All cases
All Sacred Objects Stolen from French Chapel
September 18, 2015, FranceA small chapel in Le Brethon, France, was robbed of all of its sacred objects during the week from Monday 14 to Friday, September 18. The few sacred objects it housed have all disappeared, namely, a processional cross, statuettes, votive offerings and all of the crosses. Additionally, a painting of Mary Magdalene, donated by an amateur painter was also stolen. Because of the isolated location of the chapel, and that it is always open to the public, officials have not been able to determine exactly when the theft occurred.
Burnt Confessional Investigated in L'Ile-Bouchard
September 18, 2015, FranceA confessional in the church Saint-Gilles de L’Ile-Bouchard (France) was burned and the organ was damaged on the 18th of September.
French Church is Victim of Repeated Vandalism
September 16, 2015, FranceL’église Saint-Martin in Sangatte, France is yet again a victim of vandalism. On September 16th, a volunteer at the Blanc-Nez Pentecostal parish returned to Saint-Martin to close the doors for the evening and immediately discovered smoke emerging from the church. She also noticed broken candles littering the ground and that small decorations were taken down. Thick smoke surrounded the altar of wood and marble, and it was apparent that the small fire could have easily spread to the wooden furniture and carpets, completely destroying the church.
Bremen Church the Victim of Burglary, Desecration and Vandalism
September 15, 2015, GermanyUnknown perpetrators broke into the St. Pius Church and stole the tabernacle with consecrated Hosts, offertory boxes, and sprayed fire extinguishing powder all over the inside of the church.
UK Burglars Urinate in Holy Water
September 10, 2015, United KingdomBurglars broke into a Sunderland church, smashed a window (causing more than £1,000 in damage) and used fire extinguishers to try to break down doors. Although nothing was stolen, someone urinated in the holy water font.
43 Graves in French Village Damaged and Vandalized
September 3, 2015, FranceOn the 3rd of September 2015, the destruction of 43 graves was discovered in the small French village of Montjavoult. Swastikas were spray-painted on 6 of them and crosses were broken off and left on the ground. Authorities have reason to believe that this act was political in nature, and not just the prank of drunk young people. The investigation is ongoing.
Two Men Arrested for Setting Fire to Lutheran Church in Sweden
September 1, 2015, SwedenDuring the evening of the 26th of August, a Lutheran church Åmåls, Sweden was attacked by arsonists. The perpetrators used at least one Molotov cocktail to set fire to the building, and broke several windows in the church and the parish hall. The motive for the arson is unclear.
Orthodox Church Destroyed by the Albanian Authorities
August 26, 2015, AlbaniaOn the 26th of August, local officials destroyed the Orthodox church St. Athanasius, which is located in the village of Dhermi, in southern Albania.
Broken and Desecrated Statue of the Virgin Mary in Reunion, France
August 23, 2015, FranceA Statue of the Virgin Mary has been purposely destroyed, its chest impaled on a spit, and the other pieces of the statue were left in a plastic bag on the side of a road. This event happened next to the chapel Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix a few days before the 23rd of August. The sight of the destroyed statue has shocked locals, and drivers passing by haven't dared to disturb the broken pieces. No explanation yet has been given to this act of vandalism.
Attempted Arson in Chapel Saint-François of Rennes
August 14, 2015, FranceThe chapel Saint-François of Rennes was the victim of an attempted arson during night between August 13 and 14th.
40 Christian Tombs Desecrated in French Cemetery
August 3, 2015, FranceOn the 3rd of August, local policemen found that 40 graves had been desecrated in a cemetery in the town of Labry, in northeastern France. 35 funeral ornaments, mostly crucifixes and plaques were displaced, and 4 were broken.
Castres : Dozens of Christian Tombs Vandalized
April 15, 2015, FranceThe Saint-Roch cemetery in Castres (Tarn) was vandalized on 15th April, 2015. Dozens of tombs were ransacked, funerary objects systematically thrown to the ground.
Tomb Desecration during Easter in Lębork
April 5, 2015, PolandDuring Easter, unknown perpetrators profanated buried corpses in tombs in the churchyard in Lębork in the district of Pomerania. The bones were taken from their coffins.
Series of Desecration and Thefts at Churches
February 8, 2015, FranceFive French churches were the victims of theft, vandalism and desecration within three days at the hands of unknown perpetrators.
Desecration of Tabernacle in Chapel in Barbizon
January 10, 2015, FranceAn incident of desecration took place in the chapel of Barbizon, near Fontainebleau. Vandals broke open the door of the tabernacle, which is the place where the consecrated wine and host are kept. Both religious items, which carry significant meaning for Catholics, were thrown on the ground. Nothing was stolen.
Profanation and Devastation of Statue of Mary in Perugia
January 9, 2015, ItalyA statue of the Virgin Mary was vandalized by a group of North-African immigrants with a Muslim background, according to locals. The parish priest of St. Barnaba, Fr. Alessandro Scarda, recounted: “They broke the statue in two pieces, and they then kicked it as if it was a ball. Afterward, they urinated onto the pieces.” The people of the parish gathered the remains of the statue, cleaned and glued them. The small statue was put back at its original location. The parishioners have gathered to pray at the statue after the vandalism. The police are investigating to confirm the identity and the background of the perpetrators. Muslim organizations and public figures have condemned the act.
Desecration and Theft of the Church Notre-Dame-des-Marais in Montluel
January 8, 2015, FranceUnknown perpetrators profanated a tabernacle. A chalice and consecrated hosts were stolen. Police was notified about the devastation, but the perpetrators remain unknown. The following Sunday morning Mass in the church had to be moved to the neighboring town of Dagneux. The Notre-Dame-des-Marais church had to be closed for five days.
Church in Aisne Vandalized and Desecrated
December 25, 2014, FranceThe Church of St. Hilary of Berry-au-Bac in Aisne was devastated by vandals. The perpetrators have not only stolen valuable things, but also vandalized, defiled and profaned holy items of the church, including the church's tabernacles. The vandals remain unknown.
Image of Virgin Mary Burnt in Cordoba
December 4, 2014, SpainThe image of Virgin Mary was completely destroyed by a fire in the chapel of San Sebastian Hospital in Palma del Rio. Evidence suggests that the fire was intentionally caused by arsonist, because nothing else got burnt. However, the mayor reminded people that it may have been the result of an unfortunate accident due to wiring. Many local faithful could not stop tears, because the image, an object of faithful adoration, was one of the oldest in Palma del Rio.
Sacrilegious Pictures Taken in a Church in Bilbao
June 10, 2014, SpainThe model posed for the photographer naked in the interior of the Bilbao church. Many local faithful found it blasphemous and repulsive for the Christian religion. The photographer came to the church without the parish priest’s permission. He claimed that he took the keys from his mother who is responsible for cleaning the church.