All cases

Second arson attack on St Mary's Chapel in one year

May 12, 2025, Germany

On the evening of 12 May, St Mary's Chapel at St Margaret's Parish Church in Kahl am Main was targeted with arson for the second time this year. A church pew with seat cushions caught fire in a side wing of the building, causing toxic smoke to spread throughout the entire church. Although the flames had largely extinguished themselves by the time firefighters arrived, extensive smoke damage had been caused. The police are now searching for the arsonist.

Priest attacked by youths who threatened to set fire to his church

May 10, 2025, France

On the evening of 10 May, a group of young people approached the priest of the parish of Montfavet in Avignon and asked to enter the church, saying that they wanted to convert to Christianity. When they went in, they insulted the priest, shouted "Allah Akbar" and declared that they wanted to burn the building down, and then fled.

Repeat Vandalism Hits Church One Year On

May 10, 2025, Italy

The Church of Sant’Angelo Magno in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, was targeted by vandals for the second consecutive year. The perpetrators forced their way into the church and caused significant damage. Local residents, alerted by the noise, contacted the parish priest and the police. The swift response of the authorities caused the vandals to flee through the rear of the church.

Church attacked with stones after recent destruction of crib

May 9, 2025, Italy

The small countryside church of Madonna di Valverde in Dorgali, Sardinia, was vandalised when unknown individuals broke the door lock and threw stones inside. Although the altar and sacred objects were left untouched, this incident has shocked the local community, especially as it follows a series of similar occurrences in recent months. Just a month earlier, a marble nativity scene on the Carmel Hill was destroyed by hammer blows, a gesture against a religious symbol that shocked the local community.

Desecration of the chapel in the former dormitory

May 1, 2025, Poland

Someone broke into the interior of the chapel in historic dormitory in the old town of Mielec. Inside they destroyed and stole valuable liturgical objects and the monstrance. The altar cross was broken into pieces and left outside the chapel. A large amount of candle oil was spilled on the floor, which could point to an attempt at arson. The Curia of the Diocese of Tarnów, considering this scandalous event as an act of profanation, decided to close the chapel temporarily. All services were moved to another parish.

two-metre-high wooden cross cut down

May 1, 2025, France

In Curancy, Burgundy, on the night of 30 April, a two-metre-high wooden Christian cross was deliberately cut down and stolen from the woods. The vandals used a saw to cut it down and made off with it. Shocked by the incident, the mayor filed a police report, describing the act as 'a direct attack on a symbol of faith'.

Vandals leave trail of destruction in church

April 30, 2025, Italy

Vandals broke into the historic church of Pia Opera Pastore in Alcamo, Sicily, causing extensive damage to sacred art, objects and furnishings. Paintings were defaced, religious objects destroyed and the church left in disarray - an attack condemned by local officials as a serious offence against the community and its cultural and religious heritage.

Church in Alsace severely vandalised: €10,000 in damage

April 24, 2025, France

On the night of 24 April, the collegiate church of Saint-Martin in Colmar was vandalised by an intruder who climbed through scaffolding, damaged sacred objects and left the church in disarray. Despite spending almost three hours inside and causing over €10,000 in damage, the perpetrator - who was caught on CCTV and reportedly under the influence of drugs - stole nothing. The incident shocked the local community and raised serious concerns about the protection of religious and cultural heritage.

Church closes after attacks on parish staff

April 23, 2025, Austria

The parish of Breitenfeld has had to severely restrict access to its church following repeated violent attacks against parish workers and acts of vandalism. An unknown man attacked a parish secretary, pushing her to the ground and kicking her several times. A few days later, a 74-year-old sexton was similarly attacked, suffering injuries so severe that he had to be hospitalised for several days. Vandalism to the church building was also confirmed. As a result, the church is now only open for mass, and there is a police presence.

Church and graveyard defaced with blasphemous graffiti

April 18, 2025, United Kingdom

On Good Friday, 18 April, St James' Church in Leyland, Lancashire, was vandalised with lewd images and anti-Christian messages. The graffiti included sexually graphic content, explicit blasphemy, and defaced both the church building and at least 40 gravestones in the churchyard with offensive statements such as "God is a lie".