All cases
two-metre-high wooden cross cut down
May 1, 2025, FranceIn Curancy, Burgundy, on the night of 30 April, a two-metre-high wooden Christian cross was deliberately cut down and stolen from the woods. The vandals used a saw to cut it down and made off with it. Shocked by the incident, the mayor filed a police report, describing the act as 'a direct attack on a symbol of faith'.
Third attack on chapel in recent months
April 13, 2025, ItalyA votive shrine in Lonato del Garda has suffered its third act of vandalism in 3 months. In the latest incident, a wooden crucifix was torn from the wall and thrown away. Previously, a statue of the Madonna had been destroyed and a crucifix depicting Christ had been stolen.
Thousands in Damages Every Month
April 4, 2025, GermanyChurches in Cologne's city centre, including the iconic Cologne Cathedral, are regularly targeted by vandals, causing thousands of euros in damage each month. Dr Dominik Meiering, the leading priest for Cologne's inner city, expressed concern about the repeated desecration, theft and graffiti, describing it as a serious burden on the Church and a threat to its public mission.
Man Damages Statue and Sets Fire to Church in Spilt
March 22, 2025, CroatiaOn 22 March 2025, in the church of St. Dominic in Split, a man damaged a statue and then started a fire on the candle stand with a gas lighter which caught fire when it was left on a candle, and the flame spread to the plastic candle holders on the stand. He is also suspected of stealing a metal gas bottle from a cupboard in the church.
Serious episode of desecration
March 12, 2025, ItalyUnknown assailants broke into the Church of St Paul the Apostle in Borgo Nuovo during the night, ransacked the parish and stole the chalice and the pyx containing the consecrated hosts.
Church closed outside service due to repeated vandalism
March 3, 2025, ItalyThe Parish of the Santissimi Petro e Giacomo Apostoli has decided to close the Church of San Giacomo, in Via Roma, except during liturgical celebrations due to increasing vandalism. The church has repeatedly had flower pots, offerings and stations of the cross stolen, as well as the figure of Jesus from the nativity scene and excrement behind the altar.
Nottinghamshire village church severely vandalised
February 23, 2025, United KingdomThe church of St Mary and St Martin in Blyth was severely vandalised, with a stained glass window smashed, an effigy of a knight damaged, a knife plunged into the bell tower door and religious objects desecrated.
Cross broken: Church in West Keal vandalised
February 17, 2025, United KingdomSometime between 14 and 17 February, the Episcopal Church of St Helen in West Keal was robbed and vandalised by unknown offenders. The criminals broke a cross, burned signs, stole a tapestry and caused other damage. The crime has been reported to Lincolnshire Police, who are investigating.
Sacrilegious theft in Sarajevo
January 21, 2025, Bosnia and HerzegovinaOn 21 January, unknown assailants broke into the convent church of the Sisters of Charity of St Vinka in the centre of Sarajevo and stole the vessel monstrance the large consecrated host, scattering the other smaller ones in the sanctuary. Several other items were also stolen.
Figure of the Infant Jesus stolen from nativity scene in Aprilia
January 4, 2025, ItalyOn 4 January, a figure of the Infant Jesus disappeared from the nativity scene set up by the Agroverde Neighbourhood Committee in a public park. "A gesture that deeply offends the sense of community and the faith of many people," said the committee and further stated: "It is an act of vandalism that demonstrates a total lack of respect for the traditions, symbols and religious feelings of many people."
Church closed due to vandalism
December 30, 2024, GermanyThe town church in Lauterbach is closed to visitors due to vandalism. Two unidentified youths smashed two stained glass windows with lead frames. Several items have been stolen in recent incidents, including a Bible and an Easter candle.
Figures stolen and replace with caricatures
December 30, 2024, PolandIn the Strzelce district, an unknown person has stolen statues of saints from two roadside shrines and replaced them with strange caricatures. Police are investigating.
Statue of Infant Jesus stolen from the nativity scene
December 28, 2024, ItalyA figure of the Infant Jesus from the nativity scene on the steps of the church in Levico Terme has been stolen during the night during the night.
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.
Sacrilegious theft and desecration
December 22, 2024, ItalyOn December 22 thieves broke into the tabernacle of the church of Miglierina in Viareggio using a drill and a crowbar and stole the consecrated hosts, leaving the pyxes inside. Several liturgical objects and some personal belongings were also stolen. The parish priest does not exclude a Satanic motive.
Theft of nativity scene figures
December 20, 2024, United KingdomOn 20 December, it was reported that all the figures - Mary, Joseph, animals and the Infant Jesus - were missing from the nativity scene next to the church in Tunbridge, Wales.
Nativity figurines disappeared
December 14, 2024, ItalyThe statues of Mary and the ox disappeared from the nativity scene in front of the church of San Michele Arcangelo and Santa Lucia in Cesa, a hamlet in the municipality of Marciano della Chiana, on December 14.
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.
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.
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.