All cases

Vandalism in church

March 26, 2025, Germany

Unknown individuals entered the church on Wieslocher Straße and caused significant damage. Among other things, a plate of holy water was smashed, a microphone and its stand were knocked over, and the glass panel on the confessional door was broken. The intruders also removed a pipe from the organ and placed it on the altar. The unknown individuals then fled the church undetected.

Attempt to Ram Church Door with Vehicle in Borno

March 23, 2025, Italy

Unknown perpetrators attempted to force entry into a church in Borno by ramming the main entrance with a vehicle. The act directly targeted the church building but caused only limited damage.

Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Church in Hranice

March 23, 2025, Czech Republic

A man stole approximately 80 consecrated hosts from a church in Hranice. The incident caused shock among parishioners present at the church.

Man Damages Statue and Sets Fire to Church in Spilt

March 22, 2025, Croatia

On 22 March 2025, in the church of St. Dominic in Split, a man damaged a statue and then started a fire on the candle stand with a gas lighter which caught fire when it was left on a candle, and the flame spread to the plastic candle holders on the stand. He is also suspected of stealing a metal gas bottle from a cupboard in the church.

Retired pastor faces trial for public worship service near abortion clinic

March 21, 2025, United Kingdom

Clive Johnston, a retired pastor in Northern Ireland is facing trial for holding an open-air Christian service near an abortion clinic, raising serious concerns about the impact of so-called ‘buffer zone’ laws on religious freedom and freedom of expression.

Serious episodes of vandalism: Easter candle soiled with excrement

March 20, 2025, Germany

Several churches in the Kraichgau region have recently suffered damage. Kürnbach has been the victim of vandalism twice - someone relieved himself and damaged candles and the altar bible. In Zaisenhausen, six windows were smashed with stones. In Bretten-Büchig the organ was covered with a sticky liquid.

Marian Statue and Church Window Damaged in Dornburg-Langendernbach

March 19, 2025, Germany

A Marian statue and a church window were damaged in an act of vandalism in Dornburg-Langendernbach.

Tabernacle Desecrated and Eucharist Stolen

March 17, 2025, Spain

A church in Arroyo de la Encomienda was desecrated after perpetrators opened the tabernacle and stole consecrated hosts. The act has been strongly condemned by the Archdiocese of Valladolid and has affected the wider Catholic community.

Elderly Priest Assaulted and Robbed in Cambrai

March 17, 2025, France

A 96-year-old priest in Cambrai was violently assaulted, tied up, and robbed in his presbytery. Four suspects have since been arrested and are facing charges including aggravated violence, unlawful detention, and the theft of both personal and religious items.

Court dismisses case against Christian preacher prosecuted for criticising Islam

March 14, 2025, United Kingdom

On 12 March, a British court found Christian street preacher Karandeep Mamman not guilty of "causing religious harassment, alarm or distress" after he publicly criticised the Koran during a street sermon in January 2023. Listeners also reacted aggressively to him, threatening to beat him up and ''cut his throat'' and only letting him go after police arrived.