All cases

25 Year Old Smashed Shrine and Set Fire to Crèche

January 2, 2017, Italy

The perpetrator, a Gambian with a valid residence permit, broke the glass case containing a statue of the Virgin Mary in the courtyard of the Church of the Madonna del Rosario and then burned the Christmas crèche, completely destroying it. He admitted the act to the police, saying that he was Muslim and wanted to destroy the Christian symbols.

L'Abbaye d'Orval Robbed

January 1, 2017, Belgium

A safe containing 50,000 euros was stolen from the Orval Abbey, a Cistercien-Trappist Monastery famous for a brewery whose profits go to fund social projects. Police are investigating.

New Year's Fireworks Damage Church Roof in Poeldijk

January 1, 2017, Netherlands

Illegal fireworks are the likely cause of damage to the recently restored roof of the Reformed Church in Poeldijk. Witnesses saw two men on the roof setting fireworks, which are illegal. Officials have not determined if the damage was intentional, but the perpetrators have not come forward and police are investigating.

Chapel in St. Radegund Damaged by Vandals

January 1, 2017, Austria

On New Year's Eve, unknown perpetrators vandalized a chapel, damaging a statue of the Virgin Mary and burned prayer books and wooden objects nearby. Damages are estimated at around 1,000 euros. Police are investigating.

Chapel in Brunau am Inn the Victim of Theft and Vandalism

January 1, 2017, Austria

Unknown perpetrators beheaded a statue of St. Barbara and stole a Christ figure from a cross and several other sacred objects. Damage is estimated at around 5,000 euros. Police are investigating.

Forest Chapel in Auerbach Vandalized

December 31, 2016, Austria

Unknown perpetrators broke into the chapel, threw stones at the altar, smashed two glass domes containing statues of the Virgin Mary, and stole and destroyed 22 paintings and murals hung by pilgrims visiting the chapel.

Woman Attacked for Reading from Bible

December 28, 2016, Austria

A 22-year-old man from Afghanistan stabbed a Christian woman when he heard her reading from the Bible at a refugee accommodation in Vöcklamarkt (Upper Austria).

Man Forcibly Removed after Disrupting Christmas Mass

December 24, 2016, France

Police removed a man who disrupted the Mass at the Church of Saint-Christophe in Tourcoing after he frightened and disturbed the parishioners.

Orsay Church Vandalized on Christmas

December 24, 2016, France

The wall of church of Saint-Martin Saint-Laurent d'Orsay was tagged with an anti-consumerism message ("Noël fête du capitalisme") in black paint. Police are investigating.

Theft from Sainte-Anne Church in Lanvéoc

December 24, 2016, France

A statue of an angel was stolen from the manger scene where it had been displayed for the last 80 years. Parishioners are upset and the Mayor called the theft "scandalous" because the angel was part of the town's heritage. A police complaint was filed.