All cases

Threats to Set Fire to Church

November 26, 2024, Italy

On 26 November, a 28-year-old Moroccan man damaged the door and part of the furniture of a room in an establishment in Formia that had helped him at the request of the Immaculate Heart of Mary - Don Bosco Church, and threatened to set fire to the church.

Theft and desecration in the Valdencin church

November 25, 2024, Spain

On the morning of 25 November, Father Maykel found the church of Valdencín in Santa Teresa vandalised. The sacristy was badly damaged, €80 of the collection and a silver monstrance were missing and, most devastatingly for the community, the consecrated hosts had been desecrated.

Repeated Vandalism in the Saint-Denys basilica in Argenteuil

November 25, 2024, France

The Saint-Denys basilica has been the target of several acts of vandalism since September. In the latest incident, two youths entered the Argenteuil basilica through a back door shouting "Allah Akbar". Police presence around the building has been increased. In September, the presbytery was damaged by vulgar graffiti. Two months later, a Latin cross at the entrance to the same building was damaged and partially stolen.

Two teens arrested for church vandalism causing £15,000 of damage

November 24, 2024, United Kingdom

Two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of causing more than £15,000 of damage to the Grade II listed St Margaret's Church in Bowers Gifford on 24 November. It was the second time in a month that the church had been vandalised.

Cross demolished at Sehnde church

November 24, 2024, Germany

In the night of November 24, a grave cross at the Cross Church in Sehnde was desecrated and the lighting of the church was demolished

"Atheist" spray-painted on San Lorenzo Facade in Seville

November 24, 2024, Spain

A large anarchist symbol and the word “Atheist” were spray-painted on the San Lorenzo church façade.

Consecrated Host Theft in Seville School Chapel

November 24, 2024, Spain

Unidentified intruders broke into a school chapel, desecrated the tabernacle, and stole a ciborium containing consecrated hosts.

46 Tombs Destroyed

November 23, 2024, Poland

On the night of 23 November, a massive act of vandalism took place in Krosno Odrzańskie (Lubuskie Province). A total of 46 gravestones were damaged or broken and some graves were opened.

Disturbance of Mass in Esenta

November 23, 2024, Italy

During Mass on 23 November in the parish of Saints Marco and Bernardino, Esenta, some boys entered the church shouting repeated blasphemies and insults in the presence of the faithful, and then quickly ran away. For several weeks, vandalism has been reported in the cemetery in the area, where citizens have found various damages to ornaments and decorations in the masonry along the paths.

Church in Châteaulin Vandalised

November 20, 2024, France

Excrement on the floor, overturned flower vases and dirty tablecloths. This is what members of the Saint-Idunet parish in Châteaulin (Brittany) discovered when they entered their church on 20 November. A Easter candle had also been stolen.

Vandalised church in Bodenwöhr

November 19, 2024, Germany

On the weekend of 18-19 November, the Church of St Mary (Marienkirche Blechhammer) in Bodenwöhr was robbed and vandalised by unknown persons. The rosaries on display were stolen or thrown into the holy water basin and the altar candles were thrown to the ground. Various other items were scattered around the church. The police are investigating.

Spanish Court Condemns male-only religious brotherhood for refusing woman

November 19, 2024, Spain

Spain’s Constitutional Court has ruled against a male-only religious brotherhood for refusing to admit a woman, declaring that the association’s internal statutes violate the Spanish Constitution. While framed as a non-discrimination decision, the judgment raises broader concerns about state intervention in the internal affairs of religious associations—particularly regarding their right to determine membership criteria in accordance with their beliefs and traditions.

Fire set in Walldorf Church

November 15, 2024, Germany

Unknown persons threw several burning strips of paper into the basement of the Walldorf church.

French TV channel fined for presenting abortion as cause of death

November 13, 2024, France

On 13th November the French Communications Authority (Arcom) fined a television channel €100,000 for presenting abortion as the "first cause of death" during a Catholic programme.

Terrorist arrested for planning attack on Cathedral

November 11, 2024, Russia

In July 2024, security forces prevented a planned terrorist attack on the Holy Dormition Cathedral, an Orthodox church in Maikop, Republic of Adygea. The suspect, an 18-year-old supporter of the Islamic State (IS), was arrested before he could carry out the attack. On 11 November, the Maikop City Court extended his pre-trial detention until 11 January 2025.

Statue of Mary destroyed

November 10, 2024, Italy

A statue of Mary outside the local cemetery in Pievesestina, Cesena, has been smashed to pieces.

Pepper spray attack during mass in Prato

November 10, 2024, Italy

Unknown people entered the church of Santa Maria al Soccorso during Sunday mass and sprayed a pungent substance with pepper spray. The parish priest had to interrupt the service and finish celebrating mass outside. The perpetrators have fled.

Priest dies after being physically attacked by robber

November 9, 2024, Poland

A Catholic priest in Poland succumbed to serious injuries in the hospital on November 9 - six days after the physical attack in his parish of St. Albert by the 27-year-old man from Szczytno. The male suspect in this case is in custody, charged with attempted murder. The clergyman was attacked for the purpose of a robbery.

Monk Dies After Attack on a Monastery

November 9, 2024, Spain

A 76-year-old friar died of a head injury and six others were injured when beaten with sticks and bottles by a 46-year-old man who jumped over the fence of the Catholic monastery in Gilet, shouting anti-Christian threats and insults. Three victims, aged 57, 66, and 95, were hospitalised with trauma and bruising.

Church forced to close after vandalism with fire extinguisher

November 9, 2024, France

The church of Saint-Léger has been closed since unknown persons emptied a fire extinguisher inside the building, causing serious damage to the furniture. Following this act, which took place on 9 November, the local mayor immediately expressed his desire to have the church cleaned as soon as possible so that the parishioners could celebrate Christmas in this sacred building.