All cases

Window Broken and Grass Burned in Mannheim-Käfertal Church

April 21, 2022, Germany

Unknown vandals smashed the side window of the church in Mannheim-Käfertal and lit a fire behind the church which burned a 1.5-meter patch of grass. The police started an investigation into the incident and were looking for witnesses.

Burger King, UBER and Hera foods Disrespect Catholic Symbols in Advert

April 19, 2022, Spain

Spanish Catholics started a petition to boycott Burger King for mocking the Eucharist in an ad campaign during the Holy Week. Billboards included the words "take and eat of it all" which were spoken by Jesus during the last supper added to "which has no meat", to advertise their veggie burger. Burger King has since apologized and said they did not mean to offend anyone and immediately began to withdraw the profanation. But two other firms, UBER and HEURA Foods, also mocked religious sentiments by launching a campaign with the picture of a nun eating a hamburger and saying "This Good Friday, eat meat".

Vandalism and Theft in Grosseto Cathedral

April 19, 2022, Italy

The Grosseto Cathedral was raided by a masked man with a hat and gloves who fled with several items. On April 19th, he entered the Cathedral and took a brass candlestick from the altar, and then smashed the glass of the shrine that holds the ex-votos that people offer to Madonna with an awl. Some policemen, who were nearby, ran after him so he dropped the candlestick but held on to the votive offerings of devotional value.

Russian Orthodox Church in Laa an der Thaya Vandalized

April 19, 2022, Austria

A Russian Orthodox Church in Laa an der Thaya was graffitied with the tags "Putin Stop" and "No! War" on the 19th of April. This appeared on the entrance pillars to the church which is no place to express political feelings. The Russian Embassy called it a "cowardly action" of "particularly cynical contempt" and said, "We are outraged to the depths of our souls by an act of vandalism in relation to the Orthodox Church."

Picture of Santa Rita Burned by Teenagers in Alassio

April 18, 2022, Italy

Two young boys entered the church in Alassio and started a fire in the votive candle box on April 18th. They also burned a picture of Sant Rita and the parish priest who intervened, was at risk of getting burnt.

Statue of Christ Smashed in San Salvo

April 18, 2022, Italy

A Statue of Christ in the church of Addolorata in San Salvo, was thrown to the ground and smashed on April 18th. The author of this act of vandalism appeared to use an object to break the statue into tiny pieces. The parish lodged a complaint.

Church Door Graffitied Among other incidents of Vandalism

April 18, 2022, Italy

On Easter Monday, the door of the Saints Philip and James Church was smeared with inscriptions. but the author is unknown. Mayor, Daniele Biada, put forth a social complaint due to the increased amount of attacks of this nature.

Teenagers Vandalise St. Helen's Church in Cliffe

April 18, 2022, United Kingdom

Teenager, thought to be between 11 and 12 years old, broke 7 stained glass windows in St. Helen's church in Cliffe and damaged several roof tiles around the 18 of April. The cost of the damage was extensive and could be in the thousands since the kind of roof tile used was particularly expensive. The children's parents said the actions were "inexcusable" and some even made them apologize to the churchwarden.

Church Near Dieppe Closed after Repeated Acts of Vandalism

April 17, 2022, France

The church in Arques la Bataille, near Dieppe in the Seine Maritime region, which is open during the day, was closed during the Easter school holidays after two vandalistic incidents, in which young people scattered and lighted candles in the church and climbed up the rostrum, then threw music scores and songbooks from up there. It will still be decided when the church will b opened again.

Brass Crosses and other Items Stolen From Wleń Cemetery

April 16, 2022, Poland

Police were informed of the theft of a brass cross from the cemetery of Wleń on the 16th of April. Upon investigation, they found that surrounding graves were also missing letters, crosses, and other elements. They began an investigation and were looking for witnesses.