All cases
Church Windows Destroyed in Gronau
April 29, 2018, GermanyOn April 29th, between 12 noon and 7 p.m., an unknown person intentionally destroyed four windows of the Evangelical Church on Bernhardstraße in Gronau.
Man Arrested for Threatening to Blow Up Cathedral
April 28, 2018, FranceA 38-year old man was arrested after he burst into the Cathédrale Saint-Vincent de Chalon-sur-Saône during the Mass on April 28th, and threatened to blow everything up with a grenade and gestured toward his satchel. He also grabbed a Mass book and shouted "it is the Koran that should be read!" Parishioners promptly called the police and Ahmed X was soon placed in custody. Highly intoxicated, he remained in jail for two days before appearing in court to face charges. Due to 27 previous convictions, including violent offenses, the court ruled that he would be held in jail until his trial at the end of May. He is considered a recidivist under French law and could face enhanced penalties if convicted in this case.
Vandal Broke Statue of Saint Anthony of Padua in Bellariva
April 28, 2018, ItalyOn the morning of April 28th the Franciscan friars in charge of the church of the Cuore Immacolato di Maria in Bellariva discovered that someone had broken the fingers of the statue of Saint Anthony of Padua while friars prayed in a chapel.
Destruction of Statue of the Virgin Mary in Loudun
April 27, 2018, FranceAt the church of Saint-Pierre in Loudun (Vienne) one or more individuals overturned a statue of the Virgin Mary placed on a pedestal. Pieces of the head of the Virgin were broken and the vase placed beside it was smashed on the ground. Leaflets to write prayer intentions were scattered on the ground. The priest lodged a complaint with the gendarmerie.
Arson Attempt in Kirchheim
April 26, 2018, GermanyPolice investigated a fire and an arson attempt at the St. Martinus parish church in Kirchheim on April 26th.
Church in Guadeloupe Vandalized
April 25, 2018, FranceOne or more individuals allegedly broke into L'Eglise Immaculée Conception in Abymes, a village in Guadeloupe in the French Caribbean and vandalized the interior. The vandalism occurred during the night between April 24th and 25th.
Church Vandalized in Protest against Gas Pipeline
April 25, 2018, ItalyOn April 25th unknown people attacked the church of Santa Lucia in Lecce. They threw eggs at the church and painted the windows and walls with black paint. Graffiti on the outer walls of the church included "No peace for Tap's accomplices." (“Nessuna pace per i complici di Tap"). The acronym "Tap" refers to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline.
Repeated Vandalism at Recklinghausen Parish
April 25, 2018, GermanyThe parish of St. Peter in Recklinghausen has been the victim of repeated acts of vandalism, including people frequently urinating in the church, donation boxes being broken, mulled wine being poured into the holy water, and candles being used by drug addicts to heat their drugs. The church is open to the public every day until 6:00 pm.
Thieves Break Offertory Box in Menden Church
April 25, 2018, GermanyOn April 25th, between 9:00 a.m. and at 3:30 p.m., unknown people used to a lever to pry open the money box for candle offerings in St. Maria Magdalena (Bösperde) church. The box was damaged and the money it contained was stolen.
Fire outside Church in Salzkotten
April 24, 2018, GermanyAt about 9:00 pm on April 24th, a passerby discovered a burning wastepaper bin at the side entrance of the Marienkirche. Together with another witness, they managed to put out the fire before serious damage occurred. The container was destroyed and matches were found nearby. At the end of March, visitors to the church had discovered and extinguished a prayer book burning inside the church.
Political Anti-Abortion Graffiti Painted on Two Catholic Churches
April 23, 2018, United KingdomCarrickmore Chapel in County Tyrone and St. Patrick's Cathedral in County Armagh, both in Northern Ireland, were targeted by vandals. The graffiti specifically mentioned Sinn Fein and its advocacy for repeal of the 8th amendment, ahead of the referendum on the issue in the Republic of Ireland. Police investigated reports of criminal damage to both churches.
Red Paint Poured on Caresana Church Door
April 23, 2018, ItalyThe door of the small church of San Giorgio in Caresana was stained during the night of April 23rd with blood red paint by unknown people.
More Abortion Clinic "Buffer Zones" Considered by Councils
April 23, 2018, United KingdomAfter the Ealing local council voted to ban prayer vigils and protests outside an abortion clinic by issuing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) earlier in April, at least eight councils in the United Kingdom considered implementing abortion clinic "buffer zones."
Repeated Vandalism of Church and Convent in Rimini
April 22, 2018, ItalyThe convent and church of Sorelle Povere di S. Chiara (Poor Clares) in the Piazzetta of San Bernardino in Rimini has been the victim of repeated vandalism. Most recently, on April 22nd, the glass door of the church was smashed for the fourth time in a few months.
Devastation in Saxony's Oldest Town Church
April 22, 2018, GermanyAn unidentified person climbed the facade of the Kilianskirche in Bad Lausick, smashed a 4-meter stained glass window, and entered the church sometime between 10:30 pm and 12:30 am during the night of April 21st to 22nd. Once inside, the vandal severely damaged the carved late Gothic altar and pulpit with a sword. A chandelier was shattered onto the ground and a candlestick was damaged. Disastrous damage was avoided after altar candles, deliberately left burning in the wooden tower, went out before causing a fire.
Reward Offered for Information: Fourth Vandalism Attack on Church in Five Months
April 22, 2018, GermanyAn unknown person smashed the stained glass windows of St.-Nikolaus-Kirche in Veen between April 19th and 22nd. This is the fourth vandalism attack in less than half a year.
Significant Damage Caused to Two Churches in Chemnitz; Organist Threatened
April 21, 2018, GermanyA 24-year-old Pakistani man was arrested on April 21st after a police investigation of significant damage in the Markuskirche in Chemnitz. The asylum seeker allegedly entered the night before and broke candlesticks, destroyed various bronze objects and several candles, and damaged the altar and the pulpit cover. A window was also destroyed and there was damage both in the sanctuary and the basement of the church. Damage was estimated to exceed 10,000 euros. Two days later, on April 23rd, he was again arrested after throwing stones at the windows of the Petrikirche church, causing about 3,000 euros in damage.
Crosses and Graves Damaged in Steinbach Cemetery
April 21, 2018, GermanyUnknown vandals caused damage estimated at several thousand euros over the Easter weekend in a cemetery in Fernwald-Steinbach. At least twelve graves were targeted, with wooden crosses and planted flowers damaged. In some other cases, the perpetrators tore out the gravestones and threw them in an adjacent meadow and on top of other graves. A police investigation was initiated.
Church Bell Tower Tagged with Obscene Graffiti
April 20, 2018, FranceLocals discovered obscene graffiti on the bell tower of church of Saint-Vorles in Châtillon-sur-Seine.
Thefts and Damage Resulted in Restricted Visiting Times in Stonehouse Church
April 19, 2018, United KingdomUnknown vandals entered the kitchen of St Cyr's church in Stonehouse, breaking and damaging a serving hatch and stealing a fire extinguisher. As a result of a series of petty thefts, church managers made the decision to close the building when it is not being used for religious services or other social gatherings.