All cases
40 graves vandalised at cemetery in Fresselines
February 29, 2024, FranceOn February 29, a resident of Fresselines, on his way to the family crypt, discovered the unprecedented vandalism in the Creuse cemetery. Unknown perpetrators had desecrated around 40 graves: between some graves plates had been moved or broken, pots had been thrown to the ground. Some slabs had also been unscrewed and piled up on the ground. Stelae and plaques had been broken or moved.
Landmark ECJ ruling recognises conversion in subsequent asylum application
February 28, 2024, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)In a landmark ruling the European Court of Justice has decided that a conversion to Christianity after the flight should be recognised as grounds for asylum if the applicant can credibly demonstrate that he has changed his religion out of "inner conviction".
18th century church in Pliego vandalised with graffiti
February 28, 2024, SpainAs reported on February 28, the walls of the Virgen de los Remedios Church in Pliego, Murcia, has been defaced with graffiti. The church, dating back to the 18th century, is a cultural asset. Two young people, one of them a minor, are suspected of the vandalism.
Arson in Carlsberg Church of the Holy Cross
February 26, 2024, GermanyOn February 26, the confessional in the Catholic Church of the Holy Cross was destroyed in a fire. According to the investigating authorities, a statue of a saint and a storage room were also damaged. A fire expert ruled out a technical defect on Friday, March 1, so the criminal investigation department in Neustadt is assuming arson.
Theft and excrement in the church of the Madonna dei Sette Dolori
February 26, 2024, ItalyOn February 26, thieves broke into the church of the Madonna dei Sette Dolori in Vasto and stole offerings from the donation box. The perpetrators furthermore left human excrement on the floor of the church. The parish priest expressed his shock and disgust about this gesture of degradation and disrespect.
Unknown perpetrator sets fire to priest's car
February 25, 2024, ItalyThe car belonging to Father Marcos was destroyed in an arson attack outside the church of Francolise near Caserta. The mayor has condemned this incident on social media.
Priest physically attacked in Prizren
February 25, 2024, KosovoOn February 25 a Serbian Orthodox priest was physically attacked in Prizen. The attack took place as a bus of pilgrims from central Serbia arrived at a seminary Prizren where they wanted to attend the liturgy. The suspect parked his vehicle nearby and displayed a "KLA" flag on the front of the bus. He then verbally attacked and provoked the pilgrims. The priest, who was also on his way to the liturgy at the seminary, advised the pilgrims not to respond to provocations and to enter the Seminary as soon as possible. At that moment, the suspect physically assaulted the priest by pushing him, bending his arm, and attacking him.
Attempted poisoning of Italian priest during mass
February 24, 2024, ItalyOn 24 February, an unknown person attempted to poison Father Felice Palamara, the parish priest of San Nicola di Pannaconi, by adding bleach to the altar wine. Police suspect the local Mafia behind the attack.
Islamist graffiti on stone crosses
February 22, 2024, FranceIslamist graffiti was discovered on roadside “calver” stone crosses saying "Tomorrow this will be the land of Islam". this is not the first time: on Christmas night, Islamist vandals wrote "Allah" on the cross, and the other day they found the inscription "Today is the land of infidels".
Church vandalised with fire extinguisher
February 22, 2024, DenmarkBetween February 17 and 20 Spjellerup Church in the Danish region Sjælland was severely vandalised. The police believe that a perpetrator had emptied two fire extinguishers in the church, targeting the organ and the altar.
St. Johann parish church robbed and desecrated
February 20, 2024, AustriaUnknown perpetrators broke into the parish church of St. Johann in Tirol, Austria, and stole and damaged religious objects. The figure of Christ was broken off a wooden cross.
Vandalism at the Dreieichenhain castle church
February 20, 2024, GermanyUnknown people damaged the church on the Dreieichenhain castle grounds. According to the police's initial assessment, the historic side door was forced open with brute force. At the same time, the perpetrators broke a window to the right of the main entrance. This is not the first time there has been vanalism to the church.
Pauluskirche painted with "Allahu Akbar"
February 20, 2024, GermanyShortly after an anti-AfD (Alternative for Germany Party) demo took place on the forecourt, “Allahu Akbar” was daubed in Arabic script on the Protestant Pauluskirche in Hamm, Germany. In response to a news inquiry, the Hamm police confirmed the graffiti on February 20. However, no information can yet be provided about the perpetrator's profile. The investigation is ongoing.
Taxi Driver Fined for Displaying Bible Verse
February 20, 2024, GermanyA taxi driver from the German town of Essen was fined for displaying a small Bible verse sticker on the rear window of his car. The city authorities claim that the Bible verse constitutes "religious advertising", which is illegal on taxis which are regarded as part of the public transport.
Arson to St. Lambertus Church in Kalterherberg
February 18, 2024, GermanyUnknown perpetrators set fire to the parish church of St. Lambertus in Kalterherberg on Sunday. In the rear area of the interior of the church, prayer books, a shelf with parish letters and sheets from the Book of the Dead were set on fire in front of the wall with the memorial plaques. Opposite, at the Marian altar, the burning memorial lights were thrown down and artificial flowers were also lit.
St Stephen and All Martyrs entrance vandalised
February 18, 2024, United KingdomThe stone pinnacles from a church gate were stolen on the weekend of the church's 180th anniversary.
Vandalism to Major Cloister of St. Francis
February 17, 2024, ItalyDuring the night of February 17, the Major Cloister of St. Francis was smeared with spray cans in several places. The monastery has already been targeted several times by vandals.
Vandalism to St. Martinus Church
February 17, 2024, GermanyUnknown perpetrators spray painted the St. Martinus Church door with "666", "shame" and a swastika symbols in white paint. Police are currently investigating.
Attempted Break In leaves 2,000 euros of damage
February 16, 2024, GermanyA unknown perpetrator tried to break a window of the Catholic Mariä Himmelfahrt parish church to presumably get into the building. Awakened by the noise, the priest who lived in the house discovered the attempted break-in and spoke to the unknown person, whereupon he immediately fled on foot towards the train station.
"Religion of Lies" Sprayed on Loosdorf Church
February 15, 2024, AustriaUnknown perpetrators daubed the walls of the Loosdorf parish church with the words “Religion of Lies”. On another wall vandals had sprayed the words “Sol invictus”, meaning "undefeated sun god".
Four Crosses Defaced with Islamic Graffiti
February 15, 2024, FranceIn Dordogne, four large public crucifixes in separate towns were defaced with references to Islam sometime between December 24, 2023 and February 15, 2024. Two of the crosses were located on the side of the road in Saint-Pantaly-d'Excideuil, the two others in Cherveix-Cubas. One cross, built in the 1800s in a village of 146 people, had the word “Islam” and a crescent moon sprayed on it. Another inscription read “Allah”. Yet another cross was spray-painted with, “Today is the land of infidels, tomorrow the land of Islam.”
Stations of the cross vandalised
February 13, 2024, AustriaThe stations of the cross, that are usually installed in the forest between the old to the new cemetery of St Stephan's church in Amstetten, Austria, have been vandalised. Some of the wooden crosses were torn out of the ground and destroyed.
Vandalism at a Roadside Shrine in Włocławek
February 12, 2024, PolandThe roadside shrine in Włocławek has been vandalised for the third time within two weeks. A statue of Mary has been taken out of the shrine and destroyed. The broken pieces were left on the floor.
Fire set repeatedly in front of St. Bartholomäus church
February 12, 2024, GermanyFire was set repeatedly in the outdoor area of St. Bartholomäus church in Götzingen. Further, the unknown perpetrators stole, among other things, prayer flyers and sacrificial candles from inside the prayer house and set them on fire on the stairs to the sacristy.
Rioters caused damage in church of St. Ägidius
February 11, 2024, GermanyUnknown people rioted in the St. Ägidius Church in Grafing. Several prayer books were thrown to the ground, the microphones at the altar were tampered with and an elaborately decorated Easter candle was broken. The material damage is estimated at around 300 euros. The police are currently investigating.
St. Ägidius Church Vandalised
February 11, 2024, GermanyDuring the night between February 10 and 11, unknown perpetrators vandalized the church of St. Ägidius in Grafing. Several prayer books were thrown to the floor, the microphones on the altar were tampered with and an elaborately decorated Easter candle was broken. The material damage is estimated at around 300 euros.
Far-left vandals threatening priest in Barcelona
February 10, 2024, SpainOn February 10, strangers left a message on the walls of the parish church of the Roman Catholic priest Father Pablo Pich Aguilera which could be translated into Spanish like this: “We are watching you, Pablo. We will abort.” The text is signed by Arran, a youth group of the Catalan separatist left.
Christian Neurologist Cleared after a three-year investigation for 'pro-life values'
February 9, 2024, United KingdomRev. Dr. Patrick Pullicino, a neurologist and Catholic priest has been vindicated by the General Medical Council (GMC) after a three-year investigation for allegedly giving a bias opinion due to his 'pro-life values'.
1,000 euros of property damage to Eiterfeld Church
February 8, 2024, GermanyUnknown persons went into the St. Franziskus-Xaverius Churchin Eiterfeld and broke open a wooden interior door. “According to current information, nothing was stolen,” the police said. However, the property damage amount to around 1,000 euros.
Window of Dettelbach church smashed
February 7, 2024, GermanyBetween February 6 and 7 a window of Dettelbach church, which is located on a pilgrimage route, was smashed. According to a police report the perpetrator climbed the scaffolding in order to do this. The damage is estimated around 500 euros.
Suspected Arson to the Church of the Heart of Jesus in Vilnius
February 6, 2024, LithuaniaIn the Church of the Heart of Jesus, a fire broke out during where the wooden floor was burnt. The police suspect an arson attack. The loss is estimated to be 5,000 euros.
Police investigation of Christian preacher over 'hate-crime complaints'
February 6, 2024, United KingdomMetropolitan Police officers have been filmed threatening to arrest a Christian preacher over allegations of a breach of a Public Space Protection Order. A video posted on social media showed a group of at least five officers demanding the names of evangelists due to allegations of a hate crime after they had been preaching and reading from the Bible.
Relics stolen from church of Lonno
February 6, 2024, ItalySacred objects were stolen from the Sant'Antonio Abate Church of Lonno. On February 2, the parish priest Roberto Zanini found the tabernacle damaged. Upon further inspection he noticed that two sacred oils and two small relics were stolen in addition to the statuette and tabernacle being damaged.
A couple who specialised in stealing from churches convicted
February 5, 2024, FranceA couple who specialised in stealing from churches has now been caught and convicted. In 2014 the couple had stolen various religious objects in broad daylight from dozens of churches in the west of France. Once stolen these sacred items were sent by mail to England before being sold.
Cross of 7th Century Church of Vankasar Removed
February 5, 2024, ArmeniaThe cross of the 7th Century Vankasar Church has been found removed on pictures circulating online.
Vandalism in the church of Fontenay-le-Comte
February 5, 2024, FranceOn February 5, vandals attacked the church of Notre Dame in Fontenay-le-Comte and broke two statues. The local Catholic community is deeply shocked about these acts.
St. Joseph Church in Schalke Vandalised
February 4, 2024, GermanyIn the course of a series of vandalism attacks, the St. Joseph Church in Schalke has also been targeted. The perpetrators threw projectiles through the stained windows destroying four windows, breaking a door and two gates.
LGBT group vandalises Greek Orthodox Church
February 4, 2024, GreeceThe Church of St. Achillius of Larissa was vandalised on the eve of the reading of the synodal circular of the Orthodox Church of Greece on the bill to legalize gay marriage. Unknown people wrote slogans on the ground and walls directed against the Orthodox faith and Metropolitan Jerome personally.
Arson Attack on Priest's Car
February 3, 2024, ItalyPriest Don Giovanni Rigoli's car was set on fire by an unknown perpetrator. This happened after the celebration of a funeral in the parish church of Santo Stefano.
Man breaks statue in Saint Jean-Baptiste church "in the name of Allah"
February 2, 2024, FranceA man entered Saint Jean-Baptiste church and violently attacked the statue of John the Baptist using a crucifix. The statue, made of plaster, was completely broken and the crucifix was badly damaged.
Vandalism at the Sacred Heart Church
January 31, 2024, GermanyOn January 31, unknown perpetrators entered the Sacred Heart Church in Sorghof, Germany and used candles to burn a hole in the upholstery of a prayer stool. Further, they also destroyed the reading glasses the church had kept there for a churchgoer.
Man turns himself in after spray painting satanist symbols on church
January 31, 2024, GermanyA man 32 hands himself into the police after going on a vandalism spree around Markt Schwaben. Spray painting the town hall and elementary school with anti-police and Nazi messages before then painting satanist symbols on a chapel and St. Margaret's Church.
Vandalism and Desecration of Eucharist in Church
January 31, 2024, ItalyThieves broke into the Church of Saint Mary of the Carmine in Lecce and stole money, desecrated the Eucharist kept in the tabernacle, and turned various sacred furnishings into corpses.
Suspected Arson Attack at St. Walpurgis Church
January 30, 2024, GermanyA fire broke out in the altar area of St. Walpurgis Church burning, among other things, the nativity scene. The fire caused damage of estimated 50,000 euros. Investigators have ruled out a technical defect and are assuming arson.
Vandals destroy tombstones and chapel of the Secret Army
January 30, 2024, BelgiumOn January 30 vandals destroy tombstones and chapel of the Secret Army in Hoelbeek, Belgium. First the gravestones were smeared twice with black paint. Some time later the door and information columns of the chapel of the Secret Army were also painted black.
Draft Bill seeks to introduce Censorship Zones Around Abortion Clinics
January 29, 2024, GermanyGermany's Federal Family Minister, Lisa Paus, has proposed amendments to the Pregnancy Conflict Act ("Schwangerschaftskonfliktgesetz"), which would impose fines up to 5.000 euros fine on anyone committing a "disturbing" or "confusing" action within 100 meters around abortion clinics. Religious freedom organizations fear that this law could lead to 'censorship zones' like in the UK where individuals have been arrested for silent prayer and other peaceful expressions on public streets around abortion clinics.
Communist and Anti-Israel Graffiti on Santa Maria della Pietà Church
January 29, 2024, ItalyThe external wall of the church of Santa Maria della Pieta, in via San Vitale, was daubed with symbols and the writing 'Israel = death', drawn in red paint. The letters "CCCP" and a hammer and sickle in red paint were also left on the wall.
Terrorists Attack on Church in Istanbul Leaves one Dead and several Injured
January 28, 2024, TurkeyOn January 28 at 11.40 local time two masked gunmen walked into a Sunday mass at the Santa Maria Catholic Church in Istanbul's Sariyer district and fired two shots killing a person and leaving several injured. The Islamic State claims responsibility for the attack.
Vandalism and Theft the Sanctuary of the Angels in Cuneo
January 28, 2024, ItalyThe Sanctuary of the Angels Church has repeatedly been a target of vandalism. Most recently, the statue of the Madonna was found on the ground with its little finger missing. While in the past it was mostly the candles in front of the statue of the Madonna which disappeared, this time a vase of holy water was stolen in the church.
Satanists leave 1000 Euros in Damage due to Church Vandalism
January 28, 2024, GermanyA pentagram was painted on the side entrance door of St. Vitus Church in Blumberg. An external electronic sensor and a lamp have also been damaged.