All cases

Vandals smash church windows

January 5, 2023, Poland

On the night of 4-5 January 2023, unknown perpetrators threw stones at the new Church of Mary of the Christians in Ropa. Protective glass and stained glass in three windows of the presbytery were damaged, and the police are investigating the case.

Priest violently threatened

January 5, 2023, France

Accused of threats and aggression against a priest in Tarascon-sur-Ariège, a 58-year-old man appeared on Thursday, January 5, 2023 before the Criminal Court of Foix (Ariège). On two occasions in September and November 2022, in connection with a neighbourhood dispute over a leak in the gutter of the presbytery, the defendant had threatened Father Jean Ngendakuriyo, among other things with the words 'If my son were here, he would have slit your throat and thrown you in the dustbin'.

Vandalism to the San Giacomo Church in Paola

January 4, 2023, Italy

In Paola, unknown vandals targeted, among other buildings, the main entrance of San Giacomo church. A few weeks before, the native house of Francis of Paola had been vandalized too. The Provincial Superior of the Order of Minims strongly condemned these acts and called for more security in the town.

Two People Vandalise the St. John's Church in Miltenberg

January 4, 2023, Germany

It was reported that two young people vandalised St. John's Church on the 4th of January. They left traces of foam from the fire extinguisher all over the church and special items. The sacristan came to the church right after the incident happened and reported the crime. A cleaning crew tried to remove the foam, textiles and other valuable Paramentes also had to be cleaned. It seems that the Altar Bible has suffered permanent damage. The police are investigating.

Vandalism at Catholic Seminary and Diocesan Library

January 4, 2023, Italy

Don Sabino Mennuni, the director of the catholic seminary in Andria reported about repeated acts vandalism and harassment at the facilities. According to his report, he was harassed and insulted while cleaning the entrance door of the seminary. The youth who insulted him also deposed garbage at the entrance and urinated on the door.

Deadly Knife Attack Against Ukrainian Priest inside the Church

January 2, 2023, Ukraine

On the morning of January 2, in the Holy Virgin Church in Vinnytsia, an unknown man attacked the priest Anthony Kovtonyuk and cut him on the throat. The unidentified man had entered the church and started turning everything over, so the priest reprimanded him. Then, the perpetrator attacked the priest with his knife, as it was reported by the diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The police came to the scene and apprehended the attacker, who has been arrested. Father Anthony was taken to the emergency services later transferred to the intensive care unit in a Vinnitsia hospital.

Historical Church of St Peter and St Paul in Turin Defaced with Graffiti

January 2, 2023, Italy

The Romanesque Church of Saints Peter and Paul located in Chianocco, Turin, has been spray painted by unknown vandals. The perpetrators painted inappropriate or obscene drawings and words on the stone wall of the old church. This was reported on the 2nd of January. In the next days, volunteers will come and help clean up the mess that was left behind. The police are investigating.

Cross stolen and vandalised in Deblin

January 2, 2023, Poland

On January 2, the police in Dęblin received a report of the theft of a wooden cross that was attached to the wall of one of the churches in Deblin. The police found that two young men, aged 21 and 23, residents of Dęblin, Lubelskie Voivodeship, had taken the cross attached to one of the churches and carried it around the city. They then damaged it, broke off the figure of Jesus, and abandoned it by one of the streets.

Physical attack on an altar boy

January 2, 2023, Poland

On 2 January 2023, in Witkowo, a man verbally and physically attacked one of the altar boys accompanying the priest during a pastoral visit.

Cemetery in Nîmes: 96 graves vandalised

January 2, 2023, France

96 graves have been vandalised at the Saint-Césaire cemetery in Nîmes. On Monday 2 January, municipal employees observed the theft of bronze and other damage. The police are currently conducting an investigation.