All cases
Youth Gang Sprinkle Each Other with Holy Water and Shout "Allah Akbar" in Nice
June 20, 2023, FranceOn June 20, in the church of Saint Roch in Nice, a group of young people entered the place and sprinkled themselves with Holy Water and then one of them shouted "Allah Akbar", which can be considered a threat, as this shout is used by Islamists during attacks. The incident was reported to the first deputy mayor responsible for security, Anthony Borré, who said he would take the matter "very seriously".
Pectoral Cross of Benedict XVI Stolen from Church in Traunstein
June 19, 2023, GermanyThe papal pectoral cross of Pope Benedict XVI was stolen on June 19 during a break-in at the Traunstein city church of St. Oswald. The perpetrator broke open an exhibition display case to steal the cross. Pope Benedict XVI bequeathed the pectoral cross to St. Oswald's Church after his retirement in 2013. The cross holds immense value to the Catholic community in Traunstein, and investigators are still searching for it.
Northamptonshire Councillor Cancelled and Suspended for Tweet About Pride
June 19, 2023, United KingdomChristian Councillor King Lawal, who has been a councillor at North Northamptonshire Unitary Council for two years, was cancelled by seven organizations and suspended by the Conservative party pending an investigation over his tweets. His tweets commented on an LGBT pride parade that included naked men illegally parading through the streets in front of children. On June 19, he tweeted: "When did Pride become a thing to celebrate? Because of Pride Satan fell as an archangel. Pride is not a virtue but a sin." On the same day he posted the tweet, he was contacted by the leader of North Northamptonshire Unitary Council who told him that he was suspended for 21 days pending an investigation. On July 3, a local authority that held a substantial council contract with Cllr Lawal's family business ordered an urgent meeting. The family business was told that unless Cllr Lawal was removed immediately as director, their contract would be withdrawn. Under potentially illegal pressure, Cllr Lawal resigned from his own company. Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, Cllr Lawal instructed his lawyers to prepare legal action alleging multiple violations of his rights to freedom of speech and freedom of religion. On October 26, at a full council meeting, Cllr Lawal was reinstated. After being suspended for 3 months, Cllr Lawal said he was "relieved" but the Conservative party had still not dropped the complaint against him.
Church Windows Smashed in Spiesen-Elversberg
June 18, 2023, Germanyunknown perpetrators destroyed several windows of a Catholic church in Spiesen-Elversberg in the Neunkirchen district.
Vandalism: Church window smashed twice
June 17, 2023, GermanyDuring the night of 16 to 17 June, unknown persons smashed the historic stained glass window of the Protestant church in Neuenrade. The time can probably be narrowed down. At around 2.40 a.m. a "considerable impact noise" was heard. The police confirmed at the time that stones, possibly beer bottles, had been thrown at the window. The damage is estimated at 7000 euros.
Sacred objects stolen from Yorkshire church
June 17, 2023, United KingdomSacred objects stolen from the church of Bilton-in-Ainsty in Yorkshire, England, on July 17, including two patens and a 16th-century cruet, have been recovered and returned to the parish.
Religion Teacher receives Threats
June 15, 2023, PolandOn June 15, 2023, insults and threats were directed at one of the religion teachers at Primary School No. 35 in Toruń, who was organising a series of lessons for children under the slogan "Feel the chemistry of Jesus".
Feminist Group Paints over Fresco of Jesus in Church in Geneva
June 14, 2023, SwitzerlandA group of women desecrated a fresco of Jesus and the apostles on June 14 at the Plainpalais Church in Geneva. The group, called "The Red Tents", gained access to the chapel of the Plainpalais Church. They used pink and purple paint to add women, draw breasts on a saint, and paint male genitals on the fresco. They also painted symbols of Venus and Mars on Christ's dress.
Ciborium with consecrated hosts stolen
June 14, 2023, FranceOn June 14, 2023, a ciborium containing consecrated hosts was stolen from the Notre-Dame church in Rocheservière (Vendée). Parishioners expressed worry over the sacrilegious theft.
Church Guest Book tagged With Satanic Symbols
June 13, 2023, GermanyThe village church in Hiesfeld has been repeatedly vandalized by unknown perpetrators. According to media reports from June 13, vandals have left satanic and offensive symbols in the parish guest book.