All cases

Man Desecrates St. Peter’s Basilica by Urinating on Altar

October 10, 2025, Italy

A man entered St. Peter’s Basilica and urinated on the altar of Confession in front of hundreds of tourists and worshippers, marking the third act of desecration at the site in two years. According to some news reports, the incident happened during the celebration of mass.

Jesuit Church in Straubing Vandalised

October 10, 2025, Germany

Unknown individuals forcibly entered the Jesuit Church in Straubing, Germany, overturned pews and damaged interior grilles.

Arson Attack on Evangelical Church in Frenkendorf

October 9, 2025, Switzerland

A 36-year-old Swiss man was arrested after allegedly setting fire to the Evangelical Reformed Church of St. Margaretha in Frenkendorf, Switzerland, damaging pews and interior structures.

Church in Aldingen Defiled After Failed Burglary Attempt

October 5, 2025, Germany

After breaking into a Protestant church in Aldingen, Germany, unknown individuals urinated in the sanctuary and caused property damage when no valuables were found.

Viennese Church Evacuated During Mass after Bomb Scare

October 4, 2025, Austria

Two fake explosive devices triggered the evacuation of Vienna’s Karlskirche during a Catholic mass being held before the annual March for Life, raising concerns of targeted intimidation.

Man Arrested After Spitting on Christ Image in Fuengirola Church

October 2, 2025, Spain

A 31-year-old man was arrested for spitting on a crucifix and attempting to damage the altar inside the Church of San José in Fuengirola, Spain, in an incident investigated as a hate crime and offense against religious sentiment.

Church in Neustadt/Wied Vandalised

October 1, 2025, Germany

Unkown individuals entered the Church of St. Margarita and caused extensive damage inside. The police issued a statement seeking for witnesses.

Vandalism of Catholic Churches in Munich with White Paint Graffiti

September 29, 2025, Germany

In the night between 28 and 29 September 2025, several Catholic church buildings in Munich were vandalised with white paint graffiti, including slogans such as “God is dead”.

Christian Schools in Slovakia at Risk after School Funding Reform

September 19, 2025, Slovakia

The Slovak government has introduced a proposal to reform state subsidies for private and church schools. Under the new policy, full funding would be limited to schools that meet specific public-service criteria, including enrolling at least 70% of students from local school districts, refraining from charging tuition, and signing contracts as public education providers. Christian leaders and private school associations have raised concerns that the reform could undermine parental rights and threaten the sustainability of faith-based education.

Death Threat Forced Evangelical Church in Kempten to Cancel Public Worship

September 14, 2025, Germany

Following a death threat on TikTok, the Tabernacle Church in Kempten moved its worship indoors, citing safety concerns and growing anti-Christian sentiment.

Iraqi Christian Killed in Lyon While Livestreaming Faith

September 10, 2025, France

A disabled Iraqi Christian who fled ISIS persecution, was fatally stabbed in Lyon while livestreaming his religious testimony on TikTok, prompting outrage and calls for justice amid rising anti-Christian violence in France.

Religious statue beheaded in Cathedral

August 31, 2025, Germany

In the Trier Cathedral, a renaissance apostle statue was beheaded and its head stolen. The incident prompting an investigation and concern over preservation of religious heritage.

Church in Germany Vandalised Twice in 24 Hours.

August 30, 2025, Germany

Unidentified vandals flooded the basement and defaced the entrance of Martini Church in Siegen on two consecutive nights, prompting a police investigation.

Excrements Smeared on Church Wall

August 24, 2025, Italy

The historic Sant’Antonio al Seggio church in Aversa was vandalised with human excrement near its entrance, prompting public outrage and calls for stronger protection of churches.

Arson Attack at Notre-Dame Church in Saint-Dizier

August 20, 2025, France

A 20-year-old man has been arrested for attempting to start fires inside Notre-Dame church in Saint-Dizier. Thankfully, the organist was able to extinguish the fires before they could spread further. This is the fourth incident at the church in the last two years, raising safety concerns among the local community.

Churches in Carini Closed Amid Surge in Theft and Vandalism

August 18, 2025, Italy

Due to escalating thefts and vandalism, the archpriest of Carini has decided to close all churches when no religious services are scheduled, sparking concern over the loss of sacred community spaces.

Church in Granada vandalised and set on fire

August 17, 2025, Spain

On 17 August 2025, a 21-year-old man broke into the Church of Santiago Apóstol in El Pozuelo, Albuñol (Granada), smashing a stained glass window with a hammer. He then proceeded to destroy religious artefacts and set fire to items belonging to the church before locking himself inside.

Two Churches Attacked by Knife-Wielding Man, Disrupting Mass

August 16, 2025, France

A suspected drug addict armed with a Swiss Army knife desecrated two churches near Paris, terrifying worshippers and resisting arrest.

Christian Bakery Condemned After Refusing to Bake Same-Sex Wedding Cake

August 13, 2025, Sweden

Sweden’s Equality Ombudsman (DO) has ruled against a small Christian bakery in Stockholm who had declined to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple in 2023. The decision, published on August 13, 2025, acknowledges that the bakery’s refusal was based on religious conviction and falls under the protection of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Nevertheless, the authority concluded that the refusal constituted unlawful discrimination.

Church in Spain Vandalised Ahead of Patron Saint Festivities

August 11, 2025, Spain

Just days before the Virgen del Carmen festivities in Rute, the parish of Santa Catalina was vandalised with black paint being spilled across its main entrance.

Crucifix Ban in Bavarian School Raises Concerns Over Religious Freedom

August 8, 2025, Germany

A recent ruling by the Bavarian Administrative Court has ordered the removal of a crucifix from a state secondary school, finding that its display violates students’ negative freedom of religion and constitutes unlawful state endorsement of Christianity. The judgment, however, diverges from European Court of Human Rights case law (Lautsi v. Italy) and has raised concerns about the narrowing of religious expression in public institutions and the broader implications for religious freedom and state neutrality in education.

Catholic Hospital’s Right to Uphold Its Institutional Religious Freedom

August 8, 2025, Germany

The Labour Court of Hamm has affirmed the right of a Catholic hospital in Germany to prohibit a senior gynaecologist from performing procedures that go against its religious mission, both within the hospital and in his private practice.

Priest attacked in Hubová

July 29, 2025, Slovakia

On July 29, a Catholic priest was attacked in his house. According to the mayor of Hubová, the attacker appeared at the parish house and assaulted the priest in the entrance hall with an electric cable. The priest sustained minor injuries to his face and legs, but managed to push the man outside, lock the door behind him and alert the police.

Vandalism of Wooden Statue

July 29, 2025, Germany

On July 29, unknown individuals entered the church, damaged a wooden statue as well as the interior plaster, and then fled without being identified. The damage is estimated at several hundred euros. The motives for the act are still under investigation.

Anti-Christian slogan and satanic symbols on Church in Pesaro

July 27, 2025, Italy

During the weekend of July 27, the facade of the Maddalena Church of Pesaro was defaced with the phrase “Clean churches, silent people,” along with a pentagram, which is commonly used as Satanic symbol, and black paint drawings resembling foetuses.

Vandalism of Catholic Academy and Church ahead of Award to Bishop Barron

July 27, 2025, Germany

In the days leading up to the Josef‑Pieper Prize ceremony in Münster, vandals sprayed slogans on the Franz‑Hitze‑Haus academy and local church and defaced several Christian statues with red paint. State security has since launched an investigation.

Armed Robbery Attempted During Mass

July 27, 2025, Italy

A masked gunman stormed into the chapel of the Dominican Sisters' institute in Sant'Anastasia, near Naples, during Mass. He attempted to rob the congregation and fired a blank shot into the air.

Pro‑Palestinian Protesters Disrupt Mass at La Madeleine in Paris

July 26, 2025, France

On the evening of July 26, 2025, pro‑Palestinian activists entered La Madeleine church in Paris during Mass, shouting slogans about the conflict in Gaza, thus interrupting the liturgy. The rector of the church denounced the demonstration as a violation of sacred ritual, stating he intended to press charges.

Cross sawn up and corpus placed upside down

July 25, 2025, Germany

Vandals sawed down a roughly two-metre-high cross outside a church in Bann, desecrated the figure of Christ, and urinated in the sacristy—prompting shock in the local community and an ongoing police investigation.

Historic Chapel in Limbiate Vandalized Overnight

July 25, 2025, Italy

Vandals broke into the small chapel at Villa Pusterla in Mombello di Limbiate and destroyed interior fixtures, decapitating the statue of Saint Anthony. Officials confirmed the incident as intentional vandalism and urged improved security.

Arson attack on the Notre-Dame-des-Champs Church in Paris

July 24, 2025, France

The Church of Notre-Dame-des-Champs in Paris was closed to the public after two fires occurred within 48 hours on July 23 and 24, 2025. One of the fires was confirmed to be of criminal origin. Authorities launched an investigation while restoration has begun on the damaged interior.

Arson at Germany's Largest Wooden Church

July 20, 2025, Germany

A fire damaged the facade and roof truss of the Evangelical Marktkirche in Clausthal-Zellerfeld on the night of July 20, 2025, in what officials later determined to be arson.

Syrian Christian Asylum Seekers under Threat

July 15, 2025, Netherlands

In a recent statement, the Interchurch Foundation warned that discrimination against Syrian Christians in Dutch asylum seeker centres had increased sharply over the past six months. For example, a Christian Syrian mother was threatened with death and told that her family would be targeted. Understandably, such threats have caused serious fear among Christian asylum seekers, some of whom are now hiding their religion to avoid being targeted.

Arson and Break-in: Repeated targeting of churches in Sierck-les-Bains

July 13, 2025, France

On the night of 13 July, the room adjoining the church in Sierck-les-Bains was vandalised. The white plastic door was completely destroyed. A week earlier, two teenagers had been arrested for setting fire to a chapel in the same municipality.

Church desecrated by excrement

July 13, 2025, France

The Arudy church was desecrated overnight on 13 July, with a large amount of faeces left inside and outside the building. The parish priest intends to file a complaint. He also found urine on the sacristy door and the tablecloth that usually covers the altar thrown over the stools.

Vandalism in Münster church leads to restricted opening hours

July 10, 2025, Germany

As reported on 10 July, St. Bonifatius Church in Münster will remain closed outside of services due to a series of troubling acts of vandalism. According to the local pastor, Dr Heike Köhler, the building has repeatedly been defiled with faeces and littered with broken beer bottles. There have also been incidents of arson. Most recently, photographs of baptism candidates were deliberately set on fire.

Incitement to burn churches and priests

July 9, 2025, Italy

On the morning of 9 July, graffiti inciting violence against churches and priests was discovered on a house next to the Basilica of San Domenico in Perugia. The slogan read: "Churches should be burned down, but with the priests inside; otherwise it's not enough". An anarchist and transgender symbol was placed next to the quote.

Vandalism in Velen church

July 8, 2025, Germany

Repeated acts of vandalism at St. Andrew's Church in Velen, in the Borken district. The church has been left in a state of disarray, with overturned candles and firecrackers set off next to the high altar. The most recent example: The icon of 'Our Lady of Perpetual Help' was sprayed with wax, and the damage is estimated to be in the mid-three-digit range.

Arson at the pilgrimage chapel in Friedberg

July 8, 2025, Germany

Unknown individuals deliberately set multiple small fires inside the Maria Alber chapel in Friedberg-West. On the evening of 8 July, several pieces of partially burned paper, including church leaflets, newspapers and torn pages from the chapel's prayer book, were found under pews and near the candle stands. Parish officials have reported growing unease among community members, as this is not the first arson attack in recent weeks.

Hostilities erupt outside church in Langenau

July 7, 2025, Germany

Violence by pro-Palestine demonstrators against the congregation of St Martin's Protestant Church in Langenau, in the Alb-Donau district, has escalated. During an unannounced gathering outside the church, two protesters reportedly became physically violent and verbally abusive. Due to the repeated demonstrations becoming increasingly violent, many parishioners have stopped attending services out of fear.

Vandals Wreck Church Hall

July 7, 2025, United Kingdom

A Church Hall in Northern Ireland was left in ruins after a nighttime break-in. Windows were smashed, religious texts thrown out, and food smeared across the interior—prompting community outrage and a police investigation.

Altar of church in Lido vandalised

July 6, 2025, Italy

Unknown individuals entered the church of Tarquinia Lido, Maria Santissima Stella del mare, and overturned and damaged all the objects on the altar. According to reports, the vandals entered through a window at the back of the church and then targeted the side chapel where the consecrated hosts are kept.

Arson attack in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Helpers Stop Arsonist

July 6, 2025, Germany

On the afternoon of Saturday, June 29, 2025, a 28-year-old man allegedly set fire to several altars in the Catholic parish church of St. Martin in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. According to police, the man intentionally ignited altar cloths using a lighter and caused damage estimated in the high four-figure range. Two church visitors extinguished the flames before the fire department arrived and overpowered the suspect, who has been temporarily placed in a psychiatric clinic by court order.

Salsasio church closes to public due to repeated vandalism

July 3, 2025, Italy

Following repeated acts of vandalism and harassment of the faithful, the parish of Salsasio has decided to close the church on Via Novara to the public, keeping it open only for religious services. Parish leaders denounced the incidents as showing “contempt for a sacred place and for Christianity,” and expressed serious concern for the safety of the church and its sacred objects.

Arsonists Ignite Five Fires in Lavesum’s Antonius Church

July 2, 2025, Germany

On Friday, July 2, 2025, unknown individuals set multiple fires inside the Antonius Church in Lavesum, causing significant damage. Among the destroyed items was the canopy (baldachin) above the altar, and church officials suspect arson.

Sacristan struck down with cross

June 30, 2025, Germany

On June 30, a man attacked the sacristan of the Catholic St. Nikolaus parish in Rodgau, using a crucifix as a weapon. The attacker, who is born in Syria and holds Lebanese and German citizenship, initially confronted the church worker after being approached about loud music coming from his parked car. He kicked the sacristy door, punched the sacristan, and then tore a 1.6-meter crucifix from the wall, striking the victim so forcefully that it broke. According to reports, he then tried to use the broken pieces of the figure of Jesus as a stabbing weapon and shouted to a passerby, “Help me kill him.”

Crucifix set alight and 40 headstones smashed

June 29, 2025, United Kingdom

A large wooden crucifix was set on fire and around 40 headstones were smashed in a serious act of vandalism at St Conval’s Cemetery in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, Scotland, in the early hours of Sunday, June 29, 2025. The Catholic community has expressed deep sorrow over the attack, which Bishop John Keenan described as “destructive violence.” A 39-year-old man has since been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

Salerno Church doors smeared with excrements

June 28, 2025, Italy

On the morning of June 28, 2025, vandals defaced the Church of Sant’Anna al Porto in Salerno by smearing feces on both the main entrance and sacristy doors. This marked the second consecutive day of such an attack, discovered by Monsignor Claudio Raimondi and several parishioners.

Police investigate Arson at Northampton Church

June 27, 2025, United Kingdom

On the evening of June 27, 2025, a fire broke out at St Mary’s Church on Towcester Road in Northampton. Emergency services were called to the scene, and police are treating the incident as arson.

Vandal attacks parish staff when caught

June 27, 2025, Germany

On June 27, a 26-year-old man vandalised the floor of a church in Traunreut with a felt-tip pen and punched a church representative in the face when confronted. The suspect fled the scene but was later temporarily arrested by local police

Church in Peine target of arson

June 25, 2025, Germany

On the morning of 25 June, a Catholic parish church in Peine, Germany, was targeted in an attempted arson attack. The fire, likely started using accelerants, caused minor damage to the entrance door but was quickly extinguished by a church employee before it could spread.

Church in Orne desecrated

June 24, 2025, France

The tabernacle of the church in Mortagne-au-Perche (Orne) was desecrated on Tuesday, 24 June 2025. The religious building has been temporaily closed and will reopen on Saturday, 28 June for a Mass of Reparation.

British Catholic Hospices Face Closure Following Assisted Suicide Vote

June 20, 2025, United Kingdom

British Catholic hospices and care homes for the elderly face potential closure after the controversial Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was approved at Third Reading in the House of Commons on 20 June, passing by a narrow majority of just 23 votes. This bill, if enacted, would compel Catholic palliative care institutions that refuse to participate in assisted suicide on the basis of Christian teachings to either comply or face closure, raising deep concerns over the protection of institutional conscientious objection.

Arson Attack on Evangelical Street Preacher’s Trailer in Gütersloh

June 20, 2025, Germany

In the pre-dawn hours of June 20, 2025, unknown assailants set fire to a vehicle trailer belonging to street preacher Henning Heinrich Westrup in Gütersloh, North Rhine‑Westphalia. The trailer, emblazoned with the message “Jesus saves”, suffered extensive damage to its protective tarpaulin and exterior in what authorities are investigating as a deliberate act of arson.

Liturgical Gospel Book Ripped Apart in St. Ulrich bei Steyr Church

June 19, 2025, Austria

Between Monday 17 and Wednesday 19 June 2025, an unknown individual severely damaged a liturgical gospel at St Ulrich's parish church in Steyr, Austria. Parish staff found the Gospel, which had been left open on the side altar, completely vandalised — every single one of its 300 pages had been torn down the middle.

Church in Lingen Suffered Heavy Vandalism

June 18, 2025, Germany

On the afternoon of Saturday, June 18, 2025, unidentified individuals broke into the Romanesque-Gothic St. Alexander Church in Lingen-Schepsdorf, leaving a trail of destruction. Several religious statues were vandalised—one completely destroyed, others defaced with melted wax—deeply shocking the local community, especially as this is not an isolated incident.

New Law on Religious Leadership Risks Criminalising Religious Practice

June 18, 2025, Romania

In June 2025, the Romanian Parliament adopted a legislative amendment to the country’s Law on Religious Communities, criminalising the “unauthorised exercise” of clerical or priestly functions. The new provision effectively grants the state and officially recognised religious denominations exclusive authority to determine who may lead religious communities. The amendment raises serious concerns regarding the protection of religious freedom.

Profanation of Church in Provins during Festival

June 14, 2025, France

During the medieval festival Médiévales, held on 14–15 June 2025, the Collégiale Saint-Quiriace in Provins was desecrated. This Gothic collegiate church, which is a historic landmark in the Diocese of Meaux, was open to both pilgrims and festival exhibitors. However, several stalls displayed occult and neo-pagan items, including books on Satanism, inside the sacred space. Witnesses also reported seeing a shirtless man dressed as a satyr, wearing horns, parading through the nave, alongside erotic imagery placed among the church’s pillars. The local bishop denounced this violation of the church's spiritual dignity.

Arson Attack at Market Drayton’s St Mary’s Church

June 9, 2025, United Kingdom

St Mary’s Church in Market Drayton, Shropshire, was the target of a deliberate arson attack. Firefighters from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service were alerted on the morning of 9 June, arriving to find the large oak rear door of the church engulfed in flames. The fire was threatening to spread to nearby curtains and wooden roof timbers. Thanks to their swift emergency response, firefighters contained the fire before it could cause more extensive damage.

Vandals Cause Extensive Damage to Great Yarmouth Minster Windows

June 9, 2025, United Kingdom

According to a BBC article, published on June 9th, the historic Great Yarmouth Minster, the largest parish church in England, was targeted by vandals who hurled stones at its leaded windows, shattering dozens of diamond-shaped panes and severely damaging one large stained-glass window. The attack occurred in broad daylight, while church wardens were still cleaning up earlier damage. During the cleanup, another stone was thrown through a window, prompting staff to run outside and spot two teenage boys fleeing the scene.

Vandalism St. Anna Basilica in Altötting: Pentecost Service Relocated

June 8, 2025, Germany

On the night before Pentecost Sunday, June 8,  2025, a 19-year-old man vandalised the pilgrimage church of St. Anna in Altötting, damaging and soiling numerous sacred objects. Police estimate the resulting property damage to be in the mid-five-figure range. The violent incident disrupted morning Pentecost services.

Church in Sindelfingen Vandalised

June 7, 2025, Germany

A church situated on Liebenzeller Straße in Sindelfingen, Baden-Württemberg, was targeted in a spree of vandalism. The damage was discovered later that day, with police confirming that unknown individuals had overturned liturgical furnishings, breaking off several candle holders, removing floral arrangements, plant pots, shelving, and other church fixtures, and relocating them to the building’s entrance vestibule.

Germany: Anti-Christian Hate Crimes rise by 22%

June 6, 2025, Germany

The German Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) recorded 337 politically motivated anti-Christian hate crimes for 2024, an increase of 21.66% from 277 crimes in 2023. This represents a continuation of the negative trend observed in the previous year, during which anti-Christian hate crimes increased by 100%.

Desecration of Crucifix in Rudy Raciborskie Forest

June 5, 2025, Poland

A wooden roadside crucifix in Rudy Raciborskie, Poland, was deliberately vandalised in a shocking incident. The perpetrators sawed off the arms of the figure of Jesus, turned it upside down and draped rubbish over the desecrated image. Locals say this was timed to coincide with a significant celebration at the nearby sanctuary marking the 25th anniversary of the coronation of Our Lady of Pokorna. Residents described the incident as a deeply symbolic and intentional assault on their place of prayer.

Spanish Evangelicals banned from using funeral chapels

May 31, 2025, Spain

In May 2025, the Federation of Evangelical Religious Entities of Spain (FEREDE) filed a formal complaint with the Spanish ombudsman, denouncing discrimination against the evangelical community in Spain, including a ban on using funeral chapels.

Rushmoor Council Withdraws Proposed Ban on Christians Street Preachers

May 31, 2025, United Kingdom

In March 2025, Rushmoor Borough Council applied for a court order that would have significantly restricted public expressions of Christian faith—including prayer, singing, and the distribution of religious literature. Following public backlash and engagement with local churches and legal representatives, the Council withdrew the proposed injunction.

Vandals Assault Parishioner And Destroy Church Window During Choir Practice

May 30, 2025, United Kingdom

On 30 May, 2025, a choir member was physically assaulted and a historic stained-glass window was broken during an evening rehearsal at St. Mary the Virgin Church in West Derby, Liverpool. This attack deeply shook both the choir members and the wider parish and raises concerns about personal safety in this sacred space.

Chapel and cemetery in Levens damaged by fires

May 26, 2025, France

The commune of Levens in the Alpes-Maritimes region of southeastern France experienced a series of deliberate fires targeting sacred sites. The Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs and the adjacent cemetery were both affected, with fires being started on the altar cloths in the chapel and in plastic flower pots in front of several graves. These acts of vandalism have left the local community in shock and mourning, particularly as some of the incidents occurred during visits to the cemetery on Mother's Day.

Spanish Court Bans Father From Sharing Faith With His Son

May 26, 2025, Spain

Spain’s Constitutional Court has rejected the appeal of an evangelical father seeking to share his religious beliefs with his young son. The Court upheld earlier rulings that prohibit him from taking the child to church or reading the Bible with him, granting the mother exclusive authority over the child’s religious upbringing until the age of twelve.

Catholic cemetery and chapel vandalised

May 21, 2025, Netherlands

The chapel and cemetery in Doorwerth were severely damaged. A statue of Mary was decapitated, a wooden cross bearing a figure of Jesus was smashed, and debris was scattered everywhere. This shocking act has left the faith community in disbelief.

Churches in Zweibrücken Repeatedly Targeted

May 19, 2025, Germany

In Zweibrücken, both Protestant and Catholic churches have been repeatedly vandalised, prompting concern among church leaders. Dean Peter Butz and Pastor Wolfgang Emanuel have reported ongoing damage to church buildings, including graffiti, smashed windows and cases of desecration.

Man assaulted in Berlin after revealing Christian faith

May 19, 2025, Germany

A 24-year-old man was attacked in Wedding, Berlin, after revealing that he was Christian. On the night of 19 May, he was approached by several individuals who asked him about his religious beliefs. After answering that he was Christian, he was physically assaulted and sustained serious injuries. The authorities are investigating the attack as an anti-Christian hate crime.

Church repeatedly vandalised

May 18, 2025, Germany

In recent weeks, the Catholic Church of St Michael in Ebersbach, has been repeatedly targeted by unknown vandals who have committed acts of arson and desecration. Between 1 and 18 May, intruders started small fires in various locations within the church, including the altar and pews, sometimes using matches and paper. Some of these fires were later extinguished with holy water. The most recent incident, which occurred on Sunday, 18 May, caused several hundred euros' worth of property damage, leaving burnt marks on the carpet near the ambo and signs of tampering throughout the sacred space.

Double arson attacks at Sweden's church

May 15, 2025, Sweden

In May 2025, the historic wooden church in Älvsbyn, Sweden, fell victim to two suspected arson attacks within a short period of time. The first incident occurred on 11 May, when the remains of a small fire were discovered on the church's porch. The second attack took place shortly before 3 am on 15 May, when a fire was started at the entrance to the church. The police are investigating the attacks as arson.

Repeated vandalism in Essen - Muslim youths start campaign to protect church

May 15, 2025, Germany

The church in Essen-Altendorf is increasingly being plagued by vandalism. The Kreuzeskirche, a historic Protestant church located in the city center, has recently been subjected to vandalism. Unknown perpetrators defaced the church's exterior by spray-painting a skull image on its walls adding to the problem of repeatedly broken windows.

Attempted arson at the Church of Sant'Agnese

May 12, 2025, Italy

Early on 12 May 2025, an attempted arson attack was carried out on the small church of Sant’Agnese in Città Sant’Angelo, Abruzzo. The wooden entrance door was set alight using a flammable liquid, but the quick action of local residents and firefighters prevented further damage. This incident followed an act of vandalism just four days earlier, when the glass of a votive shrine in the Crocifisso area was shattered.

Second arson attack on St Mary's Chapel in one year

May 12, 2025, Germany

On the evening of 12 May, St Mary's Chapel at St Margaret's Parish Church in Kahl am Main was targeted with arson for the second time this year. A church pew with seat cushions caught fire in a side wing of the building, causing toxic smoke to spread throughout the entire church. Although the flames had largely extinguished themselves by the time firefighters arrived, extensive smoke damage had been caused. The police are now searching for the arsonist.

Priest attacked by youths who threatened to set fire to his church

May 10, 2025, France

On the evening of 10 May, a group of young people approached the priest of the parish of Montfavet in Avignon and asked to enter the church, saying that they wanted to convert to Christianity. When they went in, they insulted the priest, shouted "Allah Akbar" and declared that they wanted to burn the building down, and then fled.

Repeat Vandalism Hits Church One Year On

May 10, 2025, Italy

The Church of Sant’Angelo Magno in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, was targeted by vandals for the second consecutive year. The perpetrators forced their way into the church and caused significant damage. Local residents, alerted by the noise, contacted the parish priest and the police. The swift response of the authorities caused the vandals to flee through the rear of the church.

Church attacked with stones after recent destruction of crib

May 9, 2025, Italy

The small countryside church of Madonna di Valverde in Dorgali, Sardinia, was vandalised when unknown individuals broke the door lock and threw stones inside. Although the altar and sacred objects were left untouched, this incident has shocked the local community, especially as it follows a series of similar occurrences in recent months. Just a month earlier, a marble nativity scene on the Carmel Hill was destroyed by hammer blows, a gesture against a religious symbol that shocked the local community.

Desecration of the chapel in the former dormitory

May 1, 2025, Poland

Someone broke into the interior of the chapel in historic dormitory in the old town of Mielec. Inside they destroyed and stole valuable liturgical objects and the monstrance. The altar cross was broken into pieces and left outside the chapel. A large amount of candle oil was spilled on the floor, which could point to an attempt at arson. The Curia of the Diocese of Tarnów, considering this scandalous event as an act of profanation, decided to close the chapel temporarily. All services were moved to another parish.

two-metre-high wooden cross cut down

May 1, 2025, France

In Curancy, Burgundy, on the night of 30 April, a two-metre-high wooden Christian cross was deliberately cut down and stolen from the woods. The vandals used a saw to cut it down and made off with it. Shocked by the incident, the mayor filed a police report, describing the act as 'a direct attack on a symbol of faith'.

Vandals leave trail of destruction in church

April 30, 2025, Italy

Vandals broke into the historic church of Pia Opera Pastore in Alcamo, Sicily, causing extensive damage to sacred art, objects and furnishings. Paintings were defaced, religious objects destroyed and the church left in disarray - an attack condemned by local officials as a serious offence against the community and its cultural and religious heritage.

Church in Alsace severely vandalised: €10,000 in damage

April 24, 2025, France

On the night of 24 April, the collegiate church of Saint-Martin in Colmar was vandalised by an intruder who climbed through scaffolding, damaged sacred objects and left the church in disarray. Despite spending almost three hours inside and causing over €10,000 in damage, the perpetrator - who was caught on CCTV and reportedly under the influence of drugs - stole nothing. The incident shocked the local community and raised serious concerns about the protection of religious and cultural heritage.

Church closes after attacks on parish staff

April 23, 2025, Austria

The parish of Breitenfeld has had to severely restrict access to its church following repeated violent attacks against parish workers and acts of vandalism. An unknown man attacked a parish secretary, pushing her to the ground and kicking her several times. A few days later, a 74-year-old sexton was similarly attacked, suffering injuries so severe that he had to be hospitalised for several days. Vandalism to the church building was also confirmed. As a result, the church is now only open for mass, and there is a police presence.

Church and graveyard defaced with blasphemous graffiti

April 18, 2025, United Kingdom

On Good Friday, 18 April, St James' Church in Leyland, Lancashire, was vandalised with lewd images and anti-Christian messages. The graffiti included sexually graphic content, explicit blasphemy, and defaced both the church building and at least 40 gravestones in the churchyard with offensive statements such as "God is a lie".

Third attack on chapel in recent months

April 13, 2025, Italy

A votive shrine in Lonato del Garda has suffered its third act of vandalism in 3 months. In the latest incident, a wooden crucifix was torn from the wall and thrown away. Previously, a statue of the Madonna had been destroyed and a crucifix depicting Christ had been stolen.

Bible set alight on wooden altar

April 10, 2025, Germany

A Bible was set alight with a match in the Protestant church in Groß-Gerau. It was on the wooden altar, but did not burn down completely.

Protestant schools in France excluded from Erasmus+

April 10, 2025, France

In a written question to the European Commission, Dutch MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen raised concerns over France’s exclusion of private schools—including Protestant and Montessori institutions—from the EU’s Erasmus+ student mobility programme. He questioned how this policy aligns with the programme’s stated commitment to inclusivity for both public and private educational institutions. In its response on 10 April, the European Commission reaffirmed that Erasmus+ is designed to be inclusive. However, it ultimately placed responsibility on national authorities, stating that France is within its rights to define eligibility criteria for participation.

Vandals damage several churches in Odenwald region

April 8, 2025, Germany

In the Odenwald region, several churches were attacked by vandals. At a church in Schweinberg, the stucco decoration on the high altar was broken off and thrown to the ground. Vandals also left cigarette butts and damaged collection boxes.

Religious statue damaged

April 8, 2025, Germany

In Salzgitter-Bad, unknown vandals caused damage to a local church. A statue of Mary, part of a group of holy figures, was removed and the wall damaged.

500-year-old altar damaged

April 7, 2025, Germany

On 7 April, a vandal broke into the historic Abbey Church in Öhringen and seriously damaged the church's 500-year-old wooden high altar. The unknown offender broke off and destroyed the sword from a figure of the Apostle Paul and stole a valuable altar cloth.

Fire in church: Police suspect arson

April 6, 2025, Germany

Unknown persons have apparently attempted to set fire to the grounds of a church on Harffer Strasse in Neuss-Erfttal. According to initial findings, a wooden flowerpot was set alight inside the church building.

Christian woman convicted for holding sign "here to talk if you want"

April 4, 2025, United Kingdom

A 63-year-old Christian woman, Livia Tossici-Bolt, has been convicted for breaching a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) by holding a sign that read "here to talk, if you want" near an abortion clinic in Bournemouth. This case raises significant concerns about the impact of such orders on religious freedom and the right to free expression.​

Thousands in Damages Every Month

April 4, 2025, Germany

Churches in Cologne's city centre, including the iconic Cologne Cathedral, are regularly targeted by vandals, causing thousands of euros in damage each month. Dr Dominik Meiering, the leading priest for Cologne's inner city, expressed concern about the repeated desecration, theft and graffiti, describing it as a serious burden on the Church and a threat to its public mission.

Vandals destroy shrine and cut off arms of Jesus statue

April 3, 2025, Poland

Unknown perpetrators desecrated a religious site on the roadside between the villages of Podlesie and Sławno, destroying a statue of the Mary, tearing the body of a Jesus figure from the cross and breaking off its arms and damaging a painting of the Passion. The incident caused outrage among the locals.

Church crosses destroyed in Paternò

April 2, 2025, Italy

On 2 April 2025, vandals destroyed two large crosses outside the Chiesa Madre in Paternò, Sicily. The attack follows other recent incidents in the same town, including an attempted theft of a sacred painting and verbal abuse during a Christian procession, raising serious concerns about growing hostility towards the local Christian community.

Repeated urine, faeces and riots in Mainz churches

April 1, 2025, Germany

In recent weeks, several churches in Mainz have suffered serious acts of vandalism, including the desecration of holy water with urine and the destruction of confessional doors. These incidents have deeply distressed local clergy and parishioners, and have led to discussions about possible church closures to prevent further offences.

Church walls defaced with Swastika

April 1, 2025, Germany

Between 30 March and 1 April, unknown persons sprayed graffiti on the walls of St Martin's Church in Hermeskeil. The graffiti included a swastika on the outside of the church.

Man smashes church windows and attacks priest

March 31, 2025, Greece

​In Volos, Greece, a man vandalised a local church by smashing its windows before attacking a hieromonk, striking him multiple times. The incident has deeply unsettled the local clergy and parishioners. ​