All cases
Wave of Church Burglaries, Altar Desecration and Tabernacle Profanation Hits South Gironde
May 4, 2026, FranceBetween late April and early May 2026, several churches in South Gironde, France, were targeted in a series of burglaries and acts of vandalism. In the most serious incident, perpetrators opened a tabernacle containing consecrated hosts and desecrated the altar of a church in Villandraut, an act considered particularly grave in the Catholic faith.
Christian Statues Torn from Graves in Saint-Martin-la-Sauveté Cemetery Vandalism
May 4, 2026, FranceDozens of graves were vandalised at the cemetery of Saint-Martin-la-Sauveté in eastern France, where bronze Christian statuettes — including depictions of the Virgin Mary — were stolen or violently torn from tombs.
Statue of Mary Beheaded Close to Lyon
May 3, 2026, FranceA statue of Mary holding the infant Jesus was decapitated in Poleymieux-au-Mont-d’Or, close to Lyon. The heads of both figures were destroyed and found at the base of the monument.
Arson Attack Targets Church of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption in Lentigny
May 3, 2026, FranceA fire deliberately set inside the Church of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption in Lentigny caused an emergency response after papers, newspapers and books were set alight inside the building.
Churchyard Planter Set on Fire While Faithful Gathered to Pray the Rosary
May 2, 2026, ItalyOn 2 May 2026, unknown individuals set fire to a vase outside the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Loreto in Guidonia shortly before the recitation of the Rosary.
Devastation Inside Villalba Church After Overnight Vandalism Attack
May 2, 2026, ItalyThe Church of Santa Maria Goretti in Villalba, Italy, was broken into overnight by unknown individuals who vandalised the interior, causing significant damage and what local sources describe as “devastation” inside the building. Religious objects, including a statue of the Infant Jesus, were damaged.
Satanic Graffiti Found at Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Sanctuary
May 2, 2026, PolandSeveral chapels in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska were vandalised with physical damage and satanic inscriptions discovered on multiple religious structures.
Church Appeals Public Order Notice Restricting Street Outreach in Colchester
May 1, 2026, United KingdomBread of Life Community Church in Colchester, Essex, is appealing against a Community Protection Notice (CPN) restricting its street outreach. The notice is believed to be an unprecedented use of public-order legislation against an entire church, rather than individual street preachers, and raises concerns as it addresses not only the manner of preaching but also the content of religious messaging.
Eppingen Church Suffered Arson Attack and Extensive Vandalism Targeting Sacred Objects
May 1, 2026, GermanyA Catholic church in Eppingen, Germany, was severely vandalised in an incident involving fire-setting, widespread damage to church property, and destruction of sacred religious objects, including the Easter candle and altar. A suspect, reported to be a teenager, has been arrested and police investigations are ongoing.
Lib Dems Admit Religious Discrimination Against Former Candidate
April 29, 2026, United KingdomThe Liberal Democrat party has admitted religious discrimination against journalist David Campanale following a four-year legal dispute over his deselection as a parliamentary candidate. Campanale had been removed after expressing Christian views on issues such as abortion and assisted suicide. The case has raised serious concerns about the treatment of individuals holding religious convictions within political parties and the potential impact on participation in public life.