All cases
Churches Property in Lingen Damaged
April 24, 2022, GermanyA wooden box outside the Christ-König-Kirche on Bernhard-Lohmann-Strasse in Lingen, was damaged by unknown perpetrators, who, according to the police, were trying to gain access to the metal cassette within. Nothing was stolen but the property damage amounted to around 500 euros.
Arson to Church in Rheinberg with Box Full of Candles
April 24, 2022, GermanyIn the afternoon, on 24 April, a 62-year-old man visited the church of St. Peter on Kirchplatz in the city centre. When he entered the church, he smelled something burning and saw a burning box of Easter lights on a table. Quick-witted, he brought the box and the table to the front of the church and extinguished the fire with sparkling water. He then informed the police. The police found more burning tea lights in a large package underneath the candle holder and also extinguished the flames.
Maria Hilf Chapel in Piekary Śląskie Destroyed
April 23, 2022, PolandThe Maria Hilf chapel in Piekary Śląskie, was vandalized by a number of youth on April 23rd after they had a party in which alcohol was illegally consumed. They destroyed the surveillance cameras, but not before their faces were caught on camera, and then proceeded to tear tiles off the roof. Using the footage, the police managed to identify the youth who were questioned.
Flag Ripped Down from Church in Bellshill
April 23, 2022, United KingdomA Union Jack, put up to celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubilee, was torn down from the St. Andrew's Free Church in Bellshill. Reverend Jason Lingiah, has labelled the attack an "anti-Protestant sectarian hate crime." The flag was thrown near the wall and left, while the pole was bent.
Insults and Vandalism in Magherafelt Church
April 23, 2022, United KingdomThree teenagers entered the Magherafelt Catholic church on the 23rd of April and, after verbally insulting the priest, damaged several objects. Officers then arrested three suspects aged 11, 13, and 15, for a number of charges including criminal damage, as they smashed a vase, threw the Bible and other holy books around, and damaged a microphone. They appeared in court, for what the police called a hate crime, and two of them were banned from entering the Magherafelt area while the third still awaits trial.
Catholic Church in Vincenz-Zahn-Weg Broken Into
April 23, 2022, GermanyThe Catholic church in Vincenz-Zahn-Weg was broken into on the 23rd of April by an unknown person. The amount of money taken was not known but a large amount of property damage was done. The police investigated the incident and asked for witnesses to come forward.
£20,000 Theft from Church in Cambridgeshire
April 23, 2022, United KingdomTwo large bass instruments and a euphonium were stolen from the St. Peters Church in Cambridgeshire on April 23rd. The instruments are worth around £20,000 so it was a significant loss for the church especially since it was not covered by insurance. The Cambridgeshire Constabulary were investigating the crime and needed more information.
Spanish Council of the Judiciary: Proposed "Trans Law" Would Violate Human Rights
April 22, 2022, SpainThe Spanish General Council of the Judiciary's (CGPJ), warned that the LGBTQ+ draft law proposed by the government would violate the rights of women, parents, and religious persons. The law seeks to allow minors to change their sex after the age of 12 without submitting a medical or psychological report and after the age of 16, parental consent would not be needed. Christian parents would not be able to raise their children in line with their beliefs and women's spaces and women's sports could be jeopardized.
Muslims Group Attacks Coptic Christians in Turin
April 21, 2022, ItalyAs it was reported on the 21. April, two Coptic Christians, who were smoking in the square in Turin, were approached by a Muslim group who told them it was Ramadan and they should not be smoking. The two men, who were wearing Christian crosses, explained their faith and that they were not Muslim, so this rule did not apply to them. The Muslim group then proceeded to attack the two with kicks and punches but left before the police arrived.
Goblets Stolen from Church in Florence
April 21, 2022, ItalyA 66 year old native of Sicily was arrested for stealing two golden goblets form a Florentine church in via di Caciolle. The police were alerted to the theft and managed to recover all the stolen goods as well as catch the man. Thankfully, the pyxes, which are used to hold the consecrated hosts, did not sustain any damage.