‘Christianophobia’ resurfaces in Europe as attacks rise against Christians

Candle lights in Fourvière Basilica, in Lyon, France, on Dec. 8, 2022. / Ccredit: Diocèse de Lyon

ACI MENA, Oct 3, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA).

The term “Christianophobia” has returned to the forefront of public debate in Europe, fueled by a growing number of incidents targeting churches, religious symbols, and believers. 

While the word recalls wounds long familiar to the continent, its resurgence signals a fresh challenge to the Christian presence in public life. What has reignited these simmering tensions, and could campaigns denouncing Christianophobia also be encouraging many to rediscover faith and the Church?

More than 1,000 people recently gathered in Paris’ Place de la Nation to break the silence surrounding Christian persecution. The march — the first of its kind in Paris — was organized in response to the killing of Iraqi Christian refugee Ashur Sarnya, whose death was captured on camera. Christians from multiple denominations joined together in demonstration, holding crosses and waving flags of France, Lebanon, Iraq, and other countries.

The data

The term Christianophobia isn’t new, but it gives a name to realities documented by statistics. 

In a written response to a European Commission inquiry, it was revealed that in 2023 alone there were 2,444 incidents of violence against Christians across 35 European countries, including 1,000 cases in France.

According to the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe, the attacks ranged from the desecration of churches and Christian symbols (62% of cases), to arson (10%), threats (8%), and direct acts of violence (7%).

The term is also not foreign to international discourse. The United Nations adopted the phrase in Resolution 72/177, which calls on states to combat actions motivated by Christianophobia, alongside antisemitism and Islamophobia. In some contexts, alternative terms such as anti-Christian discrimination or hatred of Christians are used to soften the psychological weight carried by the word phobia.

‘A striking spiritual renewal’

Amid the rising tensions and attacks, the Church in France — and in Europe more broadly — is experiencing a striking spiritual renewal, particularly among young people. Statistics show a notable rise in the number of baptisms and confirmations, with many young adults rediscovering their Christian roots.

For example, during Easter 2025 alone, 10,384 people in France received the sacrament of baptism, alongside more than 7,400 adolescents who received confirmation. Remarkably, 42% of these new baptisms were among 18- to 25-year-olds, a sign of a growing youth-driven revival of faith.

This story was first published by ACI MENA, CNA’s Arabic-language news partner, and has been translated for and adapted by CNA.