All cases

Catholic Church Vandalised with Dog Manure for several Months

January 20, 2022, Germany

The police have found a suspect, who might be responsible for the vandalism attacks that endured the Catholic church St. Aegidius for several months since October 2021. The man had smeared dog excrement on the walls of the church or left dog excrement at the entrance of the church almost every week. The pastor Anrul Lourdu commented: "We are speechless and meanwhile also powerless. It is simply undignified, unattractive and inhumane what is happening."

Suspected Arson to Church in Valladolid

January 19, 2022, Spain

The church of Our Lady of Fatima in Valladolid has been severely damaged by a fire that was started from outside the church. The investigation indicates that the fire could have been caused by arson. The head of the parish of San José Obrero, Enrique Barrientos, said: "In principle, it seems to have been provoked because the fire went from the outside in. There had been some acts of vandalism in the area." The incident took place on the 19. January in the early morning, and the first one to raise the alarm was the headmaster of a school that is attached to the chapel. The fire damaged a church door, an image of the Virgin and the electronic organ, which was completely burnt.

Police Arrest Man Guilty for Theft of Sacred Obejcts

January 18, 2022, Italy

The police of Salerno has captured a man who was guilty of stealing sacred objects from the church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on the 18th of January. The thieve had stolen a silver chalice and monstrance. The police were alerted by Don Biagio, the parish priest who was in the sacristy when the theft took place. The 24-year-old perpetrator was identified with the security cameras and the objects were returned to the church.

Outer Walls of Church in Napoli Marred by Fire

January 18, 2022, Italy

On January 18th, the outer walls of the Sant'Eligio Church in Piazza Mercato, Naples, were blackened by a fire lit by youths from the city. The police quickly arrived at the scene but not before the walls had been damaged.

Church Front Set Alight in Muggiò

January 18, 2022, Italy

The doormat of the Santa Giuliana church in Muggiò was set alight by unknow vandals on 18. January. The main doors of the historic 13th century church were blackened by the flames. This act of arson was obviously done in contempt of the church.

Church Bell Tower in Villingen-Schwenningen Defaced

January 18, 2022, Germany

The bell tower of a church in Villingen-Schwenningen was defaced by unknown vandals. They sprayed the tower with writing and caused property damage of around 100 Euros on January 18th. The police were looking for more information and wanted witnesses.

Arson to Nativity Scene in Church in Dortmund

January 17, 2022, Germany

The police assume that the straw on the cot of the Provost Church of St. John the Baptist was set on fire by someone. Arson is suspected. This was reported by "Der Westen". According to the parish website, a visitor to the Catholic church noticed the fire at the cot on Monday and reported it. With the help of a fire extinguisher, the caretaker and sexton were able to prevent the fire from spreading to the Christmas trees and the wooden altar.The nativity scene has now been dismantled. The church remains open, but additional safety measures are being considered.

Entire Music Equipment Stolen from Dresden Church

January 17, 2022, Germany

An unknown thief stole the music equipment form the Friedenskirche Church in Dresden-Löbtau. The theft happened on the 17 of January and police say the stolen goods had a value of around 2,000 euros. The equipment is vital for celebrating services.

Man Tears Host into Pieces During Mass

January 16, 2022, France

On the 16. January, in the parish of Saint-Esprit in Paris during Mass, a man went to receive Communion, but instead, he took the Host and tore it into pieces and threw it to the ground. The Father Simón Fornier de Violeta, one of the parish vicars, was distributing Communion when this man arrived and stretched out his hand. As the priest tried to ask him about this profanation, he replied "For Nadia", and went away. The priest said: "The act was thought out, premeditated." He commented that the man had some injuries in his hands, like "people who consume drugs or drink too much."

Man Arrested for Dismembering Figures of Jesus

January 16, 2022, Germany

A 30 year old man was arrest for multiple accounts of property damage around the Märkischer Kreis region on January 16th. The cases included the dismembering of Jesus figurines, stolen statues of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, and damage to wayside crosses. The police suspected it was not a religiously motivated attack but this does not excuse the fact that the objects that were destroyed in a sacrilegious manner, were sacred to Christians.