All cases
Islamic graffiti on church wall in Vienna
May 12, 2024, AustriaNext to the entrance to the church of St. Anthony of Padua slogans written in black pen appeared on the wall. "Islam will win, with you or without," and "Deen over Dunya" ("Religion over worldly life") are just some of the numerous slogans on the wall. Some of the words have been crossed out or replaced, but the graffiti has not been removed.
Stations of the Cross Vandalised in Essen
May 10, 2024, GermanyOn Friday, 10 May 2024, unknown perpetrators vandalised six stations of the Way of the Cross on the Haniel spoil tip in Bottrop and stole four copper plates. According to the Diocese of Essen, a police report has been filed, and this is not the first time the site has been targeted.
Vandalism in Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives
May 9, 2024, FranceOn the night of Wednesday, May 8 to Thursday, May 9, Ascension Day, the abbey church of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives was the victim of acts of vandalism. The tabernacle, where the consecrated hosts are kept, was forcefully opened, although nothing was stolen. Mass vestments were also vandalised. The parish priest, Father Donat, immediately lodged a complaint with the gendarmerie. The gendarmerie is investigating the accident.
Minors commit Arson and Vandalism at Church
May 8, 2024, ItalyWednesday May 8, minors set fire to the Catheral of Casalmaggiore and vandalised it. The boys broke into the nave on the right side of the church where they broke the stoup into pieces and started a fire with candles. They then entered from the opposite side and went into a storeroom where the electrical panel that operates the lift and installations is located. The perpetrators could be identified thanks to surveillance cameras.
Polish missionaries arrested in Belarus
May 8, 2024, BelarusOn May 8, two Polish missionaries, Fr Andrzej Yukhnievich, OMI and Fr Pawel Lemekh, OMI were detained at the parish church of Our Lady of Fatima, Šumilina in Belarus for expressing their support to Ukraine. They have been sentenced to 15 days and 10 days in prison, for “subversive activity to the detriment of the Belarussian state”.
Repeated Vandalism in St Mary the Virgin church
May 6, 2024, United KingdomOn 6 May 2025, St Mary the Virgin Church on North Shoebury Road in Essex was vandalised for the third time in recent weeks. The attack occurred just days after the church had spent £1,200 repairing damage from a previous incident.
Fourth Act of Vandalism this year in Notre-Dame church in Livry-Gargan
May 6, 2024, FranceDuring the night of 5-6 May, the tabernacle in the church of Notre-Dame de Livry-Gargan (Seine-Saint-Denis) was torn from its place and stolen.
Arson attempt in Brive
May 6, 2024, FranceSaint-Sernin church in Brive became the target of two arson attempts on May 3 and May 6. Due to lack of resources to ensure continuous surveillance, the church is now closed.
Lutheran church in Plettenberg "devastated" by vandals
May 5, 2024, GermanyOn Saturday evening, May 5, the police were called to the Lutheran Böhler church in Plettenberg, because a witness had found "people rioting" there. Upon arrival the police found that the door had been smashed in and the wooden panelling was broken. The interior was "a picture of devastation", according to reports. The baptismal font was knocked over, a candelabra was torn down and a window was damaged. The organ on the upper floor was also demolished, as were parts of the roof truss. The damage is estimated by the presbytery to be at least 50,000 euros.
Host Theft in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Louvroil
May 5, 2024, FranceOn Sunday, May 5, a parishioner was preparing the church for mass when they discovered the tabernacle empty. The host was stolen and has not since been found. The community is deeply shocked by this act of desecration.