All cases
Lutheran church in Plettenberg "devastated" by vandals
May 5, 2024, GermanyOn Saturday evening, May 5, the police were called to the Lutheran Böhler church in Plettenberg, because a witness had found "people rioting" there. Upon arrival the police found that the door had been smashed in and the wooden panelling was broken. The interior was "a picture of devastation", according to reports. The baptismal font was knocked over, a candelabra was torn down and a window was damaged. The organ on the upper floor was also demolished, as were parts of the roof truss. The damage is estimated by the presbytery to be at least 50,000 euros.
Fourteen Helpers Church tagged with swastikas
April 30, 2024, GermanyUnknown persons have scratched two swastikas and a runic symbol on the façade of Fourteen Helpers Church in Zeitzer Straße in Gera. According to the police, the offence is now being investigated not only for damage to property, but also for the use of anti-constitutional symbols.
Right-wing slogans and swastika daubed on church doors
April 27, 2024, GermanyIn the village of Hesborn, the parish church and the cemetery chapel were smeared with right-wing slogans and symbols. Early on Saturday morning, April 27, a large swastika was found emblazoned on the church door and "Foreigners out" was written on the door to the cemetery chapel. Police and state security are investigating.
Arson in Haren Church
April 27, 2024, GermanyUnknown persons set a fire in a church in Haren between April 26 and 27. According to the police, the fire was set in the porch of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (Herz-Jesu-Kirche). Floor tiles were damaged as a result. The fire went out on its own.
Vandalism: Windows smashed in Bonn Church
April 21, 2024, GermanySince the weekend of April 21, the St. Franziskus church has had smashed windows since the weekend. The management board is shocked.
Vandalism and Fire in Hilders Church
April 21, 2024, GermanyOn Sunday, April 21, unknown persons entered the Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist during official opening hours, tore flower decorations from the benches, destroyed sacrificial candles and burned paper in several places.
Vandalism and Islamic Graffiti inside Aachen Chapel
April 21, 2024, GermanyOn Sunday, April 21, Ursula Becker, a member of the parish council at St. Katharina, Aachen, discovered garbage and graffiti in the parish's St. Mary Chapel. Among other things, "Allahu Akbar" was written on the walls and doors. The crime must have happened between 12 and 4 p.m.
Passion Trail Vandalised
April 16, 2024, GermanyThe Passion Trail set up by the Evangelical Lutheran parish in Hagen-Haspe has been demolished. The path, which was lined with crosses and prayer texts, led along the forest path at Tücking.
Arrest warrant for youths on suspicion of terrorist attack against "Christians and police"
April 12, 2024, GermanyThe German national security forces have unearthed a terrorist cell of minors in Düsseldorf. According to the newspaper Bild, the youths wanted to attack "Christians ("unbelievers") in churches" and "police officers in police stations" with knives and Molotov cocktails in the name of the ISIS. Arrest warrants have been issued.
Church façade vandalised during mass
April 10, 2024, GermanyOn April 10, a young man threw several bottles filled with alcohol against the façade of the Catholic Sacred Heart Church in Diez during the church service at around 6 p.m, causing heavy soiling and property damage.
Germany Issues Deportation Order for Iranian Convert
April 10, 2024, GermanyThe administrative office for foreigners of Central Franconia, Germany, has issued a deportation order for an Iranian convert. According to the media, the lawyer of has confirmed the conversion to Christianity of the Iranian asylum seeker. The lawyer also said that his client had been warned by his mother not to return to Iran because otherwise he would be arrested.
Fire and Vandalism at Roßwein Church
April 6, 2024, GermanyOn Saturday, April 6, unknown persons set fire to a memorial table of the Church in Roßwein and damaged the donation box.
Liturgical clothings and procession flags stolen from church
March 31, 2024, GermanyOn March 31, a stole, procession flags and clothing were stolen from the Roman Catholic Church of the Assumption of Mary in Scheinfeld, Germany. The perpetrator was apparently hiding in the confessional during mass before stealing the objects. The man also damaged the confessional, which caused damage of approximately 200 euros.
"Never again!" Banner Stolen from Church Fence
March 30, 2024, GermanyIn the night from Good Friday to Holy Saturday, unknown perpetrators removed a banner from the fence of St Sebastian's parish and stole it. The campaign slogan: "Never again! - Strong together for democracy and against right-wing extremism!" Investigations are ongoing.
Good Friday: Altar of Neuhaus church damaged with fire
March 29, 2024, GermanyAn unknown person damaged the altar in the Catholic Church in Neuhaus an der Pegnitz, Germany, on Good Friday, March 29. According to the police, the perpetrator apparently "held a candle to the altar in such a way that the wood and the altar cloth were damaged". Fortunately, the fire did not spread.
Arson in St Benedict Church prevented by employee
March 19, 2024, GermanyAn unknown person set fire to a seat cushion and a shrub that were placed in the front area of the church in Eisenharz for the upcoming First Communion. The fire was extinguished by an employee, but the pew and shrub were damaged. Fortunately, no one was injured.
Organ Damaged in Waltrop Church
March 19, 2024, GermanyOn Tuesday, March 19, a fire extinguisher was emptied into the pipes of the organ in St Peter's Church.
Excrements found in St Michael the Church in Marktrodach
March 15, 2024, GermanyThe pastor of the Protestant church in Marktrodach discovered human excrement behind the altar in the afternoon of March 15. The perpetrator is unknown, but it appears to be a repeat occurrence. The police reported that this was not the first instance of such an act in the church.
St John's Church in Herford remains closed due to vandalism
March 15, 2024, GermanyFor the past few months, incidents of vandalism and damages have occurred in the Neuer Markt church in the Herford district. The pews have repeatedly been pushed and knocked over, a curtain has been torn down, a large sign reading 'open church', which is usually located at the back of the church, has been removed and placed on the altar and leaflets removed from their displays and scattered around the room. Furthermore, there have been complaints in the past about unknown individuals leaving their excrement in the church. Although the number of incidents has decreased, faeces are unfortunately still occasionally discovered in the church.
18 churches pelted with eggs during the night
March 7, 2024, GermanyThe Lindenberg police department has solved a series of acts of vandalism that have kept the communities in the West Allgäu region on tenterhooks over the past few months. A total of 18 church doors and church façades were pelted with eggs by unknown persons during this period. The eggs were often painted black or labelled with red letters and numbers.
Ahlen church closed due to repeated vandalism
March 4, 2024, GermanyDue to repeated vandalism the St Mary church in Ahlen decided to keep its doors shut outside church services. A board on the door indicates: "Currently closed due to vandalism".
Damage to church entrance
March 1, 2024, GermanyOn March 1, an unknown perpetrator damaged the staircase in front of the Catholic parish in Waldsee, Germany, rendering it unusable for the public.
Suspected Arson at St Matthews Church
March 1, 2024, GermanyEarly on Friday morning, March 1, St Matthews Church in Berlin was the scene of several fires. The police suspect arson.
Prayer Gathering in Frankfurt attacked
March 1, 2024, GermanyA prayer gathering conducted by "40 days for life" outside an abortion clinic was violently disrupted and the participants were threatened by a group of activists.
Arson in Carlsberg Church of the Holy Cross
February 26, 2024, GermanyOn February 26, the confessional in the Catholic Church of the Holy Cross was destroyed in a fire. According to the investigating authorities, a statue of a saint and a storage room were also damaged. A fire expert ruled out a technical defect on Friday, March 1, so the criminal investigation department in Neustadt is assuming arson.
Vandalism at the Dreieichenhain castle church
February 20, 2024, GermanyUnknown people damaged the church on the Dreieichenhain castle grounds. According to the police's initial assessment, the historic side door was forced open with brute force. At the same time, the perpetrators broke a window to the right of the main entrance. This is not the first time there has been vanalism to the church.
Pauluskirche painted with "Allahu Akbar"
February 20, 2024, GermanyShortly after an anti-AfD (Alternative for Germany Party) demo took place on the forecourt, “Allahu Akbar” was daubed in Arabic script on the Protestant Pauluskirche in Hamm, Germany. In response to a news inquiry, the Hamm police confirmed the graffiti on February 20. However, no information can yet be provided about the perpetrator's profile. The investigation is ongoing.
Taxi Driver Fined for Displaying Bible Verse
February 20, 2024, GermanyA taxi driver from the German town of Essen was fined for displaying a small Bible verse sticker on the rear window of his car. The city authorities claim that the Bible verse constitutes "religious advertising", which is illegal on taxis which are regarded as part of the public transport.
Arson to St. Lambertus Church in Kalterherberg
February 18, 2024, GermanyUnknown perpetrators set fire to the parish church of St. Lambertus in Kalterherberg on Sunday. In the rear area of the interior of the church, prayer books, a shelf with parish letters and sheets from the Book of the Dead were set on fire in front of the wall with the memorial plaques. Opposite, at the Marian altar, the burning memorial lights were thrown down and artificial flowers were also lit.
Vandalism to St. Martinus Church
February 17, 2024, GermanyUnknown perpetrators spray painted the St. Martinus Church door with "666", "shame" and a swastika symbols in white paint. Police are currently investigating.
Attempted Break In leaves 2,000 euros of damage
February 16, 2024, GermanyA unknown perpetrator tried to break a window of the Catholic Mariä Himmelfahrt parish church to presumably get into the building. Awakened by the noise, the priest who lived in the house discovered the attempted break-in and spoke to the unknown person, whereupon he immediately fled on foot towards the train station.
Fire set repeatedly in front of St. Bartholomäus church
February 12, 2024, GermanyFire was set repeatedly in the outdoor area of St. Bartholomäus church in Götzingen. Further, the unknown perpetrators stole, among other things, prayer flyers and sacrificial candles from inside the prayer house and set them on fire on the stairs to the sacristy.
Rioters caused damage in church of St. Ägidius
February 11, 2024, GermanyUnknown people rioted in the St. Ägidius Church in Grafing. Several prayer books were thrown to the ground, the microphones at the altar were tampered with and an elaborately decorated Easter candle was broken. The material damage is estimated at around 300 euros. The police are currently investigating.
St. Ägidius Church Vandalised
February 11, 2024, GermanyDuring the night between February 10 and 11, unknown perpetrators vandalized the church of St. Ägidius in Grafing. Several prayer books were thrown to the floor, the microphones on the altar were tampered with and an elaborately decorated Easter candle was broken. The material damage is estimated at around 300 euros.
1,000 euros of property damage to Eiterfeld Church
February 8, 2024, GermanyUnknown persons went into the St. Franziskus-Xaverius Churchin Eiterfeld and broke open a wooden interior door. “According to current information, nothing was stolen,” the police said. However, the property damage amount to around 1,000 euros.
Window of Dettelbach church smashed
February 7, 2024, GermanyBetween February 6 and 7 a window of Dettelbach church, which is located on a pilgrimage route, was smashed. According to a police report the perpetrator climbed the scaffolding in order to do this. The damage is estimated around 500 euros.
St. Joseph Church in Schalke Vandalised
February 4, 2024, GermanyIn the course of a series of vandalism attacks, the St. Joseph Church in Schalke has also been targeted. The perpetrators threw projectiles through the stained windows destroying four windows, breaking a door and two gates.
Vandalism at the Sacred Heart Church
January 31, 2024, GermanyOn January 31, unknown perpetrators entered the Sacred Heart Church in Sorghof, Germany and used candles to burn a hole in the upholstery of a prayer stool. Further, they also destroyed the reading glasses the church had kept there for a churchgoer.
Man turns himself in after spray painting satanist symbols on church
January 31, 2024, GermanyA man 32 hands himself into the police after going on a vandalism spree around Markt Schwaben. Spray painting the town hall and elementary school with anti-police and Nazi messages before then painting satanist symbols on a chapel and St. Margaret's Church.
Suspected Arson Attack at St. Walpurgis Church
January 30, 2024, GermanyA fire broke out in the altar area of St. Walpurgis Church burning, among other things, the nativity scene. The fire caused damage of estimated 50,000 euros. Investigators have ruled out a technical defect and are assuming arson.
Draft Bill seeks to introduce Censorship Zones Around Abortion Clinics
January 29, 2024, GermanyGermany's Federal Family Minister, Lisa Paus, has proposed amendments to the Pregnancy Conflict Act ("Schwangerschaftskonfliktgesetz"), which would impose fines up to 5.000 euros fine on anyone committing a "disturbing" or "confusing" action within 100 meters around abortion clinics. Religious freedom organizations fear that this law could lead to 'censorship zones' like in the UK where individuals have been arrested for silent prayer and other peaceful expressions on public streets around abortion clinics.
Satanists leave 1000 Euros in Damage due to Church Vandalism
January 28, 2024, GermanyA pentagram was painted on the side entrance door of St. Vitus Church in Blumberg. An external electronic sensor and a lamp have also been damaged.
Baptismal font and Stations of the Cross stolen
January 27, 2024, GermanyDuring the night of 27-28 January, unknown perpetrators stole the baptismal font and several stations of the cross from the Catholic Liebfrauenkirche in Sinsen, Germany.
Vandalism at St. Peter and Paul church Lindenberg
January 26, 2024, GermanyAn unknown perpetrator threw rotten eggs at the five doors of St. Peter and Paul church Lindenberg. The parish priest said he did not believe that this was simply a joke by youth. This is not the first time the church has been targeted.
Arson attack on Lutheran church in Halle
January 3, 2024, GermanyOn January 3, a Lutheran church in Halle, Germany, was set on fire. The police assume it was an arson attack. "Witnesses became aware of the fire at the entrance to the church and were able to prevent the fire from spreading further", said the police spokesperson. As a result of the arson attack, the entrance door is damaged. The police is investigating the case.
Cologne Cathedral Terrorist Attack Plot uncovered
January 2, 2024, GermanyA plot to bomb Cologne's Catholic cathedral has been uncovered by police. "The attack was to have been carried out with a car packed with explosives," the local media announced. As a result of the plot, five men were arrested between 26 and 31 December, all of them allegedly linked to Islamic extremists. The Cologne police spokesman said that the police would maintain security at the cathedral.
Nativity Scene Vandalised with Blue Paint
December 31, 2023, GermanyOn January 4, a nativity scene was vandalised with blue paint outside the parish church of Großenbach-Hünfeld, Germany. The local community is shocked about the incident.
Arrest after prevented terror attack on Cologne's Cathedral
December 24, 2023, GermanyA 30-year-old man from Tajikistan has been arrested in connection with the terror warning for Cologne's Cathedral. Shortly before Christmas, the German police had received indications about a planned terrorist attack on the Cathedral. The police presumes an Islamist extremist motive. Cologne's Cathedral has been closed outside church service hours due to security concerns since Christmas.
Nativity scene figures stolen and damaged
December 23, 2023, GermanyBetween December 23 and 30, three figures were stolen from the nativity scene in St Anthony's Church in Amberg, Germany. In addition, a fourth figure was completely smashed. The police are asking anyone with information to contact them.
Crosses will not be removed from Bavaria's state buildings
December 19, 2023, GermanyA German High Court rejected the claim that the presence of a cross infringes on the religious freedom of the plaintiffs. On December 19, the Federal Administrative Court of Leipzig dismissed a lawsuit against a Bavarian decree (Kreuzerlass) from 2018, which required the display of crosses in public institutions "as an expression of the historical and cultural identity of Bavaria".