All cases
Historic "Weather Blessing" Cross Stolen from Church in St.George
May 14, 2022, SwitzerlandA weather blessing cross, that is almost 200 years old and very important to the community, was stolen from the St. Gallen Catholic Church in St. George. It stands 45cm tall and was taken on the 14th of May by unknown thieves. Magnus Hächler, administrator of the church said: "It's a painful loss and very annoying."
Panoramic Church Window of Church in Leipzig Destroyed
May 13, 2022, GermanyThe Catholic provost church Sankt Trinitatis in Leipzig was once again targeted by vandalism after the theft of the tabernacle in April. This time, on May 13th, the 20-meter long by 3 three-meter high church window which has the entire Bible printed on it, was destroyed. The property damage was at least 50,000 to 100,000 euros said provost Gregor Giele of the Catholic New Agency (KNA). Police started an investigation.
Extensive Destruction of Church Windows in Leipzig
May 13, 2022, GermanySix panes of glass were broken in on May 13th at the Catholic Church Sankt Laurentius in Reudnitz-Thonberg, Leipzig. It was not known who completed the vandalism but an investigation was underway. The property damage was in the four-digit range.
Arson Attack and Theft on Pau Chaplaincy
May 12, 2022, FranceThe Chaplaincy in Pau was the victim of an arson attack on the 12th of May. The fire was started on the ground floor of the presbytery of the church of Saint-Pierre and it was obvious that the tabernacle was deliberately targeted as it was charred. The consecrated hosts were not burned but the police also noticed thefts of a computer and some money.
"Fake" Bomb Placed in Potenza Church
May 11, 2022, ItalyA suitcase that was thought to contain a bomb, was left in the Church of San Michele Arcangelo in the historic city of Potenza. It was placed there during the afternoon on May 11th and due to the ticking sound that the suitcase emitted, a bomb was suspected to be inside. A police squad was immediately notified but as the investigations were made, no bomb was found as it was supposed to be a bad joke.
Intruders Break into Church in Siegen-Eiserfeld and Ransack the interior
May 11, 2022, GermanyUnknown intruders forcibly broke into the church in Siegen-Eiserfeld on May 11th. Once inside, they ransacked several cupboards and using tools from the church inventory forced open locked containers. Nothing was stolen but the property damage was significant.
Insulting Graffiti on Church in Killeshil
May 11, 2022, IrelandThe outer wall of the St. Paul's Church of Ireland in Killeshil was painted with the words "baby killers" alongside a swastika symbol. The attack was labelled a hate crime by the PSNI who were investigating the incident. Frances Burton, the DUP councillor for the Clogher Valley area said: “It really is soul-destroying for the people involved with that church and it’s something that is so uncalled for."
Antique Windows Smashed in Neunkirchen and Church Vandalized
May 11, 2022, GermanyBetween May 11th and 12th, intruders broke into the Neunkirchen church on Kirchstrasse by throwing stones through two of the valuable antique stained glass windows. Inside the church, they ransacked cupboards and storage rooms but failed to break open a locked safe. It seemed like they didn't take anything but significant property damage was caused that will cost around 10,000 to repair.
Church Window in Stipshausen Damaged
May 11, 2022, GermanyA window in the Catholic Church of Stipshausen was damaged by an unknown vandal on May 11th. Witnesses found a medium-sized hole, which was probably caused by an object in the framed glass. The police were looking for witnesses with more information.
Burglars Steal Sacred Objects from Bad Doberan Monastery
May 10, 2022, GermanyThieves broke into the Bad Doberan Monastery on the 10th of May but have not been found. They ransacked the interior of the church and broke open a safe from which they took keys and an unspecified quantity of cash. In addition, they stole some sacred objects which were made of brass or gold and silver plated. The police launched an investigation but have not been able to track either the thieves or the stolen objects.
Arson and Desecration in Romsthal Church
May 10, 2022, GermanyOn May 10th, a church on Kirchstrasse in Romsthal was the victim of an arson attempt. The criminals set fire to several parish letters under a stool and burned some prayer texts near the altar. In addition, they knocked over an offering box, and some candles, and spread the wax over the floor. The fire was out by the time it was discovered and the property damage was around 150 euros but could have been much more. The police were looking for witnesses.
Cross and Candlestick Stolen from Church in Addington
May 10, 2022, United KingdomA cross and candlestick were stolen from the medieval church of St. Mary in Addington on the 10th of May. Reverend Debbie Forman said that the items have "little intrinsic value" but the church is "not the same without them." The church remained open and the hope was that the thief, who was not known, would return them.
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.