On 7 April 2026, St. Sebastian Parish Church in Eppelborn was targeted in an act of vandalism and theft involving religious objects, including parts of a reliquary cross and altar decorations. An attempted theft from a donation box was also reported.
The St. Sebastian Parish Church in Eppelborn was targeted in an act of vandalism and theft involving several religious objects inside the church.
According to a statement from the parish, golden decorative rays at the ends of a reliquary cross of Pope Pius X were torn off and stolen. In addition, a gilded wooden floral ensemble forming part of the high altar decoration, located above the figure of Saint Sebastian, was broken out and taken.
The parish also reported that a man was observed attempting to extract money from a donation box on the same day.
The incident has been reported to police in Neunkirchen. The parish has appealed for vigilance, "We ask all visitors and worshippers in our churches to keep a watchful eye on our places of worship".