Faith
Anti-Christian Hate Crimes Surge Across Europe
Faith Facts
- 39 recorded incidents in January, mostly targeting churches and symbols.
- 18 vandalism cases, 10 arsons, 5 desecrations, 4 thefts of symbols.
- Violence against believers rose, including assault on Dutch preacher.
Anti-Christian hate crimes in Europe climbed in January, reports the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe.
Incidents hit Italy hardest with 10, followed by Germany at eight and France with seven, while arson attacks spiked unusually high.
Outside the EU, UK police halted a “Walk With Jesus” event in a Muslim-majority area fearing unrest, underscoring threats to public faith expression.
The European Parliament passed a resolution opposing anti-Christian persecution, noting the lack of a Christianophobia coordinator despite one for Islamophobia.
The Parliament acknowledges the global scale of anti-Christian persecution and highlights institutional asymmetry in EU anti-discrimination efforts.
OIDAC data shows over 2,200 such crimes in 2024, averaging 180 monthly, yet many go unreported or downplayed.
OIDAC director Anja Tang-Hoffman stressed sustained monitoring and law enforcement to protect worship sites.
Ensuring the protection of places of worship and safe exercise of religion is a core state obligation under European human rights standards.
Believers, stand firm in prayer for our European brethren facing rising persecution, defending our God-given freedoms.