All cases

St Simeonis Vandalized for Second Time in Two Months

January 17, 2019, Germany

A window in the back of the Evangelical church of St. Simeon in Minden was smashed during the night of January 17th by unknown perpetrators.

Greek Orthodox Church Vandalized in Esslingen

January 17, 2019, Germany

An unidentified perpetrator attacked the Greek Orthodox Church, damaging several windows and a glass ornament above the front door. Police opened an investigation

UPDATE: St. Jacques Church in Grenoble Destroyed by Intentional Fire

January 16, 2019, France

The church, whose frame was made of wood, was completely destroyed in a fire during the night of January 16th to 17th. When the firefighters arrived on site at 2:30 am, the church was already totally engulfed, and they could only prevent the flames from spreading to neighboring buildings. A hundred people had to be evacuated. The initial investigation indicated that the fire had started with a short circuit in the electrical system, however, an anarcho-libertarian blog post claimed responsibility. On October 7th, prosecutors said accelerants were found in the rubble and the fire would be treated as arson.

Private Catholic School Sprayed with Graffiti

January 16, 2019, Spain

The exterior wall of the colegio de Santa Victoria of the Madres Escolapias, a private Catholic school, was spray painted with phrases such as "Death to Fascism," "School is Jail," as well as an 'anarcho-feminist' symbol.

Attempted Robbery and Fire in Two Bas-Rhin Churches

January 14, 2019, France

During the afternoon of January 14th, police were called to the church of Saint-Georges after the priest discovered that unknown individuals had tried to break into the donation trunks and attempted to force open the door to the sacristy where objects of worship are stored. An hour later, police and firefighters were called to a fire at the Sainte-Foy church nearby. Police later arrested a man in his late-forties with a lengthy criminal record for setting the Sainte-Foy fire. He was then hospitalized for a psychiatric evaluation.

Arson Attempt at Russian Orthodox Church

January 13, 2019, Germany

Sometime between January 11th and 12th, an attempt was made to set fire to a wooden wall in the entrance area of ​​the Russian Orthodox Church (Russisch-Orthodoxen Gemeinde des Hl. Gross Martyrers Dimitrios von Thesaloniki) in Schwerin with a candle and oily liquid accelerant. Investigators found a small charred area on the wall of the wooden church because the liquid did not ignite.

UK Court agrees to hear Challenge to Ban on Pro-Life Prayer Outside Abortion Center

January 11, 2019, United Kingdom

A British court has ruled that a pro-life activist may challenge a legal decision banning prayer and support for women in crisis pregnancies outside a Marie Stopes clinic.

Molotov Cocktail Thrown at Church

January 10, 2019, Italy

"The true martyrs are in the sea" was painted on the wall of the church of San Rocco in Rovereto as the signature of the vandals who threw an incendiary device at the church, setting fire to the door. The attack appears to have been in response to a controversial nativity scene set up to "raise awareness of the tragedy of abortion which condemns children to a real martyrdom."

Christian Man Can't Use "Christ" or "Jesus" on License Plate

January 10, 2019, Sweden

The Swedish Transport Agency rejected blocked a Christian man’s request to use the word "Kristus" (Swedish for “Christ”) on his license plate, claiming the move could “cause offense” to those opposed to Christianity. When he asked to use the name “Jesus” instead, he was informed that word was blocked, too.

UK Deported Pakistani Christian Threatened by Islamic Extremists

January 9, 2019, United Kingdom

Asher Samson, a Pakistani Christian who fought to stay in the UK after allegedly being beaten and repeatedly threatened with execution by Islamic extremists in Pakistan, was deported back to Pakistan on January 9th. Samson, backed by thousands of Christians, attempted to persuade the UK government to allow him to stay after being threatened with execution by Islamic extremists in his home country.

Quickborn: Graffiti on Church

January 9, 2019, Germany

Unknown perpetrators vandalized an outer wall of the Quickborn Catholic church Maria - Hilfe der Christen with white spray paint. The lettering extended over a width of about 1.5 meters at a height of about one meter.

Major Damage to Church after Lead Theft

January 9, 2019, United Kingdom

Thieves stole the lead roof of All Saints Church, which dates to 1390. During the course of the theft the thieves caused extensive damage to the stone parapet on the roof. The damage was estimated at tens of thousands of pounds.

Profanation At Church Of Barcenaciones

January 3, 2019, Spain

On January 3rd 2019 the Blessed Sacrament was profaned in the parish church of Barcenaciones in Cantabria. A holy mass of reparation was held on January 5th in the evening.

Nativity Scene In Callosa De Segura Destroyed

January 1, 2019, Spain

On January 1st 2019 unknown people destroyed the nativity scene at the Alto del Aguila in the mountains of Collosa by kicking and throwing it down the hill. The nativity scene was later found 300 meters away from the top of Alto del Aquila, where it was placed by the porter and 300 other people on December 16th. Every year since 1962 the nativity scene is placed there. The porcelain figures and the old crib made out of methacrylate were completely destroyed. The residents of Callosa de Segura are outraged by this criminal act.

Two Telephone Bomb Threats against Vienna Cathedral in a Week

December 29, 2018, Austria

St. Stephen's Cathedral had to be evacuated twice in one week after anonymous telephone bomb threats by were received.

Anarchist Group Targeted Church with Explosive Device in Athens

December 28, 2018, Greece

On December 28th, a police officer and the church caretaker were injured when a small explosive device went off outside the Church of St. Dionysios in the Kolonaki neighborhood of Athens shortly before the Divine Liturgy was scheduled to begin. On January 19th, the anarchist group "the Iconoclastic Sect" claimed responsibility for the attack.

Burglaries in Two Churches in Freren Cause Property Damage of 9,000 Euros

December 28, 2018, Germany

Unknown perpetrators broke into a Catholic church and an Evangelical church in Freren, stealing small amounts of money from donation boxes, but causing about 9,000 euros in damage.

Monks Brutally Attacked during Robbery

December 27, 2018, Austria

Six monks were attacked, gagged, and bound during the course of a robbery at the monastery of Maria Immaculata in Vienna on December 27th. Several of the victims were seriously injured and police began a large-scale investigation.

Nativity Scene of Villassar de Mar Attacked and Destroyed

December 25, 2018, Spain

On the 25th December, a nativity scene in the municipality of Vilassar de Mar was found destroyed by vandals. The Catholic Tabarnia Twitter account posted a video showing the Baby Jesus with broken arms, a painting on the Virgin Mary, and damage to St. Joseph, the mule, the ox and the shepherds.

Man Arrested for Destruction in Church

December 22, 2018, Germany

A 19-year-old man was arrested after causing severe damage to the Apostelkirche in Kaiserslautern on the night of December 22nd. The accused destroyed three glass windows and sprayed the contents of a fire extinguisher in the church. When the police attempted to calm the man, he threatened the officers.