All cases

Attempted Intrusion and Arson at the Notre-Dame Church of Le Relecq-Kerhuon

July 10, 2026, France

On the night of 9 to 10 July 2026, the Notre-Dame Church in Relecq-Kerhuon was the target of a fire and attempted break-in throughout the night. The fire was extinguished before it could spread to the whole church building, but the incident nonetheless affected the Christian place of worship and is being investigated by the police.

Crucifix vandalised in Stolberg-Zweifall

July 10, 2026, Germany

As reported on 10 July, a wayside cross at the "Kartoffelbaum" site in Stolberg-Zweifall has been deliberately damaged, with parts of the wooden corpus having been cut off. As the vandalism targeted a religious monument in the area that serves as a place of prayer and remembrance for pilgrims, the incident has caused deep distress for the local community.

Church banner destroyed in Hohenwarthe

July 8, 2026, Germany

As reported on 8 July, a banner at a lutheran church of Möser in Hohenwarthe has been cut up and destroyed in an act of vandalism. According to reports, the church congregation suspects the vandalism was politically motivated and is horrified by the incident.

Desecration of Armenian cemetery in Istanbul

July 8, 2026, Turkey

On the night of 7 to 8 July 2026, an individual entered the Surp Karabet Christian Cemetery in Istanbul by climbing over the perimeter wall. The perpetrator vandalised six graves and a memorial just days before the reconsecration of the Armenian Surp Karapet Church. The reports describe the Christian community as deeply wounded by the incident, and their concerns over the safety of Christian communities in Turkey have been heightened.

Church vandalised and attempted desecration in Ca' Cappellino

July 7, 2026, Italy

Reported on 7 July, unknown perpetrators vandalised the church in Ca' Cappellino, Porto Viro, causing extensive damage to liturgical furnishings and attempting to force open the tabernacle. Nothing was stolen, but the vandalism left the church damaged. The attack caused shock among the parish community and is under police investigation.

Attempted Arson damages chapel in southern Germany

July 7, 2026, Germany

It was reported on 7 July 2026 that an unknown perpetrator deliberately set fire to seat cushions in a chapel in Wolfegg-Molpertshaus, Baden-Württemberg, causing approximately €1000 in damage. Fortunately, the fire did not spread to the rest of the church building, and the incident is being investigated as an attempted arson.

Woman arrested for repeated acts of vandalism targeting a church and cemetery

July 7, 2026, France

On 7 July 2026, a woman in Écommoy was arrested for the second time in connection with a series of vandalism incidents, including damage to Christian religious objects inside a church and desecration of approximately 30 graves in a cemetery. The repeated targeting of Christian places of worship has caused concern in the local community.

Church of Sts Peter and Paul Vandalised and Tabernacle desecrated

July 6, 2026, France

On the night of 5 to 6 July, unknown perpetrators entered Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul Church in the Wazemmes district of Lille and committed vandalism and sacrilegious theft. According to reports, the tabernacle, containing consecrated hosts, was stolen along with the sacred contents. Further, a cross and several religious objects were damaged and the interior of the church was also found to be vandalised. This act was lamented by the diocese as an offence against the sacred, the faithful and priests of the community.

Suspected arson at St. John the Baptist Church prompt surveillance

July 5, 2026, Germany

Repeated suspected arson incidents at St. John the Baptist Church in Ichenhausen, Germany, have prompted the installation of a surveillance camera in an effort to identify or deter the perpetrator. According to the parish priest, several small fires were deliberately started inside the church over a period of weeks, causing minor fire damage.

Police Intervention Against Christian Praying and Holing Bible at Brandenburg Gate

July 3, 2026, Germany

A video recorded at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate raises concerns about interference with the right to freely manifest one's religion after police officers told a Christian he could not pray at the site because it was "not a place for praying" and "not a church". Although the Christian was quietly reading from his Bible and praying without using amplification or engaging passers-by, officers treated his conduct as a demonstration because he was publicly holding a Bible. The incident raises questions about the understanding of religious freedom among law enforcement officers and the protection of peaceful religious expression in public spaces.