All cases

Vandal tried to break an icon in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra during service

August 13, 2023, Ukraine

An unidentified individual entered the church of Venerable Agapitos of the Kyiv Caves and struck an icon of Jesus twice with a stone during the Divine Liturgy. The parishioners stopped his actions and called the police, who detained the attacker.

Liturgical Objects stolen from St. Norbert Church

August 13, 2023, Germany

Between the 12th and 13th of August, unknown perpetrators robbed St. Norbert Church in Bocholt. They forcibly entered the church through a side entrance and stole a golden chalice a silver host bowl used for the liturgy, a laptop, and a safe from the church.

Windows at Village Church in Gullane Smashed

August 12, 2023, United Kingdom

On the night of August 12, the windows were smashed at the church of St. Adrian's in Gullane. The Rev Simon Metzner stated that there had been reports of youths drinking and smashing bottles in the area. He was unsure of the cost of the damage but stressed that police were looking into the issue.

Repeated Vandalism at Bonn Cathedral

August 12, 2023, Germany

On the night of August 12, Bonn Cathedral Basilica again became the target of vandalism and attempted theft during the night, marking it the fourth incident in eight months.

Church Vandalised: "Evil" written on Altar

August 12, 2023, Belgium

On August 12, the church at Buissenal in Frasnes-lez-Anvaing, Belgium, was vandalised. The perpetrator(s) broke into the church and destroyed the stained glass windows. The perpetrators used some of the broken candles to 'write' the word 'EVIL' on the altar. Two gravestones in the cemetery were also defaced.

Graves ransacked in Charleroi

August 10, 2023, Belgium

On August 10, several graves in the Couillet Fiestaux cemetery near Charleroi in the Hainaut region of Belgium have been ransacked, the plaques smashed and the flowers thrown away.

Church and Cemetery Defaced with Anti-Christian Tags

August 9, 2023, France

During the night of August 9, the church in Villedieu-sur-Indre was tagged with the words ‘ni Dieu ni maître’ (‘neither God nor master’) and an anarchist symbol. In the neighbouring commune of Châtillon, a similar tag was put on the wall of the cemetery the same night.

Graves at Wigston Cemetery repeatedly desecrated

August 9, 2023, United Kingdom

Wigston Cemetery, near Leicester, has been the scene of numerous acts of vandalism and even grave desecration. Relatives of the deceased had complained about repeated problems at the cemetery.

Vandals devastated facilities of the Santa Maria Liberatrice parish in Milan

August 8, 2023, Italy

On the night of 7-8 August, a group of unidentified vandals entered and destroyed the parish facilities of the Santa Maria Liberatrice parish in Vigentino, Milan. "The area with all the objects was ransacked, plus two fire extinguishers were emptied. There was white powder everywhere," told one of the founders of the association that is helping to clean and repair the destruction. The carabinieri investigating the case are also voluntarily helping with the clearing clear out of service hours.

UPDATE: Councillor Supporting Christian Councillor's Freedom of Speech Now Faces Criminal Investigation

August 8, 2023, United Kingdom

On August 8, Wellingborough Town Councillor Anthony Stevens, 50, was searched in his house in front of his wife and children, taken to the Kettering police station, and heavily questioned, for posting tweets from his personal account supporting the case of Christian Councillor King Lawal. King Lawal faced suspension as a Councillor, investigations and other forms of cancelling and discriminatory treatment for tweeting that "Pride" is a sin in June 2023. Mr Lawal launched a petition, which has been signed by over 26,000 people, calling on the Chairman of the Conservative Party, Greg Hands, to intervene in his behalf. Cllr Stevens shared the petition and tweeted in support of Cllr Lawal saying: ‘If you value free speech please sign and share’. Officers showed Cllr Stevens his tweets and asked him why he supported the petition. Cllr Stevens stated that he is a free speech absolutist and that even if he does not agree with someone, he believes in their right to express their beliefs. Cllr Stevens was released on bail, his mobile phone was seized to be searched for further evidence. He is required to surrender himself at Kettering police station on November 1. He has made a complaint to the Independent Office for Police Conduct regarding his treatment.