All cases

Acid instead of wine in the chalice

December 1, 2024, Italy

The Sunday mass in the church of Sant'Andrea on 1 December ended in hospital for a priest in the northern Italian community of Zignago - there was acid in the chalice instead of wine. The mass was interrupted and the congregation called the emergency services.

Vandalism of religious symbols in church

November 28, 2024, Germany

As reported on 28 November, unknown persons threw the Easter candle against the wall of St Mary's Church in Waltrop, damaged altar objects, tore a prayer book and threw other objects around the church.

Theft and desecration of Orthodox church in Trento

November 28, 2024, Italy

On 28 November 2024, an Orthodox church in Vicolo San Marco, Italy, was broken into and desecrated. The perpetrators stole cash, religious items, and Christmas gifts before defecating in the sacristy. Police are investigating the incident.

Christmas lights inside church damaged

November 27, 2024, Germany

Unknown persons have damaged the Christmas tree lights in the Catholic church in Hochstadt am Main. They destroyed candles and the lights.

Theft and desecration of religious statue

November 26, 2024, Poland

A 27-year-old man, who stole a statue of Mary from a chapel in the local church in Nowe Worowo, has been charged. He confessed the theft and public desecration of the sacred object.

Threats to Set Fire to Church

November 26, 2024, Italy

On 26 November, a 28-year-old Moroccan man damaged the door and part of the furniture of a room in an establishment in Formia that had helped him at the request of the Immaculate Heart of Mary - Don Bosco Church, and threatened to set fire to the church.

Theft and desecration in the Valdencin church

November 25, 2024, Spain

On the morning of 25 November, Father Maykel found the church of Valdencín in Santa Teresa vandalised. The sacristy was badly damaged, €80 of the collection and a silver monstrance were missing and, most devastatingly for the community, the consecrated hosts had been desecrated.

Repeated Vandalism in the Saint-Denys basilica in Argenteuil

November 25, 2024, France

The Saint-Denys basilica has been the target of several acts of vandalism since September. In the latest incident, two youths entered the Argenteuil basilica through a back door shouting "Allah Akbar". Police presence around the building has been increased. In September, the presbytery was damaged by vulgar graffiti. Two months later, a Latin cross at the entrance to the same building was damaged and partially stolen.

Two teens arrested for church vandalism causing £15,000 of damage

November 24, 2024, United Kingdom

Two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of causing more than £15,000 of damage to the Grade II listed St Margaret's Church in Bowers Gifford on 24 November. It was the second time in a month that the church had been vandalised.

Cross demolished at Sehnde church

November 24, 2024, Germany

In the night of November 24, a grave cross at the Cross Church in Sehnde was desecrated and the lighting of the church was demolished