All cases
Termini Chapel Closed After Reported Altar Desecration
December 2, 2025, ItalyThe Chapel at Termini Station in Rome was closed after a man was reported to have urinated on the altar. The closure is deprived the community of access.
Anti-Christian Graffiti Found on Church in Marseille
December 2, 2025, FranceGraffiti with hateful anti-Christian slogans, including phrases like “The only church that shines is the one that burns”, was discovered on the Église Sainte-Marie-Madeleine des Chartreux, prompting condemnation from city officials, police, and church leaders, and leading to formal complaints and calls for justice.
Cabinet Set on Fire Inside Church
December 2, 2025, ItalyA woman discovered flames and smoke inside the parish church of Sedico. Police are suspecting an arson by vandals who targeted the building.
Catholic Film Refusal Sparks Discrimination Claims Against National Trust
December 2, 2025, United KingdomThe UK’s National Trust has faced criticism after refusing a Catholic filmmaker permission to film at a historic religious site, reportedly on the basis of the project’s “religious affiliation”. Christian filmmaker Christian Holden said he was “bewildered” by the decision, which raised concerns about potential discrimination against religious projects. The National Trust has since stated that it has no policy against religious filming and is reviewing how the request was handled.
Renewed Push to Remove Vigo Cross Despite Earlier Court Ruling on Its Resignification
December 1, 2025, SpainIn December 2025, the Galician nationalist party BNG called on the Spanish Government to include the monumental Cross of O Castro in Vigo in the newly established national Catalogue of “Symbols and Elements Contrary to Democratic Memory”, which could lead to its removal. The initiative comes despite a 2015 ruling by the High Court of Justice of Galicia (TSXG), which held that, after political had been removed, the cross no longer constituted an exaltation of the Civil War or Franco dictatorship and could be regarded in its present context as a religious and commemorative monument.
Protestant Church in Erbach Vandalised and Desecrated
November 30, 2025, GermanyA Protestant church in Erbach was vandalised and desecrated. The incident involved damage to church property and degrading acts inside the building.
Nativity struck again: Baby Jesus’ head stolen at Brussels Grand Place
November 29, 2025, BelgiumFor yet another year, vandals have targeted the Christmas nativity scene at Brussels’ Grand Place, stealing the head of the baby Jesus figurine.
Palestine Flags Placed on Vienna’s Votive Church Without Approval
November 29, 2025, AustriaAnti-Israel demonstrators scaled the towers of Vienna's Votive Church and placed Palestinian flags on the spire. The Archdiocese condemned the incident, hired a crew to remove the flags, and announced that they may take legal action.
Two Churches and Christmas Marked Vandalised with “Allah” Graffiti
November 29, 2025, GermanyTwo churches, a parish facility, and other buildings in Delmenhorst were vandalised with red paint. The graffiti included the word “Allah” written in Arabic script.
Church Christmas Market Cancelled Due to Threats
November 28, 2025, GermanyThe St. Salvatoris Parish in Geesthacht (Schleswig-Holstein) had to cancel the annual Christmas market after receiving a threatening letter. Police are investigating the threats.
Pro-Palestinian Protest Disrupted Brussels Christmas Market Opening
November 28, 2025, BelgiumThe launch of Brussels’ Winter Wonders Christmas market was interrupted when demonstrators set off smoke bombs, waved Palestinian flags, and unsettled families.
Arson Attack at Laindon Church
November 27, 2025, United KingdomAuthorities investigated a deliberate fire at a Laindon church previously subjected to repeated racist vandalism.
Two Attempted Arson Attacks at St Giles Church
November 27, 2025, United KingdomThe Anglican and Methodist Church of St Giles was twice targeted by arson when rubbish was set on fire at its entrances—causing damage to the church door and prompting police appeals for information.
Monaco Bars Swiss Evangelist Over Public Cross
November 27, 2025, MonacoSwiss evangelist Stephan Maag, known for walking across Europe with a 40 kg cross to speak about his faith, was detained by police in Monaco, placed in a cell and expelled from the state. Authorities told him that public religious expression was “only allowed inside buildings, but not on public property,” but offered no written explanation and said the orders came “from above.”
Altar Statues Deliberately Damaged
November 26, 2025, ItalyAuthorities detained a 55-year-old man in Parabiago after he entered a parish church and toppled statues on the altar.
Amiens Christmas Market Nativity Scene Vandalised
November 26, 2025, FranceThe nativity scene at the Christmas market in Amiens was vandalised during the night of 25-26 November 2025: several statuettes — including the figure of the infant Jesus — were broken, leading to public indignation and closure of the display.
Desecration of Bodies and Tombs at Catholic Cemetery in Alhos Vedros
November 26, 2025, PortugalTen bodies were desecrated after mausoleums were broken into at a Catholic cemetery in Portugal. While cemetery vandalism had occurred before, the parish priest said that this incident was of an unprecedented scale. The local bishop condemned the act as a “sacrilegious gesture”.
Desecration of Ostia Church with Human Excrement
November 25, 2025, ItalyUnidentified vandals defiled the Church of San Nicola di Bari in Ostia by leaving human excrement inside the building, including on the altar, leading the Diocese of Rome to announce a Mass of Reparation.
Cathedral Prayer Book Desecrated with Insults and Blasphemies
November 25, 2025, ItalyA prayer book near the relics of Blessed Maria Raffaella Cimatti in Alatri was defaced with insults and blasphemies.
Christian Lecturer Cancelled due to Student Protests
November 25, 2025, GermanyA scheduled lecture by the habilitated philosopher Sebastian Ostritsch at Hochschule für Philosophie München was cancelled two days before the event. Student protests and pressure on university management resulted in cancelling the planned discussion of classical proofs for God’s existence.