All cases

Perpetrators Damaged St. Laurentius Church Lamps

April 24, 2021, Germany

The lamps in the St. Laurentius Church in Schramberg-Sulgen were damaged in the on November 24th but the villain is still at large. Two of the lamps were damaged on Tuesday the 23rd and three more received similar treatment outside the building the next day. The cost of the destruction was estimated to be around 1000 euros and the police were in search of more information.

Sainte-Thérèse Church In Évreux Subjected To Series Of Degradations

April 23, 2021, France

On the night of 22 April, the church of Sainte-Thérèse de l'Enfant Jésus in the Nétreville district of Évreux was the victim of a burglary for the seventh time in six months. In the process, a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary was found lying on the floor with large cuts to its head, having been subjected to repeated attempts at destruction in the days before. The other complaints in the intervening period include damage to several entrances to the interior of the church and the theft of numerous religious items. Meanwhile, a suspect has been arrested. The police is investigating.

Vandalism On The Steps Of The Church Of San Francesco

April 23, 2021, Italy

After the stone capital on the steps of the Marian Sanctuary of San Francesco all'Immacolata in Corso Vittorio Emanuele in Noto was vandalised, the perpetrator has now been identified and reported. The police were able to gather useful clues with the help of images from the video surveillance in the area, which made it possible to establish the identity of the vandal. It is a 33-year-old man already known to the police, who is facing charges of serious damage to historical objects - a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Pastor Arrested In Greater London for Public Preaching on Biblical Marriage

April 23, 2021, United Kingdom

Pastor John Sherwood, the pastor of a church in North London, preached a sermon on a public street on 23 April, in which he advocated for the biblical image of the family consisting of a father, mother and children and that marriage can only be between a man and a woman. After a while, some police officers appeared on the scene, approached Pastor Sherwood and stated that three complaints had been received about the sermon. After a lengthy conversation between the pastor and the police officers, the police officers asked him to come down from the steps where he was standing and said that he was now under arrest. The police accusation was that Pastor Sherwood had made homophobic remarks. An officer then took the Bible from the pastor's hand, pulled him off the steps and handcuffed him behind his back. The pastor was arrested for causing alarm and distress under section 5 of the Public Order Act, according to police. The preacher was detained by the police for about 21 hours, and he is still under investigation after his release.

Funerary Objects and Flowers Stolen from Cemeteries in Pleumeur-Bodou

April 22, 2021, France

In Pleumeur-Bodou in the Côtes d'Armor, a theft act has been committed in the cemeteries. Numerous funerary objects as well as flowers have been stolen. The town hall and the first deputy, Christelle Broudic, condemns these thefts. The police operation will be intensified in order to prevent these criminal acts.

Two Vandalistic Acts against Churches in Bad Griesbach

April 19, 2021, Germany

Unknown perpetrators committed an act of vandalism in two churches in Bad Griesbach in the District of Rottal. The incidents happened on the weekend of 17 and 18 April. The damage caused by the perpetrators is estimated to be around 5.000 Euros. The Police are investigating, and asking the public for help.

Bust Of St. John Paul II Vandalised In Front Of Polish Church In Paris

April 19, 2021, France

On 19 April, in front of the Polish Church of the Assumption at 'Concorde' in Paris, the bust of St John Paul II was vandalised . An unknown perpetrator covered the bust with red paint. Father Paweł Witkowski mentioned the great merits and achievements of John Paul II, who "certainly did not deserve such treatment". The case is being investigated by the police.

Vandals Damaged Church In Golasecca for Second Time

April 18, 2021, Italy

For the second time in a month, the church of Lazzaretto in Golasecca has been vandalised. This time the perpetrators damaged the door and vandalised the interior. Unknown persons had already broken into the small sacred building on 21 March, at which time the parish priest had filed a complaint with the Carabinieri. The church of Saints Simon and Judas is located in the woods near the village. The police are investigating.

Church-Door In Montecatini Set On Fire

April 15, 2021, Italy

On the afternoon of 15 April, a fire was set at the door of the church of Saints Jacopo and Filippo in Montecatini Alto. The door was partially destroyed. The fire brigade and the Carabinieri intervened right away. So far, there seem to be no direct witnesses to the arson, which can be safely assumed. The police are investigating.

Woman Destroys Consecrated Objects In Church In Düsseldorf

April 12, 2021, Germany

A woman vandalised sacred objects in the sanctuary of the Maxkirche in Düsseldorf between 12 and 16 April. The perpetrator threw candles and altar cloths on the floor. The congregation is shocked at the extent of the devastation. The city Deacon, Frank Heidkamp, said: "An adult woman threw candles, candlesticks, floral arrangements, altar cloths and sacrificial candles on the floor during normal opening hours last week and obviously caused this devastation with wanton intent." The case was recorded on a security camera and has already been handed over to the police, who is now investigating.