All cases

Profanation and Devastation of Statue of Mary in Perugia

January 9, 2015, Italy

A statue of the Virgin Mary was vandalized by a group of North-African immigrants with a Muslim background, according to locals. The parish priest of St. Barnaba, Fr. Alessandro Scarda, recounted: “They broke the statue in two pieces, and they then kicked it as if it was a ball. Afterward, they urinated onto the pieces.” The people of the parish gathered the remains of the statue, cleaned and glued them. The small statue was put back at its original location. The parishioners have gathered to pray at the statue after the vandalism. The police are investigating to confirm the identity and the background of the perpetrators. Muslim organizations and public figures have condemned the act.

Desecration and Theft of the Church Notre-Dame-des-Marais in Montluel

January 8, 2015, France

Unknown perpetrators profanated a tabernacle. A chalice and consecrated hosts were stolen. Police was notified about the devastation, but the perpetrators remain unknown. The following Sunday morning Mass in the church had to be moved to the neighboring town of Dagneux. The Notre-Dame-des-Marais church had to be closed for five days.

Muslim Devastated the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Cles/Trento

January 3, 2015, Italy

While entering the church, a Moroccan-origin Muslim was yelling in Arabic phrases from the Koran. Then he destroyed five religious statues and other religious objects in the church causing severe damage. Eventually, the 67 years old male was arrested by the Police and is now facing criminal charges.

Lifesize Calvary Scene Statues Overthrown in Cabourg

January 1, 2015, France

Lifesize statues of a calvary scene behind a church in Cabourg (Calvados) were vandalized in the night between December 31, 2014 and January 1, 2015. The statues of Mary and St. John were over thrown and found lying on the ground. The statues had been recently renovated.

Topless Protester Lifts Baby Jesus From Vatican Nativity Scene

December 25, 2014, International

A woman of the activist group Femen disrupted the nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. The topless woman had ‘God is a Woman’ written on her torso. She stole a figurine of baby Jesus which had been unveiled by the pope the day before. The woman rushed to the manger in the center of the square, grabbed the Jesus figurine, and raised it above her head while shouting slogans against the Catholic Church. Police intervened.

Devastation of the Nativity Scene in Pecq

December 25, 2014, France

The Nativity Scene at the parish church of St. Wandrille in Pecq was severely vandalized by unknown perpetrators. The Holy Family and the cradle were stolen.

Church in Aisne Vandalized and Desecrated

December 25, 2014, France

The Church of St. Hilary of Berry-au-Bac in Aisne was devastated by vandals. The perpetrators have not only stolen valuable things, but also vandalized, defiled and profaned holy items of the church, including the church's tabernacles. The vandals remain unknown.

Rioting at Christmas Service at Catholic Church in Rheydt

December 24, 2014, Germany

Four children and one teenager rioted at a Christmas service at Our Lady’s Catholic church in Rheydt close to Mönchengladbach. They entered the service and yelled: „Scheiß-Christen“ (shit Christians). Several news outlets reported that the congregation had identified the youth as young Muslims.

Wayside Cross Motersawed by Muslim

December 22, 2014, Austria

An old wayside crucifix with corpus was cut down with a motor saw in Groß-Enzersdorf, Lower Austria. A Muslim of Egyptian origin whose property was located close to the cross said that he it had „annoyed him“. The cross had been a destination for pilgrimages for over 60 years.

Services in St. Stephan’s Cathedral Interrupted by Protest

December 8, 2014, Austria

When Cardinal Schönborn was about to read the gospel in the liturgy of festivity of December 8th in St. Stephan’s cathedral, a performance artist stepped in front of the altar for a minute of silence dressed in read. Afterwards he marched out of the church together with about 20 activists to hand out leaflets picturing a nacked nun eating icecream to protest celibacy. Police investigate on grounds of a violation of freedom of religious practice.