All cases

Bible set on fire in Krefeld Church

March 6, 2020, Germany

On March 6th, fires were set in the Catholic church Maria Waldrast in Krefeld. Between 10:00 and 6:00 p.m. someone set fire to a bible under a prayer bench in the nave of the church, as well as the paper displays in the entrance. The damage was minor. A week earlier, someone set a basket on fire in the church. The police began an investigation and sought witnesses.

Burglars Smash Stained Glass Window at Leicester Cathedral

March 4, 2020, United Kingdom

Sometime between 6 p.m. on March 4th and 7:20 a.m. on March 5th, burglars smashed a stained glass window in the chapel of Christ the King at the eastern end of Leicester Cathedral, next to the room where Richard III is buried at Leicester Cathedral.

Profanation and Theft in Saint-Gault Church

March 4, 2020, France

In the beginning of March 2020 the church Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais in Quelaines-Saint-Gault became a target of desecration and theft. The tabernacle was opened and the ciborium with the consecrated hosts was stolen. A Mass of reparation was celebrated on March 7th. The police took fingerprints and are searching for witnesses.

Theft And Desecration in The Church of Saint Gervais et Saint Protais

March 4, 2020, France

On the 4th March, the Church of Saint-Gervais et Saint-Protais in Mayenne was desecrated and robbed. The perpetrators forced the door of the tabernacle and inside they opened the ciborium and took the hosts it contained.

Religious Discrimination against Christian Seniors Group by Innsbruck's Social Services

March 4, 2020, Austria

A seniors group of Christians from recognised religious communities such as the Catholic Church, the Protestant Church and the Free Churches in Austria (FKÖ) is no longer allowed to use the tax-financed community centre after several years of use. In an e-mail from ISD (Innsbrucker Soziale Dienste), the Christian seniors group was informed that "prayers, devotions, hymns of praise, Bible readings or the like" are no longer permitted in the ISD Community Centre in Wilten with immediate effect. Representatives of political parties and Tyrollean citizens are protesting against this decision accusing of violating religious freedom.

Arson at Swiss Church

March 3, 2020, Switzerland

On the afternoon of March 3rd, an arson attack was committed in the Eusebiuskirche in Grenchen. Fortunately, the fire was discovered before major damage was caused. The police are looking for witnesses.

Three Arson Attempts in Church in Germany

March 3, 2020, Germany

On March 3rd between 2:00 and 4 pm, a girl and a boy of 14 and 15 years old committed attempted arson in the Maria Magdalena church in Goch. They tried to start three fires: one in the small chapel with a candlestick, another one to a stand for prayer books in the nave and the last one at the back of the high altar. All three fires failed and the crime has been recorded on surveillance cameras, the 15-year-old admitted the act of vandalism.

Arson on the Organ Loft of a Church in Grenchen

March 3, 2020, Switzerland

On Tuesday 3rd March, several individuals placed a burning newspaper on the organ loft of the Catholic Church St. Eusebius in Grenchen. The fire was brought under control by the witnesses before the firemen arrived. The flames left damage on the furniture which is estimated on several hundred francs and the smoke filled the church.

Madrid Municipality Threatens an Evangelical Church with Sanctions for Carrying out alleged Conversion Therapies

March 3, 2020, Spain

According to the Spanish Ministry, they will consider imposing "significant sanctions" on an Evangelical church in Madrid that exceeds 20,000 euros. In this church, therapies to cure homosexuality were offered and carried out. Now it is to be examined whether the church has thereby violated the Spanish LGBTQ law. "We will not tolerate any regression in our society and in what we have in our hands, which is to impose sanctions, we will not shake hands, we will not take a step back in the fight against LGTBIphobic behaviour," said Alberto Reyero, Minister of Social Policies.

Orthodox Church on Lesvos Vandalized by Refugees

March 2, 2020, Greece

News reports indicate that the Greek Orthodox church of St. George was ransacked on March 2nd. According to witnesses, the vandalism was caused by refugees residing on the island. This news came as tensions ran high due to the arrival of hundreds of refugees and migrants after Turkey "opened the doors" for them to enter Europe.