All cases

35,000€ Stolen from a Church in Milan

November 29, 2021, Italy

On the night from November 28 to 29, around 35,000€ were robbed from the Church of Santa Ausiliatrice in via della Ferrera, Milan. A woman who works in the secretariat of the church noticed the forced window and the safe wide open and alerted the authorities.

Church in Regensburg Terribly Damaged by Vandals

November 29, 2021, Germany

On the 29th of November between 11a.m and 7 p.m, an unknown person went on a rampage in the Holy Spirit Parish Church in Regensburg and damaged several sacred objects. The offender stole a cross from the altar, urinated in a corner, broke a chandelier off the altar of Mary, and tipped several lighted candles over. The police were looking for witnesses who can give information about this incident.

Monument defaced with Anti-Catholic Tags

November 29, 2021, Italy

The Online Newssite "Taccuino di Verità" posted on 29. November that the Base of a Monument in Ferrara was tagged with black spray paint. The tags contained offensive inscriptions against the deputy mayor Nicola Lodi and towards priests, saying "Priests eat children". The police will investigate with CCTV footage from the Piazza Ariostea.

Cathedral Entrance Vandalised with Paintings

November 28, 2021, Italy

The entrance door to the cathedral of San Steffano in Milazzo has been vandalized with writings and graffiti, leaving it in a deplorable state. The mayor has strongly condemned the acts and ordered police reinforcement of the area to prevent future vandalism. The mayor further claimed: "this cannot be my city", since there seems to be a high degree of tolerance towards this kind of acts, which should be "heavily sanctioned". He recalls that the square in front of the church is often the target of raids and "unthinkable actions" that should be countered.

Relic from St. Joseph Stolen in Macherio

November 28, 2021, Italy

In the church of Saints Gervase and Protasius in Macherius, a relic from St. Joseph, placed next to a figure of the saint, was stolen a few days before November 28th. This relic of St. Joseph was a piece of cloth that was kept inside a glass case. The incident was reported to the Carabinieri who are now investigating the matter.

Church windows in Everingen Repeatedly Vandalized

November 28, 2021, Germany

The windows of the St. Jacobi church in Everingen, have been repeatedly damaged by unidentified persons. In the space of two weeks, the windows were broken twice by thrown stones, the latest incident was recorded on November 28th.

Sacred Painting from 1706 Damaged in Rampage

November 28, 2021, Italy

The chapel of St. John the Baptist of via Bergamas in the historic center of Gradisca was vandalized on November 28th. The unknown individual, broke into the church, threw candles on the floor and against the altar, damaged a sacred painting from 1706, and then smeared the walls and a wooden notice board with candle wax. The rampage left the chapel in complete disarray and showed obvious malice toward the church.

Arson at Church in Boulonnais: A Total of 8 Attacks in One Month

November 27, 2021, France

On the night of 26th to 27th November around midnight, a fire struck a church in Boulonnais in the town of Le Portel. The church Saint-Pierre Saint-Paul had already been vandalised a couple of days before. The fire started at the back of the religious building in the sacristy where the equipment of the parish priest and volunteers is kept. Nineteen firemen intervened to control the fire, which threatened the whole church. The police arrested a 36-year-old suspect during the night as he was trying to flee, as the police commissioner of Boulogne, Arnaud Jublin, explained. A hearing of the suspect will take place soon. 

Anti-Christian Messages in the Church of Mauléon-Licharre

November 27, 2021, France

The church of Mauléon-Licharre was targeted with anti-religious inscriptions on November 27th. "P Do Fil's Team" and "ABA GZU" (down with Jesus) were written on the side of the church during the night. The gendarmerie started an investigation and the priest of Mauléon said "It's so cowardly."

8,000 Euros of Damage Caused to the Geisinger Church

November 26, 2021, Germany

Intruders who entered the Geisinger church didn't steal anything but caused large amounts of damage. On November 26th, they entered through a window and then used large amounts of force to smash through the sacristy door. There was glass and splinters everywhere and the damage incurred would cost 8000 euros.

Vandalism At the Sant'Antonio Abate Church

November 26, 2021, Italy

Vandals at the church of Sant'Antonio Abate, forced open the church door and damaged the lock in the process on November 26th. They did not steal anything but the vandalism was evident. Investigators were trying to find out more about the crime such as who did it and with what intent.

Arson by Under-Age-Boy at a Church in Toulouse

November 26, 2021, France

A parishioner of the church of Fronton in Toulouse witnessed on the 26. November how a fire broke out on the altar of the church. Thanks to his quick reaction, the fire was rapidly brought under control. The investigation launched by the police showed that the fire had been set by a minor. The young man has been taken into police custody and will be tried in February 2022.

Church of Santa Maria Magdalena Vandalised Twice in November

November 25, 2021, Poland

The parish of St. Mary Magdalene reported an attack that took place on the 23. November in the morning. Police were notified by the parish priest that someone had smashed the windows with a stone in the sacristy and the utility room. The damage was estimated at 1.5 thousand PLN according to the police. This is not the first case in recent days, as on the 14. November, three lanterns and lamps illuminating the facade were destroyed at the same church. The investigation of that case is still running.

Church Door in Poznań Destroyed

November 25, 2021, Poland

An unknown man destroyed the door of the St. Jerzy church in Poznań, in late November 2021. It was reported in May of 2022, that the police would drop the case because the video was of too poor quality for the man to be identified. The police thought that he also may be involved in some other case, and could be caught then.

Sussex County Records Highest Number of Crimes in Religious Buildings Outside of London

November 24, 2021, United Kingdom

For the second year in a row, only London has experienced more crimes in religious buildings than the county of Sussex. The data, provided by the Sussex Police after the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) requested it, revealed that 367 crimes have been committed at churches in Sussex in the 12 months to August. Of the 367 crimes at churches, cemeteries, and crematoriums, 54 were thefts, 106 cases of criminal damage and 44 cases of violence. This showed how these places of worship are considered easy targets for criminals.

Break-in to Church and Liturgical Objects Stolen

November 22, 2021, Italy

Thieves entered the parish of San Michele in San Salvi, Florence, on the night from November 22 to 23, and broke into a sacred furniture, stealing two chalices, a monstrance, and other things. The criminals forced their way in through a door, then seized some sacred objects used to celebrate mass. The police started investigating the theft, along with staff from the Forensic Department to find those responsible for the criminal act.

Weathercock of St Martin's Church Damaged

November 22, 2021, Germany

Between November 19 and 22, an unknown perpetrator damaged the "sun and moon" symbols attached to the weathercock of St Martin's Church in Steinheim an der Murr. The church building on the Kirchplatz was scaffolded and cordoned off due to renovation measures. It is presumed that the unknown perpetrator climbed over the scaffolding up to the church tower. The damage done to the property has yet to be quantified.

UK Report: More than 4,000 crimes committed at churches in One Year

November 22, 2021, United Kingdom

According to the Countryside Alliance, an organisation that has been reporting on crimes committed at churches across the UK, during a period of 12 months from 2020 to 2021, there have been over 4,000 crimes committed at churches and religious premises. The figures were gathered from 40 of the country's 45 police forces, which revealed there were 4,169 incidents of theft, vandalism, physical assault or burglary across the UK during one year, despite the eight months of lockdown. During the last 4 years, the organisation has documented 30,169 crimes.

Two Fires in One Week at St François-de-Sales Church

November 20, 2021, France

A fire broke out on the 20. November in the afternoon in the sacristy of the St-François-de-Sales church. This is the second fire within a week, which has devastated the parish community. The fire broke out in the sacristy of the Church. This is one of the incidents that happened during a wave of arson attacks and vandalism to churches in the area. A suspect for all the attacks was apprehended on the 27th of November.

Church Wall Found With Red Paintings in Avellino

November 19, 2021, Italy

Once again the church of the Rosary has been targeted by vandals. On the morning of November 19, writings in red paint were found on one of the walls of the façade of the church, in Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Both the religious community of the Rosary and the citizens are outraged by this attack which is considered by them a childish act. Investigations are underway and surveillance cameras are being analyzed to find the culprits.

Repeated Thefts in the Cemetery of Vaucluse

November 19, 2021, France

The recurrent thefts in the Violès cemetery in Vaucluse, near Gigondas, have negatively impacted the inhabitants. The sign on the cemetery gate reads "thefts, more thefts, always thefts!", complaining about the wave of thefts taking place in the Violès cemetery in Vaucluse, near Gigondas. The sign further intends to warn the families to be as vigilant as they can, considering the resurgence of thefts in the cemetery throughout the year. The town council and the directors of the funeral parlour have explained that it is almost a case of plundering, "everything is stolen, anonymous plaques, the most beautiful flower pots, and even artificial compositions".

Christian-Based Youtube Channel Banned

November 18, 2021, Spain

YouTube has decided to close "La Contra TV", a channel with a Christian worldview that advocates for values such as life, family, and religious freedom. With nearly 300,000 subscribers, its motto is: "We give news that others hide". "La Contra TV" is considered a highly influential channel, sharing information that tends to be less featured in mainstream media. In 2019, Youtube closed "La Contra TV" for the first time due to alleged "serious or repeated violations of Youtube's policy related to the prohibition of hate speech", and put it back online after the complaints in defence of free speech. In 2021, the channel has been closed again.

Woman Steals Offertory Boxes During Funeral Mass

November 18, 2021, Italy

During a funeral mass taking place in the Church of San Martino in Sottomarina, a woman took advantage of the fact that the baskets used to collect the offerings were placed at the sides of the entrance to the church, stole around 1000 Euros, and disappeared. The police immediately initiated the investigations and the money was soon found, but not the woman.

Several Sacred Objects and Tools from San Giuseppe Moscati Church Stolen

November 17, 2021, International

As reported by Il Mattino, the thieves stole three chalices for the hosts, a laptop computer, a portable video projector, and two pyxes from San Giuseppe Moscati Church. The parish priest, Don Lupo, realized what had happened when he returned to the parish for catechism, noticing that the laptop and video projector were missing. The parish priest filed a complaint with the carabinieri that suspect that the thieves entered the church on the morning of November 17, taking advantage of the parish priest's absence. Deploring this occurrence, Don Lupo said: "We hope that these people will put a hand on their conscience and return what was stolen".

Graffiti on a Church Facade in Schifferstadt

November 17, 2021, Germany

The façade and information board of the Catholic church in Schifferstadt was sprayed with paint on November 17th. The author of the vandalism was not known but the police were investigating the crime and looking for witnesses.

OSCE Report shows alarming increase of Anti-Christian Hate Crimes

November 16, 2021, Austria

On the "International Day for Tolerance", the OSCE released a Hate Crimes Report, which documented 980 descriptive incidents against Christians out of 4008 incidents. Descriptive incidents are the ones documented by civil society organizations, such as the Observatory. There is a larger number of cases when police numbers are counted. The Observatory has drawn attention to the rising trend (70%) of Anti-Christian Hate Crimes since last year, considering that only 8 out of the 136 civil society or international organisations consistently reported crimes with Anti-Christian bias.

Memorial Plaques Vandalized at a Church in Quedgeley

November 16, 2021, United Kingdom

Police are looking for vandals responsible for the damage caused to the memorial plaques and flower pots at a church in Quedgeley, on the night of 16th of November. “Plaques were damaged while flowers and flower pots were thrown around outside of St James Church in School Lane,” said a police spokesperson. Police officers spoke to the vicar and church wardens, who expressed interest in working with the vandals once they have been identified, in order to educate them on how their actions impacted the church community.

Church Hall in Ludwigsburg Vandalised

November 15, 2021, Germany

Between the night of the 14th and the morning of the 15th of November, an unknown individual broke into the parish hall of the Protestant Church in Neckarweihingen, leaving behind property damage of around 5,000 euros. The case was reported to the police and, according to the investigations, the burglar did not steal anything.

Police Found Man Responsible for Theft of Church Statue and Other Art Pieces

November 15, 2021, France

The man responsible for a theft in an art gallery in Clermont-Ferrand was arrested on September 14. He had broken the window to get inside the art gallery, leaving behind traces of DNA, which made it easier for the police to track him down. During investigations, police found a figure of St. Anthony, stolen from a church in Montferrand two days earlier. The statue was returned to the church and he was ordered to reimburse the value of the stolen statuette to the owner of the gallery. On November 15, a court sentenced him to one year in prison for having more than thirty cases of theft on his record.

Two Journalists Insult Christian Singer on Twitter, calling Christians "Disabled"

November 14, 2021, Slovakia

Hateful comments against the Christian singer Sima Magushinova and Christians in general on Twitter, arouse a wave of indignation among the Slovak political class. Many of them publicly defended Sime Martausová and criticized the attitude of the two journalists responsible for the offenses: Petr Tkačenek, commentator of the daily SME and Rada Ondřejíček, author of the Cynical Monster.

Lamps at Church in Łęczna Destroyed

November 14, 2021, Poland

Lamps illuminating the façade of the St. Mary Magdalene church in Łęczna were destroyed on the 14th of November. Three lamps were intentionally smashed, which showed hate towards the church. It was not known who did it. Police are investigating.

Arbroath church targeted by vandals on Remembrance Sunday

November 14, 2021, United Kingdom

On Sunday 14. November, the St John’s Methodist Church in Arbroath was targeted by vandals. Three windows of the church were deliberately smashed. “The act of vandalism was bizarre and upsetting for the congregation gathering on Remembrance Sunday,” said Reverend Baker. Mr. Baker thinks something was used to hit the window repeatedly, rather than an object being thrown at it. The police are investigating.

Theft of Tabernacle and Liturgical Objects Cause 15,000€ in Damage in Church

November 13, 2021, Germany

Between the 8th and the 12th of November, St. Christopher's Church in Rüsselsheim was robbed. At least two unknown people started by damaging the church window and tearing it out of its mounting. In the church, the thieves stole a handmade tabernacle from the 1960s made of gold-plated brass, weighing about 60 kilograms and worth around 10,000 euros. In addition, the thieves stole host bowls and a custodian from the tabernacle and several hundred euros from the collection. The granite slab on which the tabernacle stood and a border were damaged by the perpetrators' brutal actions. According to initial estimates, the total damage was around 15,000 euros. The case was reported to the police and the investigative team at the Rüsselsheim police station took over the investigation.

Irish Government Proposed to Remove Right to Conscientious Objection for Abortion Procedures

November 13, 2021, Ireland

The Irish Labour Party has adopted a policy supporting the legalization of abortion up until birth, without any restriction. The Labour Party, which introduced this proposal, further intends to remove the current 3-day waiting period, as well as remove the right of medical professionals to conscientiously refuse to perform an abortion. The proposal was announced and voted on the 13th of November, during their annual party conference.

Catholic Church of Christ the King in Gothenburg Vandalised

November 13, 2021, Sweden

The Catholic Church of Christ the King and its chapel were vandalized on November 13. Fr. Tobias Unnerstal, the parish Priest of the Christ the King Church, reported the incident to the police. The members of the parish prayed for those responsible for the vandalistic acts.

Repeated Theft in Church in Bochum-Langendreer

November 12, 2021, Germany

On November 11th, burglars broke into the St. Mary's Church in Bochum-Langendreer, for the third time in just a few weeks, and stole valuable objects. This time, oil vessels, which are used for baptisms, and consecrated hosts, which are used for the Holy Mass, where stolen; both of which have particularly great religious value. Father David Ringel, lamented "I am very surprised that sacred places are not kept sacred and that people do not know that religious feelings are also hurt here."

Break-in and Vandalism at a Church in Lohne

November 12, 2021, Germany

On the night of November 12, unknown burglars broke into the church of St. Michael, located in the Franziskusstraße in Lohne. It was unclear whether the burglars were able to steal anything but the property damage amounted to the value of 200 euros. The case was reported to the police who started to investigate.

Holy Figures Stolen from Church in Lower Rhine Wesel

November 12, 2021, Germany

Two wooden figures of St. Dominic and St. Catherine of Siena as well as a bronze figure "Mary with Child" were taken from a church in Lower Rhine Wesel on November 12th. "The thieves also took metal crosses,... money from an offertory box, and five metal candlesticks," the police added. The items were of great monetary and spiritual value but it was not known who took them.

Several Vandalic Acts Damage the Chapel of Tenimont

November 12, 2021, Belgium

The newspaper "The Meuse Luxembourg" reported, on the 12th of November, that new acts of vandalism took place in the chapel of Tenimont in October, near the cemetery of Barvaux, in Walloon Luxembourg. According to reports, the chapel was tagged in two places, furniture overturned and degraded, rubbish and beer cans found on the ground. The local press said this is not the first vandalism it has suffered recently.

Man Steals 55 Euros from the Mariahilfe Church in Vienna

November 11, 2021, Austria

The Viennese police caught a 40-year-old man in a Church in Vienna-Mariahilf on the morning of the 11th after a burglary. He was temporarily handcuffed and the stolen offertory money was seized, as the Vienna Police Directorate reported in a press release on Friday. According to spokeswoman Barbara Gass, about 55 euros were found on the man. The perpetrator has been imprisoned.

Father Adam Świerżewski Dies after being Attacked in Park

November 11, 2021, Poland

Maksymilian Adam Świerżewski, from the parish of St. Maximillian Kolbe, was taken to the hospital after being severely beaten in Alexandria Park in Siedlce. Due to the terrible injury, it was not possible to save him and he died at the age of 35 on November 11th. An autopsy was carried out and it was confirmed that he died from several kicks, punches, or hits to the head but his murderer was still unknown.

Anti-Christian Tags Painted on the Walls of Christ the King Chapel

November 11, 2021, France

Messages were painted on the doorway of the Chapel of Christ the King in the Dalby district of Nantes, on the night from the 10th to the 11th of November, with obscene anti-Christian tags. On the same night, the perpetrator(s) also attempted to force the gate by pushing and shaking it.

Update: Cardinal Nichols and Metropolitan Police Studying Possibility to Allow Last Sacraments at Crime Scenes

November 10, 2021, United Kingdom

Cardinal Vincent Nichols and the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick have started studying the possibility to allow Catholic priests at crime scenes. This proposal was submitted after Sir David Amess, a Catholic MP, was killed during a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea (Essex), on October 15. A Catholic Priest, who was also a personal friend of Sir David's, wanted to give him the Last Sacraments, but the police denied him access. After this event, he realized how important it is, especially for the Catholic community, to ensure that the Last Sacraments is granted.

Reliquary Stolen in 2017 Found in an Auction House in France

November 10, 2021, Germany

The reliquary stolen in 2017 from the Lower Rhine pilgrimage site of Kevelaer has reappeared in an auction house in France. Thanks to an art collector, who recalled the theft from the Kevelaer Sacrament Chapel, the reliquary was identified. He contacted the head of the "Art and Culture" department in the diocese, Thomas Flammer, and with the help of the police and Interpol, the valuable reliquary was secured in time before being sold in the auction. It is still unclear when it will be returned.

Several Church Objects Stolen, Thief caught by 65-years-old Woman

November 10, 2021, Germany

On November 11, various items were stolen from the church on Dorfstraße in Bad Gottleuba-Berggießhübel. Apparently, the thieves broke the entrance door open. A 65-year-old woman noticed the burglary and found a man outside the church in the possession of "several tablecloths and two wooden railings". Police officers were alerted and started investigating the man for the burglary, finding several electrical fuses from the church in the suspect's apartment. There is no final damage information so far.

Icon Stolen From St Dunstan's Church in Stepney

November 10, 2021, United Kingdom

On the afternoon of November 10, an icon belonging to St. Dunstan's church in Stepney was stolen by a man. The church described it as a "beautiful and much-treasured icon" of St. Dunstan.

Man Tries to Burn Down an Entire Chapel due to his Beliefs

November 8, 2021, Poland

A 38-year-old man was arrested while setting fire to the small chapel of St. Anna in Jasienica in the city of Myślenice on the 8. November. The police were alerted and managed to arrive on the scene in time to arrest the man and initiate operations to reduce the fire. The arriving patrol officers noticed that the window glass of the building was broken and the assailant was still inside. "He lit a fire there, expecting the fire to consume this small building." They pulled the man out of the window and handcuffed him. According to the police spokesman, Sebastian Gleń, the perpetrator explained he committed this act due to his beliefs and that his aim was to destroy the chapel completely. He is now awaiting sentencing, which could be up to ten years in prison.

Public School Votes to Remove the Life-Size Wooden Nativity Scene

November 8, 2021, Spain

In October, the teaching staff of the Latiorro Primary School in Laudio, voted in favour of removing the life-size wooden Nativity Scene figures, which have been placed outside the center for more than 25 years. The Religion Students built the figures themselves and the decision has caused much controversy among the community.

Three Churches Offertory Boxes Stolen in Burladingen

November 8, 2021, Germany

Within the first week of November, the offertory boxes from three churches in the towns of Margrethausen and Burladingen were broken into. One church had the lock forcibly pried open and another had a writing stand broken with 100 euros of damage done, but the amount stolen is unknown. Nothing from the church on Beim Kloster in Margrethausen was stolen but 200 euros of property damage was caused when an attempt was make to pry the lock open. There was an investigation to see if the incidents were related but the perpetrator was unknown.

Cemetery of St. Piran in Perranarworthal Church Vandalised

November 8, 2021, United Kingdom

The damaged gravestones dating back to the 1800s were found by a working party that maintains the graveyard of the Church. The vandalism is suspected to have taken place sometime between the 2nd and 8th of November. The police started investigating and encouraged anyone who may have information relating to the vandalism to contact them.

Anti-Catholic Tags on Saint-Lewis church in Paimboeuf

November 8, 2021, France

on 8. November, the façade of the Saint-Lewis church in Paimboeuf, west of Nantes was tagged with offensive remarks such as "a good Catholic is on the cross" and "burn the churches". The City owner of the building filed a complaint but no further action has been taken by the town to install security cameras.

Vandalized Church in Marienrachdorf

November 5, 2021, Germany

Property damage was done to the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Marienrachdorf on November 5th. The unknown perpetrator painted a pillar in the church, the furnishings, and damaged several holy water bottles and two disinfectant dispensers. The police were looking for witnesses.

Church Sprayed with Sexist Symbols During Halloween Weekend

November 2, 2021, Germany

Over the weekend, the police recorded an increase in the number of reports of vandalism: graffiti, destruction of public furniture, theft, etc. The walls of a church in Blumberg in Friedhofstraße were sprayed with a sexist symbol and writing.

Historic St. John Church Targeted Twice in Two Weeks

November 2, 2021, United Kingdom

On November 2nd, the storage shed holding Christmas decorations for the Bromsgrove church of St. John was vandalized. This is the second hateful incident at the church in only two weeks. The incidents caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage which the church cannot afford. The church warden, Neil Cramb said “Basically, this senseless act is going to cost us dearly."

Spanish Politician Compares Catholics with the Taliban

November 2, 2021, Spain

Politician Beatriz Bandera posted on Twitter on the 2. November a short video of the Sevillian Holy Week devotees during their yearly procession with the caption "Our Taliban". With this post, she compares faithful Catholics during a peaceful procession with the terrorist group of radical Islamist fundamentalists. Despite the criticism and offence that her commentary has generated, Mrs Bandera has not apologised, "I criticise what I finance with my taxes. Can I? Or not?", she reiterated.

Continued Abuse to Grounds of St Peter and St. Paul Church

November 2, 2021, Germany

The grounds of the St. Peter and St. Paul Church in Medenbach were the sight of loud music and vandalizm on November 11th. This time, rubbish was strewn around which expressed a general lack of respect. The news report mentions there has been repeated vandalism to this place.

UPDATE: Ban on "Conversion Therapy" in UK "Could Lead to the Prosecution" of Pastors and Church Leaders

November 1, 2021, United Kingdom

The Welsh government has admitted that the ban on conversion therapy "could lead to the prosecution of religious leaders". The ban on conversion therapy was announced by the Queen in May this year and was welcomed by the Bench of Bishops in the Church in Wales. The document presented by the government leaves aside questions such as the possibility to attack religious freedom and claims that conversion therapies cause harm, although it gives "no evidence to justify the claim". Since then, Christian groups have raised concern that the ban could apply for private prayer and conversations, undermining religious freedom. The consultation by the Government will be open until 10. December 2021.

Anti-Christian Graffiti on Statue of Pope John Paul II in Lwówek Śląski

November 1, 2021, Poland

The monument to John Paul II, the Polish Pope, was painted with multiple degrading symbols on November 11th. The statue, which is located in Lwówek Śląski, had it eye lids painted, a tear below its eye drawn, and an inverted cross. For some reason, this crime was never reported so the police did not carry out any investigations for suspects.

Youth Smoke Shisha in Laichingen Church

November 1, 2021, Germany

Several young people turned the Albanskirche in Laichingen into a shisha bar on November 1st and then celebrated with pizza. This was not the first act of its kind in the church and the pastor, who has had enough, has had to close the church for everyone to prevent more property damage.

St Nicholas Church Vandalised on the Halloween Night

October 31, 2021, Germany

On the 31. October at night, the St. Nicholas Church in Immenstadt was damaged by graffiti. The unknown perpetrator(s) sprayed the words "Die Heiligen Geschwister Scholl" (The holy Scholl siblings) in black paint on the wall, causing damage of about 500 euros. The police are running an investigation. On the 31. October, there was increased vandalism in the whole region.

San Gottardo Church Vandalized Again on Halloween Night

October 31, 2021, Italy

The church of San Gottardo in Vittorio Venedeto has once again been targeted with spray cans. Located at the bottom of Mount Altare, the church has been vandalized numerous times with various inscriptions. This incident probably occurred on Halloween and was reported to the municipal administration.

Arson by Unknown Perpetrators in Church Premises

October 30, 2021, Italy

On the evening of 30. October, a fire broke out in the premises next to the church of Sant'Aniceto in Villar Perosa. Thanks to the Fire Brigade and volunteers, the fire was brought under control and no one was hurt. The parish priest, Don Orlando Aguilar Tobon, suspects that the fire was voluntary because the cleaning ladies noticed the smell of cigarettes and found a disordered room, later he was informed that a fire had broken out from a locked cabinet. A bottle of wine and two glasses were also found in the room.

Arson at Church in Castellon

October 29, 2021, Spain

The church of San Vicente Ferrer in Castellón was targeted by an arsonist on October 29th. The façade of the church was marred by a fire which was started by an old bed being left by the church and the set alight.

Repeated Acts of Vandalism at the Church in Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban

October 29, 2021, France

For several months, the church of Jesus the Worker in Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban was targeted by vile acts and thefts that left the church in a terrible state. This included the thefts of condolence booklets and urine or excrement left in the church. These incivilities have only multiplied, according to the priest, and this has emotionally harmed many people.

Pornographic Video Filmed Behind the Altar of a Church in Bree

October 29, 2021, Belgium

A video of a couple having sex behind the alter of the Sint-Michielskerk in Bree was shared on a number of social networks and led to a police investigation. The pair have apparently been identified but not officially confirmed. The police commented, "these are criminal offenses. It concerns public indecency and the distribution of pornographic images. We cannot communicate anything further."

Arson and Vandalism at Church in Germany

October 28, 2021, Germany

On 28. October at around 7.15 pm., witnesses found that there had been several damages to property in the church in Hellenthal. The organ and other objects were smeared with wax, and a burnt hole was found in the pew, among other things. The damage amounts to a few hundred euros. The damage to the property must have taken place between 10 am and 7 pm. The police opened an investigation.

Man Damaged Crucifix and Dismantled Church for "Religious Reasons"

October 28, 2021, Germany

At around 12.30 p.m. on 28. October, the police received a report of damage to property in the evangelical Frauenberg church in Sangerhäuser Straße, Nordhausen. A 25-year-old Afghan man had gone into the church, emptied it for "religious reasons" and broken a Crucifix. The police have filed a complaint of damage to property. The amount of damage is not yet known, but the damaged Crucifix had a high historical value to the community, which will be immediately restored.

Church Walls Vandalized with Graffiti in Leipzig

October 28, 2021, Germany

On the 28. October at night, vandals sprayed messages in black paint on the walls of a church in Stötteritz. Some of the tags were also against the police and the damage to property is estimated at around 1,000 euros. The police filed a report are investigating the incident.

Repeated Acts of Vandalism and Theft in the Catholic Church of Reilingen

October 28, 2021, Germany

The Catholic in Reillingen suffered of multiple cases of vandalism and also in the year before several thefts. A gilded consecrated cross, was stolen from a pedestal in front of a Virgin Mary statue in Reilingen. A year later, the cross which was from the St. Wendelin church, has been replaced. This theft was after multiple candles and candlesticks were stolen in the preceding months.

Christians Attacked and Insulted while protecting a St.John Paul II Monument

October 27, 2021, Poland

On the 27th October 2020, unidentified pro-abortion protesters attacked, with telescopic batons, people defending the monument of St. John Paul II in Wołomin from being devastated during the local Women’s Strike. As a result of the perpetrators’ actions, one person was injured and had to be taken to the hospital.

Statue of the Virgin Mary Desecrated with Feces in Damasławek

October 26, 2021, Poland

A statue of the Virgin Mary, located in an outdoor space belonging to the local church, was found with traces of excrement on the pedestal on which it stands. The parish priest Father Grzegorz Iwinński explained how this was the most severe attack the church had experienced. The perpetrator, who was caught on camera, faces up to two years in prison for offending religious freedoms.

France: Vandalism and Tags on Church Walls Related to a Report on Pedophilia

October 26, 2021, France

On October 26, graffitis were found on the walls of Saint Blandine Church in Lyon. The paintings were related to the CIASE report that contains the number of pedophilia cases that took place in France from 1950 to 2020. The first deputy of the 2nd arrondissement, Jean-Stephane Chaillet, strongly condemned the act on Twitter. The case was reported to the police. A precedent has been also reported in Nantes, where a day after the report was released, tags saying "church of rapists" were painted on the walls of a Catholic high school in downtown Nantes, Saint-Stanislas, and a nearby convent.

Stained Glass and Squared Timber Broken in the Church of Eibenstock

October 26, 2021, Germany

Two leaded glass windows and a three meter long squared timber were broken in the town church of Eibenstock. The windows were smashed with stones and the board of the congregation commented "we are simply horrified." The police investigated the incident.

Man Pours Fecal Matter over a Statue of the Virgin Mary

October 26, 2021, Poland

It has first been reported that a man had been vandalising a statue of the Virgin Mary by pouring fecal matter over it for several months, the most recent incident being in October 26. in 2021. The last incident was recorded by a security camera, which made it possible to identify the perpetrator. The 57-year-old man has received a one-year sentence of restriction of liberty and has been charged with the costs of the proceedings.

Jehovah’s Witnesses Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison in Russia

October 25, 2021, Russia

Rustam Diarov, 48, Yevgeniy Ivanov, 44, and Sergey Klikunov, 46, all Jehovah's Witnesses, were given a sentence of eight year in a Russian prison for "extremist" religious activity. Olga Ivanova, 38, Yevgeniy’s wife, was sentence to 42 months. These sentences are longer than for kidnapping or rape and mark an increased cruelty toward Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia. The sentences have been increasingly longer every year.

Church in Neuburg Vandalised with Graffiti

October 25, 2021, Germany

In Neuburg, the Holy Spirit Church on Spitalplatz was smeared with graffiti on the 25. October, as was reported by the police. Between the 25th and 26th, an unknown perpetrator sprayed grey graffiti on a wall in the area of the parish garden. This caused damage amounting to 1000 euros, the police are running an investigation.

Hymn Books from Northumberland Church Burned

October 24, 2021, United Kingdom

Several hymn books from the Holy Trinity Church in Embleton were stolen on the 24th of October and burned in a nearby cricket ground. Despite this event, Reverend Alison Hardy said that the church would stay open and added: "I'd ask people to appreciate churches for what they are and respect them as a community asset."

Three Attacks to the Reformed Church in Wildegg

October 23, 2021, Switzerland

The Reformed Church in Wildegg has experienced three attacks of vandalism, the last on was recorded on October 23rd. The incidents included the door set on fire, the organ damaged, and a lamp splintered. The church is now considering putting up surveillance cameras as a preventative measure.

Vandalism and Damage in the "Maria Geburt" Church

October 23, 2021, Germany

The candles in the "Maria Geburt" church in Elgendorf were damaged on October 10th. Candles in the alter room, which were either burning or unused, were broken and scattered all over the floor. Also, some candles were extinguished and a barrier rope destroyed. The Montabaur Police were looking for more information about this crime.

Attempted Arson and Vandalism at the Protestant Church in Holzkirchen

October 22, 2021, Germany

According to the police of Holzkirchen, between the 22. and 24. October, the Protestant Blessing Church in the Haidstraße was targeted for vandalism. Unknown perpetrators entered the church without any problem, as the place of worship is open every day. They destroyed the disinfectant provided and spread it on the floor of the entrance, it seems that they intended to light a fire because burn matches were found in the church, they also threw the pillows of the chairs around the church. Outside, police found a fireplace consisting of a vehicle tire and small wooden branches, although no fire was lit there.

Crosses Vandalised in the Cemetery of Bouguenais

October 22, 2021, France

Several crosses were broken in the cemetery of Bouguenais in the southwest of Nantes on October 22nd. About 15 graves were subjected to this vandalism and the broken parts were left on the ground. A complaint was filed and the fingerprints were taken.

Vandals Broke Into a Parish and left 2000 Euros worth of Damage

October 21, 2021, Germany

Unknown persons broke into a parish hall in Fuldatal-Simmershausen on the evening of the 21st of April. The burglars caused about 2,000 euros worth of damage to property as well as stealing a safe with cash. The Criminal Investigation Department in Kassel was investigating the case and looking for witnesses who could provide clues as to the identity of the perpetrators.

Mallorca: Another Cross Demolished in Spain

October 21, 2021, Spain

On 22 October, the town council of Son Servera (Mallorca), which is governed by Natalia Troya, demolished the Cross of the Fallen in the Plaza de la Tercera Edad. There there was no inscription of any kind and the Cross and it had been peacefully part of the town's monuments for decades. There is serious suspicion of illegality hanging over the decision, given that in June an application was registered with the Consell de Mallorca for the Cross to be cataloged as a listed monument, and this file is pending a report which was mandatory to take any action on the monument. The town council used the "Law of Historical Memory", which was passed by the PSOE in the times of President Zapatero.

St. Marien Church in Bochum-Langendreer Looted for the Third Time

October 21, 2021, Germany

In Bochum-Langendreer, criminals have been targeting churches for looting, the last time being on the night of 23. to 24. October. The Catholic community of St. Mary's in the former Langendreer station has been the target of three burglaries this year. In February, the parish office behind the church in Marien was devastated. This time the burglars had their sight set on the church. On the night of Wednesday to Thursday (20./21. October), they broke in through the side door and stole a projector, according to the congregation. And on the night of Saturday to Sunday (23./24. October) the main entrance was broken into and the offerings were stolen.

Break-in and Heavy Vandalism at Church in Heessen

October 21, 2021, Germany

On November 21st, unknown intruders broke into the St. Stephen's church in Heessen and severely vandalized it. They broke the tabernacle out of its concrete base and used two fire extinguishers to spray foam around all of the rooms, and they also stole some money. The property damage was extremely high and the church had to be closed the next day due to forensic investigations.

Statue of the Virgin Mary Vandalised and Replace by a Garden Gnomo

October 20, 2021, France

At the end of September, a statue of the Virgin Mary of the parish church, placed in a public road in the village of Gironde, was vandalized and destroyed. A garden gnome was placed in its place. A complaint was lodged by the church's maintenance lady. A man had found pieces of the bust in a vineyard, and two days later, the head of the Virgin was placed in front of a school gate. Although the events took place at the end of September, the story first got coverage a month later. The Mayor of Le Pian-sur-Garonne was also very upset by the action, the police are investigating.

Update! Man who Knocked Down a Public Cross Faces Up To 5 Years Prison

October 20, 2021, Poland

On 18. October, a man knocked down a cross on a public road with a saw, while filming himself. He then uploaded the video on the internet. A day later, he was identified. The 31-year-old man ran a website called "Action for the liquidation of road crosses all over Poland", in whose description he motivated the desire to remove them on the grounds that they "disfigure streets and pose a threat to road traffic. He also attacked many believers and the Church. For the destruction of the cross and offensive religious sentiments, the defendant could face up to five years in prison.

A 23-year-old Vandalised a Church in Vienna

October 19, 2021, Austria

On 19. October, A 23-year-old man vandalized the church Nepomuk-Kirche in Vienna by damaging the furniture in the church and throwing things to the ground. The young man from Bangladesh was arrested shortly after witnesses saw him and raised the alarm by calling the police at around 8:30 pm. The man told the police that the church would belong to him.

Hateful Messages on the Walls of a Catholic School in Poitiers

October 19, 2021, France

Threatening posters were put on the a Catholic school in Poitiers on October 19th. The messages accused the school of homophobia and transphobia and contained "hateful" remarks about the "burning" of the Christian Union of Poitiers. A far left motive was suspected for the attack but it was not known for sure.

Cross Removed from a Public Place in Vinalesa

October 19, 2021, Spain

The town council from Vinalesa, governed by the Javier Puchol (PSOE-left wing party), demolished a cross-monolith in that was put in place in memory of eight people who were killed in during the civil war in 1936 in the town. Among the eight, was a Catholic priest who was murdered for his beliefs and some from the town saw this demolition has disrespectful to the deceased.

Man Destroys a Cross with a Saw While Filming

October 18, 2021, Poland

A 31-year-old man was arrested after he filmed himself while sawing a cross in Zastalowski in Zielona Góra. The perpetrator posted the video of this vandalic act on the Internet. The police started the investigations to find the man, who was later successfully found and arrested. The local authorities have expressed their concern and surprise regarding this violent act. "This is the first time I have encountered such desecration in our city and I hope it will be the last time. We do not know the motives for the attack on the cross, but the incident itself is very heinous," said the Coalition Civica councilor. The secretary of the regional People's Party, Arkadiusz Dąbrowski also commented, "this is an unprecedented act of vandalism. We must respect religious symbols in our country.

Arson to Shrine Dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes in Scotland

October 18, 2021, United Kingdom

On October 17, the Carfin Grotto, Scotland's National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, appeared partially burnt and destroyed as unknown perpetrators deliberately made a pile and set it on fire. As Police reported, "Enquiries are ongoing and at an early stage". Meanwhile, the community has launched a micro-funding campaign to help pay the damages due to the lack of economical means. However they are even more concerned about the rise of attacks against religious places, "we hope it is addressed at a national level", said the spokesman, John Mallon.

Over 200 Academics Called Out Bullying by Trans Activists

October 17, 2021, United Kingdom

On the 17th of October, over 200 hundred academics from different UK universities sent a letter to the Sunday Times expressing their concern about the bullying and suffering those who held the view that sex matters were receiving. The letter cited statistics from the organization "Sex Matters" and said that the majority of the discrimination came from "trans activist bullies". This type of abuse would be most acutely felt by religious persons and especially Christians who typically hold this view based off the Bible.

Church Break-In and Damage in Hemelingen

October 17, 2021, Germany

On the 17th of October, a criminal entered the church in Hemelingen through a window which they broke. The intruder then proceeded to search the rooms for goods and left after causing 1000 euros worth of damage. The police were investigating the incident.

Activists and Student Union Block Pro-life March With Anti-Christian Slogans and Insults

October 16, 2021, Austria

On the 16. October, around 2.500 people gathered for the "March for Life" in Vienna, a peaceful protest for the rights of the unborn and women. The participants faced opposition and insults from activists who planned to disrupt the march and create blockades, forcing them to change the route. The call against the pro-life march was made with polarizing language by different organizations, including the ÖH (Österreichische Hochschüler_innenschaft), which is the statutory representation of students' interests, Antifa, and other political groups. They organized a "March for Ass" and displayed anti-Christian slogans such as "abort fundamentalists" or "If Mary had aborted, we would have spared you". Jan Ledochowski, spokesperson for Christian Democracy filed a formal complaint.

Police Investigate Damage to St.Nicholas Church in Gaggenau

October 16, 2021, Germany

The side door of the St. Nicholas Church in Gaggenau had significant dents in its copper paneling that were made with large river pebbles. The police were investigating to see if the incident was an act of childish carelessness or deliberate vandalism. Relevant information was needed from witnesses.

Substantial Damage to Church Sacristy after Break-In

October 16, 2021, Germany

On the morning of the 16th of October, the sacristy of St. Johann Baptist church in Kirchplatz Street was broken into, which was noticed by the sexton of the parish in Refrath the following morning. After a closer examination of the crime scene, the police were able to determine that the adjacent scout house of the parish had also been broken into. It was not possible to say for sure whether anything had been stolen during this incident, but the property damage was substantial. Forensic evidence was collected and a criminal complaint was filed.

Christian MP David Amess Stabbed to Death

October 15, 2021, United Kingdom

Christian MP David Amess was attending his regular duties in his local circumscription in a Methodist Church in Essex on 15. October, when a 25 years-old British citizen of Somali origin stabbed him to death. Soon after, the killer Ali Harbi Ali was arrested. An Anti-terrorism unit is investigating the case, given that the perpetrator has been identified as a radicalized Islamist. This murder is a direct attack on the Christian beliefs that David Amess represented. Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited the Methodist Church where the incident happened, accompanied by the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, and leader of the Opposition, Keir Starmer. People have been gathering for candlelit vigils in Leigh-on-Sea and have held church services in his memory.

Church Crypt in Bromsgrove Forced Open

October 14, 2021, United Kingdom

The historic St. John's Church in Bromsgrove was targeted by unknown vandals on the 14th of October. The door of the crypt was forced open which caused hundreds of pounds of damage but luckily nothing was stolen.

Bell Stolen from Ostbevern Cemetery

October 13, 2021, Germany

During the weekend of the 9th and 10th of October, visitors of the Ostbevern Cemetery noticed that the bell standing in front of the burial ground was missing and alerted the town hall. It was unscrewed from its suspension and stolen by "brazen thieves". However, according to the Ostbevern municipality, the exact time at which the theft occurred is unknown. A criminal complaint was filed by the municipal administration and the police started an investigation, appealing to citizens to come forward in case they have any information.