Unknown perpetrators deliberately set fire to the fabric upholstery of a church bench inside St. Peter’s Church (Sint-Pietersbandenkerk) in Lommel, Belgium, on 8 June 2026. Church officials stated that the incident was the latest in a number of recent vandalism and fire-related incidents affecting the church.
On 8 June 2026, unknown perpetrators entered St. Peter’s Church (Sint-Pietersbandenkerk) in Lommel and deliberately started a fire inside the church by igniting the fabric upholstery of a church bench with matches available near devotional candles.
The damage was discovered at approximately 5:00 p.m. by a visitor entering the church, who reportedly observed the suspected perpetrators fleeing the premises. The fire left a burn hole in the bench upholstery but was extinguished before it could spread further. According to church representatives, the incident "could have ended differently" and had the potential to cause much more extensive damage to the church interior.
Church officials described the attack as the latest in a series of incidents targeting the church. Previous cases reportedly included an attempted arson attack against a peace circle for Gaza and acts of vandalism inside the church, including damage to church doors and interior property in March 2026.
Chris Vanendert, chairman of the church administration, stated: "Because of such incidents, we could doubt whether it is wise to leave the church open. However, we are not considering that, because we do not want to give in to vandals."
Source: beeldignieuws, hbvl.be Previous: OIDAC Europe