All cases
Church Near Dieppe Closed after Repeated Acts of Vandalism
April 17, 2022, FranceThe church in Arques la Bataille, near Dieppe in the Seine Maritime region, which is open during the day, was closed during the Easter school holidays after two vandalistic incidents, in which young people scattered and lighted candles in the church and climbed up the rostrum, then threw music scores and songbooks from up there. It will still be decided when the church will b opened again.
Brass Crosses and other Items Stolen From Wleń Cemetery
April 16, 2022, PolandPolice were informed of the theft of a brass cross from the cemetery of Wleń on the 16th of April. Upon investigation, they found that surrounding graves were also missing letters, crosses, and other elements. They began an investigation and were looking for witnesses.
Drunken Men Ruin Church Service in Kłodzko
April 16, 2022, PolandTwo drunken men entered a church service in Kłodzko and are now facing five years in prison for offending religious feelings. They threw a cross to the ground, tore a stoup off the wall, and pointed their middle fingers at the priest. The shocked worshipers quickly notified the police who detained the men and found them to be intoxicate.
Children: Insults and Destruction in Potenza Church
April 16, 2022, ItalyThree children entered the church of San Michelle on the eve of Easter and while shouting curese, destroyed the brazier intended for the religious service the next day. President of the Basilicata Region, Vito Bardi, addressed the several acts of vandalizm to the historic city center of which this was included. He said, "It is within the family environment that the first and basic rules of civil coexistence are learned, whose value system based on respect, education and responsibility contributes to forming the person."
Man Disrupts Easter Church Service in Athens
April 16, 2022, GreeceOn Saturday the 16th of April, a man entered an Easter church service in the Church of St Panteleimon and shouted Arabic phrases into a microphone. Video footage showed the priest trying to calm the congregation and the offender was later arrested by the police in Athens.
Swastika Tagged on Façade of Evangelical Church
April 16, 2022, FranceOn April 16th, it was discovered that the façade of an Evangelical church in Reims was painted with a swastika and the word "HITLER" in orange spray paint. Pastor Philippe Rosa filed a complaint but was not sure of the reason for the tags. He said: "The prefecture had warned us ... against possible incivility and actions against the churches during this Easter period. Bad luck it fell on us."
Theft of Hosts at Church in Via Monte Massico
April 15, 2022, ItalyOn April 15th, a 27-year-old broke into the parish of Santa Maria Assunta in Via Monte Massico with the intent of stealing a gold-coloured metal host holder. He was unsuccessful since the parish priest called the carabinieri who blocked the man and retrieved the item.
Theft of Sacred Object in Montesacro Church
April 15, 2022, ItalyA 27-year-old man was arrested by the Carabinieri for stealing a gold-coloured host holder from a church in the Montesacro district. The theft happened shortly before the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.
Repeated Vandalism to Hartlepool Church
April 15, 2022, United KingdomOver four consecutive nights, ending on April 15th, vandals have visited the St Patrick’s Church in Hartlepool and caused thousand of pounds of damage. They broke around a dozen stained glass windows and left the inside fo the church covered with masonry ruble.
Statue of Mary Destroyed in Krosno
April 15, 2022, PolandA figure of Mary was torn of its pedestal and destroyed at an intersection in the district of Krosno on April 16th. The statue dates back to 1959 and is in the Municipal Heritage Register but it was not known who completed the act.