All cases
Major Theft of Sacred Objects From Waginger Church Discovered
August 13, 2022, GermanyIn Waging am See, 25 boxes full of stolen sacred objects have been found. This was reported on the 13. of August. The Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (LKA) is currently investigating the stolen goods. It seems that the stolen objects are from the Waging church on the Mühlberg and other churches as well. Ludwig Waldinger, press representative for the LKA commented: "Where did the things come from?" Due to the large number of objects found there, "the whole thing is taking longer than initially thought". A couple of days before it became known that sacred objects were missing from the church in Waching on the Mühlberg. The items were chalices, votive tablets and chasubles.
Church Vandalised in Glodeni
August 13, 2022, MoldovaOn the morning of August 13, the Glodeni police received a call about an act of vandalism in the town's church. Police officers arrived on the scene found that unknown persons had vandalised the building of the chapel property of a church near the old cemetery. According to preliminary information, an icon and a cross with the image of Jesus Christ were damaged.
Vandalism of a Chapel of Our Lady of Fatima in Jablonowo Pomorskie
August 13, 2022, PolandOn the night of August 13-14, 2022, unknown perpetrators vandalised the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, located on the grounds of the parish of Christ the King in Jablonowo Pomorskie. The vandal coated the transparent casing of the statue of Our Lady with heated wax and smashed the candles standing in front of the shrine.
Tags in a Church in Lille
August 13, 2022, FranceTags in English were made during the night of 13 to 14 August on the church of Saint Maurice in Lille. Local media has also expressed indignation with the town hall's silence: "A defaced religious building is always a shock for the religious community attacked. The elected officials of the towns concerned are used to reacting. But for some time now, and particularly in town halls held by left-wing politicians, double standards have been commonplace. A mosque is tagged and the support is immediate. Not so for Catholics.
Anarchist Tags on the Cathedral of Poitiers
August 13, 2022, FranceFor two weeks, the walls of Poitiers centre had been regularly attacked by tags, reported Centre Presse on Saturday 13 August. One of those defacements was also found on the Saint-Pierre cathedral. A phenomenon that annoys many inhabitants, who do not hesitate to express themselves on the issue via social networks or in the street.
55-year-old Man Destroys Icon and Cross in Church
August 13, 2022, MoldovaOn August 13, the police were notified that a 55-year-old man allegedly destroyed two items of the church's. These were an icon and a cross. The Moldovan suspect has been detained and the police are investigating.
Sacred Valuables Stolen From Church in Bad Schönborn
August 12, 2022, GermanyShock at the Catholic Church of St. Lambertus in the Karlsruhe district: thieves stole a safe and valuable sacred objects on 12. August. The priest's personal chalice was also stolen. Estimated amount of damage: 200,000 euros. The theft is specifically tragic because the stolen objects are sacred and necessary to hold religious services. Police are investigating.
Church Windows Repeatedly Smashed in Bargebur
August 12, 2022, GermanyUnknown persons have repeatedly damaged church windows in Bargebur. Already the previous week, a stone was thrown into a window of the church. This time another eight windows were smashed. Police are investigating.
A Statue of a Madonna Mysteriously Disappears on the Border Between Italy and France
August 12, 2022, FranceLocated right on the Italian border, above the lake of Bresses in the Mercantour, the 80 cm high statue of the Virgin installed by the Italians has disappeared or was stolen in early August, reported a hiker on Facebook.
Refuge Denied to Iranian Christian Convert in Germany
August 11, 2022, GermanyGermany rejected the asylum application made in 2018 by Hassan, a 44-year-old Iranian who converted to Christianity in Iran and was prosecuted for the same reason. When he testified before the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees in Germany, he disclosed that he learned about Christianity in Iran through his brother-in-law, who had been imprisoned for his activities and was then killed for practicing his faith in jail. During the second week of August, the European Court of Human Rights refused to listen to Hassan's case, meaning now he faces the threat of being deported to his home country, where he will likely face imprisonment or death.