All cases
Tabernacle Desecrated and Stolen
February 9, 2023, SpainThe tabernacle of the parish of Lozoyuela-Navas-Sieteiglesias in Madrid was desecrated and stolen. Furthermore, perpetrators ransacked the parish sacristy. It was reported that offerings collected from the parish have also been stolen.
Cross on a child's grave broken down
February 9, 2023, United KingdomA Celtic cross on the grave of a child near St Mary's Church in High Heskett, Cumbria (England), was broken. According to the police, it was deliberate vandalism.
19-year-old Arrested after Video Showing him Burning an Image of the Virgin
February 8, 2023, RussiaA video on the internet have been circulating in Astrakhan of a 19-year-old burning a religious shrine, an image of the the Virgin Mary. Later that day, he was arrested and questioned by the police. The person filming behind the camera will also be questioned for the offensive crime.
Cyrill and Methodius Monument Vandalized in Bautzen
February 7, 2023, GermanyIn the first week of February 2023, the Dresden-Meißen diocese reported that the statue of Cyril and Methodius, the Apostles to the Slavs, in Bautzen was vandalised.
Threats against Christians sprayed on wall
February 7, 2023, ItalyOn 7 February, youths were charged for graffiti containing insults and threats against the Christian faith. The slogans also included insults against the police in Terni. It was reported that some witnesses had told the police that several hooded boys could have carried out this type of act. The graffiti was eventually removed and the perpetrators are still being investigated.
Sacrilegious theft in church in Altino
February 7, 2023, ItalyOn 7 February, a sacrilegious act took place in the church of San Rocco in Altino, in the region of Chieti. The thieves not only stole sacred objects such as a reliquary and a handbell, but also a pyx containing consecrated hosts from the tabernacle.
Paris: man arrested for making death threats against priests
February 7, 2023, FranceOn February 7, a man was arrested by police in Paris for making death threats against multiple priests. According to a French news site, a staff member from the Saint-Sulpice church alerted the authorities about the suspect. It was also reported that the man had threatened a priest in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés parish. The Paris judicial police are investigating the case, and it was revealed that the man is on an S file for state security related to terrorism and a search file for a temporary ban from French territory. These developments are concerning and raise questions about the motives behind the threats and whether the man acted alone or as part of a larger group.
Man threatens lives of several priests
February 7, 2023, FranceA man subject to an obligation to leave French territory, who is also on the S list for ‘activities linked to terrorism’, was arrested on 7 February for threatening the lives of several priests in the parish of Saint Sulpice.
Church Vandalised Multiple Times in Catanzaro
February 5, 2023, ItalyA church in Catanzaro suffered a vandalic attack in early February (reported on the 5th February), causing damages worth 3000 euros. According to the sources, this church has been targeted before. "Dismay and anger. The umpteenth act of vandalism to which the Pistoia neighbourhood church of St. Mary of Hope [in Catanzaro], has been subjected provokes a reaction of indignation" reports Catanzaro Informa quoting Fr. Giorgio Pilò, parish priest of the vandalised church.
Parish Centre in Rzeszów marked with hateful inscriptions
February 5, 2023, PolandOn 5 February 2023, a centre in the premises of the parish of Blessed Father Jerzy Popiełuszko in Rzeszów, was vandalised and marked with hateful inscriptions. Among the words written on the walls of the building were "You are robbing children" and "Silver Czarnek".