All cases

Muslim Man hurls Insults and throws rocks at the windows of a church in Sweden

August 22, 2023, Sweden

A man targeted a Catholic church in Haninge, near Stockholm, with stones while shouting "Allah Akbar, I'm going to rape Jesus." The video is uploaded by 'Fares Aziz', he posted the video on TikTok. It is not exactly clear when the event took place and how local authorities responded.

Vandals set fire to a cross on the summit of Nagy-Szénás mountain

August 20, 2023, Hungary

Vandals set fire to a wooden cross erected a few years ago in the Nagy-Szénás mountain, near the village of Nagykovácsi. This happened on August 20, when Hungary celebrates its first king St. Stephen I and the State Foundation Day. The burning of the cross, erected on the 550-metre-high peak, has provoked strong anger among the villagers who have already started a fundraising campaign to replace the cross as soon as possible. The perpetrators have not been identified.

Man attacks church in Turin in broad daylight by throwing rocks and insulting Christians

August 17, 2023, Italy

On August 17 a foreign man attacked the historic church of Santa Cristina in Turin's Plazza San Carlo in broad daylight. The attack can be seen in a video that is circulating on the Internet. In the video, the man can be heard cursing at the worshippers inside the church, and shouting: 'F****ng Christians'. The perpetrator was arrested by the police and was taken to a hospital, as he injured himself while throwing stones against the church.

Church Vandalised in the Saale-Holzland district

August 15, 2023, Germany

Unknown people vandalized a church in Dornburg-Camburg, a town located in the Saale-Holzland district.

Saint-Martin de Dunières Church Closes Due To Vandalism

August 15, 2023, France

The Church of Saint-Martin de Dunières announced on August 15 that it would remain closed, except for services, until further notice. The cause was a series of acts of vandalism which happened in the past two months.

Vandal tried to break an icon in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra during service

August 13, 2023, Ukraine

An unidentified individual entered the church of Venerable Agapitos of the Kyiv Caves and struck an icon of Jesus twice with a stone during the Divine Liturgy. The parishioners stopped his actions and called the police, who detained the attacker.

Windows at Village Church in Gullane Smashed

August 12, 2023, United Kingdom

On the night of August 12, the windows were smashed at the church of St. Adrian's in Gullane. The Rev Simon Metzner stated that there had been reports of youths drinking and smashing bottles in the area. He was unsure of the cost of the damage but stressed that police were looking into the issue.

Repeated Vandalism at Bonn Cathedral

August 12, 2023, Germany

On the night of August 12, Bonn Cathedral Basilica again became the target of vandalism and attempted theft during the night, marking it the fourth incident in eight months.

Vandals devastated facilities of the Santa Maria Liberatrice parish in Milan

August 8, 2023, Italy

On the night of 7-8 August, a group of unidentified vandals entered and destroyed the parish facilities of the Santa Maria Liberatrice parish in Vigentino, Milan. "The area with all the objects was ransacked, plus two fire extinguishers were emptied. There was white powder everywhere," told one of the founders of the association that is helping to clean and repair the destruction. The carabinieri investigating the case are also voluntarily helping with the clearing clear out of service hours.

Church vandalised with Red paint in Lucca

August 7, 2023, Italy

Unknown perpetrators targeted the side entrance of the Basilica of San Paolino in Lucca with red paint. The parish priest Don Lucio Malanca told the newspaper "La Nazione" that they have experienced of repeated acts of vandalism. He said: "Unfortunately, this is not even the most serious act of vandalism suffered by our Lucchese churches and monuments in the historic centre".

Serbian Orthodox church vandalised in Kosovo the night before its commemoration

August 7, 2023, Kosovo

The Office for Kosovo and Metohija of the Government of the Republic of Serbia reported and shared pictures of a vandalic attack that the church of Saint Petka suffered on 7 August. The church is located in the settlement of Suvi Do, close to Mitrovica, and belongs to the Serbian Orthodox Church. The church was attacked the night before its dedication day (temple's glory day).

"World Youth Day" monument in Leiria vandalised with anti-Church inscription

August 6, 2023, Portugal

On the night of August 6-7, the monument with the letters "Leiria" in the city of the same name in Portugal was vandalized with an anti-Church slogan. The letters were put in commemoration of World Youth Day 2023 in Portugal painted with the colors and the logo of WYD.

Recently inaugurated St Anthony statue decapitated and vandalized in Portugal

August 5, 2023, Portugal

The statue of St Anthony recently inaugurated in Torres Novas was vandalised on August 5. It was found the next morning with the head cut off, the statue of the Infant Jesus destroyed and a carton banner written "God is dead" and "You paedophiles." The damage was valued at €13,000.

"God is Trans" tagged on Religious Panel during World Youth Day

August 5, 2023, Portugal

On August 5, a tile panel depicting the Ecce Homo (an image of Jesus Christ), the 5th station of the ancient procession of "Nosso Senhor dos Passos," was vandalized with the graffiti "God is trans" in the city of Torres Novas. This panel had recently been restored and blessed.

Vandals raid medieval church in Varigotti and destroy several objects

August 5, 2023, Italy

Unknown vandals entered San Lorenzo's medieval church in Varigotti on the night of 5-6 August and destroyed several things during the raid. Apart from ransacking the premises, they also stole offerings and other equipment from the church.

Arson in Großröhrsdorf destroys 300 year old protestant church

August 4, 2023, Germany

On August 4, the baroque protestant church of Großröhrsdorf, a small town in Saxony, burned down to the ground. After a week of investigation, the criminal investigation department determined that the cause of the fire was arson and a suspect has already been arrested.

Church of Saint Peter desecrated in Désaignes

August 4, 2023, France

On August 4, the church of Saint Peter of Désaignes, in France, was vandalized on its interior. A crucifix was damaged, leaving the arms of Christ broken, when it was taken down and left near the altar. There were also tags painted with silver paint on two pillars on either side of the altar, representing the male and female symbols. The gendarmerie is conducting an investigation.

Satanic Symbols sprayed on Church Wall in Graz

August 2, 2023, Austria

In the night of 1st to 2nd of August, a church in Graz was vandalised with graffiti. Perpetrators painted inverted crosses on the outside walls of the church. Inverted crosses are known to be anti-Christian, satanic and occultist symbols. The police were notified and have started an investigation.

St. Oswald's Parish Church Reduces Opening Hours After Vandalism

August 1, 2023, United Kingdom

St Oswald's Parish Church in Oswestry has implemented new opening hours in response to reports of vandalism and unacceptable behaviour on its premises. In a Facebook announcement, a church spokesperson expressed regret over the need to reduce the opening hours, citing recent incidents of vandalism and unacceptable behaviour as the driving force behind the decision.

Vandalism at the Church of San Sebastiano

August 1, 2023, Italy

On the evening of August 1, unknown perpetrators vandalised the plaster and some masonry parts of the Church of San Sebastiano in Montopoli.

Statue of Mary Damaged in L'Aquila Church

August 1, 2023, Italy

In L'Aquila a young man damaged a statue of Mary in the church of San Pio X. According to initial police reports, the young man defaced the statue with a Hebrew tetragram after waiting for the departure of worshippers. He then forcibly pulled the statue from its pedestal, causing damage to its arm and legs.

Vandalism Strikes Historic Cleeberg Church

August 1, 2023, Germany

A historic village church in Cleeberg, dating back to 1355, has been targeted by vandals, leaving the community in shock. The occurrence, discovered on the evening of August 1, involved the destruction of property and the desecration of religious items, including damages to the Bible on the altar.

Church remains closed after disturbances

July 31, 2023, United Kingdom

Between July 30 and July 31, unknown individuals caused disturbances at St. Andrew's Church in Barningham. The perpetrators entered the church and took plants and pots from a funeral service, rolled up a carpet, interfered with the church organ, and discarded wrappers. The church now has to be locked during the day.

Vandals Damage Statues in Chapel in Żuklin

July 31, 2023, Poland

In Żuklin, in Kańczuga commune, two religious figures were vandalised by unknown perpetrators. The damage caused to the chapel was noticed by residents who were shocked upon discovering the act of vandalism. The eyes of a statue of Mary and a statue of Jesus were defaced.

Desecration of a painting of the Last Supper

July 31, 2023, Poland

On July 31, the Parish priest of the Our Lady Queen of Poland church in Chojnice reported that the Last Supper painting near the church entrance was vandalised. Specifically, one of the Apostles' faces was cut out.

Teenager Sets Fire to Liebfrauenkapelle

July 31, 2023, Germany

On the 31st of July, a fire broke out in the Liebfrauenkapelle in Neuhausen, damaging several furnishings. The authorities were promptly alerted by a 78-year-old man who was passing by and had noticed a teenage boy running away.

Theft and vandalism in the Grästorp's Church

July 31, 2023, Sweden

On July 31, 2023, the perpetrator caused significant damage to a church in Grästorp. The man smashed a window and emptied a fire extinguisher in the church. The damage is estimated at SEK 13,350 (1,400 euro), according to the indictment. At the same time, he and an unknown accomplice committed theft by taking a cassock. The perpetrator was arrested, but denies the offence.

Chapel of San Vicente Vandalised Again

July 30, 2023, Spain

On the 30th of July, the chapel of San Vicente de O Grove was vandalised once more. Its door was forcibly opened, all the windows in the sacristy were shattered, and a broken flower pot, which did not belong to the chapel, was left there. Parish priest Juan Ventura Martínez filed a complaint with the Civil Guard following the incident.

63-Year-Old Sets two Bibles on Fire on Church Altar

July 30, 2023, Germany

On the 30th of July, a 63-year-old man set fire to two Bibles on the altar of a church in the Ravensburg district. Firefighters intervened to restrain the man before the police arrived and arrested him. Due to the firefighter's prompt intervention, the fire did not spread to the church or its furniture.

Severe Vandalism in the Church of Notre-Dame in Lencloitre

July 29, 2023, France

On July 29, the church of Notre-Dame de Lencloître was the target of acts of vandalism by unknown perpetrators. The vandals broke into the tabernacle, threw the ciborium and hosts to the ground and broke the candles. They also left tendentious drawings on dusty chairs. The parish priest has reported the incident to the police.

Vandalism to Cemetery and Church

July 28, 2023, Germany

On July 27, the cemetery in Rimbach has been vandalised. Grave lights were knocked over, holy water containers tore out, flowers were bent over, etc. According to the media, there have already been repeated acts of vandalism and damage to property in the church in Rimbach throughout 2023. Coat hooks were also torn from the church benches, books were thrown into the holy water, wax was poured into the holy water and similar acts were carried out.

Church of the Madonna dei Farauli Targeted by Vandals

July 28, 2023, Italy

On the 28 of July, the Church of the Madonna dei Farauli in Sternatia was attacked by vandals. An unknown perpetrator(s) threw stones at the window on the entrance door of the church, destroying the glass.

Hermitage in Puente de Génave desecrated

July 27, 2023, Spain

One July 27, the San Juan Bautista hermitage in Peñolite, Puente de Génave, was broken into and desecrated.

Vandalism at Mariengrotte of St. Martin Church

July 26, 2023, Germany

Between July 26 and 28, unknown vandals damaged a statue in Mariengrotte, between the Church of St. Martin and the parish office. A flower vase was also found destroyed and sacrificially candles were found smeared in the church. The police were notified and opened an investigation to find the culprits.

Theft and Vandalism at St. Catherine Church

July 26, 2023, Poland

On the night of the 26th of July, unknown perpetrators broke into the Church of St. Catherine in Rożnów, robbing and damaging the property. Offerings from two donation boxes were stolen, and damage was caused to the stained glass window of St. Maksymilian and the baptismal font.

Fire at the Church of Santa Maria di Gesù

July 25, 2023, Italy

The Maredolce Castle and Park Association in Palermo have taken legal action, filing a complaint for arson in response to the fire at the fifteenth-century Santa Maria di Gesù church, while investigations of the origin of the fire are still ongoing. The blaze, which occurred on July 25th, resulted in the partial destruction of the church, including the loss of its Renaissance ceiling, a fifteenth-century wooden sculpture of Mary and Jesus, and several other artworks. Moreover, the body of Saint Benedict the Moor, venerated in the church, disappeared in the flames.

Russian Missile Strikes Holy Transfiguration Cathedral

July 23, 2023, Ukraine

In the early hours of the July 23, a Russian missile struck the central altar of the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, reducing a large part of it to rubble. The building and the three lower floors were partially destroyed, while the interior and icons were significantly damaged. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church called for an immediate, final break of ties with the Russian Orthodox Church.

Vandalism and Threats in Lutheran Church in Riga

July 23, 2023, Latvia

On July 23, a man wearing a face mask entered the Old Lutheran Church of St. Gertrude in Riga and vandalised the church. He damaged a baptismal vessel and an icon, scattered sand, poured water on the vessel and left the church. When entering the church he also threatened the church warden not to call the police or he would physically assault her. The pastor of the parish, Chris Kalnins, also reported that the attacker made death threats against the pastor.

San Fabiano Church in Suna vandalised

July 17, 2023, Italy

As reported on July 17, unknown perpetrators vandalised the Church of Saint Fabian and Sebastian in Suna, apparently using a sledgehammer which they swung against the façade of the small church on the Suna lakefront, ruining the plaster.

Italian Church Vandalised: Statue Destroyed & Altar Damaged

July 14, 2023, Italy

On the 14th of July, the Saint Lucia church in Fondo, Italy, was found vandalised. The altar was damaged and a statue destroyed, with the vandals leaving a bottle of beer in the hands of the statue. The provincial councillor in Trento, Denis Paoli, condemns the attack: “What happened constitutes an intolerable outrage not only for the religious community but for the entire civil society."

Germany: Arson Damages Cloth and Bible in Steinfeld, Second Case This Year

July 13, 2023, Germany

On the 13th of July, 2023, an unknown vandal set fire to a cloth laying on a stand in the Roman Catholic church in Steinfeld, Germany. The cloth was completely burned and a Bible damaged, amounting to 300 euros in damage. This is the second case of arson in this church in the last three months.

Paving Slabs Stolen from Historic Church in Llandovery

July 13, 2023, United Kingdom

Paving slabs, including a distinctive large blue piece of slate, have been stolen from St. Mary's Church in Llanfair-ar-y-Brun. The church warden discovered the theft on July 13. The vicar, Paul Pritchard, said that replacing the slabs would be difficult, given they already did not have sufficient funds to repair a collapsed wall at the church.

Two Acts of Vandalisation in Ticino Canton, Italy

July 12, 2023, Italy

On the night of Wednesday the 12th of July, the Lourdes-Grotto in the Italian town of Fescoggia was vandalised, with the flowerpots overturned. Giorgio Bazurri, of the parish Fescoggia: "Popular faith is being attacked here, the cultural tradition of those who built these chapels." This is not the only case of vandalism in the area: the face of a statue of Mary the Greina region was also found smeared with black paint recently.

Suspected Arson In Bavarian Church: Altar Cloth Goes Up In Flames

July 11, 2023, Germany

On Tuesday afternoon, the 11th of July, an altar cloth on a side altar in the St. Laurentius church was found in flames, with a damage amounting to around 5000 euros. The police have started an investigation. According to their findings, arson cannot be ruled out.

Multiple Crosses Vandalised near Königsbach

July 11, 2023, Germany

On the night of July 11 to 12, a cross northeast of Königsbach was taken completely off its socket and broken into three pieces. The cross had already been vandalised earlier in September 2022. Furthermore, another penitential cross in the same area was damaged twice in March 2023.

Repeated Urination in German Church Over The Past 18 Months

July 10, 2023, Germany

In the past year, the door of the Saint Joseph church in Stadthagen was smeared with faeces, the holy water font was filled with urine, and now the sanctuary was found urinated as well. Due to these attacks, the church has decided to close its doors to the public during the day, says Father Markus Grabowski: "For months our church has been urinated in, multiple times. We're tired and don't know what else to do but to close."

Vandals Smear Seed Oil on Entrance of Church and Convent

July 7, 2023, Italy

On the 7th of July, seed oil, which was supposed to be distributed to assisted families by Caritas was found smeared on the entrance of the Purgatoria al Castello church and convent in Carini, near Palermo. The vandals have not been identified.

Perpetrators Vandalize German Church: Bible Pages Torn Up

July 7, 2023, Germany

In the afternoon of the 7th of July, 2023, the Liebfrauenkirche in Waldshut-Tiengen was found vandalised: the Bible was torn and the Easter candle was damaged. It was used to hit the piano, which damaged the paintwork. The police have started an investigation.

Two Churches Desecrated in France And Religious Items Stolen

July 5, 2023, France

The Saint-Martin Church in Avallon was found vandalised on the 5th of July, 2023. The tabernacle which contains the consecrated hosts was damaged and a monstrance and two ciboria (chalices which contain the hosts) were stolen. This is not the first incident of its kind in Avallon: on June 28th, the St-Lazare church was targeted and a pyx containing hosts was stolen. Two complaints have been filed.

Hateful Grafitti Damages Church in Germany

July 5, 2023, Germany

Unknown vandals smeared the walls of a church in Kirchberg, Böbingen an der Rems, with unreadable graffiti and two Nazi swastikas. The damage was found on the 7th of July, the police are still searching for witnesses.

Statue vandalised in Rabastens Church

July 5, 2023, France

On July 5, a statue of Mary was found vandalised in the Notre-Dame-du-Bourg Church in Rabastens. The statue has been sprayed with red paint. According to France 3, a local resident criticised the lack of reaction from the town's mayor.

Arson to Church Damages Altar in France

July 4, 2023, France

In the early morning of July 4th 2023, a man set fire to the altar of the church Notre Dame de Kerdro in Locmariaquer, France. The fire was quickly brought under control by firefighters and only damaged the altar and some religious furniture. A complaint was filed to the police who arrested a 35-year-old man in connection to the fire. The man is set to be brought before the court in November.

Arson attack on Church in Colle Cannuccio

July 4, 2023, Italy

On July 4, the door of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Colle Cannuccio, Italy, was splattered with gasoline and lit on fire. Luckily, the fire did not spread and only the door was damaged as a result. Blasphemous writings and swear words were also painted on the parking lot. 

Statues of Jesus and Mary decapitated in Viennese Park

July 3, 2023, Austria

Images of Jesus and Mary were beheaded and vandalized in a prayer garden in a district of Vienna, Austria. The prayer garden is considered a spiritual oasis for visitors. The alarm was raised by two bypassers who discovered the devastated prayer garden. The police have been notified and they are conducting investigations to identify the motives and the perpetrators. A video by "Project Telos" shows the devastation of several objects in the garden, and the direct targeting of the statues of Mary and Jesus.

Arson Attack On German Church, Police Are Investigating The Crime

July 3, 2023, Germany

In the evening of the 3rd of July, the firemen of the town of Schramberg, Germany, were called out to the church of Saint Maria - Heilig Geist where a stranger had set a table on fire in the back of the church. Dean Rüdiger Kocholl is deeply shocked and worries that the attack may have been planned. On top of setting the table on fire, new signs had been placed on the donation boxes, stating a new purpose for the donated money: for example, for drugs, alcohol and satanism.

Arson attack on Altar of church in Limoges

July 3, 2023, France

The altar of a church in Limoges, France was set on fire. Luckily, the fire was discovered by parishoners who came to the church for prayer and put out before it could spread.

Vandals Destroy Altar Piece in Ansbach with A Knife

July 2, 2023, Germany

A canvas painting that served as an altarpiece in the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche in Ansbach was torn by a knife on Monday morning, the 3rd of July, 2023. The picture was made by the Ansbacher artist Georg Friedrich Bischoff (1819-1873). The restoration of the image is estimated to cost 2000-2500 euros.

Severe Vandalism to Church in Rüdesheim am Rhein

July 2, 2023, Germany

In the night of July 1st to 2nd the St. Jakobus church in Rheinfeld am Rhein was severely vandalised. The intruders left without stealing anything but caused damages to the amount of 38 500€. Among other things, the intruders damaged an historical window and the church's organ. Police were notified and have started an investigation.

Religious Objects Stolen in a Series of Robberies in German Churches

July 1, 2023, Germany

Multiple religious items were stolen on the night of the 30th of June to the 1st of July, 2023, at the Heilig Kreuz church in Mönchengladbach, Germany. The thieves came in by forcing the door to the church and from the main room there they came into the sacristy by breaking the window. Two individual patens were stolen and one chalice with paten was stolen. The police have started an investigation. 

Statue of Mary destroyed in Church in Fonzaso

June 30, 2023, Italy

On June 1, the statue of Mary was found destroyed in a church in Fonzaso. Perpetrators put the broken statue on the altar of the church. The statue was an important symbol for the church, which is named after the Nativity of Mary and the community is shocked about the incident.

Organ Damaged In German Church

June 29, 2023, Germany

Between the 29th of June and the 6th of July the organ in the Herz Jesu church in Völklingen was damaged: tea lights were thrown against the pipes causing dents. The estimated damage is around 4000 euros. The police have started an investigation.

San Antonio Abate Church smeared with disparaging writings

June 29, 2023, Italy

The exterior walls of the church of San Antonio Abate in the Roman suburb Cerveteri were smeared with disparaging writings, as was reported on June 29. The graffiti contained swearwords and the sentence "Nobody dies a virgin."

Church in Marseille Vandalised with Anti-Christian Tags

June 28, 2023, France

The evangelical church Philadelphia in Marseille was found ransacked on Wednesday, June 28th. The prayer room was destroyed with doors and windows fractured as well. On top of material damage, the tags speak of the anti-Christian nature of the attack: "Jesus is not God" and "Mohammed was the last prophet" were found written on the walls. The pastor has filed a complaint. It is unclear whether the attack is connected to the recent civil unrest in France.

Theft of liturgical objects and consecrated hosts from church in Sicily

June 27, 2023, Italy

On June 27, thieves broke into the tabernacle of the Church Parrocchiale Maria Santissima Addolorata in Grottasanta district in Siracusa, Sicily, thereby damaged the tabernacle, and stole the pyx with the consecrated hosts, the reliquary with the main host and a crucifix that was next to the altar.

Recurrent Vandalism and Damages in Dielheim Church

June 22, 2023, Germany

In a large-scale act of vandalism in the St-Cyriak-Kirche in Dielheim, discovered on the 22nd of June, the glass of a candlestick was broken as were numerous candles, the contents of a first-aid kit were scattered on the floor, a holy water font was emptied and self-painted pictures of the first communion soaked with water. The damage is estimated to be around 3000 euros. This current case of vandalism has moved the parish council to go to the police and limit the opening hours of the church. The church has seen smaller acts of vandalism before, including broken windows or candles, but something of this scale hasn't occurred since 2017.

Youth Gang Sprinkle Each Other with Holy Water and Shout "Allah Akbar" in Nice

June 20, 2023, France

On June 20, in the church of Saint Roch in Nice, a group of young people entered the place and sprinkled themselves with Holy Water and then one of them shouted "Allah Akbar", which can be considered a threat, as this shout is used by Islamists during attacks. The incident was reported to the first deputy mayor responsible for security, Anthony Borré, who said he would take the matter "very seriously".

Church Windows Smashed in Spiesen-Elversberg

June 18, 2023, Germany

unknown perpetrators destroyed several windows of a Catholic church in Spiesen-Elversberg in the Neunkirchen district.

Feminist Group Paints over Fresco of Jesus in Church in Geneva

June 14, 2023, Switzerland

A group of women desecrated a fresco of Jesus and the apostles on June 14 at the Plainpalais Church in Geneva. The group, called "The Red Tents", gained access to the chapel of the Plainpalais Church. They used pink and purple paint to add women, draw breasts on a saint, and paint male genitals on the fresco. They also painted symbols of Venus and Mars on Christ's dress.

Church Guest Book tagged With Satanic Symbols

June 13, 2023, Germany

The village church in Hiesfeld has been repeatedly vandalized by unknown perpetrators. According to media reports from June 13, vandals have left satanic and offensive symbols in the parish guest book.

Mary Figure Beheaded at Church in Braunton

June 11, 2023, United Kingdom

Vandals took the head off a statute of Mary which stood outside St. Brannock Catholic Church in Braunton. They threw the torso into the consecrated shallow well and wedged her head into a nearby wall. Mrs. Smith-Bingham, who lives close the the church, stated: "I heard some noise on Sunday (June 11), and when my husband went to look, he noticed this had happened (...).The community should be made aware that a religious hate crime has been reported to the police. There has been petty vandalism in the area for the last 18 months or so, but this is on a different scale." Damage was also caused to the church door, and police are investigating the criminal damage.

Church of Saint-Cornély in Carnac Vandalized with Graffiti

June 11, 2023, France

The 17th-century church of Saint-Cornély in Carnac was vandalized by unknown perpetrators between the 10th and 11th of June. The church was tagged with blue lettering on the porch that said "Tout raser comme les menhirs" ("Raze everything like the menhirs"), referencing to another historical heritage that had been vandalized earlier that year.

Church in Southern France Desecrated

June 3, 2023, France

On June 3, the sacristan of the Chuch of Mailhac discovered that the place of worship had been vandalized. Many candles lay broken on the floor, and there are clear signs that someone had tried to open the trunk. The sacristan had already filed a complaint for the destruction of candles in the past. As a consequence of this act, the church has been closed for an indefinite time. The Ginestas gendarmerie was informed on the same day, and a complaint had been filed.

Thieves Smash Window and Steal Candlestick from Sussex Church

June 2, 2023, United Kingdom

A suspect entered St. Mary the Virgin Church in Littlehampton, Sussex the night between June 1 and June 2. Damage was caused to a window and a candlestick was stolen. Officers attended the scene and an investigation is now underway.

Case opened over the the Burning of a Cross in La Coruña

June 1, 2023, Spain

On June 1st, the provincial prosecutor's office of La Coruña opened a case over the burning of a cross in La Toleira of Neda, following a complaint by the organisation of Christian Lawyers. The lawyers' organization indicates that BNG (Galician nationalist party) members were responsible for the incident. They are being charged with possible hate crimes, offending religious feelings, offending historical heritage and illegal demonstrations. The Prosecutor's Office is asking the police to identify those involved in the reported act and the person(s) responsible for the fire.

Virgin Mary Statue Beheaded in Corsica

May 29, 2023, France

A statue of Our Lady of Lavasina installed on the seafront of Ajaccio in Corsica was found decapitated on May 29th. The statue was used in processions in the parish of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Ajaccio. This is the fourth act of anti-Christian vandalism on Corsica in recent months. In April, a statuette of the Virgin Mary by Petit Capo beach was found vandalised, as well as a make-shift altar at a scout camp in Vero. A cross in Sisco was also decapitated that month.

French Church Desecrated in Cugnaux Village

May 28, 2023, France

On Sunday May 28, individuals broke into the church and carried out various acts of vandalism and damage to the place of worship. They tried to set fire to the church, also all the candles were knocked over, a crucifix was damaged and paintings were broken. The mayor, Albert Sanchez, strongly condemned this act of violence. In this context, local representatives called for a peaceful gathering in front of Cugnaux town hall (near the church), on May 31 at 6:30 pm to condemn all acts of violence against places of worship.

Graveyard and Church Defaced in Blackfairs Walk

May 25, 2023, United Kingdom

Vandals targeted the Auld Kirk of Ayr in Blackfriars Walk on the evening of May 25. Grave stones were painted, rude imagery was drawn over stained glass windows and profanity was written on an iron gate. Historic stonework, as well as a welcome sign featuring a picture of King Charles III was vandalized with red spray paint. The incident is being investigated by Ayr Police.

Church Painting Damaged through vandalism

May 25, 2023, Germany

An oil painting inside the St Gerhard's Church in Heiligenstadt was damaged by unknown perpetrators. According to the Nordhausen police, the crime took place on the 25th of May. The vandals poured the liquid wax of a burning candle from the offering box onto the painting.

Vandals locked out Priest and Vandalize his Church

May 23, 2023, Poland

In Malnia, near Gogolin on May 23rd, unknown perpetrators blocked the door to the rectory to prevent the parish priest from intervening and destroyed a statue of Mary, a statue of St. Anthony, and damaged the interior of the church. The losses made by the perpetrators were estimated at several thousand zlotys.

Santiago Cathedral Defaced with Graffiti

May 20, 2023, Spain

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is an internationally renowned place of pilgrimage. On May 20, a graffiti displaying a penis was smeared on the cathedral’s west façade, which then got covered with a tarpaulin for cleaning purposes.

Vandals Pour Red Paint Inside the Walls of a French Church

May 19, 2023, France

On May 19, between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m., unknown perpetrators entered the church Notre-Dame des Grâces in Revel without being detected. Once inside, they poured red paint on the walls. A depiction of Christ on the cross, a pyrographed painting of the Virgin and Child, candles and the altar were also vandalized with paint. On a wall, the word "proteste" (unclear form in French) was also written in red. The mayor considers closing the church outside worship hours due to this incident. The same happening had already taken place on May 1st, with the same acts and the word "protest" written on a wall with red paint. Back in 2018, the church in Revel had been attacked with arson.

An Exhibition in Memory of John Paul II Vandalized in Gdansk

May 17, 2023, Poland

In the Polish city of Gdansk, a Solidarity exhibition dedicated to St John Paul II before the Solidarity building in Gdansk, was vandalized on May 17. The CCTV footage shows five people destroying the exhibition boards with the Holy Father John Paul II. The crime was reported to the police.

St Cordula Church Closed due to Repetitive Vandalism

May 16, 2023, Belgium

The Church of St Cordula in Schoten has announced that the doors will be kept closed, due to several cases of vandalism. The place of worship used to be open during the day. In the last vandalism case, candle wax was poured on the floor and smeared on chairs and carpets. A burnt smell shows that paper might also have been burnt.

Bavarian Police Identify Growing Trend of Anti-Christian Hate Crime

May 15, 2023, Germany

Churches in Bavaria are targeted by vandals with increased frequency. The Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (LKA) registered 294 cases of damage to property in churches, chapels, or monasteries last year - 23 more than in 2021 (271). According to the information, the trend has been increasing in recent years. In 2019, the LKA still counted 219 cases, and the following year it was 242. According to a spokesman of the Catholic diocese of Regensburg there are: "For example, figures of saints were destroyed or damaged, people smoked and urinated in church rooms, church walls were smeared or fires were set inside the church."

Vandals Destroy a Shrine and Smash Statues

May 14, 2023, Poland

On the night of May 13 to 14, the chapel in the Grotto of the White Mountains in Łaskarzew was vandalised. The statues of the Mary, Saint Bernadette and the image of Merciful Jesus were destroyed in the act.

Organ Pipes Stolen From Sussex Church

May 12, 2023, United Kingdom

Organ pipes were stolen and the organ of the St John The Divine Church in Patching, England, was damaged on the night of the May 12 to 13, 2023. The theft is expected to cost thousands of pounds to repair or replace.

Arson Attack to a Spanish Church in Vitoria

May 9, 2023, Spain

Some people have tried to cause a fire in the church of Santa María de los Ángeles. This criminal act occurred on Tuesday, May 9 around 4:00 pm in Vitoria, while the church was closed. Perpetrators sprayed gasoline at the main entrance of the church. The fire burned a billboard and the church entrance, which they left darkened and dirty. The criminals fled, but thanks to the images from the church's security cameras, the police were able to identify them.

Man Arrested After He desecrated and vandalized an Austrian Church

May 8, 2023, Austria

On the 9th of May, the Police of Salzburg have arrested a man who hurled a bottle of red wine he had brought with full force against the high altar on Monday morning in the parish church of Schwarzach im Pongau. Thus, two altar lights were knocked over and the offering table and brickwork were contaminated by the wine. The man had entered the church loudly ranting and gesticulating aggressively and spat at a statue of Christ. The man - a Czech citizen who is banned from staying in Austria - was filmed in the church by two video cameras.

Perpetrator Tags Church with Graffiti, Among other Vandalic acts

May 5, 2023, France

On May 5, 2013, graffiti was found on the Church of Lieusaint, in a suburb of Paris. The graffiti, which said: 'Vive l'Islam et la paix" (Long live Islam and Peace) was written in French and a Star of David was drawn. According to a local Muslim association, the scripture, full of mistakes, is unlikely to come from a Muslim. The Mayor strongly condemns this "proof of human stupidity". Last year, statues inside the church had been destroyed.

Arson in Steinfeld Church: Cloth Set Alight, Bible Damaged

May 2, 2023, Germany

On May 2, 2023 between 14:00-18:00, a cloth on a stand of Saint Leodegar Church in Steinfeld, Germany, was set on fire, burning the cloth to crisp and damaging the Bible on the stand in the church.

Public Figure of Jesus vandalised

April 30, 2023, France

A public figure of Jesus on a cross was severely vandalised in Villalbe, France.

Vandalism on Corsica: Scout Camp Chapel and Cross Destroyed

April 29, 2023, France

An open-air chapel and cross situated on an eight-hectare plot of land in Vero, Corsica, was found completely knocked down and ransacked on April 29 by Father Louis El Rahi. The site was bequeathed to the church by a local resident a few years ago and was relaunched as a scouting site by Father Louis, who celebrated Palm Sunday mass there a few weeks before the incident. This is one of the four acts of anti-Christian vandalism that have occurred in Corsica in recent months. Earlier in April, a statuette of the Virgin Mary in Petit Capo was vandalised and a cross on the Saint Jean pass was decapitated. In May, another statue of the Virgin Mary was found decapitated in Ajaccio.

Church in Schwaz sprayed with satanic graffiti

April 28, 2023, Austria

On April 28 between 12:00 and 5:30 PM, the "Maria Himmelfahrt" parish church in Schwaz was vandalized. An inverted pentagram and the number "666" was sprayed in blue paint on the stone floor and on a confessional. The graffiti on the 500-year-old floor was in front of the altar. The perpetrators have been caught by the police.

Cross Vandalized on Sisco, Corsica

April 27, 2023, France

A cross on the Saint Jean pass in Sisco, Corsica, was found vandalized at the end of April. The nearly two-metre-high cross was placed on the pass more than twenty years ago by the inhabitants of Sisco.

Three acts of Vandalism to Churches in a Belgian Village.

April 22, 2023, Belgium

On the 2nd of April, unknown people destroyed two statues and one vase in the Saint-Rémi Church, in the village of Profondeville. The day after, a small chapel nearby was burnt. A few days before, a Statue of the Virgin had been destroyed too. The police assume, that the same persons committed the three acts.

Damages at Church in Beccles

April 22, 2023, United Kingdom

St. Michael's Church in Beccles was targeted by vandals who damaged stones and moved fences. Suffolk Police said the incident occurred at some point between April 17 and 22. Damage was caused to the stonework, including to the patio terrace slabs, and safety fences were moved that were in position to safeguard and protect an area on the ground where loose stone masonry may fall from the church. The police closed the case pending further investigative opportunities. No arrests were made and no suspects were identified.

St Michael's Church vandalized in Suffolk

April 17, 2023, United Kingdom

Between April 17 and 22, the St Michael's Church in Beccles was vandalised. Perpetrators caused damage to the masonry, to the stonework, including to the patio terrace slabs, and safety fences were moved. The Suffolk police was informed and are looking for the perpetrators.

Vandalism of a Cross And Jesus Figure Stolen in a small German City

April 14, 2023, Germany

On April 14 in Menden, near Dortmund, unknown persons have tampered with the missionary cross on the church square of the Holy Cross Church. They broke off the Jesus figure and stole it. The police is looking for witnesses.

A Church severely vandalized in Angers - Suspect Arrested

April 12, 2023, France

On the April 12, 2023, the rector of the Sainte-Madeleine Church in Angers found his church devastated: seven statues had been beheaded or amputated, the altar was vandalized, and many crosses were too. Mr. Verchère, Mayor of the city, and Mr. Darmanin, Minister of the Interior condemned the degradation. On the 18. April, a 40-year-old with criminal records named Brahim was arrested by the police, he was also taken to a hospital for psychiatric examination.

30 Gravestones Vandalized In Church Cemetery near London

April 12, 2023, United Kingdom

Over three nights on April 12, 13, and 14, in Croydon, thirty gravestones have been destroyed with a sledgehammer - some graves were dating back 500 years, at a Grade I listed church. «The church is appealing for witnesses along with police who are trying to find out who took a sledgehammer to the graves. »