All cases
Gunfire and Explosive Device Damaged Church Entrance
December 28, 2025, ItalyUnknown individuals fired gunshots and detonated an explosive device at the secondary entrance of the San Filippo Neri church in Palermo’s Zen neighborhood.
Consecrated Hosts Stolen from a Spanish Church
December 28, 2025, SpainThe tabernacle of a church in Valladolid was forced and consecrated Hosts were stolen. This was the second such incident in the diocese this year, and Archbishop Luis Argüello has announced a public act of reparation.
Arson Damages Crypt of Lourdes Parish Church
December 26, 2025, FranceFirefighters in Lourdes contained a crypt fire at the Sacré‑Cœur parish church after smoke was seen escaping the building, with investigators reporting debris used as ignition material and clear signs of unauthorised entry.
Arson Attempt Inside German Church on Christmas
December 25, 2025, GermanyUnknown individuals ignited torn pages from prayer books on the church gallery in St. Maria, Haßlach, causing scorch marks and wax damage to the pews below. Thankfully, the fire did not spread, but the church suffered property damage.
Statue of Baby Jesus Smashed on Christmas Eve
December 24, 2025, United KingdomOn Christmas Eve vandals smashed a statue of the Infant Jesus and relics in the Lady Chapel desecrated at St. Patrick’s Church in Edinburgh. There was blood left in multiple areas of the sanctuary, and the figure was thrown into a bin during a confrontation between two distressed visitors.
Firecrackers Thrown at Church Nativity Scene
December 24, 2025, ItalyA passing vehicle launched firecrackers at the San Carlo parish nativity in Sezze, damaging the Christian display minutes before midnight Mass.
Masked Intruder Disrupted Christmas Vespers in Cologne Cathedral
December 24, 2025, GermanyA 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, ItalyOn 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, GermanyThe KALEB Family Centre fell victim to politically charged graffiti and paint attacks on Christmas Eve.
Church Nativity Scene Targeted with Theft and Desecration
December 22, 2025, GermanyIn 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, PolandOn 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, AustriaA 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, ItalyChildren 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 Kingdom75-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, GermanyUnknown perpetrators shattered six windowpanes at the historic St. Johann church, prompting a police investigation and public appeals for information.
Series of Thefts Target Outdoor Nativity Scenes in Solliès‑Ville
December 19, 2025, FranceMultiple 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, FranceA 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 KingdomBritish 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, PolandAuthorities detained a Polish university student accused of preparing an ISIS‑inspired explosive attack on a Christmas market.
Swastika Carved Into Evangelical Church Facade
December 14, 2025, GermanyPolice opened a criminal investigation after unknown perpetrators etched a Nazi symbol into the wall of a church in Lower Saxony.