All cases
Vandalism in Velen church
July 8, 2025, GermanyRepeated acts of vandalism at St. Andrew's Church in Velen, in the Borken district. The church has been left in a state of disarray, with overturned candles and firecrackers set off next to the high altar. The most recent example: The icon of 'Our Lady of Perpetual Help' was sprayed with wax, and the damage is estimated to be in the mid-three-digit range.
Statue of Mary damaged
July 8, 2025, PolandAn act of vandalism occurred in a stone grotto in Przyłęk when a statue of Mary was found beheaded.
Arson at the pilgrimage chapel in Friedberg
July 8, 2025, GermanyUnknown individuals deliberately set multiple small fires inside the Maria Alber chapel in Friedberg-West. On the evening of 8 July, several pieces of partially burned paper, including church leaflets, newspapers and torn pages from the chapel's prayer book, were found under pews and near the candle stands. Parish officials have reported growing unease among community members, as this is not the first arson attack in recent weeks.
Hostilities erupt outside church in Langenau
July 7, 2025, GermanyViolence by pro-Palestine demonstrators against the congregation of St Martin's Protestant Church in Langenau, in the Alb-Donau district, has escalated. During an unannounced gathering outside the church, two protesters reportedly became physically violent against members of the congregation and verbally abusive against the priest. Due to the repeated demonstrations becoming increasingly violent, many parishioners have stopped attending services out of fear.
Vandals Wreck Church Hall
July 7, 2025, United KingdomA Church Hall in Northern Ireland was left in ruins after a nighttime break-in. Windows were smashed, religious texts thrown out, and food smeared across the interior—prompting community outrage and a police investigation.
Knife-Wielding Man Threatens Worshippers in Rennes Chapel
July 6, 2025, FranceA man armed with a knife threatened worshippers inside a chapel in Rennes, disrupting those present during a religious gathering. The individual was restrained by attendees and later arrested.
Altar of church in Lido vandalised
July 6, 2025, ItalyUnknown individuals entered the church of Tarquinia Lido, Maria Santissima Stella del mare, and overturned and damaged all the objects on the altar. According to reports, the vandals entered through a window at the back of the church and then targeted the side chapel where the consecrated hosts are kept.
Arson attack in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Helpers Stop Arsonist
July 6, 2025, GermanyOn the afternoon of Saturday, June 29, 2025, a 28-year-old man allegedly set fire to several altars in the Catholic parish church of St. Martin in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. According to police, the man intentionally ignited altar cloths using a lighter and caused damage estimated in the high four-figure range. Two church visitors extinguished the flames before the fire department arrived and overpowered the suspect, who has been temporarily placed in a psychiatric clinic by court order.
Attempted Arson at Sierck‑les‑Bains Chapel
July 6, 2025, FranceTwo adolescents attempted to set fire to the Marienfloss Chapel in Sierck-les-Bains. Thankfully the fire did not spread and caused only minor damages.
Salsasio church closes to public due to repeated vandalism
July 3, 2025, ItalyFollowing repeated acts of vandalism and harassment of the faithful, the parish of Salsasio has decided to close the church on Via Novara to the public, keeping it open only for religious services. Parish leaders denounced the incidents as showing “contempt for a sacred place and for Christianity,” and expressed serious concern for the safety of the church and its sacred objects.
Arsonists Ignite Five Fires in Lavesum’s Antonius Church
July 2, 2025, GermanyOn Friday, July 2, 2025, unknown individuals set multiple fires inside the Antonius Church in Lavesum, causing significant damage. Among the destroyed items was the canopy (baldachin) above the altar, and church officials suspect arson.
Sacristan struck down with cross
June 30, 2025, GermanyOn June 30, a man attacked the sacristan of the Catholic St. Nikolaus parish in Rodgau, using a crucifix as a weapon. The attacker, who is born in Syria and holds Lebanese and German citizenship, initially confronted the church worker after being approached about loud music coming from his parked car. He kicked the sacristy door, punched the sacristan, and then tore a 1.6-meter crucifix from the wall, striking the victim so forcefully that it broke. According to reports, he then tried to use the broken pieces of the figure of Jesus as a stabbing weapon and shouted to a passerby, “Help me kill him.”
Sacred Heart Poster at Vienna Bus Stop Defaced with Pride Graffiti
June 30, 2025, AustriaA religious poster honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus was vandalised at a Vienna bus stop with black spray paint and a provocative slogan.
Man Threatens Sacristan During Mass
June 30, 2025, SpainA man disrupted multiple Masses at a parish in Dos Hermanas, Sevilla, by demanding money from worshippers and threatening the church sacristan with death threats and xenophobic insults.
Christian Child Physically Attacked by Classmates After Revealing Faith in Kars
June 30, 2025, TurkeyAn 8-year-old child from a Christian family in Kars was physically assaulted by classmates after disclosing their religious identity. The case highlights both anti-Christian bullying and the pressure felt by the family, who later withdrew their complaint.
Crucifix set alight and 40 headstones smashed
June 29, 2025, United KingdomA large wooden crucifix was set on fire and around 40 headstones were smashed in a serious act of vandalism at St Conval’s Cemetery in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, Scotland, in the early hours of Sunday, June 29, 2025. The Catholic community has expressed deep sorrow over the attack, which Bishop John Keenan described as “destructive violence.” A 39-year-old man has since been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
Salerno Church doors smeared with excrements
June 28, 2025, ItalyOn the morning of June 28, 2025, vandals defaced the Church of Sant’Anna al Porto in Salerno by smearing feces on both the main entrance and sacristy doors. This marked the second consecutive day of such an attack, discovered by Monsignor Claudio Raimondi and several parishioners.
Police investigate Arson at Northampton Church
June 27, 2025, United KingdomOn the evening of June 27, 2025, a fire broke out at St Mary’s Church on Towcester Road in Northampton. Emergency services were called to the scene, and police are treating the incident as arson.
Confessional Destroyed in Arson Attack: Krefeld Church Closed for Months
June 27, 2025, GermanyA church in Krefeld was damaged after a confessional was set on fire. While the cause was initially unclear, the incident has since been confirmed as arson.
Vandal attacks parish staff when caught
June 27, 2025, GermanyOn June 27, a 26-year-old man vandalised the floor of a church in Traunreut with a felt-tip pen and punched a church representative in the face when confronted. The suspect fled the scene but was later temporarily arrested by local police