All cases
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.
Google Halts Advertising on Irish Abortion Referendum
May 9, 2018, IrelandOn May 9th, Google announced that it would "pause" all advertising related to the upcoming Irish abortion referendum. The ban applies to all sites associated with the Google brand, including YouTube, and follows Facebook’s decision to ban any ads from advertisers outside of Ireland relating to the referendum. Opponents of the referendum, Pro-Life Campaign, Save the 8th, and the Iona Institute issued a joint statement condemning the tech giant’s decision as “shutting down a free and fair debate” and that it was "scandalous, and is an attempt to rig the referendum.”
Jihad Graffiti on Church in Sweden
May 7, 2018, Sweden"Jihad" was painted on the outside wall of the church Sankt Olov in Skellefteå by unknown vandals. A representative of Skellefteå's pastorate commented on News Today that "it is obviously regrettable that we can not have our properties in peace." The Swedish national television SVT initially published a photograph of the affected church. Later they chose to eliminate it, indicating that the image was "too sensitive" to show.
Stained Glass Window Broken in Cölbe Church
May 5, 2018, GermanySometime between April 29th and May 5th, unknown vandals threw stones at the Catholic church on Gartenstraße in Cölbe, breaking one of the large stained glass windows adorning the building. Damage was estimated to exceed 1,000 euros.
Robbery in the Sacré Chœur of Toulouse
May 5, 2018, FranceOn the night between May 5th and 6th, one or more individuals visited the Sacré Chœur Church in Toulouse. Various religious objects were stolen by the thieves, including the chalice and the parterre. An investigation was opened to the local police office.
Six Recent Cases of Vandalism in Bamberg Churches: Witnesses Sought
May 4, 2018, GermanyPolice are investigating at least six separate acts of vandalism in five churches in Bamberg in a short period. The property damage is estimated at more than 20,000 euros. On May 2nd, unknown people knocked the figure of Saint Joseph from its pedestal in the Convent of Heiliggrab, seriously damaging it. The next day at the convent, a large wooden crucifix was thrown to the ground. Also on May 3rd, two large figures of saints were overturned in St. Ottokirche.
Obscene Graffiti on Swiss Church
May 4, 2018, SwitzerlandUnknown people painted a series of graffiti from the Wetzikerstrasse street to the Protestant church of Bäretswil. Some obscene drawings were sprayed with black silver paint at the church, along with the number 187 - the code of the US police for homicide cases - and also the words "F#ck you" and the acronym "Acab" (All Cops Are Bastards). The police of the canton of Zurich wrote in a statement that the damage to property caused by the vandals was estimated at around 10,000 francs.
Notre-Dame-du-Bout-du-Pont Closed by Municipal Decision Following Degradations Caused by Fire
May 4, 2018, FranceFor fifteen days the church Notre-Dame-du-Bout-du-Pont in Villeneuve-sur-Lot was closed. The decision was due to an incident that happened in the begining of the month. A neighbour saw smoke coming from the church by chance and alerted the police. Security forces arrived immediately on the spot and managed to extinguish the fire themselves with the fire extingusher. They found a candle under the table that serves to deposit prayer books which might have caused the flame. Unfortunately, it burned everything around. "This is obviously not her place and she did not arrive there alone", commented Father Bouchet .The church was recently renewed with many wooden furniture installed which are easily inflamed and suffer deepen damages.
Aggression and Threats againt Members of Association with Christian Values
May 3, 2018, SpainPedro Mejías, delegate of HazteOír in Cádiz, an association of Christian values for the defense of the rights of the family and of life, was the victim of a violent attack on May 3rd at a bar in Cádiz before a public event.