All cases
Church in Bad Rodach Severly Vandalized (Again)
May 19, 2022, GermanyThe 100-year-old windows of the St. Johannis Church were damaged on May 21st in Bad Rodach. The church has been vandalized in the past but this time was especially severe. Also, the gold-plated light cover and light, of the ambo or "reading chair," was smashed. In addition, the stained glass windows with devotional pictures were broken.
Church Arson in Sainte-Croix Church
May 19, 2022, FranceA 54-year-old man was taken into custody on the morning of Monday 23 May 2022 as part of the investigation into the fire at the church in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (Vendée). The fire brigade had intervened on the night of Wednesday 18 to Thursday 19 May to extinguish a fire in the church, which destroyed 2 m² of floor in the oratory. Investigators quickly identified other fires and favoured the idea of arson.
Vandals set fire to St. Vladimir's Church in Lviv
May 19, 2022, UkraineOn 19 June in the Sykhiv district of Lviv, the church of St. Prince Vladimir caught fire. According to the sources, a bucket of liquid, a cloth stick, a lighter, a jacket and a cap were found at the scene of the fire. The evidence was seized by the police.
Anarchist and Communist Symbols Tagged on Chapel in Landsberger
May 18, 2022, GermanyOn May 18th, political symbols were found graffitied on the façade of the Altötting chapel in Landsberg, which is a baroque structure from the mid-19th century. A local resident was out on a morning walk when he saw the defacement which was a large anarchist symbol as well as a hammer and sickle (communist symbol) painted in red. The vandalism was reported to the police.
Repeated Hateful Vandalism in Schöppingen Church
May 18, 2022, GermanyActs of vandalism and disrespect repeatedly took place in the St. Brictius Church in Schöppingen. It was reported on May 18th that vandals had lit prayer notes and placed them under benches, put lighted candles under holy water fonts, and used sacrificial candles to "play football" in the church square. These were only some of the things that were happening and Sexton Andreas Kortüm pleaded with the parishioners to help stop it.
Anti-Clerical Activists Disrupt Mass in Wadowice
May 18, 2022, PolandOn May 18th, mass was held in the basilica of Wadowice to commemorate the 102nd birthday of Pope John Paul II. During the mass, the anti-clerical initiative "Enough of Silence", organized a protest in which they turned on loudspeaker to disrupt the celebrations. Some in the square tried to stop the protestors and were shocked by their presence saying: "How can you be there? On such a day?"
Tabernacle Stolen and Hosts Scattered in French Church
May 18, 2022, FranceThe tabernacle was stolen from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Amiens on May 18th. The perpetrators entered the church when it was empty and did not only steal the tabernacle but also scattered the consecrated hosts on the floor. The priest only saw the desecration after he was alerted.
Statue of Madonna Stolen form Palidoro Church
May 18, 2022, ItalyOn May 18th, the statue of Madonna that is usually in front of the Santi Filippo e Giacomo church in Palidoro was stolen. The parish priest Don Roberto Leoni reported the incident but it remained unknown who committed the theft. The priest said: "Such a silly, bad gesture, offensive towards the Mother of the Lord and towards all her children, who are not few."
Sacred Objects Stolen from Sacristy of Church in Clamecy
May 18, 2022, FrancePerpetrators forced their way through the front door of the Collégiale Saint-Martin Church in Clamecy on May 18th and then entered the sacristy. When they left, they took with them chalices, a monstrance, and a censor. It was not known who the burglars were.
Vandalism and Several Sacred Objects Stolen from Church in Luneburg
May 17, 2022, GermanyDuring the night of May 17th, unknown perpetrators broke into the St. Michaelis Church in Luneburg and stole two silver wine jugs, a host's tin box and two patrons. While in the church, they broke several doors and the property damage and stolen items amounted to a cost of several thousand euros. They left the church unnoticed and the police were asking the public for information.