All cases
Valenciennes church vandalised with destruction of religious statues and objects
April 26, 2026, FranceThe Saint-Géry church in Valenciennes was targeted in an act of vandalism, with several religious objects and artworks damaged, including a station of the cross and a statue titled Le Silence. The incident follows a previous episode at the same church, and a man was arrested in connection with the latest case.
Tabernacle desecrated and consecrated hosts stolen in Saint-Louis
April 25, 2026, FranceThe Church of Saint John Paul II in Saint-Louis was burglarised and desecrated, with the tabernacle broken into and the consecrated hosts stolen, prompting strong condemnation from local authorities.
Series of Repeated Vandalism Hits Another Church in Freising
April 24, 2026, GermanyThe Lutheran Ascension Church in Freising was targeted in a serious act of vandalism involving damage to the altar and church interior. The incident followed earlier attacks on two other churches in the city, contributing to growing concern about a pattern of repeated targeting of places of worship.
Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Zagreb Targeted in Nighttime Vandalism Attack
April 23, 2026, CroatiaThe Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of the Transfiguration in Zagreb was targeted in a nighttime attack in which unidentified individuals threw objects at the building, shattering stained-glass windows and damaging church property. The incident occurred on a day of prayer and remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust, highlighting the severity of the attack.
Statues of Mary and Joseph Smashed in Vandalism Attack
April 21, 2026, FranceNotre-Dame Church in Surgères, France, was targeted in an act of vandalism in which two religious statues were broken and the church organ damaged.
Man charged with assault of priest during Mass at Ennis Cathedral
April 20, 2026, IrelandA man assaulted a Catholic priest during Mass at St Peter and St Paul Cathedral in Ennis, causing facial injuries and damaging personal property. The incident involved physical violence and disruption of worship in front of members of the congregation. The suspect has been charged and appeared before court.
Church façade severely defaced with satanic inscriptions in Trzebinia
April 19, 2026, PolandSatanic graffiti extensively defaced the façade of the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Trzebinia, Lesser Poland Voivodeship. Large inscriptions and symbols covering a significant portion of the exterior wall sparked outrage among residents and prompted a police investigation.
French Bill Could Restrict Christian Symbols Worn by Local Elected Representatives
April 19, 2026, FranceOn 9 April 2026, members of the French Senate introduced a bill prohibiting local elected representatives from wearing conspicuous religious symbols while exercising their mandates, with sanctions that could ultimately include removal from office. Although the sponsors focus on Islamic headscarves, the text applies to every religion and could equally prevent members of other religions from wearing visible symbols. The bill raises serious concerns that the neutrality of public institutions is being transformed into a requirement that elected believers remain religiously invisible.
Series of Attacks on sacred statues across Frosinone Province
April 18, 2026, ItalyA series of vandalism incidents targeting sacred statues has been reported in the province of Frosinone, Italy, with multiple cases occurring within a few days. On 18 April 2026, statues in Ceccano and Pofi were found decapitated inside public votive niches. Authorities confirm that at least six similar episodes have recently been recorded across the province.
Cemetery near Rennes vandalised in grave desecration involving Christian symbols
April 18, 2026, FranceAround thirty graves were vandalised in the cemetery of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande, near Rennes, between 18 and 20 April 2026. The damage included broken Christian crosses, shattered funerary objects and a statue of the Virgin Mary torn from its base.