All cases

Muslims Group Attacks Coptic Christians in Turin

April 21, 2022, Italy

As it was reported on the 21. April, two Coptic Christians, who were smoking in the square in Turin, were approached by a Muslim group who told them it was Ramadan and they should not be smoking. The two men, who were wearing Christian crosses, explained their faith and that they were not Muslim, so this rule did not apply to them. The Muslim group then proceeded to attack the two with kicks and punches but left before the police arrived.

Goblets Stolen from Church in Florence

April 21, 2022, Italy

A 66 year old native of Sicily was arrested for stealing two golden goblets form a Florentine church in via di Caciolle. The police were alerted to the theft and managed to recover all the stolen goods as well as catch the man. Thankfully, the pyxes, which are used to hold the consecrated hosts, did not sustain any damage.

Window Broken and Grass Burned in Mannheim-Käfertal Church

April 21, 2022, Germany

Unknown vandals smashed the side window of the church in Mannheim-Käfertal and lit a fire behind the church which burned a 1.5-meter patch of grass. The police started an investigation into the incident and were looking for witnesses.

Burger King, UBER and Hera foods Disrespect Catholic Symbols in Advert

April 19, 2022, Spain

Spanish Catholics started a petition to boycott Burger King for mocking the Eucharist in an ad campaign during the Holy Week. Billboards included the words "take and eat of it all" which were spoken by Jesus during the last supper added to "which has no meat", to advertise their veggie burger. Burger King has since apologized and said they did not mean to offend anyone and immediately began to withdraw the profanation. But two other firms, UBER and HEURA Foods, also mocked religious sentiments by launching a campaign with the picture of a nun eating a hamburger and saying "This Good Friday, eat meat".

Vandalism and Theft in Grosseto Cathedral

April 19, 2022, Italy

The Grosseto Cathedral was raided by a masked man with a hat and gloves who fled with several items. On April 19th, he entered the Cathedral and took a brass candlestick from the altar, and then smashed the glass of the shrine that holds the ex-votos that people offer to Madonna with an awl. Some policemen, who were nearby, ran after him so he dropped the candlestick but held on to the votive offerings of devotional value.

Russian Orthodox Church in Laa an der Thaya Vandalized

April 19, 2022, Austria

A Russian Orthodox Church in Laa an der Thaya was graffitied with the tags "Putin Stop" and "No! War" on the 19th of April. This appeared on the entrance pillars to the church which is no place to express political feelings. The Russian Embassy called it a "cowardly action" of "particularly cynical contempt" and said, "We are outraged to the depths of our souls by an act of vandalism in relation to the Orthodox Church."

Picture of Santa Rita Burned by Teenagers in Alassio

April 18, 2022, Italy

Two young boys entered the church in Alassio and started a fire in the votive candle box on April 18th. They also burned a picture of Sant Rita and the parish priest who intervened, was at risk of getting burnt.

Statue of Christ Smashed in San Salvo

April 18, 2022, Italy

A Statue of Christ in the church of Addolorata in San Salvo, was thrown to the ground and smashed on April 18th. The author of this act of vandalism appeared to use an object to break the statue into tiny pieces. The parish lodged a complaint.

Church Door Graffitied Among other incidents of Vandalism

April 18, 2022, Italy

On Easter Monday, the door of the Saints Philip and James Church was smeared with inscriptions. but the author is unknown. Mayor, Daniele Biada, put forth a social complaint due to the increased amount of attacks of this nature.

Teenagers Vandalise St. Helen's Church in Cliffe

April 18, 2022, United Kingdom

Teenager, thought to be between 11 and 12 years old, broke 7 stained glass windows in St. Helen's church in Cliffe and damaged several roof tiles around the 18 of April. The cost of the damage was extensive and could be in the thousands since the kind of roof tile used was particularly expensive. The children's parents said the actions were "inexcusable" and some even made them apologize to the churchwarden.