All cases

Anonymous Vandal Destroyed Church Garden with a Car

December 6, 2021, Poland

The St. John Paul II Church garden in Wojcieszyna, a village near Nowogard, was devastated. The perpetrator smashed the wooden fence, which had been built in the summer, with the car and ruined the grounds of the church. The villagers reported the incident to the police and were trying to get information to identify the perpetrator.

Santa Maria del Galeso Church Graffitied

December 6, 2021, Italy

The parish of Santa Maria del Galeso was painted with profanity and the words "Tari is paid" on December 6th. The police were trying to find out who did it by reviewing footage and the priest was saddened by the act. This was not the first time something similar to this had happened to the church.

Extreme Vandalism to Church caused over 10 thousand Euro Damage

December 4, 2021, Germany

On Sunday morning (5. December), the churchgoers found the Johanneskirche in Feuersee completely vandalised. The perpetrator(s) devastated the Protestant church by destroying over 20 windows, breaking open the cupboards, taking the bibles from the shelves and throwing them around, among other things during the night of the 4. December. The damage is estimated at over 10 thousand Euros and the Church has to remain closed for the time being. The police are investigating to find the perpetrator(s).

Church in Cardigan Heavily Vandalized

December 2, 2021, United Kingdom

The Church of the Holy Cross in a cove of Mwnt in Cardigan, was vandalized on the 2nd of November by unknown perpetrators. The intruders ransacked the church, smashing windows and damaging property. The church is visited by thousand every year so the act had a significant impact.

Proposal to replace the word "Christmas" with "Holidays" or "Winter Break" raised Concern

December 1, 2021, International

In the first week of December, an internal document outlining communication guidelines for European Union staff was leaked, which raised concern among the Christian population. In this document, the EU Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli of Malta, proposed replacing the term "Happy Christmas" for "Happy Holidays" or calling Christmas a "winter break" in the name of inclusivity. Among the Christian voices that raised concern, Pope Francis called this action "a fashion of a watered-down secularism" and called it an "anachronism". The document has since been withdrawn.

35,000€ Stolen from a Church in Milan

November 29, 2021, Italy

On the night from November 28 to 29, around 35,000€ were robbed from the Church of Santa Ausiliatrice in via della Ferrera, Milan. A woman who works in the secretariat of the church noticed the forced window and the safe wide open and alerted the authorities.

Church in Regensburg Terribly Damaged by Vandals

November 29, 2021, Germany

On the 29th of November between 11a.m and 7 p.m, an unknown person went on a rampage in the Holy Spirit Parish Church in Regensburg and damaged several sacred objects. The offender stole a cross from the altar, urinated in a corner, broke a chandelier off the altar of Mary, and tipped several lighted candles over. The police were looking for witnesses who can give information about this incident.

Monument defaced with Anti-Catholic Tags

November 29, 2021, Italy

The Online Newssite "Taccuino di Verità" posted on 29. November that the Base of a Monument in Ferrara was tagged with black spray paint. The tags contained offensive inscriptions against the deputy mayor Nicola Lodi and towards priests, saying "Priests eat children". The police will investigate with CCTV footage from the Piazza Ariostea.

Cathedral Entrance Vandalised with Paintings

November 28, 2021, Italy

The entrance door to the cathedral of San Steffano in Milazzo has been vandalized with writings and graffiti, leaving it in a deplorable state. The mayor has strongly condemned the acts and ordered police reinforcement of the area to prevent future vandalism. The mayor further claimed: "this cannot be my city", since there seems to be a high degree of tolerance towards this kind of acts, which should be "heavily sanctioned". He recalls that the square in front of the church is often the target of raids and "unthinkable actions" that should be countered.

Relic from St. Joseph Stolen in Macherio

November 28, 2021, Italy

In the church of Saints Gervase and Protasius in Macherius, a relic from St. Joseph, placed next to a figure of the saint, was stolen a few days before November 28th. This relic of St. Joseph was a piece of cloth that was kept inside a glass case. The incident was reported to the Carabinieri who are now investigating the matter.