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.