All cases

Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes and The Staue of Bernadette in Santa Rita Parish Vandalized

August 20, 2020, Italy

On the Morning of 20th August, it was reported that the Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, which was in a niche in Via Massarenti in Bologna, was vandalized. The police started investigations to identify the responsible vandals. The Statue was in the parish of Santa Rita. Another statue of Bernadette was also damaged. The parish priest said this was not the first time that this happens.

Saint-Auban Church Vandalized And Soiled With Urine, Excrements And Alcohol

August 19, 2020, France

On the night of 19th to 20th August, one or more perpetrators broke into the Church of Saint-Auban in Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban. The individuals lighted a dozen candles that were encased in plastic and let them burn on the tablecloth, which covered the altar in the center of the building. There were also cigarette buds, excrement, urine and alcohol found in front of the door of the church.

Graffiti Found Several Times in the Saint Agatha Chapel

August 19, 2020, France

In the Saint-Agathe Chapel in Saint-Desiré, an inscription referring to a children programme in television was written for several days on the wall. The last time it was painted on the 19th August in red. The municipality decided to file a complaint with the police.

Repeated Vandalism for Seven Consecutive Days in Lutheran Evangelical Church

August 18, 2020, Sweden

For seven consecutive days until the 18th August, the Lutheran Evangelical Church in Malmö suffered vandalism. During this time, the statue of Jesus inside the building was destroyed and around thirty windows were smashed with stones. The services were suspended to clean the church and a security company was hired to patrol during the night. The reasons for these attacks are still uncertain, police is investigating.

The Statue of the Madonna Vandalized

August 18, 2020, Italy

A few days before the 18th August, the parish priest Don Franco Nannipieri discovered the act of vandalism in the oratory of the church. The Statue of the Madonna had a plastic basket stuck on her head. They suspect that the vandals were a group of children. The mayor showed his solidarity with the victims and wrote on Facebook about the importance of teaching respect to children.

Muslim Family Beat up Daughter and Shave her Head for Intending to Marry a Christian

August 17, 2020, France

A 17 year-old girl of Bosnian origin faced pressure from her Muslim family, living in France since 2017, upon announcing her intention of getting married to her 20 year-old Christian boyfriend from Serbia. The two decided to run away together, but returned to her family home in Besançon four days later, on August 17, in the company of the boyfriend's parents, to resolve the issue. The situation escalated: The girl's parents and aunt and uncle beat her up severely and shaved her head. As a result, they are liable to prosecution and face expulsion from France.

Vandalism in San Rocco Church in Mede

August 16, 2020, Italy

The church of San Rocco in Mede was vandalized on the weekend, while preparations were underway for the celebration of the saint on Sunday evening. There was dirt on the small churchyard, such as bottles and cigarette butts. The vandals managed to get inside because the doors were open to allow for the preparations. They broke some candles and wrote vulgar phrases. Mayor said that it was not the first time such an episode happens.

Theft of Sacred Objects in Church of Saint-Malo-de-Beignon

August 16, 2020, France

On August 16th, the theft of a chalice and a ciborium was discovered in the church of Saint-Malo-de-Beignon. According to the verger of Saint-Malo-de-Beignon parish, Eugène Duval, hosts were found under the stairs. The doors showed no signs of a forceful entry, so the thefts likely took place in broad daylight, before the doors were closed at night.The act was suspected to have taken place between August 9th and August 15th. Police began an investigation.

Church Vandalised in Saint-Paul-sur-Save on Ascension Day

August 15, 2020, France

The church in Saint-Paul-sur-Save was vandalised on Ascension Day, August 15th. A crucifix was moved and the tabernacle, fortunately empty, was opened; the side doors of the sacristy were broken down and wardrobes were searched. Police began an investigation.

Hermitage in Alicnate Heavily Damaged, Desecrated and Robbed

August 15, 2020, Spain

On 15. August, the Christ Most Holy hermitage in Alicante was robbed and damaged by vandals. According to the parish administrator, the perpetrators stole several religious objects including a ceramic chalice, paten, metal crowns, statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary, and a sword from the Virgin Statue. They smashed through the altar of Saint Joseph and significantly damaged the building. The vandals also looted the drawers of furniture and threw devotional and liturgical books on the floor. The police is still investigating, but even if detained, the police said the vandals would not have received prison charges.