All cases
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.
Pro-Abortion Demonstrators Chant Anti-Christian Slogans
December 28, 2021, SpainA feminist group, purposefully organized a confrontation with pro-life demonstrators, and then chanted slogans such as "Let's burn the Episcopal Conference!" On December 28th, anti-abortion groups typically organize protests, as it is the feast of the Holy Innocents. This feminist group encouraged supporters to go to the clinic of Dator in Madrid on this same day which is why the incident occurred and police had to intervene to keep the peace.
Vandalism and Theft at German Church
December 27, 2021, GermanyOn the 27th of December, an unknown burglars entered the Catholic church in Bleidenstadt, and stole several candles, and a donation box with the money still in it. They also destroyed a hymn book and candle jars. The police were notified.
Theft of Consecrated Hosts in San Michele's Church in Menna
December 27, 2021, ItalyAround the 27. December, the consecrated Hosts of the San Michele Church in Menna were stolen by unknown perpetrators. The mayor of Vasto Francesco Menna denounced the incident: "It is deplorable what happened in the church of San Michele in Vasto, where a pyx with consecrated hosts was stolen." The mayor asked the citizens to collaborate with the investigators to identify the person responsible.
St. Simon and Judas Door Handle smeared with Margarine
December 27, 2021, GermanyIn Gross Reken, unknown people smeared margarine on the door handle of the church of St. Simon and Judas, leaving the pot of margarine right in front of the church door. The verger noticed the vandalism and the Pastor Thomas Hatwig told the Borkener Zeitung.
Baby Jesus Figure from Nativity Scene Beheaded
December 27, 2021, ItalyOn the night of 27. to 28. December, the figure of baby Jesus, who is part of the nativity scene located in front of the church of San Filippo Neri in Ciliverghe di Mazzano, was found beheaded. This was reported on Tuesday morning on social networks, which upset the citizens of that town. There is one security camera at the church, but it was not facing towards the place, where the nativity scene was, so it will be hard for the police to identify the perpetrators. The parish priest, Don Roberto Rovaris, commented: "There is no respect, outside of faith, for the ideas of others."
Unknown Perpetrators Vandalise San Paterniano Church
December 27, 2021, ItalyOn December 27th, the San Paterniano church in Perusa was vandalised by unknown persons. The security cameras show images of an overturned table, and all the objects on it, such as brochures, holy pictures and the offering box, were lying on the floor. Also, the microphone was broken and candlesticks were scattered around. The parish priest, Anton Sascau, is seen in the video with a grieving voice and commenting on this act of vandalism, but he also said he would welcome the responsible person.
Graffiti Threatens Herzkamp Pastor
December 27, 2021, GermanyThreatening pictures and slogans were painted against the pastor of Herzkamp. The police have investigated but nobody is suspect yet.
Arson at Church Nativity in Trévières
December 26, 2021, FranceOn December 26th, a fire broke out in the Saint Martin church Nativity scene in Trévières. It started near the crib and spread to the surrounding carpet but didn't grow too large despite the vast output of smoke. The investigators said "there is no doubt" as to the origin of the fire and believe it was intentionally started.
Nativity Scene in Huppy Vandalized on Christmas
December 26, 2021, FranceIn Huppy, the life-size wood nativity scene in front of the village Church was vandalized by unknown perpetrators. The figures were a tradition for the last 20 years, according to the parish people. The incident was discovered just after Christmas, on the 26. of December. The figures were scattered on the ground and some parts were broken.
Several Figures Stolen from Nativity in Cuenca
December 25, 2021, SpainThe figures of the Child Jesus and St. Joseph were taken from a Nativity scene in Cuenca, Spain on December 25th. Several of the other surrounding figures were scattered and but it is unknown who did it. The rector of the Seminary of Cuenca, José Antonio Fernández, accurately wrote on Twitter: "This is a hate crime."
Historical Basilica Vandalised Tagged with Graffiti on Christmas
December 25, 2021, PolandThe facade of the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Warsaw was defaced with graffiti on the 25th of December. The church is in the centre of Warsaw and has a special place in Polish history. On the outer walls, unknown perpetrators wrote the phrases "Secular State", "Techno will be here", among other tags. As a church, but also because of its historical value, the vandalisation of the church has aroused the indignation of many people. The police are investigating the case, as there were security cameras that recorded the scene.
Perpetrators Steal around 10,000€ in Offerings and Sacred Objects
December 25, 2021, ItalyDuring the celebration of Christmas mass at midnight, unknown thieves broke into the parish house in Piazza San Vittore in Rho, ripped out the safe, loaded it into a van parked in the courtyard and fled unmolested. The safe contained offerings, blessings and a valuable golden crown.
Nativiy Figurine Stolen in Locronan
December 25, 2021, FranceOn Christmas Eve, Jesus and some other figures from the nativity scene in the church of Saint-Ronan of Locronan, mysteriously disappeared. The carving was a treasure of the village and the parishioners were outraged by this disrespectful act. Antoine Gabriele the mayor of Locronan called it "lamentable" and "despicable".
Stolen Figurine of the Infant Christ Comes Back
December 23, 2021, United KingdomA church located in Oxfordshire celebrates after the return of Jesus to its nativity scene. The figurine was stolen a week before Christmas from St Mary's Church in Church Green in Witney, with local the police appealing for help on social media, in order to find its whereabouts. The appeal received a huge response, which lead to its return, even though slightly dirtier than before it was taken. Rev Canon Toby Wright told the BBC: "Baby Jesus is safely back and tucked up - it's great news for Christmas." The person who took Baby Jesus is still unidentified.