All cases
Two Statues Vandalised in Warsaw with Blue Paint
June 5, 2022, PolandAn unknown perpetrator committed an act of vandalism against the St. Maximilian Kolbe parish in Warsaw. The vandal scrawled blue paint on the statue of St. Maximilian Kolbe and the Papal Cross (from Pope John Paul's II 1st Pilgrimage to Poland), standing on church grounds. The incident occurred on June 5.
Altar Cross Stolen from Church in Jülich-Bourheim
June 4, 2022, GermanyDuring the weekend of the 4th of June, an altar cross was stolen from a church in Jülich-Bourheim by an anonymous person. The cross is made of gilded brass and stands 45 cm high. The police searched the sight for evidence but need more information.
Young People Broke Into and Profaned Church in L'Aquila
June 3, 2022, ItalyIt was reported on June 3rd, that young people entered the monastery of Sand Basilio in L'Aquila, disturbed the sisters sleeping there and profaned the confessional. First, two boys entered the convent and tried to force open the door of an elderly nun. Later during the night, a young man and woman were seen naked, and running from the confessional after allegedly having sex. The cloistered sisters were scared by the incidents and called the carabinieri who then investigated.
Vandalism and Theft to Church in Fragagnano
June 3, 2022, ItalyThe Maria Santissima Immacolata church in Fragagnano, was broken into on during the night of June the 3rd by a 38-year-old Moroccan. The man tried to steal money from the offering box as well as sacred objects, but was caught by the carabinieri who then retrieved the stolen goods. In trying to access these items, he caused a large amount of property damage that will cost around 1,000 euros to repair.
Sacristy of San Giuseppe Church in Grosseto Vandalized
June 2, 2022, ItalyOn June 2nd, the San Giuseppe Church in Grosseto was vandalized by a person who was caught on camera but has not been identified. A man in his 40s entered the sacristy and upset drawers that contained linen for the altar and objects for worship. He didn't steel anything but smashed a wooden door. This was one of several thefts and vandalism that have happened to churches in this area in recent weeks.
Man Arrested for Stealing Relic of Virgin in Spain
June 2, 2022, SpainThe Guardia Civil arrested a man that allegedly stole the Rosary of an image of the Virgin in Calañas. The investigation began on 2 June, when a report of the theft was received from the Sister Major of the Brotherhood concerned. The incident occurred when the relic was being exhibited in the left hand of the image of the Virgin of Amargura, in a chapel of the church of Calañas "Santa María de Gracia".
Serial Thefts in Celano Churches
June 1, 2022, ItalyOn the 1st of June, thefts were recorded in the churches of the Madonna delle Grazie and Madonnina, both of which are in Celano. The thief broke the candelabra to access the offerings which were inside. A few days earlier, thefts also occurred in the churches of San Giovanni Battista, and Sant'Angelo. This series of thefts, which was under investigation, targeted sacred places and has angered the congregations of each.
Door from Enna Church Set on Fire by Unknown Vandals
June 1, 2022, ItalyThe wooden side door of the Sam Marco church in Enna, was set on fire by unknown vandals on June 1st. The arson greatly upset the people of Enna who hold the church at great value due to its history and religious sacredness. The fire brigade was called to put the fire out and the Carabinieri investigated the crime.
Men Arrested in Neumarkt for Repeated Theft and Property Damage to Churches
June 1, 2022, AustriaOn the 1st of June, two Romanian men, aged 42 and 50, were caught red-handed emptying the offering box of the church in Neumarkt. They have "partially" confessed to trying to steal money from 20 churches in Lower Austria. The total damage caused, was estimated to be around 800 euros.
Sacred Items Stolen from Church in Fécamp
June 1, 2022, FranceDuring the night of June 1st, thieves forced open the door of the abbey church of Sainte-Trinité in Fécamp, and stole a sacred item kept in the sacristy. They took two vials containing "Precious Blood" which is believed to be from Jesus when he was crucified. Bishop of Le Havre, Mgr Jean-Luc Brunin, lamented: "This theft is an unbearable attack on the faith of all people who remember the Salvation obtained by the sacrifice of Christ."
Major Theft of Valuables from Mespelbrunn Church
June 1, 2022, GermanyPolice were investigating an incident in which unknown intruders forced their way into the Mespelbrunn church. They took several sacred coins and jewelry out of a glass case and then fled. The cost of the property damage was around 500 euros but the precise amount of stolen goods was still being quantified.
Church Doors in Gischow Damaged with Inscription by Vandals
June 1, 2022, GermanyIt was reported on the 1st of June, that the door of the Evangelical Church in the town of Gischow has been damaged, just a couple of days after graffiti on a church in Plau. The inscription was hard to read, but it was carved with a sharp object on the wooden door of the church, causing great damage.
Increased Vandalism to the Church in Olpe
May 31, 2022, GermanyThe latest act of vandalism to the Kreuzkapelle in Olpe, which happened on May 31st, damaged the historic door but was only part of the vandalism the chapel has recently experienced. The surrounding area is often littered and people's rubbish is thrown into the nave, as well as benches and windows are broken. The increase in incidents happened after the church lay dormant for many years and then was restored.
Burglars Broke into Neumark Church
May 31, 2022, GermanyAn initial investigation revealed that the church in Neumark was broken into on the 31st of May. Unknown intruders gained access to the church by breaking a side door. It was not yet known if anything had been stolen but cupboards and doors were opened to search for valuables. The property damage was around 3,000 euros.
Student Pro-Life Group Launches Petition after Being Rejected from 6 Universities
May 31, 2022, GermanyThe group "Pro-Life Europe" has launched a petition to be admitted at the University of Regensburg. Since 2020, they have been refused a place in 6 universities in German speaking countries; a serious challenge to freedom of speech. In 2021, the students tried to be accepted as a group at the University of Regensburg to discuss the topic of abortion with scientific approaches. Despite asking three times and complying with the guidelines, they were rejected without reason; while other groups were given full support. Similar opposition was met at other universities including TU Munich, the University of Wuppertal, the University of Augsburg, the Johannes Kepler University , and the University of Vienna which denied them a stand. The organization is not religious, but many belonging students identify as Christians and are representative of religious groups with similar opinions.
Books with Anti-Catholic Language Distributed by Castellon City Council
May 31, 2022, SpainA lawsuit filed in October 2021 by the Spanish Foundation of Christian Lawyers to remove books with anti-Catholic language has been dismissed. In the mentioned books, it is possible to find statements such as "The bishop gets it in the ass", "Hookers in the Vatican" and "Allah is not great and Jesus does not love us". The lawsuit called for the reiteration of 32 LGTBI-themed books distributed to 12 public institutes of Castellón and in the center of minors Pi Gros. The books were distributed by the City Council. The Contentious-Administrative Court 1 of Castellón dismissed the case. The Spanish Foundation of Christian Lawyers said they will appeal the judicial decision before the Superior Court of Justice, on the grounds that, in their perspective, "these books violate fundamental rights and incite hatred against all religions".
Vandalism in a Brianza Church
May 30, 2022, ItalyIn the church of Santa Maria Nascente, in Piazza Della Chiesa, someone entered the nave and threw chairs around the floor, leaving some tipped over. The incident, which expressed hate toward the church, happened on May 30th.
Vandals Attack Church Saint Mary's Church in Brianza
May 30, 2022, ItalyTwo similar attacks have been registered in Brianza and Meda. In one, vandals entered the Sanctuary of the Holy Crucifix Church in Meda on the 30th of May. They threw chairs to the ground and emptied the hand sanitiser gel, that was at the entrance to the building, onto the floor. A brass crucifix was also found folded up. A similar attack happened near this time in the Santa Maria Nascente Church in Brianza.
Salzburg: Van from Catholic Group Graffitied for 7th Time
May 30, 2022, AustriaFor the 7th time, a vehicle of the Catholic help group "HOME Base" Salzburg, was spray-painted, covering the name, logo, and slogan on the van. This time it happened on the 30th of May. The victims later wrote on Facebook "Thank you, dear 'Antifada' confused neighbors." They also called on the City of Salzburg to do something to prevent such attacks.
Church in Przyjaźń Looted, Thief Takes Mass Wine
May 30, 2022, PolandA 27-year-old from the Kartuzy district looted the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Przyjaźń on May 30th. He took two bottles of mass wine from the church, an amplifier and a halogen lamp. After the man was caught by the police and fined PLN 500, the stolen property was all recovered. The value was estimated around PLN 300.