All cases

Stained-Glass Windows of Chruch Vandalized in Grisy-les-Plâtres

August 20, 2020, France

Unkown perpetrators vandalized the stained-glass windows in the Church of St. Caprais, a monument in Grisy-les-Platres. The exact date of the incident is still unclear- There were six holes, an apple and the broken glass were found on the floor of the building. The Mayor filed a complaint, as for him this was an act of disrespect and aggression to a public good and a local heritage. There will be a fence to protect the glass and restorations will be made.

Arson at the Church of Saint-Pierre in Macon

August 20, 2020, France

In the morning of August 20th, a fire was set in the church of Saint-Pierre in Macon Downtown. The fire targeted the artificial flowers decorating the side chapels of the building. Witnesses alerted the fire department and tried to controlled the flames by using a tablecloth. Another fire was brought under control on Tuesday, when the church was closed. The parishioners suspect it was started by a group of young people who were seen running away.

Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes and The Staue of Bernadette in Santa Rita Parish Vandalized

August 20, 2020, Italy

On the Morning of 20th August, it was reported that the Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, which was in a niche in Via Massarenti in Bologna, was vandalized. The police started investigations to identify the responsible vandals. The Statue was in the parish of Santa Rita. Another statue of Bernadette was also damaged. The parish priest said this was not the first time that this happens.

Saint-Auban Church Vandalized And Soiled With Urine, Excrements And Alcohol

August 19, 2020, France

On the night of 19th to 20th August, one or more perpetrators broke into the Church of Saint-Auban in Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban. The individuals lighted a dozen candles that were encased in plastic and let them burn on the tablecloth, which covered the altar in the center of the building. There were also cigarette buds, excrement, urine and alcohol found in front of the door of the church.

Graffiti Found Several Times in the Saint Agatha Chapel

August 19, 2020, France

In the Saint-Agathe Chapel in Saint-Desiré, an inscription referring to a children programme in television was written for several days on the wall. The last time it was painted on the 19th August in red. The municipality decided to file a complaint with the police.

Repeated Vandalism for Seven Consecutive Days in Lutheran Evangelical Church

August 18, 2020, Sweden

For seven consecutive days until the 18th August, the Lutheran Evangelical Church in Malmö suffered vandalism. During this time, the statue of Jesus inside the building was destroyed and around thirty windows were smashed with stones. The services were suspended to clean the church and a security company was hired to patrol during the night. The reasons for these attacks are still uncertain, police is investigating.

The Statue of the Madonna Vandalized

August 18, 2020, Italy

A few days before the 18th August, the parish priest Don Franco Nannipieri discovered the act of vandalism in the oratory of the church. The Statue of the Madonna had a plastic basket stuck on her head. They suspect that the vandals were a group of children. The mayor showed his solidarity with the victims and wrote on Facebook about the importance of teaching respect to children.

Muslim Family Beat up Daughter and Shave her Head for Intending to Marry a Christian

August 17, 2020, France

A 17 year-old girl of Bosnian origin faced pressure from her Muslim family, living in France since 2017, upon announcing her intention of getting married to her 20 year-old Christian boyfriend from Serbia. The two decided to run away together, but returned to her family home in Besançon four days later, on August 17, in the company of the boyfriend's parents, to resolve the issue. The situation escalated: The girl's parents and aunt and uncle beat her up severely and shaved her head. As a result, they are liable to prosecution and face expulsion from France.

Vandalism in San Rocco Church in Mede

August 16, 2020, Italy

The church of San Rocco in Mede was vandalized on the weekend, while preparations were underway for the celebration of the saint on Sunday evening. There was dirt on the small churchyard, such as bottles and cigarette butts. The vandals managed to get inside because the doors were open to allow for the preparations. They broke some candles and wrote vulgar phrases. Mayor said that it was not the first time such an episode happens.

Theft of Sacred Objects in Church of Saint-Malo-de-Beignon

August 16, 2020, France

On August 16th, the theft of a chalice and a ciborium was discovered in the church of Saint-Malo-de-Beignon. According to the verger of Saint-Malo-de-Beignon parish, Eugène Duval, hosts were found under the stairs. The doors showed no signs of a forceful entry, so the thefts likely took place in broad daylight, before the doors were closed at night.The act was suspected to have taken place between August 9th and August 15th. Police began an investigation.