All cases

Vandalism in Stegaurach Church Caused Damage of 10,000 Euros

June 12, 2020, Germany

In the afternoon of June 12th unknown perpetrators vandalized the walls, floor and altar cloth in the Church of Stegaurach with liquid candle wax. They also scratched the faces of several paintings and threw three candles, a holy water box, and a holy water bowl into the Aurach river. The resulting property damage amounts to an estimated 10,000 euros and theft damage of 100 euros. The police investigated and about a week later, two underage girls admitted they had committed the acts "without any particular motivation."

Vandalism on Church Bell Tower in Bordighera

June 12, 2020, Italy

On June 12th the bell tower of the small church of Sant'Ampelio in Bordighera, was attacked by vandals who, using red graffiti, wrote the letters D and R. Mayor Vittorio Ingenito was infuriated and stated that this shameful act of vandalism saddened the whole community, as it struck one of the places they all hold most dear and he will "leave no stone unturned" to catch the perpetrators and hold them accountable.

Graves Vandalized in Eure

June 11, 2020, France

Maintenance workers in a small municipal cemetery in the town of Lieurey discovered that dozen ancient graves had been vandalized. Several of the gravestones had been smashed, and on others, just the crosses were destroyed. According to the police in charge of the investigation, the incident dates back to the end of May or the beginning of June.

Theft and Desecration of the Eucharist in Molfetta

June 11, 2020, Italy

The parish priest of San Gennaro in Molfetta, Don Sergio Vitulano, reported that on the morning of June 12th he had noticed the number of consecrated hosts was significantly reduced compared to those placed in the ciborium during the Mass of the previous day. He also reported finding a consecrated host on the ground. The security camera footage revealed that a recognizable woman, observed in the area in the previous days, had entered the church and had taken numerous consecrated Hosts from the tabernacle by hurriedly putting them in her pocket and leaving the church.

Draft Law on Homophobia and Transphobia Could Criminalize Biblical Teaching

June 10, 2020, Italy

The Italian Bishops are speaking against a new legislation proposed against "homotransphobia" by Zan-Scalfarotto, as it could criminalize the Church's teaching on homosexuality and censor the preaching against other sexual pathologies. The Bishops argue that there are already laws that protect every human being from discrimination and violence. The law could lead to "criminalization of opinion".

Theft at the Cathedral St. Sebastian in Magdeburg

June 8, 2020, Germany

Around 3:00 a.m. on June 8, 2020, Sister Adelgitt heard banging on the sidewalk in front of St. Sebastian's Cathedral in downtown Magdeburg. Early the next morning it was clear what she had heard. Unknown thieves had stolen two bronze wings from the 'Angel Gate' which stands in front of the 'Gate of Paradise' at the west entrance of the cathedral. Since this is not the first time that parts of the gate were stolen, the remaining sections of the gate have now been secured by welding them together. A few days later, police received a tip from a witness who had found sawn-up bronze pieces near a garden property in the Fermersleber Elbweg between the two Salbker See lakes. They were later identified as the stolen parts. Narcotics were found on an adjacent property.

St. Johannes in Troisdorf Girls Discover Church Fire - Now The Police Investigates

June 8, 2020, Germany

Although there is no yet concrete evidence of arson, the police are investigating the fire in the church of St. Johannes. Two girls noticed smoke billowing out of the church and alerted the fire department. Apparently, too many candles had been lit on the metal stand in the vestibule.

Report Shows Increase in Violence Against Christian Believers in Spain

June 8, 2020, Spain

The Observatory of Religious Freedom (OLRC) based in Spain, reported a decrease in the attacks towards fundamental rights and an increase in violence against Catholic believers and places of worship (mostly Christian), on June 8th. According to Maria Garcia, President of the OLRC, 80% of the attacks have been directed against Christians. The report also shows political parties like "Podemos", the left party and the PSOE party as clear opposers of religious freedom involved in acts against Christians. The most affected cities are Madrid, Andalucia and Cataluña.

Window Church in Burscheid Smashed For the Second Time

June 6, 2020, Germany

On 6th June, the windows of St. Laurentius Church in Burscheid were smashed again. They were already repaired one week after the first attack. There were four fist-sized holes found on the window, the metal frames were bent, and the stones were found inside the church by the opposite wall. The church remained closed, due to another act of vandalism in New Year's Eve, when a drunk man tried to set fire to the nativity scene.

Church Vandalized with Graffiti in Morlaix

June 5, 2020, France

The group Protège ton Église (Protect your Church) reported vandalism of the exterior walls of the église Saint-Martin in Morlaix during the week of June 5th.