All cases
Vandalism and desecration of the church of La Rivière-Saint-Sauveur
May 5, 2024, FranceOver the weekend of May 4 and 5, an act of vandalism and desecration of the church was revealed in the church of La Rivière-Saint-Sauveur, France. An unknown perpetrator broken stained glass, and traces of fire were present. Above all, left excrement on the stairs leading to the funeral sheet. The volunteers responsible for opening and closing the church were also frightened by these acts, which coincide with the squatting of the building at night for several months.
Evangelical church of San Giuliano attacked after Sunday service
May 5, 2024, ItalyOn Sunday 5 May, an evangelical church in San Giuliano Milanese in northern Italy was attacked by a man who tried to enter the church premises after shouting anti-Christian phrases, including "Allah Akbar", according to a local newspaper. After an unsuccessful attempt to enter the church, he smashed the window of the church entrance. He was arrested by police following the incident.
Public prayer gathering attacked in Zagreb
May 4, 2024, CroatiaA monthly public rosary prayer in the main square of Zagreb and 12 other public places in Croatia has been repeatedly attacked by activists from the radical left. Since the politically inactive men have started gathering for rosary prayers in January 2023, aggressive political activists have started demonstrating against them, claiming that the peaceful prayer of the men would "limit women's rights".
Vandals repeatedly target Church of Gesù Liberatore
May 3, 2024, ItalyIn May 2024, repeated acts of vandalism led to the temporary closure of the oratory at the parish of Gesù Liberatore in Canosa di Puglia (Apulia region). The latest incident involved the deliberate damage of a reinforced plastic cover used to protect the outdoor stage that hosts most parish and summer youth activities.
12th century Templar Chapel vandalised
May 3, 2024, ItalyIn a disturbing act of vandalism, unknown perpetrators broke into the historic chapel of San Giacomo di Ruspaglia, situated between the municipalities of San Giorgio Canavese and San Giusto. The intruders forced open the door, smeared wax on the altar, and threw candles at the interior frescoes, causing visible damage.
Two attempted arsons in the church of St. Peter and Paul in Oberalting
May 1, 2024, GermanyBetween 22 April and 1 May, the Catholic Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Oberalting, Bavaria, suffered two arson attacks within a short space of time, in which the church's prayer book was set on fire. The local community is alarmed by these acts of vandalism, which target a sacred space for personal reflection and prayer. The police have opened an investigation into these deliberate acts of arson.
Fourteen Helpers Church tagged with swastikas
April 30, 2024, GermanyUnknown persons have scratched two swastikas and a runic symbol on the façade of Fourteen Helpers Church in Zeitzer Straße in Gera. According to the police, the offence is now being investigated not only for damage to property, but also for the use of anti-constitutional symbols.
Protestant church vandalised with graffiti referring to massacre of Protestants
April 30, 2024, FranceA protestant church in France was vandalised with a graffiti reading “Long live Saint-Barthélemy”. Saint Barthélemy Day refers to the mass massacre of Protestants following 24 August 1572, in which between 15,000 and 30,000 Protestants were murdered in Paris and the provinces because of their faith. In this light, the graffiti is a particularly troubling display of anti-Protestant hatred.
Sacred objects stolen from Bytom-Szombierki church
April 29, 2024, PolandOn the night of Monday 29 to Tuesday 30 April, the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Bytom-Szombierki was broken into. Thieves smashed the tabernacle, stole three tins containing the consecrated hosts and the reliquary of St Faustina, which was placed under the image of the Merciful Jesus. Scattered hosts were found in the choir and outside by the missionary cross.
Arson on St Theresa Church Grounds
April 29, 2024, United KingdomOn 29 April a fire was discovered inside the garages on the grounds of St Theresa’s of the Child of Jesus Church in St Helens. A window of the church was also found to have been smashed. The Detective Police Inspector, Jimmy Rotheram, commented: "It’s truly shocking that a church, which is such a valued resource and focal point for the community, has been targeted in this way."