All cases
Robbery of Saint-Pierre d'Equainville
July 21, 2018, FranceDuring the night between the 20th and the 21st of July 2018 the church Saint-Pierre d'Equainville, in the parish of Beuzeville, was robbed. The offenders entered by the sacristy door and stole everything that was of value: liturgical objects and candle holders. They rummaged through everything and scattered unconsecrated Hosts in the sacristy. Finally, they broke the tabernacle and stole the ciborium filled with consecrated Hosts. A complaint was filed and the police came to investigate.
Desecration and Vandalism in Chiesa di San Clemente in Latera
July 21, 2018, ItalySometime in the morning of July 21st, vandals entered the San Clemente church and threw holy water to the ground, scattered the cloth and liturgical object from the altar, and left feces underneath the altar table. Police immediately began an investigation.
Series of Sacred Figures Destroyed in Andria
July 21, 2018, ItalyAn Italian citizen was arrested after being caught in the act of destroying the glass of the votive chapel of Cristo Redentore. He was also accused of vandalizing a statue of the Virgin Mary and another sacred figure “Madonna of Altomare,” as well as breaking the head, arms, and legs of a public statue of the crucifixion of Jesus. Luigi Mansi, Bishop of Andria said, “The way in which the statue has been destroyed causes in me and in all the priests immense sadness: the head has been torn off, broken legs and arms; only one piece of the body remained attached to the cross.”
Statue of Virgin and Child Vandalized in Sulniac, Morbihan
July 20, 2018, FranceThe gate protecting the oratory was torn off and the statue was toppled, causing damage.
University Fired Priest after Rosary of Reparation for Glasglow Pride Parade
July 19, 2018, United KingdomA Catholic priest in Glasgow has been removed as a university chaplain after hosting a rosary of reparation for the city’s gay pride parade. The July 16 Rosary service was held in response to a gay pride event in the city on July 14. After complaints from LGBT groups, University principal Pamela Gillies announced that “Following due consultation, Father Mark Morris will not return to his chaplaincy role at the university in September,” the BBC reported.
Crucifix in Mountain Hut Vandalized
July 19, 2018, FranceA hiker in Wihr-au-Val in Alsace discovered an act of vandalism in the Krizle wooden hut located at an altitude of 688 m, at the crossroads of five hiking trails. The hiker reported that the carved wooden crucifix with a metal Christ had been desecrated, with the arms and legs broken off.
Theft of Crucifix from Altar
July 19, 2018, GermanyThe crucifix standing in the middle of the altar of St. Michael's Church in Lüneburg was stolen by unknown persons during the public visiting time of the church between 3 pm and 5 pm. There was a damage of several thousand euros.
Theft from Church Crypt in Hythe, Kent
July 16, 2018, United KingdomThieves broke a lock and stole 21 ancient skulls from the ossuary crypt of St. Leonard's Church in Kent sometime between July 15th and 16th. The church, known as the "church with the bones" houses the largest bone collection in the UK, including 700 year old remains of the people who died in the Battle of Hastings.
Vicar of Oyonnax Parish Assaulted
July 15, 2018, FranceA priest was assaulted after trying to calm a group of young people who were attacking customers who were celebrating the French World Cup victory in an outdoor cafe.
Church Window Vandalized
July 15, 2018, United KingdomUnknown vandals threw concrete through the window of St James the Great Church causing £500 worth of damage.