All cases
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.
Threats to Set Fire to Church
November 26, 2024, ItalyOn 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, SpainOn 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, FranceThe 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 KingdomTwo 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, GermanyIn 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, SpainA 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, SpainUnidentified intruders broke into a school chapel, desecrated the tabernacle, and stole a ciborium containing consecrated hosts.