All cases

Church targeted in sacrilegious theft

January 5, 2025, Italy

Unknown perpetrators have broken into the tabernacle and stolen the vessel containing the consecrated hosts from the Catholic Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Trento.

Fire set to nativity scene in Ingolstadt

January 5, 2025, Germany

A nativity scene was burned and vandalised in the Catholic church of St Pius in Ingolstadt. The parish priest reported that "the stable was thrown over down and one figure was completely burnt".

Grave Crosses and Christ Figures Targeted in Repeated Cemetery Vandalism in Appenzell

January 5, 2025, Switzerland

Grave crosses and depictions of Christ were again deliberately damaged at a cemetery in Appenzell, marking a repeated pattern of vandalism targeting Christian symbols. The incidents have raised concern due to the specific destruction of crosses and religious figures.

Theft and Vandalism of Nativity Scene at Mother Church in Augusta

January 5, 2025, Italy

A case of theft and vandalism was reported inside the Mother Church in Augusta, involving damage to a traditional nativity scene.

Desecration and Theft at Church in Sola

January 4, 2025, Italy

Unknown perpetrators broke into the Church of San Lorenzo Martire in Sola, stealing the tabernacle containing consecrated hosts and later scattering them outside the church. As the hosts are of central religious significance in Catholic belief, the act constitutes desecration and has caused particular distress within the local parish community.

Figure of the Infant Jesus stolen from nativity scene in Aprilia

January 4, 2025, Italy

On 4 January, a figure of the Infant Jesus disappeared from the nativity scene set up by the Agroverde Neighbourhood Committee in a public park. "A gesture that deeply offends the sense of community and the faith of many people," said the committee and further stated: "It is an act of vandalism that demonstrates a total lack of respect for the traditions, symbols and religious feelings of many people."

San Filippo Neri Church Repeatedly Attacked with Gunfire and Explosives

January 3, 2025, Italy

In Palermo’s Zen district the parish church of San Filippo Neri was repeatedly targeted in a series of violent attacks at the end of December and in the early days of January, with explosions and gunfire directed at the building’s entrances and interior.

Suspected arson attack at church in Skórzewo near Poznań

January 2, 2025, Poland

On 2 January 2025, a fire broke out in a church in Skórzewo near Poznań, Poland, with the parish indicating that it may have been caused by arson. A witness reported seeing a person where the fire started, but the suspect escaped.

Nativity Scene Repeatedly Attacked: Infant Jesus Decapitated

January 2, 2025, Italy

As reported in January 2025, a nativity scene in Empoli was vandalised for the fourth time in recent years. Unknown perpetrators decapitated a statue of the infant Jesus, prompting strong reactions from the local community.

Nativity scene in front of Roncoferraro church vandalised

December 31, 2024, Italy

On the night of New Year's Eve, unknown people destroyed the nativity scene on the square of the Roncoferraro church. The vandals tore to pieces almost all of the particular figures depicting the nativity and scattered the fragments in the surrounding garden. This is not the first time that similar episodes have occurred.