All cases

Red Tags Smeared on Church in Andria

May 23, 2022, Italy

The façade of the Church of the Madonna del Carmine in Andria was tagged with red paint on May 23rd. This was not the first of such incidents and the State police immediately began an investigation to find out who painted the graffiti.

Chapel of Our Lady in Legionowo Vandalized

May 23, 2022, Poland

Shortly after the statue of the Pope was vandalized in Legionowo, the Chapel of Our Lady at the roundabout near Krasińskiego Street was devastated. The unknown perpetrator broke the glass in front of a figure and bent the cross. The police were investigating the incident to find the criminal who would be charged with offending religious feelings and damage to property.

18 Graves Vandalised at Cemetery and Knocked Down Crosses

May 23, 2022, France

Between the 22 to 23 May, 18 graves were vandalized or damaged in the cemetery of Rocquemont, a commune located between Rouen and Saint-Saëns. The perpetrators damaged ornamental plaques, decorations and flower pots. A person who lives near the cemetery heard the noise that night and reported it.

Newtown Church Windows Vandalized For a Second Time

May 22, 2022, United Kingdom

After the windows of the St. David's Church in Newtown were broken the month before, someone returned to break them again on the 22nd of May. The church has not been used for many years but is a historic building and a religious symbol. Paul Williams, a local, said: "This is really sickening yet again. Whoever you are, stop it."

Statistics in Brussels show: 53 Churches Vandalized and 1 Mosque

May 22, 2022, Belgium

Between 2019 and 2022, 53 cases of church vandalism were recorded in Brussels, while only 1 mosque was vandalized in the same region and time frame. Dominiek Lootens, leader of the Vlaams Belang group in the Brussels Parliament, wrote to Prime Minister Rudi Vervoort and asked him to communicate the extent of the damage, reported "Our Central Europe". The report also pointed out that the media and politics failed to mention these numbers as they refuse to recognize this type of biased discrimination against Christians.

Arson Attack to Catholic Chapel in Newry

May 22, 2022, United Kingdom

St Catherine’s Dominican Chapel, a Catholic chapel in Newry, was targeted by arsonists who set religious books and pamphlets on fire. Nobody was hurt, in the incident which happened on the 22nd of May, but the head priest had to put the fire out. A witness said they saw youths running from the scene and it was guessed that they were the arsonists.

Teenage Arsonist Causes 5000 Euro Damage to Church in Spalt

May 21, 2022, Germany

During the afternoon on the 21st of May, a fire was noticed in a church in Spalt, that caused 5,000 euros worth of damage. An altar cloth, that was lying on the side altar, caught fire along with a wooden frame that spread the fire to the entrance door. After a police investigation, the fire was thought to be arson and eventually a suspect was arrested. Proceedings were started against the potential teenage arsonist for property damage and disruption of religious practice. The police later confirmed that the fire had been caused by arson.

Statue of Madonna Stolen from Church in Lodi

May 21, 2022, Italy

On the afternoon of May the 21st, a small marble statue of Madonna was stolen from the parish church in Lodi. No sign of a break in was found, so it was concluded that the thief must have waited till soon after mass, and then broken the statue off from near the side of the altar. The carabinieri were notified and carried out an inspection.

Vienna: Historic Karlskirche Smeared with Graffiti (Again)

May 21, 2022, Austria

On the 21st of May, the Karlskirche in Vienna was graffitied for the fourth time in 2022. It is not known who did it. According to the Witness who reported these incidents, this is the worst year so far with vandalism and there are damages to the church almost every day.

Thieves Break in and Steal Consecrated Hosts in Guia

May 21, 2022, Italy

Hosts were stolen from the Ancient Church of San Gregorio in Valdobbiadene on May 21st. The side door of the church was forced open and then the intruder opened the tabernacle and took the consecrated hosts. Fr Romeo Penon, parish priest of Valdobbiadene, said: "It is a sacrilege, we fear that they are destined for black masses or séances"