All cases

Two churches targeted in sacrilegious thefts

August 13, 2026, Italy

On the night of 12 to 13 August 2026, the Sanctuary of Madonna in Pratis in Rudiano was burgled and desecrated, with consecrated hosts and two chalices stolen. Another parish, Madonna della Rotonda in Pumenengo was also targeted that same night. The local community announced support for the Christian community and the parish priest called for a Mass of reparation following the desecration.

Church Cross Damaged and Bible Stolen in Bayreuth

August 13, 2026, Germany

On 13 August 2026, an unknown perpetrator damaged a cross and stole a Bible from the Evangelical-Lutheran Christuskirche in Bayreuth. The cross was forcibly removed and severely bent, while the Bible attached to it was taken. Police have opened an investigation into the offence, which is not the first to affect the Bayreuth churches.

Baptismal font removed from church in Tolentino

August 12, 2026, Italy

As reported on 12 August 2026, a baptismal font was removed from the Church of Paterno in Tolentino which was temporarily closed due to repairs. The perpetrators reportedly entered through a rear door after removing a door panel and took the historic baptismal font. The incident has left the community of Paterno grappling with "great bitterness" over the looters' actions.

Repeated acts of vandalism reported at Church of Christ the King in Migennes

August 11, 2026, France

According to a report from 11 August 2026, the Church of Christ the King in Migennes has been affected by several acts of vandalism, among other forms of malicious damage since it was reopened to the public a year ago.

Bible Torn and Confessional Damaged in Church Vandalism

August 11, 2026, France

On 11 August 2026, two young people were caught inside Saint-Médard Church in Grandpré after extensive damage had been caused to the building and its religious objects. A Bible was torn, the confessional and sacristy doors were ripped off, the organ and a statue of Jean of Arc were damaged. The incident was reported as an act of "christianophobia" since it is believed the religious objects were specifically targeted for vandalism.

Wooden statue of Madonna and child removed from St. Pölten church

August 11, 2026, Austria

On 11 August 2026, the wooden statue of the Madonna and Child was found missing from the parish church of St. Johannes Kapistran in the city centre of St. Pölten. The statue was stolen just days before the Feast of the Assumption. The parish has been left shocked by the theft of the statue, which held great sentimental value for the community, but hardly any material value.

Church of St-Eloi closes due to repeated acts of vandalism

August 10, 2026, France

The Saint-Éloi Church in Hazebrouck was closed on 10 August following repeated acts of deliberate damage to the church building. The reported damage included attacks on statues and the altar, prompting the parish to close for five days out of security concerns for the historic and religious monument.

Repeated vandalism Closure of Collegiate Church in Lugo

August 10, 2026, Italy

According to a report from 10 August 2026, the Collegiate Church of Sts. Francis and Hilary in Lugo was the target of repeated vandalism in recent weeks, including an incident in which five youths damaged church property by damaging a newly purchased candelabrum, spitting on it and breaking into donation boxes. Following the incidents, the parish has decided to close the church throughout the day.

Statue of Mary and altar defaced with black paint in Soest

August 10, 2026, Germany

On 10 August 2026, the St. Patrokli-Dom in Soest was vandalised by unknown perpetrators who defaced a statue of the Virgin Mary, a side altar, a wall and the floor with black paint. This incident is not the first to affect the cathedral, which is described as a landmark of cultural and religious heritage for the community.

Intruders Damage Altar Piece and Statue in Barcelona Church

August 10, 2026, Spain

Extensive damage was caused to the Sanctuary of Santa Eulalia de Vilapicina in Barcelona, with intruders breaking the altar door, pulling a wooden altarpiece from the wall and knocking over a religious statue. The incident caused "great pain" to those responsible for the sanctuary and temporarily disrupted local worship.