All cases
Woman Arrested for Assaults, Threats and Vandalism Against Churches and Priests
May 7, 2019, SpainA 46-year-old woman of Cuban origin was arrested on the 7. May for conducting over 40 altercations and assaults on priests, nuns and faithful of various Catholic parishes in Palma de Mallorca. The arrest took place after she violently stole the figure of a Buddha on 15 April.
Vandalism in Village Church Twice in 10 Days
May 6, 2019, FranceThe church of Saint-Genest was vandalized on the afternoon of May 6th, with the Easter candle and other candles dedicated to the Virgin Mary burnt, the organ's power supply damaged, and trash was found. According to reports, this is the second instance of vandalism that the village church in ten days. Police began an investigation.
Repeated Thefts from Churches in Baden-Württemberg
May 6, 2019, GermanyFreiburg police are investigating a series of thefts from Catholic churches in Rheinfelden-Nollingen, Schwörstadt, and Bad Säckingen from mid-April to the beginning of May. Offering boxes were pried open and the contents stolen in each of the churches, with the Nollingen church hit twice by thieves.
Winnweiler Church Damaged by Vandals
May 6, 2019, GermanyDuring the period from May 4th to 6th, unknown perpetrators broke the lock at the Herz-Jesu-Kirche in Winnweiler (Rhineland-Palatinate), lit a small campfire on the sandy ground outside the church, and defaced a wall with graffiti. A lightning rod was torn from the wall and the outer facade of the church was damaged. The police in Rockenhausen are investigating.
Thüringen Church Vandalized
May 6, 2019, GermanyUnknown perpetrators smeared "several numbers, characters and figures in different colors" on the outer wall of the Evangelical Lutheran City Church in Rudolstadt. Police began an investigation.
Rampage in Umbria Church
May 5, 2019, ItalyDuring the night between May 4th and 5th, vandals ransacked the church of San Girolamo in Narni. On Sunday morning the 5th, the priest discovered that statues, benches, and kneelers had been overturned and damaged. Wires were torn from the sound system, furnishings in the sacristy and other rooms were destroyed, and sacred books had been thrown to the ground. As a result of the extensive damage, Mass had to be cancelled. A complaint was filed with the police.
Graffiti on Toulouse Church
May 5, 2019, FranceGraffiti with the phrase "Allah u Akbar" and a heart was found written on the door of the Notre-Dame-du-Taur church in Toulouse during the evening of May 5th.
Hoxel Chapel Window Damaged
May 5, 2019, GermanyDuring the night from May 4th to 5th, unidentified vandals smashed a stained glass window in the chapel in Morbach-Hoxel with a paving stone. Property damage is estimated to be around 2000 euros.
Suspicious Fire in Sacristy
May 5, 2019, FranceA suspicious fire broke out in the sacristy of St. Peter`s church in Équihen-Plage on the morning of May 5th. Thick smoke and flames were already coming out of the windows of the religious building when the firefighters arrived. The sacristy was very badly damaged. The police are investigating and searching for witnesses.
Thieves Steal Cross from Altar
May 4, 2019, GermanySometime between May 3rd and 4th, the intricately carved wooden cross was stolen from the altar of the Peter-Paul-Kirche in Bad Oldesloe. Pastor Diethelm Schark said to enter the sanctuary to steal the wooden cross broke a major taboo and said he hoped the cross would be found and returned.