All cases

Second Church Arson in a Month in Heroldsbach

October 21, 2018, Germany

For the second time in a month, a fire was set in the St. Michael church in Heroldsbach. A witness noticed the fire around 5:45pm on Sunday, the 21st of October and called the authorities. The fire brigade was able to quickly extinguish the fire and prevent further damage. An intentional fire had been set in the same church on September 16th. The criminal police of Bamberg continued the investigation into both fires and continued to seek witnesses.

Burglars in Church Vandalized Sacristy

October 21, 2018, France

Unidentified perpetrators broke into Saint-Antoine-l'Ermite church, forced open the tabernacle, and threw the ciborium containing consecrated hosts on the ground. The sacristy was vandalized, but the intruders failed to open the safe.

Church the Victim of Theft and Vandalism

October 19, 2018, United Kingdom

Several incidents of theft and vandalism took place at the Church of St. Thomas and St. John in Radcliffe. Lead from the roof and railings from the disabled access ramp were stolen and the stonework on the ramp was hammered. Ropes installed to replace the railings were then cut. Garbage and waste was repeatedly dumped on the church property.

Church in Yvelines Desecrated

October 16, 2018, France

Police were called to the church of Sainte-Julitte de Saint-Cyr-l'Ecole after feces, urine, and a cigarette butt were discovered at the foot of the altar. A police investigation was opened and a complaint will be filed.

Man Set Fire to Wooden Church Door

October 13, 2018, Spain

The National Police of Gran Canaria arrested a 52-year-old man who intentionally set fire to several points on the wooden door of the parish church of San Bartolomé de Tirajana. The fire was discovered on the 13th of October at around 11:30 p.m. and the police were called. They were able to contain the flames until the arrival of the fire brigade.

Repeated Acts of Vandalism Forces Church to Limit Opening Hours

October 11, 2018, Ireland

Three incidents within two weeks hit the Church of Ireland Christchurch in Buncrana, County Donegal. As well as the burning of Mass leaflets, a Bible was written on, cigarettes were stubbed out on the carpet, eggs were thrown, and flowers were strewn on the floor. The church, which was open throughout the day, was used as a place of prayer by many people. However, the decision was made to close the church outside service times until security was reviewed.

Statues of Saints and the Virgin Mary Smashed, Decapitated, and Stolen in Ticino

October 10, 2018, Switzerland

Since Easter, there have been eight attacks against statues of female saints and the Virgin Mary in the southern canton of Ticino.

Rifle Fire Damaged Stained Glass Windows of Church

October 8, 2018, France

Mayor René Beausoleil announced at a city council meeting that he had filed a complaint with the gendarmerie after "23 impacts of rifle fire" damaged several stained glass windows in the church of Saint-Laurent in Montfaucon-d’Argonne. The damage was estimated at €16,700. The police are investigating.

Dog Excrement left at Church Altar

October 8, 2018, Germany

Sometime between 11 am and 6 pm on October 8th, unknown perpetrators entered a church in Eichendorf, opened a holy water container and moved several crosses from the wall onto the floor. In addition, dog waste was deposited on the altar carpet. The damage was estimated €300.

Cross Torn Down in Lesvos

October 7, 2018, Greece

A huge cement cross erected over a beach in honor of people who have drowned there was torn down by unknown perpetrators during the night of October 7th. The NGO "Coexistence and Communication in the Aegean" had previously called the cross "offensive" to non-Christian migrants, a symbol of "racism and intolerance," and claimed that it had been placed above the beach to prevent refugees and migrants from swimming there. Local residents reacted with dismay and discussed re-building it.