All cases
ECtHR takes up Turkey’s bans on Christians based on religion
February 5, 2026, TurkeyThe European Court of Human Rights has formally taken up 20 cases of Christians banned from Türkiye solely for practicing their faith. Turkish authorities applied internal security codes to classify long-term, peaceful Christian residents as “threats to national security”, despite no criminal conduct. These measures constitute targeted religious discrimination and violate key protections under the European Convention, including freedom of religion and prohibition of discrimination.
Slogan calling for churches to burn displayed during pro-abortion demonstration in Hamm
February 5, 2026, GermanyDuring a demonstration in Hamm, protestors displayed offensive slogans and incitement to violent action against Christians churches, including a banner stating: “The only church that enlightens is the one that burns.” The protest took place in the context of a legal dispute concerning abortion restrictions at a Catholic hospital.
Two Fires Set Inside Saint-Nicolas-de-Port Basilica
February 4, 2026, FranceTwo small fires were deliberately started inside the Basilica of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port in Meurthe-et-Moselle, France, on 4 February 2026, prompting the evacuation of the historic Catholic church. The fires were quickly extinguished by a volunteer and firefighters.
Arsonist Caught At St. Peter Basilica
February 3, 2026, ItalyOn 2 February, a 35-year-old man was arrested in Vatican City after attempting to enter St Peter’s Basilica while carrying flammable substances and ignition devices at the start of the Pope's mass. According to police and prosecutors, the suspect is believed to be an arsonist linked to earlier fires at churches in central Rome.
Christian Pro-Life March Attacked in Koblenz: Two Hospitalised
February 2, 2026, GermanyIn Koblenz, activists associated with left-wing extremist groups attacked a public information event organised by the Christian pro-life initiative SOS Leben, resulting in injuries to two volunteers who later required hospital treatment.
Arson At Clères Church: Altar Cloth Set on Fire
January 29, 2026, FranceAn attempted arson attack was reported at the parish church in Clères, in the Seine-Maritime department of Normandy, authorities confirmed. The incident marks the third attack on a church in the region within only 15 days.
Altar Among Targets: Two Fires Are Set Inside Huttenheim Church
January 28, 2026, GermanyOn Wednesday afternoon, 28 January, two deliberately set fires were discovered inside St Peter’s Church in Huttenheim, a district of Philippsburg, including one fire lit directly on the altar. Thankfully, the fires were extinguished before causing major damage.
Church Vandalised With Blasphemous Graffiti
January 28, 2026, PortugalA historic church in Viseu was targeted by vandals who painted an offensive message on the exterior wall of its mortuary chapel.
Bergisch Gladbach Church Closed After Arson and Vandalism
January 27, 2026, GermanySt Laurentius Church in Bergisch Gladbach was closed following repeated acts of vandalism, including arson, damage to pews, and theft of items from the interior.
Spanish Prosecutor drops investigation into Bishop Munilla over comments on conversion therapy ban
January 27, 2026, SpainThe Madrid Provincial Prosecutor’s Office closed the investigation into Bishop José Ignacio Munilla, which had been initiated following a complaint alleging hate speech in a radio programme related to statements on conversion therapy practices.
Third Attack Hits Feldkirchen Church
January 26, 2026, AustriaVandals left a trail of destruction in the Maria im Dorn church in Feldkirchen, Austria, where the interior was found heavily damaged, leading to its temporary closure.
San Giacomo Church Evacuated After Nativity Scene Set on Fire
January 25, 2026, ItalyA fire that broke out on 25 January 2026 inside San Giacomo in via del Corso in Rome, initially believed to have been caused by a technical malfunction, has since been linked to deliberate arson. Investigators now attribute the fire to a suspect later arrested for attempting to carry flammable materials into St Peter’s Basilica.
Arson At Basilica of San Lorenzo
January 25, 2026, ItalyA fire that broke out on 25 January 2026 in the courtyard of Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina in Rome, initially investigated as a separate incident, has since been linked to deliberate arson.
Man Attacks Woman and Sets Fire to Church in Brasov
January 25, 2026, RomaniaA 29‑year‑old man attacked a woman selling candles and set fire to a church in Braşov, Romania, in an incident reported late January.
Sviatohirsk Lavra Skete Targeted in Theft and Vandalism
January 25, 2026, UkraineIn Donetsk region, Ukraine, a skete of the Holy Dormition Sviatohirsk Lavra was targeted in a theft and act of vandalism during the night of 24–25 January 2026, resulting in the theft of bells and sacred objects from the religious site.
Main Altar Cross Stolen at Saint‑Winoc Church
January 25, 2026, FranceA theft at the Église Saint-Winoc in Plouhinec, Finistère, was reported on 25 January when the cross from the church’s main altar was removed by unknown perpetrators, parish authorities confirmed.
Roadside Shrine Targeted In Theft
January 24, 2026, PolandA statue of the Virgin Mary disappeared from a small roadside shrine in the Bródno district of Warsaw, Polish media reported. The figure was taken from a chapel located on Syrokomli Street, where it had been kept behind glass.
Freshers’ Fair Ban on Church Successfully Challenged
January 24, 2026, United KingdomA Christian church, Grace Church Greenwich, was denied the chance to book a stall at Goldsmiths University’s Freshers’ Fair because the booking contractor, Native, stated it could no longer “facilitate bookings for religious groups at these events.” Grace Church challenged the policy as discriminatory, and the company subsequently suspended the ban, allowing bookings from the church and similar groups.
Vienna Court: Prayer Vigil Outside Abortion Facilities Permitted
January 23, 2026, AustriaIn January 2026, the Vienna Administrative Court ruled that a peaceful prayer vigil held in the proximity of an abortion facility in Vienna falls within the scope of the constitutionally protected freedom of assembly. The decision overturned an earlier prohibition issued by the Vienna police authorities.
UK Police Ban Christian March Over Fear of Muslim Community Reaction
January 23, 2026, United KingdomThe Metropolitan Police blocked a UK Independence Party “Walk With Jesus” march scheduled for 31 January in Whitechapel, east London, citing fears it would provoke a hostile reaction from the local Muslim community and lead to “serious violence and disorder.”