All cases

Continued Abuse to Grounds of St Peter and St. Paul Church

November 2, 2021, Germany

The grounds of the St. Peter and St. Paul Church in Medenbach were the sight of loud music and vandalizm on November 11th. This time, rubbish was strewn around which expressed a general lack of respect. The news report mentions there has been repeated vandalism to this place.

UPDATE: Ban on "Conversion Therapy" in UK "Could Lead to the Prosecution" of Pastors and Church Leaders

November 1, 2021, United Kingdom

The Welsh government has admitted that the ban on conversion therapy "could lead to the prosecution of religious leaders". The ban on conversion therapy was announced by the Queen in May this year and was welcomed by the Bench of Bishops in the Church in Wales. The document presented by the government leaves aside questions such as the possibility to attack religious freedom and claims that conversion therapies cause harm, although it gives "no evidence to justify the claim". Since then, Christian groups have raised concern that the ban could apply for private prayer and conversations, undermining religious freedom. The consultation by the Government will be open until 10. December 2021.

Anti-Christian Graffiti on Statue of Pope John Paul II in Lwówek Śląski

November 1, 2021, Poland

The monument to John Paul II, the Polish Pope, was painted with multiple degrading symbols on November 11th. The statue, which is located in Lwówek Śląski, had it eye lids painted, a tear below its eye drawn, and an inverted cross. For some reason, this crime was never reported so the police did not carry out any investigations for suspects.

Youth Smoke Shisha in Laichingen Church

November 1, 2021, Germany

Several young people turned the Albanskirche in Laichingen into a shisha bar on November 1st and then celebrated with pizza. This was not the first act of its kind in the church and the pastor, who has had enough, has had to close the church for everyone to prevent more property damage.

St Nicholas Church Vandalised on the Halloween Night

October 31, 2021, Germany

On the 31. October at night, the St. Nicholas Church in Immenstadt was damaged by graffiti. The unknown perpetrator(s) sprayed the words "Die Heiligen Geschwister Scholl" (The holy Scholl siblings) in black paint on the wall, causing damage of about 500 euros. The police are running an investigation. On the 31. October, there was increased vandalism in the whole region.

San Gottardo Church Vandalized Again on Halloween Night

October 31, 2021, Italy

The church of San Gottardo in Vittorio Venedeto has once again been targeted with spray cans. Located at the bottom of Mount Altare, the church has been vandalized numerous times with various inscriptions. This incident probably occurred on Halloween and was reported to the municipal administration.

Arson by Unknown Perpetrators in Church Premises

October 30, 2021, Italy

On the evening of 30. October, a fire broke out in the premises next to the church of Sant'Aniceto in Villar Perosa. Thanks to the Fire Brigade and volunteers, the fire was brought under control and no one was hurt. The parish priest, Don Orlando Aguilar Tobon, suspects that the fire was voluntary because the cleaning ladies noticed the smell of cigarettes and found a disordered room, later he was informed that a fire had broken out from a locked cabinet. A bottle of wine and two glasses were also found in the room.

Arson at Church in Castellon

October 29, 2021, Spain

The church of San Vicente Ferrer in Castellón was targeted by an arsonist on October 29th. The façade of the church was marred by a fire which was started by an old bed being left by the church and the set alight.

Repeated Acts of Vandalism at the Church in Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban

October 29, 2021, France

For several months, the church of Jesus the Worker in Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban was targeted by vile acts and thefts that left the church in a terrible state. This included the thefts of condolence booklets and urine or excrement left in the church. These incivilities have only multiplied, according to the priest, and this has emotionally harmed many people.

Pornographic Video Filmed Behind the Altar of a Church in Bree

October 29, 2021, Belgium

A video of a couple having sex behind the alter of the Sint-Michielskerk in Bree was shared on a number of social networks and led to a police investigation. The pair have apparently been identified but not officially confirmed. The police commented, "these are criminal offenses. It concerns public indecency and the distribution of pornographic images. We cannot communicate anything further."