All cases

Azerbaijan has demanded the expulsion of the Armenian clergy from the Dadivank monastery in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh

May 4, 2023, Armenia

In the context of the current blockade by Azerbaijan on the Republic of Artsakh, the ethnic Armenian breakaway state in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, the Armenian Christians are suffering increasing threats and fear for their future. In one of the latest threats against the Christians living in the region, Azerbaijan has demanded the expulsion of the Armenian clergy from the Dadivank monastery, built in the 9th century and one of the symbols of medieval Armenia.

European Parliament: Outrage over exhibition showing explicitly sexualized Jesus surrounded by apostles

May 4, 2023, European Institutions (EU, ECHR, et.al.)

An exhibition in the European Parliament showing Jesus surrounded by men dressed in leather as sadomasochistic slaves, apparently homosexuals, has provoked complaints from several MEPs and Christians in Europe. The author, lesbian Swedish photographer Elisabeth Ohlson, argues the photographs depict Christ supporting homosexual rights.

Street wall Displays insults and Hateful Messages Against Christians

May 2, 2023, Germany

A German man who was doing a bicycle tour around the Tollensee Sea in Germany, near Neubrandenburg, came across a wall displaying several hateful or disrespectful messages and insults almost entirely against Christians or Catholic Christians. He posted a picture of the display on his facebook page and informed the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians. Some of the posters on the wall say "F**k off Vatican", "Good that theologians are disappearing on their own", "Catholics are sh*t", among other things.

Arson in Steinfeld Church: Cloth Set Alight, Bible Damaged

May 2, 2023, Germany

On May 2, 2023 between 14:00-18:00, a cloth on a stand of Saint Leodegar Church in Steinfeld, Germany, was set on fire, burning the cloth to crisp and damaging the Bible on the stand in the church.

The church of Affringues targeted by degradation

May 1, 2023, France

Desecration was noted at the Saint-Léger church in Affringues, just reopened to the public a month ago after seven years of closure. Mass books were torn and candles crushed.

UPDATE: Christian Mayoral Candidate Wins Legal Case After Being Fired For alleged "Hate Speech"

April 30, 2023, United Kingdom

In 2022, Maureen Martin, who was campaigning to become a mayor in London was sacked by her housing association employer for stating publicly that she believed in marriage between men and women. She was accused of gross misconduct for leading a "discriminatory" campaign. In April 2023, she won substantial damages following a legal challenge against her dismissal by the London & Quadrant Housing Trust (L&Q). She was supported by the NGO Christian Concern.

Public Figure of Jesus vandalised

April 30, 2023, France

A public figure of Jesus on a cross was severely vandalised in Villalbe, France.

Vandalism on Corsica: Scout Camp Chapel and Cross Destroyed

April 29, 2023, France

An open-air chapel and cross situated on an eight-hectare plot of land in Vero, Corsica, was found completely knocked down and ransacked on April 29 by Father Louis El Rahi. The site was bequeathed to the church by a local resident a few years ago and was relaunched as a scouting site by Father Louis, who celebrated Palm Sunday mass there a few weeks before the incident. This is one of the four acts of anti-Christian vandalism that have occurred in Corsica in recent months. Earlier in April, a statuette of the Virgin Mary in Petit Capo was vandalised and a cross on the Saint Jean pass was decapitated. In May, another statue of the Virgin Mary was found decapitated in Ajaccio.

Cross Vandalised

April 29, 2023, Poland

On 29 April 2023, an 18-year-old man destroyed a cross on the grounds of the Roman Catholic parish of St Jadwiga in Chorzów. The perpetrator threw the granite cross from its pedestal and poured red liquid on the figure of Jesus Crucified.

Church in Schwaz sprayed with satanic graffiti

April 28, 2023, Austria

On April 28 between 12:00 and 5:30 PM, the "Maria Himmelfahrt" parish church in Schwaz was vandalized. An inverted pentagram and the number "666" was sprayed in blue paint on the stone floor and on a confessional. The graffiti on the 500-year-old floor was in front of the altar. The perpetrators have been caught by the police.

Systematic Church Thefts: Thief caught

April 28, 2023, Ireland

In Ireland, a man was charged for a series of thefts including in several churches between 2020 and 2024. This example points to the growing problem of systematic church thefts and shows that the biggest harm for the religious communities is often not the thefts themselves, but the damage caused through break-ins. Another detrimental effect of these thefts is that parishes which cannot afford constant surveillence increasingly decide to keep their doors locked, which can be a great loss for believers who are thus prevented from frequenting local places of worship.

Cross Vandalized on Sisco, Corsica

April 27, 2023, France

A cross on the Saint Jean pass in Sisco, Corsica, was found vandalized at the end of April. The nearly two-metre-high cross was placed on the pass more than twenty years ago by the inhabitants of Sisco.

A severe setback for Religious Freedom in Russia: The Russian Federation's Ministry of Justice will permanently close the Sova Center

April 27, 2023, Russia

On April 27, the Moscow City Court ruled the liquidation of the Sova Information and Analytical Center, the leading organization monitoring religious liberty violations in the country. This represents a significant blow to the protection of freedom of religion in Russia.

Squatters desecrate church and threaten to damage

April 25, 2023, Spain

A group of squatters identifying themselves as artists desecrated the San Roque Church in the town of Farrera. Additionally, they allegedly threatened to cause damage to the church and attempted to coerce people. Subsequently, the Bishopric of Urgel has closed the church.

Priest in Dobczyce beaten up

April 25, 2023, Poland

On 25 April 2023, a 32-year-old man physically attacked a parish priest in Dobczyce.

Jesus figure torn from cross and smashed

April 25, 2023, Poland

On the night of 25 April 2023, unknown perpetrators vandalised a roadside cross in the area of the parish of St Michael the Archangel in Ropa. They tore the figure of Jesus from the cross and then smashed it into small pieces that were scattered on the pavement.

Priest attacked outside a church

April 24, 2023, France

After the Sunday mass on April 24 in Saint-Emilien church, Nantes, a young girl physically attacked an elderly priest of the SSPX fraternity shouting ‘no to the Freemasons’.

(UPDATE?) Man on Trial for Slapping Priest

April 24, 2023, Belgium

In mid-April 2022, a man was tried in Namur for burning the Belgian flag and slapping a priest during the Te Deum on 14 November 2022. On 24 April 2023, the Criminal Court of Walloon Brabant examined two cases against a resident of Rebecq.

Man sets bible on fire and damages cross

April 23, 2023, Germany

As reported on April 23, a man caused extensive damage of 20.000€ to a church in Stockach (Constance district) in April 2023. He damaged a statue, books and stole plates.

Chapel set on fire in Dinant

April 23, 2023, Belgium

On Sunday night, 23 April, the fire brigade and the police were called to a fire that completely destroyed the chapel dedicated to Saint Joseph in Dinant. Arson is suspected.

Three acts of Vandalism to Churches in a Belgian Village

April 22, 2023, Belgium

In April 2023, two acts of vandalism were committed in the church of Saint-Rémy de Profondeville (province of Namur): On 22 April, two large statues of Saint Joseph and Saint Anthony were thrown off their pedestals and smashed to the ground. A vase on a side altar was also smashed. A few days earlier, a small statue of the Virgin Mary had been torn from its pedestal and carried away.

Damages at Church in Beccles

April 22, 2023, United Kingdom

St. Michael's Church in Beccles was targeted by vandals who damaged stones and moved fences. Suffolk Police said the incident occurred at some point between April 17 and 22. Damage was caused to the stonework, including to the patio terrace slabs, and safety fences were moved that were in position to safeguard and protect an area on the ground where loose stone masonry may fall from the church. The police closed the case pending further investigative opportunities. No arrests were made and no suspects were identified.

Protestant Church in Austria Target of Vandalism

April 20, 2023, Austria

On Thursday 20th of April, the Protestant Kreuzkirche in Graz was targeted by vandals. The Austrian police were able to catch one of the perpetrators. The witness Christine Pfau was working inside the church when the attack occurred. She was preparing everything for the next service when she heard a sound noice and saw a colored smoke through the windows. The Vandals had smeared the walls, the pillars and the church doors with about 15 spray cans, scraps of smoke and paint bombs and left even more rubbish lying on the floor.

Statues stolen from three roadside shrines

April 18, 2023, Poland

On April 18, 2023, local media reported the theft of a statue of Mary from a roadside shrine in Szymanów Thefts of figurines from roadside shrines occurred in this region three times in one month (in Mokre, Szymanów and Jusaki-Zarzecka).

St Michael's Church vandalized in Suffolk

April 17, 2023, United Kingdom

Between April 17 and 22, the St Michael's Church in Beccles was vandalised. Perpetrators caused damage to the masonry, to the stonework, including to the patio terrace slabs, and safety fences were moved. The Suffolk police was informed and are looking for the perpetrators.

Minsk: Seven people fined for talking about Easter in the Street

April 15, 2023, Belarus

On April 15, seven young men were fined for talking about Easter in a public street in the city centre of Minsk. The individuals, who were all Protestant, were approached by police and told that they were violating the law by "conducting missionary activities without a permit." The police fined each one about 2 months' average wages, reports Forum 18.

Statue of Mary beheaded in chapel

April 15, 2023, Poland

On 15 April 2023, a Baroque statue of the Virgin Mary from a chapel behind the church on Czerniakowska Street in Warsaw was destroyed. The perpetrator ripped the figure from its pedestal and tore off the statue's head.

Baptist Pastor Fined for “illegal missionary work” in Bryansk

April 14, 2023, Russia

On April 14, in the Russian city of Bryansk, the Volodarskiy Magistrates' District Court penalized the pastor of the "First Church of Evangelical Christians Baptists of Bryansk" for engaging in "illegal" missionary work. He was charged with "introducing 'modern' ways of communicating in line with 'Western standards'."

Vandalism of a Cross And Jesus Figure Stolen in a small German City

April 14, 2023, Germany

On April 14 in Menden, near Dortmund, unknown persons have tampered with the missionary cross on the church square of the Holy Cross Church. They broke off the Jesus figure and stole it. The police is looking for witnesses.

Explosives used to steals thousands of pounds of sacred silver

April 14, 2023, United Kingdom

Tens of thousands of pounds worth of chalices and sacred items have been stolen from the Lady Saint Mary's Church in Wareham after thefts broke into the church and blew up the safe on April 14. Explosives were used for the break-in and at least 25 pieces of communion silver, including a 450-year-old Elizabethan chalice worth 30,000 pounds, were stolen. The police suspects this gang of thieves has been targeting churches across the UK.

Far-left protesters set fire to Convent of the Jacobins

April 14, 2023, France

On 14 April, radical far-left anti-government protesters set fire to the 14th century Jacobin monastery in Rennes, France. They also set fire to the police headquarters.

Windows of Chapel in Częstochowa broken

April 14, 2023, Poland

On the night of April 13-14, 2023, an unknown perpetrator vandalised one of the chapels on the "Way of the Blood of Christ" in Częstochowa. The vandal smashed the glass in the window and door of the chapel.

Sainte Matron Orthodox Church set on Fire

April 13, 2023, Ukraine

On April 13, 3 days before the Orthodox Easter, the Orthodox Church of St. Matrona, in the village of Gouta Mezhigorskaya near Kiev, was set on fire.

Two churches severely vandalised in Angers region

April 12, 2023, France

On the April 12, 2023, the rector of the Sainte-Madeleine Church in Angers found his church devastated: seven statues had been beheaded or amputated, the altar was vandalized, and many crosses were too. Mr. Verchère, Mayor of the city, and Mr. Darmanin, Minister of the Interior condemned the degradation. On the 18. April, a 40-year-old with criminal records named Brahim was arrested by the police, he was also taken to a hospital for psychiatric examination.

30 Gravestones Vandalized In Church Cemetery near London

April 12, 2023, United Kingdom

Over three nights on April 12, 13, and 14, in Croydon, thirty gravestones have been destroyed with a sledgehammer - some graves were dating back 500 years, at a Grade I listed church. «The church is appealing for witnesses along with police who are trying to find out who took a sledgehammer to the graves. »

Statuette of Mary Damaged in Ajaccio

April 12, 2023, France

A statue of Mary, set up eight years ago by the residents of Sevani or Petit Capo beach in Ajaccio was found vandalised on April 12th, 2023. The flowers, the pots which contained them and the candles surrounding the statue were stolen and the statue was tipped aside. This is the first incident in a row of recent anti-Christian vandalisation on Corsica.

Cross Stolen from Church in Burstall

April 11, 2023, United Kingdom

A 60-90cm Victorian cross and a 45cm lectern have been stolen from a locked vestry at St Mary's Church, Burstall. The theft took place between 9 and 11 April. No arrests have been made and Suffolk Police are still searching for the stolen items.

Destruction of the papal exhibition in Gdańsk

April 10, 2023, Poland

On the night of April 10-11, 2023, a group of young people (two 16-year-olds and one 18-year-old) vandalized an exhibition documenting the relations between "Solidarity" and John Paul II, located at the headquarters of "Solidarity" in Gdańsk. Vandals damaged outdoor boards with infographics about John Paul II.

Belgian Pastor Publicly Defamed and Church Vandalized

April 9, 2023, Belgium

On the 9th of April, at night, unknown people wrote with white paint "Pa Pedophil" (paedophile pastor) on the evangelical Church of Jemelle. Pastor Grégory Zieleniec received a hateful letter in his mailbox "pedophil en liberté. Il s'agit du pasteur grégory zieleniec" (Free paedophile. This is Pastor Gregory Zieleniec). The Pastor has filed a complaint for insult, vandalism and defamation.

Man on Trial for Extortion of a Priest and Theft from a Church

April 9, 2023, Italy

Lorenzo Cerquetta, 43, from Recanati, is on trial at the Court of Macerata accused of theft and extortion against the parish priest of the Church of San Flavino. The man from Recanati blackmailed the priest into giving him 200 euros under the threat of setting fire to the church. On April 9, 2023 he furthermore stole 240 euros from the priest's drawer.

Desecration of Cobeña Church

April 9, 2023, Spain

In the night of April 8 to 9, burglars desecrated the church of San Cipriano in the Madrid town of Cobeña. The burglars threw the tabernacle of the church to the ground, scattering the hosts.

Religious statues stolen from roadside shrine

April 9, 2023, Poland

At Easter 2023, an unknown offender stole the statues of Jesus and Mary from the roadside chapel in the village of Mokre (Rossosz commune).

Teacher in Sardinia suspended for 20 days for praying with her students

April 6, 2023, Italy

Marisa Francescangeli, a primary school teacher in San Vero Milis (Oristano, Sardinia), has been suspended for 20 days with a pay reduction (from 25 March to 15 April) for having made her students construct a rosary for Christmas and praying an Ave Maria and Our Father with them. The Oristano school office's decision of suspension was taken after two mothers protested. While other parents defend her, she said she will appeal the decision.

Two men urinate and defecate inside a German Church

April 5, 2023, Germany

Two men were arrested on April 5 after having urinated inside of the St. Georg's church of Nördlingen. One perpetrator is 39 years old and the other is 41. The day before, faeces had been found in the same church. In addition, the two men attempted to break the offertory box. As the police searched the suspects' apartments, stolen goods from the previous day were found and seized.

First prison sentence for opposing Ukraine war on religious grounds

April 5, 2023, Russia

Mikhail Simonov, a 63-year-old Russian Orthodox Christian, has become the first person to be imprisoned for expressing opposition to Russia's war in Ukraine on religious grounds. Simonov has been accused of disseminating false information about the Russian armed forces "based on political hatred" due to two social media posts in which he criticized Russian attacks on Kiev and Mariupol. One of the posts read "We, Russia, have become godless. Forgive us, Lord!"

Norwegian city under investigation for denying funding to Christian organisations

April 5, 2023, Norway

In the Norwegian city of Klepp, nine council members are conducting investigations into a suspected case of religious discrimination over the funding of Christian organisations. It is suspected that organisations that adhere to the traditional view of marriage appear to be left out of the community grants.

Sacred Objects Stolen From an Italian Church

April 4, 2023, Italy

On April 4, intruders broke into the church Santa Caterina da Siena in Coverciano (a suburb of Florence). Sacred objects, including four chalices, and two pyxins (host holders) were stolen. Also, loudspeakers and microphones have been stolen. A parish priest's helper raised the alarm when he noticed that the window of the entrance door had been smashed on Monday morning. Also, a copper gutter was partly torn off the wall. The value of the damage is yet to be estimated. The police are investigating.

Shrine vandalised: Statue broken

April 4, 2023, Poland

On April 4, 2023, an unknown perpetrator destroyed the shrine of Mary located in Warsaw, located at the intersection of Służewiecka Valley and Wilanowska Avenue. The perpetrator dismantled the statue of Mary and smashed it 50 metres from the chapel.

Chapel targeted: Cross broken off

April 4, 2023, Poland

On the night of April 4-5, 2023, the chapel of St. John of Nepomuk located at Odmętowa Street in Krakow was targeted by vandals. They tore off the cross held in the hands of the statue of the saint, thereby damaging the hand of the statue.

Vandalism to a Pope John-Paul II Monument in Lodz

April 2, 2023, Poland

On the 2nd of April, a Statue of Pope John-Paul II was vandalized: the hands were painted red, the face yellow. The sentence "Maxima Culpa" has been written on the pedestal, which is most probably an allusion to Ekke Overbeek's book accusing the late Pope of having closed the eyes on children-abuse cases.

Statue of Pope John Paul II vandalised

April 2, 2023, Poland

On April 2, the 18th anniversary of the Polish pope's death, a statue of him got vandalised in Łódź with Graffiti. At the bottom of the statue the preperator wrote "Maxima Culpa".

Poitiers Cathedral smeared with insulting writings

April 2, 2023, France

According to the French Observatoire de la Christianophobia, the cathedral of Poitiers has been defaced with insults to the Virgin Mary by a local far-left group.

Statue of St. John Paul II vandalised

April 2, 2023, Poland

On 2 April, a statue of St. John Paul II was vandalised in Stalowa Wola. Unknown perpetrators poured red liquid on the Pope's monument in the Basilica of Stalowa Wola.

Church closed after robbery and damage

April 1, 2023, France

During the night of 1 April, the Sainte-Thérèse church in Metz (France) was robbed and damaged. The Sunday morning service the following day was cancelled. The rector filed a complaint.

Two People arrested for having stolen 14 Skulls in a Church Ossuary

April 1, 2023, Austria

On the 1. April, two German men were arrested after a random police control for having stolen 14 skulls in a Church Ossuary in Mölbling, Austria. The men said they had taken the skulls because they were interested in mourning and funeral cultures. The 43-year-old driver and his 35-year-old passenger from the Regensburg area said they had never stolen skulls before. The police seized the objects and stated that the two death cult fans would be charged with disturbing the peace of the dead after the investigation was completed.

Catholic School Students and Teachers Receive Online Death Threats

March 31, 2023, France

On the 31. March 2023, pupils and teachers from the Catholic School "Saint-Pierre", in the southern city of Montrond-les-Bains, received a threatening message in the school's intern e-mail box. An unknown person, probably an outsider, threatened pupils of with death with the words "I'm going to cut your throat". An investigation has been opened by the police.

Destruction of John Paul II Image

March 31, 2023, Poland

On the night of March 31, 2023, unknown perpetrators destroyed the mural of St. John Paul II in Wrocław on Ostrów Tumski. The Pope's face was covered in red paint, while the rest of the image was not damaged.

Thugs who vandalised seven churches caught

March 27, 2023, France

The thugs who vandalised six churches in Ile-de-France and another in Grenoble in January 2022 have been charged by a French court. The defendants had stolen money from churches and even consecrated hosts.

Parish cemetery vandalised

March 27, 2023, Poland

On 27 March 2023, an unknown offender damaged 8 monuments in the necropolis of the cemetery of the parish of St. Andrew the Apostle in Brody Poznańskie.

Nuns Leave Nantes City Centre After Constant Insecurity

March 26, 2023, France

On 3 March, the newspaper "Le Figaro" published an interview with two nuns who were forced to leave the centre of Nantes because of hostility and insecurity. They are called Sister Agathe and Sister Marie-Anne and they are moving to another place called Reims. The sisters argue that they are exhausted by the insecurity and have been subjected to "blows, spitting and insults".

Church in Cambrai closed due to repeated vandalism

March 25, 2023, France

The church of Saint-Géry in Cambrai, France, will remain closed to the public Due to repeated vandalism in recent weeks. The volunteers who look after the church are helpless and very shocked by this situation, no longer knowing how to protect this cultural and religious heritage.

Theft Poland 2023

March 24, 2023, Poland

TV-Channel Prohibits News Presenter from Wearing A Cross Pendant

March 24, 2023, Switzerland

The Swiss TV sender SRF has prohibited the moderator Wasiliki Goutziomitros to wear a cross necklace during the program. Ms. Goutziomitros is a presenter on the news program "10 vor 10", and was seen wearing a small cross pendant. Now, the SRF has decided that it violates journalistic guidelines. This has caused a great discussion in Switzerland regarding religious freedom. This news was reported around the 24th of March.

Couple arrested after stealing from eight churches

March 23, 2023, Spain

As reported on March 23, a couple was arrested for stealing religious figures in eight churches. They are accused of nine crimes of robbery with force inside churches. According to reports from the region, burglaries in churches are a problem in many small towns.

Minors set fire inside church

March 23, 2023, France

On the afternoon of 23 March, witnesses found minors attacking the furniture in the church of Saint-Briac, France. The youths had even set fire to some posters on a pillar next to the collection box. The fire brigade and police intervened and the damage was limited.

Religious Objects Stolen

March 22, 2023, United Kingdom

On 22 March, religious objects including furnitures and silk liturgical clothes were stolen in a church in Lincolnshire.

A Painting of Jesus in the Church of Aléria Has been Stolen

March 21, 2023, France

On March 21, the City Council of Aléria (Corsica), stated that a painting representing Jesus Christ and exposed in the Village Church had been stolen. The town hall of Aleria posted on its Facebook page about the theft. The municipality of Plaine orientale wrote: "It is a shock in the parish of Aleria, (...) a sacred object has been stolen." A complaint has been filled.

Vienna: Increased Secutity Cameras in Churches

March 21, 2023, Austria

A terrorist alert in the city of Vienna on 15. March made it particularly obvious, that religious buildings and communities live in fear of attacks or vandalism. During the 15. March, the police guarded several religious sites and churches in the city, according to possible threats of an Islamist attack identified by the intelligence office. Security cameras have been dispatched in many Viennese churches. Jewish and Muslim communities also have such protections.

Theft and Degradations in a Church in Sádaba

March 21, 2023, Spain

On March 21, intruders broke in the church of Sadaba for the second time in the week. The mayor pointed out that the stolen money only had a total amount of under 10 euros. However, the perpetrators made several degradations, including destroying the sacristy's door and throwing several items to the floor, including the clothes from the priests. The mayor expressed his support to the local priest.

Legal Proceedings Opened For Posters in San Sebastian Insulting Catholics

March 21, 2023, Spain

"If you abort now, what are we going to f**k in 5 or 6 years?" This is what was depicted in the posters that appeared in March in several bus shelters in San Sebastián, Spain. Apart from the hateful sentence that attacks religious feelings and discriminates Catholics, the posters included the image of an unborn child and the logo of the Spanish Episcopal Conference. The Organisation "Abogados Cristianos" filed a complaint regarding the events and now the courts have asked the Ertaintza (Basque Police) to investigate the authorship of the posters.

Anti-Christian Tags Painted on Cardinal Saliège's Statue in Toulouse

March 19, 2023, France

On March 19, unknown vandals wrote the anarchist motto "Ni Dieu ni maître" (No God nor master) on the pedestal of Cardinal Saliège's statue in Toulouse. The Cardinal served as archbishop of the city during World War 2 and used all his power to rescue Jews from persecution and later received the title of Righteous Among the Nations. The current archbishop, Guy de Kerimel strongly condemned this degradation which "hurts both Christians and Jews". The degradation occurred precisely eleven years after Mohammed Merah's mass shooting at a Jewish school.

Valuable Silver Sacred Objects stolen from a Rural Church

March 19, 2023, United Kingdom

On the night of March 19th, burglars stole valuable silver items in a church from a rural parish in East Devon in Sidmouth. The police are looking for witnesses. On Twitter, pictures show that the objects were chalices, host holders and other tools for the celebration of Mass.

Municipality prevents commemoration prayer in cemetery

March 18, 2023, Spain

The City Council of Moncada, near Barcelona, has prevented a religious act in memory of the "Carlists of Valls" from being celebrated in the cemetery. The congregation had to hold the memorial act outside of the cemetery wall, thus breaking a mass tradition that has been celebrated for almost a century.

Church desecrated and burgled

March 18, 2023, Spain

During Saturday night, March 18, three churches in the Navarre region were burgled: the parishes of Santacara, Mélida and Murillo el Fruto. In the church of Murillo el Fruto, thieves committed a desecration by opening the tabernacle and throwing away some consecrated hosts.

Repeated Break-in at a Catholic Community House in St. Ilgen

March 17, 2023, Germany

On March 17, for the second time in the same week, unknown intruders broke into the community house of St. Aegidius. They robbed nothing but perpetrated significant damages. Police officers are looking for witnesses.

Man disturbs Mass and is suspected to have stolen a Crucifix in a Parisian Church

March 17, 2023, France

On March 17, a man loudly disturbed the Mass at the Saint-Hippolyte Church in Paris. He is also suspected to have stolen a Crucifix from a Parisian Church the day before. The crucifix, which was probably taken down during the theft, was found "broken into several pieces" on a nearby street corner, according to the police. The man is already flagged with a "fiche S", which means, the French State regards him as a danger to public safety. He has also been classified as a potential Islamist. He has also been sent to a psychiatric investigation.

Vandalization of Objects representing John-Paul II in a Polish Church

March 14, 2023, Poland

On the 14th of March, perpetrators vandalized the Sacred Heart church in Sieradz during the night, targeting stained glass portraits and posters of Pope John-Paul II. The stained glass and a glass door were broken too. The authorities were able to identify and arrest two perpetrators, which were two men in their 20s.

GOOD NEWS: England & Wales Police must defend freedom of expression even if controversial

March 13, 2023, United Kingdom

A new code of practice on Non-Crime Hate Incidents (NCHI) introduced to UK Parliament in March clarifyies that simply causing offence is not enough to justify the police including someone's personal information in an NCHI. This comes in opposition to previous NCHI measures that unlawfully interfered with free speech. For example when the Police logged the personal details of a person in a NCHI record after receiving a complaint about a ‘transphobic’ tweet. This user, Harry Miller, appealed and won the case.

Catholic hospital Chaplain wins Lawsuit After Being Fired for His Religious Statements

March 13, 2023, United Kingdom

In March 2023, Rev. Patrick Pullicino won a legal case, after being dismissed as Chaplain for expressing the traditional teachings of the Church about marriage. This case started in 2019, as Rev. Patrick Pullicino was dismissed as chaplain by the NHS Trust, after answering a question about the Church's teachings on traditional marriage, which was posed by a patient. The patient that pose the question then sent a complaint letter about Rev. Pullicino. Vanessa Ford, the acting chief executive of the South West London and Saint George's Mental Health NHS Trust, answered to the letter by stating that the trust's policy on equality and diversity "takes precedence over religious belief." Rev. Dr Patrick Pullicino, a Catholic chaplain and former professor of neurosciences sued the NHS Trust.

Teenagers disrupt of church service

March 13, 2023, Poland

On March 13, 2023, two teenagers disrupted the celebration of a Catholic mass in one of Kielce's churches and posted the recording on the internet. A video posted on TikTok shows the two teenagers betting that one of them would enter the church during Mass and interrupt the service by playing an extremely vulgar song from his mobile phone.

Viennese Catholic Church vandalized with Graffiti

March 12, 2023, Austria

On the 12th of March, a person noticed that the side of the church at the Karmelitenplatz in Vienna's second district (Karmelitenchurch) had been vandalised with graffiti in black paint that says "No God" (Kein Gott). It is not sure when the graffiti was made or if it was filed with the police. The vandals also remain unknown.

Bordeaux Church Vandalized and tagged with Anti-Christian comments

March 12, 2023, France

The Church of the Sacred Heart in Bordeaux has recently been vandalized and defaced with offensive graffiti, causing shock among the local community. According to reports from French news outlets, the perpetrators attempted to set fire to the church's door and left hateful messages on the walls, including phrases such as "Thank you Satan" and "devil take me with you". Witnesses have stated that the offenders may have been a group of intoxicated individuals who were present before firefighters arrived at the scene.

Young People Riot Inside Church and Insult worshipers During Mass

March 12, 2023, Germany

On the evening of March 12, a group of young individuals caused a disturbance at a church in Munich. They rioted and used offensive language directed against the attendants of the mass. It was reported that the parishioners inside the church also heard a loud noise, and then they noticed the window pane had been broken. The priests and churchgoers were targeted with derogatory comments. The group of young people then left. The police were notified, they had not yet identified the perpetrators and are estimating the costs of the damage to property.

Basilica of La Mercé in Barcelona Tagged with offensive words

March 10, 2023, Spain

The Basilica of La Mercé located in Barcelona was vandalized once again. A spokesperson told the news that this had happened before. An unknown suspect has sprayed offensive remarks against the church and God. The newspaper el Debate also reported that they contacted the city council to help wash the words from the affected walls and are hoping to get an answer, since they got ignored the last time something similar happened.

Britain’s largest Scout girls’ organisation told to stop singing to God in new ‘inclusive’ campfire songs

March 10, 2023, United Kingdom

As reported by The Telegraph and the Christian Institute, Girlguiding, the UK's national guiding organisation for girls, has come under pressure and criticism after it published a blog post in which the organization argued that in order to make some of its traditional songs "inclusive for everyone," they need be changed to remove "references that have been hurtful to people." Using as an example a song in which references to God were removed.

Man disrupts mass, insults priest and vandalises several churches

March 10, 2023, France

On 10 March, the Paris Prefecture of Police announced that the man suspected of vandalising several Paris churches had been arrested. According to reports, he disrupted a mass in the church of Saint-Vincent, insulting the priest and sacristan, then threw a statue on the ground in the church of Saint-Nicolas des Champs, before being apprehended near the church of Saint-François Xavier, where he also spat.

Man Vandalizes statue and items in the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette Church

March 9, 2023, France

Limited details are available regarding a recent incident where an individual allegedly vandalized the Notre Dame-de-Lorette Catholic Church in Paris. According to reports from March 9, the perpetrator caused damage to a statue, chairs, and other items within the church and may have targeted other churches as well. An investigation into the matter is currently underway, and additional information is expected to emerge in due course.

Altars and confessional curtains set on fire in church

March 9, 2023, France

In the late afternoon of Thursday 9 March, deliberately set fires were discovered in the Saints-Pierre-et-Paul church in Eguisheim, Haut Rhin, France. A volunteer noticed the fires on the tablecloths of two altars near the choir and on a confessional curtain. A book of intentions was also burned.

A Spanish Senator Sued for Publicly Mocking and Discriminating Against Catholics

March 8, 2023, Spain

According to ifamnews, the Spanish Christian Lawyers Foundation has started legal proceedings against Senator Carles Mulet for engaging in acts of harassment against Christians and the affiliated organizations that publicly express their religious beliefs. The lawsuit also claims that Mulet has advocated for the removal of crosses by city councils, particularly in the Valley of the Fallen.

Bells Worth £8,000 Stolen from Wragby Church

March 8, 2023, United Kingdom

Unkown offenders entered All Saints Church in Wragby and stole eight brass handheld bells, worth around £8,000 in total. The theft occurred between March 1 and March 8. The police are investigating the situation.

Vandals Desecrate and Vandalize church and Leave Satanic books on the ground

March 7, 2023, Italy

According to Italian news reports, vandals have caused severe damage to the church of Santa Maria Ausiliatrice in the city of La Spezia. The damage involved removing and stealing 15 painted ceramic tiles, vandalizing the baptistery, and stealing the offertory boxes, among other things. It was also reported that pages of sacred texts were scattered on the floor of the sacristy. The perpetrators also left behind satanic books. The police are investigating, but the perpetrators remain unknown.

"Buffer Zones" Clause in England and Wales Criminalize Silent Prayer or "Influence" Around Abortion Clinics

March 7, 2023, United Kingdom

On March 7, the House of Commons voted to comprehensively introduce buffer zones around abortion clinics to the Public Order Bill for the final time. The clause to the bill was approved by a majority of 299 MPs in favor to 116 against. Now that the Public Order Bill is set to become law, any form of "influence" around abortion clinics will be criminalised, including silent prayer or consensual conversations, de facto making "thought crime" a reality in the UK. Experts have commented that while harassment and intimidation are already illegal, this law would be a serious attack on freedom of speech and freedom of thought.

Vandalism of religious memorial plaque

March 7, 2023, Poland

On the night of March 7, 2023, an unknown perpetrator vandalised a commemorative plaque with the image of St. John Paul II located on the wall of the City and Commune Office in Skała. The vandal painted the commemorative plaque with green spray or paint.

German Minister wants buffer zones around abortion clinics

March 6, 2023, Germany

Germany prohibits abortion, but under the condition that women receive mandatory counseling, it is not punishable during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It is also not punished in cases of danger for the woman's health or rape. As many politicians ask for its legalization, Lisa Paus, Federal Minister for Family Affairs, expressed her intentions to create buffer zones around abortion clinics, which poses a real thread on freedom of speech and thought if, as in the UK or Spain, they include the prohibition of prayer, for example.

Teenagers Vandalize Church and Steal Offertory Money

March 5, 2023, France

On the 5th of March, three teenagers broke into a church, severely damaged the organ, vandalized the church, and robbed the money in the offertory box. They are to be judged in April. According to the report, the perpetrators climbed through the balcony, stealing the key to the organ and bending several pipes, they also sprayed the church with a fire extinguisher and unsealed a railing.

LGBT-activists disrupt church service

March 5, 2023, Poland

On March 5, 2023, a mass in the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Warsaw was interrupted. LGBT-activists dressed in coats in the colours symbolising the LGBT movement, demonstratively prostrated themselves in front of the rails during the liturgy. They lay down on the floor, claiming to symbolise that they were "victims of the Church".

High Level of Anti-Christian Crimes in France Can't be Ignored Anymore: Collective Statement by 20 Personalities

March 3, 2023, France

The anti-Christian incidents have been rising in France, up to the point that 20 personalities from different organisations and careers have issued a letter to the authorities. The newspaper "Le Figaro" has published a collective statement signed by twenty french personalities asking for a better response against this problem in France and Europe. The article mentions recent news about two nuns who will leave the city of Nantes due to insecurity. The authors state: "If the worrying rise in violence against religions affects all believers, Christianity remains the primary target of anti-religious acts in France as in Europe." The statement asks the European Union to "react and recall that all anti-religious acts must be fought with the same force."

Glass door smashed during parish event

March 3, 2023, Italy

On the evening of Sunday, 3 March 2024, unknown individuals shattered the glass door of the room adjoining the BMV Immacolata Parish in Terlizzi, Italy. This room is used by the church for pastoral and catechetical activities. The incident occurred during a meeting between the parish priest, Father Gianni Rafanelli, and young people.

Drunken men interrupt mass and insult priest

March 3, 2023, Poland

On March 3, 2023, there was a disruption in the celebration of Holy Mass at the Franciscan Church in Wronki. During the service, two drunken men aged 29 and 40 entered the church and insulted the priest. Police officers were called to the scene.

Church of Saint-Eustache in Paris Desecrated

March 2, 2023, France

On March 2, the church of Saint-Eustache located in Paris was severely damaged and desecrated, according to media reports. Unknown perpetrators broke the protective glass of the altar with a fire extinguisher. The parish community was shocked and commented: "This altar is at the heart of the church as Christ is at the heart of our gatherings and of the rich life of our parish community." Further damages and motives are still under investigation.