All cases

Arson in Windischbergerdorf

June 22, 2024, Germany

On June 22, the local priest of St. Michael's Church in Windischbergerdorf noticed a pungent smell inside the church. A wooden stand had been set on fire and the Bible was also covered with soot. Earlier, the priest has noticed 3 children riding away from the church on their bikes. The police believe that the fire was arson. The damage is estimated to be around 300 EUR.

Vandalism in Vilstrup: Organ severely damaged

June 22, 2024, Denmark

On 22nd June, unknown perpetrators damaged the organ of a church in Vilstrup. The organ is no longer functional and the damage is estimated to be around 100,000 krone. Keys were stuck, and there was a bottle of beer next to it. This is not the first time that an incident had happened in this church. In January, 58 designer chairs worth 174,000 krone were stolen.

Vandalism in Völklingen Church

June 21, 2024, Germany

Between June 20 and 21, a window of the Church of Reconciliation on Poststrasse in Völklingen was smashed. The damage is estimated to be around 300 euros.

"Debanking" of Christian pro-life organisations

June 20, 2024, Sweden

As reported on June 12 by CNE, two Christian pro-life organisations in Sweden and the Netherlands, have experienced "debanking". Mats Selander, who started the pro-life organisation Center for Bioethical Reform in Sweden (CBR-S) was forced to end his 30 year customer relationship with Scandinavian Bank Nordea. The bank subsequently even closed down his private account. He was not given any explanation besides "not enough customer knowledge", despite having disclosed all his transactions. Salender believes it is due to his pro-life views. With increasing regulations, many banks have been shutting down customers for their beliefs.

Evangelical church in Rome refused tax exemption, ECtHR dismisses case

June 20, 2024, Italy

As reported on June 20, the Supreme Court of Italy has ruled between Breccia di Roma, an evangelical church, and the Italian tax authorities. The authorities had refused to give the Breccia di Roma Church tax-exemption under Italian law, available to all religious places of worship, on the grounds that its premises lacked the “intrinsic characteristics” of a religious building. The Supreme Court backed the decision by the tax authorities. An appeal at the European Court of Human Rights has been dismissed. The case raises massive concerns about discrimination of evangelical churches in Italy.

Arson in Shakhunya

June 20, 2024, Russia

As reported on 20th June, a 38 year old man threw a Molotov cocktail on the wall of a church in Shakhunya. The man was detained. He stated that he was drunk and had a conflict with his mother. He is being tried for arson. However, he did not explain why he decided to attack the church.

Vandalism of Beauvais Cemetery

June 20, 2024, France

As reported on June 20, several graves were found vandalised in the Tilloy cemetery in Beauvais. Pots were overthrown, flowers were on the ground, plaques were broken.

More than 80 crucifix broken off and stolen from cemetery

June 20, 2024, Spain

Figures of Jesus were broken off and stolen from more than 80 crosses in the cemetery of Estremera, Madrid, in the night from 19 to 20 June, leaving behind empty stone crosses. The local community is shocked.

Krakow church defaced with hateful graffiti

June 19, 2024, Poland

As reported on June 19, the Church of St. Wojciech in Krakow was vandalised with vulgar graffiti, expressing hatred towards the Catholic church, the Vatican, and accusing the clergy of pedophilia. They also destroyed the facade of the church, where Saint Wojciech once used to preach.

Vandalism: Swastikas Drawn in front of church square

June 19, 2024, Italy

As reported on 19th June, residents and parishioners of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Isernia (Molise) reported the appearance of swastikas and other Nazi symbols painted on the pavement in front of the church.