All cases
Episcopal Palace in Barcelona Defaced with Paint During 8 March Protest
March 8, 2024, SpainFeminists from "Futuro Vegetal" have thrown purple paint at the façade of the Episcopal Palace in Barcelona.
18 churches pelted with eggs during the night
March 7, 2024, GermanyThe Lindenberg police department has solved a series of acts of vandalism that have kept the communities in the West Allgäu region on tenterhooks over the past few months. A total of 18 church doors and church façades were pelted with eggs by unknown persons during this period. The eggs were often painted black or labelled with red letters and numbers.
Objects from church art project stolen and vandalised
March 7, 2024, SwitzerlandIn recent weeks, unknown persons have stolen or vandalised five works from a church art project at the Heiliggeist Church Bern.
"Palestine" graffiti on Italian Church
March 5, 2024, ItalySan Benedetto church in Brindisi was found smeared with red paint. The ancient portal and another entrance of the church were smeared, and "Palestine" was written on the stairs.
Priest harassed and attacked
March 5, 2024, SerbiaAn unknown man physically attacked a priest of the Diocese of Bačka of the Serbian Orthodox Church while he was performing regular parish duties on the street in Novi Sad. The perpetrator quickly walked away and escaped.
Priest faces up to three years in prison for criticising Islam
March 5, 2024, SpainAs reported by the Catholic News Agency on March 5, Fr. Custodio Ballester, parish priest from Barcelona, and two other individuals received a summons from a provincial court in Spain in February to answer charges of an alleged “hate crime” for criticising Islam. The charges were initially brought in 2020, when Catalonia's public prosecutor claimed that Fr. Ballester's 2016 article entitled 'The impossible dialogue with Islam' met the criteria of a 'hate crime'. If convicted, Ballester faces up to three years in prison and a fine of more than EUR 1,500.
Ahlen church closed due to repeated vandalism
March 4, 2024, GermanyDue to repeated vandalism the St Mary church in Ahlen decided to keep its doors shut outside church services. A board on the door indicates: "Currently closed due to vandalism".
Sant Antoni Abat Church smeared with red paint
March 3, 2024, SpainIn the early hours of March 3, the walls of the Sant Antoni Abat parish church have been smeared with red paint. The church is declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. The Sa Pobla Local Police have accused a group of six young people of the vandalism.
Assault on a priest during a burglary in Battipaglia
March 1, 2024, ItalyThe rectory of the Church of St Gregory VII in the Sant'Anna district of Battipaglia, in the province of Salerno, has been robbed. The burglars stole precious objects and offerings worth 30,000 euros. They also assaulted the young assistant parish priest who tried to stop them. At least six members of the gang were involved in the robbery, which took place shortly after 8pm on 1 March in the parish priest's house. The priest was rescued and taken to Santa Maria della Speranza hospital in Battipaglia. He suffered only minor injuries and bruises.
Damage to church entrance
March 1, 2024, GermanyOn March 1, an unknown perpetrator damaged the staircase in front of the Catholic parish in Waldsee, Germany, rendering it unusable for the public.