All cases
Vandals Damage Protestant Baroque Church in Gersfeld
January 5, 2026, GermanyOn January 5, vandals entered the Lutheran Baroque church in Gersfeld on 5 January and caused deliberate damage to the building.
Utrecht Evangelist Assaulted; Video Circulates Online
January 4, 2026, NetherlandsA street preacher in Utrecht was assaulted during an evangelising activity over the weekend, according to a report.
Suspected Arson at Neunkirchen Church
January 2, 2026, GermanyOn the morning of 2 January 2026, a fire broke out at the Protestant Christuskirche in the centre of Neunkirchen, Saarland. Due to the significant amount of smoke caused by the fire, it took the fire brigade several hours to ventilate the building. Police are investigating the suspected arson attack.
Vienna Church Repeatedly Targeted by Graffiti Vandalism
December 30, 2025, AustriaSt. Johann Evangelist Church in Vienna was defaced with graffiti on December 30, 2025, including Arabic writing and an Antifa symbol. Police launched an investigation amid political condemnation and reports of repeated targeting of the site.
Gunfire and Explosive Device Damaged Church Entrance
December 28, 2025, ItalyUnknown individuals fired gunshots and detonated an explosive device at the secondary entrance of the San Filippo Neri church in Palermo’s Zen neighborhood.
Arson Attempt Inside German Church on Christmas
December 25, 2025, GermanyUnknown individuals ignited torn pages from prayer books on the church gallery in St. Maria, Haßlach, causing scorch marks and wax damage to the pews below. Thankfully, the fire did not spread, but the church suffered property damage.
Christ Child Figure Found Hanging by the Neck
December 21, 2025, PolandOn 21 December, a figure of the Christ Child was found hanging by the neck in a nativity scene in the market square of Bolesławiec. Surveillance footage showed hooded individuals entering the scene and tying the doll to a rope in the manner of a gallows.
Court Hears Case of Glasgow Grandmother Arrested Again For Sign Offering Conversation
December 19, 2025, United Kingdom75-year-old grandmother and Christian prayer group leader Rose Docherty has been arrested a second time and criminally charged for holding a sign reading “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want” within 200 metres of an abortion facility in Glasgow.
UPDATE: Woman criminally charged for silent prayer
December 17, 2025, United KingdomBritish charitable volunteer Isabel Vaughan-Spruce has been criminally charged in Birmingham under the UK’s new national abortion “buffer zone” law for silently praying near an abortion facility, with her trial scheduled for 29 January 2026. This is the first known prosecution under the Public Order Act 2023, highlighting tensions between public-order regulations and freedom of conscience.
Swastika Carved Into Evangelical Church Facade
December 14, 2025, GermanyPolice opened a criminal investigation after unknown perpetrators etched a Nazi symbol into the wall of a church in Lower Saxony.
Blood Found on Altar in Church Desecration
December 13, 2025, ItalyA desecration of the Church of the Angel in Camaiore involved blood traces on the altar, misuse of sacred objects, and prompted both police investigation and a call for reparation by the Archdiocese of Lucca.
Holy Water Font Desecrated with Urine
December 12, 2025, GermanyA holy water font at St. Fidelis Catholic Church in Burladingen was deliberately filled with urine in an act of targeted desecration shocking parishioners and clergy. The parish priest called the act "a slap in the face of a believer."
Five Suspects Arrested in Alleged Islamist Plot Against Bavarian Christmas Market
December 12, 2025, GermanyGerman authorities have detained five men in Bavaria accused of planning a radical Islamist–motivated vehicle attack on a Christmas market. Investigators say the plot was disrupted at an early stage through coordinated action by security services.
Dismissal of Teacher Sparks Debate on Religious Expression in UK Schools
December 9, 2025, United KingdomA UK primary school teacher was suspended in March 2024 and later dismissed after telling a Muslim student that “Britain is still a Christian state,” citing the King as head of the Church of England and describing Islam as a minority religion. The teacher, who had also allegedly suggested the student could attend a nearby Islamic school if they preferred a religious setting, faced both police and safeguarding investigations. Although he was initially banned from working with children, he successfully appealed the decision and is now pursuing legal action against.
Prayer Outside Abortion Clinic Protected by Law, Spanish Court Rules
December 9, 2025, SpainA criminal court in Vitoria, Basque Country, has acquitted 21 pro‑life volunteers accused of harassment for praying peacefully outside an abortion clinic, ruling that they had “done nothing more than exercise their free right of assembly” and behaved in an “exquisitely peaceful manner.” The court found no evidence of intimidating conduct under the penal code’s anti‑harassment provision.
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.
Chapel Vandalized with Racist Graffiti and Symbols
November 22, 2025, ItalyMasked vandals defaced the Santa Lucia chapel in Pianella with racist and vulgar graffiti, prompting police investigation and municipal condemnation.
Vallecas Attacker Who Stabbed Three Said His Mission Was to Kill Christians
November 22, 2025, SpainAn 18-year-old in Vallecas stabbed three people and reportedly told his mother his mission was to kill Christians, leading authorities to investigate possible terrorism.
Spanish Bishop Faces Investigation Over Remarks on Homosexuality
November 20, 2025, SpainMadrid’s Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has launched a preliminary investigation into José Ignacio Munilla, Bishop of Orihuela-Alicante, following remarks he made criticising a proposed ban on so-called “conversion therapy.” The bishop warned that the draft legislation could jeopardise the freedom of pastoral care offered to individuals with homosexual inclinations, in line with Catholic teaching. His statements, made during a Radio María broadcast, were reported as “hate speech” by a local NGO. Bishop Munilla has firmly rejected the accusation, stating that he merely criticised a government proposal and denounced the investigation as an attempt to intimidate the Church.
Tabernacle Stolen and Statue of Mary Damaged
November 19, 2025, SpainThieves broke into the Los Urrutias church in Cartagena, stole the tabernacle, and damaged the statue of the Virgin del Carmen, which they left in the streets.
Cross of Morkaiku in Elgoibar Torn Down
November 18, 2025, SpainOn the night of 18 November 2025, unknown individuals demolished the Cross of Morkaiku in Elgoibar, Gipuzkoa—an act now under police investigation. The cross, originally erected during Spain’s Franco regime, had sparked ongoing local tensions over the presence of religious symbols linked to the dictatorship, despite its historical recontextualisation.
Sacristan Assaulted Outside Paris’s Église de la Madeleine
November 18, 2025, FranceA parish employee was violently attacked after enforcing security rules near the historic church.
Bomb Threat Targets Catholic Church During Family Service
November 16, 2025, GermanyPolice sealed off the Church of the Assumption of Mary in Aichach after a bomb threat disrupted a mass attended by hundreds.
Vandals Desecrate a Church Crucifix and Welcome Sign
November 16, 2025, ItalyA church in Moscufo was targeted by vandals who broke a welcoming sign and attached a condom to a crucifix. Municipal administrators condemned the act.
Protesters Occupy Catholic Church
November 15, 2025, GermanyAround 50 pro-abortion protesters entered St. Mary’s Church in Flensburg, displaying banners and refusing to leave until police intervened. The archdiocese of Hamburg underlined that the church is a "holy place for Catholics" and should not "be abused for political rallies and disrespect".
Neo-Fascist Graffiti on Church Condemned as “National and Religious Blasphemy”
November 15, 2025, United KingdomSwastika and Russian “Z” symbols were graffitied on Our Lady of Lourdes church in Swansea, prompting police investigation and condemnation from civic and religious leaders.
Historic Crucifix Defaced With Political Graffiti
November 12, 2025, GermanyA 200-year-old crucifix in a Protestant church in Homberg/Ohm was defaced with anti-Israel slogans and political graffiti.
Anti-Christian Graffiti Written on Door of Lourdes Church
November 11, 2025, FrancePolice opened an investigation after anti-Catholic insults, including “Filthy race of Jesus Christ”, were discovered on the entrance of the Church of the Sacred Heart in Lourdes.
Minors Vandalise Church Grounds
November 10, 2025, ItalyThe parish of Viatosto was repeatedly targeted by vandals: open taps, glued candles, and a burnt lighter were among the troubling signs discovered by the priest.
Suspected Arson Targets Historic Christian Oratory in Taggia
November 9, 2025, ItalyA fire damaged the entrance of the Oratory of Saints Sebastiano and Fabiano in Taggia. Authorities are investigating suspected arson.
Repeated Vandalism Targets Parish and Priest
November 7, 2025, ItalyEggs hurled at the parish house and sabotage of the priest’s car marked a renewed wave of anti-Christian hostility in the Treviso community.