All cases

Monstrance Stolen from Church in Fourmies

September 16, 2021, France

On 16 September, the glass door of the chapel of the church of Saint-Pierre was forced open with a crowbar. The perpetrators stole a tin monstrance. "The object was not of great material value, but it had spiritual value. This monstrance was used for Adoration every Friday, reports Abbé Potier. The thieves did not take the lunula, i.e. the glass vessel containing the consecrated host. The object is incomplete and therefore cannot be sold as it is. "I am very hopeful that it will be abandoned somewhere and we will eventually get our hands on it again sooner or later". The police are investigating.

Several Thousand Euros Damage: Stained Glass Window of Church in St. Godard Smashed

September 16, 2021, France

Unknown perpetrators smashed stones against a stained glass window dating back to the XVI century. The incident took place between the night of the 15. to the 16. September in the Church of St. Godard. The church is well-known for its artistical value and is "very much visited for the Heritage Days" explained Élizabeth Labaye, a municipal councilor in charge of tourism and heritage, she is disappointed by the fact that the church was recently "completely cleaned" and because the damage is estimated at several thousand Euros.

About Fifty Graves Vandalised in Poitiers Hospital Cemetery

September 16, 2021, France

A family that was visiting the Hopital des Champs cemetery alerted the police on 16 September, after they found around fifty graves, which were tagged with the symbol of Sidaction. Police are investigating.

Church in Szczecin Severely Vandalised

September 15, 2021, Poland

A 33-year-old man destroyed a historic 1.5 metre wooden cross, an electric censer and a font in the church vestibule, and assaulted the priest who tried to calm down the attacker. Father Dariusz Olszak was beaten and will undergo surgery for a broken jaw. The man, who already had a criminal record, is awaiting his sentence. Police are investigating.

Needs more info: Theft in the Church of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption

September 15, 2021, France

The sacristy, of the Notre-Dame de l'Assomption church in Sully, was broken into during the night of the 15th of September. The intruder, stole some candlesticks and a chalice but was not caught. The mayor filed a complaint.

Rogation Cross in Saussines Vandalized

September 15, 2021, France

In mid-September, one of the three Rogation Crosses in Saussines, a town northeast of Montpellier on the road to Ales, was vandalized. The perpetrator remains unknown. The act shocked the locals and the faithful.

Statue of the Virgin Mary Attacked with Arson

September 14, 2021, France

A processional statue of the Virgin Mary in the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Bon Secours in Guingamp was set on fire on 14 September. The fire was extinguished with an extinguisher by the owner of a nearby crêperie. According to a source close to the case: "The initial findings totally confirm it. It is clearly an arson attack. For the moment we have no information on the perpetrator or perpetrators. The investigations will continue. The statue was not completely destroyed, but its clothes were destroyed.

Church Vandalised with Anti-Semitic Tags in Perugia

September 13, 2021, Italy

Blasmephic tags in red paint were found on the memorial plaque of the great Perugian Bishop Luigi Piastrelli, who was parish priest in St. Agatha's church for almost 70 years, from 1908 to 1975. The plaque is found on the facade of the Church. The residents have expressed shame and indignation, according to the report, and they have also called on the police to launch an investigation with help of security cameras on the area.

Ruins of St. Finian's Church in Esker Vandalized

September 13, 2021, Ireland

The historic ruins of the St. Finian's Church in Esker were smeared with black paint on September 13th. The structure is of great local significance and had recently undergone restoration work when the defacement occurred. The Councilor considered this act of vandalism a direct insult to the religious sight and those working there.

Three Teenagers Shout Blasphemies During Mass in Sorso

September 12, 2021, Italy

Three times in a row, three teenagers entered St.Pantaleon's church during mass was taking place and started shouting blasphemies. After the incident, they just left rapidly. Residents and church parishioners have been asking for more control due to the rise of acts of vandalism. The police seem to ignore the requests.