All cases
Evangelical church of San Giuliano attacked after Sunday service
May 5, 2024, ItalyOn Sunday 5 May, an evangelical church in San Giuliano Milanese in northern Italy was attacked by a man who tried to enter the church premises after shouting anti-Christian phrases, including "Allah Akbar", according to a local newspaper. After an unsuccessful attempt to enter the church, he smashed the window of the church entrance. He was arrested by police following the incident.
Public prayer gathering attacked in Zagreb
May 4, 2024, CroatiaA monthly public rosary prayer in the main square of Zagreb and 12 other public places in Croatia has been repeatedly attacked by activists from the radical left. Since the politically inactive men have started gathering for rosary prayers in January 2023, aggressive political activists have started demonstrating against them, claiming that the peaceful prayer of the men would "limit women's rights".
Vandals repeatedly target Church of Gesù Liberatore
May 3, 2024, ItalyIn May 2024, repeated acts of vandalism led to the temporary closure of the oratory at the parish of Gesù Liberatore in Canosa di Puglia (Apulia region). The latest incident involved the deliberate damage of a reinforced plastic cover used to protect the outdoor stage that hosts most parish and summer youth activities.
12th century Templar Chapel vandalised
May 3, 2024, ItalyIn a disturbing act of vandalism, unknown perpetrators broke into the historic chapel of San Giacomo di Ruspaglia, situated between the municipalities of San Giorgio Canavese and San Giusto. The intruders forced open the door, smeared wax on the altar, and threw candles at the interior frescoes, causing visible damage.
Two attempted arsons in the church of St. Peter and Paul in Oberalting
May 1, 2024, GermanyBetween 22 April and 1 May, the Catholic Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Oberalting, Bavaria, suffered two arson attacks within a short space of time, in which the church's prayer book was set on fire. The local community is alarmed by these acts of vandalism, which target a sacred space for personal reflection and prayer. The police have opened an investigation into these deliberate acts of arson.
Fourteen Helpers Church tagged with swastikas
April 30, 2024, GermanyUnknown persons have scratched two swastikas and a runic symbol on the façade of Fourteen Helpers Church in Zeitzer Straße in Gera. According to the police, the offence is now being investigated not only for damage to property, but also for the use of anti-constitutional symbols.
Protestant church vandalised with graffiti referring to massacre of Protestants
April 30, 2024, FranceA protestant church in France was vandalised with a graffiti reading “Long live Saint-Barthélemy”. Saint Barthélemy Day refers to the mass massacre of Protestants following 24 August 1572, in which between 15,000 and 30,000 Protestants were murdered in Paris and the provinces because of their faith. In this light, the graffiti is a particularly troubling display of anti-Protestant hatred.
Sacred objects stolen from Bytom-Szombierki church
April 29, 2024, PolandOn the night of Monday 29 to Tuesday 30 April, the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Bytom-Szombierki was broken into. Thieves smashed the tabernacle, stole three tins containing the consecrated hosts and the reliquary of St Faustina, which was placed under the image of the Merciful Jesus. Scattered hosts were found in the choir and outside by the missionary cross.
Arson on St Theresa Church Grounds
April 29, 2024, United KingdomOn 29 April a fire was discovered inside the garages on the grounds of St Theresa’s of the Child of Jesus Church in St Helens. A window of the church was also found to have been smashed. The Detective Police Inspector, Jimmy Rotheram, commented: "It’s truly shocking that a church, which is such a valued resource and focal point for the community, has been targeted in this way."
Consecrated Hosts stolen from Czestochowa Church
April 28, 2024, PolandUnknown perpetrators broke into the church of Our Lady of Czestochowa and stole the consecrated host, which is considered as an act of desecration by Catholics. Two ciboria with consecrated hosts disappeared from the secure tabernacle, as discovered by parish priest Father Stanislaw Mikos during Sunday Mass.
Arson in the St. Nicholas Church in Plön
April 28, 2024, GermanyOn Sunday, April 28, unknown perpetrators set fire to a bench in the aisle of St. Nicholas Church. The fire did not spread, but the smoke caused extensive damage. The police are investigating the incident.
Right-wing slogans and swastika daubed on church doors
April 27, 2024, GermanyIn the village of Hesborn, the parish church and the cemetery chapel were smeared with right-wing slogans and symbols. Early on Saturday morning, April 27, a large swastika was found emblazoned on the church door and "Foreigners out" was written on the door to the cemetery chapel. Police and state security are investigating.
Arson in Haren Church
April 27, 2024, GermanyUnknown persons set a fire in a church in Haren between April 26 and 27. According to the police, the fire was set in the porch of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (Herz-Jesu-Kirche). Floor tiles were damaged as a result. The fire went out on its own.
Woman desecrates host during mass
April 27, 2024, PolandSaturday April 27, a woman crushed a host and threw it to the ground that she had received during mass at the Church of St Charles Borromeo in Poznań.
Altar Cloth set on Fire in Capri Church
April 26, 2024, ItalyOn Friday morning, April 26, an unknown perpetrator tried to set fire to the church of San Bernardino Realino in Carpi. After attempting to steal the offering box, he set fire to the tablecloth in the side chapel.
Processional Cross stolen from church
April 25, 2024, United KingdomA processional cross has been stolen from St Mary's Church in Cuckney. The cross was removed from its wooden staff by thieves who entered the church, the police said.
'Fire at the Vatican': Walls of Roman church defaced with graffiti
April 24, 2024, ItalyOn Wednesday, April 24, the walls of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in San Lorenzo, Rome, were defaced with graffiti, including anti-Christian slogans. 'Fire at the Vatican', 'Freedom to anarchists', 'Trans liberation', 'Get the church out of our pants' and 'Free Palestine' were some of the inscriptions on the walls.
Vandalism in the Appels church
April 23, 2024, BelgiumOn Tuesday evening, April 23, in the church of Appels in Dendermande, an act of vandalism was reported.
Repeated vandalism of chapel in Torfaen
April 23, 2024, United KingdomThe chapel of Bethlehem Church in Blaenavon, in the south of Wales, has become a target of vandalism three times within three weeks. According to media reports, parts of the out buildings at Bethlehem Church have been vandalised and a wall and step were damaged. Furthermore, urine was discovered in the church doorway.
Arson Attack on Salamanca Chapel
April 22, 2024, SpainOn Sunday 22nd April, someone tried to set fire to the chapel of the Santísima Vera Cruz. The arsonists used a can of petrol. The parish priest was injured trying to put out the fire.