All cases
Muslim Family Beat up Daughter and Shave her Head for Intending to Marry a Christian
August 17, 2020, FranceA 17 year-old girl of Bosnian origin faced pressure from her Muslim family, living in France since 2017, upon announcing her intention of getting married to her 20 year-old Christian boyfriend from Serbia. The two decided to run away together, but returned to her family home in Besançon four days later, on August 17, in the company of the boyfriend's parents, to resolve the issue. The situation escalated: The girl's parents and aunt and uncle beat her up severely and shaved her head. As a result, they are liable to prosecution and face expulsion from France.
Vandalism in San Rocco Church in Mede
August 16, 2020, ItalyThe church of San Rocco in Mede was vandalized on the weekend, while preparations were underway for the celebration of the saint on Sunday evening. There was dirt on the small churchyard, such as bottles and cigarette butts. The vandals managed to get inside because the doors were open to allow for the preparations. They broke some candles and wrote vulgar phrases. Mayor said that it was not the first time such an episode happens.
Theft of Sacred Objects in Church of Saint-Malo-de-Beignon
August 16, 2020, FranceOn August 16th, the theft of a chalice and a ciborium was discovered in the church of Saint-Malo-de-Beignon. According to the verger of Saint-Malo-de-Beignon parish, Eugène Duval, hosts were found under the stairs. The doors showed no signs of a forceful entry, so the thefts likely took place in broad daylight, before the doors were closed at night.The act was suspected to have taken place between August 9th and August 15th. Police began an investigation.
Church Vandalised in Saint-Paul-sur-Save on Ascension Day
August 15, 2020, FranceThe church in Saint-Paul-sur-Save was vandalised on Ascension Day, August 15th. A crucifix was moved and the tabernacle, fortunately empty, was opened; the side doors of the sacristy were broken down and wardrobes were searched. Police began an investigation.
Hermitage in Alicnate Heavily Damaged, Desecrated and Robbed
August 15, 2020, SpainOn 15. August, the Christ Most Holy hermitage in Alicante was robbed and damaged by vandals. According to the parish administrator, the perpetrators stole several religious objects including a ceramic chalice, paten, metal crowns, statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary, and a sword from the Virgin Statue. They smashed through the altar of Saint Joseph and significantly damaged the building. The vandals also looted the drawers of furniture and threw devotional and liturgical books on the floor. The police is still investigating, but even if detained, the police said the vandals would not have received prison charges.
Wayside Cross Stolen and Destroyed in Arcambal
August 15, 2020, FranceIn Arcambal, in mid-August, a stone cross was stolen. The cross was part of the small heritage of the village and was located in the commune of Arcambal, in the Lot, at the corner of the castle wall, at the crossroads of the route du Tréboulou and the route de Cahors. It was torn off the wall and stolen. A complaint was filled.
Church Staff in Cheshire Physically Assaulted
August 15, 2020, United KingdomDuring an attack in August, one member of staff at a church in Cheshire was bitten and forcefully and inappropriately touched in his private area by an unknown perpetrator. According to a report by the Countryside Alliance the assault was one of 66 crimes to take place in churches in Cheshire. After several complaints, that too little has been done to raise awareness about crimes at churches, an investigation started.
Vandalised Church in St Paul sur Save
August 15, 2020, FranceOn August 15th, the Church in St Paul sur Save was target of vandalism. Unknown perpetrators broke open the doors of the sacristy and cabinets were opened and searched. A complaint has been filed by the municipality who owns the building. The police are investigating.
Vandalism in Murchante Against The Church and The Mayor
August 14, 2020, SpainOn the night from 13th to 14th August, vandals painted the streets and the door of the Church in Murchante with a threat warning against the mayor. The church and the police were insulted. Some writings said, "God is a black female" or "Worship Satan", and called police "parasites". Also, four containers were burned and had to be put out by the firefighters.
Church of Our Lady of Czestochowa Destroyed
August 14, 2020, ItalyOn August 14th, A 54 year-old man entered the Church of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Rome on the morning, while a lady and the elderly parish priest were cleaning. He then started to destroy objects violently, and could not be stopped by the witnesses until the police intervened. The attack targeted the altar, the painting of Our Lady of Czestochowa, the stoups, crosses and candlesticks.
A Group of Drunk Teenagers Destroyed And Desecrated A Statue of Jesus on The Cross
August 14, 2020, ItalyOn the night of Friday 14th August, a group of drunk young teenagers or even children destroyed the Statue of Jesus on the Cross, recorded it on video, and posted it later on social media. The Statue was on the road between Vindicatico and Monte Pizzo, in Lizzano. On the Video, one hears laughter and curses, while one young man hits the statue with a bat, the statue was also broken into pieces and smashed on the ground. The Carabinieri investigated and tracked down the perpetrators, who were between 19 and 16 years old. They were then denounced. One of the perpetrators wrote a letter of apology. The statue had been recently restored and people reacted badly to the scene.
Damage And Vandalism Against The Metropolitan Church Of Agios Minas
August 13, 2020, GreeceOn Sunday 9th August, an Algerian threw stones and damaged the stained-glass windows of the Cathedral of Agios Minas in Heraklion. He also damaged a showcase of a library in the Archdiocese of Crete. On 11th August, he returned to the Cathedral armed with a hammer and began to break down a door. The police was able to identify and arrest the man through a video footage. There are various cases of vandalism and theft to churches in Greece..
A Cross Vandalized in Rivière-Salée
August 11, 2020, FranceThe Statue of Christ on the cross has been vandalized before 11th August. The photos of the statue, which lays inside the traffic circle next to the bridge leading to the Trois-Ilets road, were circulating on social media. The statue was repainted in black and an inscription saying "Faith Kills" was also written on it.
Chapel of Santo Stefano Desecrated by Vandals
August 11, 2020, ItalyA small chapel in the hamlet of Montesardo in Alessandria was vandalized by unknown people. They used spray paint to write vulgar and blasphemous phrases and images such as "Fck church, Fck God" and an anarchist symbol. A Mass of Reparation was held.
Eglise Saint-Pierre Vandalized and Desecrated
August 11, 2020, FranceDuring the night of 10-11 August, unknown perpetrators broke into the church of Saint-Pierre de Montendre. The large central crucifix was discovered smashed on the ground. Father Bergson Julien was shocked: "I went to open the church at 8.45 this Tuesday morning and found the large cross with Christ in terracotta on the floor, broken vases on the altar, and the tabernacle had disappeared". The tabernacle was later found, but the ciborium and lunula with consecrated hosts it contained were missing.
Church of Saint-Michel Vandalized in France
August 11, 2020, FranceOn the 11th August in the afternoon, the Church of Saint Michel was desecrated in Verdun-Sur-Garonne. The church was opened during the day. The perpetrators broke the candles and scattered them and crushed them all over the church, the pews were moved and the chairs were upside down. Also, the sheets of paper were scattered. They had inscribed "T" and "X" with tape on the tablecloth of the altar, which suggest that the perpetrators did not finish their profanation. This incident was followed by other similar ones in other churches the next weeks.
Man Broke Into Church And Destroyed Hymnal
August 11, 2020, GermanyOn the 11th of August in Lößnitz, a man broke into the Johanniskirche and destroyed a hymnal. The 37-year-old man first tried to break open the entrance door of the church, then he smashed a window pane and entered the interior of the church. He damaged the hymn and songs book. The employees of the cemetery interrupted the perpetrator and the witnesses called the police. The damage made is estimated to be around 500 euro.The man was arrested and released on Wednesday.
Repetitive Degradation of the Church of Saint Joseph de Audierne
August 10, 2020, FranceOn the 10th of August during the night, the Church of Saint Joseph de Audierne was degraded. It is written on the board message on the door that the church will be remain closed due to repetitive vandalism.
Increasing Attacks on German Street Preacher
August 10, 2020, GermanyStreet preacher Henning Heinrich Westrup reported that attacks against him increased in July. He calls on people to repent and follow Jesus Christ in the pedestrian zones in Bielefeld, Dortmund and Gütersloh, among others. He reported that attacks against him by people who reject his message have increased. He said he experienced insults, vulgarities, and threats -- along with an assault in July.
Saint-Pierre Church Desecrated
August 10, 2020, FranceOn the evening of 10th August, the side door of the Saint-Pierre Church in Charente-Maritime was forced open. The central cross was broken and thrown to the ground, the tabernacle was torn off, and the ciborium was emptied of the hosts. There have been many church profanations in the city of Charente-Maritime.