Two churches closed due to increased vandalism
Due to repeated acts of vandalism, two churches in Bodenfelde and Uslar have had to close their doors outside of worship hours. The churches have been the target of various attacks, including broken windows, arson and an altar being defaced with swastika graffiti.
Young people vandalised St John's Church in Uslar, almost setting fire to the organ. Later, the parish church in neighbouring Bodenfeld was set on fire. "What's happening here now is terrible," says Uslar pastor Astrid Jasper. However, it is not yet clear whether the fire was started deliberately.
In mid-July, the Christus-Kirche in Bodenfeld was also vandalised. "The altar was defaced with swastikas and the toilet was blocked with a large candle," said former parish secretary Susanne Otte. "It's horrible. Where is this going?'
A few years ago, the church in Wahmbeck, near Bodenfelde, was set on fire after being renovated at a cost of tens of thousands of euros, meaning it had to be renovated again.
Statistics show that the number of crimes against religious institutions in Lower Saxony doubled from 182 cases in 2020 to 365 cases in 2023. However, the number of unreported cases is likely to be higher.
Nevertheless, the Lower Saxony Regional Crime Office is reluctant to acknowledge a nationwide trend of vandalism against churches and religious institutions.
The two churches in Bodenfelde and Uslar, which were previously open to visitors during the day, now have to draw consequences and will be closed outside worship services. “It's bad when churches have to close because of vandalism,” the local pastor commented.
Source: Evangelische Zeitung