All cases

Police Investigate Church Arson in Saint-Amand-sur-Sèvre

August 24, 2019, France

Criminal investigators were brought on the scene after a suspicious fire began in the wooden library of the Saint-Amand church in Saint-Amand-sur-Sèvre on August 24th. The fire was brought under control by the gendarmes of the community of brigades (COB) of Cerizay-Mauléon dispatched to the site. Sixteen firefighters were also present as well as a team from Gérédis who cut off the electrical power to the building.

Youth 'defecates in Spanish church, smears feces on statue, walls'

August 21, 2019, Spain

Police announced on August 21st that an 18-year-old man would be charged with defecating in a shrine to the Virgin Mary and then smearing his feces on a statue of Christ and on the walls of the church, Spanish news agencies report. The incident, caught on CCTV, took place on July 26 at the Santuario de la Virgen de la Fuensanta in the Jaén provincial town of Villanueva del Arzobispo.

Fire Set in Front of Rheine Church

August 21, 2019, Germany

On August 21, the police were called to the St. Ludgerus-Kirche to investigate a fire. Unknown perpetrators set the newspapers on fire outside a door of the main entrance to the church.

Vandals Ransacked Carnwadric Church Of Scotland

August 20, 2019, United Kingdom

The Carnwadric Church, home to the Rainbow Centre and Carnwadric Win Project, in Scotland was ravaged on August 20th. The church door was found burst open on the next morning. The vandals stole cash boxes and laptops, knocked cabinets over, broke windows, tore TV`s off the walls and wrote the letters "AYT" (maybe a mark of a local young team) on the walls.

Surge in Thefts of Chapel Bells in the Var

August 19, 2019, France

Two bells classified as Historic Monuments were stolen in early August from chapels in Esparron-de-Pallières and Brue-Auriac, a month after bells stolen from Ginasservis.

''God is Dead'' Sprayed On Church

August 18, 2019, Germany

On the night of 17. to 18. August, unknown vandals spray-painted St. Peter Catholic Church in Bad Waldsee with the words "God is Dead" with black paint. The property damage amounts to 200 euros. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.

Convert Deported From Finland Back to Iran, Where He Was Tortured

August 12, 2019, Finland

An Iranian asylum seeker who converted to Christianity was returned to Iran on the 12th of August, after his asylum was rejected. According to the administrative law, he would be allowed to live a moderate Christian life in Iran. The community made a petition for Sardan to be able to stay in Finland, because of fear of persecution, but still he was deported. According to the Information, after the arrival he was arrested by the police, questioned about his faith and tortured until he renounced his Christian faith and returned to Islam. He refused and many attempt are taking place to get him to Finland.

Vandals Smashed Windows Of Holy Trinity Church

August 11, 2019, United Kingdom

On August 11th around 22:00 unknown perpetrators threw two large stones through the windows of the church hall at the Holy Trinity church in Kimberley. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.

Theft and Desecration at Oise Parish

August 9, 2019, France

The church of Saint-Éloi (parish of the Bienheureuses-Carmélites-de-Compiègne, diocese of Compiegne, Oise) was robbed, vandalized, and desecrated between the 3rd and 9th of August. Sound equipment, a ciborium, an aspergillum (a liturgical implement used to sprinkle holy water), holy water font, and other liturgical objects were stolen. The burglars forced open the tabernacle to steal the ciborium and stole consecrated hosts, as well. "The most essential thing for us is that the tabernacle was forced, and that the Blessed Sacrament, the presence of Christ was touched, stolen. Which is for us a desecration. The real presence of Christ has been stolen. It's something strong," said the communications director of the Oise diocese.

Vandalism And Fire In The Church Of Saint-Mathieu

August 7, 2019, France

Unknown people vandalized the church of Saint-Mathieu in the Pays d`Iroise on August 7th. Burn marks were found on the altar and at a statue of the Virgin Mary, candles were broken, thrown on the floor and into the holy water tank and a rosary was burned. The church is now closed outside of services. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.