All cases
Parish Grounds and Madonna Grotto Vandalised
November 4, 2025, ItalyA stone grotto was demolished, statues of the Madonna and Padre Pio were desecrated, and church gardens were destroyed in a targeted act of vandalism at the Church of San Francesco in Francofonte.
Church in Loiret vandalised during Halloween
October 31, 2025, FranceA church in Ouzouer-sous-Bellegarde, Loiret, was vandalised during the night of Halloween, when its door was forced open and the interior damaged, in an incident suggesting deliberate intent
Bible Set on Fire During Halloween Night
October 31, 2025, ItalyA lectionary was set on fire and the sanctuary vandalised in a Halloween-night attack on a Catholic church in northern Italy.
Päivi Räsänen Faces Supreme Court in "Bible Tweet" Case
October 30, 2025, FinlandIn October 2025, the Finnish Supreme Court heard the case of Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen, who is facing prosecution for alleged “hate speech” after tweeting a Bible verse and questioning how the Lutheran Church could reconcile its support for Helsinki Pride with biblical teaching. Despite two unanimous acquittals, the state prosecutor has pursued a further appeal, extending the case into its seventh year and seeking financial penalties and the removal of her published statements.
Syrian Christian Threatened and Injured in Dutch Reception Center
October 29, 2025, NetherlandsIn October 2025, a Syrian Christian asylum seeker was reportedly threatened, injured, and intimidated by Muslim residents at the asylum seekers’ centre (AZC) in Goes, Netherlands. The incident seems to be part of a broader rise in anti-Christian hostility reported in Dutch asylum facilities.
French Church Desecrated with Excrement
October 26, 2025, FrancePolice launched an investigation after excrement and soiled clothing were discovered inside a church in Châtellerault, part of a broader pattern affecting local Christian sites.
Man Assaulted Nun and Kicked Church Door
October 26, 2025, FranceA man entered the Saint-Pierre Abbey in Moissac, assaulted a nun, threatened a witness, and kicked the church door. A man who published a video of the incident reported receiving threats.
Vandalism Prompts Temporary Closure of Church
October 22, 2025, GermanyRepeated acts of vandalism at Heilig Kreuz Church in Hildesheim led to its closure outside of service hours.
Church Façade Defaced with Swastikas and Insults
October 20, 2025, ItalySwastikas and homophobic slurs were spray-painted on the walls of the San Grato church in Cerrione, prompting a police investigation. Local officials spoke of a deeply troubling act of intolerance.
Marian Shrine Desecrated by Satanic Vandalism
October 19, 2025, PolandA roadside chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary was desecrated with satanic graffiti and swastikas in Wólka Wybraniecka. The statue was also destroyed.
Methodist Church Vandalised Twice, Christian Youth Services Relocated
October 13, 2025, United KingdomThe interior of the Methodist church in Birkenhead was vandalised during two break-ins, resulting in extensive damage to church property. Fire extinguishers were maliciously discharged, and various items were intentionally destroyed, prompting a police investigation and the temporary relocation of youth activities.
Man Desecrates St. Peter’s Basilica by Urinating on Altar
October 10, 2025, ItalyA man entered St. Peter’s Basilica and urinated on the altar of Confession in front of hundreds of tourists and worshippers, marking the third act of desecration at the site in two years. According to some news reports, the incident happened during the celebration of mass.
Jesuit Church in Straubing Vandalised
October 10, 2025, GermanyUnknown individuals forcibly entered the Jesuit Church in Straubing, Germany, overturned pews and damaged interior grilles.
Arson Attack on Evangelical Church in Frenkendorf
October 9, 2025, SwitzerlandA 36-year-old Swiss man was arrested after allegedly setting fire to the Evangelical Reformed Church of St. Margaretha in Frenkendorf, Switzerland, damaging pews and interior structures.
Church in Aldingen Defiled After Failed Burglary Attempt
October 5, 2025, GermanyAfter breaking into a Protestant church in Aldingen, Germany, unknown individuals urinated in the sanctuary and caused property damage when no valuables were found.
Viennese Church Evacuated During Mass after Bomb Scare
October 4, 2025, AustriaTwo fake explosive devices triggered the evacuation of Vienna’s Karlskirche during a Catholic mass being held before the annual March for Life, raising concerns of targeted intimidation.
Man Arrested After Spitting on Christ Image in Fuengirola Church
October 2, 2025, SpainA 31-year-old man was arrested for spitting on a crucifix and attempting to damage the altar inside the Church of San José in Fuengirola, Spain, in an incident investigated as a hate crime and offense against religious sentiment.
Church in Neustadt/Wied Vandalised
October 1, 2025, GermanyUnkown individuals entered the Church of St. Margarita and caused extensive damage inside. The police issued a statement seeking for witnesses.
Vandalism of Catholic Churches in Munich with White Paint Graffiti
September 29, 2025, GermanyIn the night between 28 and 29 September 2025, several Catholic church buildings in Munich were vandalised with white paint graffiti, including slogans such as “God is dead”.
Glasgow Grandmother Arrested Again For Sign Offering Conversation
September 27, 2025, United Kingdom75-year-old grandmother and Christian prayer group leader Rose Docherty has been arrested a second time and criminally charged for holding a sign reading “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want” within 200 metres of an abortion facility in Glasgow.
Christian Schools in Slovakia at Risk after School Funding Reform
September 19, 2025, SlovakiaThe Slovak government has introduced a proposal to reform state subsidies for private and church schools. Under the new policy, full funding would be limited to schools that meet specific public-service criteria, including enrolling at least 70% of students from local school districts, refraining from charging tuition, and signing contracts as public education providers. Christian leaders and private school associations have raised concerns that the reform could undermine parental rights and threaten the sustainability of faith-based education.
Death Threat Forced Evangelical Church in Kempten to Cancel Public Worship
September 14, 2025, GermanyFollowing a death threat on TikTok, the Tabernacle Church in Kempten moved its worship indoors, citing safety concerns and growing anti-Christian sentiment.
Iraqi Christian Killed in Lyon While Livestreaming Faith
September 10, 2025, FranceA disabled Iraqi Christian who fled ISIS persecution, was fatally stabbed in Lyon while livestreaming his religious testimony on TikTok, prompting outrage and calls for justice amid rising anti-Christian violence in France.
Religious statue beheaded in Cathedral
August 31, 2025, GermanyIn the Trier Cathedral, a renaissance apostle statue was beheaded and its head stolen. The incident prompting an investigation and concern over preservation of religious heritage.
Church in Germany Vandalised Twice in 24 Hours.
August 30, 2025, GermanyUnidentified vandals flooded the basement and defaced the entrance of Martini Church in Siegen on two consecutive nights, prompting a police investigation.
Excrements Smeared on Church Wall
August 24, 2025, ItalyThe historic Sant’Antonio al Seggio church in Aversa was vandalised with human excrement near its entrance, prompting public outrage and calls for stronger protection of churches.
Arson Attack at Notre-Dame Church in Saint-Dizier
August 20, 2025, FranceA 20-year-old man has been arrested for attempting to start fires inside Notre-Dame church in Saint-Dizier. Thankfully, the organist was able to extinguish the fires before they could spread further. This is the fourth incident at the church in the last two years, raising safety concerns among the local community.
Churches in Carini Closed Amid Surge in Theft and Vandalism
August 18, 2025, ItalyDue to escalating thefts and vandalism, the archpriest of Carini has decided to close all churches when no religious services are scheduled, sparking concern over the loss of sacred community spaces.
Church in Granada vandalised and set on fire
August 17, 2025, SpainOn 17 August 2025, a 21-year-old man broke into the Church of Santiago Apóstol in El Pozuelo, Albuñol (Granada), smashing a stained glass window with a hammer. He then proceeded to destroy religious artefacts and set fire to items belonging to the church before locking himself inside.
Two Churches Attacked by Knife-Wielding Man, Disrupting Mass
August 16, 2025, FranceA suspected drug addict armed with a Swiss Army knife desecrated two churches near Paris, terrifying worshippers and resisting arrest.
Christian Bakery Condemned After Refusing to Bake Same-Sex Wedding Cake
August 13, 2025, SwedenSweden’s Equality Ombudsman (DO) has ruled against a small Christian bakery in Stockholm who had declined to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple in 2023. The decision, published on August 13, 2025, acknowledges that the bakery’s refusal was based on religious conviction and falls under the protection of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Nevertheless, the authority concluded that the refusal constituted unlawful discrimination.
Church in Spain Vandalised Ahead of Patron Saint Festivities
August 11, 2025, SpainJust days before the Virgen del Carmen festivities in Rute, the parish of Santa Catalina was vandalised with black paint being spilled across its main entrance.
Crucifix Ban in Bavarian School Raises Concerns Over Religious Freedom
August 8, 2025, GermanyA recent ruling by the Bavarian Administrative Court has ordered the removal of a crucifix from a state secondary school, finding that its display violates students’ negative freedom of religion and constitutes unlawful state endorsement of Christianity. The judgment, however, diverges from European Court of Human Rights case law (Lautsi v. Italy) and has raised concerns about the narrowing of religious expression in public institutions and the broader implications for religious freedom and state neutrality in education.
Catholic Hospital’s Right to Uphold Its Institutional Religious Freedom
August 8, 2025, GermanyThe Labour Court of Hamm has affirmed the right of a Catholic hospital in Germany to prohibit a senior gynaecologist from performing procedures that go against its religious mission, both within the hospital and in his private practice.
Priest attacked in Hubová
July 29, 2025, SlovakiaOn July 29, a Catholic priest was attacked in his house. According to the mayor of Hubová, the attacker appeared at the parish house and assaulted the priest in the entrance hall with an electric cable. The priest sustained minor injuries to his face and legs, but managed to push the man outside, lock the door behind him and alert the police.
Vandalism of Wooden Statue
July 29, 2025, GermanyOn July 29, unknown individuals entered the church, damaged a wooden statue as well as the interior plaster, and then fled without being identified. The damage is estimated at several hundred euros. The motives for the act are still under investigation.
Anti-Christian slogan and satanic symbols on Church in Pesaro
July 27, 2025, ItalyDuring the weekend of July 27, the facade of the Maddalena Church of Pesaro was defaced with the phrase “Clean churches, silent people,” along with a pentagram, which is commonly used as Satanic symbol, and black paint drawings resembling foetuses.
Vandalism of Catholic Academy and Church ahead of Award to Bishop Barron
July 27, 2025, GermanyIn the days leading up to the Josef‑Pieper Prize ceremony in Münster, vandals sprayed slogans on the Franz‑Hitze‑Haus academy and local church and defaced several Christian statues with red paint. State security has since launched an investigation.
Armed Robbery Attempted During Mass
July 27, 2025, ItalyA masked gunman stormed into the chapel of the Dominican Sisters' institute in Sant'Anastasia, near Naples, during Mass. He attempted to rob the congregation and fired a blank shot into the air.
Pro‑Palestinian Protesters Disrupt Mass at La Madeleine in Paris
July 26, 2025, FranceOn the evening of July 26, 2025, pro‑Palestinian activists entered La Madeleine church in Paris during Mass, shouting slogans about the conflict in Gaza, thus interrupting the liturgy. The rector of the church denounced the demonstration as a violation of sacred ritual, stating he intended to press charges.
Cross sawn up and corpus placed upside down
July 25, 2025, GermanyVandals sawed down a roughly two-metre-high cross outside a church in Bann, desecrated the figure of Christ, and urinated in the sacristy—prompting shock in the local community and an ongoing police investigation.
Historic Chapel in Limbiate Vandalized Overnight
July 25, 2025, ItalyVandals broke into the small chapel at Villa Pusterla in Mombello di Limbiate and destroyed interior fixtures, decapitating the statue of Saint Anthony. Officials confirmed the incident as intentional vandalism and urged improved security.
Arson attack on the Notre-Dame-des-Champs Church in Paris
July 24, 2025, FranceThe Church of Notre-Dame-des-Champs in Paris was closed to the public after two fires occurred within 48 hours on July 23 and 24, 2025. One of the fires was confirmed to be of criminal origin. Authorities launched an investigation while restoration has begun on the damaged interior.
Arson at Germany's Largest Wooden Church
July 20, 2025, GermanyA fire damaged the facade and roof truss of the Evangelical Marktkirche in Clausthal-Zellerfeld on the night of July 20, 2025, in what officials later determined to be arson.
Syrian Christian Asylum Seekers under Threat
July 15, 2025, NetherlandsIn a recent statement, the Interchurch Foundation warned that discrimination against Syrian Christians in Dutch asylum seeker centres had increased sharply over the past six months. For example, a Christian Syrian mother was threatened with death and told that her family would be targeted. Understandably, such threats have caused serious fear among Christian asylum seekers, some of whom are now hiding their religion to avoid being targeted.
Arson and Break-in: Repeated targeting of churches in Sierck-les-Bains
July 13, 2025, FranceOn the night of 13 July, the room adjoining the church in Sierck-les-Bains was vandalised. The white plastic door was completely destroyed. A week earlier, two teenagers had been arrested for setting fire to a chapel in the same municipality.
Church desecrated by excrement
July 13, 2025, FranceThe Arudy church was desecrated overnight on 13 July, with a large amount of faeces left inside and outside the building. The parish priest intends to file a complaint. He also found urine on the sacristy door and the tablecloth that usually covers the altar thrown over the stools.
Vandalism in Münster church leads to restricted opening hours
July 10, 2025, GermanyAs reported on 10 July, St. Bonifatius Church in Münster will remain closed outside of services due to a series of troubling acts of vandalism. According to the local pastor, Dr Heike Köhler, the building has repeatedly been defiled with faeces and littered with broken beer bottles. There have also been incidents of arson. Most recently, photographs of baptism candidates were deliberately set on fire.
Incitement to burn churches and priests
July 9, 2025, ItalyOn the morning of 9 July, graffiti inciting violence against churches and priests was discovered on a house next to the Basilica of San Domenico in Perugia. The slogan read: "Churches should be burned down, but with the priests inside; otherwise it's not enough". An anarchist and transgender symbol was placed next to the quote.
Vandalism in Velen church
July 8, 2025, GermanyRepeated acts of vandalism at St. Andrew's Church in Velen, in the Borken district. The church has been left in a state of disarray, with overturned candles and firecrackers set off next to the high altar. The most recent example: The icon of 'Our Lady of Perpetual Help' was sprayed with wax, and the damage is estimated to be in the mid-three-digit range.