All cases
Fire in Church of Sainte-Marie in Le Boulou
February 18, 2014, FranceA fire broke out around 10 am in the church of Sainte-Marie Le Boulou. A large figure of Christ which was made of wood and plaster and installed in the entrance of the church caught on fire and was burning for hours. The fire department and police are investigating.
Church Statue Vandalised in Beaumont-du-Périgord
February 8, 2014, FranceTwo cleaning ladies arrived at the church Sainte-Marie Bastide in Beaumont-du-Périgord, Dordogne, and were shocked to find the statue of Joan of Arc had been vandalised. The base of the statue which was about two meters high had been broken and the statue knocked over.
Church Vandalised for the Third Time in January
January 29, 2014, FranceThe church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Montceau-les-Mines, France, was vandalised for the third time this month. Dozens of candles were broken and the crib was taken. Clay pots and trees and other items were broken and crushed.
Desecration and Vandalism of Church in Charleville-Mézières
January 29, 2014, FranceDozens of candles were burned and destroyed, three chairs were broken and urine left by vandals in the church of Saint-Remi in Charleville-Mézières. Cans of beer were also left on the floor, curses were written on the guestbook. Obscene drawings were scribbled into the book of prayers.
Serious Desecration of Church in Baden-Württemberg
January 27, 2014, GermanyOn the night of January 27th, a unknown perpetrator broke into the Catholic church, Saint Georges which is located in a district of the city of Freiburg in Breisgau. Using a hammer the perpetrator vandalised the church causing damaged which estimates more than 12,000 euro. The tabernacle was also vandalised and the chalice and consecrated hosts stolen.
Chapel Vandalised in Schlierbach, Alsace
January 24, 2014, FranceVandals attacked the Chapel of Our Lady of the Valley of Tears in Schlierbach and damaged the polygonal roof of the small sanctuary. They ripped off and stole copper plates and other pieces of metal.
Church in Haute-Saône Targeted by Vandalism
January 17, 2014, FranceThe Notre-Dame-du-Haut in Haute-Saône, was damaged by vandals who broke a painted window into thousands of pieces. They also damaged the inside of the chapel.
Vandalism at Church of St. Francis in Prato
January 17, 2014, ItalyVandals destroyed a marble font in the courtyard and targeted the Cathedral, where they tried to destroy the century pulpit which is located to the left of the main altar as well as the church of San Pier Fiorelli where a statue depicting St. Joseph was destroyed.
Church in Historic District of Prato in Tuscany Vandalised
January 17, 2014, ItalyA stranger entered the San Pietro church in Prato, Tuscany, and broke a basin and tried unsuccessfully to break another one before fleeing.
Cemetery Desecrated in Bavaria
January 15, 2014, GermanyA cemetery in the district of Pölting in the city of Neumarkt was desecrated. Crosses of several graves were pulled up and put back in upside down. Police suspect that this was done by young Satanists.
Church Vandalised in Gensac
January 14, 2014, FranceThe windows of the church of Our Lady in Gensac, France, were reported to have been vandalised.
Church of Saint-Georges in French Guyane Repeatedly Desecrated and Vandalised
January 14, 2014, FranceIntruders entered the church of Saint-Georges through a window. They pulled down and destroyed a large statue of Christ on the cross and stole two electric fans. When the sisters came for Mass in the morning they were shocked at what they found. This is the second time this month that the church has been the victim of vandalism.
"Anonymous" Hacks Website of Archdiocese of Granada
January 13, 2014, SpainInternet activists "Anonymous,” known for protests against corruption, censorship and undermining the Catholic values, hacked the website of the Archdiocese of Granada.
Theft and Vandalism in Church in Palaia
January 12, 2014, ItalyThe parish church of Villa Saletta in Palaia was devastated by vandals who stole alms and damaged consecrated hosts. They also stole a fold chain that hung around the alter of Our Lady and a chalice from the tabernacle.
Deliberate Arson of a Chapel
January 10, 2014, FranceThe chapel of Aibre, France was found on fire. Police were called to the scene but the doors had already been damaged by the fire. They investigated and found bits of wood used to start the fire as well as remains of a product used to spread the fire more quickly.
Graffiti on Walls of Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Yecla Murcia
January 9, 2014, SpainGraffiti threatening religious freedoms of Christians was spray painted on the walls of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. The words, “Si no nos dejáis abortar, no os dejaremos rezar” (“If you do not let us have an abortion, we will not let you pray”) were written there in addition to different anarchists symbols.
Church's Main Gate Covered with Graffiti
January 6, 2014, FranceObscene, Satanist and anti-Christian graffiti was spray painted on the church door of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul in Haute Garonne. The police were notified and collected evidence.
Desecration of Altar of Church in Paris
January 4, 2014, FranceA man approached the altar of Saint-Odile Church in Paris and through violent acts desecrated and destroyed the candle holder and hammered down the statue of St Therese of the Child Jesus. He also opened the baptismal fountain and spilled the water used for baptisms. The police were called but they arrived only an hour later after the man had already walked away. Witnesses said that the tall young man looked very determined in his actions.
Four Churches in Spain Targeted with Graffiti and Vandalism
January 3, 2014, SpainFour Catholic churches in Malaga, Spain, were targeted with pro-abortion graffiti and vandalism. Some of the slogans read: “Saca tus rosarios de mis ovarios” (Get your rosaries off my ovaries) and “Maria queria abortar” (Mary wanted to abort) as well as "Iglesia = Dictatura" (Church = dictatorship). Vandals also dropped balloons containing red paint, into a church, which burst and damaged a ceramic alter piece depicting the Virgin Mary.
Nativity Scene in Foligno Targeted by Vandals
January 3, 2014, ItalyThe crib of the Nativity of St. Felicianetto was set on fire. Already several days before, the figure of Baby Jesus had been stolen.
Nativity Scene Vandalised in Hainaut
January 1, 2014, BelgiumA nativity scene set up in front of a church in Belgium was vandalised overnight. A shepherd was dismembered, the figure representing baby Jesus was lying on the ground and Mary and Joseph had be taken away. A fence which had been erected to protect the scene did not deter the vandals.
Crib Scene Destroyed in Badia
December 31, 2013, ItalyA crib scene in the village of Badia was destroyed and heads of several of the figures were severed off.
Graffiti on Church of St. Augustine in Trani
December 30, 2013, ItalyThe front of the Church of St. Augustine in Trani was splattered with paint and the stone lion in the courtyard of the church was spray painted.
Tabernacle Stolen at the Hermitage of Pasico Torre Pacheco
December 30, 2013, SpainThe Hermitage had to close the doors of its church from December 30th, 2013 to January 11th 2014, due to a theft of the tabernacle on the 30th of December.
Nativity Scene in Church in Hungary Vandalised
December 29, 2013, HungaryVandals destroyed figures of the nativity scene from a Lutheran Church located in Szentendre, Hungary, 20 km north of Budapest. In November, a cross was vandalised in the same church.
Series of Anti-Christian Vandalism in North Westfalen
December 28, 2013, GermanyMore than forty acts of vandalism against Christian sites were recorded between September and December around Ibbenbüren, Saerbeck, Hörstel, Hopsten, Mettingen, Tecklenburg and Rheine. Especially large outdoor crosses and statues were targeted. Police think it is likely that the perpetrator is the same in all the cases.
Vandalism of Nursery of Church in Rennes
December 27, 2013, FranceThe nursery of Saint-Germain Rennes was set on fire causing damage to the Church. It was confirmed that the fire was not caused by electric problems.
Nativity Scene Vandalised in Paris
December 27, 2013, FranceThe statues of Mary and Joseph were destroyed in St. Séverin Church nativity scene in Paris.
Nativity Scene in Urbino Set on Fire
December 27, 2013, ItalyA nativity scene which was part of the "streets of cribs of Urbino" was set on fire. The fire caused immediate devastation and there seemed to be multiple ignition points. In addition, the fire destroyed a lamp post and caused pieces of the entrance ceiling to fall down.
Figure of Baby Jesus Destroyed in Ceranova
December 27, 2013, ItalyThe figure of Baby Jesus in the manger which was part of a nativity scene in Ceranova was destroyed. The head and the fingers of one hand were broken off. The pieces of the manger and the figures of Mary and Joseph were carried inside to prevent further vandalism.
Burning Tires in Front of the Church of Misericordia in Reus
December 26, 2013, SpainTires were set on fire in front of the church of Misericordia in Reus, but, before the fire could spread further, neighbors telephoned the fire department and then extinguished the fire themselves, and the damage was contained. The front door of the church was slightly damaged, and the façade was affected by the smoke, but otherwise the sanctuary was unharmed.
Graffiti on Faces of Saints in Church in Foggia
December 25, 2013, ItalySatanic shapes and writings such as “Satan lives”, was painted on the faces of the saints and a statue of Mary in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Foggia.
Nativity Scene Vandalised in Ancona
December 24, 2013, ItalyThe nativity of Guasco in Ancona was damaged by vandals who destroyed some figures and severed the arm of one of the shepherds.
Nativity Scene Destroyed in Ello
December 24, 2013, ItalyVandals destroyed a nativity scene in Ello during the midnight church service. The figures were all knocked down and some decapitated.
Crib Scene Destroyed in Solan
December 20, 2013, ItalyA crib scene in the St. Peter's Church was destroyed in Solan. The figures were broken and a hole was made in the bottom of a small pond which was part of the scene.
Graffiti on Church in Conegliano
December 17, 2013, ItalyGraffiti was spray painted along the front of the Church of Campolongo in Conegliano. One sentence read: "3 canonical vode gnanca a porecan home to Papa Francesco quaquaraqua", meaning “three empty churches cannot accommodate even a poor man. Pope Francis is one who talks nonsense”.
Vandals Damage Nativity Scene in Vasto in the Province of Chieti
December 16, 2013, ItalyIn Vasto vandals caused great damage to a nativity scene by destroying the statue of Mary with a shovel. A strong smell of urine on the scene was reported as well.
Vandals Damage Nativity Scene in Ravenna
December 13, 2013, ItalyIn the province of Ravenna, Milano Maritimo, vandals caused great damage to a nativity scene.
Offensive Graffiti on St. Mary’s College in Lyon
December 12, 2013, FranceThe Catholic College St. Mary’s, a private institution under contract, run by Marian Fathers was spray painted with insults. Locals suspected that this was done by a left-wing group.
St. Benedict Church in Munich Spray Painted with Islamic Phrase
December 9, 2013, Germany"Allah is greater" and "Holy war" was spray painted on the doors and the walls of St. Benedict church in Munich. The 30-year-old asylum seeker from Jordan had previously attacked St. Michael’s church in a similar way. The police are active on the case.
Nativity Scene Destroyed Outside Church in Milano
December 9, 2013, ItalyThe figures of a nativity scene were seriously damaged and some completely destroyed in Milano Marittima in Milano. All the figures had to be removed.
Church in Munich Spray Painted with Islamic Phrase
December 6, 2013, GermanyThe Islamic phrase “Allahu Akbar”, which means “Allah is greater”, was spray painted on the entrance of the Renaissance church of St. Michael in Munich’s pedestrian area by an asylum seeker. The 30-year-old man from Jordan attacked bystanders and was finally arrested by the police.
Several Churches in Augsburg Spray Painted with Islamic Phrases
December 5, 2013, GermanyThe main gates of several churches in the city center of Augsburg were spray painted with the Islamic Phrase "Allahu Akbar" which means "Allah is greater". Police reported that the cathedral of Augsburg, the Church of St. Maurice and the Protestant Church Ullrich were affected.
Liturgical Objects Destroyed and Fire Set to Chapel in Ozanam
November 25, 2013, FranceEarly in the morning the chapel of Saint-Vincent-de-Paul in the region of Ozanam was set on fire. The General vicar of the diocese of Toulouse, Luc Caraguel, was "shocked" and stated: "We first thought it was not an act of vandalism, but only liturgical objects along with books, vestures chalice and crucifix appear to have been deliberately destroyed."
Offensive Graffiti on Church in Imperia
November 25, 2013, ItalyThe front of the Church of Artallo (fraction of Imperia) was desecrated with offensive graffiti.
Crucifixes Damaged in Churches in Prato
November 25, 2013, ItalyCrucifixes in both the Church of St. Bartholomew and the Church of San Pier Fiorelli in Prato were damaged. In the Church of St. Bartholomew, someone climbed on the structure before the crucifix and "shook it until he pulled both arms off, which were attached to the media." This crucifix had survived the bombing in 1944 unscathed, but not this deliberate violent act.
Political Slogans Spraypainted on Catholic Church Building
November 23, 2013, AustriaUnknown perpetrators spray painted the famous Vienna church "Votivkirche" with political slogans such as "Refugees Welcome?“. This is particularly strange as the parish priest and the archdiocese of Vienna did not ask the police to end a months-long occupation of the church by refugees.
Two Madonna’s Damaged in Imperia
November 22, 2013, ItalyTwo Madonna statues were beheaded in Imperia, and are irreparably damaged. One was located at the centre for the disabled in the square ISAH De Negri. The other was located in the sanctuary near the church of San Sebastiano Via Agnesi.
Attack on Pro-Life Office
November 20, 2013, IrelandTwo hooded men attacked the office of the pro life organisation Life House in Cappel Street in Dublin and threw stones and rocks through the window. Youth Defence volunteers were shocked by this accident. It is suspected that the attackers were members of pro-abortion campaigns. The Life Insitute has called for politicians and abortion agencies and organizations to condemn the escalating pro-abortion violence.
Statue of Our Lady Knocked Over at Open Air Sanctuary in Nitra
November 19, 2013, SlovakiaUnknown perpetrators have knocked over and severely damaged a statue of Our Lady. Police are investigating for the crime of property damage in the amount of about 1500 Euro.