All cases

Suspected arson at St. John the Baptist Church prompt surveillance

July 5, 2026, Germany

Repeated suspected arson incidents at St. John the Baptist Church in Ichenhausen, Germany, have prompted the installation of a surveillance camera in an effort to identify or deter the perpetrator. According to the parish priest, several small fires were deliberately started inside the church over a period of weeks, causing minor fire damage.

Police Intervention Against Christian Praying and Holing Bible at Brandenburg Gate

July 3, 2026, Germany

A video recorded at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate raises concerns about interference with the right to freely manifest one's religion after police officers told a Christian he could not pray at the site because it was "not a place for praying" and "not a church". Although the Christian was quietly reading from his Bible and praying without using amplification or engaging passers-by, officers treated his conduct as a demonstration because he was publicly holding a Bible. The incident raises questions about the understanding of religious freedom among law enforcement officers and the protection of peaceful religious expression in public spaces.

Saint-Pancrace Chapel targeted in act of vandalism and attempted arson

July 3, 2026, France

On 3 July, Saint-Pancrace Chapel in La Palme was targeted in an attempted arson attack accompanied by acts of vandalism. Although the fire did not spread to the historic chapel, the incident caused damage to the place of worship.

Consecrated hosts and sacred vessels stolen from Sacri Cuori Church in Fermo

July 1, 2026, Italy

A profanation was discovered at the Church of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Fermo. Sacred vessels were stolen, the tabernacle was profaned, and consecrated hosts were removed together with the pyx in which they were kept. The incident affected the local Catholic community and prompted the archbishop to call for acts of reparation and a Mass of reparation.

Catholic religion teacher in Belgium receives threats after conversion from Islam

June 30, 2026, Belgium

In June 2026, Ahmed Yetrib, a Catholic religion teacher in the Charleroi region and convert from Islam to the Catholic faith, reported receiving threats on social media because of his online content sharing the reasons for his conversion. The report concerns alleged harassment which has caused concern for his personal safety, further highlighting the difficulties experienced by individuals converting from Islam to Christianity.

Vandalism and Attempted Arson inside St. Marien Church in Freudenberg

June 29, 2026, Germany

On 29 June 2026, unknown perpetrators set fire to a wooden bench inside St. Marien Church in Freudenberg and and vandalised the church entrance. Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the incident.

Tabernacle destroyed and consecrated hosts discarded at Sacré-Cœur Church in Geneva

June 29, 2026, Switzerland

On 29 June 2026, the tabernacle of Sacré-Cœur Church in Geneva was stolen and destroyed in an act of sacrilegious theft and desecration. The tabernacle contained consecrated hosts and liturgical vessels, the former of which were later found discarded in a nearby construction dumpster. The incident prompted the celebration of a Mass of reparation for the affected Catholic community.

Attempted Arson at the Church of Saint-Jean de Castelsarrasin

June 29, 2026, France

On the evening of 29 June, there was an arson attempt targeting the church of Saint-Jean de Castelsarrasin. The fire was discovered by a volunteer in a trash can inside the building. Thankfully, no material damage was caused. Police opened an investigation into the incident.

Suspected Arson at Former Convent in Downpatrick

June 28, 2026, United Kingdom

On Sunday, 28 June, the listed Convent of Mercy adjacent to St. Patrick's Church in Downpatrick is believed to have been deliberately set on fire and was completely destroyed. The loss of the convent has been difficult for the local community after the destruction of a historical landmark.

Artists Burn Crosses During Polish Music Festival

June 28, 2026, Poland

On 27–28 June 2026, two wooden crosses were deliberately set on fire during a performance at a metal music festival in Chwałków. While organisers described the act as an artistic performance, it deeply shocked the local Christian community, which regarded it as a desecration of one of Christianity's central religious symbols. Christian representatives further expressed concern that insults against Christians and the desecration of Christian symbols have become increasingly commonplace and that Christian symbols are being singled out in artistic performances in ways that symbols of other religions generally are not.