All cases
Statue of Saints Destroyed in Marl Church
January 3, 2022, GermanyOn January 3rd, an intruder entered the Barbara Church in Marl-Hamm and destroyed statues of saints. "When exactly they came in, we unfortunately do not know," said Sister Aloysiana. The doors to the church were not locked and the police were investigating the crime.
Nativity Scene Vandalised in French Village
January 2, 2022, FranceOn the 2nd of January, it was reported that the Christmas Nativity installation which adorned the religious building was vandalised. "I find it unacceptable. Especially as it required a certain amount of effort to reach it, given the height at which it was situated," said Jean-Pierre Quet, the mayor of Artigues-de-Lussac. The work was created some years ago by municipal workers and volunteers: "It was 5 to 6 metres long, with figures and a scrap metal frame. Everything was plugged in. Whoever did this tore it down, they can't do anything with it. It's a purely gratuitous act of vandalism", he said. A complaint was filed to the police.
Teenagers destroy Church of Marguerita Sign
January 2, 2022, ItalyAfter some vandals destroyed the panel of the Church of Santa Margherita which was outside the structure, the Associazione 21, which manages the building, posted a message on their website. They posted it on the 3rd of January, saying that some 11-12-year-old boys kicked and smashed the panel in front of the Church.
Bomb Detonates at Greek Church on New Year's Eve
January 1, 2022, GreeceAn explosion caused by unknown perpetrators occurred outside the Church of St. Paul in Athens at about 12:30 AM on New Year's, as reported by Protothema.gr. The explosion was caused by ten gas canisters placed outside the church, which caused minor material damage, such as blackened spots on the church's facade. A similar event took place in 2018, where two people were wounded. The police are investigating the attack.
Unknown Vandals destroy Statue of Christ
January 1, 2022, FranceOn the 1st of January, the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Saint-Porchaire Church, was thrown to the ground and destroyed, according to a witness. An investigation has been opened by the police and two men might have been the perpetrators. There are no suspects for the time being and a complaint has been filed.
Statue of Baby Jesus Vandalised in the Netherlands
January 1, 2022, NetherlandsThe statue of baby Jesus in the village of Heesh has been victimized by vandalism between Christmas and New Year. According to the report, these attacks on the nativity scene are very common. This time, the head of the statue of Jesus was broken into four pieces, and the cot had a big hole in it. Peter van Moorselaar of De Drie Leliën, who is in charge of taking care of the nativity scene has also shared the crime. He mentioned how the head of the baby Jesus looked as "if vandals had played soccer with it." Even though there were concerns over the price of the damages, Joke Franken and his daughter have restored the statue of baby Jesus.
Lecce: Theft of the Baby Jesus Figure
December 31, 2021, ItalyIn Lecce, the baby boy from the large nativity scene set up in Piazza del Duomo was stolen, as reported on the 31st of December. Unknown perpetrators stole the statue of baby Jesus during the night. It was placed in the center of the Nativity scene in front of the cathedral church. This apparently happens every year, which affects the people of Lecce and the curia. The police are working to see if there is any footage from security cameras to identify the thieves.
Fire at St. Nicholaus Church on New Year's Eve treated as Arson
December 31, 2021, SwitzerlandA big fire broke out in the St. Nicholaus Church in Hofstetten on the evening of the 31. December and it is being investigated for arson. The police were alerted and they, together with firefighters, rushed to the Catholic church to extinguish the fire, which took several brigades. It has left massive damage to the church, including the organ and the interior of the church. The damage is likely to amount to several 100,000 francs. There have been no injuries, but the police is running an investigation and asking for witnesses. According to the interim parish president, Georg Sigfrist, unknown vandals had destroyed the nativity scene inside the church shortly before the fire broke out.
Jewels and Offerings Stolen From Mary Image
December 31, 2021, ItalyIn Taranto, the jewels and offerings that the parish people left to the icon of "Our Lady of Health" in her shrine have been stolen, as reported on the 31st of December. Monsignor Emanuele Ferro, spokesman for archbishop Filippo Santoro reported this to the media.
Christ Child Theft in Modling Nativity
December 31, 2021, AustriaThe Christ Child figurine was stolen from a nativity scene in the Herz-Jesu parish in Modling. It was over fifty years old and had little monetary value so the Vicariate Councillor & Pastoral Assistant Alexandra Kommer expects it was done as a prank adding: "Who does something like that?" The police started an investigation to find the thieves.
Vandalism at St. Blasius Parish
December 31, 2021, GermanyOn New Year's Eve, an unknown hooligan ripped a lamp in the square of the St. Blasius church in Balve out of its concrete base. The church council was offering a 500 euro reward to anyone who could provide information about the perpetrator.
Theft of Figures from Nativity Scene in Enzesfel
December 31, 2021, AustriaA bold theft of three kings and some sheep was carried out on on New Years Eve from the "Grödner nativity scene" in the Enzesfeld parish church by a unidentified man. Once video surveillance was viewed, the police saw the theft occur but the absence of the figures was only noticed by pastor Pastor Krzysztof Szczesny on January 7th. The 140 year old scene which is put up every year has had to be dismantled for fear of further thefts.
Court Sentences Couple, after Church Vandalism in Somme
December 31, 2021, FranceA couple who severely vandalized a church in Somme on New Years Eve 2021, were sentenced to pay 1,870 euros to the municipality to compensate for the damage. Although intoxicated, the court still found them responsible for the damage caused. They broke down the door of the church and once inside, lit candles, overturned items, and stole several objects including a monstrance.
Prohibition of Singing during Covid-19 Pandemic Ruled Unlawful
December 30, 2021, SpainThe Contentious-Administrative Chamber of the High Court of Justice of Aragon (TSJA) raised a question of unconstitutionality against the Law and Decree-Law in Aragon for the control of the COVID-19 pandemic, which prohibits singing in places of worship. The magistrates affirmed that singing in places of worship is part of the essential content of the right to Religious Freedom, and therefore unconstitutional.
UPDATE: Woman Assaults and Threatens Priests with Murder
December 30, 2021, SpainThe Newspaper "Ultima Hora" reported that a woman, who had been in jail for several assaults and vandalism against Catholic priests and Churches, was released recently. After leaving jail, she went towards several Churches and physically assaulted the priests. She was at Sant Miquel Church, where she attacked the priest Mossèn Antoni Gómez and then headed towards the Sant Felip Nei Church while shouting "I'm going to crucify you. You're going to God." The police was alerted by Mr. Gomez and took her back into custody.
Italy: Nativity Scene Figures Stolen
December 30, 2021, ItalyA 59-year-old man has been found guilty of stealing the figures of the Nativity Scene in Paterno, which belonged to the Church of Santa Marguerita. The theft happened between the 29th and 31st of December. After the parish priest filed a complaint, the Carabinieri searched for the perpetrator and found him due to security cameras.
Ongoing Vandalism of Luther Church in Fellbach
December 30, 2021, GermanyDue to the continuous vandalism of the Luther Church in Fellbach, protective grids have had to be installed to protect the windows. The damage was suspected to be caused by young people throwing stones. Those involved with the church were appalled that this was happening.
Vandalism to Church Window in Germany
December 28, 2021, GermanyUnknown perpetrators damaged a window of the church on the Schulstrasse in Golden-Veert between Monday 27. and Tuesday 28. of December. A parish employee discovered the damage on Tuesday morning finding part of the window pane on the side of the altar broken. The offence was reported to the police, which asked possible witnesses to provide information on the damages done to the church.
Church Located in Mönchengladbach Vandalised with Satanistic Graffiti
December 28, 2021, GermanyGraffiti has been sprayed on the sandstone around the Church of the Sacred Heart in the Bettrath-Hoven district. The words "Satan" and "Hail Satan" were written in green paint on the large wooden doors of the church's main portal and on the façade. A pentagram was also sprayed on the church building.
Nativity Arsonist Caught in Indre-et-Loire
December 28, 2021, FranceThe fire that started in the nave of the Château-la-Vallière church in Indre-et-Loire on 28. December was first thought to be an accident but later identified as arson. The firemen eventually put out the fire but not before it had burnt most of the nativity scene. A forty-year-old man, who has been convicted of arson in the past, was arrested.