All cases
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.
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.