Vandalism Reported at Unused Derio Monastery Targets Religious Objects
The unused monastery of Derio in Bizkaia fell victim to an act of vandalism and desecration, when unknown perpetrators broke into the monastery and caused deliberate destruction of crucifixes, chalices, and religious paintings. The religious community emphasised that intruders went to break one by one the liturgical objects they found.
On November 20, 2025, the ex-Clarisas of Belorado, who left the Catholic Church in May 2024, filed a complaint with the Ertzaintza after finding extensive vandalism at the unused monastery of Derio in Bizkaia. During a routine inspection, they documented forced doors and windows, broken locks, damaged furniture, and deliberate destruction of liturgical objects including crucifixes, chalices, and religious paintings.
Francisco Canals, spokesperson for the group, explained that the intruders went to break one by one the liturgical objects they found. He also noted that a small bonfire had been lit inside the convent and that the arrangement of some objects suggested possible ritual activity. The monastery, where the group no longer resides, is one of three properties disputed with the Archdiocese of Burgos.
Sources: esdiario, Diario de Burgos