All cases

Pastor and Christian community offered protection by police

December 12, 2024, Germany

Protestant pastor Ralf Sedlak has been the target of several threats and attacks following a sermon criticising the Hamas attack on Israel in October. The police are now being called in to protect him and his family, as well as to provide security for church services as all members of the congregation face hostility.

Church walls defaced with graffiti

December 9, 2024, Germany

Between December 6-9, unknown perpetrators defaced the facade of a facade of the Catholic community center St. Christophorus with graffiti. The white graffiti defaced both the north and west sides of the church building.

Figure stolen from nativity scene, damage caused

December 8, 2024, Spain

Seven youths were reported in Santa Coloma for trying to steal the figure of the Virgin Mary from the municipal nativity scene at 4am on 8 December, causing damage. They fled after being surprised by the Town Hall guard and the night watchmen, but were identified a short time later in Sant Carles street.

Minors Devastate Church

December 7, 2024, Germany

An 11-year-old and a 16-year-old caused a riot in a church in Bisingen in the Zollernalb district on 7 December, causing property damage of around 3,000 euros. They damaged a vase, antique candlesticks, plants and plant pots, and scattered books on the floor. Sheet music was scattered on the floor, the Advent wreath was knocked over and everything was lying around. The damage is estimated at 3000€, said a police spokesman.

Church walls and a statue of the Virgin Mary vandalised in Moissac

December 7, 2024, France

On the night of 7 January, unknown persons vandalised the walls of the Catholic church of La Mégère and a public statue of the Virgin Mary. The vandals sprayed several offensive inscriptions on both sites. The police are now investigating.

Church in Bordeaux Vandalised Once Again

December 3, 2024, France

As reported on December 3, the Saint-Éloi church in Bordeaux suffered significant damage after a burglary and vandalism estimated at 10,000 euros, with a safe broken and stained glass windows behind the high altar damaged. In June, the church was tagged during a feminist march in the Gironde.

Acid instead of wine in the chalice

December 1, 2024, Italy

The Sunday mass in the church of Sant'Andrea on 1 December ended in hospital for a priest in the northern Italian community of Zignago - there was acid in the chalice instead of wine. The mass was interrupted and the congregation called the emergency services.

Vandalism of religious symbols in church

November 28, 2024, Germany

As reported on 28 November, unknown persons threw the Easter candle against the wall of St Mary's Church in Waltrop, damaged altar objects, tore a prayer book and threw other objects around the church.

Threats to Set Fire to Church

November 26, 2024, Italy

On 26 November, a 28-year-old Moroccan man damaged the door and part of the furniture of a room in an establishment in Formia that had helped him at the request of the Immaculate Heart of Mary - Don Bosco Church, and threatened to set fire to the church.

Theft and desecration in the Valdencin church

November 25, 2024, Spain

On the morning of 25 November, Father Maykel found the church of Valdencín in Santa Teresa vandalised. The sacristy was badly damaged, €80 of the collection and a silver monstrance were missing and, most devastatingly for the community, the consecrated hosts had been desecrated.