All cases
Man charged with assault of priest during Mass at Ennis Cathedral
April 20, 2026, IrelandA man assaulted a Catholic priest during Mass at St Peter and St Paul Cathedral in Ennis, causing facial injuries and damaging personal property. The incident involved physical violence and disruption of worship in front of members of the congregation. The suspect has been charged and appeared before court.
Church façade severely defaced with satanic inscriptions in Trzebinia
April 19, 2026, PolandSatanic graffiti extensively defaced the façade of the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Trzebinia, Lesser Poland Voivodeship. Large inscriptions and symbols covering a significant portion of the exterior wall sparked outrage among residents and prompted a police investigation.
French Bill Could Restrict Christian Symbols Worn by Local Elected Representatives
April 19, 2026, FranceOn 9 April 2026, members of the French Senate introduced a bill prohibiting local elected representatives from wearing conspicuous religious symbols while exercising their mandates, with sanctions that could ultimately include removal from office. Although the sponsors focus on Islamic headscarves, the text applies to every religion and could equally prevent members of other religions from wearing visible symbols. The bill raises serious concerns that the neutrality of public institutions is being transformed into a requirement that elected believers remain religiously invisible.
Series of Attacks on sacred statues across Frosinone Province
April 18, 2026, ItalyA series of vandalism incidents targeting sacred statues has been reported in the province of Frosinone, Italy, with multiple cases occurring within a few days. On 18 April 2026, statues in Ceccano and Pofi were found decapitated inside public votive niches. Authorities confirm that at least six similar episodes have recently been recorded across the province.
Cemetery near Rennes vandalised in grave desecration involving Christian symbols
April 18, 2026, FranceAround thirty graves were vandalised in the cemetery of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande, near Rennes, between 18 and 20 April 2026. The damage included broken Christian crosses, shattered funerary objects and a statue of the Virgin Mary torn from its base.
Arson attack targets Catrezzato church
April 17, 2026, ItalyA 50-year-old man has been identified and reported to authorities after entering the parish church of Saints Peter and Paul in Castrezzato and setting fire to decorative fabrics on two side altars.
Repeated vandalism against Cathedral Bitonto
April 17, 2026, ItalyActs of vandalism have been reported in Piazza Cattedrale, where the Cathedral façade and a historic obelisk were damaged during an incident involving repeated impacts with a motorcycle helmet involving minors.
Pastor’s Home in Cottbus Targeted in Political Vandalism Attack
April 17, 2026, GermanyThe residence of a local lutheran pastor in Cottbus was deliberately targeted in a vandalism attack with a suspected right-extremist background. Perpetrators allegedly broke into the residential building, rioted in the staircase, kicked an apartment door and left stickers with right-wing symbols and inscriptions on the mailbox of the pastor, who is known for his political left-wing activism.
Government orders removal of Cáceres Cross following inclusion in Francoist symbols catalogue
April 17, 2026, SpainSpain’s Ministry has ordered the removal of the Cross of the Fallen in Cáceres after classifying it as a symbol contrary to "democratic memory". The decision, described by the Government as necessary due to the monument’s Francoist political origin. However, the local community strongly opposes the removal with the mayor stating that “the people of Cáceres see it as part of our city”.
Cemeteries in Mayenne and Brittany vandalised in series of thefts of religious statues
April 16, 2026, FranceSince early April 2026, multiple cemeteries across Mayenne, Ille-et-Vilaine and Morbihan have been targeted in a series of thefts and acts of vandalism in which bronze statuettes of the Virgin Mary were removed from graves.
Suspected Arson at Arnsberg’s Church of Our Lady Amid Rising Vandalism Incidents
April 14, 2026, GermanyPolice in Arnsberg are investigating a suspected case of arson after burn marks were discovered inside the Church of Our Lady (Liebfrauenkirche). Emergency services were alerted on Tuesday evening when smoke was noticed inside the building. The incident comes amid a growing number of vandalism and damage cases reported at the same church.
Cross of Aneto summit deliberately cut down and removed in act of vandalism
April 14, 2026, SpainThe historic cross that stood at the 3,404-metre summit of Aneto has been cut down and thrown from the mountain in a deliberate act of vandalism. Spain’s Guardia Civil has opened an investigation, with early indications pointing to the use of a power tool to sever the structure at its base.
Fourth Attack on Religious Statue Within Days
April 14, 2026, ItalyA statue of the Madonna di Lourdes has been decapitated inside a votive niche in Via Madonna delle Rose, near Frosinone railway station, marking the fourth attack on religious statues in just a few days.
Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Church in Dampierre-les-Bois
April 13, 2026, FranceA burglary accompanied by extensive damage targeted the church of Dampierre-les-Bois during the night of 13–14 April 2026. Among the items stolen was a ciborium containing consecrated hosts. The parish priest described the act as “More than a simple theft, it’s desecration!”, expressing deep shock at what he characterised as an attack on the sacred.
Sculpture of Christ vandalised in Seine-et-Marne
April 12, 2026, FranceA sculpture of Christ located in front of the church of Saint-Pathus was vandalised between the evening of 12 April and the morning of 13 April. The damage was described as deliberate, and French gendarmerie have opened an investigation to identify the perpetrator.
Vandalism at Luther Church in Pirmasens: Multiple Windows Destroyed
April 12, 2026, GermanyBetween 12 and 15 April 2026, several windows of the Luther Church in Pirmasens were destroyed in an act of vandalism. Multiple church windows were damaged and several glass panels were destroyed.
Man Violently Assaults Christian Woman After Asking Her Religion
April 11, 2026, SpainA 19-year-old man was arrested in Barcelona after allegedly assaulting a woman while also insulting her as “Christian whore”. The attack took place in the early hours near La Rambla after the suspect asked the victim about her religion.
Statue of Padre Pio Decapitated Inside San Benedetto Abbey in Frosinone
April 10, 2026, ItalyA statue of Padre Pio was found decapitated inside the Abbey Church of San Benedetto in Frosinone. Police confirmed the damage after responding to a report and have launched an investigation to identify those responsible.
Villigen Church and Cemetery Grounds Face Repeated Vandalism and Property Damage
April 9, 2026, SwitzerlandAuthorities in Villigen report an increase in vandalism and disrespectful behaviour on church and cemetery grounds in Rein. The municipality has called on the public to act responsibly and report any further incidents.
Portuguese Court Rejects Parents’ Religious Objection to Classes on Gender
April 9, 2026, PortugalOn 9 April 2026, the Administrative and Tax Court of Braga dismissed an action brought by parents whose sons had been held back after refusing to attend mandatory Citizenship and Development classes. The family objected particularly to teaching on gender and sexuality, arguing that the State had disregarded their religious convictions and primary responsibility for their children’s moral education.