All cases
European Court of Human Rights Upholds Right to Door-to-Door Religious Outreach
June 9, 2026, BulgariaOn 9 June 2026, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Bulgaria violated the right to freedom of religion by upholding a municipal ban on door-to-door religious outreach in the city of Shumen. The Court found that the measure amounted to a disproportionate restriction on religious freedom because it broadly prohibited religious evangelisation at residents’ homes without sufficient justification. The judgment reaffirms that peaceful missionary activity is protected under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Arson Incident at St. Peter’s Church in Lommel Following Repeated Vandalism
June 8, 2026, BelgiumUnknown perpetrators deliberately set fire to the fabric upholstery of a church bench inside St. Peter’s Church (Sint-Pietersbandenkerk) in Lommel, Belgium, on 8 June 2026. Church officials stated that the incident was the latest in a number of recent vandalism and fire-related incidents affecting the church.
Suspected arson at new Syrian Orthodox church under construction in Leimen
June 7, 2026, GermanyPolice in Leimen, Germany, are investigating suspected arson after a fire was deliberately set inside the shell of a new Syrian Orthodox church. The blaze, which produced flames several metres high, was extinguished before it could cause major damage to the building.
Catholic Prayer Disrupted in Poissy Amid Shouting of Anti-Christian and Islamist Slogans
June 6, 2026, FranceA Catholic prayer gathering at the Church of Saint-Louis de Beauregard in Poissy was disrupted by individuals shouting slogans, including “Allahu Akbar” and direct insults against Christians, prompting concern among the parishioners.
Attempted Arson Inside St. Michael’s City Church in Jena
June 5, 2026, GermanyA 45-year-old man attempted to set fire to the altar and baptismal font inside St. Michael’s City Church in Jena, Germany, using lamp oil. The fire was quickly extinguished by those present, preventing major destruction, while police continue to investigate the incident as attempted arson.
Saint-Martin Church near Toulouse: Song Books Set on Fire
June 5, 2026, FranceA church in Roques-sur-Garonne, near Toulouse, was targeted in an arson attack after an individual deliberately setting song books sheets on fire in front of the altar inside the Church of Saint-Martin.
Two Churches in Mittweida Vandalised: Organ Damaged and Water Flooding Caused
June 1, 2026, GermanyTwo churches in Mittweida were targeted in a series of vandalism incidents that caused water damage, defaced church property and impaired the functioning of the church organs. Police have launched an investigation and are seeking witnesses.
Leipzig café run by free church closes after 26 left-wing attacks
May 31, 2026, GermanyA Christian-run café in Leipzig has announced its closure after reporting 26 attacks over two and a half years, including vandalism, graffiti and a butyric acid incident. The operators attribute the incidents to left-wing extremist perpetrators and cite repeated damage and financial losses as the reason for closing.
Arson Attack and Theft at Sanctuary of St Michael the Archangel
May 30, 2026, ItalyAn arson attack targeted the Sanctuary of St Michael the Archangel after intruders allegedly set fire to the church's main wooden entrance to gain access. Once inside, they vandalised the sanctuary and stole the crown and sword from the statue of St Michael.
Arson Attack at Marbach Church After Bench Set on Fire
May 28, 2026, GermanyAn arson attack targeted the Church of the Holy Family in Marbach after unknown individuals allegedly set fire to the upholstery of a church bench.