All cases
Stained Glass Windows Smashed at La Roë Abbey in Mayenne
May 30, 2019, FranceSome time between May 29th and 30th, rocks were thrown at the stained glass windows of the north transept of La Roë Abbey.
Statue Decapitated in front of a Church in Vincennes
May 30, 2019, FranceAfter the morning Mass on May 30th, parishioners discovered that the statue of a little shepherd praying had been decapitated in front of the Notre-Dame church.
Thieves Steal Offertory Donations during Mass in Lourdes
May 30, 2019, FranceDuring the Ascension Mass on May 30th, two thieves aged between 40 and 50 were caught stealing 1,200 euros and 42 pounds sterling from the offertory boxes in the Sanctuary of Lourdes, in the Hautes-Pyrénées. The Spaniards, known to both French and Spanish police, worked in a coordinated manner for several days, with one on the lookout while the other was stealing the donations. The security services in the sanctuary caught them via surveillance video and handed them over to the police who held them in custody. At the end of their hearings by the investigators, they were released until their scheduled appearance before the Tarbes Criminal Court in October.
Relics of Fatima Saints Stolen During Exhibition on Pilgrimage
May 29, 2019, ItalyTwo of the relics of the Fatima child saints as well as copies of a crown and golden rosary of the Fatima Virgin Mary statue were stolen from the Gesu Divino Lavoratore Catholic Church in Verona on May 29th while they were being taken around the country on a pilgrimage tour. Although they were only small pieces of cloth which once belonged to the Portuguese sheperd children Jacinta and Francisco Marto, who were canonized in May 2017 by Pope Francis, they are of great value for devout Catholics. Priest Andrea Ronconi said he was “heartbroken and mortified” by the theft and that it probably happened at noontime. Police are looking for the two suspects with who the priest might even have conversed before he locked the church for lunch break.
Crucifix at Church Vandalized Twice in Two Weeks in Marseille
May 29, 2019, FranceA large crucifix with Christ figure in front of the Saint-Patrice church in the Croix-Rouge district of Marseille was vandalized with blue paint on May 29th. According to reports, this is the second such vandalism in 15 days.
Crucifixes Targeted at Cemetery in Montpellier
May 29, 2019, FranceDuring the night of May 29th to 30th, twelve graves were vandalized in the cemetery Celleneuve in Montpellier (Hérault department). The perpetrators appeared to have specifically targeted crucifixes. The police closed the cemetery on the Ascension holiday to conduct an investigation. Titina Dasylva, deputy mayor in charge of security, expressed her outrage about the incident on Twitter.
Crucifix Destroyed in Płońsk
May 28, 2019, PolandOn May 28th, the Catholic Chapel of St. Padre Pio in Płońsk was the target of vandals who desecrated the chapel's crucifix by taking it off the wall and smashing it. According to the parish priest, a parishioner who came to pray in the chapel found the cross on the floor and the ceramic Jesus Christ statue from the cross broken into pieces. Police are investigating.
Altar Window Smashed
May 28, 2019, GermanyAn unidentified vandal smashed the lead glazing of an altar window at the Catholic Church in Büchel in the afternoon of May 28th.
Two Thefts from Vienna Churches
May 27, 2019, AustriaWitnesses called the police from two different churches in Vienna (Michaelerplatz and Florianigasse) to report thefts from the offertory box in the middle of the day on May 27th. Both suspects were arrested while they were still in and around the church buildings. The police found coins in double-digit total value on each of the perpetrators.
Budapest Kindergarten Teaches Horoscopes; Won't Allow Discussion of God
May 27, 2019, HungaryAccording to a report from the mother of a 5-year-old boy who attends a government-run kindergarten in Budapest, the teacher told her son not to talk about God with other children because there were non-believers in the classroom. However, there have been entire morning programs devoted to learning about astrology/zodiac signs. When the boy's mother complained to the kindergarten director, she was told that the school maintains Christian traditions with the celebration of Christmas and Easter, but that the teacher was correct to stop the discussion of God's existence and to prohibit the children from talking about God.
Graffiti on Church in Kronach
May 26, 2019, GermanyOn a Sunday afternoon, perpetrators tagged a church in Kronach with the tags "RCS" and "RCG" causing damage estimated at about 500 euros. The graffiti was found on the main entrance door and on a message board.
Corpus Christi Procession Parodied during Gdansk Equality March
May 25, 2019, PolandDuring the May 25th Tri-City Equality March in Gdansk, which was organized by the LGBT communities, the Catholic tradition of Corpus Christi processions was parodied. A group of people in multicolored costumes with rainbow halos were supposed to imitate the typical attire of a statue of the Virgin Mary. Each of them held on to a ribbon attached to a highly provocative sign depicting a crowned vagina where in Catholic Corpus Christi processions the Blessed Sacrament (a consecrated host) would be. A person dressed in white, imitating a priest, was holding the sign. The city's mayor participated and gave an opening speech at the march, calling it an honor to open the event.
Vandalism of Alpine Church Continues
May 25, 2019, ItalyVandalism such as graffiti and littering has been a recurring problem at the ancient church of Santa Maria in Colle. (Link below to April incident). On May 25th perpetrators struck again. Graffiti in the form of doodles and insults was found on the church walls and quickly removed. In a response to the persistent vandalism, a local historian appealed to everyone to keep the church clean and sacred by emphasizing the value and importance of the place for the community and accentuating that workers once had given their lives to build this church. However, the vandals were little impressed by his appeal and made the church their target as they returned to cover the freshly whitewashed walls of the church with graffiti again that same night.
Arson at Londonderry Catholic Church
May 24, 2019, United KingdomPolice investigated an arson attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Ballymagroarty (Northern Ireland). An outbuilding next to the church was set on fire at around 10:30pm on May 24th. 20 firefighters battled the blaze which spread to the church roof and were able to contain it before it spread to the chapel or parochial house. The parochial house was evacuated. The fire service reported that CCTV cameras filmed two people setting the fire.
Richmond Council "Buffer Zone" Challenged in Court
May 23, 2019, United KingdomLegal proceedings were launched in the High Court against Richmond Council to challenge a controversial Public Space Protection Order (“PSPO”) around an abortion clinic on Rosslyn Road that makes it a criminal offense to, among other things, pray or have conversations about abortion. The legal challenge has been brought by Justyna Pasek, who has personally supported women visiting the abortion clinic in Richmond for over five years, offering them alternatives to abortion.
Christian Nurse Loses Appeal
May 21, 2019, United KingdomSarah Kuteh loses case at Court of Appeal.
Sainte-Anne Chapel in Brest Repeatedly Targeted
May 20, 2019, FranceDuring the night of May 20th to May 21st, the Chapelle Sainte-Anne in Brest was again the target of vandalism in the form of graffiti. It is not the first time unknown perpetrators have sprayed obscene and blasphemous tags on the wall of the chapel or disturbed Sunday services. The abbot said: "The chapel is regularly targeted by nauseating inscriptions. ...The ideology of their authors is clear. Residents testify to their desolation at seeing hatred spread regularly against this peaceful chapel."
Vandals Burn Statue of Jesus in Großholbach Church
May 19, 2019, GermanyPolice reported that unknown perpetrators broke in a church window with stones and invaded the interior of the church of the Heiligen Dreifaltigkeit in Großholbach (Westerwald in Rhineland-Palatinate) during the night of May 18th to 19th. Several sacred objects, including statues of saints, were broken. The Jesus figure was removed from the crucifix and burned. The intruders also urinated in the aisle and on several pews.
Fires Set in Nordhausen Church
May 18, 2019, GermanyPolice announced on May 19th that a tablecloth had been set on fire in the vestibule of St. Blasii's Evangelical church in Nordhausen during the night of May 18th. Fortunately, it did not catch fire completely. There were also traces of fire on a cordon to the church balcony. The professional fire brigade used a thermal imaging camera to scan other areas for evidence of fires. Police are now looking for witnesses who may have seen something suspicious.
Vandalism of Chiesa di Sant’Orso Facade
May 17, 2019, ItalyBoth sides of the main wooden entrance portal to the church of Sant'Orso were painted with female faces in the Japanese comic style during the night of May 16th to 17th. The vandals also painted the letters A and T next to the faces. Police are reviewing CCTV footage.
Etsy Admits Sale of Consecrated Hosts Violated Policy
May 16, 2019, GermanyOn May 7th, an unknown buyer purchased "nine real Catholic hosts, consecrated by a priest” from a Germany-based Etsy seller for $11.58. The seller, who called himself “AL” and his business “Pentagora,” said the hosts were “to abuse for classic black fairs or black magic purposes.” In response to a petition with over 10,000 signatures demanding the online marketplace ban the sales of consecrated hosts, the company admitted that such a sale was in violation of their policies.
Facebook Censors "Still One of Us" Image; Reverses Decision after Review
May 15, 2019, InternationalThe Dublin-based Iona Institute for Religion and Society launched a pro-life ad campaign during the week of May 7th, which included billboard signs depicting an unborn child in the womb. Iona extended that campaign to Facebook and paid a promotion fee to bring it to a wider audience. Facebook blurred the image in the ads behind a warning and said that the image comes under the heading of “graphic” or “violent” content. UPDATE: On May 20th, Facebook reversed the decision, saying it was mistakenly categorized as "sensitive content."
Iranian Christian Awaits Trial in Iran after being Deported
May 15, 2019, GermanyThe Iranian Christian convert Fatemeh Azad's claim for asylum due to conversion to Christianity was rejected by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees and she was deported to Iran. The reason for her rejection was that she did not convince the judge of her genuine conversion. Upon arrival in Iran, she was arrested immediately and released on bail and now she is waiting for her trial which could mean a death sentence because in Iran there is a death penalty for apostasy from Islam.
Vandalism of Church and Walls in Orvieto Medieval Quarter
May 12, 2019, ItalyFor what was is described as the "umpteenth" time, the walls of the medieval Rupe quarter and the facade of its church, San Giovenale, were vandalized with graffiti which included "blasphemous phrases." Police began an investigation and specialized cleaning teams will be hired to remove the paint.
Vandalism in Villeurbanne Church
May 12, 2019, FranceDuring the night of May 12th, intruders entered the church of Sainte-Famille in Villeurbanne (Rhône) and damaged the holy water stoup, candles, and left trash. The city's urban safety brigade is investigating.
Christian Statues Stolen from Cemetery
May 10, 2019, FranceThree metal, meter-high, statues of Christian figures were stolen off their granite pedestals in a family plot in the cemetery of Argenton-les-Vallées (Deux-Sèvres). Police are investigating.
UPDATE: Suspect Arrested for Arson in Equihen-Plage Church Sacristy
May 9, 2019, FranceAs a result of a forensic investigation into the origin of a fire that broke out around 6 am on May 5th in the sacristy of the church of Equihen-Plage, a man was arrested on May 9th and sentenced to four and a half years in prison (18 months suspended sentence and three years on probation). The 34-year-old confessed to having set the fire as well as having robbed churches in La Capelle-lès-Boulogne, Wimille, and attempting to rob a church in Boulogne. He said he also had tried to set those churches on fire, but without success. The damage to the Equihen-Plage was extensive, estimated at around 340,000 euros.
Sussex Church Suffers Repeated Vandalism
May 9, 2019, United KingdomIn the latest in a series of vandalism incidents at the St John the Evangelist church in Copthorne, the Victorian gate memorial to World War I veterans in the churchyard was kicked in and broken. The Churchwarden reported that this was the latest in a string of incidents at the village church. Police are investigating.
Activists Block University Christians' Event in Göttingen
May 9, 2019, GermanyActivists prevented a planned lecture by the gynecologist Michael Kiworr (Mannheim) on 8 May at the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen.
Break-in and Attempted Burglary in Two Hesse Churches
May 8, 2019, GermanyDuring the afternoon of May 7th, the priest of a Hofheim church caught a man trying to break into the donation box with a tool. The man fled the scene on bicycle. Later, during the night between May 7th and 8th, intruders entered a church in Raunheim (about 65 km away from Hofheim) through a broken basement window. Although it appeared that nothing was stolen, they damaged the locked entrance door as they left.
Theft from Saint-Germain-des-Près in Paris
May 8, 2019, FranceThe parish priest of the church of Saint-Germain-des-Près discovered that a gilded metal cross, bronze candlestick, and a candle had been stolen from the church altar by two intruders. The thieves were able to enter the church between 2:10 and 2:30 a.m. without forcing the doors due to construction scaffolding on the building. Police are searching for the two perpetrators filmed by the security cameras.
Christ Figure Broken in Half and Left on Church Altar
May 8, 2019, FranceOn May 8th, parishioners at the church of Saint-Martin d'Asson (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) discovered that a crucifix had been dismantled, and the Christ figure it supported broken in two pieces and left on both sides of the altar. A complaint was filed and police began an investigation.
Theft and Desecration of Saint-Germain Church
May 7, 2019, FranceThe Saint-Germain church in Brion-prés-Thouet (Deux-Sèvres) was the victim of a theft and desecration. Consecrated hosts and a lunula were stolen. On May 4th, a Mass of reparation was held.
Woman Arrested for Assaults, Threats and Vandalism Against Churches and Priests
May 7, 2019, SpainA 46-year-old woman of Cuban origin was arrested on the 7. May for conducting over 40 altercations and assaults on priests, nuns and faithful of various Catholic parishes in Palma de Mallorca. The arrest took place after she violently stole the figure of a Buddha on 15 April.
Vandalism in Village Church Twice in 10 Days
May 6, 2019, FranceThe church of Saint-Genest was vandalized on the afternoon of May 6th, with the Easter candle and other candles dedicated to the Virgin Mary burnt, the organ's power supply damaged, and trash was found. According to reports, this is the second instance of vandalism that the village church in ten days. Police began an investigation.
Repeated Thefts from Churches in Baden-Württemberg
May 6, 2019, GermanyFreiburg police are investigating a series of thefts from Catholic churches in Rheinfelden-Nollingen, Schwörstadt, and Bad Säckingen from mid-April to the beginning of May. Offering boxes were pried open and the contents stolen in each of the churches, with the Nollingen church hit twice by thieves.
Winnweiler Church Damaged by Vandals
May 6, 2019, GermanyDuring the period from May 4th to 6th, unknown perpetrators broke the lock at the Herz-Jesu-Kirche in Winnweiler (Rhineland-Palatinate), lit a small campfire on the sandy ground outside the church, and defaced a wall with graffiti. A lightning rod was torn from the wall and the outer facade of the church was damaged. The police in Rockenhausen are investigating.
Thüringen Church Vandalized
May 6, 2019, GermanyUnknown perpetrators smeared "several numbers, characters and figures in different colors" on the outer wall of the Evangelical Lutheran City Church in Rudolstadt. Police began an investigation.
Rampage in Umbria Church
May 5, 2019, ItalyDuring the night between May 4th and 5th, vandals ransacked the church of San Girolamo in Narni. On Sunday morning the 5th, the priest discovered that statues, benches, and kneelers had been overturned and damaged. Wires were torn from the sound system, furnishings in the sacristy and other rooms were destroyed, and sacred books had been thrown to the ground. As a result of the extensive damage, Mass had to be cancelled. A complaint was filed with the police.
Graffiti on Toulouse Church
May 5, 2019, FranceGraffiti with the phrase "Allah u Akbar" and a heart was found written on the door of the Notre-Dame-du-Taur church in Toulouse during the evening of May 5th.
Hoxel Chapel Window Damaged
May 5, 2019, GermanyDuring the night from May 4th to 5th, unidentified vandals smashed a stained glass window in the chapel in Morbach-Hoxel with a paving stone. Property damage is estimated to be around 2000 euros.
Suspicious Fire in Sacristy
May 5, 2019, FranceA suspicious fire broke out in the sacristy of St. Peter`s church in Équihen-Plage on the morning of May 5th. Thick smoke and flames were already coming out of the windows of the religious building when the firefighters arrived. The sacristy was very badly damaged. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
Thieves Steal Cross from Altar
May 4, 2019, GermanySometime between May 3rd and 4th, the intricately carved wooden cross was stolen from the altar of the Peter-Paul-Kirche in Bad Oldesloe. Pastor Diethelm Schark said to enter the sanctuary to steal the wooden cross broke a major taboo and said he hoped the cross would be found and returned.
Cross Broken and Trampled at Kwidzyn Cathedral
May 3, 2019, PolandOn May 3rd, a priest discovered a destroyed and trampled cross in the porch of the entrance to the church of Saint John the Evangelist in Kwidzyn, as well as a strong smelling liquid poured into the holy water font. Because the incident occurred on the Catholic feast of the Queen of Poland and Poland's Constitution Day holiday, there were many visitors and tourists around the cathedral, making it difficult to identify the perpetrators, according to the priest. The area was not covered by the security cameras in the church.
Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Deux-Sèvres Church
May 2, 2019, FranceThe church of Saint-Germain in Brion-prés-Thouet held a reparation Mass on May 4th after consecrated hosts in a chalice were stolen a few days earlier.
Donation Box Torn from Wall of Church found at Bus Stop
May 2, 2019, GermanyPolice investigated the theft of an offertory box from a church in Wiehe (Thüringen). On May 2nd, church staff discovered that the donation box had been forcibly torn from the wall. It was later found at a bus stop. A small amount of cash was stolen, but the incident caused property damage of about 100 euros.
Two Vandalism Incidents in Two Days on Catholic Churches in Scotland
April 29, 2019, United KingdomOn Saturday, April 27, anti-Catholic graffiti (“F*** the Pope”) was found spray-painted on a bus shelter outside Holy Family Catholic Church in Mossend. On Monday, April 29, vandals entered St. Simon Catholic Church in Glasgow, the main place of worship for the city's Polish community, and attacked the sanctuary, breaking a statue, overturning candles and a shrine to Our Lady of Częstochowa.
Heavy Damage after Church Break-In
April 29, 2019, GermanyUnknown thieves broke into a church on the Luisenring in Mannheim on April 29th. According to police, the perpetrators gained access to the church through a back window during the night of April 29th. They searched the chapel and the sacristy. Doors and containers were broken into with massive force, resulting in property damage of around 10,000 euros throughout the building. Police began an investigation.
Theft from Evangelical Church During Service
April 28, 2019, GermanyDuring the Sunday morning worship service on the 28th of April, an unknown perpetrator stole the offertory box from the evangelischen Kirchengemeinde Spaichingen (Baden-Wüttemberg).
Persistent Vandalism of Alpine Church
April 28, 2019, ItalyA year after the restoration of the historic alpine church Santa Maria in Colle and its panoramic churchyard and old cemetery, vandals defiled the walls with with graffiti and scattered garbage around the site again on April 28th. Despite the efforts of the town community and authorities to keep the church and its surroundings a clean and welcoming place, there have been recurring acts of vandalism by unknown perpetrators.
Disruptions and Security Concerns at Armenian Genocide Commemorations in Germany
April 27, 2019, GermanyIn Frankfurt am Main, the Diocese of the Armenian Church in Germany and the Central Council of Armenians held a memorial service at the Paulskirche on April 27th for the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Just hours before the event, the keynote speaker was forced to cancel his participation due to acute security concerns. The speaker, Mourad Franck Papazian of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Associations in France, received a warning from French security police that he might become a target for Turkish extremists in Germany. Other incidents included damage of cross stones and threats toward ceremony participants.
Vandalism in the Saint-Rémi Church
April 27, 2019, FranceThe church Saint-Rémi (Diocese of Nancy) in Thiaucourt-Regniéville was vandalized on April 27th. A fire extinguisher was emptied and the powder was sprayed all over the church floor and pews. The cleaning costs were about 1,200 euros. After the municipal council meeting, the elected representatives decided to close the church for the public outside the services.
Two Hate Crimes In Two Days In Scotland
April 27, 2019, United KingdomOn April 27th anti-Catholic graffiti saying "F*** the Pope" was sprayed on a bus station outside the Holy Family Catholic Church in Mossed. Only two days later unknown perpetrators broke into the St. Simon Catholic Church in Glasgow, overturned candles and a shrine of Our Lady of Częstochowa and broke the statue. Although only 15 percent of the Scottish population are Catholics, they suffer 57 percent of all religion-motivated hate crimes in Scotland.
Posters of Our Lady of Częstochowa with Rainbow Halo Scattered around Płock Church
April 26, 2019, PolandOn the morning of April 27th, parishioners noticed posters of Our Lady of Częstochowa (a sacred image of the Virgin Mary and Child) scattered around the church of St. Maksymilian Kolbe with rainbows replacing the golden halos. The posters were found around litter bins and portable toilets. The spokesman for the Polish Bishops Conference denounced the act and asked for people "regardless of beliefs and personal views, to respect the religious feelings of believers." The incident was also harshly criticized by the Interior Ministry. There were three suspects identified and they will go on trial in November 2020.
Thieves Fled Church after Trying to Steal Donation Box
April 26, 2019, GermanyAt about 4:30 pm on April 26th, two people entered the Annakirche in Düren (Nordrhein-Westfalen) and immediately noticed two males: One was kneeling in front of the donation and sacrificial candle container trying to cut open the padlock with a bolt cutter. When the witnesses approached the men, they fled the church.
Bomb Threat Halted Church Commemoration of Armenian Genocide
April 24, 2019, GermanyPolice evacuated the Lutherkirche in the Bad Cannstadt district of Stuttgart on April 24th shortly before a 7pm commemoration service for the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide was to take place. The pastor of the Armenian Christian community reported that received a warning from police to clear the church after an anonymous bomb threat was received. Police forces blocked off a large area around the church, employing special forces with machine guns and dogs until late in the evening. A police spokesman neither confirmed nor denied that it had been a bomb threat, but called it a "threat situation" and explosives detection dogs were brought in as a precautionary measure. Police authorities are still investigating.
Windows Damaged and Donations Stolen from Lower Saxony Chruch
April 24, 2019, GermanySometime between April 21st and 24th, unidentified perpetrator(s) broke at least nine windows of a Wilhelmshaven and stole the donation proceeds from the inside the church. Police investigated and looked for witnesses.
Private Chapel in Sarzeau Vandalized
April 24, 2019, FranceIn the night of April 24th, the chapel on the private property of Madame Walsh de Serrant was vandalized and a statue of the Virgin Mary was destroyed.
Easter Mass Disrupted in Trieste
April 21, 2019, ItalyDuring the Easter Mass in the church of San Giovanni, a man who was receiving communion responded to the traditional formula "the Body of Christ" by saying "thanks" and then asking "what part of the body is this?" and began walking away, carrying the consecrated host and denouncing the Catholic religion. Parishioners were shocked and one ordered the man to consume the host before leaving the building.
Pentecostal Church Suffers Vandalism Attack on Easter
April 21, 2019, United KingdomLarge rocks were thrown through the windows of the Elim Pentecostal Church on the High Road sometime following the Easter Sunday service. Two stained glass windows and two double-glazed side windows were destroyed. Damage is estimated at £2,000. Pastor Clifford Bedeau reported that it was the first act of vandalism at the church in 15 years.
Fire Destroyed Confessional in Eyguières Church on Easter
April 21, 2019, FranceA fire destroyed the confessional of the Notre-Dame de Grâce church in the late afternoon of Easter Sunday in Eyguières. The suspicious fire started around 4:40 p.m. in the confessional before spreading to a wooden platform to the right of the altar in the 18th century church. An investigation was initiated to determine the cause of the fire.
Vandalism Attack on Brotherhood House of the Holy Supper (Hermandad de la Santa Cena)
April 21, 2019, SpainOn Easter Sunday the façade of the brotherhood house of the Holy Supper was vandalized. The words "Putos Kuras" ("f*cking priests") and the anarchist symbol (an A inside a circle) were painted on the brotherhood house of the Palm Sunday.
Homeless Man Stabbed for Wearing a Cross Necklace in Rome
April 20, 2019, ItalyA 44-year-old Georgian man was stabbed in the neck in front of Rome's Termini Station on Easter Eve by a Moroccan man after a dispute about religion on a bus. According to reports, after the victim got off the bus at Termini Station, the aggressor followed him and after noticing the crucifix necklace he was wearing, called the Georgian man a "Italian Catholic Sh*t"and tried to cut his throat with a kitchen knife. The Moroccan man was arrested by police and charged with attempted murder with religious hatred as an aggravating factor.
Intrustion into Ennepetal Church
April 19, 2019, GermanyUnknown perpetrators broke a window in order to get into the Herz Jesu Catholic Church in Ennepetal sometime between April 19th and 20th. After an investigation, it appeared that nothing was stolen.
Statue of Sainte-Barbe Smashed
April 17, 2019, FranceA statue of the patron saint of miners and firefighters was removed from its glass case in a square in front of a church in the small town of Belle-Roche (Cocheren) and smashed to the ground by unknown vandals.
Statue of Virgin Mary Decapitated in Marlhes
April 17, 2019, FranceResidents of the Loire village were stunned to discover the statue of la vierge de Cartaire had been smashed, breaking the chest and decapitating the head. The statue, which sits in a small flower-filled grotto, is made of cast iron with metal reinforcements. Reports indicate that the person or people who committed this act would have had to be well-equipped to break such a strong structure.
Theft from Offertory Box in Euskirchen Church
April 17, 2019, GermanyAround noontime on April 17th, unknown thieves emptied the offertory box in the St. Martin Catholic Church in Euskirchen and fled the church unnoticed. The amount stolen cannot be determined.
UK School Employee Challeges Dismissal for Raising Concerns about Sex Education
April 16, 2019, United KingdomKristie Higgs, a Christian school worker will challenge a Gloucestershire school academy’s decision to dismiss her for gross misconduct. She was dismissed after she shared two posts on her Facebook page in October 2018 that raised concerns about Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) at another school in the same village - her child’s Church of England primary school. Higgs was told following an investigation and a six hour hearing that she would be dismissed without notice for gross misconduct.
Donation Box in Wittmund Church Broken Into
April 16, 2019, GermanyPolice are investigating the April 16th theft of an unknown sum of money from a donation box in the Deichkirche in Carolinensiel.
Anti-Catholic Graffiti Sprayed on Galicia Church
April 14, 2019, SpainOn the morning of Palm Sunday, the priest and parishioners discovered graffiti sprayed on the outside of the Meside (Ourense) church. "Borregos" ("sheep"), "La religión es el opium del pueblo" ("Religion is the opiate of the people"), "Por la república" (For the republic"), a cross in a circle with a line through it, and leftist symbols were among the messages on the church.
Dillenburg: Vandalism in the Catholic Church
April 14, 2019, GermanyOn April 14th, between 2 pm and 6 pm, unknown persons vandalized the Herz Jesu Catholic church on Wilhelmsplatz in Dillenburg (in Hesse's Gießen region). They damaged a holy water stoup and candles and scattered leaflets on the floor.
Break-in at Church in Herne
April 14, 2019, GermanyBetween April 14th and 15th, unknown thieves broke into the Protestant Church Baukau in Herne by breaking a window. They tore one donation box from a wall, destroyed another one, and pried open several cupboards and fled with the donations.
Sacred Objects and Keys Stolen from Mödling Church
April 13, 2019, AustriaUnknown perpetrators stole a chalice, two ciboria, and a monstrance from the tabernacle, as well as all the keys in the sacristy from the parish church in Biedermannsdorf (district of Mödling) on the evening of April 13th.
Break-in and Vandalism at El Copo Chapel
April 13, 2019, SpainA chapel attached to the parish of the Sagrada Familia in the El Copo neighborhood of Málaga was broken into during the early morning hours of April 13th. The chapel door, as well as the tabernacle, were forced open and the sacristy was damaged. Nothing was stolen. Police investigated whether it was connected to the theft of ciboria containing consecrated hosts from another Málaga church a few days earlier.
Pro-Life Student Group Challenges Student Union Ban
April 12, 2019, United KingdomIn April 2018, the pro-life student university group Aberdeen Life Ethics Society submitted an application for affiliation to Aberdeen University's Societies Union (AUSA) but was denied due to AUSA's policy which required the union to give “no funding, facilitation, or platform” to any pro-life group and forbids the “unreasonable display” of pro-life material on campus. Aberdeen Life Ethics Society has taken legal action against the University and AUSA claiming unlawful discrimination and the violation of equality rights protected by UK law.
Vandalism in Nienborg Church
April 11, 2019, GermanyAccording to a police press release, unknown perpetrators set a brochure on fire and poured wax on an altar cloth in the church in Nienborg. An investigation was opened.
Burglary of Evangelical Church Sacristy in Ratingen
April 11, 2019, GermanyDuring the night of April 11th, burglars broke into the Evangelische Kirchengemeinde Hösel. They gained access to the inside of the church by prying open two back doors. Once inside, they found a safe about 1.20 x 0.80 m in an adjacent storage room. The safe was completely stolen, but there were no items of great value in it.
Ten Intrusions and Thefts of Religious Objects in Vienne
April 11, 2019, FranceThe Archbishop of Poitiers announced that there had been an intrusion and theft of religious objects in the churches of Brion and Argenton in Deux-Sèvres. During February and March about ten thefts and attempted thefts of chalices and ciboriums were recorded in the department of Vienne.
Theft of Consecrated Hosts in Málaga
April 10, 2019, SpainOn April 10, 2019, the Diocese of Málaga reported the theft of two ciboria containing consecrated hosts from the Iglesia de la Trinidad in Antequera. The diocese noted that apart from the fairly low value of the ciboria stolen, the theft of the hosts was a "desecration of extreme gravity that deeply offends the Catholic faith."
Twitter Blocked Mother Theresa Quote
April 10, 2019, InternationalSusan B. Anthony List, a U.S. pro-life organization tweeted a photograph of Mother Theresa and her words: "Abortion is profoundly anti-women. Three quarters of its victims are women: Half the babies and all the mothers.” This tweet was blocked by Twitter for violating the company's “health and pharmaceutical products and services policy.” The tweet was later restored, but Twitter's action prompted U.S. Senator Ted Cruz to question the company's executives about its policies.
Tabernacle Broken and Hosts Stolen from Montluçon Church
April 9, 2019, FranceWhen the sacristan came to close the church of Saint-Pierre in Montluçon on the evening of April 9th, he discovered that the tabernacle had been broken open and the ciborium containing consecrated hosts had been stolen. Monsignor Laurent Percerou, Bishop of Moulins said "This act, which touches us in the heart of our faith, is a terrible and dramatic act."
Cemetery Restoration Includes System to Obscure Christian Symbols
April 8, 2019, ItalyThe municipal council of Pieve di Centro in Bologna approved a proposal to install a motorized curtain system in the unconsecrated cemetery chapel to temporarily cover Christian symbols and tombs inside the chapel during ceremonies for non-Christians. The decision generated controversy, with some commentators criticizing the lack of transparency about the project, noting that the public had not been consulted and that construction of another, non-denominational space had not been considered or discussed.
Fire Set in Doorway of Evangelical Church in Naples
April 8, 2019, ItalyIn the early morning hours of April 8th, an unknown arsonist set fire to the door of the church of Nuova Pentecoste Gesù ritorna in Naples. Security cameras captured video of a man removing a bottle containing flammable liquid, sprinkling the liquid in front of the church door, and setting it on fire. The door and facade of the church were damaged, but the fire did not spread to the inside.
Offerings from Several Weeks Stolen from Church Office
April 8, 2019, GermanyIn the afternoon of April 8th, a man walked into the St. Marien Catholic Church in Bremerhaven and entered the parish office unnoticed. He stole the dark green bag with the collected offerings from several weeks which amounted to 300-500 euros. A witness informed the sexton who only saw the man fleeing towards the town's pedestrian zone.
Vandalism in Parish Hall
April 7, 2019, GermanyVandals ransacked the restrooms in the parish hall of the Catholic church of St. Leodegar Oberschopfheim (Friesenheim) causing an estimated €5,000 in damage. Toilet bowls and the sink were smashed, stall doors pulled from their hinges, and glass from broken windows and bottles was scattered everywhere. Lighting along the passage between the church and the parish hall was also destroyed.
Church Door Defaced in Münster
April 7, 2019, GermanyDuring the night of April 6th to 7th, unknown vandals defaced the St. Josef Catholic church. A woman discovered "Pädo" in black lettering and a cross painted on the door of the church. Police investigated.
Repeated Vandalism in Coesfeld Church
April 5, 2019, GermanyThere were several reported incidents of vandalism in and around St.-Johannes-Kirche in Bösensell in late March and early April. A windowpane was smashed and wax was poured on the altar and on the sanctuary (chancel) lamp. Lightning rods were torn from the facade of the church, and tools were used to try to break into the Poor Clares donation box. Brochures, prayer books, and tea lights were scattered around the church, including in the holy water basin. Glass bottles containing holy water were smashed to pieces.
Broken Crosses in Saint-Tropez Cemetery
April 5, 2019, FranceA witness reported that graves in a municipal cemetery in Saint-Tropez had been vandalized. Crosses were toppled and broken. When a guard was asked about the damage, he claimed that the wind must have knocked them over. However, no other items -- including flowers -- were damaged or disturbed.
Church of Saint-Etienne Vandalized, Hosts Desecrated in the Vendée
April 4, 2019, FranceAccording to a statement from the mayor of Bois-de-Céné, on April 4th vandals attempted to force open the wooden door of the tabernacle in the church of Saint-Etienne and when they were unsuccessful, they tore its bottom from the wall to take the consecrated hosts. The hosts were later found on the ground. The perpetrators, who the mayor said "it appears were teenagers" also stole holy water and urinated behind the organ. The municipality condemned the acts and filed a complaint with the police.
Attempted Break-in at New Apostolic Church in Soltau
April 3, 2019, GermanyBetween March 31st and April 3rd unknown offenders tried to pry open a side entrance door of the New Apostolic Church in Soltau without success. However, they caused property damage of about 300 euros.
Priest Calls Church Rampage "Spiritual Anarchism"
March 23, 2019, AustriaUnknown perpetrators entered the parish church in Leoben sometime between 11am and 2pm on March 23rd and urinated on the altar, dumped out holy water, rearranged candlesticks and pews, tore the wiring for the sound system out of the wall, draped the pew cushions on top of the altar and laid the cordons on top of them. Fifty tea lights which had been placed next to a statue of the Virgin Mary were stolen and thrown into an empty fountain 100 meters from the church.
Report Calls Swedish Asylum Process for Converts a "Complete Lottery"
March 20, 2019, SwedenA study analyzing the asylum claims from 2015-2018 of 619 Afghan converts to Christianity outlined serious shortcomings in the Swedish Migration Board's process. 68% of the converts were denied asylum on the grounds that their conversions were not deemed to be "genuine," despite all of them being baptized members of 76 churches in 64 locations across Sweden. The report noted that the Migration Board emphasized knowledge-based answers to questions and intellectual ability, rather than evidence of belief, religious practice, and involvement in church life.
UK Home Office Rejected Christian's Asylum Claim by Quoting Bible
March 19, 2019, United KingdomAn Iranian man who converted to Christianity after discovering it was a peaceful religion in contrast to Islam had his asylum claim rejected by the Home Office on March 19th. In a rejection letter from the Home Office, passages with violent imagery from the Bible including Matthew, Revelation, and Exodus were used to argue that the claimant's claim about Christianity was false. “These examples are inconsistent with your claim that you converted to Christianity after discovering it is a ‘peaceful religion’ as opposed to Islam, which contained violence and rage,” the letter read. The Home Office later said the letter was "not in accordance with our policy approach to claims based on religious persecution" and agreed to reconsider the application.
Arson Attempted Twice in Senigallia Cathedral
March 19, 2019, ItalyAn unidentified person set fire to the altar tablecloth in the chapel near the cathedral entrance. At about 8:30 a.m. on March 19th, parishioners and a priest noticed flames and smoke coming from a chapel altar and immediately extinguished the fire. The priest then reviewed surveillance footage and observed a man entering the cathedral and setting fire to linens in a different part of the church, as well. The police were called and began an investigation, noting that there were signs of forced entry on several doors.
Catholic Journalist Questioned by Police for Tweet
March 19, 2019, United KingdomCaroline Farrow, a Catholic journalist, was investigated under the "malicious communications act" after the founder of a transgender charity accused her of misgendering her daughter in a tweet. Farrow said it is her religious belief that a person cannot change sex.
Fire Deliberately Set in Saint-Sulpice Church in Paris
March 17, 2019, FranceOn Sunday, March 17th, the church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris had to be evacuated after a large fire broke out in the entryway. The large wooden door of the southern transept was engulfed in flames and severely damaged, as was the stained glass window above it. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to prevent it from spreading to the rest of the church. On March 18th, investigators announced that the fire was not accidental in origin, but had been deliberately started.
Statue of Jesus Damaged by Vandals in Katowice
March 17, 2019, PolandSometime during the night of March 16th to 17th, unknown vandals damaged the crucifix outside the church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Koszutka, a district of Katowice (Najświętszego Serca Pana Jezusa w Koszutce). Reports indicate that stones were likely thrown at the statue of Jesus, breaking the legs and arms.
Desecration at Basilica in Charente-Maritime
March 16, 2019, FranceThe Basilica of Saint-Eutrope de Saintes in the Charente-Maritime department of southwestern France was desecrated on March 16th when consecrated hosts were stolen by unknown thieves. The diocese announced that a reparation Mass would be held.
Break-ins, Theft, and Desecration in Málaga Churches
March 14, 2019, SpainThe diocese of Málaga reported the theft of two ciboria containing consecrated hosts from la Iglesia de la Trinidad en Antequera on March 11th. In a statement, the diocese stressed that this was a "profanation of extreme gravity that deeply offends the Catholic faith." The vicar of the parish called on the thieves to "return the ciboria and repent for the theft." Two days later, in the early morning hours of March 13th, police noticed the entrance to the chapel of the Sagrada Familia in El Copo had been forced open and the sacristy had been damaged.
Counsel for University of Sheffield: Christian Views Should Not be Expressed in Public Forum
March 13, 2019, United KingdomDuring the Court of Appeal hearing in the case of Felix Ngole, the University of Sheffield graduate student in social work who was dismissed from the program after he expressed his Christian views about marriage on Facebook, counsel for the university said no social worker should be allowed to express such views.