All cases

Sainte-Croix Church Tagged and Vandalized

September 6, 2020, Belgium

The facade of the Sainte-Croix Church, near Place Flagey in Ixelles, was tagged with "God is gay", "I am a transwoman" or the number "666" with an inverted cross.

Theft from the Catholic Parish Church Maria Himmelfahrt in Blieskastel-Aßweiler

September 5, 2020, Germany

On the 3rd of September, several sacred objects were stolen from the Catholic parish church Maria Himmelfahrt in Blieskastel-Aßweiler by an unknown perpetrator. The church was unlocked. The objects were a microphone, Bible, altar bells and gong. Police is looking for clues.

Break-in at a Church Office in Nordenham

September 5, 2020, Germany

In the night between 5th and 6th September, there was a burglary from a church office in Nordenham. Perpetrators forced their way into the building and stole cash.

"Christians are Always Ridiculed": SRF-"Deville" Caused Displeasure

September 4, 2020, Switzerland

Christians are defamed and ridiculed in the satirical program "Deville". The reopening of churches was called irrelevant and unnecessary by David Koch. He also affirmed, that the Covid-19 pandemic had shown that there was no God. Neither the show nor the satirist found the episode harmful and have not apologized

Man Arrested For Burglary And Degradation Of A Church

September 3, 2020, France

On September 3rd in Villeurbanne, the police arrested a 30-year-old homeless man with 62 criminal records who was suspected of committing burglary and degradation of a Christian Church. He was identified through the surveillance cameras and was lately recognized by a witness. He also admitted committing the crimes because of anger towards the religious beliefs.

Man Arrested for Threats and Breaking into Church in Villeurbanne

September 3, 2020, France

On September 3, a homeless man, who had 62 previous convictions, was arrested for burglary in the church building of a protestant community called Transfiguration Église Chrétienne in Villeurbanne. A few days earlier the perpetrator had already appeared the church and threatened people because of their religion. The threats concerned the very church he then broke into. He will be charged with burglary.

Vandals Desecrated Church in Xanthi

September 2, 2020, Greece

The Chapel of St. Alexander was desecrated by unknown vandals in Xanthi, Greece, in the first week of September. The vandals scratched the faces of the Saints and Icons. The exact time of vandalism is unknown.

Series of Thefts in Churches and Diocesan Office

September 2, 2020, France

It is not the first time that the Grignan church has witnessed a theft or degradations of the crib. Two years ago, the trunk, contained between 200 and 300 euro, has been stolen. The church in Châtellerault has been target of thefts for years. On March 4, a 53-old man was filmed breaking the lock on the trunk with a pair of wire cutters and stole the contents of the offerings of the faithful from the church of Saint-Marie d'Ozon. On 2nd September, two men robbed a diocesan office in Vieux Lyon. On 30 August, the church of Plounéour-Ménez in Finistère was a victim of an attempted theft. A statue of Saint Thomas was pulled by a robe from the car of three unknown perpetuators.

Vandalism and Insults on Catholic School

September 2, 2020, France

On the night of the 2nd of September, the catholic School Saint-Louis/Saint-Bruno was vandalized with a Nazi Symbol of a Swastika on the wall. There was also the inscription "School of crime". Another swastika was also found on the wall of the elementary school in the same area. The inscriptions were erased before the students arrived and the police came to investigate crime.

Attempt to Burn Down the Church and a Man was Beaten Up

September 1, 2020, Sweden

On 28th August at night, there was a riot in Ronneby that caused a devastation in the city. Naem Sufan was beaten in the middle of the riot as he tried to prevent angry protesters from going to the Holy Cross church. The protesters tried to burn the church, but Naem Sufan extinguished the fire with his jacket. He had injuries in his shoulder and neck. Afterwards the rioters went to the city center and threw stones at the police. Riots started after a Koran burning in Malmö. This happened on the same night as a vehicle used for charitable purposes was burned.