All cases

Church in Piacenza vandalised

December 11, 2023, Italy

On December 11, the Santa Rita church in Piacenza, Italy, was vandalised, resulting in damages of several thousand euros. Among other things, a cross was destroyed and money was stolen from the offering box.

Figure of Jesus stolen from Nativity Scene and replaced with caricature

December 9, 2023, Spain

On December 12, a figure of the Child Jesus was stolen from a life-sized nativity scene at Benimaclet square, Valencia, just a few hours after the nativity scene was placed there. The unknown perpetrators furthermore replaced the figure with a caricature of Jesus.

Altar Cross stolen from Chapel in Mulfingen

December 8, 2023, Germany

On December 8, the altar cross, worth several hundred Euros, was stolen from the St. Anna Chapel in Mulfingen, Germany. Local Police started an investigation.

Thirty statues stolen from nativity scene in Tarent, Italy

December 4, 2023, Italy

Thirty statues from a nativity scene, worth several hundred Euros, were stolen from the Madonna delle Grazie church in Tarnet, Italy. The thieves also tried to steal the tabernacle but failed to do so. Police started an investigation.

Theft and Vandalism at Church in Casale

December 2, 2023, Italy

Within one week a church in Casale, Itlay, became both the target of theft and vandalism.

Sacred Objects stolen from Church in Guttaring

November 30, 2023, Austria

On the night of November 20, unknown perpetrators broke into the pilgrimage church in Guttaring. They stole gold crowns, gold and silver chains that were connected to a picture of Mary. Furthermore, the locked altar area was broken into and religious objects were stolen from the altar. The cost of the damage is unknown and the police are investigating the situation further.

Altar Cross and money stolen from Church in Jülich

November 25, 2023, Germany

Between November 25 and December 2, an altar cross and money from an offering box were stolen from the St. Martinus church in Jülich, Germany. The police started an investigation.

Statue of Mary Damaged and Cross Stolen from Church in Vienna

November 24, 2023, Austria

On November 23, Keplerkirche St. Johann in Vienna was vandalized. Witnesses had seen a man who had allegedly tore a statue of the Madonna from an anchorage in the church and stole a wooden cross. Based on the witness statements and video surveillance footage, the police were able to identify the perpetrator. The 29-year-old Syrian man was found near the church and arrested. He will be charged with aggravated damage to property and theft. The stolen cross was returned to the church. The same perpetrator attacked the Viennese St. Stephan cathedral a few days later (see case from November 26, 2023).

Sacred Objects Stolen from Church in Nürnberg

November 24, 2023, Germany

Sacred objects worth over 1800 euros have disappeared from the St Jakob's Protestant Church in Nürnberg. The theft was noticed in autumn by a group of visitors, who realised that the angel statues, which were normally holding religious symbols in their hands, were now standing there empty-handed. The religious symbols which have been stolen are a Christ monogram, a cross and symbols of scourge, crown of thorns, hammer and nails.

Vandalism and theft in Syrian Orthodox church

November 23, 2023, Sweden

In the night of November 23, the Syrian Orthodox church in Tensta was burgled and vandalised. The police found break marks on a door and broken windows and that some objects had been stolen. On December 8, a suspect was arrested.

Bronze Crucifix Stolen from Church Altar

November 23, 2023, Italy

During a church service in the church of San Giorgio in Atzara a small bronze crucifix was stolen from the central altar. The object is small but is said to be of great affective value to the community.

Keyboard Stolen from Church in Gögginen

November 21, 2023, Germany

An electric piano has dissapeared from the Protestant Johannis Church in Gǒggingen. The police concluded that the piano must have been stolen between November 10 and November 21. The estimated value of the electric piano is around 5,000 euros. The police are still investigating the situation.

Church in Ichtershausen Vandalized and Robebed

November 20, 2023, Germany

A church in Klostergasse in Ichtershausen, Germany, was forcibly broken into and damaged. Several doors were broken open, rooms were searched and approximately 10,000 euros worth of property damage was caused. Multiple instruments were stolen as well. The crime occurred between November 17 at 3 PM and November 20 at 10:20 AM. The police are still investigating the incident.

Basilica in Rouen Vandalised and Robbed

November 15, 2023, France

The Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur in Rouen was broken into on November 15. The parish priest, Father Geoffroy de la Tousche, said that a statue was broken, sacred vases were stolen, and the altar was severely damaged. This is not the first case of vandalism in Rouen, as gargoyles had been damaged last year. The priest said that the damage will cost tens of thousands of euros. The police are investigating but the perpetrator has not been found.

Sacred Objects Damaged and Stolen at Cathedral in Königslutter

November 14, 2023, Germany

Unknown perpetrators damaged an altar crucifix and stole a Jesus figure from the Imperial Cathedral in Königslutter on November 14. The individuals entered the cathedral via the main entrance, which was open, and went to the altar area. They removed the crucifix, moved it to a less visible area in the church, and severely damaged it. They also stole a figure of Jesus that was attached to it. The police are investigating the situation, and the perpetrators have not been caught.

Convert beaten up for 'frequenting the church of Christians'

November 12, 2023, Italy

A 28-year-old Tunisian Christian convert was beaten and robbed for 'attending Christian church'. According to media reports, the man was attacked on the evening of November 12, 2023, in the Ponte San Giovanni district of Perugia by some fellow countrymen, while he was walking with a friend. Now the police have issued three pre-trial detention orders for crimes committed with the aggravating circumstance of religious discrimination.

Desecration and theft at Quirón hospital chapel

November 4, 2023, Spain

The chapel of the Quirón hospital in Torrevieja was desecrated and the tabernacle and chalice were stolen.

Monstrance Stolen from Church in Schophoven

November 3, 2023, Germany

A valuable monstrance, among other religious objects, was stolen from St. Barbara Church in Schophoven during the night of November 3. The mayor of Schophoven, Matthias Hahn, entered the church in the morning to find the tabernacle opened. Liturgical objects, including the monstrance, were stolen. Some of the items taken were a goblet spoon, a ciborium, and a drinking cup. A St. Barbara relic fell to the floor and was bent, but not taken. The sacristy door was also broken open, and the wall safe had been removed from the wall and broken into.

Bible Stolen from the Altar of the Church of Ķekava

November 2, 2023, Latvia

On November 4, the congregation of the Church of Ķekava announced on Facebook that an old Bible had been stolen from the church's altar. The Facebook post said that it could have been taken as early as November 2. The church community is trying to retrieve the Bible, and the thief has not been found.

Sacred Objects Stolen from Church in Brenna

October 22, 2023, Poland

Unknown perpetrators broke into the church of St. John the Baptist in Brenna on October 22 between 9:00 PM and midnight and stole sacred objects. According to Cieszyn police spokesman Krzysztof Pawlik, the thieves stole a gold-plated chalice and a reliquary.