All cases
Church Guest Book Scrawled with Anti-Christian Messages and then Torn Apart in Buzet-sur-Baïse
August 23, 2020, FranceAn unknown perpetrator wrote aggressive anti-Christian messages into a guestbook called "Book of Life", which the church Sainte-Croix in Buzet-sur-Baïse provided for tourists passing through to share their experiences and well-wishes. Two weeks after the incident, on August 23, the perpetrator returned to rip out all the pages of the book and leave some more insults, referring to the church inter alia as a "synagogue of Satan".
Fire and Explosions in Reformed Church in Villmergen
August 22, 2020, GermanyThe Reformed Church in Villmergen was set on fire and caused extensive property damage. The explosions collapsed a ceiling and the entire house was completely sooty. The cantonal police are at the beginning of the investigation and would consider the incident as arson.
Islamist Attacker Targeted President of The Synagogue, LGBT Association, and Church in Graz
August 22, 2020, AustriaOn August 22nd, a 31-year-old man from Syria with Islamist motivations violently attacked the president of the Jewish community in Graz, Elie Rosen, with the leg of a chair. Following his capture, he also admitted vandalism attacks on the synagogue, the facilities of LGBT association RosaLila PantherInnen, and a brothel. He is responsible for smearing several walls in Graz with pro-Palestinian paroles and symbols and spraying symbols on a church. The Austrian media reported that the motives were anti-Semitism, homophobia, and rejection of Austrian society, but did not mention that his anti-Christian motives.
Sant' Agata al Collegio Church in Caltanissetta Devastated
August 22, 2020, ItalyUnknown perpetrators broke into Sant'Agata al Colegio Church, one of the oldest churches in Caltanissetta/Silicy, and destroyed candelabra and other furnishings on the night of 22nd of August. It was suspected that they gained access through the adjoining music high school and Scarabelli library. The police started investigations.
Twelve Church Windows Broken In Rotenburg, Damage of 20.000 Euros
August 22, 2020, GermanyTwo young men, aged 17 and 18, smashed 12 elaborately crafted stained glass windows and violently bent the window frames in the church of Rotenburg during the night of 21 to 22 August 21. Damages amount to approximately 20.000 Euros. The aim was deliberate destruction, although the exact motives remained unclear.
Arson in the Church of San Gaspare del Bufalo in Albano Laziale
August 21, 2020, ItalyOn August 21st the door of the church of San Gaspare del Bufalo in Albano Laziale was first drenched with gasoline and then purposefully set on fire. The church is a dearly held place of worship for many pilgrims, who come to the church every year, as well as for the locals. The priest of the parish and one candidate for the major's office of the city see a clear indication of bias, as the damage was intended to be devastating. They both do not perceive this attack, as a form of vandalism but of brutal arson and destruction. It is also speculated that the crime was instigated by satanist groups but the police is currently investigating in all directions.
Cross vandalized in Saint-Aubin-d'Aubigné
August 21, 2020, FranceOn August 21st, a local resident provided photos of a broken wayside cross. It was then repaired by the town council. The cross had already been knocked off its pedestal once in 2019.
Vandals Damaged Cemetery, Presbytery and Atrium of San Vicente Church
August 20, 2020, SpainIn San Vicente de O Grove, a group of hooligans caused damage to the church atrium, the parish cemetery, and the rectory, which were currently undergoing a rehabilitation to make a youth camp and to receive visitors. The perpetrators had alcoholic drinks in the cemetery.
Stained-Glass Windows of Chruch Vandalized in Grisy-les-Plâtres
August 20, 2020, FranceUnkown perpetrators vandalized the stained-glass windows in the Church of St. Caprais, a monument in Grisy-les-Platres. The exact date of the incident is still unclear- There were six holes, an apple and the broken glass were found on the floor of the building. The Mayor filed a complaint, as for him this was an act of disrespect and aggression to a public good and a local heritage. There will be a fence to protect the glass and restorations will be made.
Arson at the Church of Saint-Pierre in Macon
August 20, 2020, FranceIn the morning of August 20th, a fire was set in the church of Saint-Pierre in Macon Downtown. The fire targeted the artificial flowers decorating the side chapels of the building. Witnesses alerted the fire department and tried to controlled the flames by using a tablecloth. Another fire was brought under control on Tuesday, when the church was closed. The parishioners suspect it was started by a group of young people who were seen running away.