All cases
New Crime Wave Against Churches and Religious Buildings in England with an Average of 13 Incidents per Day
October 18, 2020, United KingdomOn October 18th, the Daily Mail wrote an article about the new "crime wave" against churches and cemeteries in England. The crimes include robbery, vandalism, personal attacks and rape. According to the Metropolitan Police around 1,106 crimes happened in religious locations, including 250 cases of violence against individuals, 273 burglaries, 188 arsons and criminal damage and 371 thefts.
Man Tried To Tear A Cross Off The Roof Of A Church
October 18, 2020, United KingdomOn October 18th at night, a man was captured on video trying to rip off the Cross on the roof of the Chadwell Health Baptist Church in east London. The video footage then circulated on social media. He was also arrested by the police for suspicion of criminal damage. The cross was recovered, being now in police custody, it will be reinstalled soon. A witness told the Metro News, that the man looked angry and was muttering things about religion.
A Bust of Pius XI Torn Down on The Terrace of Pigazzano
October 18, 2020, ItalyOn October 18th, a Bust of Pius XI was found torn down to the ground and severely damaged on the Terrazza di Pigazzano. The terrace, located in front of the Santa Maria Assunta Church, is closed since 2015 due to restoration works. The terrace has repeatedly been vandalized in the past. The bust is placed at the stairs leading to the Santa Maria Assunta Church, which is also got damaged. A group of young people was identified by the police.
Man Attacks Crucifix and Brutally Beats Up Priest
October 18, 2020, ItalyOn the18th of October, a 46-year-old man with a criminal record vandalised the parish of San Giovanni Maria Vianney in Rome. He entered the church in the afternoon, while the parish priest was preparing for the celebrations. The man threw himself on the statue of Jesus crucified and started damaging it. As the priest tried to stop him, the perpetrator punched him in the face and pushed him to throw him to the ground, threatening him with death. With the help of a collaborator, he was taken outside, where he kicked the door of the church. As the police arrived he was also violent to the officers, the man was then arrested.
Vandalism of Painting with Knife in Cathedral of Freiburg
October 18, 2020, SwitzerlandA painting in the St. Nikolaus Cathedral in Freiburg was vandalized on October 18th. The painting with the title "Adoration of the Three Wise Kings" was cut through with a knife. The sacristan, Pierre Ferault, says it is the first time he witnesses such an act of vandalism. The damage is estimated to be between 5000 to 10000 Francs, as the painting is over 150 years old. The police was notified and started an investigation.
March for Life Interrupted by Counter-Demonstrators Insulting and Stereotyping Christians
October 17, 2020, AustriaOn October 17th, counter-demonstrators interrupted the March for Life in Vienna by blocking streets, which led to serval changes of the originally planned route. The counter-demonstrators also verbally and physically insulted the participants of the march with vulgar expressions and gestures. They also held up highly insulting banners like:"If Mary would have aborted, we would have been spared of you." Additionally, the counter-demonstrators held up flags against homophobia, stereotyping Christians as homophobic, despite the fact that the march was not about LGBTQ+ issues but the protection of the unborn life.
Repeated Vandalism With Graffiti at Church of San Giacomo
October 17, 2020, ItalyThe walls of the church of San Giacomo in Tarquinia was tagged with Graffiti the week before October 17th. On October 17th the church walls were tagged again expanding the vandalism. Mayor Giulivi of Tarquinia already ordered to clean the walls and called the incident an "uncivilized act against an entire community." He also want to install CCTV at the church for better surveillance.
Unknown Perpetrator Vandalized Church with Graffiti Allegedly Sending Messages as Jesus Christ
October 17, 2020, GermanyDuring the night of Saturday 17th October, an unknown vandal smeared with neon-green paint the exterior walls on the facade of the Church St Maria in Niederhall up to the Bus Station nearby. The messages allegedly would be from Jesus, the Son of God. The damage caused is at least of 12000 Euros for property damage. The police is asking for clues or witnesses.
Singer of March for Life Physically Attacked and Robbed
October 17, 2020, AustriaThe singer Vero, a young Christian women, who sang at the March for Life in Vienna on October 17th, was physically attacked after her performance on stage. On her way home she went to pick up her bicycle and was harassed by two female antifa activists, who grabbed her bicycle and tried to steal it from her, the two perpetrators also kicked the singer's leg. They finally stole the bicycle, after a loud outcry to the surrounding police officers the two activists were caught and charged with theft and physical violence. The police has indicated that the prosecutor will bring this case forward, as a hate crime.
Smashed Window and Break In at Church is Mosbach
October 16, 2020, GermanyDuring the night of the 17th of October, an unknown vandal broke the window and entered into the Church Christuskirche in Mosbach. He didn't steal anything, but left damage in the amount of 500 Euros because of the broken window. It is suspected that the same person also broke in into the sports place on the same night.