All cases
Anti-Christian Graffiti on Christian Bookstore in Lyon
August 28, 2020, FranceEmployees of the CLC Christian bookstore, situated on the quai Tilsitt in Lyon, found red and white graffiti painted on all of their shop windows in the morning of August 29th. The messages included "Christianity is a sect that succeeded" or "Up there, God doesn't exist". A complaint was filed.
The Statue of Christ of The Po Destroyed
August 28, 2020, ItalyOn the night between 28th and 29th August, the Statue of Christ of the Po was destroyed. The statue was inaugurated in August, made by the sculptor Mario Spadari. The unknown vandals threw stones at it and then destroyed and mutilated it. The local police started an investigation, but there were neither witnesses nor security cameras.
Car Used by Malmö Church for Charitable Causes Burned
August 28, 2020, SwedenIn the night of August 28, the car used for social welfare causes by Hyllie Church in Malmö was burned down. The car was not in the vicinity of the riot that happened in the same night, however, the perpetrators remain unknown.
Dozens of Graffiti on San Maurizio Church in Monza
August 28, 2020, ItalyDuring the night of 28 to 29 August, vandals sprayed dozens of graffiti onto the San Maurizio Church in Monza, including the main portal, the granite pillars and the wall with the commemorative plaque of Monsignore Luigi Talamoni. Experts will be required to restore the damaged decor. The people responsible for Monza Church have filed a complaint.
Sold Christian Cemetery Planned to Become Holiday Retreat Area
August 28, 2020, PolandIn the North of Poland, in the city of Bialogóra, the cemetery where about 400 Christian believers are buried, is threatened with plans of turning it into a holiday retreat area. Many of the descendants of the buried now live in Lithuania. The community was not warned about the construction plans. The government representatives says they didn't know the history of the property and sold it to a private enterprise, which is continuing their plans in spite of the protest from the community.
Statue of the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus Decapitated
August 27, 2020, ItalyOn the 27th August, it was reported in the district of Alcara Li Fusi that the terracotta statue of the Madonna was vandalized for a second time. The head of the Madonna and of the Baby Jesus in her arms were both missing, the perpetrators have not been identified.
Man Destroyed Angel Statue in Church
August 25, 2020, PolandOn the 25. August, a 32-year-old man destroyed the figure of an angel with a stoup in the historic church of the Salesian priests dedicated to St. Joseph in Przemysl. This happened just before Mass, during the adoration service of the Blessed Sacrament. He turned out to be intoxicated by alcohol. Apparently he also was offending the priest verbally.
Thieves Stole Around 500 Euros From Offertory Boxes From Churches
August 25, 2020, GermanyOn the 25th August, it was reported that in the past month in Grafenwöhr, three churches were ravaged by thieves, who stole the offerings. The empty boxes were found by the respective sacristan. The total amount of money stolen was around 500 Euro. The churches were the Friedenskirche, where the perpetrators used a tool with magnets to fish the coins. The cemetery Church and the old parish Church were also robbed. The sticks were damaged and plucked up. In top of the stolen cash, the churches suffered damage in amount of 450 euros. The police is investigating and asking the parishes to be attentive.
Dubious Acts of Vandalism in Church in Mur-de-Sologne
August 24, 2020, FranceUnknown perpetrators tore two paintings, broke a few vases as well as two statues made from plaster, moved a statue of the Virgin Mary and destroyed its pedestal. They re-arranged chairs in a semi-circle in front of the altar and lit candles, creating the impression of a production of some sort. Investigators suspected vandalism rather than Satanic or anti-religious motives. The village filed a complaint.
Opening Hours of Parisian Church Limited Due to Repeated Incidents of Thefts
August 24, 2020, FranceL’Immaculée-Conception parish in the 12th district of Paris announced on August 24th that for the rest of August, they would limit the opening times of their church to a few short periods of time per day. The reason were repeated thefts, concerning some Way of the Cross stations, collection boxes and the sacristy. Therefore, the church felt compelled to open only when they could provide sufficient supervision. Regular opening times will be resumed in September.