All cases
Nativity scene in Roque-Gageac set on fire
December 28, 2024, FranceA nativity scene set up by the local council in the village of Dordogne burnt down on the night of Friday 27 to Saturday 28 December. Although investigations are still underway, the mayor strongly suspects that the fire was deliberately set.
Youths destroy vandalise church and destroy Christmas tree
December 27, 2024, United KingdomChristmas trees, flower arrangements and a tree to help people remember their loved ones were smashed by a group of teenage girls at St Andrew the Apostle Church in Holt, Norfolk, on 27 December. The church has to be closed except for services.
Cross in Gdańsk set on fire
December 27, 2024, PolandGdańsk police have arrested a 45-year-old man suspected of setting fire to a wooden cross. As a result of the incident, the painting of Mary hanging on the cross was burnt and the perpetrator also broke the fence surrounding the cross. The total damage was estimated at 10,000 zloty.
Theft of tabernacle
December 26, 2024, GermanyOn 26 December, the tabernacle was stolen from the church of St Joseph parish in Kollnau. The perpetrators, who are still unknown, stole the locked tabernacle from the choir of the church.
Tbilisi church pelted with eggs
December 26, 2024, OtherUnknown people threw eggs at the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, the second oldest in the country. The western facade and the door of the Anchiskhati Cathedral, were smeared with broken eggs.
Repeated vandalism: Marian statue desecrated in Mrągowo
December 25, 2024, PolandThe desecration of the parish of St Raphael Kalinowski in Mrągowo took place on the night of 25-26 December. An unknown perpetrator entered the church premises and destroyed the statue of Mary in the church chapel. The situation was recorded by the parish camera.
Church soiled with urine and cigarette butts on Christmas Eve
December 24, 2024, ItalyOn the night of 24 December, in the small church of San Rocco in Malpaga di Orzinuovi, near Brescia, the floor and chairs were covered in cigarette butts and urine. Nothing was stolen.
Church wall damaged by explosives
December 24, 2024, ItalyOn Christmas Eve, 24 December, the church of Sant'Antonio Abate was the target of an act of vandalism. Unknown persons set off fireworks on the side of the sacred building, causing considerable damage. The explosion tore off part of the frame, and debris was found scattered on the ground.
Church in Waltrop repeatedly hit by vandalism
December 21, 2024, GermanySt Peter's Church in Waltrop has been plagued by vandalism: There have been repeated cases of damage, people urinating in the church, leaving faeces or breaking beer bottles. Not only are the church doors currently closed outside of service times, but the nativity scene has also been moved.
Destruction of the Passion Cross in Krosno
December 19, 2024, PolandIn the Sanctuary of St John Paul II in Krosno, the Passion Cross and the figure of Jesus Christ hanging from it were desecrated on 19 December. The vandalism was particularly brutal, and the figure was broken into many fragments.
14-year-olds arrested for vandalising cemetery
December 19, 2024, PolandBetween 9 and 19 December, a series of acts of vandalism took place at the Central Cemetery in Szczecin. The perpetrators damaged tombstones, demolished graves, spilled wax from lighted candles and smashed them against tombstones. Two 14-year-olds were arrested for desecration.
Cemetery in Migny vandalised with swastikas
December 19, 2024, FranceThe town hall of Migny filed a complaint after several swastika inscriptions were found on a monument in the local cemetery on 19 December. The police are now investigating this act of vandalism.
Metz Nativity Scene Vandalised: Statues of Mary and Joseph beheaded
December 17, 2024, FranceThe figures of Mary and Joseph have been beheaded in a vandalism attack on the nativity scene in front of the Metz train station, the city authorities announced on 17 December. According to the town hall, an investigation is underway to find the perpetrators. A complaint has been lodged.
Desecration of graves with satanic symbols: Ritual motives "not ruled out"
December 17, 2024, SpainIn Seville town of El Viso del Alcor, the desecration of four coffins in the municipal cemetery on December 17 is being investigated. Authorities and specialists do not rule out ritual motivations. In Spain, an increase in attacks on Christian cemeteries is reported for 2024.
Vandals damage church wall with fire
December 16, 2024, GermanyBetween 14 and 15 December, unknown persons set fire to the church behind the large chapel on Büscherweg, Kierspe, damaging the back wall of the church.
Vandalism: Withington church spray-painted
December 16, 2024, IrelandSt Peter's Church in Withington was vandalised on 16 December, with the door and interior sprayed with paint. Police officers described the damage as 'shocking and irreparable'.
Fire at Christian centre, suspected arson by left-wing extremists
December 15, 2024, GermanyAs reported on 15 December, a pile of rubbish and bulky waste caught fire at the back of a building housing the Bremen police and the local Free Church welfare office. Left-wing extremists claimed responsibility and expressed hostility towards the Pentecostal Church.
Desecration of a church with a satanic symbol
December 13, 2024, FranceThe church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption in Guercheville (Seine-et-Marne) was the target of vandalism on the night of 13 December. Parishioners in the village raised the alarm after discovering the symbol 666 with an "S" on the front door.
Church walls defaced with graffiti
December 9, 2024, GermanyBetween December 6-9, unknown perpetrators defaced the facade of a facade of the Catholic community center St. Christophorus with graffiti. The white graffiti defaced both the north and west sides of the church building.
Figure stolen from nativity scene, damage caused
December 8, 2024, SpainSeven youths were reported in Santa Coloma for trying to steal the figure of the Virgin Mary from the municipal nativity scene at 4am on 8 December, causing damage. They fled after being surprised by the Town Hall guard and the night watchmen, but were identified a short time later in Sant Carles street.
Minors Devastate Church
December 7, 2024, GermanyAn 11-year-old and a 16-year-old caused a riot in a church in Bisingen in the Zollernalb district on 7 December, causing property damage of around 3,000 euros. They damaged a vase, antique candlesticks, plants and plant pots, and scattered books on the floor. Sheet music was scattered on the floor, the Advent wreath was knocked over and everything was lying around. The damage is estimated at 3000€, said a police spokesman.
Church walls and a statue of the Virgin Mary vandalised in Moissac
December 7, 2024, FranceOn the night of 7 January, unknown persons vandalised the walls of the Catholic church of La Mégère and a public statue of the Virgin Mary. The vandals sprayed several offensive inscriptions on both sites. The police are now investigating.
Church in Bordeaux Vandalised Once Again
December 3, 2024, FranceAs reported on December 3, the Saint-Éloi church in Bordeaux suffered significant damage after a burglary and vandalism estimated at 10,000 euros, with a safe broken and stained glass windows behind the high altar damaged. In June, the church was tagged during a feminist march in the Gironde.
Vandalism of religious symbols in church
November 28, 2024, GermanyAs reported on 28 November, unknown persons threw the Easter candle against the wall of St Mary's Church in Waltrop, damaged altar objects, tore a prayer book and threw other objects around the church.
Threats to Set Fire to Church
November 26, 2024, ItalyOn 26 November, a 28-year-old Moroccan man damaged the door and part of the furniture of a room in an establishment in Formia that had helped him at the request of the Immaculate Heart of Mary - Don Bosco Church, and threatened to set fire to the church.
Theft and desecration in the Valdencin church
November 25, 2024, SpainOn the morning of 25 November, Father Maykel found the church of Valdencín in Santa Teresa vandalised. The sacristy was badly damaged, €80 of the collection and a silver monstrance were missing and, most devastatingly for the community, the consecrated hosts had been desecrated.
Repeated Vandalism in the Saint-Denys basilica in Argenteuil
November 25, 2024, FranceThe Saint-Denys basilica has been the target of several acts of vandalism since September. In the latest incident, two youths entered the Argenteuil basilica through a back door shouting "Allah Akbar". Police presence around the building has been increased. In September, the presbytery was damaged by vulgar graffiti. Two months later, a Latin cross at the entrance to the same building was damaged and partially stolen.
Two teens arrested for church vandalism causing £15,000 of damage
November 24, 2024, United KingdomTwo teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of causing more than £15,000 of damage to the Grade II listed St Margaret's Church in Bowers Gifford on 24 November. It was the second time in a month that the church had been vandalised.
46 Tombs Destroyed
November 23, 2024, PolandOn the night of 23 November, a massive act of vandalism took place in Krosno Odrzańskie (Lubuskie Province). A total of 46 gravestones were damaged or broken and some graves were opened.
Church in Châteaulin Vandalised
November 20, 2024, FranceExcrement on the floor, overturned flower vases and dirty tablecloths. This is what members of the Saint-Idunet parish in Châteaulin (Brittany) discovered when they entered their church on 20 November. A Easter candle had also been stolen.
Vandalised church in Bodenwöhr
November 19, 2024, GermanyOn the weekend of 18-19 November, the Church of St Mary (Marienkirche Blechhammer) in Bodenwöhr was robbed and vandalised by unknown persons. The rosaries on display were stolen or thrown into the holy water basin and the altar candles were thrown to the ground. Various other items were scattered around the church. The police are investigating.
Fire set in Walldorf Church
November 15, 2024, GermanyUnknown persons threw several burning strips of paper into the basement of the Walldorf church.
Statue of Mary destroyed
November 10, 2024, ItalyA statue of Mary outside the local cemetery in Pievesestina, Cesena, has been smashed to pieces.
Church forced to close after vandalism with fire extinguisher
November 9, 2024, FranceThe church of Saint-Léger has been closed since unknown persons emptied a fire extinguisher inside the building, causing serious damage to the furniture. Following this act, which took place on 9 November, the local mayor immediately expressed his desire to have the church cleaned as soon as possible so that the parishioners could celebrate Christmas in this sacred building.
Altar tablecloth set on fire in Schweinfurt church
November 8, 2024, GermanyOn November 8, a Tablecloth in the evangelical Church "Am Glockenhof" was set on fire in the afternoon. The fire burned the tablecloth and the diary on it. The damage caused is approximately 80 euros.
Fires set in Küssaberg church
November 8, 2024, GermanyOn 8 November, an unknown perpetrator has set several small fires in a church in Küssaberg (Waldshut district). Witnesses discovered the flames and alerted the emergency services.
Figure of Jesus broken into pieces: Cross in Tarnow Vandalised
November 7, 2024, PolandOn the night of November 7, vandals broke a statue of Christ on the missionary cross in front of the church in Tarnow-Klikowa, into small pieces. Also, the statue's head was stolen. The parish priest and the faithful are convinced that it was a deliberate act of desecration.
Objects and prayer cards set on fire in church
November 4, 2024, GermanyUnknown persons have set fire to and damaged objects and prayer cards in a church in Kaufbeuren.
Fire set to Mannheim Church
November 3, 2024, GermanyOn 3 November, an unknown person set fire to objects inside the Twelve Apostles Church in Mannheim, spreading to the carpet and a wooden table. The fire was extinguished before it spread further into the church building.
Fire set at the church doors
November 1, 2024, ItalyOn the night of October 31, a fire damaged the entrance door of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Quartu.
"Disturbing vandalism: Joyrider rammed into church gate
November 1, 2024, IrelandA person driving a car rammed into the gate leading to St Patrick's Catholic Church in Ahane, causing extensive damage to the gate.
Attempted arson in the church in Marseburg
October 31, 2024, GermanyPolice have arrested the suspect in an attempted arson attack on a church in Mersenburg. The man is believed to have set fire to plastic objects in the toilet area.
Vandalism and thefts at Vervie cemeteries
October 28, 2024, BelgiumAt the end of October, a grave in the cemetery in Verviers, in the province of Liège, was found to be severely damaged; the stele had been completely overturned. A few days later, crosses were stolen from the cemetery in Trois-Ponts, which is in the same area.
Vandalism at Basildon church
October 28, 2024, United KingdomAn incident of vandalism at St. Margarets Church in Bowers Gifford took place on October 28. The church sustained damage to various parts of the building including the roof, porch and stained-glass window.
Prayer books set on fire on the altar
October 27, 2024, FranceOn 27 October, someone set fire to a dozen prayer books on the altar of the church of Chamalières-sur-Loire, causing a huge smoke cloud in the building.
Two Churches closed due to repeated vandalism
October 26, 2024, GermanyCatholic churches of St. Mauritius in Kippenheim and St. Leopold in Mahlberg (Baden-Württemberg) have been closed temporarily closed after multiple incidents of vandalism. The parish reports that the interiors of both churches were defiled with cigarette butts, soot, and wax from candles, some of which were partially burned and left behind.
Satanist tags on three churches
October 26, 2024, UkraineOn the night of 26 October, three churches in Ternopol, Ukraine, were covered with Satanist tags, most of which read "666".
Vandals burn church doors
October 25, 2024, SpainUnknown assailants have burned the outer door to the Sanctuary of San Miguel de Aralar, after painting a Star of David and the word "Jude" on the door.
Two churches attacked and desecrated in northern France
October 24, 2024, FranceOn the same day, two nearby churches in the Pas-de-Calais were robbed and vandalised. At the Saint-Saturnine church of Sains-lès-Marquion, the tabernacle was broken open, the chalice stolen and the consecrated hosts thrown to the ground. Both incidents are being investigated by the police.
Religious statues vandalised
October 23, 2024, GermanyUnknown persons have damaged figures of St Bernadette and St Mary in front of the church in Venningen on October 23. A hand was cut off and the heads damaged. The figures are part of an implied Lourdes grotto next to the car park in front of the church.
Minor sets fire to three churches in Bavaria
October 22, 2024, GermanyOn Ocotber 21 and 22, a chapel and a church in Bavaria were set on fire. The police suspects arson as the cause of the fire. Nobody was injured, but the damage caused is extensive.
"Ave Satan" painted on Church
October 22, 2024, PolandOn the night of October 22-23, the inscription "Ave Satan" was painted on the historic wall of the Holy Trinity Church in Kwidzyn. A 44-year-old man, known to local police for other crimes, was detained. However, he did not admit guilt.
Nativity scene set on fire at the Baptist church in Lechlade
October 22, 2024, United KingdomBetween 10pm and 10.30pm on Tuesday 22 October, a shed at Lechlade Baptist Church in Sherbourne Street was set alight. The fire destroyed a Christmas display and caused damage to nearby benches and plants. Police are investigating.
Vandals draw swastika on church pew
October 17, 2024, GermanyOn 17 October, unknown persons knocked over candles and threw leaflets in the church of St Stephan in Kissing. A swastika was also drawn on a pew with candle wax.
Repeated vandalism and desecration in Lot churches
October 13, 2024, FranceIn the Lot region, three churches have been vandalised in recent weeks. The most recent incident occurred at the Saint-Pierre church in Bagnac-sur-Célé on 13 October, when it was seriously desecrated. The Blessed Sacrament was stolen. A statue inside the church was also deliberately overturned.
Statue beheaded and replaced with Nazi photos
October 12, 2024, PolandOn 27 September, in Witaszyce, an unknown person cut off the head of the statue of Mary in a forest shrine. On October 12, five photos of the faces of Nazi soldiers were placed inside the shrine.
250kg mountain cross disappeared
October 12, 2024, SpainThe cross in honour of the mountaineers who died on the summit of Udalatx since 1971 has disappeared and its base has been sawn off, with a small saw and a written message mocking the symbol left on the stump. The cross, which was located between the border of Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia, weighed 250 kilos and was ten metres high.
Cemetery vandalised in Leon
October 7, 2024, SpainOn 7 October, tombs and statues in the cemetery at Soto and Amio in León were smashed to pieces with sledgehammers. Locals found decorations had been overturned and that the vandals had left behind a statue of Mary holding a decapitated child.
Theft and arson attack on a church in Melrand
October 6, 2024, FranceThe region of Melrand, France, has witnessed several attacks on Christian sites in recent years. The most recent occurred on 2 October, when unknown assailants stole several items and started a fire inside the church, which was quickly extinguished.
Vandalism of the church
September 27, 2024, KosovoOn 27 September, an act of desecration took place at the church in Međugorje, in the Ibarski Kolašin area, during the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. Sacred icons were destroyed and the church was damaged by bullets.
Vandalism in Rheydt's St Mary's Church
September 27, 2024, GermanyOn September 27, unknown perpetrators knocked over the baptismal font of holy water, the ornate bronze dome and the font bowl in St Mary's Church in Mönchengladbach. Wax from the candles was scattered all over the church and flowers were thrown into the rubbish bins.
Head of statue of Mary torn off
September 27, 2024, PolandAn unknown perpetrator desecrated Cyranowska shrine at Karol Olszewski Square in Mielec, as reported on September 27. According to a witness to the incident, the glass of the chapel's cavity was broken, a statue of Mary was pulled out and its head was torn off.
Church in Neunkirchen devestated
September 26, 2024, GermanyAs reported on September 26, the protestant church in Neunkirchen has been devastated. Vandals tore up hymn books and destroyed the altar Bible and other property. This is the second incident at the Protestant Johanneskirche in Neunkirchen.
Church hit by several attempted arsons
September 26, 2024, FranceAs reported on 26 September, the church of Miribel les Echelles in Isère - the church of Miribel les Echelles in Isère, which was deliberately damaged by fire last year, has suffered two further arson attacks. It has since been closed to the public while an investigation is carried out into the perpetrators of these repeated acts of vandalism.
Two churches in Gravelines vandalised
September 25, 2024, FranceTwo churches in Gravelines, near Dunkirk, were vandalised on 25 September. Sacred objects from the shattered tabernacle were found scattered on the ground.
Two churches desecrated in one day in Gravelines
September 25, 2024, FranceOn 25 September, the churches of Saint-Willibrord and Saint-Thomas-Becket were vandalised and are now closed. In both churches, the vandals broke the tabernacle and scattered the consecrated hosts, without stealing anything. The parish priest sees this as a clear sign of deliberate desecration.
Church Facade vandalised
September 24, 2024, ItalyThe church of Santa Lucia was vandalised. The first 3 letters of Santa Lucia have been torn off. "We discovered the serious sacrilegious act this morning", said the president of the Guild of Masons of Santa Lucia, Franco Spiga, "after untying part of the writing, they threw it to the ground and tore it to pieces".
St. Luc Church in Brest Desecrated: Tabernacle set on Fire
September 21, 2024, FranceOn Saturday 21 September 2024, a serious act of vandalism took place in the chapel of Saint-Luc church in Brest. The tabernacle on the altar was smashed and then set on fire. As a result, the church will remain closed to the public until 2 October.
Repeated vandalism and smearing of church
September 20, 2024, ItalyOn the night of 20 September, the façade of the Church of Santo Stefano was defaced with graffiti. The slogans included an anarchist symbol. The church had only reopened a few days earlier following previous incidents of graffiti and vandalism.
Repeated vandalism at Chester church
September 20, 2024, United KingdomRepeated incidents of vandalism at the 700-year-old St Peter's Church in Chester have caused the historic stained glass windows to shatter and necessitated extensive repairs subsequently. Now the St Peter’s Church has submitted an application to Cheshire West and Chester Council to fit stainless steel protective guards to six windows.
Suspected Arson at Coptic Orthodox Church in Bristol
September 20, 2024, United KingdomA man has been arrested in connection with a fire in a church courtyard. The blaze broke out at St Marina Coptic Orthodox Church, Bristol in early morning on September 20.
Church facade and cemetery wall vandalised with paintball
September 18, 2024, AustriaA recently renovated church in the community of Wernberg, Austria, was vandalised with paintball bullets. The facade, cemetery wall and forecourt of the church were smeared with a brownish substance. The parish has published pictures showing numerous brown dots.
Church in Wijchen targeted with theft, arson and vandalism
September 15, 2024, NetherlandsOn 15 September, two statues of Mary were badly damaged and personal belongings and devotional objects were set on fire in the St Anthony Abbot Church in Wijchen, Gelderland, both in the Marian Chapel and in the nearby Lourdes Grotto.
Fire at Parish of Migliarina
September 14, 2024, ItalyOn 14 September, the oratory of Migliarina church in Viareggio caught fire. The police suspect arson. The interior of the building was completely destroyed. According to the parish priest, young boys were in the oratory when the fire broke out and had to be evacuated by the fire brigade.
Church vandalised with nationalistic graffiti
September 14, 2024, PolandThe facade of the sanctuary of Our Lady of Entrustment in Tarnowiec was painted with blue spray with vulgar inscriptions and symbols associated with nationalistic ideologies.
Altar of Bissendorf church smeared with pentagrams
September 14, 2024, GermanyOn the night of 14 September, unknown persons smeared inscriptions in the form of pentagrams on the altar, pulpit and doors of St Michael's Church in Bissendorf. They also stole a plate with a chalice and a small figure of an angel.
Objects in church damaged with fire
September 13, 2024, GermanyOn 13 September, unknown perpetrators set fire to and damaged several objects in the church of St John the Baptist. They also tried to open the collection box.
Church in Mill vandalised with fire
September 13, 2024, NetherlandsOn 13 September, unknown persons entered the Willibrordus church in Mill, the Netherlands, and set fire to the candle stand by putting paper on the candles, causing a thick layer of candle wax on the floor and leaving the church covered in soot particles.
San Fernando Cemetery Vandalised
September 10, 2024, SpainOn 10 September, the San Fernando cemetery in Seville was the scene of vandalism. More than 60 graves were damaged during the night, with crosses and gravestones overturned and even some coffins damaged. Nothing was stolen.
Vandals destroy church altar
September 9, 2024, GermanyOn September 9, the altar of St Mary in the Catholic parish of St. Peter and Paul in Grevenbroich, Germany, was overturned and smashed to pieces. The front part of the church remains closed due to the severe damage caused by the vandalism.
Burglars wreak havoc in church in Skara
September 8, 2024, SwedenOver the weekend of 7-8 September, unknown assailants broke into the Skånings-Åsaka church in Skara. They smashed the doors, windows and safe. The church's pastor says: "It's a real mess". The whole sacristy was turned upside down.
Statue of Mary vandalised
September 7, 2024, PolandOn September 7, the Statue of Mary at the parish cemetery of St. Bartholomew in Goraj was doused with oil. The attack caused sadness among local parishioners.
Arson Attempt: Marian chapel in Gennep targeted for the third time
September 7, 2024, NetherlandsOn September 7, the Mariakapel at the Touwslagersgroes in Gennep, North Limburg, was the target of vandals for the third time in a short period of time.
Man throws knife at woman and vandalises Sacré-Cœur church in Nice
September 6, 2024, FranceThe police arrested a man for defacing the Sacré-Cœur church in Nice on September 6. He smashed several statues and threw a knife at a woman.
Church in Merat targeted with fire and theft
September 3, 2024, ItalyOn September 3, an attempted theft was noticed at the church of San Giorgio di Pagnano. This is the third time that the church has been targeted within a few months: At the end of May, a wooden candle box was set on fire inside the church. The priest was able to extinguish the fire before it could spread much further. A few weeks later, parcels for the members of the Bezece event disappeared.
Shrine in Otwock vandalised
September 3, 2024, PolandOn September 3, unknown vandals destroyed the shrine of "Our Lady of the Immaculate". The shrine was renovated 3 years ago by local people.
Arson Attack on the Immaculate Conception Church in Saint-Omer
September 1, 2024, FranceOn the night of 1 September, a 39-year-old man set fire to the sacristy of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Saint-Omer. The flames then spread to the naves and then to the whole church. The bell tower and the roof were completely destroyed.
Arson Attack on Church of England in Greenisland
September 1, 2024, United KingdomA large fire broke out on Sunday, 1 September at the Parish Church of the Holy Name in Greenisland, Northern Ireland. Police are treating the fire as arson. To local parish community is shocked by the incident.
Fire set to church in Mazara
September 1, 2024, ItalyIn the night between September 1 and 2, unknown persons set the fire to the side door of the "Church of the Miracle" which is located in Via Casa Santa, in Mazara. The attack is a worrying sign of the continuation of criminal acts in the town.
Severe damage caused in church theft
August 30, 2024, ItalyOn Friday 30 August, unknown persons broke into the sacristy by smashing the glass of one of the two entrance doors to the church in Mercatale di Vernio, Italy. Four chalices and three pyxes worth over 3000 euros were stolen.
Two church arson attacks in St Johnston
August 28, 2024, IrelandA 27-year-old man has been charged with a series of alleged arson attacks in St Johnston on 28 August. He is accused of attempting to set fire to three religious buildings, namely the Irish Catholic St Baithins Church, the Protestant Orange Hall and a local Masonic Hall.
Church smeared with hateful graffiti
August 27, 2024, NorwayHeggen Church in Buskerud was vandalised. The church is located in Vikersund, where there has been a very tense atmosphere in the last two weeks after a serious incident of violence in the village.
Arson attack on Emmendingen church
August 26, 2024, GermanyOn 26 August, unknown persons attempted to set fire to the side door of the Lutheran church in Emmendingen. The lower part of the wooden door was damaged. The total damage is estimated at around €3,000.
Arsonists Set Pilgrimage Church Altar on Fire
August 25, 2024, GermanyIn the night of August 24 to 25, unknown perpetrators tried to set fire to a pilgrim church in Dorschhausen, Bad Wörishofen. They also tried to set fire to the tablecloth on the altar, causing severe damage of several thousand euros.
Several church windows smashed
August 24, 2024, GermanySeveral church windows at Friedrich-Ebert-Staße were smashed with stones by unknown persons. Police are investigating.
Desecration of Greek Orthodox Cemetery
August 24, 2024, TurkeyOn August 24, staff at the Agios Eleftherios cemetery in Istanbul found that the barbed wire fence around the cemetery had been cut, gravestones desecrated, holes dug and the cemetery's guard dogs sedated.
Vandals Destroy Easter Candle and Smear Altar
August 23, 2024, GermanyBetween 20 and 28 August 2024, unknown persons entered the Höchheim church and damaged the Easter candle. They also scribbled on the white altar ceiling with a burnt-out candle cloth. The damage is estimated at around 200 euros.
Serina cemetery: Church and chapels vandalised
August 22, 2024, ItalyDuring the night of 21-22 August, unknown perpetrators ransacked the church of the Sirena cemetery and vandalised up to 5 private chapels on the cemetery of Serina, Bergamo. Pews, religious objects, flower pots, candles and glass were strewn about and partly destroyed.
Vandalism Leaves Church in Bra Devastated
August 20, 2024, ItalySerious damage inside the Church of the Assumption in Bra on August 20 has caused deep concern. Unknown persons broke into the building and destroyed the furnishings and furniture. The altarpiece depicting the Assumption of the Mary was damaged with numerous holes, the face of the statue of Mary was smeared with black paint, crucifixes were broken and damaged, the curtain of the canopy over the altar was torn, and the marble and tiles were removed from the floor under the miniature of the Lourdes grotto.
Church Desecrated and Robbed
August 20, 2024, SpainAs reported on August 22, unknown perpetrators desecrated the church of Samartín de Güerces and stole objects of great religious and historical value: a chalice, a monstrance; lanterns, crosses and even lamps.