The 2025 annual report by the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDAC Europe) notes that 2 211 anti-Christian crimes were reported in 2024. Attacks on persons rose from 232 in 2023 to 274 in 2024, although the phenomenon is widely underestimated. There has also been a sharp increase in arson attacks against churches and Christian places of worship. Most of these incidents took place in Austria, France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom. The OSCE/ODIHR guide “Understanding Anti-Christian Hate Crimes and Addressing the Security Needs of Christian Communities” highlights how acts of violence against Christians risk undermining the sense of security and belonging of entire communities.
In January 2026, in his address to members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, the Pope himself spoke of “a subtle form of religious discrimination against Christians, which is spreading even in countries where they are in the majority, such as in Europe or the Americas. There, they are sometimes restricted in their ability to proclaim the truths of the Gospel for political or ideological reasons”.
The Parliamentary Assembly has denounced intolerance and discrimination on religious grounds, adopting (among others) Resolution 1846 (2011), Resolution 2076 (2015) and Resolution 2275 (2019). In Resolution 2036 (2015) “Tackling intolerance and discrimination in Europe with a special focus on Christians”, the Assembly highlighted the rise in acts of hostility, violence and vandalism directed in particular against Christian communities in Europe.
It is now necessary for the Assembly to consider further measures to prevent violations of religious freedom, with specific regard to the Christian faith. The Assembly could consider allowing States to collect data to monitor manifestations of intolerance, discrimination and hate crimes against Christians, including those perpetrated online, whilst raising public awareness through projects promoting dialogue and religious tolerance.