All cases
French municipality faces legal battle over displaying nativity scene
February 5, 2025, FranceIn December 2024, the town of Beaucaire was ordered to remove its nativity scene from the town hall by an administrative court, claiming its display violated secularism laws. Despite the ruling, the mayor refused to comply, resulting in further legal action and the threat of escalating fines. This marks the latest in a series of legal battles over Christian symbols in Beaucaire, which have been ongoing since 2016.
Man sets fire to door of Milan church
February 2, 2025, ItalyOn the morning of 2 February, a man set fire to the door of the church of San Martino in Greco in Milan. A passer-by quickly noticed the fire and called the authorities, who quickly put out the threat. Police are now searching for the suspect.
UK imposes VAT on private education: Christian schools forced to close
February 1, 2025, United KingdomA UK policy change imposing VAT on private school fees came into force in January 2025, forcing schools to pay 20% of tuition fees to the Treasury. Many Christian schools, already operating on tight budgets, face closure or fee increases, reducing parental choice in education. Critics argue that the reform unlawfully discriminates against faith-based education and violates international rights protections.
Decapitated statue of Mary
January 30, 2025, GermanyUnknown perpetrators have damaged a statue of the Madonna in a chapel in Wasserburg am Inn in Upper Bavaria.
Christian Prayer App "Hallow" Threatened by EU Regulations
January 30, 2025, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)The Christian prayer app "Hallow", which reached number one on Apple's App Store in 2024, is now struggling to operate in the EU. CEO Alex Jones has expressed concern that strict regulations are effectively shutting down religious apps, raising concerns about digital religious freedom.
Two arson attacks on church in Jerez
January 26, 2025, SpainOn the night of 25 January, an attempt to set fire to one of the entrances to the church of San Miguel in Jerez was quickly smothered by the local population. However, just a few hours later, on the morning of 26 January, another fire was set at another door, this time requiring the intervention of the fire brigade. The police are now investigating both incidents.
Polish Petition Aims to Ban Minors From Receiving Confession
January 24, 2025, PolandIn October 2024, actor and activist Rafał Betlejewski launched a petition to ban children and teenagers under 18 from receiving the sacrament of confession. After gathering just over 13,000 signatures, the proposal is now being debated in the lower house of the Polish parliament.
Woman set fire to the Holy Scriptures
January 23, 2025, PolandOn 23 January, a 43-year-old woman set fire to a Bible in a church in Kępno and threw a vase and candles from the altar.
Another attack on a church in the Sardinia region
January 23, 2025, ItalyOn the night of 23 January, unknown assailants vandalised the church of San Francesco in Oristano. The Christian community in Sardinia has suffered numerous attacks on religious sites in recent weeks. The police are now investigating all the incidents.
Sacrilegious theft in Sarajevo
January 21, 2025, Bosnia and HerzegovinaOn 21 January, unknown assailants broke into the convent church of the Sisters of Charity of St Vinka in the centre of Sarajevo and stole the vessel monstrance the large consecrated host, scattering the other smaller ones in the sanctuary. Several other items were also stolen.
Facade of convent vandalised with pro-abortion tags
January 20, 2025, FranceOn 20 January, the façade of the Grande Bretèche convent, home to the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation, was vandalised with pro-abortion inscriptions in a repeat of a similar attack last year. This is the second year in a row that the convent has been vandalised after hosting a pro-life event.
Islamist Bomb threats to church in Palencia
January 18, 2025, SpainTwo Islamist bomb threats against a church via a Telegram group caused great concern and prompted the immediate deployment of security forces in the city of Palencia.
School counsellor sacked for promoting Christian views on marriage
January 16, 2025, United KingdomGozen Soydag, who was sacked from a Catholic school in February 2023 for publicly promoting traditional Christian beliefs on marriage, has received news that the court has rejected all her claims. Ms Soydag will appeal the decision as she feels she is being discriminated against because of her faith.
"Low-status" prisoners in Belarus banned from religious practice
January 16, 2025, BelarusIn a growing assault on religious freedom, several prisoners in Belarus are being denied any contact with religious services or members of the clergy because they are considered 'low status'. The ban even prevents them from possessing religious literature or devotional objects.
Figure of Jesus vandalised and thrown in the garbage
January 15, 2025, PolandOn the night of 14-15 January, unknown offenders committed an act of vandalism in the cemetery of the Parish of the Nativity of St John the Baptist in Tychy-Cielmice, Poland. The oak cross was destroyed with an axe, and the figure of Jesus was removed from the cross, smashed and thrown into a rubbish bin. The police are now investigating.
UPDATE: £7,500 PROSECUTION COSTS FOR HOLDING BIBLE VERSE SIGN
January 15, 2025, United KingdomOn 15 January 2025, the Crown Court rejected Stephen Green's appeals and confirmed his guilty verdict. The Christian preacher will now have to pay more than £7,500 in fines and prosecution costs for silently holding a Bible verse.
Occult vandalism at Lyndhurst church
January 15, 2025, United KingdomOn 15 January, a severed deer head was found on the porch of St Michael and All Angels Church in Lyndhurst. A similar incident occurred at the same church four years ago.
Teacher Sacked for Christian Beliefs Appeals Tribunal Decision
January 14, 2025, United KingdomBen Dybowski, a teaching assistant in Wales, was sacked after expressing his Christian views during a school seminar on diversity. Although the Education Workforce Council found no wrongdoing, an employment tribunal rejected his claim of harassment. He is now appealing the decision, raising concerns about the treatment of Christian teachers in Europe.
Second attack on Rennes Basilica within days
January 13, 2025, FranceFollowing the destruction of a statue of the Virgin Mary a few days ago, unknown perpetrators have again vandalised the Saint-Aubin Basilica in Rennes. This time, a statue of the baby Jesus was found decapitated. The city of Rennes is facing a serious wave of hate crimes against Christians.
Nativity scene destroyed in Persico Dosimo
January 12, 2025, ItalyOn the night of 11 January, unknown perpetrators seriously damaged a nativity scene in the churchyard of the Dosimo parish church. Several figures were smashed to pieces, a gesture that caused great indignation among the local population.
Church vandalised and statue destroyed in Rennes Basilica
January 12, 2025, FranceUnknown perpetrators have destroyed a statue of Mary in the Saint-Aubin Basilica in Rennes. Attacks on religious symbols are a growing concern in the region.
Repeated vandalism of Salò nativity scene
January 9, 2025, ItalyUnknown persons have vandalised the nativity scene set up by the fire brigade for the local community. The vandals not only damaged the nativity scene, but also urinated on the scene and set off a firecracker in the middle of the hay.
Two arson attacks on Valledoria church in 4 days
January 8, 2025, ItalyThe Church of Christ the King in Valledoria has been attacked twice in a very short period of time. The first arson attack took place during the celebration of mass on 5 January, and the second only a few days later, on 8 January.
Catholic teacher fired for upholding traditional Christian values
January 8, 2025, AustriaIn Austria, a Catholic teacher has been banned from teaching for two years after being sacked for defending traditional moral values at public demonstrations. The teacher was also ordered to pay €24,000 in legal costs.
Unknown perpetrators vandalise religious figures
January 7, 2025, GermanyOn the afternoon of 7 January, unknown perpetrators broke into the church of St. Francis Hochdahl in Erkhart. A leg of a religious figure, one of the Three Magi, disappeared and the burglars knocked over several other figures. Police are now investigating and looking for suspects.
Priest receives letter threatening parishioners
January 6, 2025, ItalyIn early January, the priest of the San Giovanni Battista parish in Siniscola received a letter containing threats against two of his parishioners. The case is now being investigated by the police.
Fire set to nativity scene in Ingolstadt
January 5, 2025, GermanyA nativity scene was burned and vandalised in the Catholic church of St Pius in Ingolstadt. The parish priest reported that "the stable was thrown over down and one figure was completely burnt".
Figure of the Infant Jesus stolen from nativity scene in Aprilia
January 4, 2025, ItalyOn 4 January, a figure of the Infant Jesus disappeared from the nativity scene set up by the Agroverde Neighbourhood Committee in a public park. "A gesture that deeply offends the sense of community and the faith of many people," said the committee and further stated: "It is an act of vandalism that demonstrates a total lack of respect for the traditions, symbols and religious feelings of many people."
Nativity scene in front of Roncoferraro church vandalised
December 31, 2024, ItalyOn the night of New Year's Eve, unknown people destroyed the nativity scene on the square of the Roncoferraro church. The vandals tore to pieces almost all of the particular figures depicting the nativity and scattered the fragments in the surrounding garden. This is not the first time that similar episodes have occurred.
Police prevents terrorist attack on Elche Basilica
December 31, 2024, SpainSpanish police have foiled a terrorist attack just before Christmas. Four suspects aged between 14 and 17 were arrested on 19 December during a raid in the city of Elche. The group is accused of planning an Islamist terrorist attack on a Christian church.
Sanctuary vandalised with fireworks in Ribordone
December 31, 2024, ItalyOn New Year's Eve, unknown vandals caused extensive damage to the exterior walls of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Loreto in Ribordone. Locals are calling for more security measures as this isolated church is frequently vandalised.
Three suspects arrested after shooting at Istanbul church association
December 30, 2024, TurkeyThree suspects have been arrested following a shooting at the Association of Salvation Churches in Istanbul. On 30 December, three gunmen arriving in a commercial vehicle opened fire at the association's building in the Cekmekoy district on the Asian side of Istanbul.
Image of Infant Jesus destroyed in Valencia
December 30, 2024, SpainThe Nativity Scene of Cullera, in the Valencian Community, has been vandalised with the destruction of an image of the Infant Jesus.
Arson on previously attacked church in Regnano
December 29, 2024, ItalyOn 29 December, the back wall of the parish house in Regnano was set on fire. Only two weeks earlier, the door to the bell tower of the church had also been vandalised and destroyed.
Vandalism and fireworks set off in church
December 28, 2024, GermanyA church in Lilienthal, Germany, was vandalised on 28 December. The offenders entered the unlocked church building and set off fireworks, among other things. They also damaged several organ pipes.
Nativity scene in Roque-Gageac set on fire
December 28, 2024, FranceA nativity scene set up by the local council in the village of Dordogne burnt down on the night of Friday 27 to Saturday 28 December. Although investigations are still underway, the mayor strongly suspects that the fire was deliberately set.
Theft of tabernacle
December 26, 2024, GermanyOn 26 December, the tabernacle was stolen from the church of St Joseph parish in Kollnau. The perpetrators, who are still unknown, stole the locked tabernacle from the choir of the church.
Man enters church on Christmas Day shouting “Allah Akbar”
December 25, 2024, FranceOn Wednesday 25 December, just before 5pm, a man entered the church of Saint-Louis in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Yvelines) shouting "Allah Akbar".
Church soiled with urine and cigarette butts on Christmas Eve
December 24, 2024, ItalyOn the night of 24 December, in the small church of San Rocco in Malpaga di Orzinuovi, near Brescia, the floor and chairs were covered in cigarette butts and urine. Nothing was stolen.
Church wall damaged by explosives
December 24, 2024, ItalyOn Christmas Eve, 24 December, the church of Sant'Antonio Abate was the target of an act of vandalism. Unknown persons set off fireworks on the side of the sacred building, causing considerable damage. The explosion tore off part of the frame, and debris was found scattered on the ground.
Church in Waltrop repeatedly hit by vandalism
December 21, 2024, GermanySt Peter's Church in Waltrop has been plagued by vandalism: There have been repeated cases of damage, people urinating in the church, leaving faeces or breaking beer bottles. Not only are the church doors currently closed outside of service times, but the nativity scene has also been moved.
Theft of nativity scene figures
December 20, 2024, United KingdomOn 20 December, it was reported that all the figures - Mary, Joseph, animals and the Infant Jesus - were missing from the nativity scene next to the church in Tunbridge, Wales.
Destruction of the Passion Cross in Krosno
December 19, 2024, PolandIn the Sanctuary of St John Paul II in Krosno, the Passion Cross and the figure of Jesus Christ hanging from it were desecrated on 19 December. The vandalism was particularly brutal, and the figure was broken into many fragments.
14-year-olds arrested for vandalising cemetery
December 19, 2024, PolandBetween 9 and 19 December, a series of acts of vandalism took place at the Central Cemetery in Szczecin. The perpetrators damaged tombstones, demolished graves, spilled wax from lighted candles and smashed them against tombstones. Two 14-year-olds were arrested for desecration.
Metz Nativity Scene Vandalised: Statues of Mary and Joseph beheaded
December 17, 2024, FranceThe figures of Mary and Joseph have been beheaded in a vandalism attack on the nativity scene in front of the Metz train station, the city authorities announced on 17 December. According to the town hall, an investigation is underway to find the perpetrators. A complaint has been lodged.
Desecration of graves with satanic symbols: Ritual motives "not ruled out"
December 17, 2024, SpainIn Seville town of El Viso del Alcor, the desecration of four coffins in the municipal cemetery on December 17 is being investigated. Authorities and specialists do not rule out ritual motivations. In Spain, an increase in attacks on Christian cemeteries is reported for 2024.
Vandalism: Withington church spray-painted
December 16, 2024, IrelandSt Peter's Church in Withington was vandalised on 16 December, with the door and interior sprayed with paint. Police officers described the damage as 'shocking and irreparable'.
Fire at Christian centre, suspected arson by left-wing extremists
December 15, 2024, GermanyAs reported on 15 December, a pile of rubbish and bulky waste caught fire at the back of a building housing the Bremen police and the local Free Church welfare office. Left-wing extremists claimed responsibility and expressed hostility towards the Pentecostal Church.
Ban on funeral processions in Manduria
December 15, 2024, ItalyThe mayor of Manduria, Gregorio Pecoraro, has approved an ordinance banning walking funeral processions. A local councillor is challenging the ban, saying it restricts religious freedom.
Nativity figurines disappeared
December 14, 2024, ItalyThe statues of Mary and the ox disappeared from the nativity scene in front of the church of San Michele Arcangelo and Santa Lucia in Cesa, a hamlet in the municipality of Marciano della Chiana, on December 14.