All cases
Archbishop receives criminal conviction for criticising Russia's war in Ukraine
April 8, 2024, RussiaAccording to the religious freedom watchdog organisation Forum 18, Archbishop Viktor Pivovarov has become the fifth person to receive a criminal conviction for criticising Russia's war in Ukraine from a religious perspective. On April 8, he was found guilty of repeatedly "discrediting" the Russian Armed Forces after condemning the war as "aggressive" and "Satanic" in his sermons.
Fire and Vandalism at Roßwein Church
April 6, 2024, GermanyOn Saturday, April 6, unknown persons set fire to a memorial table of the Church in Roßwein and damaged the donation box.
Minors Set Altar on Fire
April 6, 2024, AustriaTwo Children, one of them a 12-year-old boy, set a fire to the Serbian Orthodox Church of Our Lady in Feldkirch causing considerable damage. After searching the unlocked donation boxes for cash, they set the cloth at the altar in the back of the church on fire endangering liturgical objects.
Vandalism and Theft in Den Bosch Church
April 6, 2024, NetherlandsBurglars broke into St. John's Cathedral in Den Bosch, smashed stained-glass windows, emptied a fire extinguisher inside the building and stole a time capsule intended to be opened in the year 2122.
Arson attack on French Church
April 4, 2024, FranceA fire broke out in the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Agneaux on Thursday afternoon, April 4. According to police investigation's initial findings, the fire was intentional.
Desecration of Mission Cross
April 4, 2024, PolandIn the Church of St. Maksymilian Maria Kolbe in Bogatynia, a Mission Cross was chopped down over night.
After Two Fires Church Temporarily Closed
April 3, 2024, FranceWithin 24 hours two fires hit the Saint-Serge Church in Angers. On April 2, the altar of the chapel of the Virgin Mary was set on fire. On the next day a fire broke out in front of the Saint-Ambroise statue. A suspect women was spotted and arrested by the police.
Church Smeared with Eggs, Glue and Dog Excrement
April 3, 2024, United KingdomRivertown Church in Shotton was subject to vandalism. Eggs were thrown at the rear door. Previously, glue and dog excrement were smeared on the same door. Furthermore, the church has seen damage to both locks and seats inside. In light of the church’s effort in running a community hub, the incident appears very distressing to volunteers and the church community.
Controversy about secular court ruling on dismissal of a nun under canonical procedure
April 3, 2024, FranceIn an unusual case, a secular civilian court has issued a ruling against the Vatican’s in-house canonical procedures in the case of the dismissal of a French nun from her order and has sparked discussions on religious autonomy. On April 3, the Lorient tribunal ruled in favour of a nun who turned to the French court after being removed from a monastery in Brittany. The Vatican replied in a written statement that such a ruling on "internal discipline and membership in a religious institute" would be a "serious violation of the fundamental rights to religious freedom and freedom of association of Catholic faithful."
Church starts dialogue project after severe vandalism
April 2, 2024, ItalyOn April 2, the parish priest of the St. Anthony's Oratory in Porto Mantovano, Trento, found the oratory severely vandalised. Next to smashed locks, broken doors and glass, damaged objects and furniture, there was dirt, a swastika and offensive writings on the floor. The incident, was only the latest in a series of vandalism attacks on the oratory. The priest therefore reached out to the community for help.