All cases

Vandalism of Church Twice in a Week

September 20, 2020, Germany

In the past two weeks, vandals have raged in the city church twice. Shoe marks were found on the altar cloth, and this showing that someone walked on it. The Candles and sacrificial lights were smudged and poured out and wax was distributed in the pews. The parish priest has put signs on the doors, asking the population to keep an eye on the town church. Last year in summer the church was also vandalized several times. The pastor warned that, if there is another case, they will file a complaint.

Vandalism of Catholic Church before Holy Mass in Remembrance of Aborted Children

September 19, 2020, Germany

On the night of 18th to 19th September, the historical church St. Marien am Behnitz and the outer walls of the playground were found vandalized with slogans, like "Abortion is a Human Right. The perpetrators were eventually against Pro-Life movements. The police put charges, although they did not charge any damage to property, because it was pasted wallpaper.

Statue of St. Anthony Demolished

September 18, 2020, Italy

The bronze Statue of St. Anthony in Milano was demolished on the night of 17th to 18th September. The statue was in front of the sanctuary of St. Anthony of Padua for 88 years. The statue is significantly heavy and, therefore, there must have been three perpetrators involved in the demolition. Churchgoers from the neighborhood suspected that the perpetrators are homeless men who gather at the square and are frequently heavily drunk, but there is no evidence that it was them. The police are investigating.

Increased Number of Thefts, Vandalism and Desecrations Leads to Closure of More Churches

September 18, 2020, France

On the occasion of the Heritage Days which took place from 19 to 20 September in Paris, RCF radio in France points out that the increase in theft, vandalism and desecration of churches in France prompts more and more priests to close their churches outside of services. For several months the churches have been attacked through theft of liturgical utensils, relics, desecration and even arson. In 2019, there were more than 1052 incidents registered, including 996 acts of vandalism or graffiti and 56 threats against persons.

Amsterdam Mayor Accused Hillsong Church of Intolerance against Homosexuals

September 18, 2020, Netherlands

Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema linked the activities of the Hillsong Church with an increasing violence against gays during a council meeting in September and associated them with the promotion of gay healing and conversion therapy. To take action against the church's alleged intolerance, she announced her intention to approach the landlord of the Hillsong Church building. Both Hillsong Church and Christian parties in the council expressed their surprise and disappointment at the unfounded claims.

Mayor "Doesn't Have Time" To Meet the OLRC, Regarding Matters of Religious Freedom in Madrid

September 18, 2020, Spain

The Mayor of Madrid was asked for a meeting by the Observatory of Religious Freedom, based in Spain, to talk about the matter of Religious Freedom and the increase of vandalism against churches in Madrid. The first request was in June, and until September the Mayor did not answer nor did any other consultant confirm a meeting. This was reported by OLRC on September 18th.

Arson to Statue of John the Baptist from the Barock Period

September 17, 2020, Germany

On 17th September, members of the church found the figure of John the Baptist of the baptismal font from the barock period damaged by a burning candle. The perpetrator placed it on purpose. The police estimates a damage cost of 2000 euros. Police is asking for witnesses.

The Statue of the Virgin Mary Completely Vandalized

September 17, 2020, Belgium

With probably an iron bar, the statue of the Virgin, at the Place des Quatre-Grands in Jemeppe, has been demolished.

Increase in Vandalism Against Churches in Northern Ireland

September 16, 2020, United Kingdom

In the last three years, there have been more than 400 attacks recorded against churches. In the last five years it sums up to 600 attacks in Northern Ireland. Most of the attacks happened in Belfast. Most of the incidents are attacks with paint bombs and graffitis, but also various forms of vandalism, arson attacks and general damage to church property are recorded.

Unknown Perpetrators Rioted and Set Fire Inside Church

September 16, 2020, Germany

Between the 16th and 29th of September, unknown perpetrators vandalized the St. Jürgen Chapel in Wolgast. The police was called, after unknown persons were rioting and setting fires inside the church. They broke a window, damaged the window sills and set fire to several places inside the Church, fortunately the flames did not spread. The caused damage is around 7,600 Euros. The police is investigating.

Priest Stabbed to Death Near His Parish in Italy

September 15, 2020, Italy

On the 15th September in Como, Roberto Malgesini, a 51-year-old priest was found dead from knife wounds in the vicinity of his parish. He was known for his devotion to the migrants, homeless people, and those who are in difficult situations. The priest was stabbed several times in a street near the Church of St. Rocco, including one to the neck. The attacker, a 53-year-old man from Tunisia, turned himself in to the police. The man suffered from a mental illness and was known by Malgesini. Malgesini had taken care of him in the parish. On the same morning, the priest was going to bring breakfast for the homeless.

Christian Restaurant Owner Accused of Incitement for Displaying Bible Verses about Homosexuality

September 15, 2020, Germany

The prosecuting attorney's office in Berlin instituted preliminary proceedings against Park Young-Ai, a 71 year-old Christian who owns a Korean restaurant in the Berlin district Schöneberg. She was accused of incitement for displaying a bible verse critical of homosexuality in the window of her restaurant "Ixthys". She was subject to a house search and has been called to a hearing.

Theft from Catholic Church of St Anna

September 11, 2020, Germany

September 11th, between 12 and 19:30 hrs, a display case was broken open in the provost church of St. Anna in Schwerin. Unknown perpetrators stole the relic of Saint Ansgar. The perpetrators also broke open two alms boxes in the church. The total damage to property amounts to about 1,400 euros, but the value of the stolen relic has not been quantified. Police opened an investigation.

Inverted Yellow Cross Sprayed on the Door of La Antigua Church in Valladolid

September 10, 2020, Spain

A large inverted yellow cross was painted onto the main entrance door of La Antigua Church in Valladolid on September 10th. This is not the first time that the church was vandalized. The perpetrator remains unknown.

War Memorial and Church Vandalised in Les Vigneaux

September 10, 2020, France

On September 10, inhabitants of Les Vigneaux discovered that all of the names on the war memorial had been crossed out with paint. Genitals had been painted on the monument as well as on either side of the church door. Mayor Gilles Pierre lodged a complaint.

Damage in the Cemetery and Church of the Madonna del Perpetuo Soccorso

September 9, 2020, Italy

A group of young people climbed over the chapel and broke into the cemetery. The damaged the roof and started throwing the shards of tiles on the street. The police traced and identified the underage perpetrators.

After Facebook Post Pastor Threatened by LGBT Activists with Arson and Physical Assault

September 8, 2020, United Kingdom

Since the 8th of August, Pastor Josh Williamson and his wife experienced several threats and verbal abuse by the LGBT community, because of posting his belief about homosexuality on Facebook. Among them are the threats to burn his church, to perform sexual acts and protests in front of his church and physical assault. His image was also used on pornographic content and shared online, among other misleading information about him. In his conversation with the Police, Williamson was told to be careful not to break the law by insulting the LGBT community and being charged for hate speech. The threats towards him and his church were not investigated, neither the acts of defamation.

Vandalism in St. Emmeram Church in Spalt

September 8, 2020, Germany

On September 8, vandals played with fire on the offertory box, set fire to a large wooden cross and broke a candle on the high altar in St. Emmeram Church in Spalt. The damage amounts to several hundred Euros. The police station in Roth initiated an investigation and asked for information of witnesses.

Statue of the Virgin Mary Decapitated in Borgo Sabotino

September 7, 2020, Italy

During the night of September 7th unknown perpetrators decapitated the statue of the Virgin Mary, called "Madonnina" by locals, which is situated in Borgo Sabotino in the province of Latina. This was not the first time the statue was vandalized the parish SS Cuore di Gesù states, expressing its deep sorrow over this tragic incident.

Discrimination Against Christian Academics in State-Led Educational Agency

September 7, 2020, Spain

The Observatory of Freedom of Religion (OFRC) in Spain, presented a research project in October 2019, to the National Agency for Evaluation and Prospective Studies (ANEP) under the Ministry of Science and Innovation on a Climate Change topic. The actors involved were the University of Alcalá, the University of Catalonia and researchers of three different universities, from which two have a Christian background. In June 2020 they received a statement that the experience of the members of the research, related to climate change, is doubted and they are afraid of a biased study, given the religious weight of the institutions involved. The OLRC took the case to the Ministry, but it was rejected.