All cases

Surveillance Camera Caught Two Burglars inside St.Liborio's Church

September 19, 2021, Italy

Images from CCTV showed that a car was driving away from the church of San Liborio where religious objects and 5.000 Euros in cash, which was contained in a metal cupboard, were stolen. The two perpetrators, 37 and 46 years-old and with previous convictions, were identified after a quick investigation by the local police station

Offices of the Swiss Evangelical Alliance Vandalised by Radical LGBTQ+ Groups

September 18, 2021, Switzerland

In the run-up to the March for Life, three different pro-life Evangelical centres have been vandalized in two different cities, Zurich and Emmenbrücke (Lucerne). The perpetrators threw paint and vandalized the offices of the SEA. The attacks were claimed on an anarcho-autonomous pro-LGBTQ information platform. "We condemn this way of acting and reacting but we are trying to continue the dialogue in the public debate, without being intimidated," reacted Daniela Baumann, spokesperson for SEA, accompanied by Evangeliques.info.

Anti-Catholic Graffitis on the Walls of Santa Lucia Chapel

September 18, 2021, Spain

On the 18. September, it was reported that the chapel of Santa Lucia and the wall of the rectory of the Rianxeira parish of Asados were vandalised with graffiti and anti-Catholic slogans. The perpetrator or perpetrators of this aggression to the heritage used red paint to leave messages against the Church and the clergy printed on one of the side walls of the church and on the entrance to the rectory, like calling them a "catholic mafia".

Art Festival Against "Religious Censorship" celebrates "Blasphemy Day"

September 17, 2021, Italy

"Ceci n'est pas un blasphème" is the title of the festival which claims to celebrate freedom of expression and attack "religious censorship". The festival took place between the 17th and 30th of September, the day on which "Blasphemy Day" is celebrated. The non-profit festival included exhibitions, talks, comedians, to promote anti-clerical art and raise funds to be donated to organizations that provide protection and legal assistance to people persecuted for having said or created blasphemous content. Interestingly, many artists have targeted Christian symbols to create blasphemous images, whereas the countries and cases with severe Blasphemy laws and punishments are Muslim.

Two Arson Attempts in a Church in Waldmünchen

September 17, 2021, Germany

An unknown perpetrator seems to have tried twice to set the church in Waldmünchen on fire. The first time by placing a candle on the floor of the closed-off side altar with an advertising leaflet from church on it, shortly after the leaflet caught fire. On the next Saturday he tried it again by throwing a burning paper into the area of the fenced side altar. Fortunately the rest of the church was not damaged and the fire was contained. The police are investigating.

24-year-old Man Stabbed to Death While Handing Out Church Leaflets

September 17, 2021, United Kingdom

Mohamed Issa Koroma has been stabbed to death, while he was handling out church leaflets. The attacker will be charge with murder and possession of a bladed weapon in public and will appear at Sheffield Crown Court on 22 September. When the police arrived, Mr. Koroma was seriously injured and still alive but shortly died after the attack. “Our investigation into this incident continues at pace and our officers remain at the scene as they conduct their enquiries" said the Detective Chief Inspector Paul Murphy, 31, of South Yorkshire Police. The motive is still unclear.

Fire Extinguisher Used to Damage Church in Louvie-Juzon

September 17, 2021, France

On the 17th of September, anonymous perpetrators vandalized the church of Louvie-Juzon in France by damaging the furniture and emptying the fire extinguisher over the furniture and floor of the Church. The major, who said being very disappointed, has lodged a formal complaint.

Two More Organizations Vandalized by Activists in Run-Up to March for Life

September 17, 2021, Switzerland

In the run-up to the March for Life, three different pro-life Evangelical centers were vandalized in two different cities, Zurich and Emmenbrücke (Lucerne). The perpetrators painted the offices of the Pro-Life organization in Lucerne with Graffiti between 15-17 September. Also, the organization Zukunft CH foundation was defaced with graffiti. The attacks were claimed on an anarcho-autonomous pro-LGBTQ information platform. "It is worrying that on certain socio-political issues it is obviously no longer possible to express oneself freely without being affected by hatred and vandalism," said the AES, Zukunft CH, and "Pro-Life" in a joint statement issued on September 21.

Church Window Broken by a Group of Young People

September 16, 2021, Italy

The parish of Mortizzuolo in Mirandola was vandalized by a group of young people that was gathering next to the church. The group ended up breaking a window of the church. Police are investigating and tracking videocameras.

Statue of the Virgin Mary Toppled in Warsaw

September 16, 2021, Poland

Unknown perpetrators have toppled a statue of the Virgin Mary, which was placed in the garden of the Franciscan Sisters of the Family of Mary convent in Anin, Warsaw. The statue was tied with a telephone cable, which indicates that the vandalism was intentional. According to Father Marek Doszko, pastor of the parish of Our Lady Queen of Poland, where the house is located, the statue fell on soft ground and leaves, so no extensive damage was caused. The profanation took place on the day of the commemoration of the founder of the congregation, St. Zygmunt Szczęsny-Feliński