All cases

Burglar robs church and damages valuable statue

January 1, 2024, Poland

On New Year's Day, a man stole money from a church in Sopot, Poland. During the robbery he broke a valuable figure worth more than 1,000 PLN.

Vandals smash 25 windows at church

January 1, 2024, Germany

25 windows of St John's Church in Salzhausen were damaged by vandals at the beginning of January. Unknown persons had smashed the windows with fist-sized rocks and caused damage of 42,000 euros.

Sacred objects stolen from Kassel church

December 31, 2023, Germany

Sacred objects were stolen from the chapel of the Apostles of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Kassel, Germany, on 31 December, according to police. The thieves also caused damage to the church. The identity of the burglars is unknown and the police are still looking for witnesses.

The statue of the Infant Jesus was decapitated in Alliste

December 31, 2023, Italy

It was reported that on New Year's Eve, unknown perpetrators vandalised the nativity scene of the parish church of San Quintino in Alliste, targeting the statue of the infant Jesus. The parish priest commented: "An outburst by our children that should make us reflect".

Nativity Scene Vandalised with Blue Paint

December 31, 2023, Germany

On January 4, a nativity scene was vandalised with blue paint outside the parish church of Großenbach-Hünfeld, Germany. The local community is shocked about the incident.

Statue of St John of Nepomuk repeatedly vandalised

December 31, 2023, Poland

On the night of 31 December to 1 January, unknown perpetrators destroyed a statue of St John of Nepomuk on Odmętowa Street in Kraków. This is the second such incident in a short period of time. A similar incident occurred in April 2023, just before Easter.

Three churches in Bauska broken into

December 31, 2023, Latvia

Between 30 and 31 December, three churches in Bauska were broken into. As the locks were broken, there was material damage in addition to the stolen goods.

Figure of Jesus stolen from nativity scene

December 31, 2023, Germany

The figure of the Infant Jesus has been stolen from the nativity scene in the Church of Christ in Niebull, Germany. The caretaker of the nativity scene, Ursula Mast-Christiansen, is appealing for the baby Jesus to be returned immediately.

Via Crucis vandalised in Mavignola

December 31, 2023, Italy

In the night from December 31 to January 1, unknown perpetrators have damaged the stations of the Via Crucis, defacing them and committing severe vandalism. According to the councilor of the Municipality of Pinzolo, Luca Vidi, the statue of Christ was stolen from the first of the stations of the cross. Other stations have been defaced with "unrepeatable slogans" against "the Church, Christianity and the Pope". "Some people are not educated as they should be, and there is no respect for the common heritage, ignoring the fact that it was created with everyone's efforts," the councillor commented.

Statue of Mary Vandalised for the Second Time

December 31, 2023, Hungary

On New Year's Eve a newly restored statue of Mary has been vandalised for the second time in Dunavecse, Hungary. Unknown perpetrators smashed the head of the statue and trampled its pieces.