All cases
Priest Held Captive During Robbery at Church and Parish House in Portugal
May 27, 2026, PortugalA priest was held captive for around 90 minutes after three assailants broke into a church and parish house in Cantanhede, Portugal. The attackers threatened the priest, demanded money and valuables, and stole a laptop before fleeing.
Rome church vandalised: damaged Marian image and altar smeared
May 27, 2026, ItalyFour intruders desecrated the parish of San Paolo della Croce in Rome’s Corviale district, spilling holy oil, smearing the altar cloth with marker pen, leaving faeces inside the church bathroom and damaging a sacred image of the Madonna before fleeing when confronted by an assistant priest.
ECtHR Condemns Türkiye for Removing Greek Orthodox Priests from Minority Foundations
May 26, 2026, FranceThe European Court of Human Rights ruled that Türkiye violated the rights of two Greek Orthodox priests who had been removed from the governing boards of minority foundations in Istanbul solely because they were members of the clergy. The Court found that the authorities lacked a legal basis for excluding the priests from the management of institutions belonging to the Greek Orthodox community, violating their freedom of association interpreted in light of freedom of religion. The judgment represents an important affirmation of the right of religious minorities to govern their own institutions without undue state interference.
Two Catholic fraternity students seriously injured in attack in Innsbruck
May 25, 2026, AustriaTwo members of the Catholic student fraternity Rudolfina Wien were assaulted, robbed and seriously injured during an attack in Innsbruck in which the perpetrators allegedly shouted “Antifa”. The Austrian Cartell Association (ÖCV) condemned the incident as part of a broader pattern of hostility and violence targeting Catholic and conservative student associations.
Church Ransacked Near Agen in Pentecost Vandalism
May 25, 2026, FranceThe Church of Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens in Pont-du-Casse, near Agen, was left ransacked after statues, religious objects and furniture were damaged or thrown to the ground during a Pentecost Day vandalism. Authorities later identified four minors linked to the vandalism, while local officials and the Diocese moved quickly to organise repairs and a Mass of reparation.
Vandalism at Drogheda church after recent arson attack at Tinure church
May 25, 2026, IrelandMass-goers at St Augustine’s Church in Drogheda were shocked after discovering smashed planters and uprooted trees outside the church entrance, days after a deliberate fire inside Tinure church in County Louth.
Vandals deface church in Legnano with obscene graffiti and blasphemies
May 23, 2026, ItalyThe historic Church of San Bernardino in Legnano was vandalised overnight with obscene graffiti and blasphemies prompting condemnation from local Catholic and civic leaders who described the attack as a serious assault on a place deeply tied to the city’s religious and cultural identity.
Suspected arson damages St. Johannes Church in Munich
May 23, 2026, GermanyAuthorities in Munich are investigating a suspected deliberate arson attack after a fire broke out inside the Lutheran Church of St. Johannes in the Haidhausen district.
Desecration and attempted arson at chapel in Krosno
May 22, 2026, PolandA 45-year-old man was detained after allegedly desecrating the image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and attempting to set fire to a chapel in the Polanka district of Krosno. The attack damaged the Marian icon, including the eyes of the Virgin Mary and the face of Jesus, while additional destruction was reported inside the chapel.
Court Drops Conviction Under Northern Ireland Abortion "Buffer Zone" Law
May 21, 2026, IrelandClaire Brennan, the first person convicted under Northern Ireland’s abortion “safe access zone” legislation for praying and speaking with and offering support to a woman, has had her conviction quashed after the prosecution case collapsed in court.