All cases

Threatening Graffiti Appears on Church That Helps Ucranian Refugees

May 25, 2022, Spain

On the 25. of April a newspaper reported that a church in Murcia, in the district of Espinardo, was tagged with threatening graffiti. The Holy Spirit parish has been taking seven Ukrainian refugees since March, two mothers with their daughters and one more woman. The inscriptions seem to be against the Ucranians. Other neighbours reported seeing foreigners throwing stones at the women.

Church Information Board Set Alight and Holy Water Fonts Contaminated

May 25, 2022, Germany

On May 25th, the information board of the Church of St. Antonius in Hörstel was set on fire by unknown perpetrators. The sheets of paper hanging there were burned, which damaged the board, and disinfectant was poured into the holy water fonts. The police began an investigation and was asking for witnesses.

Perpetrators Steal Organ Key, Try to Open Sacrificial Box and Soil Statue in Church

May 25, 2022, Germany

Between the 21st and 25th of May, unknown intruders broke into the sacristy of the St. Jakobus Church in Sögel. They stole the organ key and hygrometer, but were unsuccessful in an attempt to break open the sacrificial box. The property damage was around 100 euros, and they also soiled a statue. An investigation was started by the police who needed more information.

Saint Statues Decapitated and Damaged in Marseille Church

May 25, 2022, France

A judicial inquiry was opened into an incident on the 25th of May in which four Statues in the Saint-Henri church in Marseille were damaged, two of the statues were decapitated. Father Gabriel Priou, said, “There was no Eucharistic profanation, but the statues have been defaced." He continued, “A fact like this impacts the Christian community because the church is its home.”

Church in Perugia Vandalized With Political Graffiti

May 24, 2022, Italy

Vandals graffitied the wall of the Church of the Madonna dei Cenciarelli, in Perugia, on May 24th. The inscription read: "Enough with NATO: free and sovereign Italy." The vandals damaged an 18th-century old church to write a political message showing a lack of respect for the religious sight. Apart from that, the stairs of the church were stained with beer and rests of food.

Children from Football Club Threatened with Sanctions if They go to First Communion Ceremony

May 24, 2022, Spain

The Castilla-La Mancha Football Federation refused to change the date of a match, forcing the young players from Membrilla's football team to choose between celebrating their first communion or playing the league final. The Federation further threatened them with sanctions, since the parents choose the church instead of submitting to the sports institution.

Paint Bombs Thrown at Church in Tacoronte, Tenerife

May 23, 2022, Spain

A few days before the 23rd of May, the façade of the Santa Catalina church in Tacoronte was splashed with red paint by an unknown person. The primary target of the graffiti was a plaque that has been in place since 1938 and bears the name of the founder José Antonio Primo de Rivera on it. Although he was a political figure which could be the motive for the attack, a church has also suffered the consequences and it will take around 3,000 euros to restore.

Vandals Try to Break-In in Church Leaving 3000 Euro Damage

May 23, 2022, Germany

Unknown people attempted to break into the church in Melsung on May 23rd and caused significant damage. The tried to open the doors and windows to gain access to the inside of the church but were unsuccessful. The property damage was around 3,000 euros.

Windows Broken by Teenagers at Ringmer Church

May 23, 2022, United Kingdom

The stained glass windows of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Ringmer were broken by youth with catapults and ball bearings on May 23rd. The police identified the culprits and confiscated their catapults. A police spokesperson said: “The youths will subsequently be coming into Lewes Police Station to account for their actions.”

Church in Abruzzo Attacked with Stones

May 23, 2022, Italy

The façade of the Church of S.Onofrio, connected to the Convent of the Zoccolanti of Raiano, was kicked and stoned by unknown people on May 23rd. The church dates back to the 17th century and is in Abruzzo. A complaint was filed and the carabinieri started an investigation but people were left dismayed and angry.