All cases
Vandalism: Withington church spray-painted
December 16, 2024, IrelandSt Peter's Church in Withington was vandalised on 16 December, with the door and interior sprayed with paint. Police officers described the damage as 'shocking and irreparable'.
Fire at Christian centre, suspected arson by left-wing extremists
December 15, 2024, GermanyAs reported on 15 December, a pile of rubbish and bulky waste caught fire at the back of a building housing the Bremen police and the local Free Church welfare office. Left-wing extremists claimed responsibility and expressed hostility towards the Pentecostal Church.
Nativity figurines disappeared
December 14, 2024, ItalyThe statues of Mary and the ox disappeared from the nativity scene in front of the church of San Michele Arcangelo and Santa Lucia in Cesa, a hamlet in the municipality of Marciano della Chiana, on December 14.
Desecration of a church with a satanic symbol
December 13, 2024, FranceThe church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption in Guercheville (Seine-et-Marne) was the target of vandalism on the night of 13 December. Parishioners in the village raised the alarm after discovering the symbol 666 with an "S" on the front door.
Pastor and Christian community offered protection by police
December 12, 2024, GermanyProtestant pastor Ralf Sedlak has been the target of several threats and attacks following a sermon criticising the Hamas attack on Israel in October. The police are now being called in to protect him and his family, as well as to provide security for church services as all members of the congregation face hostility.
Death Threat Graffitied on the Façade of a Chapel
December 10, 2024, FranceA threatening message referencing the DZ Mafia was discovered on the façade of a historic chapel in Marseille. The words said “You are all going to die, DZ Mafia,” raising concerns about a broader pattern of anti-Christian hostility.
Church walls defaced with graffiti
December 9, 2024, GermanyBetween December 6-9, unknown perpetrators defaced the facade of a facade of the Catholic community center St. Christophorus with graffiti. The white graffiti defaced both the north and west sides of the church building.
Figure stolen from nativity scene, damage caused
December 8, 2024, SpainSeven youths were reported in Santa Coloma for trying to steal the figure of the Virgin Mary from the municipal nativity scene at 4am on 8 December, causing damage. They fled after being surprised by the Town Hall guard and the night watchmen, but were identified a short time later in Sant Carles street.
Church window deliberately smashed
December 8, 2024, United KingdomBetween 6am and 8am on December 23, a church window was deliberately smashed, causing damage to the property at a Baptist Church in Poole. An investigation has been launched.
Clergy and Parishioners Threatened with severe Aggression
December 8, 2024, FrancePriests and parishioners at Saint-Joseph Church in Creil were subjected to death threats, attempted arson, and verbal intimidation by drug traffickers operating near the parish.
Minors Devastate Church
December 7, 2024, GermanyAn 11-year-old and a 16-year-old caused a riot in a church in Bisingen in the Zollernalb district on 7 December, causing property damage of around 3,000 euros. They damaged a vase, antique candlesticks, plants and plant pots, and scattered books on the floor. Sheet music was scattered on the floor, the Advent wreath was knocked over and everything was lying around. The damage is estimated at 3000€, said a police spokesman.
Church walls and a statue of the Virgin Mary vandalised in Moissac
December 7, 2024, FranceOn the night of 7 January, unknown persons vandalised the walls of the Catholic church of La Mégère and a public statue of the Virgin Mary. The vandals sprayed several offensive inscriptions on both sites. The police are now investigating.
Church in Bordeaux Vandalised Once Again
December 3, 2024, FranceAs reported on December 3, the Saint-Éloi church in Bordeaux suffered significant damage after a burglary and vandalism estimated at 10,000 euros, with a safe broken and stained glass windows behind the high altar damaged. In June, the church was tagged during a feminist march in the Gironde.
Desecration in Naples: Man urinates inside church
December 2, 2024, ItalyOn 2 December 2024, a case of desecration was reported at the Church of San Ferdinando, located in Piazza Trieste e Trento in Naples. Surveillance footage revealed that a male tourist entered the church, concealed himself behind the interior entrance door of the nativity scene room, and urinated inside the premises. The act was allegedly carried out with the assistance of a female companion, who acted as a lookout.
Church Façade Targeted in Night of Vandalism in Naples
December 1, 2024, ItalyOn the night of 1–2 December 2024, a group of unidentified vandals caused extensive damage in the Chiaia district of Naples. They threw potted plants and vases at the façade of the Church of Santa Caterina da Siena. T
Acid instead of wine in the chalice
December 1, 2024, ItalyThe Sunday mass in the church of Sant'Andrea on 1 December ended in hospital for a priest in the northern Italian community of Zignago - there was acid in the chalice instead of wine. The mass was interrupted and the congregation called the emergency services.
Vandalism of religious symbols in church
November 28, 2024, GermanyAs reported on 28 November, unknown persons threw the Easter candle against the wall of St Mary's Church in Waltrop, damaged altar objects, tore a prayer book and threw other objects around the church.
Theft and desecration of Orthodox church in Trento
November 28, 2024, ItalyOn 28 November 2024, an Orthodox church in Vicolo San Marco, Italy, was broken into and desecrated. The perpetrators stole cash, religious items, and Christmas gifts before defecating in the sacristy. Police are investigating the incident.
Christmas lights inside church damaged
November 27, 2024, GermanyUnknown persons have damaged the Christmas tree lights in the Catholic church in Hochstadt am Main. They destroyed candles and the lights.
Theft and desecration of religious statue
November 26, 2024, PolandA 27-year-old man, who stole a statue of Mary from a chapel in the local church in Nowe Worowo, has been charged. He confessed the theft and public desecration of the sacred object.