All cases
Arson Incident at St. Peter’s Church in Lommel Following Repeated Vandalism
June 8, 2026, BelgiumUnknown perpetrators deliberately set fire to the fabric upholstery of a church bench inside St. Peter’s Church (Sint-Pietersbandenkerk) in Lommel, Belgium, on 8 June 2026. Church officials stated that the incident was the latest in a number of recent vandalism and fire-related incidents affecting the church.
Attempted Arson Inside St. Michael’s City Church in Jena
June 5, 2026, GermanyA 45-year-old man attempted to set fire to the altar and baptismal font inside St. Michael’s City Church in Jena, Germany, using lamp oil. The fire was quickly extinguished by those present, preventing major destruction, while police continue to investigate the incident as attempted arson.
Saint-Martin Church near Toulouse: Song Books Set on Fire
June 5, 2026, FranceA church in Roques-sur-Garonne, near Toulouse, was targeted in an arson attack after an individual deliberately setting song books sheets on fire in front of the altar inside the Church of Saint-Martin.
Two Churches in Mittweida Vandalised: Organ Damaged and Water Flooding Caused
June 1, 2026, GermanyTwo churches in Mittweida were targeted in a series of vandalism incidents that caused water damage, defaced church property and impaired the functioning of the church organs. Police have launched an investigation and are seeking witnesses.
Leipzig café run by free church closes after 26 left-wing attacks
May 31, 2026, GermanyA Christian-run café in Leipzig has announced its closure after reporting 26 attacks over two and a half years, including vandalism, graffiti and a butyric acid incident. The operators attribute the incidents to left-wing extremist perpetrators and cite repeated damage and financial losses as the reason for closing.
Arson Attack and Theft at Sanctuary of St Michael the Archangel
May 30, 2026, ItalyAn arson attack targeted the Sanctuary of St Michael the Archangel after intruders allegedly set fire to the church's main wooden entrance to gain access. Once inside, they vandalised the sanctuary and stole the crown and sword from the statue of St Michael.
Arson Attack at Marbach Church After Bench Set on Fire
May 28, 2026, GermanyAn arson attack targeted the Church of the Holy Family in Marbach after unknown individuals allegedly set fire to the upholstery of a church bench.
Priest Held Captive During Robbery at Church and Parish House in Portugal
May 27, 2026, PortugalA priest was held captive for around 90 minutes after three assailants broke into a church and parish house in Cantanhede, Portugal. The attackers threatened the priest, demanded money and valuables, and stole a laptop before fleeing.
Rome church vandalised: damaged Marian image and altar smeared
May 27, 2026, ItalyFour intruders desecrated the parish of San Paolo della Croce in Rome’s Corviale district, spilling holy oil, smearing the altar cloth with marker pen, leaving faeces inside the church bathroom and damaging a sacred image of the Madonna before fleeing when confronted by an assistant priest.
ECtHR Condemns Türkiye for Removing Greek Orthodox Priests from Minority Foundations
May 26, 2026, FranceThe European Court of Human Rights ruled that Türkiye violated the rights of two Greek Orthodox priests who had been removed from the governing boards of minority foundations in Istanbul solely because they were members of the clergy. The Court found that the authorities lacked a legal basis for excluding the priests from the management of institutions belonging to the Greek Orthodox community, violating their freedom of association interpreted in light of freedom of religion. The judgment represents an important affirmation of the right of religious minorities to govern their own institutions without undue state interference.