All cases

Filtered by: Desecration

Attempted Arson in Chapel Saint-François of Rennes

August 14, 2015, France

The 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, France

On 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, France

The 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, Poland

During 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, France

Five 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, France

An 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, Italy

A 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, France

Unknown 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, France

The 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, Spain

The 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.