All cases
Theft and Vandalism Leading to Closure of Church During the Week
April 25, 2020, GermanyDue to recent theft and vandalism, the Church of the Redeemer congregation in Mannheim's Seckenheim district will remain closed on weekdays.
Break-In, Theft of Nativity Scene, and Vandalism in Church
April 24, 2020, United KingdomOn the night of Friday 24th April, thieves broke into St. Andrew's Church in Congresbury and stole two characters from its Christmas nativity display, Jesus and Mary and damaged wooden crosses. In addition, they snatched one of the three Kings, an ox, and the manager of baby Jesus. They also stole donations and several smaller figures from another nativity set. The thieves were captured on a neighbour's camera, and the incident was reported to the police.
Village Church Vandalized in Northern France
April 23, 2020, FranceThe village church of Saint-Remy in Marly-Gomont was found vandalized on April 23rd despite a coronavirus lockdown confining people to their homes.
Decapitation of Marian Statue in Sumène
April 23, 2020, FranceUnknown perpetrators decapitated a Marian Statue in Sumène on June 23rd. The attack was allegedly made with a stone that was found next to the statue along with the cut off head. The mayor of the city, Ghislain Pallier, already filled a complaint.
Three Armed Policemen Burst Into a Parisian church to Stop a Mass
April 22, 2020, FranceBishop Aupetit strongly denounced the incident, recalling that the law prohibits "police officers from entering a church with weapons".
Several Acts of Thefts and Vandalism of Churches across Austria
April 20, 2020, AustriaSeveral acts of thefts and vandalism of churches have occurred across Austria
Armed Policemen Burst Into a Parisian Church And Stop a Mass
April 19, 2020, FranceOn Sunday 19th April, three armed policemen burst into the church and ordered the priest to stop the mass.The parish priest of Saint-Andre-de-l'Europe was celebrating a Holy Mass with an Online broadcast for his parishioners in confinement. Inside the Church there were seven people, all involved in the celebration. The parish priests recall that the police is not allowed to enter a church with weapons, according to the law. The police can only intervene in a sanctuary at the request of the parish priest or in case of an emergency. One of the parishioners was also a policeman, who talked to the officers. It seems that a neighbour had alerted the police.
The Police Ordered the Closure of the Church and the end to Perpetual Adoration
April 19, 2020, SpainOn the 19th April, the police ordered the closure of the Church and the end of worship in the parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Sabadell. There were only one or two people present during each adoration, which did not go against the Covid-19 regulations. The bishops started doing arrangements for a reopening of the church.
Desecration of a Church in Mümling-Grümbach
April 18, 2020, GermanyOn 18th April, "Echo Online" reported that the protestant church in Mümling-Grumbach closed its doors after the discovery of a desecration and vandalism.
The Government Prohibits the Procession of the Santa Faz to Bless the City.
April 17, 2020, SpainThe Subdelegation of the Government prohibited on the 17th April the Procession of the Santa Faz relic to bless the city, which would have taken place on the 23rd April. The reason was that the act was not covered by the regulations on the state of alarm for the Covid-19 pandemic. The mayor and priests proposed alternatives for celebrating the procession without danger of contagion. However, the Council has not approved it. In other historical pandemics, the celebration had taken place.