All cases
Break-in at Church in Marburg
September 27, 2020, GermanyOn September 27. in the morning, an unknown person gained access to a church in Marburg by force. The burglar was apparently disturbed and fled without looting. The police in Marburg is taking clues from witnesses.
Church Doors and Locks Damaged in Zeil
September 27, 2020, GermanyUnknown perpetrators caused damage of approximately 1,000€ to a church in Zeil by damaging the sacristy door, the door leading to the church tower, another side door and three locks on the offertory boxes. The incident occurred some time between September 27th and September 28th.
Urination and Communist Paroles Scrawled on Church Wall in Vienna
September 25, 2020, AustriaThe St. Johann Evangelist Church, situated on Keplerplatz in the 10th district of Vienna, has been soiled by what appears to be urination, Austrian newspaper Heute reports on September 25. The unknown perpetrators left a communist message, including the hammer-and-sickle-symbol, on the church wall. The message reads "130 years of May 1st, long live the red flag of the communist party!"
Fire at the Jeremia Church Suspected Arson
September 24, 2020, GermanyOn the 24th of September, the roof of the Jeremiah Church on Burbacher Weg was set on fire. More than 250 forced from the fire department were on site. "Reaching the fire is made more difficult by the roof construction," the fire department announced. Therefore, it used so-called extinguishing nails. The police are investigating.
Sacred Silver Objects Stolen from St. Clemens Church in Grevenbroich
September 24, 2020, GermanyDuring the night of September 24 to 25, unknown perpetrators broke into the sacristy, forced open a tabernacle and stole the 100 year-old silver objects which had been used for baptisms for decades. The community published pictures, hoping that the meaningful objects would be found. This had been the third break-in since June.
Church Window Damaged With Stones
September 24, 2020, GermanyBetween 24th and 25th September, unknown perpetrators threw stones at the Protestant Church in Oberotterbach. The damage is approximately 1150 Euros. According to witness, a group of children of primary school were seen at the scene of the crime. The police are asking for clues.
Church of Sant’Agata al Collegio Devastated for a Second Time
September 22, 2020, ItalySant'Agata Church was devastated for the second time on September 22nd. The tomb containing the saint's relics was ravaged, the tabernacle was broken, and consecrated hosts were stolen. Representations of the Mother of God were also destroyed. Two men have already been arrested, according to Italian media reports. The Ministry of the Interior promised funds to implement a video surveillance system and improve security measures.
Saint George Church in Lesbos is Desecrated For The Second Time
September 21, 2020, GreeceOn the week the 21, September, the Church of Saint George, in the vicinity of the town Moria in Lesbos, was vandalized for a second time. The Images and furniture have been destroyed by migrants who stayed and camped at the church after the fire broke out in Moria's Refugee Camp. When the group left, there was garbage inside and outside the church, apart from the items being broken.
Arson, Desecration and Profanation of Church in Pérols
September 20, 2020, FranceOn September 20th, a man desecrated the Church of Saint Sixtus II in Pérols. He vandalized equipment, setting fire to song and prayer sheets, a table, part of a pew and a veil. He also tried to set some fabric on fire, but it was fireproof. Then the man grabbed a cross from the altar and threw it to the organ. The man also spit several times on the ground and the priest's deck and urinated and defecated between benches. He was traced, thanks to the cameras in the church, and was arrested by the police because of attempted robbery in Auchan. A police officer recognized the man through a photo published by the priest of the parish.
Theft of Money and Sacred Objects from Parish Office in Martinshöhe
September 20, 2020, GermanyIn the night of 20 to 21 September, unknown perpetrators forcefully open the windows of the Heiliger Bruder Konrad parish house in Martinshöhe and ransacked the parish office. They also tried to break into the church and the sacristy, but they were not successful. Sacred objects and a four-figure sum of money were stolen; the overall property damage reaches five figures.
Vandalism of Church Twice in a Week
September 20, 2020, GermanyIn the past two weeks, vandals have raged in the city church twice. Shoe marks were found on the altar cloth, and this showing that someone walked on it. The Candles and sacrificial lights were smudged and poured out and wax was distributed in the pews. The parish priest has put signs on the doors, asking the population to keep an eye on the town church. Last year in summer the church was also vandalized several times. The pastor warned that, if there is another case, they will file a complaint.
Vandalism of Catholic Church before Holy Mass in Remembrance of Aborted Children
September 19, 2020, GermanyOn the night of 18th to 19th September, the historical church St. Marien am Behnitz and the outer walls of the playground were found vandalized with slogans, like "Abortion is a Human Right. The perpetrators were eventually against Pro-Life movements. The police put charges, although they did not charge any damage to property, because it was pasted wallpaper.
Statue of St. Anthony Demolished
September 18, 2020, ItalyThe bronze Statue of St. Anthony in Milano was demolished on the night of 17th to 18th September. The statue was in front of the sanctuary of St. Anthony of Padua for 88 years. The statue is significantly heavy and, therefore, there must have been three perpetrators involved in the demolition. Churchgoers from the neighborhood suspected that the perpetrators are homeless men who gather at the square and are frequently heavily drunk, but there is no evidence that it was them. The police are investigating.
Increased Number of Thefts, Vandalism and Desecrations Leads to Closure of More Churches
September 18, 2020, FranceOn the occasion of the Heritage Days which took place from 19 to 20 September in Paris, RCF radio in France points out that the increase in theft, vandalism and desecration of churches in France prompts more and more priests to close their churches outside of services. For several months the churches have been attacked through theft of liturgical utensils, relics, desecration and even arson. In 2019, there were more than 1052 incidents registered, including 996 acts of vandalism or graffiti and 56 threats against persons.
Arson to Statue of John the Baptist from the Barock Period
September 17, 2020, GermanyOn 17th September, members of the church found the figure of John the Baptist of the baptismal font from the barock period damaged by a burning candle. The perpetrator placed it on purpose. The police estimates a damage cost of 2000 euros. Police is asking for witnesses.
The Statue of the Virgin Mary Completely Vandalized
September 17, 2020, BelgiumWith probably an iron bar, the statue of the Virgin, at the Place des Quatre-Grands in Jemeppe, has been demolished.
Increase in Vandalism Against Churches in Northern Ireland
September 16, 2020, United KingdomIn the last three years, there have been more than 400 attacks recorded against churches. In the last five years it sums up to 600 attacks in Northern Ireland. Most of the attacks happened in Belfast. Most of the incidents are attacks with paint bombs and graffitis, but also various forms of vandalism, arson attacks and general damage to church property are recorded.
Unknown Perpetrators Rioted and Set Fire Inside Church
September 16, 2020, GermanyBetween the 16th and 29th of September, unknown perpetrators vandalized the St. Jürgen Chapel in Wolgast. The police was called, after unknown persons were rioting and setting fires inside the church. They broke a window, damaged the window sills and set fire to several places inside the Church, fortunately the flames did not spread. The caused damage is around 7,600 Euros. The police is investigating.
Inverted Yellow Cross Sprayed on the Door of La Antigua Church in Valladolid
September 10, 2020, SpainA large inverted yellow cross was painted onto the main entrance door of La Antigua Church in Valladolid on September 10th. This is not the first time that the church was vandalized. The perpetrator remains unknown.
War Memorial and Church Vandalised in Les Vigneaux
September 10, 2020, FranceOn September 10, inhabitants of Les Vigneaux discovered that all of the names on the war memorial had been crossed out with paint. Genitals had been painted on the monument as well as on either side of the church door. Mayor Gilles Pierre lodged a complaint.