All cases
Burger King, UBER and Hera foods Disrespect Catholic Symbols in Advert
April 19, 2022, SpainSpanish Catholics started a petition to boycott Burger King for mocking the Eucharist in an ad campaign during the Holy Week. Billboards included the words "take and eat of it all" which were spoken by Jesus during the last supper added to "which has no meat", to advertise their veggie burger. Burger King has since apologized and said they did not mean to offend anyone and immediately began to withdraw the profanation. But two other firms, UBER and HEURA Foods, also mocked religious sentiments by launching a campaign with the picture of a nun eating a hamburger and saying "This Good Friday, eat meat".
Vandalism and Theft in Grosseto Cathedral
April 19, 2022, ItalyThe Grosseto Cathedral was raided by a masked man with a hat and gloves who fled with several items. On April 19th, he entered the Cathedral and took a brass candlestick from the altar, and then smashed the glass of the shrine that holds the ex-votos that people offer to Madonna with an awl. Some policemen, who were nearby, ran after him so he dropped the candlestick but held on to the votive offerings of devotional value.
Russian Orthodox Church in Laa an der Thaya Vandalized
April 19, 2022, AustriaA Russian Orthodox Church in Laa an der Thaya was graffitied with the tags "Putin Stop" and "No! War" on the 19th of April. This appeared on the entrance pillars to the church which is no place to express political feelings. The Russian Embassy called it a "cowardly action" of "particularly cynical contempt" and said, "We are outraged to the depths of our souls by an act of vandalism in relation to the Orthodox Church."
Picture of Santa Rita Burned by Teenagers in Alassio
April 18, 2022, ItalyTwo young boys entered the church in Alassio and started a fire in the votive candle box on April 18th. They also burned a picture of Sant Rita and the parish priest who intervened, was at risk of getting burnt.
Statue of Christ Smashed in San Salvo
April 18, 2022, ItalyA Statue of Christ in the church of Addolorata in San Salvo, was thrown to the ground and smashed on April 18th. The author of this act of vandalism appeared to use an object to break the statue into tiny pieces. The parish lodged a complaint.
Church Door Graffitied Among other incidents of Vandalism
April 18, 2022, ItalyOn Easter Monday, the door of the Saints Philip and James Church was smeared with inscriptions. but the author is unknown. Mayor, Daniele Biada, put forth a social complaint due to the increased amount of attacks of this nature.
Teenagers Vandalise St. Helen's Church in Cliffe
April 18, 2022, United KingdomTeenager, thought to be between 11 and 12 years old, broke 7 stained glass windows in St. Helen's church in Cliffe and damaged several roof tiles around the 18 of April. The cost of the damage was extensive and could be in the thousands since the kind of roof tile used was particularly expensive. The children's parents said the actions were "inexcusable" and some even made them apologize to the churchwarden.
Church Near Dieppe Closed after Repeated Acts of Vandalism
April 17, 2022, FranceThe church in Arques la Bataille, near Dieppe in the Seine Maritime region, which is open during the day, was closed during the Easter school holidays after two vandalistic incidents, in which young people scattered and lighted candles in the church and climbed up the rostrum, then threw music scores and songbooks from up there. It will still be decided when the church will b opened again.
Brass Crosses and other Items Stolen From Wleń Cemetery
April 16, 2022, PolandPolice were informed of the theft of a brass cross from the cemetery of Wleń on the 16th of April. Upon investigation, they found that surrounding graves were also missing letters, crosses, and other elements. They began an investigation and were looking for witnesses.
Drunken Men Ruin Church Service in Kłodzko
April 16, 2022, PolandTwo drunken men entered a church service in Kłodzko and are now facing five years in prison for offending religious feelings. They threw a cross to the ground, tore a stoup off the wall, and pointed their middle fingers at the priest. The shocked worshipers quickly notified the police who detained the men and found them to be intoxicate.
Children: Insults and Destruction in Potenza Church
April 16, 2022, ItalyThree children entered the church of San Michelle on the eve of Easter and while shouting curese, destroyed the brazier intended for the religious service the next day. President of the Basilicata Region, Vito Bardi, addressed the several acts of vandalizm to the historic city center of which this was included. He said, "It is within the family environment that the first and basic rules of civil coexistence are learned, whose value system based on respect, education and responsibility contributes to forming the person."
Man Disrupts Easter Church Service in Athens
April 16, 2022, GreeceOn Saturday the 16th of April, a man entered an Easter church service in the Church of St Panteleimon and shouted Arabic phrases into a microphone. Video footage showed the priest trying to calm the congregation and the offender was later arrested by the police in Athens.
Swastika Tagged on Façade of Evangelical Church
April 16, 2022, FranceOn April 16th, it was discovered that the façade of an Evangelical church in Reims was painted with a swastika and the word "HITLER" in orange spray paint. Pastor Philippe Rosa filed a complaint but was not sure of the reason for the tags. He said: "The prefecture had warned us ... against possible incivility and actions against the churches during this Easter period. Bad luck it fell on us."
Theft of Hosts at Church in Via Monte Massico
April 15, 2022, ItalyOn April 15th, a 27-year-old broke into the parish of Santa Maria Assunta in Via Monte Massico with the intent of stealing a gold-coloured metal host holder. He was unsuccessful since the parish priest called the carabinieri who blocked the man and retrieved the item.
Theft of Sacred Object in Montesacro Church
April 15, 2022, ItalyA 27-year-old man was arrested by the Carabinieri for stealing a gold-coloured host holder from a church in the Montesacro district. The theft happened shortly before the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.
Repeated Vandalism to Hartlepool Church
April 15, 2022, United KingdomOver four consecutive nights, ending on April 15th, vandals have visited the St Patrick’s Church in Hartlepool and caused thousand of pounds of damage. They broke around a dozen stained glass windows and left the inside fo the church covered with masonry ruble.
Statue of Mary Destroyed in Krosno
April 15, 2022, PolandA figure of Mary was torn of its pedestal and destroyed at an intersection in the district of Krosno on April 16th. The statue dates back to 1959 and is in the Municipal Heritage Register but it was not known who completed the act.
Tabernacle Door Stolen in Schiavonia
April 15, 2022, ItalyOn Good Friday, someone broke into the church of Schiavonia and stole the wooden door off the tabernacle in the altar of San Gaetano. The door was made between 1700 and 1800 and of cultural heritage. The church was greatly disappointed by this sacrilegious theft.
Valuable Relics Stolen from Church During Holy Week
April 15, 2022, GermanyDuring the Holy Week, anonymous intruders entered Neukirchen beim Heiligen Blut church and broke the glass on a case that contained some relics. They then took a cloth with brooches that contained bones from the saints as well as an angel sculpture from the high alter. The police were looking for witnesses and described the relics as having "inestimable immaterial value."
Crucifix Stolen from San Francesco Church
April 15, 2022, ItalyIt was discovered on April 20th that the crucifix from the chapel of Sant'Antonio in San Francesco was missing. Upon further investigation, it was realized that the brass item, which is about 70 cm tall, must have been stolen as it could not be found. The parish priest Fr. Gabriele Monnanni lodged a complaint.