All cases
Repeated Theft in Church in Bochum-Langendreer
November 12, 2021, GermanyOn November 11th, burglars broke into the St. Mary's Church in Bochum-Langendreer, for the third time in just a few weeks, and stole valuable objects. This time, oil vessels, which are used for baptisms, and consecrated hosts, which are used for the Holy Mass, where stolen; both of which have particularly great religious value. Father David Ringel, lamented "I am very surprised that sacred places are not kept sacred and that people do not know that religious feelings are also hurt here."
Break-in and Vandalism at a Church in Lohne
November 12, 2021, GermanyOn the night of November 12, unknown burglars broke into the church of St. Michael, located in the Franziskusstraße in Lohne. It was unclear whether the burglars were able to steal anything but the property damage amounted to the value of 200 euros. The case was reported to the police who started to investigate.
Holy Figures Stolen from Church in Lower Rhine Wesel
November 12, 2021, GermanyTwo wooden figures of St. Dominic and St. Catherine of Siena as well as a bronze figure "Mary with Child" were taken from a church in Lower Rhine Wesel on November 12th. "The thieves also took metal crosses,... money from an offertory box, and five metal candlesticks," the police added. The items were of great monetary and spiritual value but it was not known who took them.
Several Vandalic Acts Damage the Chapel of Tenimont
November 12, 2021, BelgiumThe newspaper "The Meuse Luxembourg" reported, on the 12th of November, that new acts of vandalism took place in the chapel of Tenimont in October, near the cemetery of Barvaux, in Walloon Luxembourg. According to reports, the chapel was tagged in two places, furniture overturned and degraded, rubbish and beer cans found on the ground. The local press said this is not the first vandalism it has suffered recently.
Man Steals 55 Euros from the Mariahilfe Church in Vienna
November 11, 2021, AustriaThe Viennese police caught a 40-year-old man in a Church in Vienna-Mariahilf on the morning of the 11th after a burglary. He was temporarily handcuffed and the stolen offertory money was seized, as the Vienna Police Directorate reported in a press release on Friday. According to spokeswoman Barbara Gass, about 55 euros were found on the man. The perpetrator has been imprisoned.
Father Adam Świerżewski Dies after being Attacked in Park
November 11, 2021, PolandMaksymilian Adam Świerżewski, from the parish of St. Maximillian Kolbe, was taken to the hospital after being severely beaten in Alexandria Park in Siedlce. Due to the terrible injury, it was not possible to save him and he died at the age of 35 on November 11th. An autopsy was carried out and it was confirmed that he died from several kicks, punches, or hits to the head but his murderer was still unknown.
Anti-Christian Tags Painted on the Walls of Christ the King Chapel
November 11, 2021, FranceMessages were painted on the doorway of the Chapel of Christ the King in the Dalby district of Nantes, on the night from the 10th to the 11th of November, with obscene anti-Christian tags. On the same night, the perpetrator(s) also attempted to force the gate by pushing and shaking it.
Update: Cardinal Nichols and Metropolitan Police Studying Possibility to Allow Last Sacraments at Crime Scenes
November 10, 2021, United KingdomCardinal Vincent Nichols and the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick have started studying the possibility to allow Catholic priests at crime scenes. This proposal was submitted after Sir David Amess, a Catholic MP, was killed during a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea (Essex), on October 15. A Catholic Priest, who was also a personal friend of Sir David's, wanted to give him the Last Sacraments, but the police denied him access. After this event, he realized how important it is, especially for the Catholic community, to ensure that the Last Sacraments is granted.
Reliquary Stolen in 2017 Found in an Auction House in France
November 10, 2021, GermanyThe reliquary stolen in 2017 from the Lower Rhine pilgrimage site of Kevelaer has reappeared in an auction house in France. Thanks to an art collector, who recalled the theft from the Kevelaer Sacrament Chapel, the reliquary was identified. He contacted the head of the "Art and Culture" department in the diocese, Thomas Flammer, and with the help of the police and Interpol, the valuable reliquary was secured in time before being sold in the auction. It is still unclear when it will be returned.
Several Church Objects Stolen, Thief caught by 65-years-old Woman
November 10, 2021, GermanyOn November 11, various items were stolen from the church on Dorfstraße in Bad Gottleuba-Berggießhübel. Apparently, the thieves broke the entrance door open. A 65-year-old woman noticed the burglary and found a man outside the church in the possession of "several tablecloths and two wooden railings". Police officers were alerted and started investigating the man for the burglary, finding several electrical fuses from the church in the suspect's apartment. There is no final damage information so far.