All cases

Public Crucifix Vandalized in Carinthia

March 2, 2019, Austria

An arm from the Christ figure in a countryside crucifix was broken off by unknown vandals. Police are investigating.

Altar Set on Fire in Lingenfeld Church

February 28, 2019, Germany

Unknown perpetrators attempted to set fire to the altar in the Catholic church in Lingenfeld in the period from the 27th to 28th of February. Police investigated.

Church in Hochheim Vandalized

February 27, 2019, Germany

Three years after the arson in a confessional in the church St. Peter and Paul in Hochheim, one or more unidentified perpetrators damaged several hymnals, tore pages from the Gospel book on the side altar, and smashed the Easter candle. The stand containing religious literature was destroyed and holy water was dumped out.

Repeated Vandalism of Brechin Cathedral

February 27, 2019, United Kingdom

On February 24th, swastikas, names, and arrows were discovered scratched on the stonework of the 800-year old Cathedral of Brechin in Angus, Scotland. A few days later, vandals carved "F*** you Jesus" on the building. Police opened an investigation and a group of juvenile girls were suspected to be responsible for the acts which were described by a church elder as "totally repulsive."

Arrest of Burglar in Hannover After Failed Attempt of Robbery

February 26, 2019, Germany

Witnesses called the police after watching a 32-year-old man smashing a window of the Lutheran Kreuzkirche in Hannover-Mitte in the early morning of February 26th. Inside the church the man broke an access door and another two windows and ransacked closets and cabinets. Meanwhile police encircled the church and were able to arrest the intruder who was to be brought before a magistrate. The amount of the property damage is still unclear.

Dublin Church Crypt Desecrated

February 25, 2019, Ireland

Vandals stole the head from an 800-year-old mummified body, known as “The Crusader” from the crypt of St. Michan's Church in Dublin. The crypt was badly damaged and several of the mummies, including the 400 year old remains of a nun, were desecrated in the incident.

Satanic Desecration in Chapels Near Franciscan Monastery in Katowice

February 23, 2019, Poland

Four rosary chapels in the calvary of Panevnicka in Katowice were desecrated by vandals who painted Satanic slogans and pentagrams on the doors and walls, as well as obscene drawings of male genitalia on the statues of holy figures including Jesus. Police as well as parishioners began a search for the perpetrators.

Street Preacher Arrested to "Prevent Breach of the Peace"

February 23, 2019, United Kingdom

An elderly man preaching at the Southgate Underground Station was arrested by London police after he refused to leave the area, telling him he was "disturbing people's days" and needed to go away. The police seized the man's Bible despite his pleas not to take it.

Christ Figure Beheaded in Saint-Gilles Church

February 23, 2019, France

On February 23rd, the bas-relief on the altar of the Saint-Gilles church in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie was vandalized, with the Christ figure beheaded.

Arson Confirmed in Hellenthal Church Fire

February 21, 2019, Germany

Over 120 firefighters worked for hours to extinguish a fire at the Evangelischen Kirche in Hellenthal on February 21st. The fire began in the half-timbered church annex and spread to the roof of 18th century church. A firewall prevented further damage to the church itself, and the nave and valuable church books were saved. Police estimated damage at several hundred thousand euros and confirmed on February 26, 2019 that the cause of the fire was arson and have continued their investigation.

Vandalism at Montevaccino Church

February 19, 2019, Italy

Paving stones were thrown at the windows of the nave of the church of San Leonardo, a crucifix on nearby private property was destroyed, and the lantern for the memorial to the fallen of all wars was smashed.

Historic Church Sprayed with Graffiti

February 19, 2019, Italy

The 12th century church of Santi Pietro e Paolo Castello Roganzuolo (Treviso) was marred with tags of marijuana leaves, insults to police, and the names of Italian hip-hop artists in green spray paint on the outer walls.

Exclusion Zone Legislation Passed in Ireland

February 18, 2019, Ireland

At a meeting of Louth County Council on February 18, 2019, a motion to prohibit any pro-life vigils within 500 meters of a hospital or clinic that provides abortion services was passed by a majority vote. Health Minister Simon Harris has called for such exclusion zones throughout Ireland.

Robbery Interrupted at Koblenz Church

February 18, 2019, Germany

Burglars were interrupted by a witness who entered the St. Josef Catholic Church in Koblenz in the afternoon of February 18th. One of the perpetrators, a woman, shouted several words upon which a man appeared from one of the adjoining rooms and both hastily left the site. Shortly after, they drove away on a motor scooter and the woman covered the license plate with her helmet. Investigations showed that the man had pried open the door to the adjoining room, however, nothing was missing.

Vandals Leave Alvito Church without Electricity

February 17, 2019, Italy

Using super glue, unidentified vandals damaged the wires in the electrical meter in the Chiesa di San Simeone Profeta, leaving the church without power and stopping the historic bell tower clock that had recently been restored.

Theft Of Consecrated Host In The parish Of Santa Isabel

February 17, 2019, Spain

At noon on Sunday 17th the parish priest discovered the theft of a consecrated host and a carrier containing four consecrated forms for celiacs in the church of Santa Isabel during the celebration of the Eucharist. Shattered pieces of the Blessed Sacrament and the virile were found by the priest in the garden. the theft and desecration was reported on Monday 18th. The police are invetigating and searching for witnesses. Furthermore, the diocesan bishop Amadeo Rodriquez has asked for prayers of reparation.

Iraqi Christian Attacked in Berlin for Christian Tattoo

February 16, 2019, Germany

A man in Berlin-Neukölln was beaten and threatened with a knife because of his Christian tattoo. The 27-year-old Christian from Iraq was approached by two men and asked about his religious tattoo. They also and demanded that he give a donation to a beggar. When he refused, the men punched him in the face, according to police. When the attacker pulled out a knife, the victim and his companion escaped into a shop and called the police. The police arrested a 24-year old Muslim man. The investigation continues.

Disappearance Of The Terms "Father" And "Mother" From The National Education Forms

February 12, 2019, France

On the 12th February, the National Assembly in France adopted the new usage of the terms "Parent 1" and "Parent 2" instead of "Mother" and "Father" to reflect diversity in the families. The idea of the new law is to embrace diversity in familiar settings. The deputy Jennifer de Temmerman called the traditional social and family models outdated. This law was criticized by the minister of Education, the deputy Xavier Breton and the movement Manif Pour Tous, calling it "politically correct but not real".

"The only church that illuminates is the one that burns" painted on Seville Church

February 11, 2019, Spain

During the night of February 11th, vandals spray painted the Church of San Martin with the words, "The only church that illuminates is the one that burns" ("La unica iglesia que ilumina es la que arde") along with an anarcho-feminist symbol.

Two Churches in Ávila Vandalized with Graffiti

February 10, 2019, Spain

"The church that illuminates is the one that burns" and other anarchist and feminist slogans and symbols were painted on two churches in small towns in Ávila. The Diocese of Ávila denounced the acts as attacks not only on the heritage of the small towns, but against mutual respect and religious freedom. A complaint was filed with the police.