All cases

Dismissal of Teacher Sparks Debate on Religious Expression in UK Schools

December 9, 2025, United Kingdom

A UK primary school teacher was suspended in March 2024 and later dismissed after telling a Muslim student that “Britain is still a Christian state,” citing the King as head of the Church of England and describing Islam as a minority religion. The teacher, who had also allegedly suggested the student could attend a nearby Islamic school if they preferred a religious setting, faced both police and safeguarding investigations. Although he was initially banned from working with children, he successfully appealed the decision and is now pursuing legal action against.

Anti-Christian Graffiti Targets the Basilica of Carmine in Florence

December 8, 2025, Italy

In Florence, black spray-painted graffiti stating “The only church that enlightens is the one that burns” and featuring the anarchist circled “A” appeared on the construction coverings of the Carmine Basilica.

Suspected Arson at Bologna Church

December 8, 2025, Italy

Authorities in Bologna investigated a fire at the Santuario in via del Borgo San Pietro, where flames engulfed the hedges surrounding the Catholic Church’s garden, prompting suspicions of arson.

Arrest in Málaga After Church Nativity Desecrated and Parishioners Threatened

December 8, 2025, Spain

Police detained a man after he disrupted a Catholic service by removing nativity figures, striking the altar, profaning liturgical garments, shouting in Arabic through the church microphone, and attempting to attack parishioners before being restrained outside.

Priest's Car Set on Fire Weeks after Church Vandalism

December 4, 2025, Italy

An arson attack destroyed the parish priest’s vehicle in Francofonte, following earlier vandalism against the church grounds.

Left-Wing Extremists Attack Church Over Anti-Abortion Stance

December 3, 2025, Germany

Radical activists smashed windows and spray-painted “218 abtreiben” on the Free Evangelical Church Kassel-Ost, citing its support for unborn life as the motive.

Church Nativity Figures Vandalised

December 3, 2025, Spain

Acts of vandalism targeted Christmas decorations at Villar de Olalla, damaging religious symbols and prompting a municipal appeal for information.

Arson Attack at Fonsorbes Church

December 3, 2025, France

Two altar cloths were set on fire inside Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church in Fonsorbes, Occitania, with straw from the Christmas nativity scene reportedly moved to fuel the flames.

Termini Chapel Closed After Reported Altar Desecration

December 2, 2025, Italy

The Chapel at Termini Station in Rome was closed after a man was reported to have urinated on the altar. The closure is deprived the community of access.

Palestine Flags Placed on Vienna’s Votive Church Without Approval

November 29, 2025, Austria

Anti-Israel demonstrators scaled the towers of Vienna's Votive Church and placed Palestinian flags on the spire. The Archdiocese condemned the incident, hired a crew to remove the flags, and announced that they may take legal action.