All cases

Fifth Summit Cross Destroyed in Bavarian Mountains

November 5, 2017, Germany

The 4-meter-high wooden summit cross on the Kotzen in the Karwendel mountians was vandalized during the weekend of November 5th. Police opened an investigation to determine if the series of incidents were committed by the same person.

Church Devastated by Vandalism in Bremen-Lesum

October 29, 2017, Germany

Unknown perpetrators caused half a million euros in damage when they vandalized the St. Martini Church by filling two organs with construction foam, emptying a fire extinguisher, and pouring red acrylic paint on the floor in front of the altar and baptismal font.

Statue of the Virgin Mary Vandalized in Noyelles-lès-Seclin

October 28, 2017, France

The statue of Notre-Dame-de-Fatima was splashed with used oil during the night of October 27th to 28th. Adolescents confessed to the incident.

Graffiti on Church

October 28, 2017, France

The church of L'Ardoise was vandalized with anti-police graffiti by unknown perpetrators. The mayor condemned the act, calling it disrespectful and filed a complaint with the public prosecutor.

Christian Graves Vandalized in Arthon-en-Retz

October 27, 2017, France

Two teenagers were arrested for vandalizing at least a dozen graves in the cemetery in Arthon-en-Retz on October 27th. Flowerpots, vases, and crucifixes were broken, and at least one crucifix was planted upside-down in the ground.

Galway: Church Interior Found Devastated

October 26, 2017, Ireland

On the 26th of October, the Holy Trinity Church on Errislannan peninsula in Galway was completely desecrated by vandalism.

Sacristy Ransacked in Belgian Church

October 22, 2017, Belgium

During the night between October 21st and 22nd, unknown perpetrators broke into the church Saint-Remi de Baulers and ransacked the sacristy. No valuables were taken.

"Allahu Akbar" Graffiti on Church

October 8, 2017, Austria

Over the weekend in Ybbs (district of Melk) graffiti with messages such as "Allahu Akbar" ("God is great"), "Bomb the Kids," and "Bomb the Church" was found in various areas of the town, including on a church. Police began an investigation and offered a reward for information.

Vandalism of Graves in Metz Cemetery

October 1, 2017, France

An unknown perpetrator entered the cemetery during the night of September 30th and October 1st and vandalized 20 graves. Crucifixes were removed from gravestones and thrown to the ground.

Offertory Box Stolen from St. Stephan's Cathedral

September 30, 2017, Austria

In the early morning hours of September 30th, an unknown burglar entered the door to the northern tower into the cathedral in Vienna. After stealing a donation box, the individual fled. The cathedral is secured by an alarm system with a direct connection to the police station, which was triggered at 5:15 am. Seven police cars and several police dogs arrived to investigate, but were unsuccessful in locating the perpetrator.

Graffiti Found on Seville Church

September 23, 2017, Spain

The Church of Santa Marina, canonical headquarters of la Hermandad de la Resurrección (the Brotherhood of the Resurrection), was vandalized with an upside-down white cross painted on the main door of the church.

"Kill all Christs" Graffiti Painted on Street

September 23, 2017, Germany

The phrase "Kill all Christs" next to a heart containing "IS" was discovered painted on a street in Bischoffen-Niederweidbach on September 23, 2017. This acronym for Islamic State was also found painted in the same pink color on a road sign.

Desecration of a Historic Armenian Cathedral in Southeast Turkey

September 15, 2017, Turkey

Eighteen months after the Turkish government seized control of the largest Armenian cathedral in the Middle East, secretly taken photographs inside Diyarbakir’s Surp Giragos Armenian Apostolic Church reveal considerable damage to the sanctuary and walls of the now desecrated church in southeast Turkey.

Thirty Graves Vandalized in Moselle Cemetery

September 15, 2017, France

In mid-September, the communal cemetery of Montigny-les-Metz in Moselle was vandalized and unknown individuals tore the crucifixes from thirty graves and placed them in a bag which was left in the cemetery.

Styria: Arson in Church

September 11, 2017, Austria

Several confessional doors in the Church of the Holy Family in Kapfenberg (Diocese of Graz-Seckau) were set on fire. Because the fire was quickly discovered by church visitors, a greater degree of damage was avoided. The property damage includes the confessionals, a song book stand, and charred song books. Police were called to investigate.

Arson in the Church of Saint Denis d'Hellemmes-Lille

September 10, 2017, France

A fire was discovered in the late afternoon of September 10, 2017 and appeared to have been intentionally set in three separate places, including the the altar of the church of Saint Denis d'Hellemmes-Lille. The fire brigade came quickly and was able to extinguish the fire. The organ suffered the most damage and is no longer useable. The police opened an investigation.

Desecration in Madrid Church

September 6, 2017, Spain

Unknown perpetrators broke into the parish of the Virgin of Bethlehem in Alcalá de Henares during the night of 5th and 6th of September 2017. They looted the altarpiece of the high altar, including the tabernacle containing consecrated Hosts, the ciborium of a chapel and a small monstrance containing a consecrated Host. The attackers threw the consecrated Hosts on the floor. Police were called and a Mass of Reparation was scheduled.

Three Roadside Crucifixes Heavily Damaged in Styria

September 4, 2017, Austria

According to police in St. Stefan im Rosental, three roadside Jesus figures were forcibly removed from crosses, demolished, and stolen. Only parts of the figures remained on the crosses. All three cases were reported between August 31st and September 5th, 2017. In total, a loss of several hundred euros was incurred. Police investigated.

Wayside Crucifix Demolished in Southern Styria

September 2, 2017, Austria

The figure of a crucified Jesus Christ was destroyed, left hanging without arms or legs, on a wayside cross on a hiking trail in the district of Harla. The vandalism was discovered during the weekend of September 2, 2017. The priest of the parish of St. Johann im Saggautal expressed the community's shock, noting that offertory boxes had been broken in the past, but this extent of violence against a crucifix is "shockingly new." A complaint was filed by the diocese.

Jerez Church Vandalized with Graffiti

August 30, 2017, Spain

Nuestra Señora de Fátima was sprayed with graffiti reading "Pedophiles" and "God is bisexual. She loves everyone."