All cases
41 tombstones on church cemetery smeared with Nazis symbols
January 15, 2025, GermanyUnknown perpetrators vandalised a cemetery in Berlin-Heiligensee, Germany, damaging numerous gravestones and other property with extremist symbols. The incident is being investigated by police.
Figure of Jesus vandalised and thrown in the garbage
January 15, 2025, PolandOn the night of 14-15 January, unknown offenders committed an act of vandalism in the cemetery of the Parish of the Nativity of St John the Baptist in Tychy-Cielmice, Poland. The oak cross was destroyed with an axe, and the figure of Jesus was removed from the cross, smashed and thrown into a rubbish bin. The police are now investigating.
UPDATE: £7,500 PROSECUTION COSTS FOR HOLDING BIBLE VERSE SIGN
January 15, 2025, United KingdomOn 15 January 2025, the Crown Court rejected Stephen Green's appeals and confirmed his guilty verdict. The Christian preacher will now have to pay more than £7,500 in fines and prosecution costs for silently holding a Bible verse.
Occult vandalism at Lyndhurst church
January 15, 2025, United KingdomOn 15 January, a severed deer head was found on the porch of St Michael and All Angels Church in Lyndhurst. A similar incident occurred at the same church four years ago.
Teacher Sacked for Christian Beliefs Appeals Tribunal Decision
January 14, 2025, United KingdomBen Dybowski, a teaching assistant in Wales, was sacked after expressing his Christian views during a school seminar on diversity. Although the Education Workforce Council found no wrongdoing, an employment tribunal rejected his claim of harassment. He is now appealing the decision, raising concerns about the treatment of Christian teachers in Europe.
Religious Autonomy at Risk: Spain Investigates Dioceses under Trans Equality Law
January 14, 2025, SpainThe Spanish Ministry of Equality launched an investigation against seven Catholic dioceses over alleged breaches of the 2023 Trans Equality Law, following a complaint by the Spanish Association Against Conversion Therapies. As the law contains very vague wording—criminalising any “method (...) aimed at modifying the sexual orientation or gender identity” of an individual, even with their consent—it could potentially criminalise Catholic teaching and pastoral care around issues of sexual morality. Sanctions under the law include fines of up to €150,000 and exclusion from public funding.
Nativity scene in Bernay church defaced with atheist inscription
January 13, 2025, FranceDuring the Christmas holidays, unknown vandals defaced a crib in the church of Sainte-Croix in Bernay with an atheist inscription. The parish has already reacted and called for a spirit of dialogue.
Suspected arson attack on church in Borgholm
January 13, 2025, SwedenA fire inside a church in Borgholm is being investigated as a suspected arson attempt after smoke developed from an object inside the building. Authorities found no natural cause for the incident.
Second attack on Rennes Basilica within days
January 13, 2025, FranceFollowing the destruction of a statue of the Virgin Mary a few days ago, unknown perpetrators have again vandalised the Saint-Aubin Basilica in Rennes. This time, a statue of the baby Jesus was found decapitated. The city of Rennes is facing a serious wave of hate crimes against Christians.
Nativity scene destroyed in Persico Dosimo
January 12, 2025, ItalyOn the night of 11 January, unknown perpetrators seriously damaged a nativity scene in the churchyard of the Dosimo parish church. Several figures were smashed to pieces, a gesture that caused great indignation among the local population.
Church vandalised and statue destroyed in Rennes Basilica
January 12, 2025, FranceUnknown perpetrators have destroyed a statue of Mary in the Saint-Aubin Basilica in Rennes. Attacks on religious symbols are a growing concern in the region.
Christ Figure Repeatedly Destroyed At Memorial Chapel in Peißenberg
January 10, 2025, GermanyThe Christ figure on a field cross near the miners’ memorial chapel on the Neue Bergehalde in Peißenberg was deliberately damaged twice, with both arms broken off. The repeated targeting of the depiction of Christ has raised concern among local community members.
Sacred Objects Targeted in Catholic Church in Schleiden-Gemünd
January 10, 2025, GermanyUnknown perpetrators robbed and vandalised a Catholic church in Schleiden-Gemünd, deliberately targeting religious objects, including a gilded cross and a baptismal font. Water was removed from the font and poured onto the floor.
Repeated vandalism of Salò nativity scene
January 9, 2025, ItalyUnknown persons have vandalised the nativity scene set up by the fire brigade for the local community. The vandals not only damaged the nativity scene, but also urinated on the scene and set off a firecracker in the middle of the hay.
Two arson attacks on Valledoria church in 4 days
January 8, 2025, ItalyThe Church of Christ the King in Valledoria has been attacked twice in a very short period of time. The first arson attack took place during the celebration of mass on 5 January, and the second only a few days later, on 8 January.
Unknown perpetrators vandalise religious figures
January 7, 2025, GermanyOn the afternoon of 7 January, unknown perpetrators broke into the church of St. Francis Hochdahl in Erkhart. A leg of a religious figure, one of the Three Magi, disappeared and the burglars knocked over several other figures. Police are now investigating and looking for suspects.
Priest receives letter threatening parishioners
January 6, 2025, ItalyIn early January, the priest of the San Giovanni Battista parish in Siniscola received a letter containing threats against two of his parishioners. The case is now being investigated by the police.
Debate over refusal of communion and religious autonomy rights
January 6, 2025, SpainRubén García de Andrés, mayor of Torrecaballeros, was denied communion by a local priest because of his homosexuality, which he denounced as homophobic. His political party is demanding an apology and threatening legal action. The Diocese of Segovia defended the priest, citing Canon 915, which allows for the denial of communion on moral grounds, and denied any accusations of homophobia. The case raised concerns about the involvement of secular groups in church affairs, which is seen as a potential threat to religious freedom.
Relics stolen from church
January 5, 2025, GermanyAs reported on 1 January, unknown perpetrators stole religious relics and a nativity figure from a church in Brendlorenzen, Germany. The incident caused shock among parishioners and local clergy.
Church targeted in sacrilegious theft
January 5, 2025, ItalyUnknown perpetrators have broken into the tabernacle and stolen the vessel containing the consecrated hosts from the Catholic Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Trento.