All cases
Arson Attack on Göppingen Church
March 7, 2022, GermanyAn unknown arsonist set fire to the side portal of the Oberhofen church in Göppingen on the 7th of March. Pastor Hannes Gaiser said that the door now needs to be secured and that there was some smoke damage inside the church. The extent of the property damage could not be calculated yet as the organ and electrics had not been checked.
Key for Tabernacle of the St. Joseph Hospital Church in Bensheim Stolen
March 6, 2022, GermanyDuring the night of March 6th, burglars force their way into the St. Joseph Hospital Church and stole the key to the tabernacle. To do this, they broke through a wooden door and pushed open the door of the sacristy. The tabernacle holds the sacred hosts which shows this was a targeted act.
Burglary at Augustdorf Church
March 6, 2022, GermanyUnknown persons broke into the Augustdorf church through a broken window and a kicked in door. Once inside, the violently searched several cupboards to try and find things to steal but were unsuccessful. The police investigated the crime and were looking for more information.
Church Windows in Königsborn Broken
March 5, 2022, GermanyThe windows of the Evangelical parish in Königsborn were broken on May 5th by unknown vandals. This followed a series of attacks on buildings and churches in the area.
Insulting Writings on Church in Cuneo
March 5, 2022, ItalyThe side of the Santa Maria Della Pieve di Beinette church in the Cuneo area was inscribed with slanderous writings aimed at an individual in the village. The vandal who used this sacred sight to vent their personal feelings showed complete disrespect. The writings have since been removed.
4 Women in Belarus Detained by Police for Praying
March 3, 2022, BelarusFour mothers of soldiers were detained for praying for peace in Ukraine at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. They, along with 100 other soldiers' mothers, were attending the regular evening prayer when the officers followed them into the main Orthodox cathedral of the city and after the service, demanded their documents and then took them for questioning. They were taken to the Central District Police Station and were released four hours later.
MLA's Vote in Support of Abortion Bill Despite Public Opposition
March 2, 2022, United KingdomMLA's in Northern Ireland voted in support of a bill that will create "safe zones" around abortion clinics despite 98 percent of the 6,412 public submissions expressing strong opposition to it. This proposed legislation, from Green Party leader Clare Bailey, will make it illegal to “influenc[e] a [person seeking an abortion], whether directly or indirectly” within “safe access zones” reported the Right to Life News. Christians who hold pro-life views will find it difficult to freely express them under this proposed legislation.
Father Maksym Kozachyna Killed in Ivankiv, Ukraine
March 2, 2022, UkraineFather Maksym Kozachyna, of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, was killed near Ivankiv on March 3rd when the Russian troops were advancing. He was in uniform at the time and an eye witness said he was pulled out of a car and shot. The Russian military has often targeted religious leaders during their invasion.
Arson to Orthodox Church in Temernik
March 2, 2022, RussiaThe Svyato-Vvedensky church in Temernik caught on fire on March 2nd. Church workers said there was a broken window and a cylinder was found inside which led people to the conclusion that it was a deliberate act of arson. Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire within 15 minutes, so thankfully little damage was done.
Perpetrators Despoil and Damage Church in Villach
March 1, 2022, AustriaOn March 1st, unknown perpetrators broke into the Villach parish church and tore off the metal decoration of a picture of the Virgin Mary while also stealing five gold plated candlesticks worth several hundred euros. During the police investigation, two metal bowls from the holy water font were also found near the crime scene.