All cases

Church in Heilbad Heiligenstadt Vandalised in the Middle of the Night

July 28, 2022, Germany

Unknown persons vandalised a church in Heilbad Heiligenstadt on 28 July. "Between 1 and 5.30 p.m., unidentified persons vented their destructive rage in the St. Martin's Church on the church square in the old town. The perpetrators had tagged several pillars, spilled candle wax on the floor and broken a glass vase and a basin of the holy water dispenser. The stone staircase was also damaged by the vandals. The police have launched an investigation and an appeal for witnesses.

Attempted Arson at St. Nicholas Church in Knokke-Heist

July 28, 2022, Belgium

Destroyed by arson in 2013 already and then rebuilt, the St. Nicholas Church in Westkapelle, a section of the Flemish municipality of Knokke-Heist on the Dutch border, was set on fire on 28. July. Passers-by noticed smoke coming from the church. They went inside and noticed that the candle stand was burnt out. The fire was quickly extinguished and an investigation was launched - which points to vandalism by teenagers.

Anti-Christian Taggs Painted on 16th Century Church

July 26, 2022, Italy

In Matera, unknown vandals defaced the 16th Century Church of the Immaculate Conception with anti-Christian phrases. The Pisticci administration announced: "This time it is an even more serious act because it has hit one of the symbolic assets of our historical-artistic heritage, certainly among the most beautiful and important in our country." The municipal administration reported the act to the authorities and asked citizens to help in identify the ones responsible. One of the inscriptions said "F*ck your God" or "Son of a *?"

Tourist Ransacks Basilica of Boulogne-sur-Mer

July 26, 2022, France

On the 26. July at night, a US-American tourist ransacked the Basilica of Boulogne-sur-Mer. In the pictures posted by the police on Twitter one can see benches were knocked down, statues broken on the ground, the altar was ransacked and other sacred objects were damaged. The man was arrested by the local police.

The statue of Our Lady of Beauraing set on fire

July 26, 2022, France

The statue of Our Lady of Beauraing in Kanfen, a commune in the Moselle region near the Luxembourg border and Dudelange, has been vandalised on 26. July - unknown persons have burnt it. The previous statue in the same oratory was stolen outright, and was made of bronze.

Profanation of a Roadside Shrine in Przemyśl

July 25, 2022, Poland

During the night of July 25-26, a shrine with a statue of the Virgin Mary was profaned in the district of Przemyśl, in Poland.

Vandals Damage Monheim Church with Fire

July 24, 2022, Germany

On the 24. July, unknown perpetrators set fire to a church in Monheim am Rhein. The incident was discovered by a church employee, who noticed in the evening that all candles were on the altar and behind the altar had been lit. They also found lit pieces of paper and matches on the floor that left burn marks. Police are investigating.

Break-In Attempt In Monastery Church

July 24, 2022, Germany

According to the police, an attempt was made to break open the entrance door of Schönau Monastery Church between Saturday evening and Sunday morning. As the church door was unlocked on Sunday morning, the damaged lock was found on the floor. However, the unknown perpetrators did not get inside the church. Damage amounting to about 150 euros was caused.

Anti-Christian Symbols Graffitied on Walls of the Catholic Church of St. Bartholomäus

July 24, 2022, Germany

The Church of St. Bartholomew in Zeiskam was damaged by unknown perpetrators on the 24. July with anti-Christian and obscene tags. One can see photos of the exterior façade defaced with red paint spray. Some of the symbols are an inverted cross, a star inside a circle (a witchery symbol) and a penis. The St. Bartholomew's Church Foundation has filed a complaint with the police.

A Man Interrupts The Holy Mass Shouting and Hits A Parishioner

July 24, 2022, France

On Sunday 24. July, a 25-year-old resident of Chambourcy was arrested after he seriously disrupted a Holy Mass in the church of Saint-Germain, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Yvelines). The man, who happened to be Muslim interrupted the celebration by shouting and calling the parishioners "hypocrites" and "shitty Christians". As a parishioner approached him to ask him to leave, the man hit him with a headbutt and knocked out two of his teeth.