All cases
European Commission excludes FAFCE and WYA from Funding
December 8, 2025, InternationalThe European Commission has excluded the Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe (FAFCE) and the World Youth Alliance (WYA) from EU funding after rejecting multiple project applications, citing alleged violations of equality measures and “EU values.” FAFCE’s president describes the decisions as ideological discrimination, arguing that they penalise organisations that support families, children and human dignity while holding pro-life convictions.
Anti-Christian Graffiti Targets the Basilica of Carmine in Florence
December 8, 2025, ItalyIn Florence, black spray-painted graffiti stating “The only church that enlightens is the one that burns” and featuring the anarchist circled “A” appeared on the construction coverings of the Carmine Basilica.
Suspected Arson at Bologna Church
December 8, 2025, ItalyAuthorities in Bologna investigated a fire at the Santuario in via del Borgo San Pietro, where flames engulfed the hedges surrounding the Catholic Church’s garden, prompting suspicions of arson.
Church Nativity Desecrated and Parishioners Threatened
December 8, 2025, SpainPolice detained a man after he disrupted a Catholic service by removing nativity figures, striking the altar, profaning liturgical garments, shouting in Arabic through the church microphone, and attempting to attack parishioners before being restrained outside.
Priest's Car Set on Fire Weeks after Church Vandalism
December 4, 2025, ItalyAn arson attack destroyed the parish priest’s vehicle in Francofonte, following earlier vandalism against the church grounds.
Left-Wing Extremists Attack Church Over Anti-Abortion Stance
December 3, 2025, GermanyRadical activists smashed windows and spray-painted “218 abtreiben” on the Free Evangelical Church Kassel-Ost, citing its support for unborn life as the motive.
Church Nativity Figures Vandalised
December 3, 2025, SpainActs of vandalism targeted Christmas decorations at Villar de Olalla, damaging religious symbols and prompting a municipal appeal for information.
Arson Attack at Fonsorbes Church
December 3, 2025, FranceTwo altar cloths were set on fire inside Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church in Fonsorbes, Occitania, with straw from the Christmas nativity scene reportedly moved to fuel the flames.
Termini Chapel Closed After Reported Altar Desecration
December 2, 2025, ItalyThe Chapel at Termini Station in Rome was closed after a man was reported to have urinated on the altar. The closure is deprived the community of access.
Palestine Flags Placed on Vienna’s Votive Church Without Approval
November 29, 2025, AustriaAnti-Israel demonstrators scaled the towers of Vienna's Votive Church and placed Palestinian flags on the spire. The Archdiocese condemned the incident, hired a crew to remove the flags, and announced that they may take legal action.
Church Christmas Market Cancelled Due to Threats
November 28, 2025, GermanyThe St. Salvatoris Parish in Geesthacht (Schleswig-Holstein) had to cancel the annual Christmas market after receiving a threatening letter. Police are investigating the threats.
Pro-Palestinian Protest Disrupted Brussels Christmas Market Opening
November 28, 2025, BelgiumThe launch of Brussels’ Winter Wonders Christmas market was interrupted when demonstrators set off smoke bombs, waved Palestinian flags, and unsettled families.
Arson Attack at Laindon Church
November 27, 2025, United KingdomAuthorities investigated a deliberate fire at a Laindon church previously subjected to repeated racist vandalism.
Two Attempted Arson Attacks at St Giles Church
November 27, 2025, United KingdomThe Anglican and Methodist Church of St Giles was twice targeted by arson when rubbish was set on fire at its entrances—causing damage to the church door and prompting police appeals for information.
Altar Statues Deliberately Damaged
November 26, 2025, ItalyAuthorities detained a 55-year-old man in Parabiago after he entered a parish church and toppled statues on the altar.
Amiens Christmas Market Nativity Scene Vandalised
November 26, 2025, FranceThe nativity scene at the Christmas market in Amiens was vandalised during the night of 25-26 November 2025: several statuettes — including the figure of the infant Jesus — were broken, leading to public indignation and closure of the display.
Desecration of Bodies and Tombs at Catholic Cemetery in Alhos Vedros
November 26, 2025, PortugalTen bodies were desecrated after mausoleums were broken into at a Catholic cemetery in Portugal. While cemetery vandalism had occurred before, the parish priest said that this incident was of an unprecedented scale. The local bishop condemned the act as a “sacrilegious gesture”.
Cathedral Prayer Book Desecrated with Insults and Blasphemies
November 25, 2025, ItalyA prayer book near the relics of Blessed Maria Raffaella Cimatti in Alatri was defaced with insults and blasphemies.
Christian Lecturer Cancelled due to Student Protests
November 25, 2025, GermanyA scheduled lecture by the habilitated philosopher Sebastian Ostritsch at Hochschule für Philosophie München was cancelled two days before the event. Student protests and pressure on university management resulted in cancelling the planned discussion of classical proofs for God’s existence.
Street Preacher Plans Court Case Over Repeated Arrests
November 24, 2025, United KingdomShaun O’Sullivan, a UK Christian preacher, arrested 16 times and acquitted each time, now plans to challenge the repeated prosecutions in court as he believes he is being targeted for proclaiming the gospel.