All cases

Masked Intruder Disrupted Christmas Vespers in Cologne Cathedral

December 24, 2025, Germany

A masked man in a black cloak, gold mask, and plush ears disrupted the Christmas Vespers and approached the front of Cologne Cathedral before being escorted out by church security.

Parish Reports Repeated Vandalism in Local Churches

December 24, 2025, Italy

On 24 December 2025, the parish priest of the church of the Sacro Cuore publicly reported repeated acts of vandalism, including repeated property damage and anti-Christian graffiti, affecting churches in Sant’Egidio.

Paint Attack On Christian Pregnancy Counseling Centre

December 24, 2025, Germany

The KALEB Family Centre fell victim to politically charged graffiti and paint attacks on Christmas Eve.

Church of Sant Andrea Apostolo in Tombolo Closed Outside Worship After Vandalism

December 23, 2025, Italy

A church in Tombolo was vandalised during the Christmas period, causing structural damage that led to restricted access to the site.

Church Nativity Scene Targeted with Theft and Desecration

December 22, 2025, Germany

In Kahla in the Saale-Holzland district, unknown individuals stole and damaged parts of a Christmas nativity scene displayed outside the Catholic church of St Nikolaus in December 2025.

Christ Child Figure Found Hanging by the Neck

December 21, 2025, Poland

On 21 December, a figure of the Christ Child was found hanging by the neck in a nativity scene in the market square of Bolesławiec. Surveillance footage showed hooded individuals entering the scene and tying the doll to a rope in the manner of a gallows.

Vienna Church Defaced with Arabic and Syrian Nationalist Graffiti

December 21, 2025, Austria

A church in Vienna was repeatedly defaced with Arabic slogans and Syrian nationalist clan codes in December 2025, prompting a police investigation.

Swastika and Cigarette Butts Found on Nativity Scenes in Lentate sul Seveso

December 20, 2025, Italy

Children discovered cigarette butts placed on Nativity figurines and a swastika drawn on St. Joseph’s silhouette at parish and municipal displays in Lentate sul Seveso.

Court Hears Case of Glasgow Grandmother Arrested Again For Sign Offering Conversation

December 19, 2025, United Kingdom

75-year-old grandmother and Christian prayer group leader Rose Docherty has been arrested a second time and criminally charged for holding a sign reading “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want” within 200 metres of an abortion facility in Glasgow.

Windows Smashed at 13th‑Century Church

December 19, 2025, Germany

Unknown perpetrators shattered six windowpanes at the historic St. Johann church, prompting a police investigation and public appeals for information.

Intentional Arson Destroys Wooden Altar of Saint Anne in Saletto Parish Church

December 19, 2025, Italy

On 19 December, an intentionally set fire destroyed the wooden altar dedicated to Saint Anne inside the parish church of Saletto, in Vigodarzere.

Series of Thefts Target Outdoor Nativity Scenes in Solliès‑Ville

December 19, 2025, France

Multiple Nativity displays in Solliès‑Ville were stolen or vandalised, prompting concerns among residents and volunteers who maintain the Christian installations.

Desecration at Les Sables‑d’Olonne Church: Reliquary Broken and Saint’s Skull Stolen

December 18, 2025, France

A break‑in at Notre‑Dame‑de‑l’Assomption resulted in the theft of a revered relic, prompting condemnation from parish and city officials.

UPDATE: Woman criminally charged for silent prayer

December 17, 2025, United Kingdom

British charitable volunteer Isabel Vaughan-Spruce has been criminally charged in Birmingham under the UK’s new national abortion “buffer zone” law for silently praying near an abortion facility, with her trial scheduled for 29 January 2026. This is the first known prosecution under the Public Order Act 2023, highlighting tensions between public-order regulations and freedom of conscience.

Polish Student Linked to ISIS Arrested for Planning Attack on Christmas Market

December 16, 2025, Poland

Authorities detained a Polish university student accused of preparing an ISIS‑inspired explosive attack on a Christmas market.

Estonia’s Actions Threaten Religious Freedom, Warn UN Experts

December 15, 2025, Estonia

UN human rights experts have raised alarm over legislative and administrative measures in Estonia that target the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church (EOCC). They warned that these actions—ranging from legal amendments to restrictive treatment of clergy—could disproportionately limit religious freedom.

Swastika Carved Into Evangelical Church Facade

December 14, 2025, Germany

Police opened a criminal investigation after unknown perpetrators etched a Nazi symbol into the wall of a church in Lower Saxony.

Blood Found on Altar in Church Desecration

December 13, 2025, Italy

A desecration of the Church of the Angel in Camaiore involved blood traces on the altar, misuse of sacred objects, and prompted both police investigation and a call for reparation by the Archdiocese of Lucca.

Leicestershire Church Stained Glass Panels Smashed in Vandalism

December 13, 2025, United Kingdom

Historic St Mary’s Church in Coleorton, Leicestershire suffered costly damage when unknown perpetrators smashed two of its stained glass panels in what police and clergy described as “mindless vandalism”.

Holy Water Font Desecrated with Urine

December 12, 2025, Germany

A holy water font at St. Fidelis Catholic Church in Burladingen was deliberately filled with urine in an act of targeted desecration shocking parishioners and clergy. The parish priest called the act "a slap in the face of a believer."