All cases
Nativity Scene vandalised
December 6, 2023, PolandOn the night of December 6, 2023, the nativity scene next to the Church of St. Nicholas on the market square in Stary Fordon in Bydgoszcz was vandalised. Three young men recorded on city surveillance destroyed, among other things, the wooden walls, floor, gates and hinges of the Nativity scene.
Woman breaks pew in Nice church shouting ‘Allah Akbar’
December 6, 2023, FranceAccording to local reports, a Tunisian woman, Aïcha B., broke a pew in the Gesù church in Nice on December 6, shouting ‘Allah Akbar’. She was arrested and interned.
St. Mary's Church Vandalized with anti-Christian Graffiti in Cologne
December 5, 2023, GermanyAt the beginning of December, for example, the pilgrimage church of St Mary in Kupfergasse in Cologne was the victim of an attack in which the perpetrators left eclectic messages on the walls of the chapel. The smearing included writings such as "666" and "Allah Akbar", most probably non of these related to genuine Satanism or Islamism. However, the use of these slogans and the fact that the perpetrators defaced the chapel walls point to a strong anti-Christian motive.
Door of Church damaged in Greiz
December 5, 2023, GermanyOn December 5, the door of a church in Greiz, Germany was partly destroyed, resulting in damages of at least a thousand euros. Police started an investigation.
Church windows vandalised
December 5, 2023, ItalyThree teenagers, aged between 15 and 17, were caught by the police, after video footage showed them throwing rocks at windows of a church in Arzignano, Italy. The damages amount to more than 2500 euros.
Thirty statues stolen from nativity scene in Tarent, Italy
December 4, 2023, ItalyThirty statues from a nativity scene, worth several hundred Euros, were stolen from the Madonna delle Grazie church in Tarnet, Italy. The thieves also tried to steal the tabernacle but failed to do so. Police started an investigation.
Climate Activists interrupt Mass in Turin
December 3, 2023, ItalyOn Sunday, December 3, a Mass held by Archbishop Roberto Repole was disrupted by climate activists. The protestors from the climate activist group "Extinction Rebellion" disrupted the church service in Turin Cathedral. During the Mass, the activists stood up one at a time, walked to the front, positioned themselves in front of the altar and started to read aloud passages from Pope Francis' "Laudato Si" and "Laudate Deum," both of which discuss climate change. The Archbishop of Turin said: "I am sorry that they decided to take the floor... without first wanting to talk to me and ask if they could intervene... I would have replied that at Mass we often pray for peace... but the Eucharistic celebration is not a suitable time to host public interventions." The Archbishop said that he initially let them speak before asking them to end so they could continue the celebration of the Mass.
Protestant Church in Annweiler Ransacked
December 2, 2023, GermanyBetween the morning of December 1 and the morning of December 2, unknown perpetrators broke into a Protestant church in Annweiler. The individuals trashed a room inside the church, but did not steal anything. The damage is estimated to cost about 500 euros. Police are still investigating the incident.
Priest's car set on fire in Carapelle
December 2, 2023, ItalyThe car of Don Claudio Barboni, the parish priest of the Church of the Blessed Mary Virgin of the Rosary in Carapelle, was demolished in a fire the night of December 2. The priest said he noticed the fire from his window at 2 in the morning. The car was parked in front of the rectory in Vico Capua.
Theft and Vandalism at Church in Casale
December 2, 2023, ItalyWithin one week a church in Casale, Itlay, became both the target of theft and vandalism.