All cases
Supreme Court Acquits MP for Bible Verse Tweet, Convicts Over Church Pamphlet
March 26, 2026, FinlandFinland’s Supreme Court has unanimously acquitted parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen of “hate speech” charges related to a 2019 social media post in which she cited a Bible verse to express her views on marriage and sexual ethics. At the same time, in a narrow 3–2 decision, the Court convicted Räsänen and Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola over the publication of a church pamphlet originally written in 2004.
Wave of Vandalism and Thefts in Frosinone Churches Raises Concern
March 24, 2026, ItalyOver the past two months, several churches in Frosinone have been affected by repeated thefts and acts of vandalism targeting sacred objects. One particularly disturbing incident occurred on 24 March 2026, when a woman approached the altar, turned a statue upside down, struck a cross, and removed the altar cloth, actions captured on CCTV.
Vandalism at Saint-Pierre Church in Caen
March 22, 2026, FranceAn act of vandalism at Saint-Pierre Church in Caen left a stained glass window broken.
Vandalism in Garbenteich Church: Bible Damaged with Fire
March 22, 2026, GermanyA Protestant church in Garbenteich was vandalised, with fire damage affecting the altar Bible and altar area.
Altar and Sacred Objects Targeted in Deliberate Desecration
March 21, 2026, BelgiumA church in Lommel was again targeted by vandals who left sexually explicit messages and desecrated the altar and religious objects. The incident forms part of a series of repeated attacks, including with arson, on the same church in recent months.
Catholic Priest Faces Criminal Investigation Over Statements on Church Teaching on Sexuality
March 20, 2026, IcelandMonsignor Jakob Rolland is facing a potential criminal trial after explaining Catholic teaching on homosexuality in a radio interview and stating that the Church offers spiritual guidance to persons with same-sex attraction who seek it. Following the interview, LGBTIQ advocacy groups launched a campaign calling for legal action, leading to a police examination of the Catholic priest under Iceland’s 2023 ban on “conversion practices”.
Parish in Provaglio d’Iseo Targeted by Vandalism
March 20, 2026, ItalyThe church of Saints Peter and Paul in Provaglio d’Iseo was targeted by vandalism, with its historic rose windows heavily damaged by stones.
Cross Destroyed in Vandalism at Memorial in Szczecin
March 19, 2026, PolandUnknown perpetrators vandalised a memorial lapidarium in Szczecin, damaging tombstones and a stone cross.
Vandals damage Chapel of San Giuseppe in Nozarego on its feast day.
March 19, 2026, ItalyVandals damaged the chapel of San Giuseppe in Nozarego, breaking two front windows in an act of deliberate destruction on the chapel's dedication day.
Repeated Desecration Inside Catholic Church in Białystok
March 18, 2026, PolandA Catholic church in Białystok has been repeatedly targeted with acts of vandalism and religious offence. A suspected has been identified through CCTV footage.
Church in Felletin Defaced with "F* religion" and "Free Palestine"
March 17, 2026, FranceOffensive graffiti was discovered on the walls of the Church of Sainte Valérie in Felletin. Local officials have condemned the attack.
Attempted abduction of seminary student near Pochaiv Lavra
March 16, 2026, UkraineA group of about 15 people allegedly tried to forcibly detain a seminary student and drag him into a minibus by force.
Arson and vandalism in Absam Parish Church
March 15, 2026, AustriaAbsam Parish Church was the target of a serious act of vandalism, two minors entered the church and desecrated the interior.
Multiple churches in Belfort targeted with vandalism and break-ins
March 15, 2026, FranceDuring the night of 14 to 15 March, Sainte-Croix Church in Chèvremont was vandalised, with doors forced open, consecrated hosts found on the ground, and sacred objects stolen. Authorities and the parish have filed complaints.
Attempted arson in Trzebinia Parish
March 15, 2026, PolandAn attempted arson was reported at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Trzebinia. A man set fire to kneelers in the vestibule and tried to ignite the main door but failed to enter.
Bible set on fire on altar of Protestant Church in Le Sentier
March 15, 2026, SwitzerlandA Bible was deliberately set on fire on the altar of a Protestant church in Le Sentier, causing damage and leading to the brief hospitalisation of the pastor due to smoke inhalation. A suspect has been arrested, and authorities are investigating the incident as arson targeting a place of worship.
Cemetery desecrated and crosses stolen in Niestępów
March 13, 2026, PolandAround 200 graves were vandalized at the parish cemetery in Niestępów. Crosses, brass letters, and other metal elements were stolen from dozens of tombstones.
Cross Removed from Church Façade and Discarded in Garbage
March 13, 2026, GermanyUnknown individuals dismantled a large cross from the façade of the Evangelical Methodist Church in Pleidelsheim, and discarded it in a nearby garbage can.
Gunfire Damages Fresco at Tuscania Sanctuary
March 13, 2026, ItalyUnknown individuals fired shots at the church of the Madonna del Cerro in Tuscania, damaging a fresco of the Madonna and parts of the church’s exterior. The Carabinieri have opened an investigation.
Church in Bilbao Defaced by Antifa-Affiliated Group
March 12, 2026, SpainA group of antifascists vandalised the Church of the Holy Johns in Spain with graffiti and posted a video of the act on social media.