All cases

6th Vandalism incident at church in Høvik

July 28, 2023, Norway

Høvik Church in Bærum has been damaged by vandals several times. Many stones have been thrown at the church windows and there has also been a break-in at the parish house opposite the church.

Hermitage in Puente de Génave desecrated

July 27, 2023, Spain

One July 27, the San Juan Bautista hermitage in Peñolite, Puente de Génave, was broken into and desecrated.

Man uses stolen cross to injure another man

July 27, 2023, Germany

On July 27, a man stole a cross and a priest stole from St. Joseph church in Ebersberg, Bavaria. Wearing the stole, he then used the cross to attack another man.

Sweden: Christian Bakery Reported After Declining To do a Homosexual Wedding Cake

July 26, 2023, Sweden

At the end of July, it was communicated that a Swedish bakery has been reported to the Discrimination Ombudsman after they declined to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. The Christian bakers believe that the person who ordered the cake already knew their religious beliefs and intentionally generated this case.

Vandalism at Mariengrotte of St. Martin Church

July 26, 2023, Germany

Between July 26 and 28, unknown vandals damaged a statue in Mariengrotte, between the Church of St. Martin and the parish office. A flower vase was also found destroyed and sacrificially candles were found smeared in the church. The police were notified and opened an investigation to find the culprits.

Theft and Vandalism at St. Catherine Church

July 26, 2023, Poland

On the night of the 26th of July, unknown perpetrators broke into the Church of St. Catherine in Rożnów, robbing and damaging the property. Offerings from two donation boxes were stolen, and damage was caused to the stained glass window of St. Maksymilian and the baptismal font.

Human excrements left in sacristy after theft

July 26, 2023, Austria

On July 29, a thief broke into the Romanian Orthodox church of Stegersbach, Austria, after the evening prayers. Next to stealing 150-200 euros from the donation box, the thief also left human excrements in the sacristy.

Fire at the Church of Santa Maria di Gesù

July 25, 2023, Italy

The Maredolce Castle and Park Association in Palermo have taken legal action, filing a complaint for arson in response to the fire at the fifteenth-century Santa Maria di Gesù church, while investigations of the origin of the fire are still ongoing. The blaze, which occurred on July 25th, resulted in the partial destruction of the church, including the loss of its Renaissance ceiling, a fifteenth-century wooden sculpture of Mary and Jesus, and several other artworks. Moreover, the body of Saint Benedict the Moor, venerated in the church, disappeared in the flames.

30 Graves Vandalised in Beringen

July 25, 2023, Belgium

In July 2023, unknown persons vandalized at least thirty graves in a cemetery in the center of Koersel, in the municipality of Beringen. Objects were also set alight and taken away.

Russian Missile Strikes Holy Transfiguration Cathedral

July 23, 2023, Ukraine

In the early hours of the July 23, a Russian missile struck the central altar of the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, reducing a large part of it to rubble. The building and the three lower floors were partially destroyed, while the interior and icons were significantly damaged. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church called for an immediate, final break of ties with the Russian Orthodox Church.