The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians stated that a lack of basic religious knowledge among authorities is hampering effective responses to anti-Christian incidents across Europe
Newsroom (28/08/2025, Gaudium Press ) A leading human rights expert has sounded the alarm on escalating anti-Christian hate crimes across Europe, attributing the surge to “religious illiteracy” among Western officials and inflammatory rhetoric amplified by social media and anti-religious groups. The warning comes as a new intergovernmental report confirms worsening discrimination against Christians continent-wide.
Anja Hoffman, executive director of the Vienna-based Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians (OIDAC), told OSV News that a lack of basic religious knowledge among authorities is hampering effective responses to anti-Christian incidents. “While no one in authority supports the vandalizing of churches, anti-Christian rhetoric in the media and public sphere is playing into the general atmosphere,” Hoffman said. “Many young people are now afraid to share their faith publicly, fearing this could damage their study and work opportunities.”
The remarks coincide with the release of a 129-page report by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on August 22, marking the International Day Commemorating Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief. The 57-country body documented a range of incidents, from graffiti and vandalism to threats, physical assaults, and murder, noting that such acts risk undermining “broader peace, security, and stability.” The report highlighted that anti-Christian hate crimes are frequently “downplayed, under-reported, or politically overlooked” compared to other hate crimes.
Among the documented cases, the OSCE cited death threats against a Catholic priest in Spain referencing historical persecutions and a January 2023 machete attack in Algeciras that killed an altar server and injured four others, including a priest. In Austria, a 76-year-old Catholic nun was slapped by a youth, while in Poland, a young priest was punched in the face amid anti-Christian insults. Arson attacks on churches, such as the September 2024 torching of the historic Immaculate Conception Church in St. Omer, France, which destroyed its bell tower, have also become alarmingly frequent.
Hoffman criticized local authorities for their reluctance to protect churches, noting that many now remain locked outside worship hours due to security concerns. She also pointed to growing restrictions on freedom of speech, which she said prevent Christians from defending their beliefs publicly. “We hear continually from university students about the shocking hostility directed at them if they express Christian or pro-life convictions,” said Hoffman, whose organization collaborates with the European Parliament and the UN Human Rights Council to monitor anti-religious crimes.
The OSCE report called for urgent action, describing anti-Christian acts as “symptoms of broader societal divisions, systemic prejudice, and rising intolerance.” It noted a “profound impact” on community life, including disruptions to Christian services, social initiatives, and the public display of religious symbols due to fear of attacks. To address the root causes, the report recommended comprehensive education policies, awareness-raising campaigns, improved data collection, and enhanced security measures. Appendices were included to educate European law enforcement on Christian history, feasts, and terminology such as “church,” “clergy,” and “pilgrimage.”
Hoffman welcomed the OSCE’s call for research into the motives behind anti-Christian resentment and better religious awareness among police and officials. She also noted recent U.S. Administration criticisms of European restrictions on religious freedom, such as the criminalization of prayers near abortion clinics, as a step toward a “more sensible balance” between free expression and respect for religious beliefs.
“Most people here, especially the young, are open to Christian ideas,” Hoffman told OSV News. “We shouldn’t be discouraged by today’s small but vocal anti-religious groups. But with freedom now often under attack, it’s crucial the Catholic Church and others stand up for their identity. They have a great message of love, truth, hope, and life, much of which contradicts the prevailing culture and is highly attractive to many people.”
OIDAC’s latest report recorded a record 2,444 anti-Christian hate crimes across 35 European countries in 2023, with France reporting the highest number at 950, followed by England and Wales with 702, and Germany with 277. The pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need also reported a global rise in religious freedom violations, affecting “hundreds of millions” worldwide, in an August 20 statement.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCAN News and OSV
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