All cases

Theft and desecration of consecrated hosts

October 20, 2024, France

On 20 October, someone broke into the church of Saint-Nicolas de Montigny and stole the chalice containing the consecrated host. Other consecrated hosts were scattered on the floor.

Theft of consecrated hosts

October 19, 2024, France

On the night of October 19, the church of Saint-Éloi Matigny in Somme was fractured and desecrated, the cup that contains the hosts has been stolen from the tabernacle.

Vandals draw swastika on church pew

October 17, 2024, Germany

On 17 October, unknown persons knocked over candles and threw leaflets in the church of St Stephan in Kissing. A swastika was also drawn on a pew with candle wax.

BRITISH COURT CONDEMNS ARMY VETERAN FOR PRAYING IN HIS THOUGHTS

October 16, 2024, United Kingdom

Adam Smith-Connor has been found guilty of praying silently in an abortion 'buffer zone'. The controversial decision confirms serious restrictions on freedom of religion and even thought UK 'buffer zone' legislation.

France: 14 churches burned in 10 months

October 15, 2024, France

Between January and October 2024, the French Religious Heritage Observatory recorded 14 deliberate arson attacks on French churches. This figure is much higher than in 2023. In response to this situation, proposed legislation and surveillance systems are being considered.

Repeated vandalism and desecration in Lot churches

October 13, 2024, France

In the Lot region, three churches have been vandalised in recent weeks. The most recent incident occurred at the Saint-Pierre church in Bagnac-sur-Célé on 13 October, when it was seriously desecrated. The Blessed Sacrament was stolen. A statue inside the church was also deliberately overturned.

Statue beheaded and replaced with Nazi photos

October 12, 2024, Poland

On 27 September, in Witaszyce, an unknown person cut off the head of the statue of Mary in a forest shrine. On October 12, five photos of the faces of Nazi soldiers were placed inside the shrine.

250kg mountain cross disappeared

October 12, 2024, Spain

The cross in honour of the mountaineers who died on the summit of Udalatx since 1971 has disappeared and its base has been sawn off, with a small saw and a written message mocking the symbol left on the stump. The cross, which was located between the border of Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia, weighed 250 kilos and was ten metres high.

Christian street preacher injured by assailant and arrested by police

October 10, 2024, United Kingdom

Christian pastor Dia Moodley was arrested and detained for 13 hours by Avon and Somerset Police after preaching about Christianity and Islam outside Bristol University during Ramadan in March.

UPDATE: Ireland's "buffer zone" law comes into force

October 10, 2024, Ireland

In October 2024, Ireland implemented a "buffer zone" law that prohibits any conduct that could "influence" abortion decisions within 100 metres of clinics. The law also restricts speech on private property near public areas, raising concerns about restrictions on religious freedom.