All cases

Man threatens priest with knife during mass

October 9, 2023, Poland

On 9 October 2023, a 41-year-old man disrupted the celebration of Holy Mass in St Joseph's Church in Toruń. The perpetrator entered the church during the service with a knife in his hand and began to shout vulgarities at the priests.

Confessional in Kreuzlingen Church put on Fire

October 8, 2023, Switzerland

In St. Ulrich church in Kreuzlingen a confessional was found on fire on October 8. The fire department was able to put out the fire and ventilate the church. The material damage amounts to several thousand francs. The police have ruled out a technical defect and suspect arson.

Swastika Painted on Front Step of Spangenberg Church

October 8, 2023, Germany

A swastika sign was painted on the entrance steps of a Protestant church in Spangenberg. The Homberg criminal police are now investigating the unknown perpetrators.

Arabic Graffiti on Church Bell Tower in Sacile

October 6, 2023, Italy

On the morning of October 6, Don Boris Bandiera, the priest at the Parish of San Odorico in Sacile, found graffiti on the front wall of the church bell tower. He immediately notified the police, who helped him translate the Arabic graffiti writing: "There is no God but Allah." Don Boris stated that this is not the first attack on his church that he has witnessed, but the message of this vandalism left him stunned.

Pastor's Car Set on Fire in Mesoraca

October 6, 2023, Italy

In the evening of October 6, the pastor of the Evangelical Church of Mesoraca, Giovanni Aiello, was having dinner at a restaurant in Mesoraca when an unknown individual set fire to his car. While Aiello and other guests were inside, someone noticed the flames and alerted everyone. The car was completely destroyed by the flames along with the car parked next to it. Aiello immediately filed a complaint at the Mesoraca police station. Military personnel promptly started investigations to trace the perpetrator of the serious act, examining the video surveillance cameras located in the area. Last December the pastor's mountain home in the Fratta area was also destroyed. "I thought it would end there", he said, but added that after the new attack he is feeling unsafe.

2023: Increasing Vandalism of Finnish Cemeteries

October 6, 2023, Finland

In many cities in Finland, there were acts of vandalism, thefts and damages at local cemeteries.

Church in Cleethorpes Set on Fire

October 5, 2023, United Kingdom

On October 5, Beaconthorpe Methodist church was set on fire. Firefighters were immediately called to the scene. No one was injured in the fire. Three men have been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the fire and have been released on bail while the investigation continues.

Feldmark Church Vandalized with Graffiti

October 4, 2023, Germany

A church on Pothmannstraße in Feldmark, Gelsenkirchen was damaged between September 29 and October 4. The unknown perpetrators damaged a lighting rod and sprayed the church facade with various graffiti of swear words. The building's caretaker noticed the damage on October 4 and notified the police.

First Arrests in Coleraine over Abortion Clinic Buffer Zone

October 3, 2023, Ireland

The first arrests in Northern Ireland in relation to the new buffer zones regulation around abortion clinics occurred on the morning of October 3. The individuals arrested were a Catholic man and woman. They were praying outside Causeway Hospital. The woman was praying on her knees with a rosary and they were holding pro-life signs. Officers told them to leave and when they refused they were arrested. They were later released on bail pending further enquiries. The issue was highlighted when a pro-choice activist posted a photo of the pair talking to a police officer on social media. A fellow activist who knew the pair said they had been coming to pray outside the hospital weekly after regulations permitting abortion were introduced in Northern Ireland in March 2020.

Church in Aisch Vandalized

October 3, 2023, Germany

The church of St. Johannes in Neustadt an der Aisch was vandalized on October 3. Presumably three young teenagers left a trail of destruction. Pastor Daniel Bittel of the parish of St. Johannes said he encountered the three vandals, but only later realized that they were probably responsible for the destruction. Bottles of wine and beer and flour from the thanksgiving altar had been scattered, nearly all the offering candles had been thrown to the ground, and praise books had been torn to pieces in the front of the church.