All cases
Two More Cemeteries Vandalized and Looted: Police Arrested Suspect
June 21, 2021, FranceIn total, 3 Cemeteries were targeted for vandalism and looting in June in La Manche. First, the cemetery of Genêts, where 18 graves were ransacked. Later on June 11th in Sartilly 5 iron crosses were torn off and on June 17th, 3 graves were degraded in the cemetery of Saint-Jean-Le-Thomas. The police of Sartilly found a suspect on 21. June and found the stolen crosses at his home.
Over 10.000 Euros of Damage after Theft at Church in Chemnitz
June 20, 2021, GermanyUnknown perpetrators entered the Church in Schloßberg in Chemnitz causing an estimated damage of 10.000 Euros. The incident was reported during the morning of June 20. The culprit(s) vandalised different rooms inside the church stealing laptops and money. The police estimates the damages caused to the main entrance door and the rest of the church amount up to 10.000 Euros, which does not include the value of the stolen objects. Police are investigating.
Statues of Our Lady in Szczecin Tagged with Satanic Symbols
June 20, 2021, PolandUnknown perpetrators desecrated the statues of the Virgin Mary and Our Lady of Fatima in Szczecin. The vandals spray painted an inverted cross and a pentagram onto the statues. They were located on a hill in front of the church. The parish asked the public for information on their Facebook account. Police are investigating.
Church in Målilla Heavely Vandalised
June 20, 2021, SwedenA church in Målilla, Hultsfred has been ransacked. The incident caused a destruction of the interior. The unknown perpetrators overturned the churches piano, the sacrilegious cross and the chairs. The incident was discovered on 29 June by the parish pastor Gerth Thorstensson. Apart from the broken furniture pastor Thorstensson also explained that the perpetrators had emptied a fire extinguisher on the instruments and electronics, thus destroying them as well. It was reported that the perpetrators also smashed mirrors and appliances in the churches kitchen and its bathroom, causing a great amount of damage. Police also discovered an attempt of arson as a pile of ashes was found in the children's playroom. Police are looking for the suspects.
Repeated Acts of Vandalism against Church in Colle
June 19, 2021, ItalyThe church of Santa Maria in Colle has again been attacked by vandals. The columns and the walls were tagged with graffiti, the perpetrators are also thought to have tampered with the gas pipe. The desecration was discovered on 19 June by a troop, who came to clean the church and cut the grass. Bottles and cigarettes were found at the scene. Mayor, Elzo Severin, has expressed his wish to sanction these vandals and also issued a criminal complaint. Police are investigating.
Theft of Church in Bells Santa Caterina Destroyed by Earthquake
June 19, 2021, ItalyUnknown perpetrators stole historic bells from the Church of Santa Caterina. Although the church had been destroyed in an earthquake in May 2012, its Concordia bells rested for nine years beside the churchyard. Police are investigating.
Suspect Who Set Church in Malestroit on Fire Apprehended
June 18, 2021, FranceFrench police arrested a suspect in a case of church arson. The individual is accused of setting the scaffolding on the north side of the Saint-Gilles church in Malestroit on fire with petrol cans. The incident happened around 11.30 pm on 18 June. Thanks to 27-year-old Eddy Chabrun's quick intervention the church was saved and no one harmed. The suspect is already known to the police.
Church in Konin Vandalised For the Fourth Time
June 17, 2021, PolandAn unknown perpetrator vandalised the church of Saint Maximilian M. Kolbe in Konin. CCTV Footage shows a man entering and vandalising the church, his identity and motives are yet to be discovered. The Diocese of Wloclawek reported the incident to the police on 16 June. The diocese also asked the public to share any information with the police who is currently investigating the case.
Vatican Criticised for Commenting on New Anti-Discrimination Bill in Italy
June 17, 2021, ItalyThe Vatican is being accused of having intervened in the lawmaking process of an anti-discrimination law, also known as 'Zan Bill', because of a written note they directed to the Italian ambassador of the Holy See, in which they point out their concern about the bill. In the formal diplomatic note, the Holy See raises the concern upon the bill passing the senate as drafted since it would not only violate the freedoms of the Catholic Church in Italy, as regulated in an agreement of 1929, but it would also force Catholic schools to implement and organise activities on a future national day against homophobia and transphobia. Critics, amongst which are some prominent homosexuals and feminist groups as well as the Catholic Church, point out that the problem is not whether we agree or disagree with those statements it is more about the law interfering and thus preventing religious believers from freely and publicly expressing themselves. The "Zan Bill" has been approved by the lower house in November of 2020 but has yet to pass the Senate committee.
Arson Attack against Orthodox Church in Narva-Jõesuu
June 17, 2021, EstoniaAn arsonist destroyed the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church in Narva-Jõesuu on June 17. The fire damaged the walls and completely destroyed the church's interior. In the course of the fire, the roof collapsed partially. Police have been informed, they suspect arson since the church had been set on fire in February 2020 already, causing damage to the 18th-century icons, its altar and the oak iconostasis. Estonias Firebrigade also suspects arson, since the fire spread so rapidly. The culprit has yet to be identified.