All cases
Tabernacle desecrated and consecrated hosts stolen in Saint-Louis
April 25, 2026, FranceThe Church of Saint John Paul II in Saint-Louis was burglarised and desecrated, with the tabernacle broken into and the consecrated hosts stolen, prompting strong condemnation from local authorities.
Series of Repeated Vandalism Hits Another Church in Freising
April 24, 2026, GermanyThe Lutheran Ascension Church in Freising was targeted in a serious act of vandalism involving damage to the altar and church interior. The incident followed earlier attacks on two other churches in the city, contributing to growing concern about a pattern of repeated targeting of places of worship.
Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Zagreb Targeted in Nighttime Vandalism Attack
April 23, 2026, CroatiaThe Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of the Transfiguration in Zagreb was targeted in a nighttime attack in which unidentified individuals threw objects at the building, shattering stained-glass windows and damaging church property. The incident occurred on a day of prayer and remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust, highlighting the severity of the attack.
Statues of Mary and Joseph Smashed in Vandalism Attack
April 21, 2026, FranceNotre-Dame Church in Surgères, France, was targeted in an act of vandalism in which two religious statues were broken and the church organ damaged.
Man charged with assault of priest during Mass at Ennis Cathedral
April 20, 2026, IrelandA man assaulted a Catholic priest during Mass at St Peter and St Paul Cathedral in Ennis, causing facial injuries and damaging personal property. The incident involved physical violence and disruption of worship in front of members of the congregation. The suspect has been charged and appeared before court.
Church façade severely defaced with satanic inscriptions in Trzebinia
April 19, 2026, PolandSatanic graffiti extensively defaced the façade of the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Trzebinia, Lesser Poland Voivodeship. Large inscriptions and symbols covering a significant portion of the exterior wall sparked outrage among residents and prompted a police investigation.
Series of Attacks on sacred statues across Frosinone Province
April 18, 2026, ItalyA series of vandalism incidents targeting sacred statues has been reported in the province of Frosinone, Italy, with multiple cases occurring within a few days. On 18 April 2026, statues in Ceccano and Pofi were found decapitated inside public votive niches. Authorities confirm that at least six similar episodes have recently been recorded across the province.
Cemetery near Rennes vandalised in grave desecration involving Christian symbols
April 18, 2026, FranceAround thirty graves were vandalised in the cemetery of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande, near Rennes, between 18 and 20 April 2026. The damage included broken Christian crosses, shattered funerary objects and a statue of the Virgin Mary torn from its base.
Arson attack targets Catrezzato church
April 17, 2026, ItalyA 50-year-old man has been identified and reported to authorities after entering the parish church of Saints Peter and Paul in Castrezzato and setting fire to decorative fabrics on two side altars.
Repeated vandalism against Cathedral Bitonto
April 17, 2026, ItalyActs of vandalism have been reported in Piazza Cattedrale, where the Cathedral façade and a historic obelisk were damaged during an incident involving repeated impacts with a motorcycle helmet involving minors.
Pastor’s Home in Cottbus Targeted in Political Vandalism Attack
April 17, 2026, GermanyThe residence of a local lutheran pastor in Cottbus was deliberately targeted in a vandalism attack with a suspected right-extremist background. Perpetrators allegedly broke into the residential building, rioted in the staircase, kicked an apartment door and left stickers with right-wing symbols and inscriptions on the mailbox of the pastor, who is known for his political left-wing activism.
Cemeteries in Mayenne and Brittany vandalised in series of thefts of religious statues
April 16, 2026, FranceSince early April 2026, multiple cemeteries across Mayenne, Ille-et-Vilaine and Morbihan have been targeted in a series of thefts and acts of vandalism in which bronze statuettes of the Virgin Mary were removed from graves.
Suspected Arson at Arnsberg’s Church of Our Lady Amid Rising Vandalism Incidents
April 14, 2026, GermanyPolice in Arnsberg are investigating a suspected case of arson after burn marks were discovered inside the Church of Our Lady (Liebfrauenkirche). Emergency services were alerted on Tuesday evening when smoke was noticed inside the building. The incident comes amid a growing number of vandalism and damage cases reported at the same church.
Cross of Aneto summit deliberately cut down and removed in act of vandalism
April 14, 2026, SpainThe historic cross that stood at the 3,404-metre summit of Aneto has been cut down and thrown from the mountain in a deliberate act of vandalism. Spain’s Guardia Civil has opened an investigation, with early indications pointing to the use of a power tool to sever the structure at its base.
Fourth Attack on Religious Statue Within Days
April 14, 2026, ItalyA statue of the Madonna di Lourdes has been decapitated inside a votive niche in Via Madonna delle Rose, near Frosinone railway station, marking the fourth attack on religious statues in just a few days.
Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Church in Dampierre-les-Bois
April 13, 2026, FranceA burglary accompanied by extensive damage targeted the church of Dampierre-les-Bois during the night of 13–14 April 2026. Among the items stolen was a ciborium containing consecrated hosts. The parish priest described the act as “More than a simple theft, it’s desecration!”, expressing deep shock at what he characterised as an attack on the sacred.
Sculpture of Christ vandalised in Seine-et-Marne
April 12, 2026, FranceA sculpture of Christ located in front of the church of Saint-Pathus was vandalised between the evening of 12 April and the morning of 13 April. The damage was described as deliberate, and French gendarmerie have opened an investigation to identify the perpetrator.
Vandalism at Luther Church in Pirmasens: Multiple Windows Destroyed
April 12, 2026, GermanyBetween 12 and 15 April 2026, several windows of the Luther Church in Pirmasens were destroyed in an act of vandalism. Multiple church windows were damaged and several glass panels were destroyed.
Man Violently Assaults Christian Woman After Asking Her Religion
April 11, 2026, SpainA 19-year-old man was arrested in Barcelona after allegedly assaulting a woman while also insulting her as “Christian whore”. The attack took place in the early hours near La Rambla after the suspect asked the victim about her religion.
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.
Villigen Church and Cemetery Grounds Face Repeated Vandalism and Property Damage
April 9, 2026, SwitzerlandAuthorities in Villigen report an increase in vandalism and disrespectful behaviour on church and cemetery grounds in Rein. The municipality has called on the public to act responsibly and report any further incidents.
German Christian YouTubers Under Investigation Over Video on Islamist-Related Antisemitism
April 8, 2026, GermanyTwo Christian YouTubers in Hamburg are under investigation following the publication of a video criticising Islamist-related antisemitism in the context of Hamas’ 7 October attack on Israel. The case concerns a video titled “Islam is no peace”, in which the YouTubers commented on anti-Semitic slogans during pro-Palestinian demonstrations and stated that “Anti-Semitism is officially allowed again in Germany”. The investigation has raised concerns about the application of Germany’s blasphemy laws and possible unequal treatment in cases involving criticism of religion.
Act of Vandalism and Theft at Eppelborn Church
April 7, 2026, GermanyOn 7 April 2026, St. Sebastian Parish Church in Eppelborn was targeted in an act of vandalism and theft involving religious objects, including parts of a reliquary cross and altar decorations. An attempted theft from a donation box was also reported.
Mutilated Christ Statue Found in Soria Cemetery in Suspected Ritual Case
April 7, 2026, SpainA mutilated statue of Christ was discovered on a grave in the cemetery of Soria, with missing limbs and red-painted hair. The discovery has raised suspicions of a possible ritual-related act.
Man arrested after axe attack allegedly stated “All Christians must die”
April 7, 2026, SpainA man of Maghrebi origin was arrested in Montefrío, Granada, after attacking several neighbours with an axe. During the subsequent arrest, he allegedly stated “All Christians must die” and “I have felt the call of Allah”. The Civil Guard has stepped up its presence in the town to prevent further disturbances as investigations whether the attack was religiously motivated are ongoing. The victims suffered head and hand injuries.
Consecrated Hosts Stolen and Scattered in Church of Sant’Anna in Palizzi
April 6, 2026, ItalyConsecrated hosts were removed from the tabernacle and scattered inside the Church of Sant’Anna in Palizzi on April 6. The parish priest reported the incident to authorities, and a Mass of reparation was announced.
Chapel Destroyed by Fire in Vechta: Police Suspect Arson
April 6, 2026, GermanyA small chapel in the Telbrake district of Vechta was destroyed by fire on Easter Monday. Police have launched an investigation on suspicion of arson.
Man enters church in Arpajon shouting “Allah akbar” and shoves worshipper
April 4, 2026, FranceA man entered Saint-Clément Church in Arpajon, France, during Easter weekend, shouting “Allah akbar” before knocking over objects and physically pushing a worshipper. The incident involved disruption of worship and physical aggression inside a place of worship. The suspect was arrested by police at the scene.
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.
Easter Desecration Sainte-Anne-d’Auray Church Claimed by Antifa Collective
April 4, 2026, FranceDuring the night of 4–5 April 2026, the Sanctuary of Sainte-Anne-d’Auray in Brittany was targeted with posters and hostile slogans in an action claimed by the Gwened Antifa Crew. The incident was carried out during Easter celebrations.
Explosion Targets Nijkerk Christian Pro-Israel Center Ahead of Easter
April 3, 2026, NetherlandsOn 03 April 2026, an explosive device was detonated outside the Israel Centre operated by Christians for Israel in Nijkerk, the Netherlands.The attack occurred on the eve of Easter, a timing the Christian organisation described as particularly significant and disturbing.
Two Ukrainian Orthodox Churches Attacked on Good Friday
April 3, 2026, UkraineOn Good Friday, April 3, 2026, Russian forces attacked two Ukrainian Orthodox churches: the Cathedral of the Intercession of St. Nicholas in Druzhkivka and the Greek-Sophia Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kherson.
Oviedo Easter Procession Disturbed With Insults
April 3, 2026, SpainOn 3 April 2026, two men were arrested in Oviedo after disrupting a Holy Week procession and engaging in aggressive behaviour toward police. The incident involved verbal hostility indicating radical religious motives toward the event and escalated into physical violence.
Police guard church in Wierzenica amid reported arson threats near Poznań
April 3, 2026, PolandReports of arson threats against a historic wooden church in Wierzenica near Poznań have led to heightened security measures, with police officers deployed to guard the building continuously for nearly two weeks.
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.
Vandalism Causes Burn Damage at St. Georg Church in Freising
April 2, 2026, GermanyA church in Freising was targeted on Maundy Thursday by an act of vandalism involving candles, scattered materials, and burn damage to a confessional. The incident followed a similar case reported earlier in the year at another church in the city.
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.
Anti-religious graffiti discovered at school premises in Vienna-Liesing
March 31, 2026, AustriaAnti-religious and derogatory graffiti was discovered around the entrance of the St. Ursula schools in Vienna-Liesing, Austria. The inscriptions included slogans targeting religious belief and referencing Christian prayer. The case constitutes vandalism involving ideological messaging in a visible public setting.
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.
Religious Ornaments Depicting Christ Stolen from 103 Graves at Wavre Cemetery
March 26, 2026, BelgiumReligious metal ornaments, mainly depicting Christ and crucifixion scenes, were stolen from 103 graves at Wavre cemetery, in what authorities see as part of a wider pattern of cemetery thefts in Belgium.
Severe vandalism and theft at the Church of the Four Holy Evangelists in Vienna
March 25, 2026, AustriaOn the afternoon of 25 March 2026, the Church of the Four Holy Evangelists in Vienna-Oberbaumgarten was targeted in a serious act of vandalism and theft. The interior was extensively damaged and two bronze sculptures of saints were stolen.