All cases
Vandals Assault Parishioner And Destroy Church Window During Choir Practice
May 30, 2025, United KingdomOn 30 May, 2025, a choir member was physically assaulted and a historic stained-glass window was broken during an evening rehearsal at St. Mary the Virgin Church in West Derby, Liverpool. This attack deeply shook both the choir members and the wider parish and raises concerns about personal safety in this sacred space.
Swastika Carved Into Church Door
May 28, 2025, GermanyA church in Berlin was vandalised with Nazi symbols, including a swastika and SS runes. Authorities are investigating the incident as ideologically motivated act targeting a place of worship.
Catholic Building Defaced With anti-Catholic Slogan
May 28, 2025, SpainA Mairena del Aljarafe association of Catholic faithful was targeted in a vandalism incident when the exterior of its premises was defaced with the anti‑Catholic slogan "The most beautiful church is the one that burns the most."".
Altar Destroyed in Vandalism Attack on Shrine in Atri
May 26, 2025, ItalyThe Sanctuary of Santa Rita shrine in Atri was vandalised, with the altar overturned and liturgical objects damaged, leaving the faithful and the entire religious community dismayed.
Chapel and cemetery in Levens damaged by fires
May 26, 2025, FranceThe commune of Levens in the Alpes-Maritimes region of southeastern France experienced a series of deliberate fires targeting sacred sites. The Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs and the adjacent cemetery were both affected, with fires being started on the altar cloths in the chapel and in plastic flower pots in front of several graves. These acts of vandalism have left the local community in shock and mourning, particularly as some of the incidents occurred during visits to the cemetery on Mother's Day.
Spanish Court Bans Father From Sharing Faith With His Son
May 26, 2025, SpainSpain’s Constitutional Court has rejected the appeal of an evangelical father seeking to share his religious beliefs with his young son. The Court upheld earlier rulings that prohibit him from taking the child to church or reading the Bible with him, granting the mother exclusive authority over the child’s religious upbringing until the age of twelve.
Church in Athens Defaced with Pro-Palestinian Graffiti and Anarchist Symbols
May 25, 2025, GreeceA church in Athens was extensively vandalised with pro-Palestinian graffiti and anarchist symbols, covering a large portion of the building’s exterior. The incident has sparked outrage and concern among the parish and local community.
Newly renovated chapel desecrated in Poland
May 24, 2025, PolandOn the night of the 23rd to the 24th of May, unknown perpetrators destroyed the more than 150-year-old Catholic Chapel of Our Lady in Tarnawa Dolna. In another chapel, located in Wielopole, the glass was broken, but thanks to the fence, there was no major damage.
Repeated Vandalism Reported at Historic Church in Cuevas del Almanzora
May 22, 2025, SpainA historic church in Cuevas del Almanzora has been repeatedly targeted by acts of vandalism, prompting calls for better protective measures and highlighting the vulnerability of the place of worship.
Church in Vignola Defaced with Violent Political Graffiti
May 21, 2025, ItalyA church in Vignola was vandalised with politically charged and violent graffiti. The slogans, referencing historical political violence, indicate an ideological motive beyond ordinary vandalism.
Catholic cemetery and chapel vandalised
May 21, 2025, NetherlandsThe chapel and cemetery in Doorwerth were severely damaged. A statue of Mary was decapitated, a wooden cross bearing a figure of Jesus was smashed, and debris was scattered everywhere. This shocking act has left the faith community in disbelief.
Church in Cagliari Defaced with Political and Anarchist Graffiti
May 19, 2025, ItalyA church in Cagliari was vandalised with political graffiti and an anarchist symbol. The act targeted the façade and reflects ideological messaging.
Churches in Zweibrücken Repeatedly Targeted
May 19, 2025, GermanyIn Zweibrücken, both Protestant and Catholic churches have been repeatedly vandalised, prompting concern among church leaders. Dean Peter Butz and Pastor Wolfgang Emanuel have reported ongoing damage to church buildings, including graffiti, smashed windows and cases of desecration.
Man assaulted in Berlin after revealing Christian faith
May 19, 2025, GermanyA 24-year-old man was attacked in Wedding, Berlin, after revealing that he was Christian. On the night of 19 May, he was approached by several individuals who asked him about his religious beliefs. After answering that he was Christian, he was physically assaulted and sustained serious injuries. The authorities are investigating the attack as an anti-Christian hate crime.
Church repeatedly vandalised
May 18, 2025, GermanyIn recent weeks, the Catholic Church of St Michael in Ebersbach, has been repeatedly targeted by unknown vandals who have committed acts of arson and desecration. Between 1 and 18 May, intruders started small fires in various locations within the church, including the altar and pews, sometimes using matches and paper. Some of these fires were later extinguished with holy water. The most recent incident, which occurred on Sunday, 18 May, caused several hundred euros' worth of property damage, leaving burnt marks on the carpet near the ambo and signs of tampering throughout the sacred space.
Consecrated Hosts Desecrated in Church in Venegono Superiore
May 16, 2025, ItalyA church in Venegono Superiore was desecrated after perpetrators overturned the tabernacle and scattered consecrated hosts on the ground. The act directly targeted elements central to Catholic worship and deeply affected the local community.
Double arson attacks at Sweden's church
May 15, 2025, SwedenIn May 2025, the historic wooden church in Älvsbyn, Sweden, fell victim to two suspected arson attacks within a short period of time. The first incident occurred on 11 May, when the remains of a small fire were discovered on the church's porch. The second attack took place shortly before 3 am on 15 May, when a fire was started at the entrance to the church. The police are investigating the attacks as arson.
Tabernacle Damaged in Church in Lyon
May 15, 2025, FranceA man was arrested inside a church in Lyon after damaging the tabernacle and a donation box. The act directly targeted objects of central importance to Catholic worship.
Repeated Thefts and Acts of Desecration Target Church of San Ferdinando in Naples
May 15, 2025, ItalyA church in Naples was targeted by repeated thefts and acts of vandalism. The incidents included damage to religious objects and behaviour perceived as disrespectful toward the sacred character of the site.
Karlskirche in Vienna Targeted with Political Graffiti
May 15, 2025, AustriaA church in Vienna was vandalised with politically motivated graffiti, including pro-Palestinian slogans. The incident forms part of repeated vandalism affecting the site.