All cases
Church of England Clergy Banned by Bishop from Ministering to Sick and Dying
April 9, 2020, United KingdomRight Reverend Stephen Cottrell, the Bishop of Chelmsford, wrote to all Church of England clergy and volunteer hospital chaplains warning them not to minister to any sick or dying hospital patients showing symptoms of the Corona virus. The intention of this effective ban is to reduce the risk of spreading the infection. However, according to Christian Today reporting on 9 April 2020: “The guidance applies only to temporary volunteer chaplains. Full-time NHS chaplains are permitted to continue ministering face to face”.
Attempted Arson and Vandalism at Christchurch in Graz-Eggenberg
April 8, 2020, AustriaAn unknown perpetrator smashed the window of Christ Church in Graz with a stone and then set newspapers on fire and threw them inside the church through the smashed window. Fortunately, the burning newspapers did not cause a fire inside the church. Witnesses saw the incident and reported it to the police, who asked for help in finding the perpetrator.
Anti-COVID Graffiti on Church Wall
April 7, 2020, GermanySt. Mary Church, St. Nicholas Church, and the Church of the Holy Spirit have been vandalized with anti-COVID graffiti. The churches in Flensburg have been repeatedly vandalized with letters written in red on the façade. "I find this method of expressing opinions completely inappropriate," says the pastor of St. Mary's parish.
Priest Spoke out About Church Vandalism
April 7, 2020, United KingdomThe Church of St. Edward was found vandalized with graffiti on the 7th April. The Priest of the Church, Father Callum Brown, expressed his concern.
Police Cancelled Rooftop Palm Sunday Mass
April 6, 2020, SpainOn Palm Sunday morning, the local police interrupted a Mass celebrated on a rooftop by the priest of the Church of the Paúls in Triana. The members of the community had improvised an altar and lectern. The priest used a speaker to reach the nearest residential blocks. While some residents informed the police saying the rules were being violated, other citizens were angry at the officers for interrupting the Mass. The priests said there were only eight of them on the rooftop, and they all lived in the same house. There was a confrontation between the neighbors supporting the Mass and the ones against it.
Priest Fined and Arrested For Processioning a Crucifix Alone
April 6, 2020, ItalyOn April 6, a the Priest Father Domenico Cirigliano was fined and arrested for 14 days by the police, as he was carrying the miraculous Crucifix from the Church of Blessed Virgin Mary in Rocca Imperiale. He was doing a personal procession through the streets, keeping enough distance from other individuals and his assistant. The Father had told the parishioners he would bless the city in this form of reduced procession. The police reported the act as public departure, not motivated by employment, need or health reasons and had made a demonstration or religious act affecting the streets. In other cities the processions were allowed by the civil authorities.
Model Of Basilica Of San Simplicio Di Olbia Vandalized
April 5, 2020, ItalyThe model of the basilica of San Simplicio in Olbia, a meticulous reconstruction and a symbol of the city, was damaged by vandals. Unknown perpetrators broke the roof and the top of the facade. This incident occurred while the city was on lock-down due to the corona virus. It was not the first time the monument had been vandalized.
Vandalism and Theft in Saint-Laurent Church in Lambezellec During the Lockdown
April 5, 2020, FranceOn Sunday 5th April, Father Jean Baptiste Gless noted the degradation and theft at the Church Saint-Laurent of Lambezellec in Brest. The candlesticks and candles were overturned and the lamp of the tabernacle was stolen. The parish priest refuses to close the doors of the church due to the degradation, because he says the perpetrators shall not win, he always leaves the door open in the morning, so that people can meditate and pray. During the Lockdown, the priest also prayed for the people of the town, and he hung a sign on the facade saying "Take care of you all, we pray for you".
Parish Offices of the Church of Amabilina Vandalized
April 4, 2020, ItalyUnknown intruders vandalized the parish offices of the San Giovanni Maria Vianney of Amabilina church in Marsala. The printer and the drawer of the photocopier were opened and the electrical wire was cut. Nothing was stolen because money and valuables had been removed while the church remains closed due to corona virus precautions.
Golden Cross Stolen from Osnabrück Chruch
April 3, 2020, GermanySometime during Holy Week unknown perpetrators broke open a glass case in the St. Joseph Church in the Miquelstraße in Osnabrück and stole a golden cross. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.