All cases
Church and Bust of Pope Benedict XVI Spray Painted
September 22, 2013, GermanySt. Oswald church - the church in which Pope Benedict XVI celebrated his first mass - was spray painted with large letters. Local sources suspect radical left wing forces behind the incident. A bust of the former Pope in front of the main entrance was spray painted twice. In the first case the delinquent was identified, the second case remains unclear.
Fire Damage in Church in Reggio Emilia
September 21, 2013, ItalyThe shrine of Our Lady in the church of St. Augustine in Reggio Emilia was set on fire. Fortunately the statue was unharmed but everything around it was destroyed.
Vandalised Madonna in Bari
September 10, 2013, ItalyThe Madonna in the Parish of St Nicholas in Bari was decapitated by vandals. The statue was carved in the rock at the base of a large crucifix and was probably broken by being thrown against the crucifix.
Vandalism in Church in Bologna
September 5, 2013, ItalyVandals broke in half the ceramic statue of the Madonna in Caserme Rosse. This statue had been vandalised two years ago as well.
Stations of the Cross Vandalised in Traunstein
September 3, 2013, GermanyLocal faithful discovered grafitti on stations of the cross. Unknown perpetrators had spraypainted "God is dead", "boozing" and an anarchy symbol on the small buildings.
Pope John Paul II Commemoration Monument in Rijeka Thrown into the Sea
September 1, 2013, CroatiaA monument commemorating the visit by John Paul II to Rijeka, which had been erected in June 2013 on the pier Gat Karoline Riječke, was thrown into the sea by unidentified vandals. Divers from the Rijeka Fire Department pulled it out from a depth of approximately six meters. The incident was recorded by the police who conducted an investigation.
Satanist Symbolism on Garage in Traunstein
August 30, 2013, GermanyVarious acts of vandalism with clear anti-Christian symbolism have been reported in in Traunstein/Southern Germany: The exterior wall of a small church belonging to a parish in Traunstein (in the South of Germany) was spray painted with anti-Christian symbols and had to be repainted. Close by, the pedestal of a St. John Nepomuk figure was disfigured with the painting of a satanist cross. On a private garage, two big satanist crosses and the letters “GOD free“ were spray painted. Local sources suspect radical left wing groups are behind these acts.
Church Vandalised Overnight in Loire-Atlantique
August 24, 2013, FranceIn the night perpetrators broke down the door and entered the church of Notre Dame in Loire-Atlantique, Bretagne, where they destroyed several more items. A lawsuit was filed and as a consequence the town decided to close and lock the doors of the church, which are normally open.
Exhibition in Church Damaged by Fire in Chatellerault
August 17, 2013, FranceAn exhibition of pilgrims financed by the Friends of Santiago de Compostela was on display in the St. Jacques church in Chatellerault, France. Several times someone tried to set the laminated panels of the images on fire using a candle. The panels were covered with burn holes from the candle. Police in Chatellerault have opened an investigation.
Burglary at Church in Wesel
August 15, 2013, GermanyPerpetrators broke through a basement window in the rectory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Wesel, Germany. They damaged several doors including the door to the sacristy and stole two boxes of donated money.
Vandalism and Burglary in Church in Lünen
August 14, 2013, GermanyThieves broke through the roof into St. Joseph’s church in Lünen, Germany. All cabinets and boxes were opened. A large cross in the sacristy was thrown on the floor and a chandelier used as a crowbar. Police estimated a damage of at least 8000 euro.
Wooden Cross Stolen From Church in Aushausen
August 12, 2013, GermanyA large 150 x 150 cm wooden cross with the figure of Jesus was stolen from the church of St. Andrew in Aushausen, Germany. The cross had been fastened with metal studs on the church wall.
Consultation Centre for Disabled People Vandalised by Left Wing Radicals
August 5, 2013, FranceThe Jérôme-Lejeune-Foundation reports that the HIV/Aids – Awareness raising lobby group “Act Up“ has vandalised the foundation’s premises in the night from August 4th to 5th. Doctors and patients of the foundation discovered insulting posters, red colour on doors, windows and walls and condoms lying around in the morning. Prof. Marie-Odile Rhétoré, director of the public consultations, deplored that the sight was shocking for families and their disabled children who came for appointments and support that morning.
Theft and Vandalism in Church in Misson
August 5, 2013, ItalyThe Basilica of San Vittore in Misson was attacked by a vandal who forced open the side window of the sacristy and entered the church. He ripped the golden door off the golden casket and stole the consecrated Host.
Attempted Burglary at a Church in Dorstfeld
August 2, 2013, GermanyPolice were called to the Barbara Church at Arminiusstraße, Dorstfeld, Germany because of suspicious noises. They discovered a young man on a ladder, leaning under a window of the church. The man was already known to the police as a burglar. The police took him into custody, but had to dismiss him for lack of reasons for detention.
Church Burned to the Ground in Garbsen
July 30, 2013, GermanyA church in Garbsen, Germany was burned down by a group of arsonists from a violent Oriental circle. It is not clear whether it will be possible to retrieve parts of the church. Symbolically, the bronze Christ on the wall behind the altar survived the inferno and still hangs on the wall above the rubble.
(Austria) Posters and Graffiti on Parish Display Cabinet
July 25, 2013, GermanyTwo display cabinets attached to a Catholic parish house in Traunstein, Germany were covered with unauthorised posters on July, 23rd 2013. The posters invited to a pro-choice-demonstration in Salzburg. At least forty of the same poster were also plastered illegally in various places in the city of Salzburg, where the demonstration took place on July. This led to the arrest of 34 radically left wing participants and pro-choice-demonstrators. The mentioned display cabinets were also sprayed with the words “No Nazis“ and the surrounding walls were also painted.
Cemetery in Cambrai Looted
July 23, 2013, FranceInscription plates, angel statues, ornaments, solar lights and flowers were stolen from a cemetery in Solesmes Cambrai. Many objects had high sentimental and financial value. Some of the stolen items were found at a market in the neighbouring town of Cantimpre by families of the deceased. The police were informed and an exhibitor was arrested.
Provocative Graffiti on Church of St. Louis en l‘lle
July 21, 2013, FranceUnidentified perpetrators spray painted the words: “Essayez les orgasmes” (Try Orgasms) on the church of St. Louis, France. The second phrase was “Omnia sunt Communia”, but written in a wrong way: “Ominia comminia“. It means "Everything in common" which is generally attributed to Thomas Munzer (1488-1527) a leader of the Peasants' War of 1525 in Germany.
Graffiti Spray Painted on Catholic Church in Brussels
July 21, 2013, FranceThree walls of the church of the Holy Trinity d’Ixelles (Elsenes) near Brussels were spray painted with graffiti.
Church Set on Fire Leads to Arrests of Four Young Adults
July 20, 2013, SpainSpanish police arrested four young adults for setting the church of Carmen de Vinaroz in Castellón on fire on July 5th. Sacred images and furniture were severely damaged. Spanish Christians deplore frequent threats, for example spray paintings saying: “the only church which illuminates is a burning church“ or “remember the year 1936“, suggesting a planned repetition of the murder of over 3000 religious people.
13-Century-Church Vandalised in Grafing
July 7, 2013, GermanyUnknown perpetrators entered St. Leornhard church in Grafing, Bavaria, on the weekend of July 6 and 7. They climbed into the locked main hall of the 13th-century church and broke pieces from a number of wooden statues which they burnt on the altar, thereby also damaging the main painting behind the altar. Some relics were stolen and the damage was severe.
Church in Lille Spray Painted
July 1, 2013, FranceA church in Lille was sprayed with graffiti insulting the Catholic Church and the Catholic political movement “Civitas”.
Catholic Bookseller Vandalised for the 27th Time in Bordeaux
June 29, 2013, FranceA Catholic bookseller in Bordeaux became a victim of vandalism for the 27th time. The proprietor said that they had been threatened, offended and the shop window was spat upon. The bookseller has been the object of “attack” of left wing extremists for many years, especially since the debate about gay marriage and the French "Manif pour tous".
Arrest for Setting Two Churches on Fire
June 27, 2013, United KingdomA young man in Derbyshire, England, was arrested because he is suspected to have set two churches on fire in Allestree and one in Twyford.
Church Vandalised and Robbed in Itzum
June 25, 2013, GermanyThe church of St. George in Itzum, Germany was vandalised and robbed when gangsters smashed their way through a window into the church. They smashed doors and furniture and ransacked offices. They found the key to the sacristy and vault, and stole the church’s valuables from the safe as well as the studded chalices, communion cups and a gold plated 275 year-old monstrance.
Church St. Nicolas du Chardonnet in Paris Vandalised
June 23, 2013, FranceThe church of St. Nicolas du Chardonnet in Paris was vandalised in the night of June 22nd when someone spray painted the following words on the wall of the church: “Tantum religio potuit suadere malorum.” meaning “only religion can lead to such evil” or “so much wrong could religion induce." The graffiti was signed with the anarchy logo.
Vandalism in Church in Messina
June 19, 2013, ItalyIn the Church of the Good Shepherd in Messina a crucifix was found upside down covered in dirty wax and paint. A Madonna statue was also burned. There were also nails driven into the images, one in the neck of the crucifix. The Satanists also marred the vessel of the sacristy and engraved an inverted cross, swastika and 666 on the table.
Repeated Vandalism of Chapel in Bergheim-Kenten
June 19, 2013, GermanyTwo volunteers who have been caring for a chapel in Bergheim- Kenten for many years gave up after repeated vandalism when they found the shrine vandalized again, this time smeared with feces.
Attempt to Break into Church in Osterhol
June 17, 2013, GermanyDuring the open hours of Martin Church unidentified perpetrators damaged several doors of different rooms in the church in Osterhol. The damage to the doors was worth several hundred euros.
Anti-Catholic Graffiti on the Entrance Door of Cathedral of Montpellier
June 16, 2013, FranceIn the night of June 16th, an unknown person sprayed anti-Catholic graffiti on the main entrance of the door of the cathedral in Montpellier, France. “Filthy fascist. You have killed Clement…” Clément Meric, a left wing activist, was tragically beaten to death by a skinhead – not Christians – in the beginning of June.
Attempted Burglary at a Church in Duisburg-Marxloh
June 16, 2013, GermanyA 11-year-old boy and 24-year-old men entered a church in Duisburg-Marxloh, Germany and attempted to steal metal from the roof. Someone noticed and called the police. The thieves hid in a false ceiling of the church while fire fighters were searching for them. The thieves were finally found.
Anti-Catholic Graffiti on Church in Bourgoin–Jalliieu, Isère
June 15, 2013, FranceInsulting anti-Catholic, anti-France, pro-Islam and pro-Bin Laden graffiti were found on two pillars in the morning of the 15th of June by a member of the church “Saint - Jean – Baptiste” in Bourgoin- Jalliieu. The sign “GIA” suggests to mean “Groupe islamique armé (Islamic armed group)”.
Young Man Set Church in Moulins on Fire
June 15, 2013, FranceThe police questioned a young man who had been noticed by a witness coming out of the sacristy of the church in Moulins. Inside the sacristy, a fire had started: a bottle of alcohol had been poured over the candles. The witness managed prevent the fire from spreading.
Attempted Burglary in Church in Bad Herrenalb
June 14, 2013, GermanyBurglars tried to pry open the door to the monastery in Bad Herrenalb, Germany. After the failed attempt they fled. According to police information, an estimated damage of 100 euro was caused.
Church and Graves Vandalised in Grandvilliers
June 13, 2013, FranceThe church and 37 tombs in the village of Grandvilliers were vandalised. The vandals stoned the stained-glass windows of the church and knocked over sepulchral items. They also damaged the signs of the tombs and displaced one tombstone.
Vandalism in Church in Losheim
June 12, 2013, GermanyUnidentified perpetrators entered a church in Losheim, Germany, broke several doors and ransacked the sacristy. They also searched the gallery and the bell tower. Nothing was stolen but the damages were substantial.
Protestant Assembly Hall Burned Down in Villiers-sur-Marne
June 10, 2013, FranceIn the early morning of the 10th of June, the Protestant assembly hall in Villiers-sur-Marne, France, which had room for 200 people, was burned down. An investigation is in progress but it seems that the action of the burning was done voluntarily.
Cathedral of Nantes Vandalised and Desecrated
June 8, 2013, FrancePerpetrators found their way into the Cathedral and spray painted the altar, walls and floor with provoking symbols like 666 and Nazi slogans.
Church in Ostia Covered in Satanic Graffiti
June 5, 2013, ItalyDuring the night the Church of St. Nicholas of Bari in Ostia was covered with satanic graffiti saying, "our dreams are your monsters", "all human beings are dogs","666", as well as inverted crosses and various satanic references.
Attempted Burglary and Vandalism at Church in Frohngau
June 4, 2013, GermanyBurglars broke the door to the sacristy of the church in Frohngau, Germany and rummaged through drawers and cabinets. They also broke open the door leading into the church. Nothing was stolen but there was property damage amounting to about 400 euros.
Threats and Damage at a Church Building in Slavonski Brod
June 4, 2013, CroatiaIn the territory of the Holy Spirit Parish in Slavonski Brod is a building for liturgical use dedicated to the Blessed Mother Teresa upon which material damage was inflicted. In front of the building on a stone the size of an egg, the message “I’m going to kill you” was written in various forms. Previously no one had threatened the priest and vicar. The incident was recorded by the police and an investigation and report were made.
On-going Vandalism, Burglary and Spray Painted Insults in Thomasberg
June 2, 2013, GermanyEarly in June vandals entered St. Joseph’s church in Thomasberg, Germany, stole the altar cross and some money and then broke candles for the offertory and damaged the icon of Mary. Several days later it was discovered that the organ had been damaged and candles burned. In mid-June the offertory candles were found to have all been burned down and matches were distributed throughout the church. At the end of June the Church door and showcase were painted with the words: "Kirche ist scheiße, Türken auch - wir wollen euch das Geld klauen.” - “Church is shit, Turks also - we want to steal your money."
Repeated Urination in the Entrance Area of Church in Traunstein
May 29, 2013, GermanyThe second entrance of the church of St. George and Katharina in the city centre of Traunstein has been repeatedly used as toilet facility a local source reported. In one case our source caught an adolescent by over-hearing the adolescent bragging to his friend about having urinated into the church on various occasions before.
Church Broken Into in Garevac
May 27, 2013, Bosnia and HerzegovinaBetween the 22nd and the 23rd of May 2012, a church was broken into in Garevac, Bosnia-Herzegovina. The perpetrator(s) stole chalices which were used for Holy Communion.
Catholic Church in Esbjerg Vandalised
May 26, 2013, DenmarkOn May 26 the crucifix in front of the church of Esbjerg in Jutland was vandalised for the second time. In the early morning a man of 25 to 30 years passing by the church with a companion, jumped into its front yard and broke the legs of the Jesus figure on the cross. The first time the crucifix has been attacked was at Easter 2012 when the figure of Jesus was torn from the cross.
Vandalism Forces Churches in Breckerfeld to Install Security Cameras
May 18, 2013, GermanyIn a Catholic church in Breckerfeld, vandals left cigarette butts on benches and in the holy water, chewing gum on the organ and broke the Easter candle. A similar incident happened to the Protestant community in Breckerfeld. Both churches are accustomed to leaving the church unlocked so that people can enter at any time to pray or visit. In order to keep out the vandals they have decided to install surveillance cameras and tighten security measures by locking the organ and the loft of the church.
Altar in Catholic Church Set on Fire in Valence, Drôme
May 10, 2013, FranceThe altar of the church of Saint-Jean in Valence (Drôme) was purposefully set on fire on May 10. Parish priest Dominique Fornerod deplores the incident and ask the parishioners to pray for the perpetrators.
Church Building Ransacked in Wolfsburg
May 6, 2013, GermanyUnidentified perpetrators broke into the Holy Spirit church building at Vorsfelde-Wendschott and ransacked several rooms. All the cabinets were searched and the lamp in the entry way was smashed.
Robbery in the Church in Marburg
May 5, 2013, GermanyA small amount of money was stolen by unidentified thieves from the church in Marburg, Germany. In early May the thieves stole two loudspeakers from the same church.