All cases

Walls of Roman Pantheon Sprayed With The Words "Aliens Exist"

July 16, 2022, Italy

Unknown vandals sprayed blue paint graffiti on the outer facade of the nearly 1900-year-old Roman Pantheon, where it could be read "aliens exist". As the area outside the Pantheon is not under complete surveillance, the security cameras were not useful to help find the culprits. However, the case was reported to the police who immediately launched an investigation. The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved buildings from Roman antiquity and experts are working on removing the paint from its walls.

Ukraine: Orthodox Priests Tortured By Russian Forces

July 16, 2022, Ukraine

Dymytrij Rudyuk, the Lviv Metropolitan of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OKU), accused the Russian army and the Moscow Patriarch Cyril of being responsible for torturing Ukrainian Orthodox priests. In an interview, he claimed that "the majority of OKU priests had to flee the Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. Those who stayed are often tortured. Five Orthodox priests were shot and a priest-monk was cruelly tortured to death".

Evangelical Church Signs Targeted By Vandals

July 16, 2022, Germany

The Protestant Gethsemane Church in Berlin-Prenzlauer-Berg was vandalised (again) by unknown perpetrators. The police announced on Thursday that unknown persons graffitied the display case at the church in Stargarder Straße in the night from 15 to 16 July and damaged several posters on various political topics. The police is looking for witnesses for the investigation. In the past, the church has repeatedly been the target of attacks in which, among other things, posters with political content were destroyed.

Two Men Detained For Stealing Sacred Objects from Chapel

July 15, 2022, Poland

On July 15, two men, aged 28 and 29, suspected of having broken into a chapel in the Brody commune were detained by the police. In addition to the break-in, they stole liturgical objects worth nearly 500 euros, which the police were able to recover.

Swedish Church Vandalized With Swastikas and Penises

July 15, 2022, Sweden

During the night between July 15 and 16, unknown perpetrators vandalized Rydboholm's church in Borås with swastikas, penises, and the word 'Hitler'. The security company was the first to notice the graffiti on the church's facade. When Pastor Sven-Erik Olsson arrived at the church, he noticed how much worse the case actually was: "There is graffiti on windows, on doors, flower pots and even on the stone stairs in front of the gate. It's outrageous, it's the whole community's church". The police were alerted and are looking into the case.

Three Men Vandalize Church and Heavily Beat up Passing Witness

July 15, 2022, Italy

On the 15. July during the night, a 60-year-old restaurant chef witnessed how 3 men were vandalizing the St. Augustine Church in the centre of Cagliari and reprimanded the perpetrators to stop throwing bottles at the church. The three men then attacked him, beating him up and spraying pepper spray on him. The victim was taken to the hospital, he had three broken ribs and a chest injury. The police identified one of the perpetrators through the victim`s testimony and surveillance cameras.

Perpetrators Break Into Church in Seguro Damaging Doors

July 14, 2022, Italy

On the 14th of July, unknown perpetrators broke into the parish of Seguro. Apparently, the burglars did not steal anything but they damaged the entrance door structures by breaking in.

Lithuanian Orthodox Clergy Asks The State To Stop Interfering In Church Affairs

July 13, 2022, Lithuania

Following the Russian occupation of Ukraine, a group of the clergy of the Lithuanian Orthodox Church started to work to introduce the Patriarchate of Constantinople into the country. The Lithuanian Orthodox Church is recognized as having canonical jurisdiction in Lithuania, which has caused animosity towards Orthodox Christians. Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė and other Lithuanian authorities openly supported this initiative to move the jurisdiction to the Patriarchate of Constantinople. In response to this, the Lithuanian Orthodox clergy and faithful appealed to President Gitanas Nausėda to stop meddling in Church matters.

Several Burglaries of Sacred Objects and Damage in Several Churches

July 12, 2022, Germany

Since the end of June, there have been three similar burglaries targeting valuables from churches and chapels, in the Main-Rhön region. In the three cases, the perpetrators broke into the buildings and, according to the police, stole "whatever was possible". They took valuables such as gold-plated candlesticks, host bowls, and cash from the offering boxes. Additionally, and overall, the thieves caused property damage amounting to 2100 euros. Due to the similarities between the cases, the police believe the crimes are related.

Consecrated Hosts and Sacred Objects Stolen From Church of San Giorgio

July 11, 2022, Italy

The priest of the church of San Giorgio, Don William Maggioni, discovered on the morning of the 11. July that two pyxes, containing hosts inside, were missing from the tabernacle behind the altar. The burglars also forced the tabernacle of the altar of the Madonna open, which was found empty. In addition, the golden crown of St. Valentine was robbed as well. Don William alerted the police who started an investigation to find the perpetrators.