All cases
Church in Rotherham Trashed by Illegal Party
May 10, 2022, United KingdomOn May 10th, vandals broke into the Rotherham Church and trashed the interior. They drank wine and left broken bottles everywhere as well as destroying the church-run nursery which is used to help single mothers with childcare. The incident forced the nursery to close for a week.
Bad Wörishofen Cementery Ransacked by Vandals
May 10, 2022, GermanyUnknown vandals have rioted in the cemetery of Bad Wörishof and knocked over a large gravestone. The cemetery caretaker, Frank Stehr, says that the cemetery is the target of thieves and vandals almost every day. He says flowers and grave arrangements or even gravestones are stolen regularly. "Again and again, people come to me and report that they have lost various such objects," he reports. Still, the last incident was unprecedented. "It was vandalism in its purest form," said Stehr.
Family Father Stabbed to Death in Marseille
May 10, 2022, FranceOn May 10. 2022, an army doctor was stabbed to death in front of his two children. The 40-year old man was quietly picking up his children from a catholic school in Marseilles, when he was attacked from behind by Mohammed L. (23). The suspect claims he committed this crime "in the name of God".
150 kg Bell Stolen from Baranow Church
May 9, 2022, PolandA bronze bell, weighing 150 kg, was stolen from the Baranow Parish Church on May 9th. The bell has images of the Crucified Christ and Madonna and Child on it and was made in 1853. The parish priest notified the police and appealed to the villagers.
Aggravated Theft in Crotone
May 9, 2022, ItalyTwo burglars entered a church in Crotone on May 9th and after removing the entire offering column, they took it outside, forced it open, and took the coins within. A passerby noticed the unusual activity and immediately notified the Carabinieri arrived on the scene with the State Police who caught the offenders. They were then charged with aggravated theft and taken to the Catanzaro prison.
Relic containing the blood of a Polish priest was stolen from a church
May 9, 2022, United KingdomThe St. Nicholas Church in Boston was the victim of a burglary on the night between the 9th and 10th of May. One of the stolen items was the reliquary containing the blood of Jerzy Popieluszko, a Polish priest who was beatified by the Roman Catholic Church in 2009. The police are investigating.
Church in Lomellina Vandalized
May 8, 2022, ItalyOn May 8th, vandals forced their way into the interior of the Santa Croce church in Lomellina. There, they damaged the the votive candle lighting system and ransacked the priest's office. No valuable appeared to be stolen but extent of the damage had not been properly assessed.
Destruction of Tombs and Crosses in Piekary Śląskie Cemetery
May 8, 2022, PolandAround 30 graves were destroyed by unknown vandals in the St. Józef cemetery of Piekary Śląskie on May 8th. Tombstones were pushed over and crosses were broken in an act that showed complete disrespect for a place that is sacred to so many. The crime was investigated with the support of forensic technicians who were trying identify the villains.
Anglican Chapel Severly Vandalised and Mocked
May 8, 2022, United KingdomSt. Mary's church near Saxton, Yorkshire, which is an important listed building, was vandalized by anonymous intruders on May 8th. A volunteer group that takes care of the chapel wrote on Facebook: "A sickening sight this morning...litter, smashed vases, glass everywhere, and worst of all the crosses broken too. To add insult to injury, a note of apology with a fake phone number," was also left there. The chapel stands in an isolated field and has often been a place of refuge.
Arson and Property Damage in Bobingen Church
May 8, 2022, GermanyUnknown people entered the Liebfrauen church in Bobingen and damaged several seat cushions and benches. On May 8th, they took the sacrificial candles that were in the church, and after lighting them, used them to burn holes in the furniture. An investigation was launched by the police and the damage was estimated at around 400 euros.
Theft and Vandalism in Ostellato Church
May 8, 2022, ItalyWhen the priests arrived at the Ostellato parish of "Santissimi Pietro e Paolo" on Sunday the 8th of May to prepare mass, they found that intruders had stolen the offerings and some golden objects after forcing their way through the back door during the night. The property damage was around 6,000 euros, which was not covered by insurance. The carabinieri started an investigation and hope to find the perpetrators.
116 Spiritual Sites Destroyed Since Russian Invasion of Ukraine
May 7, 2022, UkraineBetween February 24th, when Russia first invaded Ukraine, and May 7th, there have been 116 spiritually significant buildings destroyed. 91 of these buildings were Orthodox churches while the rest, were Mosques, Synagogues, Catholic and Protestant churches, and buildings of religious organizations. Most of these ruined sites were in the regions of Donetsk, Kyiv, and Kharkiv. The war in Ukraine has caused a divide, especially in the Christian Orthodox Church which has led Russia to ban the Ukraine Orthodox Church and Ukraine to attempt a similar ban on the Russian Orthodox Church.
Two Holy Water Fonts Stolen from Different Cemeteries
May 7, 2022, GermanyOn the 7th of May, two holy water fonts were stolen. One was stolen from the cemetery in Hittisau and the other was from the cemetery in Egg-Großdorf. It was not known who did it but witnesses were being asked to provide more information.
Churchyard in Ruvo di Puglia Vandalized
May 6, 2022, ItalyThe churchyard of the San Rocco church in Ruvo di Puglia, was vandalized on May 6th by unknown perpetrators. Diesel was sprinkled around which caused damage to the sidewalk and floor. Municipal councilor Mariatiziana Rugliani thought the cameras may be able to help identify who did it. He also said of the incident: "An ignoble act, a meaningless disfigurement to a sacred place and to those who lovingly guard it."
Vandalism to Evangelical Church in Vöcklabruck
May 6, 2022, AustriaThe evangelical church in Vöcklabruck, Austria, was vandalized on Friday the 6th of May. Three lights on the pathway outside the church were kicked over, and notices, brochures, leaflets, and prayer books were scattered all over the inside of the church. The microphones were damaged and the offering box was broken open from which money was then stolen. The amount of damage was not entirely clear but the police were investigating.
Man Arrested for Stealing Sacred Vessels from Nicosia Chapel
May 6, 2022, CyprusA 36-year-old man was arrested on the 6th of May on suspicion of stealing sacred vessels from a schoolyard chapel in Nicosia, Cyprus. Sometime between April 15th and May 3rd, the chapel was broken into and the sacred items were taken. Those investigating the crime found the man.
Window in Schlierstadt Church Smashed
May 6, 2022, GermanyA window of the Catholic church "Sankt Gangolf" in Schlierstadt, was smashed with a stone between May 2nd and 6th. The church was vandalized twice last year but this time, the property damage was around 1000 euros. The police were looking for more information about the perpetrator.
Parental Consent Not Needed for Children Under 16 Years Old to Take Puberty Blockers
May 6, 2022, United KingdomOn the 6th of May, the Supreme Court of the UK declined to take the Bell v Tavistock case, regarding puberty blockers for teenagers under 16 years old, which means the ruling by the Court of Appeals will currently stand. After the High Court ruled that 13-year-olds were not old enough and needed parental consent to begin hormone blockers; Tavistock appealed in June of 2021 and the Court of Appeals ruled that it was not the High Court's decision to make. Instead, they ruled that parental consent was unnecessary and that clinicians could decide it with their patients. This is a significant concern for Christian parents who would disagree with such treatment.
Anti-Christian and Nazi Tags on Parish Church in Mautern
May 6, 2022, AustriaThe outer walls of the parish church in Mautern were sprayed with Nazi symbols on May 6th. Once the police had the relevant details, they were able to identify the perpetrators who were brothers aged 21 and 27 from the Leoben district. The property damage was significant. One graffiti reads "F** Jesus".
Bishop's Car in Kaluga Vandalized
May 6, 2022, RussiaOn the night of May 6th, the car of Albert Ratkin, bishop of the Glorification Church in Kaluga, was painted with the "pro-Russian war" letters Z and V, and polyurethane was put in the exhaust pipe and doors. The vandalism was done because the Bishop had a YouTube channel, called "View from Heaven", on which he had posted videos against the war. He said: “I am not speaking with criticism, I am offering some solutions. Not everyone likes it, you see.”