All cases

Statue beheaded and replaced with Nazi photos

October 12, 2024, Poland

On 27 September, in Witaszyce, an unknown person cut off the head of the statue of Mary in a forest shrine. On October 12, five photos of the faces of Nazi soldiers were placed inside the shrine.

250kg mountain cross disappeared

October 12, 2024, Spain

The cross in honour of the mountaineers who died on the summit of Udalatx since 1971 has disappeared and its base has been sawn off, with a small saw and a written message mocking the symbol left on the stump. The cross, which was located between the border of Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia, weighed 250 kilos and was ten metres high.

Christian street preacher injured by assailant and arrested by police

October 10, 2024, United Kingdom

Christian pastor Dia Moodley was arrested and detained for 13 hours by Avon and Somerset Police after preaching about Christianity and Islam outside Bristol University during Ramadan in March.

UPDATE: Ireland's "buffer zone" law comes into force

October 10, 2024, Ireland

In October 2024, Ireland implemented a "buffer zone" law that prohibits any conduct that could "influence" abortion decisions within 100 metres of clinics. The law also restricts speech on private property near public areas, raising concerns about restrictions on religious freedom.

Cemetery vandalised in Leon

October 7, 2024, Spain

On 7 October, tombs and statues in the cemetery at Soto and Amio in León were smashed to pieces with sledgehammers. Locals found decorations had been overturned and that the vandals had left behind a statue of Mary holding a decapitated child.

Theft and arson attack on a church in Melrand

October 6, 2024, France

The region of Melrand, France, has witnessed several attacks on Christian sites in recent years. The most recent occurred on 2 October, when unknown assailants stole several items and started a fire inside the church, which was quickly extinguished.

Man arrested for plotting church attack in Bergamo

October 4, 2024, Italy

On 4 October, a 22-year-old Egyptian man was arrested in Bergamo for spreading radical Islamist views on the internet and planning to blow up a church in the centre of Bergamo. Investigations revealed that he was planning to attack priests and other Christians.

Church attacked after postings inciting violence against Christians

October 3, 2024, Austria

On the morning of 3 October, a group of masked individuals used climbing equipment to scale the balustrade of St Charles Church in Vienna and remove a banner promoting the March for Life. Left-wing extremist groups are suspected of having damaged the property of the Karlskirche over a long period of time and of having verbally abused and threatened the elderly priest.

Church in Metz burglarised and desecrated

October 2, 2024, France

The church of Sainte-Famille in Metz was broken into and desecrated during the night of 2 October. Unknown perpetrators broke in through large windows, damaged and stole different objects and desecrated the tabernacle.

FSB detains terrorist accomplices preparing attacks on churches in Ingushetia

September 30, 2024, Russia

As reported on September 30 by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), the FSB prevented a terrorist attack on churches and law enforcement officers in Ingushetia. One of the targets of the attacks seems to have been the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Sunzha.

Vandalism of the church

September 27, 2024, Kosovo

On 27 September, an act of desecration took place at the church in Međugorje, in the Ibarski Kolašin area, during the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. Sacred icons were destroyed and the church was damaged by bullets.

Vandalism in Rheydt's St Mary's Church

September 27, 2024, Germany

On September 27, unknown perpetrators knocked over the baptismal font of holy water, the ornate bronze dome and the font bowl in St Mary's Church in Mönchengladbach. Wax from the candles was scattered all over the church and flowers were thrown into the rubbish bins.

Head of statue of Mary torn off

September 27, 2024, Poland

An unknown perpetrator desecrated Cyranowska shrine at Karol Olszewski Square in Mielec, as reported on September 27. According to a witness to the incident, the glass of the chapel's cavity was broken, a statue of Mary was pulled out and its head was torn off.

Teacher Sanctioned for Using Religious Text in Local Heritage Class

September 27, 2024, France

A French teacher in Carcassonne was reprimanded for using materials on St. Bernadette Soubirous and Lourdes in an Occitan class, allegedly in breach of neutrality laws. Despite arguing that the content reflected regional heritage, a court upheld the sanction in September 2024, ruling that it violated the principles of secularism in public education.

Church in Neunkirchen devestated

September 26, 2024, Germany

As reported on September 26, the protestant church in Neunkirchen has been devastated. Vandals tore up hymn books and destroyed the altar Bible and other property. This is the second incident at the Protestant Johanneskirche in Neunkirchen.

Church hit by several attempted arsons

September 26, 2024, France

As reported on 26 September, the church of Miribel les Echelles in Isère - the church of Miribel les Echelles in Isère, which was deliberately damaged by fire last year, has suffered two further arson attacks. It has since been closed to the public while an investigation is carried out into the perpetrators of these repeated acts of vandalism.

Two churches in Gravelines vandalised

September 25, 2024, France

Two churches in Gravelines, near Dunkirk, were vandalised on 25 September. Sacred objects from the shattered tabernacle were found scattered on the ground.

Two churches desecrated in one day in Gravelines

September 25, 2024, France

On 25 September, the churches of Saint-Willibrord and Saint-Thomas-Becket were vandalised and are now closed. In both churches, the vandals broke the tabernacle and scattered the consecrated hosts, without stealing anything. The parish priest sees this as a clear sign of deliberate desecration.

Church Facade vandalised

September 24, 2024, Italy

The church of Santa Lucia was vandalised. The first 3 letters of Santa Lucia have been torn off. "We discovered the serious sacrilegious act this morning", said the president of the Guild of Masons of Santa Lucia, Franco Spiga, "after untying part of the writing, they threw it to the ground and tore it to pieces".

UPDATE: Controversial Irish Hate Speech Law Dropped

September 22, 2024, Ireland

After intense debate, the controversial 'hate speech' bill in Ireland was dropped in September 2024. The proposed legislation was seen as too vague and a serious threat to free speech.

St. Luc Church in Brest Desecrated: Tabernacle set on Fire

September 21, 2024, France

On Saturday 21 September 2024, a serious act of vandalism took place in the chapel of Saint-Luc church in Brest. The tabernacle on the altar was smashed and then set on fire. As a result, the church will remain closed to the public until 2 October.

Repeated vandalism and smearing of church

September 20, 2024, Italy

On the night of 20 September, the façade of the Church of Santo Stefano was defaced with graffiti. The slogans included an anarchist symbol. The church had only reopened a few days earlier following previous incidents of graffiti and vandalism.

Repeated vandalism at Chester church

September 20, 2024, United Kingdom

Repeated incidents of vandalism at the 700-year-old St Peter's Church in Chester have caused the historic stained glass windows to shatter and necessitated extensive repairs subsequently. Now the St Peter’s Church has submitted an application to Cheshire West and Chester Council to fit stainless steel protective guards to six windows.

Suspected Arson at Coptic Orthodox Church in Bristol

September 20, 2024, United Kingdom

A man has been arrested in connection with a fire in a church courtyard. The blaze broke out at St Marina Coptic Orthodox Church, Bristol in early morning on September 20.

Valuable religious artefacts stolen from church

September 19, 2024, Norway

Unknown perpetrators broke into the church in Vallset and stole valuable religious artefacts.

Church facade and cemetery wall vandalised with paintball

September 18, 2024, Austria

A recently renovated church in the community of Wernberg, Austria, was vandalised with paintball bullets. The facade, cemetery wall and forecourt of the church were smeared with a brownish substance. The parish has published pictures showing numerous brown dots.

Church in Wijchen targeted with theft, arson and vandalism

September 15, 2024, Netherlands

On 15 September, two statues of Mary were badly damaged and personal belongings and devotional objects were set on fire in the St Anthony Abbot Church in Wijchen, Gelderland, both in the Marian Chapel and in the nearby Lourdes Grotto.

Fire at Parish of Migliarina

September 14, 2024, Italy

On 14 September, the oratory of Migliarina church in Viareggio caught fire. The police suspect arson. The interior of the building was completely destroyed. According to the parish priest, young boys were in the oratory when the fire broke out and had to be evacuated by the fire brigade.

Church vandalised with nationalistic graffiti

September 14, 2024, Poland

The facade of the sanctuary of Our Lady of Entrustment in Tarnowiec was painted with blue spray with vulgar inscriptions and symbols associated with nationalistic ideologies.

Altar of Bissendorf church smeared with pentagrams

September 14, 2024, Germany

On the night of 14 September, unknown persons smeared inscriptions in the form of pentagrams on the altar, pulpit and doors of St Michael's Church in Bissendorf. They also stole a plate with a chalice and a small figure of an angel.

Objects in church damaged with fire

September 13, 2024, Germany

On 13 September, unknown perpetrators set fire to and damaged several objects in the church of St John the Baptist. They also tried to open the collection box.

Church in Mill vandalised with fire

September 13, 2024, Netherlands

On 13 September, unknown persons entered the Willibrordus church in Mill, the Netherlands, and set fire to the candle stand by putting paper on the candles, causing a thick layer of candle wax on the floor and leaving the church covered in soot particles.

UPDATE: Deselected Christian candidate sues LibDems for religious discrimination

September 13, 2024, United Kingdom

David Campanale, who was deselected as a candidate because of his Christian worldview, is now suing the party for discriminating against him because of his protected religious beliefs. In their defence, the LibDems have reinforced the claim that some Christian beliefs are incompatible with the party's current values.

San Fernando Cemetery Vandalised

September 10, 2024, Spain

On 10 September, the San Fernando cemetery in Seville was the scene of vandalism. More than 60 graves were damaged during the night, with crosses and gravestones overturned and even some coffins damaged. Nothing was stolen.

Vandals destroy church altar

September 9, 2024, Germany

On September 9, the altar of St Mary in the Catholic parish of St. Peter and Paul in Grevenbroich, Germany, was overturned and smashed to pieces. The front part of the church remains closed due to the severe damage caused by the vandalism.

Burglars wreak havoc in church in Skara

September 8, 2024, Sweden

Over the weekend of 7-8 September, unknown assailants broke into the Skånings-Åsaka church in Skara. They smashed the doors, windows and safe. The church's pastor says: "It's a real mess". The whole sacristy was turned upside down.

Man insults faithful during mass

September 8, 2024, Poland

On Sunday September 8, a 40-year-old man entered the church in Tarnobrzeg during mass on a bicycle. According to witnesses, he rode several laps in front of the altar while shouting vulgarities in English and making offensive gestures.

Muslim Politician uses Christian images for shooting exercise

September 7, 2024, Switzerland

The Zurich municipal councillor and Bosnian Muslim, Sanija Ameti, published photos of herself using a reproduction of a an image of Mary and Jesus as target practice at a shooting exercise on Instagram on September 7. The pierced heads of Mary and the baby Jesus could be seen on the picture.

Statue of Mary vandalised

September 7, 2024, Poland

On September 7, the Statue of Mary at the parish cemetery of St. Bartholomew in Goraj was doused with oil. The attack caused sadness among local parishioners.

Arson Attempt: Marian chapel in Gennep targeted for the third time

September 7, 2024, Netherlands

On September 7, the Mariakapel at the Touwslagersgroes in Gennep, North Limburg, was the target of vandals for the third time in a short period of time.

Bomb threat against Kosice Cathedral

September 6, 2024, Slovakia

A bomb threat was sent by email to the Cathedral of St. Elisabeth in Kosice, Slovakia. It was claimed that explosives were hidden in the premises. Consequently, the church had to be evacuated and was searched by security forces.

Man throws knife at woman and vandalises Sacré-Cœur church in Nice

September 6, 2024, France

The police arrested a man for defacing the Sacré-Cœur church in Nice on September 6. He smashed several statues and threw a knife at a woman.

Ukrainian Orthodox Church badly damaged in arson attack

September 4, 2024, Ukraine

On the evening of 4 September, the Pokrovsky Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the village of Zeremlya, Zhytomyr region, caught fire. Police are investigating arson.

Parish house ransacked and sacred objects stolen

September 3, 2024, Germany

On the night of September 3, unknown perpetrators broke into the parish house of Corneliastrasse in Unkel through a window and ransacked the premises. They also stole sacred objects from the church.

Church in Merat targeted with fire and theft

September 3, 2024, Italy

On September 3, an attempted theft was noticed at the church of San Giorgio di Pagnano. This is the third time that the church has been targeted within a few months: At the end of May, a wooden candle box was set on fire inside the church. The priest was able to extinguish the fire before it could spread much further. A few weeks later, parcels for the members of the Bezece event disappeared.

Shrine in Otwock vandalised

September 3, 2024, Poland

On September 3, unknown vandals destroyed the shrine of "Our Lady of the Immaculate". The shrine was renovated 3 years ago by local people.

Arson Attack on the Immaculate Conception Church in Saint-Omer

September 1, 2024, France

On the night of 1 September, a 39-year-old man set fire to the sacristy of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Saint-Omer. The flames then spread to the naves and then to the whole church. The bell tower and the roof were completely destroyed.

Arson Attack on Church of England in Greenisland

September 1, 2024, United Kingdom

A large fire broke out on Sunday, 1 September at the Parish Church of the Holy Name in Greenisland, Northern Ireland. Police are treating the fire as arson. To local parish community is shocked by the incident.

Fire set to church in Mazara

September 1, 2024, Italy

In the night between September 1 and 2, unknown persons set the fire to the side door of the "Church of the Miracle" which is located in Via Casa Santa, in Mazara. The attack is a worrying sign of the continuation of criminal acts in the town.

Muslim woman enters church and threatens pastor: 'I am here to kill the God of the Jews'

September 1, 2024, United Kingdom

On September 1, a Muslim woman entered the evangelical Angel Church in Islington, London, screaming 'Allahu Akbar' and that she was 'here to kill the God of the Jews’. She became more aggressive after she was asked to leave the building.

Severe damage caused in church theft

August 30, 2024, Italy

On Friday 30 August, unknown persons broke into the sacristy by smashing the glass of one of the two entrance doors to the church in Mercatale di Vernio, Italy. Four chalices and three pyxes worth over 3000 euros were stolen.

Two church arson attacks in St Johnston

August 28, 2024, Ireland

A 27-year-old man has been charged with a series of alleged arson attacks in St Johnston on 28 August. He is accused of attempting to set fire to three religious buildings, namely the Irish Catholic St Baithins Church, the Protestant Orange Hall and a local Masonic Hall.

Church smeared with hateful graffiti

August 27, 2024, Norway

Heggen Church in Buskerud was vandalised. The church is located in Vikersund, where there has been a very tense atmosphere in the last two weeks after a serious incident of violence in the village.

Arson attack on Emmendingen church

August 26, 2024, Germany

On 26 August, unknown persons attempted to set fire to the side door of the Lutheran church in Emmendingen. The lower part of the wooden door was damaged. The total damage is estimated at around €3,000.

Arsonists Set Pilgrimage Church Altar on Fire

August 25, 2024, Germany

In the night of August 24 to 25, unknown perpetrators tried to set fire to a pilgrim church in Dorschhausen, Bad Wörishofen. They also tried to set fire to the tablecloth on the altar, causing severe damage of several thousand euros.

Ukraine bans Ukrainian Orthodox Church

August 24, 2024, Ukraine

Ukrainian lawmakers have approved a bill banning the Russian Orthodox Church. The text targets the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) of the Moscow Patriarchate and has raised concerns about the safeguarding of religious freedom in Ukraine. The law requires the UOC to cut all ties with the Russian Orthodox Church or face a process that would lead to its dissolution.

Several church windows smashed

August 24, 2024, Germany

Several church windows at Friedrich-Ebert-Staße were smashed with stones by unknown persons. Police are investigating.

Desecration of Greek Orthodox Cemetery

August 24, 2024, Turkey

On August 24, staff at the Agios Eleftherios cemetery in Istanbul found that the barbed wire fence around the cemetery had been cut, gravestones desecrated, holes dug and the cemetery's guard dogs sedated.

IS claims Knife-Stabbing in Solingen was an Attack Against Christians

August 23, 2024, Germany

On 23 August 2024, a 26-year-old Syrian man attacked several people at a city festival in Solingen. IS claimed authorship of the attack and announced via Amaq (IS news agency) that it was "directed against Christians." The attack left three people dead and eight wounded.

Vandals Destroy Easter Candle and Smear Altar

August 23, 2024, Germany

Between 20 and 28 August 2024, unknown persons entered the Höchheim church and damaged the Easter candle. They also scribbled on the white altar ceiling with a burnt-out candle cloth. The damage is estimated at around 200 euros.

Serina cemetery: Church and chapels vandalised

August 22, 2024, Italy

During the night of 21-22 August, unknown perpetrators ransacked the church of the Sirena cemetery and vandalised up to 5 private chapels on the cemetery of Serina, Bergamo. Pews, religious objects, flower pots, candles and glass were strewn about and partly destroyed.

Churches in Switzerland facing a series of break-ins

August 22, 2024, Switzerland

In August 2024, thieves broke into several churches in Frick and stole valuable church ornaments: silver-plated candlesticks. In Wegenstetten, a crucifix was stolen. In Zeiningen, various gold-plated jewels were stolen. The losses were estimated at several tens of thousands of francs.

Vandalism Leaves Church in Bra Devastated

August 20, 2024, Italy

Serious damage inside the Church of the Assumption in Bra on August 20 has caused deep concern. Unknown persons broke into the building and destroyed the furnishings and furniture. The altarpiece depicting the Assumption of the Mary was damaged with numerous holes, the face of the statue of Mary was smeared with black paint, crucifixes were broken and damaged, the curtain of the canopy over the altar was torn, and the marble and tiles were removed from the floor under the miniature of the Lourdes grotto.

Church Desecrated and Robbed

August 20, 2024, Spain

As reported on August 22, unknown perpetrators desecrated the church of Samartín de Güerces and stole objects of great religious and historical value: a chalice, a monstrance; lanterns, crosses and even lamps.

Theft of religious objects and cemetery vandalism

August 20, 2024, Italy

In August, someone stole money, keys and the personal belongings, including devotional objects, of a canon from the archpriest at the church of Saints Simon and Jude in Cartigliano. Earlier that month, someone destroyed flowers and vases on several graves in the town's cemetery.

Man stabs Ludlow church door

August 20, 2024, United Kingdom

An act of vandalism at the Cathedral of Life church in Ludlow was recorded by police on 20 August. Pastor Cutts said a man had been sitting on the steps of the church, then got up, pulled out a knife and started stabbing the church door. Damage was found on the outside of the door. Ludlow police said the man had been arrested.

Payout for Christian woman who was fined for silent prayer, but government planing new restrictions

August 19, 2024, United Kingdom

A Christian charity volunteer has received a £13,000 payout and an apology from police after claiming her arrest for silently praying outside an abortion clinic was unjust and violated her human rights. While many see this as a victory for religious freedom, the new UK government is planning to introduce national legislation banning prayer outside abortion clinics.

"Allahu Akabar" smeared on Church in Haiger

August 19, 2024, Germany

Unknown vandals have smeared the walls of the city church in Haiger. According to police, "Allahu Akbar" was written on the walls.

Bishop's ceremonial chair stolen

August 19, 2024, United Kingdom

An ornate historic oak bishop's chair, 100 years old and worth £500, has been stolen from the 13th-century All Saints' Church in Ashwicken between August 19- 23.

Church of Madonna di Portadini vandalised

August 17, 2024, Italy

Vandals broke into a local church in Alatri, Italy, and turned it upside down.

Lutheran church in Greiz pelted with stones

August 17, 2024, Germany

Unknown persons threw stones at the Lutheran Church in Greiz. The incident is said to have taken place between 10 and 17 August. Lead glass windows were hit and damaged. The police are searching for the perpetrators. The loss is estimate at €4,000.

Vandals wreak havoc in Montecilfone church

August 17, 2024, Italy

On the night from August 16 to 17, unknown persons destroyed a statue of Mary and other sacred objects in a chapel of a retirement home in Montecilfone.

Priest stabbed on the street in Ireland

August 16, 2024, Ireland

On August 16, in the morning an attacker brutally stabbed Fr. Paul Murphy from Waterford on his way to the Defence Force barracks in Galway, where he works as an army chaplain. Soldiers from the barracks had to open fire on the attacker. The priest is now in a serious condition.

Chalices stolen from two churches

August 16, 2024, France

Two churches in the Lot département suffered thefts of sacred objects on August 16 and 17, in Saint-Jean de Laure and Concots. These are the 4th and 5th thefts since the start of the year 2023 - and the 15th and 16th since the series of thefts began previous year.

Stone cross destroyed by vandals on Christian Feast Day

August 15, 2024, France

On the night of 15 August (the Catholic Feast Day of the Assumption Mary), vandals destroyed an important stone cross in Tréport, France. The stone cross is more than 400 years old and was declared a historical monument in 1913.

Two churches closed due to increased vandalism

August 14, 2024, Germany

Due to repeated acts of vandalism, two churches in Bodenfelde and Uslar have had to close their doors outside of worship hours. The churches have been the target of various attacks, including broken windows, arson and an altar being defaced with swastika graffiti.

Parishioners Shocked after Vandals Smash Statue

August 7, 2024, United Kingdom

A statue of Mary outside St Joseph Church in Wembley in the Diocese of Westminster, was smashed into pieces in the night of August 7, leaving behind the empty plinth. The parishioners are shocked. Police presence around the church will be reinforced.

Young man records anti-Christian video inside church

August 6, 2024, Italy

A young Muslim man posted a video in Arabic on TikTok that he had recorded in a church in Milan. In the video, he asked an elderly woman if she was a Christian, then wished her death and cursed another woman in the same church.

Repeated Cross Vandalism: Figure of Jesus Cut into Pieces

August 5, 2024, Poland

On August 5, a cross in the fields of the Polish village Kościuki was vandalised again, following two previous incidents. This time, the vandals also cut up the figure of Jesus, which was attached to the cross, and threw the pieces in the bushes. The local community is shocked about the anti-religious hatred displayed by the act.

Theft of consecrated hosts in Porto Recanati

August 5, 2024, Italy

On the evening of August 5, unknown persons entered the church of the Most Precious Blood in Porto Recanati and, after forcing the tabernacle, took the hosts that had already been consecrated and were kept inside. During their escape, the thieves abandoned a chalice on the street. The parish priest alerted the police. Nothing else was stolen from the church.

Christian Activists unlawfully arrested in Paris

August 5, 2024, France

On August 5, Parisian police arrested six Christians who were on a bus labelled with “Stop attacks on Christians” driving around Paris to bring attention to the Last Supper parody at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony and its anti-Christian message.

French Church vandalised: Tabernacle set on fire

August 4, 2024, France

In the church of Saint-Pierre in Lège-Cap-Ferret, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the tabernacle was set on fire during the night of August 4. Furthermore, religious materials were smashed on the ground. The church will remain closed during the restoration. The police have started an investigation.

Pastor attacked while praying for protestors

August 4, 2024, United Kingdom

A member of the Baptist church in Middlesborough was attacked by far-right protesters as he prayed alongside a rally on 4 August.

Man sets fire to door of Birštonas church

August 3, 2024, Lithuania

A 22-year-old man poured flammable liquid on the door of the church on the night of 4 August, set fire to it and smashed the glass above the main entrance door with a stone.

Concerns over Application of French "Abuse of Weakness" Law

August 1, 2024, France

The trial for “abuse of weakness” of the Catholic Missionary Family of Notre-Dame (FMND) raises concerns about the application of the recently amended French “anti-cult” law. At the trail, the experts solicited by the investigators presented some of basic principles of religious communities, such as the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, or silence and parts of the Catholic catechism, as “means of submission”.

Elderly woman attacked and robbed while praying in church

August 1, 2024, Germany

On August 1, a 40-year-old man violently pushed an elderly woman who was praying in St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church to the ground, kicked her and took her bag. As a result of the attack, the woman suffered a laceration to her head and was taken to hospital where she was stitched up.

Rengsdorf church vandalised with stones

August 1, 2024, Germany

As reported in September 2024, the Catholic Church of St Kastor in Rengsdorf, Rhineland-Palatinate, was again the target of vandalism in early August. In a recent incident, unknown persons threw stones at the church, breaking three large stained glass windows facing the street. A window to the sacristy and a display case were also damaged.

"Distressing" vandalism to church roof

August 1, 2024, United Kingdom

The Church of the Holy Trinity and All Saints in Winterton has been badly damaged in what the parish has described as a "disturbing" case of vandalism. Vandals climbed onto the roof and removed parts of it, leaving the stones beside the church. Some services had to be disrupted because of the damage.

Mayor Break-In Causes Severe Damage to Church

July 31, 2024, Poland

On July 31, three men broke into a church in Szydłów and caused €700 worth of damage.

Religious statue beheaded inside Scalini church

July 31, 2024, Italy

On July 31, vandals partially forced open the front and outer doors of the sacristy of the church of Scalini, a hamlet of Arsiero, destroyed a plaster statue of St. Anthony holding the Infant Jesus, decapitated both figures, threw furniture on the ground, attempted break into the donation box, broke a stained glass window in the apse, and tore down a microphone.

19 Cemeteries vandalised: Crosses broken off and stolen

July 31, 2024, Spain

Between May and July, a gang stole crucifixes and images from 19 cemeteries in the province of Toledo. Those responsible have been arrested.

NI Court Prosecutes Man and Woman for Praying in Coleraine "Buffer Zone"

July 30, 2024, United Kingdom

In Northern Ireland, a court is set to rule on the case of a woman and a man who were arrested for praying inside an abortion "buffer zone" in October 2023. If found guilty in the current hearing, the woman who pleaded not guilty faces up to six months in prison. The police arrested them without any prior complaints about their presence on the street.

Theft and vandalism in Sant'Antonio Abate

July 30, 2024, Italy

On the night of July 30, four young people broke into the Sant'Antonio Abate Church in Incisa Scapaccino, Asti. They broke into the entrance door, destroyed the cribs and sacred furniture, smeared the walls with spray cans and damaged the sound system for the services.

Vandals cut off hands and destroy face of statue

July 28, 2024, Poland

On the night of 27-28 July, vandals severely damaged a statue of Mary located at the entrance to the village of Kościuk. The statue's hands were cut off, a hole was punched in its head, its eyes were gouged out and its face destroyed. This was not the first act of vandalism against a religious object in the region.

UPDATE: Christian teacher loses High Court appeal after being banned for ‘misgendering’

July 25, 2024, United Kingdom

Joshua Sutcliffe, a Christian maths teacher, lost his High Court appeal case after being banned from teaching for "misgendering" a pupil. The judge said that “just because misgendering a transgender pupil might not be unlawful does not mean that it is appropriate conduct for a teacher.”

SCOTLAND: MOST EXTREME BUFFER ZONE LAW COMES INTO FORCE

July 25, 2024, United Kingdom

On 22 July 2024, Scotland's highly restrictive abortion 'buffer zone' law came into force, creating a 200-metre zone around abortion facilities where it will be an offence to 'influence' the decision of anyone entering the facility. Offences include acts committed on private property if the act “is capable of being seen or heard by another person who is within the safe access zone“.

Vandalism in a historic altar in the St. Andreas Church in Offenburg.

July 24, 2024, Germany

On 24 July, a 57-year-old man knocked over a historic altar in the Catholic St Andrew's Church on Fischmarkt. The damage is estimated at tens of thousands of euros. Investigators are still trying to establish the background to the crime.

New Survey finds Christians in Scotland under pressure

July 23, 2024, United Kingdom

According to an opinion poll by the think tank “Logos” published in The Herald on July 23, Christians in Scotland feel “excluded”. More than 70% feel the Scottish Government does not support them and 75% were concerned about abuse against Christian politicians. 

Church of Saint-Paul in Orne defaced with satanic graffiti

July 21, 2024, France

In the night of Saturday, July 20 to Sunday, July 21, vandals defaced the façade of the church of Saint-Paul in Orne, France, with satanist graffiti. The tags included inverted crosses, pentagrams, and writings such as ‘False God’, ‘Liar’, and the number ‘666’, symbolising the devil. The statues on the façade were also sprayed with red paint, adding to the seriousness of the damage.

Woman threatens priest with a cutter during mass

July 21, 2024, Spain

On Sunday, July 21, a 46-year-old woman was arrested in Tudela, Navarra, after threatening the priest who was officiating the Sunday mass and the congregation with a cutter. According to the Municipal Police of Tudela, the woman not only threatened with the cutter, but also broke the glass of the entrance door of the church by throwing a stone. This act of vandalism increased the level of alarm among those present, who quickly called the authorities.