All cases

Church Altar Cloth Set on Fire

February 21, 2025, Germany

An unknown perpetrator ignited an altar cloth in St Sebastian’s Church in Bad Aibling, leaving burn damage to the side altar and a melted microphone cable.

Jesus Figure Torn from Cross During Vandalism in Church in Olten

February 20, 2025, Switzerland

Two men vandalised a church in Olten, destroying parts of the interior and tearing a figure of Jesus from the cross. The incident caused shock among parishioners.

Theft of Consecrated Hosts at Santarcangelo Convent

February 20, 2025, Italy

A theft occurred at the Capuchin Friars Minor Convent in Santarcangelo, Rimini, where the tabernacle and ciborium with consecrated hosts were stolen, prompting Bishop Nicolò Anselmi to condemn the act as a potential satanic desecration.

Santa Faz cross in Alicante vandalised again

February 20, 2025, Spain

Two years ago, on carnival night, the cross of the Holy Face, located in a public square near Alicante City Hall, was vandalised by unknown persons. The incident happened again on the same night, 20 February, and the cross was severely damaged. The Town Hall has now promised to install additional security measures to protect this public Christian symbol.

Altar Cross Stolen from Church in Emmerich

February 20, 2025, Germany

A bronze altar cross was stolen from the altar of a church in Emmerich am Rhein, directly targeting a central Christian symbol. The removal of the cross from the altar has raised concern within the local parish.

Christian prayer leader first charged under Scotland's buffer zone law

February 19, 2025, United Kingdom

Rose Docherty, a 74-year-old Christian and leader of the pro-life prayer group "40 Days for Life", has become the first person to be arrested under Scotland's new abortion 'buffer zone' law for holding a silent vigil near a Glasgow hospital. The law, which criminalises any attempt to 'influence' abortion decisions within 200 metres of a facility, raises fundamental rights concerns. Pro-life groups plan to hold upcoming prayer vigils only outside the buffer zones, but politicians are already pushing for further extensions of the zones.

Statue of Christ Forcibly Removed and Stolen

February 17, 2025, Germany

A bronze statue of Christ was forcibly removed and stolen from outside a cemetery chapel in Harsewinkel, directly targeting a religious figure and long-standing Christian symbol at the site.

Cross broken: Church in West Keal vandalised

February 17, 2025, United Kingdom

Sometime between 14 and 17 February, the Episcopal Church of St Helen in West Keal was robbed and vandalised by unknown offenders. The criminals broke a cross, burned signs, stole a tapestry and caused other damage. The crime has been reported to Lincolnshire Police, who are investigating.

Statue of Virgin Mary vandalised in Bydgoszcz

February 15, 2025, Poland

On the night of 14-15 February, unknown perpetrators destroyed an image of the Virgin Mary in a Catholic church in Bydgoszcz. Police are investigating.

Sacrilegious theft in Santarcangelo

February 13, 2025, Italy

Unknown assailants broke into the church of the Capuchin Friars Minor in Santarcangelo di Romagna. The suspects went straight to the tabernacle and stole a pisside containing the consecrated hosts. The police are now investigating the attack.