All cases
Red Paint Poured on Caresana Church Door
April 23, 2018, ItalyThe door of the small church of San Giorgio in Caresana was stained during the night of April 23rd with blood red paint by unknown people.
More Abortion Clinic "Buffer Zones" Considered by Councils
April 23, 2018, United KingdomAfter the Ealing local council voted to ban prayer vigils and protests outside an abortion clinic by issuing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) earlier in April, at least eight councils in the United Kingdom considered implementing abortion clinic "buffer zones."
Repeated Vandalism of Church and Convent in Rimini
April 22, 2018, ItalyThe convent and church of Sorelle Povere di S. Chiara (Poor Clares) in the Piazzetta of San Bernardino in Rimini has been the victim of repeated vandalism. Most recently, on April 22nd, the glass door of the church was smashed for the fourth time in a few months.
Devastation in Saxony's Oldest Town Church
April 22, 2018, GermanyAn unidentified person climbed the facade of the Kilianskirche in Bad Lausick, smashed a 4-meter stained glass window, and entered the church sometime between 10:30 pm and 12:30 am during the night of April 21st to 22nd. Once inside, the vandal severely damaged the carved late Gothic altar and pulpit with a sword. A chandelier was shattered onto the ground and a candlestick was damaged. Disastrous damage was avoided after altar candles, deliberately left burning in the wooden tower, went out before causing a fire.
Reward Offered for Information: Fourth Vandalism Attack on Church in Five Months
April 22, 2018, GermanyAn unknown person smashed the stained glass windows of St.-Nikolaus-Kirche in Veen between April 19th and 22nd. This is the fourth vandalism attack in less than half a year.
Significant Damage Caused to Two Churches in Chemnitz; Organist Threatened
April 21, 2018, GermanyA 24-year-old Pakistani man was arrested on April 21st after a police investigation of significant damage in the Markuskirche in Chemnitz. The asylum seeker allegedly entered the night before and broke candlesticks, destroyed various bronze objects and several candles, and damaged the altar and the pulpit cover. A window was also destroyed and there was damage both in the sanctuary and the basement of the church. Damage was estimated to exceed 10,000 euros. Two days later, on April 23rd, he was again arrested after throwing stones at the windows of the Petrikirche church, causing about 3,000 euros in damage.
Crosses and Graves Damaged in Steinbach Cemetery
April 21, 2018, GermanyUnknown vandals caused damage estimated at several thousand euros over the Easter weekend in a cemetery in Fernwald-Steinbach. At least twelve graves were targeted, with wooden crosses and planted flowers damaged. In some other cases, the perpetrators tore out the gravestones and threw them in an adjacent meadow and on top of other graves. A police investigation was initiated.
Church Bell Tower Tagged with Obscene Graffiti
April 20, 2018, FranceLocals discovered obscene graffiti on the bell tower of church of Saint-Vorles in Châtillon-sur-Seine.
Thefts and Damage Resulted in Restricted Visiting Times in Stonehouse Church
April 19, 2018, United KingdomUnknown vandals entered the kitchen of St Cyr's church in Stonehouse, breaking and damaging a serving hatch and stealing a fire extinguisher. As a result of a series of petty thefts, church managers made the decision to close the building when it is not being used for religious services or other social gatherings.
Church Ransacked in Pfäfers
April 19, 2018, SwitzerlandOn April 19th, an "emotionally disturbed" man set fire to fabrics and damaged liturgical objects, statues, and the organ in a St. Gallen church, causing more than ten thousand francs of damage.