All cases
Attack with Fireworks on Markus Church in Breda
November 19, 2020, NetherlandsOn November 19th an extension of the Protestant Markus Church in Breda was damaged by fireworks. The blast had the force of a hand grenade. It destroyed the facade, blew off doors and broke a number of windows. During the explosion people were inside the church but fortunately in a room on the other side of the building, and no one was injured. Due to the destruction of the outer walls of the extension, a potential risk of collapse was caused. The police is investigating.
Sacred Objects Stolen from Church in Kuckum
November 17, 2020, GermanyOn November 17th unknown perpetrators broke into the church in Kuckum. It was the second time the church was broken into and various liturgical objects were stolen. A local community offered 1000 Euros as a reward for the replacement of the objects, including the stolen monstrance.
Paint Attack on Pope Monument in Poland
November 17, 2020, PolandUnknown perpetrators vandalized a monument of John Paul II. The figure of the Polish Pope was smeared with red lightning paint, on September 11th. The sign has recently become a symbol of the women's strike, a social rebellion group against the tightening of the abortion ban.
Vandals Destroyed Figures of Fatima Children
November 16, 2020, PolandUnknown perpetrators devastated three figures of praying Fatima Children on November 16th in Mogilno. The vandals used paving stones to smash the figure. One head and two arms were broken off the statues. The caused damage is estimated to be 1.000 PLN. According to the press officer of the District Police Headquater, the police is investigating in this case for offending religious feelings, which is punishable by up to two years imprisonment.
Vandals Smeared Facade of St. Jan Kanty Church in Warsaw
November 15, 2020, PolandOn November 15th the St. Jan Kanty church in Warsaw was smeared with accusations and the lightning symbol. The symbol is known as the sing of the women's strike. The parish was target by activists connected to the women's strike group before. After attempts of breaking into the church during holy mass, the parishioners took action themselves and hired a security guard.
Vandalism Outside San Ambroggio Church
November 15, 2020, ItalyOn November 15th, a bench and a granite fountain were damaged right in front of church Sant'Ambrogio in Buddusò. This act of vandalism, right in front of the church, led to an outrage across the entire town.
Repeated Acts of Vandalism and Theft in Church of Villamarina
November 15, 2020, ItalyPriest Don Mirco Bianchi of the Church in Villamarina wrote on his Facebook page on November 14th, that his church had been destroyed and several things were stolen. He did not post photos or report to the police. It looks like the priest has had several problems with vandalism and threats in the past, due to his moral teachings and posts on Facebook. Some people consider the posts of the Father as a provocation.
Vandals Tagged Parrish Building with Insulting Graffiti in Ruoti
November 13, 2020, ItalyOn November 13th unknown perpetrators vandalized the church of Ruoti. The walls of the local section of the Democratic Party and the Parrish Building were marked with Swastikas, Celtic crosses and offensive writings. In particular, near the rectory, the phrases "Infamous Priest", "No to pedophilia" and a cross was smeared on two doors and a wall.The incident was reported to the police, who is investigating.
St. Christ the King Church in Gothenburg Devastated by Vandals
November 13, 2020, SwedenThe Church of St. Christ the King in Gothenburg was vandalized and devastated on November 13th. The unknown perpetrators destroyed the altar and threw the candlesticks, vestments and tablecloth on the ground. The pastor, Tobias Unnerstal, believes that the act was intentionally symbolic, trying to show an "eternal Good Friday". They also scattered the songbooks and used the fire extinguisher for the candles inside the chapel. In the same church, the crucifix was already stolen a week before. The police has been informed and they started an investigation.
Arson Inside Church in Wolfach
November 13, 2020, GermanyOn 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.
Vandals Desecrated Chapel with Spray Paint
November 12, 2020, ItalyIn 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.
Vandals Smeared the Wall of Parish Cemetery
November 12, 2020, PolandAn 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.
Three Chapels in Ghent Cemetery Vandalized
November 11, 2020, BelgiumOn 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.
New Norwegian Hate Speech Law Can Prosecute People for Remarks about LGBTQ made in Private Sphere
November 10, 2020, NorwayOn 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.
Christian Councillor Removed for Refusing Funds For Pride Event Was Vindicated
November 10, 2020, United KingdomMary 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".
Illegal Banner Hung on Cross of Mount Giewont
November 8, 2020, PolandA 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.
Major Theft of Sacred Objects and Altarpiece in Rüsselsheim
November 8, 2020, GermanyDuring 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.
Swastika and SS Rune Branded on Door of Church in Rackwitz
November 8, 2020, GermanyUnknown 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.
Church Tagged With Women's Strike Symbol
November 7, 2020, PolandOn 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.
Desecration and Profanation of Tombs in France Have Increased
November 6, 2020, FranceThe 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.