All cases

Political Anti-Abortion Graffiti Painted on Two Catholic Churches

April 23, 2018, United Kingdom

Carrickmore Chapel in County Tyrone and St. Patrick's Cathedral in County Armagh, both in Northern Ireland, were targeted by vandals. The graffiti specifically mentioned Sinn Fein and its advocacy for repeal of the 8th amendment, ahead of the referendum on the issue in the Republic of Ireland. Police investigated reports of criminal damage to both churches.

Red Paint Poured on Caresana Church Door

April 23, 2018, Italy

The door of the small church of San Giorgio in Caresana was stained during the night of April 23rd with blood red paint by unknown people.

More Abortion Clinic "Buffer Zones" Considered by Councils

April 23, 2018, United Kingdom

After the Ealing local council voted to ban prayer vigils and protests outside an abortion clinic by issuing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) earlier in April, at least eight councils in the United Kingdom considered implementing abortion clinic "buffer zones."

Repeated Vandalism of Church and Convent in Rimini

April 22, 2018, Italy

The convent and church of Sorelle Povere di S. Chiara (Poor Clares) in the Piazzetta of San Bernardino in Rimini has been the victim of repeated vandalism. Most recently, on April 22nd, the glass door of the church was smashed for the fourth time in a few months.

Devastation in Saxony's Oldest Town Church

April 22, 2018, Germany

An unidentified person climbed the facade of the Kilianskirche in Bad Lausick, smashed a 4-meter stained glass window, and entered the church sometime between 10:30 pm and 12:30 am during the night of April 21st to 22nd. Once inside, the vandal severely damaged the carved late Gothic altar and pulpit with a sword. A chandelier was shattered onto the ground and a candlestick was damaged. Disastrous damage was avoided after altar candles, deliberately left burning in the wooden tower, went out before causing a fire.

Reward Offered for Information: Fourth Vandalism Attack on Church in Five Months

April 22, 2018, Germany

An unknown person smashed the stained glass windows of St.-Nikolaus-Kirche in Veen between April 19th and 22nd. This is the fourth vandalism attack in less than half a year.

Significant Damage Caused to Two Churches in Chemnitz; Organist Threatened

April 21, 2018, Germany

A 24-year-old Pakistani man was arrested on April 21st after a police investigation of significant damage in the Markuskirche in Chemnitz. The asylum seeker allegedly entered the night before and broke candlesticks, destroyed various bronze objects and several candles, and damaged the altar and the pulpit cover. A window was also destroyed and there was damage both in the sanctuary and the basement of the church. Damage was estimated to exceed 10,000 euros. Two days later, on April 23rd, he was again arrested after throwing stones at the windows of the Petrikirche church, causing about 3,000 euros in damage.

Crosses and Graves Damaged in Steinbach Cemetery

April 21, 2018, Germany

Unknown vandals caused damage estimated at several thousand euros over the Easter weekend in a cemetery in Fernwald-Steinbach. At least twelve graves were targeted, with wooden crosses and planted flowers damaged. In some other cases, the perpetrators tore out the gravestones and threw them in an adjacent meadow and on top of other graves. A police investigation was initiated.

Church Bell Tower Tagged with Obscene Graffiti

April 20, 2018, France

Locals discovered obscene graffiti on the bell tower of church of Saint-Vorles in Châtillon-sur-Seine.

Thefts and Damage Resulted in Restricted Visiting Times in Stonehouse Church

April 19, 2018, United Kingdom

Unknown vandals entered the kitchen of St Cyr's church in Stonehouse, breaking and damaging a serving hatch and stealing a fire extinguisher. As a result of a series of petty thefts, church managers made the decision to close the building when it is not being used for religious services or other social gatherings.

Church Ransacked in Pfäfers

April 19, 2018, Switzerland

On April 19th, an "emotionally disturbed" man set fire to fabrics and damaged liturgical objects, statues, and the organ in a St. Gallen church, causing more than ten thousand francs of damage.

Graffiti Threat on Vorarlberg Wall

April 19, 2018, Austria

During the 18th or 19th of April, unknown perpetrators vandalized a stone retaining wall in Rankweil with pink paint. Over ten meters, they sprayed the words "Deth (sic) to all Christians!" as well as a pentagram symbol. The retaining wall on Thomas-Lehrer-Weges leads to the Basilica of Rankweil, the pilgrimage church of Our Lady of the Visitation.

Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Fribourg Vandalized

April 17, 2018, Switzerland

A few hours after it was installed on Boulevard de Pérolles on April 17th, replica of Rio de Janeiro's famed Christ the Redeemer statue was vandalized by a 24-year-old Syrian asylum seeker.

Window Damaged at Northern Ireland Church; Investigated as Hate Crime

April 17, 2018, United Kingdom

Shortly after 10 o'clock on the night of April 17th, the First Presbyterian Church in Newry, Northern Ireland suffered a vandalism attack in which one of its stained glass windows was damaged. The window had been repaired just weeks before this incident after vandals had damaged it earlier in the year.

Pentecostal Church in Rousse Threatened by Municipality Councilors and Media

April 17, 2018, Bulgaria

The municipality of Rousse will expel the Third Evangelical Pentecostal Church claiming that it illegally occupies a municipal building. The announcement was made by councilors from the right wing party, International Macedonian Revolutionary Organization. After an inspection launched by the local authorities, it was decided that the place where worship services are held three times a week, would be closed.

Christ Figure on Crucifix Destroyed

April 15, 2018, Germany

During the weekend of April 14th-15th, unknown persons severely damaged the Christ figure on the Rottmann-Wegekreuz am Reckelsberg.

Vandals Destroy Crossroads Crucifix

April 15, 2018, Germany

For the fourth time in the last four years, someone destroyed the crucifix at the Kuckhof crossroads in Allerheiligen. In the most recent incident, the cross was demolished from its base and there was no trace of the figure of Jesus.

Tabernacle in Loire Church Vandalized

April 13, 2018, France

The tabernacle in the church of Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire, 15 kilometers from Roanne, was vandalized on April 13th. The intruders perhaps expected they would find ciboria and chalices by breaking the marble door of the tabernacle, but long ago liturgical objects of high value were moved to a more secure place. A complaint was lodged with the gendarmerie of Villerest.

Fire Set Behind Altar; Excrement Left in Confessional

April 12, 2018, Italy

An intentionally-set fire burned a curtain and part of a chair behind the altar of the church of San Giuseppe in the town of Torre del Lago Puccini on April 12th. Feces was later discovered in the confessional.

Theft in Torás Church

April 11, 2018, Spain

A band of thieves entered the church of Santa Quiteria during the night of April 11th, opened the tabernacle and stole a golden chalice containing consecrated Hosts, the most precious item for its religious value. They also destroyed donation boxes and took all the money. 

Saint-Rémi-des-Monts church Victim of Burglary

April 11, 2018, France

The Basilica of Mézières, Saint-Rémi-des-Monts was the victim of several attempts of burglaries on the night of April 11 to 12. The door locks of the sacristy and the reception (where the postcards are sold) were broken, while the trunk of the candles was forced with hammers.

UK Council Bans Pro-Life Vigils outside Abortion Clinic

April 10, 2018, United Kingdom

A London local council voted unanimously on April 10th to ban pro-life vigils outside a local abortion center that have been taking place without incident for 23 years. The Ealing council voted to use a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to stop pro-life advocates from praying outside the Ealing Marie Stopes abortion clinic and offering help to women as they enter or exit the building. Pro-lifers must now stay 100 meters away from the abortion center. It will be the first "buffer zone" in the United Kingdom.

List of Churches Removed from Granada's Website

April 10, 2018, Spain

On April 10th, the municipal government removed the list of churches and parishes that appeared on the City of Granada's on-line resource guide after an IU (United Left) councilman demanded their removal five days earlier. The twenty churches, all Catholic, appeared in a section with the title "Places of Worship." The deputy mayor responsible for communication announced that since the churches do not offer any municipal, public or administrative services, the entire "Places of Worship" section was deleted.

Unknown Perpetrators Vandalized Church in Straubing

April 10, 2018, Germany

The church of St. Stephan, in the Alburg district of Straubing, suffered various acts of vandalism on April 10th. They threw a figure of a saint from the altar, ripped out a microphone, threw a candle to the ground, spilled holy water, and destroyed an umbrella. They also smoked in the confessional, filling the interior with ashes and extinguishing the butts against the wooden door. The damage to the property was estimated at 3,000 euros.

BBC Scotland Posts Video Mocking Catholics

April 9, 2018, United Kingdom

The Bishop of Paisley criticized BBC Scotland for encouraging anti-Catholic prejudice. It posted a short film entitled ‘Homophobia in 2018, Time for Love’ on its Facebook page which depicts a priest holding a Mini Cheddar in a parody of the Host, and giving it to a woman who makes the sign of the cross, with a voice-over saying, “tastes like cardboard and smells like hate.” Bishop Keenan described the content as “beyond the pale, and unworthy of the BBC as a public service broadcaster.” The Archdiocese of St. Andrew's and Edinburgh also criticized the video for suggesting that Christianity fosters public hatred toward homosexuals. It was also said that "recent government figures on crimes with religious aggravations showed that 57% of these are now directed to Catholics, an increase of 14%.

15th Century Tomb of Fra Angelico Attacked in the Center of Rome

April 8, 2018, Italy

The marble tomb of the Italian Renaissance painter Fra Angelico was vandalized in the church of S. Maria sopra Minerva in the center of Rome, one of the most famous churches of the Italian capital. Vandals chipped off several parts of the marble tomb, carved by the fifteenth-century sculptor Isaia da Pisa.

Woman Stabbed Outside Coventry Church after Service

April 8, 2018, United Kingdom

A woman in her 30s was stabbed after attending the Eritrean community's Orthodox Easter midnight service at St. Margaret's Church in Coventry early on the morning of April 8th. The mother of three was found with a puncture wound in the abdomen at approximately 3:15 in the morning and taken to the hospital where she was listed in critical condition. The attacker, who reportedly fled on a bicycle, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder the following day.

Intentional Fires in Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais Church in Langon

April 8, 2018, France

A passerby saw flames coming from the church and rushed in to extinguish the fire. Firefighters arrived quickly and were able to prevent the fire from causing extensive damage. Fires had been set in two different places: one at the candlesticks where the alter of the Virgin is situated, and the other at the entrance where leaflets and informational flyers are displayed.

Oil Poured Down Church Steps

April 7, 2018, Italy

On April 7th unidentified vandals poured frying oil down the grand stone steps in front of the church of San Giovanni Evangelista in Modica.

Saint-Michel Church in Holque Vandalized

April 7, 2018, France

Saint-Michel Church in Holque, a small French commune in northern France was vandalized.

Poulseur: Statue of Christ Shattered

April 7, 2018, Belgium

On the morning of April 7th, the sacristan of the church in Poulseur discovered it had been vandalized. A statue of a crucified Jesus Christ had been taken down from a hook and shattered into pieces. The extensive damage to the statue suggested that the perpetrators climbed onto the choir screen and threw it down to the ground from above. Other vessels with flowers were also knocked down and broken. The damage was reported to the police.

Catholic College Vandalized in Vendée

April 6, 2018, France

A day before about fifty students from Notre-Dame de l'Esperance College were to leave for a trip to England, they found their trip cancelled. All of the students' identity papers, which had been stored in a locker at school, were discovered cut in half and thrown into a garbage bin.The director of Notre-Dame de l'Esperance College sent a letter to the parents explaining that the trip was canceled and turned to the British Embassy for assistance. Police began an investigation.

Vandalism and Theft at Warmifontaine Church

April 6, 2018, Belgium

Unidentified perpetrators looted the church of Saint-Martin in Warmifontaine, breaking open the tabernacle with a crowbar, and stealing ciboriums containing consecrated Hosts, chalices, and hand-carved statues.

German Public Broadcaster Replaces Jesus Christ with Easter Bunny

April 6, 2018, Germany

A German satire TV recreated the Passion of Jesus Christ with a crucified Easter plush bunny in lieu of Jesus. Photomontages included the toy animal, among other things, on the cross and sitting among the Apostles for the Last Supper. The Christian Media Association KEP immediately filed a complaint to the broadcaster saying that it made "the central religious content of Christianity literally a joke."

Relic Stolen from Saint-Étienne de Toul

April 5, 2018, France

On April 5th, a student who works as a summer guide of the Toul Cathedral, Saint-Étienne, discovered that pieces of the relic belonging to the first bishop of Toul, St. Gerard, was missing. The relic is about twenty centimeters long and was pulled out from its holster.

Host Desecration in Spain: the Case before the ECHR

April 5, 2018, Spain

The Spanish Association of Christian Lawyers – Asociación de Abogados Cristianos – lodged an application with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) with the help of the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ), following the host desecration by the “artist” Abel Azcona.

Fires Set at Three German Churches in Ostholstein District

April 4, 2018, Germany

From April 1st to April 4th, fires were set in front of the wooden entrance doors of three churches in Heiligenhafen by unknown perpetrators.

Church in Vicht Ransacked; Fire Extinguisher Emptied

April 4, 2018, Germany

Vandals devastated the interior of the parish church of St. John the Baptist in the village of Vicht (Stolberg District) on April 4th.

Sacred Heart Painting in Chiesa Nuova Stolen

April 4, 2018, Italy

A painting was discovered stolen out of its frame on April 4th in Santa Maria Church. The painting was 19th century copy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, signed by Pietro Gagliardi. Although the painting was not of significant value, the theft served as a reminder to the parish to increase security.

Deliberate Act of Desecration

April 2, 2018, France

On Easter Monday, the church of Domois in Fénay was desecrated and ransacked. Intruders shattered doors, broke objects, scattered candles, flowers, tablecloths, and religious symbols, church furniture and other items were destroyed. Tabernacles were opened and consecrated hosts were trampled and scattered all over.

Man Arrested for Graffiti on Churches, Gravestones, and Peace Pagoda

April 2, 2018, United Kingdom

After graffiti appeared across Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire from February 21st and April 2nd, police arrested a 34-year-old man in connection with the incidents. Graffiti painted in red included messages such as "Allah reigns" on a church, "kill all white scum" on the famous Willen Peace Pagoda, and "evil white failures" and "rape and replace" on a memorial in a graveyard.

Lighting Stolen from the Cross of the Holy Spirit

April 1, 2018, France

On April 1st, Easter Sunday, inhabitants of La Treille discovered that the solar panels, battery, and 70 LED lights which illuminated the La Croix Saint Esprit had been stolen. Unknown thieves had to climb 400 meters of rocky terrain to reach the cross. Losses amounted to 1,400 euros. The cross was installed less than a year before and was described as a reassuring "night light" for the 800 inhabitants of the valley. A complaint was filed.

Brittany: Tomb of Abbot Perrot Tagged

March 31, 2018, France

The tomb of Abbot Jean-Marie Perrot, founder of the Breton Catholic movement Bleun-Brug who was murdered by communists in 1943, was toppled and then sprayed with "anti-fascist" graffiti. The incidents coincided with the annual Easter Monday commemoration of the Abbot's death.

Eggs Thrown at Priest's House after Homily

March 31, 2018, Spain

Eggs were thrown at the door of a priest's home on Holy Saturday, March 31st, a day after he was criticized by LGBTI groups for a homily in which he questioned whether 'gender ideology' was a biased view of the nature of men and women, and whether it had a scientific basis.

Court Ruled 2015 Desecration of Cemetery was "Anti-Christian" Attack

March 29, 2018, France

On March 29th, the Court of Appeals in Toulouse ruled that Mohamed B., who desecrated and vandalized 215 graves, knocked down and broke crosses and other Christian symbols in a cemetery in Castres in 2015, was civilly liable for the religiously-motivated act. He had been found not criminally responsible due to mental illness, but on appeal, the court found him personally liable for compensation to AGRIF (Alliance générale contre le racisme et pour le respect de l'identité française et chrétienne).

No Prison for Men Who Entered Convent Demanding Nuns Convert to Islam

March 28, 2018, France

The two men who entered a Carmelite convent in November 2017 and demanded the nuns to convert to Islam or they would go to hell were released by a Verdun court on March 28th. The court, citing "diminished mental responsibility at the time of the incident" because the intruders had been suffering from "psychiatric disorders," freed the men after a trial.

Great Yarmouth Church Desecrated Days Before Easter

March 27, 2018, United Kingdom

A man walked into St Mary’s Catholic Church, set a couple of small fires and attempted to burn the icon taken off the church’s altar. The perpetrator left a Satanic image in the icon's place. The act was recorded by CCTV cameras and police arrested a suspect days later.

Small Fire in Church in Bavaria

March 27, 2018, Germany

An unknown person lit a glove filled with matches on a bench in the small church of St. Moritz in the tiny municipality of Mantel. Due to the glove's plastic material, the fire spread to a bench cushion and caused damage to the bench.

Notre-Dame-du-Bourg in Digne-les-Bains Tagged

March 26, 2018, France

A man was arrested on March 28th for painting satanic symbols ("666") on the cathedral, as well as tags on other buildings in the town between March 26th and 27th.

Man Shouted “Allahu Akbar" in the Cathedral of Cambrai

March 25, 2018, France

Shortly before the Palm Sunday Mass in the cathedral Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, a unidentified man shouted “Allahu Akbar” into the microphone. When approached by a parishioner, he ran away. Notably, the incident happened two days after an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack in southern France.