Space without borders

In many Western European countries, it is a reality that the numerous waves of migration have brought groups with different cultural and religious backgrounds who do not always integrate harmoniously into traditional European frameworks.

In some cases, attacks on churches or priests have been linked to radicalised Islamist individuals or groups.

The causes are complex, but one thing is clear: a Europe that abandons its own identity is beginning to be perceived as a space without borders and without self-respect. A culture that sees itself as a mere relic of the past can hardly protect its spiritual heritage.

Another source of attack is the ideologised radical left, which sees Christianity as an obstacle to its vision of a 'progressive' society. In its optics, every traditional value - from marriage to the protection of life to spiritual authority - is an obstacle on the road to a utopian reformatting of society.

In practice, this leads to manifestations such as the destruction of churches or chapels during radical protests, the desecration of Christian symbols, activist pressures to restrict the freedom of expression of believers, or efforts to criminalize conservative moral attitudes.

Smaller but highly visible attacks are reported by the Observatory in the context of Satanic or occult groups. These often target symbols of the Christian faith directly. Vandalism in cemeteries is common practice, and defacing and overturning crosses is becoming a ritual. It all culminates in blasphemy in the form of Bible burning or the desecration of altars.

From arson of churches to prosecutions for prayer

These are not just isolated incidents. Attacks on Christians can be divided into three categories: physical assaults, vandalism of religious buildings and legal reprisals against believers.

Churches in Europe, particularly in the western and northern parts of the continent, have faced an unprecedented wave of vandalism in recent years. Destroyed crucifixes, robbed sanctuaries, spray-painted facades and burnt altars have become alarmingly commonplace.

In France, for example, in some years more than a thousand incidents a year have been recorded. These acts are often motivated by hatred, ideology or the nihilistic belief that sacred architecture represents an 'old order' that must be destroyed.

A specific form of repression is the legal attacks on public expressions of faith, which would have seemed absurd only a few years ago. Several cases from Britain and Germany show that some people have even been prosecuted for praying silently outside an abortion clinic.

A concrete example is the case of Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, who was arrested in 2022 for "praying silently in her mind". This form of "thought policing" is extremely disturbing. It shows how much tolerance has narrowed for the public expression of conservative moral views.

In some countries, conservative views on marriage or sexuality are becoming an issue that can lead to lawsuits. The case of the Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen, who was tried for quoting a Bible verse, is one of the most famous.

It was only because she shared a post asking why the Finnish Lutheran Church officially supports Finnish Pride. The attached photo contained Bible verses that criticize homosexual acts.

We are witnessing a phenomenon where ideological groups are gaining the power to determine which religious beliefs are acceptable and which are no longer.

Pro-immigration states as major hotbeds

Most incidents are recorded in countries that have experienced both massive migration and a significant secularisation of public space. These include in particular France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain and Austria.

Several factors link these countries. Migration has caused a demographic change resulting in cultural fragmentation. This quite naturally results in an ideological polarisation of society. The political desire to accommodate minority ideologies at the expense of traditional values is causing a relativisation and rejection of the Christian heritage.

The result is a paradox. The countries that claim to be the most 'tolerant' are the least tolerant towards the very Christians who have been the backbone of civilisation throughout their history. If a society ceases to see Christianity as a pillar of value, a vacuum is created which is filled by aggressive ideologies.

In secularised Europe, this happens in a threefold way: the religious vacuum is filled by radicalism, the moral vacuum is filled by relativism and the cultural vacuum is filled by ideologies that reject Europe's historical identity.

A Europe that no longer believes in its own value cannot defend either its churches or its believers. That is not a sign of progress. It is a sign of the decline of civilisation.

It is in this environment that Christians become easy targets. Not because they are a threat, but because they embody what modern relativistic society cannot understand or accept, clear moral principles, strong spiritual convictions and the ability to distinguish between right and wrong.

The faith that once led Europe to the birth of hospitals, universities and social institutions is today, paradoxically, portrayed as a survival or even an obstacle. But if Europe loses even the last vestiges of its spiritual foundation, it will lose itself.

Nations that have had their memories erased are easily manipulated and defenceless against extreme ideologies. It is therefore the task of Christians to remind that no lasting freedom rests not on emptiness but on a solid foundation of values. And if the continent does not return to this foundation, the present crisis will not be the end, but only the beginning of an even deeper decline.

Let us restore spiritual sovereignty

Christianity is not just a private matter for the individual. It is the cultural, ethical and spiritual backbone of Europe. When it is attacked, it is not just an attack on the Church, it is an attack on European identity.

Europe can only become a safe place for Christians if it stops being afraid of its own history. Spiritual sovereignty begins where one refuses to give up one's identity in the name of a false neutrality.

Christians, and especially the Catholic Church, built the civilization of Europe and America. It was the Catholic popes who first opposed enslavement. Today, however, we are witnessing Christianity being oppressed on all fronts and attacks on believers are multiplying. But if we do not stand up for ourselves, who will? No one. In a world dominated by populism and consumerism, this anti-Christian struggle suits us. Because it allows them to manipulate people more than ever before.

In an age of progressive ideological propaganda and distortion of the facts, it is time to pull the ace out of the bag. The steadfastness of faith. Even King Svatopluk, according to a well-known legend, knew that Great Moravia would survive if his sons stuck together. So we, God's children, must also realize that we are in the same boat, and no amount of power divisions will help us.

It is imperative that we become aware once again of the spiritual roots of the continent and not be intimidated by ideological or physical coercion. In the words of the classic: 'Truth has always been hung for truth'. If we protect our sacred places from vandalism and defend freedom of religious expression, our chances of ending this agony will increase.

Let us not fear, even if there are only a few of us left. Let us remain faithful to Christ, even if there are only twelve of us again, as there were at the beginning.