All cases

Arson At Basilica of San Lorenzo

January 25, 2026, Italy

A fire that broke out on 25 January 2026 in the courtyard of Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina in Rome, initially investigated as a separate incident, has since been linked to deliberate arson.

Man Attacks Woman and Sets Fire to Church in Brasov

January 25, 2026, Romania

A 29‑year‑old man attacked a woman selling candles and set fire to a church in Braşov, Romania, in an incident reported late January.

Sviatohirsk Lavra Skete Targeted in Theft and Vandalism

January 25, 2026, Ukraine

In Donetsk region, Ukraine, a skete of the Holy Dormition Sviatohirsk Lavra was targeted in a theft and act of vandalism during the night of 24–25 January 2026, resulting in the theft of bells and sacred objects from the religious site.

Main Altar Cross Stolen at Saint‑Winoc Church

January 25, 2026, France

A theft at the Église Saint-Winoc in Plouhinec, Finistère, was reported on 25 January when the cross from the church’s main altar was removed by unknown perpetrators, parish authorities confirmed.

Vienna Court: Prayer Vigil Outside Abortion Facilities Permitted

January 23, 2026, Austria

In January 2026, the Vienna Administrative Court ruled that a peaceful prayer vigil held in the proximity of an abortion facility in Vienna falls within the scope of the constitutionally protected freedom of assembly. The decision overturned an earlier prohibition issued by the Vienna police authorities.

UK Police Ban Christian March Over Fear of Muslim Community Reaction

January 23, 2026, United Kingdom

The Metropolitan Police blocked a UK Independence Party “Walk With Jesus” march scheduled for 31 January in Whitechapel, east London, citing fears it would provoke a hostile reaction from the local Muslim community and lead to “serious violence and disorder.”

Vandals Damage Religious Statue Inside Church

January 21, 2026, France

A statue of the Virgin Mary was found to have been deliberately knocked over and damaged on 21 January 2026 inside the Église Saint-Sylve in Toulouse, where the parish priest discovered the overturned figure after the morning Mass.

Missal Set Ablaze in Alessandria Chapel

January 19, 2026, Italy

On the morning of 19 January 2026, an unknown individual set fire to a liturgical missal inside the Chiesa del Monserrato in Alessandria.

Zamora Suffers Another Vandal Attack on Church

January 18, 2026, Spain

On 18 January 2026, vandals defaced the rear façade of the Iglesia de Santiago el Burgo in Zamora with a slogan: “More housing and fewer churches”.

Buncton’s 11th‑Century Church Attacked

January 18, 2026, United Kingdom

All Saints Church in Buncton, West Sussex, suffered extensive damage after almost all of its windows were smashed and fixtures vandalised between 13 and 18 January.