All cases
Church in Faubourg-Bonnefoy severely vandalised
May 30, 2024, FranceOn 30th May, the Immaculate Conception church in Toulouse was heavily vandalised by unknown perpetrators. Several objects, boards and furniture were broken and overturned, causing severe damage. Although the altar is located in a protected area behind bars, it was also overturned and severely damaged. The head of the statue of Virgin Mary was covered with a blue cloth.
Man steals statue of Jesus from church
May 29, 2024, ItalyIn the early morning of May 29, in the Santissima Addolorata church in Taranto, a man was caught on camera, carrying a statue of Jesus on his shoulder, which he had taken from the church. The police were able to track down the perpetrator, a 28-year-old convicted felon. He had already been under house arrest, during which he had escaped to steal the statue.
Vandalism of altar in Siedliska
May 29, 2024, PolandOn May 29 at night, unknown perpetrators destroyed decorations on the altar prepared for the Corpus Christi procession in Siedliska. They also tore down decorative trees attached to the Christian community centre, and damaged the stairs of the building. Furthermore, the contents of two garbage bins were spilt next to the altar.
Chapel defaced with Islamic graffiti
May 29, 2024, SloveniaOn May 29, a chapel at the crossroads of Zagrad and Leše, in the municipality of Prevalje, Slovenia, was found defaced with graffiti. Unknown perpetrators wrote the word "Allah" in big letters with red paint on the walls of the chapel.
Man rammed car into Rodez Cathedral shouting "I hate Jesus"
May 28, 2024, FranceAs reported on 28th May, a 55 year old Frenchman has been arrested for driving his vehicle into the Cathedral of Rodez in Aveyron region. Fortunately, the SUV got stuck on the stairs leading up to the entrance and did not damage the Cathedral. According to witnesses, he was shouting “I hate Jesus” and “I hate Christianity”.
Vandalism in North Yorkshire
May 26, 2024, United KingdomBetween 24th and 26th May, unknown perpetrators smashed 500 year old windows of a church in St. Mary's Church Thirsk.
Vandalism in St. Anna Chapel in Altshausen
May 24, 2024, GermanyOn Friday evening, May 24, an intoxicated man committed an act of vandalism and damaged the St. Anna Chapel in Altshausen. According to the police, the man went on a rampage in the chapel "like a madman". The man smashed objects, flower decorations and destroyed plaster angels. He also tore down a crucifix and ripped off the hand of a statue of a saint. The police arrested a 32-year-old suspect. According to the initial estimate, the damage amounts to 10,000 euros.
Vandalism of statues in Szydłowo
May 24, 2024, PolandUnknown perpetrators have painted defaced statues of Mary and Jesus in a roadside chapel in Szydłowo. In red colour they painted the eyes, nails and mouths. "This is a shameful and blasphemous act. It appears to have been done consciously and boldly during the day.", the local parish priest, Fr. Maruszewski said.
Vandalism in the church of Sant'Angelo Magno
May 20, 2024, ItalyOn May 20, it was discovered that unknown vandals had broken inside the Church of Sant'Angelo Magno and destroyed candelabras, a crucifix, a statue, sacred vestments, and the 17th-century organ.
Vandals set fire to altar in Dannevoux church
May 19, 2024, FranceOn Pentecost, Sunday, May 19, between 9 am and 7.30 pm, in the church of Saint-Hippolyte in Dannevoux (Meuse), an act of vandalism was recorded and caused over €1,500 worth of material damage. According to a news report, fire was set to the altar. Fortunately, it was quickly extinguished with water from the holy water font, thus avoiding potentially dramatic consequences. The fire did, however, cause some damage to the altar. The tablecloth, base and column were partially burnt.