All cases
Police Investigate Series of Thefts from Churches in Vienne
March 12, 2019, FranceChurches in the region of Vienne were the victims of theft from February 27th to March 12th. A ciborium was stolen from the church of Naintré, candlesticks were stolen from a church in Dangé-Saint-Romain, three chalices and two ciboriums were stolen from a church in L'Isle-Jourdain, and liturgical objects were stolen from churches in Saint-Julien-l'Ars, Morthemer, Chauvigny, and Lussac-les-Chateaux. Police investigated whether these thefts were the work of an organized gang.
Vandalism in Schönau Church
March 12, 2019, GermanyThe sexton of St-Elisabeth-Kirche Schönau (Wenden) filed a complaint with the police for property damage after discovering several objects were sprayed with wax in the entrance area of the church. The vandals also threw two fist-sized stones into the corndoned-off area of the church, tore up information sheets, and scattered the paper onto the floor. In addition, two hymnals were taken.
Strasbourg Church Ransacked
March 11, 2019, FranceWhen the priest arrived at the church of Saint-Louis-de-la-Robertsau to prepare for the evening Mass, he discovered two fire extinguishers lying on the ground outside the church. When he entered, he found that they had been emptied, with the foam covering the pews and the walls. He then noticed that wax had been spilled on the altar and the Easter candle and wooden statue of Saint Joseph had been knocked over. The altar cloths were ripped, the crown detached from a statue of Christ, and a basin thrown into a confessional. Two weeks after the incident, authorities arrested five teenagers for the act.
Desecration at Madrid Parish
March 10, 2019, SpainSome time between March 9th and 10th, unknown persons entered the church of San Rafael Arnáiz (Sanchinarro) and caused extensive damage, including forcing open the tabernacle door and stole the ciborium after throwing consecrated hosts on the floor. According to the priest, the low economic value of the items stolen, coupled with their religious value, suggests that this was a hate crime against Catholics during Holy Week.
Church in Rivas Vaciamadrid Sprayed with Graffiti
March 8, 2019, SpainLa Iglesia de Santa Mónica de Rivas Vaciamadrid was vandalized by a radical feminist group with the phrases "Iglesia = muerte” (Church = death), “Muerte al patriarcado” (Death to the patriarchy), and “Pecadora y orgullosa” (Sinner and proud).
International Women's Day Strikers Disrupted Press Conference at Archdiocese
March 8, 2019, SpainMore than a dozen strikers disrupted a press conference on the XXIV edición de Las Edades del Hombre at the Archdiocese of Vallodolid, throwing pamphlets and, using megaphones, shouted slogans against religion in education and in favor of abortion.
Pro-Abortion Banner Hung by Feminist Activists at Concathedral of Logroño
March 8, 2019, SpainA banner reading "Os beberéis la sangre de nuestros abortos" ("You will drink the blood of our abortions") was discovered hanging on the gate in front of the Concatedral de Santa María de la Redonda in Logroño.
Robbery and Desecration in Charente Church
March 8, 2019, FranceSometime in the morning of March 8th, between the opening of the church at 8:55 and the first Mass at 9:55, the ciborium containing consecrated hosts and a chalice were stolen from the sacristy cupboard in the church of Saint-Barthélémy in Confolens, Charente. This was the eighth church in the Charente region hit by theft and vandalism since last February.
Theft of Liturgical Objects and Desecration at Saint-Maxime Church
March 8, 2019, FranceA second church in Confolens (Charente) was the victim of burglary on March 8th. The priest discovered on March 9th that the church of Sainte-Maxime had been robbed the day before, at around the same time liturgical objects had been stolen from the church of Saint-Barthélémy in Confolens. Thieves stole two chalices, three ciboriums, one of which contained consecrated hosts and was taken from the tabernacle, a large candlestick, and the ornately-embroidered altar linen from Sainte-Maxime. The priest filed a complaint and estimates a loss of tens of thousands of euros.
Three Churches in La Coruña Painted with Feminist Graffiti
March 7, 2019, SpainDuring the "8M" feminist demonstrations, churches in the Castrense, San Jorge, and the church of Santo Tomás were all targeted with graffiti such as "Libres y combativas, 8M," "La iglesia que más ilumina es la que más arde" (The church that illuminates the most is the one that burns the most), and "Pederastas."
Church in Alsace Tagged with Satanic Graffiti; Windows Broken
March 6, 2019, FranceParishioners of the Catholic church of Reichstett (Bas-Rhin) discovered that one of the century-old stained glass windows, as well as all of the windows of the adjoining restrooms. "666" and "Satan" were found sprayed on the walls. The town's mayor called it an attack on religious freedom.
Anarchist and Communist Graffiti on Public Cross
March 5, 2019, SpainA purple anarchist "A" symbol and a hammer and sickle were sprayed on la Cruz de los Caídos de Revilla de Camargo (Cantabria) by unknown vandals.
Protestant Church Vandalized in Neuwiller-lès-Saverne (Alsace)
March 5, 2019, FranceVases were broken, papers scattered, and the contents of a garbage bag including soiled diapers was spilled on and around the altar of the church of Neuwiller-lès-Saverne, according to Christian Albecker, president of l'UEPAL (Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine).
Police call Skegness Church Fire Arson
March 5, 2019, United KingdomSt. Matthew's Church was badly damaged by a fire in the early morning hours of March 5th. The Lincolnshire police said it was intentionally set and treated it as an arson investigation. It appears the fire began in the shed adjacent to the church, and was one of several fires set in the town that evening.
Sex Education Guidelines May Interfere with Parents' Rights
March 4, 2019, United KingdomNew "relationships and sex education" (RSE) guidance published on February 25th requires schools to teach primary and secondary school children about LGBT relationships and may not permit parents to opt-out. Parents of primary school children are permitted to withdraw their children from the sex education component of RSE, but the relationships component would be mandatory.
Organ and Stained Glass Windows Heavily Damaged at the Basilica of Saint-Denis
March 3, 2019, FranceThe organist of the Basilica Saint-Denis discovered that the doors of the 200-year-old organ had been broken and two stained glass windows had been smashed.
Vandals Broke Marble Railing in Gijón Church
March 2, 2019, SpainDuring the day of March 2nd, unknown perpetrators entered the church of San José in Gijón and tipped over a heavy marble railing, breaking the structure.
Public Crucifix Vandalized in Carinthia
March 2, 2019, AustriaAn arm from the Christ figure in a countryside crucifix was broken off by unknown vandals. Police are investigating.
Altar Set on Fire in Lingenfeld Church
February 28, 2019, GermanyUnknown perpetrators attempted to set fire to the altar in the Catholic church in Lingenfeld in the period from the 27th to 28th of February. Police investigated.
Church in Hochheim Vandalized
February 27, 2019, GermanyThree years after the arson in a confessional in the church St. Peter and Paul in Hochheim, one or more unidentified perpetrators damaged several hymnals, tore pages from the Gospel book on the side altar, and smashed the Easter candle. The stand containing religious literature was destroyed and holy water was dumped out.