Opinion
1998-03-11 | Pastor jailed for calling an abortion specialist “professional killer” and “torturer” in Erlangen.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=10
Dutch MP Fined for Critical Comment on Homosexuality
1996-12-30 | A politician was fined in the first instance for hate speech in criticizing homosexuality. Even though the court of second instance lifted the sentence, the hypersensitivity of the first court is a worrying sign.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=782
Conscientious Objection Denied
1996-01-01 | (1995/1996) Several instances have been collected in which staff were denied the right to conscientious objection and lost their jobs.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=39
Holy Monastery of Prophet Elias in Cyprus Savagely Bombed by Turkish Air Force
1974-07-09 | The Monastery of the Prophet Elias of Maronite Monks, situated near the village of Ayia Marina Skyllouras, in the Nicosia district in Cyprus, was bombed during the second phase of the Turkish invasion. The Turkish air force savagely attacked the religious building which caught fire and was badly damaged.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=747
Church of Ayios Procopios, Cyprus Desecrated after the 1974 Turkish Occupation
1974-07-01 | Ayios Procopios, a Byzantine church of the 11th or 12th century situated in the village of Synkrasi, in the Famagusta district, in the Republic of Cyprus, was desecrated after the military had occupied the region by force. The iconostasis was destroyed and the portable icons were stolen. The church is today a refuge for birds.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=752
Wall-Paintings at Antifonitis Monastery in Cyprus Destroyed
1974-07-01 | Antifonitis Monastery, a Byzantine monastery, built at the end of the 12th century, was destroyed as a consequence of the Turkish invasion. The heads of the two Archangels in the apse of the church were ruined. Turkish illicit dealers in antiquities cut into pieces and removed from the walls the representations of the Day of Judgment and the Stem of Jesse, vandalising a large part of them.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=753
Clergy Advised to Remove Roman Colar for Safety
1970-01-01 | Members of the clergy were advised to take off their Roman collars when they are on their own, to reduce the risk of being attacked. Even the Archbishop of Canterbury should remove the collar outside church.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=630
UK Government Laywers Tell Christians: Leave Faith at Home or Find a New Job!”
1970-01-01 | Government lawyers have told the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) that Christians should “leave their religious beliefs at home or move to another job” when faced with a clash between the requirements of their faith and their employment.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=793
French Government to “Dissolve” “Religious Pathology” and “Excesses” in the Church
1970-01-01 | Instead of tackling the enormous number of anti-Christian vandalisms, President Hollande announced a new 'the National Observatory of Secularism' to come into being this year, tasked with closely monitoring religious organisations for any potential 'excesses.' French Interior Minister Manuel Valls highlighted various Catholic organisations, stating that "All excesses are being minutely registered in case we have to consider dissolving it."
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=886
Women At Pro Life Manifestation Attacked
1970-01-01 | Male pro-abortion protesters physically attacked several pro-life women during a rally on March 10 in Warsaw, pushing and kicking them. The pro-lifers were part of the organization Fundacja Pro and were carrying a controversial banner of a woman who died during an abortion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=911
Women At Pro Life Manifestation Attacked
1970-01-01 | Male pro-abortion protesters physically attacked several pro-life women during a rally on March 10 in Warsaw, pushing and kicking them. The pro-lifers were part of the organization Fundacja Pro and were carrying a controversial banner of a woman who died during an abortion.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=912
Attempts to Silence Bishop for Voicing His Opinion About Gender Ideology
1970-01-01 | The Spanish political party, the United Left, presented a motion to the regional Parliament to convict the Bishop of Córdoba, Demetrio Fernández, for having spoken out his opinion on gender ideology. According to the motion, the bishop’s weekly pastoral letter entitled “Gender ideology breaks the family” was an acute case of discrimination. The motion, signed by spokesman Francisco Tejada, called on the government of Andalusia to “launch the legal mechanisms in the context of their power to prevent cases of abuse and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.”
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1353
Priest Attacked After Confronting Thieves in Church
1970-01-01 | After celebrating the midnight Mass, parish priest, Father Massimo Malinconi returned to the rectory where he found four burglars.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1681
Vaucluse Church Vandalized
1970-01-01 | The stained glass window depicting Jesus Christ in the church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Tour was found smashed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1703
Catholic School in Bubry Sacked by Vandals
1970-01-01 | The kindergarten and elementary private Catholic school Sainte-Hélène Bubry was attacked and the damage is estimated at several thousand euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1801
Graffiti Attack on the Family Home of St. Bernadette in Lourdes
1970-01-01 | Municipal services in Lourdes took two weeks to remove obscene drawings and inscriptions painted on the family home of the revered Saint, despite complaints by neighbors and an alert from the online journal “Lourdes-Info.” The perpetrators of the vandalism are unknown.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=1884
Small Thefts Germany 2020
0000-00-00 | Series of thefts from churches across Germany in 2020.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3762
Burglary in the Staldner Parish Church And the Church in Davos GR
0000-00-00 | In the night from Saturday to Sunday, unknown perpetrators broke into the Staldner parish church St. Michael and stole a sum of money worth about 800 francs. Another burglary incident took place in the church in Davos GR. After the abbatial service, unknown perpetrators stole the collections, which were intended to be given to Kids Foundation to support children with liver disease.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3812
Various Cases of Thefts from Different Churches in the United Kingdom
0000-00-00 | A perpetrator stole the charity box from St. John’ church project, Shildon Alive. Other equipment such as video camera and items worth about £560 were stolen from Angelican church All Saints’. A burglar broke into Preston church and stole money intended to help asylum seekers and vulnerable people. At the Pentecostal Church on St John’s Road, a thief stole two wheels from a church minibus. Police are looking for witnesses and clues. Some thieves stole cash from St.Mirin’s Cathedral. Police are appealing for witnesses. Cash and tin have also been stolen from St.Brynach’s church. Seven lawn mowers have been stolen from St John the Baptist Church, in Farnham Road. Three men from the West Midlands admitted theft over 30 churches in different parts of the country, including Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire. Church of Little Massingham Church has also been a victim of theft.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=3972
Theft in the Kamionki Church And Priest Caught the Perpetrator
0000-00-00 | The Archdiocese of Poznan published a video on social media to expose the theft that had occurred in his parish of Kamionki near Posen. The church's donation box had disappeared. At that time the priest was at church and heard the noises of the perpetrators. The priest ran after one of the perpetrators and caught him. He is accused of at least four burglaries in churches in the area. The police opened an investigation and the perpetrator immediately confessed.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4027
Wooden Fence and Sandstone Pedestal Sandstone At St. Josef Church Damaged
0000-00-00 | On the 11th December 2020, unknown perpetrators damaged three sandstone bases as well as wooden fence. The police claims that there is a high probability that a large vehicle has been the main cause of the damage.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4336
Street Names 'Taig' Offensive to Catholics
0000-00-00 | Taig Road and Taig Gardens have been named after Nathaniel Taig, a term considered as derogatory for Catholics. According to the Oxford Dictionary, ‘Taig’ means ‘’ “derogatory term for a Catholic or Irish nationalist”.
The mayor claims that the name has been used to honor a committed politician. If the East Dunbartonshire council refuses to change the name, anti-bigotry campaign vowed to take the case to the Scottish government.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4341
British Street Preachers under Pressure after New Legislation Passed
0000-00-00 | More and more Evangelists in the UK, who preach on public streets are being prosecuted or are facing allegations due to the opinions they expressed. Due to the insecurity to know what can be or not be said, street preachers, but also comedians, secularists and LGTBT activists "came together (in 2013) against the criminalisation of “insulting” words or behaviour under the same Public Order Act. Referencing decisions by the European Court of Human Rights, they argued that freedom of speech did not only apply to information or ideas favourably received but also to those that offend, shock or disturb the state or any sector of the population. And they were successful. The removal of “insulting” from section 5 of the Public Order Act was heralded as a great victory which would prevent street preachers, comedians and peaceful protesters from facing unlawful arrest and legal uncertainty".
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=4915
Monastery Vandalized in Monchengladbach
0000-00-00 | A picture of the Virgin Mary was damaged in the Marienkapelle of the Franciscan monastery when an unknown individual ransacked the place. This was not the first attack on this church but it even survived a bomb scare.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5545
Burglary in Görlitz Church
0000-00-00 | At 11:45 on January 28, the window grille was removed from the St. Peter's church in Görlitz and the window behind it smashed. The intruder then entered the crypt of the church and from there, stole two music boxes and a microphone. A small wooden organ was also significantly damaged in the process and the value of stolen goods amounted to around 1000 euros.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=5676
Church Windows of St. Aloysius Church in Iserlohn Smashed
0000-00-00 | On April 7 two windows of St. Aloysius Church in Iserlohn were broken. The perpetrator, who could not be identified, also smashed a memorial candle.
https://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/index.php?id=12&case=6899
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Two Religious Statues Smashed
November 6, 2025, FranceTwo religious statues were deliberately broken inside the Church of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption in Montcenis, in what authorities are treating as an act of anti-Christian vandalism.
Parish Grounds and Madonna Grotto Vandalised
November 4, 2025, ItalyA stone grotto was demolished, statues of the Madonna and Padre Pio were desecrated, and church gardens were destroyed in a targeted act of vandalism at the Church of San Francesco in Francofonte.
Church in Loiret vandalised during Halloween
October 31, 2025, FranceA church in Ouzouer-sous-Bellegarde, Loiret, was vandalised during the night of Halloween, when its door was forced open and the interior damaged, in an incident suggesting deliberate intent
