All cases

Break-in to Church and Vandalism by group of Teenagers

December 29, 2022, United Kingdom

At around 3.45 p.m. on the 29th of December, the St Peter’s Church door was busted open by teenagers. Once inside, they damaged a cross, a statue and candles. The suspects are four boys and four girls who were seen by residents running away from the church with dark clothes on and heading toward Claydon High School. The faces are yet to be identified but the police are asking for any cam footage from cars that were there parked near the scene.

Thieves Steal Baby Jesus from Nativity Scene and Ask for "Ransom" Money

December 28, 2022, Spain

In the town of Barbera del Valles, thieves "kidnapped" the figure of the baby Jesus from the open-air nativity scene on the 28. December at night. They then posted a video on social media with covered faces and distorted voices demanding a ransom of 10,000 euros for the precious figure. According to Spanish media, the city council of the town expressed the hope that it could be a sort of prank. But this is not the first theft of the small figure from the Nativity scene in the church square.

Catholic Owned Centre Vandalised Twice in Two Weeks

December 28, 2022, Italy

In the city of Corticelle, vandals targeted the building adjacent to the Pieve church on the 28th of January. The building is a Catholic-owned centre that belongs to the Amici della Pieve association. The news reported that unknown perpetrators caused major damage by breaking the windows and doors and committing burglary. The police are said to investigate under surveillance cameras since vandals have caused two events within two weeks.

Vandals Steal Baby Jesus from Church in Florence

December 28, 2022, Italy

On December 28, the surveillance camera showed how unknown suspects stole the statue of the Baby Jesus from the nativity scene. The reports have also mentioned that several young people were hiding the statue of Baby Jesus under their clothes and walking around the city with it. The figure was later found at a restaurant terrace and other acts of vandalism have been investigated previously by the police.

Unknown Persons Riot in Leipzig Church Causing Several Damages

December 27, 2022, Germany

Unidentified person(s) have caused several damages inside the Catholic Provost Church of St Trinitatis in Leipzig. On the 27. December in the afternoon, he rioted in the church, threw various books around and damaged the nativity figures. The damage was estimated at a three-digit amount by the police.

Baby Jesus Figure Stolen in Munich Church

December 26, 2022, Germany

In the Jesuit Church of St. Michael in Munich, the nativity scene has been ruined and an unknown suspect has stolen the statue of the infant baby Jesus. It was reported that the statue about 25 centimetres tall, was stolen on the second day of Christmas. Father Martin Stark has therefore left a note on the empty crib saying "Here lay our baby Jesus, who is part of our historical nativity scene. Unfortunately it got lost on the 2nd day of Christmas. I ask the one, who probably took it, imploringly to return the figure to us!".

Church Set on Fire While Faithful were Celebrating Mass Inside

December 25, 2022, Finland

On the 25. December, while 30 people were celebrating Christmas service in a small wooden church in Rautjärvi, a fire broke out and the faithful had to be quickly evacuated. The historic Evangelical church was completely destroyed by the fire that started at 8.30 am. The criminal commissioner, Mika Salminen said in a press conference that the side doors of the church had been attached with ropes. There is no doubt for the police, that this was a willful attack.

Priest House Broken into and money stolen While He Held Christmas Mass

December 25, 2022, France

While celebrating mass and Christmas Eve in the village of Alsace, burglars entered the Priests' home and stole money. It was said the burglars might have known the time the masses were since it was posted online. Therefore, the theft was already planned beforehand. The amount of the stolen money is unclear, but it was from donations and collections from the church. The 59-year-old has said it was "traumatic" for him and that the investigation is still ongoing.

Break-In and Burglary at Church in Germany

December 25, 2022, Germany

On the 25th of December, the police reported that unknown perpetrators broke into the Christuskirche and burgled the interior. Laptops and bread rolls packages were stolen. The vandals entered the church through a window and by breaking the connected doors.

Vandals Destroy glass pane in the Belmonte Sanctuary

December 22, 2022, Italy

In Valperga, vandals broke a glass pane of the Belmonte sanctuary, as reported on the 22nd of December. Mayor Sandretto commented that a volunteer who takes care of the place has repaired the damage, as he was the one that noticed it. The attack must have been on the days before.