All cases

Church Nativity Desecrated and Parishioners Threatened

December 8, 2025, Spain

Police detained a man after he disrupted a Catholic service by removing nativity figures, striking the altar, profaning liturgical garments, shouting in Arabic through the church microphone, and attempting to attack parishioners before being restrained outside.

France’s Catholic Schools Under Abusive State Scrutiny

December 8, 2025, France

Based on a report, Catholic schools in France are facing state inspections criticised as abusive and humiliating. Teachers reported unannounced classroom visits, students being questioned about their faith, and pressure to remove Christian symbols, all of which undermine the schools’ Catholic identity. Catholic education authorities warn that these practices violate both educator dignity and parents’ right to provide religious education.

Baroque Church Statues Vandalised

December 7, 2025, Germany

Stone sculptures at the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche and Hildesheimer Dom were damaged, with facial features deliberately broken.

Church Vandalised with Wax Swastikas

December 5, 2025, Germany

Two wax-smeared swastikas were discovered on the interior wall of a Lutheran church in Seligenstadt.

Priest's Car Set on Fire Weeks after Church Vandalism

December 4, 2025, Italy

An arson attack destroyed the parish priest’s vehicle in Francofonte, following earlier vandalism against the church grounds.

Left-Wing Extremists Attack Church Over Anti-Abortion Stance

December 3, 2025, Germany

Radical activists smashed windows and spray-painted “218 abtreiben” on the Free Evangelical Church Kassel-Ost, citing its support for unborn life as the motive.

Church Nativity Figures Vandalised

December 3, 2025, Spain

Acts of vandalism targeted Christmas decorations at Villar de Olalla, damaging religious symbols and prompting a municipal appeal for information.

Arson Attack at Fonsorbes Church

December 3, 2025, France

Two altar cloths were set on fire inside Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church in Fonsorbes, Occitania, with straw from the Christmas nativity scene reportedly moved to fuel the flames.

Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Plasencia Hospital Chapel

December 3, 2025, Spain

A theft took place at the Hospital Virgen del Puerto in Plasencia in early December 2025, when several consecrated hosts were reported missing from the chapel’s tabernacle.

Termini Chapel Closed After Reported Altar Desecration

December 2, 2025, Italy

The Chapel at Termini Station in Rome was closed after a man was reported to have urinated on the altar. The closure is deprived the community of access.