All cases

Icon Stolen From St Dunstan's Church in Stepney

November 10, 2021, United Kingdom

On the afternoon of November 10, an icon belonging to St. Dunstan's church in Stepney was stolen by a man. The church described it as a "beautiful and much-treasured icon" of St. Dunstan.

Man Tries to Burn Down an Entire Chapel due to his Beliefs

November 8, 2021, Poland

A 38-year-old man was arrested while setting fire to the small chapel of St. Anna in Jasienica in the city of Myślenice on the 8. November. The police were alerted and managed to arrive on the scene in time to arrest the man and initiate operations to reduce the fire. The arriving patrol officers noticed that the window glass of the building was broken and the assailant was still inside. "He lit a fire there, expecting the fire to consume this small building." They pulled the man out of the window and handcuffed him. According to the police spokesman, Sebastian Gleń, the perpetrator explained he committed this act due to his beliefs and that his aim was to destroy the chapel completely. He is now awaiting sentencing, which could be up to ten years in prison.

Public School Votes to Remove the Life-Size Wooden Nativity Scene

November 8, 2021, Spain

In October, the teaching staff of the Latiorro Primary School in Laudio, voted in favour of removing the life-size wooden Nativity Scene figures, which have been placed outside the center for more than 25 years. The Religion Students built the figures themselves and the decision has caused much controversy among the community.

Three Churches Offertory Boxes Stolen in Burladingen

November 8, 2021, Germany

Within the first week of November, the offertory boxes from three churches in the towns of Margrethausen and Burladingen were broken into. One church had the lock forcibly pried open and another had a writing stand broken with 100 euros of damage done, but the amount stolen is unknown. Nothing from the church on Beim Kloster in Margrethausen was stolen but 200 euros of property damage was caused when an attempt was make to pry the lock open. There was an investigation to see if the incidents were related but the perpetrator was unknown.

Cemetery of St. Piran in Perranarworthal Church Vandalised

November 8, 2021, United Kingdom

The damaged gravestones dating back to the 1800s were found by a working party that maintains the graveyard of the Church. The vandalism is suspected to have taken place sometime between the 2nd and 8th of November. The police started investigating and encouraged anyone who may have information relating to the vandalism to contact them.

Anti-Catholic Tags on Saint-Lewis church in Paimboeuf

November 8, 2021, France

on 8. November, the façade of the Saint-Lewis church in Paimboeuf, west of Nantes was tagged with offensive remarks such as "a good Catholic is on the cross" and "burn the churches". The City owner of the building filed a complaint but no further action has been taken by the town to install security cameras.

Vandalized Church in Marienrachdorf

November 5, 2021, Germany

Property damage was done to the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Marienrachdorf on November 5th. The unknown perpetrator painted a pillar in the church, the furnishings, and damaged several holy water bottles and two disinfectant dispensers. The police were looking for witnesses.

Church Sprayed with Sexist Symbols During Halloween Weekend

November 2, 2021, Germany

Over the weekend, the police recorded an increase in the number of reports of vandalism: graffiti, destruction of public furniture, theft, etc. The walls of a church in Blumberg in Friedhofstraße were sprayed with a sexist symbol and writing.

Historic St. John Church Targeted Twice in Two Weeks

November 2, 2021, United Kingdom

On November 2nd, the storage shed holding Christmas decorations for the Bromsgrove church of St. John was vandalized. This is the second hateful incident at the church in only two weeks. The incidents caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage which the church cannot afford. The church warden, Neil Cramb said “Basically, this senseless act is going to cost us dearly."

Spanish Politician Compares Catholics with the Taliban

November 2, 2021, Spain

Politician Beatriz Bandera posted on Twitter on the 2. November a short video of the Sevillian Holy Week devotees during their yearly procession with the caption "Our Taliban". With this post, she compares faithful Catholics during a peaceful procession with the terrorist group of radical Islamist fundamentalists. Despite the criticism and offence that her commentary has generated, Mrs Bandera has not apologised, "I criticise what I finance with my taxes. Can I? Or not?", she reiterated.