In recent years, there has been an alarming rise in attacks against Christians, especially Catholics, across Europe and Latin America. This growing trend, marked by both physical violence and ideological hostility, is being reported by organizations dedicated to monitoring religious freedom. These incidents are not isolated; they are part of a broader pattern of intolerance against people of faith. According to the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe, 2,444 anti-Christian hate crimes were documented across 35 European countries in 2023 alone. These attacks include 232 personal assaults ranging from harassment and threats to physical violence. France, in particular, saw nearly half of these incidents.
The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need also documented this disturbing rise in attacks, highlighting the increasing hostility faced by religious communities. According to Catholic News Agency, the 2023 Report on Religious Freedom warns that “a considerable increase in incidents perpetrated by individuals or groups advocating for certain ideological views that are intolerant of the religious beliefs of others” has been observed. Specifically, the attacks have been concentrated on Catholics and evangelicals and have often been carried out by groups promoting pro-abortion, feminist, and gender ideologies.
This trend is not just limited to Europe. In Latin America, incidents of religious persecution have also spiked. The Aid to the Church in Need report cites examples from countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Haiti, and Mexico. These nations have witnessed attacks on religious figures, acts of vandalism, and even desecration of religious symbols. In some cases, these incidents have escalated to crimes, further demonstrating the intensity of the threat faced by Christians.
Polonia Castellanos, the president of Christian Lawyers, a foundation based in Spain with a chapter in Mexico, poignantly expressed her concern about the lack of consequences for attacks against Christians. She said, “When Catholics and Christians in general are attacked and humiliated, nothing happens, but if it were done to another group, the consequences would be immediate.” She believes this is partly because Catholics have “allowed ourselves to be humiliated and insulted without doing anything,” contributing to the rise of these dangerous extremes.
Catholic leaders from both Europe and Latin America are increasingly warning about the complacency that allows such attacks to go unnoticed. According to Uriel Esqueda, campaign manager for the Mexican platform Actívate, these attacks have become “unreported or normalized to a certain extent,” which has made the situation even more serious. He also noted that many religious leaders and individuals are not accustomed to speaking out about violations of their human right to religious freedom, which only exacerbates the issue.
While the rise of these attacks is concerning, some Catholic leaders have also pointed out that they are part of a broader cultural shift. In Mexico, for instance, there has been a consistent push by political and ideological groups to eliminate Catholicism from public life. Marcial Padilla, director of ConParticipación, expressed his frustration with secularism’s double standard: “In Mexico, you can desecrate religious images or churches, but not the flag or national symbols, because that is clearly penalized.” He believes that this reflects a longstanding anti-Catholic mentality in the country that dates back to the tensions of the 19th century.
This sense of cultural tension is further amplified by the growing secularization of Europe, which was once built on Christian roots. Polonia Castellanos warned that Europe is “forgetting its identity and persecuting Christians and imposing anti-Christian ideologies.” She believes that the failure to protect religious freedoms will lead to an even greater rise in attacks against Christians. She also voiced concern about the growing tendency of some governments to minimize or even eliminate legal protections for religious groups. In Spain, for example, the current administration has sought to abolish laws that protect religious sentiments, which only deepens the challenges faced by Catholics.
In the face of these troubling developments, Catholic leaders are urging a collective response rooted in faith and action. Alberto González Cáceres, president of the St. Thomas More Center for Legal Studies in Peru, lamented that religious freedom has become a secondary concern for many. He emphasized that Catholics must take personal responsibility by “praying a lot” and by educating themselves in the catechism and Catholic doctrine. “The results will depend on actions taken by Catholics themselves,” he said.
Despite the grave circumstances, many leaders believe that the struggle to defend the faith is not in vain. As Castellanos reminded, “Spain is the land of Mary,” and she holds hope that the ongoing battle for life, family, and religious freedom will bear fruit in the near future.
Ultimately, the defense of religious freedom rests in the hands of Catholics everywhere. It is a call to stand firm in our faith, speak out against injustices, and support those who are being persecuted for their beliefs. As Father Juan Manuel Góngora of Spain highlighted, “We are living in adverse times,” but it is through prayer, education, and unity that Christians can resist the tide of intolerance that seeks to silence their voices.
By remaining vigilant and vocal in defense of our faith, we can ensure that the attacks against Christians do not go unchallenged, and that religious freedom remains protected for generations to come.
