All cases
Icon Stolen From St Dunstan's Church in Stepney
November 10, 2021, United KingdomOn 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, PolandA 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, SpainIn 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, GermanyWithin 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 KingdomThe 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, Franceon 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, GermanyProperty 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, GermanyOver 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 KingdomOn 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, SpainPolitician 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, GermanyThe 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 KingdomThe 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, PolandThe 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, GermanySeveral 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, GermanyOn 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, ItalyThe 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, ItalyOn 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, SpainThe 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, FranceFor 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, BelgiumA 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."