All cases
Saint Nicolás Cross Set On Fire
February 22, 2020, SpainOn February 22th , the Saint Nicolás cross from the 17th century in Avilés was set on fire. Young people poured flammable liquid and then stayed to watch the fire, which was stopped by some neighbours. The police was able to identify the perpetrators.
Catholic Church in Vallendar Vandalised
February 21, 2020, GermanyBetween noon 21th and the morning of 22th February, the door of the sacristy and a the glass pane of a display case in the church were covered in black paint. The police are investigating.
Thieves Violently Broke the Offertory Box in St.Magarethen
February 21, 2020, AustriaOn 21 February, unknown perpetrators used physical force in order to break the door to the sacristy in a church in St. Margarethen near Wolfsberg. Afterwards they tried to break open the sacrificial offerings box of the candle sacrifice. Their attempt was unsuccessful but caused property damage of currently unknown amount. Probably the same perpetrators tried to break open two offering boxes in a church in the district of Völkermarkt in Wolfsberg. Investigations are being conducted in this regard.
St Vincent de Paul Church in Paris Tagged with Red Paint
February 21, 2020, FranceThe Church of St Vincent de Paul in Paris was vandalized with red tags on February 21st. The images were documented on the "Protégé ton Eglise" Facebook page.
Four Young Women Vandalized Church; Set Fire to the Altar
February 20, 2020, SpainNational Police reviewed the security cameras of the church of San Pedro de La Felguera to try to locate the four young women who caused at least 600 euros in damage inside the church on February 20th. Video recordings revealed that the young women entered the church, used and stole two of the microphones, sat on the altar, burned candles and set fire to books and the altar cloth.
Attempted Burglary In Protestant Church
February 20, 2020, GermanyBetween February 20th 12:00 pm and February 24th 09:00 pm, unknown perpetrators tried to break in the Protestant Church in Bahnhofstraße in Wehretal-Reichensachsen without success. The damage amounts to 200 euros and the police is still investigating.
Santa Croce Church Set on Fire
February 20, 2020, ItalyIn the church of Santa Croce in Abbadia San Salvatore a fire took place in the chapel of the Sacred Heart (left wing of the building), which was put out by the caretaker of the religious building. The confused woman, who has a history with drug addiction, slammed a crucifix to the ground, turned the pews upside down before starting the fire. She was caught and taken to the hospital for necessary treatment.
Saint Gregory Palamas Holy Metropolitan Church Vandalized in Thessaloniki
February 19, 2020, GreeceTwo young men were arrested and charged with vandalism at the Church of St. Gregory Palamas in Thessaloniki. The 24 and 22-year-olds splattered paint and scattered flyers at the busts in the Metropolitan Courtyard. The young men, members of the Thessaloniki Freedom Initiative, claim they acted in protest against “obscurantism and nationalism.”
Pilgrimage Church of Agios Stefanos in Trikala Targeted by Vandals
February 19, 2020, GreeceUnknown vandals wrote slogans with indelible spray on the walls outside the church and on the doors. The graffiti includes an anarchy symbol and the words “No Gods.” The church is a place of pilgrimage because it was where Saint Ephraim of Nea Makri was baptized.
Shots fired at stained-glass windows in the church of Herlies
February 19, 2020, FranceOn Sunday 16th February, one or more individuals entered the church and, with a pistol or a pellet gun, deliberately shot at the central stained-glass window in the choir of the church, which depicts Jesus Christ, with a pistol or a pellet gun. Three other stained-glass windows were also hit by shotgun pellets.
Broken Church Windows In Dorchester
February 19, 2020, United KingdomOn February 19th and February 21st an unknown person broke the rear windows of The Storehouse Church in Dorchester by throwing stones at them. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
Thieves Violently Broke the Offertory Box in St.Kanzian
February 19, 2020, AustriaIn the night of February 19th 2020 to February 20th, unknown perpetrators violently broke open the outer door to the sacristy of the parish church in St. Kanzian. They tore the offertory box violently from the wall anchorage and tried to break it open, but this was not successful. Afterwards they left the church without any stolen goods.
An Evangelical Church Tagged by Anarchists
February 18, 2020, FranceOver the Weekend of February 15th, an evangelical church in Toulouse was tagged by anarchists, as reported on the Facebook page of the National Union of Evangelical Christians.
Soldier's grave at Northwich church Vandalized
February 18, 2020, United KingdomOn February 18th, an unknown person placed traffic cones on a soldier´s grave inside the churchyard of Saint Helen church in Northwick. The traffic cones have been removed from the grave.
The Church Of Mortagne-Au-Perche Desecrated
February 17, 2020, FranceOn February 17th, the tabernacle in the church of Notre-Dame de Mortagne-au-Perche has been found fractured and the ciborium has been emptied and broken. Since then, the church is closed to the public.
Evangelical Pastor Accused Of Spreading The Coronavirus
February 17, 2020, FranceFrom February 17th to February 21th 2020, evangelical French Christians gathered to pray and fast in the church of La Porte Ouverte in Mulhouse. This gathering was wrongly accused in the French media of being the beginning of contamination and dissemination of the coronavirus, leading to the stigmatization of evangelicals and threats. The pastor of the Evangelical church apologized for not being more informed, but there was no lockdown in place, as this happened at the beginning of the pandemic.
Christian Converts Must Prove Continued Faith or Face Deportation
February 16, 2020, Germany"Kurosh," an Iranian convert to Christianity who received asylum in Germany four years ago, faced a 25,000 euro fine or a prison sentence if he did not respond to a lengthy series of questions about his faith from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). He was also required to provide a certificate from the pastor at his church to demonstrate his commitment to his faith. He reports that he provided all the information requested, but remains in fear that this will happen again. This is the BAMF "Revocation and Withdrawal Procedure."
Saint-Dié Cathedral soiled with Excrement
February 16, 2020, FranceOn February 16th, spilled candles, arson attack, and smeared excrement were found by the sacristan in the Saint-Dié cathedral in the Vosges. The parish priest filled a complaint to the police. The city has assigned police officers to monitor the Cathedral.
Iranian Christian Convert Faces Deportation
February 16, 2020, United KingdomReza Karkah, an Iranian Christian, faces the prospect of imprisonment, torture and separation from his wife and child after the UK Home Office rejected his application for asylum on the basis that he was ‘fabricating’ his Christian faith.
Daily Damage in Cathedral Prompts Abbot of Saint-Dié to File Complaint
February 16, 2020, FranceThe abbot of Saint-Dié lodged a complaint following a series of degradations in his cathedral since the end of January. Incidents included candles being knocked over, fires being started, and excrement deposited in several places in the building. The mayor of the town responded by assigning two police officers to surveil the building.
Vandalism of Isle of Man Church
February 15, 2020, United KingdomBetween the afternoon of February 15th and the morning of the 16th, an unknown person or group broke into and vandalized the Christ Church in Laxey. The incident disrupted the Sunday morning services. Police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
Paint Bomb Thrown at Catholic Church in Larne
February 15, 2020, United KingdomDuring the night between the 15th and 16th of February, an unknown perpetrator threw a paint bomb at St. MacNissi's Parish Church in Larne. The police treated the incident as a sectarian hate crime as they investigated and searched for witnesses.
"Carnival" Replaced by "Fancy-Dress Party" in Netherlands Public School
February 14, 2020, NetherlandsA primary school in Zevenaar renamed its traditional Carnival celebration as a "fancy dress party" on the initiative of the parents' association. They claimed that Carnival, originally a Catholic festival, would not suit the public nature of the primary school.
Anti-Christian Tags In the Church of Buxerolles
February 14, 2020, FranceIn Buxerolles, an anticlerical message was tagged on the parish church Saint-Jacques des Hauts-de-Poitiers. The tag reads "The only church that illuminates is the one that burns." Residents informed the police.
Burglary from Church Discovered during Funeral
February 13, 2020, FranceThe people who opened the Église Saint-Symphorien in Valvignères on February 13th for a funeral discovered signs of a burglary. Evidence of a break-in were found at one of the access doors, and several objects were missing: two chalices, two patens, a monstrance, two ciboriums, two cruets, two holy water fonts, and a baccarat crystal chandelier of significant size and weight. It appeared that the intruders also tried break into the sacristy and forced the door of the tabernacle with a crowbar. It was unclear from reports whether consecrated hosts were stolen.
Violent Burglary in Saint-Charbel Monastery
February 13, 2020, BelgiumThree masked individuals armed with a crowbar burst into the Saint-Charbel Monastery in Ophain-Bois-Seigneur-Isaac between 2:30 and 3:30 a.m. on February 13th. The intruders detained a monk and forced him to open various doors, including those of a parish office and furniture containing offerings. The identity of the perpetrators and extent of the loss have not been determined. The monastery, run by the Lebanese Maronite Order, is home to refugees hosted by the monks.
Graffiti On Church Facade In Forst
February 13, 2020, GermanyAfter repeated vandalism of the church St. Nikolai in Forst, the church has become a target of crime again. In the night of February 13th 2020, unknown perpetrators sprayed several graffitis on the church walls. The parish priest immediately filed a complaint and the police are investigating again.
29-Year-Old Man Confessed to Damaging Roadside Shrines
February 12, 2020, PolandA 29-year-old man who confessed to damaging roadside shrines in Jacinki, Kościernica and Szczeglino between February 12th and 13th faces up to two years in prison. "He confessed to committing these acts. He couldn't explain why he destroyed the shrines," the press officer of the Koszalin police said, noting that statues of the Virgin Mary were destroyed and crosses were broken.
The Removal of the Benedictine Monks from the Valley of the Fallen
February 11, 2020, SpainA new law, promoted by José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, intends to start the exhumations of the victims of the Civil War. The regulations also included a "re-signification" of the Valley of the Fallen, turning it into a civil cemetery. This will lead to the extinguish and the expel of the Order of Benedictine Monks, who run the Valley since 1957. In September, the law has been passed; the Basilica and the Cross will remain on the Valley, but the Benedictine Monks will be expelled.
Repeated Damage and Vandalism in the Cathedral of Saint-Dié-des-Vosges
February 9, 2020, FranceAfter two weeks of finding broken candles, altar cloths on the ground, urine sprayed here and there and feces left daily in the cathedral of Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, the priest reported the incidents to the police and has considered closing the building to visitors during the day.
Broken Window in Church of St. Maxamilian Kolbe
February 9, 2020, PolandIn the early hours between the 8th and 9th of February, the church of St Maximilian Kolbe, in the town of Konin, Poland was vandalized by unknown perpetrators. Konin police spokesman Sebastian Wiśniewski confirmed that it appears that a glass window was broken intentionally and damage is estimated at 5000 zlotys (1170 Euros).
Calls for Calm after Young Men Draped North African Flags from Church Roof
February 9, 2020, FranceA priest filed a complaint against a group of individuals who hung the flags of Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco from the roof of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church in Albi during the afternoon of February 9th. The perpetrators had already removed the flags and fled the scene when the police arrived. While there was minimal damage, the priest said, "I consider this to be a serious fact, an act of distrust. It is an act of disrespect for the place of worship and for Christians. Some people were shocked."
Three Crosses and Candles Have Been Stolen From the Church
February 9, 2020, FranceThe parish team of the Saint-Martin Churhc in Bayel noticed the disappearance of several crosses placed on the small altar, the baptismal font and on the harmonium. A crystal cross was completely damaged and placed on the floor behind the altar. Ten devotional candles and five small red nightlights have been stolen. Father Sébastien Alabi Kossi, who is in charge of the Barsuraubois parishes (Bar-sur-Aube, Ville-sur-Terre and Ville-sous-la-Ferté), has decided to file a complaint to the police.
Theft in the Trinity Church in Ranna
February 8, 2020, ItalyIn only one month, two theft incidents had occurred in the Trinity Church of Contrada Ranna. The thieves have forced a back door to take away six brass candelabra. This was the second attempt to steal what they could not have stolen in the first theft.
Arson in Oetwil am See Church
February 7, 2020, SwitzerlandOn February 7th, shortly before 5 a.m., heavy smoke came from the Kirche am Chilenrain in Oetwil am See. According to the Zurich cantonal police, the fire caused property damage of several hundred thousand francs. A 41-year-old was arrested on suspicion of setting the fire.
Nice: Offensive Graffiti on Church Cemetery Wall
February 7, 2020, FranceOn February 7, graffiti reading GOD GAY in rainbow colors was discovered on on the wall of the Saint-Barthélemy cemetery which adjoins the church of the same name ( Bon-Pasteur parish) in Nice.
All Scheduled UK Venues Cancel Franklin Graham Tour Events
February 6, 2020, United KingdomOn January 24th, the ACC Liverpool Group announced that it would no longer hold the previously-scheduled Graham Tour Event due to objections from LGBT activists over Graham's past statements about homosexuality. Graham responded by saying “I’m not coming to the UK to speak against anybody, I’m coming to speak for everybody. The Gospel is inclusive. I'm not coming out of hate, I'm coming out of love.” As of February 11th, the other venues that cancelled events were: International Convention Centre Wales in Newport, Glasgow SEC, Sheffield Arena, Arena Birmingham, and Stadium Milton Keynes.
Two Holy-Water Fozns Destroyed in Rieti
February 6, 2020, ItalyOn 6 February in the parish church of San Giovanni Bosco in Rieti was vandalised by unknowns. The two historical marble stacked Holy-Water stoups were intended to be destroyed. One of them was left in parts on the ground, and the marks on the floor show that the vandals tried to move the other without success. The reason for the damage remains unknown. It is not the first time, that this parish has experienced vandalism.
Overturned Headstones in Yvorne Cemetery
February 5, 2020, SwitzerlandOn 5 February, it has been reported that the cemetery of Yvorne was desecrated. Some headstone were overturned in the left part of the cemetery, where the oldest graves were. The police was informed.
The Caravan of The Show ``Nicolazic" In Sainte-Anne-d'Auray Burnt Down
February 4, 2020, FranceOn Tuesday, February 4, a fire destroyed a caravan installed on the Road to Pont er Groah in Sainte-Anne-d'Auray. Located at the top of the steps, the Théâtre de Verdure hosts the show "1625, the mystery of Saint Anne", a story of a Saint. The caravan was also used as a control room and a reception area for the sound and light teams. An investigation by the police has been opened to determine the origin of the fire.
Satanic Symbol Painted on Church Wall in Innsbruck
February 4, 2020, AustriaOn the night between 3 and 4 February, the wall of the church Petrus Canisius in Innsbruck was smeared with graffiti by an unknown person, showing a symbol of the "Church of Satan". The police is asking the public for useful information to identify the perpetrator.
A Church Defaced With Anti-Clerical Tags
February 3, 2020, FranceOn Monday February 3rd, the church of Saint-François de Paule in Toulouse, was defaced with anarchist and anti-clerical tags. The vandals smeared the façade of the church with graffiti that contained slogans such as "The only church that illuminates is the one that burns" and "ACAB." The police opened an investigation.
Christian Pharmacist Faces Court Case for Refusing to Sell the Morning-After Pill
February 3, 2020, GermanyThe now retired German pharmacist, Andreas Kersten, faced court proceedings for refusing to stock or sell the morning after pill. His beliefs and conscience were the reason to not sell a drug that can prevent the implantation of an embryo in the uterus, which would cause the death of an unborn child. He was reported to the Berlin Pharmacists’ Chamber, which took the matter to the Professional Court at the Administrative Court of Berlin. The German court ruled on this issue and upheld the right to act in accordance with his conscience and therefore withdraw from selling the products. The Pharmacists' Chamber appealed against the decision. There are no further developments. (03.02.2020)
Graffiti on San Dominico Church in Bari
February 3, 2020, ItalyIn Bari, vandals defaced the church of San Domenico with Grafitti, found on the 3 February. Among the graffities, the priests found vulgar phrases and symbols and blasphemies.
"We Will Burn the Churches" Sprayed on Trento Church
February 2, 2020, ItalyAt least a dozen young people gathered around the back of the church of San Pietro in Trento late on February 1st, yelling and threatening to use spray paint against the church. After much commotion, the inscription "We will burn the churches" was painted on the wall of the church, along with other graffiti on a nearby building. Police will examine images from the security camera that was installed last year to identify the perpetrators.
Rare Relic of Saint John Henry Newman Stolen from Chapel in Birmingham
February 2, 2020, United KingdomThe relic of British Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801-1890), canonised only last October, was stolen from his chapel in Birmingham. “Sadly, the only piece of bone thought to have been St John Henry’s was stolen from its casket in the Newman Shrine,” read a notice in the Oratory’s February newsletter. The Fathers have appealed for anyone who had seen any suspicious activity to come forward.
Belgium More than 200 Churches and Chapels Attacked Per Year
February 1, 2020, BelgiumOn the 30th of January 2020, La Libre reported that more than 275 churches and chapels in Belgium have been vandalized, according to the latest figures in 2017. There have been assumptions that the acts of vandalism can be higher compared to the neighbourhood country, France.
Every Year, More Than 200 Churches and Chapels Vandalized
January 31, 2020, BelgiumOn December 21, a nativity scene in Saive was set on fire. On December 28, Watermael's Christmas crib was ablaze on the Eugène Keym square. This incident has been identified by the police as a ‘criminal act’.
Desecration Of Old Chapel And Third Millenium Cross In Poland
January 31, 2020, PolandA 40-year-old man first profaned a 136-year-old chapel in the forest of Beskid Maly and then vandalized a Third Millennium Cross on the hill of Trzy Lipki. He was arrested on the following day.
Two Fires In A Row In The Church Of Nikolai
January 31, 2020, GermanyOn January 31th, after there was a fire in the church the day before, a vacationer from Nord Rhein-Westfalen noticed again a fire in the Nikolaikirche in Plön, which damaged the bookcase and parts of the building. Both times two children at the age 10 to 11 years were seen fleeing from the church at the time of the outbreaks. The damage amounts to 5000 euros and it is suspected that the children started the two fires with placing candles at the bookcase, but the police is still investigating and looking for witnesses.