All cases

Man Enters Cathedral with Knives and Threatens Guard in Bourges

August 19, 2021, France

A 39-year-old man tried to enter the cathedral of Bourges armed with secateurs, a penknife and a butcher knife. He is said to have threatened a guard but luckily didn't injure anyone. The incident occurred on 19 August, the police were informed in time who managed to apprehend the homeless man. He is in custody and will have to respond for threatening the guard, insulting police officers and carrying prohibited weapons. Police are investigating and ruled out that the incident was a terror attack6667zzz.

Cross on Baptismal Font Stolen from Trier Church

August 19, 2021, Germany

The cross on the brass baptismal font covering was stolen from the St. Antonius Church in Trier. Parishioners were shocked to find that this eye catching piece of their church had disappeared on August 19th. A complaint has now been filed about this vandalism.

Church desecrated in Langeac

August 18, 2021, France

Unknown perpetrator(s) desecrated the church of Saint-Gal in Langeac. The damage was reported on 12 August. They are said to have broken into the church and overturned the altar of celebrations and the objects placed on it. In addition, the police found excrements near the entrance to the place of worship. The police are currently investigating and looking for the culprit.

Polemic Cross of Ribalta Vandalised

August 18, 2021, Spain

The Cross located in the Ribalta Park in Castelló has been vandalized with graffiti by unknown perpetrators on the 18. August. The Cross was targeted to be demolished in compliance with the "Historical Memory Law", but the judge has not yet decided on the issue. The message with graffiti said: "Either you knock down the cross, or we will knock it down". This shows bias against religious symbols. The city council has deemed the graffiti unacceptable and has proceeded to remove it.

Police Apprehend Suspect of Church Vandalism

August 17, 2021, France

A man was arrested after urinating in the Sacred Heart Church in Agen. The arrest took place on August 15 after the man unknowingly set off an alarm while entering the church. Police arrived shortly after and apprehended the man who was irritated by what was happening. He is said to have confessed.

Notre Dame de Lourdes in Roly Vandalised Again

August 16, 2021, Belgium

Unknown perpetrators vandalised the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Roly. During the act, a crucifix broke. The incident itself dates back to August 16 and is not the first act of vandalism in the region. In the past two years, the shrine has fallen victim to vandalism several times. In order to maintain the shrine it was decided to install cameras. The police were informed and are investigating.

Statue of Father Eternal Vandalized in Trégastel

August 16, 2021, France

A statue of Father Eternal in Trégastel has been desecrated. The incident happened during the night of 16 August. Unknown perpetrators are said to have painted unpleasant tags onto the 152-year-old statue. Police have been informed and are currently trying to identify the culprit(s).

Bell Stolen from Germana Chapel in Much

August 16, 2021, Germany

For the second time, the Germana Chapel in Much was the target of theft. Since this chapel is particularly isolated, the thieves took advantage of it and stole both the bell and its ringing mechanism. The theft occurred somewhere in the second week of August, since on the 10h, a witness heard the bell still ringing, said the police. The police spokesperson, Stefan Birk stated "We assume that the perpetrators climbed a ladder into the eight-meter-high tower of the Germana Chapel and lowered their loot". They further suspect that the thieves intend to sell the bell to a scrap metal dealer as it happened before.

Church and Cemetery Vandalized in Leipzig

August 16, 2021, Germany

From the 15th to the 16th of August, unknown vandals graffitied three large black writings on a cemetery wall in Leipzig. In addition, the church's showcase was sprayed with two black symbols (crowns), measuring approximately 125 x 60 centimeters. The damage caused amounted to approximately 1,500 euros, but the police started an investigation to assess the total damage inflicted on the property.

Evangelical Church Vandalized in Hannover

August 15, 2021, Germany

Unknown perpetrators destroyed parts of the Evangelical Reformed Church after they broke in on August 8th. The news said they left the rooms vandalized and some objects were stolen.