All cases

5000 Euro Damage: Perpetrators Throw Explosives Towards Church

January 7, 2023, Germany

In the city of Halberstadt, a form of pyrotechnics were used to destroy church property at the Lüttgenfeldstraße, amounting to 5,000 euros in damage. Around 3:45 a.m. on January 7, unknown persons threw crafted explosives over the fence of the church and caused damage to a nativity play which was handcrafted with plastic and wood. The explosion also caused damage to the façade of the church and a window. The police are seeking witnesses to find the perpetrators.

1,000 euros Worth of Damage to church in Ottersheim

January 7, 2023, Germany

Between the 7th and 9th of January, unknown perpetrators damaged the cupboards of the St. Martinus Church in Ottersheim. The police is running an investigation and looking for the perpetrators. The damaged cupboards amount to about 1000 euros worth.

Church bells stolen

January 7, 2023, Germany

Unknown people removed the bell that weighs 800 kilograms from Evangelical Christ Church, Dietzenbach.

Statue of Baby Jesus destroyed and Desecrated At church of St. James

January 6, 2023, Poland

During the night on January 6, the statue of Baby Jesus from the Nativity Scene in the St. James Church was vandalized in Brzesko. According to the report, the right hands were cut off, and the statue was destroyed and left at the Jordan park. The pastor of the church commented: "This kind of profanation is not only an expression of stupidity, vandalism or thuggery on the part of some people, but it is first and foremost an attack on our religious feelings."

Arson Attack on Santa Francesca Cabrini Church in Lodi

January 5, 2023, Italy

On January 5 in the afternoon, an arsonist set fire to the church of the parish of Santa Francesca Cabrini, in Lodi. The flames destroyed a large part of the entrance door and damaged the side walls. Fire was set to a curtain close to the entrance, and a gospel placed on a lectern. The perpetrator has been caught by the police.

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.