All cases
Ruins of St. Finian's Church in Esker Vandalized
September 13, 2021, IrelandThe historic ruins of the St. Finian's Church in Esker were smeared with black paint on September 13th. The structure is of great local significance and had recently undergone restoration work when the defacement occurred. The Councilor considered this act of vandalism a direct insult to the religious sight and those working there.
Three Teenagers Shout Blasphemies During Mass in Sorso
September 12, 2021, ItalyThree times in a row, three teenagers entered St.Pantaleon's church during mass was taking place and started shouting blasphemies. After the incident, they just left rapidly. Residents and church parishioners have been asking for more control due to the rise of acts of vandalism. The police seem to ignore the requests.
Fourth Break-In at the Madonna delle Lacrime in Siracusa
September 12, 2021, ItalyOn the 12th of September, the News Outlet "Siracusa2000" reported that the Shrine of Our Lady of Tears was vandalised twice in the last 48 hours. This is already the 4th case at the same church within a month. The perpetrators entered through an upper window, shattering its stained-glass window, but they did not steal anything. After several thefts, the parish people had taken the offering boxes away.
Theft and Vandalism in Church of Notre Dame de Lourdes
September 11, 2021, FranceThe church of Notre Dame de Lourdes in Argenteuil was desecrated and broken into. The thieves forced their way into the church through a small window. Inside the church, they stole the ciborium from the tabernacle and threw the holy hosts on the ground. From there the perpetrators went on to the sacristy where they stole a chalice and a paten. All of the stolen items were made out of silver, which gives a hint of the motive of the theft. The glass cruets and other items of worship were left untouched, although they searched the premises. According to the parish vicar, there have been no other recent burglaries of the church or of churches in the area. A reparation ceremony will take place.
Statue of the Virgin Mary at the L'Immacule Conception Church Destroyed
September 11, 2021, FranceThe statue of the Virgin Mary at the Immaculate Conception Church in Bonnencontre was broken into thousand pieces. The major and the parish priest believe it happened on 11th September. In the pictures posted by "Le Bien Pubic" one can also recognize scattered bibles on the floor. A formal complaint has been filed.
Blasphemous Graffiti on Church in Palomares
September 11, 2021, SpainGraffitied profanities against God appeared on a church in Palomares neighbourhood of Béjar on September 11th. The neighbors discovered the graffiti which will take a large amount of work to remove. The police investigated the incident but there were no suspects yet.
Offering Box Repeatedly Being Robbed
September 9, 2021, ItalyThe rector of St Anthony's exposed a warning sign on the church's news table: 'He steals our money, but I want to avoid him trouble'. Repeatedly, the priest had found the box containing the offerings of the faithful robbed several times during the last months. He writes that if the thieve comes again he will reach to the police.
Afghan Faith Minorities, Specially Christians Face Crisis while the "EU Religious Special Envoy" Position Is Vacant
September 8, 2021, BelgiumSpecial Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU seems to be a difficult position. After being two years vacant, Christos Stylianides took up the vacant post and left it after less than five months for another one. Human Rights experts express their concern about how poorly this position is supported and resourced.
Christian Lawyers Appeal Against the Government's Decision to Ban Religious Processions
September 8, 2021, SpainThe Organisation of Christian Lawyers has appealed to the courts that the ban the Junta de Castilla y León placed on religious processions to contain the spread of the Covid 19, was not just. The ban was imposed in Castilla y León to prevent the festival of the patron saint, which takes place on September 8th, from happening. Christian Lawyers claims that this ban interferes with the fundamental right of religious liberty.
St David's Church in Hubberston Repeatedly Vandalized
September 7, 2021, United KingdomThe church of St. David and its surroundings continue to be vandalized almost on a daily basis: litter, condoms, sanitary towels, signs of drug use, and human excrement have had to be cleared away by the parishioners, the vast majority of whom are elderly. The latest event affected the church directly where the windows were smashed and graves desecrated. Church members, neighbors, and the police have worked to limit the amount of vandalism. One of the regular church attendants expressed her concern regarding the ongoing vandalism, "The costs and efforts to maintain and continue to preserve these local assets are immense. As a community, we seek to protect our village green and buildings for future generations (...) For almost 900 years it has been cherished and used by thousands of people near and far, as a place of spiritual peace and as a link between generations past and present".
Church Premises Vandalised with Insulting Graffitis Against the Church
September 6, 2021, SpainThe famous romanic chapel known as Monsacro has been vandalised with graffitis and messages against the Church. The chapel building was not vansalised but the Way of Sorrows and the boundary markers were tagged with hostile messages.
Burglary in La Bien Aparecida Church
September 6, 2021, SpainThe chalice, sacred books, and several candles were stolen from the parish of La Bien Aparecida in Santander on September 6th. The door of the tabernacle was also torn off and the Bishopric pointed out that the perpetrator "did not pursue an economic motive, since the pieces do not have great value for sale, but to commit sacrilege." It happened shortly after the Sunday mass but no thief was found.
Theft of Crucifix in Terlizzi
September 6, 2021, ItalyA crucifix was stolen on September 6th from the statue of Sant Rita in the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate church of Terlizzi. The statue has great religious significance and the vandalistic theft upset the church goers. They have invited all to pray that the crucifix gets returned.
Two Churches in Siracusa Vandalised
September 5, 2021, ItalyThe Church of the Mazzarrona and now also the basilica sanctuary of the Madonna delle Lacrime have been the target of thieves and vandals. Police are investigating.
Enormous Damage Caused to Vandalised Church in Burgerland
September 5, 2021, AustriaThe Evangelical Church of Markt Allhau has been vandalised by unknown perpetrators during the night of the 5th to 6th of September. The whole façade of the church was smeared with ketchup, eggs, and bananas while a window was broken with a stone. The incident has been reported to the police and they are investigating. The damage amounts to several thousand euros.
Third Theft in Madonna delle Lacrime Sanctuary in one Month
September 4, 2021, ItalyFor the third time in a row, the Madonna Delle Lacrime Sanctuary located in Siracusa has been robbed of its offerings and vandalized. The last incident happened between the 3rd and 4th of September. The thieves seemed to have entered through the side door, shattering its glass, as seen in the photo. Police and forensic personnel are carrying out investigations.
Arson Caused Damage of Several Thousand Francs to St.Andrea's Church in Gossau
September 3, 2021, SwitzerlandUnknown persons set fire to several objects between 4.45 pm and 6 pm on the 3rd of September. Fortunately, the fire went out by itself. The arson was discovered by the sexton, who smelled smoke when entering the church. He found a singed wooden table with charred objects. According to the St. Gallen cantonal police, property damage amounting to several thousand francs was caused. The Priest of the Church, Andy Givel, expressed surprise and concern regarding the incident.
Chiesa Matrice di Alessandria della Rocca Robbed and Vandalised
September 3, 2021, ItalyAccording to initial investigations, the robbery took place on the 27th of August, but the parish priest of the church reported the incident to the police only on 3 September. Unknown perpetrators broke into Chiesa Matrice di Alessandria della Rocca and vandalised the tabernacle by stealing the gold and cooper door of the tabernacle. The perpetrators also looted the collection box. The police are investigating.
Church Door Glued Shut in Verín
September 3, 2021, SpainThe door of the Os Remedios church in Verín was glued and wired shut by vandals to prevent the mass for the Virgin being celebrated. The parishioners were disgusted by that act and had to pray outside. A complaint was filed and a locksmith eventually managed to open the door.
New Study in Ireland Reveals: Catholic Students Are most Affected by Bullying
September 2, 2021, IrelandA recent study by the "National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre" of the University of Dublin proves that Christian students are particularly affected by intolerance and discrimination in secondary schools. The report is based on 214 interviews with religious education teachers from each of Ireland's secondary schools. Half of the surveyed schools recognised bullying because of a students faith as a problem. Teachers expressed their concern about negative stereotyping and exclusion of students with strong beliefs or unpopular opinions. According to the responses in the study, Christians and particularly Catholics have been targeted the most. One teacher noted: "It is now socially accepted in Ireland that Catholics are insulted or belittled."