All cases
Second Arson at Peine Church Within Two Months
August 27, 2025, GermanyA fire was deliberately set near the side entrance of the Church of the Holy Angels in Peine, marking the second such arson attack in two months and also following a cemetery desecration, prompting a state security investigation.
Consecrated Hosts Stolen from Church in Taurianova in Second Theft Within Days
August 26, 2025, ItalyOn 26 August 2025, unknown perpetrators targeted a church in Taurianova, where the tabernacle was desecrated and consecrated hosts were stolen. The deliberate targeting of the Eucharist constitutes a serious act of desecration in the Catholic context and occurred amid a second theft affecting the same parish within days.
Tabernacle Forced and Consecrated Host Stolen from Church in Bidache
August 26, 2025, FranceOn 26 August 2025, unknown perpetrators forced open the tabernacle of a church in Bidache and stole a ciborium and a lunule containing a large consecrated host. The theft of the Eucharist constitutes a serious act of desecration in the Catholic context.
Excrements Smeared on Church Wall
August 24, 2025, ItalyThe historic Sant’Antonio al Seggio church in Aversa was vandalised with human excrement near its entrance, prompting public outrage and calls for stronger protection of churches.
Church vandalised with wax
August 24, 2025, GermanyA church in Beuren, Hochwald, was vandalised, including through the deliberate pouring of melted wax over seating. The incident caused damage to church property and created fire hazards inside the building.
Arson and Vandalism Desecrated Church in Panilleuse
August 23, 2025, FranceDuring the night of August 22–23, 2025, the church of Panilleuse was subjected to a serious act of vandalism. The altar was partially burned, and significant damage was inflicted, forcing the community to relocate the planned services.
Church Windows Smashed in Suspected Attempted Desecration in Palamós
August 23, 2025, SpainUnknown individuals climbed onto the roof of a church in Palamós and broke stained-glass windows in what local witnesses deemed as an attempted intrusion.
Arson Attack at Notre-Dame Church in Saint-Dizier
August 20, 2025, FranceA 20-year-old man has been arrested for attempting to start fires inside Notre-Dame church in Saint-Dizier. Thankfully, the organist was able to extinguish the fires before they could spread further. This is the fourth incident at the church in the last two years, raising safety concerns among the local community.
Churches in Carini Closed Amid Surge in Theft and Vandalism
August 18, 2025, ItalyDue to escalating thefts and vandalism, the archpriest of Carini has decided to close all churches when no religious services are scheduled, sparking concern over the loss of sacred community spaces.
Church in Granada vandalised and set on fire
August 17, 2025, SpainOn 17 August 2025, a 21-year-old man broke into the Church of Santiago Apóstol in El Pozuelo, Albuñol (Granada), smashing a stained glass window with a hammer. He then proceeded to destroy religious artefacts and set fire to items belonging to the church before locking himself inside.
Two Churches Attacked by Knife-Wielding Man, Disrupting Mass
August 16, 2025, FranceA suspected drug addict armed with a Swiss Army knife desecrated two churches near Paris, terrifying worshippers and resisting arrest.
300‑Year‑Old Outdoor Cross Destroyed by Sledgehammer
August 15, 2025, FranceA centuries‑old stone cross atop the Col de la Crouzette in Ariège was destroyed by sledgehammer attacks during the weekend of 15 August, sparking outrage among the local community.
Wooden Memorial Cross Stolen from Graveyard
August 14, 2025, United KingdomA wooden memorial cross engraved was stolen from a church graveyard in Broadhempston, causing deep distress to his family and prompting a police appeal.
Church in Mallorca Defaced with Offensive Graffiti
August 13, 2025, SpainThe parish of the Verge del Carme in Palma’s Santa Catalina neighbourhood was defaced with graffiti and offensive messages targeting the church.
Strange Ritual Altar Setup On Graves Bearing Crosses at Polish War Cemetery
August 13, 2025, PolandInstallation resembling a ritual altar was discovered on soldiers' graves at War Cemetery No. 91 in Gorlice, prompting outrage among locals and a police investigation into possible desecration and religious offense.
Christian Bakery Condemned After Refusing to Bake Same-Sex Wedding Cake
August 13, 2025, SwedenSweden’s Equality Ombudsman (DO) has ruled against a small Christian bakery in Stockholm who had declined to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple in 2023. The decision, published on August 13, 2025, acknowledges that the bakery’s refusal was based on religious conviction and falls under the protection of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Nevertheless, the authority concluded that the refusal constituted unlawful discrimination.
20 Bomb Threat Calls Targeting Cordoba Cathedral
August 12, 2025, SpainA man was arrested in connection with a series of bomb threat calls to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Córdoba, Spain.
Church in Spain Vandalised Ahead of Patron Saint Festivities
August 11, 2025, SpainJust days before the Virgen del Carmen festivities in Rute, the parish of Santa Catalina was vandalised with black paint being spilled across its main entrance.
Crucifix Ban in Bavarian School Raises Concerns Over Religious Freedom
August 8, 2025, GermanyA recent ruling by the Bavarian Administrative Court has ordered the removal of a crucifix from a state secondary school, finding that its display violates students’ negative freedom of religion and constitutes unlawful state endorsement of Christianity. The judgment, however, diverges from European Court of Human Rights case law (Lautsi v. Italy) and has raised concerns about the narrowing of religious expression in public institutions and the broader implications for religious freedom and state neutrality in education.
Catholic Hospital’s Right to Uphold Its Institutional Religious Freedom
August 8, 2025, GermanyThe Labour Court of Hamm has affirmed the right of a Catholic hospital in Germany to prohibit a senior gynaecologist from performing procedures that go against its religious mission, both within the hospital and in his private practice.