All cases
Vandalism at of San Lorenzo
May 16, 2024, ItalyIn Perugia, unknown perpetrators vandalised the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, forcibly detaching the metal railing in front of the Jubilee Door created by artist Artemio Giovagnoni. The damage occurred on the side of the cathedral and required considerable force, as the railing had been securely fastened to both the travertine column and the pavement.
"Are you here to pray for the lives of unborn children?"
May 16, 2024, United KingdomSebastian Vaughan-Spruce was fined on May 16th in Birmingham while standing in a buffer zone near an abortion clinic. Among other things, the police asked him "Are you here to pray for the lives of unborn children?", in order to establish whether he was committing a crime. Sebastian replied that he was not praying silently in his head and further clarified: "I did not approach anyone, I did not speak to anyone, I did not breach anyone's privacy. I simply stood silently." He carried no sign either. The police could not tell him which crime he was committing, but nevertheless asked him to move away and leave the zone. When he inquired why, he was fined for not moving.
Church of the Holy Trinity near Peć vandalised with Islamist graffiti
May 15, 2024, KosovoUnknown individuals broke into the Church of the Holy Trinity a village near Peć and vandalised it with graffiti. The messages included “Allah Akbar,” as well as Albanian phrases such as “Remove this church from here,” “Only Muslims are here,” “We don’t want churches, we want mosques,” and “Islam is the only true religion!”
Attempted petrol bomb arson attack on Glasgow Baptist Church
May 15, 2024, United KingdomOn Wednesday, May 15, an unknown perpetrator tried to set fire to Dennistoun Baptist Church in Glasgow with a petrol bomb which exploded in front of the entrance door of the church. Images show the charred pavement in front of the church. Police received reports of attempts to damage Dennistoun Baptist Church on Finlay Drive at around 10:50 a.m., and an investigation has been launched.
Catholic cemetery in Smorgon vandalised
May 15, 2024, BelarusOn Wednesday, May 15, unknown perpetrators set fire to a 19th century large brick chapel on the catholic cemetery in the town of Smorgon in Belarus. An image of Jesus and the roof of the chapel was burned. Parishioners are convinced that there was an act of profanation.
Arson and Vandalism in Sainte-Thérèse de Poitiers
May 14, 2024, FranceOn May 14, benches were gathered in heaps and set on fire in front of the choir in the church of Sainte-Thérèse in Poitiers. Furthermore, a statue of Mary was beheaded by the vandals.
Statue of Padre Pio Vandalised at Church in Pescara
May 13, 2024, ItalyOn 13 May 2024, residents of the Colle Pineta hill in Pescara discovered that a statue of Padre Pio had been vandalised and thrown onto the asphalt outside the “Santa Famiglia” parish church, resulting in its destruction. The statue had stood near the church entrance.
Man armed with knife caught in church
May 13, 2024, PolandOn Monday, May 13, a 40-year-old man entered a church in Czaplinek with a knife while a First Communion service for children was taking place. The adult worshippers overpowered the man and called the police. The latter detained him for disrupting the service. According to witnesses, the man was dressed all in black, held a long kitchen knife and was walking towards the priest.
LibDems reported to EHRC for deselecting Christian candidate
May 12, 2024, United KingdomMore than 400 party members filed a complaint with the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission which accuses the Liberal Democrats of deselecting a candidate based on his Christian faith in breach of equality law and having tolerated a “hostile environment” for people of faith. David Campanale, an Anglican believer and award-winning former BBC journalist has been targeted by an activist group within the party who has been lobbying against him because of his Christian believes since his selection as a candidate in 2021. The campaign alleged that he had not sufficiently disclosed his faith during the selection process, which he denies, and complained that a decade earlier he had been a member of the Christian People’s Alliance (CPA).
Islamic graffiti on church wall in Vienna
May 12, 2024, AustriaNext to the entrance to the church of St. Anthony of Padua slogans written in black pen appeared on the wall. "Islam will win, with you or without," and "Deen over Dunya" ("Religion over worldly life") are just some of the numerous slogans on the wall. Some of the words have been crossed out or replaced, but the graffiti has not been removed.
Stations of the Cross Vandalised in Essen
May 10, 2024, GermanyOn Friday, 10 May 2024, unknown perpetrators vandalised six stations of the Way of the Cross on the Haniel spoil tip in Bottrop and stole four copper plates. According to the Diocese of Essen, a police report has been filed, and this is not the first time the site has been targeted.
Vandalism in Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives
May 9, 2024, FranceOn the night of Wednesday, May 8 to Thursday, May 9, Ascension Day, the abbey church of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives was the victim of acts of vandalism. The tabernacle, where the consecrated hosts are kept, was forcefully opened, although nothing was stolen. Mass vestments were also vandalised. The parish priest, Father Donat, immediately lodged a complaint with the gendarmerie. The gendarmerie is investigating the accident.
Minors commit Arson and Vandalism at Church
May 8, 2024, ItalyWednesday May 8, minors set fire to the Catheral of Casalmaggiore and vandalised it. The boys broke into the nave on the right side of the church where they broke the stoup into pieces and started a fire with candles. They then entered from the opposite side and went into a storeroom where the electrical panel that operates the lift and installations is located. The perpetrators could be identified thanks to surveillance cameras.
Polish missionaries arrested in Belarus
May 8, 2024, BelarusOn May 8, two Polish missionaries, Fr Andrzej Yukhnievich, OMI and Fr Pawel Lemekh, OMI were detained at the parish church of Our Lady of Fatima, Šumilina in Belarus for expressing their support to Ukraine. They have been sentenced to 15 days and 10 days in prison, for “subversive activity to the detriment of the Belarussian state”.
Repeated Vandalism in St Mary the Virgin church
May 6, 2024, United KingdomOn 6 May 2025, St Mary the Virgin Church on North Shoebury Road in Essex was vandalised for the third time in recent weeks. The attack occurred just days after the church had spent £1,200 repairing damage from a previous incident.
Fourth Act of Vandalism this year in Notre-Dame church in Livry-Gargan
May 6, 2024, FranceDuring the night of 5-6 May, the tabernacle in the church of Notre-Dame de Livry-Gargan (Seine-Saint-Denis) was torn from its place and stolen.
Arson attempt in Brive
May 6, 2024, FranceSaint-Sernin church in Brive became the target of two arson attempts on May 3 and May 6. Due to lack of resources to ensure continuous surveillance, the church is now closed.
Lutheran church in Plettenberg "devastated" by vandals
May 5, 2024, GermanyOn Saturday evening, May 5, the police were called to the Lutheran Böhler church in Plettenberg, because a witness had found "people rioting" there. Upon arrival the police found that the door had been smashed in and the wooden panelling was broken. The interior was "a picture of devastation", according to reports. The baptismal font was knocked over, a candelabra was torn down and a window was damaged. The organ on the upper floor was also demolished, as were parts of the roof truss. The damage is estimated by the presbytery to be at least 50,000 euros.
Host Theft in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Louvroil
May 5, 2024, FranceOn Sunday, May 5, a parishioner was preparing the church for mass when they discovered the tabernacle empty. The host was stolen and has not since been found. The community is deeply shocked by this act of desecration.
Vandalism and desecration of the church of La Rivière-Saint-Sauveur
May 5, 2024, FranceOver the weekend of May 4 and 5, an act of vandalism and desecration of the church was revealed in the church of La Rivière-Saint-Sauveur, France. An unknown perpetrator broken stained glass, and traces of fire were present. Above all, left excrement on the stairs leading to the funeral sheet. The volunteers responsible for opening and closing the church were also frightened by these acts, which coincide with the squatting of the building at night for several months.