All cases
Police Intervention Against Christian Praying and Holing Bible at Brandenburg Gate
July 3, 2026, GermanyA video recorded at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate raises concerns about interference with the right to freely manifest one's religion after police officers told a Christian he could not pray at the site because it was "not a place for praying" and "not a church". Although the Christian was quietly reading from his Bible and praying without using amplification or engaging passers-by, officers treated his conduct as a demonstration because he was publicly holding a Bible. The incident raises questions about the understanding of religious freedom among law enforcement officers and the protection of peaceful religious expression in public spaces.
Catholic religion teacher in Belgium receives threats after conversion from Islam
June 30, 2026, BelgiumIn June 2026, Ahmed Yetrib, a Catholic religion teacher in the Charleroi region and convert from Islam to the Catholic faith, reported receiving threats on social media because of his online content sharing the reasons for his conversion. The report concerns alleged harassment which has caused concern for his personal safety, further highlighting the difficulties experienced by individuals converting from Islam to Christianity.
Vandalism and Attempted Arson inside St. Marien Church in Freudenberg
June 29, 2026, GermanyOn 29 June 2026, unknown perpetrators set fire to a wooden bench inside St. Marien Church in Freudenberg and and vandalised the church entrance. Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the incident.
Tabernacle destroyed and consecrated hosts discarded at Sacré-Cœur Church in Geneva
June 29, 2026, SwitzerlandOn 29 June 2026, the tabernacle of Sacré-Cœur Church in Geneva was stolen and destroyed in an act of sacrilegious theft and desecration. The tabernacle contained consecrated hosts and liturgical vessels, the former of which were later found discarded in a nearby construction dumpster. The incident prompted the celebration of a Mass of reparation for the affected Catholic community.
Attempted Arson at the Church of Saint-Jean de Castelsarrasin
June 29, 2026, FranceOn the evening of 29 June, there was an arson attempt targeting the church of Saint-Jean de Castelsarrasin. The fire was discovered by a volunteer in a trash can inside the building. Thankfully, no material damage was caused. Police opened an investigation into the incident.
Suspected Arson at Former Convent in Downpatrick
June 28, 2026, United KingdomOn Sunday, 28 June, the listed Convent of Mercy adjacent to St. Patrick's Church in Downpatrick is believed to have been deliberately set on fire and was completely destroyed. The loss of the convent has been difficult for the local community after the destruction of a historical landmark.
Artists Burn Crosses During Polish Music Festival
June 28, 2026, PolandOn 27–28 June 2026, two wooden crosses were deliberately set on fire during a performance at a metal music festival in Chwałków. While organisers described the act as an artistic performance, it deeply shocked the local Christian community, which regarded it as a desecration of one of Christianity's central religious symbols. Christian representatives further expressed concern that insults against Christians and the desecration of Christian symbols have become increasingly commonplace and that Christian symbols are being singled out in artistic performances in ways that symbols of other religions generally are not.
Transfeminists attempt occupation of Compassionist Convent in Rome
June 27, 2026, ItalyPolice prevented a group of transfeminists from attempting to occupy the area of Sant'Ignazio di Antiochia Parish which houses the Compassionist nuns.
Parish priest faces aggression during break-in at his presbytery in Levie
June 27, 2026, FranceOn 27 June 2026, Fr Pierre Pio reported that three young men forced entry into the presbytery in Levie while he was present inside. The incident involved damage to the building and a direct confrontation with the priest, who described the event as an aggression. The case follows previous acts of vandalism affecting parish property and raised concerns about local safety of both clergy and the faithful.
Altar Cloth Burned Inside Val d'Oust Church
June 24, 2026, FranceIn early June 2026, unknown individuals entered a church in Le Roc-Saint-André, Val d'Oust, deliberately burning part of the altar cloth and several candles. The parish reported the incident to the authorities, and an investigation was opened.
Candles and Missal Set on Fire at Church in La Chapelle-Caro
June 24, 2026, FranceDuring the fourth week of June 2026, unknown perpetrators entered a church in La Chapelle-Caro, where they deliberately burned candles, broke others and set a missal on fire. The incident occurred only weeks after a similar act of vandalism at another church in the same municipality.
Young man arrested after destroying property in Friesoythe Church
June 22, 2026, GermanyIn what has been described as a destructive rage, a 25-year-old man damaged several objects in the St.-Marien-Kirche in Friesoythe the evening of June 22. He caused significant property damage, including damage to the church organ and religious art depicting the way of the cross.
Assault on Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park leaves preacher injured
June 21, 2026, United KingdomA Christian preacher has been assaulted in Hyde Park's famous Speaker's Corner over the weekend. The incident is the latest in a series of aggravations in the same location over the past few years targeting Christian preachers.
Desecration of cemetery and Catholic church near Rouen
June 20, 2026, FranceIn the municipality east of Rouen, Saint-Léger du Bourg-Denis, the Catholic church and cemetery were found desecrated on Saturday, June 20. This event is not the first in the region of Rouen, and follows a series of thefts, vandalism, and desecrations of Catholic churches in the area.
Public Cross in Villeneuve-Loubet taken down and stolen
June 19, 2026, FranceIn June, unknown perpetrators removed and stole a large cross erected on a hill overlooking Villeneuve-Loubet in southern France. The cross had been installed the previous month with the permission of the landowner. Members of the group responsible for its installation denounced the incident as theft and reported it to the authorities.
Consecrated Hosts Stolen From Mugron Church
June 17, 2026, FranceThe Church of Saint-Laurent in Mugron was the victim of severe burglary including the desecration of consecrated hosts. This event is part of a broader pattern targeting Catholic churches in the Landes region of France.
Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Rome Hospital Chapel
June 16, 2026, ItalyA tabernacle containing consecrated Hosts was stolen from the chapel of Aurelia Hospital in Rome, in what the Diocese of Rome described as a sacrilegious act against the Eucharist. The thieves also took offerings from the chapel, prompting the Diocese to announce a Mass of reparation.
Christ Figures Stolen from Roadside Crosses in Wrocław
June 16, 2026, PolandPolice are investigating the theft of at least two Christ figures from roadside crosses in Wrocław.
Attempted arson inside the Church of San Fereolo in Lodi
June 16, 2026, ItalyThe church of Saints Bassiano and Fereolo in Lodi fell victim to attempted arson. This occurrence follows a pattern of similar acts of vandalism and arson in Lodi over the past year.
Cowdenbeath Baptist Church Hit for the Eighth Time, Suffers Extensive Damage
June 15, 2026, United KingdomOn 14 June 2026, Cowdenbeath Baptist Church was again targeted by vandals, who smashed windows, damaged the church's toilet facilities, and threw projectiles through the building. Church members described the repeated attacks as "soul destroying" and said the church had been vandalised up to eight times.
Church in Hanau Targeted Again with Airsoft or Slingshot Projectiles
June 15, 2026, GermanySeveral windows of the Holy Spirit Church in Hanau were damaged in a second attack within a month, with police suspecting the use of an airsoft gun or slingshot.
Josefikapelle Defaced with Political and Sexist Graffiti in Nabburg
June 14, 2026, GermanyDuring the week preceding 12 June 2026, unknown perpetrators vandalised the Josefikapelle by spray-painting sexist and politically motivated graffiti on its exterior wall. Police opened an investigation and appealed for witnesses.
Attempted arson at Baptist Church in Tallinn
June 13, 2026, EstoniaPolice have apprehended three men suspected of attempted arson at a Baptist Church building in Tallinn. Whilst exact motivations remain unknown, the police are investigation whether the incident was motivated by religious reasons.
Church tagged with anti-Christian graffiti
June 12, 2026, PolandOn 12 June 2026, a vulgar inscription offensive to the Church was discovered painted in red on the façade of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Police opened an investigation to identify the perpetrator.
Evangelical Bookshop Defaced with Anti-Israel Graffiti
June 12, 2026, NetherlandsIn early June 2026, the evangelical book and gift shop Het Olijfblad in Den Burg was defaced with anti-Israel slogans and symbols. Police opened an investigation into the incident.
European Court of Human Rights Upholds Right to Door-to-Door Religious Outreach
June 9, 2026, BulgariaOn 9 June 2026, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Bulgaria violated the right to freedom of religion by upholding a municipal ban on door-to-door religious outreach in the city of Shumen. The Court found that the measure amounted to a disproportionate restriction on religious freedom because it broadly prohibited religious evangelisation at residents’ homes without sufficient justification. The judgment reaffirms that peaceful missionary activity is protected under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Arson Incident at St. Peter’s Church in Lommel Following Repeated Vandalism
June 8, 2026, BelgiumUnknown perpetrators deliberately set fire to the fabric upholstery of a church bench inside St. Peter’s Church (Sint-Pietersbandenkerk) in Lommel, Belgium, on 8 June 2026. Church officials stated that the incident was the latest in a number of recent vandalism and fire-related incidents affecting the church.
Young Man Arrested After Desecrating Church and Damaging Sacred Property
June 8, 2026, PolandA young man was arrested after entering the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Łubów, where he committed acts of desecration and damaged religious objects near the altar and confessional.
Elderly parishioner assaulted and robbed inside Cathedral in Saint-Étienne
June 8, 2026, FranceOn 9 June, a 78-year-old parishioner was violently assaulted inside Saint-Charles Cathedral in Saint-Étienne while reading notices in the entrance hall. The assailant forcibly stole her necklace before fleeing the scene. The attack left the victim severely shocked, prompting a police investigation and strong reactions from the diocese which condemned the assault on the elderly worshipper inside the church.
Suspected arson at new Syrian Orthodox church under construction in Leimen
June 7, 2026, GermanyPolice in Leimen, Germany, are investigating suspected arson after a fire was deliberately set inside the shell of a new Syrian Orthodox church. The blaze, which produced flames several metres high, was extinguished before it could cause major damage to the building.
Catholic Prayer Disrupted in Poissy Amid Shouting of Anti-Christian and Islamist Slogans
June 6, 2026, FranceA Catholic prayer gathering at the Church of Saint-Louis de Beauregard in Poissy was disrupted by individuals shouting slogans, including “Allahu Akbar” and direct insults against Christians, prompting concern among the parishioners.
Series of Thefts targeting Religious Painting and Statue
June 5, 2026, ItalyAn altar canvas depicting the Virgin Mary was stolen from the Church of Santa Lucia in Minervino di Lecce, Italy. Authorities and local reports indicate the theft may be linked to a recent similar incident in a nearby town involving the theft of a religious statue. The local community described the act as an "offence to our devotion".
Attempted Arson Inside St. Michael’s City Church in Jena
June 5, 2026, GermanyA 45-year-old man attempted to set fire to the altar and baptismal font inside St. Michael’s City Church in Jena, Germany, using lamp oil. The fire was quickly extinguished by those present, preventing major destruction, while police continue to investigate the incident as attempted arson.
Saint-Martin Church near Toulouse: Song Books Set on Fire
June 5, 2026, FranceA church in Roques-sur-Garonne, near Toulouse, was targeted in an arson attack after an individual deliberately setting song books sheets on fire in front of the altar inside the Church of Saint-Martin.
Sacrilegious Theft Targets Relics of Saint Serenus in Biandrate Church
June 5, 2026, ItalyUnknown perpetrators broke into the crypt of the parish church in Biandrate, smashed the glass of the shrine containing the relics of Saint Serenus, and stole a golden crucifix, rings and other devotional objects. For the local Catholic community, the damage to the shrine and the disturbance of the saint's relics constituted a particularly grave act of desecration.
Sacrilegious theft of consecrated hosts and sacred objects
June 4, 2026, ItalyA devastating break-in at the Madonna della Colonna church in Tre Ponti, saw vandals enter through a forced rear door, ransack rooms, damage a historic altar painting, and break open the tabernacle, stealing consecrated hosts and multiple sacred objects. The parish priest expressed shock about the devastation of the church.
Grave crosses stolen and desecrated in series of cemetery attacks
June 4, 2026, GermanySeveral Christian grave crosses were stolen from burial sites in a series of incidents at cemeteries in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
ISIS-related online threats ahead of Pope Leo XIV's visit to Spain
June 2, 2026, SpainAs reported on 2 June, a media outlet of the so-called Islamic State posted an online threat which appeared to be targeting Pope Leo XIV in anticipation of his visit to Spain and the start of the World Cup. Following the circulation of the image, local groups urged the government to take effective counterterrorism measures.
Sixteenth-Century Church Damaged in Attack on Historic Frescoes
June 1, 2026, ItalyA sixteenth-century church near Galatina was vandalised after intruders forced entry and damaged protected frescoes. The attack caused harm to valuable religious artwork safeguarded under Italian heritage protection laws, prompting a criminal investigation.
Two Churches in Mittweida Vandalised: Organ Damaged and Water Flooding Caused
June 1, 2026, GermanyTwo churches in Mittweida were targeted in a series of vandalism incidents that caused water damage, defaced church property and impaired the functioning of the church organs. Police have launched an investigation and are seeking witnesses.
Leipzig café run by free church closes after 26 left-wing attacks
May 31, 2026, GermanyA Christian-run café in Leipzig has announced its closure after reporting 26 attacks over two and a half years, including vandalism, graffiti and a butyric acid incident. The operators attribute the incidents to left-wing extremist perpetrators and cite repeated damage and financial losses as the reason for closing.
Arson Attack and Theft at Sanctuary of St Michael the Archangel
May 30, 2026, ItalyAn arson attack targeted the Sanctuary of St Michael the Archangel after intruders allegedly set fire to the church's main wooden entrance to gain access. Once inside, they vandalised the sanctuary and stole the crown and sword from the statue of St Michael.
Arson Attack at Marbach Church After Bench Set on Fire
May 28, 2026, GermanyAn arson attack targeted the Church of the Holy Family in Marbach after unknown individuals allegedly set fire to the upholstery of a church bench.
Priest Held Captive During Robbery at Church and Parish House in Portugal
May 27, 2026, PortugalA priest was held captive for around 90 minutes after three assailants broke into a church and parish house in Cantanhede, Portugal. The attackers threatened the priest, demanded money and valuables, and stole a laptop before fleeing.
Rome church vandalised: damaged Marian image and altar smeared
May 27, 2026, ItalyFour intruders desecrated the parish of San Paolo della Croce in Rome’s Corviale district, spilling holy oil, smearing the altar cloth with marker pen, leaving faeces inside the church bathroom and damaging a sacred image of the Madonna before fleeing when confronted by an assistant priest.
ECtHR Condemns Türkiye for Removing Greek Orthodox Priests from Minority Foundations
May 26, 2026, FranceThe European Court of Human Rights ruled that Türkiye violated the rights of two Greek Orthodox priests who had been removed from the governing boards of minority foundations in Istanbul solely because they were members of the clergy. The Court found that the authorities lacked a legal basis for excluding the priests from the management of institutions belonging to the Greek Orthodox community, violating their freedom of association interpreted in light of freedom of religion. The judgment represents an important affirmation of the right of religious minorities to govern their own institutions without undue state interference.
Two Catholic fraternity students seriously injured in attack in Innsbruck
May 25, 2026, AustriaTwo members of the Catholic student fraternity Rudolfina Wien were assaulted, robbed and seriously injured during an attack in Innsbruck in which the perpetrators allegedly shouted “Antifa”. The Austrian Cartell Association (ÖCV) condemned the incident as part of a broader pattern of hostility and violence targeting Catholic and conservative student associations.
Church Ransacked Near Agen in Pentecost Vandalism
May 25, 2026, FranceThe Church of Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens in Pont-du-Casse, near Agen, was left ransacked after statues, religious objects and furniture were damaged or thrown to the ground during a Pentecost Day vandalism. Authorities later identified four minors linked to the vandalism, while local officials and the Diocese moved quickly to organise repairs and a Mass of reparation.
Vandalism at Drogheda church after recent arson attack at Tinure church
May 25, 2026, IrelandMass-goers at St Augustine’s Church in Drogheda were shocked after discovering smashed planters and uprooted trees outside the church entrance, days after a deliberate fire inside Tinure church in County Louth.
Vandals deface church in Legnano with obscene graffiti and blasphemies
May 23, 2026, ItalyThe historic Church of San Bernardino in Legnano was vandalised overnight with obscene graffiti and blasphemies prompting condemnation from local Catholic and civic leaders who described the attack as a serious assault on a place deeply tied to the city’s religious and cultural identity.