All cases
Statue of Padre Pio Decapitated Inside San Benedetto Abbey in Frosinone
April 10, 2026, ItalyA statue of Padre Pio was found decapitated inside the Abbey Church of San Benedetto in Frosinone. Police confirmed the damage after responding to a report and have launched an investigation to identify those responsible.
Man Interrupts Easter Vigil Mass Shouting Blasphemies at Sanctuary in Rome
April 4, 2026, ItalyOn 4 April 2026, an individual entered a church in Rome during the Easter Vigil Mass and shouted a blasphemous statement before fleeing. The disruption occurred during one of the most significant celebrations in the Christian calendar and caused distress among worshippers.
Saint-Laurent Church Vandalised on Holy Thursday
April 2, 2026, FranceOn Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026, the Saint-Laurent Church in Rosny-sous-Bois was broken into and severely damaged. The main doors were smashed, lamps torn down, and the sacristy door and frame attacked with axes.
Suspected Arson at Church Cemetery in Dorset
April 1, 2026, United KingdomA fire that broke out in the early hours at St George’s Church cemetery in Dorchester is believed to have been started deliberately.
Series of Fires and Vandalism Reported in Hildesheim Churches
March 30, 2026, GermanyA fire in the parish garden of St. Godehard Church in Hildesheim has raised concerns after church authorities reported further serious acts of vandalism affecting local churches. Among the incidents disclosed was the discovery of urine in a baptismal font, a particularly disturbing act of desecration.
Thieves Utter Blasphemy Inside Church
March 29, 2026, ItalyUnknown perpetrators stole offerings from the parish church of Santa Maria dei Servi in Ancona, Italy, and reportedly shouted blasphemies inside the church during the incident. The case was presented in local reporting not only as theft, but as an act marked by contempt for a Christian place of worship.
Beheaded Statue of Mary in Klein-Winternheim
March 29, 2026, GermanyUnknown perpetrators beheaded a statue of Mary in a Marian grotto located in Klein-Winternheim. The offenders also damaged devotional objects and stole rosaries and other small religious items.
Repeated vandalism hits Valmaura Church
March 28, 2026, ItalyAfter repeated acts of serious vandalism at the Church of the Blessed Virgin of Sorrows in Valmaura, a holy water font was destroyed. The church has started a fundraising campaign to be able to replace the font.
Church Windows in Salzgitter Smashed in Vandalism
March 28, 2026, GermanyA vandalism attack targeted a church in Salzgitter, damaging several sections of the church’s windows using sticks and glass bottles.
Puy Sainte Réparade Cemetery Graves Desecrated and Opened
March 28, 2026, FranceEleven graves were found defaced and some opened in the cemetery of Puy Sainte Réparade near Aix en Provence. Local authorities condemned the acts as shocking desecration.
Beaujolais Churches Targeted
March 28, 2026, FranceA chapel in Lamure-sur-Azergues and a church in Beaujeu were vandalised on March 28, with broken stained glass windows and damaged doors reported.
Statue and Church Vandalised on Palm Sunday Eve
March 28, 2026, CroatiaA statue of the Virgin Mary and other church property were vandalised outside a church in Labin. The incident occurred on the eve of Palm Sunday, a significant date in the Christian calendar.
Intrusion, Assault and Rising Disorder Around Notre-Dame Immaculée Church
March 27, 2026, BelgiumResidents raised concerns following a series of disturbances around Notre-Dame Immaculée Church in late March 2026. The most serious incident involved an intrusion during a religious service, when an individual disrupted the ceremony, threw a cross onto the altar and assaulted a parishioner.
Supreme Court Acquits MP for Bible Verse Tweet, Convicts Over Church Pamphlet
March 26, 2026, FinlandFinland’s Supreme Court has unanimously acquitted parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen of “hate speech” charges related to a 2019 social media post in which she cited a Bible verse to express her views on marriage and sexual ethics. At the same time, in a narrow 3–2 decision, the Court convicted Räsänen and Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola over the publication of a church pamphlet originally written in 2004.
Wave of Vandalism and Thefts in Frosinone Churches Raises Concern
March 24, 2026, ItalyOver the past two months, several churches in Frosinone have been affected by repeated thefts and acts of vandalism targeting sacred objects. One particularly disturbing incident occurred on 24 March 2026, when a woman approached the altar, turned a statue upside down, struck a cross, and removed the altar cloth, actions captured on CCTV.
Vandalism at Saint-Pierre Church in Caen
March 22, 2026, FranceAn act of vandalism at Saint-Pierre Church in Caen left a stained glass window broken.
Vandalism in Garbenteich Church: Bible Damaged with Fire
March 22, 2026, GermanyA Protestant church in Garbenteich was vandalised, with fire damage affecting the altar Bible and altar area.
Altar and Sacred Objects Targeted in Deliberate Desecration
March 21, 2026, BelgiumA church in Lommel was again targeted by vandals who left sexually explicit messages and desecrated the altar and religious objects. The incident forms part of a series of repeated attacks, including with arson, on the same church in recent months.
Catholic Priest Faces Criminal Investigation Over Statements on Church Teaching on Sexuality
March 20, 2026, IcelandMonsignor Jakob Rolland is facing a potential criminal trial after explaining Catholic teaching on homosexuality in a radio interview and stating that the Church offers spiritual guidance to persons with same-sex attraction who seek it. Following the interview, LGBTIQ advocacy groups launched a campaign calling for legal action, leading to a police examination of the Catholic priest under Iceland’s 2023 ban on “conversion practices”.
Parish in Provaglio d’Iseo Targeted by Vandalism
March 20, 2026, ItalyThe church of Saints Peter and Paul in Provaglio d’Iseo was targeted by vandalism, with its historic rose windows heavily damaged by stones.
Cross Destroyed in Vandalism at Memorial in Szczecin
March 19, 2026, PolandUnknown perpetrators vandalised a memorial lapidarium in Szczecin, damaging tombstones and a stone cross.
Vandals damage Chapel of San Giuseppe in Nozarego on its feast day.
March 19, 2026, ItalyVandals damaged the chapel of San Giuseppe in Nozarego, breaking two front windows in an act of deliberate destruction on the chapel's dedication day.
Repeated Desecration Inside Catholic Church in Białystok
March 18, 2026, PolandA Catholic church in Białystok has been repeatedly targeted with acts of vandalism and religious offence. A suspected has been identified through CCTV footage.
Church in Felletin Defaced with "F* religion" and "Free Palestine"
March 17, 2026, FranceOffensive graffiti was discovered on the walls of the Church of Sainte Valérie in Felletin. Local officials have condemned the attack.
Attempted abduction of seminary student near Pochaiv Lavra
March 16, 2026, UkraineA group of about 15 people allegedly tried to forcibly detain a seminary student and drag him into a minibus by force.
Arson and vandalism in Absam Parish Church
March 15, 2026, AustriaAbsam Parish Church was the target of a serious act of vandalism, two minors entered the church and desecrated the interior.
Multiple churches in Belfort targeted with vandalism and break-ins
March 15, 2026, FranceDuring the night of 14 to 15 March, Sainte-Croix Church in Chèvremont was vandalised, with doors forced open, consecrated hosts found on the ground, and sacred objects stolen. Authorities and the parish have filed complaints.
Attempted arson in Trzebinia Parish
March 15, 2026, PolandAn attempted arson was reported at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Trzebinia. A man set fire to kneelers in the vestibule and tried to ignite the main door but failed to enter.
Bible set on fire on altar of Protestant Church in Le Sentier
March 15, 2026, SwitzerlandA Bible was deliberately set on fire on the altar of a Protestant church in Le Sentier, causing damage and leading to the brief hospitalisation of the pastor due to smoke inhalation. A suspect has been arrested, and authorities are investigating the incident as arson targeting a place of worship.
Cemetery desecrated and crosses stolen in Niestępów
March 13, 2026, PolandAround 200 graves were vandalized at the parish cemetery in Niestępów. Crosses, brass letters, and other metal elements were stolen from dozens of tombstones.
Cross Removed from Church Façade and Discarded in Garbage
March 13, 2026, GermanyUnknown individuals dismantled a large cross from the façade of the Evangelical Methodist Church in Pleidelsheim, and discarded it in a nearby garbage can.
Gunfire Damages Fresco at Tuscania Sanctuary
March 13, 2026, ItalyUnknown individuals fired shots at the church of the Madonna del Cerro in Tuscania, damaging a fresco of the Madonna and parts of the church’s exterior. The Carabinieri have opened an investigation.
Church in Bilbao Defaced by Antifa-Affiliated Group
March 12, 2026, SpainA group of antifascists vandalised the Church of the Holy Johns in Spain with graffiti and posted a video of the act on social media.
Veert Church Desecrated With Hosts Scattered on the Floor
March 12, 2026, GermanyA church in Veert was broken into, leaving significant damage despite low material losses. The perpetrators targeted the ciborium and desecrated the tabernacle, leaving consecrated hosts scattered across the floor.
Repeated vandalism and arson: Pastor Speaks of Being Victimised
March 12, 2026, United KingdomSalvation Chapel International, a pentecostal church in Laindon, has suffered repeated and escalating acts of vandalism, including a fire, destruction of toilets and church property, and graffiti.
Crucifix and confessionals vandalised in San Pietro a Vico Church
March 11, 2026, ItalyUnknown perpetrators vandalised San Pietro a Vico Church, destroying confessionals and breaking a crucifix.
St. Wenceslas Church in Prague Defaced with Hateful Graffiti
March 10, 2026, Czech RepublicThe Church of St. Wenceslas in Prague was vandalised by unknown individuals who sprayed a message stating that the cross and the Star of David are equal to a swastika.
Sacrilegious theft of consecrated hosts at Sant’Andrea Church in Rasa
March 10, 2026, ItalyThieves broke into Sant’Andrea Church in Rasa and forcibly opened the tabernacle of the main altar, stealing consecrated hosts, sacred elements used in Catholic worship. The act constitutes a significant desecration for the community.
Obscene graffiti painted on the wall of St. Agatha Church
March 10, 2026, GermanyThe sandstone façade of St. Agatha Church in Alverskirchen was discovered smeared with obscene graffiti by unknown individuals.
Altar vandalised inside Saint Roch Church in Paris
March 9, 2026, FranceAn altar inside Saint-Roch Church featuring a large gilded structure resembling the Ark of the Covenant was vandalised by unknown individuals. The attackers damaged decorative elements causing significant damage to the 19th-century religious piece.
Cross Taken from Neuburg Church
March 9, 2026, GermanyAn altar cross was stolen from a church in Neuburg an der Donau. The removal of a central liturgical object from the altar highlights the religious significance of the theft, which goes beyond its material value.
Catholic School in Barcelona Vandalised with Hostile Political Graffiti
March 8, 2026, SpainA Catholic school in Barcelona, affiliated with the Regnum Christi movement, was vandalised with politically charged graffiti during the weekend coinciding with International Women’s Day. The messages the messages expressed hostility towards the school’s educational model and prompted calls for increased security measures.
Viterbo Church defaced with satanic graffiti with inverted crosses.
March 7, 2026, ItalySatanic graffiti, including inverted crosses and “666,” was sprayed on the facade of a Catholic church in Viterbo. The messages explicitly referenced Satan and targeted the Christian place of worship. Police identified the perpetrator through surveillance footage, and a 34-year-old man has been arrested.
Linked arson attacks target two Catholic Churches in Westmeath
March 6, 2026, IrelandTwo Catholic churches in County Westmeath were deliberately set on fire over the weekend. Both incidents caused damage to the main entrances and are being treated by authorities as deliberate arsons attacks, which seem to be linked.
Vandalism and theft at Catholic church and Bosco School in Rosarno
March 5, 2026, ItalyUnknown perpetrators vandalised a Catholic school and the nearby parish church in Rosarno, Italy, stealing furnishings and parts of the church infrastructure. The attack targeted both a Catholic educational institution and a place of Christian worship. The incident reflects hostility toward Christian community spaces rather than a theft motivated by the value of the items taken.
UPDATE: Maltese court clears Matthew Grech of all charges
March 4, 2026, MaltaMatthew Grech, a Maltese Christian, has been cleared by a Maltese court following charges related to his participation in a TV show in April 2022. During the interview, Grech shared his personal testimony of leaving a homosexual lifestyle after finding the Christian faith. The case was brought under Malta’s ban on “conversion practices,” but the court concluded that the programme constituted a public discussion and that Grech had merely shared his personal experience about sexual morality.
Christian Church Targeted in Cyberattack Showing Degrading Images of Pastors
March 4, 2026, United KingdomA Baptist church in the UK was targeted in a cyberattack in which hackers hijacked its online identity, used it to promote gambling, and posted degrading images of pastors. The hackers used a similar domain name and imagery from the church’s website to confuse users
Medieval Holy Water Stela Deliberately Damaged at Altenberg Cathedral
March 3, 2026, GermanyA medieval holy water stela was deliberately toppled and severely damaged inside Altenberg Cathedral in North Rhine-Westphalia. Parish officials ruled out an accident due to the size and weight of the object and are planning restoration.
Paper Bomb Causes Damage to Church in Lusia
March 1, 2026, ItalyA paper bomb struck the Church of Saints Vito and Modesto (Lusia), in an act of vandalism similar to a previous incident near the Church of San Biagio in Lendinara.
Desecration of Valencia Church in Sacrilegious Theft
March 1, 2026, SpainThe parish of San Francisco de Asís in Manises, Valencia, was targeted in a burglary in which the tabernacle containing the consecrated hosts, along with liturgical items, was stolen. The deliberate targeting of the Eucharist constitutes a serious act of desecration in the Catholic context.
Cemetery Thefts: Crosses Broken Off the Graves
March 1, 2026, BelgiumApproximately 50 graves were targeted in a cemetery in Sombreffe, with crucifixes and religious items stolen. Images indicate that crosses were deliberately broken off graves, affecting objects of religious and commemorative significance.
Holy Altar Destroyed in Gardiki Church
February 27, 2026, GreeceVandals broke into the cemetery Church of All Saints in Gardiki, Fthiotida, Greece, and demolished the Holy Altar during the night of 26–27 February 2026. The destruction was reportedly carried out while the perpetrators searched for gold sovereigns believed to be hidden inside the altar.
Repeated Burglary Targets Sacred Objects in Quarrata Church
February 27, 2026, ItalyIn Quarrata, three ancient chalices and some sacred furnishings were stolen from the Church of Catena but later recovered. Similar incidents have occurred in nearby parishes, pointing to a rising pattern of local church thefts.
Arson Attacks on Three Churches in Eden in One Week
February 25, 2026, NetherlandsA series of deliberate fires damaged three churches in Ede within five days, leading to increased security and an arrest.
Repeated church thefts in Rouen target sacred Christian objects
February 24, 2026, FranceTwo men have been arrested for a series of four church burglaries in Rouen, during which sacred objects of spiritual importance were stolen. The thefts targeted items essential to Christian worship, including consecrated hosts and liturgical vessels, from the churches of Val-de-la-Haye and Hautot-sur-Seine. The crimes were deliberate, and the stolen objects have not yet been recovered.
Repeated Vandalism at Parish Oratory in Quattro Castella
February 23, 2026, ItalyA parish oratory in Quattro Castella (Reggio Emilia, Italy) was repeatedly targeted by break-ins and vandalism in the past months. In February, two suspects were identified by the Carabinieri using images captured by camera traps installed inside the parish premises.
Suspected Arson targets West London Church
February 23, 2026, United KingdomA major fire severely damaged the former King’s Hall Methodist Church in Southall, West London. Police and fire investigators are treating the blaze as suspected arson.
Vandals Damage Forecourt of Romanian Orthodox San Sepolcro Church
February 21, 2026, ItalyVandals have repeatedly caused damage to the forecourt and exterior of San Sepolcro Church on Via Campagna, where the Romanian Orthodox community has been worshipping since 2018. The incidents, reported in February 2026, have left visible damage to the church’s surroundings and structure.
Vandalism Targets Historic Santa Susana Church in Santiago
February 20, 2026, SpainGraffiti with political slogans and other markings were found on the seventeenth‑century church, prompting renewed concern about repeated attacks on Santiago’s Christian heritage.
Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Two Rural Churches
February 20, 2026, FranceTwo churches in Buchy and Rouvray‑Catillon were broken into during the night, with consecrated hosts taken in what the Archdiocese of Rouen denounced as a grave act of desecration.
Repeated Vandalism Inside Notre‑Dame Church in Niort
February 18, 2026, FranceAuthorities in Niort lodged formal complaints after graffiti and burnt papers were discovered inside the Notre‑Dame church during two consecutive days of damage.
Religious Statue Vandalised at Bois‑le‑Roi Cemetery
February 18, 2026, FrancePolice investigated extensive damage to Christian funerary structures at the Bois‑le‑Roi cemetery, including the destruction of a statue of Mary and chapel stained glass windows.
Church of Christ the King in Valledoria Desecrated
February 17, 2026, ItalyThe Church of Christ the King in Valledoria was targeted in an apparent act of desecration after unknown individuals forced open the tabernacle.
Cathedral Vandalised During Carnival Event
February 17, 2026, FranceThe Archdiocese of Montpellier lodged a complaint after participants in a street carnival vandalised the city’s cathedral while police observed without intervening.
Repeated Vandalism Targets St. Olof’s Church in Falköping
February 17, 2026, SwedenSt. Olof’s Church in Falköping, Sweden, was again targeted in an act of vandalism reported on 17 February 2026, marking the latest in a series of attacks against the historic church. According to local reporting, the church has been subjected to several incidents of damage over recent months.
Court Orders Removal of Hilltop Cross in Robion
February 16, 2026, FranceIn February 2026, the Administrative Court of Nîmes ordered the mayor of Robion to remove a wooden cross located on a hill overlooking the village, ruling that it had been installed after the 1905 law on the separation of Church and State.
Police Investigate Suspected Arson at Loiret Church
February 15, 2026, FranceA fire on the altar of Chécy’s parish church in Loiret, France, prompted a police inquiry into suspected arson.
Man Vandalised Catholic Church in Steinenbronn
February 15, 2026, GermanyPolice entered a locked Catholic church in Steinbronn and found a 32-year-old man playing the organ after allegedly leaving a trail of destruction behind him. The damage to the church is estimated at €10,000.
Traditional Catholic activist murdered during clashes in Lyon
February 14, 2026, FranceQuentin Deranque, a young Catholic activist and recent convert to the Catholic faith, died this weekend after sustaining serious head injuries during an attack by radical left activists in Lyon. He had been providing security at a right-wing political protest opposing an appearance by MEP Rima Hassan at Sciences Po University.
Attempted Arson at Historic Church Felizzano
February 14, 2026, ItalyUnknown individuals attempted to set fire to the main door of Felizzano’s 16th‑century Church of San Rocco, prompting a police investigation.
Arson at Historic Former Scottish Church
February 14, 2026, United KingdomA deliberately set fire tore through the former St John’s Church in Camelon, leading to road closures and an overnight firefighting operation.
Amtzell Cemetery Vandalised
February 14, 2026, GermanyUnknown individuals ignited a campfire using wooden grave crosses inside the open prayer hall at the Amtzell Cemetery, later leaving an "apology" written in ash on the wall.
Repeated Vandalism at Hastings Church
February 13, 2026, United KingdomPolice investigated repeated deliberate damage to lighting bollards in the grounds of St John the Evangelist Church in Hollington.
Convent in Navarre Suffers Repeated Disturbances
February 13, 2026, SpainUnknown individuals again caused night‑time damage at the Immaculate Conception convent in Navarre by kicking the entrance door and forcefully striking its windows with a construction cone.
Threatening Graffiti Written on St Joseph’s Catholic Church
February 11, 2026, Bosnia and HerzegovinaA vandal wrote a death threat against Croats on the exterior wall of St Joseph’s Church in Teslić, prompting condemnation from civic and Church authorities. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, where Croat identity is closely linked to Catholic affiliation, the message carried both ethnic and religious implications.
Man Smashes Religious Artefacts in Glasgow
February 10, 2026, United KingdomA man armed with tools entered St Alphonsus RC Church in Glasgow and smashed its gift shop, destroying religious artefacts and causing an estimated £1,500 in damage. A church spokesperson warned that this act of violence amounted to desecration and was more severe than previous incidents.
Minors Start Fires on Church Altar in Hof
February 9, 2026, GermanyPolice identified two minors who ignited objects inside, including an altar cloth, Marienkirche in Hof on two separate occasions.
Insulting Messages at Parish House
February 8, 2026, GermanyUnknown individuals defaced the community house of St John the Baptist Church in Nauort with coloured graffiti and insulting messages, leading police to seek witnesses.
Parish Priest Reports Reocurring Incidents Of Vandalism
February 5, 2026, GermanyIn the Allgäu region of southern Germany, parish priests have reported recurring incidents of vandalism, theft, and disruptive behaviour in churches, raising concerns about declining respect for places of worship. The reports point to a pattern of repeated disturbances rather than a single isolated incident.
Church in Poznan Vandalised with Threatening Graffiti
February 5, 2026, PolandUnknown individuals vandalised the exterior of a Roman Catholic church in the Stare Żegrze district of Poznań with threatening graffiti and satanic symbols, including the message “this church will burn.” The incident caused distress within the parish and was reported to the police.
Priest Stopped Arson Attack On Church
February 5, 2026, SwedenA priest prevented an attempted arson incident at a Catholic church in southern Stockholm after discovering the situation at an early stage. Surveillance footage showed an individual attempting to set fire to the church building.
Vandalism and Theft Target Parish Patronage in Mestre
February 5, 2026, ItalyThe patronage of the Church of Santa Maria di Lourdes in Venice has been repeatedly affected by vandalism, theft attempts and intrusions, prompting the parish priest to install protective fencing at the entrance. The incidents were reported in early February 2026 following a series of disturbances around the parish facilities.
ECtHR takes up Turkey’s bans on Christians based on religion
February 5, 2026, TurkeyThe European Court of Human Rights has formally taken up 20 cases of Christians banned from Türkiye solely for practicing their faith. Turkish authorities applied internal security codes to classify long-term, peaceful Christian residents as “threats to national security”, despite no criminal conduct. These measures constitute targeted religious discrimination and violate key protections under the European Convention, including freedom of religion and prohibition of discrimination.
Two Fires Set Inside Saint-Nicolas-de-Port Basilica
February 4, 2026, FranceTwo small fires were deliberately started inside the Basilica of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port in Meurthe-et-Moselle, France, on 4 February 2026, prompting the evacuation of the historic Catholic church. The fires were quickly extinguished by a volunteer and firefighters.
Arsonist Caught At St. Peter Basilica
February 3, 2026, ItalyOn 2 February, a 35-year-old man was arrested in Vatican City after attempting to enter St Peter’s Basilica while carrying flammable substances and ignition devices at the start of the Pope's mass. According to police and prosecutors, the suspect is believed to be an arsonist linked to earlier fires at churches in central Rome.
Christian Pro-Life March Attacked in Koblenz: Two Hospitalised
February 2, 2026, GermanyIn Koblenz, activists associated with left-wing extremist groups attacked a public information event organised by the Christian pro-life initiative SOS Leben, resulting in injuries to two volunteers who later required hospital treatment.
Arson At Clères Church: Altar Cloth Set on Fire
January 29, 2026, FranceAn attempted arson attack was reported at the parish church in Clères, in the Seine-Maritime department of Normandy, authorities confirmed. The incident marks the third attack on a church in the region within only 15 days.
Altar Among Targets: Two Fires Are Set Inside Huttenheim Church
January 28, 2026, GermanyOn Wednesday afternoon, 28 January, two deliberately set fires were discovered inside St Peter’s Church in Huttenheim, a district of Philippsburg, including one fire lit directly on the altar. Thankfully, the fires were extinguished before causing major damage.
Church Vandalised With Blasphemous Graffiti
January 28, 2026, PortugalA historic church in Viseu was targeted by vandals who painted an offensive message on the exterior wall of its mortuary chapel.
Bergisch Gladbach Church Closed After Arson and Vandalism
January 27, 2026, GermanySt Laurentius Church in Bergisch Gladbach was closed following repeated acts of vandalism, including arson, damage to pews, and theft of items from the interior.
Spanish Prosecutor drops investigation into Bishop Munilla over comments on conversion therapy ban
January 27, 2026, SpainThe Madrid Provincial Prosecutor’s Office closed the investigation into Bishop José Ignacio Munilla, which had been initiated following a complaint alleging hate speech in a radio programme related to statements on conversion therapy practices.
Third Attack Hits Feldkirchen Church
January 26, 2026, AustriaVandals left a trail of destruction in the Maria im Dorn church in Feldkirchen, Austria, where the interior was found heavily damaged, leading to its temporary closure.
San Giacomo Church Evacuated After Nativity Scene Set on Fire
January 25, 2026, ItalyA fire that broke out on 25 January 2026 inside San Giacomo in via del Corso in Rome, initially believed to have been caused by a technical malfunction, has since been linked to deliberate arson. Investigators now attribute the fire to a suspect later arrested for attempting to carry flammable materials into St Peter’s Basilica.
Arson At Basilica of San Lorenzo
January 25, 2026, ItalyA fire that broke out on 25 January 2026 in the courtyard of Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina in Rome, initially investigated as a separate incident, has since been linked to deliberate arson.
Man Attacks Woman and Sets Fire to Church in Brasov
January 25, 2026, RomaniaA 29‑year‑old man attacked a woman selling candles and set fire to a church in Braşov, Romania, in an incident reported late January.
Sviatohirsk Lavra Skete Targeted in Theft and Vandalism
January 25, 2026, UkraineIn Donetsk region, Ukraine, a skete of the Holy Dormition Sviatohirsk Lavra was targeted in a theft and act of vandalism during the night of 24–25 January 2026, resulting in the theft of bells and sacred objects from the religious site.
Main Altar Cross Stolen at Saint‑Winoc Church
January 25, 2026, FranceA theft at the Église Saint-Winoc in Plouhinec, Finistère, was reported on 25 January when the cross from the church’s main altar was removed by unknown perpetrators, parish authorities confirmed.
Roadside Shrine Targeted In Theft
January 24, 2026, PolandA statue of the Virgin Mary disappeared from a small roadside shrine in the Bródno district of Warsaw, Polish media reported. The figure was taken from a chapel located on Syrokomli Street, where it had been kept behind glass.
Freshers’ Fair Ban on Church Successfully Challenged
January 24, 2026, United KingdomA Christian church, Grace Church Greenwich, was denied the chance to book a stall at Goldsmiths University’s Freshers’ Fair because the booking contractor, Native, stated it could no longer “facilitate bookings for religious groups at these events.” Grace Church challenged the policy as discriminatory, and the company subsequently suspended the ban, allowing bookings from the church and similar groups.
Vienna Court: Prayer Vigil Outside Abortion Facilities Permitted
January 23, 2026, AustriaIn January 2026, the Vienna Administrative Court ruled that a peaceful prayer vigil held in the proximity of an abortion facility in Vienna falls within the scope of the constitutionally protected freedom of assembly. The decision overturned an earlier prohibition issued by the Vienna police authorities.