All cases

Evangelical Church of Veneux-les-Sablons attacked the second time

February 18, 2023, France

Another report has come that the Evangelical Baptist Church of Veneux-les-Sablons was vandalized for a second time. A member of the Baptist Association posted pictures on her Facebook page that showed damaged windows and broken glasses. The constant reminder for prayer is needed for the church and the volunteers have also tried to secure the premises before the celebration on February 18.

Paint Bomb Attack Defaced Church of St. Lambert's

February 17, 2023, Netherlands

The St. Lambert's Church in Etten-Leur was attacked with paint bombs by unknown vandals. The paint covered the front doors, pillars, stairs and a statue. The report says that the "paint had even run in under the door." The incident was reported on February 17. and it mentioned that the Church had recently finished renovating and is unfortunately ruined again. Secretary Johan Snijders explained how the paint was covering the entrance and has soaked up from the pillars, the perpetrators used multiple colours of paint. Snijders reported that the unknown person "had also left behind all sorts of items: books, candles, a laptop, a bag of jars of paint and even a broken pot of vegetables".

Roadside cross in Goręczyno cut down with an axe

February 17, 2023, Poland

On the night of 17 February 2023, an unknown offender used an axe to cut down a roadside cross at a crossroads in Goręczyno and knock it to the ground.

Church windows smashed in Saint-Chéron

February 16, 2023, France

As reported on February 16, stained glass windows in the church of Saint-Chéron, France, were smashed by vandals.

Chapel at Gdansk´s Airport Vandalised

February 15, 2023, Poland

On February 15, 2023, a 27 year-old man committed an act of vandalism in the chapel located on the premises of the Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport. The perpetrator overturned and damaged the furnishings of the chapel and tore pages from the Bible.

Parish Church of Tarouca Vandalised By unknown perpetrators

February 14, 2023, Portugal

Unknown perpetrators vandalized the Parish Church of Tarouca on February 14. The authorities have investigated the crime and have mentioned that the main churchyard doors were scratched, and the stained glass window was destroyed. The Parish said "We only know that it was an attack against a Monument, art, humanity, faith, and the Parish of Tarouca. And this is a crime!”

Two Catholic priests Expelled from Russia

February 14, 2023, Russia

In February 2023, it became known that two Catholic priests had been expelled from Russia. Fr Mark Bakeżinski was the rector of the Catholic parish of Belgorod up until the moment he was arrested and expelled. He had been accused of allegedly "violating public order". Fr Michał Mżyglud was expelled from Novocherkassk, where he served as rector in the parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Both were Polish citizens.

Church raided and desecrated in Ukraine: Windows and a Crucifix destroyed

February 13, 2023, Ukraine

On Friday the 13th, the church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vinnytsia was vandalized and desecrated. The church belongs to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. It was reported that "unknown persons broke almost all the windows, attacked the cross in front of the church with an axe, and broke the legs of the Saviour on Calvary." It was also said that due to the strong force used by the perpetrator throwing the axe and destroying the statue, it also broke other candlelights and other religious objects.

Three Cemeteries Vandalised in Belgium

February 13, 2023, Belgium

In February 2023, the newly renovated Warnant cemetery Villers-le-Bouillet was the target of vandals who have ripped out the new planting and thrown it on the graves. The cemeteries at Oeudeghien and Montrœul-au-Bois (both, in the Hainaut province) were also vandalised.

Statue of Virgin Mary Decapitated and Church Desecrated

February 12, 2023, France

The church of Saint-Martin located in Choisy-le-Roi was vandalized on the 12th of February. The French news portal has reported the statue of the Virgin Mary was decapitated and desecrated. Quoted "the church of Saint-Martin was vandalized by one or more individuals, according to information from Le Parisien confirmed by the Créteil prosecutor's office."