All cases

Vandals smash statue of Virgin Mary at historic chapel

September 14, 2026, Poland

A report from 15 September described two incidents of vandalism targeting the same historical chapel at the intersection of a public street. The unknown perpetrators smashed and poured paint over a statue of the Virgin Mary, damaging the pedestal, the interior of the nice, and the glass. Local residents and the parish priest were left shocked by the incident, which they described as a clear act of blasphemy.

Man arrested after shouting Islamist slogan outside a Church

September 11, 2026, France

A 35-year old man was arrested following an incident at a church in Moselle where, armed with a knife, he entered the building and shouted "Allah Akbar." The man was sentenced to six months imprisonment with a suspended sentence on 11 September.

Arsonist Destroys Historic Crucifix in Lucka

September 11, 2026, Germany

A historic crucifix was set on fire with the figure of Jesus being completely destroyed in a Lutheran church in Lucka. Many parts of church furnishings were severely damaged, in particular around the sanctuary and including the altar, which was defaced with swastikas and other symbols. The person suspected of setting the fire was identified quickly after the crime occurred and an investigation into the crime is ongoing.

Nine-Year-Old Boy Injured in Alleged Attack at Bus Stop

September 11, 2026, Austria

On 11 September, a nine-year-old boy was allegedly attacked by several children at a bus stop in Höchst after attending summer school. According to his father, the boy was pushed to the ground, punched and kicked, following threats and insults directed at him the previous day because of his Christian faith.

Priest attacked outside of parish church in Prato

September 9, 2026, Italy

On 9 September, a priest of the Church of Santa Maria del Soccorso was threatened and attacked outside the church. According to the report, several non-EU citizens had been staying on the steps of the church, and at first threatened him, then proceeded to physical violence with a chair. The bishop of Prato has responded in condemnation to the "regrettable and serious" and expressed deep concern, underlying the gravity of the incident.

Vandals Cement Church Locks, Disrupting Memorial Mass

September 7, 2026, Belgium

On 6 September 2026, around 100 Catholics were prevented from entering St Lambert's Church in Hoogstade, Belgium, after unknown perpetrators filled the church's door locks with cement. The vandalism forced the priest to hold a shortened memorial Mass outdoors, without Communion, disrupting a service commemorating deceased family members. Police opened an investigation into the incident.

Desecration in Noia

September 7, 2026, Spain

According to a report from 18 September, a Mass of Reparation and Atonement was held in Noia after five unknown perpetrators entered the Church of San Martiño, opened the tabernacle and stole two ciboria containing consecrated hosts. Both the parish priest and the bishop expressed deep pain of the community over the attack on what is considered most sacred to the Catholic faith, yet appealed to respond with fatih, worship, love, and prayer for the perpetrators.

Protestors disrupt Holy Mass during pro-life prayer

September 5, 2026, United Kingdom

On September 5, pro-abortion activists entered Westminster Cathedral during the opening Mass of the annual March for Life and interrupted the religious celebration in front of worshippers. The intrusion, which included holding banners and shouting pro-abortion slogans in front of the church sanctuary, occurred amidst an already hostile atmosphere outside the cathedral, where pro-abortion protesters reportedly heckled participants, shouting anti-Christian slogans, and disrupting the major Catholic pro-life event with many notable members of the church present.

Greek Catholic Parish targeted with arson and anti-Ukrainian graffiti

September 5, 2026, Poland

On 5 September, unknown individuals set fire to vegetation on the grounds of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Parish in Legnica, damaging part of the property. At approximately the same time, anti-Ukrainian inscriptions were also reported nearby, prompting the Ukrainian Consulate to ask authorities to investigate the motivations behind the incidents, and emphasising that attacks on Ukrainians, religious groups, and places of worship are unacceptable. The incident, which is not the first to target the Ukrainian Catholic community, caused significant emotional distress to the community.

UK Evangelist Acquitted after Prosecution for Sharing Gospel Leaflets in Soho

September 4, 2026, United Kingdom

On 4 September 2026, a London court acquitted Christian evangelist Richard Johnson, who had been prosecuted for distributing a Gospel leaflet in Soho. A complainant described the neighbourhood as an LGBT “safe space”, and prosecutors argued that the location mattered when assessing the leaflet. The court found that the prosecution had not proved a public order offence, despite accepting that the leaflet had upset and offended its reader.

Priest appeals for help as crucifix is defaced

September 2, 2026, Italy

As reported on 2 September, the crucifix in the Church of the Nativity of San Giovanni Battista in Mezzolombardo was recently defaced. The parish priest announced the defacement which caused bitterness in the community, and appealed for the creation of a new crucifix as a sign of unity.

Crucifix in the Chapel of Santa Croce broken to pieces

September 1, 2026, Italy

On 1 September, the Chapel of Santa Croce al Piano in Colognola ai Colli was subjected to a serious act of vandalism that caused damage to furnishings, religious images, and sacred art; most notably to a crucifix which was found smashed. A man was detained in connection with the serious incident, which affected a place of worship particularly dear to the local community, arousing "indignation" over the acts.

Vandalism and Harassment of the faithful Leads to Church Closure

September 1, 2026, Italy

According to reports from 1 September, a group of young people repeatedly caused disturbances at the church in Lunetta, including entering the building and blaspheming at the faithful who were praying; littering and causing damage to the churchyard. The parish responded by closing the church during the mornings until the reopening of schools, citing the need to protect the faithful and prevent further vandalism.

Two suspected arson attempts at Saint-Martin Church

September 1, 2026, France

According to reports from 1 September, two fires were deliberately started inside the Saint-Martin Church in Templeuve-en-Pévèle, Nord on 31 August. The fires caused only minor damage, according to the available reporting, but the circumstances indicate a deliberate arson attempt targeting of the church. A social media post described the incident as an attack on a place of worship that insults the common identity and history of the community.

Vandals tear Christ figure off tabernacle in church vandalism

August 30, 2026, Germany

On 30 August, St. George's Church in Reichmannshausen was vandalised. The church's religious symbols were targeted, with a figure of Christ torn from the tabernacle, a crucifix destroyed, along with the oil from several candles being spilled in the church.

Religious statues smashed at two wayside chapels in Mazovia

August 30, 2026, Poland

On 30 August 2026, a 21-year-old man vandalised two Catholic wayside chapels in Zygmunty and nearby Przyłęk, damaging religious images and statues and breaking windows and doors. He was arrested, admitted for the offence and was charged with insulting a place intended for the public performance of religious rites; the incident involved deliberate destruction of sacred objects and caused damage to two places of worship.

Altar destroyed and Statue Smashed in Bari Chapel

August 29, 2026, Italy

On 29 August 2026, unknown perpetrators vandalised a Catholic cemetery chapel in Bari, completely destroying its altar and smashing a statue of the Virgin Mary. An empty tabernacle and priestly vestments were also stolen, causing deep pain within the local Catholic community, particularly as the incident occurred shortly before the chapel's patronal feast.

Bishop Condemns Deliberate Desecration of Pavia Cemetery Chapel

August 29, 2026, Italy

Between 28 and 29 August 2026, unknown perpetrators broke into the Chapel of San Giovannino Cemetery in Pavia, forced open the tabernacle and stole a ciborium containing consecrated hosts. Several hosts were found on the floor, while others were recovered inside the chapel during a subsequent police inspection. The incident was described by the Bishop as a “very serious act of sacrilege” and prompted a Mass of reparation, and prayers for repentance of the perpetrators.

Third Theft of Consecrated Hosts; Potential Occult Motive Investigated

August 29, 2026, Italy

On 29 August 2026, a ciborium containing consecrated hosts was stolen from Santa Maria Maggiore Church in Scordia, making the incident the latest of three sacrilegious thefts reported within a few days at churches in different parts of Italy. The three cases involved either consecrated hosts or a tabernacle, and authorities are investigating whether they could be connected, including the possibility of an occult motive. The theft caused deep distress within the local Christian community and prompted the bishop to call for prayers of reparation and Eucharistic adoration.

Parish of San Nicolás demands action after ongoing acts of vandalism

August 27, 2026, Spain

On 27 August, the Parish of San Nicolás de Bari y San Pedro Mártir, known as the Sistine Chapel in Valencia, raised concerns over repeated vandalism and deterioration affecting the property and surroundings of the historic church, including human and animal waste littered on its walls.