All cases
Church Repeatedly Vandalized and Desecrated by Teenagers
June 7, 2022, ItalyPolice were working to identify three teenagers, dressed in black, who targeted the Santo Crocifisso in Meda with vandalism and sacrilegious gestures. In this incident, around the 5th of June, they smoked and urinated in the church and then returned days later to knock over some chairs. They were confronted by the volunteers that work there but managed to disappear. The same had happened already in May.
Bible, Cross and Ten Commandments Tablet Stolen from Church in Marseille
June 7, 2022, FranceOn the 7th of June, the Church of Saint-Menet in Marseille was broken into and looted by unknown individuals. They forced open a locked drawer of the altar and stole a Bible with a golden cover, a large silver cross, and a tablet of the Ten Commandments. The priest of the church, finding it turned upside down, noticed the theft and alerted the authorities. The scientific police went to the crime scene and opened an investigation to find the culprits.
Former Church Set on Fire in Eckington
June 6, 2022, United KingdomA large church in Eckington, which has not been used for quite some time, was set on fire by unknown arsonists on the 3rd of June. Residents were told to leave their homes and two fire departments had to be called. Although this church may have been unused, its religious value was still present.
Anti-Christian Graffiti on Historic Church in Potsdam
June 6, 2022, GermanyThe evangelical Sacrower Heilandskirche in Potsdam was vandalized with large amounts of graffiti on the 6th of June by unknown people. The damage to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which the police were investigating, will cost tens of thousands of euros to repair. The slogans written said "No God; No State; No Patriarchy" and portrayed an anarchist symbol.
9 Men Arrested for Stealing Trunks and Jewels from Churches
June 6, 2022, SpainOn the 6th of June it was reported that the Spanish police apprehended a group of 9 men who had been looting over 20 churches in the south of Spain. Some of the cities where they stole trunks, religious objects and jewels from the Saints were Murcia, Alicante and Almería.
Church Billboard Set on Fire in St. Margrethen.
June 5, 2022, GermanyAn unknown arsonist set fire to the billboard of the Catholic church in St. Margrethen sometime between 12:00 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. on the 5th of June. The fire went out on its own but damage of several hundred francs was caused. The St. Gallen police were looking for witnesses who could provide more information about the incident.
Religious Items Stolen from Bamberg Monastery
June 5, 2022, GermanyThieves, who have not been identified, stole a priest's robe and a monstrance from a monastery in Bamberg. The theft was noticed on the 5th of June and the value of the items is around 15,000 euros. The monstrance, which is used to present the holy Eucharist, is around 75 cm tall and close to 32 cm wide. The Police were investigating the crime.
Spain: Bishop called Homophobic and Insulted for Defending Life and Family
June 5, 2022, SpainBishop Santiago Gómez Sierra of Huelva spoke in a Mass on Pentecost Sunday and reminded Catholics of the importance of upholding the values of life and family when they vote in the upcoming election. He said that he was not trying to enforce anything but rather encourage "moral principles" that "should be above the different party strategies because they are issues required by reason, natural law, and true humanism.” For this speech, he was accused by left-leaning media and politicians of being homophobic and attacking "rights won by the left."
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.