Church Vandalised With Blasphemous Graffiti
A historic church in Viseu was targeted by vandals who painted an offensive message on the exterior wall of its mortuary chapel.
On January 28th, an act of vandalism took place during the night at the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Viseu, Portugal. The incident involved the painting of the phrase "Pedo-filho Jesus" (alluding to Jesus as a pedophile) in red graffiti on the exterior wall of the church's mortuary chapel, located near the Campo de Viriato.
The damage was discovered on the morning of 29 January 2026, prompting the Paróquia de São José to issue a statement condemning the act as more than "simple graffiti". The parish described the incident as a "gesture that causes material damage, wounds the religious feelings of many, and represents an act of disrespect in a space of faith open to all."
The Public Security Police (PSP) were notified of the vandalism and have initiated legal proceedings to identify and hold the perpetrators accountable. The church is noted for its deep religious and historical significance to the city of Viseu, and the parish has appealed to the public for any information that might assist the authorities in their investigation.
Source: Diarioviseu
Image: Wikimedia. Por Vitor Oliveira, CC BY-SA 2.0