All cases

Vandals attack Neuenkirchen church during service and desecrate cemetery

January 24, 2025, Germany

At around 4.30pm on 24 January 2025, unknown individuals threw two stones through a window of the St Laurentius church in Neuenkirchen during a service. The following day, parishioners discovered that 14 graves in the nearby cemetery had been desecrated. The perpetrators had knocked over grave lamps and bronze vases, and destroyed porcelain figurines and vases with their feet. The police are investigating both attacks on the St Laurentius parish. The damage is estimated at €2,000.

Smear on Christian politicians in Austria

January 24, 2025, Austria

In Austria, an official report on 'right-wing extremism' has been heavily criticised for defaming Christian politicians and placing traditional Christian beliefs in the context of 'right-wing extremism'. The Christian politicians named in the report reacted with shock and indignation. One of them, Jan Ledóchowski, whose ancestors were murdered by the Nazis, pointed out the absurdity of associating Catholic positions with right-wing extremism. Christian politician Gudrun Kugler, who the report unfoundedly claims was elected by a 'right-wing milieu', called the report unscientific and trivialised genuine right-wing extremism.

Woman set fire to the Holy Scriptures

January 23, 2025, Poland

On 23 January, a 43-year-old woman set fire to a Bible in a church in Kępno and threw a vase and candles from the altar.

Another attack on a church in the Sardinia region

January 23, 2025, Italy

On the night of 23 January, unknown assailants vandalised the church of San Francesco in Oristano. The Christian community in Sardinia has suffered numerous attacks on religious sites in recent weeks. The police are now investigating all the incidents.

Sacrilegious theft in Sarajevo

January 21, 2025, Bosnia and Herzegovina

On 21 January, unknown assailants broke into the convent church of the Sisters of Charity of St Vinka in the centre of Sarajevo and stole the vessel monstrance the large consecrated host, scattering the other smaller ones in the sanctuary. Several other items were also stolen.

Facade of convent vandalised with pro-abortion tags

January 20, 2025, France

On 20 January, the façade of the Grande Bretèche convent, home to the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation, was vandalised with pro-abortion inscriptions in a repeat of a similar attack last year. This is the second year in a row that the convent has been vandalised after hosting a pro-life event.

Islamist Bomb threats to church in Palencia

January 18, 2025, Spain

Two Islamist bomb threats against a church via a Telegram group caused great concern and prompted the immediate deployment of security forces in the city of Palencia.

Swiss Federal Court Bans Subsidies for Catholic Girls' school

January 17, 2025, Switzerland

The Federal Court sitting in Lausanne has withdrawn from the Catholic girls' school Saint Katharina of Wil (Canton of Saint-Gall) the possibility of receiving public funds, considering that being Catholic and reserved for girls, it practices "discrimination".

School counsellor sacked for promoting Christian views on marriage

January 16, 2025, United Kingdom

Gozen Soydag, who was sacked from a Catholic school in February 2023 for publicly promoting traditional Christian beliefs on marriage, has received news that the court has rejected all her claims. Ms Soydag will appeal the decision as she feels she is being discriminated against because of her faith.

"Low-status" prisoners in Belarus banned from religious practice

January 16, 2025, Belarus

In a growing assault on religious freedom, several prisoners in Belarus are being denied any contact with religious services or members of the clergy because they are considered 'low status'. The ban even prevents them from possessing religious literature or devotional objects.