All cases

Man Arrested for Defacing more than 80 Graves with "666" in Church Cemetery

July 21, 2019, Denmark

A 46-year-old man was charged with spray-painting the number ‘666’ on 87 tombstones in a church cemetery in North Jutland, Denmark. Staff from the Hadsund Church noticed the damage on Sunday morning, July 21st. After an investigation, the man was arrested on July 24th after witnesses came forward. The man, who had been convicted of similar vandalism of a cemetery in 2016, denied responsibility for this incident.

Bells Stolen Of Two Chapels of Saint-Damase and Penitents

July 20, 2019, France

During the night of Thursday to Friday, one bell of the chapel of Saint-Damase and another one from the 12th century of the chapel of the Penitents, which was renovated only two years ago, were stolen. Both bells weight at least 300 pounds each. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.

Arson Suspected in Hyvinkää Old Church

July 19, 2019, Finland

In the early hours of July 19th, a passer-by notified the fire department that the warehouse of the Old Church in Hyvinkää was in flames and the church building itself was also on fire. Due to the results of the preliminary investigation, the chief inspector suspected the fire was set intentionally and opened an arson investigation. The wooden church itself remained mostly intact, however, the storage facility housing gardening tools was completely destroyed by the fire.

Reformation Wall Vandalized with Rainbow Colors in Geneva

July 15, 2019, Switzerland

The monument, known as Reformation Wall, depicting Calvin, Farel, Bèze and Knox was covered in paint with the rainbow colors by unknown vandals on July 15th. The city filed a criminal complaint complaint.

Church and Chapel Vandalized in Quimper Diocese

July 14, 2019, France

During Sunday Mass on the 14 of July, parishioners learned of vandalism in both the church and chapel of the Saint-Mathieu parish in Pays d'Iroise (diocese of Quimper, Finistère). In the church of Saint-Budoc à Porspoder damage included a vandalized offertory box, cigarettes left in front of the altar of the Blessed Virgin, the door of the sacristy obstructed by the insertion of gravel in the lock, and vomit in the holy water stoups. In the Chapelle Saint-Samson à Landunvez, the most photographed chapel in France, an offertory box was vandalized and a cross thrown in the trash.

Medieval Norfolk Church Torched by Arson

July 12, 2019, United Kingdom

On July 12th, firefighters were called to a fire at St. Margaret's Ruined Church in Hopton after a motorbike was set on fire underneath the 13th century building. While the incident was ruled an arson by officials, the investigation was closed in October due to lack of evidence.

Repeated Vandalism and Thefts in the Parish Church of Mainz

July 12, 2019, Germany

The parish church in Ingelheim has repeatedly been the target of severe vandalism, as reported on the 12th of July 2019. The acts included cigarette ash in the confessional, holy water basins filled with urine, candles lighted on the altar. The church was closed because of this abuse.

Paris: Vandalism in 13th Arrondissement Church

July 11, 2019, France

An unknown person intentionally set off the alarm in the church of Saint-Hippolyte in Paris around 9:30 am on July 11th and once the church was evacuated, took the opportunity to vandalize the payment terminals for church contributions (Denier de l’Église). As a result, the church restricted its opening hours to afternoons in July and August.

Man Arrested with Cans of Gasoline in Cathedral

July 8, 2019, France

A man in his thirties was arrested on July 8th at around 7 pm, after he entered the cathedral of Sées with several cans of gasoline. Witnesses apprehended him and handed him over to the police. According to reports, the man, who suffers from psychological problems, was taken to the psychotherapeutic center of Orne for compulsory hospitalization. However no criminal prosecution will be launched against him. According to the public prosecutor, "there is a total absence of discernment. He is totally irresponsible ... No criminal action may be taken."

Two Suspicious Fires in Four Days in Bourg-Achard Church

July 2, 2019, France

Between June 26th and June 30th, two fires were discovered in the 13th century église Saint-Lô in Bourg-Achard (Eure). According to the police in charge of the investigation, there is a high probability that these two fires were deliberately set.