All cases
Man disrupts homily at Pentecost mass in Nantes
May 20, 2018, FranceA man approached the ambo and took the microphone a few minutes into the homily during Pentecost mass and spoke in a foreign language. A few witnesses have reported that the intruder said "Allahu Akbar", the vicar, however, denies it.
Cemetery Vandalized in Indre-et-Loire
May 19, 2018, FranceBetween thirty and forty graves in the cemetery of La Riche were vandalized early in the evening of May 19th. Damage included smashed crucifixes. The mayor of La Riche called the act "pure vandalism," as no tags or other signs were left by the perpetrators. Families visiting the cemetery on the Pentecost weekend were distressed upon learning of the damage to their loved ones' graves. The city announced its intention to file a complaint, and urged affected families to do the same.
Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes Vandalised
May 18, 2018, FranceStatue of Our Lady of Lourdes situated in the Grotto in Sainte-Gemmes-d'Andigné was broken in half during the night of May 18th to 19th. An investigation was launched immediately and two 17-year-olds confessed to the act of throwing rocks at the statue until it was broken in two. On June 6th they will be heard in the court. Damages amounted to 1000 euros.
Arson at the Madonna dell'Aiuto Church
May 17, 2018, ItalyDuring the night of May 17th, unknown persons entered and set fire to the church of Madonna dell'Aiuto in Trecastagni.
Fire in a Lyon Chapel
May 16, 2018, FranceA fire broke out in la Chapelle Saint-Croix in the 6th arrondissement of Lyon in the afternoon of May 16th. It appeared that a fire set in the chapel's confessional started the blaze and three fire trucks were deployed to extinguish the fire.
Desecration and Theft in the Church of San Giacomo di Monselice
May 14, 2018, ItalyOn May 14th, witnesses discovered that the tabernacle had been desecrated and two ciboriums containing consecrated Hosts had been stolen from the church of San Giacomo de Monselice. This was the 3rd robbery in the Padua diocese in five months.
Saint André Church in Grenoble Looted
May 13, 2018, FranceFour boxes use to collect donations for the poor and for upkeep of the church were discovered looted in the Saint André church in Grenoble on May 13th. According to the parish priest, the perpetrators emptied the donation boxes and forced the drawers. Losses are estimated at around 600 euros.
Bulgarian Catholics and Protestants Unite to Oppose Proposed Religious Law: Updated
May 13, 2018, BulgariaCatholic and Protestant communities in Bulgaria have unified their efforts to prevent the adoption of two legislative proposals put before the parliamentary assembly in May 2018. The first, sponsored by the conservative GERB, the Bulgarian Socialist Party, and the ethnic Turkish Movement for Rights and Freedoms, would permit state subsidies only for major religious denominations. The second, tabled by the United Patriots, would require greater oversight of religious activities and financing.
Church Vandalized in Lombardy
May 11, 2018, ItalyResidents in Solbiate Olona discovered that young people had been repeatedly entering the Chiesa del Sacro Cuore and covering the floor with wax melted from votive candles. The church is loved by members of the community who take responsibility for keeping it clean.
Priest Assaulted during Mass
May 11, 2018, FranceOn May 11th, a man entered l’église de la Source à Saint Denis on the French island of Réunion during the celebration of the Mass, walked straight to the altar, and slapped Father Pascal Mussard. Many parishioners rushed to intervene. Police arrived soon after and handcuffed the man. After it was discovered that the perpetrator was "imbalanced" and had fled from a hospital hours earlier, the priest declined to file a complaint.