All cases
Church Windows Destroyed in Gronau
April 29, 2018, GermanyOn April 29th, between 12 noon and 7 p.m., an unknown person intentionally destroyed four windows of the Evangelical Church on Bernhardstraße in Gronau.
Man Arrested for Threatening to Blow Up Cathedral
April 28, 2018, FranceA 38-year old man was arrested after he burst into the Cathédrale Saint-Vincent de Chalon-sur-Saône during the Mass on April 28th, and threatened to blow everything up with a grenade and gestured toward his satchel. He also grabbed a Mass book and shouted "it is the Koran that should be read!" Parishioners promptly called the police and Ahmed X was soon placed in custody. Highly intoxicated, he remained in jail for two days before appearing in court to face charges. Due to 27 previous convictions, including violent offenses, the court ruled that he would be held in jail until his trial at the end of May. He is considered a recidivist under French law and could face enhanced penalties if convicted in this case.
Vandal Broke Statue of Saint Anthony of Padua in Bellariva
April 28, 2018, ItalyOn the morning of April 28th the Franciscan friars in charge of the church of the Cuore Immacolato di Maria in Bellariva discovered that someone had broken the fingers of the statue of Saint Anthony of Padua while friars prayed in a chapel.
Destruction of Statue of the Virgin Mary in Loudun
April 27, 2018, FranceAt the church of Saint-Pierre in Loudun (Vienne) one or more individuals overturned a statue of the Virgin Mary placed on a pedestal. Pieces of the head of the Virgin were broken and the vase placed beside it was smashed on the ground. Leaflets to write prayer intentions were scattered on the ground. The priest lodged a complaint with the gendarmerie.
Arson Attempt in Kirchheim
April 26, 2018, GermanyPolice investigated a fire and an arson attempt at the St. Martinus parish church in Kirchheim on April 26th.
Church in Guadeloupe Vandalized
April 25, 2018, FranceOne or more individuals allegedly broke into L'Eglise Immaculée Conception in Abymes, a village in Guadeloupe in the French Caribbean and vandalized the interior. The vandalism occurred during the night between April 24th and 25th.
Church Vandalized in Protest against Gas Pipeline
April 25, 2018, ItalyOn April 25th unknown people attacked the church of Santa Lucia in Lecce. They threw eggs at the church and painted the windows and walls with black paint. Graffiti on the outer walls of the church included "No peace for Tap's accomplices." (“Nessuna pace per i complici di Tap"). The acronym "Tap" refers to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline.
Repeated Vandalism at Recklinghausen Parish
April 25, 2018, GermanyThe parish of St. Peter in Recklinghausen has been the victim of repeated acts of vandalism, including people frequently urinating in the church, donation boxes being broken, mulled wine being poured into the holy water, and candles being used by drug addicts to heat their drugs. The church is open to the public every day until 6:00 pm.
Thieves Break Offertory Box in Menden Church
April 25, 2018, GermanyOn April 25th, between 9:00 a.m. and at 3:30 p.m., unknown people used to a lever to pry open the money box for candle offerings in St. Maria Magdalena (Bösperde) church. The box was damaged and the money it contained was stolen.
Fire outside Church in Salzkotten
April 24, 2018, GermanyAt about 9:00 pm on April 24th, a passerby discovered a burning wastepaper bin at the side entrance of the Marienkirche. Together with another witness, they managed to put out the fire before serious damage occurred. The container was destroyed and matches were found nearby. At the end of March, visitors to the church had discovered and extinguished a prayer book burning inside the church.