All cases

Vandalism at Kettuvaara cemetery

June 19, 2024, Finland

As reported on June 19, Vandalism occurred at the Kettuvaara Cemetery in Joensuu. Someone broke into the cemetery's maintenance building, broke lanterns and scattered them on graves and left taps running.

Church in Borna Defaced with satanic graffiti

June 17, 2024, Germany

On June 17, a church in Borna was found defaced with graffiti in red paint reading "Satan" and "666" in several places. The church pews, a wall and a table cloth were also damaged with red paint.

Repeated Vandalism in Berlin

June 17, 2024, Germany

On 16th June, the display case of a church in Prenzlauer Berg district of Berlin was smeared with a Star of David. The following night the display case was broken. The display contained a flyer which was stolen. The flyer read "Our cross has no hook - your vote against right-wing extremism."

Arson attack on church in Nowy Sącz

June 16, 2024, Poland

On 16 June, the historic 17th-century Church of St Helena in Nowy Sącz was set on fire. The damage is immense, including the loss of a late Renaissance-Baroque altar with paintings from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries and Renaissance works from the 1580s. The tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament, 3 altars and historical paintings had to be removed. The police have arrested one suspect.

Vandalism in Seine-Maritime

June 15, 2024, France

Around 15th June, the church of Notre-Dame-du-Parc near Dieppe was vandalised. The door leading to the bell tower was completely destroyed with a sledge hammer. The damage is expected to cost around 2000 EUR.

Vandalism in Oudrenne

June 14, 2024, France

An incident of vandalism in Sainte-Marguerite Church in Oudrenne has been reported on 14th June.

Arson attack on Quintin Basilica

June 13, 2024, France

On June 13, there was an arson attack on the Notre-Dame-de-Délivrance Basilica in Quintin. The police have confirmed that the fire was deliberate.

ECHR "No right to die" ruling and needs for protecting freedom of conscience

June 13, 2024, France

On June 13, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), in Dániel Karsai v. Hungary, held that Member States could continue to prohibit assisted suicide. The Court ruled in favour of Hungary that prohibiting euthanasia and assisted suicide was in accordance with the “right to life” under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights and under international law. With some countries limiting the right to freedom of conscience of medical personal objecting to euthanasia objectors to euthanasia, this ruling is of particular importance.

Statue of the Virgin Mary Stolen from Historic Hermitage in Ciudad Real

June 13, 2024, Spain

Thieves forcibly entered the Ermita de las Virtudes near Santa Cruz de Mudela and stole the statue of Nuestra Señora de las Virtudes, prompting a police investigation and public appeals for its return. The statue did not have any material, but "incommensurable sentimental value" according to the parish.

Fire in Dublin Crypt

June 12, 2024, Ireland

As reported on June 12, a man broke into the 11th-century church of St. Michael in Dublin and started a fire in the crypt containing 5 medieval mummies. They were damaged beyond repair. The man is now on trial.