All cases
Church in Regensburg Terribly Damaged by Vandals
November 29, 2021, GermanyOn the 29th of November between 11a.m and 7 p.m, an unknown person went on a rampage in the Holy Spirit Parish Church in Regensburg and damaged several sacred objects. The offender stole a cross from the altar, urinated in a corner, broke a chandelier off the altar of Mary, and tipped several lighted candles over. The police were looking for witnesses who can give information about this incident.
Monument defaced with Anti-Catholic Tags
November 29, 2021, ItalyThe Online Newssite "Taccuino di Verità" posted on 29. November that the Base of a Monument in Ferrara was tagged with black spray paint. The tags contained offensive inscriptions against the deputy mayor Nicola Lodi and towards priests, saying "Priests eat children". The police will investigate with CCTV footage from the Piazza Ariostea.
Cathedral Entrance Vandalised with Paintings
November 28, 2021, ItalyThe entrance door to the cathedral of San Steffano in Milazzo has been vandalized with writings and graffiti, leaving it in a deplorable state. The mayor has strongly condemned the acts and ordered police reinforcement of the area to prevent future vandalism. The mayor further claimed: "this cannot be my city", since there seems to be a high degree of tolerance towards this kind of acts, which should be "heavily sanctioned". He recalls that the square in front of the church is often the target of raids and "unthinkable actions" that should be countered.
Relic from St. Joseph Stolen in Macherio
November 28, 2021, ItalyIn the church of Saints Gervase and Protasius in Macherius, a relic from St. Joseph, placed next to a figure of the saint, was stolen a few days before November 28th. This relic of St. Joseph was a piece of cloth that was kept inside a glass case. The incident was reported to the Carabinieri who are now investigating the matter.
Church windows in Everingen Repeatedly Vandalized
November 28, 2021, GermanyThe windows of the St. Jacobi church in Everingen, have been repeatedly damaged by unidentified persons. In the space of two weeks, the windows were broken twice by thrown stones, the latest incident was recorded on November 28th.
Sacred Painting from 1706 Damaged in Rampage
November 28, 2021, ItalyThe chapel of St. John the Baptist of via Bergamas in the historic center of Gradisca was vandalized on November 28th. The unknown individual, broke into the church, threw candles on the floor and against the altar, damaged a sacred painting from 1706, and then smeared the walls and a wooden notice board with candle wax. The rampage left the chapel in complete disarray and showed obvious malice toward the church.
Arson at Church in Boulonnais: A Total of 8 Attacks in One Month
November 27, 2021, FranceOn the night of 26th to 27th November around midnight, a fire struck a church in Boulonnais in the town of Le Portel. The church Saint-Pierre Saint-Paul had already been vandalised a couple of days before. The fire started at the back of the religious building in the sacristy where the equipment of the parish priest and volunteers is kept. Nineteen firemen intervened to control the fire, which threatened the whole church. The police arrested a 36-year-old suspect during the night as he was trying to flee, as the police commissioner of Boulogne, Arnaud Jublin, explained. A hearing of the suspect will take place soon.
Anti-Christian Messages in the Church of Mauléon-Licharre
November 27, 2021, FranceThe church of Mauléon-Licharre was targeted with anti-religious inscriptions on November 27th. "P Do Fil's Team" and "ABA GZU" (down with Jesus) were written on the side of the church during the night. The gendarmerie started an investigation and the priest of Mauléon said "It's so cowardly."
8,000 Euros of Damage Caused to the Geisinger Church
November 26, 2021, GermanyIntruders who entered the Geisinger church didn't steal anything but caused large amounts of damage. On November 26th, they entered through a window and then used large amounts of force to smash through the sacristy door. There was glass and splinters everywhere and the damage incurred would cost 8000 euros.
Vandalism At the Sant'Antonio Abate Church
November 26, 2021, ItalyVandals at the church of Sant'Antonio Abate, forced open the church door and damaged the lock in the process on November 26th. They did not steal anything but the vandalism was evident. Investigators were trying to find out more about the crime such as who did it and with what intent.
Arson by Under-Age-Boy at a Church in Toulouse
November 26, 2021, FranceA parishioner of the church of Fronton in Toulouse witnessed on the 26. November how a fire broke out on the altar of the church. Thanks to his quick reaction, the fire was rapidly brought under control. The investigation launched by the police showed that the fire had been set by a minor. The young man has been taken into police custody and will be tried in February 2022.
Church of Santa Maria Magdalena Vandalised Twice in November
November 25, 2021, PolandThe parish of St. Mary Magdalene reported an attack that took place on the 23. November in the morning. Police were notified by the parish priest that someone had smashed the windows with a stone in the sacristy and the utility room. The damage was estimated at 1.5 thousand PLN according to the police. This is not the first case in recent days, as on the 14. November, three lanterns and lamps illuminating the facade were destroyed at the same church. The investigation of that case is still running.
Church Door in Poznań Destroyed
November 25, 2021, PolandAn unknown man destroyed the door of the St. Jerzy church in Poznań, in late November 2021. It was reported in May of 2022, that the police would drop the case because the video was of too poor quality for the man to be identified. The police thought that he also may be involved in some other case, and could be caught then.
Sussex County Records Highest Number of Crimes in Religious Buildings Outside of London
November 24, 2021, United KingdomFor the second year in a row, only London has experienced more crimes in religious buildings than the county of Sussex. The data, provided by the Sussex Police after the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) requested it, revealed that 367 crimes have been committed at churches in Sussex in the 12 months to August. Of the 367 crimes at churches, cemeteries, and crematoriums, 54 were thefts, 106 cases of criminal damage and 44 cases of violence. This showed how these places of worship are considered easy targets for criminals.
Break-in to Church and Liturgical Objects Stolen
November 22, 2021, ItalyThieves entered the parish of San Michele in San Salvi, Florence, on the night from November 22 to 23, and broke into a sacred furniture, stealing two chalices, a monstrance, and other things. The criminals forced their way in through a door, then seized some sacred objects used to celebrate mass. The police started investigating the theft, along with staff from the Forensic Department to find those responsible for the criminal act.
Weathercock of St Martin's Church Damaged
November 22, 2021, GermanyBetween November 19 and 22, an unknown perpetrator damaged the "sun and moon" symbols attached to the weathercock of St Martin's Church in Steinheim an der Murr. The church building on the Kirchplatz was scaffolded and cordoned off due to renovation measures. It is presumed that the unknown perpetrator climbed over the scaffolding up to the church tower. The damage done to the property has yet to be quantified.
UK Report: More than 4,000 crimes committed at churches in One Year
November 22, 2021, United KingdomAccording to the Countryside Alliance, an organisation that has been reporting on crimes committed at churches across the UK, during a period of 12 months from 2020 to 2021, there have been over 4,000 crimes committed at churches and religious premises. The figures were gathered from 40 of the country's 45 police forces, which revealed there were 4,169 incidents of theft, vandalism, physical assault or burglary across the UK during one year, despite the eight months of lockdown. During the last 4 years, the organisation has documented 30,169 crimes.
Two Fires in One Week at St François-de-Sales Church
November 20, 2021, FranceA fire broke out on the 20. November in the afternoon in the sacristy of the St-François-de-Sales church. This is the second fire within a week, which has devastated the parish community. The fire broke out in the sacristy of the Church. This is one of the incidents that happened during a wave of arson attacks and vandalism to churches in the area. A suspect for all the attacks was apprehended on the 27th of November.
Church Wall Found With Red Paintings in Avellino
November 19, 2021, ItalyOnce again the church of the Rosary has been targeted by vandals. On the morning of November 19, writings in red paint were found on one of the walls of the façade of the church, in Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Both the religious community of the Rosary and the citizens are outraged by this attack which is considered by them a childish act. Investigations are underway and surveillance cameras are being analyzed to find the culprits.
Repeated Thefts in the Cemetery of Vaucluse
November 19, 2021, FranceThe recurrent thefts in the Violès cemetery in Vaucluse, near Gigondas, have negatively impacted the inhabitants. The sign on the cemetery gate reads "thefts, more thefts, always thefts!", complaining about the wave of thefts taking place in the Violès cemetery in Vaucluse, near Gigondas. The sign further intends to warn the families to be as vigilant as they can, considering the resurgence of thefts in the cemetery throughout the year. The town council and the directors of the funeral parlour have explained that it is almost a case of plundering, "everything is stolen, anonymous plaques, the most beautiful flower pots, and even artificial compositions".