Anti-Christian crimes increase in Europe, report says
Hate crimes against Christians in Europe saw a significant rise in 2023, with France, Germany, and the U.K. standing out as areas of concern, according to a recent report.
The Vienna-based Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDAC Europe) documented 2,444 anti-Christian hate crimes across 35 European countries in 2023, a sharp increase from the 748 cases reported in 30 countries the previous year. These included 232 personal attacks involving violence, harassment, and threats.
The data, which incorporated findings from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), suggests that the actual figures may be higher. Anja Hoffmann, OIDAC Europe’s Executive Director, pointed out that some countries, including France, did not submit their statistics to the OSCE, resulting in potential underreporting.
The report revealed that France recorded nearly 1,000 anti-Christian hate crimes in 2023, followed by 700 in the U.K. and 277 in Germany, where incidents more than doubled compared to 2022. Additionally, German authorities reported over 2,000 cases of damage to churches and similar sites.
Regina Polak, OSCE Representative on Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Discrimination, highlighted the broader societal impact of these crimes. She noted that attacks on Christians send exclusionary messages to victims and communities while reflecting a rising intolerance toward both religious minorities and majority groups in Europe.
Vandalism was the most frequently reported offense, accounting for 62% of cases, including the desecration and destruction of religious statues. Arson attacks represented 10% of incidents, while 7% involved physical violence. Significant acts of violence included an attempted murder of a Christian convert in the U.K., a car-ramming incident in Poland, and the murder of a Catholic church worker in Algeciras, Spain.
Discrimination against Christians in workplaces also emerged as a growing concern. Those holding traditional religious beliefs faced bullying, job loss, and other professional repercussions. Hoffmann underscored the troubling pattern of peaceful expressions of faith, particularly on issues like marriage and family, resulting in legal challenges or career setbacks.
Governments were criticized for restricting religious freedoms, such as banning religious processions or penalizing Christians for expressing their beliefs. One example cited was a British army veteran who was convicted for silently praying outside an abortion clinic.
To address these issues, Hoffmann called for the European Union to appoint a dedicated coordinator to combat anti-Christian hatred, similar to existing roles addressing anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim hatred. She urged the need for stronger protections for religious freedom and the ability to engage in open and respectful dialogue on sensitive topics without fear of censorship or retaliation.