All cases
Theft and desecration of consecrated hosts
October 20, 2024, FranceOn 20 October, someone broke into the church of Saint-Nicolas de Montigny and stole the chalice containing the consecrated host. Other consecrated hosts were scattered on the floor.
Statue beheaded and replaced with Nazi photos
October 12, 2024, PolandOn 27 September, in Witaszyce, an unknown person cut off the head of the statue of Mary in a forest shrine. On October 12, five photos of the faces of Nazi soldiers were placed inside the shrine.
Church attacked after postings inciting violence against Christians
October 3, 2024, AustriaOn the morning of 3 October, a group of masked individuals used climbing equipment to scale the balustrade of St Charles Church in Vienna and remove a banner promoting the March for Life. Left-wing extremist groups are suspected of having damaged the property of the Karlskirche over a long period of time and of having verbally abused and threatened the elderly priest.
Church in Metz burglarised and desecrated
October 2, 2024, FranceThe church of Sainte-Famille in Metz was broken into and desecrated during the night of 2 October. Unknown perpetrators broke in through large windows, damaged and stole different objects and desecrated the tabernacle.
Vandalism in Rheydt's St Mary's Church
September 27, 2024, GermanyOn September 27, unknown perpetrators knocked over the baptismal font of holy water, the ornate bronze dome and the font bowl in St Mary's Church in Mönchengladbach. Wax from the candles was scattered all over the church and flowers were thrown into the rubbish bins.
Head of statue of Mary torn off
September 27, 2024, PolandAn unknown perpetrator desecrated Cyranowska shrine at Karol Olszewski Square in Mielec, as reported on September 27. According to a witness to the incident, the glass of the chapel's cavity was broken, a statue of Mary was pulled out and its head was torn off.
Church in Neunkirchen devestated
September 26, 2024, GermanyAs reported on September 26, the protestant church in Neunkirchen has been devastated. Vandals tore up hymn books and destroyed the altar Bible and other property. This is the second incident at the Protestant Johanneskirche in Neunkirchen.
Church hit by several attempted arsons
September 26, 2024, FranceAs reported on 26 September, the church of Miribel les Echelles in Isère - the church of Miribel les Echelles in Isère, which was deliberately damaged by fire last year, has suffered two further arson attacks. It has since been closed to the public while an investigation is carried out into the perpetrators of these repeated acts of vandalism.
Church Facade vandalised
September 24, 2024, ItalyThe church of Santa Lucia was vandalised. The first 3 letters of Santa Lucia have been torn off. "We discovered the serious sacrilegious act this morning", said the president of the Guild of Masons of Santa Lucia, Franco Spiga, "after untying part of the writing, they threw it to the ground and tore it to pieces".
St. Luc Church in Brest Desecrated: Tabernacle set on Fire
September 21, 2024, FranceOn Saturday 21 September 2024, a serious act of vandalism took place in the chapel of Saint-Luc church in Brest. The tabernacle on the altar was smashed and then set on fire. As a result, the church will remain closed to the public until 2 October.